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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Lessons in the Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther - For the Senior Department of Lutheran Sunday-Schools and for General Use - -Author: George Mezger - -Release Date: November 7, 2016 [EBook #53465] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LESSONS IN THE SMALL CATECHISM *** - - - - -Produced by Kurt A.T. Bodling, Appalachian Trail hiker, -librarian, and still an LCMS pastor - - - - - - -</pre> - -<h1>LESSONS<br/> - -in the<br/> - -Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther.<br/> - -For the Senior Department of Lutheran<br/> -Sunday-Schools and for General Use.</h1> - -<h2>By<br/> - -GEO. MEZGER,<br/> -Professor at Concordia Seminary,<br/> -St. Louis, Mo.</h2> - -<h3>St. Louis, Mo.<br/> -CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE.<br/> -1923.</h3> - - -<p><strong>LESSON 1.<br/> - -The Catechism and the Bible.</strong></p> - -<p>1. The little book we have before us is called the <i>Small Catechism.</i> -The word "catechism" means <i>instruction.</i> This little book gives us -instruction in a brief and simple form, such as even a child can -understand. It teaches us what every Christian, as a child of God, -should believe, and how every Christian, as a child of God, should -live.—This book is called the <i>Small Catechism</i> not only because it -is a small book, but mainly because we have also a <i>Large Catechism</i> for -older people.</p> - -<p>2. The <i>Small Catechism</i> was written by <i>Dr. Martin Luther, the great -Reformer of the Church.</i> Luther was born at Eisleben, a small town in -Germany, November 10, 1483, and died at the same place, February 18, -1546. He published his <i>Small Catechism in the year 1529,</i> for the -benefit of the common people and the children, who are most in need of -such instruction.</p> - -<p>3. Our Catechism is a small book, indeed, but it is a most precious -little book. It does not contain Luther's thoughts and doctrines or -those of any other wise and learned man; it contains <i>God's own words</i> -revealed to us for our salvation. It does not teach us <i>all</i> the -doctrines of God's Word, but those that every Christian must know in -order <i>to believe rightly, to lead a godly life, and when his last hour -is come to depart in peace.</i> Our Catechism teaches these doctrines in a -short form, in plain and simple words.</p> - -<p>4. <i>Our Catechism teaches God's Word.</i> How do we prove this? Luther has -taken the contents of his Catechism from the Bible, and the Bible is the - -<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> - - -<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> - - -Word of God.—The Word "Bible" means <i>book.</i> We call our Bible "the -book" because it really is the Book of books, the book in comparison -with which no other book is worthy to be called by that name, the most -important and valuable book.—The Bible is also called <i>the -Scriptures,</i> or <i>Scripture,</i> which means something written, a written -word. The Bible was written by <i>holy men of God.</i> These holy men did not -write the Bible of their own will. <i>"Holy men of God spake"</i> (and wrote) -<i>"as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."</i> 2 Pet. 1,21. God Himself moved -His holy men to write the Bible.</p> - -<p>5. The Bible contains many <i>different books,</i> written at different -times. We divide the books of our Bible into <i>two chief parts.</i> The -first we call the <i>Old Testament.</i> To it belong all the books written by -the prophets of God, by Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, and others, before -our Savior was born.—The second part we call the <i>New Testament,</i> -which contains all the books written by the evangelists and apostles, -such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, and others, after our -Savior came into this world. <i>Both Testaments teach us the same things -and doctrines.</i> In what respect do they differ?</p> - -<p>6. The Bible is the written Word of God. It is true, holy men have -written the Bible, but they wrote being moved by the Holy Ghost, and -moreover, they wrote what God told them to write, they wrote by -inspiration of God. <i>"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God."</i> -2 Tim. 3,16. God inspired His prophets and apostles, that is, He taught -and told them what to write, He taught and gave them the very words -which they were to use. When a teacher dictates to his pupils, the -children, indeed, write the words; yet they do not write their own -words, but the words of their teacher. In a similar manner, God, as it -were, dictated His Word to the holy men; He told them what to write, -and how to write it. So the whole Bible is God's Word. Therefore it is -wholly <i>free from every error,</i> it is <i>infallible.</i> Everything it tells -us is the truth. God will not and cannot tell us an untruth.</p> - -<p>7. <i>For what purpose did God give us His Word in the Bible?</i> The Holy -Scriptures <i>"are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith -which is in Christ Jesus."</i> 2 Tim. 3,15. God's Word is to make us -<i>wise,</i> not wise unto the things of this world, unto our daily life and -work, but <i>wise unto salvation.</i> It teaches us how we who are sinners -can be saved from damnation. Nobody can teach us this but God in His -Word.—Our salvation is in Christ Jesus. We are saved solely by faith -in Him who has taken away the sins of the world. The Scriptures testify -of Christ.—The Word of God is <i>able</i> to make us wise unto salvation. -In it we find all we must know, all that is necessary to save us, to -give us eternal life. <i>"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto -my path."</i> Ps. 119,105.</p> - -<p>8. <i>How should we use the Scriptures?</i> Our Savior says: <i>"Search the -Scriptures; for in them, ye think ye have eternal life; and they are -they which testify of Me."</i> 3 John 5,39. We should <i>search</i> the -Scriptures, that is, we should read and study them diligently. We hear -God's Word preached in our churches, we learn it in our schools, we -should read it daily in our homes. We should not only read, but <i>study</i> -it <i>with earnest prayer to God</i> that He would open our eyes that we may -understand His Word.—We should read it so as <i>to seek and to find in -it Christ,</i> our Lord and Savior, and through faith in Him have eternal -life. <i>"Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it,"</i> Luke -11,28.</p> - -<p>9. From the Word of God our Catechism is taken. Luther took the most -important doctrines from the Bible for his Catechism. <i>It may be called -a small Bible.</i> Gladly should we study this little book. As new-born -babes long and cry for their milk and grow thereby to become strong men -or women, so children of God, newly born in Holy Baptism, should desire -the pure milk of the Word set before them in their Catechism and grow -thereby in knowledge and faith unto salvation. 1 Pet. 2,2.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>The Bible is the Word of God, written by inspiration of the Holy Ghost. -God gave us His Word to make us wise unto salvation through faith in -Christ Jesus.</i></p> - -<p><i>We should diligently search the Scriptures to find in them Christ, our -Savior, and in Him, everlasting life.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are -able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ -Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.</i> 2 Tim. 3,15.16.</p> - -<p><i>Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and -they are they which testify of Me.</i> John 5,39.</p> - -<p><i>Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it.</i> Luke 11,28.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What does the word "catechism" mean? 2. What does the Catechism teach -us? 3. By whom was our Catechism written? 4. Who was Dr. Martin Luther? -5. When was our Catechism published? 6. From what other book are the -doctrines of our Catechism taken? 7. What does the word "Bible" mean? -8. Why do we call this book the Bible? 9. How is the Bible also called? -10. By whom was the Bible, or Holy Scripture, written? Whose word is the -Bible? 11. How is the Bible God's Word, though it was written by men? -12. What are the chief parts of the Scriptures? 13. Of whom do both -parts testify? 14. In what respect do they differ? 15. For what purpose -did God give us His Word? 16. Unto what does the Bible make wise? 17. -How do we obtain salvation? 18. How should we use the Bible? 19. What -does the Psalmist say about God's Word? 20. Why should we also -diligently learn our Catechism?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 2.<br/> - -The First Commandment.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the First Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.</i></p> - -<p>1. We all have been baptized. In Holy Baptism God has received us as His -children. <i>God is our heavenly Father.</i> A father gives his children his -commands. He tells them what they should do and not do, how they should -live to please him. So our heavenly Father has given us, His children, -His <i>commandments.</i> He tells us what, according to His will, we should -do and not do, how we should live and walk in His sight. As His obedient -children we will gladly hear and learn His will and try, with His -gracious help, to lead such lives as will please Him. It should be our -pleasure to fulfil His commandments, for they are the will of our -Father, who loves us so dearly.—<i>The Ten Commandments are our -heavenly Father's will; they tell us what we should do and not do.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,"</i> that is the first of the -Ten Commandments. That is the will of God, our Lord and Father, that we -are to have no other gods before or besides Him. He who is the only true -God should be our God. Him alone, and nobody and nothing besides Him, we -are to have and regard as our God. <i>"I am, the Lord, that is My name; -and My glory will I not give to another"</i> Is. 42,8. When do we regard -God as our God? When is He our God indeed? Our Catechism says: <i>"We -should fear, love, and trust in God above all things."</i> When we fear -God, and love Him, and trust in Him above all things, then He is truly -our God.</p> - -<p>3. <i>"We should fear God."</i> A dutiful child fears his father. He -certainly is not afraid of him, but he honors and respects him. In the -same manner we should fear God. He says: <i>"I am the almighty God."</i> Gen. -17,7. He has, through His mighty word, made heaven and earth. Because -God is so great and mighty, we should fear Him. We should not be afraid -of Him,—the almighty God is our Father,—but we should honor and -respect Him above all things.</p> - -<p>4. A child shows his fear and filial respect for his father <i>by not -doing anything wrong,</i> because his dear father might see it or hear of -it. He is afraid he might displease his father by disobeying him, yes, -cause him grief. <i>God is always with us. He sees and hears everything -we do or say, yea, He knows the very thoughts of our hearts.</i> We should -always remember that He is present wherever we are, and therefore behave -accordingly. We should be afraid to grieve our heavenly Father by doing -wrong. <i>The fear of God will keep us from doing anything against His -holy will. "By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil."</i> Prov. 16,6. -<i>Think of Joseph, in Egypt!</i> When he was tempted by Potiphar's wife, he -remembered that God was with him, therefore he told her: <i>"How, then, -can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"</i> Gen. 30,9. -Remember always: God is with me! and you will not do such great -wickedness and sin against your God. <i>"I am the almighty God; walk before -Me and be thou perfect."</i> Gen. 17,1.</p> - -<p><i>We fear God, when we honor and respect Him, when we walk before Him, -and for His sake keep away from sin.</i></p> - -<p>5. <i>"We should love God,"</i> We all love our parents. We esteem them -highly, our hearts cling to them, because we know how dearly they love -us, and that they are doing all they can for us. God ought to be dearer -to us than everything in this world, dearer even than our parents. He is -our heavenly Father, our greatest Benefactor. From Him we receive all -that we have and enjoy. He loves us first, He has so loved us that He -gave His dear Son for us. <i>So we should love Him and cling to Him with -our whole heart.</i></p> - -<p>6. <i>"This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments."</i> 1 John -5,3. If we love God, we shall gladly do as He bids us do. Thus our -<i>Lord Jesus</i> loved His heavenly Father. He says: <i>"I will delight to do -Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy Law is within My heart."</i> Ps. 40,8. -<i>Abraham</i> loved God, and therefore he was willing to sacrifice his only -son for God's sake. Gen. 22,1-12.</p> - -<p><i>We love God when we cling to Him with our whole heart and from love to -Him fulfil His commandments.</i></p> - -<p>7. <i>"We should trust in God."</i> To trust in God means to put our -confidence in God and His promises, to be assured that He will give us -what we need and what is good for us in this life and in the life to -come. We trust in God when we believe that He will not forsake us in the -day of trouble, that whatever He sends us, though it seem evil, will be -for our good. Our Father can and will give us only good and perfect -gifts. Thus <i>David</i> trusted in the Lord when he went forth to conquer -Goliath. 1 Sam. 17. Thus, too <i>those three men</i> trusted in God who -suffered themselves to be cast into the fiery furnace rather than deny -their God. Dan. 3.</p> - -<p><i>We trust in God when we put our confidence in Him and firmly believe -that He will give us all we need, that He will never forsake us, and -that everything which He sends us will be for our welfare.</i></p> - -<p>8. "We should fear and love God and trust" in Him <i>"above all things,"</i> -that is, more than in all other men or things. We may, and we really do, -fear and love many things besides God. We fear and love our parents, our -teachers, our friends, and we trust in them. God Himself bids us do so. -For God's sake we fear and love them. But we must fear and love <i>God</i> -more than all other things, more than even our parents, or our dearest -friends. <i>He must be first in our heart and in our life.</i> If our -parents, or friends, or anything else would separate us from God, or -prevent us from fearing and loving Him, or from trusting in Him above -all things, we must cast them aside. If we fear and love and trust in -anything more than in God, we make a creature our god; then we have -other gods besides God; then we are worshiping idols (other gods that -are no gods), as the heathen do. <i>"Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy -God, and Him only shalt thou serve."</i> Matt. 4,10.</p> - -<p>9. Fear, love, and trust God demands from us. Fear, love, and trust are -to be found in the heart. <i>God claims our hearts in this commandment. -"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart."</i> Prov. 3,5. Together with our -hearts God wants our whole lives, all we are and have. <i>The First -Commandment is the greatest of them all.</i> In this all the others are -included. Let us daily pray God to grant us His grace to fear and love -Him and trust in Him above all things, in order that we may have no -other gods before Him.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. We should fear and love God and trust in Him above all things; then -we shall have no other gods before Him; then He, the true God, will be -our God indeed.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. We should fear and love and trust in God above all things. God wants -our whole heart and life, all that we are and have.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>I am the almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.</i> Gen. 17,1.</p> - -<p><i>Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.</i> Prov. 3,5.</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.</i> -Matt. 4,10.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What does God tell us in His commandments? 2. Why has God a right to -give us these commandments? 3. Which is the First Commandment? 4. Who -should be our God? 5. When is the only true God our God? 6. What does it -mean to fear God? 7. How do we show that we fear God? 8. What does the -Lord say Gen. 17,1? 9. What does it mean to love God? 10. What shall we -fulfil if we love God? 11. What does it mean to trust in God? 12. What -shall we firmly believe if we trust in God? 13. How should we fear and -love God and trust in Him? 14. Why should we fear and love God above all -things? 15. What sin do we commit if we fear and love any one more than -God? 16. What does our Lord say Matt. 4,10? 17. What does God demand of -us in the First Commandment? 18. Why is the First Commandment the -greatest of all?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 3.<br/> - -The Second Commandment.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the Second Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use -witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every -trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.</i></p> - -<p>1. We learned in the first Commandment that we should <i>fear and love our -God above all things.</i> That is the will of our Father in heaven. If we -fear and love God, we shall gladly fulfil His commandments and do His -will. And it is only if we fear and love God that we shall do so. All -our obedience to God and His commandments must come from a heart that -fears and loves God. In every commandment our God demands again that we -fear and love Him. Therefore our Catechism begins the explanation of -every commandment with these words: <i>"We should fear and love God."</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain."</i> -Because we fear and love God, we must not take His name in vain. God has -a name, just as you and everybody has a name by which he is known and -called; indeed, God has many names. You already learned several of His -names. <i>(God, Lord, Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost, the Almighty, -Creator, Savior,</i> etc.) These names God has given Himself in His Word. -Through His names He shows us who and what He is, what He has done and -still is doing for His children. God is called Savior, and He really is -the Savior; He is called Creator because He has created heaven and -earth; He is called the Almighty, for with Him nothing is impossible. -<i>God's name is God Himself as He has revealed Himself to us.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>We are not to take God's name in vain.</i> To take God's name in vain -means to use His holy name <i>thoughtlessly</i> and <i>without any need.</i> Many -persons, it is sad to say, very often use the name of God, and -especially that of Jesus Christ, in their speech without thinking of -their Savior, without even knowing that they do so. They use it even -when they talk of vile things. They take God's name in vain and mock -God. <i>"Be not deceived; God is not mocked."</i> Gal. 6,7.</p> - -<p>4. Our Catechism shows us more plainly how God's name is taken in vain: -<i>"We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use -witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name."</i> We should not <i>curse.</i> To -curse by God's name means <i>to call down upon oneself or another God's -punishment. Peter</i> cursed. Matt. 26,74. He said God should punish him if -he knew "the man" Jesus. Christians should never curse. They bless and -praise God, their Father; how, then, can they curse their fellow-men and -wish them God's punishment? Blessing and cursing should not come out of -the same mouth. Jas. 3,9.10.</p> - -<p>5. <i>We should not swear by God's name.</i> We swear when we use God's name -to affirm the truth of what we say, as we hear it done so often in daily -life. Our Lord says to His disciples: <i>"I say unto you, Swear not at -all. ... But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for -whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."</i> Matt. 5,34,37.</p> - -<p>6. <i>We should not use witchcraft by God's name.</i> We use witchcraft when -we try to perform things which by natural means we cannot do, such as -<i>fortune-telling, calling and asking the dead</i> (as the Spiritualists -claim to do), etc. Such works are in themselves grievous sins, works of -the devil. But such sins are much greater when God's holy name is used -in performing them. Christians should have nothing to do with these -works of darkness, these works of the devil. (Read Deut. 18,10-12.)</p> - -<p>7. <i>We should not lie or deceive by God's name.</i> Lying by God's name -means telling a lie and using God's name and Word in order to make the -lie seem to be the truth. So the <i>false prophets</i> use God's name and -Word in order to hide their false doctrines and make them appear as -God's truth. <i>"Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that -use their tongues and say, He saith."</i> Jer. 23,31, The hypocrites -deceive by God's name. They use God's name, they talk about God and His -Word in order to hide their evil life. <i>"Not every one that saith unto -Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that -doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven."</i> Matt. 7,21. Think of -Ananias and Sapphira. Acts 5.</p> - -<p>8. To take God's name in vain is a <i>grievous sin.</i> God is greatly -displeased with it. How can we, who fear and love God, grieve Him by -taking His holy name in vain? <i>And God has threatened to punish all that -misuse His name. "The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His -name in vain."</i> Ex. 20,7.4</p> - -<p>9. God has revealed His name to us in order to <i>bless and save us.</i> He -wants us to use His holy name <i>in the right way. "We should call upon it -in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks."</i> That is the right use -of our Lord's name.—He wants us to <i>call</i> on Him, to beg for His -help, especially in all our troubles; for He alone can help us in all -our needs. God says: <i>"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will -deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me."</i> Ps. 50,15.—We should -<i>pray</i> in His name; for in every true prayer we use His name aright. He -wants us to come to Him daily and speak with Him, as a child speaks to -his father.—We should use His name in <i>praising</i> and <i>thanking</i> Him -for His manifold goodness, for all His benefits, all the great things He -does for us. If He has delivered or helped us, we should glorify Him. -<i>"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy -name."</i> Ps. 103,1. <i>"O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; -because His mercy endureth forever."</i> Ps. 118,1. If we rightly use the -name of our God, we shall be blessed by it. <i>"The name of the Lord is a -strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe."</i> Prov. 18,10.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. God has given us His holy name that we may be blessed and saved by -it.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. He forbids us to take in vain and misuse His sacred name by cursing, -swearing, using witchcraft, lying, or deceiving, or by thoughtlessly -speaking it.</i></p> - -<p><i>3. He commands us to use it aright by calling upon it in all our needs, -by praying, praising, and giving of thanks. We should fear and love God -and so use His blessed name.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>I say unto you, Swear not at all, but let your communication be, Yea, -yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."</i> [tr. -note: sic on quotation mark] Matt. 5,34.37.</p> - -<p><i>Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their -tongues and say, He saith.</i> Jer. 23,31.</p> - -<p><i>Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt -glorify Me.</i> Ps. 50, 15.</p> - -<p><i>Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy -name.</i> Ps. 103,1.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. How does our Catechism begin the explanation of every commandment -after the First Commandment? 2. When only can and will we fulfil all the -commandments? 3. What, therefore, does God demand of us in every -commandment? 4. Enumerate some of God's holy names. 5. For what purpose -has God revealed His name to us? 6. What does it mean to take God's name -in vain? 7. What does it mean to curse by God's name? 8. When do we -swear by God's name? 9. Whose work is witchcraft? 10. What people lie by -God's name? 11. What does God say about the false prophets? (Jer. 3,31.) -12. What does it mean to deceive by God's name? 13. What has God -threatened those who take His name in vain? 14. What is the will of God -with respect to His name? 15. How should we use God's name? 16. What -does it mean to call upon God? 17. When especially should we do so? 18. -Recite Ps. 50,15. 19. Why should we praise the Lord and give thanks unto -His name? 20. Recite Ps. 103,1.</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 4.<br/> - -The Third Commandment.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the Third Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt sanctify the holy-day.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His -Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"Thou shalt sanctify the holy-day,"</i> that is the Third Commandment. -We Christians have a <i>holy-day.</i> We celebrate as our holy-day the first -day in week, Sunday. We do not do this because God has commanded us to -keep this day or any other day holy, more sacred than the rest of the -week. In the Old Testament, before Christ came into the world, God had -given His people a certain day as a holy-day, the seventh day of the -week, the <i>Sabbath.</i> In the New Testament, after Christ was born, God -has given no such commandment. <i>The Church, the Christians themselves,</i> -has chosen a holy-day. The Church chose Sunday, because it was on a -Sunday that our dear Lord, our Savior and our King, arose again from the -dead. Every Sunday should remind us of the resurrection of our Savior, -of His victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil.—We also -keep other days holy, for instance, Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, -and other festival days. Can you name some other Christian festival?</p> - -<p>2. <i>Why do we Christians celebrate certain days as holy-days though God -has not commanded us to do so?</i> It is God's will that His children -should come together for services of <i>preaching and hearing His Word,</i> -that they should come together in their churches for public worship. In -order to do this, it is necessary to set aside a <i>certain day.</i> That is -the reason why the Church celebrates Sunday and other feasts. <i>We -celebrate them not by divine command, but in order to have time for -public worship,</i> for going to church, for services of preaching and -hearing the Word of God. To the question, "What does this mean?" namely, -to sanctify the holv-day, our Catechism rightly answers: <i>"We should -fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but -hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it."</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>We should not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred,</i> -that is the will of God according to the Third Commandment. Remember, it -is <i>His</i> Word, the holy Word of our <i>heavenly Father,</i> whom we should -fear and love. It is God Himself who speaks to us in His Word, in the -Bible, when we read it. It is God Himself who sends His messengers to -us, our pastors and teachers, to preach His Word that we may the better -understand it. Our Savior says concerning His messengers: <i>"He that -heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he -that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me."</i> Luke 10, 16. In -despising His Word, we despise our Lord, yea, our God and Father -Himself. A child does not despise the words of his respected and beloved -father. How deeply would we, then, offend our heavenly Father by -despising His Word!—If we really fear and love God, we shall not -despise His Word, but hold it sacred. We shall not forget that we are -hearing our dear Father's voice when we are reading our Bible. When -God's Word is preached to us in our churches, we shall hear and receive -it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God. -1 Thess. 2,13.</p> - -<p>4. <i>When is this done?</i> When do we not despise God's Word, but rather -hold it sacred? God's Word is <i>preached to to us in public worship.</i> We -despise the preaching of His Word when we do not go to church at all, or -only now and then, at long intervals, because we prefer to stay at home -to do our work or to amuse ourselves. We despise preaching when we -go to church, but hear the sermon carelessly when we do not pay -attention to the pastor. He that will not hear God's Word is not of God; -such a one cannot remain God's child. John 8,47.—If we keep the -preaching of God's Word sacred, we shall go to church regularly every -Sunday, unless sickness, or something else that we cannot avoid, hinders -us. We shall go to church in order to hear the sermon, to listen -attentively to it. We shall hear the Word willingly and gladly and -rejoice that we may again hear the dear Gospel of the love of God in -Jesus Christ, our Lord. We shall rejoice and say: <i>"Lord, I have loved -the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth."</i> -Ps. 26,8.—God's Word is also preached and taught us in our <i>day- -schools</i> and <i>Sunday-schools.</i> Come to your school regularly, hear -the lessons from the Word of God diligently and attentively and you will -hold His Word sacred; you will do the will of your Father.</p> - -<p>5. God's Word is not only preached, God has also given us the <i>Bible, -His written Word.</i> He wants us to read His Word in our <i>homes. "Search -the Scriptures,"</i> John 5,39, our Savior says. We should not only read -it, but read it carefully and often, read it with prayer to God that we -may more thoroughly understand it. The Word of God should dwell among us -<i>richly, abundantly.</i> Col. 3,16. If we do not read and study our Bible -at home, we are despising the Word of God.</p> - -<p>6. We should not only hear and read the Word of God, and hear and read -it gladly; our Catechism also tells us <i>that we should learn it.</i> Like -Mary, the mother of Jesus, <i>so we, too, should keep all these words and -ponder them in our hearts.</i> Luke 2,19. We should try with the help of -our Lord to live more and more according to God's Word. <i>"Thy Word is a -lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."</i> Ps. 119,105. If we do -this, we are holding God's Word sacred and shall be blessed by it. -<i>"Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it."</i> Luke 11,28. -Remember <i>Hannah,</i> the mother of little Samuel, 1 Sam. 1,2; <i>Mary</i> -sitting at Jesus feet and hearing His Word, Luke 10,39. Remember -especially how our <i>Lord</i> loved His Father's house. Luke 2,41-52.</p> - -<p>7. There is one thing we should not forget: to keep God's Word sacred. -God sends His messengers to us, our pastors and preachers. We should -<i>honor and esteem and love them</i> for their work's sake. We should obey -them when they preach God's Word and <i>pray</i> for them. We should help -that the blessed Word of God may be preached to all nations, to -all men, that all may hear it and be saved by it.</p> - -<p>8. In the First Commandment we learned that throughout our life we -should fear and love God and trust in Him with our whole heart; in the -Second, that we should not misuse His holy name, but use it to the -praise of God and the salvation of our neighbors and ourselves; in the -Third, that we should diligently hear and learn God's Word, so that a11 -our actions, our entire life, may be ordered according to it. <i>These -three commandments relate to God. They teach us the love of God.</i> Now -follow the other seven, which relate to our neighbor, <i>whom we should -love as ourselves.</i></p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. We sanctify our holy-day when we fear and love God that we may not -despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. The fear and love of God will induce us to hear and read God's Word, -not carelessly, but diligently and gladly, to learn it and to live -according to it.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; -and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.</i> Luke 10,16.</p> - -<p><i>Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where -Thine honor dwelleth.</i> Ps. 26,8.</p> - -<p><i>Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth -in all good things.</i> Gal. 6,6.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Which day did God institute in the Old Testament as the holy-day of -His people? 2. Did God in the New Testament give us a certain day as our -holy-day? 3. Why does the Christian Church choose a holy-day, though God -did not command us to do so? 4. What is God's will concerning His Word? -5. What is necessary that Christians may come together to preach and -hear God's Word? 6. How do we, therefore, sanctify our holy-days? 7. Why -should we not despise God's Word, but keep it sacred? 8. How do we show -that we do not despise the preaching of His Word? 9. Whose voice do we -hear in the sermon? 10. As whose word should we, therefore, hear and -accept the sermon? 11. Where do we also hear the Word of God? 12. In -which book do we find the written Word of God? 13. How should we us -our Bibles, the written Word of God? 14. What does it mean to learn -God's Word? 15. How must we, finally, show our love of God's Word? 16. -To whom do the first three commandments relate? 17. What does the First -Commandment teach us? 18. The Second? 19. The Third? 20. What is the sum -of these commandments? 21. To whom do the other commandments relate? 22. -How should we love our neighbor?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 5.<br/> - -The Fourth Commandment.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the Fourth Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with -thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God that we may not despise our parents and -masters, nor provoke them to anger, but give them honor, serve and obey -them, and hold them in love and esteem.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother."</i> Go has given us a -commandment in regard to our <i>father</i> and <i>mother,</i> our <i>parents.</i> This -is a very important commandment for all children. It is God's will that -we not only <i>love</i> our parents, but also <i>honor</i> them. We honor those -who occupy a higher position than we, who have been placed above us, who -have a right to command us and demand our obedience. By commanding us to -honor our parents, God places them above us. He wants children to regard -their parents as being in God's stead, above them, as His -representatives, whom for His sake they should honor. Never forget that -your dear parents have been placed over you by God. Never forget to -honor and respect them for God's sake.</p> - -<p>2. What does it mean to honor father and mother? <i>"We should, fear and -love God that we may not despise our parents ... nor provoke them to -anger."</i> We should not <i>despise</i> our parents. We despise them when we do -not respect the high station in which God has placed them over us, when -in our hearts we do not esteem them as God's representatives, when we -act as though we were their equals or even stood above them.—We -should not <i>provoke them to anger,</i> that is, we should not by word or -deed excite them to just anger or cause them pain and distress, by being -unkind, stubborn, disobedient, even insolent towards them, or by wicked -deeds and sins which dishonor them. Remember <i>Absalom,</i> who despised his -father David and caused him bitter grief by rebelling against him and -making himself king in his stead. 2 Sam. 15. Remember the wicked sons of -Eli. 1 Sam. 2,12.—God is displeased with this sin. <i>"The eye that -mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of -the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it,"</i> says -the Word of God. Prov. 30,17. God will severely punish all bad and -disobedient children, very often in this life, as He did with Absalom, -and if they do not repent, in eternity.</p> - -<p>3. We must not despise our parents, but should <i>give them honor,</i> that -is, we should regard them in our hearts as God's representatives; we -should respect their station, even if they are lowly, or poor, or even -queer. They are still our parents, and therefore should not be deprived -of their honor because of their failings. It is <i>God's will</i> that we -honor them.</p> - -<p>4. We should show in words and deeds that we honor our parents. We -should <i>serve</i> them, we should do for them whatever we can, even if they -do not ask for it, and do it gladly. When they become old or sick, we -should do all in our power to help them, and so try to repay the love -and care which they have shown us when we were young and weak and so -much in need of their kindness. Your dear parents did and still do so -much for you that you will hardly ever be able to repay them. <i>"Let -them</i> [the children] <i>learn . . . to requite their parents</i> [to repay -their love]; <i>for that is good and acceptable before God."</i> 1 Tim. 5,4.</p> - -<p>5. We should, furthermore, show the respect we owe our parents by -<i>obeying them.</i> We should do what they tell us, carry out their -commands, and do it without a murmur, willingly, quickly, fully, and -gladly. In this manner you, at your age, can best prove that you honor -your parents. <i>"Children, obey your parents in all, things; for this is -well-pleasing unto the Lord."</i> Col. 3,20. <i>"Hearken unto thy father that -begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."</i> Prov. 23,22.</p> - -<p>6. <i>"We should hold them in love and esteem."</i> God has given us our -parents as a most precious gift. Through them our heavenly Father -bestows upon us numberless other gifts and blessings. Our parents -provide for us; they give us all we need in this life; they shelter and -protect us. They try to lead us to our Savior by teaching us the Word of -God, by sending us to a Christian school. They bring us up in the -nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6,4. Should we not love and -esteem them as a precious gift of God? Should we not thank Him with all -our heart, thank Him by doing His will in regard to our parents? Do not -forget: <i>We honor our parents because we fear and love God, who has -given us this most precious gift.</i></p> - -<p>7. Our Catechism not only says that we should honor our parents, but it -adds the word <i>"masters."</i> God has placed other persons besides our -parents over us, in <i>home, school, and state.</i> Our parents are also -those who take our parents place, <i>who take care of us and protect us</i> -if our parents are dead or otherwise unable to take care of us. God has -placed over us our <i>teachers</i> in our schools, who instruct us in our -parents stead. There are many persons in our country, in our cities and -towns, who have been placed above us, such as the President of the -United States, the governor of our State, the mayor of our city, etc. It -is God who has placed also these rulers over us. He commands us to hold -all these in honor and esteem, to serve and obey them in all things in -which He has placed them over us.</p> - -<p>8. God has added to the Fourth Commandment a <i>special promise: "Honor -thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: That -it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."</i> Eph. -6,2.3. This shows how well-pleasing it is unto God if we keep this -commandment, if we honor and love our parents and masters. Our gracious -Lord will abundantly reward all children who honor their parents and -masters, and do it in the fear and love of God. He will bless them here -on earth in a way which is good for them, and He will bless and reward -them more abundantly in heaven. The most beautiful example of the -fulfilment of this commandment is our <i>Lord Himself,</i> of whom we read: -<i>"And He went down with them</i> [His lowly parents], <i>and came to -Nazareth, and was subject unto them."