A Note from Pastor

In the great Lutheran Hymn, “Salvation Unto Us Has Come,” published in 1524, as one of the eight hymns in the first truly Evangelical hymnal, Paul Speratus wrote, “Since Christ has full atonement made and brought to us salvation, each Christian therefore may be glad and build on this foundation. Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Your death is now my life indeed, for You have paid my ransom.”
Compelled by the Holy Scriptures and almost certainly familiar with the theology clearly taught in Speratus’ hymn, on June 25, 1530, a group of Lutheran laymen risked their lives to bring this teaching to Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire. Threatening to cut off their heads if they did not return to the Papacy, they refused to be intimidated.  Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, they fulfilled the words of the Psalmist that, “I will speak of thy testimonies before kings, and will not be put to shame. (Ps. 119:46)  
Unashamed of the Gospel, they boldly made this confession, “That men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ's sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3 and 4.” (AC IV).
To this day, churches that remain faithful to God’s Word as taught in the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, still keep Article IV, “Justification,” as the “Chief doctrine” of the church.   We pray we would be bold to proclaim this even if threatened with death.