X. Church Practices
Which Are Called Adiaphora or Matters of Indifference
[1] A disagreement has also arisen among the theologians of the Augsburg Confession about ceremonies or Church rites that are neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, but have been introduced into the Church for the sake of good order and fitting use.
Status of the Controversy
The Chief Controversy
about This Article
[2] The chief question has been about a time of persecution and a matter of confession, even when the enemies of the Gospel have not reached an agreement with us in doctrine. Can some abolished ceremonies (which in themselves are matters of indifference and are neither commanded nor forbidden by God) be re-established by the pressure and demand of the adversaries without harming our conscience? May we compromise with them in such ceremonies and adiaphora? To this question one side has said Yes; the other, No.
Affirmative Statements
The Correct and True Teaching and Confession about This Article
[3] 1. For settling this controversy, we unanimously believe, teach, and confess that some ceremonies or Church practices are neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, but have been introduced only for the sake of fitting and good order. Such rites are not in and of themselves divine worship. They are not even a part of it. Matthew 15:9 says, “In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
[4] 2. We believe, teach, and confess that the community of God ‹the churches of God› (in every place ‹in every land› and at every time according to its circumstances) has the power to change such worship ceremonies in a way that may be most useful and edifying to the community of God ‹the churches of God›.
[5] 3. Nevertheless, all frivolity and offense should be avoided in this matter. Special care should be taken to exercise patience toward the weak in faith (1 Corinthians 8:9; Romans 14:13).
[6] 4. We believe, teach, and confess that during a time of persecution, when a plain ‹and steadfast› confession is required of us, we should not yield to the enemies in such matters of adiaphora. For the apostle has written in Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” He also writes in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” Also note Galatians 2:5, “To them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.” For in such a case it is no longer a question about adiaphora. But it concerns the truth of the Gospel, [preserving] Christian liberty, and sanctioning open idolatry. It also concerns the prevention of offense to the weak in the faith. In such a case we have nothing to concede. We should plainly confess and endure what God sends because of that confession, and whatever He allows the enemies of His Word to inflict on us.
[7] 5. We believe, teach, and confess also that no church should condemn another because one has less or more outward ceremonies than the other, for those are not commanded by God. This is true as long as they have unity with one another in the doctrine and all its articles and in the right use of the holy Sacraments. This practice follows the well-known saying “Disagreement in fasting does not destroy agreement in faith.”
Negative Statements
False Teaching about This Article
[8] We reject and condemn as wrong and contrary to God’s Word when the following are taught:
[9] 1. Human ordinances and institutions in the Church should be regarded as a divine worship in themselves or part of it.
[10] 2. When such ceremonies, ordinances, and institutions are violently forced on the community of God ‹the churches of God› as necessary, contrary to its Christian freedom, which it has in outward things.
[11] 3. In a time of persecution and public confession, ‹when a clear confession is required› we may yield to the enemies of the Gospel in such adiaphora and ceremonies or compromise with them ‹which damages the truth›.
[12] 4. When these outward ceremonies and adiaphora are abolished as though the community of God ‹the churches of God› were not free to use one or more ceremonies in Christian freedom, according to its circumstances, as may be most useful at any time for the Church ‹for edification›.