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Saint Ansgar's Lutheran Church |
THE SMALL CATECHISM
by
Dr.
Martin Luther
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
You shall have no
other gods.
What does this
mean?
We should fear, love
and trust in God above all things.
THE SECOND
COMMANDMENT
You shall not take
the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we do not curse, swear, practice witchcraft, lie or deceive
by His name, but call upon Him in every trouble, pray, praise and give thanks.
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT
You shall keep the
day of rest holy.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred
and gladly hear and learn it.
THE FOURTH
COMMANDMENT
Honor your father and
your mother, that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the
earth.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we do not despise our parents or superiors, nor provoke them
to anger, but honor, serve, obey, love and esteem them.
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not kill.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we do no bodily harm to our neighbor, but help and befriend
him in every need.
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not commit
adultery.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and that
husband and wife each love and honor the other.
THE SEVENTH
COMMANDMENT
You shall not steal.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we do not take our neighbor's money or goods, nor get
them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his goods and
means of making a living.
THE EIGHTH
COMMANDMENT
You shall not bear
false witness against your neighbor.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we do not lie about, betray or slander our neighbor, but
excuse him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet
your neighbor's house.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we do not craftily seek to gain our neighbor's
inheritance or home, nor get it by a show of right, but help and serve him in
keeping it.
THE TENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet
your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his
cattle, nor anything that is his.
What does this
mean?
We should fear and
love God, so that we do not tempt, force or coax away from our neighbor his
wife or his workers, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
CONCLUSION
What does God say
about these commandments?
I the Lord your God
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the
third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, and showing mercy to
thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
What does this
mean?
God threatens to
punish all who transgress these commandments. Therefore we should fear His
wrath and do nothing against these commandments. But He promises grace and
every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore we should also
love and trust in Him and willingly do according to His commandments.
THE CREED
THE FIRST ARTICLE
I believe in God the
Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What does this
mean?
I believe that God
has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes,
ears and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still preserves them;
that He richly and daily provides me with food and clothing, home and family,
property and goods, and all that I need to support this body and life; that He
protects me from all danger, guards and keeps me from all evil; and all this
purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or
worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank and praise, to
serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.
THE SECOND ARTICLE
I believe in Jesus
Christ, His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of
the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was
buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He
ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
What does this
mean?
I believe that Jesus
Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man,
born of the Virgin Mary; and that He is my Lord, Who has redeemed me, a lost
and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from
the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious
blood, and with His innocent suffering and death; in order that I might be His
own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness,
innocence and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns
to all eternity. This is most certainly true.
THE THIRD ARTICLE
I believe in the Holy
Spirit; the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of
sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this
mean?
I believe that I
cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come
to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His
gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; just as He calls, gathers,
enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with
Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and
richly forgives me and all believers all our sins; and at the last day He will
raise up me and all the dead, and will grant me and all believers in Christ
eternal life. This is most certainly true.
THE LORD'S
PRAYER
THE INTRODUCTION
Our Father, Who art
in heaven.
What does this
mean?
God would hereby
tenderly invite us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His
true children, so that we may ask Him with all boldness and confidence, as
children ask their dear father.
THE FIRST PETITION
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this
mean?
God's name is
certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be holy
among us also.
How is God's
name hallowed?
God's name is
hallowed when His Word is taught in its truth and purity, and we as the
children of God live holy lives according to it. This grant us, dear Father in
heaven! But he who teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches
dishonors God's name among us. From this preserve us, heavenly Father!
THE SECOND PETITION
Thy Kingdom come.
What does this
mean?
The kingdom of God
certainly comes of itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that
it may come to us also.
How does
God's kingdom come?
The kingdom of God
comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace
we believe His holy Word and live godly lives here in time and hereafter in
eternity.
THE THIRD PETITION
Thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven.
What does this
mean?
The good and gracious
will of God is certainly done without our prayer, but we pray in this petition
that it may be done also among us.
How is God's
will done?
God's will is
done when He breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will, which would not
let us hallow His name nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil,
the world and our own flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word
and in faith until our end. This is His good and gracious will.