</i> Luke 2,51. He even remembered His -mother when He was nailed to the cross. John 19,26.27.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. Parents are a most precious gift of God. God has placed them over us -that through them He may provide for us, protect us, and lead us to -Himself, our Savor, and to eternal life.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. We should therefore highly honor and esteem our parents, serve and -obey them in the fear and love of God, our heavenly Father.</i></p> - -<p><i>3. This is well-pleasing to God, who will graciously reward us.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with -promise: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the -earth.</i> Eph. 6,2,3.</p> - -<p><i>Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing -unto the Lord.</i> Col. 3,20.</p> - -<p><i>Let them learn ... to requite their parents; for that is good and -acceptable before God.</i> 1 Tim. 5,4.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What is God's holy will regarding our parents? 2. What place does God -give our parents by commanding us to honor them? 3. Whose -representatives are they? 4. When do we despise our parents? 5. When do -we provoke them to anger? 6. Give examples of children who despised -their parents. 7. How will God punish children who despise their -parents? 8. What does it mean to hold our parents in honor? 9. How do we -show in words and deeds that we honor our parents? 10. When do we serve -them? 11. At what time especially can we repay their love? 12. What does -it mean to obey our parents? 13. How should we carry out their commands? -14. Why should we love and highly esteem our parents? 15. Who are the -"masters" whom God has placed over us? 16. What has God added to this -commandment? 17. What does God teach us by adding this special promise? -18. Who is the most beautiful example of the fulfilment of this -commandment?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 6.<br/> - -The Fifth Commandment.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the Fifth Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt not kill.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God, that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor -in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.</i></p> - -<p>1. You all know what it means to kill. It means to take our own life or -the life of our neighbor, our fellow-man. This is what God forbids in -this commandment. <i>God is the Giver of all life.</i> He alone, therefore, -has the right to take it away. God made man in His image. How dare we -destroy the image of God! Our neighbor's life should be <i>sacred</i> to us. -God will punish him who takes his neighbor's life. <i>"Whoso sheddeth -man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God -made He man."</i> Gen. 9,6. Remember <i>Cain</i> and <i>Judas.</i></p> - -<p>2. God forbids still more in this commandment. Our Catechism explains it -by saying: <i>"We should fear and love God that we may not hurt ... our -neighbor in his body."</i> In the story of the good Samaritan we learn what -this means. The man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho fell among -thieves (robbers), who wounded him and, leaving him half dead, departed. -Luke 10,30. These robbers hurt the Jew in his body, they brought his -life into danger. But for the Samaritan he certainly would have died. -The life of our neighbor may be hurt in other ways. Pharaoh of Egypt -endangered the lives of the Israelites by compelling them to do labor -that was too hard for them. We should not wound our neighbor in his -body, or in any other way bring his life or health into danger and thus -shorten his life.</p> - -<p>3. <i>We should not harm our neighbor in his body,</i> that is we should not -by spiteful words or wicked deeds embitter his life and in this way -shorten it. Remember how Joseph's brothers embittered his life by -selling him into slavery, how they embittered the life of their father -by telling him that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal They made -life a burden both to their brother and to their father.</p> - -<p>4. <i>We should fear and love God that we may ... help and befriend our -neighbor in every bodily need.</i> Our neighbor is in bodily need when he -is in danger of losing his life and health. Look again at the story of -the good Samaritan. There you will learn what it means to help and -befriend our neighbor in his bodily need. The poor Jew fell among -robbers, who stripped him of his raiment, wounded him and carelessly -departed, though that poor man was nearly dead. The Jew certainly was in -bodily need, being in great danger of losing his life. A Samaritan -passed, and, seeing this poor man, he took compassion on him. He went up -to him and helped him. He bound up his wounds, set him on his own beast -brought him to an inn, and took care of him. He helped the poor Jew in -his bodily need and saved his life.—But the good Samaritan did more. -The next day, not being able to stay any longer with his afflicted -brother, he gave money to the host of the inn, and asked him to take -care of the wounded Jew in his stead after his departure; he even -promised to give the innkeeper more money if it should be necessary. The -good Samaritan befriended the Jew, he acted as a friend to him. Not only -did he save him from death, he also assisted him until he was no longer -in bodily need. <i>"Go, and do thou likewise,"</i> our Lord says.—That -Jew, like all the Jews at that time, most probably, was an enemy of the -Samaritans. The Samaritan knew that, and still he helped and befriended -him. We should help and befriend not only our relatives and friends, or -those who are able and willing to repay us and help us when we are in -need, but also our enemies, those who hate and despitefully use us, <i>"If -thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink,"</i> Rom. -12,20. <i>"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them -that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and -persecute you."</i> Matt. 5,44.</p> - -<p>5. The Samaritan <i>took compassion</i> on the Jew, therefore he helped him. -The compassion, or pity, was in his heart. All our good works and all -our sins issue from the heart. <i>We should watch over our hearts, over -our thoughts.</i> No anger and hate against our neighbor should be in our -hearts. And even if our neighbor does us wrong, if he injures and -insults us, we should not revenge ourselves, but love our brother. -<i>"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no -murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."</i> 1 John 3,15.—We should -always be kind, merciful, and forgiving to our neighbor, even to our -enemy. <i>"Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy."</i> Matt. -5,7. And above all, we should <i>fear and love God,</i> then we shall help -and befriend our neighbor, him whom God has made in His image.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. Life is God's gift. Only He who gave it has the right to take it. -The life of our neighbor should be sacred to us.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. Therefore we should not kill or hurt or harm our neighbor, our -fellowman,in his body, nor hate him or be angry with him. God has made -man in His image.</i></p> - -<p><i>3. We should help and befriend our neighbor whenever he is in bodily -need, always be kind and merciful to him and forgive him when he wrongs -us.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the -image of God made He man.</i> Gen. 9,6.</p> - -<p><i>Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no -murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.</i> 1 John 3,15.</p> - -<p><i>Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him -drink.</i> Rom. 12,20.</p> - -<p><i>Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.</i> Matt. 5,7.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What does it mean to kill? 2. Why should we not take our fellow-man's -life? 3. In whose image did God make man? 4. What does God, furthermore, -forbid in this commandment? 5. What does it mean to hurt our neighbor in -his body? 6. What does it mean to harm him in his body? 7. From whom may -we learn how to fulfil this commandment? 8. How did the good Samaritan -help the Jew? 9. How did he befriend him? 10. When, even, should we help -our neighbor? 11. What does our Lord say Matt. 5,44? 12. Where do all -our good works and all our sins rise? 13. What kind of thoughts should -not be in our hearts against our neighbor? 14. What does the Bible tell -us of him who hates his brother? 15. How should we be disposed towards -our neighbor if he wrongs us? 16. When will we fulfill this commandment? -17. What does our Lord say about the merciful?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 7.<br/> - -The Sixth Commandment.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the Sixth Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt not commit adultery.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent life -in word and deed, and each love and honor his spouse.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>We should lead a chaste and decent life,</i> that is the demand of our -God and heavenly Father according to the Sixth Commandment. Our hearts -must be chaste to make our lives chaste and decent. Our <i>hearts</i> should -be <i>chaste,</i> that is, free from evil lusts, free from unclean and lewd -thoughts and desires. When our hearts are chaste and pure, our lives -will be decent and modest and clean. The chastity of our hearts will -show itself in all the acts of our life. <i>"Keep thyself pure,"</i> says the -Word of God. 1 Tim. 5,22. Keep your heart pure and chaste.</p> - -<p>2. <i>We should lead a chaste and decent life in word.</i> We should refrain -from <i>all filthy words</i> that prove our heart to be unclean, from all -words, songs, jests, etc., of which we would be ashamed before God, or -before parents if they would hear them. We should shun all those jests -and verses which boy whispers to boy, or girl to girl, lest decent -persons might overhear them. Only such words as are good and clean -should pass our lips. Never use a word that you would be ashamed of in -the presence of your parents and teachers! Always remember that God is -with you, that He will hear every word you utter in secret. <i>"Let no -corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is -good."</i> Eph. 4,29.</p> - -<p>3. <i>We should lead a chaste and decent life in deed.</i> We should shun all -acts which are mostly done in secret, all deeds which we would be -ashamed of in the presence of God, our parents, or other decent people. -We should walk honestly as in the day. Rom. 13,13. We should keep all -members of our body clean and pure. <i>Our body is the temple of the Holy -Ghost.</i> 1 Cor. 6,19. How could a child of God use a member of his body -for filthy purposes and so defile God's temple, make it impure! We -should be modest and decent in our behavior, manners, dress, etc.</p> - -<p>4. <i>What must we do to lead such a chaste and decent life?</i> Our hearts, -by nature, are unclean and unchaste full of evil desires. We cannot -hinder evil lusts from springing up in our hearts at times. But with the -help of God we must try, and try earnestly, <i>to quench them, to put them -down,</i> lest they gain a place in our hearts. We can do this only <i>by -means of God's Word and prayer.</i> Think of God's holy commandment, of the -will of our heavenly Father according to which we should be pure in -heart. God says: <i>"Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see -God."</i> Matt. 5,8. Remember that God knows the secret thoughts of your -heart, and you will say with Joseph: <i>"How, then, can I do this great -wickedness and, sin against God?"</i> Gen. 39,9. The fear and love of God -will put down all evil lusts and lewd thoughts. And whenever filthy -desires arise and tempt you, pray to God for His help, pray earnestly -and fervently: <i>"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right -spirit within me."</i> Ps. 51,10.</p> - -<p>5. In order to lead a chaste and decent life, <i>we should, as far as -possible, shun all temptations and all places and occasions where such -temptations will come upon us.</i> The world is an unclean place, full of -evil lusts. Temptations meet us everywhere. Therefore we must always -watch over ourselves. <i>"Flee youthful lusts,"</i> 2 Tim 2,22, as Joseph -fled when Potiphar's wife tempted him. We should not go to places where -such temptations may be met; we should shun bad company, impure books or -pictures, theaters, etc. where indecent talk or pictures may excite evil -lusts in us.</p> - -<p>6. <i>When we are alone and idle,</i> the devil often comes to tempt us with -impure thoughts and desires In order to lead a chaste and decent life, -we should avoid idleness and work diligently and faithfully. Find -something useful to do in work or innocent play, and Satan will find -less time to tempt you with lustful thoughts. But above all, pray to -your heavenly Father that He would guard you in all temptations, that -you may overcome and obtain the victory.</p> - -<p>7. We should fear and love God <i>that each may love and honor his spouse. -Spouse</i> is man or wife, persons who live in holy matrimony, as your -parents do. <i>Matrimony</i> is instituted by God, and it is His will that -husband and wife should love and honor each other, that they should -faithfully live together till death parts them. If one is unfaithful to -the other, or leaves the other, he or she commits <i>adultery.</i></p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. God alone can make your heart chaste and keep it clean from sinful -lust. Pray to Him: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right -spirit within me."</i> Ps. 51,10.</p> - -<p><i>2. When temptation comes near you, when you feel in your heart the -sinful lust, remember: God is with me, He sees and hears everything I -do, even the innermost thoughts of my heart. "How, them, can I do this -great wickedness and sin against God?"</i> Gen. 39,9.</p> - -<p><i>3. Watch over yourself and keep away from all places where temptation -is sure to come. "Flee youthful lusts."</i> 2 Tim. 2,22.</p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Let us walk honestly as in the day.</i> Rom. 13,13.</p> - -<p><i>Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which -is good.</i> Eph. 4,29.</p> - -<p><i>Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.</i> -Ps. 51,10.</p> - -<p><i>Keep thyself pure.</i> 1 Tim. 5,22.</p> - -<p><i>Flee youthful lusts.</i> 2 Tim. 2,22.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What does God command in the Sixth Commandment? 2. When will our -<i>hearts</i> be chaste? 3. When will our lives be decent? 4. What does God -demand 1 Tim. 5,22? 5. When will we be chaste and decent in <i>words?</i> 6. -What kind of words should we never use? 7. How do we lead a chaste and -decent life in <i>deed?</i> 8. What does God Himself call our bodies in His -Word? 9. When do we defile this temple of God and make it impure? 10. -How should our behavior, our manners, be? 11. How are our hearts by -nature? 12. What feelings will therefore often arise in our hearts? 13. -By what means can and should we put down these evil thoughts? 14. What -should they not gain in our hearts? 15. What places should we avoid in -order to lead a chaste life? 16. Name some such places and occasions. -17. What should we also avoid, in order that Satan may have less -opportunity to tempt us? 18. What does God command those who live -together in holy matrimony? 19. How long should husband and wife live -together in this union? 20. What sin do they commit if they prove -unfaithful to each other?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 8.<br/> - -The Seventh Commandment.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the Seventh Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt not steal.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money -or goods, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve -and protect his property and business.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>We should not steal;</i> that means, <i>we should not take our neighbor's -money or goods.</i> Our neighbor's, our fellow-man's, money and his goods -do not belong to us, but to him <i>They are his property.</i> It is God's -will that men should have property, money, and goods that belong to -them. All the goods in the world come from Him, they are His gift. He -gives to every one as much earthly goods as He pleases, as much or as -little as is best for him. There always will be rich people and poor -people among us. <i>The property of our neighbor should be sacred to us -because it is given him by God, our heavenly Father.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>We should not take our neighbor's money or goods.</i> It belongs to him -according to God's will; therefore we should not steal, that is, not -take his property away from him. He may give and present it to us, if he -so chooses, but we should not take it. We may buy his goods at a fair -price, if he is willing to sell, but we should not take it against his -will. This may be done in various ways. Think of the <i>thieves</i> into -whose hands the Jew fell who came down from Jerusalem to Jericho. Luke -10,30. They stripped him of his raiment; <i>openly</i> and <i>by force</i> they -took his clothes and all that he had. We call such men <i>robbers.</i>— -Others do not take their neighbor's property by force, they sneak into -their neighbor's house and take his money and valuables <i>secretly,</i> -without his knowledge, or they pick his pockets when there is a chance. -<i>Achan</i> took some of the spoils of the city of Jericho secretly and hid -the goods in the earth under his tent, in order that nobody might know -what he had taken. Josh. 7,21. Such men are called <i>thieves;</i> their sin -is called <i>theft.</i> Also to-day there are many robbers and thieves in the -world.—Beware of taking your fellow-pupil's property, be it ever so -small, a pen or a pencil, etc. That would be theft. Remember that your -heavenly Father, whom you fear and love, will see you. Our Lord says: -<i>"Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working -with his hands the thing which is good."</i> Eph. 4,28.</p> - -<p>3. <i>We should not get our neighbor's money and goods by false ware or -dealing.</i> That is another way of taking our neighbor's property. Taking -our neighbor's property in this manner is generally called fraud or -cheating. <i>"Let no man go beyond</i> [what belongs to him according to the -will of God], <i>and defraud his brother in any matter</i> [in his trade and -business], <i>because that the Lord is the avenger of all such"</i> (the Lord -will punish all that commit such frauds). 1 Thess. 4,6. We should not -take our neighbor's money <i>by false ware,</i> that is, by selling bad, poor -wares to him in place of good ones for which he pays. We should not take -his money <i>by false dealings,</i> that is, by using short weights and -measures, and in this way keeping back what belongs to our neighbor, by -taking too much profit when buying or selling anything, and thus -cheating our brother, by borrowing money or other goods and not -returning them, etc. <i>"The wicked borroweth and payeth not again."</i> Ps. -37,21. There are many ways of taking our brother's money or goods. A -child of God will shun them all, he will be <i>honest</i> in all his dealings -with his neighbor.</p> - -<p>4. <i>We should help our neighbor to improve ... his property and -business.</i> We should help and assist our neighbor as much as we can, by -<i>word and deed,</i> that his property and business, by means of which he -earns his living, may be <i>improved,</i> become better. If our neighbor is -poor and suffers want, we should help him by <i>giving</i> him of our money, -or other goods which he may be in need of. <i>"He that hath pity upon the -poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him -again."</i> Prov. 19,17 We should lend him our money if he is in need, -until he may be able to repay it. <i>"Give to him that asketh thee, and -from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."</i> Matt. 5,42. -<i>Zacchaeus,</i> after having joyfully received the Lord into his house, was -ready to give half of his goods to the poor. Luke 19,8. How <i>well- -pleasing</i> it is to our Lord when we help the poor and needy! <i>"To do -good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well -pleased."</i> Heb. 13,16.</p> - -<p>5. <i>We should help our neighbor to ... protect his property and -business.</i> Our neighbor's property and business sometimes is in danger, -in danger by water or fire, or by wicked men who try to harm our -brother. We should <i>warn</i> him against these dangers, we should give him -<i>good advice how to overcome them.</i> But we should not only warn and -advise but also assist him as much as we can that his property may not -be lost or come to harm. Our love to God should prompt us to serve our -brethren. <i>"This commandment have we from Him, that he who loves God -love his brother also."</i> 1 John 4,21.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. All our property has been given us by God. God bestows these goods -as He pleases. Rich and poor will always be among us. The property of -our neighbor should be sacred to us because God has given it to him.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. We should, therefore, not take our neighbor's money and goods against -his will, neither by robbery and theft, nor by defrauding him by poor -wares or crooked dealings. Always be honest!</i></p> - -<p><i>3. We should rather help him to improve his property and business and to -preserve it from danger and harm.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee -turn not thou away.</i> Matt. 5,42.</p> - -<p><i>He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which -he hath given will He pay him again.</i> Prov. 19,17.</p> - -<p><i>To do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God -is well pleased.</i> Heb. 13, 16.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Stating it in one word, what do we call all the money and goods our -neighbor has? 2. From whom did he receive his property? 3. How should -the property of our neighbor be to us? 4. What does it mean to steal? 5. -In what way do men take the property of their neighbor against his will? -6. What do we call robbery? 7. What is theft? 8. How should we also not -take our neighbor's money or goods? 9. When do we take our neighbor's -money by false wares? 10. When do we take it by false dealings? 11. How -does the Bible call him who borrows money but does not repay it? (Ps. -37,21.) 12. What does God command us to do in behalf of our neighbor's -property and business? 13. How should we help our neighbor when he is -poor and suffering want? 14. What does our Lord say Matt. 5,42? 15. To -whom does he lend who takes pity on the poor? 16. What do we learn from -Heb. 13,16? 17. What should we do to protect our neighbor's property? -18. If we love God, whom shall we love also?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 9.<br/> - -The Eighth Commandment.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the Eighth Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, -slander, nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well, of him, -and put the best construction on everything.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,"</i> that is -the command of our heavenly Father in the Eighth Commandment. <i>False -witness</i> is any false statement against our neighbor, anything false and -deceitful that we say against him. A <i>false</i> statement is saying -something that is not true; it is a statement <i>against</i> our neighbor -when it will harm him, or hurt his good name, or deprive him of it -altogether.—False witness comes out of an evil <i>heart,</i> a heart that -is false and insincere against our neighbor. We should not even <i>think -evil</i> of him. <i>"Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against your -neighbor."</i> Zech. 8,17. If we love God and for His sake our neighbor, we -shall always think well of him, even if he is our enemy.</p> - -<p>2. We can bear false witness against our neighbor in many ways. Our -Catechism explains: "We should fear and love God that we may not -deceitfully belie, betray, slander nor defame our neighbor."—<i>We -should not belie our neighbor. Potiphar's wife</i> belied Joseph. She told -her husband a lie about Joseph, saying that he had tried to wrong her. -She did so in order to harm Joseph, to bring him into prison.—<i>We -should not lie,</i> we should never wilfully and knowingly tell an untruth, -or withhold the truth from our neighbor to harm him. Be careful always -to tell the truth. Our Lord tells us that the <i>devil</i> is a liar and the -father of it. John 8,44. If you tell a lie, you do the work of the -devil. Remember that you are a child of God and that a child of God -fears and loves his heavenly Father. God hates all liars and will most -certainly punish them. <i>"He that telleth lies shall not tarry [remain] -in My sight,"</i> says the Lord Ps. 101,7.</p> - -<p>3. <i>We should not betray our neighbor.</i> We should not reveal his -secrets, not tell others what our neighbor does not want other people to -know. It shows a false and deceitful heart against our brother to reveal -his secret sins. <i>"A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a -faithful spirit concealeth the matter."</i> Prov. 11,13.</p> - -<p>4. <i>We should not slander nor defame our neighbor.</i> We are not to speak -evil against our brother behind his back, when he is not present and -therefore not able to defend himself. Even if the evil which we tell of -him be true, we should not tell others of it. Holy Scripture admonishes -us: <i>"Speak not evil one of another, brethren."</i> Jas. 4,11. Because we -are brethren, we should not speak evil, but well, of one another. If we -slander and backbite our neighbor, speak evil of him when he is not -present, we <i>defame</i> him, that is, we harm his good name; it is our -fault if other people will think evil of him. We are all much inclined -to these sins; therefore beware of backbiting and slandering your -neighbor. Honor and a good name are easily taken away, but not easily -restored.</p> - -<p>5. We should never speak against our neighbor to harm and injure him, -but we are to speak <i>for</i> him. <i>We should defend him.</i> When in our -presence anybody speaks evil of our brother behind his back, so that -this brother cannot speak for himself, we should not remain silent, but -speak for him, defend him against all false statements and lies uttered -against him. We should never allow our neighbor to be slandered in our -presence.</p> - -<p>6. <i>We should speak well of our neighbor.</i> We are to speak well of his -good works and deeds, to praise them as far as it can be done in keeping -with the truth. Especially when others speak evil of our brother, when -they slander and defame him, we ought to take his part and speak -well of him, so that he may keep his good name. We read of Jonathan, -David's friend: <i>"And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul, his father</i> -[who was David's enemy and wanted to kill him], <i>and said unto him, Let -not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he hath not -sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward</i> -[towards you] <i>very good."</i> 1 Sam. 19,4. And in verse 6 we read that -Saul listened to Jonathan and resolved not to kill David. Owing to -Jonathan's good words, then, David was safe for a while. The Jews who -asked Jesus to heal the servant of the centurion spoke highly of him. -They besought the Lord instantly to hear the prayer of the centurion, -saying, <i>"That he was worthy for whom He should do this, for he loveth -our nation, and he hath built us a synagog."</i> Luke 7,4.5. In the same -way we should speak well of our neighbor and praise him.</p> - -<p>7. <i>We should put the best construction on everything</i> that we hear of -our neighbor, or that we see him doing. We should put the best -construction on everything, that is, in love and charity we should cover -his faults and not make too much of them. We should explain all his -words and deeds in his favor as far as this can be done in keeping with -the truth. <i>"Charity shall cover the multitude of sins."</i> 1 Pet 4,9. -True love and charity always thinks the best of the neighbor, always -hopes for the best, and will suffer wrong rather than do wrong. -<i>"Charity believeth all things, hopeth all things endureth all things."</i> -1 Cor. 13,7. It is a noble virtue to explain as best you can all you may -hear of your neighbor.</p> - -<p>8. In this commandment God demands of us, His children, many good works -which are well-pleasing to Him, if only we would recognize them. There -is nothing which can do both greater good or harm in all matters than -our tongue, though it is such a small and feeble member of our body.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. If we love God and, for His sake, our neighbor, we shall always -think well of him, even though he is our enemy.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. A child of God should never tell a lie. God hates a liar and will -punish him.</i></p> - -<p><i>3. Always speak well of your neighbor, defend him if he is falsely -accused, and explain his deeds and words in his favor.</i></p> - -<p><i>4. "There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it -altogether."</i> Ps. 139,4.</p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor.</i> -Zech. 8,17.</p> - -<p><i>Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor.</i> -Eph. 4,25.</p> - -<p><i>Speak not evil one of another, brethren.</i> Jas. 4,11.</p> - -<p><i>Charity shall cover the multitude of sins.</i> 1 Pet. 4,8.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Which is the Eighth Commandment? 2. What does it mean to bear false -witness against our neighbor? 3. When is a statement a false statement? -4. When is it a statement against our neighbor? 5. When do we belie our -brother? 6. What does it mean to lie? 7. Who was the first liar in the -world? 8. How does God look upon a liar? 9. What does it mean to betray -our neighbor? 10. When do we slander and defame him? 11. What ought we -to do to protect the good name of our neighbor? 12. When should we -defend him? 13. What does it mean to speak well of him? 14. Who, for -example, spoke well of his friend? 15. Whom did the Jews praise in the -presence of the Lord? 16. What does it mean to put the best construction -on everything? 17. What do we read 1 Pet. 4,8? 18. Of what member of our -body should we take especial care?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 10.<br/> - -The Ninth and Tenth Commandments.</strong></p> - -<p>Which is the Ninth Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God that we may not craftily seek to get our -neighbor's inheritance and house, nor obtain it by a show of right, but -help and be of service to him in keeping it.</i></p> - -<p>Which is the Tenth Commandment?</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his -maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbors.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>We should fear and love God that we may not estrange, force, or entice -away from our neighbor his wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to -stay and do their duty.</i></p> - -<p>1. In the Ninth and the Tenth Commandment God forbids the same. Both -commandments begin with the words: <i>"Thou shalt not covet."</i> To covet -means eagerly and sinfully to desire and want what does not belong to -us, but to some one else, to our neighbor. We are covetous when we envy -our neighbor because of what he has, and want it for ourselves, and will -not be satisfied until we have obtained it for ourselves. Remember the -story of <i>King Ahab and Naboth.</i> Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, had a -strong desire for a certain vineyard which was the property of Naboth. -He offered to buy the vineyard, but Naboth did not want to sell it -because he had inherited it from his fathers. Ahab kept on longing for -the property of his neighbor and was not satisfied until Naboth was -stoned to death, and he was able to take possession of the vineyard. -1 Kings 21,1-16. Here we learn what it is to covet our neighbor's -property.</p> - -<p>2. We are all, by nature, covetous. We all envy our neighbor and desire -to obtain what belongs to him. God forbids such evil desires. Already in -the Seventh Commandment we learned that our neighbor's property ought to -be sacred to us because God Himself gave it to him. God does not want us -even to covet it, to <i>desire</i> to obtain it against the will of our -neighbor. We should, therefore, not <i>craftily,</i> with cunning and fraud, -<i>seek to get our neighbor's inheritance,</i> what he inherited from his -parents, or his <i>house,</i> nor try <i>to obtain it by a show of right,</i> in -such a way that it appears right before men while it is wrong in the -sight of God. We should not <i>force or entice away our neighbor's wife, -or servants, or cattle, or whatever belongs to him.</i></p> - -<p>3. The property of our neighbor should be sacred to us. Because we love -him for God's sake, we should <i>help him and be of service to him in -keeping his property.</i> We should urge our <i>neighbor's wife or servants -to remain with him and do their duty towards him</i> whenever we see that -they are seeking to leave him. God, our heavenly Father, tells us in His -Word: <i>"By love serve one another."</i> Gal. 5,13. And furthermore He says: -<i>"Look not every man on his own things, but ever man also on the things -of others."</i> Phil. 2,4.</p> - -<p>4. God forbids us to covet our neighbor's property, all that belongs to -him. <i>Covetousness is a sin of the heart.</i> God teaches us a very -important lesson in these last two commandments. He teaches us that not -only our evil deeds nor only our evil words are sins against the holy -God, <i>but also our evil thoughts.</i> In the sight of God every desire for -anything that He has forbidden in His Word is evil, is a sin, even if -this sinful thought does not break out in evil words or deeds. Every -lust in itself is truly a sin which God has threatened to punish. <i>"Thou -shalt not covet,"</i> is His demand. Every sinful thought, every impure -desire in our heart, proves that we do not fear and love our heavenly -Father as we should, that we have broken not only these two -commandments, but the first also, yea, all the commandments of our Lord.</p> - -<p>5. God demands that our hearts be holy. There should be no evil lust, no -desire for any sin in our hearts, <i>but only a holy desire to serve our -God and Father. "Ye shall be holy [without any sin], for I, the Lord, -your God, am holy."</i> Lev. 19,2. Our hearts should be so filled with fear -and love of God and all that is good in His eyes that no evil thought, -no sinful lust, can find room in them. <i>"Be ye therefore perfect, -even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."</i> Matt. 5,48.</p> - -<p>6. These last two commandments, even as the First Commandment, -especially teach us that we have not kept the commandments of our Lord, -and <i>that we cannot keep them perfectly.</i> Our hearts are full of lust -against the demands of God, full of evil thoughts. Our lust so often -entices and tempts us to sin by word and deed. We must confess that -<i>we all are sinners in the sight of God.</i> And "the wages of sin is -death." We are poor and lost sinners. Therefore <i>we daily pray for God's -forgiveness,</i> we beg our heavenly Father to be gracious unto us for -Christ's sake, who has fulfilled the commandments of God in our stead -and borne our sins.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. "Thou shalt not covet," is God's command. If you covet what belongs -to your neighbor, you sin against God. Every desire in your heart to do -what the Lord has forbidden is a sin in the sight of God.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. God wants our hearts to be without sin, perfect and holy, as He -Himself is holy.</i></p> - -<p><i>3. My heart is sinful. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a -right spirit within me."</i> Ps. 51,10.</p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>By love serve one another.</i> Gal. 5,13.</p> - -<p><i>Ye shall be holy; for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.</i> Lev. 19,2.</p> - -<p><i>Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is -perfect.</i> Matt. 5,48.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What does God forbid in the last two commandments? 2. What does it -mean to covet? 3. Why should we not covet our neighbor's property? 4. -How should we not seek to get our neighbor's inheritance and house? 5. -What does it mean to obtain our neighbor's property by a show of right? -6. Whom should we not force and entice away from our neighbor? 7. What -should we do concerning our neighbor's inheritance and house? 8. What -does our Lord tell us Gal. 5,13? 9. What should we do concerning our -neighbor's wife and servants? 10. What important lesson do these -commandments teach us? 11. What does every impure desire in our heart -prove? 12. How should our hearts be? 13. What does our Lord command Lev. -19,2? 14. With what ought our hearts to be filled? 15. What does our -Savior say Matt. 5,48? 16. What must we confess when we consider -the commandments of God? 17. What should therefore be our daily prayer?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 11.<br/> - -The Close of the Commandments.</strong></p> - -<p>What does God say of all these Commandments?</p> - -<p><i>He says thus: I, the Lord, thy 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.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>God threatens to punish all that transgress these commandments. -Therefore we should fear His wrath, and not act contrary to them. But He -promises grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments. -Therefore we should also love and trust in Him, and willingly do -according to His commandments.</i></p> - -<p>1. Thus says the Lord of all His commandments: <i>"I, the Lord, thy God, -am a jealous God."</i> God reminds us that He who has given us His -commandments is the <i>Lord.</i> He is our Lord, we are His servants. He, as -our Lord, has the right to give us His commandments, and we are in duty -bound to obey them.—He furthermore reminds us that He is <i>our God.</i> -Through Christ, our Savior, God has become our God, our Father. A father -will give only good gifts to His children. Our heavenly Father means -well in giving His commandments. They are to be a blessing to us and -will be a blessing, if we rightly use them. We should thank Him for His -commandments.—God tells us that He is a <i>jealous God.</i> God is not -like a weak father who gives his children commands, but does not see to -it that his children obey. God is a strict, a very strict father. He -watches over His children whether they fulfil His commandments or break -them.—And do not forget: Our God is the <i>almighty</i> God. He has the -power to do what He says, to carry out His threats and to fulfil His -promises. <i>"There is one Lawgiver</i> [this lawgiver is God, who has given -us His commandments], <i>who is able to save and to destroy."</i> Jas. 4,12.</p> - -<p>2. God is a <i>jealous</i> God. This He shows by <i>"visiting the iniquity</i> -[the wickedness] <i>of the fathers upon the children unto the third and -fourth generation of them that hate Him."</i> That means: <i>"God threatens -to punish all that transgress these commandments."</i> Those who break the -commandments of God surely deserve punishment. By breaking the Law of -God they sin against Him, they show that they <i>hate</i> God, who has -created and preserved them, who gives them life and all they need, who -wants to be their Father in Christ, that they may become His children. -Instead of loving God, they hate Him, who is the Giver of all they have -and enjoy.—What punishment does God threaten those who hate Him? This -is what He threatens: <i>"Cursed be he that confirmeth</i> [keeps] <i>not all -the words of this Law to do them."