Luther’s Small Catechism

D. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism
1529
Intersynodical Translation
Adopted by
THE LUTHERAN FREE CHURCH
1929
The five parts, with a selection of occasional prayers

The Association of Free Lutheran Congregations
Copyright, 1929
by the
Intersynodical Catechism Committee
Used by Permission

Republished with minor revisions by the Board of Parish Education of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations,
Raynard Huglen, chairman. 1963
4th Reprinting, 1969
5th Reprinting, 1971
6th Reprinting, 1974
7th Reprinting, 1978
8th Reprinting, 1982
9th Reprinting, 1988
10th Reprinting, 1995

PART I

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Introduction

I am the Lord thy God.
[I am the Lord Your God.]

The First Commandment

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
[You shall have no other gods before Me.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

The Second Commandment

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.
[You shall not take the Name of the Lord Your God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His Name in vain.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, conjure, lie, or deceive, by His Name, but call upon Him in every time of need, and worship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

The Third Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise His Word and the preaching of the same, but deem it holy, and gladly hear and learn it.

The Fourth Commandment

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
[Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord Your God gives you.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise our parents and superiors, nor provoke them to anger, but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.

The Fifth Commandment

Thou shalt not kill.
[You shall not murder.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do our neighbor no bodily harm nor cause him any suffering, but help and befriend him in every need.

The Sixth Commandment

Thou shalt not commit adultery.
[You shall not commit adultery.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we lead a chaste and pure life in word and deed, and that husband and wife love and honor each other.

The Seventh Commandment

Thou shalt not steal.
[You shall not steal.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not rob our neighbor of his money or property, nor bring them into our possession by unfair dealing or fraud, but help him to improve and protect his property and living.

The Eighth Commandment

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
[You shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not deceitfully belie, betray, backbite, nor slander our neighbor, but apologize for him, speak well of him, and put the most charitable construction on all that he does.

The Ninth Commandment

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.
[You shall not covet thy neighbor’s house.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not seek by craftiness to gain possession of our neighbor’s inheritance or home, nor obtain them under pretense of a legal right, but assist and serve him in keeping the same.

The Tenth Commandment

Thou shalt not covet they neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.
[You shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.]

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not estrange or entice away our neighbor’s wife, servants, or cattle, but seek to have them remain and discharge their duty to him.

The Conclusion

What does God declare concerning all these Commandments?

Answer: He says: I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

What does this mean?

Answer: God threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments. We should, therefore, fear His wrath, and in no wise disobey them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep them. We should, therefore, love Him, trust in Him, and gladly keep His commandments

Part II

The Creed

The First Article

of creation

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean?

Answer: I believe that God has created me and all that exists; that He has given and still preserves to me my body and soul, my eyes, and ears and all my members, my reason and all the powers of my soul, together with food and raiment, home and family, and all my property; that He daily provides abundantly for all the needs of my life, protects me from all danger, and guards and keeps me from all evil; and that He does this purely out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all of which I am in duty bound to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

The Second Article

of redemption

And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

What does this mean?

Answer: I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true Man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, bought me and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with silver and gold, but with His holy and precious blood, and with His innocent sufferings and death; in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

The Third Article

of sanctification

I believe in the Holy Spirit; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Live everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean?

Answer:

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; in like manner as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He daily forgives abundantly all my sins, and the sins of all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true.

PART III

THE LORD’S PRAYER

The Introduction

Our Father, Who art in heaven.

What does this mean?

Answer: God thereby tenderly encourages us to believe that He is truly our Father, and that we are truly His children, so that we may boldly and confidently come to Him in prayer, even as beloved children come to their dear father.

The First Petition

Hallowed be Thy Name.

What does this mean?

Answer: God’s Name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may be hallowed also among us.

How is this done?

Answer: When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity and we, as God’s children, lead holy lives, in accordance with it. This grant us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives otherwise than God’s Word teaches, profanes the Name of God among us. From this preserve us, heavenly Father!

The Second Petition

Thy kingdom come.

What does this mean?

Answer: The kingdom of God comes indeed of itself, without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may come also to us.

How is this done?

Answer: When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word, and live a godly life here on earth, and in heaven for ever.

The Third Petition

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

What does this mean?

Answer: The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done also among us.

How is this done?

Answer: When God destroys and brings to naught every evil counsel and purpose of the devil, the world, and our own flesh, which would hinder us from hallowing His Name, and prevent the coming of His kingdom; and when He strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith, even unto our end. This is His good and gracious will.

The Fourth Petition

Give us this day our daily bread.

What does this mean?

Answer: God indeed gives daily bread to all men, even to the wicked, without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to acknowledge our daily bread as His gift, and to receive it with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread?

Answer: Everything that is required to satisfy our bodily needs; such as food and raiment, house and home, fields and flocks, money and goods; pious parents, children, and servants; godly and faithful rulers, good government; seasonable weather, peace and health; order and honor; true friends, good neighbors, and the like.

The Fifth Petition

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

What does this mean?

Answer: We pray in this petition that our heavenly Father would not regard our sins nor because of them deny our prayers; for we neither merit nor are worthy of those things for which we pray; but that He would grant us all things through grace, even though we sin daily, and deserve nothing but punishment. And certainly we, on our part, will heartily forgive, and gladly do good to those who may sin against us.

The Sixth Petition

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean?

Answer: God indeed tempts no one to sin; but we pray in this petition that God would so guard and preserve us, that the devil, the world, and our own flesh, may not deceive us, nor lead us into error and unbelief, despair, and other great and shameful sins; but that when so tempted, we ma finally prevail and gain the victory.

The Seventh Petition

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean?

Answer: We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our heavenly Father would deliver us from all manner of evil, whether it affect body or soul, property or reputation, and at last, when the hour of death shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

The Conclusion

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

What does the word “Amen” mean?

Answer: It means that I should be assured that such petitions are acceptable to our heavenly Father, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this manner, and has promised to hear us. Amen, Amen, that is Yea, yea, it shall be so.

PART IV

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

What is Baptism?

Answer: Baptism is not simply water, but it is the water used according to God’s command and connected with God’s word.

What is this word of God?

Answer: It is the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the last chapter of Matthew: “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

What Gifts or Benefits Does

Baptism Bestow?

Answer: It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe, as the word and promise of God declare.

What is this word and promise of God?

Answer: It is the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the last chapter of Mark: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.”

III

How Can Water Do Such

Great Things?

Answer: It is not the water, indeed, that does such great things, but the word of God, connected with the water, and our faith which relies on that word of God. For without the word of God, it is simply water and no baptism. But when connected with the word of God, it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says to Titus, in the third chapter: “According to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by His grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” This is a faithful saying.

What Does Such Baptizing with

Water Signify?

Answer: It signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance, and be put to death; and that the new man should daily come forth and rise, to live before God in righteousness and holiness for ever.

Where is it so written?

Answer: St. Paul, in the sixth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, says: “We ere buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.”

of confession

What is Confession?

Answer: Confession consists of two parts: the one is that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution or forgiveness from the pastor as from God Himself, in no wise doubting, but firmly believing, that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in Heaven.

What sins should we confess?

Answer: Before God we should acknowledge ourselves guilty of all manner of sins, even of those of which we are not aware, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. To the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.

What are such sins?

Answer: Here examine yourself in the light of the Ten Commandments, whether as father or mother, son or daughter, master or servant, you have been disobedient, unfaithful, slothful, ill-tempered, unchaste, or quarrelsome, or whether you have injured any one by word or deed, stolen, neglected or wasted aught, or done any other evil.

PART V

THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

What Is the Sacrament of the Altar?

Answer: It is the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, given unto us Christians to eat and to drink, as it was instituted by Christ Himself.

Where is it so written?

Answer: The holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, together with St. Paul, write thus:

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to His disciples, saying Take, eat; this is My Body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me.

“After the same manner, also, He took the cup, when He had supped, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New Testament in My Blood, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

What Is the Benefit of Such

Eating and Drinking?

Answer: It is pointed out in these words: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” Through these words the remission of sins, life and salivation are given unto us in the Sacrament; for where there is remission of sins, there is also life and salvation.

III

How Can the Bodily Eating and Drinking Produce Such Great Benefits?

Answer: The eating and drinking, indeed, do not produce them, but the words: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” For besides the bodily eating and drinking, these words are the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he who believes them has what they say and declare, namely, the remission of sins.

Who, Then, Receives the Sacrament Worthily?

Answer: Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a good outward discipline, but he is truly worthy and well prepared who believes these words: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” But he who does not believe these words or who doubts them is unworthy and unprepared; for the words: “For you,” require truly believing hearts.

PRAYERS FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS

Morning Prayers

I thank Thee, my heavenly Father, that Thou hast kept me through the night from all harm and danger. I pray Thee to keep me this day from all sin and evil, that in all my thoughts and words and deeds I may serve and please Thee. Into Thy hands I commend my body and soul and all that is mine. Let They holy angels be with me, that the evil one may have no power over me. This I pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Jesus, friend of little children,
Be a friend to me;
Take my hand and always keep me
Near and dear to Thee.
Amen.

We are little children,
Weak, and apt to stray;
Saviour, guide and keep us
By Thy side today.
Amen.

Father, we thank Thee for the night,
And the pleasant morning light;
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the day so fair.
Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do in work or play,
To grow more like Thee every day.
Amen.

Evening Prayers

I thank Thee, my heavenly Father, that Thou hast graciously kept me all through this day. I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins and the wrong which I have done. By Thy great mercy keep me this night from all harm and danger. Into Thy hands I commend my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let Thy holy angels be with me, that the evil one may have no power over me. This I pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take. Amen.

Saviour, breathe an evening blessing,
Ere repose our spirits seal;
Sin and want we come confessing:
Thou canst save and Thou canst heal.
Amen.

A Mother’s Evening Prayer for Her Child

Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee
All through the night.
Guardian angels God will send thee
All through this night.
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and vale in slumber steeping;
I my loving watch am keeping
All through the night.
Amen.

Prayers before Meals

Be present at our table, Lord;
Be here and everywhere adored.
These mercies bless, and grant that we
May feast in Paradise with Thee
Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest,
And let Thy gifts to us be blest.
Amen.

Break Thou the bread of life,
Dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread By Galilee;
Give me to eat and live With Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy Truth,
For Thou art love.
Amen.

