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[ Early Years ] [ His Teachings ] [ 95 Theses ] [ Reforms ] [ Diet of Worms ] [ Later Years ] [ His Seal ]
Justification
by Faith
Luther's study
of the Holy Scriptures brought a new conviction. Luther saw that there is
no way in which human beings can "gain credit" with God and
"merit" God's favor. But people can receive through faith God's
divine gift of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then
sins are forgiven by the sheer mercy of God. This doctrine of
Justification by Faith soon came to form the basis of Luther's religious
thought. Luther later recalled...
"At
this realization, I felt myself to have been born again and to have entered
paradise itself."
Universal Priesthood of Believers
Luther taught
that the individual conscience is answerable only to the word of God.
Christ alone is the intermediary between people and the Creator.
Through Baptism we are all members of the priesthood of believers.
Supremacy
of Scripture
The word of God,
received in faith and sealed as the Holy Gospel, was the true path to
Salvation. The supreme authority for matters of faith and life is Holy
Scripture.
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