Words of Encouragement for October 27

Meditations in Genesis

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Hebrews 11:4 (Read Genesis 4)

Both Cain and Abel offered gifts to the LORD God, Abel from his flocks and herds, and Cain from the fruits of the ground. Why was it that God accepted Abel and his sacrifice but rejected Cain? Hebrews 11:4 tells us the answer: “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

Abel offered his sacrifice in faith. He trusted in the LORD God to accept him and his sacrifice for the sake of the promised Seed of the woman, that promised Messiah and Savior who would redeem him and all mankind from sin and the just condemnation of God’s law. Cain, on the other hand, though he too offered up a sacrifice to the LORD, did not offer it up in the confidence of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Rather, he went through the outward motions of serving his Maker, but his heart was far from the LORD (cf. Matthew 15:8; Isaiah 29:13).

Cain’s works are described as evil in 1 John 3:12 and Jude 11. Even though he brought an offering to the LORD, he was not walking with the LORD by faith; and his gift was unacceptable since the LORD looks upon the heart.

Of course, when we read Genesis 4, we learn not only that Cain’s sacrifice was unacceptable, but that he hated his brother Abel and killed him because Abel was counted righteous. Those who do not follow after the LORD continue to this day to hate those who walk by faith in the LORD because the witness of the righteous pricks the guilt-ridden consciences of those who go their own way.

Does this mean that Abel was of himself without sin? Not at all! Rather he was counted righteous in God’s eyes through faith in God’s promise to send a Savior to bear his punishment and redeem him from sin’s condemnation (Cf. Genesis 3:15). The lambs sacrificed pointed ahead to the Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world (cf. John 1:29).

What about you? Do you walk with the LORD God by faith in His Son as did Abel, trusting that God accepts and forgives you for the sake of that Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world? Or do you walk as Cain walked, serving the Lord outwardly with gifts and lip-service while inwardly you are far from the Lord and go another way?

Dear Lord Jesus, Lamb of God who has taken away my sin and the sin of the whole world by Your innocent sufferings and death upon the cross, forgive me, cleanse me and lead me. By Your Spirit, move me to walk with you by faith unto life everlasting. Amen.

The Augsburg Confession

Article XVII: Of Christ’s Return to Judgment

Also they teach that at the Consummation of the World Christ will appear for judgment, and will raise up all the dead; He will give to the godly and elect eternal life and everlasting joys, but ungodly men and the devils He will condemn to be tormented without end.

They condemn the Anabaptists, who think that there will be an end to the punishments of condemned men and devils.

They condemn also others who are now spreading certain Jewish opinions, that before the resurrection of the dead the godly shall take possession of the kingdom of the world, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed.

The Distinction between Orthodox and Heterodox Churches

by Dr. Franz Pieper

Editor’s Note: Dr. Franz Pieper was professor of theology at Concordia Seminary (1878 to 1887), became president of the same institution in 1887, and was also president of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states from 1899 until 1911. He served as editor of Lehre und Wehre, the faculty journal of Concordia Seminary. From 1882 to 1899, Pieper served on the Board of Colored Missions for the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America. He is the author of Christliche Dogmatik (3 vols., 1917-1924; translated as Christian Dogmatics, 1950-1953). He died in St. Louis in 1931. This essay was delivered by Dr. F. Pieper in 1889 to the Southern District Convention of the Missouri Synod. The original essay was translated by three former Synodical Conference pastors: G. Schweikert, P.T. Meicher and E.L. Mehlberg and appeared in a 1948 issue of the The Okabena Lutheran.

Thesis IV

Likewise, only in the orthodox Church is God given the honor which He requires; and, only in it are souls rightly cared for. Fellowship with heterodox churches militates against God’s honor, and is a constant danger for the soul.

God’s Word revealed in Scripture is God’s honor. As God in His Word has revealed Himself to us human beings, so He wants to be honored and worshiped by us human beings. As men take their stand toward God’s Word, so they take their stand towards God. This we dare not forget. We mortal beings have God here on earth only in His Word. When by God’s grace we have arrived in yonder life, we will see God face to face. Whoever seeks God here on earth, must seek Him in His Word; whoever wants to keep company with God, must keep company with God’s Word; whoever claims that he loves God, must prove his love by loving God’s Word, as Christ our Lord expressly says: “If a man love Me, he will keep My words.” John 14:23. Therefore, we also say: Whoever would honor God, must honor Him in His Word. And what does this include? He must accept all of God’s Word as inviolable truth. He must accept God’s Words as they read and not take the liberty to explain things away, or misconstrue them, because the clearly expressed sense of a passage is against his reason. Neither does he have the right to make a selection of the doctrines revealed in God’s Word and accept some, but reject others. God’s honor demands that we accept and keep all His Words.

