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by our works。 Therefore it is not a Christian Church either； for where
Christ is not preached； there is no Holy Ghost who creates； calls； and
gathers the Christian Church； without which no one can come to Christ
the Lord。 Let this suffice concerning the sum of this article。 But
because the parts which are here enumerated are not quite clear to the
simple； we shall run over them also。
The Creed denominates the holy Christian Church； communionem
sanctorum； a communion of saints； for both expressions； taken
together； are identical。 But formerly the one ＇the second＇ expression
was not there； and it has been poorly and unintelligibly translated
into German eine Gemeinschaft der Heiligen； a communion of saints。 If
it is to be rendered plainly； it must be expressed quite differently in
the German idiom； for the word ecclesia properly means in German eine
Versammlung； an assembly。 But we are accustomed to the word church； by
which the simple do not understand an assembled multitude； but the
consecrated house or building； although the house ought not to be
called a church； except only for the reason that the multitude
assembles there。 For we who assemble there make and choose for
ourselves a particular place； and give a name to the house according to
the assembly。
Thus the word Kirche （church） means really nothing else than a common
assembly and is not German by idiom； but Greek （as is also the word
ecclesia）； for in their own language they call it kyria； as in Latin it
is called curia。 Therefore in genuine German； in our mother…tongue； it
ought to be called a Christian congregation or assembly （eine
christliche Gemeinde oder Sammlung）； or； best of all and most clearly；
holy Christendom （eine heilige Christenheit）。
So also the word communio； which is added； ought not to be rendered
communion （Gemeinschaft）； but congregation （Gemeinde）。 And it is
nothing else than an interpretation or explanation by which some one
meant to explain what the Christian Church is。 This our people； who
understood neither Latin nor German； have rendered Gemeinschaft der
Heiligen （communion of saints）； although no German language speaks
thus； nor understands it thus。 But to speak correct German； it ought to
be eine Gemeinde der Heiligen （a congregation of saints）； that is； a
congregation made up purely of saints； or； to speak yet more plainly；
eine heilige Gemeinde； a holy congregation。 I say this in order that
the words Gemeinschaft der Heiligen （communion of saints） may be
understood； because the expression has become so established by custom
that it cannot well be eradicated； and it is treated almost as heresy
if one should attempt to change a word。
But this is the meaning and substance of this addition： I believe that
there is upon earth a little holy group and congregation of pure
saints； under one head； even Christ； called together by the Holy Ghost
in one faith； one mind； and understanding； with manifold gifts； yet
agreeing in love； without sects or schisms。 I am also a part and member
of the same a sharer and joint owner of all the goods it possesses；
brought to it and incorporated into it by the Holy Ghost by having
heard and continuing to hear the Word of God； which is the beginning of
entering it。 For formerly； before we had attained to this； we were
altogether of the devil； knowing nothing of God and of Christ。 Thus；
until the last day； the Holy Ghost abides with the holy congregation or
Christendom； by means of which He fetches us to Christ and which He
employs to teach and preach to us the Word； whereby He works and
promotes sanctification； causing it ＇this community＇ daily to grow and
become strong in the faith and its fruits which He produces。
We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of
sin； which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and Absolution；
moreover； through all manner of consolatory promises of the entire
Gospel。 Therefore； whatever is to be preached concerning the Sacraments
belongs here； and； in short； the whole Gospel and all the offices of
Christianity； which also must be preached and taught without ceasing。
For although the grace of God is secured through Christ； and
sanctification is wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Word of God in
the unity of the Christian Church； yet on account of our flesh which we
bear about with us we are never without sin。
Everything； therefore； in the Christian Church is ordered to the end
that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin
through the Word and signs； to comfort and encourage our consciences as
long as we live here。 Thus； although we have sins； the ＇grace of the＇
Holy Ghost does not allow them to injure us； because we are in the
Christian Church； where there is nothing but ＇continuous；
uninterrupted＇ forgiveness of sin； both in that God forgives us； and in
that we forgive； bear with； and help each other。
But outside of this Christian Church； where the Gospel is not； there is
no forgiveness； as also there can be no holiness ＇sanctification＇。
Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness ＇sanctification＇； not
through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin； but by their works； have
expelled and severed themselves ＇from this Church＇。
Meanwhile； however； while sanctification has begun and is growing
daily； we expect that our flesh will be destroyed and buried with all
its uncleanness； and will come forth gloriously； and arise to entire
and perfect holiness in a new eternal life。 For now we are only half
pure and holy； so that the Holy Ghost has ever ＇some reason why＇ to
continue His work in us through the Word； and daily to dispense
forgiveness； until we attain to that life where there will be no more
forgiveness； but only perfectly pure and holy people； full of godliness
and righteousness； removed and free from sin； death； and all evil； in a
new； immortal； and glorified body。
Behold； all this is to be the office and work of the Holy Ghost； that
He begin and daily increase holiness upon earth by means of these two
things； the Christian Church and the forgiveness of sin。 But in our
dissolution He will accomplish it altogether in an instant； and will
forever preserve us therein by the last two parts。
But the term Auferstehung des Fleisches （resurrection of the flesh）
here employed is not according to good German idiom。 For when we
Germans hear the word Fleisch （flesh）； we think no farther than of the
shambles。 But in good German idiom we would say Auferstehung des
Leibes； or Leichnams （resurrection of the body）。 However； it is not a
matter of much moment； if we only understand the words aright。
This； now； is the article which must ever be and remain in operation。
For creation we have received； redemption； too； is finished。 But the
Holy Ghost carries on His work without ceasing to the last day。 And for
that purpose He has appointed a congregation upon earth by which He
speaks and does everything。 For He has not yet brought together all His
Christian Church nor dispensed forgiveness。 Therefore we believe in Him
who through the Word daily brings us into the fellowship of this
Christian Church； and through the same Word and the forgiveness of sins
bestows； increases； and strengthens faith in order that when He has
accomplished it all； and we abide therein； and die to the world and to
all evil； He may finally make us perfectly and forever holy； which now
we expect in faith through the Word。
Behold； here you have the entire divine essence； will； and work
depicted most exquisitely in quite short and yet rich words wherein
consists all our wisdom； which surpasses and exceeds the wisdom； mind；
and reason of all men。 For although the whole world with all diligence
has endeavored to ascertain what God is； what He has in mind and does；
yet has she never been able to attain to ＇the knowledge and
understanding of＇ any of these things。 But here we have everything in
richest measure； for here in all three articles He has Himself revealed
and opened the deepest abyss of his paternal heart and of His pure
unutterable love。 For He has created us for this very object； that He
might redeem and sanctify us； and in addition to giving and imparting
to us everything in heaven and upon earth； He has given to us even His
Son and the Holy Ghost； by whom to bring us to Himself。 For （as
explained above） we could never attain to the knowledge of the grace
and favor of the Father except through the Lord Christ； who is a mirror
of the paternal heart； outside of whom we see nothing but an angry and
terrible Judge。 But of Christ we could know nothing either； unless it
had been revealed by the Holy Ghost。
These articles of the Creed； therefore； divide and separate us
Christians from all other people upon earth。 For all outside of
Christianity； whether heathen； Turks； Jews； or false Christians and
hypocrites； although they believe in； and worship； only one true God；
yet know not what His mind towards them is； and cannot expect any love
or blessing from Him； therefore they abide in eternal wrath and
damnation。 For they have not the Lord Christ； and； besides； are not
illumined and favored by any gifts of the Holy Ghost。