|
HEIDELBERG CATECHISM
Note: This edition of the catechism is based on the 1978 translation
published by the Reformed Church in the United States and modified by the removal of archaic language and with minor revision of the translation according to the German and Latin texts.
1. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I, with
body and soul, both in life and in death,1 am not my
own, 2 but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ,
3 who with His precious blood 4 has fully
satisfied for all my sins, 5 and redeemed me from all
the power of the devil; 6 and so preserves me, 7
that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall
from my head; 8 indeed, that all things must work
together for my salvation. 9 Wherefore, by His Holy
Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, 10 and
makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.11
1
Rom 14:7,8. 2 1 Cor 6:19. 3 1 Cor 3:23.
4 1 Pet 1:18,19.5 I John 1:7. I John 2:2.
6 I John 3:8. 7 John 6:39. 8
Matt 10:29, 30. Luke 21:18. 9 Rom 8:28. 10
2 Cor 1:21, 22. Eph 1:13,14. Rom 8:16. 11 Rom 8:1.
2. How many
things are necessary for you to know, that in this comfort you
may live and die happily?
Three things:1
the first, how great my sin and misery is;2 the
second, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery;3
the third, how I am to be thankful to God for such redemption.4
1 Luke
24:46,47. 1 Cor 6:11. Titus 3:3-7. 2 John 9:41. John 15:22.
3 John 17:3. 4 Eph 5:8-11. 1 Pet 2:9-12. Rom
6:11-14. * Rom 7:24, 25. * Gal 3:13. * Col 3:17.
FIRST
PART OF MAN'S MISERY
2. SUNDAY
3. From where
do you know your misery?
From the Law
of God.1
1
Rom 3:20. * Rom 7:7.
4. What does
the Law of God require of us?
Christ
teaches us in sum, Matt 22: "You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your
mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like unto it, you shall love your
neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law
and the prophets. (22:38, 39,40)
1
Luke 10:27. * Deut 6:5. * Gal 5:14.
5. Can you
keep all this perfectly?
No,1
for I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbor.2
1
Rom 3:10-12, 23. I John 1:8,10. 2 Rom 8:7. Eph 2:3.
3. SUNDAY
6. Did God
create man thus wicked and perverse?
No,1
but God created man good and after His own image,2
that is, in righteousness and true holiness, that he might
rightly know God his Creator, heartily love Him, and live with
Him in eternal blessedness, to praise and glorify Him.3
1
Gen 1:31; 2 Gen 1:26, 27; 3 2 Cor 3:18,
Col 3:10, Eph 4:24.
7. From
where then comes this depraved nature of man?
From the fall
and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in
Paradise,1 whereby our nature became so corrupt that we are all
conceived and born in sin.2
1
Gen 3 (all). Rom 5:12,18,19. 2 Ps 51:5 * Ps 14:2, 3.
8. But are we
so depraved, that we are wholly incapable of any good and prone
to all evil?
Yes,1
unless we are born again by the Spirit of God.2
1
John 3:6. Gen 6:5. Job 14:4. Isaiah 53:6. 2 John 3:5. * Gen
8:21. * 2 Cor 3:5. * Rom 7:18. * Jer 17:9.
4. SUNDAY
9. Does not
God then do injustice to man by requiring of him in His Law that
which he cannot perform?
No, for God
so made man that he could perform it,1 but man,
through the instigation of the devil, by willful disobedience
deprived himself and all his posterity of those divine gifts.2
1
Eph 4:24. 2 Rom 5:12.
10. Will God
suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished?
By no means,1
but He is terribly displeased with our inborn as well as our
actual sins, and will punish them in just judgment in time and
eternity, as He has declared: "Cursed is every one who continues
not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do
them."2
1
Heb 9:27. 2 Deut 27:26. Gal 3:10. * Rom 1:18. * Matt
25:41.
11. Is then
God not also merciful?
God is indeed
merciful,1 but He is likewise just;2 His justice
therefore requires that sin which is committed against the most
high Majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is,
with everlasting punishment both of body and soul.
1
Exod 34:6,7. 2 Exod 20:5. Ps 5:5,6. 2 Cor 6:14-16. * Revelation
14:11.
SECOND PART
OF MAN'S REDEMPTION
5. SUNDAY
12. Since
then by the righteous judgment of God we deserve temporal and
eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment and be
again received into favor?
God wills
that His justice be satisfied;1 therefore we must
make full satisfaction to the same, either by ourselves or by
another.2
1
Exod 20:5. Exod 23:7. 2 Rom 8:3,4.
13. Can we
ourselves make this satisfaction.
By no means,
on the contrary, we daily increase our guilt.1 1 Job
9:2, 3. Job 15:15,16. Matt 6:12. * Matt 16:26.
14. Can any
mere creature make satisfaction for us?
None, for
first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which
man committed;1 and further, no mere creature can
sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin2 and
redeem others from it.
1
Heb 2:14-18. 2 Ps 130:3.
15. What kind
of a mediator and redeemer then must we seek?
One who is a
true1 and righteous man, 2 and yet more powerful than
all creatures, that is, One who is also true God.3
1
1 Cor 15:21, 22, 25, 26. 2 Jer 33:16. Isaiah 53:11. 2
Cor 5:21. Heb 7:15,16.
3 Isaiah
7:14. Heb 7:26.
6
SUNDAY
16. Why must
he be a true and righteous man?
Because the
justice of God requires1 that the same human nature
which has sinned should make satisfaction for sin, but one who
is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.2
1
Rom 5:15. 2 Isaiah 53:3-5.
17. Why must
he also be true God?
That by the
power of His Godhead He might bear in His manhood the burden of
God's wrath,1 and so obtain for2 and restore to us
righteousness and life.3
1
Isaiah 53:8. Acts 2:24. 2 John 3:16. Acts 20:28.
3 I John 1:2.
18. But who
now is that Mediator, who in one person is true God and also a
true and righteous man?
Our Lord
Jesus Christ,1 who is freely given unto us for
complete redemption and righteousness.2
1
Matt 1:23. 1 Tim 3:16. Luke 2:11. 2 1 Cor 1:30. *
Acts 4:12.
19. From
where do you know this?
From the Holy
Gospel, which God Himself revealed first in Paradise;1
afterwards proclaimed by the holy Patriarchs2 and Prophets, and
foreshadowed by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law;3
and finally fulfilled by His well-beloved Son.
1
Gen 3:15. 2 Gen 22:18. Gen 49:10,11. Rom 1:2. Heb
1:1.
Acts 3:22-24. Acts 10:43. 3 John 5:46. Heb 10:7.
4 Rom 10:4. Gal 4:4,5. * Heb 10:1.
7. SUNDAY
20. Are all
men then saved by Christ as they perished in Adam?
No, only
those who by true faith are ingrafted into Him and receive all
His benefits.1
1
John 1:12,13. 1 Cor 15:22. Ps 2:12. Rom 11:20. Heb 4:2, 3. Heb
10:39.
21. What is
true faith?
True faith is
not only a certain knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that
God has revealed to us in His Word;1 but also a
hearty trust,2 which the Holy Spirit 3 works in me by
the Gospel,4 that not only to others, but to me also,
forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation are
freely given by God,5 merely of grace, only for the sake of
Christ's merits.6
1
James 1:6. 2 Rom 4:16-18. 3 2 Cor 4:13.
Phil 1:19, 20. 4 Rom 1:16. Rom 10:17. 5
Heb 11:1, 2. Rom 1:17. 6 Eph 2:7-9. Rom 3:24, 25. Gal
2:16. * Acts 10:43.