Prayers after Meals

We thank Thee for our daily bread:
Let also, Lord, our souls be fed.
O Bread of Life, from day to day,
Sustain us on our homeward way.
Amen.

God is gracious, God is good,
We thank Him for our daily food.
Amen.

Heavenly Father, great and good,
We thank Thee for this daily food.
Bless us ever as we pray;
Guide and keep us through this day.
Amen.

Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

Who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy desire with good things.

Amen.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

A Prayer for Our Country

Our Fathers’ God, to Thee,

Author of liberty,

To Thee we sing;

Long may our land be bright

With freedom’s holy light;

Protect us by Thy might,

Great God, our King.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation.

But deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Benediction

The Lord bless us and keep us,

The Lord make His face shine upon us and be gracious unto us.

The Lord lift us His countenance upon us and give us peace.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and the of Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Luther’s

Small Catechism

Explained in questions and Answers

H.U. SVERDURP

Late Pastor in the Church of Norway

ABRIDGED

Translated from the Norwegian by

H. A. URSETH

Revised by Rev. John A. Houkom

The Association of

Free Lutheran Congregations

PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION

In his preface to his translation of “Luther’s Small Catechism Explained” which appeared in 1900, Prof. H. A. Urseth said:

“In 1897 the present publishers issued in Norwegian an Explanation of Luther’s Small Catechism by Pastor H. U. Sverdrup, being an abridged edition of a larger work by the same author, based on Dr. Pontoppidan’s Explanation of the Catechism. Some alterations were made in answers 244-252. The present work is a translation of this abridged and slightly altered edition.

“A literal translation has been avoided rather than sought; an attempt has been made to render the original in the simplest and strongest English, and to avoid words and expressions with which the young are little familiar.

_ _ _

“Scripture quotations have been added somewhat freely from the larger edition.

“As the needs of our English speaking young people have been constantly borne in mind during the preparation of this translation, it is hoped that the book may not fail to carry some blessing to them.”

_ _ _

In the present revised edition the Intersynodical Translation of Luther’s Small Catechism, adopted by the Lutheran Free Church Annual Conference in 1929, has been incorporated, and necessary alterations in the text of this work have been made to conform therewith. Also, the text of the American Standard Version of the Bible has replaced the versions used in the scripture quotations throughout the original edition.

John A. Houkom.

INTRODUCTION

1. What is God’s will concerning man?

God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:4

2. Where does God show us how we may be saved?

In the holy Scriptures, also called the Bible.

3. Who wrote the Bible?

The holy prophets, evangelists, and apostles wrote the Bible.

4. But how can their word be the Word of God?

The Spirit of God revealed to them what to speak and write.

2 Peter 1:21 Men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

5. What must we do to experience personally that their word is the Word of God?

We must obey the Word and receive it into our hearts.

John 7:17 If any man is willing to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself.

6. Is the Bible then the only safe rule of our faith and duty?

Yes; the Bible alone contains full information of the will of God concerning our salvation.

7. How do we rightly use the Word of God?

We must first look to God for the light of His Spirit, and then read with devotion and an earnest purpose to live according to the Word.

1 Cor. 2:14 A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

8. Who should read the Bible?

It is the will of God that all should use His Word and love it as a dear gift.

9. What is the substance of all the books of the Bible?

The great truth that Jesus is the way to salvation for all who believe.

John 20:31 But these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

10. How is the Bible divided in regard to its teaching?

It is divided into Law and Gospel.

11. What is the Law?

The Law is the divine Word which tells us what we must do.

12. What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the glad tidings of the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Savior.

PART ONE

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, OR THE LAW

13. How has God given His law to us?

1. In the creation God wrote His Law in the heart of man. (Conscience.) Rom. 2:15

2. At Mount Sinai He gave His Law in the Ten Commandments, written on two tables of stone. Ex. 20:1-17

14. Does this Law demand outward observance only?

No; it demands the whole man, and the willing obedience of heart and mind.

Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

15. Can we be saved through the Law?

No; since the fall in sin no man can perfectly keep the Law.

Romans 8:7 The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.

16. Of what benefit, then, is the Law?

1. It points out to us our sins and the wrath of God toward sin.

Romans 3:20 Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

2. It makes us anxious to seek Christ.

Galatians 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.

3. It points out to the believer what fruits his faith must bear.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.

17. What is the substance of the Law?

Love to God, ourselves, and our neighbor. Matt. 22:37-40

Romans 13:10 Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

1 Tim. 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

THE FIRST TABLE OF THE LAW

18. What is the substance of the first table?

Love of God.

Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

The First Commandment

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

What does this mean?

We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

19. What does the first commandment forbid?

It forbids the worship of strange gods, or idols.

Matthew 4:10 You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.

20. What is meant by an idol?

Anything that man worships, fears, loves, and trusts in instead of the one true God.

21. Who practice idolatry openly?

They who worship the created things instead of the Creator, and pray to the sun, the moon, stars, images, angels, or saints.

Romans 1:25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

22. Who practice idolatry secretly?

They who turn their love, fear, and trust from the living God, that they may secretly cling to something else than Him.

23. Whom do all idolaters really serve?

They serve the devil who is the father of lies, and the lord of all impenitent and hardened sinners.

1 John 3:8 The one who practices sin is of the devil.

2 Cor. 4:4 The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving.

24. What does God require of us in the first commandment?

We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

25. Upon what does God then really look?

Upon the attitude of our hearts toward Him.

Proverbs 23:26 Give me your heart, my son.

Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

26. When do we fear God?

We fear God when we think so highly of Him, that we are afraid of offending Him by any wrongdoing.

Psalm 33:8 Let all the earth fear the Lord.

27. Of how many kinds is the fear of God?

Of two kinds: slavish fear and child-like fear.

28. What is meant by slavish fear?

When we fear God because we are afraid of punishment.

29. What is meant by child-like fear?

When we love God so dearly that we wish to do nothing that is against His will.

Genesis 39:9 How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?

1 John 4:18 Perfect love casts out fear.

30. Who fear God in this manner?

God’s children only.

Romans 8:15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

31. When do we love God?

We love God when He is dearer to us than all else, so that we have no true joy except in Him, and gladly submit to His will in all things.

Psalm 18:1 I love Thee, O Lord, my strength.

Psalm 73:25-26 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

32. Can we love God and the wold at the same time?

By no means.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

33. Why must we love God?

We must love God because of His goodness toward us.

Matthew 19:17 There is only One who is good.

1 John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

34. Whereby is it seen that we love God?

By a holy life.

John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me.

35. When do we trust in God above all things?

We trust in God above all things when we have confidence in Him as in a loving father, and when we look to Him for every blessing, and put all our affairs into His hands.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

36. Why must we trust in God alone?

Because He is our almighty and faithful Friend.

37. Name some virtues that follow upon true fear, love, and trust in God?

Humility, patience, and self-denial.

1 Peter 5:5-6 God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.

Job 1:21 The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Matthew 26:39 Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.

The Second Commandment

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.

What does this mean?

38. What is meant by the “name” of God”

1. The usual names given to Him in the Bible.

2. His nature and attributes and all that by which He is especially known, such as His Word, sacraments, and works.

39. When is the name of God taken in vain?

When it is used in a thoughtless and mocking manner and without devotion and reverence.

40. How is this done?

1. When we use God’s name or Word in jesting or as a by-word.

2. When we find fault with anything God has done.

3. When we use the name of God in cursing, swearing, conjuring, lying, or deceiving.

41. What is it to curse by the name of God?

It is to call down evil upon ourselves, our neighbor, or any other created thing, by the name of God.

42. What is it to swear by the name of God?

It is to bear witness to anything by the holy name of God.

43. Are we never permitted to swear?

Yes; when the proper authorities demand it in God’s stead.

44. Why is it a great sin to commit perjury?

Because the perjurer shows open disregard for God and the salvation of his own soul, and frankly calls down the judgment of God upon himself.

45. Are cursing and swearing sinful when the name of God is not used?

Yes, indeed; for whatever we curse or swear by, we really do so by God who is the Lord of all things.

Matthew 5:34-37 “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; and anything beyond these is of evil.”

46. Are cursing and swearing sinful when they have become a habit?

Most certainly; for a sinful habit proves that sin is our master.

47. What is it to conjure by the name of God?

It is trying to cure diseases, or to practice any other kind of superstition, by the name of God or a passage from the Bible.

48. Ho do we lie and deceive by the name of God?

By perjury, false teaching, and hypocrisy.

Matthew 15:9 But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him.

49. What must he expect who takes the name of God in vain?

Great punishment, both in time and eternity; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

50. How do we use the name of God properly?

When we sincerely call upon Him in every time of need, and worship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

The Third Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise His Word and the preaching of the same, but deem it holy, and gladly hear and learn it.

51. Which day is the day of rest among Christians?

Sunday, the first day of the week, on which Christ arose from the dead.

52. How should we keep the day of rest holy?

1. We must rest from our daily labor, that the time may be used for our instruction in the fear of the Lord.

2. We must earnestly hear and study the Word of God, both in our homes and in church.

Luke 11:28 But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it.”

James 1:27 This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

53. Has the Lord appointed these resting-days to be used only in reading and studying the Word of God?

No; He has appointed such days also for the needed rest of mind and body.

54. How do we misuse the day of rest?

1. When we neglect and despise the Word of God.

Eccles. 5:1 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.

2. When we do work or take part in amusements that either are actually sinful or turn our minds away from God.

55. Is no work permitted on Sunday?

Yes; any work of necessity that cannot be delayed, and any loving kindness we may show our neighbor who is in need. Luke 14:1-6

THE SECOND TABLE OF THE LAW

56. What is the substance of the second table?

Love to ourselves and our neighbor.

Matthew 22:39 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

57. May we love ourselves?

Yes, for God has made us, but we must beware of selfishness.

58. What should a man care for most of all?

For his soul, the immortal part of himself.

Matthew 16:26 “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?

59. What does the second table teach us about our relation to our neighbor?

We must feel and act toward him, as we would have him feel and act toward us.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them.

1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

60. Who is our neighbor?

Every human being is our neighbor. Read Luke 10:29-37.

61. Must we love also our enemies?

Yes; for even our enemy is our neighbor.

