The Augsburg Confession, 465th Anniversary Edition | Page 6

the institution and
commandment of Christ, notwithstanding they be administered by evil
men.
They condemn the Donatists, and such like, who denied it to be lawful
to use the ministry of evil men in the Church, and who thought the
ministry of evil men to be unprofitable and of none effect.

Article IX: Of Baptism.
Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary to salvation, and that through
Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be
baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into
God's grace.
They condemn the Anabaptists, who reject the baptism of children, and
say that children are saved without Baptism.
Article X: Of the Lord's Supper.
Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ
are truly present, and are distributed to those who eat the Supper of the
Lord; and they reject those that teach otherwise.

Article XI: Of Confession.
Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be retained
in the churches, although in confession an enumeration of all sins is not
necessary. For it is impossible according to the Psalm: Who can
understand his errors? Ps. 19, 12.
Article XII: Of Repentance.
Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after Baptism
there is remission of sins whenever they are converted and that the

Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance.
Now, repentance consists properly of these two parts: One is contrition,
that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the
other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, and
believes that for Christ's sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the
conscience, and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound to
follow, which are the fruits of repentance.
They condemn the Anabaptists, who deny that those once justified can
lose the Holy Ghost. Also those who contend that some may attain to
such perfection in this life that they cannot sin.
The Novatians also are condemned, who would not absolve such as had
fallen after Baptism, though they returned to repentance.
They also are rejected who do not teach that remission of sins comes
through faith but command us to merit grace through satisfactions of
our own.
Article XIII: Of the Use of the Sacraments.
Of the Use of the Sacraments they teach that the Sacraments were
ordained, not only to be marks of profession among men, but rather to
be signs and testimonies of the will of God toward us, instituted to
awaken and confirm faith in those who use them. Wherefore we must
so use the Sacraments that faith be added to believe the promises which
are offered and set forth through the Sacraments.
They therefore condemn those who teach that the Sacraments justify by
the outward act, and who do not teach that, in the use of the Sacraments,
faith which believes that sins are forgiven, is required.
Article XIV: Of Ecclesiastical Order.
Of Ecclesiastical Order they teach that no one should publicly teach in
the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called.
Article XV: Of Ecclesiastical Usages.
Of Usages in the Church they teach that those ought to be observed
which may be observed without sin, and which are profitable unto
tranquillity and good order in the Church, as particular holy-days,
festivals, and the like.
Nevertheless, concerning such things men are admonished that
consciences are not to be burdened, as though such observance was
necessary to salvation.
They are admonished also that human traditions instituted to propitiate

God, to merit grace, and to make satisfaction for sins, are opposed to
the Gospel and the doctrine of faith. Wherefore vows and traditions
concerning meats and days, etc., instituted to merit grace and to make
satisfaction for sins, are useless and contrary to the Gospel.
Article XVI: Of Civil Affairs.
Of Civil Affairs they teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works
of God, and that it is right for Christians to bear civil office, to sit as
judges, to judge matters by the Imperial and other existing laws, to
award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to
make legal contracts, to hold property, to make oath when required by
the magistrates, to marry a wife, to be given in marriage.
They condemn the Anabaptists who forbid these civil offices to
Christians.
They condemn also those who do not place evangelical perfection in
the fear of God and in faith, but in forsaking civil offices, for the
Gospel teaches an eternal righteousness of the heart. Meanwhile, it
does not destroy the State or the family, but very much requires that
they be preserved as ordinances of God, and that charity be practiced in
such