The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church: Written For The Common People

“Introduced by a prominent pastor of the General Synod, highly commended by a professor of theology in the Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary, said to be undergoing translation in both German and Swedish, – and in this most excellent book ‘for the common people,’ Mr. Gerberding contents himself with the words of the Augsburg Confession and Luther’s Small Catechism….Rev. Gerberding, whose views of the Lord’s Supper we heartily endorse, has shown us the better way, – the way pursued together by Luther and Melanchthon, who were content to affirm the true essential presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Supper, and the reception of the same by the communicant, and desired nothing so much as to be allowed to leave to God all questions of mode and of Christ’s relation to the elements.” -The Lutheran Quarterly “The supremacy of the Scriptures needs to be recognized with a mightier emphasis, not only of the intellect, but also of the heart. This vital conjunction is maintained in this book. I am certain that a clear view of the way of salvation as taught by the Scriptures and held by the Church will go far not only toward correcting wrong impressions, but will tend to the relief of much mental perplexity, and to the increase of that much-needed spirit of unity throughout our Church, the want of which is not only the greatest reflection on her noble history and holy faith, but the greatest hindrance to her important mission. A kindly Christ-like spirit pervades this book, which is no small testimony to its worth.” -M. Rhodes, St. Louis, March, 1887 INTRODUCTION PREFATORY SCRIPTURE PASSAGES CHAPTER I. All are Sinners CHAPTER II. All that is Born of the Flesh must be Born of the Spirit CHAPTER III. The Present, a Dispensation of Means CHAPTER IV. Baptism, a Divinely Instituted Means of Grace CHAPTER V. The Baptismal Covenant can be kept unbroken—Aim and Responsibility of Parents CHAPTER VI. Home Influence and Training in their Relation to the Keeping of the Baptismal Covenant CHAPTER VII. The Sunday School in its Relation to the Baptized Children of Christian Parents CHAPTER VIII. The Sunday School—Its relation to those in Covenant Relationship with Christ, and also to the Unbaptized and Wandering CHAPTER IX. Catechisation CHAPTER X. Contents, Arrangement and Excellence of Luther's Small Catechism CHAPTER XI. Manner and Object of Teaching Luther's Catechism CHAPTER XII. Confirmation CHAPTER XIII. The Lord's Supper—Preliminary Observations CHAPTER XIV. The Lord's Supper, Continued CHAPTER XV. The Lord's Supper, Concluded CHAPTER XVI. The Preparatory Service, Sometimes Called the Confessional Service CHAPTER XVII. The Word as a Means of Grace CHAPTER XVIII. Conversion—Its Nature and Necessity CHAPTER XIX. Conversion—Varied Phenomena or Experiences CHAPTER XX. Conversion—Human Agency CHAPTER XXI. Justification CHAPTER XXII. Sanctification CHAPTER XXIII. Revivals CHAPTER XXIV. Modern Revivals CHAPTER XXV. Modern Revivals, Continued CHAPTER XXVI. Modern Revivals, Concluded CHAPTER XXVII. True Revivals CHAPTER XXVIII. Conclusion My Church! My Church! My dear Old Church!