QUESTIONSANDANSWERSTOTHESIXPARTSOFTHESMALLCATECHISMOFDR.MARTIN

LUTHER.

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QUESTIONSANDANSWERSTOTHESIXPARTSOFTHESMALLCATECHISMOFDR.MARTIN

LUTHER.TranslatedfromtheFourthEditionoftheHouse-School-andChurch-Bookfor

ChristiansoftheLutheranFaith,ofPASTORWILHELMLOEHE

TRANSLATEDBYEDWARDT.HORN,D.D.

LutheranLibrary.org

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CopyrightInformation

Copyright©2018byTheLutheranLibraryPublishingMinistryLutheranLibrary.org

Allrightsreserved.

Whiletheoriginaltextisinthepublicdomain,theformattingandcontentsofthisvolumeareundercopyright.

Pleaserespectthelaborthathasgoneintotherestorationofthiswork.

Originallypublished1893byW.J.Duffie,Columbia,S.C.

Coverimage“TheCatechismLesson”byJules-AlexisMeunier,1889.

Unabridged.

281–v3r1

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Contents

CopyrightInformation

Contents

Translator’sPreface.

PrefaceOfDr.MartinLuther.

TheSmallCatechismofMartinLuther

I.TheTenCommandments.

TheFirstCommandment.

TheSecondCommandment.

TheThirdCommandment.

TheFourthCommandment.

TheFifthCommandment.

TheSixthCommandment.

TheSeventhCommandment.

TheEighthCommandment.

TheNinthCommandment.

TheTenthCommandment.

II.TheCreed.

TheFirstArticle.2

TheSecondArticle.

TheThirdArticle.

III.TheLord’sPrayer.

TheFirstPetition.

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TheSecondPetition.

TheThirdPetition.

TheFourthPetition.

TheFifthPetition.

TheSixthPetition.

TheSeventhPetition.

IV.TheSacrament[HolyMystery]OfHolyBaptism.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

OfTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession.

A.(FromtheKinderpredigtenoftheBrandenburg-NürnbergOrderof1533.)

B.HowPeopleShouldBeTaughtToConfess.

V.TheSacramentOfTheAltar.

MorningPrayer.

EveningPrayer.

GracebeforeMeat.

ThanksafterMeat.

TableOfDuties;

ToBishops,Pastors,andPreachers.

WhattheHearersOwetoTheirPastors.

OfCivilGovernment.

OfSubjects.

ToHusbands.

ToWives.

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ToParents.

ToChildren.

ToServants,HiredMen,andLaborers.

ToMastersandMistresses.

TotheYounginGeneral.

ToWidows.

ToallinCommon.

QuestionsandAnswers

I.IntroductoryQuestions.

II.IntroductoryQuestionsToTheFirstPart.

III.IntroductiontotheCommandments

FirstCommandment.

IV.SecondCommandment.

V.ThirdCommandment.

VI.FourthCommandment

VII.FifthCommandment.

VIII.TheSixthCommandment.

IX.TheSeventhCommandment.

X.TheEighthCommandment.

XI.TheNinthCommandment.

TenthCommandment

XII.OftheNinthandTenthCommandments.

XIII.TheConclusiontotheCommandments.

XIV.QuestionsLeadingToPartII.

XV.QuestionsIntroductoryToPartII.

XVI.OfTheHolyTrinity.

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XVII.QuestionsOnTheMeaningOfPartII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

XXV.

XXVI.JustificationbyFaithAlone.

XXVII.QuestionsIntroductoryToTheLastFourParts.

QuestionsIntroductoryToPartIII.

QuestionsonPartIII.

XXVIII.TheFirstPetition.

XXIX.TheSecondPetition.

XXX.TheThirdPetition.

XXXI.TheFourthandFifthPetitions.

XXXII.TheSixthandSeventhPetitions.

XXXIII.QuestionsIntroductoryToPartIV.

XXXIV.

XXXV.

XXXVI.

XXXVII.

QuestionsIntroductoryToThePartConcerningTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession.

XXXVIII.

QuestionsOnTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession.

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XXXIX.

XL.

XLI.

QuestionsOnPartV.

XLII.

XLIII.

XLIV.

XLV.

OfTheComprehensiveSummary,RuleAndStandard,AccordingToWhichAllDoctrinesShouldBeJudgedAndAllControversiesShouldBeDecided.

BriefInstructionConcerningTheBible,OrHolyScriptures,TheProofOfOurConfession,AndOfAllDoctrine.

AbouttheLutheranLibraryPublishingMinistry

HowCanOneFindPeaceWithGod?

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Translator’sPreface.

In the successiveprefaces to the foureditionsofhisExplanationofthe Catechism, Loehe says that he prepared it first of all for the use ofscatteredLutherans inAmerica. It is apartofhisBook for theHouse,SchoolandChurch.AshesaysinhisThreeBooksontheChurch,“House,SchoolandChurcharemadeoneChurchbyourpreciousCatechism.” In this translation IhaveincorporatedonlytheDefinitions,theExplanationandtheQuestionsabouttheBible;omittingtheProof-textsandtheQuestionsforoneabouttogototheHoly Supper, for which I would refer to Luther’s Small Catechism withScriptureTexts,publishedbyTheLutheranBookstore,Philadelphia.

Doubtless there are many excellent explanations of the Catechism byapprovedteachers.Theexcellenceofthisexplanationis,thatitattemptsnomorethantoanalyzeandexplainLuther’sCatechismitself.Itdoesnottrytofindinitthewholeschemeofdoctrine.Itisintended,likeLuther’sCatechism,toshowahouse-father how to teach his household. “The father, the children, thehousehold,shoulduse,pray,learn,prizeit;andsoitwillbecomethecruseofthewomanofSarepta,inwhichtheoilneverfails.”

Ifindreasontocriticizethisexcellentbookonlyinthoseparticularsinwhichtheauthorseemstometohavegonebeyondhispurpose,andaddedtoLuther’sCatechism; but I thought it right, and most helpful to the Church, to give asfaithfullyasIcantheauthor’swholeexplanation.Inconclusion,letmejoinhiminaskingthosecalledtoteach,toreadLuther’sadviceinhisPrefacestohistwoCatechisms.

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ENCHIRIDION.THESMALLCATECHISMOFDR.MARTINLUTHER

FORPASTORSANDPREACHERS

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PrefaceOfDr.MartinLuther.

MartinLuthertoallfaithfulandgodlypastorsandpreachers,Grace,MercyandPeace,inJesusChristourLord!

The deplorable condition inwhich I found religious affairs during a recentvisitation of the congregations, has impelledme to publish thisCatechism, orstatement of the Christian doctrine, after having prepared it in very brief andsimpleterms.Alas!whatmiseryIbeheld!Thepeople,especiallythosewholiveinthevillages,seemtohavenoknowledgewhateverofChristiandoctrine,andmanyof thepastors are ignorant and incompetent teachers.And, nevertheless,theyallmaintainthattheyareChristians,thattheyhavebeenbaptized,andthattheyhavereceivedtheLord’sSupper.YettheycannotrecitetheLord’sPrayer,the Creed, or the Ten Commandments; they live as if they were irrationalcreatures,andnow that theGospelhascome to them, theygrosslyabuse theirChristianliberty.

Ye bishops! what answer will ye give to Christ for having so shamefullyneglectedthepeople,andpaidnoattentiontothedutiesofyouroffice?Iinvokenoevilonyourheads.ButyouwithholdthecupintheLord’sSupper,insistontheobservanceofyourhumanlaws,andyet,at thesametime,donot take theleast interest in teaching the people the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, the TenCommandments,oranyotherpartoftheWordofGod.Woeuntoyou!

WhereforeIbeseechyouintheNameofGod,mybelovedbrethren,whoarepastors or preachers, to engage heartily in the discharge of the duties of youroffice,tohavemercyonthepeoplewhoareentrustedtoyourcare,andtoassistusinintroducingtheCatechismamongthem,andespeciallyamongtheyoung.Andifanyofyoudonotpossessthenecessaryqualifications,Ibeseechyoutotakeat least thefollowingforms,andreadthem,wordforword,tothepeople,onthiswise:—

Inthefirstplace;letthepreachertaketheutmostcaretoavoidallchangesorvariationsinthetextandwordingoftheTenCommandments,theLord’sPrayer,theCreed,theSacraments,etc.Lethim,onthecontrary,takeeachoftheformsrespectively, adhere to it and repeat it anew, year after year. For young and

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inexperiencedpeoplecannotbesuccessfullyinstructed,unlessweadheretothesametextorthesameformsofexpression.Theyeasilybecomeconfused,whentheteacheratonetimeemploysacertainformofwordsandexpressions,and,atanother,apparentlywithaviewtomakeimprovements,adoptsadifferentform.The resultof suchacoursewillbe, thatall the timeand laborwhichwehaveexpendedwillbelost.

This point was well understood by our venerable fathers, who wereaccustomedtousethesamewordsinteachingtheLord’sPrayer,theCreed,andtheTenCommandments.We,too,shouldfollowthisplanwhenweteachthesethings,particularlyinthecaseoftheyoungandignorant,notchangingasinglesyllable,norintroducinganyvariationswhen,yearafteryear,werecurtotheseformsandrecitethemanewbeforeourhearers.

Choose,therefore,theformofwordswhichbestpleasesyou,andadheretoitperpetually.Whenyoupreachinthepresenceofintelligentandlearnedmen,youareatlibertytoexhibityourknowledgeandskill,andmaypresentanddiscussthesesubjectsinallthevariedmodeswhichareatyourcommand.Butwhenyouareteachingtheyoung,retainthesameformandmannerwithoutchange;teachthem, first of all, the TenCommandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, etc.,alwayspresentingthesamewordsofthetext,sothatthosewholearncanrepeatthemafteryou,andretaintheminthememory.

Butifanyrefusetoreceiveyourinstructions,tellthemplainlythattheydenyChristandarenotChristians; suchpersonsshallnotbeadmitted to theLord’sTable,norpresentachildforBaptism,norenjoyanyofourChristianprivileges,butaretobesentbacktothepopeandhisagents,andindeed,toSatanhimself.Theirparents andemployers should,besides, refuse to furnish themwith foodanddrink,andnotifythemthatthegovernmentwasdisposedtobanishfromthecountryallpersonsofsucharudeandintractablecharacter.

For althoughwecannot, and shouldnot, compel them toexercise faith,weought,nevertheless,toinstructthegreatmasswithalldiligence,sothattheymayknowhowtodistinguishbetweenrightandwrongintheirconducttowardsthosewith whom they live, or among whom they desire to earn their living. Forwhoeverdesirestoresideinacity,andenjoytherightsandprivilegeswhichitslaws confer, is also bound to know and obey those laws.God grant that suchpersonsmaybecomesincerebelievers!Butiftheyremaindishonestandvicious,letthematleastwithholdfrompublicviewthevicesoftheirhearts.

In the second place; when those whom you are instructing have becomefamiliarwith thewords of the text, it is time to teach them to understand the

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meaningofthosewords,sothattheymaybecomeacquaintedwiththeobjectandpurportofthelesson.Thenproceedtoanotherofthefollowingforms,or,atyourpleasure,chooseanyotherwhichisbrief,andadherestrictlytothesamewordsand formsofexpression in the text,withoutalteringa single syllable;besides,allowyourselfampletimeforthelessons.Foritisnotnecessarythatyoushould,onthesameoccasion,proceedfromthebeginningtotheendoftheseveralparts;itwillbemoreprofitable ifyoupresent themseparately, inregularsuccession.When the people have, for instance, at length correctly understood the FirstCommandment,youmayproceedtotheSecond,andsocontinue.Byneglectingtoobserve thismode, thepeoplewillbeoverburdened,andbeprevented fromunderstanding and retaining in memory any considerable part of the mattercommunicatedtothem.

In the third place; when you have thus reached the end of this shortCatechism,beginanewwiththeLargeCatechism,andbymeansofitfurnishthepeoplewithfullerandmorecomprehensiveexplanations.Explainhereat largeeveryCommandment,everyPetition,and,indeed,everypart,showingthedutieswhich they severally impose, and both the advantages which follow theperformanceofthoseduties,andalsothedangersandlosseswhichresultfromthe neglect of them. Insist in an especial manner on such Commandments orotherpartsasseemtobemostofallmisunderstoodorneglectedbyyourpeople.It will, for example, be necessary that you should enforce with the utmostearnestnesstheSeventhCommandment,whichtreatsofstealing,whenyouareteachingworkmen,dealers,andevenfarmersandservants,inasmuchasmanyofthese are guilty of various dishonest and thievish practices. So, too, itwill beyourdutytoexplainandapplytheFourthCommandmentwithgreatdiligence,when you are teaching children and uneducated adults, and to urge them toobserve order, to be faithful, obedient and peaceable, as well as to adducenumerousinstancesmentionedintheScriptures,whichshowthatGodpunishedsuchaswereguiltyinthesethings,andblessedtheobedient.

Here, too, let it be your great aim to urge magistrates and parents to rulewisely, and to educate the children, admonishing them, at the same time, thatsuchdutiesareimposedonthem,andshowingthemhowgrievouslytheysinifthey neglect them. For in such a case they overthrow and laywaste alike thekingdomofGodandthekingdomoftheworld,actingasiftheyweretheworstenemiesbothofGodandofman.Andshowthemveryplainlytheshockingevilsofwhichtheyaretheauthors,whentheyrefusetheiraidintrainingupchildrentobepastors,preachers,writers,etc.,andsetforththatonaccountofsuchsins

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God will inflict an awful punishment upon them. It is indeed, necessary topreach on these things; for parents and magistrates are guilty of sins in thisrespect, which are so great that there are no terms in which they can bedescribed.Andtruly,Satanhasacrueldesigninfosteringtheseevils.

Finally; inasmuch as the people are now relieved from the tyranny of thepope,theyrefusetocometotheLord’sTable,andtreatitwithcontempt.Onthispoint,also,itisverynecessarythatyoushouldgivetheminstructions,while,atthesametime,youaretobeguidedbythefollowingprinciples:Thatwearetocompel no one to believe, or to receive theLord’s Supper; thatwe are not toestablish any laws on this point, or appoint the time and place; but that weshouldsopreachastoinfluencethepeople,withoutanylawadoptedbyus, tourge, and, as it were, to compel us who are pastors, to administer the Lord’sSupper to them. Now this object may be attained, if we address them in thefollowingmanner: It is tobefeared thathewhodoesnotdesire to receive theLord’s Supper at least three or four times during the year, despises theSacrament,andisnoChristian.So,too,heisnoChristian,whoneitherbelievesnorobeystheGospel;forChristdidnotsay:“Omit,ordespisethis,”but,“Thisdoye,asoftasyedrinkit,”etc.Hecommandsthatthisshouldbedone,andbynomeansbeneglectedanddespised.Hesays:“Thisdo.”

NowhewhodoesnothighlyvaluetheSacrament,showstherebythathehasnosin,noflesh,nodevil,noworld,nodeath,nodanger,nohell;thatistosay,hedoesnotbelieve that suchevilsexist, althoughhemaybedeeply immersed inthem,andcompletelybelongtothedevil.Ontheotherhand,heneedsnograce,no life, no Paradise, no heaven, no Christ, no God, no good thing. For if hebelieved that hewas involved in such evils, and that hewas in need of suchblessings, he could not refrain from receiving the Sacrament, wherein aid isaffordedagainstsuchevils,and,again,suchblessingsarebestowed.Itwillnotbe necessary to compel him by the force of any law to approach the Lord’sTable;hewillhastentoitofhisownaccord,willcompelhimselftocome,andindeedurgeyoutoadministertheSacramenttohim.

Hence,youarebynomeanstoadoptanycompulsorylawinthiscase,asthepopehasdone.Let it simplybeyouraimtoset forthdistinctly theadvantagesandlosses,thewantsandthebenefits,thedangersandtheblessings,whicharetobe considered in connectionwith theSacrament; thepeoplewill, doubtless,then seek itwithout urgent demands on your part. If they still refuse to comeforward, let themchoose theirownways, and tell them that thosewhodonot

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regard their own spiritualmisery, and do not desire the gracious help ofGod,belongtoSatan.

But if you do not give such solemn admonitions, or if you adopt odiouscompulsory laws on the subject, it is your own fault if the people treat theSacramentwithcontempt.Willtheynotnecessarilybeslothful,ifyouaresilentand sleep?Therefore consider the subject seriously, ye Pastors andPreachers!Ourofficehasnowassumedaverydifferentcharacter fromthatwhich itboreunder the pope; it is now of a very grave nature, and is very salutary in itsinfluence.Itconsequentlysubjectsustofargreaterburdensandlabors,dangersandtemptations,whileitbringswithitaninconsiderablereward,andverylittlegratitudeintheworld.ButChristHimselfwillbeourreward, ifwelaborwithfidelity.MayHe grant suchmercy unto us who is the Father of all grace, towhombegiventhanksandpraisesthroughChristourLord,forever!Amen.

Wittenberg,A.D.1529.

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TheSmallCatechismofMartinLuther

I.TheTenCommandments.

Intheplainforminwhichtheheadofthefamilyshouldteachthemtohishousehold.

IAmtheLordThyGod.

TheFirstCommandment.

Thoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeme.Thoushaltnotmakeuntotheeanygravenimage,oranylikenessofanything

that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in thewaterundertheearth;thoushaltnotbowdownthyselftothem,norservethem:forItheLordthyGodamajealousGod,visitingtheiniquityofthefathersuponthechildrenuntothethirdandfourthgenerationofthemthathateme;andshowingmercyuntothousandsofthemthatloveme,andkeepmycommandments.

Q.Whatismeantbythis?Ans.Weshouldfear,loveandtrustinGodaboveallthings.

TheSecondCommandment.

ThoushaltnottakethenameoftheLordthyGodinvain;fortheLordwillnotholdhimguiltlessthattakethHisnameinvain.1

Q.Whatismeantbythis?

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A.WeshouldfearandloveGod,andnotcurse,’2swear,3usewitchcraft,4lie5ordeceive6 byHis name, but call uponHis name in every time of need, andworshipHimwithprayer,7praise8andthanksgiving.9

TheThirdCommandment.

Rememberthesabbathday10tokeepitholy.11Sixdaysshaltthoulabor,anddoall thywork,but the seventhday is theSabbathof theLord thyGod: in itthoushaltnotdoanywork,thou,northyson,northydaughter,thymanservant,northymaidservant,northycattle,northystrangerthatiswithinthygates:forinsixdaystheLordmadeheavenandearth,thesea,andallthatinthemis,andrested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, andhallowedit.

_QWhatismeantbythis?A.WeshouldfearandloveGod,andnotdespisepreachingandHisWord,but

keepitholy12andgladlyhearandlearnit.

TheFourthCommandment.

Honor13 thy father and thymother, that itmaybewellwith thee, and thoumayestlivelongontheearth.

_QWhatismeantbythis?A.WeshouldfearandloveGod,andnotdespiseourparentsandmasters,nor

provokethemtoanger,buthonor,14serve,15obey,16loveandesteemthem.

TheFifthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotkill._QWhatismeantbythis?A.WeshouldfearandloveGod,andnothurtnorharmourneighbor17inhis

body,buthelp18andbefriend19himineverybodilyneed.

TheSixthCommandment.

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Thoushaltnotcommitadultery.20_QWhatismeantbythis?A.Weshouldfearand loveGod,and livechaste21andpure22 inwordsand

deeds,eachonelovingandhonoringhisspouse.

TheSeventhCommandment.

Thoushaltnotsteal.QWhatismeantbythis?A. We should fear and love God and not take23 our neighbor’s money or

property, nor get it by false wares or dealing, but help him to improve andprotecthispropertyandliving.

TheEighthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotbearfalsewitnessagainstthyneighbor._QWhatismeantbythis?A.WeshouldfearandloveGod,andnotfalsely24belie,25betray,26slander27

nordefame28ourneighbor,butexcuse29him,speakwell30ofhim,andmakethebest31ofallhedoes.

TheNinthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotcovetthyneighbor’shouse._QWhatismeantbythis?A.WeshouldfearandloveGod,andnotcraftilyseektogainourneighbor’s

inheritance or home, nor get it by a showof right, but help and serve him inkeepingit.

TheTenthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotcovetthyneighbor’swife,norhisman-servant,norhismaid-servant,norhiscattle,noranythingthatishis.

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_QWhatismeantbythis?A.WeshouldfearandloveGod,andnotestrange,force32orentice33away

fromourneighborhiswife,servantsorcattle,buturgethemtostayanddotheirduty.

_QWhatdoesGodsayofallthesecommandments?A.Hesays:ItheLordthyGodamajealous34God,visiting35theiniquityof

the fathersupon thechildrenunto the thirdand fourthgenerationof them thathateme;andshowingmercyuntothousandsofthemthatlovemeandkeepmycommandments.

_QWhatismeantbythis?A.Godthreatenstopunishallwhotransgressthesecommandments;therefore

weshouldfearHiswrath,anddonothingagainstsuchcommandments.ButHepromises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments;therefore we should love and trust in Him, and gladly do according to Hiscommandments.

1. Thatis,touseitotherwise,thanGodmeantittobeused.↩2. TowishsomeeviltobedonebytheLord.↩3. TocallGodasawitness.↩4. ToemployGod’sName(Wordorcreature)byaidofthedevil,tofindout

whatGodhashidden,ortogetwhatHehaswithheld↩5. TofalsifyGod’sWordandtruth.↩6. Ifthelieisbelievedbyanothertohisinjury.↩7. ToaskofGod.↩8. TotellGod’swonderfulqualitiesandworks.↩9. ToacknowledgeandconfessGod’sgoodgifts.↩10. Dayofrest.InHebrew,Sabbath;inGerman,Feiertag.↩11. Toseparateitfromcommon,everydayuse,andgiveittotheserviceof

God.↩12. Keep it as God’s word, i. e., as unlike every other word, and exalted

aboveeveryword.↩

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13. Torespect thedignitywhichGodhasgiventoeach,andtoesteemhimaccordingly.↩

14. Showinallourbehavior,thatwehonortheminourhearts.↩15. Ineverywayevenwithoutbidding,todoaspleasesthem.↩16. Toheedtheirbiddinganddoit.↩17. Ourfellowman,whomitisinourpowertohelp.↩18. Relievehimfromneed.↩19. Furtherhim.↩20. Tobreaktheloveandfidelitypromisedtowifeorhusband.↩21. Totrytokeepone’sownbodyandsoulfreefromevillust.↩22. By neither word nor deed giving another an occasion of evil lust, but

rathermovingalltoapureandholylifebyourexample.↩23. Thatis,wrongfully.↩24. Outofafalseheart.↩25. Tolieagainstourneighbor.↩26. Totellourneighbor’ssecrettohisharm.↩27. Tolieagainsthimbehindhisback.↩28. Toraisebadreports.↩29. Defendhimagainstunjustblame.↩30. Ifothersspeakofhimonlyevil,forgettingthegoodthatmaybesaid.↩31. Putthebestexplanationonwhathedoesordoesnot.↩32. Leavehimnopeace,untilhegives.↩33. Totakeawaytheirheartandconfidencefromhusbandormaster.↩34. WhostrictlyrequirestheloveweoweHim.↩35. Inordertopunish.↩

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II.TheCreed.

TheCreed1.

Intheplainforminwhichtheheadofthefamilyshouldteachittohishousehold.

TheFirstArticle.2

OfCreation.

IbelieveinGodtheFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.IbelievethatGodhasmademe3,togetherwithallcreatures;4thatHehas

given and still preserves to me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all mymembers,myreasonandallmysenses;alsoclothingandshoes,meatanddrink,houseandhome,wifeandchild,land,cattleandallmygoods;thatHerichlyanddailyprovidesmewithallthatIneedforthisbodyandlife,protects5meagainstalldanger,andkeepsmeandguardsmefromallevil;andallthispurelyoutoffatherly,divinegoodnessandmercy,withoutanymeritorworthinessinme;forallwhichIaminduty-boundtothankandpraise,toserveandobeyHim.Thisismostcertainlytrue.

TheSecondArticle.

OfRedemption.

And in Jesus6 Christ7 His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by theHoly Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate8, wascrucified,deadandburied;Hedescendedintohell;thethirddayHeroseagainfromthedead;Heascendedintoheaven,andsittethontherighthandofGodtheFatherAlmighty;fromthenceHeshallcometojudge9thequickandthedead.

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Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.IbelievethatJesusChrist,trueGod,begottenoftheFatherfrometernity,

andalsotrueman,bornoftheVirginMary,ismyLord;whohasredeemed10me,a lost andcondemnedcreature, purchased11 andwon12me fromall sins, fromdeath,andfromthepowerofthedevil,notwithgoldorsilver,butwithHisholy,preciousblood,andwithHisinnocentsufferingsanddeath:inorderthatImightbe His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlastingrighteousness, innocence and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead,livesandreigns13toalleternity.Thisismostcertainlytrue.

TheThirdArticle.

OfSanctification.

IbelieveintheHolyGhost;theholyChristianChurch,14theCommunionofSaints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body; and the Lifeeverlasting.Amen.15

Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.IbelievethatIcannotbymyownreasonorstrengthbelieveinJesusChrist

myLord,orcometoHim;buttheHolyGhosthascalled16mebytheGospel,17enlightened18 me with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the truefaith; even asHe calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies thewholeChristianChurchonearth,andpreservesitinunionwithJesusChristintheonetruefaith;inwhichChristianChurchHedailyandrichlyforgivesmeandallbelieversalloursins,andatthelastday19willraiseupmeandallthedead,andwillgrantmeandallbelieversinChristeverlastinglife.Thisismostcertainlytrue.

1. Statementandconfessionofwhatwebelieveandoughttobelieve.↩2. Member.Part.↩3. Outofnothing.↩4. Allthingsmade.↩5. Coversme,sothatIamsafe.↩6. Saviour.↩

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7. Messiah,theAnointedOne.↩8. TheGovernorofJudea,appointedbytheRomanEmperor.↩9. Todistinguishandseparatethebadfromthegood.↩10. Ransomed.↩11. EarnedmebvHislabor.Boughtmewithaprice.↩12. Inbattle.↩13. Asaking.↩14. A spiritual Temple of the Lord, built of living stones, in which He

dwelleth.↩15. Thisismostcertainlytrue.↩16. Tosummonfromoneplacetoanother.↩17. Thegoodtidingsoftheforgivenessofsinsforthesakeotthesufferings

anddeathChristboreinourstead.↩18. Togivelightorknowledge.↩19. Thelastdayoftheworld.↩

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III.TheLord’sPrayer.

Intheplainforminwhichtheheadofthefamilyshouldteachittohishousehold.OurFatherwhoartinheaven.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.GodwouldherebytenderlyinviteustobelievethatHeistrulyourFather,

andwearetrulyHischildren,sothatwemayaskofHimwithallcheerfulnessandconfidence,asdearchildrenoftheirdearfather.

TheFirstPetition.

HallowedbeThyname.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.ThenameofGodisindeedholyinitself;butweprayinthispetitionthatit

maybehallowedalsoamongus.Q.Howisthisdone?A.When theWord of God is taught in its truth and purity, andwe as the

childrenofGod,leadholylives,inaccordancewithit;thisgrantus,dearFatherinheaven!ButhethatteachesandlivesotherwisethantheWordofGodteaches,profanesthenameofGodamongus:fromthispreserveus,HeavenlyFather!

TheSecondPetition.

Thykingdomcome.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.ThekingdomofGodcomes indeedof itself,withoutourprayer;butwe

prayinthispetitionthatitmaycomealsotous.Q.Howisthisdone?A.WhenourheavenlyFathergivesusHisHolySpirit,sothatbyHisgrace

webelieveHisholyWord,andlivegodlyhereintime,andinheavenforever.

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TheThirdPetition.

Thywillbedoneonearth,asitisinheaven.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.ThegoodandgraciouswillofGodisdoneindeedwithoutourprayer;but

weprayinthispetitionthatitmaybedonealsoamongus.Q.Howisthisdone?A. When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and purpose, which

wouldnotletushallowGod’snamenorletHiskingdomcome,suchasthewillofthedevil,theworld,andourownflesh;butstrengthensandkeepsussteadfastinHisWordandinfaithuntoourend.ThisisHisgraciousandgoodwill.

TheFourthPetition.

Giveusthisdayourdailybread.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.Godgivesdailybread indeedwithoutourprayereven toall thewicked;

butwepray in thispetition thatHewould leadus toacknowledgeandreceiveourdailybreadwiththanksgiving.

Q.Whatismeantby“dailybread”?A.Allthatbelongstothewantsandsupportofthebody,suchasmeat,drink,

clothing,shoes,house,home, land,cattle,money,goods,apiousspouse,piouschildren, pious servants, pious and faithful rulers, good government, goodweather,peace,health,order,honor,goodfriends,trustyneighborsandthelike.

TheFifthPetition.

Andforgiveusourtrespassesasweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.WeprayinthispetitionthatourFatherinheavenwouldnotlookuponour

sins,nor,onaccountofthem,denyourprayer;forwearenotworthyofanythingwe ask, neither have we deserved it; but that He would grant us all throughgrace;forwesinmucheveryday,anddeservenothingbutpunishment.Andweonourpartwillheartilyforgiveandreadilydogoodtothosewhosinagainstus.

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TheSixthPetition.

Andleadusnotintotemptation.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.Godindeedstempts1noone,butweprayinthispetitionthatGodwould

guardandkeepus,thatthedevil,theworldandourflesh2maynotdeceiveus,norleadusintomisbelief,3despair4andothershamefulsinandvice;and,thoughwebethustempted,5thatwemaystillintheendovercome,andhavethevictory.

TheSeventhPetition.

Butdeliverusfromevil.Q.Whatismeantbythis?A.Weprayinthispetition,asthesumofall,thatourFatherinheavenwould

deliverus fromallmannerofevil—inbodyandsoul,propertyandhonor—and at last, when the hour of death shall come, grant us a blessed end, andgraciouslytakeusfromthisvaleofsorrowtohimselfinheaven.

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

Q.Whatismeantbythis?A. That I am to be sure that these petitions are acceptable to ourFather in

heaven, andareheard; forHeHimselfhas commandedus so topray, andhaspromisedtohearus.Amen,Amen,thatis,Yea,Yea;itshallbeso.

1. Putsnoonetothetest,inordertobringhimtosin.↩2. Ourinbornsinfulnature.↩3. Afalsebelief.↩4. Ceasingtodoubt,butyieldingtounbelief.↩5. Broughtintosuchinwardbattle.↩

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IV.TheSacrament[HolyMystery]OfHolyBaptism.

Intheplainforminwhichtheheadofthefamilyshouldteachittohishousehold.

I.

Q.WhatisBaptism?A.Baptism is not simplywater, but it is thewater comprehended inGod’s

command,andconnectedwithGod’sword.Q.WhatisthatwordofGod?A.ThatwhichChristourLordsays in the last chapterofMatthew:“Goye

andteachallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost”

II.

Q.WhatbenefitsdoesBaptismconfer?A.Itworksforgivenessofsins,deliversfromdeathandthedevil,andgives

everlasting salvation to all who believewhat thewords and promises of Goddeclare.