Let us now apply this to the difference between orthodox and heterodox churches. In the orthodox Church all of God’s Word is respected as truth to be kept unbroken, all Words of God are accepted, as they read, without any pet personal interpretation; all doctrines revealed in the Holy Scriptures are believed and confessed. Thus in the orthodox Church God is honored in all His Words; to Him alone is given that honor which He demands. In the heterodox churches, on the other hand, all of God’s Word, revealed by God in the Holy Scriptures, is, as a matter of fact, not accepted. God’s Word is tampered with, in order to gain a sense that is pleasing to man’s reason. Of those doctrines revealed in Scripture, some are denied altogether, others are twisted; doctrines are also set forth as divine which are not at all contained in God’s Word. Thus, in heterodox church bodies God’s honor is diminished, yes, disgraced.

But right here the leaders of heterodox church bodies assure us, that they place God’s honor above everything and seek to honor God in all things. Let us firmly maintain this over against them, that God is honored or despised to the same degree that His Word is honored or despised. They must demonstrate that they honor God in all things by letting God’s Word as it reads be the deciding factor in all doctrines. If they assent to God’s Word in all doctrines, good! Then, indeed, they truly honor God; then they also cease to be heterodox. But if they continue to misconstrue God’s Word, to twist God’s Word, and cast it away, then they, in spite of their assurances to the contrary, should not be allowed to talk us into believing that they honor God. That is the case even with the honor of an earthly king. His subjects must demonstrate that they honor him by submitting to the laws which he issues. If they pay no attention to his decrees, and at the same time with fine talk act like loyal subjects in the presence of the king, then that is hypocrisy. Now Christ is King in His Church, in His spiritual kingdom. He has made His revealed Word, the Holy Scriptures, the law of His kingdom. He requires of His spiritual subjects, that they accept all of His Word. Now when you explain away His Word and in part reject it, then you are in rebellion against Christ as the sole Ruler in His kingdom. And if, in this connection, you act very humble and pious, then that is either great ignorance or pure hypocrisy.

Let us by no means forget that God is either honored or else despised by man’s attitude toward His Word. We are only too easily inclined to lose sight of this truth. We rather put at the head of the list certain outward, striking marks among those works by which we are to demonstrate our Christianity. The works of charity towards the needy and forsaken are regarded above others as signs of genuine piety. Of course, these works also must be found in a Christian’s life. He that does not do them, although God calls upon him to do these particular works, too, will some day hear from the mouth of Christ the words: “I was hungry and ye gave Me no meat,” etc. “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.” Matt. 25. But the first and foremost work whereby a person is to give proof of his Christianity is, and remains, surely this, that he from the heart respects God’s majestic Word, believes it, submits to it, does not deny any of it, but confesses it wholly and fully. The Lord says: “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word.” Is. 66:2. “If a man love Me, he will keep My Words.” John 14:23. To accept God’s Word in humble faith is obedience to the First Commandment. As surely as the First Table of the holy Ten Commandments precedes the Second, so surely the trusting acceptance of His Word is also the first part of God-pleasing piety. This first part of piety is also the basis for all other good works. Without a sincere reverence for God’s Word, all external works, even if they appear to others to be ever so impressive, are of no value before God. Let us not forget what Luther so often says: False doctrine, the departure from God’s Word, is a sin against the First Commandment. To the extent that a person departs from God’s Word, to that extent he separates himself from the authority of God, follows after other gods, and profanes God’s name.