</i> God's displeasure, His curse, His -anger and wrath, will be upon him that sins. How fearful is it to be -cursed by the almighty God!—When God gave Adam the first command, He -said: <i>"In the day that thou eatest thereof</i> [of the tree] <i>thou shalt -surely die."</i> Gen. 2,17. God threatens <i>death</i> to every sinner. <i>"The -soul that sinneth, it shall die."</i> Ezek. 18,20. <i>"The wages of sin is -death,"</i> God tells us in His Word. Rom. 6,23. And after death eternal -damnation awaits the sinner. <i>Verily, we should fear God's wrath and -terrible punishment and not act contrary to His commandments.</i> We should -daily pray our heavenly Father for grace to help us shun and flee all -sins, even every evil thought that would bring God's wrath and -punishment upon us. Daily we will go to Christ, our only Savior, who has -redeemed us from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil.</p> - -<p>3. Our God is a <i>merciful</i> God. This He proves <i>"by showing mercy unto -thousands that love Him and keep His commandments."</i> God threatens to -punish all that transgress these commandments, but He also <i>"promises -grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments."</i> Our God -is a gracious and loving God. He promises to reward those who keep His -commandments. It is true, we do not deserve any reward, even if we -fulfil His Law and live according to His will. It is our duty to do so. -But so kind and loving is He to His children that He will reward them if -they do what they owe Him.—What does our God promise us? He promises -<i>grace and every blessing.</i> The grace of God will be upon us when in -love of God we try to keep His commandments. He will be well pleased -with us, His children. What a great thing it is to be assured of God's -grace and good will! Who can harm us when the Lord is with us? He -furthermore promises <i>every blessing</i> to those who keep His -commandments. God will bless His obedient children here on earth, in -this life, but far more will He bless them in the life to come with -eternal salvation. In heaven we shall see Him, our Father and Savior. -<i>Therefore we should also love and trust in Him and willingly do -according to His commandments.</i></p> - -<p>4. The Ten Commandments teach us the <i>holy will of our God,</i> or, as we -also call it, <i>His Law.</i> Here we learn what as God's children we should -do and not do, in order to please Him. Gladly we should learn it. We -desire to love Him who has loved us.—We learn also <i>that we have not -kept the Law,</i> that we cannot keep it, that we daily transgress the -commandments of our Lord. We learn that we are sinners who have -deserved death and damnation. This also we should learn willingly, for -it teaches us <i>how much we need a savior.</i> And then we go to our only -Savior, to our Lord, who has fulfilled the Law in our stead.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>1. God is our Lord. He has a right to give us His commandments, and it -is our duty to obey Him. He is a jealous God, who will see to it that -His Law is fulfilled.</i></p> - -<p><i>2. God threatens to punish all who hate Him and transgress His -commandments. Fear His wrath and do not act contrary to His holy will.</i></p> - -<p><i>3. God promises grace and every blessing to all who love Him and keep -His commandments. Love and trust Him, and willingly do according to His -will.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.</i> Jas. 4,12.</p> - -<p><i>Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them.</i> -Deut. 27,26.</p> - -<p><i>The soul that sinneth, it shall die.</i> Ezek. 18,20.</p> - -<p><i>The wages of sin is death.</i> Rom. 6,23.</p> - -<p><i>This do, and thou shalt live.</i> Luke 10,28.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What does God call Himself at the close of the Ten Commandments? 2. -What right has God as our Lord? 3. What is our duty to Him? 4. Of what -does God remind us when He calls Himself a jealous God? 5. What does God -threaten to all that transgress His commandments? 6. What is the -punishment that God threatens? 7. What is the wages of sin? 8. What -punishment does God threaten the sinner after his death? 9. What does -God promise those that love Him and keep His commandments? 10. Why do we -not deserve any reward? 11. What is the reward which God promises us? -12. What should we do because God promises such rich reward? 13. What do -the Ten Commandments teach us? 14. What do we furthermore learn from -them? 15. Of whom are we in need because we are sinners? 16. Who is our -true and only Savior?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 12.<br/> - -Review.</strong></p> - -<p>1. We have studied the Ten Commandments. Who gave us these commandments? -In all His commandments God tells us His holy will; He tells us what we -should do and not do. Why should we gladly obey Him? What is our -Father's will according to the <i>First Commandment?</i> When do we regard -God as our God? When do we show that we fear and love Him? What does it -mean to trust in God? What sin do we commit if we fear and love any one -more than the true God?</p> - -<p>2. Which is the <i>Second Commandment?</i> Our Catechism begins the -explanation of every commandment after the First with these words: "We -should fear and love God." What do we learn from this? In the Second -Commandment God reveals His will concerning His holy name. Mention some -of God's names. In all these names God shows us who and what He is. His -name should therefore be sacred to us. When do we take His holy name in -vain? What does it mean to curse by God's name? How should we use His -holy name?</p> - -<p>3. Which is the <i>Third Commandment?</i> We celebrate as our holy-day the -first day of the week, Sunday. Who instituted this holy-day? How do we -sanctify our holy-day? We should not despise preaching and His Word. -When do we despise preaching and God's Word? How should we hold God's -Word? How is this done?—To whom do the first three commandments -relate? What is their sum? To whom do the other commandments relate? How -should we love our neighbor?</p> - -<p>4. We should love our neighbor as ourselves. Of all our fellow-men our -dear <i>parents</i> are nearest to us. What is God's will concerning our -parents? What place does God give them by commanding us to honor them? -Whose representatives are they? We should honor our parents as God's -representatives. God has placed them over us. What should we therefore -not do with regard to our parents? When do we honor them?</p> - -<p>5. In the <i>Fifth Commandment</i> God teaches us His will regarding the -life, body, and health of our neighbor. Who is the Giver of all life? -What right, therefore, belongs to God alone? God forbids us to kill, to -take the life of our neighbor. But He forbids more. What does God -furthermore forbid in this commandment? When do we hurt our neighbor in -his body? When do we harm him in his body? When should we help and -befriend our neighbor? What is "bodily need"? How should our hearts be -disposed towards our neighbor according to the Fifth Commandment?</p> - -<p>6. According to the <i>Sixth Commandment</i> we should lead a chaste and -decent life. How should our hearts be in order that we may lead such a -life? When are our hearts chaste? When do we lead a chaste and decent -life in words? What acts must we shun to lead a chaste and decent life -in deed? Our hearts, by nature, are unclean and full of evil lust; what -should we do that our hearts may become clean? Do you know the prayer -for a clean heart? Ps. 51,10. What kind of place is this world? What may -meet us everywhere? What places should we therefore shun? What does God -command of married people in this commandment?</p> - -<p>7. In the <i>Seventh Commandment</i> God protects our neighbor's property. -From whom do we receive all that belongs to us? The property of our -neighbor should be sacred to us because it is given him by God. What -does God therefore forbid in this commandment? When do we steal our -neighbor's property? There are many ways of taking our neighbor's -property. Name some of them. How do we take our neighbor's goods and -money by false ware and dealing? In what way should we help our neighbor -to keep and improve his property?</p> - -<p>8. Which is the <i>Eighth Commandment?</i> What is false witness? When do we -bear false witness against our neighbor? When do we tell a lie? Never -tell a lie. God hates all liars. Who was the first liar? What does it -mean to slander and defame our brother? How should we act toward our -neighbor according to the Eighth Commandment? When do we put the best -construction on everything we hear about him? Of which member of our -body should we take special care?</p> - -<p>9. <i>The Ninth and the Tenth Commandment</i> begin with these words: "Thou -shalt not covet." Covetousness is in the heart. What important lesson do -we therefore learn from these commandments? What should not be found in -our hearts according to these commandments? How should our hearts be? -Are they holy? What must we therefore confess? What should be our daily -prayer?</p> - -<p>10. <i>What does God say of all these commandments?</i> Why does He call -Himself the Lord? What does He mean when He calls Himself a jealous God? -What does He threaten in these words? Whom will He punish? What does He -threaten those who hate Him and transgress His commandments? Therefore -we should fear His wrath and not act contrary to His commandments. What -does God promise those who love Him and keep His commandments? What is -the reward which He promises them? Why does He give His children such -rich rewards? What should this grace and kindness of God induce us to -do? What do the Ten Commandments teach us? We do not perfectly fulfil -the will of God; we are sinners. Whom are we in need of because we are -sinners? Who is our true and only Savior?</p> - -<p>Let us all diligently study the Ten Commandments and learn therefrom the -will of our Father. Let us pray to God for His Spirit that we may live -according to His will more and more.</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 13.<br/> - -Our Creed.</strong></p> - -<p>1. You have already learned by heart the Three Articles of the Creed. -These articles, together with their explanation, form the <i>Second Chief -Part of our Small Catechism.</i> The Three Articles are called the <i>Creed,</i> -that is, the <i>Christian faith.</i> In these articles is contained all that -we Christians <i>believe</i> in our hearts, and <i>confess</i> with our mouths, -<i>regarding God and His works,</i> all that He has done and will do for us, -His children. Through Baptism you have become God's children; you must -therefore also believe and confess what our Church confesses in these -Three Articles. Consequently it is necessary for us to study them, in -order that we may understand them.</p> - -<p>2. No man knows of himself who God is and what He has done for us. <i>God -alone</i> can tell us about these things. And God has revealed Himself to -us; He has told us in His holy <i>Word</i> who He is and what He has done for -us. From Holy Scriptures alone do we learn what we, as Christians, are -to know and believe regarding God and His works. And what God tells us -in His Word we verily may believe. It must be true, since God cannot and -will not lie.—All the doctrines in Holy Scriptures which teach us who -God is and what He has done and will do for us to save us, we call the -<i>Gospel.</i> The word Gospel means <i>glad tidings, good news.</i></p> - -<p>3. In the first part of our Small Catechism we also studied a word of -God, and we have called it the <i>holy will of God,</i> or the <i>Law.</i> So you -see that there are <i>two chief doctrines in our Bible;</i> one we call the -Law; the other, the Gospel. Both are revealed to us by our heavenly -Father, both are the Word of God. <i>But they differ greatly from each -other.</i> The <i>Law</i> tells us how, according to the will of God, we ought -to be and what we must do and not do to please our God. From it we learn -that we all are sinners, having not kept His commandments, and that God -threatens to punish all who hate Him and break His commandments; that, -therefore, as transgressors of His Law, we deserve His punishment, death -and damnation. The Law does not bring us glad tidings.—The <i>Gospel</i> -has quite another message for us. It brings a message of joy to sinners, -to those who have broken the commandments. It tells us that God loves -even us sinners. <i>"God so loved the world,"</i> that is, all sinful men, -<i>"that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him -should not perish, but have everlasting life."</i> John 3,16. It teaches -us what and how much God, moved by His love and grace toward us sinners, -has done and will do to save us from the deserved punishment of the Law, -from sin, death, and hell. These are indeed good tidings, tidings of -great joy for all men, to know that we have a Savior who can and will -save us and give us eternal happiness in heaven. This Gospel of great -joy we hear and learn in the Three Articles of our Christian faith.</p> - -<p>4. We call the Three Articles the Creed, or the <i>Apostles' Creed.</i> This -Creed contains what the apostles of the Lord believed and what they -taught in all the world, as the Lord Himself had commanded them: <i>"Go ye -into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."</i> Mark -16,15. Let us give thanks to our dear Lord for having graciously sent -His Gospel also to us that we may be saved thereby.</p> - -<p>5. We have three articles of faith, because God has done three great -saving works for us. We call these <i>Creation, Redemption, and -Sanctification.</i> In our next lesson we shall begin our study of the -first of the Three Articles, which treats of Creation.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>In the Three Articles is contained all that we believe and confess -regarding God and His saving works for us. We call them also the -Apostles' Creed. Our Creed is taken from Scripture.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>There are two chief doctrines in the Bible, the Law and the Gospel. -Both are God's Word. The Law tells us how, according to the will of God, -we ought to be and what we must do and not do. It also tells us that God -will punish us because we have not fulfilled, His commandments.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>The Gospel brings to us the glad tidings of the grace and love of -God. It tells us what God in His grace has done and will do to save us -from the punishment of the Law, from sin and hell.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>The Gospel is the glad tidings of the grace of God toward all men, -proclaiming to them salvation from sin and death in Christ Jesus.</i></p> - -<p><i>God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting -life.</i> John 3,16.</p> - -<p><i>Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.</i> Mark -16,15.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Of what does the Second Chief Part of our Catechism treat? 2. How do -we also call these Three Articles? 3. What does the word "creed" mean? -4. Where are the Three Articles of our Christian faith taken from? 5. -How many chief doctrines are contained in the Scriptures? 6. How are -these two doctrines called? 7. What does our Lord tell us in His Law? 8. -With what does the Law threaten us because we have not fulfilled it? 9. -What will our punishment be according to the Law? 10. What is the -Gospel? 11. What does the word "Gospel" mean? 12. What does God reveal -to us in His Gospel? 13. Recite the Gospel-message that we find John -3,16. 14. In what work especially has God shown His love toward mankind? -15. Who, according to the words of our Savior, shall not perish? 16. -What will God give to him that believeth? 17. Why are the Three Articles -called the Apostles' Creed? 18. Why do we confess our faith in three -articles? 19. What are the three great works which God has done and will -do for our salvation? 20. To whom is the Gospel to be preached? 21. -Recite the command of our Lord to His disciples to preach the Gospel to -all the world. 22. What does the word "creature" in this verse mean?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 14.<br/> - -The First Article.</strong></p> - -<p>Of Creation.</p> - -<p>Which is the First Article of the Creed?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that God has made me and all creatures.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"I believe in God,"</i> thus the First Article begins. Every Christian -should confess and every true Christian does confess: <i>I, I myself,</i> -believe in God. It is of no avail to us that anybody else believes, we -ourselves must believe in God. <i>We believe in God the Father Almighty.</i> -We believe that God is the Father Almighty, or the almighty Father. And -why do we believe that God is the almighty Father? Because He is <i>the -Maker of heaven and earth.</i> That is God's first great, saving work for -us. He has made heaven and earth. We call this work the <i>creation.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>God is the Maker of heaven and earth.</i> Our Catechism explains these -words thus: <i>"I believe that God has made me and all creatures."</i> God -has made <i>me;</i> it is due to Him that I came into existence, that I am -living. He gave me life and everything that I have. God, however, did -not only make me, but me <i>and all creatures.</i> Creatures are all things -that God has made. Heaven and earth, all the angels, the sun, the moon, -the glittering stars, all things on earth, the mountain and the mighty -oceans, all animals, large and small, all the plants on land and in the -water, man himself; all things that we see, yes, even those we do not -see, all things, visible and invisible, are His creatures. God has made -them all, they are the work of His almighty power. "In the beginning God -created the heaven and the earth." Gen. 1,1. "By Him were all things -created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and -invisible." Col. 1,16.</p> - -<p>3. In Bible History you have already learned <i>how</i> God made or created -heaven and earth. Before God began to create the world, nothing was -there except God alone, the Creator. God always was, is, and in all -eternity will be. <i>"From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God."</i> Ps. -90,2.—God did not have any material out of which to make this world. -<i>Out of nothing</i> He created heaven and earth. God simply said, "Let -there be light," and there was light. He simply said, Let there be the -sun and the moon and the stars, and, behold, there they were, shining in -all their splendor. In this manner, by speaking, by His word, God made -all things, visible and invisible, heaven and earth. God has created -everything without any means; <i>God has made heaven and earth and all -creatures out of nothing, by His word.</i> We do not understand how this is -possible; but we believe it because God Himself has revealed it to us in -His Word. <i>"Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by -the word of God."</i> Heb. 11,3. God made all things by His word, with the -exception of His foremost creature, man. It pleased Him to form the -first man in a different manner. Do you know how God made Adam? Read -Gen. 1,26-28 and 2,7.—God could have made heaven and earth, as we see -them now, in one instant, but it has pleased Him to do it in <i>six days.</i> -In six days <i>"the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of -them."</i> Gen. 2,1. And when all this was finished, <i>"God saw everything -that He had made, and, behold, it was very good."</i> Gen. 1,31.</p> - -<p>4. When we consider this great work of our Lord, consider that He has -made the whole world, the heavens and all the host of them, the mighty -sun, the countless stars, the earth with all its treasures, with its -millions of living creatures, must we not say that God, who created all -these things by His word alone, is a <i>mighty</i> and <i>powerful</i> God, more -powerful and mighty than all other things which He has made? And it is -true indeed, God is more powerful than His creatures. He is <i>almighty.</i> -We believe in God, <i>the Father Almighty. "With God nothing shall be -impossible,"</i> Holy Scripture tells us. Luke 1,37. <i>"He hath done -whatsoever He hath pleased."</i> Ps. 115,3. God is an almighty Father. In -Him we can trust. He can and will be our help. No one and nothing can -resist His mighty power.</p> - -<p>5. When we consider how wonderful this world is made, when we consider -that everything that came from the hand of God was very good, that -everything was made as it should be to serve its end, must we not say -that God is a very wise God, being able to plan such a wonderful and -good work? Yea, <i>our God is the all-wise God.</i> What He does is always -good and wise, even if we do not understand it.—And remember, -moreover, that God has created this beautiful world for us, His -children. This great and wonderful earth is to be our dwelling-place; -sun, moon, and the stars are to serve us. Is not our God a loving, a -good, a merciful God? Truly, <i>"the Lord is good to all; and His tender -mercies are ouer all His works."</i> Ps. 145,9. <i>"God is Love."</i> 1 John -4,8. In Him, our loving, merciful God, will we trust; He <i>will</i> surely -help us.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>I myself must believe in God the Father Almighty. The faith of -another cannot save me.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>In six days God created heaven and earth. He is the Creator of all -things, visible and invisible. He has created, that is, made, all things -out of nothing, by His word. This we believe because God Himself -has revealed it unto us in Holy Scriptures.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>God, the Maker of heaven and earth, always has been and always will -be. From everlasting to everlasting He is God. He is our almighty and -all-wise Father, always loving, good, and merciful. In Him we can and -will trust.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.</i> Gen. 1,1.</p> - -<p><i>Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of -God.</i> Heb. 11,3.</p> - -<p><i>From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God.</i> Ps. 90,2.</p> - -<p><i>With God nothing shall be impossible.</i> Luke 1,37.</p> - -<p><i>God is Love.</i> John 4,8.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Why do we say in our Creed, <i>I</i> believe? 2. In whom do we believe -according to the First Article? 3. Why do we call God "the Father -Almighty"? 4. How does our Catechism explain the words "Maker of heaven -and earth"? 5. What are creatures? 6. In how many days did God create -heaven and earth? 7. What does it mean when we say God <i>created</i> them? -8. Why do we believe that God made everything out of nothing, merely by -His word? 9. Recite Heb. 11,3. 10. How was everything when God had -finished the work of creation? 11. What do we learn of God from Ps. -90,2? 12. Why is God called the almighty Father? 13. How does the -creation show us that God is all-wise? 14. Which other qualities of God -do we learn from His work of creation? 15. Why can and will we always -trust in the almighty, all-wise, loving, and merciful God?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 15.<br/> - -The First Article.</strong></p> - -<p>God Has Made Me And Still Preserves Me.</p> - -<p>Which is the First Article of the Creed?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>1. God is the Maker of heaven and earth. I believe that God made all -creatures, all things in heaven and earth. He also created <i>man.</i> About -the creation of man we read in the Holy Scriptures: <i>"And God said, Let -us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have dominion -over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the -cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that -creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the -image of God, created He him; male and female created He them. And God -blessed them; and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and -replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of -the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that -moveth upon the earth."</i> Gen. 1,26-28. <i>"And the Lord God formed man of -the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of -life; and man became a living soul."</i> Gen. 2,7. There is a <i>great -difference</i> between the creation of man and the creation of all other -visible things. God, so to say, took especial care about this last of -all His wonderful works. He did not merely say: Let there be a man, but -God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as it were, <i>deliberated</i> and -<i>planned</i> beforehand how to make man. God then formed man, that is, his -body, <i>out of the dust of the ground,</i> and <i>breathed the breath of -life,</i> his soul, into his nostrils, his nose, and so man became a living -soul.—And what is more, God created man <i>in His own image, after His -likeness.</i> As God is Lord and Master over all things and governs them, -so He gave to man the power to govern all things on earth; He gave him -<i>dominion</i> over all the creatures on earth, to be Lord over this world. -God made man in His own image. Adam and Eve were created <i>holy, without -any blemish and sin.</i> They <i>knew</i> and <i>loved God,</i> their Creator, and -lived according to His holy will. Truly, man is the <i>foremost of all of -God's visible creatures.</i> God has made all men; therefore I confess, He -made <i>me.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>"I believe,"</i> I know it to be true from the Word of God, <i>"that God -made me." He has made me by giving me body and soul.</i> True, God did not -make me as He made Adam, by forming my body out of the dust and -breathing the breath of life into my nostrils. He made me by giving me -body and soul through my parents. Nevertheless it is true that God has -made me, that my body and my soul are <i>the gift of God,</i> my heavenly -Father. I confess: <i>"The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of -the Almighty hath given me life."</i> Job 33,4.</p> - -<p>3. How wonderfully did God make me! <i>"He has given me my body and soul, -eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses."</i> Consider -how beautifully and wonderfully God made your body. He gave you <i>eyes</i> -and <i>ears.</i> You can <i>see</i> and <i>hear;</i> you can see all the great works of -Go, the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the animals and plants, the -mighty mountains and the vast seas. You can see your fellow-men, your -friends and parents, and hear their voices, hear their words that -instruct and console you. You ca read your Bible and hear the preaching -of God's Word. He gave you not only eyes and ears, but <i>all the members -of your body</i>—your mouth so that you are able to talk to your friends -and parents and make known your needs and wishes; your feet and hands -for your work.—We are wonderfully made. God has given you a <i>soul,</i> -and He has endowed it with <i>reason,</i> and has given you <i>all your -senses.</i> You are able to <i>think</i> about the great work of God that -surround you, to try to understand what they are and for what purpose -God created them, You are able to understand all that God tells you in -His Word about Himself, His will, and His grace, and thus to know Him. -You are able to <i>feel</i> His goodness, His fatherly love and mercy. Surely -we must say: <i>"I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully -made. Marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well."</i> -Ps. 139,14.</p> - -<p>4. <i>"I believe that God has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and -all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still preserves them."</i> -Every Christian confesses: God, my Father, <i>preserves</i> me, my life, my -body and soul, all that I am. God has not made us and given us His great -gifts and then left it to us how to preserve and keep them. This we -could never do. He is not like a builder who, having finished a house, -leaves it and lets others take care of it in the future. <i>"He is not far -from every one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our -being."</i> Acts 17, 27.28. He will preserve us, and He alone, our Almighty -Father, can do it. He has preserved me until this day. The fact that I -am still enjoying life, that I still have body and soul with all their -precious gifts, that I still can see and hear and have the use of my -members, that I still have the gift of reason and the use of my senses, -all this is not my work, not due to my prudence, or the care of my -parents, or the skill of a physician, <i>but it is God's work and gift -alone. "He upholds all things by the word of His power."</i> Heb. 1,3. And -I believe that God, my Father, will also in future preserve me, His -child, until the hour of death, and that He will then for Christ's sake -take me up to heaven, body and soul, and there preserve me forever.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>God has made you. He has given you your body and soul, eyes, ears, -and all your members, your reason and all your senses. He is your -almighty Father.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>God has preserved and still preserves you. That you are still -living, that you have body and soul and the use of your reason and all -your members, is God's free gift alone. God is your almighty Father.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>How precious are these gifts of God! Never forget how wonderfully -you are made. God, your almighty Father, is also a very kind and loving -Father.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous -are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.</i> Ps. 139,14.</p> - -<p><i>He is not far from every one of us; for in Him we live and move and -have our being.</i> Acts 17,27.28.</p> - -<p><i>He upholds all things by the word of His power.</i> Heb. 1,3.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. On which of the six days did God create man? 2. What is the -difference between the creation of man and the creation of all other -visible creatures? 3. What did God do before He created man? 4. Out of -what did He form his body? 5. How did God create his soul? 6. What does -it mean that God created man in His own image? 7. How were Adam and Eve -after God had created them? 8. How did they show that they were holy and -without sin? 9. How did God make <i>you?</i> 10. Through whom did He give you -body and soul? 11. Which gift did God bestow upon your body? 12. Why are -eyes and ears and all members such wonderful gifts of God? 13. Which is -God's greatest gift to your soul? 14. Why is reason His greatest gift? -15. What does God do for us in addition to having created us? 16. What -does it mean that God preserves us? 17. Until what day did God preserve -you? 18. How long will He preserve you? 19. What, therefore, is God to -me because He made me and preserves me?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 16.<br/> - -The First Article.</strong></p> - -<p>How My Heavenly Father Provides For Me And Guards My Life.</p> - -<p>Which is the First Article of the Creed?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that God has given me also clothing and shoes, meat and -drink, house and home, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my -goods; that He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to -support this body and life; that He defends me against all danger, and -guards and protects me from all evil.</i></p> - -<p>1. In the First Article of our Christian faith we say: <i>"I believe in -God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."</i> This means, as we -have learned: <i>I believe that God has made me and has given me my body -and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, -and still preserves them.</i> God generally does not preserve us by His -word and will alone, but through <i>earthly means.</i> In order to preserve -our life and body, we must eat and drink, have clothing, house and home, -etc. True, God could preserve us without these means. He is the -Almighty. He has done so at times. He preserved Moses' life for forty -days and nights without food and drink on Mount Sinai. Ex. 34,28. Jesus -twice, as you know, fed several thousand people with a few loaves of -bread and with a few fish. God can do so to-day, and He will do it if -His children are in need of it. But generally it pleases God to preserve -our body and life through outward means. <i>God preserves me by providing -me with all that I need to support my body and life.</i></p> - -<p>2. I need many things to support my body and life. Our Catechism names -quite a number of them. In order to support our life, we must have <i>meat -and drink.</i> We must have <i>clothing and shoes, house and home</i> to protect -our bodies from sunshine and rain. True, you have not everything that -is named in our Catechism; but all these things are necessary to -preserve our lives, and somebody must have them. The farmer must have -<i>fields</i> and <i>cattle</i> to provide for his life and for the lives of many -other people. <i>All my goods,</i> all that I need and have, clothing and -shoes, meat and drink house and home, father and mother, brothers and -sisters, were given me <i>by God, my heavenly Father. "The eyes of all -wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due season Thou -openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."</i> -Ps. 145,15.16.</p> - -<p>3. God provides me with all that I need to support my life. God -generally does it through <i>the work of our hands.</i> He can do it without -our work, or labor, and at times has done so. Remember how God gave -manna from heaven to the children of Israel when they were in the -desert. Deut. 8,3.4. Remember how He fed His prophet Elijah during the -famine by sending the ravens to bring him his daily bread. 1 Kings 17. -God can do the same thing to-day, and He certainly will do so whenever -His children are in need of it. <i>"Cast all your care upon Him; for He -careth for you."</i> 1 Pet. 5,7. As a rule, however, God wants us to work -diligently and carefully to save what we earn. But still it is <i>God</i> -that provides for us. He gives us strength and health for our work. He -blesses our labors. Without His blessing all our labor would be in vain. -<i>"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it."</i> -Ps. 127,1.</p> - -<p>4. God provides me with all that I need for mv life and body, and He -does so <i>richly and daily.</i> God provides me <i>richly.</i> I have a rich -Father. He is the Maker of heaven and earth. Everything belongs to Him. -Out of His abundance He gives us richly all that we need, and often more -than we need. He gives us daily, that is, He never tires of giving. -Every morning He begins anew to bless us by giving us our daily bread.</p> - -<p>5. One thing more is needed to preserve us. Our life and our body are in -constant danger. But a child of God confesses: <i>"He defends me against -all danger, and guard and protects me from all evil."</i> Remember how He -defended the children of Israel against their enemies, the Egyptians, at -the Red Sea. Ex. 13.14. Remember how He guarded His Son, the Christ- -child, whom King Herod sought to kill. Matt. 2,13-15. So God defends and -guards all His children. <i>"There shall no evil befall thee, neither -shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."</i> Ps. 91,10. True, also -children of God have to suffer, they have many troubles and misfortunes; -but their Father protects them in all these troubles, so that nothing -can really harm them, but that everything must work together for good to -them. Joseph in Egypt had to suffer much that was meant to do him harm, -being cast into prison; but God was with him and made everything turn -out for his welfare. He himself said to his brothers: <i>"Ye thought evil -against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this -day, to save much people alive."</i> Gen. 50,20.—In protecting His -children from evil, God often uses His <i>angels,</i> those holy spirits whom -He has created, and whom He sends out to minister to His children. By an -angel God protected Daniel in the den of the lions and the three men in -the fiery furnace. He sends His angels to protect us from evil. <i>"He -shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. -They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a -stone."</i> Ps. 91, 11.12.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>God preserves you by providing you with all things that you need for -your life and body. He does so richly and daily. Therefore trust in Him, -your rich and merciful Father.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>God wants you to work diligently and earn your daily bread; He also -wants you to be thrifty, saving, with what He has given you. But with -all your working and saving you could never provide the necessary food -and clothing without God's blessing. He alone provides for you.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Trust in God! He will defend you against all danger and guard and -protect you from all evil. He will send His angels so that no evil may -harm you.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due -season. Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every -living thing.</i> Ps. 145,15.16.</p> - -<p><i>Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.</i> 1 Pet. 5,7.</p> - -<p><i>There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy -dwelling.</i> Ps. 91,10.</p> - -<p><i>He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy -ways.</i> Ps. 91, 11.</p> - -<p><i>Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it -to pass.</i> Ps. 37,5.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. How does God preserve you? 2. What must you do to preserve your life -and body? 3. Where has God shown that He can preserve us without any -means? 4. In what manner does God generally preserve us? 5. Which of the -things that are needed to support our life and body does our Catechism -mention? 6. Who gave me all the good things I have? 7. In what way does -God generally provide us with the things necessary for our life? 8. -When, for instance, did God show that He can provide for us without the -labor of our hands? 9. What, however, is God's rule in this matter? 10. -Can you show that God provides for us even though we work to earn our -living? 11. How does God provide you with all that is needed for your -life? 12. Why can He provide richly for His children? 13. What more does -God do to preserve us? 14. Give examples of God's protecting care over -His children. 15. What is our consolation when we have troubles and -misfortunes? 16. Whom does God often send forth to protect His children? -17. What do we read Ps. 37,5?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 17.<br/> - -The First Article.</strong></p> - -<p>God Has Made Me And Preserves Me Out Of Fatherly, Divine Goodness And -Mercy.</p> - -<p>Which is the First Article of the Creed?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that God does all this out of fatherly, divine goodness and -mercy, without an merit or worthiness in me.</i></p> - -<p>1. We have learned that God has <i>made</i> me by giving me my body and soul, -and that He still <i>preserves</i> me by giving me richly and daily all that -I need for life and body, by guarding and protecting me from all evil. -Now we ask, <i>Why has God done all this for me?</i> Our Catechism answers: -He has done <i>"all this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and -mercy."</i> This answer is taken from the Word of God. <i>"The Lord is good -to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works."</i> Ps. 145,9.— -God is moved by His <i>goodness</i> to bestow His manifold blessings on us. -<i>Our God is good.</i> Ps. 118,1. He loves all His creatures, especially -those whom in Holy Baptism and through faith in Jesus Christ He has -accepted as His children. He wishes to make them happy here on earth and -above all, eternally in heaven. He also loves you; therefore He has -formed your body so beautifully and given you an immortal soul; -therefore He provides you with all that is needed for your life and -body, and does this richly and daily.