{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_36081/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_36081","id":"gutenberg_36081","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36081","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Religion/Spirituality","Category: Teaching & Education","Luther, Martin, 1483-1546. Kleine Katechismus","Lutheran Church -- Catechisms"],"text":"\n\n\n\nProduced by Larry B. Harrison and the Online Distributed\nProofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n LUTHER'S\n SMALL CATECHISM\n\n _Explained in Questions and Answers_\n\n BY\n H. U. Sverdrup,\n Late Pastor in the Church of Norway.\n\n ABRIDGED\n\n Translated from the Norwegian\n By H. A. URSETH\n\n THIRD EDITION\n\n MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.\n THE FREE CHURCH BOOK CONCERN\n 1906.\n\n\n\n\n COPYRIGHTED BY\n THE FREE CHURCH BOOK CONCERN\n 1900.\n\n\n\n\nPREFACE.\n\n\nIn 1897 the present publishers issued in Norwegian an Explanation of\nLuther's Small Catechism by Pastor H. U. Sverdrup, being an abridged\nedition of a larger work by the same author, based on Dr.\nPontoppidan's Explanation of the Catechism. Some alterations were made\nin the answers to questions 244-252. The present work is a translation\nof this abridged and slightly altered edition.\n\nA literal translation has been avoided rather than sought; an attempt\nhas been made to render the original in the simplest and strongest\nEnglish, and to avoid words and expressions with which the young are\nlittle familiar.\n\nIn the catechism proper the Standard English Catechism Version has\nbeen followed when it did not interfere with the plan stated above.\nBut departures have been made reluctantly and only when simplicity and\nclearness seemed to be gained thereby. It is not thought that these\nfew changes will cause any disturbance.\n\nScripture quotations have been added somewhat freely from the larger\nedition.\n\nAs the needs of our English speaking young people have been constantly\nborne in mind during the preparation of this translation, it is hoped\nthat the book may not fail to carry some blessing to them.\n\n October, 1900.\n\n _The Translator._\n\n\n\n\nLUTHER'S SMALL CATECHISM.\n\n\n\n\nPART ONE.\n\nTHE TEN COMMANDMENTS.\n\n\nTHE FIRST COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt have no other gods before me.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.\n\n\nTHE SECOND COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the\nLord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not curse, swear, conjure, lie, or\ndeceive by His name, but call upon His name in every time of need, and\nworship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.\n\n\nTHE THIRD COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not despise or neglect His Word, but\ndeem it holy and gladly hear and learn it.\n\n\nTHE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and\nthou mayest live long on the earth.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not despise or give offense to our\nparents or superiors; but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.\n\n\nTHE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not kill.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not hurt or harm our neighbor in his\nbody, but help and befriend him in all bodily distress.\n\n\nTHE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not commit adultery.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and live a chaste and pure life, in words\nand deeds, husband and wife loving and honoring each other.\n\n\nTHE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not steal.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not take our neighbor's money or\nproperty, nor get it by unfair dealing or other dishonesty, but help\nhim to improve and protect his property and living.\n\n\nTHE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not tell lies about our neighbor, nor\nbetray, slander, or defame him; but excuse him, speak well of him, and\nlook upon all his acts as well-meant.\n\n\nTHE NINTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not by deceit or craft seek to gain\nour neighbor's inheritance or home, nor try to get it though we seem\nto have some right thereto, but help him to keep his own.\n\n\nTHE TENTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor\nhis maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not estrange, force, or entice away\nfrom our neighbor, his wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to\nstay and do their duty.\n\n _What does God say of all his commandments?_\n\n=I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the\nfathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them\nthat hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me,\nand keep my commandments.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nGod threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments; we\nshould therefore fear His wrath, and do nothing against them.\n\nOn the other hand He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep\nthese commandments; we should therefore love Him and trust in Him, and\ngladly do according to His commandments.\n\n\n\n\nPART TWO.\n\nTHE THREE ARTICLES OF THE CREED.\n\n\nTHE FIRST ARTICLE.\n\nCONCERNING CREATION.\n\n=I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nI believe that God has made me and all other creatures; that He has\ngiven me body and soul, eyes, ears, and all other members, my reason,\nand all my senses.\n\nI also believe that He preserves all He has made, and that He daily\nprovides me with all I need, giving me clothing and food, home and\nfamily, and every good thing.\n\nI further believe that He protects me from all danger, and keeps me\nfrom all evil; not because I have deserved it, but because He is a\nloving and merciful Father.\n\nFor all these blessings it is my duty to serve Him thankfully and\nobediently all the days of my life.\n\nAll this is certainly true.\n\n\nTHE SECOND ARTICLE.\n\nCONCERNING REDEMPTION.\n\n=I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived\nby the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius\nPilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the\nthird day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and\nsitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from whence He\nshall come to judge the quick and the dead.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nI believe that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from\neternity; I also believe that He is true man, born of the Virgin Mary;\nthat He is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned sinner;\nwho has freed me from sin, from death, and from the power of Satan,\nnot with gold or silver but with His holy and precious blood and His\ninnocent death.\n\nAll this He has done that I might be His own, and that I might serve\nHim in righteousness, innocence, and happiness, and live and reign\nwith Him in His kingdom forever, even as He arose from the dead, lives\nand reigns through all eternity.\n\nAll this is certainly true.\n\n\nTHE THIRD ARTICLE.\n\nCONCERNING SANCTIFICATION.\n\n=I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian church, the communion\nof saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and\nlife everlasting. Amen.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nI believe that I cannot through my own strength believe in Jesus\nChrist my Lord, or come to Him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit\nalone, who has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with His\ngifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith;\n\nEven as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole\nChristian church on earth, and preserves it in fellowship with Jesus\nChrist in the one true faith.\n\nIn this Christian church He daily forgives me and all believers all\nour sins, and He will raise up me and all the dead on the last day,\nand will give me and all believers everlasting life.\n\nAll this is certainly true.\n\n\n\n\nPART THREE.\n\nTHE LORD'S PRAYER.\n\n\n=Our Father who art in heaven.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nGod would hereby tenderly invite us to believe that He is truly our\nFather, and we are truly His children, so that we may ask of Him with\nall cheerfulness and confidence, as dear children ask of their dear\nfather.\n\n\nTHE FIRST PETITION.\n\n=Hallowed be Thy name.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nThe name of God is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition\nthat it may be hallowed also among us.\n\nThis is done when the Word of God is rightly taught, and when we as\nthe children of God live holy lives in obedience to the Word. This\ngrant us, heavenly Father.\n\n\nTHE SECOND PETITION.\n\n=Thy kingdom come.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nThe kingdom of God comes indeed of itself, without our prayer, but we\npray in this petition that it may come also to us.\n\nThis is done when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so\nthat by His grace we believe the Word of God, and live holy and\nChrist-like lives here in time, and in heaven forever.\n\n\nTHE THIRD PETITION.\n\n=Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nThe good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer;\nbut we pray in this petition that it may be done also among us.\n\nThis is done when God brings to nothing all evil plans and purposes of\nthe devil, the world, and our own flesh, that would hinder the\nhallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom.\n\nOn the other hand, it is the good and gracious will of God to strengthen\nus and keep us steadfast in His Word and in faith, until death.\n\n\nTHE FOURTH PETITION.\n\n=Give us this day our daily bread.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nGod gives daily bread indeed without our prayer even to the wicked;\nbut we pray in this petition that He would help us to appreciate His\nbenefits, that we may receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.\n\nBy daily bread is meant all those things which are needed for our\nsupport and well-being in life, as food and clothing, home and property,\nhappy family relations, a good government, favorable weather, peace and\nhealth, faithful friends, good neighbors, and the like.\n\n\nTHE FIFTH PETITION.\n\n=And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass\nagainst us.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon\nour sins, nor, on account of them, deny our prayer, for we are not\nworthy of anything we ask, neither have we deserved it; but we pray\nthat He would give it to us out of His mercy; for we sin every day,\nand deserve nothing but punishment.\n\nAnd we on our part will heartily forgive those who have sinned against\nus, and return good for evil.\n\n\nTHE SIXTH PETITION.\n\n=And lead us not into temptation.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nGod indeed tempts no one, but we pray in this petition that He would\nguard and keep us from the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that\nwe fall not, through their deceit, into unbelief, despair, or other\nsins; but we pray that although we be thus tempted, we may overcome\nthe temptation, and remain victorious.\n\n\nTHE SEVENTH PETITION.\n\n=But deliver us from evil.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe pray in this petition, in general, that our Father in heaven would\ndeliver us from all evil, affecting body and soul, property and honor,\nand at last grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this\nworld of sorrow to Himself in heaven.\n\n _What are the closing words of the Lord's Prayer?_\n\n=For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and\never. Amen.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should remember that God is able to answer our prayer, and that the\nglory belongs to Him alone, when we get according to our prayer.\n\n _Why is the word \"Amen\" added?_\n\nIt is added in order that I may be fully assured that these petitions\nare acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him.\n\n\n\n\nPART FOUR.\n\nTHE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.\n\n\n _What is Baptism?_\n\nBaptism is not water alone, but it is water comprehended in God's\ncommand, and united with His Word.\n\n _What is God's command concerning Baptism?_\n\nIt is given in the words of Christ in the last chapter of Matthew:\n\n=\"Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name\nof the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.\"=\n\n _What benefit do we have from Baptism?_\n\nBaptism works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the\ndevil, and gives everlasting life to all who believe what the Word and\npromises of God declare.\n\n _What is God's promise concerning Baptism?_\n\nIt is given in the words of Christ in the sixteenth chapter of Mark:\n\n=\"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that\nbelieveth not shall be condemned.\"=\n\n _How can water do such great things?_\n\nIt is not water indeed that does it, but the Word of God, which is in\nand with the water, and faith which trusts this Word of God in the\nwater.\n\nFor without the Word of God, the water is water alone, and no Baptism.\nBut with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water of\nlife and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost; as Paul says in\nthe third chapter of the epistle to Titus:\n\n\"According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration,\nand renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through\nJesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we should\nbe made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.\"\n\n _What does the baptizing with water signify?_\n\nIt signifies that the old man in us should, by daily sorrow and\nrepentance, be drowned and die, with all sins and evil desires; and\nagain a new man daily appear more and more, who shall live before God\nin righteousness and purity forever.\n\n\n\n\nPART FIVE.\n\nTHE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.\n\n\n _What is the Lord's Supper?_\n\nIt is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under bread and\nwine, instituted by Christ Himself for Christians to eat and to drink.\n\n _Repeat the Words of Institution._\n\n=\"Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took\nbread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to His\ndisciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you;\nthis do in remembrance of me.=\n\n=\"After the same manner, also, when He had supped, He took the cup,\nand when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all\nof it; this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for\nyou, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye\ndrink it, in remembrance of me.\"=\n\n _What benefit do we have from the Lord's Supper?_\n\nIt is shown by these words: \"Given and shed for you, for the remission\nof sins;\" namely, that in the sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and\nsalvation are given us through these words. For where there is\nforgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.\n\n _How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?_\n\nIt is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does it, but the words\nwhich stand here: \"Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins.\"\nThese words, together with the bodily eating and drinking, are the\nchief thing in the sacrament; and He that believes these words, has\nwhat they say and mean, namely, the forgiveness of sins.\n\n _Who, then, receive this sacrament worthily?_\n\nFasting and bodily preparation are indeed a good outward practise;\n\nBut he alone is truly worthy and well prepared, who believes these\nwords: \"Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins.\"\n\nBut he who believes not these words is unworthy and unprepared. The\nwords, \"=for you=\" require truly believing hearts.\n\n\n\n\nINTRODUCTION.\n\n\n _1. What is God's will concerning man?_\n\nGod willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of\nthe truth. 1 Tim. 2:4.\n\n _2. Where does God show us how we may be saved?_\n\nIn the holy Scriptures, also called the Bible.\n\n _3. Who wrote the Bible?_\n\nThe holy prophets, evangelists, and apostles wrote the Bible.\n\n _4. But how can their word be the Word of God?_\n\nThe Spirit of God revealed to them what to speak and write.\n\n =2 Pet. 1:21. [R. V.] Men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy\n Ghost.=\n\n =2 Tim. 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and\n is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for\n instruction in righteousness.=\n\n _5. What must we do to experience personally that their word is\n the Word of God?_\n\nWe must obey the Word and receive it into our hearts.\n\n =John 7:17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the\n doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.=\n\n _6. Is the Bible then the only safe rule of our faith and duty?_\n\nYes; the Bible alone contains full information of the will of God\nconcerning our salvation.\n\n _7. How do we rightly use the Word of God?_\n\nWe must first look to God for the light of His Spirit, and then read\nwith devotion and an earnest purpose to live according to the Word.\n\n =1 Cor. 2:14. [R. V.] The natural man receiveth not the things of\n the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he\n cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.=\n\n _8. Who should read the Bible?_\n\nIt is the will of God that all should use His Word and love it as a\ndear gift.\n\n _9. What is the substance of all the books of the Bible?_\n\nThe great truth that Jesus is the way to salvation for all who believe.\n\n =John 20:31. But these are written, that ye might believe that\n Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might\n have life through his name.=\n\n _10. How is the Bible divided in regard to its teaching?_\n\nIt is divided into Law and Gospel.\n\n _11. What is the Law?_\n\nThe Law is the divine Word which tells us what we must do.\n\n _12. What is the Gospel?_\n\nThe Gospel is the glad tidings of the grace of God in Jesus Christ our\nSavior.\n\n\n\n\nPART ONE.\n\nTHE TEN COMMANDMENTS, OR THE LAW.\n\n\n _13. How has God given His law to us?_\n\n1. In the creation God wrote His Law in the heart of man.\n(Conscience.) Rom. 2:15.\n\n2. At Mount Sinai He gave His Law in the Ten Commandments, written on\ntwo tables of stone. Ex. 20:1-17.\n\n _14. Does this Law demand outward observance only?_\n\nNo; it demands the whole man, and the willing obedience of heart and\nmind.\n\n =Luk. 10:27. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,\n and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all\n thy mind.=\n\n _15. Can we be saved through the Law?_\n\nNo; since the fall in sin no man can perfectly keep the Law.\n\n =Rom. 8:7. The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not\n subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be.=\n\n _16. Of what benefit, then, is the Law?_\n\n1. It points out to us our sins and the wrath of God toward sin.\n\n =Rom. 3:20. [R. V.] Through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.=\n\n2. It makes us anxious to seek Christ.\n\n =Gal. 3:24. The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.=\n\n3. It points out to the believer what fruits his faith must bear.\n\n =Ps. 119:105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto\n my path.=\n\n _17. What is the substance of the law?_\n\nLove to God, ourselves, and our neighbor. Matt. 22:37-40.\n\n =Rom. 13:10. [R. V.] Love is the fulfilment of the law.=\n\n =1 Tim. 1:5. [R. V.] But the end of the charge is love out of a\n pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned.=\n\n\nTHE FIRST TABLE OF THE LAW.\n\n _18. What is the substance of the first table?_\n\nLove of God.\n\n =Luk 10:27. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,\n and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.=\n\nTHE FIRST COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt have no other gods before me.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.\n\n _19. What does the first commandment forbid?_\n\nIt forbids the worship of strange gods, or idols.\n\n =Matt. 4:10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only\n shalt thou serve.=\n\n _20. What is meant by an idol?_\n\nAnything that man worships, fears, loves, and trusts in instead of the\none true God.\n\n _21. Who practice idolatry openly?_\n\nThey who worship the created things instead of the Creator, and pray\nto the sun, the moon, stars, images, angels, or saints.\n\n =Rom. 1:25. They changed the truth of God into a lie, and\n worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is\n blessed forever.=\n\n _22. Who practice idolatry secretly?_\n\nThey who turn their _love_, _fear_, and _trust_ from the living God,\nthat they may secretly cling to something else than Him.\n\n _23. Whom do all idolaters really serve?_\n\nThey serve the devil who is the father of lies, and the lord of all\nimpenitent and hardened sinners.\n\n =1 John 3:8. [R. V.] He that doeth sin is of the devil.=\n\n =2 Cor. 4:4. [R. V.] The god of this world hath blinded the minds\n of the unbelieving.=\n\n _24. What does God require of us in the first commandment?_\n\nWe should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.\n\n _25. Upon what does God then really look?_\n\nUpon the attitude of our hearts toward Him.\n\n =Prov. 23:26. My son, give me thine heart.=\n\n =Prov. 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are\n the issues of life.=\n\n _26. When do we fear God?_\n\nWe fear God when we think so highly of Him, that we are afraid of\noffending Him by any wrongdoing.\n\n =Ps. 33:8. Let all the earth fear the Lord!=\n\n _27. Of how many kinds is the fear of God?_\n\nOf two kinds: slavish fear and child-like fear.\n\n _28. What is meant by slavish fear?_\n\nWhen we fear God because we are afraid of punishment.\n\n _29. What is meant by child-like fear?_\n\nWhen we love God so dearly that we wish to do nothing that is against\nHis will.\n\n =Gen. 39:9. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin\n against God?=\n\n =1 John 4:18. Perfect love casteth out fear.=\n\n _30. Who fear God in this manner?_\n\nGod's children only.\n\n =Rom. 8:15. [R. V.] Ye received not the spirit of bondage again\n unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we\n cry, Abba, Father.=\n\n _31. When do we love God?_\n\nWe love God when He is dearer to us than all else, so that we have no\ntrue joy except in Him, and gladly submit to His will in all things.\n\n =Ps. 18:1. I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength.=\n\n =Ps. 73:25, 26. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none\n upon earth that I desire beside Thee. My flesh and my heart\n faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion\n forever.=\n\n _32. Can we love God and the world at the same time?_\n\nBy no means.\n\n =Matt. 6:24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will\n hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one\n and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.=\n\n =1 John. 2:15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in\n the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is\n not in him.=\n\n _33. Why must we love God?_\n\nWe must love God because of His goodness toward us.\n\n =Matt. 19:17. There is none good but one, that is God.=\n\n =1 John 4:19. We love him, because He first loved us.=\n\n _34. Whereby is it seen that we love God?_\n\nBy a holy life.\n\n =John 14:21. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it\n is that loveth me.=\n\n _35. When do we trust in God above all things?_\n\nWe trust in God above all things when we have confidence in Him as in\na loving father, and when we look to Him for every blessing, and put\nall our affairs into His hands.\n\n =1 Pet. 5:7. Casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth\n for you.=\n\n =Ps. 37:5. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and\n He shall bring it to pass.=\n\n _36. Why must we trust in God alone?_\n\nBecause He is our almighty and faithful Friend.\n\n _37. Name some virtues that follow upon true fear, love, and\n trust in God._\n\nHumility, patience, and self-denial.\n\n =1 Pet. 5:5, 6. God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the\n humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,\n that He may exalt you in due time.=\n\n =Job 1:21. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed\n be the name of the Lord!=\n\n =Matt. 26:39. Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.=\n\nTHE SECOND COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the\nLord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not curse, swear, conjure, lie, or\ndeceive by His name, but call upon His name in every time of need, and\nworship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.\n\n _38. What is meant by the \"name\" of God?_\n\n1. The usual names given to Him in the Bible.\n\n2. His nature and attributes and all that by which He is especially\nknown, such as His Word, sacraments, and works.\n\n _39. When is the name of God taken in vain?_\n\nWhen it is used in a thoughtless and mocking manner and without\ndevotion and reverence.\n\n _40. How is this done?_\n\n1. When we use God's name or Word in jesting or as a by-word.\n\n2. When we find fault with anything God has done.\n\n3. When we use the name of God in cursing, swearing, conjuring, lying,\nor deceiving.\n\n _41. What is it to curse by the name of God?_\n\nIt is to call down evil upon ourselves, our neighbor, or any other\ncreated thing, by the name of God.\n\n _42. What is it to swear by the name of God?_\n\nIt is to bear witness to anything by the holy name of God.\n\n _43. Are we never permitted to swear?_\n\nYes; when the proper authorities demand it in God's stead.\n\n _44. Why is it a great sin to commit perjury?_\n\nBecause the perjurer shows open disregard for God and the salvation of\nhis own soul, and frankly calls down the judgment of God upon himself.\n\n _45. Are cursing and swearing sinful when the name of God is not\n used?_\n\nYes, indeed; for whatever we curse or swear by, we really do so by God\nwho is the Lord of all things.\n\n =Matt. 5:34-37. Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is\n God's throne:=\n\n =Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem;\n for it is the city of the great King.=\n\n =Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not\n make one hair white or black.=\n\n =But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for\n whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.=\n\n _46. Are cursing and swearing sinful when they have become a\n habit?_\n\nMost certainly; for a sinful habit proves that sin is our master.\n\n _47. What is it to conjure by the name of God?_\n\nIt is trying to cure diseases, or to practice any other kind of\nsuperstition, by the name of God or a passage from the Bible.\n\n _48. How do we lie and deceive by the name of God?_\n\nBy perjury, false teaching, and hypocrisy.\n\n =Matt. 15:9. In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines\n the commandments of men.=\n\n =Titus 1:16. They profess that they know God; but by their works\n they deny Him.=\n\n _49. What must he expect who takes the name of God in vain?_\n\nGreat punishment, both in time and eternity; for the Lord will not\nhold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.\n\n _50. How do we use the name of God properly?_\n\nWhen we sincerely call upon the name of God in every time of need, and\nworship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.\n\nTHE THIRD COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not despise or neglect His Word, but\ndeem it holy and gladly hear and learn it.\n\n _51. Which day is the day of rest among Christians?_\n\nSunday, the first day of the week, on which Christ arose from the dead.\n\n _52. How should we keep the day of rest holy?_\n\n1. We must rest from our daily labor, that the time may be used for\nour instruction in the fear of the Lord.\n\n2. We must earnestly hear and study the Word of God, both in our homes\nand in church.\n\n =Luke 11:28. Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep\n it.=\n\n =James 1:27. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the\n Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their\n affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.=\n\n _53. Has the Lord appointed these resting-days to be used only in\n reading and studying the Word of God?_\n\nNo; He has appointed such days also for the needed rest of mind and\nbody.\n\n _54. How do we misuse the day of rest?_\n\n1. When we neglect and despise the Word of God.\n\n =Eccl. 5:1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God.=\n\n2. When we do work or take part in amusements that either are actually\nsinful or turn our minds away from God.\n\n _55. Is no work permitted on Sunday?_\n\nYes; any work of necessity that cannot be delayed, and any loving\nkindness we may show our neighbor who is in need. Luk. 14:1-6.\n\n\nTHE SECOND TABLE OF THE LAW.\n\n _56. What is the substance of the second table?_\n\nLove to ourselves and our neighbor.\n\n =Matt. 22:39. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.=\n\n _57. May we love ourselves?_\n\nYes, for God has made us, but we must beware of selfishness.\n\n _58. What should a man care for most of all?_\n\nFor his soul, the immortal part of himself.\n\n =Matt. 16:26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the\n whole world, and lose his own soul?=\n\n _59. What does the second table teach us about our relation to\n our neighbor?_\n\nWe must feel and act toward him, as we would have him feel and act\ntoward us.\n\n =Matt. 7:12. All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to\n you, do ye even so to them.=\n\n =1 John 3:18. Let us not love in word, neither with the tongue:\n but in deed and truth.=\n\n _60. Who is our neighbor?_\n\nEvery human being is our neighbor. Read Luke 10:29-37.\n\n _61. Must we love also our enemies?_\n\nYes; for even our enemy is our neighbor.\n\n =Matt. 5:44, 45. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do\n good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully\n use you, and persecute you;=\n\n =That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.=\n\nTHE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and\nthou mayest live long on the earth.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not despise or give offense to our\nparents or superiors; but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.\n\n _62. Why must we honor father and mother?_\n\nBecause God has placed them over us to care for us.\n\n =Lev. 19:3. Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father: I\n am the Lord your God.