The objection, indeed, is raised that the heterodox church bodies mean no evil. Of course, the Christians in these churches intend no evil: it is due to their ignorance, that they do not confess the whole Word of God. But the founders and leaders of sects have evil intent; and the devil, the originator of all false doctrine, wants to rob God of His honor, and souls of their salvation. But, if you say: In the heterodox churches they are only indifferent to God’s Word, then we should answer: Indifference to God’s Word is disrespect for God. A Christian should not be indifferent to God’s Word; rather, God’s Word should rate higher in his estimation than everything in the world. Christ says: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:19. We must say with Luther: “I feel that every Word of God makes the world too narrow for me.” That is rightly honoring God!

Luther writes concerning this matter: “God says: Their worship is idolatrous and false who use My name only with their mouth. Indeed I hear My Name, says He. They call Me Creator of heaven and earth, but altogether in violation of the Second Commandment. For they do not in sincerity thus call Me Creator; yes, what is more, they corrupt the worship with commandments of men. ‘They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.’ Is. 58:2. But I will not be worshiped with such service and teaching which men have chosen. But in fear before Me you shall serve Me, that is, that you accept My Word in faith, as it is written in the last chapter of Isaiah, v. 2: ‘To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word’; such people shall serve Me. Likewise Isaiah in chap. 8, v.13: ‘Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary.’” (St. L. Ausg. II, 721 to 1 Mos. 31, 33-55.) And (1,1538): “However, let none ever fear God except alone in His Word, as it is written in Exodus 20:3,4: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.’ Where God reveals Himself in His Word, there serve Him, there show Him honor; then you are truly God-fearing, as you should be. Therefore we tread upon, reject, Pope, factions, and sects, we are not afraid of them; neither do we honor those who establish a worship of God of their own invention, outside of and against God’s Word, those who condemn the true religion and correct teaching, and call it heresy. Therefore they fear where there is no cause to fear; and where there is cause for fear, they do not fear at all.”

Let us, additionally, show by the contents of several doctrines how by falsifying them God’s honor is diminished. God’s Word teaches that Christ has redeemed all people and that God would have all men to be saved. To honor God rightly, we must accordingly believe that God desires the death of not a single sinner, but that according to God’s will each sinner should, by faith in Christ, obtain eternal life. See, therefore, how God is dishonored, and what a false picture is drawn of Him by the false teaching which claims that God has redeemed, and wants to save only a part of mankind through Christ. No, we should think thus of God: As the light of the sun is universal and shines on all people, so also in Christ the Divine sun of grace is risen upon all people, without exception, giving them light unto spiritual and eternal life.

Furthermore, God’s Word teaches that those who obtain salvation are converted and saved alone by God’s grace in Christ, so that no human being can glory in himself above others, but each one must confess: “That I now am converted, that Thou alone hast done.” But the synergists, that is, certain false teachers, claim that a man by his own efforts, by his good conduct, etc., brings it about that he, in preference to others, is converted. They thereby do not allow God alone the glory for their conversion and salvation, but ascribe this glory partly to themselves.

The Reformed, and all Reformed sects, deny the Real Presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Lord’s Supper. Through this they detract from God’s honor. Apart from the fact that such do not accord Christ the honor of believing His Word, consider how gloriously the love of Christ beams on us poor sinners when we in accordance with His Word firmly hold that He even gives us as a seal His body and blood for the assurance of the forgiveness of our sins! Whoever vitally understands this will, in his heart, really sings praises to God. Whoever, on the other hand, regards the Lord’s Supper as a mere memorial feast in which there is nothing else present than bread and wine, no such praise of God will be found in his heart.

Furthermore, also this is a difference between the orthodox and the heterodox Church, that only in the orthodox Church are souls rightly cared for, while fellowship with the heterodox churches is a constant danger for souls.

No doctrine in Holy Scripture is given us by God without a purpose, but with each doctrine God has our salvation in mind, namely, that we should come to faith in Christ, be kept in faith, and thus by the power of God through faith be preserved unto salvation. Thus we read in John 20:31, at the end of John’s Gospel — and what applies to this Gospel applies to all of Scripture — “These (things) are written, that ye might believe,” etc. Whoever, therefore, cuts off a part of Bible doctrine, cuts off a part of that which should bring him to faith and keep him in it. We read, furthermore, in 2 Tim. 3:16: “All Scripture is given by inspiration or God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” And in Romans 15:4: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime (namely all Scriptures of the Old Testament) were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Thus, all doctrines revealed in Scripture relate to our salvation. They serve this purpose, that they correctly reveal God’s will regarding us human beings, so that we might in faith know God as a gracious God, that in temptation we might have rich comfort, that patience might remain with us in affliction, and that we might firmly cling to the hope of eternal life. Whoever, now, detracts from the doctrines revealed in the Scriptures or falsifies them, takes away from the saving doctrine, detracts from the comfort so necessary for us poor sinners and intended for us by God.

