Chapter 11: False Teachings of Martin Luther Concerning Faith and Salvation.

Chapter Eleven False Teachings of Martin Luther Concerning Faith and Salvation.

Faith has to be in something visible!
Luther believes that faith has to be in something visible, something you can see; something MORE than the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as recorded in God's written word, the Bible. As unbelievable as this is, here are Luther's own words in his Catechism:

"But these leaders of the blind are unwilling to see that FAITH must have something to believe—something to which it may cling and upon which it may stand. Thus FAITH CLINGS TO THE WATER and believes it to be baptism in which there is sheer Salvation and life..." (Large Catechism, P. 84, Par. 29).

The last words of Christ upon the cross, when He died in payment for the sins of every human being were, "IT IS FINISHED." Here is the record from Christ, Himself,

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." (John 19:30).

Christ stated, "It is finished" and nothing further could be done or added beyond. Nothing but just simple FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST'S finished payment for our sins would ever be accepted for eternal life. How many times have you heard preachers and layman quote Luther as saying, "The just shall live by faith." This is very de-ceitful, as Luther never trusted in the finished work of Christ on the cross for his salvation. Notice Luther's claim that...

"...FAITH must have something to believe—something to which it may cling and upon which it may stand..."

Since Martin Luther did not come on the scene until about 1500 years after Christ, he did not witness the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Therefore, Luther's definition of faith has to be in something he can observe. Evidently, Luther did not put much credibility in the "Great Faith Chapter" of Hebrews, Chapter 11.This chapter describes the great faith of many who believed God's promises before they ever saw any evidence. The first verse of Hebrews, Chapter 11, is the introduction to the rest of the chapter.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1).

Luther really did not believe Hebrews 11:1. This is why he did not believe Christ's words on the cross, "IT IS FINISHED," because he wasn't there to see it for himself! Luther's faith rested in what he could do and observe. Here is Luther's testimony as recorded in his Catechism.

"Thus faith clings to the water and believes it to be Baptism in which there is sheer salvation and life..." (Large Catechism, P.84, Par. 29).

The true Christian opposes the above philosophy of Luther, as their faith is in Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary which provided for their Salvation. Our faith is in the Bible; NOT in the writings of a Catechism, written some 460 years ago.

Here is the confidence the Christian has:

"He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:.." (V.10a).

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."(V.11).

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."(V.12).

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:10-13).

In conclusion, notice carefully the distinction between God's Word, the Bible, and Luther's words in his Catechism.

God's Word, in 1 John 5:10-13 it states plainly that "belief" in Jesus Christ, the Son of God gives eternal life. No baptism in any of these verses.

Luther's Belief, as he proclaimed in his Large Catechism, Page 84, Par. 29, disagree with God's Word.

FAITH must have something to believe—something to which it may cling and upon which it may stand.

Luther says that those who disagree with him are the "leaders of the blind."

God answers Luther's false claim,

"...he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son." (1 John 5:10 b).

"It is finished," said Jesus Christ in John 19:30. Since the Word of God is true, the only alternative is that Martin Luther is the "leader of the blind," not Jesus Christ.

Luther states that, without the two sacraments (i.e. Baptism and the Lord's Supper, no one can be a Christian. (Large Catechism, P.80).

Luther states in his Small Catechism on Page 169, Paragraph 243 that,

"There are only two such Sacraments, Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper."

(Luther prolifically uses the word "holy" with "baptism. Such a statement is found nowhere in the Bible!) In Paragraph 242 of Page 169, Luther says that,

"By a sacrament we mean a sacred act. By which God offers, gives, and seals unto us THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS which Christ has earned for us."

Now, in Luther's Large Catechism, Page 80, under "Baptism, Paragraph 1," he states that,

"...because without these (i.e. Baptism and the Passover Feast) no one can be a Christian."

Does Luther really know what he believes? In his Large and Small Catechisms, he repeatedly states that he believes baptism saves you and effects forgiveness of sins. Here are his words.

Small Catechism – under "What does Baptism give or profit?

"It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare." (P.174, II).

Large Catechism – (P.83, Par. 24).

"To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil, and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever."

The Contradiction - Now Luther contradicts himself and states that you cannot be a Christian unless you ALSO partake of another sacrament; i.e. THE LORD'S SUPPER. Here are Luther's own words.

"It remains for us to speak of our two sacraments,...because without these NO ONE CAN BE A CHRISTIAN. (Large Catechism, P. 80, Par. 1).

Luther continued in his Large Catechism and states plainly that he believes a person obtains the forgiveness of sins by partaking of the Passover Feast, known as The Last Supper, before Christ went to the cross, as recorded in Matthew, Chapter 26.

Here are Luther's words as he describes what he thinks he believes.