Q.WhicharethosewordsandpromisesofGod?A. ThosewhichChrist ourLord says in the last chapter ofMark: “He that

believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall bedamned.”

III.

Q.Howcanwaterdosuchgreatthings?A. It isnotwater indeed thatdoes it,but thewordofGod,which is inand

withthewater,andfaithwhichtruststhiswordofGodinthewater.Forwithout

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thewordofGod,thewaterissimplywater,andnobaptism;butwiththewordofGod, it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing ofregenerationintheHolyGhost;asSt.1Paulsays,Titus3:5-8:“AccordingtoHismercyHesavedus,by thewashingof regeneration,andrenewingof theHolyGhost;whichHeshedonusabundantly throughJesusChristourSaviour; thatbeingjustifiedbyHisgrace,weshouldbemadeheirsaccordingtothehopeofeternallife.Thisisafaithfulsaying.”

IV.

Q.Whatdoessuchbaptizingwithwatersignify?A. It signifies that the old Adam2 in us should, by daily sorrow and

repentance,bedrownedanddie,withall sinsandevil lusts;and,again,anewmandailycomeforthandarise,whoshalllivebeforeGodinrighteousnessandpurityforever.

Q.Whereisthiswritten?A.St.Paulsays,Rom.6:4:“WeareburiedwithChristbybaptismintodeath;

thatlikeasHewasraisedupfromthedeadbythegloryoftheFather,evensowealsoshouldwalkinnewnessoflife.”

1. I.e.,theholyPaul.↩2. Thesinfulnatureborninus.↩

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OfTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession.

A.(FromtheKinderpredigtenoftheBrandenburg-NürnbergOrderof1533.)

Q.WhatwordofGodbelongstotheOfficeoftheKeys?A.JesusbreathedonHisdisciples,andsaiduntothem,ReceiveyetheHoly

Ghost:whosesoeversinsyeremit,theyareremitteduntothem;andwhosesoeversinsyeretain,theyareretained.John20:22,23.

Q.Whatismeantbythis?I believe that what the called ministers of Christ do to us by His divine

commandment,especiallywhentheyshutopenandimpenitentsinnersoutoftheFellowshipof theChristianChurch, and absolve thosewho repentof their sinandintendtoamend,isasvalidandcertaineveninHeaven,asifourLordJesusChristdiditHimself.

B.HowPeopleShouldBeTaughtToConfess.

Q.WhatisConfession?A.Confessionembraces twoparts:one, thatweconfessour sins; theother,

thatwereceiveabsolutionorforgivenessfromthepastorasfromGodHimselfand in nowise doubt, but firmly believe that through it our sins are forgivenbeforeGodinheaven.

Q.Whatsinsshouldweconfess?A.BeforeGodweshouldacknowledgeourselvesguiltyofall sins, evenof

thosewhichwedo not discern; aswe do in theLord’sPrayer.But before thepastorweshouldconfessthosesinsonlywhichweknowandfeelinourhearts.

Q.Whicharethese?A.HereconsideryourstationinthelightoftheTenCommandments:whether

you be a father,mother, son, daughter,master,mistress, servant;whether youhavebeendisobedient,unfaithful,slothful;whetheryouhavewrongedanyone

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bywordordeed;whetheryouhave stolen, neglected,wasted aught, done anyharm.

Q.Pleaseshowmeashortwaytoconfess?A. You should say, Reverend and dear sir, I beseech you to hear my

confession,andtoannouncetomeforgivenessforGod’ssake.Say,I, a poor sinner, confess beforeGod that I amguilty of all sins; especially

before thee I confess that I am aman-servant, amaidservant, etc.; but I havebeenunfaithfultomymaster;inthiscaseorinthatIhavenotdonewhathebademe;Ihaveprovokedhimandcausedhimtocurse;Ihaveneglectedmanythingsandletthemgotowaste;inwordsanddeedsIhavebeenimmodest;Ihavebeenangrywithmyfellows;Ihavegrumbledandswornatmywife,etc.ForallthisIamsorryandaskforgiveness.Imeantodobetter.AMasterorMistressshouldsaythus:InparticularIconfessbeforetheethatIhavenotbeenfaithfulintrainingmy

children, domestics, family, to God’s glory. I have cursed. I have set a badexample by unchaste words and deeds. I have injured my neighbor. I haveslandered, have overcharged, or given false goods, or false measure. AndwhatevermorehemayhavedoneinviolationofGod’scommandment.

If any one do not feel oppressed by such or greater sins, let him not beanxious,orhuntupandinventsins,andtherebymakehisconfessionatorture,butlethimnametheoneortwosinsheknows.Thus:Inparticular,Iconfessthatonce Icursed.Once Iused immodestwords. Ihaveneglected thisor that,etc.Thisisenough.

But ifyouknowofnoneat all (which ishardlypossible),mentionnone inparticular, but receive the forgiveness after theGeneralConfessionwhich youmakebeforeGodtotheminister.

ThentheConfessorshouldsay:Godbemercifuluntotheeandstrengthenthyfaith.Amen.AndDostthoubelievethatmyforgivenessistheforgivenessofGod?A.Yes,dearsir.Thenlethimsay.Asthoubelievest,sobeitdoneuntothee.AndintheNameofourLordJesus

ChristIforgivetheethysins,intheNameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost.Amen.Departinpeace.

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ApastorwillknowhowtoconsolewithpassagesofScripturethosewhohavegreat burdens on their conscience, or are distressed and tempted, and canencouragethemtobelieve.Theformjustgivenisintendedonlyasapatternforthesimple.

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V.TheSacramentOfTheAltar.

Atableofwoodorstone,onwhichtheHolySupperismadeready,andatwhichwebringtoGodanofferingofprayer.

Intheplainforminwhichtheheadofthefamilyshouldteachittohishousehold.Q.WhatistheSacramentofthealtar?A.ItisthetruebodyandbloodofourLordJesusChrist,underthebreadand

wine,institutedbyChristHimselfforusChristianstoeatandtodrink.Q.Whereisthiswritten?A.TheholyEvangelists,1Matthew,MarkandLuke, togetherwithSt.Paul,

writethus:"OurLordJesusChrist,thesamenightinwhichHewasbetrayed,tookbread:

andwhenHe had given thanks,He brake it, and gave it toHis disciples, andsaid,Takeeat;thisismybody,whichisgivenforyou:thisdoinremembranceofme.

“After the samemanner alsoHe took the cup,whenHe had supped, gavethanks,andgave it to them,saying,Takeanddrinkyeallof it: thiscup is thenewtestamentinmyblood,whichisshedforyou,fortheremissionofsins:thisdoye,asoftasyedrinkit,inremembranceofme.”

Q.Ofwhatuseissucheatinganddrinking?A.Itisshownusbythesewords:“Givenandshedforyou,fortheremission

ofsins”;namely,thatintheSacramentforgivenessofsins,lifeandsalvationaregivenusthroughthesewords.Forwherethereisforgivenessofsins,thereisalsolifeandsalvation.

Q.Howcanbodilyeatinganddrinkingdosuchgreatthings?A.Itisnottheeatinganddrinking,indeed,thatdoesit,butthewordswhich

stand here: “Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins.” Thesewordswhich accompany the bodily eating and drinking, are the chief thing in theSacrament; andhe thatbelieves thesewords,haswhat theydeclareandmean,namely,theforgivenessofsins.

Q.WhothenreceivesthisSacramentworthily?

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A.Fastingandbodilypreparationareindeedagood2outwarddiscipline;butheistrulyworthyandwell-prepared,whohasfaithinthesewords:“Givenandshedforyou,fortheremissionofsins.”Buthewhobelievesnotthesewords,ordoubts,3 is unworthyandunprepared; for thewords,FORYOU, require trulybelievinghearts.

Howtheheadofthefamilyshouldteachhishouseholdtopray,morningandevening.

MorningPrayer.

Inthemorning,whenthourisest,thoushaltsignthyselfwiththeholycross,andsay:

IntheNameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost.Amen.Then,kneelingorstanding,repeattheCreed,andtheLord’sPrayer.Thenmayestthoualsosaythisprayer:IGIVE thanksuntoThee,HeavenlyFather, through JesusChrist,Thydear

Son, thatThouhastprotectedme through thenight fromalldangerandharm;andIbeseechTheetopreserveandkeepme,thisdayalso,fromallsinandevil:thatinallmythoughts,words,anddeeds,ImayserveandpleaseThee.IntoThyhands I commendmybodyand soul, andall that ismine.LetThyholyangelhavechargeconcerningme,thatthewickedonehavenopoweroverme.Amen.

Thenafterahymn,ortheTenCommandments,orwhateverthydevotionmaysuggest,gojoyfullytothywork.

EveningPrayer.

Intheevening,whenthougoesttobed,thoushaltsignthyselfwiththeholycross,andsay:

IntheNameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost.Amen.Then,kneelingorstanding,thoushaltsaytheCreedandtheLord’sPrayer.ThenmayestthousaythisPrayer:IGIVE thanks untoThee,Heavenly Father, through JesusChrist Thy dear

Son,thatThouhastthisdaysograciouslyprotectedme,andIbeseechTheetoforgivemeallmysins,andthewrongwhichIhavedone,andbythygreatmercydefend me from all the perils and dangers of this night. Into Thy hands I

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commend my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let Thy holy angel havechargeconcerningme,thatthewickedonehavenopoweroverme.Amen.

Thenliedowninpeaceandsleep.Howtheheadofa familyshould teachhishousehold toaskablessingand

returnthanks.

GracebeforeMeat.

Thechildrenandservantsshallgotothetablereverently,foldtheirhandsandsay:

TheeyesofallwaituponThee,OLord;andThougivestthemtheirmeatindueseason.ThouopenestThinehand,andsatisfiest thedesire4ofeverylivingthing.

ThenshallbesaidtheLord’sPrayer,andafterthatthisPrayer:OLordGod,HeavenlyFather,blessusandtheseThygifts,whichwereceive

fromThyloving-kindness,throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.

ThanksafterMeat.

Aftermeat,theyshallreverentlyandwithfoldedhandssay:O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth

forever.Hegiveth food toall flesh:Hegiveth to thebeasthis foodand to theyoungravenswhichcry.Hedelightethnotinthestrengthofthehorse,Hetakethnot pleasure in the legs cf aman. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fearHim,inthosethathopeinHismercy.

ThenshallbesaidtheLord’sPrayerandthefollowing:WethankThee,LordGod,HeavenlyFather, throughJesusChristourLord,

forallThybenefits;wholivestandreignestforeverandever.Amen.

1. ThefourholymenwhohavewrittenthelifeofChristforus,Matthew,Mark,LukeandJohn.↩

2. Properandbecoming.↩3. Waveringbetweenbeliefandunbelief.↩4. Allgetenoughtoeat.Careandavaricealikepreventsatisfaction.↩

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TableOfDuties;

Or, Certain Passages Of Scripture For Various Holy Orders And Estates,WherebyTheseAreSeverallyToBeAdmonishedOfTheirOfficeAndDuty.1

ToBishops,Pastors,andPreachers.

A bishop2 must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, ofgoodbehavior,given tohospitality, apt to teach;notgiven towine,no striker,notgreedyoffilthylucre;butpatient,notabrawler,notcovetous;onethatrulethwell his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; not anovice.3Holdingfast thefaithfulWordashehathbeen taught, thathemaybeablebysounddoctrinebothtoexhortandconvincethegainsayers.1Tim.3:2,3,4,6;Tit.1:9.

WhattheHearersOwetoTheirPastors.

Eatanddrinksuchthingsastheygive;forthelaborerisworthyofhishire.Luke10:7.

EvensohaththeLordordainedthattheywhichpreachtheGospelshouldliveoftheGospel.1Cor.9:14.

LethimthatistaughtintheWordcommunicateuntohimthatteachethinallgoodthings.Benotdeceived;Godisnotmocked;forwhatsoeveramansoweth,thatshallhealsoreap.Gal.6:6,7.

Let the elders that rulewell be countedworthyof double honor, especiallytheywholaborintheWordanddoctrine.FortheScripturesaith,Thoushaltnotmuzzletheoxthattreadethoutthecorn;andthelaborerisworthyofhisreward.1Tim.5:17,18.

Andwebeseechyou,brethren, toknow themwhich labor amongyou, andareoveryou,intheLord,andtoesteemthemveryhighlyinlovefortheirwork’ssake.Andbeatpeaceamongyourselves,1Thess.5:12,13.

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Obeythemthathavetheruleoveryou,andsubmityourselves;fortheywatchforyoursouls,astheythatmustgiveaccount;thattheymaydoitwithjoy,andnotwithgrief:forthatisunprofitableforyou.Heb.13:17.

OfCivilGovernment.

Leteverysoulbesubjectuntothehigherpowers.ForthereisnopowerbutofGod:thepowersthatbeareordainedofGod.Whosoeverthereforeresisteththepower, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive tothemselvesdamnation.Forrulersarenotaterrortogoodworks,buttotheevil.Wiltthouthennotbeafraidofthepower?dothatwhichisgood,andthoushalthavepraiseof the same: forhe is theministerofGod to thee forgood.But ifthoudothatwhichisevil,beafraid;forhebearethnottheswordinvain:forheis theminister ofGod, a revenger to executewrath upon him that doeth evil.Rom.13:1-4.

OfSubjects.

RenderuntoCaesar the thingswhichareCaesar’s;anduntoGod the thingsthatareGod’s.Matt.22:21.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also forconscience sake. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God’sministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to alltheir dues: tribute, to whom tribute is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, towhomfear;honor,towhomhonor.Rom.13:5-7.

Iexhort therefore, that, firstofall,supplications,prayers, intercessions,andgivingofthanksbemadeforallmen;forkings,andforallthatareinauthority;thatwemayleadaquietandpeaceablelifeinallgodlinessandhonesty.ForthisisgoodandacceptableinthesightofGodourSaviour,1Tim.2:1-3.

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obeymagistrates,tobereadytoeverygoodwork.Tit.3:1.

SubmityourselvestoeveryordinanceofmanfortheLord’ssake:whetheritbetotheking,assupreme;oruntogovernors,asuntothemthataresentbyhimforthepunishmentofevil-doers,andforthepraiseforthemthatdowell.1Pet.2:13,14.

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ToHusbands.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, givinghonoruntothewife,asuntotheweakervessel,andasbeingheirstogetherofthegraceoflife;thatyourprayersbenothindered.Andbenotbitteragainstthem.1Pet.3:7;Col.3:19.

ToWives.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto theLord. Eph.5:22.

EvenasSarahobeyedAbraham,callinghimlord;whosedaughtersyeareaslongasyedowell,andarenotafraidwithanyamazement.1Pet.3:5,6.

ToParents.

And,yefathers,provokenotyourchildrentowrath:butbringthemupinthenurtureandadmonitionoftheLord.Eph.6:4.

ToChildren.

Children,obeyyourparentsintheLord:forthisisright.Honorthyfatherandmother;whichisthefirstcommandmentwithpromise:thatitmaybewellwiththee,andthoumayestlivelongontheearth.Eph.6:1-3.

ToServants,HiredMen,andLaborers.

Servants, be obedient to them that are yourmasters according to the flesh,withfearandtrembling,insinglenessofyourheart,asuntoChrist;notwitheye-service, asmen-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing thewill ofGodfrom the heart;with goodwill doing service, as to theLord, and not tomen:knowingthatwhatsoevergoodthinganymandoeth,thesameshallhereceiveoftheLord,whetherhebebondorfree.Eph.6:5-8.

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ToMastersandMistresses.

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening;knowing thatyourmasteralso is inheaven;neither is there respectofpersonswithHim.Eph.6:9.

TotheYounginGeneral.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.Yea, all of you besubjectonetoanother,andbeclothedwithhumility:forGodresisteththeproud,andgivethgracetothehumble.Humbleyourselves,therefore,underthemightyhandofGod,thatHemayexaltyouinduetime.1Pet.5:5,6.

ToWidows.

Nowshethatisawidowindeed,anddesolate,trustethinGod,andcontinuethinsupplicationandprayersnightandday.Butsh’ethatlivethinpleasure,isdeadwhilesheliveth.1Tim.5:5,6.

ToallinCommon.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Herein are comprehended all thecommandments.Rom.13:9.

Andpersevereinprayerforallmen.1Tim.2:1.

Leteachhislessonlearnwithcare,Andallthehouseholdwellshallfare.

Lord,openThoumyhearttohear,AndbyThyWordtomedrawnear,LetmeThyWordstillpureretain,LetmeThychildandheirremain.

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ThyWorddothmovetheinmostheart,ThyWorddothperfecthealthimpart,ThyWordmysoulwithjoydothbless,ThyWordbringspeaceandhappiness.

GlorytoGod,theFather,Son,AndHolySpirit,ThreeinOne!ToThee,OblessedTrinity,BepraisethroughoutEternity!

JohnOlearius,1671.

1. Tobehunguptobeobservedbyeveryoneinthehouse.↩2. In the New Testament an overseer of the congregation, i. e., a Pastor.

Afterwards,alsooverseerofseveralpastorsandcongregations.↩3. Onewhohasjustbeguntobelieve.↩

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QuestionsandAnswers

I.IntroductoryQuestions.

Itwill bewell for the teacher, at the beginning of every lesson, to goover it with the child, then to let him read over the Questions andAnswerswithhim,and finally toquestionhimfreely, lettinghim lookonthebookmeanwhile,—andsotoproceeduntilthechildknowswhatheoughttoknow.1)Whatlittlebookhaveyouinyourhand?TheSmallCatechismofDr.MartinLuther.2)WhatisthemeaningofCatechism?Instruction.3)Whatinstructiondoesthisbookgive?IttellsthatwhichImustknowthatImaybesaved.4)Whopreparedthisbook?Dr.MartinLuther.5)Whowashe?Hewas a famous Doctor of the Church of God, a teacher of Theology at

Wittenberg,inSaxony.6)Whendidhelive?Morethan300yearsago.HewasbornNovember10,1483,atEisleben,and

diedthereFebruary18,1546.7) You call this Luther’s Small Catechism: did he prepare more than

one?Yes;inthesameyearhepreparedaLargeCatechism,too.8)Inwhatyearwasthat?15299)DidDr.LuthertellhisownwisdominhistwoCatechisms?No.HeputtogetherinbriefandtoldthewisdomofGod,asitisrevealedto

usintheHolyScriptures.

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10)WhatthenisLuther’sSmallCatechism?ItisasummaryofGod’swisdom,oroftheWordofGod.11)Isitsoregarded?Yes.IthasbeengivenaplaceamongtheConfessionsofFaithoftheLutheran

Church,andformorethanthreehundredyearshasbeenafavoritebookoftheChurch.

12)WhatnamedidDr.LuthergivetohisSmallCatechism?EnchiridionorHandbook.13)Whydidhesonameit?Becausetheyoungwerealwaystohaveitin,andat,hand,andtolearnit.14)Whatdoesitcontain?a)A remarkablePreface, addressed to all faithful and piousPastors,which

tellshowtheCatechismistobetaughtandlearned.b)ThesixPartsoftheCatechism.c)HowaFathermayteachhishouseholdtopray,morningandevening.d)TheTableofDutiesforallestatesofmen.15)WhatisthemostimportantpartoftheCatechism?TheSixParts.16)Andwhatarethey?ThefirsttreatsoftheHolyTenCommandments.Thesecond,oftheHolyChristianFaith.Thethird,oftheHolyLord’sPrayer.Thefourth,oftheSacramentofHolyBaptism.Thefifth,oftheSacramentoftheAltar.Thesixth,1oftheOfficeoftheKeysandConfession.

II.IntroductoryQuestionsToTheFirstPart.

17)WhatisthesubjectoftheFirstPart?TheHolyTenCommandments.18)Whatonewordmeansthesamething?TheLaw.19)WhatistheLaw?

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ThatwhichGodhasordainedtobetheruleofallthatwedo,orleaveundone,—God’swillinreferencetous.

20)HowcanamanlearnwhattheLawis?Fromhisconscience,andfromtherevelationofGod.21)WhatknowledgeoftheLawdoesamanderivefromhisconscience?Itisnotclear,anditisimperfect.Yetitisthere.Eventheheathen“shewthe

workofthelawwrittenintheirhearts,theirconsciencealsobearingwitness,andtheir thoughts the meanwhile accusing, or else excusing one another.” Rom.2:15.

22)AndwhatknowledgeoftheLawdowegetfromRevelation?It ispureandclear.There is shown“what isgood,andwhat theLorddoth

requireofthee.”Micah6:8.23)WheredowefindtherevelationofthewillofGod?IntheTenCommandments,ofwhichwehavebeenspeaking.24)WhogavetheTenCommandments?TheLordGodHimself.Ex.20.;31:18;32.;34:1,28,29.Deut.5:10ff.25)TowhomdidHegivethem?ToHispeopleIsrael.26)AretheynotinforcefortheChurchoftheNewTestamentalso?Certainly.Christ,theMediatoroftheNewTestament,says,“ThinknotthatI

amcometodestroy theLawor theProphets: Iamnotcome todestroy,but tofulfill.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Tillheavenandearthpass,onejotoronetittleshallinnowisepassfromtheLawtillallbefulfilled.Whosoeverthereforeshallbreak one of these least commandments, and shall teachmen so, he shall becalled the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teachthem,thesameshallbecalledgreatinthekingdomofheaven.”Matt.5:17-19.

27)WheredidGodgivetheseCommandments?Inthewilderness,atMt.Sinai.28)WherearetheWildernessandMt.Sinai?InArabia,apeninsulaofAsia.29)WhendidGodgivethisLaw?OnthefiftiethdayaftertheexodusofthechildrenofIsraelfromEgypt.30)WhatnameisgiventothedayoftheExodus?ThePassover.(Easter.)31)Andtothefiftiethdayafter?Pentecost,whichistheGreekwordforfifty(Whitsunday).32)DidGodHimselfsaytheseCommandmentsfromthemountain?

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“ThesewordstheLordspakeuntoallyourassemblyinthemountoutofthemidst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness,with a great voice.”Deut.5:22.Andallthepeopleheardthem.Ex.20:18ff.

33)Whatdidthepeopledo.whentheyheardandsawthis?Theyfledandweresoreafraid.34)WhythendidtheLordspeaksoterribly?That we might dread His anger, and not do anything against His

Commandments.Ex.20:5.35)Were not the Commandments of God written, for the people and

theirdescendants?Yes.TheLordHimselfwrotethemontwotablesofstoneandgavethemto

Moses.Ex.32:16.36)AndwhatdotheScripturescallthesetwotables?“Thetwotablesoftestimony,tablesofstone,writtenwiththefingerofGod.”

Ex.31:18.37)TowhomdidGodgivethesetwotablesoftestimony?ToHisservant,Mosestheprophet,whohadledthechildrenofIsraeloutof

EgypttoMt.Sinai.Deut.5:22.38)WhatdidMosesdowiththetablesoftestimony?Hethrewthemoutofhishandandbroke themat thefootof themountain.

Ex.32:19.39)Whydidhedothis?Out of fierce anger, becausewhen he came down to the camp he saw that

fortydaysafterGodhadgiventhemtheLaw,thechildrenofIsraelwerecarryingontheiridolatryagainwithagoldencalf.Ex.32.

40)DidnotGodpunishMosesforbreakingthetables?No,notatall.Ex.34:1;Deut.4:13,10:1,2.41)ButwhatdidMoseshavetodo?Hewouttwotablesforhimselfandcomewiththemupintothemountain.Ex.

34:1;Deut.10:1.42)AndwhatdidtheLorddo?“He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the Ten

Commandments,andgavethemtoMoses.”Deut.10:4.43)WhatmaybethemeaningofthetwotablesoftheLaw?Thehumanheart,inwhichthecommandmentsofGodoughttobewritten.44)What may be the meaning of the first tables, which God Himself

made?

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Thehumanheart,asitwascreatedbyGod.45)AndofthetableswhichMosesmade?Thehumanheart,asitwasmadebymanthroughhisfall.46)Whatistobefoundonbothpairsoftables?God’sownwriting,theTenCommandments.47)Andwhatisthemeaningofthis?Thatoneand thesameholywillofGodhadbeenrevealedbothbeforeand

afterthefall,inParadiseandonSinai.

QuestionsOnTheMeaningOfTheWordsOfTheFirstPart.

III.IntroductiontotheCommandments

48)WhatdidGodsayandwriteatthebeginningoftheFirstandofalltheCommandments?

Just as earthly princes set their names before their decrees, that it may beknownfromwhomthedecreescome,andwhoisoffendedifthedecreesarenotobeyed,sotheLordputHisNamebeforeHisCommandments, thateverymanmayknowthathekeepsorbreaksthecommandmentsofsogreataGod.

49)WhatisthebeginningofGod’sCommandments?IamtheLordthyGod.Ex.20:2;Deut.5:6.50)WhatistheHebrewofthewordLORD?Jehovah.Ex.3:14.51)WhatisthemeaningofJehovah?IAMTHATIAM.52)Whatallisexpressedbythisword?Themeaningofthisnameisdeeperthanthesea:itcannotbefoundout.Yet

weseeclearly,HeisEternal;He isUnchangeable,without variableness, faithful toHimself inword and

deed;AnEternal,Unchangeable,Truthful,Faithful,InscrutableBeing.

FirstCommandment.

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53)’WhatdoestheFirstCommandmentforbid?Tohaveothergods.54)Whatdoesthatmean?Toworshipothergods.55)Sinceyoushouldnotworshipothergods,whomshouldyouworship?Himwhosays,IamtheLordthyGod.56)Arethereothergods?“BesideHimthereisnoGod.”Is.44:6,45:5;Deut.6:4.57)Andaccordingtotheexplanationof thisCommandmentwhatshall

youdo?Fear,loveandtrustinGod.58)Andhowmuchshallyoufear,loveandtrustinHim?Aboveallthings.59)Whatdoesthatmean?Morethanallthings.60)Andwhyshouldyoufear,loveandtrustin,Himaboveallthings?Becausenothingissogreat,sodear,andsofaithful,astheLordmyGod.61)Andwhatareyoudoingifyoufear,loveandtrustinanythingmore

thanGod?IamputtingacreatureintoGod’splace.62)Andwhatareyoumakingofthiscreature?Myidol.—FromthismaytheLordmyGodpreserveme.Amen.

IV.SecondCommandment.

From the earliest time there have been two ways of dividing the TenCommandmentsgiveninEx.20:1-17.Whilesomehavejoinedverses4,5, to the First Commandment, others have made a SecondCommandmentoutofthem,ofourSecondaThird,andsoon,andhavemadeourNinth andTenth intoone.TheReformedhave accepted thisdivision,while theLutheranshavekept the formerdivision, forwhichmorecanbesaid.63)WhatisforbiddenintheSecondCommandment?TotaketheNameoftheLordourGodinvain.

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64)WhatistheNameoftheLORDourGod?TheLord,orJehovah.2Ex.3:14.65)HasnotGodothernamesalso?Yes.Hehasmanynames,butHecallsHimselfJehovahandkeepsthisname

forHimselfalone.66)MayyoutakeanyofthenamesofGodinvain?ImaymisusenoneofthenameswhichbelongtoGod,orbymeansofwhich

IthinkofHim.67)How,accordingtotheexplanationintheCatechism,istheNameof

Godtakeninvain?Whatisit“totakeinvain”?Bycursing,swearing,usingwitchcraft,lyingordeceiving.Whatisittocurse?toswear?tousewitchcraft?tolie?todeceive?68)WhatdoestheLORDsayofthosewhotakeHisNameinvain?TheLordwillnotholdhimguiltlessthattakethHisNameinvain.Ex.20:7.69)ForwhatpurposeistheNameoftheLordgiventous,accordingto

theexplanationintheCatechism?That we may call upon, worship, praise and thank Him. Therefore for all

kindsofprayer.What is the meaning of calling upon Him? Worship? Praise?

Thanksgiving?370)What should keep us from taking God’s Name in vain, and what

shouldurgeustotherightuseofit?The fear and love of God, out of which flows the observance of all the

Commandments.71)HowdoesDr.LutherbegintheexplanationofeveryCommandment,

becausetheobservanceofall theCommandmentsflowsfromthefearandloveofGod,orfromtheobservanceoftheFirstCommandment?

He begins the explanation of every commandment by repeating theexplanationoftheFirst:WeshouldfearandloveGod,andetc.

72)Isallcursingandswearingforbidden?No.73)Isallwitchcraft,lyinganddeceiving,forbidden?Yes,all.74)Whyisnotallcursingforbidden?Because(Deut.27:15-26)GodbadeallthepeoplesayAmentoHiscurse.

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Because ourLord Jesus cursed.Matt. 11:21, 23:13-16, 23-29;Mark 11:13,21.

75)Whyisnotallswearingforbidden?BecauseGod,Gen.22:16;Ps.110:4;Christ,Matt.26:63,64,v.18ff.;Heb.

6:13,14;theangels,Dan.12:7;Rev.10:6;andholymenofGod,Gen.14:21,22;1Sam.20.;2Cor.1:23,havesworn;and,besides,thewordoftheOldTestamentcannotbebroken,whichsays,ThoushaltfeartheLordthyGod,andserveHim,andshaltswearbyHisName.Deut.6:13,10:20.

76)ButisnotallswearingforbiddeninMatt.5:34,37,andJames5:12?It is impossible thatGodshouldcontradictHimself.Christdidnotcome to

destroytheLaw,buttofulfillit(Matt.5:17.)Theoath,whichwascommandedintheOldTestament,andusedinboththeOldTestamentandtheNewbyGodandangelsandmen,cannotberejectedbyChristandHisApostles.

77)Whatsortofswearingisforbiddeninthosepassages?Not thatwhich is commanded in theOldTestament, but themisuse by the

Jews (Matt, 23:16),who in daily life sworewantonly and by creatures,whentheymighthavesaidsimplyYesandNo,or inacaseofnecessitymighthaveswornbytheNameofGod.

78) What cursing and swearing is forbidden therefore In the SecondCommandment?

Not that which uses theName of God, but that whichwithout reason andwickedlymisusesit.

79) Is all witchcraft, lying and deceit forbidden in the SecondCommandment?

All witchcraft, lying and deceit are forbidden, but not in the SecondCommandment;butonlythewitchcraft,lyinganddeceitwhichmisusetheNameofGod.

V.ThirdCommandment.

80)WhatisbiddenintheThirdCommandment?ToremembertheSabbathdaytokeepitholy.WhatismeantbytheSabbathday?Whatisit,tokeepholy?81)WhichdayoftheweekwastheholydayoftheOldTestament?

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Theseventh,orSaturday.82)WhywastheseventhdaykeptintheOldTestament?Godblessedtheseventhdayandhallowedit,becauseonitGodrestedfrom

alltheworkswhichHehadmade.Gen.2:2,3;Ex.20:8-11.Theseventhdaywasamemorialofcompletedcreation.

83)WhatistheholydayoftheNewTestament?Thefirstdayoftheweek,Sunday.84)WhydowenolongercelebratetheoldSabbath?BecausethroughSt.PaultheLordsaystotheColossians(2:16):“Letnoman

judgeyouconcerningholydaysandnewmoonsandSabbaths.”Gal.4:10.85)But does not this break theLawof theOldCovenant, ofwhich in

Matt.5:17-19theLordsays,thatitcannotbebroken?No,fortheLordHimself,whoistheLordoftheSabbath(Mark2:27,28),did

not break the holy day of olden time, but fulfilled its meaning (Heb. 4), andbroughtinthenewtime,whichnolongercountsfromtherest-dayofcreation.

