Here’s the link to the fifth article:
https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/of-the-ministry/
This article deals with how we obtain saving faith. People who have never heard the gospel don’t just wake up one day and suddenly believe in Jesus. Instead, God gives faith through the ministry of preaching and administering the sacraments.
1. Saving faith comes through hearing the gospel. Obviously, not everyone who hears the gospel believes in it. However, without preaching, people will never come to saving faith. Words are necessary. Admittedly, there may be exceptional cases where God speaks to people directly through dreams and visions. However, the church has a clear mandate to proclaim the good news of the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Apart from this proclamation, people will perish without ever hearing.
Romans 10:14-17 (ESV) – “14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
2. Baptism is given to strengthen, preserve, and impart faith. In baptism, we receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 (ESV) – “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
When Jesus gave the great commission, he commanded that the apostles make disciples by baptizing and teaching. These two always go hand in hand.
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV) – “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
3. The Lord’s Supper is given to believers to strengthen and preserve us in the faith, unite us with Christ and the church, and assure us that our sins are forgiven.
Matthew 26:27-28 (ESV) – “27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
1 Corinthians 10:16 (ESV) – “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
Christ Alone Lutheran Brethren Church 