Bible Text: Romans 4:1-13 | Preacher: Rev. Angus Stewart |
This speech has been typed up and expanded as an article: “Martin Luther and God’s Saving Righteousness.”

Martin Luther (1483-1546): “I Dr Martin Luther, the unworthy evangelist of the Lord Jesus Christ, thus think and thus affirm: That this article – namely, that faith alone, without works, justifies us before God – can never be overthrown, for … Christ alone, the Son of God, died for our sins; but if He alone takes away our sins, then men, with all their works, are to be excluded from all concurrence in procuring the pardon of sin and justification. Nor can I embrace Christ otherwise than by faith alone; He cannot be apprehended by works. But if faith, before works follow, apprehends the Redeemer, it is undoubtedly true that faith alone, before works and without works, appropriates the benefits of redemption, which is no other than justification, or deliverance from sin. This is our doctrine; so the Holy Spirit teaches, and the whole Christian Church. In this, by the grace of God, will we stand fast. Amen” (quoted in James Buchanan, Doctrine of Justification [Edinburgh: Banner, repr., 1961], p. 129).