The Augsburg Confession
& The Shepherds Way
People have asked what confessions of faith does “Ancient Antiochene Christianity” hold to since the reformation. I will here address that very issue with complete seriousness and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ultimately the Bible is our true and complete confession however in a world where many languages are spoken and much confusion over definitions of terms and true Christian doctrine is debated and added to everyday it is important to have an articulate statement of our faith. We here at this ministry - which we truly believe is a continuation of the one true faith once delivered - wish to share just what we hold to when it comes to confessions.
One, we uphold and accept “The Apostles Creed” (the oldest amongst faith statements in the true Christian Church) and second we hold to the “Nicene Creed”, third “The the Athanasius Creed” and finally we uphold the complete and entire “Augsburg Confession” with an addendum on the doctrine of Baptism which we believe St. Martin Luther would have upheld.
As far as church councils go we reject entirely the 7th ecumenical Council of Trent because of its attacks on proper reform.
Where Ancient Antiochene Christianity is different from Lutheranism it does not conflict with Lutheranism. For one, St. Martin Luther was not called of God to speak on Eschatology and we have shown in our studies that the early church was pre-millennial and pre-tribulational. Also, our understanding of Dispensational Theology does not conflict with the Augsburg Confession in anyway. We hold that the church is in one sense “spiritual Israel” but this in no wise erases the prophecies yet to occur regarding literal Israel. Ultimately the Christian Church does not replace literal Israel. Even the Augsburg Confession states that the church is not literal Israel (See Article 7).
Regarding soteriology we believe that true salvation is a complete work of God by grace through faith and thus true salvation is secured. (Agreeing with the Lutheran “Formula of Concord”, Article 11 – “God’s Eternal Foreknowledge & Election”)
Regarding the Sabbath and “day keeping” we believe that Jesus Christ is our ultimate Sabbath (rest) and that day keeping is unnecessary though we do participate in the regular Christian holidays. (Augsburg Confession, Article 15) Traditionally we meet and worship on Sunday’s just as the early church did. (Agreeing with “Luther’s Large Catechism” & the Third Commandment)
We also accept the Large & Small Lutheran Catechisms.
We have previously given a basic list of thirteen things that we believe in and these are a very basic summation of our faith which almost all Reformed and Protestant churches uphold. Regarding the Augsburg Confession it is the most complete of our faith statements since the reformation.
Regarding hermeneutic rules we teach what are called “the Seven Ancient Antiochene Rules of Interpretation” which we believe were used by the first Antiochene church founded by apostles St. Peter, St. Barnabas and St. Paul.
The Augsburg Confession
In the year 1530 on June 25th the famous Augsburg Confession was presented to Charles the 5th at Diet of Augsburg in response to false claims against Luther and those true Christians who wanted true reform. By this time the Protestant reformation was well underway.
The Augsburg Confession was put together to offer a peaceful and strongly Biblical response to the emperor. As many German leaders read the confession they were moved by the Holy Spirit to put their names on it so it became a testimony of faith not just for Saxony but eventually for most of Christendom.
It is comprised of 28 Articles of Faith which are well articulated and explained by the use of Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura). Our ministry (“The Shepherds Way” started on October 10th 2017) fully upholds the Augsburg Confession as a thorough faith statement of true Christianity.
In truth we believe that St. Martin Luther’s reform was the closest attempt to the return of pure Ancient Antiochene Theology.
It is our hope that the existing Lutheran Synods would carefully review our teachings in the hopes that a more thorough unity could occur amongst our people in the Christian churches based on yet a clearer understanding of Sola Scriptura.
We hope that this short explanation of our faith which has been given the official title of “Ancient Antiochene Christianity” helps our fellow Christians understand where we stand. It is my hope that you would continue your in-depth studies with us here at “The Shepherds Way” and the “Nugget of Truth”.
Resting in the finished work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
AACG (October 10th 2017 – Rearticulated on April 8th 2020)
Hear the Nicene Christian Creed
Above: Presbyter King recites the Nicene Christian Creed at Antiochene Chapel.
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