Augsburg Confession, Article XII: Repentance Our churches teach that there is forgiveness of sins for those who have fallen after Baptism whenever they are converted. The Church ought to impart Absolution to those who return to repentance. Now, strictly speaking, repentance consists of two parts. One part is contrition, that is, terrors striking the conscience through the the knowledge of sin. The other part is faith, which is born of the gospel or the absolution and believes that for Christ s sake, sins are forgiven. It comforts the conscience and delivers it from terror. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruit of repentance. Our churches condemn the Anabaptists, who deny that those who have once been justified can lose the Holy Spirit. They also condemn those who argue some may reach such a state of perfection in this life that they cannot sin. The Novatians also are condemned, who would not absolve those who had fallen after Baptism, though they returned to repentance. Our churches also reject those who do not teach that forgiveness of sins comes through faith, but command us to merit grace through satisfactions of our own. They also reject those who teach that it is necessary to perform works of satisfaction, commanded by Church law, in order to remit eternal punishment or the punishment of purgatory.
REPENTANCE INDISPENSABLE! Procedure When prompted take a couple of minutes to sift through and evaluate the artifacts displayed. Select the one that is the most INDISPENSABLE or vital. Then jot down your rationale for why this is so. You will have three minutes to complete this task. ARTIFACT #1 the LORD declares Israel backsliding return שׁ וּב ה מ שׁ ב ה י שׂ ר א ל נ א ם י הו ה the LORD declares I am gracious for on you my face I will not cause to fall ל וֹא א פּ יל פּ נ י בּ כ ם כּ י ח ס יד א נ י נ א ם י הו ה Jeremiah 3:12 forever I will be angry not backsliding ל א א טּ וֹר ל עוֹל ם
ARTIFACT #2 Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary ARTIFACT #3
ARTIFACT #4 but if not you are repenting all likewise you will perish ἀλλʼ ἐὰν µὴ µετανοῆτε πάντες ὡσαύτως ἀπολεῖσθε. Luke 13:5 ARTIFACT #5
REPENTANCE: KNOW IT! Now, strictly speaking, repentance consists of two parts. One part is contrition, that is, terrors striking the conscience through the knowledge of sin. The other part is faith, which is born of the gospel or the absolution and believes that for Christ s sake, sins are forgiven. It comforts the conscience and delivers it from terror. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruit of repentance. TASK: Bad Definitions/Good definition Read through the passage above to help you get a feel for the confessors understanding of repentance. In the space below write down some poor definitions of repentance which you have heard people speak in your ministry or life. In the space below write down your own definition of repentance in 5 words or less. Bad definitions: Good definition: Discuss the following statements. Should we keep them or delete them? You determine. Repentance is both a bad feeling and a good feeling. Contrition by itself is not repentance. Since contrition is terror smiting the conscience, we should be able to see a sign of contrition The goal of repentance is to change people s behavior. Repentance is synonymous with conversion. Good works are the third part of repentance. Faith gives the forgiveness of sins. God forgives you when you say you re sorry.
REPENTANCE: SOURCE IT! TASK: Review some Scriptures that teach repentance. Read through the following Scripture verses and identify them as teaching either contrition, faith, or both repentance. Write a C for contrition. Write an F for faith. Write an R for repentance (both). You have 5 minutes to complete this task. Be ready to share your findings. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Luke 22:61-62 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times. 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Acts 16:31 They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved you and your household. Matthew 27:5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Psalm 32:3-4 When I kept silent, my bones wasted awaythrough my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Acts 2:38 Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 18:15 "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.
REPENTANCE: APPLY IT! Our churches teach that there is forgiveness of sins for those who have fallen after Baptism whenever they are converted. The Church ought to impart Absolution to those who return to repentance. TASK: See the NORMA NORMATA. Review the passages below as they function as the norma normans. After A below write down how each sentence of the passage above is ruled by the rule. Then reflect on your congregational life and ministry. After B below provide three specific examples of how you as pastor or your congregation puts the confessional passage above into practice. Be ready to share. You have five minutes. 1 Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think are standing firm, be careful that you don t fall. Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ, you have fallen away from grace. 1 Timothy 1:19 Holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Revelation 2:5,16 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. A B
REPENTANCE: DEFEND IT! Our churches condemn the Anabaptists, who deny that those who have once been justified can lose the Holy Spirit. They also condemn those who argue some may reach such a state of perfection in this life that they cannot sin. The Novatians also are condemned, who would not absolve those who had fallen after Baptism, though they returned to repentance. Our churches also reject those who do not teach that forgiveness of sins comes through faith, but command us to merit grace through satisfactions of our own. They also reject those who teach that it is necessary to perform works of satisfaction, commanded by Church law, in order to remit eternal punishment or the punishment of purgatory. Anabaptists A group whose name means to be baptized again. They started as followers of Luther but came to believe that the Holy Spirit did not work through infant baptism, so adults needed to baptized again. They also taught that the Holy Spirit would come to man directly, without use of Word and sacrament. Perfectionists They teach that it is possible for some in this life to become absolutely pure and holy Novatians Followers of Novatus, who refused to allow Christians who had denied their faith (in the case of death) to re-enter the church, even if they repented. They were especially strong in Rome in the third century. Rome They teach that repentance consists of three parts: contrition of the heart, confession of the mouth, and satisfaction of work. All three parts, especially the third, have meritorious power. *attrition not really contrition, but you know you should be sorry, but you re not. The person with attrition still gets credit.
TASK: Know the opposition in order to defend the truth Review the definitions (previous page) of those groups that the Confessions highlight as rejecting the Biblical teaching of repentance. Cobble together a list of present day church groups that still abide by the errors defined on the previous page. Jot down these group below. Be ready to share your findings with the group. You have five minutes. PRESENT-DAY ANABAPTISTS? PRESENT-DAY NOVATIANS? PRESENT-DAY PERFECTIONISTS? PRESENT-DAY ROME? Jot down a thought or two about how these groups CONFUSE law and gospel: ANABAPTISTS: NOVATIANS: PERFECTIONISTS: ROME:
REPENTANCE: LIVE IT! When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ``Repent'' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. Martin Luther, Thesis #1 It means that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in true righteousness and holiness forever. Martin Luther, Small Catechism, Baptism, Part 4 Take a minute to write down how you might plan to put the above encouragement into practice in future days. Be ready to share. Ø Ø Ø Closing Prayer: CW # 302 Lord, to you I make confession: I have sinned and gone astray; I have multiplied transgression, chosen for myself my way. Led by you to see my errors. Lord, I tremble at your terrors. Yet, though conscience voice appall me, Father, I will seek your face. Though your child I dare not call me, yet receive me to your grace. Do not for my sins forsake me; do not let your wrath o ertake me. For your Son has suffered for me, giv n himself to rescue me, Died to save me and restore me, reconciled and set me free. Jesus cross alone can vanquish these dark fears and soothe this anguish. Lord, on you I cast my burden sink it in the depths below! Let me know your gracious pardon; wash me, make me white as snow. Let your Spirit leave me never, make me only yours forever. Amen.