Romans 10:5-17
Presentation of the Augsburg Confession - 25 June 2017
Rev. John Derme
Do you know what date we use each year to commemorate the Reformation of the church? Can you name the document that was posted that day? Reformation Day is celebrated each year on October 31st. Martin Luther posted a document called the 95 Theses on that day in the year 1517.
There was a lot more to the Reformation than one day and one document, though. There have been 500 years and countless documents. But if I were to pick out one date that is right up there with October 31st and one document that even surpasses the 95 Theses, I would choose June 25th and the Augsburg Confession. The 95 Theses were foundational historically, but the Augsburg Confession is indispensable because of the truth that it teaches. The Theses were a list of problems that needed to be addressed and solutions that were a good beginning at fixing them. But Augsburg is a confession of faith in what God has done and what that means for our lives.
Early in the year 1530, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V called a meeting of the empire to be held in the city of Augsburg – in present-day Germany – later that year. The council would deal with the people he derisively called "Lutherans." There was no separation of church and state at that time and place. The emperor planned to unite the Christians of the land. He wanted to bring them back into the Roman church so that they could help him fight the Turks, who were attacking the empire. It was 12 years after Luther had posted the 95 Theses in 1517. He was no longer a lone monk. Many people, including political leaders within the empire, had heard the gospel that Luther preached and believed.
As soon as they received word of the meeting, Luther and other theologians began to work on a document that would explain what they believed. The most important of these theologians was Philip Melanchthon. Melanchthon wanted this document to show that what they believed was what Christians had always believed. They weren't introducing any new teachings, but were going back to what the Bible had always taught. Luther, Melanchthon, and the others worked through several editions of several documents, until they finally had the confession that the Lutheran princes presented on June 25th in Augsburg. Since Luther wasn’t allowed to be present at the meeting – he would have been executed if he came – Melanchthon was the principal author.
The emperor wasn't friendly toward the "Lutherans." He probably would have turned his army on them if the Turks hadn't occupied it. Years later, when the Turks were no longer such a threat, the emperor did attack them. So why were the Lutherans willing to risk everything, their positions and their lives, at Augsburg? They had heard the gospel message from the Bible and God had brought them to believe that it was true. God's Word moved them to confess their faith.
They believed and confessed exactly what the Apostle Paul wrote in our Second Lesson for today, from Romans chapter 10. Paul was dealing with the same false teaching that became so prevalent in the Roman church of Luther's time: the idea that a person earns righteousness before God by the good works that he or she does. So Paul quoted several Old Testament passages to show that God had never taught that, but it was a corruption of the truth. Rather, God declares us to be righteous in his sight through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul begins, Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: “The man who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). It is impossible for us to do what is necessary to earn righteousness from God for ourselves, because we are sinners. But Christ has already done everything that is necessary. Jesus came down from heaven to live and die for us. By his life he earned the righteousness we need. By his death he paid for all of our sins. Jesus rose from the dead for us, and there God declared him to be righteous in our place.
Paul continues, But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The righteousness that Jesus earned for us with his life and death comes to us for free through the Word of God. Through the Word of God the Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts, and through faith we are declared righteous. That faith doesn't only stay in our hearts, though. When we believe in Christ, we confess that faith with our mouths. This good news is for all people! All who believe and confess that Jesus is Lord are saved.
Paul concludes, How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. People cannot believe and confess that Jesus is Lord unless someone brings them the good news. Of course, some people who hear the gospel of Jesus reject it. But many people who hear it believe and confess. In order for people to confess their faith, other people need to confess their faith to them.
People tried to earn righteousness from God during Old Testament times, at Paul's time, at Luther's time, and they still try to earn righteousness by what they do today. You and I are also tempted to try to earn righteousness. But because you and I are sinners, we cannot do it. We are not righteous by what we do. We need God to do it for us. If we arrogantly try to make ourselves righteous, we are rejecting him and his Word. Then we will be put to shame.
Instead, hear the gospel of God, which promises you all the righteousness that you need for free through faith in Jesus. He has done it all for you. Enjoy this beautiful good news! When you trust in Jesus, you will never be put to shame.
But of course, you cannot only believe. Confessing faith is necessary for us! It's not that “You'd better confess your faith or God will take your righteousness away!” No, we want to give glory to God. How can we not confess our faith in the wonderful things that God has done for us?"
Confessing faith is also necessary for others who do not yet know that Jesus has earned righteousness for them. They need us to confess our faith, so that they too may hear and believe. God's promise of righteousness through faith is for all people. How can we not confess our faith in the wonderful things God has done for them!
Confessing faith is what June 25th, 1530 in Augsburg was all about. The theologians and princes believed in what Jesus had done for them. They couldn’t help but confess, both for their own sake and for the benefit of those who heard. And they have handed their confession down to you and me today so that we may also hear and share in their confession of what God has done.
Have you read the Augsburg Confession before? It is one of the six confessions contained in the Book of Concord. Some of you have this book in your homes. If you don't have one I prepared a booklet with the Augsburg Confession and explanatory notes for you. It starts with a preface, which highlights the confessors’ desire come to unity of faith in the truth. It contains 28 articles. The first 21 articles set forth the teaching of the Bible and show that the confessors believed true Christian doctrine. The last 7 articles focus on false practices in the church that they had corrected. The conclusion explains that they would be happy to discuss further with anyone who wanted to hear more.
The Augsburg Confession isn't just for pastors. The ones who presented it were lay people. It is for everyone. So I invite you to take the confession home and read it for yourself and with your family. It isn't all that long. Read one article per day. It'll only take a few minutes. In a month you will be through it. Your time will not be wasted. The confession is filled with the gospel, so you will grow in faith as you read, in addition to learning a thing or two. You will see that every article gives all glory to God for what he has done. As you read this confession, you will be further equipped to confess your faith, as you give glory to God and bring the good news to others.
Stand with the Augsburg confessors in proclaiming what the Lord has said to you. You are declared righteous through faith in Jesus! This gospel is for all! Believe this good news! Confess your faith!