Psalm 34:1-2, 11, 22 - The Antiphon for the Introit
for this coming Reformation Sunday is from Psalm 119:46: “I will speak of Your testimonies before Kings, [O Lord] and shall not
be put to shame.”
On June 25, 1530, in the city of Augsburg, Germany, a
group of Lutheran princes presented a confession of their faith, composed by
the theologian Philip Melanchthon, Luther’s right-hand man–they presented their
confession to Emperor Charles V. That document, called the Augsburg Confession,
summarizes what our Lutheran churches believe, teach, and confess, on the basis
of Holy Scripture.
To confess the faith is to say back to God what he has
first revealed to us in his word. It is to declare to one another and before
the whole world what we believe and teach on the basis of God’s word. To
confess the faith is to declare the truth over against all errors. It is to
speak fearlessly and courageously what we know to be true, whether that truth
happens to be popular or not. Thus confessing the faith can be a very daring
and even dangerous thing to do.[1]
Yet we do not confess our faith in a vacuum nor do we
speak alone. We are simply using the very words the Lord has given us. They are
his words to give. We also speak what we have learned to be true in faith. St.
Paul writing to young Timothy gives these encouraging words, “But as for you, continue in the things you
have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned
them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make
you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” -2 Timothy 3:14-15 And in this same letter
Paul also reminds his young student in the faith, “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with
the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 1:13
Using the explanation to the Apostles’ Creed you can
confess and share your faith in a simple yet winsome way.
In whom do
you believe? “I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from
eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord,”
What has He
done? “who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me
from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil;”
How did He
do this? “not
with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent
suffering and death,”
Why did He
do this? “that I
may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting
righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead,
lives and reigns to all eternity.”
May the Lord grant us each the courage to live and
confess the faith in a winsome way daily.
[1] https://stmatthewbt.org/2017/06/24/confessing-the-faith-with-the-augsburg-confessors-psalm-11946/
[2]
Collect for Psalm 34, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church
Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
Image: Luther's Seal © Ed riojas. Higher Things
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