86) Is another day commanded in the New Testament, instead of theseventhday?

No.Nosuchcommandment,eitheroftheLord,orofHisApostles,hascomedowntous.

87)Whythenhasaspecialholydaybeenfixed?Onedaymustbe setonwhich thepeoplemayknow that theyare tocome

together to hear God’s Word and to cherish the communion of believers bymeansoftheWordandtheSacrament.

88)WastheChurchfreetochooseanydayoftheweek?Yes,sincewewerenottobejudgedconcerninganyday.89)Whythenwasnottheseventhdaychosen?JustbecausetheJewsheldthatGodmadeitnecessarytoobservetheseventh

day.ChristianfreedomfromtheOldTestamentSabbathLawisasserted.490)Andwhywasthefirstdaychosen?BecausetheLordHimselfhadhalloweditbyHisresurrectionfromthedead

andtheoutpouringoftheHolyGhost,asintheOldTestamentHehallowedtheseventhdaybyrestingfromtheCreation.Thebestandholiest recollectionsofChristianmenareconnectedwiththisday.

91)Andwhydowestillkeepthisday?Although chosen in Christian freedom, it has been from the beginning the

favoritedayofChristianpeople,andamarkoftheNewCovenant,justastheoldSabbathwasamarkoftheOldCovenant;itis,moreover,anoutwardsignofthe

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innerunitybetweenChristians,ofthecommunionofsaints,ofthosewhohavefallenasleepwhokeptit,andofthosewhoarelivingontheearth.

92)Butmayyounotforyourselfmakeawork-dayofSunday?BysodoingInotonlywouldrejecttheday,butwouldwithdrawmyselffrom

theWordofGodandfromtheCommunionofSaints.93)Dowethenclingtothisday?Yes; but not for the day’s sake, but for the sake of the Word and of the

Communion,whichfromofoldbelongtothisday,fromwhichwewithdrawifwedonotkeepthisday.

94)Havewereason,then,toacceptthewordoftheLord,RemembertheSabbathdaytokeepitholy?

Yes,indeed.ThedayonwhichthegreatesteventsoftheNewTestamenttookplace,andwhichtheChurchhasalwayschosenforitspublicationoftheWordandforitsCommunion,canbedespisedbyindividualpersonsonlytotheinjuryoftheirownsouls.

95) What is the important matter in reference to the New TestamentSabbath?

Nottheday,butthatbywhichalldaysandallthingsaresanctified,theWordofGodandprayer.1Tim.4:5.

96)WhatistheexplanationoftheThirdCommandment?WeshouldfearandloveGod,andnotdespisepreachingandHisWord,but

keepitholyandgladlyhearandlearnit.97)ArepreachingandtheWordofGodthesamething?No.Apiousman’ssermonreflectsGod’sWord,likeamirrorreflectsthelight

of the sun; but in comparison with the Word of God the sermon always isimperfect.TheWordalwaysisaperfectrevelationofdivinesavingwisdomandtruth.

98)HowshouldwereceivetheWordofGodwhichwehearonSunday?Weshouldkeepitholy.Whatdoesthismean?99)Isitenoughto;“keepitholy”?Wemustdiligentlyandgladlyhearit.100)Isitenoughtohearit?Wemustalso learn it, that faithmaycomebyhearing.For faithcomethby

hearing.Rom.10:17.

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VI.FourthCommandment

101)WhatdoestheLordcommandintheFourthCommandment?Hecommandsmetohonormyfatherandmymother.Whatisittohonor?102)"WhombesidesparentsdoestheexplanationincludeintheFourth

Commandment?Masters.103)Whoareour“masters”?Allwhoareplacedoverus,“whetheritbethekingassupreme,orgovernors

asthosesentbyhim,”(1Peter2:13-15,18)andalsomastersandhouse-fathers.Andthosealsowhoareattheheadofchurchesandcongregationsmayalsobeincluded.1Tim.5:17.1Thess.5:12,13.Heb.13:17.Andalsoteachers.

104)WhyhavealltheseaplaceintheFourthCommandment?Becauseallwhoaresetoverus,are inourparents’place,andtherefore the

Scripturescallthemfathers.5105)Whatdoestheexplanationsayyoumustnotdoifyouwouldhonor

yourparents?Neitherdespisethemnorprovokethemtoanger.106)Andwhatdoes itsayachildoughttodoto itsparents inorderto

honorthem?Honor,serve,obey,loveandesteemthem.Definethesewords.107)HowhastheLordespeciallydistinguishedthisCommandment?Itisthefirstcommandmentwithpromise.Eph.6:2,3;forHesays,Ex.20:12,

Honorthyfatherandthymother,thatthydaysmaybelonginthelandwhichtheLordthyGodgiveththee.

108)Butdonotmanypiouschildrendieyoung?These do not receive a temporal promise, but in the world to come they

receivefarmoreexceedinglyaccordingtothefullnessofpromiseswhichHehasgivenforeternity.

109)Butwhatareyou todo ifyourparentsormastersarebad,doallkinds of wickedness, and unreasonably burden their children and otherssubjecttothem?

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Eventhentheyaremyparentsormasters,whomImusthonor,serve,obey,loveandesteem.

110)ButwhatiftheyrequireofyouwhatisagainstGod’sWordandthehonorduetoHim,andagainsttheirsalvationandyourbrother’s?

YetIwillhonorthem,servethem,loveandesteemthem,butIwillnotobeythemwhentheycommandwhatiscontrarytoGod’sWordandthehonorduetoHimandtomysalvationandmybrother’s.

111)Andwhy?WemustobeyGodratherthanmen,Acts5:29;4:19.AndGodwillnothave

usresisttheHolyGhost“asourfathersdid.”Acts7:51.

VII.FifthCommandment.

112)WhatdoestheFifthCommandmentforbid?Tokill.113)Whatelseaccordingtotheexplanationisalsoforbidden?Tohurtorharmourneighborinhisbody.114)Towhomshallwedonoharm?Ourneighbor.115)Andwhatshallwenothurt?Ourneighbor’sbody.116)HowissuchanexplanationdrawnfromtheCommandment?Thegreatestinjurytoaman’sbodyisdeath;andthiscannotbedoneifwedo

noharmorinjurytoourneighbor’sbody.117)Whichisgreater,hurtorharm?Harm.118)Whatisthebeginningofanyhurtorharmwemayknowinglyand

willinglydotoourneighbor?It begins in our souls, in hatred, envy, unkindness; therefore Christ (Matt.

5:21 ff.) stopped the source of murder, when He forbade and threatened topunishanger.

119)Whoisourneighbor?Hewhomwearenearestto,withwhomweassociate,whoneedsus,evenif

hebeaJew,orourenemy.

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120)Areweforbiddentohurtorharmthebodyofourneighboronly?Itisforbiddentodoourselvessuchinjury.121)Ifweareforbiddentohurtorharmourneighborinhisbody,isit

wrongforafathertochastisehischild?No, for the Lord Himself says (Prov. 23:13, 14, cf. 13:24), Withhold not

correctionfromthechild;forifthoubeatesthimwiththerod,heshallnotdie.Thoushaltbeathimwiththerod,anddeliverhissoulfromhell.

122)Butisitnotasinifthecourtsorderamurderertobeputtodeath,orthatsomeotherbodilypunishmentbevisitedonagodlessperson?

No.Godsays(Gen.9:6),Whososhedsman’sblood,bymanshallhisbloodbe shed. And in the Garden of Gethsemane our Lord said (Matt. 26:52),Whosoever taketh the sword shall perish by the sword; andPaulwrites to theRomans(13:4),ThepowerisaministerofGodtotheeforgood.Butifthoudothatwhichisevil,beafraid;forhebearethnot theswordinvain;forheis theministerofGod,arevengertoexecutewrathuponhimthatdoethevil.

123)Butisitnotwrongforsoldierstokillinbattle?NotonlyintheOldTestament,butintheNew,therearewarriorswhowere

well-pleasingtoGod.AndwhenthesoldiersaskedJohnBaptist,Whatshallwedo?hesaid,Doviolencetonoman,neitheraccuseanyfalsely;andbecontentwithyourwages(Luke3:14).Hedidnotsaytheymustgiveuptheirplaceandcalling.

124)Andwhatisourduty,accordingtotheexplanation?Tohelpandbefriend.Whatdothesewordsmean?125)Inwhatshouldwehelpandbefriend?Ineverybodilyneed.126)Givemeinstancesofsuchbodilyneed?Poverty,sickness,nakedness.127)IsthereintheNewTestamentaspecialarrangementfortheexercise

ofthisduty?Yes, theofficeofdeacons (Acts6:1-6),whichcontinued fora long time in

theChurch,althoughnowitiswantinginmanycongregations.128)Ifwearetohelpandbefriendourneighborineverybodilyneed,in

whatcaseshouldwedostillmoreforhimifwecan?Ineveryneedofhissoul.

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VIII.TheSixthCommandment.

129)Whatishereforbidden?Tocommitadultery.130)Whatismarriage?It is the public and lasting union of a man and a woman in the closest

fellowshipofbodyandlife.“Amanshallleavehisfatherandmotherandcleaveuntohiswife,andthey

twain shall be one flesh,” Gen. 2:24. “So they are not twain, but one flesh.”Matt.19:5,6.

131)Whoinstitutedmarriage?GodHimselfinParadise.GodmadewomanoutofaribHetookfromaman,

andbroughthertohim.Gen.2:22.MaleandfemaledidHemakethem.AndHeblessedthem.Gen.1:27,28.

132)WhydidGodinstitutemarriage?Thatmanmightnotbealone,butmighthaveahelpmeetforhim,and that

theymightmultiplyupontheearth.Gen.2:18;1:28.133)AndwhatfurtherpurposecameinaftertheFall?On account of fornication (i. e. for the avoidance of fornication), let every

manhavehisownwife,andeverywomanherownhusband.1Cor.7:2.134)HowhastheLordglorifiedearthlymarriage?By making it a figure of the highest and eternal marriage, the marriage

betweenChristandHisChurch.Ez.16:8f.;Eph.5:32.135)Whatdomanandwifepromiseeachotherattheverybeginningof

marriage?Thattheywillloveoneanother,asChristlovesHisChurch,andtheChurch

lovesHim.Eph.5:22-33;Gen.2:18,24.136)AndhowdoesChristloveHisChurch?Perfectly,—sothatHegaveupheavenandearth,toseekherandcleaveto

her.Exclusively,—One,saysHe,ismydove.Cant.6:8.Unchangeably,—Iwillbetrothmyselftotheeforever.Hos.2:19.Holily,anduntoSanctification,—“HegaveHimselffortheChurch,thatHe

mightsanctifyandcleanseitbythewashingofwaterbytheWord,thatHemight

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presentittoHimselfagloriousChurch,nothavingspot,orwrinkle,oranysuchthing;butthatitshouldbeholyandwithoutblemish.”Eph.5:25-27.

137)AndhowdoestheChurchloveHim?Perfectly,exclusively,indissolubly,asHelovesit,foritisinHisschool,and

issubjecttoHim(Eph.5:23)andfearsHim(Eph.5:33).138)HowthenoughtChristianhusbandsandwivesloveeachother?Perfectly,exclusivelyandindissolubly,holilyanduntosanctification;andthe

wifeshouldobeyandfearherhusband.139)What is the difference between the humanmarriage of man and

wifeandthemarriageofChristwithHisChurch?Thatisforaseason;whenoneofthepartiesdies,themarriageisatanend(1

Cor. 7:39): this is eternal. So far as Christ is concerned, it is perfect; but themarriagesofmenandwomenareimperfect.

140)Howisahumanmarriagebroken?When one is loved not exclusively, or not unchangeably; when the heart

thinksoforseeksanotherorgivesitselftoanother;orwhenthepreciousbondisbrokenbyadultery;oroneforsakestheother.

141)DoesChristallownodivorce,nodissolutionofthemarriagetie?No.Onlywhenmarriageisbroken,whetherbyfornication(Matt.19:9),orby

wickeddesertion,inthecasementionedbySt.Paul(1Cor.7:15),theinnocentpartyisfree.

142)Whatleadstoadulteryinmostcases?Anunchasteheartanddisorderlycompany.Whoischaste?Whoispure?143)TowhatthereforedoestheExplanationoftheSixthCommandment

especiallyexhorthusbandsandwives?Tobechasteandtemperateinwordsanddeeds.144)Butareonlythosewhoaremarriedtobechasteandtemperate?No,thesingletoo.145)Aremaidenandwifelychastityoneandthesamething?No.Chastityinthosewhoaremarried,cleavestohusbandorwifealone;but

maidenchastityisfreefromeverymanorwoman.146)Whichisbetter?They are of like worth (1 Cor. 7.). Those who forbid to marry, teach a

doctrineofdevils(1Tim.4:1-3).147)Whichiseasier?

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Itdependsontheperson.Ifonehavethegiftofcontinence,itiseasiertoliveunmarried.

148)Isitpossibletolivechastelyineitherofthesestates?Yes,bythegraceofGod,thoughoursinfulnatureandevilimaginationoften

resistsHisgrace.149)Whatisagreathelptothechastityofthemarried,andgenerallyin

themarriedlife?Thatonenotonlylove,buthonor,hiswifeorherhusband.150)Andwhyissomuchstresslaidonhonoring?Because when respect dies, love ceases. Respect daily nourishes love.

Marriagewithoutloveandhonornevercanprosper.

IX.TheSeventhCommandment.

151)WhatisforbiddenintheSeventhCommandment?Tosteal.152)Whatisittosteal?Totakesecretlyandwrongly.153)WhatdoestheExplanationsaywearenottotakeorsteal?Ourneighbor’smoneyorproperty.154)Howcanourneighbor’smoneyorpropertybetakenfromhim?Secretlyorbyopenviolence.155)Whatisitcalled,whenourneighbor’spropertyistakensecretly?Theft,orstealing.156)What,whenitistakenbyopenviolence?Robbery.157) The Explanation mentions another way of taking our neighbor’s

moneyorproperty.Whatisit?Byfalsewaresordealing.158)Whatnameisgiventothissortofstealing?Cheating.159)Howcanamanstealbymeansof"falsewares?When a man gives bad wares instead of good, or, in general, gives other

thingsthanthosehepromised.

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160)Andhow,by“falsedealing?”By false wares, false weights, false measures, counterfeit money, usury,

extortion, “taking advantage by expert arts and uncommon transactions ordexterous inventions, in short by getting the best of the bargain andwantonlyoppressinganddistressing”ourneighbor.SeetheLargeCatechism,

161)WhatshallhedowhohasbrokenthisCommandment?Eph. 4:28: “Let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labor,

workingwithhishandsthethingwhichisgood,thathemayhavetogivetohimthatneedeth.”2Tim.2:19:“LeteveryonethatnameththenameofChristdepartfrominiquity.”

162)Andwhatshallbedonewithwhathehadstolen?Ex.22:3.He shouldmake full restitution.Ez.33:15. “If thewicked restore

thepledge,give again thathehad robbed,walk in the statutesof life,withoutcommitting iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Compare also theworkingofGod’sgraceonZacchaeus,Luke19:8.

163)Butifherefusetodothis?Then he neither repents nor believes. He has not God’s forgiveness, and

God’sthreatagainstthieveshangsoverhim.1Cor.6:10.164)What ought we do, according to the Explanation of the Seventh

Commandment?Helpourneighbortoimproveandprotecthispropertyandliving.165)Why is not our neighbor’smoneymentioned here, as in the first

partoftheExplanation?Becauseitbelongstohisproperty.166)Whyisourneighbor’slivingmentionedspecially?Becausehispropertydependsonhisliving,i.e.,onwhatheearns.Thisliving

isthesourceofhismoneyandproperty.167)Whyisitsaidweshouldhelphimtoimproveandprotectit?Becausewecannotimproveandprotectitourselves;wecanonlyhelphimto

doso;ourneighborandothersmusthelp too;andespeciallydoesheneed theHelperofallhelpers,AlmightyGod.

X.TheEighthCommandment.

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168)WhatisforbiddenintheEighthCommandment?Tobearfalsewitnessagainstourneighbor.169)Whatiswitness?Every opinion, every utterance, which we form or express concerning

anything,isawitness.170)Whatwitnessiscalledfalse?First,thatinwhichheartandwordarefalse;andsecondly,thatinwhichthe

wordsareright,butheartandpurposearefalse.171) Is only false witness before a court of law forbidden in this

Commandment?Though we should least of all give false testimony in court, yet this

Commandmentforbidsallfalsewitness.172)WhatdoestheExplanationoftheEighthCommandmentreckonto

befalsewitness?Fourthings:falselytobelieourneighbor,i.e.,tolieabouthim;

betrayhim;

slanderhim;

defamehim.

Definethesewords.173)Inhowmanyofthesecasesarebothheartandwordfalse?Inthree—lying,slanderanddefamation.174)Inwhichofthemmaythewordsberight,whiletheheartisfalse?Betrayal.175)Whatisittobetrayanyone?Totellhissecretstohisharm.176)Howcanthewordsberightinsuchacase?Becausethesecretmaybetoldasitis.177)Butwhyistheheartfalse?Becausethesecretistoldtohurtourneighbor.178)What,forinstance,wasthetruthtoldbyJudas?ThesecretresortofJesus.179)AndwhydoyousayJudas’heartwasfalseinthis?BecauseheintendedtohandoverhisMasterintothehandsofHisenemies.180) It iswrong togive falsewitnessagainstourneighbor;would itbe

allowabletobearfalsewitnessforhim?

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No.Neither theheartnor thewordofaChristianmanmaydepart fromthetruth,whethertheissuebefororagainstourneighbor.Deut.16:20;Lev.19:15;Ps.34:13.

181)Isitrighttogivetruewitnessagainstourneighbor?Certainly,andwemustdoitwhennecessary.182)Butthismightdohimharm?Itisnotbesttoshrinkfromhurtingasinner,ifthehurtmaybewholesomefor

hissoul.Itoftenservestorescueinnocence,andthewelfareofmanyorofall,andthehonoroftheLord,tosaythetruthofamantohishurt.

183)Butisitnotgenerallythoughttobebetrayal,ifonespeaktruthtotheinjuryofhisneighbor?

Butit isnotso.Weshoulddoright, that truthmaybehonoredinwordanddeed.

184)Whatmoremustwedo,accordingtotheExplanationoftheEighthCommandment?

Excuseourneighbor,speakwellofhim,andmakethebestofallhedoes.Whatisittoexcuse?Whenoughtwespeakwellofanyone?Whatdoyou

mean,bymakingthebestofallhedoes?185)Oughtweinallcases,excuseourneighbor,speakwellofhim,and

makethebestofallhedoes?No,forthenwewouldoftenhavetopervertthetruth.Wecannotdenyproven

guilt, we cannot call evil good, open baseness we cannot call right, withoutbearingfalsewitness.

186) What shall we do, when in any particular case we are in doubtwhethertoexcuse,speakwellof,ormakethebestof,anything?

Let love decide,whichwalkswithout blame in the kingdomof truth (Eph.4:15),whichislong-sufferingandkind,andbelieves,hopesandbearsallthings(1Cor.13:4,7),andisanenemyofallfalsehood.

XI.TheNinthCommandment.

187)WhatisforbiddenintheNinthCommandment?Tocovet.188)Whatdoesitforbidustocovet?

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Ourneighbor’shouse.189)TowhatisthisextendedintheExplanation?Hisinheritanceorhome.190)Ifweareforbiddentowishforourneighbor’sinheritanceorhome,

isitwrongtowishtobuyaninheritanceorhouse?Towishtobuyanythingisnotforbidden.Itisnotanunrighteouswishifthe

desireceasesassoonasthesaleisrefused.191)Butwhat,then,doestheNinthCommandmentforbid?Twothings:tocraftilyseektogainourneighbor’sinheritanceorhome,andto

getitbyashowofright.192)AndwhyisthisforbiddenintheExplanation?Because it is the bad fruit of a bad, unrighteous desire for our neighbor’s

inheritanceorhome.193) What desire for a neighbor’s inheritance or home do you call

unrighteous?Thatwhichdoesnotregardtheinviolabilityofanother’sproperty,butaimsat

getting it without and against the will of its just owner, which may be donecraftilyorwithanappearanceoflegality.

194)WhatdoestheExplanationbidusdo?Tohelpandserveourneighbor.195)Inwhat?Inkeepinghisinheritanceorhome.

TenthCommandment

196)WhatisforbiddeninthisCommandment?Coveting,again.197)Andwhatarewehereforbiddentocovet?Anythingthatisourneighbor’s.198)Whatismentionedespecially?Hiswife,manservant,maidservant,andcattle.199)What,accordingtotheExplanation,areweforbiddentodotoour

neighbor’scattle?Letthemloose,ordrivethemaway.200)How?Withoutourneighbor’sknowledgeandconsent.

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201)Whatarewenottodotohiswifeandservants?Estrangethem,orenticethemaway.202)Butwhat,ontheotherhand,oughtwedo?Urgethemtostayanddotheirduty.

XII.OftheNinthandTenthCommandments.

203)WhatisthenforbiddenintheNinthCommandment?Alllustorcoveting.204)AndintheTenth?Coveting,again.205)Lustingafterwhat,isforbiddenintheNinthCommandment?Afteronething,ourneighbor’shouse.206)AndwhatlustisforbiddenintheTenth?Afteranythingdeniedtomeandgiventoanother;allsortsofdesiresofwhat

othershave.6207)What do you call the evil disposition of the soulwhich sets all its

desireononethingwhichitisforbiddentohave?Apassion.IntheNinthCommandment,asitisgivenEx.20:17,thepassion

ofavariceisforbidden.208)WhatnamedoestheChurchgiveto“passion?”Actuallust.209)"Whyisitsocalled?Becauseiturges,anddoesnotrest,tillevilisdone.210)What,therefore,isforbiddenintheNinthCommandment?Lust.211)Andwhatisthemiserabledispositioncalled,which,dissatisfiedwith

whatitselfhas,grudgesaneighborwhateverhehas,hiswife,hishousehold,hiscattle,inshortwhateverhemayhave?

Covetousnessanddiscontent.212)Whoisfreefromsuchadisposition?Naturally,noone.OnlyChristtheLord.213)Andwhencehavewethisdiscontentedandcovetousheart?Itishandeddownfromparentstochildren,eversincetheFallofAdam.

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214)Andwhatdoyoucallittherefore?Inheritedlust.(NaturalConcupiscence.)215)WhichCommandmentopposestoinheritedlustalltheauthorityof

theLord?TheTenth,—inforbiddingallthewanderingdesireofthesoul,allwishing

forwhatisourneighbor’s.216)Isnaturalconcupiscencethesamethingas“originalsin?”No.Itisonlyapartofit.217)Whatisoriginalsin?Inherited and inborn lust and inclination to evil— and also inherited and

inbornpowerlessnessinrespectofwhatisright.218)Bywhatisevillustawakenedinman?TheCommandment.St.Paul,inRom.7:7,8,says,“Ihadnotknownsinbut

bytheLaw:forIhadnotknownlust,excepttheLawhadsaid,Thoushaltnotcovet.Butsin,takingoccasionbytheCommandment,wroughtinmeallmannerofconcupiscence;forwithouttheLawsinwasdead.”

219)Whatistheresultoftheexcitementofinbornlust?Actuallust,withallactualsininwordanddeed.220)Andhowdoesactuallustcomeoutofthesinfuldesireinourhearts?When a man takes pleasure in sinful desire and yields his will to its

temptation.“Everymanistempted,whenheisdrawnawayofhisownlust,andenticed.Thenwhenlusthathconceived,itbringethforthsin;andsin,whenitisfinished,bringethforthdeath.”James1:14,15.

221)WhatdoestheTenthCommandmentshowus?Thesourceofallactualsin.222)Andwhatisthesourceofallgoodworks?Fear,loveandtrustinGod,i.e.thefulfillmentoftheFirstCommandment,to

whichIamadmonishedbytheexplanationofeveryotherCommandment.223)Andhowdoesthisbecomethesourceofalltrulygoodworks?ThefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom.Loveisthefulfillingofthe

Law.AndtheythattrustinHimbringforthfruitwithoutceasing.Wewillneitherdo wrong, nor neglect what is right, if we live in observance of the FirstCommandment.

224)What,however,resiststheobservanceoftheFirstCommandment?Inbornpowerlessnessanddisinclinationtogood.Originalsin,whichtempts

metoallevil,hindersallmyattemptstodoright.

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XIII.TheConclusiontotheCommandments.

225)WhatdoestheLordthyGodcallHimself?AjealousGod.226)Whois“jealous?”Onewhoisstrictinrequiringtheloveduehim.227)IfGodisstricttorequiretheloveduetoHim,whatdoesHefind?Hefindsthatmenratherhate,thanloveHim;ThatfathersbringuptheirchildrentohateHim;Andthatthechildrenwalkinthefootstepsoftheirparents.1Pet.1:18.228)AretherereallymenwhohateGod,andwhobringuptheirchildren

tohateHim?St. John says (1 John 5:3), “This is the love of God, that we keep His

Commandments.” And therefore a persistent disobedience to HisCommandmentscanbenothingbutahatredofGod.

229)Ifnow,theLordseesgenerationaftergenerationwalkinhatredtoHim,whatdoesHedo?

He visits the sins of the fathers upon the children, i. e., He punishes thechildren with their fathers and like their fathers, because with and like theirfatherstheywalkinhatredtoHim.

230)AndwhatisHispurposeinsodoing?ThatHemaybringthechildrenfromthewayoftheirfathers.231)AndhowfardoesHecontinuetodoso?Tothethirdandfourthgeneration.Whatisageneration?232)WillHethenavengethesinsofparentsonpiouschildren?No,HespeaksoffathersandchildrenthathateHim.Ifchildrendonotfollow

thesinoftheirparentstheywillnotfollowtheminthepunishment.Jer.31:29.Ez.18:2.

233)Butwhatifitdoesnogoodtovisittheiniquitiesofthefathersuponthechildrentothethirdandfourthgeneration?

Then He will destroy the children of such parents on account of theirobstinate hatred and disobedience, as is to be seen in the case of the kings ofIsrael.

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234) But what does He promise to them that love Him and keep HisCommandments?

Hewillshowmercyuntothousandsofthem.Ex.20:6.235)What, according to the Explanation, is contained in these words

concerningtheCommandments?Threatening and promise. He threatens to punish all who transgress these

Commandments.Hepromisesgraceandeveryblessingtoallwhokeepthem.236)WhydoesHethreatenus?ThatwemayfearHiswrathandnotbreakHisCommandments.237)AndwhydoesHegiveapromise?ThatwemayloveandtrustinHim,andgladlydowhatHehascommanded

us.

1. ThisiscalledtheSixthPart,thoughputinthefifthplace,becauseitwasaddedafteralltherest.↩

2. InordernottotaketheNameofJehovahinvain,andreallytokeeptheSecondCommandment, the Jewsdidnotutter it at all,butwhenever itoccursintheOldTestamenttheyreadinsteadofitAdonai,whichmeansLord. Consequentlywe no longer knowwhether theword ought to bepronouncedJehovah,orinsomeotherway.Therefore,aftertheexampleoftheJews,allourversionsoftheScriptureshavetheWordLord,wherethewordJehovahisfoundintheHebrew.InanEnglishBible,wheneverthe word stands for the Hebrew Name Jehovah, it is printed in smallcapitals,LORD.↩

3. Nothing is easier than to teach to call on God, pray, praise and thankHim.OfCallingonGod,seeLuther’sLargeCatechismattheendoftheSecondCommandment.(Müller’sedition,p.399f.§§70-77).As toPrayer, let the teacherkeep tohisdefinitions.What is it topray?WhathaveyoutoaskofGod?"Herelethimtelltheneedsofoursoulsand bodies. “How do you speak to your father,when you ask him forsomething to eat?” Answer: “Dear father, I pray you give me somebread.”“Well.SneakinthesamewaytoyourheavenlyFather,withthisdifference only, that in His presence, which you always are in, youshouldspeakwithadorationandperfectconfidence.”—Inthesamewaypraiseandthanksgivingmaybeexplained.

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Whatisittopraise?TellmewhatGodislike,andwhatHehasdone?"—Hereteachsimplyandwithpracticalexamplesthesweetdoctrineofthe Attributes of God, which a child will need only a littleencouragementtofindvianegationiseteminentiae.Whentheattributes(Names)ofGodhavebeenrecounted, thensayaSursumCorda (not inLatin,ofcoursenotinanunknowntongue),andtellthechildtonametheattributesandworksofGodinthepresenceofGod.E.g.“Merciful,andgraciousistheLord,longsuffering,etc.”Or,“Thouhastmademe.Thouhastpreservedme.ThouarttheCreatorofallthings.Thouupholdestallthings.”TheHallelujahPsalmsaffordanexcellentexample,andachildwillunderstandthem.And so with Thanksgiving. What is it to give thanks?" Answer: “Torecognizeandown that a thing isGod’sgift.” “Tellme someofGod’sgoodgifts.”Whatdoyousaywhenyougivethanks?"“ThatIlive,thatIseethelight,thatIhearThyvoice,etc.,allisThygoodgift,giventomethoughIdonotdeserveit.Iknowthis,andIownitbeforeTheeandThyangels and all theworld.For this I thankThee.”—ManyPsalmswillshowhowpraiseandthanksgivingarewoventogether.ThesamedeedofGodcanberegardedasmarkofHisgreatnessandofHiskindness; thesameAttribute(NameofGod)willshowHisgloryandHiskindnesstous.Proof:“WethankTheeforThygreatglory;”HisWord isHisgloryand our Salvation.— The author knows by experience how easy andshort andyethow instructive such trainingof thechildren inprayer is.Only,toavoidlevity,suchexerciseshouldnotbetoofrequent.Tomanychildrenitissweetandblessed.↩

4. See the Augsburg Confession, Art. 28. “For they that think that theobservation of the Lord’s day was appointed by the authority of theChurch, insteadof theSabbath, asnecessary, aregreatlydeceived.TheScripture, which teacheth that all the Mosaical ceremonies can beomittedaftertheGospelisrevealed,hasabrogatedtheSabbath.Andyet,because itwas requisite to appoint a certain day, that thepeoplemightknowwhen theyought tocome together, it appears that the [Christian]ChurchdidforthatpurposeappointtheLord’sday:whichforthiscausealsoseemedtohavebeenpleasing, thatmenmighthaveanexampleofChristian liberty, and might know that the observation, neither of theSabbath,norofanyotherday,wasofnecessity.”