=\n\n _63. How are children to show that they honor father and mother?_\n\nBy respectful, loving, and willing obedience and by good behavior to\ntheir parents, both in their presence and in their absence.\n\n =Prov. 1:8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and\n forsake not the law of thy mother.=\n\n =Eph. 6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is\n right.=\n\n _64. Whom must we honor and obey besides our parents?_\n\nAll those whom God has placed over us, such as guardians, employers,\nteachers, and the government.\n\n _65. Must we obey parents and superiors when they ask us to do\n what is sinful?_\n\nNo; we ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29.\n\n _66. What is the duty of parents toward their children?_\n\nThey must love them, pray for them, bring them up in the fear of the\nLord, and in everything seek their temporal and spiritual good.\n\n =Prov. 13:24. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that\n loveth him chasteneth him betimes.=\n\n =Eph. 6:4.=\n\n _67. What is God's promise to those who honor father and mother?_\n\nIt shall be well with them, and they shall live long on the earth.\n\n _68. Is this promise yet effective?_\n\nYes; in this sense, that special blessings rest upon obedient\nchildren, and upon every nation honoring father and mother.\n\n _69. Has God given us also a land?_\n\nYes; He has given us our native land, that we may love it and help it\nto prosper.\n\n _70. What does the fourth commandment forbid?_\n\nTo despise and give offense to father and mother.\n\n =Prov. 17:25. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and\n bitterness to her that bare him.=\n\n _71. What does he bring upon himself who transgresses this\n commandment?_\n\nCondemnation and punishment from God.\n\n =Deut. 27:16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or\n his mother.=\n\nTHE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not kill.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not hurt or harm our neighbor in his\nbody, but help and befriend him in all bodily distress.\n\n _72. How is this commandment transgressed?_\n\n1. By taking our neighbor's life, or by doing him any bodily harm.\n\n =Gen. 9:6. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be\n shed: for in the image of God made he man.=\n\n2. By hatred, anger, abusive words, and all offensive behavior toward\nour neighbor.\n\n =1 John 3:15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye\n know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.=\n\n =Eph. 4:31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor,\n and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.=\n\n _73. Can we kill also our neighbor's soul?_\n\nYes; when we cause him to sin, either by purposely leading him astray,\nor by bad example, thus helping to destroy his soul.\n\n =Rom. 16:18. By good words and fair speeches they deceive the\n hearts of the simple.=\n\n =Matt. 18:7. Woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.=\n\n _74. May we take our own life?_\n\nNo; God has given us life, and He alone has the right to take it.\n\n _75. What does God require of us in the fifth commandment?_\n\nThat we help our neighbor in all bodily distress, and associate with\nhim in love and gentleness.\n\n =Luke 10:33-35.=\n\n =Eph. 4:32. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,\n forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath\n forgiven you.=\n\n =Matt. 25:35, 36. I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was\n thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me\n in;=\n\n =Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was\n in prison, and ye came unto me.=\n\nTHE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not commit adultery.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and live a chaste and pure life, in words\nand deeds, husband and wife loving and honoring each other.\n\n _76. How is this commandment transgressed?_\n\n1. When husband and wife are unfaithful to each other.\n\n =Heb. 13:4. [R. V.] Let marriage be had in honor among all.=\n\n2. By all impure thoughts, desires, words, and acts, in married as\nwell as in unmarried persons.\n\n =Eph. 5:3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,\n let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.=\n\n _77. Who has instituted marriage?_\n\nGod Himself instituted it in Paradise.\n\n =Gen. 2:21-24, 1:27-28. Matt. 19:4-6.=\n\n _78. How do unfaithful husbands and wives treat this holy\n institution?_\n\nThey despise it, and thus bring down upon themselves the judgment of\nGod.\n\n =Heb. 13:4. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.=\n\n _79. Repeat some passages from Scripture in which impurity is\n forbidden?_\n\nBe not deceived: neither fornicators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,\nnor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of\nGod. 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.\n\nJesus says: I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust\nafter her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matt.\n5:28.\n\nLet no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth! Eph. 4:29.\n\n _80. Why is this sin so fearful?_\n\nBecause it affects both soul and body more than any other sin.\n\n _81. How can we be kept pure?_\n\nWe must watch and pray, and avoid everything that awakens impure\ndesires.\n\n =Matt. 26:41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.=\n\n _82. What things awaken impure desires?_\n\nGluttony and drunkenness, immoral and exciting amusements, bad\ncompany, the reading of improper books, and everything that excites\ncarnal and impure thoughts.\n\n _83. Are not gluttony and drunkenness alone dangerous sins?_\n\nYes, indeed; they are a shameful abuse of God's gifts, by which we\nruin soul and body and shut ourselves out from the kingdom of God.\n\n =Luk. 21:34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your\n hearts be overcharged with gluttony, and drunkenness, and cares\n of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.=\n\n _84. What does God require of us in the sixth commandment?_\n\nWe must live a chaste and pure life, whether we are married or\nunmarried, husband and wife loving and honoring each other.\n\nTHE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not steal.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not take our neighbor's money or\nproperty, nor get it by unfair dealing or other dishonesty, but help\nhim to improve and protect his property and living.\n\n _85. What is it to steal?_\n\nTo steal is to take from our neighbor even the smallest part of his\nproperty against his will.\n\n _86. How is stealing done?_\n\nIn a coarse or in an artful manner.\n\n _87. Who steal in a coarse manner?_\n\nThose who, without any right or permission whatever, take their\nneighbor's money or property.\n\n =Eph. 4:28. Let him that stole steal no more.=\n\n _88. Who steal in an artful manner?_\n\nThose who take or withhold the property of others by any kind of fraud.\n\n _89. Is it wrong to be a partner with a thief?_\n\nYes; the partner of a thief is no better than the thief.\n\n =Prov. 29:24. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul.=\n\n _90. What judgment does the Word of God pass upon thieves and\n robbers?_\n\nThey shall not inherit the kingdom of God.\n\n =1 Cor. 6:10. Neither thieves nor extortioners shall inherit the\n kingdom of God.=\n\n _91. May we not do with our property what we please?_\n\nNo; we are but keepers of God's gifts, and we must once give an\naccount of how we have used them.\n\n =Luke 16:2; Matt. 25:14-30.=\n\n _92. What does God require of us in the seventh commandment?_\n\nWe must be honest and unselfish in all our dealings, and help our\nneighbor to improve and protect his property and living.\n\n =1 John 3:17. [R. V.] But whoso hath the world's goods, and\n beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion\n from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?=\n\n =James 2:13. For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath\n showed no mercy.=\n\nTHE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not tell lies about our neighbor, nor\nbetray, slander, or defame him; but excuse him, speak well of him, and\nlook upon all his acts as well-meant.\n\n _93. What is \"false witness\"?_\n\nAll untruthful speaking about our neighbor, in or out of court.\n\n _94. How does one bear false witness in court?_\n\nWhen a witness swears to a lie, and when a judge decides wrong to be\nright, and right to be wrong.\n\n _95. How do we bear false witness out of court?_\n\nWhen we tell lies about our neighbor and slander or defame him in our\nconversation.\n\n =Eph. 4:25. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth\n with his neighbor.=\n\n _96. Do we sin when we speak truthfully of our neighbor's\n faults?_\n\nYes; when we do so with an unloving heart, either because we wish to\nhurt our neighbor, or thoughtlessly and in gossiping.\n\n =Matt. 12:36. Every idle word that man shall speak, they shall\n give account thereof in the day of judgment.=\n\n _97. What does God require of us in the eighth commandment?_\n\nWe must always be truthful, excuse, and speak well of our neighbor, as\nfar as truth permits, and look upon all his acts as well-meant.\n\n =1 Cor. 13:5-7. Love thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity,\n but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all\n things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.=\n\nTHE NINTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not by deceit or craft seek to gain\nour neighbor's inheritance or home, nor try to get it though we seem\nto have some right thereto, but help him to keep his own.\n\nTHE TENTH COMMANDMENT.\n\n=Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor\nhis maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe should fear and love God, and not estrange, force, or entice away\nfrom our neighbor, his wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to\nstay and do their duty.\n\n _98. What do the ninth and tenth commandments forbid?_\n\nAll sinful desire to get what belongs to our neighbor.\n\n _99. What does God require of us in the ninth and tenth\n commandments?_\n\nWe must heartily wish our neighbor all good, rejoice in his success,\nand help him to keep what he owns.\n\n * * * * *\n\n _100. What, then, does God require of us in His holy Law?_\n\nPerfect purity and holiness in all our thoughts and desires, words and\nacts.\n\n =James 2:10. Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend\n in one point, he is guilty of all.=\n\n =Matt 5:48. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is\n in heaven is perfect.=\n\n _101. What does God say of all his commandment?_\n\n=I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the\nfathers upon the children unto the= =third and fourth generation of\nthem that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love\nme, and keep my commandments.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nGod threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments; we\nshould therefore fear His wrath, and do nothing against them.\n\nOn the other hand He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep\nthese commandments; we should therefore love Him and trust in Him, and\ngladly do according to His commandments.\n\n _102. Of what does God remind us by these words?_\n\nHe reminds us of the fact that He is a just God, who in His holy wrath\npunishes every sin.\n\n _103. What is sin?_\n\nSin is any thought or feeling, word or act, which is contrary to God's\nholy Law.\n\n _104. What is meant by original sin?_\n\nOriginal sin is the inborn wickedness, deep corruption, and evil\ndisposition, of the human heart.\n\n =Ps. 51:5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my\n mother conceive me.=\n\n =Rom. 5:12. By one man sin entered into the world, and death by\n sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.=\n\n _105. What is actual sin?_\n\nActual sin is all evil thoughts and desires, words and acts, springing\nfrom original sin.\n\n _106. Is neglecting to do good as sinful as doing wrong?_\n\nYes, indeed; to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him\nit is sin.\n\nJames 4:17.\n\n _107. Do the children of God always live according to the will of\n their heavenly Father?_\n\nThey hate sin, and heartily strive to keep the law of God; but it is\ntheir experience that they sin every day, and that the new life within\nthem is weak.\n\n =Ps. 19:12. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from\n secret faults?=\n\n =Rom. 7:19. The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I\n would not, that I do.=\n\n _108. How do the children of God feel and act when they find that\n they have sinned?_\n\nThey are deeply grieved, they ask their heavenly Father to forgive\nthem, and earnestly strive to put off sin.\n\n _109. What do the children of the world think of sin?_\n\nThey love sin, and do not ask to be forgiven.\n\n _110. How does God threaten those who transgress His commandments?_\n\nHe will visit, that is, punish, their wickedness.\n\n _111. How does God punish sin?_\n\nIn soul and body; now and forever.\n\n =Gal. 3:10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things\n which are written in the book of the law to do them.=\n\n _112. What does God promise all who keep His commandments?_\n\nHe will have mercy upon them in a thousand generations.\n\n _113. What is here understood by mercy?_\n\nEvery blessing for soul and body, now and forever.\n\n =1 Tim. 4:8. Godliness is profitable unto all things, having\n promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.=\n\n * * * * *\n\n _114. What way of salvation does the Law then point out to us?_\n\nIt says, Keep the commandments and you shall be saved.\n\n =Luke 10:28. This do, and thou shalt live.=\n\n _115. Can any man, then, keep God's commandments so perfectly\n that he thereby is justified and saved_?\n\nNo; every man is a sinner, and he lacks that perfect love which is the\nfulfillment of the law.\n\n =Rom. 10:3. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and\n going about to establish their own righteousness, have not\n submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.=\n\n _116. But does the Word of God point out a way to us in which a\n sinner may be justified and saved?_\n\nYes; in the blessed Gospel.\n\n =Rom. 1:16. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is\n the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.=\n\n _117. What parts of the catechism treat about the gospel?_\n\nThe four last parts.\n\n\n\n\nPART TWO.\n\nTHE THREE ARTICLES OF THE CREED.\n\n\n _118. Of what do the three articles treat?_\n\nOf the nature, will, and works of the triune God.\n\n _119. How do you know there is a God?_\n\n1. From the world's creation, its preservation and government.\n\n =Rom. 1:19, 20. That which may be known of God is manifest in\n them; for God hath showed it unto them.=\n\n =For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world\n are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,\n even his eternal power and divinity; so that they are without\n excuse.=\n\n2. From my conscience, which is troubled when I do evil and rejoices\nwhen I do good.\n\n =Rom. 2:15. They (the Gentiles) show the law written in their\n hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts\n the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another.