“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
The Third Article (Part 2 – The Church and Forgiveness)
Why does the church exist?
When people hear the word church, they often think of a building. Others think of an organization, a denomination, or a worship service on Sunday morning.
But the Creed points us to something much deeper.
“I believe in the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins…”
Notice how closely those ideas are connected.
The Church is the people whom God has called together through the Gospel. It is the family of believers gathered around Christ and His gifts. Wherever God’s Word is preached and His Sacraments are administered according to Christ’s institution, there the Church is found.
That means the Church is not held together by personalities, traditions, or preferences.
It is held together by Jesus.
The first Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. They gathered because they knew where Christ had promised to meet them.
Sometimes people say,
“I can believe in Jesus without the Church.”
There is some truth in that. Faith is in Christ, not in a building or a group. But the New Testament never pictures the Christian life as a solitary journey.
Think about a campfire.
A single log pulled away from the fire may burn brightly for a few moments, but eventually it cools and goes out. Put it back with the others, and the fire burns stronger.
God did not intend His children to live the Christian life alone.
Most of all, we need the forgiveness of sins.
Notice that the Creed doesn’t say, “I believe I once received forgiveness.”
It simply says,
“the forgiveness of sins.”
Forgiveness is not just the doorway into the Christian life. It is the atmosphere in which Christians live every day.
Each week, we confess our sins and hear Christ’s absolution. We receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. We are continually reminded that our standing before God rests not on our performance, but on His mercy.
The Church is not a gathering of people who have it all together.
It is a gathering of forgiven sinners.
And every time they do, they hear the same wonderful promise:
Your sins are forgiven.
Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for gathering me into Your Church through the Gospel. Thank You for brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage me in the faith. Above all, thank You for the forgiveness of my sins through Jesus. Keep me faithful to Your Word and Your gifts until the day I join all Your saints in eternal life.
Amen.
As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:
After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