</p> - -<p>2. God is moved by His <i>mercy</i> to provide for me and protect me. <i>"His -tender mercies are over all His works." Our God is a merciful God.</i> He -knows that without Him, without His provident care, we are helpless, -unable to support our life, not even for a single day. And He has -compassion on us. He does not like to see His children in need and -danger. His tender mercies are over you also; therefore He feeds and -clothes you through your parents or friends; therefore He guards and -protects you, His child.</p> - -<p>3. His goodness and mercy is <i>fatherly</i> goodness and mercy. He provides -for me and protects me as a <i>father</i> provides for his children and -protects them. <i>"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord -pitieth them that fear Him."</i> Ps. 103,13. Not only in His Word does God -assure us that He is our loving Father, but He daily proves it to us by -the blessings He sends us. He has given me my beautiful body and a -rational soul, that is, powers to think and understand; He daily -provides for everything I need; He is at my side in every danger to -defend me; from every evil that comes near me He protects me. Surely -<i>God is my Father.</i>—His goodness and mercy are a <i>divine</i> goodness -and mercy, such as only God has and can have, a <i>perfect</i> and <i>never- -failing</i> goodness and mercy. My Father is the <i>Father Almighty,</i> who -daily will and can provide for and protect His children. <i>"His -compassions fail not. They are new every morning."</i> Lam. 3,22.— -Therefore I confess: <i>I believe in God, my almighty Father,</i> that is, I -do not only know from the Word of God and from the blessings I am daily -receiving from Him that the almighty God is my Father, but <i>with all my -heart I trust in Him,</i> I confide in Him, I rely on Him as on my true -Father. When I am in need, I trust in Him, my Father; He will and can -provide for me. When dangers surround me, I trust in Him, my Father; He -will and can defend me. When evil seems to come near me, I trust in Him, -my Father; He will and can protect me. <i>To believe in God the Father -Almighty means to be fully assured that the almighty God is my Father, -and with all my heart to trust in Him who is my Father for Jesus' sake.</i></p> - -<p>4. Whatever God does for His children, He does <i>"purely</i> out of -fatherly, divine goodness and mercy." His fatherly goodness and mercy— -nothing else—moves Him to show us goodness and mercy. He provides and -protects me <i>"without any merit or worthiness in me."</i> When a man -performs some work for another man, he has done something for him and -thereby earned, or <i>merited,</i> payment for such service. We have not -given anything to God, so that He would be in duty bound to reward us -for it. We have not earned His fatherly love, nor can we ever do so.— -When a rich man bestows a free gift upon a poor man, this poor man has -certainly not merited this gift, but he may be <i>worthy</i> of the help. His -worthiness may have moved the rich man to take pity on him. We are <i>not -worthy</i> of anything that God bestows upon us; we do not deserve His -fatherly love and kindness. We have transgressed, and daily transgress, -His holy commandments. We are sinners. We so often misuse God's kindness -and His gifts. If God were to treat us according to our merits and -worthiness, He would not be able to bless us, but he would have to -punish and condemn us. In us God does not find anything that might move -Him to love us and to care for us. It is <i>purely</i> out of His fatherly, -divine goodness and mercy that He loves me and provides for me, an -unworthy sinner. We must confess with Jacob: <i>"I am not worthy of the -least of all the mercies and of all the truth which Thou hast showed -unto Thy servant."</i> Gen. 32,10.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>In bestowing all His blessings on me God is moved only by His -goodness and mercy, not by any merit or worthiness in me. All I am and -all I have and receive is a free gift of His love and kindness.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>God's goodness and mercy are a fatherly and divine goodness and -mercy. He daily shows that He is my Father indeed, who loves me and -cares for me with a most perfect, never-failing, never-ceasing love.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>To believe in God the Father Almighty means to know and be assured -from Scripture that the almighty God is my Father, and with all my heart -to trust and confide in Him who is my Father for Christ's sake.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His -works.</i> Ps. 145,9.</p> - -<p><i>Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that -fear Him.</i> Ps. 103,13.</p> - -<p><i>I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth -which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant.</i> Gen. 32,10.</p> - -<p><i>I believe in God the Father Almighty, that is, I know and am assured -that the almighty God is my Father; with all my heart, therefore, I -trust and confide in Him who is my Father for Christ's sake.</i></p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Who has made you and still preserves you? 2. What moves God to do -this? 3. Whom among His creatures does God especially love? 4. How does -He show His goodness and love toward His children? 5. What furthermore -moves God to care for His children? 6. What does it mean that God is -merciful? 7. How are His goodness and mercy called in our Catechism? 8. -What do we read Ps. 103,13? 9. How does God daily show His fatherly -goodness toward you? 10. How are His goodness and mercy furthermore -called in our Catechism? 11. Why is His goodness called a divine -goodness? 12. What do we therefore confess because God daily shows us -His fatherly love and mercy? 13. What does this mean, "I believe in God -the Father Almighty"? 14. Why may and should we trust and confide in God -as in our Father? 15. What does not move God to love us and provide for -us? 16. Why do we not merit God's love and kindness? 17. Why are we not -worthy of His goodness and mercy? 18. What have we sinners merited? 19. -Recite what Jacob said to the Lord. Gen. 32,10.</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 18.<br/> - -The First Article.</strong></p> - -<p>For His Goodness And Mercy I Will Thank And Praise My Father, And Serve -And Obey Him.</p> - -<p>Which is the First Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that for all this it is my duty to thank and praise, to serve -and obey Him. This is most certainly true.</i></p> - -<p>1. Great are the blessings which we daily receive from our heavenly -Father. It is He who preserves our bodies and souls. It is He who -provides us with all that we need for our lives, and who defends us -against all danger and guards and protects us from all evil. And He does -all this without any merit or worthiness in me, moved purely by His -fatherly, divine goodness and mercy. When we consider all this love -and kindness, we ask, <i>What, then, is our duty toward our Father in -heaven? "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward -me?"</i> Ps. 116,12. Our Catechism answers: <i>"For all which it is my duty -to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him."</i></p> - -<p>2. For all His benefits we should, and, most certainly, every child of -God gladly will, <i>thank</i> our Father. When somebody has shown us a -kindness and given us valuable gifts, we certainly thank him. How we do -look down with contempt upon an ungrateful person! If we give thanks to -our human benefactors, how much more should we thank God, our greatest -Benefactor, from whom we receive every good and perfect gift! It is -<i>God's will</i> that we thank Him. <i>"O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is -good, because His mercy endureth forever."</i> Ps. 118,1. Remember how well -pleased our Lord was with the <i>grateful Samaritan</i> who alone of the ten -came back to thank Him for the gift of his health. Luke 17, 17-19. To be -able to thank God we must <i>believe in our hearts</i> that everything that -we are, have and enjoy is God's gracious gift. Yet many do not admit -this. They boast that they themselves provide for their life by their -daily work, that they themselves defend their bodies and souls from -danger and evil, and so they do not consider it their duty to thank the -Lord. We are assured that all we have is a free gift of God, and -therefore we must and will thank Him in all our prayers. Do not forget -to do this, especially in your morning and evening prayers, as well as -before and after meals. (See the prayers in your Catechism.)</p> - -<p>3. <i>We should praise God, our Father.</i> With glad and rejoicing hearts we -will <i>tell</i> others, our fellow-men, of the great and wondrous things the -Lord has done for us. We will <i>make know</i> to them what a mighty and wise -as well as gracious, merciful, and loving Father our God is, and thus -<i>glorify</i> His name in the world, also in the presence of <i>unbelievers. -"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!"</i> Ps. -103,2. "To God, the Father of all love, the God of earth and heaven, the -mighty God who reigns above, be praise and glory given! With healing -balm my soul He fills and every pain and sorrow stills: To God all -praise and glory!"</p> - -<p>4. <i>It is our duty to serve the Lord.</i> God, it is true, is not in need -of our poor services, for it is He who gives us day by day everything we -have. But He has told us in His Word that what we do to our brethren for -His sake <i>we have done unto Him.</i> Matt. 25,40. <i>In serving our brethren -we serve God.</i> We serve Him by not using the gifts we receive from Him -merely for our own benefit, much less for sinful purposes, in the -service of sin and Satan, but <i>by using them to help our neighbor in -distress.</i> We serve Him by using our worldly goods <i>to further our -Father's kingdom here on earth, by laboring and giving for His Church, -for Foreign and Home Missions, and for all purposes pleasing to God.</i> In -this manner our whole life will be a service and a thank-offering to -God, our gracious Father. "O grant that I may through Thy grace use all -my powers to show Thy praise, and serve and help my neighbor."</p> - -<p>5. <i>Finally, it is my duty to obey Him, my Father.</i> I know that God is -my Father, and I am His child. How can a child show his love and his -gratitude toward his father better <i>than by obeying him?</i> So will I -render my thanks unto my heavenly Father by cheerfully and willingly -obeying Him and by doing according to His commandments. Above all, I -will, according to His First Commandment, <i>love Him and trust in Him,</i> -my Father, in every need and danger, firmly believing that He will never -leave nor forsake me.</p> - -<p>6. <i>"This is most certainly true."</i> With these words we conclude our -First Article. These words are the explanation of the word <i>Amen</i> which -we find at the end of our Creed. <i>Amen</i> means: "This is most certainly -true." We declare it to be most certainly true what we have confessed -and what we believe. It is most certainly true that God has made me -and still preserves me. It is most certainly true that God has given me -my body and soul, that He provides for me and defends, guards, and -protects me. It is most certainly true that He has done all this purely -out of His fatherly, divine goodness and mercy. It is most certainly -true that God is my almighty Father whom I, His child, am in duty bound -to thank and praise, to serve and obey. <i>From God's Word we know that -all this is most certainly true.</i></p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>God is our heavenly Father, our greatest Benefactor; therefore we -should thank and praise, serve and obey Him. Let us never forget all His -benefits.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>We thank God when we believe and acknowledge it to be true that all -we have is the gift of God's goodness and mercy, given us without any -merit or worthiness in us.—We praise Him when we glorify Him and His -gracious deeds also before our fellow-men.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>We serve our heavenly Father by devoting all the powers of body and -soul, all of which are His gifts, not to the service of sin and Satan, -but to the service of our fellow-men and of the Church of God.—We -obey Him by fulfilling His will, by keeping His commandments, especially -by loving Him and trusting in Him.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?</i> Ps. -116,12.</p> - -<p><i>O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; because His mercy endureth -forever.</i> Ps. 118,1.</p> - -<p><i>Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!</i> Ps. 103,2.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Which are the great blessings we receive from God, according to the -First Article? 2. What do we ask when we consider these blessings? 3. -How is this expressed in Ps. 116,12? 4. How does our Catechism answer -this question? 5. Why is it our duty to thank God? 6. How can you prove -from Scripture that God is pleased with our gratitude? 7. What must we -admit in our hearts in order really to thank God? 8. Most men do not -admit this; what do they believe regarding their worldly goods? 9. At -what time especially should we thank God for His benefits? 10. What does -it mean to praise God? 11. Before whom also should we glorify Him? 12. -Recite Ps. 103,2. 13. What, in addition, is our duty towards God? 14. -How can we serve our Father? 15. How do you know that you are serving -God by serving your neighbor? 16. What should I also do to serve God? -17. What finally, is our duty towards our Father in heaven? 18. When do -we obey Him? 19. How should we obey Him, according to the First -Commandment? 20. What do we express in the last words of the First -Article? 21. How do we know that everything we have confessed in this -article is most certainly true?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 19.<br/> - -The First Article.</strong></p> - -<p>Review Lesson.</p> - -<p>1. We have begun to study the Three Articles of our Creed. These -articles contain all that we believe and confess regarding God and His -works, all that He has done and Will do for us, His children. Where did -God reveal Himself and His works to us? What do we call all the -doctrines of Scripture that teach us who God is and what He has done for -us? What is the meaning of the word <i>Gospel?</i> There are two chief -doctrines in the Bible. What are they called? What does the Law tell us? -What are the good tidings brought to us in the Gospel?</p> - -<p>2. We confess in the First Article that God is the Father Almighty, -Maker of heaven and earth. God is the Maker of heaven and earth. What do -we call this great work of God? What is the meaning of the word <i>create?</i> -What do we call all the things that God has made? What does it mean to -say: God created all things <i>by His word?</i> In how many days did God -create this world, heaven and earth?—When we thoughtfully consider -this great work of God, His creation, we can learn from it how wonderful -our God is. What does creation teach us about God? When we say, God is -almighty, what does that mean? How does creation teach us that God is an -all-wise God? How does creation show us God's great love and kindness -toward His creatures? How were all creatures when God had made them?</p> - -<p>3. God is the Maker of heaven and earth, He created all things. -Therefore He also created man. How did God create the first man? Man is -the foremost of all the visible creatures. How do we prove this? In -whose image did God make our first parents? In what respect did God make -man in His image? How were our first parents when God had made them? -Whom did they know and love? How did they live?—God made all men; -whom, therefore, did He also make? What did God give me in making me? It -is true that God did not make me in the same manner as He made our first -parents. Through whom did He give me my body and soul?—Consider how -wonderfully God has made you. Why did God give you eyes and ears? What -can you do because God endowed your soul with reason? All this proves -that we are God's foremost creatures.—God has made you, but what do -we furthermore confess? What does this statement mean: God preserves me? -What do we read Heb. 1,3? In whom do we all live and move and have our -being?</p> - -<p>4. We confess in the First Article that our heavenly Father has made me -and all creatures, that He has given me my body with all its members, my -soul, my reason and all my senses, and that He still preserves me, so -that in Him we live and move, and have our being. How does God preserve -me? from whom do we receive all things to support our body and life? -Recite Ps. 145,15.16. In what manner does God, as a rule, provide us -with all the things that we need to support our body and soul? Why is it -that we, nevertheless, must say that God provides for us? What must God -also do to preserve my body and life? Whom does God often use to protect -His children from danger and evil?</p> - -<p>5. God has done great things for me. He has made me, He has given me my -body and soul. He still preserves me by providing daily and richly all -that I need for my life and body, by guarding and protecting me from all -evil. What moves God to give me all these great benefits? Recite Ps. -145,9. What does that mean: God is good to all His creatures? Whom -especially does God love? What does that mean: God is merciful? How are -God's goodness and mercy called in our Catechism? Why is His goodness -called a <i>fatherly</i> goodness? Why is it called a <i>divine</i> goodness? Why do -we say that it is <i>purely</i> fatherly and divine goodness that moves God? -What have we merited by our conduct toward God? Why are we unworthy of -all the benefits of God? What must we confess with Jacob? Gen. 32,10. -What do we say by confessing: "I believe in God the Father Almighty"?</p> - -<p>6. Great are the blessings which we have received, and daily are -receiving, from our heavenly Father. And He gives all His blessings out -of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness -in me. What, therefore, is our duty over against God? We should, in the -first place, thank our Father. What do we think of an ungrateful person? -What do we read Ps. 118,1? With whom was our Lord well pleased? Why are -so many men not thankful to God? When only shall we be truly thankful? -—In the second place, we should praise our Father. What does it mean -to praise God? Before whom also should we glorify God?—In the third -place, we should serve God in order to show Him our gratitude. How can -we serve God although He is not in need of our services? How ought we to -use all the gifts of God in order to serve Him?—Lastly, we should -obey our Father. When do we obey Him? Which commandment, especially, -should we keep? What does this commandment require of us? Why do we -close the First Article with the words: "This is most certainly true"?</p> - -<p>We all believe in one true God,<br/> -Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,<br/> -Present Helper in all need,<br/> -Praised by all the heavenly host,<br/> -By whose mighty power alone<br/> -All is made and wrought and done.</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 20.<br/> - -The Second Article: Of Redemption.</strong></p> - -<p>I Believe That My Lord Jesus Christ Is True God.</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from -eternity, ... is my Lord.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord"</i> thus the Second Article of -our Creed begins. Every true Christian, every child of God, confesses: I -believe in my Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord. -We do not only believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and -earth, but likewise in our Lord Jesus Christ. You know what it means to -believe in Jesus Christ. It means, I know and am assured by God's Word -that Jesus Christ is my Lord, and with all my heart I trust and confide -in Him as in my Lord. Our Catechism teaches us <i>two things</i> about our -Lord Jesus Christ: 1. <i>who our Lord Jesus Christ is,</i> and 2. <i>what He -has done for me to become my Lord.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Who is our Lord Jesus Christ?</i> We confess <i>"I believe in Jesus -Christ, His only Son,"</i> that is, God the Father's only Son. Many are -called, and in truth are, God's children. <i>"Ye are all the children of -God by faith in Christ Jesus."</i> Gal. 3,26. All who believe in our Lord -Jesus Christ are sons and daughters of God. How, then, can we say that -Jesus Christ is God's only Son? Our Catechism says: <i>"I believe that -Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, is my -Lord."</i> All those who believe in Christ are God's children; God has -<i>adopted</i> them as His children for Christ's sake. Christ, however, is -God's <i>own Son, begotten, born of the Father from eternity.</i> Before God -created heaven and earth, Christ was God's Son, begotten of the Father. -God Himself says to this His only Son: <i>"Thou art My Son; this day</i> -[that is, from eternity] <i>have I begotten Thee."</i> Ps. 2,7. <i>"God so -loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever -believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."</i> John -3,16. Christ is God's Son, begotten of the Father from eternity, and it -is for this reason, too, that in the First Article we call God the -<i>Father.</i> He is the Father of His own only Son, through whom He is also -our Father.</p> - -<p>3. Whoever is born of human parents is a true man; he has a human body -and a human soul. Our Lord Jesus Christ is born of the Father from -eternity, and therefore <i>He is true God.</i> We confess that we believe in -Jesus Christ, true God. He is true God in the same sense as the Father -is true God. <i>Together with the Father He is the one true God.</i> He -himself has said: <i>"He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father."</i> John -14,9. <i>"I and My Father are one."</i> John 10,30 The Father is the -<i>almighty</i> God; likewise the Son, our Lord, is the <i>almighty</i> God. <i>"All -power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth."</i> Matt. 28,18. God the -Father is always with us wherever we are; likewise the Son, our Lord, is -with us always. <i>"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the -world."</i> Matt. 28,20. God the Father has created all things; likewise -the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. <i>"All things were made by Him; and -without Him was not anything made that was made."</i> John 1,3. He tells us -that we should <i>honor</i> Him as we honor the Father. <i>"All men should -honor the Son even as they honor the Father."</i> John 5,23. He tells us -that we should believe in Him as we believe in the Father. <i>"Ye believe -in God, believe also in Me."</i> John 14,1.</p> - -<p>4. Jesus Christ is true God from eternity. When our Lord was dwelling -here on earth among men, He <i>showed</i> that He was true God. His apostle -John tells us: <i>"We</i> [the apostles] <i>beheld His glory, the glory as of -the Only-begotten of the Father."</i> John 1,14. With His almighty word He -healed the sick, He made the blind to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to -hear, He brought the dead to life again: the daughter of Jairus, the son -of the widow in Nain, and Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. -Remember how the winds and the sea obeyed Him, how He stilled the storm -and walked on the sea as on dry land, how He changed water into wine.</p> - -<p>5. <i>Our Lord Jesus Christ is true God, the only-begotten Son of the -Father.</i> His disciples confessed it time and again. Simon Peter -confessed regarding the Lord: <i>"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the -living God."</i> Matt. 16,16. Thomas said to Him, <i>"My Lord and my God."</i> -John 20,28. And Jesus was well pleased with their confessions and -accepted them. <i>"This</i> [our dear Lord] <i>is the true God and eternal -life," is what John the Apostle tells of Him.</i> 1 John 5,20. And St. Paul -writes: <i>"Who</i> [Christ] <i>is over all, God blessed forever."</i> Rom. 9,5. -<i>From our Bible, from the Word of God,</i> we know it to be most certainly -true that our Lord is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity.</p> - -<p>6. Never forget that our dear Lord, together with the Father, is the one -true God. <i>Therefore I believe in Him and trust in Him with all my -heart.</i> In every need and trouble, in every danger, I lift up my hands -to my Lord and God and <i>pray</i> to Him. He will not forsake me, for He is -<i>"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday to-day and forever."</i> Heb. 13,8.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only Son of God the Father, His own -Son, begotten of the Father from eternity.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Our Lord Jesus Christ is true God, with God the Father the one true -God in whom we believe, and to whom we pray.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>This we know and believe because God Himself has revealed it to us -in His holy Word. Our confession is and always will be: "I believe in -Jesus Christ, His only Son." I believe that Jesus Christ is true God, -begotten of the Father from eternity.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>This is the true God and eternal life.</i> 1 John 5,20.</p> - -<p><i>Who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.</i> Rom. 9,5.</p> - -<p><i>Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.</i> John 20,28.</p> - -<p><i>For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting -life.</i> John 3,16.</p> - -<p><i>All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.</i> Matt. 28,18.</p> - -<p><i>Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.</i> Matt. 28,20.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord? 2. What two -things does our Catechism teach us about our Lord Jesus Christ? 3. Whose -only Son is Jesus Christ? 4. Who also are God's children? 5. Why is -Jesus called God's <i>only</i> Son? 6. Where in the Bible is Christ called -the only-begotten Son of God? John 3,16. 7. Christ is the own, the only- -begotten Son of God; what must He therefore be? 8. What is Christ -together with the Father? 9. Where does our Lord Himself say so? 10. -Where does our Lord say that He is almighty? 11. Where does He promise -that He will always be with us? 12. What great work of God the Father is -also done by the Son? 13. How should we honor the Son? 14. How did -Christ show, when He wae dwelling visibly on earth, that He is true God? -15. What did Peter confess of the Lord? 16. What did Thomas say to Him? -17. What does the Apostle John write about the Lord? 18. What does St. -Paul write? 19. How do we know that it is most certainly true that -Christ is true God? 20. What must our confession regarding Christ always -be?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 21.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>I Believe That My Lord Is True God And True Man.</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe 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.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>1. We confess that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, begotten of the -Father from eternity and therefore true God. We also confess <i>that He is -born of the Virgin Mary and therefore is a true man,</i> with a human soul -and a human body. Holy Scripture expressly calls our Lord a man. <i>"There -is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."</i> -1 Tim. 2,5. Our Lord is indeed true man. While He was visibly dwelling -here on earth, He lived as a man among men. He was born in Bethlehem as -a little child. In the house of His mother and His foster-father Joseph -He grew up like other children. He became hungry and thirsty, He ate and -drank, He grew tired and slept, and lastly, He died.</p> - -<p>2. Christ, our Lord, is <i>true</i> man, man in the true sense of the word. -He is our Brother. But there is <i>one great difference</i> between Him and -all other men. We confess in the Second Article that He was <i>conceived -by the Holy Ghost.</i> Though our Lord was born of a human mother, He did -not have a human father. He was conceived by the power of God the Holy -Ghost without sin. <i>"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee</i> [the Virgin -Mary], <i>and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore -also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son -of God."</i> Luke 1,35. Christ, our Lord, was born <i>holy, without sin,</i> and -during His life He never committed any sin, but always fulfilled the -will of God, His Father.</p> - -<p>3. Christ, our Lord, is true God and true man. There are not two -Christs, one who is God, and another who is man, but <i>only one Christ, -who is God and man at the same time, God and man in one person, the God- -man.</i> He is <i>Emmanuel,</i> that is, God with us, God in our flesh and -blood. Matt. 1,23. How this is possible we cannot understand, but we -firmly believe it because God Himself has revealed it to us in His Word. -The Son of God, the true God, became a true man, born of a woman. <i>"The -Word</i> [the Son of God] <i>was made flesh</i> [man], <i>and dwelt among us."</i> -John 1,14.</p> - -<p>4. The Son of God, the true God, became man, but more than that. <i>He -also humbled Himself.</i> He did not, as a rule, show forth His divine -glory nor use His divine powers, but was like any other man. He did not -come to us as a great prince, in kingly splendor, but though He is our -God and King, He came to us <i>as a low, poor man.</i> From Bible History you -know the life of the God-man, how He was <i>born</i> a little child in -Bethlehem, of the Virgin Mary, a lowly maid in Israel, though she came -from the royal house of the great King David. And after He was born, He -<i>suffered.</i> His whole life was a constant suffering. He was despised by -His people, persecuted by the priests and Pharisees. He was so poor that -He did not have where to lay His head. Remember how He suffered that -unspeakable agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and in the courts of His -enemies, where they passed that cruel sentence of death upon Him who had -never committed a sin. And <i>under Pontius Pilate,</i> the governor of -Judea, He was <i>crucified,</i> nailed to a cross. And on the cross He -<i>died,</i> died the death of a criminal. And after His death His friends -<i>buried</i> His body, just as they would have buried that of any other man. -Verily, the Son of God, our Lord, <i>deeply humbled Himself;</i> He humbled -Himself unto death, even the death of the cross.</p> - -<p>5. <i>Why did our Lord do all this?</i> Why did the Son of God become man? -Why did our Lord humble Himself so deeply? He did it for our sake, for -the sake of all men, for those who are His enemies. <i>He did it for me -that He might become my Lord and Savior.</i> Therefore our Lord was called -<i>Jesus.</i> This name means helper, savior. It was given to our Lord by the -will of God; for He had an angel tell Joseph: <i>"She</i> [the Virgin Mary] -<i>shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He -shall save His people from their sins."</i> Matt. 1,21. Jesus is our -Savior.—Our Lord is also called <i>Christ.</i> Christ means the <i>Messiah.</i> -Our Lord is the Messiah whom God had promised to His people in the Old -Testament. All the prophecies regarding the Messiah in the Old Testament -have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Lord.—Our Lord Jesus Christ -is the Savior, and He is our <i>only</i> Savior. <i>"Neither is there salvation -in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men -whereby we must be saved."</i> Acts 4,12.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Our Lord Jesus Christ is true God, born of the Father from eternity; -but He is also true man, born in time of the Virgin Mary. He is like -unto other men, except that He is holy and without sin.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Christ, our Lord, is true God and true man in one person—the God- -man. As such He is my Savior.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>The Son of God did not only become man, He also humbled Himself, -suffering and dying, dying on the cross.</i></p> - -<p>4. <i>Christ, our Lord, has done all this to be Jesus, the Savior of all -men, to be Christ, the promised Messiah. He has done all this for me -that He might become my Lord.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ -Jesus.</i> 1 Tim. 2,5.</p> - -<p><i>The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, -the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and -truth.</i> John 1,14.</p> - -<p><i>She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He -shall save His people from their sins.</i> Matt. 7,21.</p> - -<p><i>Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name -under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.</i> Acts 4,12.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What do we confess regarding our Lord? 2. What do we also confess? 3. -Recite the passage of Scripture where Christ is expressly called man. 4. -How did our Lord show in His life here on earth that He was truly a man? -5. By whom was Christ conceived? 6. How was He, therefore, when He was -born? 7. What, therefore, is the difference between Him and all other -men? 8. We confess that Christ is God and man, What do we mean by this? -9. What did the Son of God become? 10. How do we read John 1,14? 11. Our -Lord became true man; what did He also do? 12. What did He, as a rule, -not show and use while He was here on earth? 13. What kind of man did -our Lord become? 14. How was He born? 15. What was His whole life here -on earth? 16. How poor did He become? 17. How did He die? 18. Why did -Christ do all this? 19. For whose sake also did He humble Himself? 20. -Why is my Lord called Jesus? 21. Why is He called the Christ?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 22.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>My Lord Has Redeemed Me, A Lost And Condemned Creature.</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that Jesus Christ 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.</i></p> - -<p>1. We have learned that our Lord is true God and true man. We have heard -that the Son of God became man and humbled Himself even unto death for -our sake to become our Lord and Savior. Our Catechism furthermore tells -us <i>by what means Jesus Christ, true God and true man, became my Lord -and Savior.</i> That is the great work of our Lord: He came into this world -to save, to redeem us. His work is our <i>redemption.</i> Let us diligently -and prayerfully consider this great work of our Lord—our redemption.</p> - -<p>2. <i>Christ has redeemed me,</i> so I confess. We were in great need of such -a Lord and of the redemption which He was to bring. For without such a -Lord <i>we are lost and condemned creatures.</i> We are <i>lost</i> creatures. -What does this mean? Remember the beautiful story of the <i>Prodigal Son.</i> -The father in this story said of his son after his return that he had -been lost. Wilfully and sinfully the son had left his home and his -father and gone into a far country, where he spent all his goods with -riotous living. He was now far away from his father, separated from him -and his home. He was lost in that far-away country, where great misery -and distress soon overtook him. Without his father he would have -<i>perished</i> with hunger. Thus we are lost without Christ. We have sinned -against our heavenly Father, we have transgressed His commandments. By -committing sins we have left our Father and are separated from Him. We -are in a far-away country, in this sinful world, where misery and -distress surround us. We are without God and without hope in the world. -Without our Lord we must perish, suffer eternal death. <i>Without Christ -we are indeed lost.</i> Every one of us must confess: I am a lost creature. -<i>"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his -own way."</i> Is. 53,6.</p> - -<p>3. I confess also that I am a <i>condemned</i> creature. God, as you have -learned, is a righteous and jealous God. He <i>threatens to punish</i> all -that transgress His commandments. When Adam and Eye transgressed God's -command, the threatened punishment came over them. <i>"In the day that -thou eatest thereof,"</i> God had told Adam, <i>"thou shalt surely die."</i> -Gen. 2,17. <i>Death</i> is the punishment of all sinners, not only death here -on earth, but <i>eternal death,</i> that is, <i>eternal damnation.</i> That is the -sentence which God passed upon all that have sinned, that they should be -separated from Him in eternity, from Him in whom alone we find life and -true happiness.—It was the <i>devil</i> that tempted Adam and Eve to sin. -They heard and obeyed his voice instead of the voice of their Father. He -became their Lord and master. <i>"He that committeth sin is of the -devil."</i> 1 John 3,8. Because we have sinned, we are under the power of -the devil, we belong to his kingdom. Without Christ we are all lost and -condemned creatures, that is, <i>we are separated from God, our Father; we -are under God's judgment of damnation; we are under the powers of sin, -death, and the devil. They are our masters. "We were by nature the -children of wrath."</i> Eph. 2,3.</p> - -<p>4. I am a lost and condemned creature; I am in the power of sin, death, -and the devil. <i>Who can help me in this misery and redeem and save me?</i> -Surely not I myself. How could I deliver myself from these mighty -enemies? I have nothing with which I might atone for my sins or remove -God's wrath and curse. Neither can any other man help me, powerful and -wise though he may be. <i>All</i> men are lost and condemned creatures, just -as helpless as I am. <i>There is only One who is able to help and redeem -us, Jesus Christ, our Lord.</i> He is the <i>God-man.</i> He could conquer these -fearful enemies, sin, death, and the devil. He is the <i>almighty God.</i> He -alone among men is without sin, and therefore not in the power of the -devil. He can redeem me, <i>and He has redeemed me.</i> In order to redeem -the world, the Son of God became man, humbled Himself, and suffered and -died. Thankfully I confess <i>that Christ has redeemed me, that He is my -Lord.</i></p> - -<p>5. I confess that Christ, my Lord, has redeemed me. But not only me did -He redeem, but <i>all men,</i> from Adam up to the last man that will be born -before the Day of Judgment. God loved the <i>world,</i> all <i>mankind,</i> and He -so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son to redeem and save -the world. All men are lost and condemned creatures, all are under God's -wrath and in the power of sin, and our Savior Himself said: <i>"The Son of -Man is come to save that which was lost."</i> Matt. 18,11. John the Baptist -pointed to Him and said: <i>"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the -sin of the world."</i> John 1,29. <i>"He is the propitiation for our sins, -and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."</i> -1 John 2,2. Christ, my Lord, has redeemed all mankind, and therefore I -know that it is most certainly true: <i>He has redeemed also me.</i></p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Without Christ, my Lord, I am a lost and condemned creature. I am -without God and hope in this world, separated from God and under the -sentence of damnation.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>By nature I am in the power of sin, death, and the devil. I belong -to Satan's kingdom. Sin, death, and the devil were my masters.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>In this dreadful distress no man was able to help me. Only Christ -could redeem me, for He is the God-man; and He has redeemed me and all -the world.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>He that committeth sin is of the devil.</i> 1 John 3,8.</p> - -<p><i>The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.</i> Matt. 18,11.</p> - -<p><i>Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.</i> John -1,29.</p> - -<p><i>He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also -for the sins of the whole world.</i> 1 John 2,2.