Matthew 5:44,45 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

The Fourth Commandment

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not despise our parents and superiors, nor provoke them to anger, but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.

62. Why must we honor father and mother?

Because God has placed them over us to care for us.

Leviticus 19:3 Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father.

63. How are children to show that they honor father and mother?

By respectful, loving, and willing obedience and by good behavior to their parents, both in their presence and in their absence.

Proverbs 1:8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, And do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Eph. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

64. Whom must we honor and obey besides our parents?

All those whom God has placed over us, such as guardians, employers, teachers, and the government.

65. Must we obey parents and superiors when they ask us to do what is sinful?

No; we ought to obey God rather than men. Acts. 5:29

66. What is the duty of parents toward their children?

They must love them, pray for them, bring them up in fear of the Lord, and in everything seek their temporal and spiritual good.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Eph. 6:4

67. What is God’s promise to those who honor father and mother?

It shall be well with them, and they shall live long on the earth.

68. Is this promise yet effective?

Yes; in this sense, that special blessings rest upon obedient children, and upon every nation honoring father and mother.

69. Has God given us also a land?

Yes; He has given us our native land, that we may love it and help it to prosper.

70. What does the fourth commandment forbid?

To despise and give offense to father and mother.

Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

71. What does he bring upon himself who transgresses this commandment?

Condemnation and punishment from God.

Deut. 27:16 Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.

The Fifth Commandment

Thou shalt not kill.

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do our neighbor no bodily harm nor cause him suffering, but help and befriend him in every need.

72. How is this commandment transgressed?

1. By taking our neighbor’s life, or by doing him any bodily harm.

Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.

2. By hatred, anger, abusive words, and all offensive behavior toward our neighbor.

1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Eph. 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

73. Can we kill also our neighbor’ soul?

Yes; when we cause him to sin, either by purposely leading him astray, or by bad example, thus helping to destroy his soul.

Romans 16:18 By their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Matthew 18:7 Woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

74. May we take our own life?

No; God has given us life, and He alone has the right to take it.

75. What does God require of us in the fifth commandment?

That we help our neighbor in all bodily distress, and associate with him in love and gentleness.

Luke 10:33-35

Eph. 4:32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Matthew 25:35,36 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.

The Sixth Commandment

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we lead a chaste and pure life in word and deed, and that husband and wife love and honor each other.

76. How is this commandment transgressed?

1. When husband and wife are unfaithful to each other.

Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all.

2. By all impure thoughts, desires, words, and acts, in married as well as in unmarried persons.

Eph. 5:3 But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

77. Who has instituted marriage?

God Himself instituted it in Paradise.

Gen. 2:21-24, 1:27-28, Matt. 19:4-6

78. How do unfaithful husbands and wives treat this holy institution?

They despise it, and thus bring down upon themselves the judgment of God.

Hebrews 13:4 Fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

79. Repeat some passages from Scripture in which impurity is forbidden?

Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6:9-10

I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. Eph. 4:29

80. Why is this sin so fearful?

Because it affects both soul and body more than any other sin.

81. How can we be kept pure?

We must watch and pray, and avoid everything that awakens impure desires.

Matthew 26:41 Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation.

82. What things awaken impure desires?

Gluttony and drunkenness, immoral and exciting amusements, bad company, the reading of improper books, and everything that excites carnal and impure thoughts.

83. Are not gluttony and drunkenness alone dangerous sins?

Yes, indeed; they are a shameful abuse of God’s gifts, by which we ruin soul and body and shut ourselves out from the kingdom of God.

Luke 21:34 Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap.

84. What does God require of us in the sixth commandment?

We must live a chaste and pure life, whether we are married or unmarried, husband and wife loving and honoring each other.

The Seventh Commandment

Thou shalt not steal.

What does this mean?

85. What is it to steal?

To steal is to take from our neighbor even the smallest part of his property against his will.

86. How is stealing done?

In a coarse or in an artful manner.

87. Who steal in a coarse manner?

Those who, without any right or permission whatever, take their neighbor’s money or property.

Eph. 4:28 Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.

88. Who steal in an artful manner?

Those who take or withhold the property of others by any kind of fraud.

89. Is it wrong to be a partner with a thief?

Yes; the partner of a thief is no better than the thief.

Proverbs 29:24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life.

90. What judgment does the Word of God pass upon the thieves and robbers?

They shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Cor. 6:10 Thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

91. May we do with our property what we please?

No; we are but keepers of God’s gifts, and we must once give an account of how we have used them.

Luke 16:2; Matthew 25:24-30

92. What does God require of us in the seventh commandment?

We must be honest and unselfish in all our dealings, and help our neighbor to improve and protect his property and living.

1 John 3:17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

James 2:13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

The Eighth Commandment

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

What does this mean?

93. What is “false witness”?

All untruthful speaking about our neighbor, in or out of court.

94. How does one bear false witness in court?

When a witness swears to a lie, and when a judge decides wrong to be right, and right to be wrong.

95. How do we bear false witness out of court?

When we tell lies about our neighbor and slander or defame him in our conversation.

Eph. 4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor.

96. Do we sin when we speak truthfully of our neighbors’s faults?

Yes; when we do so with an unloving heart, either because we wish to hurt our neighbor, or thoughtlessly in gossiping.

Matthew 12:36 And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment.

97. What does God require of us in the eighth commandment?

We must always be truthful, excuse, and speak well of our neighbor, as far as truth permits, and look upon all his acts as well-meant.

1 Cor. 13:5-7 (Love) does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The Ninth Commandment

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.

What does this mean?

The Tenth Commandment

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.

What does this mean?

Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not estrange or entice away our neighbor’s wife, servants, or cattle, but seek to have them remain and discharge their duty to him.

98. What do the ninth and tenth commandments forbid?

All sinful desire to get what belongs to our neighbor.

99. What does God require of us in the ninth and tenth commandments?

We must heartily wish our neighbor all good, rejoice in his success, and help him to keep what he owns.

100. What, then, does God require of us in His holy Law?

Perfect purity and holiness in all our thoughts and desires, words and acts.

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

Matthew 5:48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

101. What does God say of all his commandments?

I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

What does this mean?

102. Of what does God remind us by these words?

He reminds us of the fact that He is a just God, who in His holy wrath punishes every sin.

103. What is sin?

Sin is any thought or feeling, word or act, which is contrary to God’s holy Law.

104. What is meant by original sin?

Original sin is the inborn wickedness, deep corruption, and evil disposition, of the human heart.

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.

105. What is actual sin?

Actual sin is all evil thoughts and desires, words and acts, springing from original sin.

106. Is neglecting to do good as sinful as doing wrong?

Yes, indeed; to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17.

107. Do the children of God always live according to the will of their heavenly Father?

They hate sin, and heartily strive to keep the law of God; but it is their experience that they sin every day, and that the new life within them is weak.

Psalm 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

Romans 7:19 For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.

108. How do the children of God feel and act when they find that they have sinned?

They are deeply grieved, they ask their heavenly Father to forgive them, and earnestly strive to put off sin.

109. What do the children of the world think of sin?

They love sin, and do not ask to be forgiven.

110. How does God threaten those who transgress His commandments?

He will visit, that is, punish, their wickedness.

111. How does God punish sin?

In soul and body; now and forever.

Galatians 3:10 Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.

112. What does God promise all who keep His commandments?

He will have mercy upon them in a thousand generations.

113. What is here understood by mercy?

Every blessing for soul and body, now and forever.

1 Tim. 4:8 Godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

114. What way of salvation does the Law then point out to us?

Keep the commandments and you shall be saved.

Luke 10:28 Do this, and you will live.

115. Can any man, then, keep God’s commandments so perfectly that he thereby is justified and saved?

No; every man is a sinner, and he lacks that perfect love which is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 10:3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

116. But does the Word of God point out a way to us in which a sinner may be justified and saved?

Yes; in the blessed Gospel.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

117. What parts of the catechism treat about the gospel?

The four last parts.

PART TWO

THE THREE ARTICLES OF THE CREED

118. Of what do the three articles treat?

Of the nature, will, and works of the triune God.

119. How do you know there is a God?

1. From the world’s creation, its preservation and government.

Romans 1:19-20 That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

2. From my conscience, which is troubled when I do evil and rejoices when I do good.

Romans 2:15 They show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.

3. From the holy Scriptures wherein He still more clearly reveals Himself.

John 1:18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

120. What is God?

God is a spirit, who is eternal and almighty; all-knowing and everywhere present; wise, good, and merciful; holy, true, and just.

John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born, Or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.

Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.

1 John 3:20 In whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

Psalm 139:7 Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence?

Psalm 104:24 O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all.

1 John 4:16 God is love.

Psalm 106:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 103:13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

Isaiah 6:3 Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Romans 2:6 (God) will render to every man according to his deeds.

121. Are there more Gods than one?

No; there is but one God, and there is none else besides Him.

Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!

122. How many persons are there in the Godhead?

Three; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are perfectly alike in character, and equal in greatness.

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The First Article

of creation

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean?

Answer: I believe that God has created me and all that exists; that He has given and still preserves to me my body and soul, my eyes and ears, and all my members, my reason and all the powers of my soul, together with food and raiment, home and family, and all my property; that He daily provides abundantly for all the needs of my life, protects me from all danger, and guards and keeps me from all evil; and that He does this purely out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all of which I am in duty bound to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

123. What do you mean when you say, “I believe in God the Father?”

I believe that God is the Father of Jesus Christ, and my Father; and I surrender myself to Him trusting with all my heart in His grace and love.

124. Why do we call God the Maker of heaven and earth?

Because He has made heaven and earth to come forth by His almighty Word.

Psalm 33:9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

125. Does God yet care for what He made?

Yes; by His watchful care He preserves and governs all things.

126. How does God preserve all things?

He lets all things continue as long as He thinks well, and He cares like a father for all His creatures.

Genesis 8:22 While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.

Acts 17:25 He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things.

Psalm 104:27 They all wait for Thee, To give them their food in due season.

127. For whom does God care most?

For man; and especially for His believing children.

Matthew 6:26-28, 30 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, . . .But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?

128. How does God govern men with regard to their sins?

He suffers them to sin, sets limits to their sinning, and so guides the result that everything will be for their good who love Him.

Genesis 50:20 You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.

129. Do we always understand the ways of God’s providence?

No; His ways are often hidden from our eyes; but even then they are the kindest and best.