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AlsoLarge Catechism: “We keep the festal days, not for the sake ofintelligent and learned Christians (for they have no need of thisobservance), but first of all for bodily causes and necessities, whichnature teaches and requires; and for the common people,man-servantsandmaid-servants,whoareoccupiedthewholeweekwiththeirworkandtrade,thatforadaytheymayforbear,inordertorestandberefreshed.Secondly, and most especially, that on such a day of rest, time andopportunitybetakentoattenddivineservice,andafterwardtopraiseGodinsingingandprayer. . .Initselfnoonedayisbetterthananother,andthisshouldindeedoccurdaily;butsincethemassofpeoplecannotgivesuchattendance,theremustbeatleastonedayintheweeksetapart...SincefromofoldSundayhasbeenappointedforthispurpose,weshouldalso continue the same, that everything be done in order. . . The dayneeds no sanctification for itself. . . God desires it to be holy to thee.Therefore itbecomesholyorunholyon thyaccount,accordingas thouartoccupiedonthesamewiththingsthatareholyorunholy.Howthendoessuchsanctificationoccur?Notthatwithfoldedhandswesitbehindthestoveanddonoroughwork,ordeckourselveswithagarlandandputonourbestclothes,butthatweoccupyourselveswithGod’sWordandexerciseourselvestherein. . .Since, then,somuchdependsuponGod’sWordthatwithoutitnoSabbathcanbekeptholy,weoughttoknowthatGodwillinsistuponastrictobservanceofthisCommandment,andwillpunishallwhodespiseHisWord,andarenotwillingtohearandlearnit,especiallyatthetimesappointedforthepurpose.”↩

5. “Allwhomwecallmastersare in theplaceofparentsandmustderivetheirpowerandauthority togovern fromthem.Hencealso theyareallcalledfathersintheScriptures.”—LutherintheLargeCatechism.ReadtherethewholegloriousexplanationoftheFourthCommandment.↩

6. Ex. 20:17, the Ninth Commandment forbids to covet our neighbor’shouse; and the Tenth, to covet his wife. But in Deut. 5:21, in therepetitionoftheCommandments,thewifeismentionedintheNinth,andthe house in the Tenth. This shows that the distinction of the twoCommandments does not dependon the distinctionbetweenhouse andwife,butthatintheNinth,acovetingofonething,andintheTenth,allcovetingofallsortsofforbiddenthings,iscensured.↩

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XIV.QuestionsLeadingToPartII.

238) Have you dreaded God’s displeasure, and not transgressed HisCommandments?Have you loved and trustedHim and gladly donewhatHehascommanded?

Alas, No. I often have broken all the Commandments of my God, in mythoughts,mywordsandmydeeds;oftenerthanIcantell;andthereforeIhavedeservedGod’swrathandpunishment.

239)WillyouhenceforthkeepGod’sCommandmentsbetterthaninthepast?

Iamnotable to.“Iknowthat inme, that is, inmyflesh,dwellethnogoodthing.”Rom.7:18.

240)Andhaveyouthennohopeofamendment?Yes,Ihave.“Godworksinus,bothtowillandtodoofHisgoodpleasure.”

Phil.2:13.241) But are you not already lost because of your countless

transgressions?No.“ChristhasredeemedusfromthecurseoftheLaw,beingmadeacurse

forus.”Gal.3:13.242)HowdoyouknowthatyouarefreedfromthecurseoftheLaw,and

thatGodwillmakeyoubetter?FromtheGospel.243)AndhowwillGodmakeyoubetter?ThroughtheGospel,givenbytheHolyGhosttothemthathear.Gal.3:2.244)Willyoutheneverbeperfectlycleanandholybeforeyoudie?No.Sin,whichclingstomeevenuntildeath,willnotletmebeperfect.Even

tothedayofmydeathIwillfindsinandweaknessinthebestthingsIdo.245)"WheredoyoulearntheGospel?InPartII.oftheCatechism,towhichwearecomingnow.246)IstheFirstPartoftheCatechismuselesstoyoubecauseyouneither

couldkeeptheLawoftheLord,norcannowkeepitasyououghtto?1Certainlynot.Ithasbeenofusetomehithertoasabarandalooking-glass,

andIhopeitwillalsoprovetomeabitandbridle.

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247)Howhasitbeena“bar”toyou?Justasawildbeastwhencagedstillisawildbeast,butthebarswillnotlet

himbreakoutanddoharm,sotheLawkeepsanunconvertedmanfromgivingreintoallthebadimpulsesthatareinhim.

248)Andinwhatsenseisitalooking-glass?IseeintheLawthesinfulnessofmysoul.“ThroughtheLawistheknowledgeofsin.”Rom.3:20.249)Andhowcanitbeabitandbridle?Justasawell-brokenhorsecanbeguidedbyagentlemotionofthehand,and

evenofafinger,soamanwhohasbeenrenewedbyGod’sWord,andhasagoodwill,canbeledandguidedbythelawofGodonthewaytoeternallife.Matt.11:30.

250)Andwhat do you need above all else, in order that theLawmaybecomethistoyou,andthatyoumaylearnandkeepthisthirduseofit?

ThatIlearntheGospelfromthisSecondPartoftheCatechism,andfromtheGospelreceivetheSpirit,whowillrenewandconfirmmyspiritinobediencetoGod’sCommandments.

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XV.QuestionsIntroductoryToPartII.

251)WhatdoyoucalltheSecondPartoftheCatechism?TheCreed.252)Whatisthemeaningofthatword?Itmeans1.astatementofwhatweoughttobelieve,and2.thebeliefofour

hearts.258)WhatisaCreed?AConfessionofFaith,whichmaybewrittenorprinted,ormaymerelybe

keptinthememory.254)Andwhatdoyoumeanbythe“Beliefoftheheart?”Thecertainassurance that all divine saving truth iswhat theConfessionof

FaithorCreedcontainsandconfesses.255)Butisnotfaith,accordingtoHeb.2:1,thesubstanceofthingshoped

for,theevidenceofthingsnotseen?Yes.ButtheCreedtellswhatthingsarehopedfor,andwhatarethethingsnot

seen.256)Bywhichfaitharewesaved,theCreedorthebeliefoftheheart?Byneitheralone,butbybothtogether.Hewhodoesnotknowwhattobelieve

issavedaslittleashewhodoesnotbelievewhatheought.TheCreedwithout faith helps not at all; and faith is impossiblewithout a

Creed.

Remark.—Justashead,memory,mouthandheartbelongtooneandthesameman,socreedandfaith,confessionandassurance,belongtogetherandareone.257)Wheredoyoufindastatementofwhatyououghttobelieveinyour

heart?IntheApostles’Creed.258)Whydoyoucallit“theApostles’Creed?”BecauseitpreciselyagreeswiththewordsandteachingsoftheApostles.259)ArethereotherCreeds?TheNicene,of theyear325, theAthanasian (of theformerpartof thefifth

century), the Augsburg Confession and its Apology of 1530, the Smalkald

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Articlesof1537,andtheFormulaofConcordof1579.TheSmallandtheLargeCatechismsarealsoconfessionsoftheChurch.

260)WhatisthedifferencebetweentheseConfessions?They do not contain different beliefs, but they belong to different periods,

havedifferentends,andexhibitdifferentmannersofcomposition.Oneexplainsandcompletestheother,butallagreeinthesamefaith.

261)DoesthewholeSecondPartoftheCatechismbelongtotheApostles’Creed?

No.TheExplanation, though quiteworthy of the text, comes not from theApostles,norfromtheirtime,butfromDr.MartinLuther.

262)HowistheApostles’Creeddivided?IntothreeArticles.263)WhatdoesthefirstArticleofFaithconfess?TheFirstPersonoftheGodhead,theFather,andHisworks.264)AndwhatareHisworks?CreationandProvidence.265)AndwhatdoestheSecondArticleconfess?TheSecondPersonoftheGodhead,theSon,andHiswork—Redemption.266)AndwhatdoestheThirdArticleconfess?The Third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost, and His work— the

sanctificationofmankindinHisholyChurch.267)AndisourCreedthereforealovelypictureoftheHolyTrinity?Yes.AsthereisonetrueeternalGodandinHimthreePersons;sohavewe

onefaith,butinthatoneFaitharetherethreeArticles.

XVI.OfTheHolyTrinity.

The doctrine of theHolyTrinity is not expressly treated in Luther’s SmallCatechism,but it ispresupposed, for aman is togrow inbeliefof it from thehourofhisbirth.TheproofofthedoctrineeasilymaybedrawnfromtheHolyScriptures,thus:

ItiswithoutdoubtthattheLordisOneGod.Ex.20:3;Deut.6:4;Mark12:29;1Cor.8:6;Is.44:6,8.

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Justaslittlequestioncantherebe,thattheHolyScripturesascribethenamesofGod,HisAttributes,WorksandGlory,tothreePersons.

1)TotheFather.E.g.Eph.1:3,7.2)TotheSon.John1:1,3,5,22,23;2:25;8:58;17:5;21:17;20:28;12:41,

comparedwithIs.6:1;Acts20:28;Rom.9:5;Col.1:16,17:1Tim.3:16;Heb.1:3,6;Rev.1:8;Jer.23:6;Micah5:1;Is.60:3.

3)TotheHolyGhost.Acts5:3,4,9;1Cor.2:10,12;3:16;12:4-6,11;Heb.9:14.

Wefindallthreetogether.Matt.3:13ff;28:19;2Cor.13:13.If there isOneDivineBeing,yet threedistinctDivinePersons, theseThree

PersonsmustbeOneDivineBeing,andthisOneDivineBeingmustbeineachoftheseThreePersons.Thisisasecureconclusionoffaith.Thedoctrineisfarbeyondourunderstanding;butthushasGodrevealedHimself, thuswillHebeworshiped,soisHe.

ThisknowledgeoftheTriuneGodisnecessarytoeternallife,becauseeternallifeconsistsinthetrueknowledgeofGod,John17:3.NoonehastheFatherwhohasnottheSonandtheSpirit,1John2:23,Rom.8:9,andnoonecanreceivetheBaptism that saves, except in belief and confession of the Triune God.Matt,28:19.

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XVII.QuestionsOnTheMeaningOfPartII.

268)WhatisthesubjectoftheFirstArticle?Creation.WhatisthemeaningofCreate?Creator?Creation?269)TowhichofthethreePersonsoftheGodheadiscreationespecially

attributed?TotheFirst,theFather.270)OnwhomdoyouthereforebelieveintheFirstArticle?GodtheFather.271)WhydoyoucallHimFather?In distinction from the Second Person of the Godhead, the Only begotten

Son,WhoisinthebosomoftheFather(John1:14,18),WhomweconfessintheSecondArticle.

272)WhatistheFather?TheCreator.273)AndwhatdidHecreate?Heavenandearth.274)Whatisthewordforheavenandearthtogether?TheWorld,ortheUniverse.275)What do you call God becauseHewas able tomake heaven and

earth?TheAlmighty.276)What,accordingtotheExplanation,doyoubelieve?ThatGodhasmademe.277)Youonly?No.Togetherwithallcreatures.Whatis“acreature?”278)WheredoyoufindadescriptionofCreation?InthefirsttwochaptersoftheBible.279)InhowmanydaysdidGodmakeheavenandearth?Insixdays.280)WhatdidHemakeonthefirstday?

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Heavenandearth,anddayandnight.281)Andwhatweretheworksoftheotherdays?Onthesecond,Godfinishedtheheavens;Onthethird,seaandland,andall

plants;Onthefourth,sun,moonandstars;Onthefifth,fishesandbirds;Onthesixth,landanimalsandman.

282)WhicharethenoblestofGod’screatures?Angelsandman.283)Whataretheangels?Gloriousspirits,withoutbodiessuchaswehave.Heb.1:7;Col.1:16.284)Weretheycreatedbeforetheworld?No.GodendedallHisworkinsixdays.Gen.2:1,2.Ps.104:3,theAngelsarereckonedamongtheworksofGod.285)Whenweretheymade?Wedonotknow,thoughPs.104:3mayincludethemonthesecondday.286)Whatisthedifferencebetweenmenandangels?Manisaspirit,buthehasalsoabodyoffleshandbone.287)Wheredoyoufindanaccountofthecreationofman?Inthefirst,butespeciallyinthesecond,chapteroftheBible.288)WhatdidGodgivetomanathiscreation?Bodyandsoul.283)AndwhatdidHegivetothebody?Eyes,earsandallitsmembers.290)WhydoestheCatechismmentioneyesandearsparticularly?Becausetheseareatthepresentourprincipalmembers,andthemostuseful

tooureternalsalvation.291)Whatusedoyoumakeofyoureyes?WiththemIseeGod’sgloryinHisworks—andreadtheBible.292)Andofyourears?WiththemIhearHisworks,especiallyHissavingWord.293)WhatdidGodgivetoyoursoul?Reasonandallmysenses.294)Whatusedoyoumakeofreason?ByitmyspiritgraspswhatGod’sSpiritsaystomeinHisWord.295)Whatdoyouunderstandby“allyoursenses?”Theotherpowersofthesoul,suchasthewill,thememory,etc.

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XVIII.

296)Didtheangelsremainintheirfirstestate?Notall.Manyabodenotinthetruth(John8:44),butsinned(2Pet.2:4):kept

nottheirhighestatebutforsooktheirhabitation(Jude6.).297)Whendidthattakeplace?AfterCreationhadbeenfinished;forwhenHehadfinishedall,Godsaidthat

itwasgood.Gen.1:31.298)Howmanykindsofangelsarethere,sincethen?Two,goodandbad.299)Wheredidevilbegin?Intheangels,someofwhomturnedtheirmindandwillawayfromGod.300)HavemencontinuedtobewhatGodmadethem?No.Misledbythedevil,theprinceofthefallenangels,Eve,andthenAdam,

fell.Gen.3.301)Andwhatwastheconsequenceofthefall?Adamandhisposteritybecamebad.Gen.5:3;6:3,5;8:21.302)WhatdidAdamtherebylose?ThelikenessofGodinwhichhehadbeencreated;whichbeforethefallhe

possessed inhis completeness, freedom, immortality and strengthofbodyandsoul;andwhichnowhewillhavetoputonagain.Gen.1:16-28;Col.3:10;Eph.4:24.

303)HasGodnowturnedawayfrommenaltogether?No.Althoughtheybecamemiserableandcontinuallyfellmoreandmoreinto

forgetfulness ofGod and into sin,He resolved to redeem them, and promisedOnewhoshouldbruisetheserpent’shead,Gen.3:15,andconquerhell.

304)Havetheholyangelsforsakensinfulmen?No, for theirCreator has not. They are allministering spirits, sent forth to

ministertothemthatshallbeheirsofsalvation.Heb.1:14.305)AndwhatdoestheLordinHismercystilldoformen?Preservesus.306)HowdoestheCatechismexpressthis?Hestillpreservesme.307)Whatisimpliedbytheword“still”?

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ItisanadmiringhintofthedepthofourfallandoftheunfathomablenessofGod’sgrace.

308)DoestheLordgiveandpreservetousonlyourbodiesandsoulsandalloursenses?

No.Besides,Hegivesandpreservesmanythings,withoutwhichIcouldnotexist.

309)WhatdoesHegivetocoverthepoorbodyoffallenman?Clothingandshoes.Gen.3:21.310)Whatforitsnourishment?Meatanddrink.311)Whatforshelter?Houseandhome.312)Whatforaffectionandsociety?Wifeandchild.313)Whatforworkandemployment?Land,cattleandgoods.2314)AndhowdoyousayHegivesyouall?HeprovidesmewithallthatIneedforthisbodyandlife.WhatisNeed?315)WhydoestheCatechismsay,“Ofthisbodyandlife”?Becausewe are speaking here of temporal benefits only, and have not yet

cometotheredemptionofmenfromallevil,andthegloryofthepromisedbodyandlife.

316)AndinwhatmeasuredoesHeprovide?Richly.317)Andhowlongandhowoften?Daily.318)AndisthattheendofHisgoodness?No.Heprotectsme.Whatisit“toprotect”?319)AgainstwhatdoesHeprotectyou?Againstalldanger.320)AndwhatmoredoesHedo?Hekeepsandguardsme.Whatdothesewordsmean?321)Fromwhat?Allevil.

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322)TheFirstArticle issaidtotreatofCreationandProvidence:Howthendoescare,protection,preservationandguardingcomeintoit?

God provided for us 1. by supplying all our wants, and 2. by protecting,keepingandguardingusagainstallevil.3

323)WhydoesGoddoallthis?Purelyoutoffatherlydivinegoodnessandmercy.324)Andwithoutwhatonyourpart?Withoutanymeritorworthinessinme.4325)AndwhatdoyouthereforeoweGod?ForallthisIamindutyboundtothankandpraise,toserveandobeyHim.Hereexamineyourself.326)Howdoyouconfirmwhatyouhavejustconfessed?Thisismostcertainlytrue.337)Whatoldwordofanothertongueexpressesthis?Amen.

XIX.

328)OnwhomdoyoubelieveintheSecondArticle?InJesusChrist.What is the meaning of the name “Jesus”? What is the meaning of

“Christ”?329)WhoisJesusChrist?TheSonofGod.330)AreyounotasonandchildofGod?Yes,butnotinthesamesenseinwhichJesusisGod’sSon.331)Whynot?IamanadoptedchildofGod,andsoareallotherbelieversonearth.Christ,

however,isbornofGod’sownsubstance,GodofGod.Nooneelsecansaythisofhimself.

332) What does the Creed therefore call Jesus Christ, incontradistinctionfromallothersons?

TheOnly-begottenSonofGod.John1:14,18;Col.1:15.333)OfwhomdidHismotherconceiveHim?

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OftheHolyGhost.5Luke1:26-38.334)OfwhomwasHeborn?OftheVirginMary.6Luke2:1-20.335)WhyisshecalledtheVirgin?BecausesheisthepromisedVirginbeyondcompare,andbecausebeforeand

afterthebirthofherblessedSonsheremainedaVirgin.Is.7:14.336)Was thiswonderfulSonofGodandof theVirgin receivedby the

worldasHedeservedtobe?No.Hewasnot treatedasHeought tohavebeen.“HecameuntoHisown,

andHisownreceivedHimnot.”John1:11.337)WhathappenedtoHim?After thirty-threeyearsofweary life came theheavyPassion,ofwhich the

Creedsays.Hesuffered7Matt.26:27;Mark14:15;Luke22:23;John18:19.338)UnderwhomdidHesuffer?UnderPontiusPilate, thegovernorappointedby theRomanEmperor.Matt.

27:11ff.;Mark15:1ff.339)Whatshamefulpunishmentwasinflicted?Hewascrucified,Matt,27:31-35;Mark15:25ff.;Luke23:33ff.;John19:16-

25.340)Andwhatwastheawfulendofthis?Hedied.8Matt,27:50;Mark15:37;Luke23:46;John19:30.341)DowecertainlyknowthatHediddie?Yes,weknowitbythetestimonyofGodandmen.Ithadbeenforetoldbythe

holyProphets(Is.53.)“ThusitbehoovedChristtosuffer,andbepreachedtoallnations.”Luke24:46,47.OntheCrossourLordHimselfcommendedHisspiritintoHisFather’shands,Luke23:46,andthengaveuptheghost.Manysawandheardit,(Luke23:47-49).ThesoldierspiercedHissidewithaspear-wound,intowhichamanmightputhishand. John19:33f;20:27.AndPilatealso inquiredcarefullyconcerningHisdeath.Mark18:44,45.

342)AndwhatoccurredafterHisdeath?HewasburiedinthenewtombofthecounselorJosephofArimathea.9Matt,

27:60;Mark15:42-46;Luke23:50-53;John19:38-42.

Remark.—ThewholelifeofourLord,fromHislowlybirthinthestableat Bethlehem to His death and burial, is called the state of HisHumiliation.343)DidHeremaindeadandinthegrave?

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Notatall.“HehadpowertolaydownHislife,andHehadpowertotakeitagain.”John10:18.HehadthispowerandHeprovedit.

344)How,inthefirstinstance?HeresumedHislifeinthebodyonEasterMorninganddescendedintoHell.

Eph.4:8-10;Col.2:15;1Pet.3:18-20.345)AndwhatwastheobjectofHisdescentintoHell?That upon the strong man armed the Stronger than he might come (Luke

11:21), tosolemnlytakefromthedeviluntoHimself thepowerofdeath(Heb.2:14), and also to fill Hell with the glory of His Divine-human Person (Eph.4:8ff.),totriumphoverthepowersofHellopenly(Cor.2:15),andtoshowtothelosttherighteousnessoffaithinitsvictoryandtriumph,whichtheyhaddespisedandmocked(1Pet.3:18ff.).

346)WhatfollowedthedescentintoHell?Heroseagainfromthedead.10Matt.28:6ff.;Mark16:6;Luke26:5-7;John

20.347)Andwhenwasthis?OnEasterMorning,onthethirddayafterHisdeath.348) DidHe showHimself toHis own afterHis resurrection from the

dead?Yes.ThewomensawHim, thenMaryMagdalene, thenCephas (Peter), the

twoonthewaytoEmmaus,theTen—allonEaster;eightdaysafterwards,theElevensawHim;thedisciplessawHim,attheSeaofTiberias;onthemountaininGalileeHewasseenbyabovefivehundredbrethrenatonce;thenbyJames;andfinally,byalltheApostlesatHisAscension.1Cor.15:1ff.John21.

349)WhydidHeappeartothemsooften?TorenderHisdisciplescertainthatHehadrisen,andtotalkwiththemofthe

kingdomofGod.Acts1:3;Luke24:25ff.;44ff.350)WhatoccurredonthefortiethdayafterEaster?HeascendedintoHeaven.11Mark16:19;Luke26:50,51;Acts1:9-11.351)WhydidHethusgouptoHeaven?“ThatHemightfillallthings.”Eph.4:10.352)AndwhereisHesinceHisascension?HesittethattheRightHandofGodtheFatherAlmighty.353)ArewetounderstandbythismerelythatHesitsinthebodyonthe

throneofglory?No.TositattheRightHandofGodmeanstobeequalwithGodinpowerand

glory.Matt,28:18.

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354)IsHenowfarawayfromuswhoareontheearth?InvirtueofHisentranceupontheFather’spowerandgloryHecanfulfillHis

promise,“Behold,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld,”Matt,28:20;and“WheresoevertwoorthreearegatheredinmyName,thereamI inthemidstofthem.”Matt,18:20.

355)WillHealwaysremainhiddenfromusinHisgreatglory,orwillHecomeagain?

FromthencealsoHewillcomeagain.Matt.24:30.NowHefillsheavenandearth with His divine-human glory, without our seeing it. But He will comevisibly,asHewentvisibly.Acts1:10,11.

356)AndforwhatpurposewillHecome?Tojudgethequickandthedead.Matt.25:31.Whatisit,“tojudge?”Whoare“thequick?”

Remark.—ThelifeofourLord,fromtheDescentintoHell,iscalledthestateofExaltation.Hishumiliationdidnotlastlong,butHisexaltationhasnoend,butenduresfromeverlastingtoeverlasting.

XX.

357)What, according to the Explanation of the Second Article of theCreed,doyoubelieveaboutJesusChrist?

ThatHeismyLord.358)AndwhatdoestheExplanationcallHim?TrueGod.1John5:20.359)OfwhomistheSon,TrueGod,begotten?OftheFather.360)AndwhenwasHebegottenoftheFather?Frometernity.361)Whichisgreater,theFatherortheSon?“As is the Father, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost.” (See the

AthanasianCreed.)EachPersonoftheGodheadisequaltotheother,inessenceandpowerandglory.

362)ButwhatelsedoestheExplanationcallourLord?Trueman.

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363)HowcanyouprovethatHewasTrueMan?BecauseHehadahumansoul,whichcouldbothrejoiceandbetroubledeven

unto death (Luke 10:21;Matt. 26:38), which in dyingHe committed into thehands ofHis Father,whichwas separated from the body; and a human body,whichwasborn,lived,sufferedanddied,asourbodiesdo.

364) Of whom was the trueMan Jesus Christ born, according to theexplanation?

OftheVirginMary.365)WhatdifferenceistherebetweenGodtheFather,GodtheSon,and

GodtheHolyGhost?GodtheSonisalsotrueman;buttheFather,liketheSpirit,isonlytrueGod.

TheSonbecamemanforoursake,buttheFatherandtheSpiritdidnot.366)HowmanynaturesthereforeareunitedintheSecondPersonofthe

Trinity,sinceHebecameMan?Two:thedivinenatureandthehumannaturearetrulyunitedinonepersonin

Christ.

XXI.

367) IsChristnowaccording toHisDivine-humanPersonequal to theFather?

EqualtotheFatheraccordingtoHisGodhead,lessthantheFatheraccordingtoHishumanity.(AthanasianCreed.)John10:29,30;14:28.

368)ThereisnooneliketheSonofGod.HolyandgloriousisHisName,andhighlyexaltedaboveeveryname.What,however,wereyou,fromyouryouthup?

Alostandcondemnedcreature.369)Whatisalostcreature?Onewhoalwaysgoeswrong,whonevercanfindtheendofhisbeingandthe

waytoit,whohasnohopeofcomingtohiseternalhome.370)Whatisacondemnedcreature?OneonwhomGod’scurseliesandshutshimoutfromhiseternalhomeand

fromsalvation.371)Andwhywereyoualostandcondemnedcreature?

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Iwaslost,becauseIdidnotknowthewaytoeternallife;Iwascondemned,becauseGodhadlaidHiscurseuponmeandhaddeliveredmetodeathandthedevil.

372)Youwerelostandcondemned:areyounotstill?No.TheLord Jesus, thegreatSonofGodandof theVirgin,has takenmy

soultoHisheart,thatitmightnotperish.373)AndhowhasHedonethis?Hehasredeemed,purchasedandwonme.Whatisthemeaningofredeemed?ofpurchased?ofwon?374)WhathasHeredeemed,purchasedandwonyoufrom?Fromall sins, on accountofwhich Iwas condemned, and inwhich Iwent

astray.375)Andfromwhatelse?Fromdeath12andfromthepowerofthedevil13,intowhichIwasgivenover.376)InhowfarhasHedeliveredyoufromsins?Heborethecurseofsinforme,Hebrokethedominionofsinoverme,andin

HimIamfreefromsinanditscontrol.377)InhowfarhasHepurchasedyoufromdeath?Hisdeathhasbrokenthestingofmydeath,andmyfleshshallrestinhope,

forHehasbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolightbyHisresurrection.378)AndinhowfarhasHewonyoufromthedevil?Hehastakenawaythedevil’spoweroverme,freedmefromthekingdomof

darkness,andtranslatedmeintothekingdomofloveandlight.379)WherewithdidHeredeem,purchaseandwinyou?Notwithsilverandgold.380)Why?Gold and silver could not redeem immortal souls from the bondage of sin,

fromthechainsofdeath,andfromthepowerofthedevil.381)ButwherewithdidourLordJesusChristredeemyou?WithHisholypreciousblood,andwithHisinnocentsufferingsanddeath.382)AndwhydidHehavetogiveHisbodyandlifeforyourredemption

andthatofallpoorsinners?The rule is, soul for soul. That Imight not be given over to the devil, on

accountofmysin,andtodeath,He,mysubstitute,hadtoinnocentlydieforme,becoming my lamb of sacrifice. “Without shedding of blood there is noremission of sins.”Heb. 9:22.ThereforeSt. JohnBaptist pointed toHim, and

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withhimwesing,OChrist,thouLambofGod,thattakestawaythesinsoftheworld,havemercyuponus!GrantusThypeace!Is.53.;John1:29.

383) Inasmuch as He has bought you with such a price, what is yourconfession?

HeredeemedmethatImightbeHis.384) IfHe thenhasacquiredaperfect right toyou, so thatHe is your

LordandyoubelongtoHim,whatfollows?ThatIaminmyLord’spower,bodyandsoul,fortimeandforeternity,and

Hiswillmustbemine.385)AndwhatisHiswillconcerningyou,sinceyouareHis?ThatIshouldliveunderHiminHiskingdomandnotintheworld,asbefore,

norundertheprinceofthisworld,thedevil.386)AndwhatdoyoumeanbylivingunderHim?ToliveaccordingtoHiswill,toserveHim.387)Andwhatdoestheword“live”meanhere?Nevertodie,toliveforever.388)AndwhydoweliveinHiskingdomforever?Hiskingdomisaneverlastingkingdom;HeisaneverlastingKing,whogives

eternallifetoHispeople.389)WhatdoestheCatechismthereforesayofthislifeunderHim?That we may serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and

blessedness.14390)Canyounotattaintothiseverlastingrighteousness,innocenceand

blessednessuntilafterdeath,inthekingdomofHeaven?Hiskingdomisherenow,andIreceiveeverlastingrighteousness,innocence

andblessednessnow, as soonas I come intoHiskingdom through repentanceandfaith.

391)Butdoyounotsineveryday?But He is righteous, and His righteousness is mine, and in it even the

righteousnessofmyownlifeismadetogrow.392)Buthowcanyoubeinnocentinallyourguilt?Iaminnocentthroughtheforgivenessofmysins.393)Andareyounotsaved?Yes,Iamsaved,thoughinhopeonly.Mysadnesslessensdaily,anddailymy

joybecomesmorecomplete.394)Buthowcanyouspeakofeverlastingrighteousness,innocenceand

blessedness?Willyounotdie?

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AllwillbewithmeasitwaswithChrist;likeasHeisrisenfromthedead,livesandreignstoalleternity.

395)Whatdoesthismean?JustasthroughdeathChristcametoHiseternalthrone,insteadofbeingshut

therefrom,somybodyandmysoulwillnotbedeprivedofeternallifethroughdeath.Iwillrisefromthedead,andwithHimliveandreigntoalleternity.

396)Andwhatdoyou,withtheExplanation,saytothis?Amen.Thisismostcertainlytrue.

XXII.

397)OnwhomdoyoubelieveintheThirdArticle?TheHolyGhost.398)WhoistheHolyGhost?TheThirdPersonoftheGodhead,equaltotheFatherandtheSoninessence,

majestyandglory.399)WhatdoyoubelieveconcerningtheHolyGhost?ThatfromalleternityHeproceedsfromtheFatherandfromtheSon,andhas

beensentbytheFatherandbytheSonforthesanctificationofmen.400)Whatisthemeaningofthewords,“HeproceedethfromtheFather

andtheSon?”TheydenotethemanneroftheoriginoftheThirdPersonoftheTrinity,asit

isdescribedintheAthanasianCreed:"TheFatherismadeofnone:neithercreated,norbegotten."TheSonisoftheFatheralone:notmade,norcreated,butbegotten.“TheHolyGhostisoftheFather,andoftheSon:neithermade,norcreated,

norbegotten,butproceeding.”Allourimaginationandthoughtfallshortofthisthrice-holymystery.401) Is allChristendomagreed in thedoctrine of theprocessionof the

HolyGhostfromtheFatherandtheSon?No. The Eastern church believes that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the

Fatheralone.402)Why?

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BecausenoexpressworddeclaringHisprocessionfromtheSonisfoundintheScriptures.

403)WhythenisitbelievedintheWest?BecauseotherwisetheFatherandtheSonwouldnotbeequal.John16:15.Becauseotherwise theorderofPersonswouldnotbeclear,norwould itbe

evidentwhichistheSecond,andwhichtheThirdPerson.BecauseotherwisetheHolyGhostwouldbesentbytheFatheralone,andnot

bytheFatherandtheSon.John15:26;16:7;14:26.Becauseotherwise theSpirit couldnotbecalled theSpiritof theSon.Gal.

