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Concordia Theological Monthly

Publication Date

1-1-1948

Document Type

Article

Keywords

luther, faith, st. john, peace, Word principle, reformation, spiritual truth, communion, forgiveness, grace, salvation, catholic

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

Lucid as sunlight are the verses of the Holy Bible which declare that all spiritual life is from the Holy Spirit in the Word. We are born anew by the Word; we are kept in the faith by the Word; we are led to a fruit-bearing life by the Word; we are armor-plated against enemy forces by the Word. Simon Peter lifts his voice majestically to say that we are "born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." Earlier in the same chapter he had reminded those who were begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ that they are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." These verses show that we are brought to faith and kept in faith by the Word of the living God. This is in keeping with the magnificent declaration of our Savior: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." The essence of Christian being is so intimately bound up with God's Word that Jesus categorically lays down the principle: "He that is of God heareth God's words; ye therefore hear them not because ye are not of God." Small wonder, then, that Jesus exhorted His children to faithful continuance in His Word: "If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Disciplines

Practical Theology

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 1:5; John 5:24; John 8:47; John 8:31-32; Matthew 28:19; Romans 1:16-17;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

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