LESSON FOURTEEN
2009-2010
LAW, GOSPEL & THE MEANS OF GRACE
I. Thesis XX
In the sixteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when a
person's
salvation is made to depend on his association with the visible orthodox
Church and
when salvation is denied to every person who errs in any article of
faith. (WPD 334)
A. Walther found it strange that:
1. After the long duration of Rationalism and prevalence of "greatest religious indifference," (WPD 334).
2. That some now taught there is no salvation outside visible Lutheran Church.
B. "[E]asily explained by the prolific nature of error." (WPD 334).
1. Source of error:
a. Teaching "that the Church is a visible institute which Christ has established on earth, differing in no way from a religious state." (WPD 334).
b. Makes bishops, et al governing offices like kings, etc.
2. Is erroneous.
3. Scripture:
a. Mt. 16:18:
(1) Rock is Christ.
(2) Being built on Christ is faith alone, Christ alone.
b. Eph. 2: 19-22:
(1) No one built on foundation without clinging to word of apostles and prophets.
(2) No one is member without living faith.
c. Christ the Bridegroom [Walther did not cite particular verses]
(1) Mt 9:15.
(2) Mt. 25:1-12.
(3) Jn 3:29 (27-30).
(4) Rev. 21:2.
d. Christ the Head of the Church [Walther did not cite particular verses]
(1) (Eph. 1:22.)
(2) Eph. 4:15.
(3) Eph. 5:23.
(4) Col. 1:18 (17-20).
(5) Col. 2:19 (18,19).
e. Church as the body of Christ [Walther did not cite particular verses]
(1) Eph. 1:22,23.
(2) (Eph. 5:23).
(3) (Col. 1:18).
(4) (Col. 2:19).
f. Church as His flock. [Walther did not cite particular verses]
(1) Is. 40:(10),11.
(2) Zec. 9:16.
(3) Lk. 12:32.
(4) Ac. 20:(28),29.
C. Mt. 13:24-30, 36-40.
1. Some object that Christ compares Church to field of wheat and tares.
2. He does not say the field is His kingdom.
3. Then "Church would be a society composed of good and evil members." (WPD, pp. 335,336).
4. (v.38): field is world.
5. Christ not describing essence of Church.
6. Is describing its outward form as it appears in this world.
7. In visible form, can never be purged of hypocrites and ungodly people.
8. "(H)ypocrites and sham Christians profess Christ with their lips" but not in their hearts. (WPD 336).
9. Serving only "their carnal lusts." (WPD 336).
D. Lk. 14:26.
1. Here, "Christ passes judgment on all who do not want to renounce what they have." (WPD 336).
2. We may see people going to church, but can not see if really members of Church.
E. This error, (see B1 above) Walther says is "the primary falsehood...of our time." (WPD 336).
1. First papists.
2. Then some "Lutherans".
3. Overthrows doctrine of justification by faith.
4. True Church is found in the sects.
F. "Ekklēsia"
1. Used re: external communities such as those at Rome, Corinth, Philippi, etc.
2. Were called "churches".
3. Luther translated as "congregations", "a correct rendering." (WPD 337).
4. But inference is wrong "because the Scriptures, as a rule, employ this term when referring to no local congregation, but to the Church in the absolute sense, and that is an invisible community. The term is applied to local organizations because the invisible Church is contained in them." (WPD 337, 338).
5. A "synecdoche".
G. This false doctrine is "a fatal confounding of Law and Gospel." (WPD 338).
1. "I belong to the Lutheran Church for the sole reason that I want to side with the truth." (WPD 338).
2. Quit if find it harbors errors.
a. Mt 10:32,33.
b. 2Ti. 1:8.
3. But rejection of this false doctrine does not mean you can stay in fellowship (communion) with a sect.
4. Lutheran Church "claims to be the only Church that has the pure doctrine, but does not claim to be the alone-saving Church." (WPD 339).
