_The Smalcald Articles.
                      Articles of Christian Doctrine
               which were to have been presented on our part
           to the Council, if any had been assembled at Mantua
               or elsewhere, indicating what we could accept
                      or yield, and what we could not._
                         by Dr. Martin Luther, 1537
                   Translated by F. Bente and  W. H. T. Dau
                                Published in:
                  _Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books
                        of the Ev. Lutheran Church_.
        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921), pp. 453-529.
 
        THE SECOND PART
         
        Treats of the Articles which Refer to
        the Office and Work of Jesus Christ,
        or Our Redemption.
         
        The first and chief article is this,
         
        That Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins, and
        was raised again for our justification, Rom. 4, 25. 
         
        And He alone is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of
        the world, John 1, 29; and God has laid upon Him the
        iniquities of us all, Is. 53, 6.
         
        Likewise: All have sinned and are justified without merit
        [freely, and without their own works or merits] by His grace,
        through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood,
        Rom. 3, 23 f.
         
        Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be
        otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit,
        it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us as
        St. Paul says, Rom. 3, 28: For we conclude that a man is
        justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Likewise v.
        26: That He might be just, and the Justifier of him which
        believeth in Christ. 
         
        Of this article nothing can be yielded or surrendered [nor can
        anything be granted or permitted contrary to the same], even
        though heaven and earth, and whatever will not abide, should
        sink to ruin. For there is none other name under heaven, given
        among men whereby we must be saved, says Peter, Acts 4, 12.
        And with His stripes we are healed, Is. 53, 5. And upon this
        article all things depend which we teach and practice in
        opposition to the Pope, the devil, and the [whole] world.
        Therefore, we must be sure concerning this doctrine, and not
        doubt; for otherwise all is lost, and the Pope and devil and
        all things gain the victory and suit over us.
        
 
       _________________________________________________________________ 
 
       This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by 
       Allen Mulvey and is in the public domain.  You may freely 
       distribute, copy or print this text.  Please direct any comments 
       or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at 
       Concordia Theological Seminary. 
 
                        E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu 
          Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft.  Wayne, IN 46825 USA 
       Phone: (260) 481-2123                        Fax: (260) 481-2126 
       ________________________________________________________________ 





       file: /pub/resources/text/wittenberg/concord/smc-02a.txt

       .