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What do we call the great work which Christ has done for us and all -men? 2. What do I confess in the Second Article concerning myself? 3. -From which parable of our Lord do we learn what it means to be lost? 4. -Why was the Prodigal Son called lost? 5. How did he become separated -from his father? 6. What happened to him in that far-away country? 7. -How did we become separated from our heavenly Father? 8. What always -separates us from God? 9. What do we furthermore confess concerning -ourselves? 10. Why are we condemned creatures? 11. What does God -threaten to those who transgress His commandments? 12. In what does the -punishment of sin consist? 13. What death is meant? 14. Who tempted Adam -and Eve to sin? 15. Of whom is he who commits sin? 16. Under whose power -are we because we have sinned? 17. Who alone is able to help us in our -misery? 18. Why can Jesus Christ surely help and save us? 19. Whom did -Christ redeem? 20. How can you prove from Scripture that Christ has -redeemed all men?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 23.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>Christ, My Lord, Has Redeemed Me With His Holy, Precious Blood.</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that Jesus Christ 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.</i></p> - -<p>1. Christ has redeemed and <i>purchased us,</i> that is, He bought us. Our -Lord had to pay a price, a very high price for our redemption. He has -purchased or bought me not with <i>gold</i> or <i>silver. "Ye know that ye were -not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold."</i> 1 Pet 1,18. -Gold and silver are, indeed, highly prized among men. Much can be -accomplished, much can be bought with gold and silver for the support of -our life and for our comfort here in this world. But all the gold and -silver, all the treasures in the world, cannot buy our redemption. Gold -and silver cannot redeem one lost and condemned sinner from sin, death, -and the powers of the devil, from hell and damnation. A much higher -price was necessary. Our Lord has paid this price.</p> - -<p>2. Christ redeemed and purchased us with His <i>blood.</i> He shed His blood -for us. He gave His <i>life</i> for our redemption. Consider the great love of -our Lord. He gave His life not for His friends, but for us, who were His -enemies. We call this blood a <i>holy</i> blood. <i>It is the blood of a holy -man.</i> Our Savior was born without sin, and He never committed a sin in -His life. We have been redeemed, not with gold or silver, <i>"but with the -precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without -spot."</i> 1 Pet. 1,19. We call the blood of Christ a <i>precious</i> blood. -This blood is the most precious thing in heaven and earth. It is the -<i>blood of the Son of God,</i> shed for our sins. <i>"The blood of Jesus -Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin."</i> 1 John 1,7.</p> - -<p>3. Christ purchased us with His blood <i>and with His suffering and -death.</i> Suffering and dying our Lord shed His blood for us. We say it -was an <i>innocent</i> suffering and death, because He did not deserve this. -He was without sin, He never did any wrong. He did not suffer and die -because of any guilt of His own. He suffered and died <i>on account of my -guilt and the guilt of the whole world.</i> During His whole sinless life -He fulfilled God's commandments. <i>We</i> ought to have kept the -commandments, but we could not do it because we were born in sins. -Christ, our Lord, has fulfilled the Law of God <i>for us, in our stead.</i> -He came into this world and was made under the Law that He might redeem -us, who were under the Law. <i>We</i> had transgressed the commandments, -therefore the wrath of God was upon us, and we deserved His punishment. -<i>We</i> ought to have suffered death, eternal death. <i>Christ</i> was -<i>innocent,</i> without sin, and still He suffered death on the cross. <i>He -did all this for us, in our stead. "Surely He hath borne our griefs and -carried our sorrows.... He was wounded for our transgressions, He was -bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, -and with His stripes we are healed."</i> Is. 53,4.5.—It was a high price -that Jesus paid for our salvation. He gave Himself for us. How thankful -we ought to be to our dear Savior, who lived and died for us that we may -be saved! How thankful we ought to be to our heavenly Father, who <i>"so -loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever -believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"!</i> John -3,16.</p> - -<p>4. Christ paid a high price for me. He gave Himself a ransom for my -salvation. But before His death on the cross my Savior cried out: <i>"It -is finished."</i> His great work is finished indeed. My Lord <i>has</i> -purchased and redeemed me and all mankind. Because Christ shed His -precious blood, and suffered and died for us in our stead, we are -redeemed and free from <i>our sins.</i> By leading a sinless life Christ has -fulfilled all commandments of God for us; <i>in Him we have fulfilled -them.</i> We are free from the curse of the Law. <i>"Christ hath redeemed us -from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us."</i> Gal. 3,13. All -the punishments for our sins were suffered by Christ. <i>In Him God has -punished us,</i> and therefore we no longer need to suffer punishment for -our sins.—We have been redeemed from <i>all</i> sins. There is not a -single sin, either great or small, from which Christ, our Lord, has not -redeemed us. <i>He has earned forgiveness of all sins for us.</i></p> - -<p>5. The penalty of sin is <i>death,</i> eternal death and damnation. Christ, -our Lord, has taken away our sins, He has earned forgiveness for us; -therefore <i>we have been redeemed from death.</i> He has suffered death for -us and therefore we are free from death. Eternal death has no power over -us; for <i>"Christ hath abolished death, and hath brought life and -immortality to light."</i> 2 Tim. 1,10. We no longer need to fear death. In -death our Lord gives us everlasting life.</p> - -<p>6. Since Christ has suffered and died for us, <i>we have also been -redeemed from the power of the devil.</i> Through sin the devil has power -over us. Our sins are forgiven; by His death the Lord <i>destroyed the -works of the devil.</i> Satan has lost his power over me. He cannot force -me to sin nor keep me in his kingdom. <i>"Through death He destroyed him -that had the power of death, that is, the devil."</i> Heb. 2,14. We thank -the Lord for having redeemed us from all sin, from death, and from the -power of the devil.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>I have been bought with a price. My Lord has purchased me, not with -treasures of this world, but with His own precious blood, with His -innocent suffering and death.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>In my stead Christ fulfilled all the commandments of God. In my -stead He suffered and died for my sins. With His stripes I am healed.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Now I am redeemed and free from all sins, from death, and from the -power of the devil. In Christ I have forgiveness of all my sins.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Ye know that ye ware not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver -and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without -blemish and without spot.</i> 1 Pet. 1,18.19.</p> - -<p><i>The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sins.</i> 1 John -1,7.</p> - -<p><i>Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.... He was -wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the -chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are -healed.</i> Is. 53,4.5.</p> - -<p><i>Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse -for us.</i> Gal. 3,13.</p> - -<p><i>Christ hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to -light.</i> 2 Tim. 1,10.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What does it mean when we say that the Lord purchased us? 2. Wherein -did the price which He paid for us not consist? 3. With what did our -Lord redeem us? 4. Why do we call His blood a holy blood? 5. Why do we -call it a precious blood? 6. What do we read 1 John 1,7? 7. Why do we -call the suffering and death of our Lord an innocent suffering and -death? 8. Why did our Lord not deserve suffering and death? 9. For whom -did He suffer and die? 10. What did Christ during His whole life fulfil? -11. For whom did He do this? 12. What did we deserve for our sins? 13. -Who suffered the punishment we had deserved in our stead? 14. What does -the prophet say Is. 53,4.5? 15. What do we know regarding this great -work of our Lord? 16. From what have we been redeemed? 17. What did -Christ earn for us with regard to our sins? 18. From what have we also -been redeemed? 19. What need we no longer fear? 20. In what respect are -we redeemed also from the power of the devil?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 24.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>My Lord Has Won Me That I May Be His Own.</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord, who has won me, that I may be -His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting -righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.</i></p> - -<p>1. Christ, my Lord, has redeemed and purchased me, and we add: <i>He has -won me.</i> He has won me after a hard fight with sin, death, and the -devil. In the first prophecy of the promised Messiah, God said to the -serpent, to Satan: <i>"I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and -between thy seed and her Seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt -bruise His heel."</i> Gen. 3,15. This prophecy has been fulfilled in the -coming of Christ, our Lord. He is the <i>Seed of the woman.</i> The serpent, -Satan, indeed, bruised His heel. Christ had to suffer and die for us. -But through His death on the cross our Lord has gained the victory He -has bruised the serpent's head and destroyed his works. He has delivered -us out of the hand of our enemies. Sin, death, and the devil no longer -have any power over us. Christ has won us for Himself. <i>He has become my -Lord. I now am His own,</i> I belong to Him, to Him alone, who has bought -me and won me. <i>Christ has won me in order that He may be my Lord and I -His own.</i></p> - -<p>2. Christ, my Lord, has won me that I may <i>live in His kingdom.</i> Without -Christ we are all in Satan's kingdom, living under him. He is our evil -master, who rules over us But Christ has delivered us out of the hand of -our enemies that we should live in His kingdom.—<i>Our Lord has a -kingdom here on earth.</i> For the purpose of founding this His kingdom, He -came into the world and humbled Himself, and suffered and died for us. -Our Lord, truly, is a King. He Himself told us so. When Pontius Pilate -asked Him, <i>"Art Thou a king, then?"</i> He answered: <i>"Thou sayest that I -am a King."</i> To His kingdom all those belong who believe and trust in -Him and accept Him as their Lord and King. For this purpose my Lord -redeemed and won me, that I, too, may belong to His kingdom and live -under Him.</p> - -<p>3. The kingdom of our Lord and King is a <i>most glorious kingdom.</i> The -Lord Himself reigns and rules in His kingdom with His grace and love. In -His kingdom we live <i>under Him.</i> He rules and governs my whole life. -Under His rule and care I shall not want. I live under Him, under His -protection. He protects me from the temptations of sin, the godless -world, and the devil. My Lord and King is always with me. Under His care -and protection I am <i>safe;</i> for my King is <i>the almighty God, whom -nothing can withstand.</i> All power is given unto Him in heaven and in -earth. Matt. 28,18. <i>This kingdom of our Lord we call the Kingdom of -Grace;</i> for with grace and love our King governs all who accept Him -as their Lord and King.</p> - -<p>4. For this purpose Christ has redeemed and won me, that I may be His -own and live under Him in His kingdom and <i>serve Him,</i> who has become my -Lord. Before Christ became our Lord, we had other masters. We served our -enemies, sin and the devil. We could not but serve them, and we served -them willingly, even joyfully. How miserable to be a servant of Satan -and sin, to do their will, to obey them! <i>The wages of sin is death,</i> -eternal, death and damnation. Our Lord has delivered us from sin and -Satan, He has won us as His own. <i>"That we, delivered out of the hand of -our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness -before Him, all the days of our life."</i> Luke 1, 74.75. We live in the -kingdom of our Lord under His care; we need not fear our enemies if we -do not serve them. We serve Him who has delivered us. In His kingdom our -Lord gives us strength to serve Him by living according to His -commandments, by doing His good and gracious will. To serve this Lord is -a <i>noble</i> service. Can there be a nobler service than to serve God, the -highest Lord, to serve the highest King, who has bought and won us out -of the hands of our enemies, of sin and Satan? <i>Gladly</i> and <i>joyfully</i> -will we serve Him, our Savior and our Lord.</p> - -<p>5. We serve our Lord <i>in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and -blessedness.</i> The kingdom of our Lord is, indeed, a glorious kingdom. In -His kingdom we serve Him in <i>righteousness.</i> We are not righteous in -ourselves, but our Lord has gained a perfect righteousness for us. He -has fulfilled the Law in our stead. Clothed in Christ's blood and -righteousness, we serve our Lord, and therefore our poor service is -<i>well-pleasing</i> to God.—We serve our Lord in <i>innocence.</i> We are free -from the guilt of our sins. Sad to say, we daily sin in the service of -our Lord, we deserve nothing but punishment; but <i>God forgives us our -sins</i> daily and richly for Christ's sake, and so we are <i>innocent</i> in -His sight. In holiness and righteousness we will serve Him all the days -of our life.—We serve Him in <i>blessedness.</i> It is blessedness to -serve this our Lord. He blesses His servants with all His rich gifts. He -blesses them here on earth and leads them to eternal blessedness in -heaven. It is <i>everlasting</i> righteousness and innocence and blessedness -that our Lord gives us. He leads His servants to <i>His kingdom in -heaven.</i> Here in this world His kingdom is a <i>Kingdom of Grace;</i> in -heaven it is the <i>Kingdom of Glory. "The Lord shall deliver me from -every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom; to whom -be glory forever and ever! Amen."</i> 2 Tim. 4,18.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Through His sufferings and death, Christ has become my Lord, and -therefore I am His own. I am living in His kingdom, under Him, my King, -being delivered from the hands of all my enemies. He cares for me and -protects me.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>In His kingdom I am serving my King in everlasting righteousness, -innocence, and blessedness, which He bestows on me. For my Lord's sake -God forgives me all my sins and accepts my poor sinful service.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Our Lord's kingdom is a twofold kingdom, the Kingdom of Grace here -on earth, in which our King reigns with His grace, with forgiveness of -sins, and the Kingdom of Glory in heaven, in which we shall reign with -our King, freed from all evil, in His glory forever and ever.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and -her Seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise His heel.</i> Gen. -3,15.</p> - -<p><i>Pilate, therefore, said unto Him, Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered, -Thou sayest, I am a King.</i> John 18,37.</p> - -<p><i>That we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve -Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days -of our life.</i> Luke 1,74.75.</p> - -<p><i>The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me -unto His heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen.</i> -2 Tim. 4,18.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. From whom has our Lord won me? 2. To whom do I now belong? 3. Recite -the first prophecy of the promised Messiah. 4. Who has no power over me -since Christ has won me? 5. In whose kingdom may I live? 6. What does it -mean to live under Him? 7. What will our Lord do as our King? 8. Why are -we safe under His rule and protection? 9. How do we call His kingdom -here on earth? 10. Because Christ is our Lord, what should we therefore -do? 11. Whom must we serve when we are not in our Lord's service? 12. -Why is this service a miserable service? 13. Why can we now serve our -Lord? 14. Why is His service a glorious service? 15. who has given us -the righteousness in which we serve our Lord? 16. Why are we innocent -before God? 17. Why is it blessedness to serve the Lord? 18. How do we -call His kingdom in heaven?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 25.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>Review Lesson.</p> - -<p>(1) 1. In whom does every Christian believe according to the Second -Article? 2. What do we mean when we say: I believe in Jesus Christ, my -Lord? 3. What two things does our Catechism teach us about our Lord -Jesus Christ? 4. What do we confess in the Second Article concerning the -<i>person</i> of our Lord? 5. Prove from Scripture that Christ is God's only -Son, the only-begotten Son of the Father. 6. If Christ is God's only- -begotten Son of the Father, He must be true God with the Father. How can -you prove this from Holy Writ? 7. How did the apostles confess Jesus -Christ as their God? 8. What do we confess about our Lord in the -beginning of the explanation of the Second Article? 9. Together with -whom is Christ true God? 10. In what respect is there no difference -between Jesus and His Father? Christ is coequal with the Father. He has -the same divine majesty, glory and honor.</p> - -<p>(2) We confess that Jesus Christ is God's only Son and therefore, -together with the Father, true God from eternity. 1. What do we -furthermore confess concerning our Lord? 2. How can you prove that -Christ is true man? 3. Christ is indeed true man, born of the Virgin -Mary. But there is one great difference between Him and all other men. -Which is it? 4. Why was Christ conceived and born without sin? 5. Christ -is true God and true man; there are, however, not two Christs, one true -God and the other true man; there is but one Christ. What is He? 6. The -Son of God became true man, but He did more. What kind of a man did He -become? 7. How does the Second Article describe the lowly life of our -Savior here on earth? 8. Why did Christ humble Himself so deeply? 9. -What does the name Jesus mean? 10. Why is He called Savior? 11. Why was -Jesus called the Christ?</p> - -<p>(3) We learn from our Catechism not only who Jesus, our Lord, is, but -also what He has done for us to become our Lord. 1. What does our -Catechism say concerning the work of our Lord? 2. Christ has redeemed -me; how do we therefore call His work? 3. Why was it necessary that I -should be redeemed? We are by nature lost and condemned creatures. 4. -From which parable of the Lord can you learn what it means to be lost? -5. Why are we also condemned creatures? 6. Who had pronounced judgment -upon us because of our sins? 7. What was this punishment? 8. We were -under the power of sin, death, and the devil. Who alone could help us in -this distress? 9. We confess that Christ redeemed me, a lost and -condemned sinner; but I am not the only one whom He has redeemed. Whom -did He also redeem? 10. Prove from Scripture that our Lord redeemed all -men. 11. What conclusion may and should I draw from this truth?</p> - -<p>(4) Our Catechism says that our Lord has redeemed and <i>purchased</i> us. 1. -What is the meaning of the Word purchase? 2. Christ has bought us with a -price. What is the price our Lord paid for our redemption? 3. Why could -we not be bought with gold or silver? 4. We have been purchased with His -blood. How did Christ purchase us with His blood? 5. It is, indeed, a -high price which our Lord paid for us. Why do we call His blood a holy -blood? 6. Why is it called a precious blood? 7. What does Christs blood -do for us regarding our sins? 8. Christ has purchased us with His -suffering. Why do we call His suffering an innocent suffering? 9. In -whose stead did Christ suffer all the punishment of sin? 10. What is the -punishment of sin?—11. Christ has purchased us with His holy blood -and His innocent suffering. From whom did He purchase us? Christ -redeemed us from the power of sin, and death, and the devil. 12. How did -Christ redeem us from all sins? 18. What did He fulfil in our stead? 14. -Why are we also free from death? 15. Being free from sin we are also -free from the power of the devil. Why are we free from his power?</p> - -<p>(5) Christ, our Lord, has redeemed and purchased us. He has also <i>won</i> -us. He has won us after a severe fight with sin, death, and the devil. -1. Which is the first prophecy of this conflict between our Savior and -the devil? 2. Christ gained the victory in this conflict. He won us. To -whom do we now belong? 3. We are Christ's own; we live in His kingdom. -To whose kingdom do we belong without Christ? 4. Christ has won me from -the power and the kingdom of the devil; Christ now is my King. Who -belongs to His kingdom? 5. What do we call His kingdom here on earth? -6. Why do we call it the Kingdom of Grace? 7. In His kingdom we live -under Him. What does this mean? 8. Not only do we live under our King, -under His care and protection, we also serve Him. How do we serve Him? -9. Out of whose hand has our Lord delivered us? 10. How do we serve -our Lord? 11. Without Christ we had to serve sin and the devil. Why is -this service such a degrading service? 12. Why should we gladly and -willingly serve our Lord in His kingdom? 13. We serve our Lord in -righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Which righteousness is here -meant? 14. In what respect are we innocent in the eyes of God? 15. Why -does His service bestow blessedness upon us? 16. To what kingdom does -our gracious Lord lead us after this life? 17. Why is this kingdom -called the Kingdom of Glory?</p> - -<p>Let us give thanks to our dear Savior, who has become our Lord, that we -may be His own and in His kingdom live under Him and serve Him in -everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Amen.</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 26.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>How Our Lord As Victor Descended Into Hell And Rose Again From The Dead.</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.... He descended into -hell; the third day He rose again from the dead.</i></p> - -<p>1. We believe and confess in the Second Article of our faith that Jesus -Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, became also true -man, born of the Virgin Mary, that He suffered, was crucified, died on -the cross, and was buried. All this our Lord has done to redeem us lost -and condemned creatures from all our sins, from death, and from the -power of the devil, that He may be our Lord, that we may be His own and -live under Him in His glorious kingdom and serve Him in everlasting -righteousness and blessedness. Our Lord died and was buried for our -sakes to redeem us. Is, then, our Lord still in death and in the grave? -Do we believe in a dead savior? Do we serve a dead and helpless king? -Thank God, we do not! <i>We know from Holy Writ that our Lord came to life -again, that our living Lord descended into hell and on the third day -after His death rose again from the grave.</i></p> - -<p>2. We confess in the Second Article: <i>"He,"</i> our Lord Jesus Christ, -<i>"descended into hell."</i> When our Lord descended into hell, He was no -longer dead. It is true, when they took Him from the cross and buried -Him, He was really dead. Nobody, indeed, had taken His life from Him, He -had laid it down of Himself, of His own free will, laid it down for us -that we might not suffer eternal death; <i>but in His grave Christ, the -Son of God, took His life back again. "Christ was put to death in the -flesh, but quickened</i> [came to life again] <i>by the Spirit."</i> 1 Pet. -3,18. As our living Lord He went down into hell, into the place whither -the evil spirits, the devils and condemned men, have been banished. -Christ did not enter the gates of hell <i>in order to be punished there -for His sins;</i> for our Savior was without sin and blemish. He did not -descend into hell <i>to suffer the penalty for our sins;</i> this He had -already done on the cross. He descended into hell <i>to show that He had -won the victory over the devil and all his hosts.</i> "He made a show of -them openly, triumphing over them." Col. 2,15. As the triumphant Victor -over all His enemies Christ entered hell, the abode of Satan. Now we are -certain that the old Evil Foe cannot keep us in his power, that <i>we are -free from hell and damnation.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>On the third day our Lord rose again from the dead.</i> You have often -heard the Easter-Gospel, the joyful tidings of Christ's glorious -resurrection: Our Lord is not dead, but He lives. When, very early in -the morning, the women came to the grave to anoint the body of their -Master, they did not find Him, the grave was empty, and an angel of God -brought them the message: <i>"Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is -not here, but is risen."</i> Luke 24,5.6. After His resurrection our Lord -showed Himself to His disciples as their living Savior. They saw Him, -they spoke to Him, and ate with Him. <i>The Lord convinced them that He -was risen.</i> They are the witnesses of His resurrection. Even the -<i>soldiers</i> whom the enemies had placed around the grave as a watch, lest -His disciples might come by night and steal the body, could not deny -that the grave was empty, that the Lord had risen. Matt. 28,4.11-15. <i>We -are sure that Christ, our Lord, is not dead, but lives; for God Himself -tells us in His Word that Christ was raised up from the dead by the -glory of the Father.</i> Rom. 6,4. Joyously we confess: <i>"I know that my -Redeemer liveth."</i> Job 19,25.</p> - -<p>4. Christ is risen. He came forth from His sepulcher with <i>the same -body</i> that was laid in the grave. <i>The tomb was empty.</i> The disciples -knew Him when He showed Himself. They saw the print of the nails in His -hands and His feet and the wound in His side. He let them touch His -body in order to convince them that He was not a spirit. Luke 24,39.40. -But after His resurrection His body was <i>glorified;</i> it was free from -all human weakness and sufferings, free from death.</p> - -<p>5. <i>The resurrection of our Savior is full of comfort and consolation -for us. "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your -sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If -in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most -miserable."</i> 1 Cor. 15,17-19. This would be our sad lot if Christ were -not risen. All our faith and hope in Him would be in vain. But He <i>is</i> -risen, and now we know <i>that He is the true Son of God.</i> We know that -Christ <i>has gained the victory over all our enemies,</i> sin, death, and -the devil, who could not keep Him in their power. We know that Christ -<i>has paid the penalty for our sins,</i> that our sins are forgiven. We know -that we have a <i>living</i> Savior, <i>who is with us alway,</i> to govern and -protect us in His kingdom. We know that we shall not perish when we die, -that our risen Lord will not leave us in the grave, but will <i>raise us -again unto eternal life. "Because I live, ye shall live also."</i> John -14,19. Our Lord is risen, and so we put our trust in Him both in life -and death. "Jesus, my Redeemer, lives! I, too, unto life must waken -Endless joy my Savior gives; Shall my courage then be shaken? Shall I -fear, or could the Head Rise and leave His members dead?"</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Christ descended into hell to show Himself as Victor over our -enemies, over the devil and all his hosts.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Christ is risen. We know that our Redeemer lives. We have a living -Savior, our sins are forgiven. Our King lives forever; under Him we live -in everlasting righteousness and innocence.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Christ is risen; He has conquered death. Though we must die, He will -recall us from our graves and raise us to eternal life and everlasting -blessedness.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>I know that my Redeemer liveth.</i> Job 19,25.</p> - -<p><i>If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins. -Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.</i> 1 Cor. -15,17.18.</p> - -<p><i>Because I live, ye shall live also.</i> John 14,19.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Where did Christ go after He had come to life again in the grave? 2. -Why did Christ not descend into hell? 3. What was His purpose in -descending into the abode of Satan? 4. When did our Lord rise from the -dead? 5. What message did the angel bring to the women at the grave? 6. -Who are the witnesses of His resurrection? 7. How did our risen Lord -convince His apostles that He was alive again? 8. Who even could not -deny His resurrection? 9. What makes us perfectly certain that Christ -is risen and lives forever and ever? 10. How was Christ's body after His -resurrection? 11. What does that mean, Christ's body was glorified? 12. -What do we know regarding our sins since Christ is risen? 13. What -consolation does His resurrection give us for our Christian life? 14. -What consolation does it give us in the hour of death?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 27.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>The Triumphant Ascension Of Our Lord.</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.... He ascended into -heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>Even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.</i></p> - -<p>1. After His resurrection our Lord <i>remained here on earth for forty -days.</i> During these days He repeatedly appeared to His disciples; He -showed Himself alive to them by many proofs. He convinced them that He -was not dead, but lived. He spoke to them about the kingdom of God, -<i>His</i> kingdom. He finally gave them His great command or commission, to -go out into all the world and preach the Gospel of their living Savior -to all men. Acts 1,3.</p> - -<p>2. On the <i>fortieth day</i> when the apostles were assembled in Jerusalem, -the Lord appeared to them again. He told them: <i>"Behold, I send the -promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem -until ye be endued with power from on high."</i> Luke 24,49. He commanded -His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the gift of -the Holy Ghost, that in His power they might be His witnesses unto the -uttermost parts of the earth. Then our Lord led them out to <i>Mount -Olivet,</i> as far as to <i>Bethany.</i> And there He lifted up His hands and -blessed them. <i>While He blessed them, He was parted from His beloved -apostles and carried up into heaven.</i> While the disciples looked on -He was taken up higher and higher, until a cloud received Him out of -their sight. Luke 24,50.51; Acts 1,8.9. In this manner our Lord was -received up to His heavenly glory <i>Visibly,</i> before the eyes of His -disciples, He ascended on high and entered into the glory of His Father.</p> - -<p>3. Christ ascended into heaven, <i>and He did so for our sake.</i> He -ascended up on high as <i>the triumphant Victor</i> over all His and our -enemies. His entrance into heaven assures us <i>that He has opened heaven -again for us through His sufferings and death.</i> Before His death He gave -His apostles the promise: <i>"In My Father's house are many mansions. I go -to prepare a place for you."</i> John 14,2. This promise He has fulfilled. -He went up to heaven to prepare a place in His Father's house for all -who believe in Him, their Savior.—Our Lord ascended into heaven, <i>and -where He is, there shall we, His friends and disciples also be.</i> He will -not leave us behind in this world. As truly as Christ went up to heaven, -we, His own, will follow Him to His and our Father's house. <i>"Where I -am, there shall also My servant be."</i> John 12,26. Our Lord prayed for us -before His death upon the cross: <i>"Father, I will that they also whom -Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory, -which Thou hast given Me."</i> John 17,24. "Mighty Lord, in Thine ascension -we by faith behold our own."—Remember: <i>Our Treasure, our Lord and -Savior, is in heaven, and where our Treasure is, our hearts and hopes -should also be.</i></p> - -<p>4. <i>"He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God,"</i> -thus we read Mark 16,19. We, therefore, confess that our ascended Lord -now <i>"sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty."</i> What does -this mean? It does not mean that in heaven, at the right hand of God the -Father, there is a special throne, prepared for our Lord, the God-man -Jesus Christ, upon which He is now seated in divine glory, adored and -praised by all the heavenly hosts, and that, because He is sitting on -that throne, He is <i>far away from us, His own.</i> It means—and so our -Catechism explains it—that our dear Lord, after being raised from -the dead, <i>"lives and reigns to all eternity."</i> It means that Christ, -though He was dead, lives and is alive forevermore, that our living Lord -is with us and reigns over us as our gracious King to all eternity. He -is, and will be, according to His almighty power, our King forever and -ever.</p> - -<p>5. Christ, indeed, ascended into heaven. He now is in heaven, in the -glory of His Father; <i>but He is not far away from us. He is with us.</i> We -cannot see Him, as His apostles saw Him, but He is with us <i>invisibly in -His Word, His Gospel.</i> When we read or hear His Gospel or think about -it, our Savior is always at our side. He Himself has promised us: <i>"I -will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you."</i> John 14,18.— -<i>Our Lord lives and reigns to all eternity,</i> that is, He rules and -governs us, His own, His disciples. He leads and protects us against all -our enemies. Out of His almighty hand no enemy can pluck us. Our mighty -Lord on God's throne is our Good Shepherd, who leads us in the paths of -righteousness for His name's sake. Ps. 23.—Christ's resurrection, His -ascension, and His sitting at the right hand of God assure us of the -fact that He is indeed our Lord, and will be our Lord and King to -eternity; and in His kingdom we shall live and Him we shall serve in -everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Christ, our Savior, ascended into heaven as the triumphant Victor -over all His and our enemies. He entered into heaven, into the glory of -His Father, there to prepare a place for us.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>His ascension assures us that the gates of heaven are open to all -who believe in Him, that we shall be where He is to see His glory.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Our Lord sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, that is, -He, the God-man, lives to eternity, lives, and is with us in His Word, -and reigns over His own with His almighty power forever and ever.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>In My Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for -you.</i> John 14,2.</p> - -<p><i>I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there -ye may be also.</i> John 14,3.</p> - -<p><i>Where I am, there shall also My servant be.</i> John 12,26.</p> - -<p><i>I will not leave You comfortless; I will come to you.</i> John 14,18.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. How long did our Lord remain on earth after His resurrection? 2. What -did He do during these forty days? 3. Where were His disciples assembled -on the fortieth day? 4. What promise did the Lord give them? 5. Why were -they to be endued with the power of the Holy Ghost? 6. Where did Christ -lead the apostles? 7. In what manner was the Lord taken up into heaven? -8. Who were the witnesses of His ascension? 9. What has Christ prepared -for us in His Father's house? 10. What does our Savior say John 12,26? -11. Since our Lord is in heaven, who also shall be there? 12. What does -the sitting of Christ at the right hand of the Father not mean? 13. With -what words does our Catechism explain it? 14. How is our Lord with us -after His ascension? 15. What does it mean that our Lord reigns over us? -16. Of what does His resurrection, His ascension, and His sitting at the -right hand of God make us certain?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 28.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>Christ Will Come To Judge The World</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who sitteth at the -right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to -judge the quick and the dead.</i></p> - -<p>1. When our Lord ascended into heaven and His disciples were looking -after Him as He was taken up before their eyes, higher and higher, two -men stood by them in white apparel, two angels, who said: <i>"This same -Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like -manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."</i> Acts 1,11. We confess -therefore that our Lord <i>will come again,</i> that He will come again in -like manner as His apostles saw Him taken up into heaven. He will come -<i>visibly.</i> All men on earth will see our Lord coming in a cloud with -power and great glory. Luke 21,27. He will not come again in deep -humility and poverty, as He came when He was born in Bethlehem, but -with great power and glory. <i>"The Son of Man shall come in the glory of -His Father with His angels."</i> Matt. 16,27. All men will see Him as the -almighty King surrounded by His heavenly hosts. Every one will then have -to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and every one will have to bow to -Him. <i>Our Lord will come again visibly and in great glory.</i></p> - -<p>2. When the Lord comes in His glory, the heavens shall pass away with a -great noise, and the earth and all the works therein shall be burned up. -2 Pet. 3,10. <i>The Last Day, the end of this world, will then have come.</i> -On this Last Day our Lord will come to <i>"judge the quick and the dead."</i> -Christ has been ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. Acts -10,42. He will judge the <i>quick,</i> that is, those who are still living -when He comes. He will judge the dead. On that day all the dead will -rise again and will be brought before the Lord to be judged by Him.</p> - -<p>3. Christ Himself has given us a beautiful description of His Judgment. -(Read the whole passage, Matt. 25,31-46.) He tells us: <i>"When the Son of -Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then -shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, and before Him shall be -gathered all nations."</i> Matt. 25,31.32. Christ is the Judge of all -nations, of all men. <i>"We must all appear before the judgment-seat of -Christ, that every one may receive the things done in His body, -according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."</i> 2 Cor. -5,10. No one, be He ever so mighty, rich, or learned, can escape His -Judgment.</p> - -<p>4. How will Christ judge? He says: <i>"And He shall separate them one from -another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And He shall -set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left."</i> Matt. -25,32.33. The <i>sheep are those who truly believe in Christ, their -Savior,</i> and in Him have forgiveness of their sins. <i>The goats are those -who in this life rejected Christ and His grace.</i> To His sheep He will -say: <i>"Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for -you from the foundation of the world."</i> V. 34. On the goats He will -pronounce this judgment: <i>"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting -fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."</i> V. 41. And then the Lord -will prove to all men that His judgment is a righteous one by the good -works of the believers and the evil deeds of His enemies.