THE FOURTH PETITION
Give us this day our
daily bread.
What does this
mean?
God certainly gives
daily bread without our prayer, even to all the wicked; but we pray in this
petition that He would lead us to acknowledge this and to receive our daily
bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by
daily bread?
Daily bread includes
everything needed for this life, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house,
home, fields, cattle, money, goods, God-fearing spouse and children, faithful
servants and rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, order,
honor, true friends, good neighbors, and the like.
THE FIFTH PETITION
And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What does this
mean?
We pray in this
petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor on their
account deny our prayer; for we are not worthy of anything we ask, neither have
we deserved it. But we pray that He would give us everything by grace, for we
daily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment; and we on our part will
heartily forgive and readily do good to those who sin against us.
THE SIXTH PETITION
And lead us not into
temptation.
What does this
mean?
God certainly tempts
no one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so
that the devil, the world and our own flesh may not deceive us nor lead us into
misbelief, despair and other shameful sin and vice; and though we be thus
tempted, that we may still in the end overcome and retain the victory.
THE SEVENTH PETITION
But deliver us from
evil.
What does this
mean?
We pray in this
petition, as the sum of all, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from
every evil of body and soul, property and honor; and at last, when the hour of
death shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this
valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.
THE CONCLUSION
For Thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
What does
"Amen" mean?
Amen means that we
should be sure that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and
are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray and has promised
to hear us. Amen, Amen: that is, Yes, Yes, it shall be so.
BAPTISM
THE NATURE OF BAPTISM
What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just
water, but it is the water used according to God's command and connected
with His Word.
What is that Word
and command of God concerning Baptism?
Jesus says:
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore
and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things
whatever I have commanded you." Matthew 28:18-20.
THE BLESSINGS OF
BAPTISM
What does Baptism
give or profit?
Baptism effects
forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal
salvation to all who believe this, just as the words and promises of God
declare.
Which are these
words and promises of God?
Christ our Lord says,
Mark 16:16: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who
does not believe will be condemned."
THE POWER OF BAPTISM
How can water do
such great things?
It is not the water
that does these things, but the Word of God which is in and with the water, and
faith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without the Word of God
the water is simply water, and no baptism; but with the Word of God it is a
baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and washing of regeneration in the
Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says, Titus 3:5-8: "According to His mercy He
saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom
He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that having
been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of
eternal life. This is a faithful saying."
THE MEANING OF
BAPTISM
What does such
baptizing with water mean?
Such baptizing with
water means that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance,
be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts; and that a new man daily come
forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Where is this
written?
St. Paul writes,
Romans 6:4: "We are buried with Christ by baptism into death, that just as
He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life."
THE OFFICE OF THE
KEYS AND CONFESSION
What is the Office
of the Keys?
The Office of the
Keys is the special authority which Christ has given to His Church on earth: to
forgive the sins of the penitent sinners, but to retain the sins of the
impenitent as long as they do not repent.
Where is this
written?
The evangelist
writes, John 20:22-23: "Jesus breathed on His disciples and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are
forgiven them; and if you retain the sins of any, they are
retained.'"
What is
Confession?
Confession consists
of two parts: one, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive
absolution, or forgiveness, from the pastor or confessor as from God himself,
and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven
before God in heaven.
What sins should
we confess?
Before God we should
acknowledge ourselves guilty of all sins, even of those which we do not know
about, as we do in the Lord's Prayer. But before the pastor or confessor
we should acknowledge those sins only which we know and feel in our hearts.
Which are these?
Here consider your
own situation according to the Ten Commandments, whether you are a father,
mother, son, daughter, employer, employee; whether you have been disobedient,
dishonest, lazy; whether you have injured anyone by word or deed; whether you
have stolen, neglected, wasted anything, or done any harm.
THE SACRAMENT OF
THE ALTAR
THE NATURE OF THE
SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR
What is the
Sacrament of the Altar?
The Sacrament of the
Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and
wine, instituted by Christ himself, for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this
written?