22. What then
is necessary for a Christian to believe?
All that is
promised us in the Gospel,1 which the articles of our
catholic, undoubted Christian faith teach us in sum.
1
John 20:31. Matt 28:20. * 2 Pet 1:21. * 2 Tim 3:15.
23. What are
these articles?
I believe in
God the Father, almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus
Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by
the Holy Spirit , born of the virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended
into hell; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into
heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty,
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in
the Holy Spirit , the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
8. SUNDAY
24. How are
these Articles divided?
Into three
parts: the first is of God the Father and our creation; the
second of God the Son and our redemption; the third, of God the
Holy Spirit and our sanctification.1
1
1 Pet 1:2. * I John 5:7.
25. Since
there is but one Divine Being,1 why do you speak of three
persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit ?
Because God
has so revealed Himself in His Word,2 that these
three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God.
1
Deut 6:4. 2 Isaiah 61:1. Ps 110:1. Matt 3:16,17 Matt
28:19.
I John 5:7.
* 2 Cor
13:14.
OF GOD THE
FATHER
9. SUNDAY
26. What do
you believe when you say: "I believe in God the Father,
Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"?
That the
eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who of nothing made
heaven and earth with all that in them is,1 who
likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and
providence,2 is for the sake of Christ, His Son, my
God and my Father,3 in whom I so trust, as to have no
doubt that He will provide me with all things necessary for body
and soul;4 and further, that whatever evil He sends upon me in
this vale of tears, He will turn to my good;5 for He is able to
do it, being almighty God,6 and willing also, being a faithful
Father.7
1
Gen 1:31. Ps 33:6. * Col 1:16. * Heb 11:3. 2 Ps
104:2-5. Matt 10:30. Heb 1:3. Ps 115:3. * Acts 17:24, 25.
3 John 1:12. Rom 8:15. Gal 4:5-7. Eph 1:5. * Eph 3:14-16.
* Matt 6:8. 4 Ps 55:22. Matt 6:25, 26. (See also
Luke 12:22-24). Ps 90:1, 2. 5 Rom 8:28. * Acts
17:27, 28. 6 Rom 10:12. 7 Matt 7:9-11. *
Num 23:19.
10. SUNDAY
27. What do
you understand by the providence of God?
The almighty,
everywhere present power of God,1 whereby, as it were
by His hand, He upholds heaven and earth with all creatures,2
and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought,
fruitful and barren years, meat and drink,3 health
and sickness, 4 riches and poverty,5 indeed, all things come not
by chance, but by His Fatherly hand.
1
Acts 17:25, 26. 2 Heb 1:3. 3 Jer 5:24. * Acts 14:17.
4 John 9:3. 5 Prov 22:2. * Ps 103:19. * Rom
5:3-5a.
28. What does
it profit us to know that God created, and by His providence
upholds all things?
That we may
be patient in adversity,1 thankful in prosperity,2
and for what is future have good confidence in our faithful God
and Father, that no creature shall separate us from His love,3
since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will
they cannot so much as move.4
1 Rom 5:3.
James 1:3. Job 1:21. 2 Deut 8:10. 1 Thess 5:18. 3 Rom
8:35, 38, 39 4 Job 1:12. Acts 17:25-28. Prov 21:1. * Ps 71:7. *
2 Cor 1:10.
OF GOD THE
SON
11. SUNDAY
29. Why is
the Son of God called JESUS, that is, Savior? Because He saves
us from our sins,1 and because salvation is not to be
sought or found in any other.2
1
Matt 1:21. Heb 7:25. 2 Acts 4:12. * Luke 2:10,11.
30. Do those
also believe in the only Savior Jesus, who seek their salvation
and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?
No, although
they make their boast of Him, yet in deeds they deny the only
Savior Jesus,1 for either Jesus is not a complete
Savior, or they who by true faith receive this Savior, must have
in Him all that is necessary to their salvation.
1
1 Cor 1:13. 1 Cor 1:30, 31. Gal 5:4. 2 Isaiah 9:7.
Col 1:20. Col 2:10. John 1:16. * Matt 23, 28.
12. SUNDAY
31. Why is He
called CHRIST, that is Anointed?
Because He is
ordained of God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit
1 to be our chief Prophet and Teacher,2
who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God
concerning our redemption;3 and our only High Priest,4
who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us, and ever
lives to make intercession for us with the Father;5
and our eternal King, who governs us by His Word and Spirit and
defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us.6
1
Heb 1:9. 2 Deut 18:15. Acts 3:22. 3 John
1:18. John 15:15. 4 Ps 110:4. Heb 7:21. 5
Rom 5:9,10. 6 Ps 2:6. Luke 1:33. Matt 28:18. * Isa
61:1, 2. * 1 Peter 2:24. * Rev 19:16.
32. But why
are you called a Christian?
Because by
faith I am a member of Christ1 and thus a partaker of
His anointing,2 in order that I also may confess His
Name,3 may present myself a living sacrifice of
thankfulness to Him,4 and that with a free conscience
I may fight against sin and the devil in this life,5
and hereafter in eternity reign with Him over all creatures.6
1
Acts 11:26. I John 2:27. * I John 2:20. 2 Acts 2:17.
3 Mark 8:38. 4 Rom 12:1. Rev 5:8,10. 1 Pet
2:9. Rev 1:6. 5 1 Tim 1:18,19. 6 2 Tim
2:12. * Eph 6:12. * Rev 3:21.
13 SUNDAY
33. Why is He
called God's "only begotten Son, since we also are the children
of God?
Because
Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God;1 but
we are children of God by adoption, through grace, for His sake.2
1
John 1:14,18. 2 Rom 8:15-17. Eph 1:5,6. * I John 3:1.
34. Why do
you call Him "our Lord"?
Because, not
with gold or silver, but with His precious blood, He has
redeemed and purchased us, body and soul, from sin and from all
the power of the devil, to be His own.1
1
1 Pet 1:18,19. 1 Pet 2:9. 1 Cor 6:20. 1 Cor 7:23. * Acts 2:36. *
Titus 2:14. * Col 1:14.
14 SUNDAY
35. What is
the meaning of "conceived by the Holy Spirit , born of the
Virgin Mary"?
That the
eternal Son of God, who is1 and continues true and
eternal God,2 took upon Himself the very nature of
man, of the flesh and blood of the Virgin Mary,3 by
the operation of the Holy Spirit ;4 so that He might
also be the true seed of David,5 like His brothers in
all things,6 sin excepted.7
1
John 1:1. Rom 1:3,4. 2 Rom 9:5. 3 Gal 4:4.
John 1:14. 4 Matt 1:18-20. Luke 1:35. 5
Ps 132:11. 6 Phil 2:7. 7 Heb 4:15. * I
John 5:20.
36. What
benefit do you receive from the holy conception and birth of
Christ?
That He is
our Mediator,1 and with His innocence and perfect
holiness covers, in the sight of God, my sin, wherein I was
conceived.2.
1
Heb 2:16,17. 2 Ps 32:1. * I John 1:9.
15 SUNDAY
37. What do
you understand by the word "suffered"?
That all the
time He lived on earth, but especially at the end of His life,
He bore, in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sin of
the whole human race;1 in order that by His passion,
as the only atoning sacrifice,2 He might redeem our
body and soul from everlasting damnation, and obtain for us the
grace of God, righteousness and eternal life.
1
1 Pet 2:24. Isa 53:12. 2 I John 2:2. I John 4:10. Rom
3:25, 26. * Ps 22:14-16. * Matt 26:38. * Rom 5:6.
38. Why did
He suffer "under Pontius Pilate" as judge?