Let us make this clear by considering several examples. Whoever falsifies that doctrine, that only by grace for Christ’s sake through faith in Christ we have forgiveness of sin and eternal life; whoever, then, ascribes the obtaining of God’s grace in whole or in part to our works or our better conduct, makes it impossible for us to be sure of God’s grace and our salvation. For he who has an awakened conscience, and knows a little about himself, must confess with Paul that in him, that is, in his flesh, dwelleth no good thing. Now, if grace and salvation rest, even only partly, on our own worthiness, then we can never become sure of them, but must spend all our life in doubt and uncertainty.

The doctrine of the free grace of God in Christ, however, is denied not only by the Pope, but is also corrupted by all the sects. How soul-destroying the doctrine of work-righteousness is, as it is promoted by the papacy, we can see in Luther. In spite of his honorable and strict life, he sank ever deeper into doubt concerning God’s grace. And he would have been ruined altogether in body and soul if he had not, by God’s grace, come to the realization that the forgiveness of sins does not rest on our works, but altogether on God’s mercy in Christ. With this knowledge the certainty of grace entered into his heart.

But most of the time, the sects teach in such a way, that the grace-hungry souls can have no sure comfort. The almost universal practice of sectarian preachers is to offer the comfort of the Gospel only then when sinners have first ceased from sin and changed their ways. Whereas, a true Christian knows, that there can be no change in a person as long as he does not believe the grace of God.

A person who has come to the knowledge of his sin needs much comfort. For that reason, God has opened many different channels of comfort in the Means of Grace which He ordained. Not only through the preaching of the Gospel does He grant us forgiveness of sins, but also through holy Baptism, and through the holy Supper, He bestows upon and seals for each sinner in particular the forgiveness of sins. Even as it is written, that we are baptized “for the forgiveness of sins,” and that in the Lord’s Supper Christ gives us His sacrificial body and shed blood as a seal that we through the suffering and death of Christ have forgiveness of sins. Yes, Christ the Lord has, in addition, also ordained Absolution in the words: “Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them,” so that a poor sinner, when he hears the Absolution out of a fellow human being’s mouth, can be certain his sins are forgiven before God in heaven. But now the sects not only deny these Means of Grace, they also declare it to be misleading and productive of carnal security if one tries to become certain of the forgiveness of sins through Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Absolution. So they stop up the channels through which Christ wants rich comfort to flow to His people.

It is, of course, true: if someone on the basis of the preached Gospel, yes, on the basis of only one passage (for example, “God so loved the world,” etc., “The blood of Jesus Christ,” etc.) believes in the forgiveness of sins, he really has forgiveness of sins and, in general, all the spiritual gifts merited by Christ, and can die saved. His faith which is based on only one Gospel passage has a divine foundation. For that reason also, many within the sectarian churches are saved, although they are prevented by sectarian doctrine from making the right use of their Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Absolution. They should, however, make use of that which Christ has richly supplied His own. Thus, in the heterodox churches the rich comfort meant for them by Christ is spoiled, and therefore such churches are not the right dwelling place for them. Souls are not rightly cared for among the sects.

There is, of course, a great difference between those who grow up in heterodox churches and out of ignorance remain in them — they can with their unrecognized sins be saved — and those who from childhood on have learned the truth, but join a heterodox church in order to please others, for the sake of convenience, or perhaps even on account of some rebuke administered to them in the orthodox Church. These commit a willful sin, which becomes a hindrance to their salvation. That even in the heterodox churches people can be saved cannot benefit us who know that a Christian should not be found in heterodox churches.

The harm of union between orthodox and heterodox churches can be made clear by an example. Three neighboring farmers each have a brook; the one brook has clear, pure water; the second has cloudy, muddy water; and the third has stagnant, impure water. The proposal is made to combine the three brooks in order to form a bigger, more impressive-looking stream. “No,” says the owner of the pure water, “I want to keep my clear water; if you wish clear water, then get it from me; I’ll still have enough.” Thus the orthodox Church ought also to refuse union with the heterodox Church, in order that the water of life may not be mixed with any deadly ingredients.