The holy evangelists
Matthew, Mark, Luke, together with St. Paul, write thus: "Our Lord Jesus
Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had
given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take,
eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of
Me.' In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks and
gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it all of you; this cup is the New
Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do
this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'"
THE BENEFIT OF THE
SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR
What benefit do we
receive from such eating and drinking?
The benefit which we
receive from such eating and drinking is shown us by these words: "Given
and shed for you for the remission of sins," namely, that in the
Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through these
words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and
salvation.
THE POWER OF THE
SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR
How can bodily
eating and drinking do such great things?
It is not the eating
and drinking that does this, but the words here written, "Given and shed
for you for the remission of sins." These words, along with the eating
and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament; and whoever believes these
words has exactly what they say, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
THE PROPER RECEPTION
OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR
Who then receives
this Sacrament worthily?
Fasting and bodily
preparation are indeed a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well
prepared who has faith in these words, "Given and shed for you for the
remission of sins." But he who does not believe these words, or doubts
them, is unworthy and unprepared; for the words "for you" require
truly believing hearts.
PRAYERS FOR DAILY
USE
A MORNING PRAYER
In
the morning, when you rise you shall make the sign of the holy cross, and you
shall say:
In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then,
kneeling or standing, you shall say the Apostles' Creed and the
Lord's Prayer. Then you may say this prayer:
I thank You, my
heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this
night from all harm and danger; and I pray You to protect me this day also from
sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your
hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel
be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.
And
then you should go with joy to your work, after a hymn, or the Ten
Commandments, or whatever your devotion may suggest.
AN EVENING PRAYER
In
the evening, when you go to bed, you shall make the sign of the holy cross, and
you shall say:
In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then,
kneeling or standing, you shall say the Apostles' Creed and the
Lord's Prayer. Then you may say this prayer:
I thank You, my
heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously
kept me this day; and I pray You to forgive me all my sins where I have done
wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself,
my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the
wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.
And
then lie down in peace, and sleep.
PRAYER BEFORE EATING
The eyes of all wait
upon You, O Lord, and You give them their food in due season; You open Your
hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Lord God, heavenly
Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful
goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER EATING
Oh, give thanks to
the Lord, for he is good, for His mercy endures forever.
We thank You, Lord
God, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Your benefits,
You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
TABLE OF DUTIES
PASTORS AND PREACHERS
A bishop must be
blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior,
hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for
money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house
well, having his children in submission with all reverence...not a
novice....holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may
be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convict those who contradict.
1 Timothy 3:2-4 and 6; Titus 1-9.
WHAT THE HEARERS OWE
TO THEIR PASTORS
Obey those who have
the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch out for your souls, as
those who must give account. Let them do it with joy and not with grief, for
that would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17.
Eat and drink such
things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Luke 10:7.
The Lord has
commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 1
Corinthians 9:14.
Let him who is taught
the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God
is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:
6-7.
Let the elders who
rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the
word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox
while it treads out the grain," and "The laborer is worthy of his
wages." 1 Timothy 5:17-18.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
Let every soul be
subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from
God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever
resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will
bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to
evil. Do you then want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and
you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for
good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in
vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who
does evil. Romans 13:1-4.
CITIZENS
Render to Caesar the
things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
Matthew 22:21.
Therefore you must be
subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. For
because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers
attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due:
taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor
to whom honor. Romans 13:5-7.
I exhort first of all
that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for
all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
Remind them to be
subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.
Titus 3:1.
Submit yourselves to
every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as
supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of
evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 1 Peter 2:13-14.
HUSBANDS
Likewise you
husbands, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to
the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your
prayers not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7.
Husbands, love your
wives and do not be bitter toward them. Colossians 3:19.
WIVES
Wives, submit
yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord...as Sarah obeyed Abraham,
calling him lord, whose daughters you are as long as you do good and are not
afraid with any terror. Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 3:6.
PARENTS
Fathers, do not
provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and
admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4.
CHILDREN
Children, obey your
parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and
mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may
be well with you and you may live long on the earth." Ephesians 6:1-3.
EMPLOYEES
Servants, be obedient
to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers,
but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will
doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good
anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or
free. Ephesians 6:5-8.