That He,
being innocent, might be condemned by the temporal judge,1
and thereby deliver us from the severe judgment of God, to which
we were exposed.2
1
Acts 4:27, 28. Luke 23:13-15. John 19:4. 2 Ps 69:4. 2
Cor 5:21. * Matt 27:24.
39. Is there
anything more in His having been "crucified" than if He had
suffered some other death?
Yes, for
thereby I am assured that He took upon Himself the curse which
lay upon me;1 because the death of the cross was
accursed of God.2
1
Gal 3:13,14. 2 Deut 21:22, 23. * Phil 2:8.
16 SUNDAY
40. Why was
it necessary for Christ to suffer "death"?
Because the
justice and truth1 of God required, that satisfaction
for our sins could be made in no other way than by the death of
the Son of God.2
1
Gen 2:17. 2 Heb 2:9. * Rom 6:23.
41. Why was
He "buried"?
To show
thereby that He was really dead.1
1
Matt 27:59,60. John 19:38-42. Acts 13:29.
42. Since
then Christ died for us, why must we also die?
Our death is
not a satisfaction for our sin, but only a dying to sin and an
entering into eternal life.1
1
John 5:24. Phil 1:23. Rom 7:24, 25.
43. What
further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of
Christ on the cross?
That thereby
our old man is crucified, slain and buried1 with Him, that so
the evil lusts of the flesh may no more reign in us,2
but that we may offer ourselves unto Him a sacrifice of
thanksgiving.3
1
Rom 6:6-8. Col 2:12. 2 Rom 6:12. 3 Rom 12:1. * 2 Cor
5:15.
44. Why is it
added: "He descended into hell"?
That in my
greatest temptations I may be assured that Christ my lord, by
His inexpressible anguish, pains and terrors, which He suffered
in His soul on the cross and before, has redeemed me from the
anguish and torment of hell.1
1
Isa 53:10. Matt 27:46. * Ps 18:5. * Ps 116:3.
17 SUNDAY
45. What
benefit do we receive from the "resurrection" of Christ?
First, by His
resurrection He has overcome death, that He might make us
partakers of the righteousness which He has obtained for us by
His death.1 Secondly, by His power we are also now
raised up to a new life.2 Thirdly, the resurrection
of Christ is to us a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.3
1
1 Cor 15:15,17,54-55. Rom 4:25. 1 Pet 1:3,4, 21. 2
Rom 6:4. Col 3:1-4. Eph 2:5. 3 1 Cor 15:12. Rom
8:11. * 1 Cor 15:20, 21.
46. How do
you understand the words: "He ascended into heaven"?
That Christ,
in the sight of His disciples, was taken up from the earth into
heaven;1 and continues there in our behalf2
until He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.3
1
Acts 1:9. Matt 26:64. Mark 16:19. Luke 24:51. 2 Heb
4:14. Heb 7:24, 25. Heb 9:11. Rom 8:34. Eph 4:10.
3 Acts 1:11. Matt 24:30. * Acts 3:20, 21.
47. Is Christ
then not with us even unto the end of the world, as He has
promised?1
Christ is
true man and true God. According to His human nature He is now
not on earth,2 but according to His Godhead, Majesty,
Grace, and Spirit, He is at no time absent from us.3
1
Matt 28:20. 2 Matt 26:11. John 16:28. John 17:11.
3 John 14:17,18. John 16:13. Eph 4:8. * Matt 18:20.
* Heb 8:4.
48. Since his
human nature is not present wherever His Godhead is, are not
then these two natures in Christ separated from one another?
Not at all;
for since the Godhead is incomprehensible and everywhere
present,1 it must follow that the same is not limited
with the human nature He assumed, and yet remains personally
united to it.2
1
Acts 7:49. Jer 23:24. 2 Col 2:9. John 3:13. John
11:15. Matt 28:6. * John 1:48.
18 SUNDAY
49. What
benefit do we receive from Christ's ascension into heaven?
First, that
He is our Advocate in the presence of His Father in Heaven.1
Secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge,
that He as the Head, will also take us, His members, up to
Himself.2 Thirdly, that He sends us His Spirit as an
earnest,3 by whose power we seek those things which
are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and not
things on earth.4
1
I John 2:1. Rom 8:34. 2 John 14:2. John 20:17. Eph
2:6. 3 John 14:16. Acts 2:33. 2 Cor 5:5. 4
Col 3:1.
* John 14:3 * Heb 9:24.
50. Why is it
added: "And sits at the right hand of God"?
Because
Christ ascended into heaven for this end, that He might there
appear as the Head of His Church,1 by whom the Father
governs all things.2
1
Eph 1:20-23. Col 1:18. 2 John 5:22. * 1 Pet 3:22. *
Ps 110:1.
19 SUNDAY
51. What does
this glory of Christ, our Head, profit us?
First, that
by His Holy Spirit He bestows the heavenly gifts upon us, His
members;1 then, that by His power He defends and
preserves us against all enemies.2
1
Eph 4:10-12. 2 Ps 2:9. John 10:28-30. * 1 Cor 15:25,
26. * Acts 2:33.
52. What
comfort is it to you, that Christ "shall come to judge the
living and the dead"?
That in all
my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head, I look for the
selfsame One, who before offered Himself for me to the judgment
of God, and removed all curse from me, to come as Judge from
heaven,1 who shall cast all His and my enemies into everlasting
condemnation,2 but shall take me with all His chosen
ones to Himself into heavenly joy and glory.3
1
Luke 21:28. Rom 8:23, 24. Phil 3:20, 21. Titus 2:13. 2
2 Thess 1;6,10. 1 Thess 4:16-18. 3 Matt 25:41.
* Acts 1:10,11. * Heb 9:28.
OF GOD THE
HOLY SPIRIT
20
SUNDAY
53. What do
you believe concerning the Holy Spirit ?
First, that
He is co-eternal God with the Father and the Son.1
Secondly, that He is also given unto me,2 by true
faith makes me a partaker of Christ and all His benefits,3
comforts me4 and shall abide with me forever.5
1
Gen 1:2. Isa 48:15. 1 Cor 3:16. 1 Cor 6:19. Acts 5:3,4. 2
Matt 28:19. 2 Cor 1:21, 22. 3 1 Pet 1:2.
1 Cor 6:17. 4 Acts 9:31. 5 John 14:16. 1
Pet 4:14. * I John 4:13. * Rom 15:13.
21 Sunday
54. What do
you believe concerning the "Holy Catholic Church"?
That, out of
the whole human race,1 from the beginning to the end
of the world, 2 the Son of God,3 by His Spirit and
Word,4 gathers, defends and preserves for Himself to
everlasting life a chosen communion5 in the unity of
the true faith;6 and that I am and forever shall
remain a living member of the same.7
1
Gen 26:4. 2 John 10:10. 3 Eph 1:10-13. 4
Rom 1:16. Isa 59:21. Rom 10:14-17. Eph 5:26. 5 Rom
8:29, 30. Matt 16:18. Eph 4:3-6. 6 Acts 2:46. Ps
71:18. 1 Cor 11:26. John 10:28-30. 1 Cor 1:8,9. 7 I
John 3:21. I John 2:19. * Gal 3:28.
55. What do
you understand by the "communion of saints"?
First, that
believers, one and all, as members of the Lord Jesus Christ, are
partakers with Him in all His treasures and gifts;1
secondly, that each one must feel himself bound to use his gifts
readily and cheerfully for the advantage and welfare of other
members.2
1
I John 1:3. 2 1 Cor 12:12,13. 1 Cor 12:21. 1 Cor
13:5,6. Phil 2:4-6. * Heb 3:14.
