The 1530 Augsburg Confession

• Preface to the Emperor Charles V.
• Article I: Of God.
• Article II: Of Original Sin.
• Article III: Of the Son of God.
• Article IV: Of Justification.
• Article V: Of the Ministry.
• Article VI: Of New Obedience.
• Article VII: Of the Church.
• Article VIII: What the Church Is.
• Article IX: Of Baptism.
• Article X: Of the Lord's Supper.
• Article XI: Of Confession.
• Article XII: Of Repentance.
• Article XIII: Of the Use of the Sacraments.
• Article XIV: Of Ecclesiastical Order.
• Article XV: Of Ecclesiastical Usages.
• Article XVI: Of Civil Affairs.
• Article XVII: Of Christ's Return to Judgment.
• Article XVIII: Of Free Will.
• Article XIX: Of the Cause of Sin.
• Article XX: Of Good Works.
• Article XXI: Of the Worship of the Saints.
• Article XXII: Of Both Kinds in the Sacrament.
• Article XXIII: Of the Marriage of Priests.
• Article XXIV: Of the Mass.
• Article XXV: Of Confession.
• Article XXVI: Of the Distinction of Meats.
• Article XXVII: Of Monastic Vows.
• Article XXVIII: Of Ecclesiastical Power.
• Conclusion.

Article VIII: What the Church Is.

Although the Church properly is the congregation of saints and true believers, nevertheless, since in this life many hypocrites and evil persons are mingled therewith, it is lawful to use Sacraments administered by evil men, according to the saying of Christ: The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat, etc. Matt. 23, 2. Both the Sacraments and Word are effectual by reason of the institution and commandment of Christ, notwithstanding they be administered by evil men.

They condemn the Donatists, and such like, who denied it to be lawful to use the ministry of evil men in the Church, and who thought the ministry of evil men to be unprofitable and of none effect.