The first and chief article is this, that Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification, (Romans 4:25). And He alone is the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world, (John 1:29); and God has laid upon Him the iniquities of us all, (Isaiah 53:6). Likewise: All have sinned and are justified without merit [freely, and without their own works or merits] by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood, (Romans 3:23f). Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us as St. Paul says, Romans 3:28: “For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law.” Likewise 3:26: “That He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Christ.” Of this article nothing can be yielded or surrendered, even though heaven and earth, and whatever will not abide, should sink to ruin. “For there is none other name under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved,” says Peter, Acts 4:12. And “with His stripes we are healed,” Isaiah 53:5. And upon this article all things depend which we teach and practice… (Martin Luther, Smalcald Articles II.I, 1534)