56. What do
you believe concerning the "forgiveness of sins"?
That God, for
the sake of Christ's satisfaction,1 will no more
remember my sins, nor the sinful nature with which I have to
struggle all my life long; but graciously imputes to me the
righteousness of Christ,2 that I may nevermore come
into condemnation.3
1
I John 2:2. 2 2 Cor 5:19, 21. Rom 7:24, 25. Ps
103:3,10,12. Jer 31:34. Rom 8;1-4. 3 John 3:18. * Eph 1:7. * Rom
4:7,8. * Rom 7:18.
22
SUNDAY
57. What
comfort does the "resurrection of the body" afford you?
That not only
my soul after this life shall be immediately taken up to Christ
its Head;1 but also, that this my body, raised by the
power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and made like
unto the glorious body of Christ.2
1
Luke 23:43. Phil 1:21-23. 2 1 Cor 15:53,54. Job
19:25-27. I John 3:2.
58. What
comfort hast you from the article of "life everlasting"?
That,
inasmuch as I now feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy,1
I shall after this life possess complete bliss, such as eye hath
not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of
man,2 therein to praise God forever.3
1
2 Cor 5:2, 3. 2 1 Cor 2:9. 3 John 17:3. * Rom 8:23. *
1 Pet 1:8.
23. SUNDAY
59. What does
it help you now, that you believe all this?
That I am
righteous in Christ before God, and an heir of eternal life.1
1 Hab 2:4.
Rom 1:17. John 3:36. * Titus 3:7. * Rom 5:1. * Rom 8:16.
60. How are
you righteous before God?
Only by true
faith in Jesus Christ;1 that is, although my
conscience accuse me, that I have grievously sinned against all
the commandments of God, and have never kept any of them,2
and am still prone always to all evil;3 yet God without any
merit of mine,4 of mere grace,5 grants and imputes to me the
perfect satisfaction,6 righteousness, and holiness of Christ,7
as if I had never committed nor had any sin, and had myself
accomplished all the obedience which Christ has fulfilled for
me;8 if only I accept such benefit with a believing heart.9
1
Rom 3:21-25. Gal 2:16. Eph 2:8,9. Phil 3:9. 2 Rom
3:9,10. 3 Rom 7:23.; 4 Titus 3:5. 5 Rom 3:24. Eph
2:8.
6 I John 2:2. 7 I John 2:1. Rom 4:4,5. 2 Cor 5:19.
8 2 Cor 5:21. 9 John 3:18. * Rom 3:28. * Rom
10:10.
61. Why
sayest thou, that you art righteous by faith only?
Not that I am
acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, but
because only the satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of
Christ is my righteousness before God1 and I can
receive the same and make it my own in no other way than by
faith only.2
1
1 Cor 1:30. 1 Cor 2:2. 2 I John 5:10. * Isa 53:5. *
Gal 3:22. * Rom 4:16.
24. SUNDAY
62. But why
cannot our good works be the whole or part of our righteousness
before God?
Because the
righteousness which can stand before the judgment-seat of God,
must be perfect throughout and wholly conformable to the divine
law;1 but even our best works in this life are all
imperfect and defiled with sin.2
1
Gal 3:10. Deut 27:26. 2 Isa 64:6. * James 2:10. *
Phil 3:12.
63. Do our
good works merit nothing, even though it is God's will to reward
them in this life and in that which is to come?
The reward
comes not of merit, but of grace.1
1
Luke 17:10. * Rom 11:6.
64. But does
not this doctrine make men careless and profane?
No, for it is
impossible that those who are implanted into Christ by true
faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.1
1
Matt 7:18. * Rom 6:1, 2. * John 15:5.
THE
SACRAMENTS
25. SUNDAY
65. Since
then we are made partakers of Christ and all His benefits by
faith only, from where comes this faith?
The Holy
Spirit works faith in our hearts1 by the preaching
of the Holy Gospel, and confirms it by the use of the Holy
Sacraments.
1
John 3:5. * Rom 10:17. 2 Rom 4:11. * Acts 8:37.
66. What are
the Sacraments?
The
Sacraments are visible holy signs and seals appointed of God for
this end, that by the use thereof He may the more fully declare
and seal to us the promise of the Gospel: namely, that of free
grace, He grants us the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life
for the sake of the one sacrifice of Christ accomplished on the
cross.1
1
Gen 17:11. Rom 4:1. Deut 30:6. Heb 9:8,9. Ezek 20:12.
67. Are both
the Word and the Sacraments designed to direct our faith to the
sacrifice of Christ on the cross as the only ground of our
salvation?
Yes truly,
for the Holy Spirit teaches in the Gospel and assures us by the
Holy Sacraments, that our whole salvation stands in the one
sacrifice of Christ made for us on the cross.1
1
Rom 6:3. * Gal 3:27. * Heb 9:12. * Acts 2:41,42.
68. How many
Sacraments has Christ instituted in the New Testament?
Two: Holy
Baptism and Holy Supper
OF HOLY
BAPTISM
26. SUNDAY
69. How is it
signified and sealed to you in Holy Baptism, that you have part
in the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross?
Thus: that
Christ instituted this outward washing with water1
and joined therewith this promise:2 that I am washed
with His blood and Spirit from the pollution of my soul, that
is, from all my sins, as certainly as I am washed outwardly with
water, whereby commonly the filthiness of the body is taken
away.3
1
Matt 28:19, 20. Acts 2:38. 2 Matt 3:11. Mark 16:16.
Rom 6:3,4. 3 Mark 1:4.
70. What is
it to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?
It is to have
the forgiveness of sins from God through grace, for the sake of
Christ's blood, which He shed for us in His sacrifice on the
cross;1 and also, to be renewed by the Holy Spirit
and sanctified to be members of Christ, that so we may more and
more die unto sin and lead holy and unblamable lives.2
1
Heb 12:24. 1 Pet 1:2. Rev 1:5. Zechariah 13:1. Ezek 36:25-27.
2 John 1:33. John 3:3 1 Cor 6:11. 1 Cor 12:13. * Heb 9:14.
71. Where has
Christ promised that we are as certainly washed with His blood
and Spirit as with the water of Baptism?
In the
institution of Baptism, which says: "Go ye, therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit .1 He that believes
and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believs not shall be
damned."2 This promise is also repeated, where Scripture calls
Baptism the washing of regeneration,3 and the washing
away of sins.4
1
Matt 28:19. 2 Mark 16:16. 3 Titus 3:5. 4
Acts 22:16.
27. SUNDAY
72. Is then
the outward washing with water itself the washing away of sins?
No,1
for only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse
us from all sin.2
1
1 Pet 3:21. Eph 5:26. 2 I John 1:7. 1 Cor 6:11.
73. Why then
does the Holy Spirit call Baptism the washing of regeneration
and the washing away of sins?
God speaks
thus not without great cause, namely, not only to teach us
thereby that like as the filthiness of the body is taken away by
water, so our sins are taken away by the blood and Spirit of
Christ;1 but much more, that by this divine pledge
and token He may assure us, that we are as really washed from
our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water.2
1
Rev 7:14. 2 Mark 16:16. * Acts 2:38.
74. Are
infants also to be baptized?
Yes, for
since they belong to the covenant and people of God as well as
their parents,1 and since redemption from sin through
the blood of Christ,2 and the Holy Spirit who works
faith, are promised to them no less than to their parents,3
they are also by Baptism, as the sign of the Covenant, to be
ingrafted into the Christian Church, and distinguished from the
children of unbelievers,4 as was done in the Old Testament by
Circumcision,5 in place of which in the New Testament Baptism is
instituted.6
1
Gen 17:7. 2 Matt 19:14. 3 Luke 1:14,15.
