The Augsburg Confession
Quick answer: The augsburg confession is the foundational statement of faith presented by Lutheran princes and cities to Emperor Charles V in 1530, detailing shared Catholic teachings and specific Reformation principles.
What it says
This foundational confession sets out to demonstrate that the emerging reformation churches remained aligned with the historic Christian tradition while correcting specific abuses. The first major section outlines shared beliefs about God, creation, and redemption that align with ancient ecumenical councils. The later section addresses disputed practices and explains how individuals receive a right standing before God through faith rather than through their own moral achievements or ceremonial works.
The document is shaped by the urgent political and religious pressures of its historical moment, aiming for peaceful reconciliation before an imperial assembly. Its authors carefully balanced firm theological convictions with conciliatory language to avoid unnecessary division. Modern readers can study the text to understand the core arguments that shaped Protestant identity and the specific points of agreement and disagreement with medieval church practices.
Where it comes from
Presented to Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, this document was drafted primarily by Philip Melanchthon while Martin Luther remained at Coburg Castle. The German princes and free cities signed the text to defend their reforms against accusations of heresy and rebellion. Today, it stands as the primary doctrinal standard for Lutheran churches globally and remains a central reference point in ecumenical discussions.
Presented to the Emperor Charles V at the diet of Augsburg on 25 June 1530 by the Lutheran princes and cities, to explain what they actually taught after years of being accused of heresy. It is the earliest of the Protestant confessions and it deliberately spends its first 21 articles stating the shared catholic faith before it reaches the disputed points.
Four things to notice
- The document is divided into two primary parts, focusing first on shared core beliefs and second on specific disputed church abuses.
- It emphasizes justification through faith, arguing that people are put right with God as a free gift rather than by human effort.
- The tone throughout remains formal and defensive, written to address an emperor rather than to instruct young children.
- It grounds its arguments in scripture and ancient tradition to prove continuity with the early church.
The text
Article I (Of God) and Article IV (Of Justification).
Art. I. Of God. — Our churches, with common consent, do teach that the decree of the Council of Nicaea concerning the Unity of the Divine Essence and concerning the Three Persons, is true and to be believed without any doubting; that is to say, there is one Divine Essence which is called and which is God: eternal, without body, without parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, the Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible; and yet there are three Persons, of the same essence and power, who also are co-eternal, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Art. IV. Of Justification. — Also they teach 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.
Public domain. Read the full document at the source edition.
Scriptures behind it
Verses behind Article I and Article IV — printed verbatim from the public-domain King James Version and World English Bible. These are the passages the wording rests on, not the document's own proof-text list.
- Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
- Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
- Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
- Ephesians 2:9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
- Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
- Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
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