4:6.404)WhatmoredoyoubelieveintheThirdArticle?TheChurch.405)WhatistheChurch?Thecommunionofsaints.406)Whyisitcalledthecommunionofsaints?BecauseallthesaintsofGodarecollectedinitorbelongtoit.407)Whomdoyoucall“saints?”AccordingtoHolyScripture,notonlytheperfectedsaintsofGodinheaven,

but also the saintswho are becoming holy on earth, those called to be saints,whonotyetarewhattheyaretobe,andwhattheycanbecomeandwillbecome.Rom.1:7;1Cor.1:2;Eph.1:1.

408)AretherenotthentwoChurchesandcommunionsofsaints,oneofthecalled,andoneoftheperfect?

No.WebelieveonlyoneChurch, towhichall the saintsofall agesandallplacesbelongintimeandeternity.

409)AndwhatnamedoyougivetotheoneChurch,becauseallsaintsofGodbelongtoithereandintheworldtocome?

OneholyChurch.410)ButarenotunholymenmixedwiththeChurchhereonearth?Yes.As tareswere sownamong thewheat, so are therehypocrites and lip-

worshipersintheChurch.Still,theChurchgetsitsnamefromtheholyinit,asthefieldremainedawheatfieldinspiteofthetares;andhertruemembersseekdaily purification in the forgiveness of their sins, and through daily brotherlyloveandpastoralcare,and throughChristiandiscipline (Matt.18:15ff.)aimatthesanctificationofthewholeaswellasoftheseveralparts.

411)WhatfurthernameisgiventotheChurchintheCreed?Christian.

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412)WhyistheChurchcalled"Christian?"ShebearsthenameofChristherHead,whosebodysheis—andwhoisher

foundation, onwhich she is built up a spiritual habitation and temple ofGod.Eph.4:15f.;1Cor.3:11.

413)Whydowe say, “Ibelieve theholyChurch,” andnot, in theholyChurch?

Becausewebelieve“in”thethreePersonsoftheHolyTrinity.414)WhyistheChurchmentionedintheThirdArticle,whichrefersto

theHolyGhost?WhentheHolyGhostwaspouredoutonPentecost,HefoundedtheChurch.

It isbornofHimthrough theWordandSacraments, it isHiswork,andat thesametimeHisworkplaceandinstrumentforthesalvationofmankind.

415)WhereistheChurch?WhereGod’sWordandSacramentsare.Matt,28:19.416)Whobelongtoit?Allwhobelieveandarebaptized.Mark16:16;Acts2:40-42.417)ButaretherenotmanydifferentChurches?Alas,yes, throughhumanguilt,whichwillnotobey the truth,manyparties

havearisenintheChurch;butincomparisonwiththerestonlyoneistrue.418)AndwhichisthetrueChurch?That which teaches and confesses God’sWord purely, and administers the

SacramentsaccordingtotheinstitutionofChrist.John8:31;10:27.419)WhatChurchdoesthis?The so-called Lutheran church, to which therefore the titles Christian and

Apostolicbelongespecially.420)HowcanyoufindoutwhattheLutheranChurchteaches?Fromherconfessions,whichnoLutheranpreacherdarecontradict.421)WhatarethoseConfessions?The three General Creeds, the Augsburg Confession and the Apology, the

SchmalkaldArticles,thetwoCatechismsofLuther,andtheFormulaofConcord.TheyareallprintedtogetherintheBookofConcord,publishedin1580)

422) How do we know that these Confessions accord with the HolyScriptures?

BycomparingthemwiththeHolyScriptures.423)Andhow canyou find outhow theLutheranChurchadministers

theSacraments?FromtheLiturgies,whichnopastordaredisregard.

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424)ButhowcanyouknowthattheLiturgiesagreewiththeinstitutionofChrist?

Bycomparingthemwithit.425)CananyonebesavedinotherChurches?Yes,becausetheypossessmoreorlessofthesavingtreasureoftheWordand

SacramentsofGod.426)WoulditberighttoremaininanotherChurchthen?No,notafterdiscoveringitserrors.Onewouldnotdareremainknowinglyin

achurch,afterherecognized that its teachingsare falseand itssacramentsarewrongly administered, for to do sowouldmakehim a partaker in the guilt offalsedoctrineandpractice.

427) Is it right to receive the communion in a Church which teachesfalselyoradministersthesacramentsfalsely?

Inasmuchaswebecomeonebody,onechurch,withthosewithwhomweeattheonebread,yetoughtnotbecomeonewithanhereticalcommunion,2John11., we cannot commune with any church fromwhich we have separated, orwhichhasseparatedfromus,onaccountofthetruth.1Tim.6:3-5;Tit.3:10.

428) What then is the proper behavior towards other, i. e. falseChurches?

Not to partake of the communion at their altars, but to testify against theirerrorsbywordanddeed;butnottodenythattheirmembersaresaved,leavingthattoHimwhojudgethrighteously.

XXIII.

429)WhatelsedoyoubelieveintheThirdArticle?Theforgivenessofsins.430) Why is the forgiveness of sins mentioned immediately after the

Church?BecausetheforgivenessofsinsisthegreatGospelthroughwhichtheChurch

isgatheredandpreserveduntothatday.

Remark.– The forgiveness of sins is treated in the II, III., IV.,V.,VI.Parts,becauseitisthesubjectofthewholeCatechism.431)WhyisitfoundintheThirdArticle?

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BecauseitisthewordandcomfortoftheSpiritandHisbestgift.432)WhatelsedoyoubelieveintheThirdArticle?Theresurrectionofthebody.433)Isitpossiblethatanyonewillrisefromthedead?Yes,forChristhasrisen.434)Butisitpossibleforthebodytorise,afterithasdecayed?Christdidnotseecorruption,butweshallseecorruption.Thebodycanrise

again,forLazarusroseagain,andthecorruptiblebodiesofthesaintsroseagainonthedayofourLord’sdeath.Matt,27:52,53.

435)Willourbodiesalsoriseagain?Yes, forHehas said sowhowakenedLazarus from thedead,whoHimself

rosefromthedead,andthroughwhomthebodiesofthesaintsroseagain.436)Willtheseverybodiesriseagain,inwhichweareatpresent?Yes, forotherwise therewouldnotbea resurrectionof thebody,butanew

creation.437)WhydoesthismentionoftheResurrectionfollowtheForgivenessof

sins?Becauseonly those rise toeternal life,whodied in the forgivenessof their

sins.438)Andwhy does this have place in theArticle concerning theHoly

Ghost?Becausethroughtheresurrectionofthebodytheworkofoursanctificationis

completed,whichisbegunintheforgivenessofoursins.439)AndwhatelsedoyoubelieveintheThirdArticle?Thelifeeverlasting.440)WhydoesthiscomejustaftertheResurrection?Because everlasting life, for which our bodies also were created, does not

begininitscompletenessuntilaftertheresurrection.441)AndwhydoeseverlastinglifehaveaplaceintheArticleconcerning

theHolyGhost?Because everlasting life is the final goal towhich theHolyGhost leads us

throughoursanctification.

XXIV.

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442)Tellmewhether,accordingtotheExplanationoftheThirdArticleoftheCreed,youcancometofaithinourLordJesusChrist?

Yes,443)CanyoualsocometoHim,andbeunitedwithHimintimeandin

eternity?Yes,Ican,Idare,andIoughtto.444)Canyoudothisofyourownreasonorstrength?IbelieveIcannotbymyownreasonorstrengthbelieve inJesusChristmy

Lord,orcometoHim.445)Whynot?BecauseofthesinborninmeIlacklightandpower.Rom.3:11,12.446)Whogivesyoufaith,andbringsyoutoJesusChrist?TheLord,theHolyGhost.447)HowdoesHedothis?Intheorderofsalvation.448) What is the first thing the Holy Ghost does in the Order of

Salvation?Hecallsme.Whatisit,tocall?449)WhathasHecalledyoufrom?AwayfromtheworldandforthfromthekingdomofSatan.450)AndwhathasHecalledyouto?ToHisKingdom,HisChurch,theHolyCommunion.451)AndhowhasHecalledyou?ThroughtheGospel.WhatistheGospel?452)Whydoyousay,ThroughtheGospel,andnot,ThroughtheLaw?The Law commands, and because we neither can obey nor answer, it

threatensandcursesus,andfrightensusfromGod.ButtheGospelforgivessinsandpromiseslifeandpeacetosinners,andsoitinvitesandattractsus.NoonecomesfortheLaw’ssake;whoevercomes,comesbecauseoftheGospel.

453)WhatisthesecondgiftoftheHolyGhost?HehasenlightenedmewithHisgifts.Whatisit,toenlighten?454)HowdoesHeenlightenus?WithHisgifts.455)Andwhatarethosegifts?

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ThebrightlightoftheLawandtheGospel,andtheknowledgethatstreamsfromboth.

456)WhatlightdoesHegiveyouthroughtheLaw?Heenlightensmeconcerningmyself,mywickedheart,mycountlesssins.457)AndwhatlightdoesHegiveyouthroughtheGospel?He enlightensme concerningmy redemption— concerningmyRedeemer,

andthesalvationHehaswonforme.458)AndwhatdoestheHolyGhostgiveinthethirdplace?Sanctification.Hehassanctifiedme.459)Whatdoesthismean?Hehasseparatedmefromtheworldandworldliness,andplacedmyfeeton

thewayofpeaceandlove,andgivenmeboththedesireandthepowertogointhisway.

460)AndwhereindoesHesanctifyyou?Inthetruefaith.461)WhydoyousayHesanctifiesyou“inthefaith”?Becausewithoutthefaiththereisnosanctification.462)Andwhydoyousay,“inthetruefaith”?Becauseafalsefaithcannotsanctify,whetheritbethatamanbelieveswhat

isfalse,orontheotherhanddoesnotthoroughlyandhonestlyreceivethetruefaith.John17:17;2Peter1:5-8.

463)Howcanyouattainthetruefaith?Through theGospel,which is thepowerofGoduntosalvation,Rom.1:16.

Throughthepreachingoffaith,fromwhichcomefaith(Rom.10:17)andtheSpiritalso(Gal.3:2;Rom.5:1ff.).464)WhatisthelaststeporgraceoftheOrderofSalvationmentionedin

theCatechism?Preservation.TheHolyGhosthassanctifiedandpreservedme.465)AndwhereinhasHepreservedus?Inthetruefaith.466)Whymustwebepreservedinthetruefaith?Of what use would it be to have begun in the true faith, if we are not

preservedinit?NotthatIbeginmycourse,butthatIfinishit,bringsmetotheprizeofeverlastinglife.

467)Butwhydoweagainsay,inthetruefaith?Because faithalone, the true faith,andstandingandcontinuing in it, saves.

Mark16:16.

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468) And how long must faith be preserved in us, and must we bepreservedinfaith,ifwewishtobesaved?

Untilourend.Rev.2:10.

XXV.

469)DoestheHolyGhostgivethebenefitsofsalvationtoyoualone?Nottomealone,buttothewholeChristianChurchonearth.470)Whydoyousay“onearth?”TheChristianChurchinheavenhasreceivedallthegoodgiftsofthisOrder

ofSalvation,andnolongerisinneedofthem.471)Andwhat, according to theCatechism, doesHe do for thewhole

ChristianChurchonearth?

1. Hecallsher;

2. Hegathersher;

3. Heenlightensher;

4. Hesanctifiesher;

5. Hepreservesher.

472)InunionwithwhomdoesHepreservetheChurch?InunionwithJesusChrist.473)AndwhereindoesHepreservetheChurch?Intheonetruefaith.474)Inspeakingofeachofus,thereisnothingsaidof“Gathering,”but

oftheChurchissaid,“Hegathers.”Whyisthis?Just as you would not speak of gathering when you were bringing home

singleheadsofwheat,butyougathermanythousandsofheads,sowesayofthewholeChristianChurch,butnotofseparatesouls,thatHegathersthem.

475)Oughtnot theGatheringbementionedafter theEnlightening, formustnotonebeenlightenedbeforehecanreallybelongtotheChurch?

Notonlyare thechildrengatheredinHolyBaptismbeforetheyunderstand,butevengrownpeoplereceivemostoftheirChristianknowledgeintheChurch.

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TheChurch neverwaits for the perfect light before receiving unbelievers intoherbosom.Shegathersthosewhoobeythecall,inorderthatshemayenlightenthem.

476)TheHolyGhostissaidtopreservetheChurchinunionwithJesusChrist.WhereisJesusChrist?

ChristiswhereverHisWordispreached;andwhereveranyonethroughHisgracebelievesHisWord,thereHemakesHisabode.Matt,28:18-20;John14:23.

477)HowthencanwebeassuredthatweabideinunionwithChristandarepreservedinunionwithHim?

When throughHisgracewebelieveHisholyWord, and abide in this faithuntilourend.

478) You say, He has sanctified me in the true faith; of the ChristianChurchyousay,Hepreservesherintheonetruefaith.Whydoyouusethatword“One,”inspeakingoftheChurch?

It isclearwithoutsayingit, thatIhavebutonefaith.Butit isworthsayingandgivingthanksforit, that theHolyGhostbringssomanymenasareintheChristianChurchtoonefaithandpreservestheminthesame.

479)AndwhydoestheHolyGhostbringmentoonefaith?Justas there isonlyoneLordandGod,andonlyonebody,oneChurch,so

thereisonlyonetruefaith,andthatfaithonlyhastheassuranceofeverlastinglife.Eph.4:4-6.

480)WhatdoestheHolyGhostdoforyouinthisChristianfellowship?Heforgivesmysins.481)Yoursonly?No.Andthesinsofallbelievers.482)Whydoyousay,Ofallbelievers?Becausetheforgivenessofsinscanbereceivedonlyinfaith.483)HowmuchsindoestheHolyGhostforgiveyou?Allsins;originalsinandactualsins,sinsofomissionandsinsofcommission,

oldsinsandnewsins.484)HowoftendoesHeforgiveyouyoursins?Daily.485)AndinwhatmeasuredoesHeforgiveallyoursins?Richly.15486)ThroughwhomdoesHeforgiveyou?Throughthewordandministryofreconciliation,2Cor.3:6;5:18,19;through

HisservantstowhomHecommittedtheWordandMinistryofreconciliationand

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of the keys, through whom He offers to His people calling, enlightenment,sanctification,andallspiritualblessingsinthisorder.

487) Why do you say, “In which Christian Church,” He daily richlyforgivesallmysins?

BecauseoutoftheChristianChurchthereisnoforgivenessandnosalvation.488)WhatwilltheHolyGhostdoatthelastday?Hewillraiseupmeandallthedead.489)WillnotGodtheSonraiseupthedead?Yes.LiketheFatherraisesupthedead,sodoestheSon,andsodoestheHoly

Ghost. The Father wills; the Son speaks; the Holy Ghost performs. TheresurrectionistheoneworkoftheTriuneGod.Rom.8:11;Ez.37:5,9,14.

490)Andwhenwillthisbedone?Atthelastday.Whatismeantby“thelastday?”491)Willtherebealastday?Themockerssay,“WhereisthepromiseofHiscoming?ButtheLordisnot

slackconcerningHispromise,assomemencountslackness;butislongsufferingto usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come torepentance.”2Pet.3:5-9.

492)Whenwillthelastdaycome?“Onedayiswith theLordasa thousandyears,anda thousandyearsareas

oneday.”ThedayoftheLordwillcomeasathiefinthenight,unexpected,suddenly.2

Pet.3:8,10.493)WhatconductthenbefitsChristians?Watch,saystheLord,foryeknowneitherthedaynorthehourwhentheSon

of man cometh. Matt. 24:42. We should eagerly expect and hasten unto thecomingofthedayoftheLord,inwhichtheheavensshallbeconsumedwithfire,andtheelementsshallmeltwithferventheat.2Pet.3:12.

494)Willonlybelieversberaisedfromthedead?No.TheHolyGhostwillraiseupallthedead.495)Whatwill believers receive from theHolyGhost at and after the

resurrection?HewillgrantmeandallbelieversinChristeverlastinglife.496)Andwhatwillbethelotofthosewhodieinunbelief?Theywillreceiveeternaldeath.

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497)Isthereanylikelihoodthatsometimetherewillbeanendtoeternaldeath?

No.Rev.14:11;20:10,speaksoftormentthatcontinuesforeverandever.498)WhyisnotthisspokenofintheThirdArticle?Because it tells only the good gifts of the Holy Ghost, which His Church

receivesinthisworldandshallreceivehereafter.499)Andhowdowesealall that theThirdArticleand itsExplanation

say?WithafaithfulAmen.Thisismostcertainlytrue.

XXVI.JustificationbyFaithAlone.

Although the term Justification is not found in Luther’s Catechism,justificationitselfisfoundineverypartofit.WhoeverbelievesandhaswhattheArticles of the Creed, and the Parts concerning Baptism, the Keys, and theLord’sSuppersay,hasenough;heisjustifiedfromhissins.Buthere,inpraiseandhonoroftheonetruefaith,ofwhichtheExplanationoftheThirdArticleoftheCreedhasspoken,wewishtospeakalittleoftheprocessofJustificationofapoorsinnerbeforeGod;andletthescholarmarkitwell.

Itisaprocess,atrialinHeaven.GodistheJudge.Theaccuserisouradversary,thedevil.Theculpritisman.Theaccusationistrue;theconscienceoftheaccusedwitnessesagainsthim,

andsodoestheSpirit,whosearchethallthings.Theguiltisgreat.Thepunishmentisendless.TheLawisfromSinai.Thesentenceisready.ThencomestheLambofGod,ourHighPriestandAdvocate,withtheBlood

thatspeakethbetter things than thebloodofAbel.Onbehalfof themiserable,lostandcondemnedcriminal,HeurgesHissufferinganddeathinhisplace,Hisperfect merit and victory over all our enemies.What an advocacy! The poor

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sinnerneartodeathembracesHisfeet,infullesttrust,andfullofpenitenceandsorrow.

ThencomesavoicefromtheHolyofHolies:Teardowntheindictment.Theguilty man is acquitted for Jesus’ sake from all guilt and punishment; he isjustified,andwithoutpricetherighteousnessofChristisaccountedhis.

Andwhatisdoneinheaven,onearthisproclaimedfrompulpitandaltarandinprivateabsolution.Itisforgivenessonearthasitisinheaven.

Nowthepoorsinnerhasallheneeds.Now, being justified by faith, he has peace with God (Rom. 5:1), and joy

(Luke15:22,24),andthejoyoftheLordishisstrength(Neh.8:10).

1. For this reason all of us, to the day of our death,must pray the FifthPetition: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespassagainstus.”NoonecandomorethanSt.Paul,Rom.7:14ff.ThoughinourBaptismwearewashedallover,weneed thedailywashingofourfeetbyourLord,forourfeetintheirdailywalkdailybecomedusty,andnewsincleavestooursoulseveryday.John13:10.↩

2. SeehowgoodGodistopoorfallenman,andownshimasHiscreature.Ofwhatuseisclothingwithoutfood—orfoodwithoutshelter—orthiswithoutaffectionandsociety—andeventhis,ifhehavenotoccupation?↩

3. Givetoachildeverythingitneeds;careforitasyoumay;ifyouprotectitnot fromwindandweather, frommurderers, thievesandwildbeasts,againstsicknessandinfirmities,howlongwillitlive?↩

4. All this God does to His enemies also. Therefore we speak of Hisuniversallove.↩

5. AtNazarethinGalilee.—FeastoftheAnnunciation,March25.↩6. AtBethlehem,inJudea—Christmas,December25.↩7. InandnearJerusalem—thePassion,fromAshWednesdaytotheGreat

Sabbath.↩8. AtJerusalem,onMt.Calvary,Golgotha—onGoodFriday.↩9. From Good Friday night until Easter morning He lay in the tomb of

JosephofArimathea—theGreatSabbath.↩

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10. Easter—sincetheCouncilofNicaea,celebratedontheSundayafterthefullmoonthatfollowsthe21stofMarch.↩

11. AtBethany,ontheMountofOlives,onthefortiethdayafterEaster—whichalwaysfallsonaThursday—AscensionDay.↩

12. “Deathisthewagesofsin”—hewhosins,fallsintobodilyandspiritual,temporalandeternaldeath.ThroughChristwearefreedfromalldeath,evenfromthedeathofthebody.Forourfleshalsorestsinhope,andthatoursoulsaredeliveredfromthisbodyofdeath,isablessing.↩

13. Thesinner isunder thepowerof thedevilbyhisown fault andby therighteoussentenceofGod.ButChristreconciledustoGod,satisfiedHisrighteousness,andwonforHimselfarighttous.↩

14. Here see the Son in His glory, and onHis neck the redeemed soul ineternal beauty! Beautiful as is the end of the Explanation of the FirstArticle,thecloseoftheExplanationofthisArticleisyetmoreglorious.ThisdrawsustotheLord.WhataGod!WhereisaGodwhocomessoneartoHispeople?↩

15. “Daily,Richly,”sodoesHecareforourbodiesintheFirstArticle.Daily,richly,sodoesHeprovidespiritual foodfor thesoul.MybodyandmysoulrejoiceinthegivingGod.↩

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XXVII.QuestionsIntroductoryToTheLastFourParts.

500)OfwhatdothelastfourPartsoftheCatechismtreat?OfMeansofGrace.501)OfwhatMeansofGrace?

1. OftheMeansofGracethroughwhichGodoffersGracetous,andsealsit.

2. OfthemeansbywhichmanseeksandgraspstheGracewhichGodofferstohim.

Remark.Justasabeggarcangetthegiftofferedhimonlybystretchingouthishandtotakeit,andthegiverputsouthishandtogiveit,soGod’sgiftsaregivenandtaken.502)WhatisthemeansbywhichweseekandtakeGrace?Believingprayer,ofwhichPartIII.treats.503)AndwhatarethedivinemeansofGrace,bywhichGodgivesit?TheWordandtheSacraments.504)WhichPartsoftheCatechismtreatoftheSacramentsespecially?TheFourthandtheSixth.505)AndwhatdoestheFifthParttreatof?TheWordofGod,theAbsolution,ortheGospeloftheforgivenessofsins.

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QuestionsIntroductoryToPartIII.

506)Whatisthespecialsubjectofthispart?Prayer.507)Doesitteachusaboutprayeringeneral,ordoesitbyanexampleof

prayershowushowweoughttopray?Itshowsusinthemodelprayer,howweoughttopray,andwhatweoughtto

prayfor.508)Whatisthatmodelprayer?TheLord’sPrayer.509)Whyisitcalled“theLord’sPrayer?”BecausetheLordHimselftaughtittoHisdisciples.510)DidtheyaskHimtodoso?OneofHisdisciplessaidtoHim,Lord,teachustopray,asJohnalsotaught

hisdisciples.Luke2:2.511)WhatdidtheLordanswer?He said to them,When ye pray, say,Our Father, etc., and taught them the

prayer.512)DidthedisciplesusethisPrayeraftertheyhadit?Undoubtedlytheydid;andnottheyalone,butformorethan1800yearsithas

goneuptoGodfromthelipsofmanythousandseveryhourofeveryday.It isthefirstprayerofChristendom,inthesoundofwhichallthehistoryoftheworldgoes on, that never has been exhausted and never can be, and of which theofteneramanpraysitthelesstiredishe.

513)HowmaywedividetheLord’sPrayer?TheIntroduction,theSevenPetitions,andtheConclusion.514)WhatistheIntroduction?AnaddresstoGod,suchasmustprecedeeveryprayer,thoughsometimesit

maynotbespoken.Ps.5:1.515)HowmaythePetitionsbedivided?Intoprayersandsupplications.516)Whohastaughtustomakesuchdistinctions?

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St. Paul, 1 Tim. 2:1, admonishes us to make prayers, supplications,intercessionsandgivingofthanksforallmen.

517)Whatdoyoumeanbythedistinction?Inonecaseweprayagainstanevil,intheotherweaskabenefit.518)InhowmanyPetitionsoftheLord’sPrayerdoyouaskbenefits?Inthefirstfour.519)WhatdoyouaskforinthefirstPetition?ThatGod’sNamebehallowed.530)IntheSecond?ForthecomingofHisKingdom.521)IntheThird?ForthefulfillmentofGod’swill.522)IntheFourth?Fordailybread.523)InwhichpetitionsoftheLord’sPrayerdoweprayagainstevil?Inthelastthree.524)WhatdoyouprayagainstintheFifthPetition?Againsttheguiltofpastsin.525)AndintheSixth?Againsttemptationtofurthersin.526)AndintheSeventh?Againstallconsequencesofsin,allevil.527)HowcanyousumuptheSevenPetitions?Six petitions urge the greatest need of the soul, the first three the greatest

benefitsofheaven,thelastthreedeprecatethegreatestcalamities,viz.:sinandallitsconsequences.Andbetweenthesetwosetsofpetitionsisonewhichasksthesupplyofthedailywantsofourbodies,ourdailybread.

528)ArethereanyintercessionsintheLord’sPrayer?Allthepetitionsareintercessions,becauseineacheveryonepraysforall.529)Whatisunderstoodas“theConclusion”oftheLord’sPrayer?AccordingtotheCatechism,theAmen.530)ButisnotanotherConclusionoftenunderstood?Yes,theDoxologywhichisappendedtothesevenpetitions,Matt.6:13,For

ThineistheKingdom,etc.

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QuestionsonPartIII.

InstructioninPartIII.becomesdifficult,ifitbelookedononlyasmatterforteaching.Allthatweshoulddois,tohelpthescholarsalittle,wheretheydonotunderstand,andfortheresttoletthegloriousexplanationofLutherhaveway.Whilenotaffordingmaterialfordiffuselectures, thisPartisadaptedtofrequentrepetition.

XXVIII.TheFirstPetition.

531)RepeattheIntroductiontotheLord’sPrayer?OurFather,whichartinHeaven.532)HowdoweaddressGodintheLord’sPrayer?AsourFather.533)WhyistheTriuneGodcalled,intheLord’sPrayer,Father?BecausethosewhothuscalluponHimaretobeHischildren.534)IsitnotinthesenseinwhichGodiscalledFatherintheCreed?No.ThereweconfessbythenameFathertheFirstPersonoftheGodhead,in

distinctionfromtheSecond,theOnlybegottenSonoftheFather,JesusChrist.But in the Lord’s Prayer we do not distinguish between the Persons of theGodhead,butwecall theTriuneGodFather,becauseinChristJesusHeisourFather.

535)WhereisourFather?InHeaven.536)ButisHenotpresenteverywhere,andnotinHeavenonly?He is everywhere present on earth, and so we confess in the Creed. But

HeavenisHissanctuaryandtheplaceofmanifestationofHisglory,whereweshallseeHimfacetoface.Thitherourhopeturns;thithertheLordHimselfturnsourheartsandthoughtsintheLord’sPrayer;andwelookupandlongandgladlypray,OurFatherwhichartinHeaven.

537)ButwhatisGod’sobjectinteachingustopraythus?

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Hewishestoinviteustobelieve,whobynatureneitherbelievenortrust.538)AndwhatdoesHeinviteusto?TobelievethatHeistrulyourFather,andwearetrulyHischildren.539)ButisHetrulyourFather,andarewetrulyHischildren?ArewenotbornofHisSpirit?ArewenotcalledbyHisName(Is.63:16)?

HeistheFatherofwhomthewholefamilyinheavenandearthisnamed.(Eph.3:15.)

540)Andwhatoughtwedo,inasmuchasHeistrulyourFather,andwearetrulyHischildren?

AskofHim.541)AndhowoughtweaskofHim?Withallcheerfulnessandconfidence.542)Whatdoyoumeanby“withallcheerfulness?”Withoutfearorwavering.543)Andwhat,by“withallconfidence?”ThatwebecertainHewillhearus,andnotdoubtatall.544)Tellmewithwhatwords does theCatechismbriefly andwell tell

howweoughttoaskofGod?Asdearchildrenaskoftheirfather.545)WhatdoweaskforintheFirstPetition?ThatHisNamebehallowed.546)AndwhatNameshouldbehallowedbeforeeveryother?HisNameFather,bywhichweaddressHimintheprayerJesustaughtus.547)AndwhatdoyoumeanbyhallowingHisName?Tokeepitinourheartsapartfromeveryothername,astheNameoftheMost

High, “to hold it holy and glorious as our noblest treasure and holiestpossession,”astheLargeCatechismsays.

548)ButisnotGod’sNameholyinitself;doesitnotbelongtoGod,andinthatveryfactisitnotseparatedfromallothernamesandmadeholyandglorious?

Yes,God’sNameisholyinitself.549)WhatthendoweprayforintheFirstPetition?Thatitmaybehallowedalsoamongus;thatbyusalsoitmaybeexaltedand

honoredaboveeveryname.550)Howisthisdone?Intwoways.551)Whatistheone?

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WhentheWordofGodistaughtinitstruthandpurity.552)Andthesecond?Andwe,asthechildrenofGod,leadholylives,inaccordancewithit.553) And with what words does the holy Church pray for these two

thingsintheCatechism?Thisgrantus,dearFatherinheaven.554)WhydoestheChurchsaythissoearnestly?BecauseitisimpossibleforaChristiantoteachGod’sWordinitstruthand

purity,withoutmixture,oraddition,without thehelpofGod—norwillhebeable never to forget, but everywhere to show, that he is a child of God andthereforeholyashisheavenlyFatherisholy,unlessGodhelphimthereto.

555)Andhow,ontheotherhand,istheNameofGodprofaned?Intwoways.Whatismeantby“profaningtheNameofGod”?556)Whatways?First, when any one teaches otherwise, and Secondly, when any one lives

otherwise,thanGod’sWordteaches.557)ForwhatdoestheChurchofGodpraythereforeintheCatechism?Fromthis,i.e.fromthisprofanation,preserveus,heavenlyFather.

Remark.—LuthercannotforgetinhisCatechismthatthisprayerbegins,OurFather.TwiceintheExplanationoftheFirstPetitionhenamestheName,andcallsuponit,whilehecallsuschildrenofGod.Andin thesecond,fifth,andseventhPetitions,andintheExplanationoftheAmen,hementionsthelovelyName.Andhowlikeone,whohadagainbecomeachildofGod,thewholeExplanationis!

XXIX.TheSecondPetition.

558)WhatdoweprayforintheSecondPetition?ThatGod’sKingdomcome.559)WhereisGod’sKingdom?InHeaven.ThereisJerusalem,thefree,theMotherofusall.560)WhereindoestheKingdomofGodconsist?

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InthateverythingisarrangedunderOneHead,isinspiredbytheSpiritoftheHead,andwithoneheartandvoiceworshipsandservestheTriuneGod.

561)WhithershallthisKingdomcome?ItshallcomedownfromHeaventoearth,thatmenalsomaybeunitedunder

Christ, theirHead inHeaven,and inonespirit,withoneheartandvoice,withtheChurchinHeaven,maypraiseandservetheTriuneGod.

562)WillallmenbebroughttogethertotheKingdomofChrist?No. There will indeed be one flock and one Shepherd, but only a part of

mankindwillbegatheredintotheoneflock;theotherswillnotbeGod’sflock,butwillbescattered,andwillwanderawayfromHimforever.

563)ButwilltheKingdomofGodreallycomeonearth?Yes. Its beginning is here already,wherever theChurch ofChrist is, and it

willalwayscontinuetocome,forGodhasundertakenit(Ps.72:8,11,17,etc.),andnoonecanhinderHisworks.God’skingdomcomesindeedofitselfwithoutourprayer.

