Why do you conclude also the Third Article of the Creed with the words: “This is most certainly true”?

I conclude also the Third Article of the Creed with the words: “This is most certainly true”, because, as I continue my journey to heaven, I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit will accomplish in me and in the entire Church, that which I confess in this Article.

Are you sure that you will get to heaven?

God has already hre in time called us by the Gospel, enlightened and sanctified and preserve us in the true faith. I am also sure that He has already in eternity elected me to eternal life and that no one can pluck me out of His hand.

There is only an election of grace; there is no election to eternal death. God has not in eternity elected anyone to hell, but unbelievers are lost by their own fault.

Eph. 1:3-6: God... hath chosen us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself.

Joh. 10:27-28: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.

1 Thess. 5:9: For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Tim.2:4: God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

What will happen to the body and soul of a believer on the last day?

When the Holy Spirit on the Last Day raises the dead, a believer’s body together with his soul will live with Christ forever in everlasting joy and glory.

Phil. 3:21: Christ shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.

What happens to a believer when he dies?

When a believer dies his body returns to dust or decays, but the Holy Spirit transports his soul to be with Christ in peace.

Luke 23:43: Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.

Luke 16:22: And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.

Phil. 1:23-25: I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.

Col. 3:3-4: For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

Who will receive eternal life?

Everyone who believes in Christ will receive everlasting life. We already possess it through faith, but we will enjoy it in its fulness only when we are in heaven. Those who die in unbelief will not attain eternal life, but will be eternally damned.

Joh. 3:36: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 Joh. 3:2: Behold, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is.

Mark 16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

What does the Bible teach concerning everlasting life?

Everlasting life is unspeakably wonderful bliss, peace, righteousness, joy and glory, when we can see the Lamb of God face to face and be free of sin and its curse. Everlasting life is a spiritual type of life. When our bodies have been glorified, they will no longer have temporal needs. We will not partake of earthly food in heaven, nor will there be marriage there, but we will be like the angels.

Rev. 21:4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.

Ps. 17:15: I will behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.

Ps. 16:11: In thy presence is fulness of joy; at they right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Rom. 8:18: The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Rom. 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Rev. 22:3-4: And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him, and they shall see His face.

Mark 12:25: When they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage: but are as the angels which are in heaven.

On what basis do you believe that there is evelasting life?

I believe that there is everlasting life, because the Bible so teaches.

Matt. 25:46: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.

Joh. 10:28: I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Joh. 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Heb. 13:14: For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

How can you comprehend the resurrection of the body?

The resurrection of the body is such an overwhelming matter, that I cannot comprehend it with my mind, but I believe it with child-like faith because God teaches it in His Word, and because it is not based on our human abilities, but on God’s power.

For God, who created the world out of nothing through His Word, nothing is impossible. He is able merely by His Word to call forth also all the dead.

Matt. 22:29: (Jesus said to the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection of the body): Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.

Matt. 11:25: At that time Jesus answered and said: I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Rom. 4:17: Abraham believed, even God, Who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Rom. 4:21: And (Abraham) being fully persuaded that what He (God) had promised He was able also to perform.

Assignment: Read Matt. 22:23-33: Jesus and the Sadducees, and 1 Cor. 15: The Apostle Paul teaches concerning the resurrection of the body.

What will be the order of events in the resurrection?

On the Last Day, in connection with the second coming of Christ, a general resurrection of all people will take place. First those who died in faith will be raised, and then those believers yet living will be glorified. There will not be a long period of time between the resurrection of the believers and unbelievers, or a thousand-year kingdom, as some believe.

Matt. 12:41: The men of Nineve shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonas, and behold a greater than Jonas is here.

1 Cor. 15:51-52: Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Thess. 4:16-17: For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Heb. 9:27: It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

Assignment: Consider which of the above Bible passages refutes reincarnation.

Note: The belief in the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth (Chiliasm) is based on the literal interpretation of certain prophecies of the Old Testament and the book of Revelation. The Old Testament, using illustrations from temporal life, describes the time of the Messiah, His kingdom and its spread as a wonderful kingdom of peace. The New Testament shows us that these prophecies were fulfilled in Christ Jesus and His kingdom of grace, and refutes their literal interpretation with the words: “The kingdom of God comes not with observation”. (Luke 17:20). Compare, for example, Is. 9:1-6 and chapter 11, where the happy time of peace and the return of the remnant of Israel are connected to Christ’s birth and the ensuing proclamation of the Gospel. The prophecies of the book of Revelation are illustrative and they
are to be interpreted in the light of the clear passages of the Bible. The Confessions of the Christian Church do not recognize the teaching of Chiliasm, and teach according to the Bible that Christ will return visibly only once and at that time will conduct the Judgment. The Small Catechism: ”Will at the Last Day raise up me and all the dead.”

What difference will there be in the resurrection of the dead?

Believers in Christ will rise with glorified bodies to eternal life, but unbelievers will arise to eternal death and torment, with bodies subjected to sin, ridicule and shame.

Phil. 3:21: Christ shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.

Is. 66:24: Their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

What does the Bible teach concerning the resurrection of the body?

The Bible teaches that on the Last Day Christ will raise up me and all the dead. At that time He will make this same body in which I have lived and died, alive again.

Joh. 5:28-29: The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

How then are you justified before God or how are you saved?

I am not justified before God through any work or merit of my own, or because of any righteousness that is within me or that has been infused into me, but I am justified solely through God’s grace and goodness, solely because of Christ’s merit, to which I cling in faith and through which I have received it for myself.

In other words:

I receive righteousness and salvation acceptable to God, because of the most holy obedience, suffering and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and not because of the works of anyone else. This perfect fulfillment of the Law by Christ, His obedience and sacrifice, God imputes to me for my benefit through faith. The righteousness in which I am acceptable to God is not my own, but Christ’s righteousness.