Ps 22:10. Acts 2:39. 4 Acts 10:47 5 Gen
17:14. 6 Col 2:11-13.
OF THE HOLY
SUPPER
28. SUNDAY
75. How is it
signified and sealed to you in the Holy Supper, that you do
partake of the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross and all His
benefits?
Thus: that
Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat of this broken
bread and to drink of this cup in remembrance of Him, and has
joined therewith these promises:1 First, that His
body was offered and broken on the cross for me and His blood
shed for me, as certainly as I see with my eyes the bread of the
Lord broken for me and the cup communicated to me; and further,
that with His crucified body and shed blood He Himself feeds and
nourishes my soul to everlasting life, as certainly as I receive
from the hand of the minister and taste with my mouth the bread
and cup of the Lord, which are given me as certain tokens of the
body and blood of Christ.
1
Matt 26:26-28. Mark 14:22-24. Luke 22:19, 20. 1 Cor 10:16,17. 1
Cor 11:23-25. 1 Cor 12:13.
76. What does
it mean to eat the crucified body and drink the shed blood of
Christ?
It means not
only to embrace with a believing heart all the sufferings and
death of Christ, and thereby to obtain (Bergebung) the
forgiveness of sins and life eternal (ewiges Leben);1
but moreover also, to be so united more and more to His sacred
body by the Holy Spirit,2 who dwells both in Christ
and in us, that, although He is in heaven3 and we on earth, we
are nevertheless flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone,4 and
live and are governed forever by one Spirit, as members of the
same body are by one soul.5
1
John 6:35,40,47,48. John 6:50-54. 2 John 6:55,56. 3
Acts 3:21. 1 Cor 11:26. 4 Eph 3:16-19. Eph 5:29, 30,
32. 1 Cor 6:15,17,19. I John 4:13. 5 John 14:23. John
6:56-58. John 15:1-6. Eph 4:15,16. John 6:63.
77. Where has
Christ promised, that He will thus feed and nourish believers
with His body and blood, as certainly as they eat of this broken
bread and drink of this cup?
In the
institution of the Supper, which says: "The Lord Jesus the same
night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given
thanks, He brake it, and said, Take eat: this is my body, which
is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same
manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This
cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye
drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this
bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He
come."1 And this promise is also repeated by St.
Paul,2 where he says: "The cup of blessing which we
bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread
which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all
partakers of that one bread."
1
1 Cor 11:23-25. 2 1 Cor 10:16,17.
29. SUNDAY
78. Do then
the bread and the wine become the real body and blood of Christ?
No, but as
the water in Baptism is not changed into the blood of Christ,
nor becomes the washing away of sins itself, being only the
divine token and assurance thereof; so also in the Lord's Supper
the sacred bread1 does not become the body of Christ
itself, though agreeably to the nature and usage of sacraments
it is called the body of Christ.
1
Matt 26:29. 1 Cor 11: 26-28. Exod 12:26, 27. Exod 12:43,48. 1
Cor 10:1-4.
79. Why then
does Christ call the bread His body, and the cup His blood, or
the new testament in His blood, and St. Paul, the communion of
the body and the blood of Christ?
Christ speaks
thus not without great cause, namely, not only to teach us
thereby, that like as the bread and wine sustain this temporal
life, so also His crucified body and shed blood are the true
meat and drink of our souls unto life eternal;1 but
much more, by this visible sign and pledge to assure us, that we
are as really partakers of His true body and blood by the
working of the Holy Spirit , as we receive by the mouth of the
body these holy tokens in remembrance of Him;2 and
that all His sufferings and obedience are as certainly our own,
as if we ourselves had suffered and done all in our own person.
1
John 6:51-55. (See question 76) 2 1 Cor 10:16,17.
(See question 78)
30 SUNDAY
80. What
difference is there between the Lord's Supper and the Popish
Mass?
The Lord's
Supper testifies to us, that we have full forgiveness of all our
sins by the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which He Himself once
accomplished on the cross;1 and that by the Holy
Spirit we are ingrafted into Christ,2 who, with His
true body, is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father,3
and is there to be worshipped.4 But the Mass teaches,
that the living and the dead do not have forgiveness of sins
through the sufferings of Christ, unless Christ is still daily
offered for them by the priests, and that Christ is bodily under
the form of bread and wine, and is therefore to be worshipped in
them. And thus the Mass at bottom is nothing else than a denial
of the one sacrifice and passion of Jesus Christ,5 and an
accursed idolatry.
1
Heb 7:27. Heb 9:12, 25-28. Heb 10:10,12,14. John 19:30. 2
1 Cor 6:17. 3 Heb 1:3. Heb 8:1. 4 John 4:21-24. John
20:17. Luke 24:52. Acts 7:55. Col 3:1. Phil 3:20, 21. 1 Thess
1:9,10. 5 Heb, chapters 9 and 10. * Matt 4:10.
81. Who are
to come to the table of the Lord?
Those who are
displeased with themselves for their sins, yet trust that these
are forgiven them, and that their remaining infirmity is covered
by the passion and death of Christ; who also desire more and
more to strengthen their faith and to amend their life. But the
impenitent and hypocrites eat and drink judgment to themselves.1
1
1 Cor 10:19-22. 1 Cor 11:28, 29. * Ps 51:3. * John 7:37, 38. *
Ps 103:1-4. * Matt 5:6.
82. Are they
then also to be admitted to this Supper who show themselves by
their confession and life to be unbelieving and ungodly?
No, for
thereby the covenant of God is profaned and His wrath provoked
against the whole congregation;1 wherefore the
Christian Church is bound, according to the order of Christ and
His Apostles, to exclude such persons by the Office of the Keys
until they amend their life.
1
1 Cor 11:20, 34a. Isa 1:11-15. Isa 66:3. Jer 7:21-23. Ps
50:16,17. * Matt 7:6. * 1 Cor 11:30-32. * Titus 3:10,11. * 2
Thess 3:6.
31. SUNDAY
83. What is
the Office of the Keys?
The preaching
of the Holy Gospel and Christian discipline; by these two the
Kingdom of Heaven is opened to believers and shut against
unbelievers.1
1
Matt 16:18,19. Matt 18:18. * John 20:23. * Luke 24:46,47. * 1
Cor 1:23, 24.
84. How is
the Kingdom of Heaven opened and shut by the preaching of the
Holy Gospel.
In this way:
that according to the command of Christ, it is proclaimed and
openly witnessed to believers, one and all, that as often as
they accept with true faith the promise of the Gospel, all their
sins are really forgiven them of God for the sake of Christ's
merits; and on the contrary, to all unbelievers and hypocrites,
that the wrath of God and eternal condemnation abide on them so
long as they are not converted.1 According to this
testimony of the Gospel, God will judge men both in this life
and in that which is to come.
1
John
20:21-23. * Acts 10:43. * Isa 58:1. * 2 Cor 2:15,16. * John
8:24.
85. How is
the Kingdom of Heaven shut and opened by Christian discipline?
In this way:
that according to the command of Christ, if any under Christian
name show themselves unsound either in doctrine or in life, and
after several brotherly admonitions do not turn from their
errors or evil ways, they are complained of to the Church or to
its proper officers; and, if they neglect to hear them also, are
by them denied the Holy Sacraments and thereby excluded from the
Christian Communion, and by God Himself from the Kingdom of
Christ; and if they promise and show real amendment, they are
again received as members of Christ and His Church.1
1
Matt 18:15-18. 1 Cor 5:3-5,11. 2 Thess 3:14,15. 2 John 10,11.
