Augsburg Confession Article XXI

Here’s the link to article XXI: https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/of-worship-of-saints/

The first paragraph makes the following points: we can remember the saints who have gone before us and follow their good example. However, the Bible does not tell us to pray to saints or ask for their help. Scripture teaches us that Christ is our one “Mediator, Propitiation, High Priest, and Intercessor.” To put this another way: we can tell the stories of the saints. We can allow their memory to inspire us. We can give thanks to God for what he accomplished through them. But our prayers should be directed to God alone.

The second paragraph of this article serves as a sort of summary of all the articles up to this point. The confessors make an argument along the following lines: all of the articles in our confession come from scripture and are supported by church tradition. Therefore, we should be recognized as true catholics.

Following this article, there is a brief introduction to the next section: “Articles in Which are Reviewed the Abuses Which Have Been Corrected.” Up to this point, the confession has dealt primarily with doctrine. The remainder of the Augsburg Confession speaks more to the practical implications of our doctrine.