The chief article of faith and doctrinal teaching which is true of all orthodox Christianity, wherever it is found, is the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This teaching is described well in Article IV of The Augsburg Confession, one of the Lutheran Confessions of Christian faith contained in The Book of Concord. Article IV is called “Justification” and it reads as follows:
“Our churches teach that people cannot be justified before God by
their own strength, merits, or works. People are freely justified when
they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are
forgiven for Christ's sake. By His death, Christ made satisfaction
for our sins. god counts this faith for righteousness in His sight.”
(Romans 3:21-26, 4:5). -Concordia, The Lutheran Confessions, Dau, Bente, CPH 2005
“Our churches teach that people cannot be justified before God by
their own strength, merits, or works. People are freely justified when
they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are
forgiven for Christ's sake. By His death, Christ made satisfaction
for our sins. god counts this faith for righteousness in His sight.”
(Romans 3:21-26, 4:5). -Concordia, The Lutheran Confessions, Dau, Bente, CPH 2005