=\n\n3. From the holy Scriptures wherein He still more clearly reveals\nHimself.\n\n =John 1:18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten\n Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.=\n\n _120. What is God?_\n\nGod is a spirit, who is eternal and almighty; all-knowing and\neverywhere present; wise, good, and merciful; holy, true, and just.\n\n =John 4:24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must\n worship him in spirit and in truth.=\n\n =Ps. 90:2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or even thou\n hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to\n everlasting thou art God.=\n\n =Luke 1:37. With God nothing shall be impossible.=\n\n =1 John 3:20. God knoweth all things.=\n\n =Ps. 139:7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit! or thither shall\n I flee from thy presence?=\n\n =Ps. 104:24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast\n thou made them all.=\n\n =1 John 4:16. God is love.=\n\n =Ps. 106:1. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his\n mercy endureth forever.=\n\n =Ps. 103:13. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord\n pitieth them that fear him.=\n\n =Isa. 6:3. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: all the earth\n is full of his glory.=\n\n =Num. 23:19. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the\n son of man, that he should repent; hath he said, and shall he not\n do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?=\n\n =Rom. 2:6. God will render to every man according to his deeds.=\n\n _121. Are there more Gods than one?_\n\nNo; there is but one God, and there is none else besides Him.\n\n =Deut. 6:4. Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord.=\n\n _122. How many persons are there in the Godhead?_\n\nThree; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are\nperfectly alike in character, and equal in greatness.\n\n =Matt. 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing\n them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy\n Ghost.=\n\n\nTHE FIRST ARTICLE.\n\nCONCERNING CREATION.\n\n=I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nI believe that God has made me and all other creatures; that He has\ngiven me body and soul, eyes, ears, and all other members, my reason,\nand all my senses.\n\nI also believe that He preserves all He has made, and that He daily\nprovides me with all I need; giving me clothing and food, home and\nfamily, and every good thing.\n\nI further believe that He protects me from all danger, and keeps me\nfrom all evil; not because I have deserved it, but because He is a\nloving and merciful Father.\n\nFor all these blessings it is my duty to serve Him thankfully and\nobediently all the days of my life.\n\nAll this is certainly true.\n\n _123. What do you mean when you say, \"I believe in God the\n Father\"?_\n\nI believe that God is the Father of Jesus Christ, and my Father; and I\nsurrender myself to Him, trusting with all my heart in His grace and\nlove.\n\n _124. Why do we call God the Maker of heaven and earth?_\n\nBecause He has made heaven and earth to come forth by His almighty Word.\n\n =Ps. 33:9. He spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood\n fast.=\n\n _125. Does God yet care for what He has made?_\n\nYes; by His watchful care He preserves and governs all things.\n\n _126. How does God preserve all things?_\n\nHe lets all things continue as long as He thinks well, and He cares\nlike a father for all His creatures.\n\n =Gen. 8:22. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and\n cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall\n not cease.=\n\n =Acts 17:25. He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.=\n\n =Ps. 104:27. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them\n their meat in due season.=\n\n _127. For whom does God care most?_\n\nFor man; and especially for His believing children.\n\n =Matt. 6:26, 27, 28, 30. Behold the fowls of the air: for they\n sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your\n heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?=\n\n =Which of you by taking thought, can add one cubit to his stature?=\n\n =And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the\n field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.=\n\n =Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day\n is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more\n clothe you, O ye of little faith?=\n\n _128. How does God govern men with regard to their sins?_\n\nHe suffers them to sin, sets limits to their sinning, and so guides\nthe result that everything will be for their good who love Him.\n\n =Gen. 50:20. [R. V.] Ye meant evil against me; but God meant it\n for good.=\n\n _129. Do we always understand the ways of God's providence?_\n\nNo; His ways are often hidden from our eyes; but even then they are\nthe kindest and best.\n\n =Isa. 55:8, 9. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are\n your ways my ways, saith the Lord.=\n\n =For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways\n higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.=\n\n _130. In whose care may you therefore safely leave yourself?_\n\nIn God's care, who protects me from all danger, and keeps me from all\nevil.\n\n =1 Pet. 5:7. Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for\n you.=\n\n _131. Have you deserved all this?_\n\nNot in the least; He does all this, not because I have deserved it,\nbut because He is a loving and merciful Father.\n\n =Gen. 32:10. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and\n of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant.=\n\n _132. What do you owe God for all his goodness?_\n\nIt is my duty to serve Him thankfully and obediently all the days of\nmy life.\n\n =Ps. 103:2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his\n benefits.=\n\n _133. Which are the most excellent of the heavenly creatures?_\n\nThe holy angels.\n\n _134. What is the work of the holy angels?_\n\nThey praise God, and serve him, especially by ministering to His\nchildren.\n\n =Heb. 1:14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to\n minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.=\n\n _135. Are there not also evil angels?_\n\nYes; there are evil angels who have fallen away from God through pride\nand disobedience, and are forever excluded from fellowship with Him.\nThe devil is their king.\n\n _136. Which is the most excellent of the earthly creatures?_\n\nMan, to whom God gave power to rule over the earth.\n\n _137. What was the character of man as he was made by God?_\n\nAdam and Eve were innocent, without sin, and like God.\n\n =Gen. 1:27. [R. V.] God made man in his own image, in the image\n of God made he him: male and female made he them.=\n\n _138. In what did the image of God in man consist?_\n\nIn true wisdom, righteousness and holiness, peace and joy.\n\n =Eph. 4:24. Put on the new man, which after God is created in\n righteousness and holiness.=\n\n _139. What benefit did the human body have from the image of God?_\n\nPerfect health, immortality, and a life free from care in Paradise.\n\n _140. Did our first parents remain innocent and without sin?_\n\nNo; they sinned and lost the image of God, and thus sin and death\nentered into the world.\n\n =Gen. 2:17. In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely\n die.=\n\n =Rom. 6:23. The wages of sin is death.=\n\n _141. In what did their sin consist?_\n\nIt consisted especially in the unbelief of their hearts and in their\nselfishness and disobedience.\n\n _142. Who led them astray?_\n\nThey permitted the devil to lead them astray.\n\n =Gen. 3:1-5.=\n\n =John 8:44. The devil was a murderer from the beginning, and\n abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. For he\n is a liar, and the father of it.=\n\n _143. How has sin injured the human soul?_\n\n1. It has darkened the understanding.\n\n =See 1 Cor. 2:14.=\n\n2. It has made the will incapable of what is good, and desirous of all\nthat is evil.\n\n =Rom. 8:7. The carnal mind is enmity against God.=\n\n3. It has disturbed the peace and joy of conscience.\n\n =Gen. 3:8, 10.=\n\n _144. How has sin injured the human body?_\n\nSin has made the body a tool of every evil passion, and has brought\nupon it disease, distress, countless pains, and finally death.\n\n =Job 14:1, 2. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and\n full of trouble.=\n\n =He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also\n as a shadow, and continueth not.=\n\n _145. Have all men become sinners through the fall of our first\n parents?_\n\nYes; sin and death have spread from our first parents to the whole\nhuman race.\n\n =Rom. 5:18. By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to\n condemnation.=\n\n _146. Will God, then, leave all men to perish?_\n\nNo; God has in love sent His Son Jesus Christ to save man.\n\n =John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only\n begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,\n but have everlasting life.=\n\n _147. When was this Savior first promised to the world?_\n\nImmediately after the fall.\n\n =Gen. 3:15. The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head.=\n\n _148. When was Christ sent to the world?_\n\nIn the fulness of time; that is, the time appointed and prepared by\nGod Himself.\n\n =Gal. 4:4. [R. V.] When the fulness of the time was come, God\n sent forth his Son born of a woman.=\n\n\nTHE SECOND ARTICLE.\n\nCONCERNING REDEMPTION.\n\n=I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived\nby the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius\nPilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the\nthird day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and\nsitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from whence He\nshall come to judge the quick and the dead.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nI believe that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from\neternity; I also believe that He is true man, born of the Virgin Mary;\nthat He is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned sinner;\nwho has freed me from sin, from death, and from the power of Satan,\nnot with gold or silver, but with His holy and precious blood and His\ninnocent death.\n\nAll this He has done that I might be His own, and that I might serve\nHim in righteousness, innocence, and happiness, and live and reign\nwith Him in His kingdom forever, even as He arose from the dead, lives\nand reigns through all eternity.\n\nAll this is certainly true.\n\n _149. What do you mean when you say \"I believe in Jesus Christ?\"_\n\nTrusting in Jesus Christ with all my heart, I surrender myself to Him\nas my only Savior from sin, and death, and the power of Satan.\n\n =Acts 4:12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is\n none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be\n saved.=\n\n _150. Who is Jesus Christ?_\n\nThe Son of God and the Son of Mary, true God and true man.\n\n _151. How does Christ have divine nature?_\n\nHe is begotten of the Father from eternity.\n\n _152. How does Christ have human nature?_\n\nHe is conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary.\n\n _153. What does the Bible say about Christ being true God?_\n\nThe Bible calls Him the only begotten Son of God, and one with the\nFather.\n\nThe Bible also expressly calls Him God.\n\n =John 10:30. I and my Father are one.=\n\n =John 5:23. All men should honor the Son, even as they honor the\n Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father\n which hath sent Him.=\n\n =1 John 5:20. This is the true God, and eternal life.=\n\n =John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with\n God, and the Word was God.=\n\n =John 3:16.=\n\n _154. What does the Bible say about Christ being both God and man?_\n\nIt says, The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. John 1:14.\n\nAnd,\n\nWhen the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a\nwoman. [R. V.] Gal. 4:4.\n\n _155. Why must the Son of God become true man?_\n\nIn order that He might suffer and die for us.\n\n _156. Why must our Savior be true God?_\n\nIn order that His death and His blood might have everlasting power to\natone for sin.\n\n _157. Is Jesus conceived and born with sin?_\n\nNo; He is conceived by the Holy Ghost and therefore without sin.\n\n =Luke 1:35. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of\n the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing\n which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.=\n\n _158. What does the name Jesus signify?_\n\nA Savior.\n\n =Matt. 1:21. Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save\n His people from their sins.=\n\n _159. What does the name Christ signify?_\n\nThe same as Messiah; that is, the Anointed or the Consecrated.\n\n _160. How was Jesus anointed?_\n\nHe was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power. Acts 10:38.\n\n _161. For what offices was Jesus anointed and consecrated?_\n\nThe offices of High Priest, Prophet, and King.\n\n _162. What is Christ's work as High Priest?_\n\nHe offered up Himself a sacrifice for our sins, and ever prays for us.\n\n =Heb. 7:26, 27. [R. V.] For such a high priest became us,--who\n needeth not daily as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices,\n first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people: for\n this He did once for all, when he offered up himself.=\n\n =Rom. 8:34. Jesus Christ, who also maketh intercession for us.=\n\n _163. What is Christ's work as Prophet?_\n\nHe teaches us the will of God concerning our salvation.\n\n =Luke 24: 19. Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in\n deed and word before God and all the people.=\n\n _164. What is Christ's work as King?_\n\nHe governs and keeps His children, and defends them against their\nenemies.\n\n =Luke 1:33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;\n and of his kingdom there shall be no end.=\n\n =Rev. 17:14. He is the Lord of lords, and the King of kings.=\n\n _165. How are the believers named after Christ?_\n\nThey are called Christians; meaning, \"the anointed\".\n\n =1 John 2:20. Ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know\n all things.=\n\n _166. With what means has Christ redeemed us?_\n\nHe has paid for our sins with His holy and precious blood and His\ninnocent death, and He has fulfilled the law in our stead with His\nholy life and His perfect obedience.\n\n =1 Pet. 1:18, 19. [R. V.] Ye know that ye were not redeemed with\n corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain manner of\n life; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and\n without spot, even the blood of Christ.=\n\n _167. Whom has Christ redeemed?_\n\nHe has redeemed me, a lost and condemned sinner.\n\n _168. Has not Christ redeemed all mankind?_\n\nYes, He has; He gave Himself a ransom for all. 1 Tim. 2:6.\n\n =1 John 2:2. He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for\n ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.=\n\n _169. But are not many, thus redeemed, yet lost?_\n\nYes, indeed; many reject Him because of their unbelief and love of sin.\n\n =2 Pet. 2:1. Denying the Lord who bought them.=\n\n =John 3:18. He that believeth not is condemned already, because\n he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.=\n\n _170. Who get a share in the redemption of Christ?_\n\nThose who repent their sins and believe in Him.