564) Why should we pray “Thy Kingdom come,” if it comes of itselfwithoutourprayer?

NotmerelybecauseGodwishesustoaskforwhatHehaspromised,butweareespeciallyconcerned lestGod’skingdompassusby,as itpassesbymany.Weprayinthispetitionthatitmaycomealsotous.

565)Whatthenisthemeaningof“ThyKingdomcome?”Come to us; stir up and increase ThyKingdom, Thy Church, Thy people;

spread it;1 let it grow both inwardly and outwardly; let it ever becomemoreThineown,ThyKingdom—subjectanddevotedtoThee—andforgetnotuswhopraytoThee,andletusnotbeomittedfromthenumberofthosewhoareThine.

566)HowdoesGod’skingdomcometous?Beforeall,whenourheavenlyFathergivesusHisHolySpirit.567)WhydoweneedHisHolySpirit?ThatbyHisgracewebelieveHisholyWord.568)Andforwhatelse?Thatwemaylivegodlyhereintimeandinheavenforever.569)ButdoesallthisresultfromthegiftoftheHolySpirit?Yes,wheretheHolyGhostis,

ThereisGrace,forHeisgiventousoutofgracealone;

God’sWord,forHecomestousintheWord;

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Faith, for from theWord comes faith, and through theWord theHolyGhostbegetsit;

Aholylife,fornewnessoflifecomesforthfromtheWordandfaith;

Andwhenthisoncebegins,itneverends,butaccordingtoGod’swillitlastshereonearthandinheavenforever.

XXX.TheThirdPetition.

570)WhatdoweaskforintheThirdPetition?.ThatGod’swillbedone.571)Where?Onearth.572)How?AsitisdoneinHeaven.573)BywhomisGod’swilldoneinHeaven?Bytheangelsandtheelect.574)WhereindoesthewillofGodconsist?InthefulfillmentofthefirsttwoPetitions,inthehallowingofHisNameand

thecomingofHisKingdom.575)HowdoestheCatechismdescribeGod’swill?AsHisgoodandgraciouswill.576)WhyisGod’swillcalled“good”?BecauseitintendsnothingmorethanthehallowingofHisMostHighName,

and everything is good that serves that end, and on the other hand nothing isgoodthatdoesnotserveit.

577)Whyisitcalled“gracious”?Because allGod’s grace is found inHisKingdomand its coming, andHis

willintendsnothingelsethanthattheKingdomofallgraceshouldcometous.578) Cannot this good and gracious will of God be done without our

prayingforit?Oyes,itisdoneindeedwithoutourprayer.579)Forwhatdoweprayinthisprayer,then?Thatitmaybedonealsoamongus.

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580)WhenisGod’swilldone?WhenGodbreaksandhinderseveryevilcounselandpurpose.581)Whatcounselandpurposeareevil?SuchaswouldnotletushallowGod’sNamenorletHisKingdomcome.582)Whosewillisofsuchasort?Thewillofthedevil,theworld,andourownflesh.583)Whatdoyoumeanbytheworld?AllmenwhodonotwiththeChurchhallowtheNameofGodandstrivefor

theperfectcomingofHisKingdom.584)Andwhatdoyoumeanbythewilloftheflesh?Thenaturalwillof theunconverted,whichhasnopleasure inGodandHis

will.585)WhatdoweaskGodtodotothiswill?Breakandhinderit.586)HowcanGodbreakit?WhenHedoesnotletitbedone.587)WhendoesHehinderit?WhenHedoesnotletitbeattempted.588)Butwhatif,asoftenhappens,theevilwillcontinues?WepraythatGodwillstrengthenandkeepus.589)Whatstrengthandkeepingdoweneedinthatcase?ThatwebekeptsteadfastinHisWordandfaith,thatwemayovercomethe

world,thefleshandthedevil.590)But, alas,we are variable, and easily fall fromHisWord and the

faith?WethereforepraythatHewillstrengthenandkeepussteadfastinHisWord

andfaith.591) Have we not reason to fear that if we live a long while we may

ultimatelyfallfromthecomfortofthetruefaith?ThereforewepraythatHewillstrengthenandkeepussteadfastuntoourend,

foruntilthenwecannotbequitesecureofourvictory.592)Havewegoodreasontobelievethatweareheard?Yes,forhedoesnotwishHisNametobehallowedforonlyashorttime,and

that His Kingdom should come for only a little while; but until the end andforeverHewishestokeepusinthehallowingofHisNameandinHisKingdom.

593)"WithwhatwordsdoestheCatechismconfirmthis?ThisisHisgraciousandgoodwill.

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XXXI.TheFourthandFifthPetitions.

594)WhatdoweprayforintheFourthPetition?Forourdailybread.595)Whyisitcalledourdailybread?Becauseitisgiventouseverydayanew,andisgiventosupplytheneedof

everyday.596)Whydowesay,Giveus“thisday”ourdailybread?Themeaningis,thatweshouldexpectandaskthesupplyofeveryday’sneed

onthedayitself.597)Andwhy?Becausewedonotneeditbefore,anddonotknowwhetherwewillneedit

anylongerthantoday.598) Are we not permitted then to ask for daily bread for more than

today?Yes, but not with the confidence of the Fourth Petition, which the Lord

Himself teachesustosay,andwhichwemayconfidentlyandjoyouslybelievewillbeheard.

599) But does not God give to every one his daily bread, without ourasking?

Hedoes.Godgivesdailybreadwithoutourprayereven toall thewicked,2Matt.5:44.All,bothgoodandbad,standinthebenefitsofHiscommonlove.

600)Whydowepraythen?WeaskinthispetitionthatHewill leadustoacknowledgeourdailybread,

fortheywhoprayforitmoreeasilyacknowledgeit.601)Aswhatarewetoacknowledgeourdailybread?WearetoacknowledgeittobeHisgift,forwhichweoughttopray,thatwe

maynottakeitasrudeandgodlesspersonstakeitfromtheirparents,asiftheywerecompelledtogiveit.

602)Forwhatelsedowepray?Thatwemayreceiveourdailybreadwiththanksgiving,forthosewhoaskfor

itthinkitworthyofthanks.603)IsitnotenoughtoacknowledgethatourdailybreadisGod’sgift?No,weshouldwiththanksgivingconfessthatitisGod’sgift.604)Whatismeantby“dailybread?”

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Allthatbelongstothewantsandsupportofthebody,astheCatechismshowsindetail,therebyagreeingwiththeexplanationoftheFirstArticleoftheCreed.

605)DoeseverybodyhaveallthattheCatechismmentions?Noindeed.606)Whyisitallmentionedthen?NotmerelythatwemayknowallweprayandgivethanksforintheFourth

Petition,butalsothateveryone,whetherhehavemuchorlittle,mayknowthatitisGod’sgiftandhisdailybread,andmaygivethanksforit.

607)WhatdoweaskforintheFifthPetition?Fortheremissionorforgivenessofoursins.608)Andinwhatmeasuredoweasktobeforgiven?Asweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.609)Canweforgive?Yes, those who can truly say “Our Father” are God’s children, are

strengthenedbytheirFather’sSpirit,andarefittedforeverygoodwork,eventoforgive.

610)Dowenotinthesewords,“Asweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus,”offerGodapriceforforgivingus?

NochildofGod thinks that. In theFifthPetitionwepray for thestreamofHisheavenlyforgiveness,andthenwewillletthethankfulrivuletsofthisstreamtrickle upon our enemies. We are speaking not of a price offered for Hisforgiveness, but of a poor thankoffering of our hearts for the abundantforgiveness of God. Christians gladly forgive to the praise of our MercifulFather, but they always need anew the forgiveness of their own hearts. To letGodforgiveusandtoforgivebelongtogether.3

611)WhatdoweprayforintheFifthPetition?ThatourFatherinheavenwillnotlookuponoursins.612)WhatwouldbetheresultifHeweretolookuponoursins?Hewouldonaccountofthemdenyourprayer.613)Andwhyisoursinsogreat?andourprayersoweak?Because throughinbornsinwehave lostallworth;wedeservenothing that

weaskfor;wesinmucheveryday,anddeservenothingbutpunishment.614)Onwhatcanwedependinourprayers,then?Ongracealone:thatHewillgrantusallthroughgrace.615)ButifGodforgivesoursins,andgraciouslyhearsourprayer,what

doestheExplanation,aswellastheFifthPetition,teachustodo?ToimitatethemercyoftheLord,andthankfullyforgive.

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616)Andhowarewetoforgive?Fromourhearts.617)Isaheartyforgivenessaforgivenessinwordalone?No, we will heartily forgive and readily do good, to show indeed that we

forgive.618)Whomwillweforgive?Thosewhotrespassagainstus.

Remark.—Veryoftenaman injureshisneighbor,and isangryagainsthim, as if his neighbor were at fault. In such a case he owes notforgiveness,butanapology.Thismustbeborneinmind.

XXXII.TheSixthandSeventhPetitions.

619)WhatdoweaskforintheSixthPetition?ThatGodwillnotleadusintotemptation.Whatisit,totempt?Whatistemptation?620)DoesGodtempt?Godtemptsnoone.631)ButdidHenot,forinstance,temptAbrahamtoofferupIsaac?Yes,butHetemptedhimtogood,toagreatproofofobedience,andnotmore

than hewas able to bear, as is evident.But in the Sixth Petitionwe speak oftemptationtosin.Andofthisitistrue,Godtemptsnoone.James1:13.

622)Whydowesay,Leadusnotintotemptation,ifHetemptsnoone?ThoughHetemptsusnot,Hecouldbringandabandonustotemptationofthe

devil,oftheworld,orofourownflesh.Whatdoyoumeanby“Flesh?”623)Haveanyreasontofearthis?Godmightinwrathandjustjudgmentthreatenuswithitforoursins.1Kings

21:20ff.;1Chron.22:1;Luke22:32f.624)Whatdoweprayforthen?ThatHewouldguardus from the temptationof others, or keepuswhen it

comes.625) But since we know who our tempters are, namely the devil, the

world,andourflesh,oughtwenotbeableeasilytoavoidandescapefrom

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theirtemptation?Itisnotsoeasy.Fortheydeceiveus;theydisguisethemselves;theymakethe

eviltheytemptuswithseemgood.626)Whatwillhappenifwedonotwatch?TheywillleadusawayfromtheevenpathoftheHolySpirittobadways.627)Andwhatwilltheendbe?Misbelief,despair,andothershamefulsinandvice.WhatisUnbelief?WhatisMisbelief?WhatisDespair?628)Butsinceweareweak,anddonotwatchandprayasweought,we

certainly will be tempted often and sorely. What do we pray foraccordingly?

Wepraythatthoughwebethustempted,wemaystillintheendovercome,andhavethevictory.

629)WhatdoweaskforintheSeventhPetition?Deliverancefromallevil.630)WhatisthisPetitioncalledintheExplanationofit?Thesumofall;thatis,itcontainsallthepetitions.Weareheardandblessed

inallrespects,whenweareheardinthispetition.631)HowmanykindsofevilarementionedintheExplanation?Ofbodyandsoul,propertyandhonor.632)WhenisthisPetitionespeciallynecessary?Whenthehourofdeathshallcome.633)Andwhyisthathoursoserious?Becauseinitwecanonceforallbefreedfromallevil,butaseasilycanbe

castintothegreatestofallevils,eternaldeath.634)Whatmoredoweprayforatthathour?ThatourFatherinheavenwillgrantusablessedend,andgraciouslytakeus

fromthisvaleofsorrowtoHimselfinHeaven.635)Whatismeantbyan“End?”Theendofthistemporallifeinthisvaleofsorrow.636)Andwhatis“thisvaleofsorrow?”Thissorrowfulworld.637)WhatistheconclusionoftheLord’sPrayer?Amen.4638)HowdoestheCatechismexplainthis?Amen,Amen,thatis,Yea,Yea;itshallbeso.639)Whatdoesthiswordoftwosyllablesexpress?

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It expresses the certainty that suchpetitionsare acceptable toourFather inHeavenandareheardbyHim.

640) On what is the certainty that our prayer is acceptable to God,grounded?

OnthefactthatGodhasbiddenuspraythus.HecannotbidusdowhatisnotacceptabletoHim.

641)AndwhatisthegroundofthecertaintythatHehearsus?HeHimselfhaspromisedtohear.

1. HereweprayforIsraelandfortheheathen.Letusneverforgetit.↩2. InthefirstfourPetitionscareistakentoshowthatalldoesnotdependon

our prayer. We pray for our own sake only, that we may not neglectGod’s good gift, butmay receive it aright.To the humility of the highGivershouldanswertheprayerfulhumilityofthepoorrecipient.↩

3. Ifwecanforgive,anddoforgive,thisisaproofthatweareHis,andthatHisSpirithasnotforsakenus.ThisgivesusconfidencetocometoGodandaskHimagainandagaintoforgiveourdailysinsofweakness.(SeetheLargeCatechism,towardstheendoftheFifthPetition.)↩

4. To whom does Amen belong in the Church, to the Minister or theCongregation?Accordingto1Cor.14:16,evidentlytotheCongregation.CompareNeh.8:6.↩

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XXXIII.QuestionsIntroductoryToPartIV.

642)WhatisthesubjectofPartIV.?TheSacramentofHolyBaptism.643)WhatisaSacrament?Aholy transaction, institutedbyGod, inwhichheavenlygifts are imparted

throughearthlysigns,bringing thegraceof theGospel, i.e. theforgivenessofsins.

644)HowmanySacramentsarethere?Two,BaptismandtheHolySupper.645)DoesnottheRomanChurchteachthattherearesevenSacraments?Yes,Baptism,Confirmation,Penitence, theMass,Marriage,Ordinationand

ExtremeUnction.646) Why then does the Lutheran Church acknowledge only two

Sacraments?BecausetheotherfivearenotSacramentsinthesenseinwhichBaptismand

theHolySupperare.647)Andwhynot?Because they lack either the Divine command, or the earthly sign, or the

heavenlygift,especiallythegiftoftheforgivenessofsins,orseveralofthese,orall.

648)InwhatsensecouldsomeofthesebecalledSacraments?InsofarastheyareholyactscommandedbyGod.Butthentherewouldbe

morethansevenSacraments.649)WhatisConfirmation?Arenewalandestablishmentofourbaptismalcovenant.650)WhatmarksofaSacramentarewantinginConfirmation?All.IthasnottheDivinecommand,noranearthlysign,northepromiseofa

heavenlygift.651)Oughtwenotrejectitthen?No.ItisabeautifulandsuitableordinanceoftheChurchfromthebeginning,

whichcanbringarichblessingthroughtheWordofGodusedwithit.Acts8:14-17.

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652)WhatisunderstoodbytheSacramentofPenitence?TheAbsolution.653)WhatistheAbsolution?TheImpartationoftheForgivenessofSins.654)WhatmarkofaSacramentdoesitlack?IthastheDivinecommandandtheheavenlygift,butnottheearthlysign.655)Butisnotthelayingonofhandsanearthlysign?No, this is only a significant gesture or act, which confirms the words of

blessing.656)WhatmorecanbesaidoftheAbsolution?ItismostliketherealSacraments.(SeeApology,173).657)WasitreallyinstitutedbyGod?Yes.TheLord not only commanded that theGospel should be preached to

everycreature,butHebreatheduponHisdisciplesandsaidtothem,ReceivetheHoly Ghost. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; andwhosesoeversinsyeretain,theyareretained.John20:22,23.

658)WhydoyounotcallMarriageaSacrament?IthastheDivineinstitution,thoughitdoesnotbelongespeciallytotheNew

Testament,butithasnotanearthlysignnoraheavenlygift.Gen.2:22ff.659)WhatdoesOrdinationlack?ThoughbasedonHolyScripture(1Tim.5:22),andrichinblessing,ithasnot

anespecialoutwardsignnorthepromiseoftheforgivenessofsins.660)AndwhatiswantingtoExtremeUnction,tomakeitaSacrament?Everything.661)ButdoesnotSt.Jamesspeakofit,James5:14?No;hespeaksofananointingwithoil,butnotofananointingfordeath,nor

ofananointingthatwouldimpartaheavenlygift,butoftheapplicationofoilforthecureofthesick.

662)HaveBaptismandtheHolySuppertherequisitemarks?Yes.Withthemwecomparealltherest.

XXXIV.

663)WhatisthemeaningofBaptize?

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TheGreekwordfromwhichourwordBaptizeisderived,meanstowash.664) Did they not at first dip under the water those who were being

baptized?Yes;butfromthebeginningthosewhowereweakorsickweresprinkledwith

water;andformanyreasons,especially inamorerigorousclimate, theformercustomwasgivenup.Notthequantity,buttheuse,ofwateriscommanded.

665)AnswermenowfromtheCatechism.WhatisBaptism?Water.666)Isitwateronly?Itisnotsimplywater.667)Whatwaterisit?ThewatercomprehendedinGod’scommand.668)Whatdoesthatmean?Godhascommandedustotakeit.669)IsitonlycomprehendedinGod’scommand?ItisconnectedwithGod’sWord.670)SayformethecommandofGod,inwhichthewaterofBaptismis

comprehended?Goyeandteachallnations,baptizingthemintheNameoftheFatherandof

theSonandoftheHolyGhost.Matt,28:19,20.671)TellmetheWordofGodwithwhichBaptismisconnected?TheSamewords:IbaptizetheeintheNameoftheFatherandoftheSonand

oftheHolyGhost.672)Whatdoes“IntheNameof”mean?

Bycommandof,

Intheplaceof,

Inconfessionandinvocationof,theTriuneGod.

673)CanwebaptizeinGod’sName,then,onlywhenHecommandsit?Certainly.Wecannotdoanything in thenameofanearthlyking,unlesshe

hascommandedit.674)AndmustweconfessandcalluponGod,ifwewouldbaptizeinHis

Name?Yes.ForhowcouldamanknowthathewasbaptizedinGod’sName,ifHis

Namewerenotmentioned,orconfessed,orcalledupon?675)ButwhatisthemostcomfortablepartofBaptisminGod’sName?

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That it isdone inHisstead,and therefore isasvalidandeffectualas if theTriuneGodwereseenandhearddoingit.(Tit.3:5-8;Eph.5:26.)

676)WhohasbeencommandedtobaptizeintheNameofGod?Thedisciples ofChrist and the called stewards of themysteries ofGod, to

whomiscommittedtheflockofChrist.1Cor.4:1;1Pet.5:2.677)ButinacaseofnecessitymaynotanotherChristianbaptize?Yes,butonlyinacaseofnecessity.678)Isitthenpermitted?Yes, because all believers are a royal priesthood, and therefore in such an

exigencyhaveanequalqualification.1Pet.2:9.679)Whythenmaytheynotbaptizeinanycase?AccordingtotheordinanceofChristthecallandtheofficearenecessaryto

administertheSacramentofBaptism.1Cor.4:1.

XXXV.

680)Shouldnoteveryonebetaughtfirst,thenbaptized,inasmuchasthisistheorderofthewordsinthecommand?

Allwhoareoldenough,certainlyshouldbe taught towish forBaptismforthemselves.ButeventheApostlesdidnotrequirealongpreviousinstructionofadults,andthewordsofourLordinMatt,28.,rightlyunderstood,donotrequiresuchpreviousinstruction.

681)Whatdothosewordscommand?Theybid theApostlesmakedisciplesofallpeoples,baptizingand teaching

them.682)Whyarechildrenbaptizedbeforetheycanwishitorcancometoit

witharesolutionoftheirown?Because theyalsoneedBaptism(John3:5),and theLordblessed themand

promised them the Kingdom of Heaven,Mark 10. If without instruction or aresolutionoftheirowntheycanreceivethekingdomofHeaven,whycantheynotinthesameconditionreceiveBaptism,andthroughitasadoorenterintothekingdomofHeaven?

683)Butiftheyhavethekingdom,whydotheyneedanythingmore?TheLorddoesnotsaythatthekingdombelongstoallchildren,buttosuch.

113

684)Areourbaptizedchildrensuch?Yes, for the LordHimself is at theirBaptism asHe promised to be (Matt,

28:19,20);toHimwebringthechildreninprayer;1andHereceivesandblessestheminHisBaptism.__

685)WhatistheblessinggiveninHolyBaptism;ofwhatuseisit?Itworksforgivenessofsins.686)Andwhatmore?Itdeliversfromdeathandthedevil.687)Andthirdly?Itgiveseverlastingsalvation.688)Towhomdoesitgiveeverlastingsalvation?Toallwhobelieve.689)Toallwhobelievewhat?Thatitgivesallthis.690)Butwhatrighthaveyoutosayitgivesthistothosewhobelieve?BecausethewordsandpromisesofGoddeclareit.691)Whatwords?Those which Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: He that

believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall bedamned.

692)Butthechildrendonotbelieve?Ifthatwereso,theywouldnotpleaseChrist.693)Why?BecausewithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod.Heb.11:6.694)Buthowcantheyreceivefaith?Hewho promises the Kingdom of Heaven, gives faith to them, though in

wonderfulways.695)Howdoweknowthis?Forinstance,St.JohnBaptisteveninhismother’swombwasfilledwiththe

HolyGhostandrejoicedinhisSaviour.Luke2:41,44.696)ButhowcansomuchbeascribedtoBaptism?DoesnotChristdoit

all?Yes,throughBaptism.697) It is clear fromMark 16:16. that Baptismworks the salvation of

believers.But it saysnothing aboutdeliverance fromdeath and thedevil,andtheforgivenessofsins?

114

One cannot be savedwithout the forgiveness of sins and deliverance fromdeathandthedevil.Acts2:38,39;22:16;1Cor.6:11.

XXXVI.

698)Howcanwaterdosuchgreatthings?Watercannotdothem.699)Whatdoesthem?ThewordofGod.700)WhatWordofGod?Thatwhichaccompaniesandisconnectedwiththewater.701)WhatWordofGodisconnectedwiththewater?Thewordsofinstitution,usedandrepeatedinBaptism,andthepromisefrom

Mark16:16.702)WhatdowemeanwhenwesaytheWordofGodiswiththewater?Ithelpsthewatertoreachtheendforwhichitisused.703)DoestheWordofGoddosuchgreatthingsinallwhoarebaptized?No,onlyinthosewhobelieve.704)WhatdoestheCatechismsay?TheWordofGoddoesit,andfaith.705)Whatfaithisheremeant?ThatwhichreliesontheWordofGodwhichisinandwiththewater,thatis,

whichgives restful assurance that all thatGodhas promised to thosewho arebaptized,willcometrue.

706)Whatifweweretousewateronly,andhadnotthecommandandpromise?

Itwouldbesimplywater,andnoBaptism.707)WhenisitaBaptism?WhenwiththeWordofGod.708)HowdoestheCatechismexplainBaptisminthisplace?AsagraciouswateroflifeandawashingofregenerationintheHolyGhost.709)Whyisitcalled“agraciouswater?”BecausethroughthepromiseofGoditisfullofgrace.710)Andwhydowecallit“awateroflife?”

115

Because,throughthegraceinit,itworkslife,imperishable,eternallife.711)Andwhyisitcalled“awashingofregeneration?”Because it effects the new birth of the soul, while water is applied to the

body.712)Andwhydowesay“intheHolyGhost?”Becauseonly theHolyGhostcan impart to thewater through theWord the

powertohelpsoulstothenewbirth.713)IsnottoomuchascribedtoBaptisminthesewords?No,St.Paulsaysit.Tit.3:5.714)ButtheScripturesdonotcallBaptismawateroflife:dothey?InthispassageSt.PaulsaysthattheHolyGhostissheduponusabundantly

throughJesusChristourSaviour,thatbeingjustifiedbyHisgrace,weshouldbemade heirs according to the hope of eternal life; and adds, This is a faithfulsaying.

XXXVII.

715)WhatdoessuchBaptismwithwatersignify?ItpointstothedeathoftheoldAdam,orofinbornsin,And to thequickeningand resurrectionof thenewman,orof anewgodly

life.716)Howistheputting-to-deathoforiginalsinsignifiedinBaptism?TheoldAdaminusistobedrownedanddie.717)Whatis“todie?”TheoldAdamwithallsinsandevillusts.718)Andhowishetobedestroyed?Bydailysorrowandrepentance.719)Isthisaccomplishedonceforall?No,dailysorrow,andrepentancearenecessary.720)Andhowlongmustthiscontinue?As long aswe live, for the oldAdam does not die till our souls leave the

body.Rom.7:24.721)WhatistheuseofBaptismthen?

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ItassuresusoftheforgivenessofsinsandofthepoweroftheHolyGhostforthebattleoffaithuntiltheend.1Pet.3:21;Gal.3:26ff.

722)HowdoesBaptismsignifytheawakeningofanewlife?Thewatercoversuslikeagrave;andwecomeforthlikeadeadmanfromthe

grave.723)WhowasburiedinBaptism?Adeadman:oneladenwithallsinsandevillusts.724)WhocomesforthfromBaptism?Anewman,whoshalllivebeforeGodinrighteousnessandpurityforever.725)Whatmakesthisgreatchange?Theforgivenessofsins,theimpartationoftherighteousnessofChristandof

theSpiritofsanctification,allgiveninHolyBaptism.726)Butwhyisitsaidthatthenewmanmustcomeforthdaily,sinceone

isbaptizedonlyonce?Theoldmandoesnotdieatonce,neither is thenewatoncecomplete.The

slayingoftheoldandresurrectionofthenewrequirethereforethedailyrenewalof our baptismal covenant, until thework shall be completed in death andwefullyenterintoeternallife.Eph.4:22-24;Col.3:9,10.

727)WhatistheuseofBaptismthen?Itbeginsthequickeningofthenewman,anddailygivesgracetoputonanew

therighteousnessandpurityofthenewman.728)WhatfoundationinScripturehaveweforthisstatement?ItiswhollytakenfromRom.6:3ff.739)DoestheApostletherelikenBaptismtoaburial?Yes.Hesays,weareburiedwithChristbyBaptismintodeath.730)WhydoesHesay,“withChrist”?Just as Christ was buried in expiation of our sins, so are we buried in

Baptism,andHisatonementisreckonedtousasifwewereactuallyburiedforthepunishmentofsin.

731)DoesSt.Paulalsousethefigureofaresurrection?Hesays,LikeasHewasraisedupfromthedeadbythegloryoftheFather,

evensowealsoshouldwalkinnewnessoflife.732)Whatdoeshemeanbythis?Just asChristvictoriouslycame forth fromHisbattle against sin anddeath

andthedevil,soshouldwe,towhomHisvictoryisimputed,liveinholinessandjoyasvictorsoversinanddeathandthedevil,untilourend,andforever.

117

1. In the public prayers the Church prays for the children, even for theunborn,sothatMark10:13ff.,maycomfortparents,eveniftheirchildrendieintheirbirth.↩

118

QuestionsIntroductoryToThePartConcerningTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession.

XXXVIII.

733)Whatdoyounoticewhenyoulookattheso-calledSixthPartintheCatechism?

Thatitisdividedintotwoparts,markedAandB.734)Whyisthis?Inordertomarkthefact that thepartmarkedAhasbeenaddedtoLuther’s

Catechism from the Kinderpredigten of the Church Order of Brandenburg-Nürnbergoftheyear1533.

735)Whyhaveweaddedit?AlthoughomittedfromtheBookofConcordof1580,wekeep ithere,after

theexampleofbotholdandnewCatechisms,because itexcellentlycompletestheinstructionoftheCatechism.

736)OfwhatthendoesthisPartoftheCatechismconsist?Firstof thewordsofChristconcerning theOfficeof theKeys,and thenof

Luther’sexampleofhowthesimplearetobetaughttoconfess.737)Andwhatisthesubjectofthewhole?TheOfficeoftheKeysandConfession.738)WhatdoyouunderstandbytheCallandtheOfficeoftheKeys?The vocation and office of Pastors (Eph. 4:11) and of Stewards of the

MysteriesofGod(1Cor.4:1).739)WhydoyoucallthistheOfficeoftheKeys?Because to theMinistry, according to the figurewhichourLordemployed,

theKeysareentrusted.Matt.16:19;cf.John20:21-23.740) What do you mean by saying “To the Ministry the Keys are

entrusted?”Themasterofahouseentrustshiskeystohissteward,i.e.hegiveshimthe

oversightofhishouse,putshimoverallthatcomesinandgoesout,andoverhis

119

storesandtreasures.Thekeysalwaysimplyacertainauthority.SeeIs.22:21,22.741) If then the Lord says to Peter, I will give thee the Keys of the

KingdomofHeaven;whatdoesHemean?Thismeanssomethinglikethis:IwillmaketheeastewardinmyKingdom,

that thoumayest lookafterall thatcomesinandgoesout(1Cor.4.), i.e. thatthoumayestadministerthetreasuresIhavelaidupforothers,andthattoeveryone ofmy people thoumayest give out ofmy richeswhatwill answer to theneedsofhissoul.2Tim.2:15.

742)DidHegivetheOfficeoftheKeystoPeteralone?No.InSt.John20:21-23,Hegaveittotheotherdisciplesalso,andtoother

ordainedstewards.743)ButdoesHenot,Matt, 18:15ff., give theOfficeof theKeys to the

wholeChurch,andnottotheordainedpastorsalone?HegavetheKeystothewholeCongregation,forallthemembersdwellinhis

house, and everything is theirs, Keys, Office of theKeys, and Bearers of theKeys,Paul,Apollos,Cephas,allaretheirs;giventothemfortheirsalvationandblessingandpeculiarpossession.YetnotalltowhomtheKeyshavebeengivenforablessingaretobeartheOfficeoftheKeys,butonlythecalledstewardsandservantsofChrist.1Cor.4:1.

744)Whatparticularuse of theKeysdoweusually thinkof,whenwespeakofit?

Theauthoritytoforgiveandretainsins.745)Andwhatphraseresultsfromthis?WespeakoftwoKeys,thatwhichloosesandthatwhichbinds.746)Domenbindandloosewithkeys?The iron bonds of prisoners are bound and loosed, shut and opened, with

keys.747)WhoarethosewhomtheseKeysbindandloose?Thechildrenofmen.748)Aretheseinprisonandinchains?They are bound from their birth with the chains and bonds of sin and

condemnation.749)Whoareloosed?Those who, penitent, flee to the Gospel, and hunger and thirst after

righteousness.750)Howaretheyloosed?Bytheproclamationandimpartationoftheforgivenessofsins.

120

751)Whatnamehaveweforthis?TheAbsolution.752)Whoarebound?Those who persist in impenitence and sin in spite of all admonition, and

despisetheGospel.753)DoesthisrefertotheJewsandtheMuslims1?No,theyneverwerefree.Wespeakhereofthesinnersandunbelieverswho

belongtotheChurch,andthereforeoncewerefree.754)Howaretheybound?Bytheproclamation,byauthorityofGodandinHisstead,thattheirsinsare

notforgiven,buttheyabideunderthewrathofGod,andareshutoutfromthecongregationuntiltheyrepent.