THIRD
PART OF THANKFULNESS
32. SUNDAY
86. Since
then we are redeemed from our misery by grace through Christ,
without any merit of ours, why should we do good works?
Because
Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His
Holy Spirit after His own image, that with our whole life we
show ourselves thankful to God for His blessing,1 and
also that He be glorified through us;2 then also,
that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by the fruits
thereof;3 and by our godly walk win also others to
Christ.4
1
Rom 6:13. Rom 12:1, 2. 1 Pet 2:5,9,10. 1 Cor 6:20. 2
Matt 5:16. 1 Pet 2:12. 3 Matt 7:17,18. Gal 5:6, 22,
23. 4 Rom 14:19. 1 Pet 3:1, 2. * 2 Pet 1:10.
87. Can they
then not be saved who do not turn to God from their unthankful,
impenitent life?
By no means,
for, as the Scripture says, no unchaste person, idolater,
adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or
the like shall inherit the Kingdom of God.1
1
1 Cor 6:9,10. Eph 5:5,6. I John 3:14,15.
33. SUNDAY
88. In how
many things does true repentance or conversion consist? In two
things: the dying of the old man1 and the quickening of the new.1
1
Rom 6:4-6. Eph 4:22-24. Col 3:5-10. 1 Cor 5:7
89. What is
the dying of the old man?
Heartfelt
sorrow for sin, causing us to hate and turn from it always more
and more.1
1
Rom 8:13. Joel 2:13.
90. What is
the quickening of the new man?
Heartfelt joy
in God through Christ,1 causing us to take delight in
living according to the will of God in all good works.2
1
Rom 5:1. Rom 14:17. Isa 57:15. 2 Rom 8:10,11. Gal
2:20. * Rom 7:22.
91. What are
good works?
Those only
which proceed from true faith,1 and are done
according to the Law of God,2 unto His glory;3
and not such as rest on our own opinion or the commandments of
men.4
1
Rom 14:23. 2 1 Sam 15:22. Eph 2:10. 3 1
Cor 10:31. 4 Deut 12:32. Ezek 20:18, 20. Isa 29:13.
Matt 15:9. * Num 15:39.
THE LAW
OF GOD
34
SUNDAY
92. What is
the Law of God?
God spoke all
these words, saying:
First
Commandment
I am the Lord
your God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out
of the house of bondage, you shall have no other gods before
me.
Second
Commandment
You shall not
make for yourself any graven image, or any likeness of anything
that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow down
yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord your God am a
jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the
children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate
me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and
keep my commandments.
Third
Commandment
You shall not
take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will
not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Fourth
Commandment
Remember the
Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor, and do
all your work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord
your God: in it you shall not do any work, thou, nor your son,
nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor
your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates: for in
six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that
in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord
blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Fifth
Commandment
Honor your
father and your mother that your days may be long upon the land
which the Lord your God gives you.
Sixth
Commandment
You shall not
kill.
Seventh
Commandment
You shall not
commit adultery.
Eighth
Commandment
You shall not
steal.
Ninth
Commandment
You shall not
bear false witness against your neighbor.
Tenth
Commandment
You shall not
covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's
wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor
his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor's.
See Exod 20
and Deut 5. * Matt 5:17-19. * Rom 10:5. * Rom 3:31. * Ps 119:9.
93. How are
these Commandments divided?
Into two
tables:1 the first of which teaches in four commandments, what
duties we owe to God; the second, in six, what duties we owe to
our neighbor.2
1 Exod 34:28.
Deut 4:13. 2 Matt 22:37-40.
94. What does
God require in the first Commandment?
That on peril
of my soul's salvation, I avoid and flee all idolatry,1
sorcery, enchantments,2 invocation of saints or of
other creatures;3 and that I rightly acknowledge the
only true God,4 trust in Him alone,5 with
all humility6 and patience7 expect all
good from Him only,8 and love,9 fear10
and honor 11 Him with my whole heart; so as rather to
renounce all creatures than to do the least thing against His
will.12
1
1 Cor 10:7,14. 2 Lev 19:31. Deut 18:10-12. 3
Matt 4:10. Rev 19:10. Rev 22:8, 9. 4 John 17:3.
5 Jer 17:5. 6 1 Pet 5:5,6. 7 Heb
10:36. Col 1:10b,11. Rom 5:3,4. 1 Cor 10:10. 8 Ps
104:27-30. Isa 45:6b, 7. James 1:17. 9 Deut 6:5.
10 Deut 6:2. Ps 111:10. Prov 9:10. Matt 10:28. 11
Deut 10:20. 12 Matt 5:29, 30. Matt 10:37. Acts
5:29.
95. What is
idolatry?
Idolatry is
to conceive or have something else on which to place our trust
instead of, or besides the one true God who has revealed Himself
in His Word.1
1 Eph 5:5.
Phil 3:19. Eph 2:12. John 2:23. 2 John 9. John 5:23. * Ps
81:8,9. * Matt 6:24. * Ps 62:5-7. * Ps 73:25, 26.
35.
SUNDAY
96. What does
God require in the second Commandment?
That we in no
wise make any image of God,1 nor worship Him in any other way
than He has commanded us in His Word.2
1
Deut 4:15-19. Isa 40:18, 25. Rom 1:22-24. Acts 17:29. 2
1 Sam 15:23. Deut 12:30-32. Matt 15:9. * Deut 4:23, 24.
* John 4:24.
97. May we
not make any image at all?
God may not
and cannot be imaged in any way; as for creatures, though they
may indeed be imaged, yet God forbids the making or keeping any
likeness of them, either to worship them, or to serve God by
them.1
1
Exod 23:24, 25.
Exod 34:13,14. Deut 7:5. Deut 12:3. Deut 16:22. 2 Kgs 18:4.
* John
1:18.
98. But may
not pictures be tolerated in churches as books for the people?
No, for we
should not be wiser than God, who will not have His people
taught by dumb idols,1 but by the lively preaching
of His word.2
1
Jer 10:8. Hab 2:18,19. 2 2 Pet 1:19. 2 Tim 3:16,17. *
Rom 10:17.
36. SUNDAY
99. What is
required in the third Commandment?
That we must
not by cursing,1 or by false swearing,2
nor yet by unnecessary oaths,3 profane or abuse the
name of God; nor even by our silence and connivance be partakers
of these horrible sins in others; and in sum, that we use the
Holy Name of God in no other way than with fear and reverence,4
so that He may be rightly confessed5 and worshipped6
by us, and be glorified in all our words and works.7
1
Lev 24:10-16. 2 Lev 19:12. 3 Matt 5:37.
James 5:12. 4 Isa 45:23. 5 Matt 10:32.
6 1 Tim 2:8. 7 Rom 2:24. 1 Tim 6:1. Col
3:16,17.* 1 Pet 3:15.
100. Is the
profaning of God's name, by swearing and cursing, so grievous a
sin, that His wrath is kindled against those also who do not
help as much as they can to hinder and forbid the same?
Yes truly,1
for no sin is greater and more provoking to God than the
profaning of His name; wherefore He even commanded it to be
punished with death.2
1
Lev 5:1. 2 Lev 24:15,16. * Lev 19:12. * Prov 29:24,
25.
37. SUNDAY
101. But may
we swear reverently by the Name of God?
Yes, when the
magistrate requires it, or when it may be needful otherwise, to
maintain and promote fidelity and truth to the glory of God and
our neighbor's good; for such an oath is grounded in God's Word,1
and therefore was rightly used by the saints in the Old and New
Testament.2
1
Deut 10:20. Isa 48:1. Heb 6:16 2 Gen 21:24. Gen
31:53,54.
