But we entertain heartfelt pleasure and love for, and are on our part sincerely inclined and anxious to advance, that unity according to our utmost power, by which His glory remains to God uninjured, nothing of the divine truth of the Holy Gospel is surrendered, no room is given to the least error, poor sinners are brought to true, genuine repentance, raised up by faith, confirmed in new obedience, and thus justified and eternally saved alone through the sole merit of Christ.
Formula of Concord, SD, XI, #94. Concordia Triglotta, p. 1095. Tappert edition, p. 632; Heiser English-only, p. 294.Henry Eyster Jacobs stated that the power of the Word is related to its purity. The more we water it down, the less power it has, because faux-religious language is merely man's word. The media ministers prove this true.
The pure Word brings poor sinners to genuine repentance, which is godly contrition and faith in the Savior. Sound doctrinal teaching strengthens the New Creation, who is justified by faith alone, apart from the works of the law.