755)Whatnamehaveweforthis?Excommunication.756)Whatistheconsequenceofit?AnexcommunicatepersonmustbeexcludedfromtheHolySupperuntilhe

repents,becausehecouldreceiveitonlytohiscondemnation.757)Oughtexcommunicationbepronouncedhastily?No. First we should observe the grades of admonition given by our Lord,

Matt.18:15ff.Onlywhenthishasbeenfoundfruitless,shouldwe,accordingtothecommandofChrist,proceedtoexcommunication.

758)WhatistheconsequenceoftheAbsolution?Free admission to the Sacrament of the Altar and to all of the Church’s

treasuresofgrace.759)WhatthenistheOfficeoftheKeys?A right division of the Word of God, through Absolution and

Excommunication.

QuestionsOnTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession.

XXXIX.

121

760)DoestheOfficeoftheKeysrestuponaninstitutionofGod?Yes,asisseeninthewordscitedfromJohn20:21-23.761)WhatdidourLorddoandsaytoHisdiscipleswhenHeinstituted

thisOffice?Hebreatheduponthem,andsaidtothem,ReceivetheHolyGhost.762)WhatdidHethengivetothem?WithHisbreathHegavetheHolyGhost.763)WhydidHegivethemtheHolyGhost?Toforgiveandretainsins.764)WhatwasimpliedinthisDivinepreparationfortheforgivenessand

retentionofsins?Thecommissionandthecommandactuallytoforgiveandretainsins.765)ThiscanbeprovenfromJohn20:21-23.Showmehow?IfitwerenottheLord’swillthatHisservantsshouldforgiveandretainsins,

Hewould not have confirmed their forgiving and retaining beforehand, in thewords,Whosesoeversinsyeremit,etc.

766)IsitcertainthatthisOfficestillcontinues?As certain as it is that the Lord commanded to preach the Gospel, i. e,,

Absolutionandforgiveness,toallmen.TheAbsolutionisnothingelsethantheGospel, only that it is the closest and loveliest application of it to individualpersons.Anditisobviousthattheoffice,whicheveninthetimeoftheApostlesbelonged to others than the Twelve, 2 Cor. 3:6; 5:18, 19; 1 Cor. 3:5ff., hasexistedintheChurchfromthebeginninguntilnow.

767)ButdidnottheApostlesdifferverymuchfromlaterpastorsintheirrighttotheOfficeoftheKeys?

While theyweregreatlyhelped in thisOfficeby theirunusualgifts,yet theAbsolution,andtherefusalofit,isinthemouthsofourpastors,asitwasinthemouthsoftheApostles,aWordofGodtheHolyGhost.

768)Butwhatifhypocritesareabsolvedbecausetheirpastorscannotseetheirhearts;orpioussoulsareexcommunicated?

TheguiltorresponsibilitydoesnotcleavetothePastorortohisOffice,ifhehaserredthroughhumanshortsightedness.Thehypocriteabidesinhissin,andtheunrecognizedpiousmanabidesinhispeacefulconscienceandinthepeaceofGod.

769)HowoughtaChristianregardtheofficeoftheKeys?HeshouldbelievewhatthecalledministerofChristsaystohim.770)Whenonlyshouldhethusbelieve?

122

WhenhedealswithhimaccordingtoChrist’sDivineOrdinance.771)Whendoesthisoccur?Especially when the called ministers of Christ exclude from the Christian

Congregationopenandimpenitentsinners,andabsolvethosewhorepentoftheirsinsandwishtoamend.

772)Shouldallopensinnersbeexcluded?Those who repent should be absolved; but those are excluded who are

impenitent.773)Areallimpenitentsinnersexcluded?Impenitentsinners,whosesinisnotopen,cannotbeexcluded.774) But what if the pastor knows the sin, and knows that it is not

repentedof?LethimtakethecourseadvisedinMatt.18:15ff.,and,ifheseesittobehis

official duty, withhold the Absolution and the Sacrament; but the formalexcommunication is theclimaxof thecourse shown in thatpassage,bywhichthesin,atfirstknowntobutoneormore,graduallybecomesevident.

775)Accordingly,whatsinnersareloosed,orabsolved?Thosewhorepentandpurposetoamend.776)Isitnotenoughtoseethatapersonispenitent?No. The sinner must express his purpose to amend that wherein he has

sinned,andwhichherecognizestobesin.777)Why?Otherwisehisrepentanceisnotpure.778) When the Ministers of Christ act thus, what should we firmly

believe?Thatsuchabindingandloosingisasvalidandcertain inHeaven,as ifour

LordJesusChristHimselfhaddoneit.779)WhereistheAbsolutionsaid?IntheConfession.780) Do you think this extract from the Brandenburg-Nürnburg

Kinderpredigten, 1533, gives too much to the Office of the Keys, to theinjuryofthecongregation?

No.TheministersofChristdischargetheirofficeinHisName,andthereforewithDivineauthority.ThereforetheyshouldneverforsakethecourselaiddownfortheminMatt.18:15ff.Alltheydo,theydowiththeCongregationandforit.

123

XL.

TheCatechismofLutherisareallivingchurchlylittlebook,becauseitteacheshowtheChurchacts,confessesandabsolves.Thischaracter isshowntobelongto itbeyondotherCatechisms,byitsTableofDuties,Prayers,andQuestionsbeforetheCommunion.781)HowmanypartsdoesConfessionembrace?Two.782)Whattwo?First,thatweconfessoursins.783)Andsecondly?ThatwereceiveAbsolutionorforgivenessfromthepastor.784)Andhow?AsfromGodHimself.785)Whatwillresult,ifwereceiveitasfromGodHimself?Wewillinnowisedoubt.786)And?Wewill firmly believe that through it our sins are forgiven beforeGod in

Heaven.787)DoesitmakeanydifferencewhetherweconfessoursinsbeforeGod,

orbeforemen?Ineachcaseitisadifferentconfession.788)WhatsinsshouldweconfessbeforeGod?Allsins,eventhosewhichwedonotdiscern.789)Why?Becausewe neither notice nor can perceive how oftenwe come short, but

Godseesandremembers.790)Wheredowethusconfessoursins?IntheLord’sPrayer.Therewesay,Forgiveusourtrespasses,—puttingall

oursinstogether,thosewediscernandthosewedonotknow.791)Butwhatsinsshouldweconfesstoourpastor?Thosesinsonlywhichweknowandfeelinourheart.792) Must a man then confess to his pastor every sin of which he is

conscious?No,thosewhichheknowsandfeelsinhisheart.

124

793)Howdoesaman“feelsinsinhisheart?”Theyarehardandheavy,theycauseanxietyandbittertears,asisseeninthe

caseofPeter,Luke22:62.794)Whyshouldamanconfesstohispastorthesinsheknowsandfeels?BecauseforthemespeciallyheneedsthecomfortoftheAbsolution.795)Buthowcanapastorabsolve,ifhedoesnotknowallaman’ssins?HeabsolvesinGod’sName.Goddoesitthroughhim.Godknowsallaman’s

sins,andinChristJesusforgiveseventhosewhichapenitentdoesnotknow.Heknowsthesin, thepenitenceandthefaith,andwillrespectHisabsolution.Forthe pastor it is enough that he absolve no open and impenitent offender, andthereforedoesnotshareanyone’ssinandimpenitence.

XLI.

796)IfonewishestoprepareforConfession,whatshallhedo?Lethimconsiderhisstation.797)What"Station"ismeant?Thestationofafather,orofamother,orofasonoradaughter,ofamasteror

amistress,ofamanservantoramaidservant.798)Andhowshallyouconsideryourstation?InthelightoftheTenCommandments.799)Howisthisdone?ByansweringquestionssuggestedbytheTenCommandments.Forinstance,

ifyouareasonoradaughteroraservant,haveyoubeendisobedient,unfaithful,slothful;oringeneral,haveyouwrongedanyonebywordordeed.

800)Andifonsuchanexaminationyoufindsins,whichoppressyouandyoufeelinyourheart?

ThenImayconfesstomypastorwhatIknowandfeel,insomewhatthesamemannerastheexamplegiveninthisbook.

801)Butwhatifyoufindnosintoaccuseyourselfof?Iwillcertainlyalwaysfindmorethanenough.802)Wecanhowever imaginemennotknowingwhat toconfess.What

oughttheydo?

125

Let them beware of hypocrisy, and let them say the General ConfessionwhichitiscustomarytosaytoGodinpublicworship,alsotothepastorthathemayabsolvethem.

803)HowdoesthisPartoftheCatechismclose?WiththebeautifulformulaofAbsolution.804)Isnotthisformulaveryshort?Itisshort,butittellsmeallIcanwishtoknowintheAbsolution;somuch

thatIcould—ifIwerewhatIshouldbe—drawstrengthandrefreshmentfromitallmylife.2

805) But those who have a heavyweight on their conscience, or aretroubledandtempted:dotheynotneedmore?

Thepastorwill knowwell enough how to comfort such and bring them togreaterfaith,withadditionalwordsofGod.

806)Coulddepressed,troubledandtemptedsoulskeeptotheformulasoftheCatechismintheirConfession?

Noteasily.Theheartwilloverflow,and theywill findawayof confessingthatneedsnoformula.

807)Forwhomthenistheformulagiven?Forthesimple,forthosewhodonotknowhowtofindabetterway,butinall

mattersneedtobetoldwhattodo.

1. Orig.Mohammedans↩2. Hewhohasforfeitedhislife,cangetapardoneitherinalongspeech,or

inthethreewords,Thoushaltlive.Willhewishforalongspeech,whenhehasheardthethreewords?Willtheynotbegreatandglorioustohim,andsweeterthanhoneyandthehoneycomb?↩

126

QuestionsOnPartV.

XLII.

808)WhatisthesubjectofthisPartoftheCatechism?TheSacramentoftheAltar,ortheHolySupper.WhatisanAltar?809)WhyisthisSacramentcalledtheSacramentoftheAltar?BecauseitusuallyisadministeredattheAltar.810)AndwhyisitcalledaSupper?Becauseitisameal,whichinthefirstinstancewasdispensedbyourLordin

theevening811)WhatdoestheCatechismsaytheHolySupperis?TheBodyandBloodofourLordJesusChrist.812)IstherenotperhapsintheHolySupperonlyasymboloftheBody

andBloodofChrist?No.TheSacramentoftheAltaristhetrueBodyandBloodofourLordJesus

Christ.813)Whymustthisbesaidsoearnestly?BecausetheReformeddenythepresenceofthetrueBodyandBloodofour

LordintheSupper.814) Why do we not agree with the Reformed in this, it being so

wonderfulathingthattheBodyandBloodofChristshouldbewherevertheHolySupperisadministered?

BecausetheLordplainlysaid,ThisismyBody,ThisismyBlood.815)ButcantheBodyandBloodoftheLordbeseenandtasted inthe

Supper?No.HisglorifiedBodyandHispreciousBloodare,onaccountofourgross

sins,notperceptible.816)Where then are the Body and Blood of Christ to be sought and

foundintheHolySupper?Underthebreadandwine.

127

817)Whatarethebreadandwinethereforecalled?ThetwoformsorelementsoftheBodyandBlood.818)Are thebreadandwine in theHolySupperonly visible forms, so

thatonlyBodyandBloodarethere,andnotbreadandwine?No. Bread and wine are really there, are seen and tasted, and after

consecrationarecalledbreadandwinebySt.Paul.1Cor.10:16,17.819)DoesanybodydenythatbreadandwineremainintheHolySupper,

justastheReformeddenythepresenceoftheBodyandBlood?Yes.TheRomanists say that in theSupper thebreadandwinearechanged

intoBody andBlood, and that of the bread andwine nothing remains but theoutwardappearance.

820)Whatdowesay,inasmuchaswelearnfromtheHolyScripturestoacknowledge the presence of the Body and Blood, and also of bread andwine?

WesaythattheBodyisunitedwiththebread,and theBloodisunitedwith thewine,and thereforeunder thebread

we receive the Body of Christ, and under the wine we receive the Blood ofChrist.

821)WhyareBodyandBloodofferedtousintheHolySupperunderthebreadandwine?

Toeatandtodrink.822)Howdoyouprovethis?BythewordsofChrist,Whosays,Eat,Drink.823)IftheBodyandBloodofChristareintheHolySupperforustoeat

anddrink,forwhatpurposearetheynotthere?Theyarenottheretobelookedat,carriedabout,andworshiped,fortheyare

notgivenforthat.824) To whom are the Body and Blood of Christ given to eat and to

drink?TousChristians.825)HowdowebecomeChristians?ByBaptismandfaith.826)CanunbaptizedpersonsreceivetheHolySupper,then?No.827)Canunbelievers?No.TheyarenotChristians.828)Howcanunbeliefbedetected?

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If one openly professes that he does not believe in Jesus Christ, or if heindeedwishes topass foraChristianbut lives in stiff-necked impenitenceandvice.

829)Are therenotagoodmanywhoconfessChrist,butarenotHisatheart,yetofwhomitwouldbeimpossibletoprovethis?

Sucharehypocrites,andtheyreceivetheSacramenttotheirownperil.

XLIII.

830)CanweobservetheHolySupperwithagoodconscience?Oughtwedoso?

Yes,weought.ItwasinstitutedbyChristforthatpurpose.831)Whohavetoldusaboutit?ThethreeEvangelists,Matthew,MarkandLuke,andSt.Paulin1Cor11.832)WhendidourLordinstitutetheHolySupper?ThesamenightinwhichHewasbetrayed.833)Whatnightwasthat?The night between Holy Thursday and Good Friday; for then Judas had

betrayedHim.834)WhatdidourLordthendo?Hetookthebread.835)Whatsortofbreadwasit?Thinunleavenedcakes,suchastheJewsusedinthePassover.836)AndwhatdidHedo,whenhehadtakenthebread?Hegavethanks,asHealwaysdidbeforeeating.837)Andthen?Hebrakethebread.838)Dideachdisciplereceiveawholeloaforcake?No,eachreceivedabitofthesameloaf.839)Didthediscipleshelpthemselvestothebread?No,Hegaveittothem.840)Didtheyreceiveitintheirmouths,orintheirhands?Wedonotknow,anditmakesnodifference.AtanyrateHegaveitfortheir

mouths,toeat.

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841)WhatdidHesay?Take,eat,thisismyBody.842)Andthereforewhat,accordingtoHisownwords,didHegivewiththebread?HisBody.843)WhatBody?TheLord said,MyBody,which isgiven foryou; thereforeno symbol, but

HistrueBody.844)HowcouldHedo thiswhenHewas therebefore their eyes in the

body?ThatHecoulddoit,weknowbecauseHesaidso.HowHedidit,isHiscare,

notours,nordoweknow.ItwashowevernogreatermiraclethanHedoesnowin distributing the Body in which He lives forever, to so many thousands ofbelievers.

845)WereceivetheBodythatwasgivenforus.Whywasitgiven?Tobearthepunishmentofdeathforoursin.846)Whydowesayitwasgivenforus?Because theBodyofChristwasgiven insteadof, in theplaceof,ourbody,

and therefore for our benefit. And in consequence, our body will not bepunished.

847)Dowereceiveittoourbenefit,intneSacrament?Howcanitbeotherwise,ifweareHisdisciples?John6:54.848)WhereindoestheblessingderivedfromtheSacramentconsist?Ifwe receivewith ourmouths theBody thatwas given for us,we can no

longerdoubt,butwesurelyknow,thatitwasgivenforus,andweareatpeacewithGod.ItislikethesacrificialmealsoftheOldTestament.WecannotdoubtthattheSacrificehasbeenoffered,ifweeatofit.

849)WhatdowespirituallyfeeduponintheholyBody?Complete peace in the Sacrifice offered for us, and forgiveness of sins,

thereforeeternallifeforbodyandsoul.John6:54.850)WhatelsedidourLordsayaftergivingHisBodytothedisciples?Dothis.851)Whatoughtwedotherefore?Takebread,givethanks,breakit,handit,savwhatHesaid,andreceivethe

heavenlyGift.852)Andwhyoughtwedothis?InmemoryofHim,toshowforthHislifeandsufferinganddeathforus.

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853)IstheHolySupperthereforeaMemorialofJesus?Mostcertainlyitis.854)InitdowecommemorateHimonly?No,Heremembersusandourneedmuchmore,andintheBreadgivestous

HisBody for the remissionof sins.We rememberHim in receiving thebread,andHeremembersusbygivingusin,withandunderthebreadHisBody,thatwemaybecomemembersofHisBody,Hisfleshandblood;andHegivestousforgivenessofsins,thatbodyandsoulmayrejoiceintheLivingGod.

XLIV.

855)WhatelsedidourLorddoaftertheyhadsupped?HetooktheCup.856)Anemptycup?No,itwasfilledwithwine.Hetookthecup,becauseofthewinewhichwas

init,whichHewishedtogive.857)Andthen?Hegavethanks,andgaveittoHisdisciples.858)AndwhatdidHesay?Drinkyeallofit.859)WhythendoRomishpriestsnotgivetheCuptoallChristians?TheysaythatourLordgaveittoHisdisciplesonly,andtheywerepriests.860)Aretheyrightinthis?If they were right, the same reasoning would withhold the bread from the

people.861)WastheCupwithheldfromthepeopleinthetimeoftheApostles?No.InSt.Paul’s1stEpistletotheCorinthiansitmaybeseenthatthewhole

congregation received both theBody and theBlood, andwe know thatmanycenturiespassedbeforethewithdrawaloftheCup.

862)Whatwasthereasonforthis?Thefearofspillingsomeofitscontents.863)WhyistherenodangerofspillinganyofChrist’sBlood?BecausetheAlmightyLordunitesHisBloodwiththewinewhichisdrunk,

butnotwiththedropsofwinewhicharespilled.TheerroroftheRomanistsisa

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consequence of theirwrong teaching that there is onlyBlood, andmerely theappearanceofwine,intheHolySupper.

864) But how could they withhold the Cup from the laity withoutbreakingourLord’scommand,Drinkyeallofit?

They argued that as no body is without blood, so the Blood of Christ iscontainedinHisBody.

865)Andwhatdoyousayofthisargument?TheLord,whoiswiserthanmen,said,Drinkyeallofit;andaservantought

notdepartfromHisMaster’sword,866)WhatdidtheLordsayoftheCup?ThisCupis theNewTestament inmyBlood,whichisshedforyoufor the

remissionofsins.867)WhatdoesNewTestamentmean?NewCovenant.868)WasthereanOldCovenant?Yes.869)ThroughwhomdidtheLordinstituteit?Moses.870)Withblood?Yes,thebloodofbeasts.Ex.24:4-8;Heb.9:19-22.871)OnwhatwastheOldCovenantfounded?OntheobedienceofmentotheLawwhichGodhadgiven.872)AndonwhatistheNewCovenantfounded?OntheperfectobedienceofChrist,anduponHissufferinganddeath.Heb.

9:11ff.873)WhatispromisedandgivenusforChrist’ssake?Theforgivenessofsins.874)HowdoesGodkeeptheNewCovenantwithus?Bygivingustheforgivenessofsins.Heb.10:16,17.875)Andhowisitkeptbyus?WhenwetrustHisforgiveness.876)HowarewerenderedcertainofHisforgiveness?ByreceivingtheBloodwhichwasshedfortheforgivenessofoursins.877)Whythus?Becausewecannotdoubtthatwehavereconciliationandforgiveness, ifwe

drinktheBloodthatwasshedfortheforgivenessofsins.Heb.9:13,14.878)WhydoesChristsayoftheCup:ThisistheNewTestament?

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BecauseinitHegivestheBloodoftheCovenant,bythebelievingreceptionofwhichwesetoursealtotheCovenantwhichisestablishedbetweentheLordand us by the shedding of His Blood. The Cup is called the New Covenant,becauseitrendersuscertainofourCovenantwithGodandconfirmsit,justasIcancallabookmyconsolation,ifIderiveconsolationfromit.

879)WhatshallwedoasoftenaswedrinkoftheCup?DoitinmemoryofChrist.

XLV.

880)Which of theWords of Institution show us the benefit we derivefromtheHolySupper?

Givenandshedforyoufortheremissionofsins.881)What is given to us through thesewords in the Sacrament, if we

hearthemwithfaith?Forgivenessofsins,lifeandsalvation.882)Butthesewordsspeakonlyoftheforgivenessofsins?Wherethereisforgivenessofsins,thereisalsolifeandsalvation.883) Has every one who eats and drinks in the Sacrament life and

salvation?No.Itisnottheeatinganddrinkingthatdoesit.884)Whynot?Howcouldsolittleahumanworkbringeternalblessing.885)Howthendowereceivethisblessing?Throughthewordsthatstandhere:Givenandshedforyou,fortheremission

ofsins.886)Andwhatdowethereforecallthesewords?ThechiefthingintheSacrament.887)But theCatechismsays thesewords“whichaccompanythebodily

eatinganddrinking,”arethechiefthing.Why?BecausewithouttheEatingandDrinkingthereisnosacramentoftheAltar,

andthewholeblessingoftheSacramentislost.FortheLordsaid,Eat,Drink.888)Doallwhoeatanddrink,havewhattheydeclareandmean,namely

theforgivenessofsins?

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No,onlythosewhobelievethesewords.889)Andwhatofthosewhodonotbelievethesewords?They receive theBody andBloodof theLordwithout the forgiveness, life

andsalvation.890)HowdotheyreceivetheBodyandBloodofChrist?Tocondemnation.1Cor.11:27:6?.891)Onwhatdoesalldepend?Thatwereceiveworthily.892)IsthisthesamethingastobeworthyoftheSacrament?Ono.Nomancanbeworthyofit,howeverholyhemaybe.893)Whatisitthentoreceiveworthily?It is to receive it inaway thathonors theheavenlyGiftsand theHeavenly

Giver.894)Andisthiseffectedthroughfastingandbodilypreparation?No.895)Butmaywenotfast?Whowill,may. It isagoodoutwarddiscipline,and isnot tobe rejectedso

longastoogreatvalueisnotascribedtoit.896)WhatdoestheApostlesayofbodilypreparation?Bodilyexerciseprofitethlittle.1Tim.4:8.897)Isitofnousethen?Littleisnotnothing.898)Howcanyouseethatbodilyexerciseisofsomeuse?Byobservingpersonswhouseit,andagainthosewhodonot,whocometo

theHolySupperwithout it,oreven indulge their fleshon thedayof theHolyCommunion.

899)Who,however,istrulyworthyandwellprepared?Hewhohasfaithinthesewords,Givenandshedforyoufortheremissionof

sins.900) And who, in spite of all outward preparation, is unworthy and

unfit?Hewhodoesnotbelievethesewords,ordoubts.Whatdoes“doubt”mean?901)AllintheSacramentdependsonthewords,FORYOU.OnwhatIN

YOUdoesalldepend?OnFaith.Thewords“ForYou”requiretrulybelievinghearts.

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902)Butarenotverymanycondemned,whenweaddthatwemaynotdoubt?

Thereisadifferencebetweendoubtanddoubt.903)Whatdoubterisunworthyandunfit?Hewhoiswillingtodoubt.Hewhofightsagainstdoubtandtriesinfaithto

overcomeit, isoneof thewearyandheavyladen, towhomChristsays,Comeuntome,andIwillgiveyourest.

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OfTheComprehensiveSummary,RuleAndStandard,AccordingToWhichAllDoctrinesShouldBe

JudgedAndAllControversiesShouldBeDecided.

(FromthePrefacetotheFormulaofConcord.)

I)Webelieve,teachandconfessthattheonlyruleandstandard,accordingtowhichalldogmasandteachersshouldbeesteemedandjudged,arenothingelsethanthepropheticandapostolicScripturesoftheOldandNewTestaments,asitiswrittenPs.99:105:“ThyWord is a lampuntomy feet, anda lightuntomypath.”AndSt.Paul says,Gal.1:8, “Thoughanangel fromheavenpreachanyotherGospeluntoyou,lethimbeaccursed.”

Otherwritings,ofancientormodernteachers,whateverreputationtheymayhave,shouldnotberegardedasofequalauthoritywiththeHolyScriptures,butshouldaltogetherbesubordinatedto them,andshouldnotbereceivedotherorfurtherthanaswitnesses,inwhatmannerandatwhatplaces,sincethetimeoftheApostles,thedoctrineoftheprophetsandapostleswaspreserved.

2)AndbecausedirectlyafterthetimeoftheApostles,andevenintheirlives,falseteachersandhereticsarose,andagainstthemintheChurch,Symbols,i.e.,brief,plainconfessions,werecomposed,whichwereregardedastheunanimous,universal Christian faith and confession of the orthodox and true Church,namely, theApostles’Creed, theNiceneCreed, and theAthanasianCreed; weconfess them as binding upon us, and hereby reject all heresies and dogmaswhich,contrarytothem,havebeenintroducedintotheChurchofGod.

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3)Moreoveras to the schism inmattersof faithwhichhasoccurred inourtime,weregardtheunanimousconsensusanddeclarationofourChristianfaithandprofession,especiallyagainstthePapacyanditsfalseworship,idolatryandsuperstition,andagainstother sects, as thesymbolofour time,viz.,The FirstUnaltered Augsburg Confession, delivered to the Emperor Charles V., atAugsburg,intheyear1530,inthegreatDiet,togetherwithitsApology,andtheArticles composed atSmalcald in the year 1537, and subscribed by the chieftheologiansofthattime.

Andbecausesuchmatterspertainalsoto the laityandthesalvationof theirsouls, we acknowledge as Confessions the Small and Large Catechisms ofDr. Luther, as they are included in Luther’sWorks, as the Bible of the laity,wherein everything is comprised which is treated at greater length in HolyScripture,andisnecessaryforaChristianmantoknowforhissalvation.

In accordance with this all doctrines should be tried, and that which iscontrarytheretoshouldberejectedandcondemned,asopposedtotheunanimousdeclarationofourfaith.

InthiswaythedistinctionbetweentheHolyScripturesoftheOldandNewTestaments and all other writings is preserved, and the Holy Scriptures aloneremain the only judge, rule and standard, according towhich, as the only teststone,alldogmasmustbediscernedandjudgedas towhether theybegoodorevil,rightorwrong.1

But the other symbols and writings cited are not judges, as are the HolyScriptures,butonlyawitnessanddeclarationofthefaith,astohowatanytimethe Holy Scriptures have been understood and explained in the Articles incontroversyintheChurchofGodbythosewhothenlived,andhowtheoppositedoctrinewasrejectedandcondemned.

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BriefInstructionConcerningTheBible,OrHolyScriptures,TheProof

OfOurConfession,AndOfAllDoctrine.

1).WhatistheBible?It is the Book of Books, a collection of books given us by God the Holy

Ghost,thewrittenWordofGodtomankind.2)Intowhattwopartsisthiscollectionofholybooksdivided?IntotheOldandNewTestaments.3)Whyisitthusdivided?God has made with men a twofold Covenant or Testament, the one with

AbrahamandhisposteritythatamongallpeopletheyshouldbeHisownchosenpeople;thesecond,however,withallbelievingdisciplesofJesusChristgatheredfromall thenationsof the earth, that they shouldbeHisownchosenChurch.TheformerpartoftheBiblecontainsthosedivinewritingswhichwerewritteninthetimeoftheOldCovenantandrefertoit.TothosewhichwerewritteninthetimeoftheNewCovenant,isgiventhenameoftheNewTestament.

4)WhatbooksbelongtotheOldTestament?The books of the Old Testament were arranged in the times of Ezra and

Nehemiah in threedivisions, theLaw, theProphets, and theScriptures.UndertheLaw,wereunderstoodtheFiveBooksofMoses.AmongtheProphetswerethebooksofJoshua,Judges,Samuel,andKings,andIsaiah,Jeremiah,Ezekiel,and the Twelve Minor Prophets. To the third division belonged, Psalms,Proverbs, Job,Canticles [Song of Songs], Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes,Esther,Daniel,Ezra,NehemiahandChronicles.

5)Dowestilldividethebooksinthisway?

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No.WecommonlyspeakoftheHistorical,PoeticalandPropheticalBooks,anddividethemthus:

I.HistoricalBooks.

1)ThefivebooksofMoses,thePentateuch,viz.,Genesis,Exodus,Leviticus,Numbers,Deuteronomy,

Theworkofoneman,exceptthelittlethatJoshuaorothersmayhaveaddedafterwards.

2)ThebookofJoshua.According to chapter24:26, theworkof Joshuaexcept the conclusion, and

somelittleadditionswhichcannothavebeenwrittenbyhim.3)ThebookofJudges.Thewriterisunknown.4)ThebookofRuth.WrittenafterthetimeofDavid,byanunknownwriter.5)6)ThefirstandsecondbooksofSamuel.These are one. The division was made in the Greek translation called the

Septuagint, and from it came into theLatin, theVulgate, and into theHebrewBible.TheyhavealsobeencalledthefirstandsecondbooksofKings,andthenfourbooksofKingshavebeenspokenof.Thewriterisnotknown.

7)8)ThefirstandsecondbooksoftheKings.These also were not divided originally. They are both by the same writer,

whosenameisnotknown.ProbablyitwastheprophetJeremiah.9)10)ThefirstandsecondbooksofChronicles.InHebrew,Annals. Jeromeuses theword,Chronicles.WrittenbyaLevite,

perhapsEzra.11)ThebookofEzra.EvidentlybyEzra.12)ThebookofNehemiah.ByNehemiah.Chapters8-10areascribedtoEzra.13)ThebookofEsther.Writerunknown.

II.PoeticalBooks.

1)(14.)Job.

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Writerunknown.2)(15.)ThePsalterorbookofPsalms.Dividedintofivebooks(I.1-41;II. to72;III. to89;IV.to106;V.to150).

Collections of Psalms belonging to various periods, especially to the time ofDavid.

3)(16.)Proverbs.A collection of Proverbs, in three parts: 1. to Chapter 9, collected by

Solomon;2.Chapters10-24,withnew title,ProverbsofSolomon; 3.Chapters25-29,ProverbsofSolomon,whichthemenofHezekiah,kingofJudah,copiedout,with two additions,TheWords of Agur, Chapter 30, and Chapter 31, thewordsofKingLemuel,theprophecythathismothertaughthim.

4)(17.)Ecclesiastes,orthePreacher.“Thewordsof thePreacher, thesonofDavid,” (i.1);but1:12,says, Iwas

king,asthoughadeadmanwererepresentedasspeaking.5)(18.)Canticles,theSongofSolomon.6)(19.)Lamentations.FivepoemsofJeremiah,1.Onthedeportationandsufferingsofthepeople;2.

On the horrors of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple; 3. On thesufferings of Jeremiah; 4. On the rigorous judgment ofGod, and the hope ofbetter times;and5.Onthedistressandshameof thepeople,withaprayerforrestoration.

III.PropheticalBooks.

1)(20.)Isaiah,betweenUzziahandthedeathofHezekiah,759-699B.C.2)(21.)Jeremiah,sonofHizkiah,thePriest,ofAnathothinBenjamin.From

the13thyearofthereignofJosiahuntilafterthedestructionofJerusalem,629-580B.C.

3)(22.)Ezekiel,sonofBusi,thepriest,amongthecaptivescarriedawaybyNebuchadnezzarwithJehoiakim,about600B.C.Livednear theriverChebar,whichemptiesintotheEuphratesatCarchemish.

