An Explanation of Luthers Small Catechism | Page 7

evil; all which He does out of pure,
paternal, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or
worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank, praise,
serve, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

SECOND
ARTICLE.—OF REDEMPTION.

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

What is meant by this Article?

Ans. I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the
Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my

Lord; who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, secured
and delivered me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the
devil, not with silver and gold, but with His holy and precious blood,
and with His innocent sufferings and death; in order that I might be His,
live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting
righteousness, innocence, and blessedness; even as He is risen from the
dead, and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly
true.

THIRD ARTICLE.—OF
SANCTIFICATION.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy
Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins;
the Resurrection of the body; and the Life everlasting. Amen.

What is meant by this Article?

Ans. 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
through the Gospel, enlightened me by His gifts, and sanctified and
preserved me in the true faith; in like manner as He calls, gathers,
enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and
preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the true faith; in which
Christian Church He daily forgives abundantly all my sins, and the sins
of all believers, and will raise up me and all the dead at the last day,
and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ.
This is most certainly true.

 

 

 

 

PART III.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

In the plain form in
which it is to be taught by the head of a family.

INTRODUCTION.

Our Father Who art in heaven.

What is meant by this Introduction?

Ans.
God would thereby affectionately encourage us to believe that He is
truly our Father, and that we are His children indeed, so that we may
call upon Him with all cheerfulness and confidence, even as beloved
children entreat their affectionate parent.

FIRST
PETITION.

Hallowed be Thy Name.

What is
meant by this Petition?

Ans. The Name of God is

indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may be
hallowed also by us.

How is this effected?

Ans. When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity,
and we, as the children of God, lead holy lives, in accordance with it; to
this may our blessed Father in heaven help us! But whoever teaches
and lives otherwise than as God's Word prescribes, profanes the Name
of God among us; from this preserve us, Heavenly Father!

SECOND PETITION.

Thy kingdom come.

What is meant by this Petition?

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

When is
this effected?

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

THIRD PETITION.

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

What is meant by this Petition?

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

When is this effected?

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

FOURTH
PETITION.

Give us this day our daily bread.

What is meant by this Petition?

Ans. God
gives indeed without our prayer even to the wicked