The danger of staying in a heterodox church becomes clearly evident also when considered from still another viewpoint. For a Christian, it is necessary above all that the Word of God remain for him immovably and incontestably certain. Therefore David prays, Ps. 119:38: “Stablish Thy Word unto Thy servant.” When a sinner is in temptation and peril of death, when the waters of Belial roar about him, and the Foe accuses and assails him with the charge: “You are a disgraceful sinner and therefore damned,” then there is only one means of deliverance. At such a time, words such as these must be impressed upon him: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. ‘‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15. If a sinner accepts these words as they read and regards them as sure and certain words, then he is confident in the midst of death, and his heart becomes peaceful in the mightiest storm of temptation. But in heterodox churches the Word of God is constantly made uncertain for the Christian. That is to say, in order to justify their false doctrines, these churches must constantly pervert God’s Word, they must disregard God’s Word as it reads, they must continually practice all kinds of tricks with the Word of God. Several examples should make this clear.

Those who claim that Baptism is not a Means of Grace, no washing of regeneration, must continually deny these words of Scripture, Gal. 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.” Also, Acts 2:38: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Again, Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Whoever denies the Real Presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Lord’s Supper must pervert the words of institution where Christ the Lord, speaking of that which He gives His Christians to eat, says: “This is My body,” and, speaking of that which He gives to them to drink, says: “This is My blood.” Likewise, the Words in 1 Cor. 10:16: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

Whoever does not make conversion and salvation dependent solely on the grace of God, but also on the conduct of man, he must actually cross out hundreds of Bible passages. He must strike all passages which testify to the spiritual death, the thoroughly corrupted nature of man, its enmity against God, etc.: Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13f.; Gen. 8:21; John 3:5; Rom. 8:7; 1 Cor. 2:14. Furthermore, he must cross out all those passages which ascribe faith to the grace and work of God alone: Eph 1:19-20; Phil. 1:29; Col. 1:3-5. Moreover, he must strike all those passages which declare that we are righteous alone through faith, Rom. 3:28,24; 1 Cor. 4:7; and that we are kept by the power of God unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1:5; Phil. 1:6.

Thus in heterodox churches, in order to defend false doctrine, God’s Word must continually be denied. It is rightly said: “It costs nine lies to maintain one lie.” Whoever allows himself such liberties with the Word of God, let him beware, lest the devil also make this clear Word doubtful for him in the hour of death: “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Therefore, staying in heterodox churches is a very dangerous thing for the soul. You must avoid them, so that you may retain a firm and certain Word of God. As those two hundred, who in their simplicity went with Absalom, had to share the danger of the rebels, so also the Christians among the heterodox must share the danger for the soul which false doctrine brings to it.

Furthermore, consider this: All doctrines of the Bible are connected with one another; they form a unit. One error draws others in after it. Zwingli’s first error was the denial of the presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Lord’s Supper. In order to support this error, he had to invent a false doctrine of Christ’s Person, of heaven, of the right hand of God, etc. If one error is firmly held, the whole Word of God logically falls, and it is alone by God’s grace if then not all Divine truths are torn out of the heart by the devil.

Luther tellingly answers the objection of the Zwinglians, that they erred in only one point, and that, therefore, fellowship should not be denied them: “‘A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.’ Gal. 5:9. This is a warning which St. Paul regards as important, and which we, too, especially in our day, should rightly regard as important. For the factions, which claim that Christ’s body and blood are not present in the Lord’s Supper, censure us, and slanderously say of us that we are quarrelsome, hard-hearted, and unfriendly, that for the sake of the single article concerning the Sacrament, we offend against Christian love and break up the unity of the churches. They believe, therefore, we should not regard this article so high and great (which, they say, is of little consequence, and that, of course, you cannot be sure about it, since the Apostles have not sufficiently expounded it, as indeed necessity required). For such a cause, they say, we should not let the whole sum of Christian doctrine and general unity of so many Christian congregations be disrupted, especially since they are otherwise really agreed with us in all other articles of Christian doctrine, which are more necessary and of greater importance.

