An Explanation of Luthers Small Catechism | Page 8

also their daily
bread; but we pray in this petition that He would make us sensible of
His benefits, and enable us to receive our daily bread with
thanksgiving.

What is implied in the words: "Our daily
bread"?

Ans. All things that pertain to the wants
and the support of this present life; such as food, raiment, money,
goods, house and land, and other property; a believing spouse and good
children; trustworthy servants and faithful magistrates; favorable
seasons, peace and health; education and honor; true friends, good
neighbors, and the like.

FIFTH PETITION.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us.

What is meant by this Petition?

Ans. We pray in this petition, that our Heavenly Father
would not regard our sins, nor deny us our requests on account of them;
for we are not worthy of anything for which we pray, and have not
merited it; but that He would grant us all things through grace, although
we daily commit much sin, and deserve chastisement alone. We will
therefore, on our part, both heartily forgive, and also readily do good to
those who may injure or offend us.

SIXTH
PETITION.

And, lead us not into temptation.

What is meant by this Petition?

Ans. God
indeed tempts no one to sin; but we pray in this petition that God would
so guard and preserve us, that the devil, the world, and our own flesh,
may not deceive us, nor lead us into error and unbelief, despair, and
other great and shameful sins; and that, though we may be thus tempted,
we may, nevertheless, finally prevail and gain the victory.

SEVENTH PETITION.

But deliver us from
evil.

What is meant by this Petition?

Ans. We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our
Heavenly Father would deliver us from all manner of evil, whether it
affect the body or soul, property or character, and, at last, when the
hour of death shall arrive, grant us a happy end, and graciously take as
from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

CONCLUSION.

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

What is meant by
the word "Amen"?

Ans. That I should be assured
that such petitions are acceptable to our Heavenly Father, and are heard
by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this manner, and
has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen, that is, Yea, yea, it
shall be so.

 

 

 

 

PART IV.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM.

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

family.

I. What is Baptism?

Ans.
Baptism is not simply water, but it is the water comprehended in God's
command, and connected with God's Word.

What is that
Word of God?

Ans. It is that which our Lord Jesus
Christ spoke, as it is recorded in the last chapter of Matthew, verse 19:
"Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

II. What gifts or
benefits does Baptism confer?

Ans. It works
forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and confers
everlasting salvation on all who believe, as the Word and promise of
God declare.

What are such words and promises of
God?

Ans. Those which our Lord Jesus Christ
spoke, as they are recorded in the last chapter of Mark, verse 16: "He
that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not,
shall be damned."

III. How can water produce such great
effects?

Ans. It is not the water indeed that
produces these effects, but the Word of God which accompanies and is
connected with the water, and our faith, which relies on the Word of
God connected with the water. For the water, without the Word of God,
is simply water and no baptism. But when connected with the Word of
God, it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life, and a "washing of
regeneration" in the Holy Ghost; as St. Paul says to Titus, in the third
chapter, verses 5-8: "According to His mercy He saved us, by the
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He
shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being
justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope
of eternal life. This is a faithful saying."

IV. What does
such baptizing with water signify?

Ans. It signifies
that the old Adam in us is to be drowned, and destroyed by daily
sorrow and repentance, together with all sins and evil lusts; and that
again, the new man