Isaiah 55:8,9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

130. In whose care may you therefore safely leave yourself?

In God’s care, who protects me from all danger, and keeps me from all evil.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

131. Have you deserved all this?

Not in the least; He does all this, not because I have deserved it, but because He is a loving and merciful Father.

Genesis 32:10 I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which Thou hast shown to Thy servant.

132. What do you owe God for all this goodness?

It is my duty to serve Him thankfully and obediently all the days of my life.

Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits.

133. Which are the most excellent of the heavenly creatures?

The holy angels.

134. What is the work of the holy angels?

They praise God, and serve Him, especially by ministering to His children.

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

135. Are there not also evil angels?

Yes; there are evil angels who have fallen away from God through pride and disobedience, and are forever excluded from fellowship with Him. The devil is their king.

136. Which is the most excellent of the earthly creatures?

Man, to whom God gave power to rule over the earth.

137. What was the character of man as he was made by God?

Adam and Eve were innocent, without sin, and like God.

Genesis 1:27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

138. In what did the image of God in man consist?

In true wisdom, righteousness and holiness, peace and joy.

Eph. 4:24 Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

139. What benefit did the human body have from the image of God.

Perfect health, immortality, and a life free from care in Paradise.

140. Did our first parents remain innocent and without sin?

No; they sinned and lost the image of God, and thus sin and death entered into the world.

Genesis 2:17 In the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.

Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death.

141. In what did their sin consist?

It consisted especially in the unbelief of their hearts and in their selfishness and disobedience.

142. Who led them astray?

They permitted the devil to lead them astray.

Gen. 3:1-5

John 8:44 (The devil) was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

143. How has sin injured the human soul?

1. It has darkened the understanding.

I Cor. 2:14

2. It has made the will incapable of what is good, and desirous of all that is evil.

Romans 8:7 The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God.

3. It had disturbed the peace and joy of conscience.

Gen. 3:8, 10

144. How has sin injured the human body?

Sin has made the body a tool of every evil passion, and has brought upon it disease, distress, countless pains, and finally death.

Job 14:1-2 Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.

145. Have all men become sinners through the fall of our first parents?

Yes; sin and death have spread from our first parents to the whole human race.

Romans 5:18 Through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men.

146. Will God, then, leave all men to perish?

No; God has in love sent His Son Jesus Christ to save man.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

147. When was the Savior first promised to the world?

Immediately after the fall.

Genesis 3:15 He shall bruise you on the head.

148. When was Christ sent to the world?

In the fulness of time; that is, the time appointed and prepared by God Himself.

Galatians 4:4 When the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman.

The Second Article

of redemption

What does this mean?

Answer: I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true Man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, bought me and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with silver and gold, but with His holy and precious blood, and with His innocent sufferings and death; in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in ever lasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

149. What do you mean when you say “I believe in Jesus Christ?”

Trusting in Jesus Christ with all my heart, I surrender myself to Him as my only Savior from sin, and death, and the power of Satan.

Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.

150. Who is Jesus Christ?

The Son of God and the Son of Mary, true God and true man.

151. How does Christ have divine nature?

He is begotten of the Father from eternity.

152. How does Christ have human nature?

He is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.

153. What does the Bible say about Christ being true God?

The Bible calls Him the only begotten Son of God, and one with the Father.

The Bible also expressly calls Him God.

John 10:30 I and the Father are one.

John 5:23 That all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

1 John 5:20 This is the true God and eternal life.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 3:16

154. What does the Bible say about Christ being both God and man?

It says, the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. John 1:14

And, When the fulness of the time came God sent forth His Son, born of a woman. Gal. 4:4

155. Why must the Son of God become true man?

In order that He might suffer and die for us.

156. Why must our Savior be true God?

In order that His death and His blood might have everlasting power to atone for sin.

157. Is Jesus conceived and born with sin?

No; He is conceived by the Holy Spirit and therefore without sin.

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.

158. What does the name Jesus signify?

A Savior.

Matthew 1:21 You shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.

159. What does the name Christ signify?

The same as Messiah; that is the Anointed or the Consecrated.

160. How was Jesus anointed?

He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power. Acts 10:38.

161. For what offices was Jesus anointed and consecrated?

The offices of High Priest, Prophet, and King.

162. What is Christ’s work as High Priest?

He offered up Himself a sacrifice for our sins, and ever prays for us.

Hebrews 7:26-27 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

163. What is Christ’s work as Prophet?

He teaches us the will of God concerning our salvation.

Luke 24:19 Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people.

164. What is Christ’s work as King?

He governs and keeps His children, and defends them against their enemies.

Luke 1:33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.

Rev. 17:14 He is Lord of lords and King of kings.

165. How are the believers name after Christ?

They are called Christians; meaning, “the anointed.”

1 John 2:20 You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

166. With what means has Christ redeemed us?

He has paid for our sins with His holy and precious blood and His innocent death, and He has fulfilled the law in our stead with His holy life and His perfect obedience.

1 Peter 1:18,19 Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

167. Whom has Christ redeemed?

He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned sinner.

168. Has not Christ redeemed all mankind?

Yes, He has; He gave Himself a ransom for all. 1 Tim. 2:6

1 John 2:2 He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

169. But are not many, thus redeemed, yet lost?

Yes, indeed; many reject Him because of their unbelief and love of sin.

2 Peter 2:1 Denying the Master who bought them.

John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

170. Who get a share in the redemption of Christ?

Those who repent their sins and believe in Him.

171. What benefits does the believer have from the redemption of Christ?

By the redemption he is freed from sin, from death, and from the power of Satan.

172. In what way is the believer freed from sin by the redemption of Christ?

1. The guilt and punishment of sin are removed from him.

Col. 1:14 In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

2. Sin rules over him no longer.

Romans 6:14 Sin shall not be master over you.

3. When he dies, sin is entirely rooted out from him.

173. In what way is the believer freed from death by the redemption of Christ?

Spiritual death has lost its power over him, temporal death is but an entrance into perfect life, and eternal death he no longer fears.

John 11:25,26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.”

174. In what way is the believer freed from the power of Satan by the redemption of Christ?

Satan has no power over the believer, unless the believer yields himself into his service.

Hebrews 2:14 Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.

175. For what purpose has Christ redeemed you?

He has redeemed me in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.

1 Cor. 6:20 You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

176. What did Christ do in order to become our Savior and Redeemer?

He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, yea the death of the cross. Phil. 2:8

177. How many steps do you notice in the humiliation of Christ?

Five: the birth in poverty; the suffering; the crucifixion; the death; the burial.

178. Why did Christ begin His life on earth with the birth in poverty?

He began His life in poverty to show that His kingdom is not of this world, and that we might be made rich through His poverty.

179. When was the suffering of Christ greatest?

In the night before His death, and on Good Friday, when He was delivered into the hands of His enemies, and was bound, beaten, scourged, crowned with thorns, and finally nailed to the cross.

180. Did Christ suffer bodily pain only?

No; His greatest suffering was a fearful anguish of soul on account of our sins.

181. When in particular did He suffer this anguish?

In the garden, when His sweat was as drops of blood and He said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death”; and on the cross, when He cried, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”

Isaiah 53:4,5 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; . . . But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

182. How did Christ act through all this suffering?

He was patient as a lamb that is lead to the slaughter. Isa. 53:7

183. What did Christ accomplish for us by His death on the Cross?

By His death He has paid the wages of sin, which is death.

Romans 5:10 While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.

184. What comfort do we have from the burial of Christ?

He has buried our sins, hallowed our graves and taken way their horror.

185. How should we look upon the life and suffering of Christ in His humiliation?

We should look upon His life and His suffering as an atonement for our sins, and as an example to the believer of holiness in life and patience in suffering.

1 Peter 2:21 Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.

186. Did Christ remain in humiliation and death?

No; God exalted Him and gave unto Him the name wich is above every name. Phil. 2:9

187. How many steps do you notice in the exaltation of Christ?

Five: His descent into hell; His resurrection; His ascension; His session at the right hand of the Father; His coming to judge the quick and the dead.

188. What did Christ accomplish when He descended into hell?

He made known the victory which He had won over the devil, and preached to the spirits in prison. 1 Pet. 3:18,19

189. What benefit do we have from the resurrection of Christ?

1. The resurrection assures us that Christ is the Son of God, and that He has conquered death and fully satisfied for our sins.

Romans 1:4 Declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.

1 Cor. 15:14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

2. The resurrection gives us power to arise from spiritual death, and to live a new and holy life.

Romans 6:4 As Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

3. The resurrection assures us that our bodies shall arise in glory on the last day.

190. What command did Christ give His disciples before His ascension?

He commanded them to go out into the whole world and preach the gospel to all nations. [Missions.] Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15

191. What is meant by the ascension of Christ?

He left the earth, so that He is no longer visibly present, and He entered into His Father’s glory to prepare a place for us in the heavenly mansions.

John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

192. What does the ascension of Christ teach us?

It teaches us to be heavenly-minded, and to have a desire to depart and be with Christ.

Col. 3:1 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

193. What does Christ’s session on the right hand of the Father signify?

It signifies that He shares also as true man in the power and glory of God, and rules over all things.

1 Peter 3:22 (He) is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

194. What benefit do we have from Christ’s session of the right hand of the Father?

He protects His kingdom from its enemies, prays for us, and sends us His Holy Spirit.

195. Is Christ no longer present on earth?

Yes; He is present in a real, though invisible, manner.

Matthew 28:20 And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

196. When will He again come to earth in a visible manner?

On the last day, when He comes to judge the quick and the dead.

Luke 21:27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

2 Cor. 5:10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

197. By what rule will Christ judge us?

He will judge us by His Word.

John 12:48 The word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

198. Is it sufficient that you know all these things about Christ and hold them to be true?

No; the Holy Spirit must teach me to know Christ in a true and living faith.

The Third Article

of sanctification

I believe in the Holy Spirit: The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean?

Answer: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; in like manner as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; in like manner as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He daily forgives abundantly all my sins, and the sins of all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true.

199. What do you mean when you say, “I believe in the Holy Spirit?”

I trust with all my heart in the Holy Spirit as my guide and my sanctifier, who gives me strength to believe in Jesus and to live according to His will.

1 Cor. 12:3 No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

200. Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is true God together with the Father and the Son.