With this argument of theirs, which really is impressive and sounds good in the ears of the general run of the people, they not only cause their followers to become our bitter enemies, but they thereby also persuade many good people to think that we will not make common cause with them out of sheer stubbornness, or else because of some special ill will on our part. But these are all vain and clever tricks, and deceit of the devil, whereby he seeks nothing else than to overturn and destroy not only this article, but all Christian doctrine.” (Commentary on Galatians 5:9.)

These are precious words, which should also be taken to heart in our day. It appears strange to many, that we cling so firmly to the pure doctrine; people call this obstinacy, or love for fighting on our part; but our conscience is bound in the Word of God. First, we maintain: The chief part of faithfulness to God is the simple, humble abiding in His Word. Then: Every departure from God’s Word, every error, is dangerous to the soul. There is a fearful, diabolical power in error; for every error is the devil’s work, and through fellowship with error a person puts himself under the influence of the devil. Here human reason is helpless. The papacy is an example. Although you can already by the light of reason recognize its errors, reason nevertheless does not offer any security against being mislead into it. Yes, it is evident, also sophisticated, intelligent people are ensnared and taken captive by the papacy; nor can they free themselves from its bewitching spell. Whoever is not rescued from it by God’s strong hand will nevermore get out. Let us therefore beware, lest by practicing fellowship with the heterodox we put ourselves carelessly into danger, and thus lose our salvation.

(To be continued next week with Thesis V)

Editor’s note: Another illustration I have often used with catechumens is to ask them if they would drink a glass of water after I added just one drop of deadly poison. I’ve had no takers. Indeed, a single drop of poison may not immediately cause us to die, but it we continue to drink it over time, we will likely become sick and may very well suffer death. Any lie of the devil (cf. John 8:44), whether it be the lie in Genesis 3 or getting us to doubt or question some other truth recorded in Scripture, is meant to deceive us and lead us away from Christ and the salvation promised us in His Word. Going to any church or listening to any preacher who mixes (whether intentionally or in ignorance) the devil’s subtle lies with the truth is like drinking water with poison added. Eventually – if not immediately – it will weaken and destroy our faith in Christ Jesus. That is why it is a serious matter to join together with the heterodox in worship or to hear their preaching and teaching, even if only occasionally. Would you drink water into which the devil’s subtle poison has been added?

What Do We Observe on Halloween?

While most of the world observes Halloween with its ghosts, goblins and practices which have their roots in the pagan beliefs and practices of pre-Christian Europe, a few of us observe October 31 for another reason. It was on that day in 1517 – on All Hallow’s Eve, or the evening before All Saint’s Day – a German priest and monk nailed 95 theses or statements to the community bulletin board of the day, the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. And the posting of those statements, meant to challenge and encourage debate over the sale of indulgences in the German lands, was the spark which led to the Lutheran Reformation – an event which changed the world.

It’s hard for us to even imagine a time when church members were not allowed to own or read the Bible, when the church hierarchy and especially the head bishop (or pope) determined what was to be taught in the churches and rejected the central message of the Bible, when those who translated the Bible into the language of the people or taught what the Bible says were declared heretics and burned at the stake, when the head bishop and his hierarchy could determine whose sins were forgiven and whose were not, and when forgiveness could be bought from the church through the sale of indulgences. But this is the way the western church – the Roman Catholic Church – was in the 15th and early 16th Centuries. And, in fact, this sad state of affairs in Europe had been so already for centuries before.

And it was into this setting that Dr. Martin Luther – not to be confused with Dr. Martin Luther King, the civil rights advocate of the last century – lived. Fearing for his own soul, for he knew he was a sinner, Luther became a monk and later a priest and university professor. As such, he was privileged to read for himself the Bible and teach it to his students and parishioners. But Luther found that the teaching of the Bible and the doctrine of the Roman Church were far from the same.

Through the prayerful study of the Scriptures, Luther learned that no one was righteous or could be acceptable in God’s eyes by his own works or life “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Nothing that a person could do was enough to satisfy God’s just wrath against sin. But he also learned that all are “justified freely by [God's] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Jesus Christ, by His holy life and innocent sufferings and death, made atonement for the sins of the whole world and rose again. He “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25).