Josh
9:15,19. 1 Sam 24:22. 1 Kgs 1:29. Rom 1:9.
102. May we
swear by the saints or by any other creatures?
No, for a
lawful oath is a calling upon God, that He, as the only searcher
of hearts, may bear witness to the truth, and punish me if I
swear falsely;1 which honor is due to no creature.2
1
2 Cor 1:23. 2 Matt 5:34, 36. * Jer 5:7. * Isa 65:16.
38.
SUNDAY
103. What
does God require in the fourth Commandment?
In the first
place, God wills that the ministry of the Gospel and schools be
maintained,1 and that I, especially on the day of
rest, diligently attend church,2 to learn the Word of
God,3 to use the Holy Sacraments,4 to call
publicly upon the Lord,5 and to give Christian alms.6
In the second place, that all the days of my life I rest form my
evil works, allow the Lord to work in me by His Spirit, and thus
begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath.7
1
Titus 1:5. 1 Tim 3:14,15. 1 Tim 4:13,14. 1 Tim 5:17. 1 Cor
9:11,13,14. 2 2 Tim 2:2. 2 Tim 2:15. Ps 40:10,11. Ps
68:26. Acts 2:42,46. 3 1 Cor 14:19, 29, 31. 4
1 Cor 11:33. 5 1 Tim 2:1, 2. 1 Tim 2:8-10. 1 Cor
14:16. 6 1 Cor 16:2. 7 Isa 66:23. * Gal
6:6. * Acts 20:7. * Heb 4:9,10.
39.
SUNDAY
104. What
does God require in the fifth Commandment.
That I show
all honor, love and faithfulness to my father and mother,1
and to all in authority over me;2 submit myself with
due obedience to all their good instruction and correction, and
also bear patiently with their infirmities, since it is God's
will to govern us by their hand.3
1
Eph 6:22. Eph 6:1-6. Col 3:18, 20-24. Prov 1:8,9. Prov 4:1. Prov
15:20. Prov 20:20. Exod 21:17. Gen 9:24, 25. 2 Rom
13:1. 1 Pet 2:18. Rom 13:2-7. Matt 22:21. 3 Eph
6:4,9. Col 3:19, 21. * Prov 30:17. Deut 27:16. * Deut 32:46. *
Prov 13:24. * 1 Tim 2:1, 2. *
1
Tim 5:17. * Heb 13:17,18.
40.
SUNDAY
105. What
does God require in the sixth Commandment?
That I do not
revile, hate, insult or kill my neighbor either in thought,
word, or gesture, much less in deed, whether by myself or by
another,1 but lay aside all desire of revenge;2
moreover, that I do not harm myself, nor willfully run into any
danger.3 Wherefore also to restrain murder the
magistrate is armed with the sword.4
1
Matt 5:21, 22. Matt 26:52. Gen 9:6. 2 Eph 4:26. Rom
12:19. Matt 5:25. Matt 18:35. 3 Matt 4:7. Rom
13:14. Col 2:23. 4 Exod 21:14. Matt 18:6,7.
106. Does
this Commandment speak only of killing?
No, but in
forbidding murder, God teaches us that He abhors its very root,
namely: envy,1 hatred,2 anger,3
and desire of revenge; and that in His sight all these are
hidden murder.4
1
Rom 1:28-32. 2 I John 2:9-11. 3 James
2:13. Gal 5:19-21. 4 I John 3:15. * James 3:16. *
James 1:19.
107. But is
this all that is required , that we do not kill our neighbor?
No, for in
condemning envy, hatred, and anger, God requires us to love our
neighbor as ourselves,1 to show patience, peace,
meekness,2 mercy,3 and kindness4
toward him, and to prevent his hurt as much as possible;5
also to do good even unto our enemies.6
1
Matt 7:12. Matt 22:39. 2 Eph 4:2. Gal 6:1, 2. Rom
12:18. 3 Matt 5:7. Luke 6:36. 4 Rom
12:10. 5 Exod 23:5. 6 Matt 5:44,45. Rom
12:20, 21. * Col 3:12-14. * Matt 5:9.
41. SUNDAY
108. What does the seventh Commandment teach us?
That all unchastity is accursed of God,1 and that we should therefore loathe it with our whole heart,2 and live chastely and modestly,3 whether in holy wedlock or in single life.4
1
Lev 18:27, 28. 2 Jude 22, 23. 3 1 Thess
4:3-5. 4 Heb 13:4.
1 Cor 7:1-4.
109. Does God
forbid nothing more in this commandment than adultery and such
gross sins?
Since both
our holy body and soul are temples of this Holy Spirit, it is
His will that we keep both pure and holy. Therefore, He forbids
all unchaste actions, gestures, words,1 thoughts,
desires,2 and whatever may entice thereto.3
1
Eph 5:3,4. 1 Cor 6:18-20. 2 Matt 5:27-30. 3
Eph 5:18,19. 1 Cor 15:33.
42. SUNDAY
110. What
does God forbid in the eighth Commandment?
God forbids
not only such theft1 and robbery2 as are
punished by this magistrate, but God views as theft also all
wicked tricks and devices, whereby we seek to get our neighbor's
goods, whether by force or by deceit,3 such as unjust
weights,4 ells, measures,5 goods, coins
usury,6 or by any means forbidden of God; also a
covetousness7 and the misuse and waste of His gifts.8
1
1 Cor 6:10. 2 1 Cor 5:10. 3 Luke 3:14. 1
Thess 4:6.
4
Prov 11:1. Prov 16:11. 5 Ezek 45:9,10. Deut 25:13-15.
6 Ps 15:5.
Luke 6:35.
7 1 Cor 6:10. 8 Prov 5:10. * 1 Tim 6:10. *
John 6:12.
111. But what
does God require of you in this commandment?
That I
further my neighbor's good where I can and may, deal with him as
I would have others deal with me,1 and labor
faithfully, so that I may be able to help the poor in their
need.2
1
Matt 7:12. 2 Eph 4:28. * Phil 2:4. * Gen 3:19. * 1
Tim 6:6,7.
43. SUNDAY
112. What
does the ninth Commandment require.
That I bear
false witness against no one,1 wrest no one's words,2
be no backbiter or slanderer,3 join in condemning no
one unheard or rashly;4 but that on pain of God's
heavy wrath, I avoid all lying and deceit5 as the
very works of the devil;6 and that in matters of
judgment and justice and in all other affairs I love, speak
honestly and confess the truth;7 also in so far as I
can defend and promote my neighbor's good name.8
1
Prov 19:5,9. 2 Ps 15:3. 3 Rom 1:28-30.
4 Matt 7:1, 2. Luke 6:37. 5 John 8:44.
6 Prov 12:22. Prov 13:5. 7 1 Cor 13:6. Eph
4:25. 8 1 Pet 4:8. * John 7:24,51. * 1 Pet 2:21, 23.
* Col 4:6. * 1 Pet 3:9.
44. SUNDAY
113. What
does the tenth Commandment require?
That not even
in the least inclination or thought against any commandment of
God ever enter our heart, but that with our whole heart we
continually hate all sin and take pleasure in all righteousness.1
1
Rom 7:7,8. * Prov 4:23. * James 1:14,15. * Matt 15:11,19, 20.
114. Can
those who are converted to God keep these commandments
perfectly?
No, but even
the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning
of this obedience;1 yet so, that with earnest purpose
they begin to live not only according to some, but according to
all the Commandments of God.2
1
I John 1:8-10. Rom 7:14,15. Ecclesiastes 7:20. 2 Rom
7:22. James 2:10,11. * Job 9:2, 3. * Ps 19:13.
