In this lecture, Dr. Scott Keith provides background and context as to why and for what purpose the Augsburg Confession was presented on June 25, 1530 at the Diet (Parliament) of Augsburg. The document was drawn up by Philip Melanchthon and approved by Martin Luther since Luther was banned from attending. The Augsburg Confession is divided into 28 Articles, with the first 21 giving a summary of what Lutherans consider essential doctrine, and the remaining seven devoted to "Abuses which have been Corrected." Dr. Keith discusses the first few articles in some detail and promises to cover all articles in a future lecture.

Melanchthon: "black earth". Propter Christum On account of Christ.

Scripture: Romans 1:1-14; Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 12:29, Faith grasps hold of God's Word and brings about our obedience. In verses 1-6 the two natures of Christ, human and divine, are declared, human because He is descended from David, and divine by the Holy Spirit's testifying that Jesus is the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead. This teaching concludes with a discussion of spiritual gifts and how they are imparted to, and manifested in, the body of Christ.

Scripture: Luke 3:15-4:2 1 Peter 4:12, John the Baptist told the people that "Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire." The meaning of this is discussed. Jesus' genealogy is given in two places in Scripture: Luke 3 (vs.23-38) and in Matthew 1. Luke traces the genealogy of Mary (Jesus' blood relative) to Adam through David's son Nathan. Matthew 1 traces the genealogy of Joseph (Jesus' legal father) to Abraham. The differences and reasons for these different genealogies are discussed.

This abbreviated session provides an introduction to Romans, given by Pastor Rhode from the Lutheran Study Bible.

Scripture: Luke 3:1-17 Luke 12:49-50 Mark 10:38, John the Baptist, the last prophet, prepares the people for new life in Christ as he preaches the Word of God that leads to repentance. The people ask three times: "What then shall we do?". John answers each. This lesson concludes with a discussion of baptism by the Holy Spirit and baptism by fire done by Jesus.

This is the final lesson of this book study. It covers the real presence of Christ at the Lord's Supper. We discuss the three modes of being in a specific place. These modes of presence,Local, Repletive and Definitive, are confessed in the Book of Concord. .

Scripture: Luke 2:36-2:52, At the age of 12, Jesus was more knowledgeable than the rabbis. Yet He was submissive to his parents. He was the Son of God who would die on Calvary for the sins of the world and would command us to eat His flesh in the Lord's Supper. The point of theology is to confess what God states in His Word. Often it does not make sense in our humanness, yet we are to let our reason be captive to the Word of God. As Augustine said, "Believe in order to understand". These are just some of the profound truths of this lesson.

Simeon, Anna. Prophetess, testimony of witnesses, called to a life of piety. True God and True Man. Growing in wisdom and strength. Passover.