\n\n _171. What benefit does the believer have from the redemption of\n Christ?_\n\nBy this redemption he is freed from sin, from death, and from the\npower of Satan.\n\n _172. In what way is the believer freed from sin by the\n redemption of Christ?_\n\n1. The guilt and punishment of sin are removed from him.\n\n =Col. 1:14. We have redemption through His blood, even the\n forgiveness of sins.=\n\n2. Sin rules over him no longer.\n\n =Rom. 6:14. Sin shall not have dominion over you.=\n\n3. When he dies, sin is entirely rooted out from him.\n\n _173. In what way is the believer freed from death by the\n redemption of Christ?_\n\nSpiritual death has lost its power over him, temporal death is but an\nentrance into perfect life, and eternal death he no longer fears.\n\n =John 11:25, 26. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and\n the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall\n he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.=\n\n _174. In what way is the believer freed from the power of Satan\n by the redemption of Christ?_\n\nSatan has no power over the believer, unless the believer yield\nhimself into his service.\n\n =Heb. 2:14. [R. V.] Since then the children are sharers in flesh\n and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same;\n that through death he might bring to nought him that had the\n power of death, that is, the devil.=\n\n _175. For what purpose has Christ redeemed you?_\n\nHe has redeemed me in order that I might be His own, live with Him in\nHis kingdom, and serve Him in righteousness, innocence, and happiness.\n\n =1 Cor. 6:20. [R. V.] Ye are not your own, for ye were bought\n with a price; glorify God therefore in your body.=\n\n =Titus 2:14. [R. V.] He gave himself for us, that he might redeem\n us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his\n own possession, zealous of good works.=\n\n _176. What did Christ do in order to become our Savior and\n Redeemer?_\n\nHe humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of\nthe cross. Phil. 2:8.\n\n _177. How many steps do you notice in the humiliation of Christ?_\n\nFive: the birth in poverty; the suffering; the crucifixion; the death;\nthe burial.\n\n _178. Why did Christ begin His life on earth with the birth in\n poverty?_\n\nHe began His life in poverty to show that His kingdom is not of this\nworld, and that we might be made rich through His poverty.\n\n _179. When was the suffering of Christ greatest?_\n\nIn the night before His death, and on Good Friday, when He was\ndelivered into the hands of His enemies, and was bound, beaten,\nscourged, crowned with thorns, and finally nailed to the cross.\n\n _180. Did Christ suffer bodily pain only?_\n\nNo; His greatest suffering was a fearful anguish of soul on account of\nour sins.\n\n _181. When in particular did he suffer this anguish?_\n\nIn the garden, when His sweat was as drops of blood and He said, \"My\nsoul is exceeding sorrowful unto death\"; and on the cross, when He\ncried, \"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?\"\n\n =Isa. 53:4, 5. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our\n sorrows:\n\n But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our\n iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with\n his stripes we are healed.=\n\n _182. How did Christ act through all this suffering?_\n\nHe was patient as a lamb that is lead to the slaughter. Isa. 53:7.\n\n _183. What did Christ accomplish for us by His death on the cross?_\n\nBy His death He has paid the wages of sin, which is death.\n\n =Rom. 5:10. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by\n the death of his Son.=\n\n _184. What comfort do we have from the burial of Christ?_\n\nHe has buried our sins, hallowed our graves, and taken away their\nhorror.\n\n _185. How should we look upon the life and suffering of Christ in\n His humiliation?_\n\nWe should look upon His life and His suffering as an atonement for our\nsins, and as an example to the believer of holiness in life and\npatience in suffering.\n\n =1 Pet. 2:21. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,\n that ye should follow His steps.=\n\n _186. Did Christ remain in humiliation and death?_\n\nNo; God exalted Him and gave Him a name which is above every name.\nPhil. 2:9.\n\n _187. How many steps do you notice in the exaltation of Christ?_\n\nFive: His descent into hell; His resurrection; His ascension; His\nsession at the right hand of the Father; His coming to judge the quick\nand the dead.\n\n _188. What did Christ accomplish when he descended into hell?_\n\nHe made known the victory which He had won over the devil, and\npreached to the spirits in prison. 1 Pet. 3:18, 19.\n\n _189. What benefit do we have from the resurrection of Christ?_\n\n1. The resurrection assures us that Christ is the Son of God, and that\nHe has conquered death and fully satisfied for our sins.\n\n =Rom. 1:4. Declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection from\n the dead.=\n\n =1 Cor. 15:14. If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching\n vain, and your faith is also vain.=\n\n2. The resurrection gives us power to arise from spiritual death, and\nto live a new and holy life.\n\n =Rom. 6:4. As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the\n Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.=\n\n3. The resurrection assures us that our bodies shall arise in glory on\nthe last day.\n\n _190. What command did Christ give His disciples before His\n ascension?_\n\nHe commanded them to go out into the whole world and preach the gospel\nto all nations. [Missions.]\n\n =Matt. 28:19; Mark. 16:15.=\n\n _191. What is meant by the ascension of Christ?_\n\nHe left the earth, so that He is no longer visibly present, and He\nentered into His Father's glory to prepare a place for us in the\nheavenly mansions.\n\n =John 14:2. In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to\n prepare a place for you.=\n\n _192. What does the ascension of Christ teach us?_\n\nIt teaches us to be heavenly-minded, and to have a desire to depart\nand be with Christ.\n\n =Col. 3:1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things\n which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.=\n\n _193. What does Christ's session on the right hand of the Father\n signify?_\n\nIt signifies that He shares also as true man in the power and glory of\nGod, and rules over all things.\n\n =1 Pet. 3:22. [R. V.] He is on the right hand of God, having gone\n into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject\n to Him.=\n\n _194. What benefit do we have from Christ's session on the right\n hand of the Father?_\n\nHe protects His kingdom from its enemies, prays for us, and sends us\nHis Holy Spirit.\n\n _195. Is Christ no longer present on earth?_\n\nYes; He is present in a real, though invisible, manner.\n\n =Matt. 28:20. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of\n the world.=\n\n _196. When will He again come to earth in a visible manner?_\n\nOn the last day, when He comes to judge the quick and the dead.\n\n =Luke 21:27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a\n cloud with power and great glory.=\n\n =2 Cor. 5:10. We must all appear before the judgment seat of\n Christ; that every one may receive the things done in the body,\n according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.=\n\n _197. By what rule will Christ judge us?_\n\nHe will judge us by His Word.\n\n =John 12:48. The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge\n him in the last day.=\n\n _198. Is it sufficient that you know all these things about\n Christ and hold them to be true?_\n\nNo; the Holy Spirit must teach me to know Christ in a true and living\nfaith.\n\n\nTHE THIRD ARTICLE.\n\nCONCERNING SANCTIFICATION.\n\n=I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian church, the communion\nof saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and\nlife everlasting. Amen.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nI believe that I cannot through my own strength believe in Jesus\nChrist my Lord, or come to Him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit\nalone, who has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with His\ngifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith;\n\nEven as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole\nChristian church on earth, and preserves it in fellowship with Jesus\nChrist in the one true faith.\n\nIn this Christian church He daily forgives me and all believers all\nour sins, and He will raise up me and all the dead on the last day,\nand will give me and all believers everlasting life.\n\nAll this is certainly true.\n\n _199. What do you mean when you say, \"I believe in the Holy\n Ghost\"?_\n\nI trust with all my heart in the Holy Ghost as my guide and my\nsanctifier, who gives me strength to believe in Jesus and to live\naccording to His will.\n\n =1 Cor. 12:3. No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the\n Holy Ghost.=\n\n _200. Who is the Holy Ghost?_\n\nThe Holy Ghost is true God together with the Father and the Son.\n\n =1 Cor. 2:10. The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep\n things of God.=\n\n =1 Cor. 3:16. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that\n the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.=\n\n _201. What is the work of the Holy Spirit?_\n\nTo call, enlighten, sanctify, and preserve.\n\n _202. How does the Holy Spirit call us?_\n\nThe Holy Spirit calls us by awakening in our hearts a deep sense of\nsin, and by inviting us to accept the grace of God in Christ.\n\n =Eph. 5:14. Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,\n and Christ shall give thee light.=\n\n _203. By what means does the Holy Spirit call us?_\n\nBy the Word of God; using the law to awaken our hearts, and the gospel\nto invite us to Christ.\n\n =Rom. 3:20. By the law is the knowledge of sin.=\n\n =2 Thess. 2:14. He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of\n the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.=\n\n =Matt. 22:1-14.=\n\n _204. What means does God use to make us heed the call of the\n Holy Spirit?_\n\nTo this end He often uses suffering, often blessings, often the\nexample of others, and such other means as may lead us to reflect.\n\n _205. Do all obey the call of the Holy Spirit?_\n\nNo; many resist the Holy Spirit, and will not repent and come to\nChrist.\n\n =Acts 7:51. Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost.=\n\n =Isa. 65:2. I have spread out my hands all the day to a\n rebellious people.=\n\n _206. When does a person harden his heart?_\n\nA person hardens his heart when he persistently despises and opposes\nthe voice of the Holy Spirit in his conscience.\n\n _207. Who obey the call of the Holy Spirit?_\n\nThey who repent their sins and believe the Gospel.\n\n =Mark. 1:15. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at\n hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.=\n\n _208. What is it to repent?_\n\nHe who truly repents, feels his sins with shame and sorrow, he freely\nconfesses his sins to God, and earnestly seeks the grace of God in\nChrist.\n\n =Isa. 55:7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous\n man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will\n have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly\n pardon.=\n\n =2 Cor. 7:10. [R. V.] Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto\n salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow\n of the world worketh death.=\n\n =Ps. 32:5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee; and thou forgavest\n the iniquity of my sin.=\n\n _209. How do we learn that the grace of God is found in Christ?_\n\nWe learn this through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.\n\n _210. What is meant by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit?_\n\nThrough the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit our knowledge of the\nGospel truths becomes a living and saving knowledge to our hearts.\n\n =John 14:26. But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father\n will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring\n all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.=\n\n =John 16:13. When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide\n you into all truth.=\n\n _211. Of what nature is our knowledge of these truths before the\n Holy Spirit has enlightened our hearts?_\n\nIt is a dead knowledge only, which does not lead to repentance and\nfaith, but leaves us in our sins.\n\n _212. What is the true and living faith in Jesus Christ?_\n\nThis is faith, that a repentant sinner lays hold of Christ as his only\nSavior from sin, and death, and the power of Satan;\n\nThat he takes refuge with Christ and His righteousness, and builds\nthereon with the confidence of his whole heart.\n\n _213. Can only a repentant sinner have this faith in Christ?_\n\nYes; the faith which lays hold of Christ and His righteousness, can be\nwrought in that heart only which bitterly feels the pain and misery of\nliving in sin.\n\n =Matt. 9:12. They that be whole need not a physician, but they\n that are sick.=\n\n _214. Is the true and living faith always and in all persons\n equally strong?_\n\nNo; it is often very weak and scarcely able to avail itself of the\ngrace of God.\n\n =Mark 9:24. Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.=\n\n _215. Whereby may we know whether this weak faith is true and\n living?_\n\nThe true and living faith is known by an earnest hatred of sin, and an\neager longing for grace.\n\n _216. Does God accept this weak faith?_\n\nYes, indeed; only it be true and sincere.\n\n =Isa. 42:3. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking\n flax shall he not quench.=\n\n _217. What benefit do we have from the true and living faith in\n Jesus Christ?_\n\nBy faith we are justified, born anew, sanctified, and finally saved\nforever.\n\n _218. What is Justification?_\n\nJustification is the gracious act of God whereby He for Christ's sake\nacquits a repentant and believing sinner of his sin and guilt, and\nlooks upon him, in Christ, as though he had never sinned.\n\n =2 Cor. 5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no\n sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.=\n\n =Rom. 3:24. (They are) justified freely by his grace through the\n redemption that is in Christ Jesus.=\n\n _219. What, then, does the believer receive through\n justification?_\n\nHe receives the forgiveness of sins, and is adopted as a child of God.\n\n =Eph. 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the\n forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.=\n\n =Gal. 3:26. For ye are the children of God by faith in Christ\n Jesus.=\n\n =Acts 10:43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through\n his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of\n sins.=\n\n _220. What moves God to forgive sin so freely?_\n\nHis everlasting love and mercy alone.\n\n _221. For whose sake does God forgive us our sins?_\n\nFor Christ's sake, who has satisfied for the sins of the whole world\nby His death on the cross.\n\n =John 1:29. Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of\n the world.=\n\n _222. To what does the forgiveness of sins necessarily lead?_\n\nThe forgiveness of sins leads to the full enjoyment of the blessed\nrights which belong to a child of God; it also gives free access to\nthe Father's fellowship and blessing, and to the glorious inheritance\nof eternal life.\n\n =Ps. 32:1, 2. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,\n whose sin is covered.=\n\n =Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and\n in whose spirit there is no guile.=\n\n =Rom. 8:17. And if [we are] children, then heirs; heirs of God,\n and joint-heirs with Christ.=\n\n _223. What is the New Birth?_\n\nThe New Birth is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He,\nthrough His indwelling in our hearts, renews the image of God in us,\nand thus creates a new spiritual man.\n\n =2 Cor. 5:17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old\n things have passed away; behold, all things are new.=\n\n =John 1:12, 13. But as many as received him, to them gave he power\n to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:=\n\n =Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor\n of the will of man, but of God.=\n\n _224. What change is wrought in us in the New Birth?_\n\nWe get a new heart or a new spiritual life; namely,\n\n In the understanding, a new spiritual light;\n In the conscience, real peace and joy;\n In the will, a holy desire and a steadfast purpose.\n\n =Ezek. 36:26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit\n will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out\n of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.=\n\n =Eph. 4:24. Put on the new man, which after God is created in\n righteousness and true holiness.=\n\n =Gal. 5:22. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.=\n\n _225. In what does this new life really consist?_\n\nIn consists in love to God who first loved us.\n\n _226. By what means is the New Birth accomplished?_\n\nIn little children it is accomplished by water and the Spirit in\nbaptism; but in those who have fallen from the grace of their baptism,\nalso by the Word of God.\n\n =John 3:5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,\n Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter\n into the kingdom of God.=\n\n =1 Peter 1:23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of\n incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth\n forever.=\n\n _227. Is the New Birth necessary to our salvation?_\n\nYes, indeed; except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of\nGod. John 3: 3. [R. V.]\n\n =John 3:6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that\n which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.=\n\n _228. What does the Holy Spirit further work in the believer?_\n\nHe sanctifies and preserves him.\n\n _229. What is Sanctification?_\n\nSanctification is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He day\nby day renews the believer more and more after the image of God.\n\n _230. How is the daily renewal accomplished?_\n\nThe old man, or sin, is put away more and more, and the new man, or\nthe new spiritual life, appears more and more in all our conduct.\n\n =Eph. 4:22-24. [R. V.] Put away, as concerning your former manner\n of life, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the lusts of\n deceit;=\n\n =And be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind,=\n\n =And put on the new man, which after God hath been created in\n righteousness and holiness of truth.=\n\n _231. How does this new conduct appear in the daily life of a\n Christian?_\n\nA Christian denies himself, strives against the devil, the world, and\nhis own flesh; he grows in love toward God and man, and seeks to do\nthe will of God in all things.\n\n =Matt. 16:24. If any man will come after me, let him deny\n himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.=\n\n =1 Cor. 16:13. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like\n men, be strong.=\n\n =1 Tim. 6:12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal\n life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good\n profession before many witnesses.=\n\n _232. Is the believer, then, justified and saved by his own good\n works?_\n\nNo; our best works avail nothing to this end: we must build our hope\nof salvation on Christ alone and His righteousness.\n\n =Luk. 17:10. When ye shall have done all these things which are\n commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done\n that which was our duty to do.=\n\n _233. What is the work of Preservation done by the Holy Spirit?_\n\nPreservation is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He keeps\nus, through all temptations, in the true and living faith in Jesus,\nuntil the end.\n\n =Phil. 1:6. [R. V.] He which began a good work in you will\n perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.=\n\n _234. By what means does the Holy Spirit sanctify and preserve\n the believer?_\n\nBy the Word of God and the Lord's Supper.\n\n _235. How does the Holy Spirit preserve the believer?_\n\nHe teaches and guides, corrects and comforts him.\n\n _236. What are they called whom the Holy Spirit thus sanctifies\n and preserves in faith?_\n\nThey are called the children of God; the Elect of God; Holy and\nBeloved; Members of the Body of Christ. In a body they make up the\nholy Christian church.\n\n _237. What is the holy Christian church?_\n\nThe holy Christian Church is the congregation of saints or true\nbelievers, where the Word of God is preached and the sacraments are\nadministered according to the ordinance of God.\n\n _238. Why is the church called holy?_\n\nThe church is called holy because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit,\nwho performs His sanctifying work in all its members. For this reason\nthe church is called holy, in spite of its sins and shortcomings.\n\n =1 Peter 2:9. Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a\n holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the\n praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his\n marvellous light.=\n\n _239. Why is the church called universal?_\n\nThe church is called universal because its object is to gather all\nnations, and because it includes all true believers of all times and\nall places.\n\n _240. What is the state of the church on earth?_\n\nThe church of God on earth is militant.\n\n _241. Who are the enemies of the church?_\n\nThe enemies of the church are the devil, the world, and our own flesh.\nIts last enemy is death.\n\n _242. What will be the state of the church in heaven?_\n\nIt will be triumphant, because all its enemies are conquered.\n\n =Rev. 7:9, 10. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude,\n which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and\n people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the\n Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;=\n\n =And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which\n sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.=\n\n _243. Is the holy Christian church found in this place?_\n\nYes; in the congregation, which in the Scriptures is called \"the body\nof Jesus Christ\", and \"the house of God.\"\n\n =Eph. 1:22, 23. 1 Tim. 3:15.=\n\n _244. Are all the members of the organized body, called a\n congregation, true Christians?_\n\nNo; in this organized body both hypocrites and true Christians are\nfound.\n\n =Matt. 13:24-30; 47-50.=\n\n _245. Who are hypocrites?_\n\nHypocrites are they who indeed make outward confession of Christ, but\nwho inwardly and in their conduct deny Him.\n\n =2 Tim. 3:5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power\n thereof.=\n\n _246. Should not the congregation remove these hypocrites from\n its midst?_\n\nYes; the congregation should expel the openly ungodly and unbelieving;\nbut it cannot judge concerning the secret thoughts of the heart.\n\n =1 Cor. 5:13. Therefore put away from among yourselves that\n wicked person.=\n\n =Matt. 18:15-17.=\n\n _247. Who, then, are true Christians and the real members of the\n congregation?_\n\nThey who believe in Christ with all their heart, and confess Him both\nin word and deed.\n\n =Rom. 10:10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness:\n and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.=\n\n _248. What is the intimate fellowship called in which all true\n Christians live with one another?_\n\nThe Communion of Saints.\n\n =Eph. 4:4-6. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are\n called in one hope of your calling;=\n\n =One Lord, one faith, one baptism,=\n\n =One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all,\n and in you all.=\n\n _249. What precious gift does the Holy Spirit bestow upon us in\n this Christian church?_\n\nIn this Christian church He daily forgives me and all believers all\nour sins.\n\n _250. But does a sanctified person need the forgiveness of sins\n every day?_\n\nYes; because sanctification is never perfected in this life, and sin\ncleaves to a Christian as long as he is in the world.\n\n _251. Whom has God given power to declare the forgiveness of sins?_\n\nThe congregation, through its ministers. [Absolution.]\n\n =Matt. 18:18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on\n earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on\n earth shall be loosed in heaven.=\n\n _252. What is required that a Christian may receive the\n forgiveness of sins every day?_\n\nThat he repents every day, or that he daily feels his sins with deep\nshame and sorrow, confesses his sins to God, and earnestly seeks the\ngrace of God in Christ.\n\n _253. To whom should a repentant Christian confess his sins?_\n\nFirst of all to God; then, if he feels the need of it, to his pastor;\nfinally to his neighbor, if he feels that he has wronged him in any way.\n\n =Jas. 5:16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for\n another, that ye may be healed.=\n\n =1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to\n forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.=\n\n _254. What does the daily forgiveness of sins work in the\n Christian?_\n\nThe daily renewal, or that he day by day becomes more and more\nthankful to God, and increases in child-like obedience and\nfaithfulness.\n\n _255. What becomes of the soul of the believer when he dies?_\n\nHis soul goes home to God, where it rests from all strife and sorrow,\nin blessed fellowship with Him, until the resurrection of the body.\n\n =Luke 23:43. Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me\n in paradise.=\n\n =Rev. 14:13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.=\n\n _256. What is the resurrection of the body?_\n\nOn the last day, when the Lord Jesus returns to earth, the bodies of\nthe dead shall be made alive and shall be reunited with their souls.\n\n =John 5:28, 29. The hour is coming, in which all that are in the\n graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have\n done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done\n evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.=\n\n _257. What change shall then take place in the bodies of the\n believers?_\n\nTheir bodies shall arise glorified and incorruptible, like unto the\nbody of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.\n\n =1 Cor. 15:42, 43. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in\n incorruption:=\n\n =It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in\n weakness; it is raised in power.=\n\n _258. Where do all the risen go after the day of judgment?_\n\nThe chosen enter into life everlasting; the condemned, into eternal\ndeath.\n\n =Matt. 25:46. These shall go away into everlasting punishment;\n but the righteous into eternal life.=\n\n _259. What is life everlasting?_\n\nLife everlasting is the blessed state in which the chosen are free\nfrom all evil, and live forever in fellowship with their God and\nSavior, praising God in the company of the holy angels, in everlasting\npeace and joy.\n\n =Matt. 25:34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right\n hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared\n for you from the foundation of the world.=\n\n _260. What is eternal death?_\n\nEternal death is a dreadful state of separation from God, and\neverlasting anguish and suffering in hell.\n\n =Matt. 25:41. Then shall he also say unto them on the left hand,\n Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for\n the devil and his angels.=\n\n _261. Who are thus condemned?_\n\nAll who continue in impenitence and unbelief until death.\n\n =John 3:36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:\n and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the\n wrath of God abideth on him.=\n\n _262. Who, on the other hand, obtain life everlasting?_\n\nAll who continue steadfast in faith until death.\n\n =Rev. 2:10. [R. V.] Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give\n thee the crown of life.=\n\n _263. Why do you end your confession of faith with the word Amen?_\n\nBecause I know that what I here confess is certainly true.\n\n _264. What must you do that you may continue steadfast in faith\n and also increase therein?_\n\nI will pray God every day graciously to help and strengthen me.\n\n\n\n\nPART THREE.\n\nTHE LORD'S PRAYER.\n\n\n _265. What is prayer?_\n\nPrayer is the child-like communion of our hearts with God, in which we\ntell Him all our needs, and earnestly seek some gift from Him.\n\n _266. Who should pray?_\n\nAll should pray; even little children.\n\n _267. But can all pray in this manner?_\n\nNo, not the impenitent; their hearts are not right with God, and they\ndo not seek Him earnestly.\n\n _268. In whose name must we pray?_\n\nWe must pray in the name of Jesus.\n\n =John 16:23. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall\n ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.=\n\n _269. What is meant by praying in the name of Jesus?_\n\nTo pray in the name of Jesus is to ask on the strength of what He has\ndone for us, and His intercession with the Father.\n\n _270. How should we pray?_\n\nWe should pray humbly, confidently as a child, and reverently.\n\n _271. When should we pray?_\n\nThe attitude of our hearts should be one of constant prayer, and our\ncommunion with God should not be confined to certain times and places,\nbut we should speak with Him whenever we feel the need of it.\n\n =1 Thess. 5:17. Pray without ceasing.=\n\n =Eph. 6: 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in\n the Spirit.=\n\n _272. For whom should we pray?_\n\nWe should pray not only for ourselves, but also for others,--even our\nenemies.\n\n =1 Tim. 2:1-3. Matt. 5:44.=\n\n _273. For what should we pray?_\n\nFirst of all we should pray for the spiritual gifts necessary to our\nsalvation; but we may also pray for other gifts, both spiritual and\ntemporal.\n\n =Matt. 6:33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his\n righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.=\n\n =1 Cor. 12:31. Covet earnestly the best gifts.=\n\n _274. What must we always remember when we pray for things not\n necessary to our salvation?_\n\nWe must always remember that God alone knows whether such a prayer\nanswered would truly benefit us.\n\nWhen asking such gifts we should always add, \"Lord, if Thou wilt\".\n\n =Matt. 26:39. Not as I will, but as thou wilt.=\n\n _275. Who teaches us to pray well?_\n\nThe Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of prayer.\n\n =Rom. 8:26. We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but\n the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which\n cannot be uttered.=\n\n _276. Which is the most perfect prayer?_\n\nThe most perfect prayer is the Lord's Prayer, which Christ taught His\nown disciples.