Part 1 (1/2)
The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church.
by G. H. Gerberding.
INTRODUCTION.
I take pleasure in commending this unpretentious volume to the prayerful attention of all English-speaking ministers and members of the Lutheran Church. The aim of the author is to present a clear, concise, and yet comprehensive view as possible, of the way of salvation as taught in the Scriptures, and held by the Lutheran Church. That he has accomplished his task so as to make it throughout an ill.u.s.tration of the truth as it is in Jesus, and a correct testimony to the faith of the Church of which he is an honored minister, I believe will appear to all who read with an unbiased mind, and a knowledge of the sources of information from which he has drawn.
There is always need for such a candid and considerate statement of fundamental truth as this. The signs of the times clearly indicate that there is no security for the Church save in maintaining the Apostolic faith and spirit--not the one without the other, but the one with the other. The supremacy of the Scriptures needs to be recognized with a mightier emphasis, not only of the intellect, but also of the heart. This vital conjunction is maintained in this book. I am certain that a clear view of the way of salvation as taught by the Scriptures and held by the Church will go far not only toward correcting wrong impressions, but will tend to the relief of much mental perplexity, and to the increase of that much-needed spirit of unity throughout our Church, the want of which is not only the greatest reflection on her n.o.ble history and holy faith, but the greatest hindrance to her important mission. A kindly Christ-like spirit pervades this book, which is no small testimony to its worth.
Those who stand up for the truth do not always ill.u.s.trate its spirit. Not all who might desire greater unity in the Church are qualified to promote it. The author of this little treatise has not only manifested the proper spirit, but he has shown as well the faculty of using it for the increase of harmony, without the least disloyalty to the Scriptures, or to the standards of the Church. The appeal throughout is to the Word of G.o.d. The faith of the Church is subjected to this test, and it is maintained because it endures the test.
These chapters present a continuity of thought which should not be lost sight of in the reading. In order to a correct verdict, they should not be read with such discrimination as would accept some and reject others, but from the first to the last in order. That this little book may be owned of G.o.d to the establishment of the faith of the Lutheran Church, and for the promotion of a more manifest unity among those who bear her name, is a prayer in which I am sure many will join the author of this work, and the writer of this introductory note.
M. RHODES.
ST. LOUIS, MO., _March, 1887_.
PREFATORY SCRIPTURE Pa.s.sAGES.
_To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them._-- Isa. viii. 20.
_Thus saith the Lord; Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls._--Jer. vi. 16.
_That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ._--Eph. iv. 14.
_Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace._-- Heb. xiii. 9.
_Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee._--1 Tim. iv. 16.
_Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus._--2 Tim. i. 13.
_And be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear._--1 Pet. iii. 15.
_Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered unto the saints._--Jude 3.
_For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own l.u.s.ts they shall heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn their ears away from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables._--2 Tim. iv. 3, 4.
_Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not G.o.d. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him G.o.d-speed. For he that biddeth him G.o.d-speed is partaker of his evil deeds._--2 John 9. 10, 11.
_For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, G.o.d shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, G.o.d shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book._--Rev. xxii. 18, 19.
THE WAY OF SALVATION.
CHAPTER I.
ALL ARE SINNERS.
Some time ago we overheard from a person who should have known better, remarks something like these: ”I wonder how sinners are saved in the Lutheran Church?” ”I do not hear of any being converted in the Lutheran Church,” and such like. These words called to mind similar sentiments that we heard expressed long ago. More than once was the remark made in our hearing that in certain churches sinners were saved, because converted and sanctified, while it was at least doubtful whether any one could find such blessings in the Lutheran Church. The writer also freely confesses, that in those days, surrounded by such influences, ”_his feet had well-nigh slipped--his steps were almost gone_.” Therefore, he can sympathize with those honest questioners, who have not had the privileges of instruction in the doctrines of sin and Grace, and who are consequently in the dark.
He has, therefore, concluded to write a series of plain, practical papers on the ”Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church.” It will be his endeavor to set forth the manner or method through which the Church of the Reformation proposes to reach the sinner, and apply to him the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.