115. Why then
does God so strictly enjoin the ten Commandments upon us, since
in this life no one can keep them?
First, that
as long as we live we may learn more and more to know our sinful
nature,1 and so the more earnestly seek forgiveness of sins and
righteousness in Christ;2 secondly, that without ceasing we
diligently ask God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we be
renewed more and more after the image of God, until we attain
the goal of perfection after this life.3
1 I John 1:9.
Ps 32:5. 2 Rom 7:24, 25. 3 1 Cor 9:24, 25. Phil
3:12-14. * Matt 5:6. * Ps 51:12.
PRAYER
45. SUNDAY
116. Why is
prayer necessary for Christians?
Because it is
the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us;1
and because God will give His grace and Holy Spirit only to
those who earnestly and without ceasing beg them of Him, and
render thanks unto Him for them.2
1
Ps 50:14,15. 2 Matt 7:7,8. Luke 11:9,10,13. Matt
13:12. * Eph 6:18.
117. What
belongs to such prayer which is acceptable to God and which He
will hear?
First, that
with our whole heart1 we call only upon the one true
God, who has revealed Himself to us in His Word,2 for
all that He has commanded us to ask of Him;3
secondly, that we thoroughly know our need and misery,4
so as to humble ourselves in the presence of His divine Majesty;5
thirdly, that we be firmly assured,6 that
notwithstanding our unworthiness, He will, for the sake of
Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer,7 as He
has promised us in His Word.8
1
John 4:22-24. 2 I John 5:14. Rom 8:26. 3 Ps 27:8.
4 2 Chron 20:12. 5 Ps 2:10. * Ps 34:18. * Isa
66:2. 6 Rom 10:14. James 1:6. 7 John
14:13-16. Daniel 9:17,18. 8 Matt 7:8. Ps 143:1. *
Luke 18:13.
118. What has
God commanded us to ask Him?
All things
necessary for soul and body,1 which Christ our Lord
comprised in the prayer, which He Himself taught us.
1
James 1:17. Matt 6:33. * 1 Pet 5:7. * Phil 4:6.
119. What is
the Lord's Prayer?
Our Father
which art in heaven. Hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come.
Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for
ever. Amen.1
1
Matt 6:9-13. Luke 11:2-4.
46. SUNDAY
120. Why did
Christ command us to address God thus: "Our Father?"
To awaken in
us at the very beginning of our prayer that childlike reverence
for and trust in God, which are to be the ground of our prayer,
namely, that God has become our Father through Christ, and will
much less deny us what we ask of Him in faith than our parents
refuse us earthly things.1
1
Matt 7:9-11. Luke 11:11-13. * 1 Pet 1:17. * Isa 63:16.
121. Why is
it added: "Which art in heaven"?
That we may
have no earthly thought of the heavenly Majesty of God,1
and from His almighty power expect all things necessary for body
and soul.2
1
Jer 23:23, 24. Acts 17:24, 25, 27. 2 Rom 10:12. * 1
Kgs 8:28. * Ps 115:3.
47. SUNDAY
122. What is
the first petition?
"Hallowed be
Your name," that is: Grant us first, rightly to know you,1
and to hallow, magnify and praise you in all Your works, in
which Your power, goodness, justice, mercy and truth shine
forth;2 and further, that we so order our whole life,
our thoughts, words, and deeds, that your name may not be
blasphemed but honored and praised on our account.3
1
John 17:3. Matt 16:17. James 1:5. Ps 119:105. 2 Ps
119:137. Rom 11:33-36. 3 Ps 71:8. Ps 100:3,4. * Ps
91:1, 2. * Eph 1:16,17. * Ps 71:16.
48. SUNDAY
123. What is
the second petition?
"Your kingdom
come, that is: So govern us by Your Word and Spirit, that we
submit ourselves to you always more and more;1
preserve and increase Your Church;2 destroy the works
of the devil, every power that exalts itself against you, and
all wicked devices formed against Your Holy Word,3
until the fullness of Your Kingdom come,4 wherein You
shall be all in all.5
1
Ps 119:5. Ps 143:10. 2 Ps 51:18. Ps 122:6,7. 3
I John 3:8. Rom 16:20. 4 Rev 22:17, 20. Rom 8:22, 23.
5 1 Cor 15:28. * Ps 102:12,13. * Heb 12:28. * Rev
11:15. * 1 Cor 15:24.
49. SUNDAY
124. What is
the third petition?
"Your will be
done in earth as it is in heaven," that is: Grant that we and
all men renounce our own will,1 and without
gainsaying obey Your will which alone is good;2 that
so every one may fulfill his office and calling as willingly and
faithfully3 as the angels do in heaven.4
1
Matt 15:24. 2 Luke 22:42. Titus 2:12. 3 1
Cor 7:24. 4 Ps 103:20, 21. * Rom 12:2. * Heb 13:21.
50. SUNDAY
125. What is
the fourth petition?
"Give us this
day our daily bread," that is: Be pleased to provide for all our
bodily need,1 so that we may thereby acknowledge you
to be the only fountain of all good,2 and that
without Your blessing neither our care and labor, nor Your gifts
can profit us;3 that we may therefore withdraw our
trust from all creatures and place it alone in you.4
1
Ps 104:27, 28. Ps 145:15,16. Matt 5:25, 26. 2 Acts
14:17. Acts 17:27, 28. 3 1 Cor 15:58. Deut 8:3. Ps
37:3-7,16,17. 4 Ps 55:22. Ps 62:10. * Ps 127:1, 2. *
Jer 17:5,7. * Ps 146:2, 3.
51. SUNDAY
126. What is
the fifth petition?
"And forgive
us our debts as we forgive our debtors," that is: Be pleased for
the sake of Christ's blood, not to impute to us miserable
sinners our manifold transgressions, nor the evil which still
always cleaves to us;1 as we also find this witness
of Your grace in us, that it is our full purpose heartily to
forgive our neighbor.2
1
Ps 51:1-4. Ps 143:2. 1 John 2:1, 2. 2 Matt 6:14,15.
* Ps 51:5-7. * Eph 1:7.
52. SUNDAY
127. What is
the sixth petition?
"And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, that is: Since
we are so weak in ourselves that we cannot stand a moment,1
and besides, our deadly enemies, the devil,2 the
world3 and our own flesh,4 assail us
without ceasing, be pleased to preserve and strengthen us by the
power of your Holy Spirit, that we may make firm stand against
them and not be overcome in this spiritual warfare,5
until finally complete victory is ours.6
1
John 15:5. Ps 103:14-16. 2 1 Pet 5:8,9. Eph 6:12,13.
3 John 15:19. 4 Rom 7:23. Gal 5:17. 5
Matt 26:41. Mark 13:33. 6 1 Thess 3:13. 1 Thess
5:23, 24. * 2 Cor 12:7.
128. How do
you close this Prayer?
"For yours is
the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever," that is:
All this we ask of you, because as our King, having power over
all things, You are willing and able to give us all good;1
and that thereby not we, but your Holy Name may be glorified for
ever.2
1
Rom 10:11,12. 2 Pet 2:9. 2 John 14:13. Ps 115:1.
129. What is
the meaning of the word "Amen"?
Amen means:
So shall it truly and surely be, for my prayer is much more
certainly heard of God than I feel in my heart that I desire
things of Him.1
1
2 Cor 1:20. 2 Tim 2:13. * Ps 145:18,19. Eph 3:20, 21. Rom
8:31-39.
|
EMAIL TO A FRIEND
PRINT
SHARE