\n\n _277. Repeat this prayer._\n\nOur Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come;\nThy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our\ndaily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who\ntrespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us\nfrom evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for\never and ever. Amen.\n\n _278. Why would God have us speak to Him as \"Our Father\"?_\n\nGod would hereby tenderly invite us to believe that He is truly our\nFather, and we are truly His children, so that we may ask of Him with\nall cheerfulness and confidence, as dear children ask of their dear\nfather.\n\n _279. Who alone can confidently call God Father?_\n\nGod's children alone can call God their Father.\n\n _280. Why would God have us say \"our Father\" and not only \"my\n Father\"?_\n\nBecause He would have us pray with one another and for one another, in\nspiritual fellowship.\n\n _281. What is the importance of the words \"who art in heaven\"?_\n\nBy these words we are reminded of the exalted love and power of our\nheavenly Father, far above that of any earthly father.\n\n =Matt. 7:11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts\n unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in\n heaven give good things to them that ask him?=\n\n\nTHE FIRST PETITION.\n\n=Hallowed be Thy name.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nThe name of God is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition\nthat it may be hallowed also among us.\n\nThis is done when the Word of God is rightly taught, and when we as\nthe children of God live holy lives in obedience to the Word. This\ngrant us, heavenly Father!\n\nBut he that teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches,\nprofanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us, heavenly\nFather!\n\n _282. What do you pray for in the first petition?_\n\nI pray that the name of God may be hallowed among us.\n\n =Ps. 72:19. Blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the\n whole earth be filled with his glory.=\n\n _283. When is the name of God hallowed among us?_\n\nWhen the Word of God is rightly taught and is received into our hearts.\n\n _284. When do we hallow the name of God among our fellow men?_\n\nWe hallow the name of God when we freely confess it before men in\naccordance with the Word, and when we as God's children live holy\nlives in obedience to the Word.\n\n =Matt. 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may\n see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.=\n\n =Matt. 10:32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,\n him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.=\n\n _285. Who profanes the name of God?_\n\nHe that teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches,\nprofanes the name of God.\n\n =Rom. 2:24. [R. V.] The name of God is blasphemed among the\n Gentiles because of you.=\n\n\nTHE SECOND PETITION.\n\n=Thy kingdom come.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nThe kingdom of God comes indeed of itself, without our prayer, but we\npray in this petition that it may come also to us.\n\nThis is done when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so\nthat by His grace we believe the Word of God, and live holy and\nChrist-like lives here in time, and in heaven forever.\n\n _286. What do you pray for in the second petition?_\n\nI pray that the kingdom of God may come.\n\n _287. What is meant, in a particular sense, by the kingdom of God\n which you pray for in this petition?_\n\n1. The kingdom of grace, in which Christ makes every believer a\npartaker of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit; and\n\n2. The kingdom of glory in heaven, where the chosen live with Christ\nin perfect happiness.\n\n _288. What is meant by saying that the kingdom of God comes to us?_\n\nIt means that we become partakers in it.\n\n _289. When does the kingdom of God come to us?_\n\nThe kingdom of God comes to us when our heavenly Father gives us His\nHoly Spirit, so that by His grace we believe the Word of God.\n\n _290. What does the Holy Spirit work in them who thus by faith\n have become partakers in the kingdom of God?_\n\nThey live holy and Christ-like lives here in time, and in heaven\nforever.\n\n\nTHE THIRD PETITION.\n\n=Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nThe good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer;\nbut we pray in this petition that it may be done also among us.\n\nThis is done when God brings to nothing all evil plans and purposes of\nthe devil, the world, and our own flesh, that would hinder the\nhallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom.\n\nOn the other hand, it is the good and gracious will of God to strengthen\nus and keep us steadfast in His Word and in faith, until death.\n\n _291. What do you pray for in the third petition?_\n\nI pray that the will of God may be done among us on earth, as it is in\nheaven.\n\n _292. What is the will of God?_\n\nIt is the will of God that all His rational creatures should praise\nHim forever in perfect holiness and happiness.\n\n _293. Where is the will of God done in this manner?_\n\nIn heaven, where the holy angels praise God in undisturbed peace and\njoy.\n\n =Ps. 103:20, 21. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in\n strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of\n his word.=\n\n =Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that\n do his pleasure.=\n\n _294. When is the will of God done among us, as it is in heaven?_\n\nWhen God brings to nothing all evil plans and purposes that would\nhinder the hallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom, and\nwhen God strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in\nfaith, until death.\n\n _295. Who seek to prevent the will of God from being done among\n us?_\n\nThe devil, the world, and our own flesh.\n\n _296. Who, on the other hand, will help us to do the will of God?_\n\nGod, who is merciful and faithful, will Himself help us to do His will.\n\n =1 Thess. 5:24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do\n it.=\n\n\nTHE FOURTH PETITION.\n\n=Give us this day our daily bread.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nGod gives daily bread indeed without our prayer even to the wicked;\nbut we pray in this petition that He would help us to appreciate His\nbenefits, that we may receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.\n\nBy daily bread is meant all those things which are needed for our\nsupport and well-being in life, as food and clothing, home and property,\nhappy family relations, a good government, favorable weather, peace and\nhealth, faithful friends, good neighbors, and the like.\n\n _297. What do you pray for in the fourth petition?_\n\nI pray God to give me daily bread.\n\n _298. What is meant by daily bread?_\n\nBy daily bread is meant all those things which are needed for our\nsupport and well-being in life, as food and clothing, home and\nproperty, etc.\n\n _299. Of what does the word \"daily\" remind you?_\n\nI must be content with that which God gives me.\n\n =Prov. 30:8. Give me neither poverty nor riches: feed me with\n food convenient for me.=\n\n =1 Tim. 6:6. Godliness with contentment is great gain.=\n\n _300. Why are the words \"this day\" added?_\n\nThey are added that I should not be anxious for the morrow, but let\neach day bear its own burdens.\n\n =Matt. 6:34.=\n\n _301. Does God give daily bread to those only who pray for it?_\n\nNo; He gives daily bread also to the wicked, but they receive it\nwithout thanksgiving, and miss His blessing.\n\n =Matt. 5:45. He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the\n good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.=\n\n _302. How should the children of God receive their daily bread?_\n\nThey should ask God to bless their daily bread, and return Him thanks\nfor it.\n\n =Prov. 10: 22. The blessing of the Lord maketh rich.=\n\n _303. Need we not work for our daily bread when we pray for it\n every day?_\n\nYes; God wants us to be diligent, each in our calling, trusting in His\nhelp.\n\n =Gen. 3:19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.=\n\n =2 Thess. 3: 10. If any would not work, neither should he eat.=\n\n\nTHE FIFTH PETITION.\n\n=And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass\nagainst us.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon\nour sins, nor, on account of them, deny our prayer; for we are not\nworthy of anything we ask, neither have we deserved it; but we pray\nthat He would give it to us out of His mercy; for we sin every day,\nand deserve nothing but punishment.\n\nAnd we on our part will heartily forgive those who have sinned against\nus, and return good for evil.\n\n _304. What do you pray for in the fifth petition?_\n\nI pray God to forgive us our trespasses.\n\n _305. What is implied by the word \"trespasses\"?_\n\nThereby is implied our guilt or debt to God, which we have brought\nupon ourselves by our sins.\n\n _306. Can we feel assured that God will forgive us this debt?_\n\nYes; Jesus Christ has paid for all our sins.\n\n _307. Why must the believer ask the forgiveness of sins every day?_\n\nBecause he sins every day, and is always in need of forgiveness.\n\n _308. What do we confess to God in this petition?_\n\nWe confess that we are not worthy of the least of that which we ask,\nneither have we deserved it; but we pray that He would give it to us\nout of His mercy.\n\n _309. What do we promise God in this petition, while asking His\n forgiveness?_\n\nWe promise to forgive those who trespass against us, and return good\nfor evil.\n\n =Luke 6:37. Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive,\n and ye shall be forgiven.=\n\n =Matt. 18:23-35.=\n\n\nTHE SIXTH PETITION.\n\n=And lead us not into temptation.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nGod indeed tempts no one, but we pray in this petition that He would\nguard and keep us from the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that\nwe fall not, through their deceit, into unbelief, despair, or other\nsins; but we pray that although we be thus tempted, we may overcome\nthe temptation, and remain victorious.\n\n _310. What do you pray for in this petition?_\n\nI pray God not to lead us into temptation.\n\n _311. What is meant by temptation?_\n\nBy temptation is meant opportunities that invite to sin.\n\n _312. Does God give us such opportunities in order that we may\n sin?_\n\nBy no means; God, who is holy and loving, does not tempt any one to sin.\n\n =James 1:13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of\n God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any\n man.=\n\n _313. Why then does God permit us to be tempted?_\n\nGod permits us to be tempted in order to try us, and in order that it\nmay be seen whether we have true faith, love, and patience.\n\n =Read Gen. 22:1-19.=\n\n _314. Who, on the other hand, tempt us to sin?_\n\nThe devil, the world, and our own flesh, tempt us to sin.\n\n _315. How does the devil tempt us?_\n\nThe devil tempts us by putting evil thoughts into our minds.\n\n _316. How does the world tempt us?_\n\nThe world tempts us by threats, attractive invitations, and bad example.\n\n =Prov. 1:10. My son if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.=\n\n _317. How does our flesh tempt us?_\n\nOur own flesh tempts by its evil desires.\n\n =James 1:14. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his\n own lust, and enticed.=\n\n _318. Can we ever be free from temptations in this world?_\n\nNo; the conditions of this present life are such that temptations must\nfollow, and we need them for our bringing up in the kingdom of God.\n\n =Matt. 18:7. It must needs be that offences come.=\n\n _319. What, then, do we mean when we ask God not to lead us into\n temptation?_\n\nWe pray that when He finds it good for us to be tempted, He will guard\nand keep us, so that we may in the end be victorious.\n\n =1 Cor. 10:13. God is faithful who will not suffer you to be\n tempted above that ye are able.=\n\n _320. What are our weapons against temptation?_\n\nWe must use the Word of God, watch and pray, and take care not to\ninvite temptation.\n\n =Matt. 26:41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.=\n\n =Eph. 6:13. Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be\n able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to\n stand.=\n\n\nTHE SEVENTH PETITION.\n\n=But deliver us from evil.=\n\n _That is_,\n\nWe pray in this petition, in general, that our Father in heaven would\ndeliver us from all evil, affecting body and soul, property and honor,\nand at last grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this\nworld of sorrow to Himself in heaven.\n\n _321. What do you pray for in the seventh petition?_\n\nI pray God to deliver us from evil.\n\n _322. From what evil do you pray God to deliver us in this\n petition?_\n\nI pray God to deliver us from all sin that still clings to us, and\nfrom all the destructive effects of sin upon soul and body, property\nand honor.\n\n _323. Can we expect to be entirely free from all evil while in\n this world?_\n\nNo, we cannot; but we pray God in this petition to deliver us more and\nmore from all evil, and at last grant us a blessed end, and graciously\ntake us from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.\n\n =Phil. 1:23. I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ;\n which is far better.=\n\n _324. What are the closing words of the Lord's Prayer?_\n\n=For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and\never. Amen.=\n\n _325. Of what do these words remind us?_\n\nWe should remember that God is able to answer our prayer, and that the\nglory belongs to Him alone, when we get according to our prayer.\n\n _326. What is the meaning of the word \"Amen\"?_\n\nIts meaning is, Surely; so be it.\n\n _327. Why is this word added?_\n\nIt is added in order that I may be fully assured that these petitions\nare acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him.\n\n _328. How can I feel assured of this?_\n\nGod Himself has commanded us to pray, and has added this promise to\nhear us: Amen, Amen; that is, Surely; so be it.\n\n _329. Does this promise hold good only when we use the Lord's\n Prayer?_\n\nNo; God hears every prayer offered up according to His will.\n\n =Matt. 7:7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall\n find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.=\n\n _330. Does God always answer our prayer as we desire?_\n\nNo; He often answers our prayer by giving us something else and\nsomething better than we ask or think.\n\n =Eph. 3:20. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that\n we ask or think.=\n\n _331. Does God answer our prayer at once?_\n\nSometimes; but He often delays His answer in order to strengthen our\nfaith and our hope.\n\n _332. In speaking with God, should we only ask for the good\n things which we like to get?_\n\nNo; we must also return Him thanks for the blessings which we have\nreceived.\n\n =Eph. 5: 20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the\n Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.=\n\n\n\n\nTHE SACRAMENTS.\n\n\n _333. What is a sacrament?_\n\nA sacrament is a holy ordinance made by God Himself, in which He gives\nand confirms His invisible grace through outward and visible means.\n\n _334. Which are the sacraments of the Christian church?_\n\nThey are Baptism and the Lord's Supper.\n\n\n\n\nPART FOUR.\n\nTHE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.\n\n\n _335. What is Baptism?