Rom. 10:4: For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.

Rom. 5:19: For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Is. 64:6: But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

Is. 53:5,11: He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed... By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities.

Assignment: Read Rom. 3 and 4. Note: James 2:17-26 does not speak of becoming righteous in God’s sight, but being considered righteous in the sight of men.

Why must we so firmly hold fast to the Biblical doctrine of justification?

The doctrine of justification is the chief Christian doctrine:

1. 1. Without this doctrine everything else is useless.
   

   Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved.




2. This doctrine separates the Christian Church from all false religions.
   

   Gal. 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law; ye are fallen from grace.

   
   
   All false religions teach people to seek justification before God on the basis of their own works and merits. For this reason there are so many false religions.
   
   Luther says: “These articles of the Creed, therefore, divide and separate us Christians from all other people upon earth. For all outside of Christianity, whether heathen, Turks, Jews or false Christians and hypocrites, although they would believe in, and worship one true God, yet they know not what His mind towards them is, and cannot expect any love or blessing from Him; therefore they abide in eternal wrath and damnation. For they have not the Lord, Christ, and, besides, are not illumined and favored by any gifts of the Holy Ghost.”



3. Only the Biblical doctrine of justification gives and presents to wretched sinners true, lasting and unwavering comfort in life and death.
   

   Matt. 9:2: Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.



4. This doctrine alone gives all glory to God.
   

   Ps. 115:1: Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.

What do we, along with the whole true Church of Christ, teach concerning justification?

Along with the entire true Church of Christ we join the Apostle Paul in confessing: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Rom. 3:28).

Rom. 3:21-22: But now the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe.

Can every believer be assured of the forgiveness of sins?

Every believer in Christ can be absolutely certain of the forgiveness of his sins before God, because

1. God’s promises are firm and sure.



2 Cor. 1:20: For all the promises of God in him are yea.

Heb. 6:18: It was impossible for God to lie.

Tit. 1:2: God, that cannot lie.

2 Tim. 1:12: I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

1 Tim. 1:15: This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.




2. God has confirmed the forgiveness with an oath.
   

   Ezek. 33:11: As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.




3. The Holy Spirit has sealed the forgiveness in the hearts of believers with the Word and the Sacraments.
   

   2 Cor. 1:21-22: Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
   
   Rom. 4:11: Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.

Thus we can be certain “that neither death, nor life, nor angels or prinicipalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38,39)

Why does God forgive your sins or justify you?

I have no good work or merit because of which God would forgive my sins, but He forgives them solely by grace and solely for the sake of Christ, as a free gift.

Jer. 31:3: I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.

Eph. 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God – not of works – lest any man should boast.

Joh. 14:6: Jesus saith unto him: I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

Lutheran Confessions: “Therefore the righteousness which is imputed to faith or to the believer out of pure grace is the obedience, suffering, and resurrection of Christ, since He has made satisfaction for us to the Law and paid for (expiated) our sins.” (Formula of Concord, Thorough Declaration 3:14).

Note: Even those works that we do as fruits of our faith, do not merit anything.

Luke 17:10: Likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants. We have done that which was our duty to do.

What is justification?

Jesus Christ has atoned for all the sins of all mankind and in this way has earned God’s forgiveness for all people. Thus, Christ’s resurrection from the dead is also the justification of the whole world. We call this objective justification.

2 Cor. 5:19: God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.

1 Joh. 2:2: He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Heb. 1:3: The Son... when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Jer. 23:5-6: I will raise unto David a righteous Branch... and this is the name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUNESS.

Rom. 3:23-24: All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Rom. 4:25: Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

Luther: “For He (God’s Son) has died for the sins of the whole world. Now it is most assuredly true that I too belong to the world. Therefore it is most assuredly true, that he has also died for my sins.” (On the basis of Rom. 3:28, thesis 19, from the year 1535).

God proclaims this forgiveness to me in the Word of the Gospel and in the promises of the Sacraments, from which I receive it through mere faith, solely by grace, as a free gift, without a single work or merit on my part. This faith God counts unto me for righteousness. We call this justification by faith. (subjective justification).

Rom. 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.

Rom. 4:5: To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Rom. 4:16: Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace.

Lutheran Confessions: “The word justify means to declare righteous and free from sins, and to absolve one from eternal punishment for the sake of Christ’s righteousness, which is imputed by God to faith. Phil. 3:9" (Formula of Concord, Thorough Declaration, 3:17).

Why do I confess: “I believe in the forgiveness of sins”?

I confess that I believe in the forgiveness of sins, because I am certain that I cannot through my own strength and works be acceptable to God and be justified in His sight, but forgiveness of sins is given to me a gift by grace through faith in Jesus. Forgiveness of sins is the same as justification.

Ps. 130:3-4: If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.

Eph. 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God – not of works – lest any man should boast.

Rom. 4:6-7: God imputeth righteousness without works, saying: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

What is the final destiny of Christ’s Church?

When the complete number of the elect has come into Christ’s Church, Christ will come to judgment and will take His Church to the eternal joy of heaven. This heavenly, glorified Church is called the Church triumphant. This teaching of God’s Word gives the Church militant great comfort as it continues its journey and is subject to tribulation and persecution.

Matt. 5:10: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.

Rev. 19: 7,9: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready... Blessed are they, which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb... these are the true sayings of God.

What kind of a road must Christ’s Church travel here on earth?

Even though all believers have salvation through faith, and even though they enjoy God’s peace in their hearts, their life here on earth is a life of cross-bearing, and they experience the same as Christ experienced in His state of humiliation. Here on earth Christ’s Church is a militant church.

Act. 14:22: We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Matt. 10: 22: Ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Luke 9:23: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Eph. 6:11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.