—This -judgment is final and will never be altered. His enemies <i>"shall go away -into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal."</i> -Matt. 25,46.</p> - -<p>5. <i>When will this great Day of Judgment, the day of our Lord, come?</i> -This we do not know. Our Lord says: <i>"Of that day and that hour knoweth -no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the -Father."</i> Mark 13,32. We should not try to find out the exact day of the -coming of our Lord. But God has in His Word revealed two important -things about this day. He tells us that His day will come <i>suddenly, -when nobody expects it. "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the -night."</i> 2 Pet. 3,10. <i>"Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor -the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh."</i> Matt. 25,13.—We also know -that this day will come <i>soon. "The end of all things is at hand."</i> -1 Pet. 4,7. We may and should expect the Lord <i>daily</i> and be prepared to -receive Him. There are many signs which announce the coming of Christ. -Matt. 24,14-31; Luke 21,25-36.</p> - -<p>6. <i>"This is most certainly true."</i> With these words we conclude also -our Second Article. From God's Word we know that all we have learned in -the Second Article is most certainly true. Therefore we believe and -confess it.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>On the Last Day our Lord will come again visibly and in great glory -to judge the quick and the dead, all men. You, too, must appear before -the judgment-seat of Christ.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>On this day He will cast away the wicked and unbelievers into -everlasting punishment. The righteous He will receive into His -everlasting kingdom. Believe in Christ, and you will be saved.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>We know neither day nor hour of His coming, but we know that His day -will come unexpectedly and soon. Watch always and be prepared to receive -your Lord.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>He is ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.</i> Acts 10,42.</p> - -<p><i>The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.</i> 2 Pet. 3,10.</p> - -<p><i>The end of all things is at hand.</i> 1 Pet. 4,7.</p> - -<p><i>We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one -may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, -whether it be good or bad.</i> 2 Cor. 5,10.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. How did the apostles learn of the coming of their Lord at His -ascension? 2. How will the Lord come again, according to the words of -the angels? 3. Who will see our Lord in His second coming? 4. What is -the difference between His first and His second coming? 5. On what day -will the Lord come again? 6. What is the purpose of His coming? 7. Who -are the quick? 8. How can the Lord judge the dead? 9. Whom, therefore, -will Christ judge? 10. How will Christ judge? 11. Who are His sheep? 12. -Who are the goats? 13. What will Christ say to His sheep on that day? -14. What judgment will He pronounce on His enemies? 15. When will the -last day, the Day of Judgment, come? 16. What has God revealed to us -concerning this day? 17. When, therefore, should we expect our Lord and -prepare for His coming?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 29.<br/> - -The Second Article.</strong></p> - -<p>REVIEW LESSON.</p> - -<p>1. We confess in the Second Article that Christ, the God-man, is our -Lord. In order to become our Lord, He had to redeem and purchase us from -the cruel masters to whom we belonged, from all our sins, from death, -and from the power of the devil. To purchase us He had to pay a price, -a very high price—His holy, precious blood, His life. To purchase us -He of His own free will gave up His life; He died on the cross. Christ -was dead and buried. Do we now believe in a dead and buried Lord and -Savior? What happened after His death, when He was still in His grave? -Where did He go after having been quickened by the Spirit? What was His -purpose in entering the habitation of Satan and his evil spirits? Christ -showed Himself to be the Victor over Satan and hell. For whose benefit -did He win this victory? From whose power are we free?</p> - -<p>2. What happened on the third day after the death of our Lord? Christ -rose from the dead. What does that mean? Christ came forth from His -sepulcher. Who brought this glad message to the women? How did the Lord -convince His disciples that He was living? Even who could not deny His -resurrection? What makes us sure that Christ rose from the dead? What do -we therefore gladly confess? (Job 19,25.)—With what body did Christ -come forth from His grave? How can we prove that it was the same body -that was laid in the grave? But how was Christ's body after His -resurrection? His body, indeed, was glorified. What does this mean?— -The resurrection of our Lord is of great importance for us. It is full -of comfort and consolation. If Christ would still be dead and lying in -the grave, how could He be our Savior and King, and how would it be -possible for Him to help us? Our faith in Him would be vain; indeed, we -would be of all men most miserable. What does the Apostle Paul say about -this? (1 Cor. 15,17-19.) But Christ is risen indeed. What great comfort -for us! Whom has He conquered? Who alone is able to conquer this -powerful enemy? What, therefore, must our Lord be? Christ rose after He -had given His life a ransom for our sins. What, therefore, does the -resurrection of our Lord prove concerning our sins? Christ is risen and -lives forever. What comfort does this give us for our whole life? What -comfort does it give us in the hour of death?</p> - -<p>3. How long did our Lord remain with His disciples after His -resurrection? Why did He repeatedly show Himself to them? What happened -on the fortieth day? Where did His ascension take place? What promise -did the Lord give His apostles just before His ascension? Why were they -to be endued with the power of the Holy Ghost? In what manner did the -ascension of our Lord take place?—Christ ascended into heaven as the -triumphant Victor over all His enemies. His enemies are our enemies. -What does His ascension prove concerning our enemies? For whose sake, -therefore, did Christ ascend into heaven?—Christ ascended into -heaven. Heaven is His Father's house. Why did our Lord go to His -Father's house for us? He has prepared a place for us in heaven. He has -opened the gates of heaven for us. What does our Lord say John 12,26? -Where will our Savior lead us, His disciples, too? Christ, our Treasure, -is in heaven; what, therefore, shall be there also?</p> - -<p>4. Christ ascended into heaven, and He now sits at the right hand of God -in the glory of His Father. How does our Catechism explain this? Though -Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, He is always with us, His -disciples. In what manner is He with us? What must we use, read, hear, -and think about in order that our Lord may be with us? What promise did -He give us, John 14,18? The Lord sitting at the right hand of God reigns -over us; what does this mean? Of what does Christ's resurrection, -ascension, and the sitting at the right hand of God make us certain?</p> - -<p>5. When our Lord ascended into heaven, two angels stood by the -disciples. They told them that Christ would come again in like manner as -they had seen Him taken up into His glory. What do we learn from these -words about the coming of our Lord? Who will see Him when He returns? -What is the difference between the first and the second coming of -Christ? Our Lord will come again with power and glory. What will all men -have to confess on that day, even His enemies? Who will escort the Lord -when He returns in His glory?—What is the purpose of His coming? Whom -will the Lord judge? What judgment will He pronounce on His sheep? How -do we become His sheep? Who, therefore, will stand before the Son of Man -on Judgment Day? What terrible sentence will His enemies hear? Our Lord -tells us that after the Judgment His enemies will go away into -everlasting punishment, but His sheep into everlasting life. How, -therefore, is this Judgment?—Who alone knows the day and hour of the -second coming of Christ? What should we therefore never try to do? What, -however, does Scripture tell us concerning the Last Day? When, -therefore, should we expect His coming and prepare for it? What does our -Lord Himself say to us, Matt. 25,13? Believe in Jesus Christ, and you -will be saved.</p> - -<p>And we believe in Jesus Christ,<br/> -Son of God and Mary's Son,<br/> -Who from heaven above came down<br/> -And leads us to heaven's throne;<br/> -By whose blood and death are we<br/> -Rescued from all misery.</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 30.<br/> - -The Third Article: Of Sanctification.</strong></p> - -<p>The Holy Ghost. The Triune God.</p> - -<p>Which is the beginning of the Third Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in the Holy Ghost.</i></p> - -<p>1. According to the Second Article we believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, -that is, we do not only know that it is true what God's Word says about -Christ and His work for us, but <i>we put all our confidence, all our -trust, in Him as our Savior</i> who has redeemed us. That is the true, -saving faith. This saving faith is not our own work. <i>It is the work of -God the Holy Ghost.</i> Without Him and the work which He performs in us no -man would come to Jesus and believe in Him. The Holy Ghost alone can and -does bring to Christ those that believe in Him. About the Holy Ghost and -the work which He performs in us we learn in the <i>Third Article of our -Christian Creed.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>"I believe in the Holy Ghost,"</i> these are the first words of the -Third Article. We <i>believe</i> in the Holy Ghost, thus we confess. To -believe in some one means, as we have learned, <i>to put one's whole -confidence and trust in him.</i> Now, God tells us in the First Commandment -that we should fear and love Him above all things <i>and trust in Him -alone. In God only</i> we should believe. And therefore we believe in the -Holy Ghost, because He is the true God. <i>In saying that we believe in -the Holy Ghost, we confess that He is the one true God, that He is our -God, God as truly as the Father and Jesus Christ, His only Son, our -Lord.</i> The apostle says: <i>"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, -and that the Spirit of God, dwelleth in you?"</i> 1 Cor. 3,16. Because the -Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, dwells in us, we are <i>God's</i> temple. The -Holy Ghost therefore is the true God.—Remember what you learned in -the history of creation. There we read: <i>"And the Spirit of God moved -upon the face of the waters."</i> Gen. 1,2. The work of creation is -ascribed to the Spirit of God, to the Holy Ghost. Creation is the work -of God. <i>Therefore the Holy Ghost must be God.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>We believe in the Father, and we believe in Jesus Christ, God's only -Son, and we believe in the Holy Ghost.</i> There are <i>three distinct -persons</i> in whom we believe. There are three persons whom we confess to -be our God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. And -we confess this according to Scripture. Christ, our Lord, commands us to -baptize in the name of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. -Matt. 28,19. Let me remind you of the <i>baptism of our Lord.</i> There the -three divine Persons revealed themselves. <i>God the Son,</i> our Lord Jesus -Christ, stood in the river Jordan, being baptized by John. <i>God the -Father</i> revealed Himself in a voice from heaven, saying: <i>"This is My -beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."</i> And the heavens opened, and -the <i>Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost,</i> like a dove, descended upon our -Lord. <i>There are three distinct divine Persons in God, the Father, the -Son, and the Holy Ghost.</i></p> - -<p>4. We confess that the Father is God, and the Son is God, and the Holy -Ghost is God. <i>There are not three gods, however, but only one God. -"Hear, O Israel: the Lord, our God, is one Lord."</i> Deut. 6,4. The one -and only true God has revealed Himself in three distinct divine Persons. -<i>Our God, the one true God, besides whom there is no other God in heaven -and earth, is God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Ghost, -three divine Persons, but one God.</i> Because God has revealed Himself in -three divine Persons, we say: <i>God is the Triune God, the Holy -Trinity.</i>—How it is possible that there are three distinct divine -Persons, but only one God, we do not <i>understand;</i> but in accordance -with the Word of God we <i>believe</i> in the Triune God, in God the Father, -Son, and Holy Ghost, who has created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us, -or makes us holy. In Him we believe, Him we praise and adore as our God.</p> - -<p>5. The Holy Ghost is the true God, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. -The Third Person is called the Holy Ghost because <i>He Himself is -perfectly holy,</i> even as the Father and the Son. He is without sin. -<i>"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His -glory."</i> Is. 6,3. Three times God is called holy, because there are -three divine Persons in God.—But the Holy Ghost is called holy also -<i>because He makes us sinners holy.</i> That is His work, making us holy, -who by nature are unholy and sinful. He makes us holy by bringing us to -Christ, our Savior, by kindling faith in Him in our hearts. This work of -the Holy Ghost we call <i>sanctification.</i></p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>The Holy Ghost is true God together with the Father and the Son. -Therefore we confess that we believe in Him.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. -According to Scripture we confess three distinct divine Persons in God.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>There are not three gods, however, but only one true and eternal -God, who has revealed Himself in three Persons.</i></p> - -<p>4. <i>The one true God, our God, is the Triune God, the Holy Trinity, God -the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God -dwelleth in you?</i> 1 Cor. 3,16.</p> - -<p><i>Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of -the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.</i> Matt. 28,19.</p> - -<p><i>Hear, O Israel: the Lord, our God, is one Lord.</i> Deut. 6,4.</p> - -<p><i>Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His -glory.</i> Is. 6,3.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Of whom does the Third Article treat? 2. In whom do we believe? 3. -What does it mean to believe in some one? 4. In whom alone should we -believe? 5. What do we therefore confess when we say that we believe in -the Holy Ghost? 6. How do we prove from 1 Cor. 3,16 that the Holy Ghost -is true God? 7. What divine work is ascribed in Scripture to the Holy -Ghost? 8. What, therefore, must the Holy Ghost be? 9. How many divine -persons do we confess in the Three Articles of our Christian Faith? 10. -How are they called? 11. In whose name are we baptized? 12. How did the -three divine persons reveal themselves at the baptism of our Lord? 13. -How many gods are there? 14. In how many persons did the one true God -reveal Himself? 15. Who, therefore, is the one true God? 16. How do we -call God because He has revealed Himself in three distinct persons? 17. -Which person of the Holy Trinity is the Holy Ghost? 18. Why is He called -holy? 19. What is His work? 20. By what other name is this work of the -Holy Spirit known?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 31.<br/> - -The Third Article.</strong></p> - -<p>Without The Holy Ghost I Cannot Believe In Jesus Or Come To Him.</p> - -<p>Which is the Third Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in the Holy Ghost.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus -Christ, my Lord, or come to Him.</i></p> - -<p>1. We confess that we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in -Jesus Christ or come to Him. Whoever would be saved must believe in -Jesus Christ and so come to Him <i>"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and -thou shalt be saved."</i> Acts 16,31. Christ, our Lord, it is true, has -done everything that was necessary for our salvation. He redeemed us, He -paid the penalty for all our sins, by His sufferings and death He gained -for us the grace of God and the forgiveness of sins. He has done -everything that we might be His own and live under Him as our Lord. All -things are made ready for our salvation.</p> - -<p>2. <i>The only thing that we need do now is to come to Christ and accept -from Him all He has gained for us.</i> Take an example. You are in great -want and distress. A rich and charitably inclined man offers you a sum -of money sufficient to help you out of your trouble. The money is yours, -for the rich man has given it to you. If you take it, your want will be -at an end. But suppose you do not take it. Perhaps you do not believe -that the rich man really means what he says, or you do not want to -accept it from him, or, if you have taken it, you are not making use of -it. The help has then been offered to you in vain. Your sad condition -remains as it was. So it is with what Christ, our Savior, has merited -for us. He has gained full salvation for us, and He offers it to us in -His Word. If we do not accept it, His work is in vain as far as we are -concerned; we remain in our sins.</p> - -<p>3. How do we accept what Christ has gained for us? <i>By believing in Him -as our Savior.</i> He believes in Christ who from his whole heart -confesses: I know from the Word of God that Christ is <i>my</i> Lord, that He -has redeemed me from all <i>my</i> sins, from death, and from the power of -the devil. I know from the Word of God that <i>I</i> am Christ's own, His -child, that He is really <i>my</i> Lord. For His sake all <i>my</i> sins are -forgiven. Through His suffering and death <i>I</i> am free from death and -damnation and have everlasting life. <i>What Christ has done He has done -for me, a lost and condemned sinner.</i> In Him is my only hope. By faith -we come to Christ. Faith is, as it were, the <i>hand</i> with which we take -everything that Christ has gained for us.</p> - -<p>4. Believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved, that is the only way -to heaven and everlasting life. But we confess that <i>we cannot by our -own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, or come to Him.</i> Alas! -also this is most certainly true. We are lost and condemned sinners. The -Scriptures tell us that all men are by nature <i>blind</i> in these things. -We do not understand the glorious message that in Christ alone is our -salvation. We always try to save ourselves by our good works. If we are -told about this salvation, we think it <i>foolishness.</i> "The natural man -receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness -unto Him." 1 Cor. 2,14.—We have not the <i>strength</i> to come to Jesus, -our Savior. We are <i>dead</i> in the sight of God. <i>"Ye were dead in -trespasses and sins."</i> Eph. 2,1. A dead person cannot do anything to -bring himself to life again. Lazarus could not raise himself from the -grave. So we cannot do anything to raise ourselves from our death in -sins. <i>"No man can say that Jesus is the Lord</i> [that is, believe in Him] -<i>but by the Holy Ghost."</i> 1 Cor. 12,3. And even if we could, we would -not come to Jesus and believe in Him. We are by nature God's enemies. We -do not want to be saved by Him. We cannot by our own reason or strength -believe in Jesus Christ, or come to Him. <i>As far as we are concerned, we -are lost.</i></p> - -<p>5. But God has had pity on us. He sent His Holy Ghost. The <i>Holy Ghost</i> -does what we cannot do. He brings us to Christ, He works in us true -faith. True faith is God's work in us, the work of the Holy Ghost, <i>His -work alone.</i> Not our works, but His <i>grace alone</i> moves Him to do this -work. <i>"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, -it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast."</i> -Eph. 2,8.9.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Christ has done everything for my salvation. All now depends upon my -coming to Jesus, my Lord and Savior.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>I come to Jesus by believing in Him. True faith in Christ is not my -own work. I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe -in Jesus Christ, or come to Him.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Saving faith in Christ is the work of the Holy Ghost alone. Not my -works or my merits, but only His grace has moved Him to bring me to -Christ and save me.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they -are foolishness unto Him.</i> 1 Cor. 2,14.</p> - -<p><i>Ye were dead in trespasses and sins.</i> Eph. 2,1.</p> - -<p><i>No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.</i> 1 Cor. -12,3.</p> - -<p><i>By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is -the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.</i></p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What has Christ done for our salvation? 2. In what manner did He gain -for us the grace of God, forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting? 3. -What is now the one thing necessary for our salvation? 4. What happens -if we do not accept all that Christ offers us for our salvation? 5. How -do we come to Christ and accept in true faith what He has gained for us? -6. What does it mean to believe in Christ? 7. In what respect may we -compare our faith with a hand? 8. Which is the only way to heaven? 9. -What do we confess in the Third Article about our coming to Christ and -believing in Him? 10. Why are we not able to come to Christ by our own -reason? 11. How do we always try to save ourselves? 12. Why do we not -have strength to come to Jesus and believe in Him? 13. What does the -apostle say 1 Cor. 12,3? 14. Who alone can bring us to Christ and work -faith in us? 15. What moves the Holy Ghost to perform this work in us?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 32.<br/> - -The Third Article.</strong></p> - -<p>The Holy Ghost Has Called Me.</p> - -<p>Which is the Third Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in the Holy Ghost.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>1. We cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, our -Lord, or come to Him. The Holy Ghost alone is able to bring us to -Christ, our Savior. How does He bring us to Christ? We confess as -children of God that <i>the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel.</i> By -calling me through the Gospel, the Holy Ghost has brought me to Jesus -Christ, my Lord and Savior. Let us see what this means.</p> - -<p>2. Our Lord, in a parable, once spoke of a certain rich man who made a -great supper for his guests. And he sent out his servants at supper-time -to say to those who were bidden: <i>"Come, for all things are now ready."</i> -Luke 14,16.17. The meal was prepared, and the rich man invited his -guests to come and partake of it. At dinner-time, when your mother has -prepared dinner for the family, she calls to you, "Dinner is ready. Now -come and eat! It is prepared for you too." In a similar manner the <i>Holy -Ghost calls us and invites us to come to Christ and accept His -salvation.</i> Christ, our Savior, has prepared all things; He has prepared -forgiveness of all our sins, life, and salvation. All things necessary -for our salvation are ready in Christ. All is finished. And now the Holy -Ghost brings us these glad tidings: All things are now ready, all things -needed for your salvation. Come, whosoever you are, come to your Savior! -Come and take and enjoy what He in His great love has prepared for you. -<i>We come to Jesus only by faith.</i> The Holy Ghost calls us and invites -us, Come, <i>believe</i> in your Savior, and You will be saved.</p> - -<p>3. You do not see the Holy Ghost when He calls you. <i>The Holy Ghost -calls you by the Gospel.</i> The Gospel, as you have learned (Lesson 14), -<i>is the glad tidings of the grace of God for all men,</i> the tidings of -what Christ has done for us to save us. As the rich man in the parable, -so the Holy Ghost sends His <i>servants.</i> These servants are all those who -tell you the Gospel of Christ, your minister, your teacher, your -parents, etc. When you hear the Gospel or read it, the Holy Ghost comes -to you and calls you. In the Gospel He says to you: All things have been -prepared by Christ; they are ready for you, for your salvation. In -Christ you have forgiveness of your sins and salvation. <i>Come now, you -lost and condemned sinner, and take what your Lord freely offers you. -Believe in Christ, and you will be saved.</i> That is the call of the Holy -Ghost by the Gospel. <i>"He called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of -the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."</i> 2 Thess. 2,14.</p> - -<p>4. When your mother calls you to dinner, you must come by your own will -and strength, and you have the strength to do so. We sinners have -neither the will nor the strength to come to Jesus. The Holy Ghost knows -that we cannot by our own strength come to our Savior. <i>By calling us He -gives us the strength to hear and to follow His call.</i> By His call He -brings us to Christ and works in us faith in our Lord, so that we -willingly come to Him. The call of the Holy Ghost is God's call, full of -power. This work of the Holy Ghost we also call <i>conversion.</i> The Holy -Ghost alone converts us, that is, He turns us from our sins to Christ. -"Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned; for Thou art the Lord, my God." -Jer. 31,18.</p> - -<p>5. Remember that the Holy Ghost brings you to Christ <i>by the Gospel.</i> -Only through the Gospel does He work in the hearts of men. The Gospel is -the means by which we obtain the grace of God and salvation. <i>If we do -not read or hear the Word of God, the Gospel, the Holy Ghost cannot -perform His work in us.</i> Therefore you should <i>diligently</i> read and hear -the Word of God, the Gospel. <i>"It is the power of God unto salvation to -every one that believeth."</i> Rom. 1,16.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Christ has prepared your whole salvation. All is ready, ready for -you. The Holy Ghost calls and invites you to come and partake freely of -what Jesus has gained for you.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>By His call the Holy Ghost gives you strength to follow His call, to -come to your Lord. He Himself works by His call in your heart the true -faith in your Savior and so brings you to Christ. This work of the Holy -Ghost is also called conversion. Conversion is the work of the Holy -Ghost alone. Our salvation is a free gift of God.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>The Holy Ghost calls us by the Gospel of Christ. Diligently read and -hear God's saving Word.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Come, for all things are now ready.</i> Luke 14,17.</p> - -<p><i>Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned; for Thou art the Lord, my God.</i> -Jer. 31,18.</p> - -<p><i>By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is -the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.</i> Eph. 2,8.9.</p> - -<p><i>I am not ashame of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God -unto salvation to every one that believeth.</i> Rom. 1,16.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What do we confess in the Third Article concerning ourselves? 2. -Whose work is it that we come to Christ? 3. Who has prepared all things -necessary for our salvation? 4. Who calls us to come and partake of all -that Christ has gained? 5. What do we mean when we say that the Holy -Ghost calls us? 6. By what means does the Holy Ghost call us to Jesus? -7. What is the Gospel? 8. Who are the servants the Holy Ghost sends to -us with the Gospel message? 9. What the Holy Ghost do when you hear or -read the Gospel? 10. What are we not able to do of ourselves when the -Holy Ghost calls us? 11. What does the Holy Ghost give us when He calls -us? 12. What does He work in us by His call? 13. What other name have we -for this work of the Holy Ghost? 14. Whose work alone is our conversion? -15. To whom does the Holy Ghost tun us when He converts us? 16. The Holy -Ghost converts us by the Gospel; what should we therefore diligently do?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 33.<br/> - -The Third Article.</strong></p> - -<p>The Holy Ghost Has Enlightened, Sanctified, And Kept Me In The True -Faith.</p> - -<p>Which is the Third Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in the Holy Ghost.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened -me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.</i></p> - -<p>1. The Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, and in doing so <i>He has -also enlightened me with His gifts.</i> By calling me, He has kindled true -faith in Christ in me, so that I know Christ and acknowledge Him to be -my Savior, I believe and trust, rejoice and find comfort in Him alone -for life and death. These are gifts of the Holy Ghost with which He -enlightens every child of God: <i>true knowledge of Christ as his -Redeemer, true faith in Him, peace with God, his Father, joy and comfort -in all distress.</i> What wonderful gifts! How rich does the Holy Ghost -make a child of God! <i>Do not forget to thank Him daily for the precious -gifts He bestows upon you.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>"The Holy Ghost has sanctified me,"</i> that is, <i>He has made me holy, -and He does this every day, more and more.</i> He sanctifies me <i>"in the -true faith."</i> By His call the Holy Ghost has called forth in us true -faith in our Lord. Through faith you have forgiveness of sins and are a -child of God, with whom God, for Christ's sake, is well pleased. <i>But it -is God's will that His children lead a holy life,</i> flee and shun all -sin, and live according to His commandments. <i>"This is the will of God, -even your sanctification."</i> 1 Thess. 4,3. Of ourselves we cannot do -this, but the Holy Ghost comes to our aid. <i>He sanctifies us, He makes -us holy.</i> Through faith He comes into our heart and dwells in us. <i>"Know -ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God -dwelleth in you?"</i> 1 Cor. 3,16. And the Holy Ghost <i>works</i> in us, the -children of God. In His strength we begin <i>to hate the sins</i> that we -formerly loved, and to flee them. In His strength we begin <i>to fear and -love God above all things, and to trust in Him.</i> We no longer serve the -devil and our sins, but begin to serve our Lord who has redeemed us, and -our Father in heaven.</p> - -<p>3. True, we are not <i>perfectly holy,</i> nor do we become so as long as we -live here on earth. True children of God also must confess <i>that they -daily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment.</i> But they are -heartily sorry for this. They daily ask God's forgiveness for Christ's -sake. And the Holy Ghost <i>daily</i> gives them <i>new strength and power</i> to -fight and struggle against all temptations of the devil and the world -and their own evil lusts. He daily gives them new strength to walk in -godliness, to love God and their neighbor. Let us abide in Him, and we -shall more and more overcome the devil, the world, and our sins, become -more and more holy as our Lord and God is holy. <i>"He that abideth in Me -and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can -do nothing."</i> John 15,5.</p> - -<p>4. <i>"The Holy Ghost has kept me in the true faith,"</i> so a child of God -confesses. The Holy Ghost has already called and enlightened us and -begun to sanctify us <i>in Holy Baptism.</i> There already He has brought us -to Christ and has bestowed His precious gifts upon us. And to-day we -still have the true faith; we believe in our Savior, and in Him we are -children of God. <i>That is not our own merit, it is the work of the Holy -Ghost in us.</i> He has worked in us by the Gospel, through our parents, -through the Christian school and the church, and by the Gospel. He has -kept us in the true faith. <i>"Ye are kept by the power of God through -faith unto salvation."</i> 1 Pet. 1,5.—And He has promised in His Word -<i>that He will keep us in this faith until our end. "He which hath begun -a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."</i> -Phil. 1,6.</p> - -<p>5. This is the work of the Holy Ghost in all true believers, and <i>He is -willing to perform this work in every one who hears the Gospel.</i> God -earnestly desires to save all men. <i>"God will have all men to be saved -and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."</i> 1 Tim. 2,4. Christ died -for all men; He redeemed all lost and condemned sinners. The Gospel is a -power of God unto salvation to all who read and hear it.—<i>And yet not -all men are saved; most men are lost.</i> What is the cause of this? They -are lost <i>by their own fault.</i> Most men will not be saved. They -obstinately resist the Holy Ghost and the saving Gospel, and so they do -not come to Christ, but are condemned. <i>"O Israel, thou hast destroyed -thyself, but in Me is thine help."</i> Hos. 13,9.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>The Holy Ghost has enlightened me and bestowed on me His precious -gifts, the right knowledge of Christ, true faith in Him.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>He sanctifies me and makes me holy. He daily gives me strength to -struggle against Satan, world, and sin, to overcome them and to lead a -godly life, to love God and my neighbor.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>He has, by the Gospel, kept me in the true faith until this day, and -He has promised me that He will do so until the end.</i></p> - -<p>4. <i>This work the Holy Ghost desires to perform in all that hear the -Gospel. Whosoever is lost is lost by his own fault.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>This is the will of God, even your sanctification.</i> 1 Thess. 4,3.</p> - -<p><i>Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.</i> 1 Pet. -1,5.</p> - -<p><i>He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of -Jesus Christ.</i> Phil. 1,6.</p> - -<p><i>God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the -truth.</i> 1 Tim. 2,4.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Which is the second work of the Holy Ghost mentioned in our -Catechism? 2. With what does the Holy Ghost enlighten us? 3. What are -His gifts? 4. What has the Holy Ghost by His call kindled in us? 5. -Whose children are we through faith? 6. What is God's will regarding His -children? (1 Cor. 3,16.) 7. What does the word "sanctify" mean? 8. Who -performs this work in us? 9. What do we, by the grace of the Holy Ghost, -begin to hate? 10. Whom do we begin to love? 11. What must even true -believers confess? 12. What do we therefore daily ask of God? 13. And -what does the Holy Ghost daily grant us? 14. Which is the last work -which the Holy Ghost performs in us? 15. Since when has He kept us in -the true faith? 16. How long has He promised to keep us in the faith? -17. In whom will the Holy Ghost perform this work He has begun in us? -18. What is the gracious will of God toward all men? 19. What is the -reason that not all men are saved? 20. Whose fault is it that they are -lost? 21. By whose work alone are we saved?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 34.<br/> - -The Third Article.</strong></p> - -<p>REVIEW LESSON.</p> - -<p>1. In the Third Article of our Creed we learn about the Holy Ghost, -about His person and His work. We confess that we believe in the Holy -Ghost. In whom alone should we believe? What do we therefore confess of -the Holy Ghost when we say that we believe in Him? How can we prove -from Holy Scripture that the Holy Ghost is true God? 1 Cor. 3,16. Which -divine work is ascribed to the Holy Ghost?</p> - -<p>2. In whom do we believe according to the First Article? In whom -according to the Second Article? And in whom according to the Third -Article? In how many Persons of the Godhead do we believe, according to -our Creed? There are three distinct Persons in whom we believe. We -believe in them; what, therefore, are they? All these three persons are -the true God. In whose name have we been baptized? On what occasion did -these three divine Persons reveal themselves to us? How did they reveal -themselves at the baptism of Christ? The Father is God, the Son is God, -and tho Holy Ghost is God; how many Gods are there? In how many Persons -did the one true God reveal Himself? Who, therefore, is the one true -God? What do we call God because He is one and has revealed Himself in -three Persons?—Why is the third Person of God called the Holy Ghost? -The Holy Ghost makes us holy; what do we call this work of the Holy -Spirit?</p> - -<p>3. What has Christ done for our salvation? What has He gained for us in -order to save us? What is now the one thing necessary for our salvation? -What becomes of us if we do not come to Jesus and accept what He has -merited for us? How do we come to Jesus and accept all that He offers -us?—Believe in Jesus Christ, your Savior; that is the only way to -heaven. But what must we confess concerning our believing and coming to -Christ? Why can we not by our own reason and strength believe in Christ -or come to Him? What do we read Eph. 2,1? Wo are dead in trespasses and -sins. A dead person cannot do anything to raise himself from death to a -new life. As far as we are concerned, we are lost and condemned -creatures. Who took pity on us? Whom did God send to raise us from the -death of our sins? To whom does the Holy Ghost bring us? Do we and can -we help Him to perform this work in us? Whose work alone is it? By what -is the Holy Ghost moved to bring us to Christ, our Lord, and thus to -save us?</p> - -<p>4. The Holy Ghost alone can bring us to Christ. Our Catechism tells us -how the Spirit of God performs this work in us. What do we confess in -the Third Article about this work of the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost has -called me. In which parable does Christ Himself explain what this -means? As this rich man had prepared a supper for His guests, so Christ -has prepared, as it were, a supper for us, for all men. What is this -supper which Christ has prepared for all men? In what manner did He -prepare everything for our salvation? Who now calls us to the salvation -Christ has prepared? What does the Holy Ghost say to us in this call? We -come to our Lord and to the meal He has prepared for us by believing in -Him. The Holy Ghost calls and invites us to believe in Jesus Christ, our -Lord, and be saved.—By what means does the Holy Ghost call and invite -us to Christ, to faith in Him? Who, generally, are the servants He sends -out to call us to Christ by the Gospel? But who is it that really calls -us when we hear the Gospel?—The Holy Ghost calls us by the Gospel. He -says to us, Come to your Lord and be saved. What are we not able to do -by our own strength when the Holy Ghost calls us? What does the Holy -Ghost give us in calling us? What does He call forth in us by His call? -What do we call this work of the Spirit? Who alone performs conversion -in us? The Holy Ghost brings us to Christ, or converts us, only through -the Gospel. When can the Holy Ghost not perform this work in us? What -should we therefore diligently do?</p> - -<p>5. What is the second work of the Holy Ghost? With what does the Holy -Ghost enlighten us? What are His gifts?—The Holy Ghost sanctifies me; -what does that mean? The Holy Ghost sanctifies us in the true faith. -Whose children are we through faith? What is God's will toward His -children? 1 Thess. 4,3. Who performs this work in us? The Holy Ghost -dwells in our heart, and renews and sanctifies it. What do we hate now -by the power He has granted us? Whom do we begin to love?—Our -sanctification in this life is never perfect. What must also the -children of God confess? What do they therefore ask of their Lord every -day? But what does the Holy Ghost daily give them? Against whom do the -children of God daily struggle and fight? In whose strength do they more -and more overcome the devil, the world, and their own sins?