_\n\nBaptism is not water alone, but it is water comprehended in God's\ncommand, and united with His Word.\n\n _336. What is God's command concerning Baptism?_\n\nIt is given in the words of Christ in the last chapter of Matthew:\n\n\"=All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore,\nand teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and\nof the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things\nwhatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even\nunto the end of the world.=\"\n\n _337. In whose name then are you baptized?_\n\nI am baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the\nHoly Ghost.\n\n _338. Explain this further._\n\nIn Baptism I have entered into fellowship with the triune God, the\nFather, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; I have become His own, and have\nbeen made heir of all His gracious gifts.\n\n _339. Is the baptism of little children in agreement with\n Christ's command?_\n\nYes; Christ Himself has said: \"Suffer the little children to come unto\nme, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.\"\n\n =Mark 10:14. John 3:5.=\n\n _340. Who should administer Baptism?_\n\nBaptism should be administered by the minister of the church, but when\nnecessary it may be administered by any Christian.\n\n _341. What benefit do we have from Baptism?_\n\nBaptism works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the\ndevil, and gives everlasting life to all who believe what the Word and\npromise of God declare.\n\n _342. What is God's promise concerning Baptism?_\n\nIt is given in the words of Christ in the sixteenth chapter of Mark:\n\n\"=He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that\nbelieveth not shall be condemned.=\"\n\n _343. How does Baptism save us from sin, death, and the devil?_\n\nIn Baptism we come into fellowship with Christ, and are made partakers\nin His redemption.\n\n =Gal. 3:27. As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have\n put on Christ.=\n\n =Rom. 6:3, 4.=\n\n _344. How can water do such great things?_\n\nIt is not water indeed that does it, but the Word of God, which is in\nand with the water, and faith which trusts this Word of God in the\nwater.\n\nFor without the Word of God, the water is water alone, and no Baptism.\nBut with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water\nof life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost.\n\n =Titus 3:5-7. According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing\n of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;=\n\n =Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;=\n\n =That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs\n according to the hope of eternal life.=\n\n _345. Why is Baptism called the \"washing of regeneration\"?_\n\nBecause the Holy Spirit in Baptism cleanses us from sin, and gives us\na new spiritual life.\n\n =1 Pet. 3:21. Baptism is not the putting away of the filth of the\n flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the\n resurrection of Jesus Christ.=\n\n _346. Is not Baptism also called a covenant?_\n\nYes; Baptism is a covenant; in Baptism God gives us a new life and His\ngrace, and we promise Him to renounce the devil, and all His works,\nand all his ways, and to believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy\nSpirit.\n\n _347. Who enjoy the blessings that God promises in Baptism?_\n\nAll who remain in the covenant of their Baptism.\n\n _348. When does he who was baptized as a child confirm the\n covenant of his Baptism?_\n\nAt his confirmation, when he renews the covenant of his Baptism in the\nmidst of the assembled congregation, having first been instructed in\nGod's Word.\n\n _349. Is it possible to remain in the covenant of Baptism?_\n\nYes; by the grace of God it is possible.\n\n =Phil. 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which\n strengtheneth me.=\n\n _350. What must we do to remain in the grace of our Baptism?_\n\nWe must watch and pray, and make diligent use of the Word of God and\nthe Lord's Supper.\n\n _351. In what ways may we break the covenant of our Baptism?_\n\n1. When we little by little forget our covenant, resist the Holy\nSpirit, and neglect prayer, so that we become more and more\nworldly-minded.\n\n2. When we fall in coarse and open sins.\n\n _352. Will not God again receive us when we have broken the\n covenant of our Baptism?_\n\nYes; God has not broken His part of the covenant, and when we again\nturn to Him, He is always glad to receive us.\n\n =Luke 15:20. He arose, and came to his father. But when he was\n yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and\n ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.=\n\n _353. How does a repentant sinner get courage to return to God?_\n\nHe gets courage from considering the tender Gospel invitation of\nChrist, and from seeking God in prayer.\n\n =Matt. 11:28. Come unto me, all that labor and are heavy laden,\n and I will give you rest.=\n\n _354. Does not also he who remains true to the covenant of his\n Baptism need repentance?_\n\nYes; he needs daily repentance and daily renewal. =See 250.=\n\n _355. What does the baptizing with water signify?_\n\nIt signifies that the old man in us should, by daily sorrow and\nrepentance, be drowned and die, with all sins and evil desires; and\nagain a new man daily appear more and more, who shall live before God\nin righteousness and purity forever.\n\n _356. What is meant by saying that the old man in us should die,\n and the new man appear more and more?_\n\nSin should be rooted out from us through daily sorrow and repentance,\nand our love to God and man should grow up within us more and more, so\nthat it may appear in all our conduct that we have the mind of Christ.\n\n =Rom. 6:4. We are buried with Christ by baptism into death: that\n like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the\n Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.=\n\n _357. What are the duties of sponsors?_\n\nThey should pray for the child whose baptism they have witnessed, they\nshould remember the covenant of their own Baptism, and afterwards, as\nfar as possible, see that the child is brought up in the fear of God.\n\n\n\n\nPART FIVE.\n\nTHE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.\n\n\n _358. What is the Lord's Supper?_\n\nIt is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under bread and\nwine, instituted by Christ Himself for Christians to eat and to drink.\n\n _359. Repeat the Words of Institution._\n\n\"=Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took\nbread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to his\ndisciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you;\nthis do in remembrance of me.=\n\n\"=After the same manner, also, when He had supped, He took the cup,\nand when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all\nof it; this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for\nyou, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye\ndrink it, in remembrance of me.=\"\n\n _360. When did Jesus institute the Lord's Supper?_\n\nIn the night in which He was betrayed to death; it is therefore called\nthe Lord's Supper.\n\n _361. Is it important to note the time when Jesus instituted the\n Lord's Supper?_\n\nYes; for it shows the loving care of our Savior, who just before His\nsuffering and death thought more of us than of Himself.\n\n _362. What do we receive in the Lord's Supper?_\n\nIn and with the bread and the wine we receive the body and blood of\nChrist, which He gave up in death for us.\n\n _363. How do you know this?_\n\nChrist says concerning the bread: \"Take, eat; this is my body.\"\n\nConcerning the wine He says: \"Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New\nTestament in my blood.\"\n\n _364. What is meant by \"New Testament\" in this connection?_\n\nThereby is meant the new covenant which God has made and sealed with\nthe blood of Jesus.\n\n =1 Cor. 10:16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the\n communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it\n not the communion of the body of Christ?=\n\n _365. What, therefore, makes the bread and the wine a sacrament\n of the body and blood of Christ?_\n\nGod's own Word which is added to the bread and the wine; for as Luther\nsays, \"Bread and wine alone are but bread and wine; but being united\nwith the Word of God, they are truly the body and blood of Christ.\nFor as the mouth of Christ speaks, so it is; He can neither lie nor\ndeceive.\"\n\n _366. For whom is the Lord's Supper intended?_\n\nThe Lord's Supper is intended for true Christians, who are of age and\nunderstanding to prove themselves.\n\n =1 Cor. 11: 28. [R. V.] Let a man prove himself, and so let him\n eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.=\n\n _367. What benefit do we have from the Lord's Supper?_\n\nIt is shown by these words: \"Given and shed for you, for the remission\nof sins;\" namely, that in the sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and\nsalvation are given us through these words. For where there is\nforgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.\n\n _368. But does not the believer have the forgiveness of sins\n before he partakes of the Lord's Supper?_\n\nYes; the believer has the forgiveness of sins through Baptism and the\nWord.\n\n _369. How, then, can the forgiveness of sins in a particular\n sense be connected with this sacrament?_\n\nBecause in the Lord's Supper we receive the body and blood of Christ,\nwhich were offered up for us, as a sure pledge of the forgiveness of\nsins.\n\n _370. In what way does the believer get life and salvation\n through this sacrament?_\n\nThrough this sacrament the believer is brought into spiritual\nfellowship with his Lord and Savior, who imparts Himself to him and\nthus preserves and strengthens him in faith, hope, and love unto\neternal life.\n\n =John 6: 56. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,\n dwelleth in me, and I in him.=\n\n _371. Does not the sacrament of the Lord's Supper also bring\n about a more intimate fellowship between believers?_\n\nYes; believers are united in a closer fellowship through partaking in\ncommon of the Lord Jesus and eternal life in Him.\n\n =1 Cor. 10:17. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for\n we are all partakers of that one bread.=\n\n _372. How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?_\n\nIt is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does it, but the words\nwhich stand here: \"Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins.\"\nThese words, together with the bodily eating and drinking, are the\nchief thing in the sacrament; and He that believes these words, has\nwhat they say and mean, namely, the forgiveness of sins.\n\n _373. Is it of little importance how we receive the Lord's Supper?_\n\nBy no means; we must be prepared when we go to partake of these\ngifts. It is much worse to go to the Lord's Supper unprepared and\nunworthily than not to go at all.\n\n _374. Who, then, receive this sacrament worthily?_\n\nFasting and bodily preparation are indeed a good outward practise;\n\nBut he alone is truly worthy and well prepared, who believes these\nwords: \"Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins.\"\n\nBut he who believes not these words is unworthy and unprepared. The\nwords, \"=for you=\" require truly believing hearts.\n\n _375. Who, then, is rightly prepared to partake of the Lord's\n Supper?_\n\nHe who believes these words: \"Given and shed for you, for the\nremission of sins.\"\n\n _376. What is meant by \"believing\" these words?_\n\nThereby is meant that we heartily feel our sin and unworthiness before\nGod, but also that we confidently accept for ourselves the grace of\nour Lord Jesus Christ.\n\n _377. Who partake of the Lord's Supper unworthily?_\n\nThey who do not feel nor repent their sins, and who do not from their\nheart believe in Jesus.\n\n =1 Cor. 11:29. He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and\n drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.=\n\n _378. Why do such unconverted persons partake of the Lord's\n Supper?_\n\nThey do so either from custom or habit, or because they are ashamed to\nneglect the Lord's Supper, or again because they mean to please God by\nthis outward obedience.\n\n _379. Should such persons be admitted to the Lord's Supper?_\n\nNo.\n\n =Matt 7:6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither\n cast ye your pearls before swine.=\n\n _380. What must we do in order that we may not partake of the\n Lord's Supper unworthily?_\n\nWe must prayerfully search our own hearts as in the presence of God,\nwhether we repent our sins and believe in Jesus Christ, and whether we\nhave an honest purpose to abstain from even our bosom sins.\n\n =1 Cor. 11:28.=\n\n _381. How often should we partake of the Lord's Supper?_\n\nChrist has not told us how often we should partake, but He has said,\n\"This do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me\".\n\n _382. What should move us to partake of the Lord's Supper often?_\n\nFirst of all, the command and promise of our Lord and Savior; then,\nour own great need, which is the reason for our Father's tender\ninvitation and promise of grace.\n\n _383. What are the common causes for the neglect of the Lord's\n Supper?_\n\nSpiritual dullness and indifference, a worldly mind, pride, and\ndisregard for God's grace and ordinance.\n\n _384. Should the feeling of our own unworthiness keep us away\n from the Lord's Supper?_\n\nNo; the more we feel our own unworthiness, and the more we sincerely\nlong for God's forgiveness, the more worthy are we to receive His grace.\n\n =Matt. 5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the\n kingdom of heaven.=\n\n =1 Pet. 5:5. God giveth grace to the humble.=\n\n _385. What must we do when we receive the Lord's Supper?_\n\nWe must remember our Savior and His death.\n\n =Luke 22:19. This do in remembrance of me.=\n\n _386. How should we remember Christ's death?_\n\nWe should earnestly fix our mind upon the suffering and death of\nChrist, so that we may be strengthened in faith and in love to Him,\nwho loved us unto death.\n\n =1 Cor. 11:26. As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup,\n ye do show the Lord's death till He come.=\n\n _387. What should be our conduct when we have received the Lord's\n Supper?_\n\nWe should quietly think of the great love which God has shown us, and\nheartily thank Him for it; not only for a few days, but always, keep\nnear to Jesus, show His death in word and act, and in a sanctified life\nprove that the body and blood of Christ have power to cleanse from sin.\n\n =1 Pet. 2:24. Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on\n the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto\n rigtheousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.=\n\n _388. Is he who thus believes and lives in fellowship with Christ\n sure to be saved?_\n\nYes; when he continues steadfast in faith until death.\n\n =Matt. 24:13. He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall\n be saved.=\n\n =Rev. 2:10. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a\n crown of life.=\n\n\n\n\nTranscriber's Note\n\n\n * Obvious punctuation and spelling errors repaired.\n\n * Text enclosed between equal signs was in bold face in the\n original (=bold=).","title":"Luther's Small Catechism Explained in Questions and Answers","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":21572}