EMPLOYERS
Masters, do the same
things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in
heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. Ephesians 6:9.
THE YOUNG
You younger people,
submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another,
and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace
to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6.
ALL CHRISTIANS
You shall love your
neighbor as yourself....I exhort...that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. Romans 13:9; 1 Timothy
2:1.
CHRISTIAN
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Drawn up by Dr.
Martin Luther for those who intend to go to the Sacrament of the Altar
After confession
and instruction in the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer,
and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Supper, the pastor may ask, or one
may ask himself:
1. Do you believe
that you are a sinner?
Yes, I believe it; I
am a sinner.
2. How do you know
this?
From the Ten
Commandments, which I have not kept.
3. Are you also
sorry for your sins?
Yes, I am sorry that
I have sinned against God.
4. What have you
deserved from God by your sins?
His wrath and
displeasure, temporal death and eternal damnation. Romans 6:21 and 23.
5. Do you also
hope to be saved?
Yes, such is my hope.
6. In whom, then,
do you trust?
In my dear Lord Jesus
Christ.
7. Who is Christ?
The Son of God, true
God and man.
8. How many Gods
are there?
Only one; but there
are three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
9. What, then, has
Christ done for you that you trust in Him?
He died for me and
shed His blood for me on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
10. Did the Father
also die for you?
He did not; for the
Father is God only, the Holy Ghost likewise; but the Son is true God and true
man. He died for me and shed his blood for me.
11. How do you know
this?
From the holy Gospel
and from the words of the Sacrament, and by His body and blood given me as a
pledge in the Sacrament.
12. How do those
words read?
"Our Lord Jesus
Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given
thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, eat;
this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.'
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks and gave it to
them, saying, "Drink from it all of you; this cup is the New Testament in
My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as
you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'"
13. You believe,
then, that the true body and blood of Christ are in the Sacrament?
Yes, I believe it.
14. What induces
you to believe this?
The word of Christ:
"Take, eat, this is My body....Drink from it, all of you;
this...is...My blood."
15. What ought we
to do when we eat His body and drink His blood, and thus receive the pledge?
We ought to remember
and proclaim His death and the shedding of His blood, as He taught us:
"Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
16. Why ought we
to remember and proclaim His death?
That we may learn to
believe that no creature could make satisfaction for our sins but Christ, true
God and man; and that we may learn to look with terror at our sins, and to
regard them as great, indeed, and to find joy and comfort in Him alone, and
thus be saved through such faith.
17. What was it
that moved Him to die and make satisfaction for your sins?
His great love to His
Father and to me and other sinners, as it is written in John 14; Romans 5;
Galatians 2; Ephesians 2.
18. Finally, why
do you wish to go to the Sacrament?
That I may learn to
believe that Christ died for my sin out of great love, as before said; and that
I may also learn of Him to love God and my neighbor.
19. What should
admonish and incite a Christian to receive the Sacrament frequently?
In respect to God,
both the command and the promise of Christ the Lord should move him; and in
respect to himself, the trouble that lies heavy on him, on account of which
such command, encouragement, and promise are given.
20. But what shall
a person do if he is not aware of such trouble and feels no hunger and thirst for
the Sacrament?
To such a person no
better advice can be given than that, in the first place, he put his hand into
his bosom, and feel whether he still have flesh and blood, and that he by all
means believe what the Scriptures say of it in Galatians 5 and Romans 7.
Secondly, that he look around to see whether he is still in the world, and keep
in mind that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say in
John 15 and 16; 1 John 2 and 5. Thirdly, he will certainly have the devil also
about him, who with his lying and murdering, day and night, will let him have
no peace within or without, as the Scriptures picture him in John 8 and 16; 1
Peter 5; Ephesians 6; 2 Timothy 2.
(NOTE: These
questions and answers are no child's play, but are drawn up with great
earnestness of purpose by the venerable and pious Dr. Luther for both young and
old. Let each one take heed and likewise consider it a serious matter; for St.
Paul writes to the Galatians, chapter six: "Do not be deceived; God is
not mocked.")