—Which is -the last work performed in us by the Holy Ghost? Since when has the Holy -Ghost kept us in the true faith? How long has He promised to keep us -with Christ?—In whom is the Holy Ghost willing to perform His work to -the end in order to save them? What is God's gracious will towards all -men? What additional proof can you give for the fact that God desires -all men to be saved? How is it that not all men are saved? Whose fault -is it that those are lost who are condemned? By whose grace and work -alone are we saved?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 35.<br/> - -The Third Article.</strong></p> - -<p>The Holy Christian Church.</p> - -<p>Which is the Third Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian Church, the communion -of saints.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>I believe that ... the Holy Ghost has called me, ... even as He calls, -gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth -and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.</i></p> - -<p>1. God the Holy Ghost has called me to Christ, sanctified me, and kept -me in the true faith. The Holy Ghost, however, has performed this work -of His grace <i>not only on me.</i> Besides me He has called, and still -calls, many poor lost sinners to Christ, enlightens them with His -precious gifts, with faith in their Savior. All these the Holy Ghost -also <i>"gathers,"</i> as our Catechism states. The Holy Ghost does not -suffer those who have been converted by the Gospel to <i>be separate,</i> but -adds them to His disciples, as on that first Pentecost all those were -added to the congregation of the disciples who had been converted by -Peter's sermon. Acts 2,41. All true believers are Christ's own; through -faith in Him they are closely united as brethren and sisters in the one -Lord. <i>All true believers, taken together are the holy Christian Church -on earth, which the Holy Ghost sanctifies and keeps in the one true -faith.</i></p> - -<p>2. The Third Article calls the Christian Church <i>the communion of -saints.</i> It is a communion, a congregation, of <i>saints,</i> that is, of -<i>holy people.</i> They are not holy in themselves, but the Holy Ghost has -sanctified them, or made them holy, through faith in Christ. In Christ -they have <i>forgiveness of all their sins</i> and are holy in the eyes of -God. <i>Only true believers in Christ therefore belong to the Christian -Church; only they, but all of them.</i> Instead of the communion of saints -we might also say <i>the communion of true believers.</i>—The Church is -the communion of saints. All believers in Christ are a <i>communion,</i> a -<i>congregation;</i> they form, as it were, one <i>body.</i> They do not all live -together at one place, in one city, or in the same country,—we find -them scattered over all the earth,—but they are <i>closely bound -together by one and the same faith in Christ.</i> They belong to one -family, of which Christ is the Head and Master, and all are members. -<i>The Church is the communion of saints; for believers only, but all -believers, are members of it.</i></p> - -<p>3. We <i>believe</i> that the holy Christian Church is here on earth, but we -do not <i>see</i> it; it is invisible. Only true believers belong to the -Church, and no man can look into another's heart and see his <i>faith.</i> -Only One really knows who the members of the Church are. <i>"The Lord -knoweth them that are His."</i> 2 Tim. 2,19. We cannot see the Church, but -<i>we believe that it is here on earth;</i> for holy Scripture assures us -that the Holy Ghost by the Gospel at all times calls men to Christ and -keeps them in the true faith to the end of the world. Our Lord says: -<i>"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the -gates of hell shall not prevail against it."</i> Matt. 16,18.—The Church -is <i>holy</i> because all its members are <i>holy by faith in Christ</i> and in -the strength of the Holy Ghost <i>lead a godly life</i> and serve their Lord -in His kingdom in righteousness.—It is called the <i>Christian</i> Church -because it is built on <i>Christ. "Other foundation can no man lay than -that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."</i> 1 Cor. 3,11. And He is not only -its Foundation, but also <i>the Head and King of the Church.</i></p> - -<p>4. We do not see the Church, <i>but we know where it is, where we can find -it.</i> The Holy Ghost calls and keeps the Church only <i>by the Gospel.</i> God -has promised us that, where His Gospel is preached, it shall not remain -<i>without fruit;</i> some of those who hear it will come to Christ and -believe in Him. <i>Wherever the Word of God is preached, and only where it -is in use, the holy Christian Church is to be found.</i></p> - -<p>5. Scripture also speaks of a <i>visible</i> Church, of visible congregations -of Christians. A visible Church is the number of all those who call -themselves Christians, who <i>profess their faith in Christ and are -gathered about God's Word.</i> In these visible congregations there are not -only true believers, but also <i>hypocrites,</i> who indeed confess the -Christian faith, but do not believe in their Savior. Among the visible -churches there are <i>many false churches and one true visible Church.</i> -The true visible Church teaches and confesses the Word of God <i>in all -its purity, without false doctrines. This true visible Church is the -Evangelical Lutheran Church.</i> To this Church we ought to belong, and to -no other; for our Lord says: <i>"If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My -disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth; and the truth shall make -you free."</i> John 8, 31.32. <i>"Beware of false prophets!"</i> Matt. 7,15.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Let it be your earnest concern to be and remain a member of the -invisible Church of Christ; remain steadfast in the true faith. He that -believes, and He only, shall be saved.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Let it also be your earnest concern to belong to the true visible -Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In this Church the pure Word is -preached, the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. Avoid -all false churches. "Beware of false prophets!"</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Pray and work with all diligence for your Church that it may be -maintained and extended.</i> Matt. 28,19.</p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>The Lord knoweth them that are His.</i> 2 Tim. 2,19.</p> - -<p><i>Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the -gates of hell shall not prevail against it.</i> Matt. 16,18.</p> - -<p><i>Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus -Christ.</i> 1 Cor. 3,11.</p> - -<p><i>If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed, and ye -shall know the truth; and the truth shall make you free.</i> John 8,31.32.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Who are the members of the holy Christian Church? 2. By whom was the -Church founded? 3. In what way does the Holy Ghost build up and preserve -the Church? 4. What is the Church also called in the Third Article? 5. -Who are the saints? 6. Why are believers called saints? 7. How are they -sanctified by the Holy Ghost? 8. What does the Word "communion" mean? -9. What binds true believers so closely together? 10. Why is the Church -called the <i>holy</i> Church? 11. Why is it called the <i>Christian</i> Church? -12. Where do we find the true Church? 13. Why is this so? 14. What is -the visible Church? 15. Who also, besides true believers, belongs to -these visible churches? 16. Which is the true visible Church? 17. How is -the true visible Church called? 18. Why should we belong to this Church -and avoid all false churches?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 36.<br/> - -The Third Article.</strong></p> - -<p>The Forgiveness Of Sins.</p> - -<p>Which is the Third Article?</p> - -<p><i>I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian Church, the communion -of saints; the forgiveness of sins.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>In which Church He</i> [the Holy Ghost] <i>daily and richly forgives all -sins to me and all believers.</i></p> - -<p>1. We confess in our Catechism that the Holy Ghost forgives all sins to -me and all believers. <i>We believe that there is a forgiveness of sins.</i> -God's Word assures us of this. <i>"There is forgiveness with Thee."</i> Ps. -130,4. <i>How sorely do we need forgiveness of sins!</i> You know that all -men, also believers, commit sin. A child of God indeed earnestly -strives against committing any sin, he tries not to transgress the -commandments of his heavenly Father; but, alas! also God's children sin -daily and much. <i>"There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and -sinneth not."</i> Eccl. 7,20. With our sins we deserve nothing but God's -punishment. <i>"The wages of sin is death."</i> Rom. 6,23. <i>Without -forgiveness of sins we are lost.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>But there is a forgiveness of sins with God.</i> He assures us in His -Word that by grace, for Christ's sake, He will forgive me all my sins. -He will do so <i>daily and richly.</i> Whenever we have sinned, we should -come to Him and pray to Him: Forgive me my trespasses. Even as a child -who has grieved his father by his disobedience penitently comes to him -and asks his forgiveness, so we in true penitence should daily come to -our heavenly Father, whom we have so sorely grieved, whose punishment we -deserve, and ask His forgiveness. <i>He will not cast us out.</i> He will -hear our prayer, and we will praise Him: <i>"Bless the Lord, O my soul, -and forget not all His benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who -healeth all thy diseases."</i> Ps. 103,2.3. The <i>publican</i> came into the -Temple and humbly said: <i>"God be merciful to me, a sinner!"</i> and God was -merciful to him; he went down to his house <i>justified.</i> He had received -forgiveness of his sins. Luke 18,9-14.</p> - -<p>3. God forgives us our sins. He is moved to do this <i>not by our good -works or merits.</i> God does not see anything in us which could induce Him -to forgive us our trespasses. We deserve nothing but punishment. <i>His -free grace alone moves God to forgive us all our sins.</i> Our God is a -merciful God. He takes pity on us, His sinful children.—By grace God -<i>forgives</i> us our sins, that is, He does not look upon our sins, does -not <i>impute</i> them to us, but declares us sinners <i>righteous.</i> In the -beautiful parable of our Lord which we find Matt. 18,23 ff., the wicked -servant asks his Lord to have patience with him, whom he owed so much. -And the kind lord, moved with compassion, loosed the servant from his -fetters and forgave him all his debts, which he never would have been -able to pay. <i>Thus God, moved with compassion, does not punish us as we -have deserved, and declares us free from debt, declares us righteous, or -in other words, God justifies us.</i></p> - -<p>4. How can the just and holy God who has threatened to punish all who -transgress His commandments forgive sins and declare sinners righteous? -He does so <i>for Christ's sake. In Christ</i> we have the forgiveness of -sins. <i>"In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness -of sins, according to the riches of His grace."</i> Eph. 1,7 Christ -fulfilled the Law of God in our stead, He suffered the punishment for -our sins, and so made good for us. <i>He has earned full forgiveness for -us; for His sake all our sins are forgiven.</i></p> - -<p>5. Who <i>receives</i> forgiveness of sins? We confess that God forgives all -sins <i>to me and all believers.</i> It is true, Christ has <i>procured</i> -forgiveness <i>for all men</i>—Christ died for every sinner. God, in His -grace, <i>offers</i> this forgiveness by the Gospel <i>to all who hear it.</i> We -read: <i>"God was in Christ, reconciling the world</i> [all men] <i>unto -Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed -unto us the Word of Reconciliation."</i> 2 Cor. 5,19. Yet not all receive -forgiveness, but only those <i>who believe in Christ and thus accept the -forgiveness</i> which Christ has earned for all men. Without faith in -Christ there is no forgiveness of sins. <i>We are justified by faith -alone.</i></p> - -<p>6. We receive forgiveness of sins, we are justified before God, <i>without -the deeds of the Law, by grace alone, for Christ's sake, through faith -in our Lord.</i> This is the <i>chief article of our Christian faith.</i> This -doctrine is taught only by the Christian Church. <i>It gives all the glory -for our salvation to God and affords true comfort to all sinners.</i></p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>God has promised in His Word to forgive us all our sins daily and -richly. Come to Him every day and with true penitence, with a contrite -heart, ask His forgiveness for Christ's sake. He will graciously grant -it.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>We are justified in the sight of God without the deeds of the Law, -by His grace, for Christ's sake, through faith in Him. This is the chief -doctrine of the Christian Church and the only one that gives lasting -comfort to all sinners.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who -forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.</i> Ps. -103,2.3.</p> - -<p><i>In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of -sins, according to the riches of His grace.</i> Eph. 1,7.</p> - -<p><i>God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing -their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the Word of -Reconciliation.</i> 2 Cor. 5,19.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Why do we so sorely need daily forgiveness of sins? 2. What do we -deserve with our sins before God? 3. Of what does God assure us in His -Word with regard to our sins? 4. What should we therefore do every day? -5. How did the publican in the Temple ask for forgiveness 6. How did God -answer his prayer? Luke 18, 13.14. 7. Why cannot our works and merits -induce God to grant us forgiveness? 8. By what is God moved to forgive -us our sins? 9. God forgives us our sins—what does that mean? 10. -What do we also call this act of God by which He forgives us our sins? -11. For whose sake does God forgive, or justify, us? 12. Why do we have -forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake? 13. Who only receives forgiveness -of sins? 14. Why is faith in Christ necessary if we wish to receive -forgiveness? 15. How are we justified before God? 16. Why is this -doctrine the chief doctrine of our Church?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 37.<br/> - -The Third Article</strong></p> - -<p>The Resurrection Of The Body And Life Everlasting.</p> - -<p>Which is the Third Article?</p> - -<p><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>He</i> [the Holy Ghost] <i>will at the Last Day raise up me and all the dead -and give unto me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most -certainly true.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>We believe the resurrection of the body,</i> so we confess. We believe -that <i>God will raise up me and all the dead,</i> so that our bodies which -have died shall again be made alive and come forth from their graves. -Our bodies <i>die</i> and are buried, and in the grave they decay. <i>These -same bodies</i> will live again. It is true, we cannot <i>understand</i> how -this is possible. To unbelievers it seems ridiculous, they laugh and -mock at this doctrine. Still we <i>believe</i> it; we are assured by the Word -of God that our dead shall live again. And <i>"the Word of the Lord is -right."</i> Ps. 33,4. Our Lord says: <i>"The hour is coming in the which all -that are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth."</i> John -5,28. Our God is <i>almighty,</i> with Him nothing is impossible. Luke 1,37.</p> - -<p>2. God will raise <i>me and all the dead. All</i> that are in the graves -shall hear His voice and shall come forth from their graves. Christ will -not only raise His own, His believers, but all men, those, too, who did -not believe in Him, but died in their sins.—<i>"The hour is coming,"</i> -our Lord says: it is coming on <i>the Last Day</i> of the world. On that -great day, when our Lord will come again to judge the quick and the -dead, all the dead shall hear the almighty voice of the Son of God and -whether they will or not, shall come forth from their graves to meet -their God and Lord at His judgment-seat.</p> - -<p>3. All the dead will be raised from death and the grave; <i>but there will -be a great difference in their resurrection.</i> Our Lord says: <i>"They that -have done good</i> [shall come forth] <i>unto the resurrection of life, and -they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation."</i> John -5,29. Those who here on earth believed in Christ, and by the power of -His grace served Him in His kingdom, and died in the Lord trusting in -Him, will come forth to life everlasting and go with their Lord to His -eternal glory. <i>They that have done evil,</i> those who rejected their -Savior and died in their sins, will rise unto <i>the resurrection of -damnation.</i> They will be thrown into <i>hell,</i> into everlasting fire, -prepared for the devil and his angels. Matt. 25,41. May our heavenly -Father keep us steadfast in the true faith and preserve us from hell and -damnation!</p> - -<p>4. <i>They that have done good,</i> those who believed in Christ and died in -the Lord, shall come forth unto <i>the resurrection of life. At the Last -Day the risen Lord will raise all that fell asleep in Him, and will give -them life everlasting, life without end.</i> We confess that the Lord will -"give <i>me</i> and all believers eternal life." The Holy Ghost has called me -by the Gospel, by His grace I believe in my Savior, by grace He has kept -me in the faith, and so <i>I am assured</i> that He will give <i>me</i> eternal -life. <i>"Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have -everlasting life."</i> John 3,16. To me and all believers the Lord will -give eternal life, but <i>to believers only. "He that believeth on the Son -hath eternal life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, -but the wrath of God abideth on him."</i> John 3,36.</p> - -<p>5. God will give us believers <i>eternal life.</i> Christ will lead His own, -His believers, soul and body, into His heavenly kingdom, there to live -and reign with Him in everlasting joy and glory. In heaven there will be -<i>no sin;</i> in perfect holiness we shall serve our Lord. There will be no -more <i>death,</i> nor <i>sorrow,</i> nor <i>crying,</i> nor <i>pain.</i> Rev. 21,4. All -these things shall have passed away. There will be pure and <i>true joy -and happiness forever and ever.</i> We shall be <i>with God:</i> we shall see -Him, our heavenly King and Father, and His wondrous ways. <i>"We shall see -Him as He is."</i> 1 John 3,2. We shall <i>see our dear Lord and Savior,</i> -whom we love now even without having seen Him. We shall see Him <i>in His -glory,</i> in the glory which His Father has given Him. What unspeakable -joy to see God, our Lord and Savior, to be and live with Him! <i>"In Thy -presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures -forevermore."</i> Ps. 16,11.—Our <i>bodies</i> will share this joy. They will -come forth <i>glorified, freed from all sin, sickness, and infirmity, -fashioned</i> like unto the glorious body of our risen Lord.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>It is most certainly true that the Holy Ghost by the Gospel has -called me to Christ, my Lord, and enlightened me with His gifts, with -true faith in my Savior.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>It is most certainly true that in Christ I have forgiveness of all -my sins, that I am justified before God without the deeds of the Law, by -grace alone, for Christ's sake through faith.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>It is most certainly true that the Holy Ghost will keep me in the -true faith, and at the day of my Lord raise my glorified body and give -to me and all believers in Christ eternal life. I am assured of all of -this by the Word of God. This is what I firmly believe and hope for in -life and death.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear -His voice and shall come forth: they that have done good unto the -resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection -of damnation.</i> John 5,28.29.</p> - -<p><i>We shall see Him as He is.</i> 1 John 3,2.</p> - -<p><i>In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are -pleasures forevermore.</i> Ps. 16,11.</p> - -<p><i>He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and He that -believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth -on him.</i> John 3,36.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. "We believe the resurrection of the body"—what does this mean? 2. -What happens to our bodies when we die? 3. Why do we believe that God -will raise our bodies? 4. Why do we firmly believe that God can do this -though to us it seems impossible? 5. Who will hear the voice of the Son -of God when His hour has come? 6. When will His hour come? 7. What -difference will there be in the resurrection of the dead? 8. Who are -"they that have done good"? 9. Who are "they that have done evil"? 10. -To what kind of resurrection will these come forth? 11. What will the -Lord at the Last Day give unto me and all believers? 12. Why am I -assured that He will give eternal life also to me? 13. What does our -Lord say John 3,36? 14. What will there no longer be in eternal life? -15. What will give us everlasting joy and happiness in eternal life? 16. -How will the bodies of the believers rise at that day? 17. Like unto -whose body will they be fashioned? 18. Why do we believe that all we -have confessed in the Third Article is most certainly true?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 38<br/> - -The Third Article.</strong></p> - -<p>Review Lesson.</p> - -<p>1. God the Holy Ghost has called me to Christ, sanctified and kept me in -the true faith. Besides me He has called and calls others. What does the -Holy Ghost also do in regard to all that He has brought to Christ? What -does it mean that He gathers them? What does Scripture call the whole -number of all true believers?—What is the Christian Church also -called in the Third Article? Why are the believers called saints? What -does the word <i>communion</i> signify? Who only, therefore, belongs to the -one true Christian Church?—Why is this Church invisible? The true -Church is invisible; still we know and are convinced that it is always -here on earth. Why are we certain about this? What does our Lord say -concerning His Church Matt. 16,18? We call the Church the <i>holy</i> Church; -why do we do this? Why is the Church called the <i>Christian</i> Church? -Christ is the Foundation of the Church, what else?—We cannot see -the Church, still we know where we can find it. Where is it to be found? -Why can we be certain that the Church is where the Word of God, the -Gospel, is preached and used?—There is one true Church of Christ, the -congregation of all believers on earth. But Scripture also speaks of -visible churches, visible congregations. What do we mean when we speak -of visible churches? To these churches not only true believers belong, -but who also? Of these visible churches, or denominations, there is -quite a number. What difference exists among these churches? Which is -the true visible Church? What is it called? To which Church should we -belong?</p> - -<p>2. In the Third Article we also confess the forgiveness of sins. Why do -we so sorely need forgiveness of sins? What have we deserved with our -sins? What will be our fate if we do not receive forgiveness of sins?— -Of what does God assure us in His Word concerning our sins? We daily sin -much and deserve nothing but punishment; what should we therefore do -every day? How did the publican in the Temple pray to God for -forgiveness? How do you know that God answered his prayer?—God -forgives the sins of all who come to Him in true penitence. What does -not move God to forgive us our sins? Why cannot anything He sees in us -induce Him to grant us forgiveness? What moves God to forgive us our -sins? What do we mean when we say that God forgives sin? For whose sake -does the just and holy God grant us forgiveness? In whom have we -redemption, the forgiveness of sins? What has Christ done to earn this -forgiveness?—For whom has Christ procured forgiveness? How does God -offer this forgiveness? What, however, is necessary if we wish to -receive this precious gift of God? How, therefore, are we justified in -the sight of God? Why is this doctrine of justification so important? We -should by all means hold fast to this doctrine: We are justified without -the deeds of the Law, by God's grace alone, for Christ's sake, through -faith in Him, our Savior.</p> - -<p>3. In the Third Article we furthermore confess the resurrection of the -body. How does our Catechism explain these words? How is the doctrine of -the resurrection of the body regarded by the unbelievers? Why do we -nevertheless believe it?—God will raise the dead. How many of them -will He bring to life again? All shall hear the voice of the Son of God -and come forth. When will Christ raise all the dead? What is this "Last -Day"? All the dead will rise again at the Last Day; but there will be a -difference among them. What will this difference be? Who will come forth -unto the resurrection of damnation? Who are they that have done evil? -What will be their punishment on that day? May our heavenly Father -preserve us from hell and damnation!—Who will come forth unto the -resurrection of life? Who are they that have done good? What will God -give to me and all believers on that day? From what shall we be free in -eternal life? With whom shall we be? Not only shall we be with Him, -united with Him by faith, what, too, has He promised us? 1 John 3,2. -Whom also shall we see in the heavenly kingdom? What do we read Ps. -16,11? How will our bodies be after the resurrection? Like whose body -will they be fashioned? What do we mean by adding: "This is most -certainly true"?</p> - -<p>And we confess the Holy Ghost,<br/> -Who from both fore'er proceeds,<br/> -Who upholds and comforts us<br/> -In the midst of fears and needs.<br/> -Blest and holy Trinity,<br/> -Praise forever be to Thee!</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 39.<br/> - -The Lord's Prayer.</strong></p> - -<p>The Introduction.</p> - -<p>Which is the Introduction?</p> - -<p><i>Our Father who art in heaven.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>God would by these Words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our -true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may with all -boldness and confidence ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.</i></p> - -<p>1. We have thus far considered the <i>Ten Commandments,</i> the holy <i>Law</i> of -the Lord, in which our heavenly Father tells us what we should do and -not do, how we, as His children, should live according to His will. We -have considered the Law, which teaches us that we have not kept it, that -we have sinned against God and therefore deserved His punishment, -eternal death and damnation.—We have considered the <i>Three Articles -of the Christian Faith,</i> which teach us the <i>Gospel,</i> the glad tidings -of what the Triune God, our Redeemer, has done and will do for us to -save us from sin and death, that we may live in His kingdom in -everlasting innocence, righteousness, and blessedness. In its Third Part -our Catechism explains to us the <i>Lord's Prayer,</i> that is, the prayer -that our Lord once taught His apostles.</p> - -<p>2. We read (Luke 11,1) that, at a certain time, the disciples saw and, -probably heard their Master praying, speaking with His Father in heaven. -This made so deep an impression upon them that one of them asked the -Lord: <i>"Lord, teach us to pray."</i> The Lord gladly complied with this -request and said: <i>"When ye pray, say: Our Father who art in heaven,"</i> -etc. The Lord Himself gave His disciples this prayer, and therefore we -call it the Lord's Prayer. We say this beautiful prayer <i>very often, -daily,</i> and we should do so. Our Lord gave it to us. When we use this -prayer, we know that we pray according to our Master's will. But -reciting this prayer is not enough, we must also understand what we -are praying. We should ever better learn <i>what the words of this prayer -mean.</i> Let us see how our Catechism explains them.</p> - -<p>3. <i>"Our Father who art in heaven,"</i> thus our Lord teaches us to address -<i>the true God, the Triune God.</i> What love God has bestowed upon us that -we are called His children, and that we are permitted to call Him -<i>Father!</i> 1 John 3,1. Christ might have chosen different names to -address God; but He teaches us to call God our <i>Father.</i> Why does He do -so? <i>"God would by these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is -our true Father and we are His true children."</i> When we come to God to -speak to Him in our prayers, we should always believe and remember that -God is our true Father, and that we are His true children. <i>You know -that God is indeed your Father and you are His child.</i> It is true, we -are all sinners, and the holy God hates sin, but our dear Lord has -redeemed us from all sins and has earned for us forgiveness of sins and -righteousness in the sight of God. <i>Through Christ, my Brother,</i> I have -become God's true child, and God has become my true Father. <i>In Christ's -name</i> I come to God and call Him Father, believing that for Christ's -sake God really is my Father and I am His child. <i>"For this cause"</i> -(because Christ is my Brother) <i>"I bow my knees unto the Father of our -Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is -named."</i> Eph. 3,14.15. Remember that only those who believe in Jesus -Christ may call God their Father. <i>Only children of God, through faith -in Christ, can really pray to God.</i></p> - -<p>4. We pray to God, our Father. How <i>tenderly</i> does this name <i>invite</i> us -to come to Him in our need! How this name does give us courage, <i>"so -that we may with all boldness and confidence ask Him as dear children -ask their dear father"!</i> A child is not afraid to come to his beloved -father, to tell him with confidence all that he wants and needs. He -knows that hie dear father will gladly listen to him and help him. So it -is with the children of God. They do not fear to come to their Father, -for He loves them. They do not doubt, but confidently believe that their -dear Father <i>will hear their prayer and help them.</i> Our Father promised -to do that. By the endearing name Father, God reminds us: I am your -Father, you are my dear child. Come without fear and doubt; pray with -ail confidence. I will hear your prayer.</p> - -<p>5. <i>"Our Father who art in heaven."</i> This Father of ours to whom we pray -is not a weak, not an earthly father. God is the <i>heavenly Father;</i> He -is the almighty God, the Lord of heaven and earth. He can do whatsoever -He wills. With all confidence we come to Him and believe that He not -only will hear our prayers, but <i>is also able to help us in every need -and trouble.</i></p> - -<p>6. Our Lord teaches us to say: <i>"Our</i> Father who art in heaven." He -reminds us of the fact that <i>all true believers are children of God, and -that all children of God pray for and with each other.</i> "One God and -Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all." Eph. -4,6. I am not the only one praying to God, but a great host of fellow- -men, all my brethren in Christ, are praying with me and for me. In -Christ's name I pray to my Father in heaven for and with all my -brethren; should I not therefore with all confidence ask my dear Father, -as dear children ask their dear father?</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Always pray in the name of Jesus Christ, your Savior. Through Him -alone God is your true Father, and you are His true child. In His name -you may and should ask your Father in heaven as dear children ask their -dear father.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>As God's child through Christ pray to your Father without fear and -doubt, with the firm, confidence that He will hear and accept your -prayer.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>The Father to whom you pray is the heavenly Father, the almighty -God. To Him we pray with all confidence that He not only will, but also -can answer our prayers and help us in all our troubles.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we -should be called the sons of God.</i> 1 John 3,1.</p> - -<p><i>For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, -of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.</i> Eph. 3,14.15.</p> - -<p><i>One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you -all.</i> Eph. 4,6.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Of what does the Third Part of our Catechism treat? 2. Why do we call -this prayer the Lord's Prayer? 3. On what occasion did the Lord teach -His disciples this prayer? 4. Why do we Christians use this prayer so -often? 5. But it is not enough to recite this prayer if we would use it -correctly; what else is needed? 6. Whom do we address when we say "Our -<i>"Father"?</i> [tr. note: punctuation is correct] 7. Why did Jesus teach us -to use the name Father in this prayer? 8. How does God become our -Father, and how do we become His children? 9. In whose name should we -therefore always pray? 10. Who only can really pray to God? 11. Of what -is a child certain when he asks his father for something? 12. What may -we confidently expect when we pray to our dear Father? 13. Of what do -the words "who art in heaven" remind us in our prayer? 14. Our Father to -whom we pray is the almighty God; what can He therefore do regarding our -prayers? 15. Why does our Lord teach us to say, <i>"Our</i> Father"?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 40.<br/> - -The Lord's Prayer.</strong></p> - -<p>The First Petition.</p> - -<p>Which is the First Petition?</p> - -<p><i>Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>God's name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that -it may be holy among us also.</i></p> - -<p>How is this done?</p> - -<p><i>When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the -children of God, also lead a holy life according to it. This grant us, -dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than -God's Word teaches, profanes the name of God among us. From this -preserve us, Heavenly Father!</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name,"</i> this is our -first petition. It is a matter of utmost importance that God's name be -hallowed among us; for this reason our Lord teaches us to pray for it in -the first place. <i>"God's name is indeed holy in itself."</i> God has a name -above every other name. In heaven and earth there is no name higher or -more sacred than the name of our heavenly Father; no name can be -compared with it. It is holy in itself. We cannot and we need not <i>make -it holy.</i> What, then, do we ask for in this petition? Since the name of -our Father in heaven is so holy and so exalted, we pray <i>that it may be -holy among us also,</i> that we, His children, may hold it sacred and use -it rightly both in words and deeds.</p> - -<p>2. <i>How is this done?</i> We shall place God's name above every other name -in heaven and on earth and hold it holy, sacred, only when we rightly -<i>know God as He is, and what He has done and will do for us His -children.</i> God has revealed Himself and His great name <i>only in His -Word.</i> There alone we learn to know our heavenly Father and the great -things He has done for our temporal and eternal welfare. We shall hold -His name holy and sacred "when the Word of God is taught in its truth -and purity." God's Word must be preached among us without the admixture -of any human thoughts and errors, just as God has given it to us, just -as it reads. In God's Word we learn how great God, our Father, is, the -perfectly holy and just God, and yet gracious, ever ready to forgive all -our sins and heal all our transgressions, when we come to Him in the -name of Christ; the almighty Ruler of heaven and earth and yet our dear -Father in Christ, who pities those that fear Him, as a father pities his -children Ps. 103,13. The more we learn from His Word how great our God -is, the more we shall hold His name sacred, the more we shall exalt and -praise it.</p> - -<p>3. It is not enough that God's Word is taught and preached among us in -its truth and purity, that we only hear it; we must also, as God's -children, <i>lead a holy life according to it. By a holy life we honor the -name of our Father.</i> If a child disobeys his father, if he leads a bad -life, committing sins and crimes, he will not only bring dishonor upon -himself, but he will also disgrace his father's name. Remember how the -sons of Eli, the high priest, brought dishonor upon their father's fair -name. 1 Sam. 2,12. When, on the other hand, a child is obedient to his -father, doing the will of his good father, leading an upright and honest -life, his father will be honored by the good deeds of his son. We are -children of God. We confess that He is our true Father. If we were to -lead an ungodly life, how would His name be dishonored among men! But -when we live according to our Father's Word and will, if we live in -accordance with the Word of God, our friends and neighbors will see our -good works. By our godly life we shall help others, too, to know and -honor the great name of God. Our Savior says: <i>"Let your light so shine -before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father -which is in heaven."</i> Matt. 5,16.—By our own strength we cannot -preach the Word of God in its truth and purity among us, nor can we by -our own strength lead a holy life according to it; therefore we pray: -<i>Grant us, O Heavenly Father, the pure doctrine of Thy Word and a Holy -life according to it.</i></p> - -<p>4. As the name of our Father is glorified here on earth by the preaching -of His pure Word and by our holy life, so it is dishonored by <i>false -doctrine and an ungodly life.</i> In our sinful hearts we are always -inclined <i>to teach and live otherwise than God's Word teaches,</i> and thus -to profane the name of God. <i>"Thou that makest thy boast of the Law, -through breaking the Law dishonorest thou God. For the name of God is -blasphemed among the Gentiles through you."</i> Rom. 2,23.24. Therefore we -pray: <i>Preserve us, O Heavenly Father, for Christ's sake, from false -doctrine and an ungodly life!</i></p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p><i>We pray in this petition:</i>—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Dear Heavenly Father, grant that we may always teach Thy Word in its -truth and purity, and that we may always live in accordance with it, so -that Thy name may be hallowed among us!</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Dear Heavenly Father, preserve us from ever teaching and living -otherwise than Thy Word teaches!</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works -and glorify your Father which is in heaven.</i> Matt. 5,16.</p> - -<p><i>Thou that makest thy boast of the Law, through breaking the Law -dishonorest thou God. For the name of God is blasphemed among the -Gentiles through you.</i> Rom. 2,23.24.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Why does Christ teach us to pray in the first place that God's name -may be hallowed, held sacred, among us? 2. How is God's name in itself? -3. Why do we nevertheless pray that His name be hallowed? 4. What must -we know before we shall hold God's name sacred as we should? 5. Where -has God revealed Himself? 6. How, therefore, is God's name hallowed -among us? 7. How must God's Word be taught among us? 8. What does it -mean to teach God's Word in its truth and purity? 9. What, furthermore, -is necessary if we wish to glorify our Father's name? 10. In what way is -God's name honored by a godly life? 11. What does our Lord say Matt. -5,16? 12. Who profanes God's name among us? 13. From what do we ask God -to preserve us? 14. What are the two things for which we pray in the -First Petition?