- "As Lutherans, we believe that the Holy Spirit is never separated from the Word or the Means of Grace. It is mentioned throughout Scripture and in the Lutheran Confessions in the explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles Creed. Note that the forgiveness of sins is here and not in the Second Article; it is a work of the Holy Spirit:" I believe you may be on to something, highlighting the location of "the forgiveness of sins" in the Creed. It does not read, "...was crucified, died, forgiving the sins of the world whether they believe it or not, and was buried." It does not read, "On the third day he rose again from the dead, distributing forgiveness to the entire world." The Gausewitz catechism did not speak of a blanket forgiveness of the world, apart from the Means of Grace. "263. To whom does God forgive sins? To me and all believers. 264. Where are sins forgiven? In the Christian Church on earth." There was a noticeable change in the Kuske catechism's treatment of the forgiveness of sins. Strangely, the word "forgiveness" is not even used in the following questions/answers from the "Forgiveness of Sins" section! "253. How many people did God declare righteous? God declared all people righteous (Objective justification). 255. Why is it important, then, that the Holy Ghost work faith in me? It is important that the Holy Ghost work faith in me so that I do not trust in my own works but only in the righteousness God gives me by grace in Christ (Subjective justification)."
- LutherRocks said...
- I'm not onto anything new 2138...Luther and the reformers were onto the truth 400 years ago amid the garbage of the day...the apostates still try to cover the truth with garbage...
