Baptismal Life Bible Class – General or Personal Faith, Part 10

A shorter and simpler study on the difference between general faith and personal faith.

The Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XII. 60, “When our opponents talk about faith and say that it precedes penitence, they do not mean justifying but the general faith which believes that God exists, that punishments hang over the wicked, etc. Beyond such “faith” we require everyone to believe that his sins are forgiven him. We are contending for this personal faith, and we set it in opposition to the opinion that bids us trust not in the promise of Christ but in contrition, confession, and satisfaction ex opere operato. This faith follows on our terrors, overcoming them and restoring peace to the conscience. To this faith we attribute justification and regeneration, for it frees us from our terrors and brings forth peace, joy, and a new life in the heart. We insist that this faith is really necessary for the forgiveness of sins, and therefore we put it in as one of the parts of penitence….”

Lesson Nine Overheads Baptism Feb 28 2016

Baptismal Life Bible Class – The Rising of the New Man, Part 9

There are two parts to the baptized Life.  After eight lessons of “putting to death the old Adam,” it is time to discuss “the resurrection of the new man.”  Neither mortification, nor quickening can be found in the unbeliever.  This second part will teach us about God’s work in the Gospel to give faith which justifies and comforts those terrified by God’s work in the Law.

In this lesson we take a side trip to look at Plato’s philosophy from his cave analogy.  The Apology of the Augsburg Confession XII (para. 46) described a counterfeit mortification as Platonic and a fake faith as a Platonic figment.  We also saw the difference between a general faith (like the demons have- James 2:19) and personal faith which saves and sustains the baptized life of mortification and quickening.

Resources: Lesson Nine Baptism Mar 20 2016
Lesson Nine Overheads Baptism Feb 28 2016

Baptismal Life Bible Class – The Cross in our Vocation, Part 8

The baptized believer trusts in the forgiveness of sins and knows that his salvation is assured.  Faith produces the fruits of faith: love toward the neighbor.  It is in one’s vocation (father, mother, son, daughter, worker, citizen, etc.) that we serve our neighbor in love.  In serving our neighbor we bear our cross as we receive much trouble and toil from other sinners.  Those vocational crosses put to death the will of the old Adam who resists the baptized believer living in his vocation.  This cross lead the believer to trust in Jesus to help in this struggle going on within him, and prays that “God’s will may be done.”

Resources: Lesson Eight Baptism Feb 28 2016