4) (23.) Daniel, In the 4th year of Jehoiakim (606 B. C.) taken captive toBabylon.Lastprophecyofthe3rdyearofthesolemonarchyofCyrus(536B.C.)(WitnessofEzekiel,14:14,20,28:3,andofourLord,Matt.24:15.)

5)(24.)Hosea,sonofBeeri,underJotham,Ahaz,Hezekiah,JeroboamII.69yearsintheprophet’soffice.

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6)(25.)Joel,sonofPethuel.ItisuncertainwhetherhewasacontemporaryofAmos,orlivedlaterunderManasseh(700B.C).

7)(26.)Amos,ashepherdofTekoah,inthetribeofJudah,livedbetweenthebeginningofthereignofJeroboamII.andtheendofUzziah’s,838-759B.C.

8)(27.)Obadiah.ProphesiedagainstEdom,inthetimeofthedestructionoftheTemple(588B.C.)

9)(28.)Jonah,ofGath-HepherinZebulon,shortlybeforeorunderJeroboamII.838-797B.C.

10) (29.)Micah, ofMorescheth-Gath, under Jotham,Ahaz,Hezekiah, 758-699B.C.

11) (30.)Nahum, prophesied the fall ofNineveh, in the time ofManasseh(699-644B.C.)

12)(31.)Habakkuk,underJehoiakim,prophesiedagainstthedestroyers,610-509B.C.

13) (32.) Zephaniah, under Josiah, 641-610 B. C. Declared God’schastisement of Jerusalem and of her enemies, withMessianic prophecies forJerusalem.

14)(33.)Haggai,borninChaldea,encouragedtothebuildingoftheTemple.SecondyearofDariusHystaspis,about520B.C.

15) (34.)Zechariah, sonofBerechiah.AcontemporaryofHaggai, likehimencouragedtothebuildingofthetemple.

16)(35.)Malachi,anunknowncontemporaryofNehemiah.About450B.C,underArtaxerxesLongimanus.

6)WhatbookssometimesareplacedbetweentheOldTestamentandtheNew?

TheApocrypha orApocryphalbooks, i. e., suchas,while theyaregood toreadanduseful,andalwayshavebeenreadintheChurch,arenottoberegardedas theWordofGod, because theywerenotwrittenbyprophets, nor givenbyGod,butallwerewrittenafterthetimeoftheprophets.

7)NametheApocryphalbooks?1)Judith.Judith,apiouswidowofBethulia,acityofwhichweknownothing,killsa

generalofNebuchadnezzar,namedHolofernes,inthetwelfthyearofthereignofthat king. The return of the Jews from captivity is here supposed to haveoccurredata timebefore theyhadbeenledintoexile.ThebookprobablywaswritteninthetimeoftheMaccabees.

2)TheBookofWisdom.

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The most beautiful of the Apocryphal books. The author is unknown. ItappearstohavebeenwritteninAlexandria,shortlybeforethecomingofChrist.

3)Tobit.ApiousIsraeliteofthetribeofNaphtali(ofThisbeinUpperGalilee)in722

B.C,wascarriedcaptivetoNinevehbyShalmanassar.Havingbecomeblindinhis 56th year, he receives sight again through his son. A fiction, of unknowndate.

4) The Book of Jesus Sirach or Ecclesiasticus. A teaching of wisdom,modeled on the Proverbs of Solomon. Chapter 1. 1-26,makes it appear as ifSirachwere a contemporaryof theHighPriestSimon II. (217-196B.C.) andhadfinishedthebookafterthelatter’sdeath.TheGreektranslation,inwhichithasbeenpreservedtous,comesfromagrandsonoftheauthor,andaccordingtoanotimprobabletradition,datesfrom131B.C.

5)Baruch.Baruch, son of Neriah, Jeremiah’s amanuensis, read this book before

Jechoniahandother captives inBabylon in the5thyearof their captivity, andthen it was sent to Jerusalem. Much that is in it cannot be reconciled withhistory.Itcertainlybelongstoalaterperiod.

6)ThetwobooksoftheMaccabees.The first book describes the war of the five sons of the priest Mattathias

against the power of the Syrian kings, lasting forty years, 175-135 B. C. Itprobablywaswritten 135-107 under JohnHyrcanus, and inGreek. It ismoreworthyofbeliefthanthesecondBook,whichcontainsextractsfromahistoryofacertain JasonofCyrene relating to thedeedsof theMaccabees. (176-161B.C.)ProbablywritteninGreekbyanEgyptianJew.

7)PortionsofEsther.In theGreek translationof theBible theseare interwovenwith thebookof

Esther.Theycannothavebeencomposedearlierthan142B.C.Allthese[nextfour]arefoundintheSeptuagint:8)SusannahandDaniel.9)Bel,atBabylon.10)TheDragonatBabylon.11)PrayerofAzariah.12)SongofthethreeChildrenintheFieryFurnace.MuchusedbytheChurch,inalltimes.13)PrayerofManasseh.Verybeautiful.FoundonlyinLatin.

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8)AretheseallthewritingswhicharecalledApocrypha?Thereareothers;buttheseareallthatwerereceivedinLuther’stranslationof

theBible,andareprintedinsomeEnglishBibles.9)WoulditnotbebetteralwaystoomitthemfromtheBible?No.TheRomanistsholdthesebooksascanonical;theReformedleavethem

out; theLutheranChurch, however, leaves them between the two parts of theHolyScriptures,notascanonicalScriptures,butasusefulandgoodtoread,andasgivingus informationof the lastfourhundredyearsbeforeChrist,ofwhichotherwisewehavenone.

10)WhataretheScripturesoftheNewTestament?1)TheFourGospels,andtheActsoftheApostles;2)TheEpistles,orLetters,oftheHolyApostles;3)TheRevelationofSt.John.Or,tomentionthebooksseparately:1)TheGospelofMatthew.Matthew,orLevi,firstaPublicanorTax-gathererattheseatofcustomnear

CapernaumontheSeaofGalilee,thenanApostle,wrotehisGospelfirstfortheIsraelites.Accordingtooldtradition,hewasthefirstoftheEvangeliststowrite.

2)TheGospelofMark.Mark, or John Mark (Acts 12:25; 15:37), a relative of St. Barnabas, and

accordingtooldtradition,thecompanionandinterpreterofSt.Peter, issaidtohavewrittenhisGospelafterPeter’sdeath,fortheItalians.

3)TheGospelofLuke.Luke or Lucanus, a physician, Col 4:14, probably a Gentile-Christian, a

companion and assistant of Paul, wrote (probably 64 A. D.) for a ChristiannamedTheophilus,otherwiseunknowntous, twobooks, toproveandconfirmtheinstructionhealreadyhadreceived.ThesewerethisGospelandtheActsoftheApostles.HewritesforaGreek.

4)TheGospelofJohn.John,sonofZebedeeandSalome,thedisciplewhomJesusloved,wrotehis

Gospel to contradict errors about the Person of Christ andHis relation to theFather,probablyunderDomitian(95A.D.)ontherockyisleofPatmos,notfarfromEphesus,whitherhehadbeenbanished.HewroteforthecongregationsofAsiaMinorwhichhepresidedover,andsentittothembythepresbyterCaius.

5)TheActsoftheApostles.EmbracestheperiodfromtheAscensionoftheLordtothecloseofthetwo

years’imprisonmentofPaulatRome,30-64A.D.

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6)TheEpistleofSt.PaultotheRomans.WrittenatCorinth57-58A.D.WrittentoRome,beforePaulhadbeenthere.7)FirstEpistleofSt.PaultotheCorinthians.Written at Ephesus in 57. Corinthwas the capital ofAchaia, situate on an

isthmus betweenHellas and the Peloponnesus. There he had gathered a largecongregation.

8)SecondEpistleofSt.PaultotheCorinthians.WritteninMacedonia,soonaftertheFirstEpistle,onajourneytoCorinth,in

57,afterhehadreceivedthroughTitusareportoftheeffectofhisformerletter.9)TheEpistleofSt.PaultotheGalatians.InGalatia, the northern part of ancient Phrygia, dwelt in Paul’s time Jews,

Greeks,PhrygiansandCelts,amongwhomhehadfoundedcongregationsintheyear52.TothemhewrotethisletterfromEphesusin55,principallytoshowtherelationoftheOldTestamenttotheNew.

10)TheEpistletotheEphesians.Ephesus,oncetheprincipaloftheIoniancoloniesontheAsiaticcoast,some

miles from the sea on the river Cayster, a meeting-point of the liveliesttendencies,whereGreekaestheticidolatryencounteredAsiatictheurgy.Between54and57acongregation,composedofJewsandGentiles,hadarisen,preparedby Apollos, but founded by Paul. This letter Paul sent with the letter to theColossians,bythehandofTychicus,fromRome,about61-63.

11)TheEpistleofSt.PaultothePhilippians.Philippi,originallyaThraciancitybuiltontheslopeofahilltothenorthof

theStrymonandcalledCrenides,unitedwithMacedoniabyPhilip,thefatherofAlexander the Great, and settled with banished Romans by Augustus. ThecongregationgatheredtherebyPaulconsistedprincipallyofGentileChristians,andwastheApostle’scrownandjoy.Fromthemheacceptedsupport.EventoRome they sent him assistance, through Epaphroditus, who then brought thisletterbackwithhim.61-63.

12)TheEpistleofSt.PaultotheColossians.ColossaelayinWesternPhrygia,ontheriverLycus.St.PaulwasinPhrygia

in 52 and 54, and perhaps founded the congregation then. Epaphras came toRometoPaul,andbroughttohisheartgratefulmemoriesofthecongregationsofColossae,LaodiceaandHierapolis.PaulsentthemthisletterbyTychicus,withthelettertotheEphesians.61-63.

13)14)ThetwoEpistlestotheThessalonians.Thessalonica,formerlycalledThermae,ontheThermaeanLake.Agreatcommercialcity,inwhichmanyJews

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dwelt. The principal topic of these Epistles is the Second Coming of Christ.TheyarethefirstlettersSt.Paulwrote,fromCorinth,in53.

15)TheFirstEpistletoTimothy.Timothy,fromacityofLycaonia,probablyLystra,sonofaGentilefatherand

a pious Jewish mother. He was a companion and a messenger of Paul. PaulintendedhimtobeleaderofthecongregationatEphesus,andthisletterinductshimintothatoffice.ItisoneofthelastofPaul’sletters.

16)TheSecondEpistleofSt.PaultoTimothy.WrittenfromRomeshortlybeforethedeathoftheApostle.17)TheEpistleofSt.PaultoTitus.Titus, sonofGentileparents,companionandassistantofPaul.At thesame

time Timothy was sent to Ephesus, he was sent to Crete, to the same duty.Probablywrittenbetween64and66fromMacedonia.

18)TheEpistleofSt.PaultoPhilemon.Tychicus, who was to bring Paul’s letters to Colossae and Ephesus, was

accompanied by Onesimus, who brought with him a letter from Paul to hismaster, Philemon. He was Philemon’s runaway slave, had been converted byPaulatRome,andtheApostlesenthimbacktohismaster,butasksthelattertosethimfreethathemayusehimintheserviceoftheGospel.

19)TheFirstEpistleofSt.Peter.Simon, son of Jonas, a fisherman ofBethsaida on the Sea ofGennesareth,

called by the Lord Cephas or Peter, and therefore Simon Peter. Pillar of theChurchat Jerusalem.Hediedon thecrossatRome,June29th,67or68.Thisletter was written from " Babylon" between 64 and 67, to the Christians inPontus,Galatia,Cappadocia,AsiaandBithynia,andsent to thembySilas, theassistantofPaul.AwitnessoftheunitybetweenPeterandPaul.

20)TheSecondEpistleofSt.Peter.Written to the samepersons.The farewell of theApostle,who foreseeshis

death, and once more raises his voice to warn against apostasy, error, and adenialofthejudgmenttocome.

21)FirstEpistleofSt.John.Written without an especial address to his intimate Christians, his “Little

Children.”ItreferstohisGospel,andmayhavebeensentwithit.22)SecondEpistleofSt.John.AddressedtoaChristianladywhowithherchildrenwalkedinthetruth.23)ThirdEpistleofSt.John.

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To the presbyter Caius, the helper of the Apostle, probably the same thatbroughttheRevelationofSt.JohnfromPatmos.

24)TheEpistletotheHebrews.Written at the beginning of the Jewish War, about 64, to the believers in

Jerusalem and Judea, who were in danger of apostasy, because in fear ofsuffering, andwere tempted to it by theworship of theTemple.A triumphantcomparisonoftheOldandtheNewTestaments.

25)TheEpistleofSt.James.TheauthoristhefamouspresidentoftheMotherChurchatJerusalem,Acts

12:17;15:13;21:18ff;whomaloneitbefittedtosendalettertothetwelvetribesscatteredabroad.Hecallshimself“thebrotheroftheLord.”Matt.13:55;Mark6:6.(Acts1:14;1Cor.9:5.)AJamesismentionedamongthebrothersofChrist,whom antiquity assumed to have been sons of Joseph by a former marriage.Many think he was the son of the sister of Mar)-, herself named Mary,mentionedMark15:40.OthersthinkhewastheApostleJames,sonofAlphaeus.Whoeverhemayhavebeen,hisEpistle is from theHolyGhost, anddoesnotcontradictthedoctrineofSt.Paul.

26)TheEpistleofJude.The author is the brother of James. SeeMark 6:3. The letter assumes that

Jamesstillisaliveandprobablywaswrittenabout60A.D.AnApostleJudeismentioned,Luke6:16;Acts1:13,whoinMark3:18iscalledThaddaeus,Matt.10:3, Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus. In contents this letter resembles the SecondEpistleofPeter,thoughithaspeculiaritiesofitsown.

27)TheRevelationofSt.John.TheApocalypse.AwonderfulandveryedifyingproclamationofthefinallotoftheChurchof

God,ofwhichmorehasbeensaid,writtenanddebatedthanofanyotherbookoftheBible. Itsgenuineness is testified to fromthebeginning,and it isaworthyfinial of the Holy Scriptures. The holy Apostle and great seer of the NewTestament received this revelation from the Lord Himself on the island ofPatmosundertheEmperorDomitian(accordingtoIrenaeus),orunderClaudius(according to Epiphanius), and communicated it to the churches of Asia, andthroughthemtothewholeChurch.

11)YouhavesaidthattheScripturesoftheOldTestamentwerecollectedat theendof the timeof theProphets, in thedaysofEzraandNehemiah.CanwesaythelikeoftheScripturesoftheNewTestament:thattheywerecollectedtowardsthecloseoftheApostolicage?

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Wecannot.ForthecollectionoftheOldTestamentwerechosenthemenoftheGreatSynagogue,especiallyEzraandNehemiah,whothemselveshadlivedwith Prophets and had received theHolyGhost for theirwork. These highly-giftedmencoulddothisworkforthechildrenofIsrael;theirpositionwassuchthattheyweresureoftheconfidenceoftheirpeople.ButthebooksoftheNewTestamentwerenotgivenfirstofalltoonepeople,andintendedtobebythemgiven to all nations, but had to commend themselves to the believers of allnationsandbythembeacceptedasGod’sWord.Toaccomplishthis therewasnoSynagogue, noCouncil—no single assemblyof theChurchhad authorityenoughtocommendtheScripturesoftheNewTestamenttothewholeChurchasthe veryWord ofGod.This they did for themselves, andmost of themdid itfromthebeginning;andthoughquestionswereraisedastothedivineoriginofsomeofthem,thesewereovercome,andafterthefirstfourcenturiesallofthemhavebeenacknowledgedtobedivine.

12)YouhavespokenofaDivinegiftoftheHolyScriptures.Whatdoyoumeanbyit?

Thesacredwritersreceivedtheimpulsetowriteintheiroffice,aswellastheimpulsetospeak,fromtheHolyGhost(1Pet.1:20,21).Whiletheywrote,theSpiritofGodkeptthemfromerrorintellingthatwhichtheyknewbefore—Hewonderfullyhelpedthemtoremember,sothatthey,asforinstance,St.JohninhisGospel,faithfullygivethewordsofwholediscoursesofGod,ofChrist,andofHisApostlesandProphets, tell all thehistories in rightconnection,andareable to set forthallaccording toGod’smeaningandpurpose.TheHolyGhostalso opened their eyes to knowwhat they had not known before, revealed tothemthefutureandledthemintoalltruth.AndinallcasesHegavethemfortherightmattertheholyandperfectword,sothattheywroteandspokeinwords,"astheyweretaughtbytheHolyGhost."1Cor.2:13.ThisinfluenceoftheHolyGhost upon the sacred writers we call Inspiration, and St. Paul himselfwitnesses, 2 Tim. 3:16, that “all” or “the whole” Scripture is given by God.Compare1Cor.1:2;2Cor.2:13;3:18.

13)Butisnotthemannerandstyleofeveryoneofthesacredwritershisown, and different from that of the others? If the Holy Ghost speaksthroughallofthem,whyisHismannerofspeechsovarious?

Itisonebreaththatsoundsintheflute,thefife,thetrumpetandthehorn;butinthedifferentinstrumentstheonebreathgivesadifferentsound.SooneSpiritspeaksthroughalltheholymenofGod—thesenseandcontentsoftheirwordsisoneandisharmonious—butthemannerandstylevary,asinthecaseofthe

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musicalinstruments.ThereisoneSpirit,butadifferenceofgiftsandtone—andthisdifferenceoftoneissomuchlovelierintheconcordofthemeaning.

14)WhatdowecallthewholeofHolyWrit?TheCanon,thatis,theruleandstandardofourfaith.15) Can there be no other rule and measure for us, than the Holy

Scriptures?No.AsourLordprayedinHishigh-priestlyprayer,“Sanctifythemthrough

Thy truth;Thyword is truth,” John17:17.Only the truth canbeour rule andjudge,andthetruthisGod’sWord,’i.e.,theHolyScriptures.

16) But do the Holy Scriptures contain all that God and Christ, theProphetsandApostles,havesaid?

No, of course not. The world could not contain the books that would bewritten,ifitwereattemptedtosetdownallthatChristdidandsaid.John21:25..

17) Could it be said then that the truth is not wholly given in theScriptures,andthatthereforetheycannotbeourruleandstandard?

It would not be right to say so. If the word of the Old Testament is fullenoughtomakewiseuntosalvation(2Tim.3:15),howmuchmoreisthewholeBibleoftheOldandNewTestaments.

18) You say that the Scriptures contain enough to make us wise untosalvation:butdotheynotthencontainallthattheHolyGhosthassaid?

Itisnotnecessarythattheyshould;theycontainenough,iftheymakeuswiseuntosalvation.

19) Does not the RomanChurch teach that there is another source ofinformation, the tradition of divine words and truth handed down frommouthtomouth?

Yes,theyputsuchatraditionsidebysidewiththeHolyScriptures.20)HastheLutheranChurchnorespectforsuchtradition?Yes,sherespectseverytradition,butsheholdssuchtraditiontobeliableto

error,andacceptsitonlywhenitagreeswiththewrittenWordofGod;andifittells somethingwhich theHolyScripturesdonot contain shedoesnotdare tocallittheWordofGod.ShetriestraditionbytheWordofGod,andacceptsnodoctrinewhichisfoundedontraditionalone.

21) Is not the Lutheran Church in danger of rejecting much that isdivine?

Shecanrejectnothinghelpful tosalvation,solongassheacceptstheWordwhichcontainsallthatisnecessarytosalvation.

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22) Did not our Lord promise to give to His Church His Spirit, whoshouldleadherintoalltruth?John16:23.

Yes,andtheChurchalwayshastheHolyGhost;butbecauseamancanresistthe Holy Ghost and wander from the truth, we are most certainly under Hisguidance when we simply cling to the certain written Word of God. TheLutheranChurch, taught by experience, is afraid of error, and seeks theSpiritwholeadsintoalltruthintheDivineWordalone.

23)ButarenottheHolyScripturessohardtounderstandthatweneedtradition,oraninterpretersentorgivenbyGod?

IknowthatRomanistsregardtheirpopeassuchaninfallibleinterpreter,butitisaswellknownthatthepopesthemselvesoftenhaveerred,andthattheycanproducenopromiseofsuchaninterpreter.

24)ButdoesnottheBibleneedsuchaninterpreter?TheBible,ofwhichSt.Paul(2Tim.3:15,16)writes that itcanmakewise

untosalvation,andthatitisusefulfordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,andforinstructioninrighteousness,cannotbeobscure.

AccordingtoLuke1:4,LukewrotehisGospel thatTheophilusmightknowthecertaintyofthosethingswhereinhehadbeeninstructed.CantheGospelbeill-adapted to that purpose?St. Paulwrote a number ofEpistles: is it possiblethat thecongregations towhichhewrote themcouldnotbemadewisebyhiswords?CantheScripturesfallshortoftheiraim?IsitnottruethatissaidinPs.99:104,105,ThroughThyprecepts Igetunderstanding: therefore Ihateeveryfalseway.Thywordisalampuntomyfeet:andalightuntomypath.

25) But does not 1 Cor. 2:14 say, The natural man receiveth not thethingsoftheSpiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:neithercanheknowthem,becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned?

ThisdoesnotsaythattheBibleisobscure;butthatthenaturalmanhimselfisinthedark.IfheyieldhimselftotheWord,itiscleartohim,andtheSpiritofGodleadshimfromlighttolight.Alldependsonhisnotstrivingagainstit;thentheWordgiveshimunderstandingandbecomesalighttohisfeet.

26)Yet the spiritualmandoes not see everything, and it is undeniablethateventhemostenlightenedmenhavenotunderstoodeverythingintheBible?

True, yet it remains true that the Scriptures are clear enough tomakewiseuntosalvation.Itmaybesaidthattheycontainthreekindsofpassages:.1.Thosewhichareclearenoughforanyonetounderstand;2.Thosewhicharedarktoall;and3.Thosewhichrequirestudyandexplanation.

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27)HowthenshallamanusetheBiblearight?First of all let him takeholdof the first class of passages, thosewhich are

cleartoall;andthesearethemostnumerous.Lethimbemodestinreferencetothosewhichnooneunderstands;andthesearefew.Andinreferencetothethirdclass let him be modest, and abstain from passion, sinful excitement andprejudice,andhewillgofurtherandfurtherintotheirsense,andwillgetmoreandmorelight.

28)WhatdoesSt.Petersayofthedifficultpassages?He says, 2 Pet. 3:16, that in Paul’s Epistles “are some things hard to be

understood,whichtheythatareunlearnedandunstablewrest,astheydoalsotheotherScriptures,untotheirowndestruction.”

29)Whatgreathelpisofferedtoeveryright-mindedandzealousreaderoftheBible?

Theparallelpassages,whicharemarked forus in thebettereditionsof theBible.Thatis,passageswhichtreatofthesamesubject.

30)Howmanykindsofparallelpassagesarethere?Two,RealandVerbalparallels.31)Whatisthedifference?Realparallelsare suchas treatof the samesubject;Verbal, suchascontain

thesameword.32)Howfarcansuchpassageshelpustoabetterknowledge?Scripture explains itself; what may be lacking in one place, is found in

anotherofthesameimport.33)Butafterallindustryinreading,prayerandcomparison,arewenot

hinderedbydefectsinthetranslation?Certainlyweare;butthewayofsalvationisnotdarkenedinanyofthegreat

translationsofChristendom.34)Canyoumentionhumanmeanswhichrenderiteasiertounderstand

theBible?BiblicalGeography andBiblical Antiquities will help us to understand the

Scripturesintheirconnectionandtoseetheirgreatbeautyandexcellence.Theywill make much clear, definite and vivid, which seemed dark; and we willperceive the truthofwhatoneof thechurch-fatherssaid,Circumstances throwlightuponwords.(Hilary.)

1. Accordingly the Small Catechism must be compared with HolyScripture,thatwemayknowthatitsteachingisofGod.↩

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101Lehmanowsky,JohnJacob.ATaleofTwoCaptains

102Sandt,GeorgeWashington.BiographyofTheodoreSchmauk

103Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.NewTestamentConversions

104Schmauk,TheodoreEmanuel.TheConfessionalPrinciple

105Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.BiographyofWilliamPassavant

106Scriver,Christian.Gotthold’sEmblems

108Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.TheLutheranCountryChurch

109Jacobs,HenryEyster.ASummaryoftheChristianFaith

110Krauth,CharlesPorterfield.InfantBaptisminCalvinism

111Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.What’sWrongWithTheWorld

112Greenwald,Emanuel.WhyTheReformation?

114Jacobs,HenryEyster.MartinLuther:TheHerooftheReformation

116Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.ThePriesthoodofBelievers

117Jacobs,HenryEyster.TheBookofConcord:Epitome

120Luther,Martin.FirstPrinciplesoftheReformation

121White,RalphJerome.SixYearsinHammockLand

125Hosmer,JamesKendell.TheStoryoftheJews

133Greenwald,Emanuel.JustificationByFaith

138Dolbeer,WilliamHenry.TheBenediction

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139Stromme,PeerOlsen.ChurchHistory:JustTheBasics

141Fesperman,JosephHamilton.TheLifeofaSufferer

143Whitteker,JohnEdwin.GospelTruths

144Whitteker,JohnEdwin.ChurchandState

145Stump,Joseph.Melanchthon

149 Greenwald, Emanuel. Pastor Louis Harms and the Church atHermansburg

155Miller,CharlesArmand.ThePerfectPrayer

156Laird,Samuel.SelectionofSermons

158 Morris, John Gottlieb. Life Reminiscences of an Old LutheranMinister

163LutheranTreasuryofPrayers

168 Brown, James Allen. The Anti-Lutheran Theology of Dr. S. S.Schmucker

169Einspruch,Henry.TheMostNotedJewishBookintheWorld

170Lichtenstein,Isaac.AnAppealtotheJewishPeople

171Loy,Matthias.TheDoctrineofJustification

176Neve,JuergenLudwig.ChurchesandSectsofChristendom

180Loy,Matthias.TheStoryofMyLife

185Dau,WilliamHermanTheodore.LutherExaminedandReexamined

188Schuh,LewisHerman.FuneralSermonsofLutheranDivines

189Greenwald,Emanuel.TheBaptismofChildren

190Long,SimonPeter.TheWayMadePlain

196Kiess, FrankAlbert.My experiences in the mission field of SouthDakota

201Long,SimonPeter.PreparetoMeetThyGod

207Harms,JohnHenry.TheVictoryofFaith:LutheranMeditations

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209Horine,Mahlon.TheBookofRuth

212Huber,Eli.FoodFortheHeavenlyWay

213Ochsenford, Solomon Erb. The Passion Story as Recorded by theFourEvangelists

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222 Keyser, Leander Sylvester. Election and Conversion. A FrankDiscussionofDr.FranzPieper’sBook

225Young,EgertonRyerson.MyDogsintheNorthland

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241Lenski,Schmidt&Gohdes.IntuituFideiElectionInViewofFaith

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MayGod bless you and keep you, help you, defend you, and lead you toknowthedepthofHislove.Amen

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Benediction

Nowuntohimthatisabletokeepyoufromfalling,andtopresentyoufaultlessbeforethepresenceofhisglorywithexceedingjoy,

To theonlywiseGodourSavior,begloryandmajesty,dominionandpower,bothnowandever.Amen.–Jude1:24-25

158

TableofContents

CopyrightInformation 4Contents 5Translator’sPreface. 10PrefaceOfDr.MartinLuther. 12TheSmallCatechismofMartinLuther 17I.TheTenCommandments. 17

TheFirstCommandment. 17TheSecondCommandment. 17TheThirdCommandment. 18TheFourthCommandment. 18TheFifthCommandment. 18TheSixthCommandment. 18TheSeventhCommandment. 19TheEighthCommandment. 19TheNinthCommandment. 19TheTenthCommandment. 19

II.TheCreed. 22TheFirstArticle.2 22TheSecondArticle. 22TheThirdArticle. 23

III.TheLord’sPrayer. 25TheFirstPetition. 25TheSecondPetition. 25TheThirdPetition. 26TheFourthPetition. 26TheFifthPetition. 26TheSixthPetition. 27TheSeventhPetition. 27

IV.TheSacrament[HolyMystery]OfHolyBaptism. 28I. 28

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II. 28III. 28IV. 29

OfTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession. 30A.(FromtheKinderpredigtenoftheBrandenburg-NürnbergOrderof1533.) 30

B.HowPeopleShouldBeTaughtToConfess. 30V.TheSacramentOfTheAltar. 33

MorningPrayer. 34EveningPrayer. 34GracebeforeMeat. 35ThanksafterMeat. 35

TableOfDuties; 36ToBishops,Pastors,andPreachers. 36WhattheHearersOwetoTheirPastors. 36OfCivilGovernment. 37OfSubjects. 37ToHusbands. 38ToWives. 38ToParents. 38ToChildren. 38ToServants,HiredMen,andLaborers. 38ToMastersandMistresses. 39TotheYounginGeneral. 39ToWidows. 39ToallinCommon. 39

QuestionsandAnswers 41I.IntroductoryQuestions. 41II.IntroductoryQuestionsToTheFirstPart. 42III.IntroductiontotheCommandments 45

FirstCommandment. 45IV.SecondCommandment. 46V.ThirdCommandment. 48

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VI.FourthCommandment 51VII.FifthCommandment. 52VIII.TheSixthCommandment. 54IX.TheSeventhCommandment. 56X.TheEighthCommandment. 57XI.TheNinthCommandment. 59

TenthCommandment 60XII.OftheNinthandTenthCommandments. 61XIII.TheConclusiontotheCommandments. 63XIV.QuestionsLeadingToPartII. 67XV.QuestionsIntroductoryToPartII. 69XVI.OfTheHolyTrinity. 70XVII.QuestionsOnTheMeaningOfPartII. 72XVIII. 74XIX. 76XX. 79XXI. 80XXII. 83XXIII. 86XXIV. 87XXV. 90XXVI.JustificationbyFaithAlone. 93XXVII.QuestionsIntroductoryToTheLastFourParts. 96QuestionsIntroductoryToPartIII. 97QuestionsonPartIII. 99XXVIII.TheFirstPetition. 99XXIX.TheSecondPetition. 101XXX.TheThirdPetition. 103XXXI.TheFourthandFifthPetitions. 105XXXII.TheSixthandSeventhPetitions. 107XXXIII.QuestionsIntroductoryToPartIV. 110XXXIV. 111XXXV. 113

161

XXXVI. 115XXXVII. 116QuestionsIntroductoryToThePartConcerningTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession. 119

XXXVIII. 119QuestionsOnTheOfficeOfTheKeysAndConfession. 121XXXIX. 121XL. 124XLI. 125QuestionsOnPartV. 127XLII. 127XLIII. 129XLIV. 131XLV. 133

OfTheComprehensiveSummary,RuleAndStandard,AccordingToWhichAllDoctrinesShouldBeJudgedAndAllControversiesShouldBeDecided.

136

BriefInstructionConcerningTheBible,OrHolyScriptures,TheProofOfOurConfession,AndOfAllDoctrine. 138

AbouttheLutheranLibraryPublishingMinistry 151HowCanOneFindPeaceWithGod? 151IfYouFindTypographicErrors 151WanttobenotifiedofFutureReleases? 152SomeAuthorsForYouToDiscover 152

CatalogofTitles 153“QuickReads” 155“Extras” 156TheLutheranLibrary 156

Benediction 158

162