1 Cor. 2:10 The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

1 Cor. 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

201. What is the work of the Holy Spirit?

To call, enlighten, sanctify, and preserve.

202. How does the Holy Spirit call us?

The Holy Spirit calls us by awakening in our hearts a deep sense of sin, and by inviting us to accept the grace of God in Christ.

Eph. 5:14 Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.

203. By what means does the Holy Spirit call us?

By the Word of God; using the law to awaken our hearts; and the gospel to invite us to Christ.

Romans 3:20 Through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

2 Thes. 2:14 He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matt. 22:1-14

204. What means does God use to make us heed the call of the Holy Spirit?

To this end He often uses suffering, often blessings, often the example of others , and other means as may lead us to reflect.

205. Do all obey the call of the Holy Spirit?

No; many resist the Holy Spirit, and will not repent and come to Christ.

Acts 7:51 (You) are always resisting the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people.

206. When does a person harden his heart?

A person hardens his heart when he persistently despises and opposes the voice of the Holy Spirit in his conscience.

207. Who obey the call of the Holy Spirit?

They who repent their sins and believe the Gospel.

Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

208. What is it to repent?

He who truly repents, feels his sins with shame and sorrow, he freely confesses his sins to God, and earnestly seeks the grace of God in Christ.

Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

2 Cor. 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to Thee, . . . And Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.

209. How do we learn that the grace of God is found in Christ?

We learn this through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

210. What is meant by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit?

Through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit our knowledge of the Gospel truths becomes a living and saving knowledge.

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

John 16:13 When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.

211. Of what nature is our knowledge of these truths before the Holy Spirit has enlightened our hearts?

It is a dead knowledge only, which does not lead to repentance and faith, but leaves us in our sins.

212. What is the true and living faith in Jesus Christ?

This is faith, that a repentant sinner lays hold of Christ as his only Savior from sin, and death, and the power of Satan;

That he takes refuge with Christ and His righteousness, and builds thereon with the confidence of his whole heart.

213. Can only a repentant sinner have this faith in Christ?

Yes; the faith which lays hold of Christ and His righteousness, can be wrought in that heart only which bitterly feels the pain and misery of living in sin.

Matthew 9:12 It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.

214. Is the true and living faith always and in all persons equally strong?

No; it is often very weak and scarcely able to avail itself of the grace of God.

Mark 9:24 I do believe; help my unbelief.

215. Whereby may we know whether this weak faith is true and living?

The true and living faith is known by an earnest hatred of sin, and an eager longing for grace.

216. Does God accept this weak faith?

Yes, indeed; only it be true and sincere.

Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed He will not break, And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish.

217. What benefit do we have from the true and living faith in Jesus Christ?

By faith we are justified, born anew, sanctified, and finally saved forever.

218. What is Justification?

Justification is the gracious act of God whereby He for Christ’s sake acquits a repentant and believing sinner of his sin and guilt, and looks upon him, in Christ, as though he had never sinned.

2 Cor. 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 3:24 (They are) justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

219. What, then, does the believer receive through justification?

He receives the forgiveness of sins, and is adopted as a child of God.

Eph. 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Acts 10:43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.

220. What moves God to forgive sin so freely?

His everlasting love and mercy alone.

221. For whose sake does God forgive us our sins.?

For Christ’s sake, who has satisfied for the sins of the whole world by His death on the cross.

John 1:29 Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

222. To what does the forgiveness of sins necessarily lead?

The forgiveness of sins leads to the full enjoyment of the blessed rights wich belong to a child of God; it also gives free access to the Father’s fellowship and blessing, and to the glorious inheritance of eternal life.

Psalm 32:1,2 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

Romans 8:17 And if (we are) children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

223. What is the New Birth?

The New Birth is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He, through His indwelling in our hearts, renew the image of God in us, and thus creates a new spiritual man.

2 Cor. 5:17 If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

224. What change is wroght in us in the New Birth?

We get a new heart or a new spiritual life; namely, In the understanding, a new spiritual light; In the conscience, real peace and joy; In the will, a holy desire and a steadfast purpose.

Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Eph. 4:24 Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

225. In what does this new life really consist?

It consists in love to God who first loved us.

226. By what means is the New Birth accomplished?

In little children it is accomplished by water and the Spirit in baptism; but in those who have fallen from the grace of their baptism, also by the Word of God.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”.

1 Peter 1:23 You have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.

227. Is the New Birth necessary to our salvation?

Yes, indeed; except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

228. What does the Holy Spirit further work in the believer?

He sanctifies and preserves him.

229. What is Sanctification?

Sanctification is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He day by day renews the believer more and more after the image of God.

230. How is the daily renewal accomplished?

The old man, or sin, is put away more and more, and the new man, or the new spiritual life, appears more and more in all our conduct.

Eph. 4:22-24 In reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

231. How does this new conduct appear in the daily life of a Christian?

A Christian denies himself, strives against the devil, the world, and his own flesh; he grows in love toward God and man, and seeks to do the will of God in all things.

Matthew 16:24 If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

1 Cor. 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

232. Is the believer, then, justified and saved by his own good works?

No; our best works avail nothing to this end: we must build our hope of salvation on Christ alone and His righteousness.

Luke 17:10 When you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’

233. What is the work of Preservation done by the Holy Spirit?

Preservation is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He keeps us, through all temptations, in the true and living faith in Jesus, until the end.

Phil. 1:6 He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

234. By what means does the Holy Spirit sanctify and preserve the believer?

By the Word of God and the Lord’s Supper.

235. How does the Holy Spirit preserve the believer?

He teaches and guides, corrects and comforts him.

236. What are they called whom the Holy Spirit thus sanctifies and preserves in faith?

They are called children of God; the Elect of God; Holy and Beloved; Members on the Body of Christ. In a body they make up the holy Christian church.

237. What is the holy Christian church?

The holy Christian Church is the congregation of saints or true believers, where the Word of God is preached and the sacraments are administered according to the ordinance of God.

238. Why is the church called holy?

The church is called holy because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who performs His sanctifying work in all its members. For this reason the church is called holy, in spite of its sins and shortcomings.

1 Peter 2:9 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy Nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

239. Why is the church called universal?

The church is called universal because its object is to gather all nations, and because it includes all true believers of all times and all places.

240. What is the state of the church on earth?

The church of God on earth is militant.

241. Who are the enemies of the church?

The enemies of the church are the devil, the world, and our own flesh. Its last enemy is death.

242. What will be the state of the church in heaven?

It will be triumphant, because all its enemies are conquered.

Rev. 7:9,10 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,”Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

243. Is the holy Christian church found in this place?

Yes; in the congregation, which in the Scriptures is called “the body of Jesus Christ,” and “the house of God.”

Eph. 1:22, 23; 1 Tim. 3:15

244. Are all the members of the organized body, called a congregation, true Christians?

No; in this organized body both hypocrites and true Christians are found.

Matt. 13:24-30; 47-50

245. Who are hypocrites?

Hypocrites are they who indeed make outward confession of Christ, but who inwardly and in their conduct deny Him.

2 Tim. 3:5 Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.

246. Should not the congregation remove these hypocrites from its midst?

Yes; the congregation should expel the openly ungodly and unbelieving; but it cannot judge concerning the secret thoughts of the heart.

1 Cor. 5:13 Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

Matt. 18:15-17

247. Who, then, are true Christians and the real members of the congregation?

They who believe in Christ with all their heart, and confess Him both in word and deed.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

248. What is the intimate fellowship called in which all true Christians live with one another?

The Communion of Saints.

Eph. 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

249. What precious gift does the Holy Spirit bestow upon us in this Christian church?

In this Christian church He daily forgives me and all believers all our sins.

250. But does a sanctified person need the forgiveness of sins every day?

Yes; because sanctification is never perfected in this life, and sin cleaves to a Christian as long as he is in the world.

251. Whom has God given power to declare the forgiveness of sins?

The congregation, through its ministers. [Absolution.]

Matthew 18:18 Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

252. What is required that a Christian may receive the forgiveness of sins every day?

That he repents every day, or that he daily feels his sins with deep shame and sorrow, confesses his sins to God, and earnestly seeks the grace of God in Christ.

253. To whom should a repentant Christian confess his sins?

First of all to God; then, if he feels the need of it, to his pastor; finally to his neighbor, if he feels that he has wronged him in any way.

James 5:16 Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

254. What does the daily forgiveness of sins work in the Christian?

The daily renewal, or that he day by day becomes more and more thankful to God, and increases in childlike obedience and faithfulness.

255. What becomes of the soul of the believer when he dies?

His soul goes home to God, where it rests from all strife and sorrow, in the blessed fellowship with Him, until the resurrection of the body.

Luke 23:43 Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.

Rev. 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.

256. What is the resurrection of the body?

On the last day, when the Lord Jesus returns to earth, the bodies of the dead shall be made alive and shall be reunited with their souls.

John 5:28,29 An hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

257. What change shall then take place in the bodies of the believers?

Their bodies shall arise glorified and incorruptible, like unto the body of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 15:42,43 It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

258. Where do all the risen go after the day of judgment?

The chosen enter into life eternal; the condemned, to eternal death.

Matthew 25:46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

259. What is eternal life?

Eternal life is the blessed state in which the chosen are free from all evil, and live forever in fellowship with their God and Savior, praising God in the company of the holy angels, in everlasting peace and joy.

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’

260. What is eternal death?

Eternal death is a dreadful state of separation from God, and everlasting anguish and suffering in hell.

Matthew 25:41 Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.’

261. Who are thus condemned?

All who continue in impenitence and unbelief until death.

John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

262. Who, on the other hand, obtain eternal life?

All who continue steadfast in faith until death.

Rev. 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

263. Why do you end your confession of faith with the word Amen?

Because I know that what I here confess is certainly true.

264. What must you do that you may continue steadfast in faith and also increase therein?

I will pray God every day graciously to help and strengthen me.

PART THREE

THE LORD’S PRAYER

265. What is prayer?

Prayer is the child-like communion of our hearts with God in which we tell Him all our needs, and earnestly seek some gift from Him.

266. Who should pray?

All should pray; even little children.

267. But can all pray in this manner?

No, not the impenitent; their hearts are not right with God, and they do not seek Him earnestly.

268. In whose name must we pray?

We must pray in the name of Jesus.

John 16:23 Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name.