"We have briefly considered the first part, namely, the essence of this sacrament. Now we come to its power and benefit, the purpose for which the sacrament was really instituted, for it is most necessary that we know what we should seek and obtain there. This is plainly evident from the words just quoted, "This is my body and blood, given and poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins." In other words, we go to the Sacrament because we receive there great treasure, through and in which we obtain the forgiveness of sins." (Luther's Large Catechism, P. 93, Par. 20-22).

Luther is here referring to the Passover Feast in Matthew 26:1-75, which took place prior to Christ's going to the cross. This feast was first established in Exodus, Chapter 12, and would be in effect until Christ's crucifixion. One must remember that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are primarily a continuation of the Old Covenant and the blood sacrifices, until the New Covenant was officiated by Christ upon Calvary. We know this was the Passover, because it is so stated by Christ, Himself, in Luke 22:13; Matthew 26:19; and Mark 14:14.

"And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the PASSOVER." (Luke 22:13).

Luther wants you to believe that when you partake of the Passover Feast, you receive forgiveness of your sins the same as you did when you were baptized. Remember, in Luther's Large Catechism, Page 80, he states that, "...because without these (i.e., baptism and the Passover Feast) no one can be a Christian."
In James 1:8 we are told that:

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8).

First, Luther states in his Small Catechism, Page 174, II, that baptism forgives your sins and gives eternal salvation. Then, Luther, in his Large Catechism, Page 80, Par. 1, states that you cannot be a Christian unless you also partake of the Passover Feast, in which you receive forgiveness of sins. (Large Catechism, P. 93, Par. 20-22).

First, Baptism, then the Passover Feast, and now it takes two works of the flesh in order to obtain forgiveness of your sins and become a Christian. This is according to Martin Luther. Remember Luther's words in his Catechism!

"It remains for us to speak of our two sacraments, (i.e., Baptism and the Last Passover Supper)...because without these NO ONE CAN BE A CHRISTIAN." (Large Catechism, P. 80, Par. 1).

Luther did not believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross for Salvation. He believed that Christ purchased for us eternal life and other blessings; BUT, they are only given to a person when they are baptized and partake of the Lord's Supper, "in which is the forgiveness of sins," according to Luther's own words.

Christ makes Luther out to be a liar and a false teacher, as He declares in John 14:6,

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
(John 14:6).

Examination of Matthew 26:26-28.
Now let us return to Luther's Catechism where he is referring to Matthew 26:28.

"This is my body and blood, given and poured out for you for the FORGIVENESS OF SINS." In other words, we go to the Sacrament because we receive there a great treasure, through and in which we OBTAIN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS." (Large Catechism, P. 93, Par. 21,22).

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:28 from the Bible).

You will notice that Luther did not quote Matthew 26:28 from the Bible correctly.

I would like to point out Jesus uses the broken bread to represent His body and the "fruit of the vine," as stated in Matthew 26:29, to represent His blood that was to be shed. The "fruit of the vine" was always the sweet, unfermented grape juice; never alcoholic. The reason the Passover lamb was not used was that it pointed to Christ, Himself. It was a type of Christ: innocent, perfect, and unblemished. (1 Peter 1:18-19). Since Christ was here in person, fulfilling the typology of the Lamb, there was no need for that sacrifice any more. John states in John 1:29,

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Therefore the bread and "fruit of the vine" would be used to represent Christ's finished work of the cross for Salvation. Let us examine Matthew 26:26-28. Here is the record,

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. (V.26).

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; (V.27).

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (V.28).

I would like to look at each verse, separately, to observe the very simple truth that Christ is illustrating:

Matthew 26:26.
Notice that Christ took the BREAD and broke it and said, "Take eat, this is my body." In other words, this bread, being broken would represent His body on the cross. Christ was in His sinless body, as was represented by the literal unfermented bread. The body of Christ never turned into the bread; and, the bread never possessed or turned into the body of Christ. How could one literally eat the bread and say it was somehow turned into the literal flesh of Christ while He was alive in His body? The Bible never teaches such an absurdity! This is called Transubstantiation, a belief held by the Catholic organization, who indwelt Luther with their philosophy. Luther, in turn, passed it on to his puppet preachers via the Catechisms. I have asked hundreds, and have never found a priest or a "Lutherite" who said the bread tasted like human flesh!

Luther's perversion of Matthew 26:26. He states what he means in his Large Catechism.

"How can bread and wine be Christ's body and blood?" (Large Catechism, P.92, Par.12).

Luther, and the Catholic organization, believe that when the priest or minister says, concerning the bread, "Take, eat, this is my body," that it actually turns into the literal flesh of Christ. Here are Luther's own words.

"It is true, indeed, that if you take the word away from the elements or view them apart from the word, you have nothing but ordinary bread and wine. BUT, if the words remain, as is right and necessary, then in virtue of them they are THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST." (Large Catechism, P.92, Par. 14).

