Lesson from the Book of Concord for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany VII. Also they teach, that One holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments rightly administered. And to the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. Nor is it necessary that human traditions, rites, or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be everywhere alike. As Paul says: One faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, etc. [Eph. 4:5, 6] VIII. Although the Church properly is the Congregation of Saints and true believers, nevertheless, since, in this life, many hypocrites and evil persons are mingled therewith, it is lawful to use the Sacraments, which are administered by evil men; according to the saying of Christ: The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat, etc. [Matt. 23:2]. But the Sacraments and Word are effectual by reason of the institution and commandment of Christ, notwithstanding they be administered by evil men. They condemn the Donatists and such like, who denied it to be lawful to use the ministry of evil men in the Church, and who thought the ministry of evil men to be unprofitable and of none effect. —The Augsburg Confession
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 12:30:00 +0000
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