A reminder that even on Easter Sunday, the Law still matters in that it helps us hear the gospel and receive it with thanksgiving.

Acts 10:34-43

[Peter said to Cornelius and the rest,] “…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
— Acts 10:38

Verse 38 is quoted in Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article 7: Holy Supper (FC, SD 7.36) to support the argument against transubstantiation. For "the divine essence is not transformed into the human nature, but that the two unaltered natures are personally united" in Jesus.

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
— Acts 10:43

Verse 43 is quoted in Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article 4: Justification (AP 4.83) as solid proof that "We receive the forgiveness of sins.. through [Jesus'] name, that is, on account of him, and therefore not on account of our merits and not on account of our contrition, attrition, love, acts of worship, or works.”

Verse 43 is quoted again in Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article 12: Repentance (AP 12.65) as part of a familiar argument. "Therefore the only way that we receive the forgiveness of sins is through the name of Christ, that is, because of Christ, and not because of any of our merits or works.”

And in case that wasn't enough, verse 43 is quoted a third time in Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article 20: Good Works (AP 20.2) arguing, yep, "that the forgiveness of sins takes place freely on account of Christ, that Christ--and not our works--is the atoning sacrifice for sin."

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.
— Psalm 118:18

Verse 18 is quoted in Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article 12: Repentance (AP 12.49) to show that God "terrifies... in order to make room for consolation and vivification, because hearts that do not feel the wrath of God loathe consolation in their smugness" (AP 12.51).

TheoThru

This really is good news. Now, how to proclaim is so that others can hear it?

Where do we still try to save ourselves with our own works?
How do we hear the law and the fear of God as a good thing?