269. What is meant by praying in the name of Jesus?

To pray in the name of Jesus is to ask on the strength of what He has done for us, and His intercession with the Father.

270. How should we pray?

We should pray humbly, confidently as a child, and reverently.

271. When should we pray?

The attitude of our hearts should be one of constant prayer,

and our communion with God should not be confined to certain times and places, but we should speak with Him whenever we feel the need of it.

1 Thes. 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Eph. 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit.

272. For whom should we pray?

We should pray not only for ourselves, but also for others, -even our enemies.

1 Tim. 2:1-3; Matt. 5:44

273. For what should we pray?

First of all we should pray for the spiritual gifts necessary to our salvation; but we may also pray for other gifts, both spiritual and temporal.

Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

1 Cor. 12:31 Earnestly desire the greater gifts.

274. What must we always remember when we pray for things not necessary to our salvation?

We must always remember that God alone knows whether such a prayer answered would truly benefit us.

When asking such gifts we should always add, “Lord if Thou wilt.”

Matthew 26:39 Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.

275. Who teaches us to pray well?

The Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of prayer.

Romans 8:26 We do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

276. Which is the most perfect prayer?

The most perfect prayer is the Lord’s Prayer, which Christ taught His own disciples.

277. *Repeat this prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed by Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

278. Why would God have us speak to Him as “Our Father?”

God thereby tenderly encourages us to believe that He is truly our Father, and that we are truly His children, so that we may boldly and confidently come to Him in prayer, even as believed children come to their father.

279. Who alone can confidently call God Father?

God’s children alone can call God their Father.

280. Why would God have us say “Our Father” and not only “My Father?”

Because He would have us pray with one another and for one another, in spiritual fellowship.

281. What is the importance of the words “who art in heaven?”

By these words we are reminded of the exalted love and power of our heavenly Father, far above that of any earthly father.

Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

The First Petition

Hallowed be Thy Name.

What does this mean?

Answer: God’s Name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may be hallowed also among us.

How is this done?

282. What do you pray for in the first petition?

I pray that the name of God may be hallowed among us.

Psalm 72:19 Blessed be His glorious name forever; And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.

283. When is the name of God hallowed among us?

When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity and is received into our hearts.

284. When do we hallow the name of God among our fellow men?

We hallow the name of God when we freely confess it before men, and when we as God’s children lead holy lives in accordance with the Word.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32 Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.

285. Who profanes the name of God?

He that teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches, profanes the name of God.

Romans 2:24 The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.

The Second Petition

Thy kingdom come.

What does this mean?

Answer: The kingdom of God comes indeed of itself, without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come also to us.

How is this done?

Answer: When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word, and live a godly life here on earth, and in heaven for ever.

286. What do you pray for in the second petition?

I pray that the kingdom of God may come.

287. What is meant, in a particular sense, by the kingdom of God which you pray for in this petition?

1. The kingdom of grace, in which Christ makes every believer a partaker of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit; and

2. The kingdom of heaven, where the chosen live with Christ in perfect happiness.

288. What is meant by saying that the kingdom of God comes to us?

It means that we become partakers in it.

289. When does the kingdom of God come to us?

The kingdom of God comes to us when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe the Word of God.

290. What does the Holy Spirit work in them who thus by faith have become partakers in the kingdom of God?

They live a godly life here on hearth, and in heaven forever.

The Third Petition

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

What does this mean?

Answer: The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done also among us.

How is this done?

291. What do you pray for in the third petition?

I pray that the will of God may be done among us on earth, as it is in heaven.

292. What is the will of God?

It is the will of God that all His rational creatures should praise Him forever in perfect holiness and happiness.

293. Where is the will of God done in this manner?

In Heaven, where the holy angels praise God in undisturbed peace and joy.

Psalm 103:20,21 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will.

294. When is the will of God done among us, as it is in heaven?

When God brings to naught every evil counsel and purpose that would hinder the hallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom, and when God strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith, until death.

295. Who seek to prevent the will of God from being done among us?

The devil, the world, and our own flesh.

296. Who, on the other hand, will help us to do the will of God?

God, who is merciful and faithful, will Himself help us to do His will.

1 Thes. 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

The Fourth Petition

Give us this day our daily bread.

What does this mean?

What is meant by daily bread?

297. What do you pray for in the fourth petition?

I pray God to give me daily bread.

298. What is meant by daily bread?

By daily bread is meant everything that is required to satisfy our bodily needs; such as food and raiment, home and property, etc.

299. Of what does the word “daily” remind you?

I must be content with that wich God gives me.

Proverbs 30:8 Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion.

1 Tim. 6:6 Godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.

300. Why are the words “this day” added?

They are added that I should not be anxious for the morrow, but let each day bear its own burdens.

Matthew 6:34

301. Does God give daily bread to those only who pray for it?

No; He gives daily bread also to the wicked, but they receive it without thanksgiving, and miss His blessing.

Matthew 5:45 He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

302. How should the children of God receive their daily bread.

They should ask God to bless their daily bread, and return Him thanks for it.

Proverbs 10:22 It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.

303. Need we not work for our daily bread when we pray for it every day?

Yes; God wants us to be diligent, each in our calling, trusting in His help.

Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your face You shall eat bread.

2 Thes. 3:10 If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

The Fifth Petition

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

What does this mean?

304. What do you pray for in the fifth petition?

I pray God to forgive us our trespasses.

305. What is implied by the word “trespasses?”

Thereby is implied our guilt or debt to God, which we have brought upon ourselves by our sins.

306. Can we feel assured that God will forgive us this debt?

Yes; Jesus Christ has paid for all our sins.

307. Why must the believer ask the forgiveness of sins every day?

Because he sins every day, and is always in need of forgiveness.

308. What do we confess to God in this petition?

We confess that we neither merit nor are worthy of those things for which we pray; but we pray that He would grant us all things through grace.

309. What do we promise God in this petition, while asking His forgiveness?

We promise to forgive those who trespass against us, and in return good for evil.

Luke 6:37 Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

Matthew 18:23-35

The Sixth Petition

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean?

Answer: God indeed tempts no one to sin; but we pray in this petition that God would so guard and preserve us, that the devil, the world, and our own flesh, may not deceive us, nor lead us into error and unbelief, despair, and other great and shameful sins; but that, when so tempted, we may finally prevail and gain the victory

310. What do you pray for in this petition?

I pray God not to lead us into temptation.

311. What is meant by temptation?

By temptation is meant opportunities that invite to sin.

312. Does God give us such opportunities in order that we may sin?

By no means; God, who is holy and loving, does not tempt any one to sin.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

313. Why then does God permit us to be tempted?

God permits us to be tempted in order to try us, and in order that it may be seen whether we have true faith, love, and patience.

Read Gen. 22:1-19

314. Who, on the other hand, tempt us to sin?

The devil, the world, and our own flesh, tempt us to sin.

315. How does the devil tempt us?

The devil tempts us by putting evil thoughts into our minds.

316. How does the world tempt us?

The world tempts us by threats, attractive invitations, and bad example.

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

317. How does our flesh tempt us?

Our own flesh tempts by its evil desires.

James 1:14 Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

318. Can we ever be free from temptations in this world?

No; the conditions of this present life are such that temptations must follow, and we need them for our bringing up in the kingdom of God.

Matthew 18:7 It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come.

319. What, then, do we mean when we ask God not to lead us into temptation?

We pray that when He finds it good for us to be so tempted, He will guard and keep us, so that we may finally prevail and gain the victory.

1 Cor. 10:13 God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.

320. What are our weapons against temptations?

We must use the Word of God, watch and pray, and take care not to invite temptation.

Matthew 26:41 Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation.

Eph. 6:13 Take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

The Seventh Petition

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean?

321. What do you pray for in the seventh petition?

I pray God to deliver us from evil.

322. From what evil do we pray God to deliver us in this petition?

We pray God to deliver us from all sin that still clings to us, and from all the destructive effects of sin upon soul and body, property and honor.

323. Can we expect to be entirely free from all evil while in this world?

No, we cannot; but we pray God in this petition to deliver us more and more from all evil, and at last grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

Philip. 1:23 (I have) the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.

324. What are the closing words of the Lord’s Prayer?

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

325. Of what do these words remind us?

We should remember that God is able to answer our prayer, and that the glory belongs to Him alone, when we get according to our prayer.

326. What is the meaning of the word “Amen?”

Its meaning is, Yea, it shall be so.

327. Why is this word added?

It is added in order that I may be fully assured that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him.

328. How can I feel assured of this?

God Himself has commanded us to pray, and has added this promise to hear us: Amen, Amen; that is, yea, yea, it shall be so.

329. Does this promise hold good only when we use the Lord’s Prayer?

No; God hears every prayer offered up according to His will.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.

330. Does God always answer our prayer as we desire?

No; He often answers our prayer by giving us something else and something better than we ask or think.

Eph. 3:20 To Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think..

331. Does God answer our prayer at once?

Sometimes; but He often delays His answer in order to strengthen our faith and our hope.

332. In speaking with God, should we only ask for the good things which we like to get?

No; we must also return Him thanks for the blessings which we have received.

Eph. 5:20 Giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.

THE SACRAMENTS

333. What is a sacrament?

A sacrament is a holy ordinance made by God Himself, in which He gives and confirms His invisible grace through outward and visible means.

334. Which are the sacraments of the Christian church?

They are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

PART FOUR

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

335. What is Baptism?

Baptism is not simply water, but it is the water used according to God’s command and connected with God’s word.

336. What is God’s command concerning Baptism?

It is the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the last chapter of Matthew:

“All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

337. In whose name then are you baptized?

I am baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

338. Explain this further.

In Baptism I have entered into fellowship with the triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; I have become His own, and have been made heir of all His gracious gifts.

339. Is the baptism of little children in agreement with Christ’s command?

Yes; Christ Himself has said: “Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.”

Mark 10; 14; John 3:5

340. Who should administer Baptism?

Baptism should be administered by the minister of the church, but when necessary it may be administered by any Christian.

341. What benefit do we have from Baptism?

Baptism works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting live to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare.

342. What is this word and promise of God?

It is the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the last chapter of Mark: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.”

343. How does Baptism save us from sin, death, and the devil?

In Baptism we come into fellowship with Christ, and are made partakers in His redemption.

Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Rom. 6:3,4

344. How can water do such great things?

It is not the water, indeed, that does such great things, but the word of God, connected with the water, and our faith which relies on that word of God. For without the word of God, it is simply water and no baptism. But when connected with the word of God, it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says to Titus, in the third chapter: “According to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by His grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” This is a faithful saying.

345. Why is Baptism called the “washing of regeneration?”

Because the Holy Spirit in Baptism cleanses us from sin, and give us a new spiritual life.

1 Peter 3:21 Baptism now saves you– not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience– through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

346. Is not Baptism also called a covenant?

Yes; Baptism is a covenant; in Baptism God gives us a new life and His grace, and we promise Him to renounce the devil, and all his works, and all his ways, and to believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

347. Who enjoy the blessings that God promises in Baptism?

All who remain in the covenant of their Baptism.

348. When does he who was baptized as a child confirm the covenant of his Baptism?

At his confirmation, when he renews the covenant of his Baptism in the midst of the assembled congregation, having first been instructed in God’s Word.

349. Is it possible to remain in the grace of our Baptism?

Yes; by the grace of God it is possible.

Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

350. What must we do to remain in the grace of our Baptism?

We must watch and pray, and make diligent use of the Word of God and the Lord’s Supper.

351. In what ways may we break the covenant of our Baptism?

1. When we little by little forget our covenant, resist the Holy Spirit, and neglect prayer, so that we become more and more worldly-minded.

2. When we fall in coarse and open sins.

352. Will not God again receive us when we have broken the covenant of our Baptism?

Yes; God has not broken His part of the covenant, and when we again turn to Him, He is always glad to receive us.

Luke 15:20 And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.

353. How does a repentant sinner get courage to return to God?

He gets courage from considering the tender Gospel invitation of Christ, and from seeking God in prayer.

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

354. Does not also he who remains true to the covenant of Baptism need repentance?

Yes; he needs daily repentance and daily renewal. See 250.

355. What does such baptizing with water signify?

It signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance, and be put to death; and that the new man should daily come forth and rise, to live before God in righteousness and holiness for ever.

356. What is meant by saying that the old man in us should die and the new man appear more and more?

Sin should be rooted out from us through daily sorrow and repentance, and our love to God and man should grow up within us more and more, so that it may appear in all our conduct that we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 6:4 We have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

357. What are the duties of sponsors?

They should pray for the child whose baptism they have witnessed, they should remember the covenant of their own Baptism, and afterwards, as far as possible, see that the child is brought up in the fear of God.

PART FIVE

THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

358. What Is the Sacrament of the Altar?

It is the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, given unto us Christians to eat and to drink, as it was instituted by Christ Himself.

359. What are the words of institution?

360. When did Jesus institute the Lord’s Supper?

In the night in which He was betrayed to death; it is therefore called the Lord’s Supper.

361. Is it important to note the time when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper?

Yes; for it shows the loving care of our Savior, who just before His suffering and death thought more of us than of Himself.

362. What do we receive in the Lord’s Supper?

In and with the bread and the wine we receive the body and blood of Christ, which He gave up in death for us.

363. How do you know this?

Christ says concerning the bread: “Take, eat; this is my Body.”

Concerning the wine He says: “Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New Testament in My Blood.”

364. What is meant by “New Testament” in this connection?

Thereby is meant the new covenant which God has made and sealed with the blood of Jesus.

1 Cor. 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?

365. What, therefore, makes the bread and the wine a sacrament of the body and blood of Christ?

God’s own Word which is added to the bread and the wine; for as Luther says, “Bread and wine alone are but bread and wine; but being united with the Word of God, they are truly the body and blood of Christ. For as the mouth of Christ speaks, so it is; He can neither lie nor deceive.”

366. For whom is the Lord’s Supper intended?

The Lord’s Supper is intended for true Christians, who are of age and understand to prove themselves.

1 Cor. 11:28 Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

367. What benefit do we have from the Lord’s Supper?

It is pointed out in these words: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” Through these words the remission of sins, life and salivation are given unto us in the Sacrament; for where there is remission of sins, there is also life and salvation.

368. But does not the believer have the forgiveness of sins before he partakes of the Lord’s Supper?

Yes: the believer has the forgiveness of sins through Baptism and the Word.

369. How, then, can the forgiveness of sins in a particular sense be connected with this sacrament?

Because in the Lord’s Supper we receive the body and blood of Christ, which were offered up for us, as a sure pledge of the forgiveness of sins.

370. In what way does the believer get life and salvation through this sacrament?

Through this sacrament the believer is brought into spiritual fellowship with his Lord and Savior, who imparts Himself to him and thus preserves and strengthens him in faith, hope, and love unto eternal life.

John 6:56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

371. Does not the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper also bring about a more intimate fellowship between believers?

Yes; believers are united in a closer fellowship through partaking in common of the Lord Jesus and eternal life in Him.

1 Cor. 10:17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.

372. How can the bodily eating and drinking produce such great benefits?

The eating and drinking, indeed, do not produce them, but he words: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” For besides the bodily eating and drinking, these words are the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he who believes them has what they say and declare, namely, the remission of sins.

373. Is it of little importance how we receive the Lord’s Supper?

By no means; we must be prepared when we go to partake of these gifts. It is much worse to go to the Lord’s Supper unprepared and unworthy than not to go at all.

374. Who, then, receives the sacrament worthily?

Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a good outward discipline, but he is truly worthy and well prepared who believes these words: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” But he who does not believe these words or who doubts them is unworthy and unprepared; for the words: “For you,” require truly believing hearts.

375. Who, then, is rightly prepared to partake of the Lord’s Supper?

He who believes these words: “Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins.”

376. What is meant by “believing” these words?

Thereby is meant that we heartily feel our sin and unworthiness before God, but also that we confidently accept for ourselves the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

377. Who partake of the Lord’s Supper unworthily?

They who do not feel nor repent their sins, and who do not from their heart believe in Jesus.

1 Cor. 11:29 He who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the (Lord’s) body rightly.

378. Why do such unconverted persons partake of the Lord’s Supper?

They do so either from custom or habit, or because they are ashamed to neglect the Lord’s Supper, or again because they mean to please God by this outward obedience.

379. Should such persons be admitted to the Lord’s Supper?

No.

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine.

380. What must we do in order that we may not partake of the Lord’s Supper unworthily?

We must prayerfully search our own hearts as in the presence of God, whether we repent our sins and believe in Jesus Christ, and whether we have an honest purpose to abstain from even our bosom sins.

I Cor. 11:28

381. How often should we partake of the Lord’s Supper?

Christ has not told us how often we should partake, but He has said, “This do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

382. What should move us to partake of the Lord’s Supper often?

First of all, the command and promise of our Lord and Savior; then, our own great need, which is the reason for our Father’s tender invitation and promise of grace.

383. What are the common causes for the neglect of the Lord’s Supper?

Spiritual dullness and indifference, a worldly mind, pride, and disregard for God’s grace and ordinance.

384. Should the feeling of our own unworthiness keep us away from the Lord’s Supper?

No; the more we feel our own unworthiness, and the more we sincerely long for God’s forgiveness, the more worthy are we to receive His grace.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1 Peter 5:5 (God) gives grace to the humble.

385. What must we do when we receive the Lord’s Supper?

We must remember our Savior and His death.

Luke 22:19 Do this in remembrance of Me.

386. How should we remember Christ’s death?

We should earnestly fix our mind upon the suffering and death of Christ, so that we may be strengthened in faith and in love to Him, who loved us unto death.

1 Cor. 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

387. What should be our conduct when we have received the Lord’s Supper?

We should quietly think of the great love which God has shown us, and heartily thank Him for it; not only for a few days, but always, keep near to Jesus, show His death in word and act, and in a sanctified life prove that the body and blood of Christ have power to cleanse from sin.

1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

388. Is he who thus believes and lives in fellowship with Christ sure to be saved?

Yes; when he continues steadfast in faith until death.

Matthew 24:13 The one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.

Rev. 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

GLOSSARY

This glossary has been prepared with the aid of E. L. Thorndike’s New Century Senior Dictionary, Funk and Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary together with Christian Theology by Vanentine.

The aim of this brief glossary is to give the pupils a practical and workable knowledge of the most common religious terms found in the Explanation. No exhaustive study is intended nor has the Committee deemed it wise to enter too far into controversial problems that may arise regarding some of the words, hence it will still remain the pastor’s task to discuss and enlarge upon the definitions wherever he may deem it necessary.

—The Committee.

Absolution: 1. A promise that frees a person from guilt and punishment because of sin. 2. The declaration of God’s Gracious forgiveness by a minister; also the forgiveness itself.

Abundant: More than enough, a plentiful supply. “My cup runneth over.”

Abuse: Ill-treatment, wrong or bad use, vicious conduct, misuse.

Acknowledge: To own up to, to admit, or confess sin before God and man.

Adam: The first man created by God; husband of Eve, and the father of the human race. Gen. 1:27

Old Adam: A name given to the inborn wickedness of human nature; Human tendency to sin.

New Adam: Name for Christ as the victor over sin; also the name given to the new nature that man receives through faith in Christ.

Adultery: 1. Any unfaithfulness in marriage relations. 2. Any lewdness or unchastity of act or thought, as in violation of the sixth commandment. 3. Sexual intercourse between a married

person and anyone to whom he or she is not married. (See fornication)

Altar: 1. A structure of wood or stone on which to make sacrifices, or burn offerings to an idol, or to God, as in Gen. 22:9. 2. In the church of today a table or structure on which the elements of the Lord’s Supper are placed: the communion table.

Anoint: 1. To put or pour oil upon a person or thing. 2. Figuratively God anoints men with power to do His work. Likewise Christ said of His Father, “Because he anointed me to preach good tidings unto the poor.” Luke 4:18

Apologize: 1. To express regret such as, “I’m sorry.” 2. To offer an excuse, to speak in defense of.

Apostle: 1. One of the twelve men chosen by Christ to be His disciples. 2. First Christian missionary to any country or region.

Associate: 1. To connect as in thought; a companion; ally; partner. 2. Christians should associate with one another and avoid evil companions.

Atone: 1. To make amends; or full satisfaction for. 2. Our sins are so many and great the God accepts only the death of Christ as our atonement.

Attribute: A characteristic, or quality, belonging to a person. The attributes of God are; supreme power, holiness, justice, wisdom, kindness, etc.