Thus, Luther, who was so troubled over his own sins and shortcomings in keeping God’s commandments and pleasing God that he abused and punished himself, found comfort for his soul. He found his hope in the Gospel, which reveals the righteousness of God which is ours through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Romans 1:16-17). He came to know and believe “that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28).

He realized the Roman Church was wrong when it taught that people had to do good works assigned by the church to be saved. He knew that the indulgences the Roman Church was selling to raise money could offer no forgiveness and were entirely contrary to the teaching of the Bible. And He knew that the popes and the bishops and priests had no authority to preach and teach anything but the Word of God – the Bible.

Thus, beginning with his 95 Theses, Luther began calling the people and their churches back to the Bible as the only source and judge of all Christian teaching and to its central message, that salvation is by God’s grace alone, for the sake of Christ’s redemption alone, and is received through faith alone.

Later, when facing the likelihood of being put to death for his teaching, Luther was called upon to recant and take back all his teachings and writings which were contrary to the Roman Church and its hierarchy. He is said to have replied: “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

Luther’s stand for the truth of God’s Word and his preaching of the true and saving Gospel which had for centuries been silenced has brought blessings to us all, whether we realize it or not. Because of his stand, we can read and study our Bibles today. And we can and should use our Bible as the only source of truth and with it judge what is taught to us in Bible classes and preached to us from pulpits. And through the preaching of God’s Word by Luther and others who have followed in his steps, we still can hear today that though we are sinners unworthy and guilty before God, we are justified and forgiven for the sake of Christ Jesus and His innocent sufferings and death in our stead, and that this grace and forgiveness won for us by Christ is ours, not by works, but through faith alone in Christ Jesus, our Savior! Now that’s a reason to observe the day!

Bible Study in Preparation for Sunday

Scripture Readings appointed for Sunday are Psalm 46; Revelation 14:6-7; Acts 17:1-15; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36. Please read them in their context as you prepare for worship on Sunday.

The Adult Bible Class will continue in the Gospel of John at chapter 12:44ff. What did Jesus cry out at the feast? What does this mean? Cf. John 14:6ff. How is Jesus the light of the world? Will the one who believes on Jesus walk in darkness? What does this mean? Cf. 1 John 1:3 – 2:2. What does Jesus say of those who reject His Word and do not believe on Him? What will be their judge on the Last Day? How does this apply to us and people of all time? Whose Word did Jesus speak? What message and word did Jesus proclaim? How does this relate to what ministers and teachers proclaim in the church? How is it that Jesus’ word will judge us and all people on the Last Day?

Remember to Pray

Remember to pray for our church and for all our members, that none be lost to Christ’s kingdom but that all continue in repentance and be strengthened and built up in the true and saving faith in Christ Jesus through the hearing and study of His Word. We pray for God’s healing and strengthening of our congregation. We continue to pray for all who have been sick or who are suffering among us – especially for Dawn Hiebert, who is recovering from knee surgery; Dick Stueland, also recovering from knee surgery; for Sam Rusch, who has had repeated stays in the hospital; the mother of Dick Rusch; for Dick Rusch who is recovering from shoulder surgery; for Regina Wood (the sister of Lonnie Moll), who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and is recovering from surgery and undergoing chemotherapy – for those who have been absent from us, for our extended families and for Christians who are alone and have no congregation. Pray for God’s help with our church’s financial needs. Continue to pray for the Lutheran Churches in the Philippines, for Christians in Nigeria, Haiti and Chile, and for believers around the world who are persecuted or suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.

Events and Announcements

Anyone wishing to help with costs involved for Sam Rusch to visit the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota may place a gift in the offering with the designation: Sam Rusch.

The choir will be practicing after church on Sunday. More voices are always welcome.

A special Reformation Eve gathering, with a meal and a hay ride, is planned for 5 p.m. on SATURDAY, Oct. 30. Members and guests are welcome and invited. A sign-up sheet for the supper is in the back of the church.

Ray and Bonnie Hawes thank the members for their cards, gifts and prayers during their recent time of loss. “We thank everyone for caring,” Bonnie said.

Information for bulletins or newsletters may be sent to Pastor Moll by calling him at 479-233-0081 or by e-mail at goodshepherdrogers@yahoo.com.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

[Except in direct translation from the German Scripture quotations, Scripture in this Newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]