"But of that bread and wine which ARE CHRIST'S BODY AND BLOOD and with which the words are coupled." (Large Catechism, P. 93, Par. 28).

Then, as usual, Luther contradicts himself! In his Small Catechism, P. 196, Par. 301, we read:

"Bread and wine are NOT CHANGED into the BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST..."

Luther doesn't seem to know what he believes. In his Large Catechism he says that the bread and wine are just ordinary until God's word is connected to them; then, they are the body and blood of Christ. Then in his Small Catechism he says the bread and wine are not changed into Christ's body. Does Luther know what he believes? He states one thing one place and something different in another place.

All Luther has to do to prove himself right, along with his preachers today, is the following:

Ask any honest person who puts the wafer or bread in their mouth whether it tasted like bread, cracker, or human flesh, AFTER the preacher says his "miracle changing words," "Take, eat, this is my body." My second test would be, open your mouth before you swallow, but AFTER the preacher's words, and I want to see if that wafer is still a wafer; or, if it has been turned into the flesh of Jesus' sinless body.

How could the bread be turned into the flesh of Jesus' body, when that body no longer exists? Jesus is now in His resurrected body, after His resurrection.

Matthew 26:27. In this verse, Christ took the cup, filled it with the sweet grape juice ("fruit of the vine") and gave it to His disciples to drink.

Matthew 26:28. In Matthew 26:28, Christ states,

"For this is my blood of the new testament (i.e., covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Christ speaks as though His death on the cross had already taken place. Notice carefully the words, "my blood...which is shed." Here Christ speaks as though the future of the cross has already come to pass!

There is no forgiveness of sins in the act of baptism or the act of taking the Lord's Supper. These only represent what Christ did for us on the cross. There is no Salvation in the symbols and ordinances; but, only in the true substance itself. That is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Himself. 

 Christ many times in the New Testament speaks as though the future has already been fulfilled. For example, in the high priestly prayer of Christ in John 17:4, He states,

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

He had not gone to the cross yet; but, He was speaking as though it was already accomplished. Also in John 17:11 a, Christ states,

"And now I am no more in the world..."

Christ had not yet been crucified, resurrected three days later, and then walked 40 days on the earth prior to His ascension in Acts 1:11. But Christ was speaking as though all this had been fulfilled, including His ascension.

Conclusion: Luther was never a saved man, as his faith was not in Christ's last words on the cross, "It is finished." Luther's own writings condemn him, as he is not walking by faith only in Christ's payment for sin on the cross. Luther by his own admission walked by sight, as he had to see something that he had done to procure salvation. Here is his own testimony,

"Faith must have something to believe—something to which it may cling and upon which it may stand. Thus faith clings to the water and believes it to be baptism in which there is sheer Salvation and life." (Large Catechism, P.84, Par. 29).

The Scriptures Expose The Truth.
The Word of God refutes and exposes Martin Luther as the "Master of Deceit" that he is. We have "redemption through his (Christ's) blood." and so the following Scriptures declare:

Ephesians 1:7. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; "

Romans 5:9. "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

Colossians 1:20 a. "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him (Christ) to reconcile all things unto himself;..."

Revelation 1:5 b. "...Unto him (Christ) that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"

Revelation 5:9 b. "...and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"

Revelation 7:14. "...These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

Hebrews 9:22. "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." The substance of our faith is what Christ did on the cross by giving His life and shedding His blood as payment for the sins of all mankind. The ordinance concerning the Lord's Supper was given to the church, i.e., every saved person, to partake of as a reminder of what Christ did for them on the cross. This is recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

"... That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11:23 b,24).

"After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11:25).

"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11:26).

There is no salvation or forgiveness of sins in partaking of the Lord's Supper. It was given only to keep Christians aware and in constant REMEMBRANCE of what Christ did in order to provide for their Salvation; AND, remind them to look for His coming again, as stated in 1 Corinthians 11:26.

Luther's faith was never in the finished work of Christ. His faith was in what he could see and do, i.e., the ordinances of Baptism and partaking of the Lord's Supper. Don't ever forget Luther's false claim in his Large Catechism, Page 84, Par. 29.

"FAITH must have something to believe—something to which it may cling and upon which it may stand. Thus faith clings to the WATER and believes it to be BAPTISM in which there is sheer SALVATION and life..."

For the Christian, their faith is in the finished payment Christ made on the cross, providing salvation to all who would put their faith in Him, and Him alone.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It is your choice. Should you choose to believe the "Master of Deceit" Luther, and his Catechisms, the end result is eternal damnation. (John 3:36 b). Should you choose to believe Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the end result is eternal life. (John 3:36 a). You are responsible for your own destiny!