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Introduction to the Book of Concord

The Book of Concord is the faithful confession of the Church of the Reformation. It gathers the symbols of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic faith as they were purely taught and proclaimed among us. Here the Church speaks with one voice, not inventing new doctrines, but confessing the eternal truth of God’s Word.

Born amid great struggle, these writings testify that justification by faith alone is the heart of the Gospel—the message that sinners are made righteous before God, not by their works, but by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. In this confession, the Reformers sought neither novelty nor rebellion, but the restoration of the Church’s true foundation in Scripture and in the grace of God revealed in Christ.

The Book of Concord unites the faithful in the same confession that the prophets and apostles delivered, that the holy fathers defended, and that the Reformers renewed for our time. Its purpose is not to bind consciences to human authority, but to free them by the truth of the Gospel, that the Church may remain steadfast, joyful, and at peace in the truth that saves.

The Book of Concord (published June 25, 1580, on the 50th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession) is the collection of official Lutheran confessional writings.

It gathers the historic symbols of the ancient Church and the Reformation-era documents that define Lutheran theology. Below is a clear and faithful summary in order and purpose:

Faithful Confession Justification by Faith Unity in the Gospel

📘 The Contents of the Book of Concord

The collection is organized to show the unity between the ancient catholic faith and the Gospel reclaimed in the Reformation.

I. The Three Ecumenical Creeds

These are the confessions shared by the entire Christian Church:

  1. The Apostles’ Creed. The simplest and most ancient baptismal confession of faith, summarizing the Triune God and salvation history.
  2. The Nicene Creed. The universal creed of Christendom, confessing the divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
  3. The Athanasian Creed. A detailed confession defending the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and the two natures of Christ.
These Creeds declare that the Lutheran Church stands not as a new sect, but as the true continuation of the one, holy, catholic faith.

II. The Confessions of the Lutheran Reformation

  1. The Augsburg Confession (1530).

    The foundational confession of the Lutheran Church, presented before Emperor Charles V at Augsburg.

    It summarizes the faith of the Reformers, emphasizing justification by faith, the proper use of the Sacraments, and the unity of the true Church.

  2. The Apology (Defense) of the Augsburg Confession (1531).

    Written by Philip Melanchthon to explain and defend the Augsburg Confession against critics.

    It offers a full and beautiful exposition of justification by faith alone and good works as the fruit of faith.

  3. The Smalcald Articles (1537).

    Written by Martin Luther as a clear statement of what the Lutheran Church would stand for, even if a council demanded compromise.

    It proclaims the Gospel’s central article: that we are justified and saved by faith alone in Christ, without the works of the law.

  4. The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope (1537).

    Also by Melanchthon, declaring that the pope has no divine authority over all Christians. Christ alone is the head of the Church.

  5. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism (1529).

    A simple, clear teaching tool for families and children, covering the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Confession, and the Lord’s Supper.

    It ends with the “Table of Duties,” showing how faith expresses itself in daily vocation.

  6. Martin Luther’s Large Catechism (1529).

    A deeper exposition of the same subjects, written for pastors, teachers, and heads of households.

    It calls believers to trust the promises of God with childlike faith.

  7. The Formula of Concord (1577).

    The final and most comprehensive confession, written to settle controversies after Luther’s death.

    Divided into two parts:

    • The Epitome. A concise summary of each article for quick reference.
    • The Solid Declaration. A full explanation of disputed doctrines such as original sin, free will, the person of Christ, the Lord’s Supper, and election.

    It reaffirms the central principle: the pure doctrine of justification by grace through faith is the measure of all teaching.

🕊️ Summary

Together, these documents form a unified confession of faith grounded in Scripture and centered on Christ.

They testify that the Lutheran Church is evangelical and catholic—evangelical because it preaches the Gospel of grace alone, and catholic because it remains faithful to the universal faith of the ancient Church.