Authority: The power to enforce law, such as power given to a policeman. Influence that creates respect or confidence. Christ spoke with power and authority. Mark 1:27; an expert on some subject.

Backbite: Speak unkind words behind one’s back; speak evil of a person not present. This often happens when people gossip.

Baptism: Act of baptizing. One of the sacraments of the Christian Church. The Word of God is read and the person to be baptized is sprinkled or immersed in water. The Lutheran Church teaches that a child who is conceived and born in sin becomes a child of God through the Sacrament of Baptism.

Begotten: Bring into existence; become the father of. The word is used especially of God’s act in making Christ His Son as in Acts 13:33. Men who obey God are said to begotten of Him as in John 1:13 and I John 2:29.

Believer: 1. A follower of some religion. 2. A name given to those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior and who live in fellowship with Him.

Blessedness: Enjoying the love and good-will of God; a state in which sin can no more harm or destroy. Perfect blessedness comes only to those who die in the Christian faith.

Carnal: Pertaining to man’s evil nature, worldly, not spiritual, sensual.

Chaste: 1. Pure in thought and action. 2. Free from sexual impurity such as lust, fornication and adultery.

Christian: Professing or following the religion of Jesus Christ, a converted person; one whose life conforms to the teachings of Christ.

Commandment: 1. An authoritative command, order or law. 2. Any one of the ten laws God gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Ex. 20:1-17

Communion: 1. Act of sharing with other persons; intimate relationship with people or God. 2. The Lord’s Supper. 3. Communion of saints, the spiritual union in Christ of all believers.

Conceive: 1. Form an idea of, think up or imagine. 2. Physically, the beginning of a new life in the womb of a mother. 3. Conceived by the Holy Ghost; that is, the beginning of a new life by direct command of the Holy Ghost, as was the case with Christ who had no earthly father.

Condemn: 1. To blame, to speak against, express disapproval of; pronounce guilty of crime.

Confession: 1. The act of confessing sin as in Luke 15:18. “I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight.” 2. Admission of guilt; owning up to. 3. Acknowledgment of belief; profession of faith. The Lutheran Confession is summed up in the Creed. 4. A part of the Christian form of worship where the pastor and congregation admit, or confess their sins before God.

Conjure: 1. To make a solemn appeal to; request earnestly; entreat, such as, “By all that is holy I conjure you not to betray your country.” 2. Compel (a spirit, devil, etc.) to appear or disappear by magic words. 3. Summon a devil, spirit, etc. 4. To seek divine aid by repeating the Lord’s Prayer, or some scripture passage using them as a magic formula and not in the attitude of prayer.

Corrupt: 1. In a state of decay, tainted. 2. Evil, wicked. 3. Given to bribery, dishonest.

Counsel: 1. Act of talking things over. 2. Advice —A wise person gives good counsel. 3. Recommend. 4. God’s counsel is good.

Covenant: 1. An agreement entered into by two or more persons, (a contract). 2. Covenant of baptism, God’s promise of a blessing to His faithful children.

Covet: 1. Desire eagerly (something that belongs to another). 2. To desire to the extent of yielding to trickery, fraud, cheating.

Craftiness: Skill in deceiving others, slyness, trickiness.

Crucify: 1. To put to death by fastening to a cross. 2. To subdue, as to crucify the lusts of the flesh.

Curse: 1. To invoke evil upon. 2. To swear at.

Death: 1. Act or fact of dying; ending of any form of life in people, animals, or plants. 2. Separation from life. In Scripture this is called temporal death.

Death-eternal: Everlasting death, forever separated from God; the lost souls in Hell are in a state of eternal death.

Death-spiritual: A life spent in the service of sin, with little or no thought of God. Separated from God’s fellowship now, or in eternity.

Devotion: 1. Deep, steady affection; loyalty; faithfulness, as the devotion of a mother to her child. 2. To study with devotion, that is, undivided and prayerful attention.

Devil: 1. Evil spirit, fiend, demon. 2. The prince and ruler of the kingdom of evil, Satan. 3. Fallen Angel.

Discipline: 1. Training; especially training of mind and character. 2. Order among school pupils, soldiers, or members of a group. 3. Punishment for sake of training.

Effeminate: 1. Lacking in manly qualities, to make or become unmanly, weaken.

Entice: To draw, or attempt to draw (especially into evil) by means of desires, false promises, etc.; to allure.

Estrange: 1. Turn (a person) from affection to indifference, love to hate; make unfriendly, separate. 2. To lead astray. 3. To coax, or urge, a man to leave his wife.

Eternity: Endless time, the period to follow the end of the world, after which life will be immortal, whether in heaven or hell.

Everlasting: Lasting forever, endless, eternal.

Faith: 1. Trust; believing, believing without proof. 2. Belief in God, religion or spiritual things. 3. A gift from God giving His children strength to believe His Word. 4. The Creed is a statement of what we believe concerning God, hence a statement of faith.

Fasting: 1. To abstain from food beyond the usual time; to go without food, wholly or in part. 2. The Jews considered fasting a part of their worship. 3. Roman Catholics fast during Lent, that is, go without certain foods.

Flesh: 1. The muscular or meaty part of the body. 2. The earthly part of man, not the spiritual. Body as opposed to soul. 3. In the Bible, human nature, also the carnal or evil nature of man. Of one flesh, that is, of one family stock.

Fornication: 1. Sexual act between unmarried persons. 2. In the Bible often used in the same sense as adultery. 3. Turning from God to evil.

Fornicator: One who commits fornication.

Fraud: 1. To deceive with the object of gaining by another’s loss, cheating, dishonesty. 2. Taking unfair advantage of another in business or in play.

Grace: 1. Unmerited or unearned love. 2. The favor and mercy of God obtained by man through belief in His Son Jesus Christ. Also the spiritual gifts developed by the continued working of the Spirit of God in our lives.

Jest: 1. To joke with or about. 2. The object of laughter. 3. Act of poking fun at, mockery. 4. Things to be mocked or laughed at.

Justification: 1. Refer to question 218. An act of justifying. 2. An act of God by which a sinner, for Christ’s sake, is declared righteous or without guilt.

Justify: Show to be right, fair, just; also to make right. 2. To declare blameless or guiltless.

Kingdom: A people or country ruled by a king or queen; also the spiritual rule of God over His people on earth, that is, God’s kingdom on earth.

Lust: To have a strong or passionate desire for sexual indulgence; sensual pleasure. Does not refer to love and desire which one has for his own wife or she for her own husband.

Man: A human being; the human race; a male of the human race.

Old man or natural man: Refers to the unregenerate, unsaved and sinful man, who is still outside of God’s fellowship. A general name given to sin as it is revealed in man.

New man: Saved man, having the image of God restored by the power of the Holy Spirit; one who has been born again.

Militant: Referring to a conflict, or war with an opposing power; a militant church, a church fighting evil in all its forms.

Nature: 1. A collective term, a general name given to all natural facts and forces in the world. 2. The character or traits of a person.

New Adam: See Adam

New Man: See man.

Ordinance: A rule or order given by someone in authority; a law or command of God; an established religious ceremony.

Original: 1. First, or belonging to the beginning: the first form of anything, as an original plan.

Original sin: First sin committed by Adam and Eve, and corrupting all mankind.

Perjury: Willful lying, breaking of a promise; withholding of true facts.

Petition: A formal request, supplication or prayer; to ask or pray.

Pretense: That which is pretended; make believe, a false appearance.

Profane: To treat with contempt, or to disregard; showing disrespect toward God.

Prophet: 1. One who delivers divine messages. 2. One who tells what will happen. 3. A religious leader.

Redeem: 1. To buy back with a price. 2. To recover from captivity. 3. To rescue from sin and its consequences; said of the Mission of Christ to this earth.

Regenerate: To give new life; to be born again of water and of the Holy Spirit as in baptism.

Remission: To pardon, let off, forgive; discharge from penalty.

Repentance: To feel one’s sin with shame and sorrow, and to show a willingness to own up to sin both before God and man.

Resurrection: Arising again from the dead; coming to life again; to restore from decay.

Sabbath: The seventh day of the week; appointed by God as a day of worship for the Jews, (3rd commandment). 2. The first day of the week, Sunday, observed by Christians; The Lord’s day, because of His resurrection and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Sacrament: 1. A rite ordained by God as an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace, namely the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. In the Roman Catholic Church extended to the number of seven so-called sacraments.

Saint: 1. Holy, godly person; a Christian believer. 2. Anyone of the blessed company of heaven. 3. A person who has died and has been declared a saint by some church, such as the Roman Catholic Church.

Sanctify: 1. To make holy; purify, as from sin. 2. To set apart as holy, the special work of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation: 1. To deliver, or free from the guilt and penalty of sin by virtue of Christ’s atonement; to save from sin.

Sin: See Question 103. To miss the mark, to fall short of, to disobey a command of God.

Original sin: Question 104. First sin committed by Adam and Eve; the root and seed of all sin; the sin that destroyed the innocence and purity of man; the power that causes man to continue sinning.

Superstition: 1. A belief founded on fear and ignorance, especially of the forces of nature. 2. A belief in a false religion such as heathenism, of false and mistaken ideas concerning the Bible.

Transgress: 1. To break over the bounds of, as a law; to violate. 2. To pass beyond.

Tempt: 1. To offer, or be an inducement to somebody, especially for wrong doing. 2. To attract, or invite to evil. 3. To try, test, or prove.

Trespass: Question 305. To violate willfully or forcibly the rights of another; to break through. 2. To violate a positive law, as the commandments of God.

Triune: Three in one, and one in three; said of the Godhead.

Unbelief: 1. Absence of positive belief in God. 2. A refusal to believe. 3. Lack of faith in God’s promises as revealed in His Word.

Universal: Relating to entire universe: belonging to the whole earth or to all human beings; all embracing, unlimited, general.

Vain: See Second Commandment. 1. To no purpose, unproductive, fruitless, without foundation, unreal. 2. The use of God’s name in a useless, senseless and disrespectful manner, as in swearing and cursing. 3. Having to much pride in one’s looks.

Virgin: A maiden, a pure unmarried woman, not guilty of the sin of adultery or fornication.

Prepared by

THE BOARD OF PARISH EDUCATION OF THE LUTHERAN FREE CHURCH

1944