The biblical foundation of Luther's teaching in his Small Catechism on the meaning (signification) of baptism is Rom. 6:4. In using this passage he adds a new dimension to its content which is markedly different from Paul'sintention and clearly speaks to Luther's own church context. Repentance is rooted in baptism and looses its independent sacramental stance. A comparison with Nicholas of Lyre and Luther's four sermons on this text highlights his new exegetical approach. That his exegesis applies to his own church context is further shown by the fact that in the following tradition the discussion developed in its own direction despite being basedon Luther's words. These observations cause us to consider how the words ofScripture and their exegesis are related to each other and just what the authority of Scripture is.

---

---

Personen: Stolle, Volker

Schlagwörter: Paulus Luther Taufe Exegese Buße