H. Preface to the Book of Concord
(Tappert, pp. 11,12; Kolb and Wengert, Preface 20, pp. 12,13; Triglotta, Preface, pp. 19,21).
I. Ends 32nd Lecture with discussion of Luther's writing.
J. Begins 33rd Lecture (WPD 343).
1. Theologians:
a. Must have "a complete, accurate, and clear knowledge of every single doctrine of the divine revelation." (WPD 343).
b. Must also have:
(1) A "good knowledge of the mutual relations of doctrines to one another." (WPD 343).
(2) "[C]ourage, love, and liking for his theological calling." (WPD 343).
II. Thesis XXI
In the seventeenth place, the Word
of God is not rightly divided when men are
taught that the Sacraments produce salutary effects ex opere operato,
that is, by
the mere outward performance of a sacramental act. (WPD 346)
A. Error held by papists re:
1. Submitting to act of baptism without faith.
2. The Mass and Lord's Supper.
B. Ro 3:28.
1. If "act" sufficient, would be justified by works.
2. Sacraments condemn if not approached with faith.
3. "Grace does not operate in a chemical or in a mechanical manner." (WPD 347).
C. Ro. 14:23.
D. Heb. 4:12.
1. Papists admit preaching requires faith for hearers to benefit.
2. But, they say it is different re: Sacraments.
3. However, "Sacraments are nothing else than the Word of God attached to a symbol." (WPD 347).
4. The visible Word.
5. Sacraments must be embraced by faith.
E. Only Holy Spirit can give true faith.
F. End of 33rd Lecture.
G. 34th Lecture.
1. Some say that holding "pure doctrine" is very important is to not have "the right Christian spirit." (WPD 348).
2. Even prohibit use of term "pure doctrine".
3. 2Ti. 3:(6),7.
H. Contempt of pure doctrine.
1. Spirit of Pilate: Jn. 18:38.
2. Is contempt of the truth.
3. Pure doctrine is simply the pure Word of God.
4. Jer. 23:28.
5. Jn. 8:31,32.
6. 2Jn. 9-11.
7. Tit. 1:9-11.
8. 1Ti. 4:16.
I. Must:
1. Defend the truth.
2. And, oppose error.
J. Faith alone.
1. Ro. 4:16.
2. Mk. 16:16.
3. Ac. 8:36,37: required nothing more than faith.
4. Gal. 3:26,27.
5. Words of Institution: "for you" and "remembrance".
6. Ro. 4:11.
K. Sacraments: not ex opere operato.
1. We do speak in terms of high esteem.
2. Baptism effects regeneration.
3. SC IV 9,10 (Tappert, p. 349; Kolb and Wengert, p. 359; Triglotta, p. 551).
4. SC VI 7, 8 (Tappert, p. 352; Kolb and Wengert, pp. 362, 363; Triglotta, p. 557).
5. AC XIII, 1,2 (Tappert, pp. 35,36; Kolb and Wengert, XIII, 1-3, p. 46; Triglotta, p. 49)
6. Ap XIII, 3-5 (Walther cites as Ap XII) (Tappert, pp. 211,212; Kolb and Wengert, pp. 219,220; Triglotta, p. 309)
7. Ap XIII, 18-23 (Tappert, pp. 213,214; Kolb and Wengert, pp. 221,222; Triglotta, p. 313).
L. Ends 34th Lecture with discussion of how Lutheran teaching has been distorted.
M. Begins 35th Lecture (WPD 361).
1. Jn. 14:6.
2. Ac. 4:12.
3. 1Co. 2:2.
4. Keeping people from believing in Christ:
a. An awful indescrible sin.
b. Worst offenders are Rationalists.
c. Rationalists teaching nothing but moralistic precepts.
d. Mt. 23:13.
e. Mt. 7:23. (21-23)
f. Papists do the same.
(1) Teach be afraid of Christ.
(2) Also teach flee to Mary.