Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 23
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:15
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for a recording of today’s lesson.
From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
The sober fact is that the blessed Virgin has altogether replaced Christ in public opinion. People have invoked her, trusted in her mercy, and have desired to appease Christ through her, as though He were not a Propitiator, but only a dreadful judge and avenger. We believe, however, that we must not trust that the merits of the saints are applied to us, that because of them, God is reconciled to us, or has accounted us just, or saves us. We obtain forgiveness of sins only by the merits of Christ, when we believe in Him.
Pulling It Together
Because of his sacrificial death for us, Christ alone has satisfied the just requirement of God’s law, something which we nor the saints could ever do. Scripture therefore, calls only Christ our Mediator. Christ now sits at God’s right hand (Mark 16:19), where he intercedes for all who believe. Through Christ a New Covenant was established by the shedding of his blood (Luke 22:20). The Scriptures never speak of anyone else doing this for us.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for dying in my place, mediating for me before your Father, so that I am purchased back from death. 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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