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Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 49
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:18–19
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope
His cruelty is also obvious. Furthermore, it is clear that God commands we flee idolatry, godless doctrine, and unjust cruelty. Because of this, all the godly have great, compelling, and obvious reasons for not obeying the pope. These persuasive reasons comfort the godly against all the reproaches — such as dishonor, division, and discord — that are usually cast against them.
Pulling It Together
“That pastor caused such division when he led all those churches out of our denomination.” I heard this statement a couple of years ago while visiting an out-of-state church. Was it really that pastor who caused division? Or was it the fault of those who compromised the Word for the sake of cultural expediency?
Division? Discord? Jesus said that we should expect as much, that indeed, his very presence causes discord (Matthew 10:34–37). Furthermore, there will be the same sort of division in the end when the Son of Man separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31–34). Do not allow anyone to shame you about division. Instead, read and pray in the Word, practice and insist upon apostolic teaching, and be at peace with God, even if others will not be at peace with you.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep me in your Word, and make me genuine through faith in Christ my Lord. Amen
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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