ARTICLE V. — OF THE MINISTERIAL OFFICE.

In order that we may obtain this faith, the ministerial office has been instituted, whose members are to teach the gospel, and administer the sacraments.  For through the instrumentality of the word and sacraments, as means of grace, the Holy Spirit is given, who, in his own time and place (or more literally, when and where it pleases God), produces faith in those who hear the gospel message, namely, that God, for Christ’s sake, and not on account of any merit in us, justifies those who believe that on account of Christ they are received into (the divine) favor.

ARTICLE VI. — CONCERNING NEW OBEDIENCE (OR A CHRISTIAN LIFE).

They likewise teach, this faith must bring forth good fruits; and that it is our duty to perform those good works which God has commanded, because he has enjoined them, and not in the expectation of thereby meriting justification before him.  For, remission of sins and justification are secured by faith; as the declaration of Christ himself implies:  “When ye shall have done all those things, say, we are unprofitable servants.”

The same thing is taught by the ancient ecclesiastical writers:  for Ambrose says, “this has been ordained by God, that he who believes in Christ is saved without works, receiving remission of sins gratuitously through faith alone.”

ARTICLE VII. — OF THE CHURCH.

They likewise teach, that there will always be one holy church.  The church is the congregation of the saints, in which the gospel is correctly taught and the sacraments are properly administered.  And for the true unity of the church nothing more is required, than agreement concerning the doctrines of the gospel, and the administration of the sacraments.  Nor is it necessary, that the same human traditions, that is, rites and ceremonies instituted by men, should be everywhere observed.  As Paul says:  “One faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,” &c.

ARTICLE VIII. — WHAT THE CHURCH IS.

Although the church is properly a congregation of saints and true believers; yet in the present life, many hypocrites and wicked men are mingled with them.

ARTICLE IX. — CONCERNING BAPTISM.

Concerning baptism, our churches teach, that it is “a necessary ordinance,” [Note 1] that it is a means of grace, and ought to be administered also to children, who are thereby dedicated to God, and received into his favor.

ARTICLE X. — OF THE LORD’S SUPPER.

In regard to the Lord’s Supper they teach that Christ is present with the communicants in the Lord’s Supper, “under the emblems of bread and wine.” [Note 2]

ARTICLE XI. — OF CONFESSION.

[As Private Confession and Absolution, which are inculcated in this Article, though in a modified form, have been universally rejected by the American Lutheran Church, the omission of this Article is demanded by the principle on which the American Recension of the Augsburg Confession is constructed; namely, to omit the several portions, which are rejected by the great mass of our churches in this country, and to add nothing in their stead.] [tr. note:  bracketed in the original]