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 41.<br/> - -The Lord's Prayer.</strong></p> - -<p>The Second Petition.</p> - -<p>Which is the Second Petition?</p> - -<p><i>Our Father who art in heaven. Thy kingdom come.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we -pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.</i></p> - -<p>How is this done?</p> - -<p><i>When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace -we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life, here in time and -hereafter in eternity.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"Thy kingdom come,"</i> that is the Second Petition. We pray for the -kingdom of our heavenly Father. In the Second Article of our faith we -already heard of a kingdom, the <i>kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.</i> -There we learned that our Lord has redeemed us from all sins, from -death, and from the power of the devil, in order that we may be His -own, and in His <i>kingdom</i> live under Him in everlasting innocence, -righteousness, and blessedness. <i>Christ's kingdom and our Father's -kingdom is the same thing.</i> Christ established this kingdom by His -sufferings and death. All that believe in Christ belong to this kingdom. -Christ is their Lord and King; He governs them, bestowing upon them in -His kingdom all His gifts: forgiveness of sins, the grace of God, true -righteousness, peace with God, etc. He protects them against all their -enemies, against sin, Satan, and death. We also call this kingdom of our -Father the <i>Kingdom of Grace,</i> or the <i>true Christian Church.</i> It has -its beginning here on earth; but when our Lord and King will come again -at the Last Day, He will lead it to His glory in heaven. Then we shall -call this kingdom the <i>Kingdom of Glory.</i></p> - -<p>2. Our Lord teaches us to pray for the <i>coming</i> of this kingdom. True, -<i>"the kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself."</i> -Christ lives and reigns, and He gathers His congregation through the -Gospel from all nations, and He will lead it to its heavenly glory even -if we do not pray for it. But still the Lord teaches us to pray for the -coming of His kingdom. We pray <i>"that it may come to us also."</i> It is -God's will to give <i>us</i> His kingdom. Our Lord says: <i>"Fear not, little -flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."</i> -Luke 12,32. But God wants us to <i>pray</i> for His good gifts. We pray in -this petition that our Father's kingdom may come to us also, that we, -too, may belong to His kingdom and remain in it, <i>"here in time and -hereafter in eternity."</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>"How is this done?"</i> How does the kingdom of God come to us? The -kingdom of God comes to us only through faith in Christ. Only those who -believe in Him can enter the kingdom. But <i>"I cannot by my own reason or -strength believe in Christ, or come to Him."</i> (In what part of your -Catechism did you learn this?) To bring us to Christ is <i>the work of the -Holy Ghost.</i> He has called me to Christ and His grace by the Gospel. -<i>"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into -the kingdom of God."</i> John 3,5. The kingdom of God, therefore, comes to -us <i>"when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His -grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life."</i> The Holy Ghost -can and will graciously, by the Gospel, work within our hearts, so that -we believe God's holy Word, believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior; and in -this way the kingdom of God will come to us.</p> - -<p>4. The Holy Spirit does not only bring us to Christ, so that we, through -faith, enter the kingdom of God, but He also <i>preserves us in the true -faith;</i> by means of the Gospel He gives us strength to prove our faith -<i>by a godly life</i> and thus remain in the kingdom to the end. He will -lead us to the glory of our Lord, to the kingdom of glory in heaven. -<i>"The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me -unto His heavenly kingdom."</i> 2 Tim. 4,18. By the Holy Spirit the kingdom -of God comes to me <i>"here in time"</i> (the Kingdom of Grace) <i>"and -hereafter in eternity"</i> (the Kingdom of Glory). In this petition we -especially pray our heavenly Father to grant us <i>the most precious gift -—His Holy Ghost.</i></p> - -<p>5. But we do not only pray that the kingdom of God would come to <i>us</i> -and remain with us, we also pray that it may come to <i>all men</i> who as -yet are not members of this kingdom. We pray that all men may become -true believers in Christ through the preaching of the Gospel. This work, -preaching the Gospel to all nations, we call <i>mission-work. The Second -Petition is the great mission-prayer of the Church.</i> The Lord admonishes -us: <i>"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth -laborers into His harvest."</i> Matt. 9,38.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>In this petition we pray: Dear heavenly Father, grant me Thy Holy -Spirit that by His grace I may believe in Jesus Christ, my King, and by -faith in Him lead a godly life, so that I may be with my Savior in His -kingdom, here in time and hereafter in eternity.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Do not forget to pray for our missions when you say this petition. -Mission is the work our Lord has entrusted to all Christians, saying: -"Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."</i> -Mark 16,15.</p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give -you the kingdom.</i> Luke 12,32.</p> - -<p><i>Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth -laborers into His harvest.</i> Matt. 9,38.</p> - -<p><i>The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me -unto His heavenly kingdom.</i> 2 Tim. 4,18.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. How did Christ establish His kingdom on earth? 2. Who belongs to it? -3. Who is Lord and King of this kingdom? 4. What does Christ bestow upon -His own in His kingdom? 5. From whom does He protect and against whom -does He defend us? 6. What do we also call the kingdom of Christ? 7. -What will Christ do with His kingdom when He shall come in His glory at -the Last Day? 8. What shall we then call this kingdom? 9. What does our -Lord teach us to pray in behalf of His kingdom? 10. What, indeed, is -true concerning the coming of His kingdom? 11. Why do we nevertheless -pray for His kingdom? 12. How does the kingdom of God come to us? 13. -Why do we need the Holy Ghost for this purpose? 14. The Holy Spirit does -not only bring us to Christ and into His kingdom, what does He also -perform in us? 15. What do we call the work for which we are especially -praying in this petition?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 42.<br/> - -The Lord's Prayer.</strong></p> - -<p>The Third Petition.</p> - -<p>What is the Third Petition?</p> - -<p><i>Our Father who art in heaven, Thy will be done on earth as it is in -heaven.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; -but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.</i></p> - -<p>How is this done?</p> - -<p><i>When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not -let us hallow God's name nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of -the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and preserves us -steadfast in His Word and faith unto our end. This is His gracious and -good will.</i></p> - -<p>1. We pray in this petition that the will of our Father in heaven may be -done. <i>His will is a good and gracious one.</i> Being the will of our -heavenly Father, how could it be otherwise than good and gracious? He -wills, or desires, that His name be hallowed among us, that His kingdom -may come to us and all men, or, in other words, <i>that all men be saved. -"God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the -truth."</i> 1 Tim. 2,4. He earnestly desires that His saving Gospel be -preached to all men, that all men, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, may -believe in Christ and through Him have eternal life. This is most -assuredly the good and gracious will of our heavenly Father.</p> - -<p>2. We pray that this will of our Father <i>may be done on earth, that it -may prevail. "The goo and gracious will of God is done indeed without -our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us -also,"</i> that His gracious will may prevail against all such as try to -hinder our salvation.</p> - -<p>3. <i>How is the will of our heavenly Father done?</i> Our Catechism answers: -<i>"When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would -not lat us hallow God's name nor let His kingdom come, such as the will -of the devil, the world, and our flesh."</i> There is an evil counsel and -will here on earth. It is the will of the <i>devil,</i> the <i>world,</i> that is, -all godless men, who are in the service of Satan, and of the <i>flesh,</i> -our own sinful heart, which is always in accord with Satan and the -world. These our enemies do not want us to hallow God's name, to come -into Christ's kingdom or to remain therein, to remain steadfast in -faith, to remain true to Christ, our Savior. Theirs is an evil will, -which desires to <i>lead us astray from God, our Father, into sin, into -the power and the kingdom of the devil.</i> If their evil will and counsel -prevails, we are lost. Against these mighty enemies we are powerless; we -ourselves have no strength whatever to resist them and their -temptations. Therefore we daily pray our Father in heaven to break and -hinder their evil will and counsel, in order that they may not be able -to fulfil their evil desires.</p> - -<p>4. God sincerely desires us to be saved, to obtain eternal life. But our -Lord says: <i>"He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be -saved."</i> Matt. 24,13. We cannot endure by our own strength. <i>"Ye are -kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation."</i> 1 Pet. 1,5. -Therefore we pray our dear Father to <i>"strengthen and preserve us -steadfast in His Word and faith unto our end."</i> We ask Him for Christ's -sake to grant us strength to remain steadfast in His <i>Word,</i> to continue -to hear, read, and use it. By means of the Gospel the Holy Spirit will -<i>preserve our faith</i> in our Lord and Savior; through faith He will give -us strength gladly to do His will and to live according to His -commandments. In this way God will preserve us <i>unto our end,</i> to our -dying hour, and thus His gracious and good will is done.</p> - -<p>5. God, our dear Father, <i>directs and guides our whole life</i> according -to this will of His to lead us to salvation. For this purpose our Father -sometimes will permit <i>sufferings and troubles</i> to come over us. In such -times especially we should pray: <i>"Thy will be done,"</i> my Father! Give -me strength to remain steadfast and faithful in all sufferings and -cheerfully to submit to your gracious will. Even our Lord Jesus Christ -prayed in the hour of His deep agony: <i>"Not as I will, but as Thou -wilt."</i> Matt. 26,39.</p> - -<p>6. The <i>first three petitions</i> belong together. They are connected by -the words <i>"on earth as it is in heaven."</i> We pray that our Father's -name may be hallowed on earth as it is hallowed in heaven, that His -kingdom may come to us on earth as it is in heaven, and that His -gracious will may be done among us on earth as it is done in heaven. <i>We -ask our heavenly Father for His heavenly gifts.</i> These gifts we most -urgently need, and therefore our Lord teaches us to pray for them first -of all.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, break and hinder -every evil will of my enemies, the devil, the world, and my own flesh, -that I may hallow Thy name and Thy kingdom may come to me.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>My dear heavenly Father, strengthen and preserve me in Thy Word and -in true faith unto my end, to my dying hour, that Thy gracious and good -will may be done.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the -truth.</i> 1 Tim. 2,4.</p> - -<p><i>Ye are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation.</i> 1 Pet. -1,5.</p> - -<p><i>He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of -Jesus Christ.</i> Phil. 1,6.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. We pray that God's will may be done among us. What is God's will -toward us? 2. What is this will, therefore, called in our Catechism? 3. -This good and gracious will of God is indeed done without our prayer; -why do we nevertheless pray that it may be done? 4. There is an evil -will and counsel against us, the children of God. Whose will is this? 5. -What is their evil will and desire against us? 6. Why must we ask God to -break and hinder their evil will? 7. God earnestly desires us to be -saved, to obtain eternal life. Who only will be saved and obtain eternal -life? Matt. 24,13. 8. By whose power are we kept unto salvation? 1 Pet. -1,5. 9. How do we, therefore, pray? 10. Why is it necessary for us to -remain steadfast in the Word of God? 11. Unto what time will God -preserve our faith through the Gospel? 12. Why does God sometimes permit -suffering and trouble to come over His children? 13. How should we pray -especially in such times? 14. What gifts do we pray for in the first -three petitions? 15. Why does Christ teach us to pray first of all for -His heavenly gifts?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 43.<br/> - -The Lord's Prayer.</strong></p> - -<p>The Fourth Petition.</p> - -<p>Which is the Fourth Petition?</p> - -<p><i>Our Father who art in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>God gives daily bread indeed without our prayer, also to all the -wicked; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it -and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.</i></p> - -<p>What, then, is meant by "daily bread"?</p> - -<p><i>Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as -food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, field, cattle, money, goods, -a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful -rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, -good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.</i></p> - -<p>1. For <i>our daily bread</i> our Lord bids us pray in this petition. By -daily bread everything is meant that <i>belongs to the support and wants -of our body,</i> everything we need to support our life. Our Catechism -enumerates quite a number of such things. For all these things we pray -as far as we need them for our daily bread. We do not pray for <i>riches,</i> -for many comforts or luxuries, but for that which we need. We pray: -<i>"Give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food convenient for -me, lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I -be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."</i> Prov. 30,8.9. -The apostle says: <i>"Having food and raiment, let us be therewith -content."</i> 1 Tim. 6,8.</p> - -<p>2. We pray for our daily bread. <i>"God gives daily bread indeed without -our prayer";</i> He gives it <i>"also to all the wicked,"</i> who cannot and -will not pray for it. <i>"He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the -good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."</i> Matt. 5,45. If -God gives daily bread without our prayer, why, then, do we pray for it? -<i>"We pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it,"</i> that is, -we pray that God may lead us to know that our daily bread, all we have -and receive in this life, is <i>His gracious gift.</i> Wicked, unbelieving -men do not acknowledge this. They believe that they are earning their -daily bread by means of their labor or receiving it by other natural -means. Christians also often forget that all their earthly goods are -the gift of their Father in heaven. Therefore we pray that God would -grant us to know that every good gift comes from above, from Him, our -Father. <i>"The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their -meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of -every living thing."</i> Ps. 145,15.16. When we acknowledge this, <i>we shall -receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.</i> Then our daily bread, all -our earthly goods, <i>will be a blessing to us,</i> a blessing for both our -body and our soul. Knowing that our daily bread is God's gift, we -receive it with thanksgiving; therefore we pray before each meal and, -having finished it, say grace.</p> - -<p>3. Our Lord tells us to pray for <i>our</i> daily bread. It is true, our -daily bread is the gift of our Father in heaven, but He will generally -bestow this gift upon us <i>by means of our labor.</i> God wants us to work, -and He will provide what we need for this life. The bread that we eat -should be the bread <i>that is honestly coming to us. "If any would not -work, neither should he eat."</i> 2 Thess. 3,10.—We do not say <i>my,</i> -but <i>our</i> bread, because we <i>include our neighbor</i> in our prayer, asking -God to give also him his daily bread. This reminds us of our duty -willingly to help our neighbor whenever he is in need and want. Our -Father in heaven very often gives us more than we need for our own -support and the support of our family; He does this for the purpose that -<i>we may have to give to those that are in need.</i> God, then, desires to -give our neighbor his daily bread through us. <i>"Deal thy bread to the -hungry."</i> Is. 58,7.</p> - -<p>4. We pray God to give us our daily bread <i>this day.</i> Our Lord reminds -us <i>that we should not be anxiously concerned for the morrow.</i> We have a -rich and kind Father in heaven, who cares for us, for our life and -welfare. We pray to Him for our bread to-day and every day, and we know -that He will not forsake us. Our Lord admonishes us: <i>"Take therefore no -thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things -of itself."</i> Matt. 6,34.</p> - -<p>5. In the Fourth Petition we pray for our <i>daily bread,</i> for all that is -necessary for our life and bodily welfare here on earth. In the first -three petitions we pray for <i>heavenly gifts,</i> for the gifts which we -need for our soul, for our eternal welfare. Our Lord in this way teaches -us that the heavenly gifts are much more important, that we should pray -for them first of all. <i>"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His -righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."</i> Matt. -6,33.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, give me this day -my daily bread. Grant me grace to know and acknowledge that my daily -bread is Thy gracious gift in order that I may receive it from Thy hand -with thanksgiving.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Do not forget to say your prayers at meals. Thereby you confess that -your daily bread is the gift of your Father in heaven, and you show your -thankfulness to Him.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Pray also for your neighbor and give from your abundance whenever he -is in need.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain -on the just and on the unjust.</i> Matt. 5,45.</p> - -<p><i>Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for -me.</i> Prov. 30,8.</p> - -<p><i>Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.</i> 1 Tim. 6,8.</p> - -<p><i>Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these -things shall be added unto you.</i> Matt. 6,33.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What is meant in this petition by "daily bread"? 2. Why does the Lord -teach us to pray for our daily bread? 3. Wherewith should we be content? -4. Does not God give us our daily bread without our Prayer? 5. On whom -even does He bestow this gift? 6. Why, then, do we pray for our daily -bread? 7. Why do we pray God to lead us to know that our daily bread -comes from Him? 8. How will we receive our daily bread when we know that -it is He who gives it to us? 9. Why does our Lord teach us to pray for -our daily bread? 10. Why do we not say <i>my,</i> but <i>our</i> bread? 11. Of -what should this remind us? 12. Why do we add the words <i>this day?</i> 13. -Why do we not need to be anxious for the morrow? 14. What does our Lord -teach us by putting the petition for our daily bread after the petitions -for His heavenly gifts?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 44.<br/> - -The Lord's Prayer.</strong></p> - -<p>The Fifth Petition.</p> - -<p>Which is the Fifth Petition?</p> - -<p><i>Our Father who art in heaven, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive -those who trespass against us.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>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 worthy of -none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but -that He would grant them all to us by grace; for use daily sin much and -indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we also heartily forgive -and readily do good to those who sin against us.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"And forgive us our trespasses,"</i> thus the Lord teaches us to pray -in the Fifth Petition. That means, as our Catechism explains these -words: <i>"We pray in this petition that our Father would not look upon -our sins."</i> A child that has disobeyed his father approaches him -sorrowfully, asks his forgiveness, and promises to be more obedient in -future. We, the children of God, do the very same thing. Every day we -come to our heavenly Father with a contrite heart and ask His -<i>forgiveness.</i> Daily we confess that we have sinned again. We are deeply -sorry that again we have been disobedient to His good will, that we have -deserved His punishment. But we also know that God is <i>our gracious, -loving Father,</i> always willing to forgive us our many sins. We know that -Christ has paid the <i>ransom for our transgressions</i> and earned God's -forgiveness for us. In our Savior's name, trusting in Him, we come to -God every day and pray with deep shame, but also with firm confidence: -My dear Father in heaven, I, a poor sinner, come to Thee and humbly -confess that again I have trespassed and sinned against Thee. Do not -look upon my sins, do not punish me as I have deserved, but regard Thy -Son's righteousness and for His sake forgive me all my sins. We pray as -did the prodigal son: <i>"Father, I have sinned against heaven and in Thy -sight, and I am no more worthy to be called Thy son."</i> Luke 15,21. -However, accept me again for Christ's sake.</p> - -<p>2. We have a <i>special reason</i> for asking God's forgiveness in our -prayers. We pray to God for many blessings, for many precious gifts, -both heavenly and earthly. But we are sinners; <i>"we are worthy of none -of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them."</i> If God -would look upon our unworthiness and sin, how could He grant us our -petitions? <i>"For we daily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment."</i> -As long as our sins separate us from God, we are certain that God will -not hear us. Our prayers would indeed be in vain. Therefore we pray to -our Father that He would not look upon our sins, <i>"nor on their account -deny our prayer,"</i> as we have so well deserved. We pray that He would -grant us His forgiveness and give us all His rich blessings <i>by grace, -for Christ's sake.</i> In Christ's name we come to our Father and -confidently pray with the <i>publican</i> in the Temple: <i>"God be merciful to -me, a sinner."</i> Luke 18,13.</p> - -<p>3. Our Lord adds something to this petition. He says: <i>"As we forgive -those who trespass against us."</i> These words contain a <i>promise</i> on our -part. Because God so graciously and willingly forgives us our many and -great sins, we promise that <i>we also will forgive those who sin against -us.</i> There are such as sin against us, wrong and grieve us with word or -deed. But how small are their faults over against the great and grievous -sins we have committed against our Father in heaven! Having received the -gracious forgiveness of our Father, how could we do otherwise than -forgive also those who trespass against us? Willingly we promise to -forgive them, and to do so <i>heartily, from our hearts,</i> as our Father -has forgiven us, and not only to forgive them, but <i>readily</i> to <i>do good -to them.</i> Does not our Father do the same thing to us? We sin against -Him and grieve Him daily, and nevertheless He not only forgives us, but -He also blesses us every day with all His gifts for body and soul. If, -on the other hand, we refuse to forgive our brother, we shall not obtain -forgiveness from our Father. <i>"When we stand praying, forgive if ye have -aught against any, that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive -you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father -which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."</i> Mark 11,25.26. (Read -carefully the beautiful parable of our Lord about the <i>wicked servant,</i> -Matt. 18,23-35.)</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>We pray in this petition: My dear Father in heaven, do not look upon -my sins and do not on their account deny my prayer. I am not worthy of -any of the things for which I pray, but on account of Thy grace hear my -prayer and forgive me all my sins for Christ's sake.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>We promise in this petition: My dear Father in heaven, as Thou hast -forgiven me the multitude of my sins and hast granted me daily all Thy -precious blessings, so will I show Thee my gratitude by heartily -forgiving those who sin against me and readily doing good to them. Grant -me grace to do this, dear heavenly Father.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Father, I have sinned against heaven and in Thy sight and am no more -worthy to be called Thy son.</i> Luke 15,21.</p> - -<p><i>God be merciful to me, a sinner.</i> Luke 18,13.</p> - -<p><i>When ye stand praying, forgive if ye have aught against any, that your -Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if -ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive -your trespasses.</i> Mark 11,25.26.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What is meant by the word "trespasses" in this petition? 2. What do -we ask our heavenly Father to do in this prayer? 3. How do we know that -God will forgive us our sins? 4. How has Christ earned forgiveness of -sins for us? 5. For whose sake, therefore, do we ask forgiveness? 6. -What special reason have we to include this petition in our prayers? 7. -Why are we unworthy of the things for which we pray? 8. What, on the -contrary, have we deserved? 9. What moves God to hear our prayers? 10. -What words does our Lord add to this petition? 11. What promise do we -give God when we add these words? 12. How are the sins our neighbor -commits against us to be regarded as compared with our sins against God? -13. What should we therefore willingly do? 14. What will happen to us if -we do not heartily forgive our neighbor? 15. What must we be willing to -do in addition to forgiving our neighbor? 16. What should induce us to -forgive our neighbor when he trespasses against us?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 45.<br/> - -The Lord's Prayer.</strong></p> - -<p>The Sixth Petition.</p> - -<p>Which is the Sixth Petition?</p> - -<p><i>Our Father who art in heaven, lead us not into temptation.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>God indeed tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would -guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not -deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame -and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally -overcome and obtain the victory.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"And lead us not into temptation,"</i> this is the Sixth Petition. Our -Catechism explains it in the first place by saying: <i>"God indeed tempts -no one,"</i> that is, He tempts no one <i>for evil.</i> That is most certainly -true. Our heavenly Father is the holy God. He hates sin and all those -who willingly commit it. How could He tempt us to sin, try to lead us -into evil ways which He hates? Scripture tells us: <i>"Let no man say when -he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, -neither tempteth He any man; but every man is tempted when he is drawn -away of his own lusts and enticed."</i> Jas. 1,13.14.</p> - -<p>2. As God does not tempt us for evil, why, then do we pray our Father -not to lead us into temptation? We pray <i>"that God would guard and keep -us" that our enemies may not lead us into sin and shame.</i> There are such -as always try to lead us, the children of God, into sin, those <i>enemies</i> -of whom we heard in the Third Petition—the <i>devil,</i> the <i>world,</i> and -our <i>own flesh.</i> Our most dangerous foe is the <i>devil. "Be sober, be -vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh -about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith."</i> -1 Pet 5,8.9. Remember how he tempted <i>Adam and Eve</i> in Paradise and -seduced them to fall into sin. Our next enemy is the <i>world,</i> that is, -all the wicked men around us. How often do our friends or schoolmates -entice us to do wrong! <i>"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou -not."</i> Prov. 1,10. The third enemy is <i>our own flesh,</i> our old sinful -heart, which is full of evil lust. Our own lust draws us away from God -and entices us to sin.</p> - -<p>3. These our enemies have an <i>evil will</i> against us. They want to lead -us away from God and our salvation, to lead us again into the kingdom of -Satan and sin. They try with all their power and cunning to <i>deceive</i> -us; they try to give us the impression that it would be good for us to -follow their temptations. By such enticements they try to seduce us to -lead us astray from God and His Word, into <i>misbelief,</i> into a wrong -faith, or into <i>despair,</i> so that we abandon all hope for our salvation. -(Remember <i>Cain,</i> Gen. 4,15, and <i>Judas,</i> Matt. 27,4.5.) Or they try to -lead us into <i>other great shame and vice,</i> into sins that will bring -shame upon us, to yield to evil passions, which will destroy our faith.</p> - -<p>4. Against these mighty enemies we are <i>powerless.</i> We could not -seriously think of taking up the fight against them by our own power. If -we did, we would soon learn to our sorrow that we cannot successfully -resist their temptations. Our enemies would gain the victory over us. In -this our pitiful condition we come to <i>our Father in heaven,</i> who has -promised us His help, and who is always with us. We pray to Him in the -name of our Savior not to lead us into temptation, that is, we pray that -God would <i>guard</i> or watch over us that such temptations may not come -near us, that He would graciously defend us against them.—<i>If is -true, temptations will come.</i> We live in this sinful world, which is -full of temptations. The devil "walketh about" to devour the children of -God, and our flesh tempts us with evil lust. These enemies will again -and again <i>assail</i> us to gain their evil ends and desires. <i>And it is -for our good that God permits them to do so.</i> But we pray God to keep us -steadfast in all these temptations, to <i>strengthen</i> us in order that we -may fight the good fight of faith against them. We pray to our Father -that He may <i>preserve</i> us in the true faith, so that we shall <i>finally,</i> -in the end, <i>overcome all temptations and obtain the victory.</i> Our -heavenly Father will hear our prayer. <i>"God is faithful, who will not -suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."</i> 1 Cor. 10,13. -According to His good and gracious will He wants us to be faithful to -the end and to be saved.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, guard and keep me -against my powerful enemies, the devil, the world, and my flesh; hinder -their evil will that their temptations may not approach me.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, be with me in all -temptations, whenever my enemies assail me, and grant me grace to fight -the good fight of faith. Keep me in the true faith in Christ, my Lord, -that I may finally overcome all temptations and obtain the victory.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring -lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast -in the faith.</i> 1 Pet. 5,8.9.</p> - -<p><i>My son, if sinners entice thee consent thou not.</i> Prov. 1,10.</p> - -<p><i>God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye -are able.</i> 1 Cor. 10,13.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. Which is the Sixth Petition? 2. What does God indeed not do? 3. Why -are we certain that God will not lead any one into temptation? 4. Why, -then, do we pray God not to lead us into temptation? 5. Who are our -enemies that lead us into temptation? 6. Why is the devil compared to a -roaring lion? 7. Who is our second enemy? 8. What do we understand by -our own flesh? 9. What is the evil will of these our enemies against us? -10. Into what do they try to lead us? 11. Who alone can help us against -our powerful enemies? 12. What does it mean when we pray that God would -guard us against our enemies? 13. When their temptations do assail us, -what do we pray our Father in heaven to do? 14. What makes us certain -that God will hear our prayer?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 46.<br/> - -The Lord's Prayer.</strong></p> - -<p>The Seventh Petition And The Conclusion.</p> - -<p>Which is the Seventh Petition?</p> - -<p><i>Our Father who art in heaven, deliver us from evil.</i></p> - -<p>What does this mean?</p> - -<p><i>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 finally, when our last hour has come, grant us a blessed end, and -graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven.</i></p> - -<p>Which is the Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer?</p> - -<p><i>For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. -Amen.</i></p> - -<p>What is meant by the word "Amen"?</p> - -<p><i>That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our -Father in heaven, and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, -and has promised to hear us. Amen, Amen, that is, yea, yea, it shall be -so.</i></p> - -<p>1. <i>"But deliver us from evil." "We pray in this petition, as the sum -of all";</i> in this petition we sum up all the others. We include in the -word <i>"evil"</i> our misfortunes and troubles of every kind, all our wants -and needs: all the ailments of our <i>body,</i> such as sickness and the -like; everything that is hurtful to our <i>soul,</i> sin with all its fearful -consequences; anything that injures or destroys our <i>property,</i> such as -is done by fire, water, or bad, evil-minded men; whatever harms our -<i>honor,</i> loss of our good name through lies and calumnies, etc. All -these things we sum up in the word <i>evil.</i></p> - -<p>2. We pray that our Father would <i>deliver</i> us from all these evils. We -beseech Him to <i>spare</i> us from as many evils as He sees fit. We know -that days of sorrow and afflictions will indeed come to us. It is our -Father's good will that <i>"we must through much tribulation enter into -the kingdom of God."</i> Acts 14,22. God sends us afflictions because He -<i>loves</i> us, His children, because in His wisdom He knows that it is good -and salutary for us. <i>"Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth -every son whom He receiveth."</i> Heb. 12,6. We willingly submit to His -will. But whenever the Lord has afflicted us, in every need and -distress, we lift our hearts to Him, the Father of mercies, and <i>pray -Him to be with us in our affliction,</i> to help <i>bear the cross</i> He has -laid upon us. We ask Him that He would turn every affliction <i>to our -benefit</i> and in His own good time take it from us. It is our earnest -prayer that through everything that seems evil to us He would keep us -steadfast in faith to everlasting life.</p> - -<p>3. True, as long as we live here on earth, we shall not be entirely free -from evil. On earth we are living in a <i>"vale of tears."</i> But the time -will come when <i>"the Lord shall deliver me from every evil and will -preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom."</i> 2 Tim. 4,18. And when this time -has come, <i>our last hour,</i> the hour of our departure from this world, we -pray <i>that our Father would grant us a blessed end, and graciously take -us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven,</i> and thus wholly -deliver us from all evil. In that hour we shall say: <i>"Lord, now lettest -Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word; for mine eyes -have seen Thy salvation."</i> Luke 2,29.30. When our dear Father takes us -to Himself in heaven, all our prayers will have been granted, all -earthly sorrow and affliction will be at an end; we shall have and enjoy -with our Father and our Lord all His heavenly gifts.</p> - -<p>4. In the Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer we say: <i>"Thine is the -kingdom."</i> We mean to say: Thou alone art my Lord and King, from whom I -am to seek help, and who certainly will hear my prayer. <i>"Thine is the -power":</i> that is, Thou alone art the almighty God, Thou alone hast the -power to grant my petitions. And so <i>"Thine is the glory";</i> that is, all -glory, all honor, all praise, shall be given to Thee alone <i>forever and -ever.</i></p> - -<p>5. The word <i>"Amen"</i> with which we conclude our prayer means, as our -Catechism explains it: <i>"Yea, yea, it shall be so."</i> We express in this -word our assurance that our prayers are <i>acceptable to our Father in -heaven,</i> and that <i>He will hear them.</i> May we really be certain that our -petitions are acceptable to God? Most assuredly. <i>Our Lord Himself has -given us this prayer,</i> He has taught us these petitions, and <i>"has -commanded us so to pray."</i> When in true devotion, in the name of our -Redeemer, we come to our Father and pray these petitions, how could it -be otherwise than that our Father is well pleased! And He Himself, our -Father, has so often <i>promised that He will hear us,</i> that He will grant -our prayer. Our Lord has promised us: <i>"Verily, verily, I say unto you, -Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you."</i> -John 16,23. How could we doubt that God will hear us when we pray in -Christ's name, according to His will?—Indeed, it sometimes seems to -us as if God <i>did not hear</i> our prayers. But it only seems so; God hears -every true prayer. But we must not forget that God grants us our -petitions <i>in His own manner,</i> which we often do not understand. He does -not always grant our petitions at once, but <i>at His appointed time,</i> at -the time He has appointed for His help, which, indeed, is the best time -for us. Confidently we always want to conclude our prayers with, <i>"Amen; -yea, yea, it shall be so."</i></p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>We pray in this petition: My dear Father in heaven, lead me through -all my afflictions according to Thy gracious will and pleasure, and when -my last hour has come, grant me a blessed end and take me up to Thee in -heaven, and so deliver me from all evil.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>We are certain that this, our Lord's Prayer, as well as all the -prayers we are bringing before God in accordance with it, are acceptable -to God, and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray and -promised to hear us.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.</i> Acts -14,22.</p> - -<p><i>The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me -unto His heavenly kingdom.</i> 2 Tim. 4,18.</p> - -<p><i>Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy -word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.</i> Luke 2,29.30.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What do we mean when we say: "We pray in this petition,<i>as the sum of -all"?</i> 2. What is meant in this petition by the word "evil"? 3. Why does -God sometimes send us afflictions? 4. What do we ask our Father in -heaven to do when He has afflicted us? 5. To what should He turn all our -afflictions, all that seems evil to us? 6. What should God preserve in -us at such times? 7. Why do we call this life a "vale of tears"? 8. -When, finally, will God deliver us from all evil? 9. What kind of end do -we ask our heavenly Father to grant us? 10. Why will all our sorrows -then be at an end. 11. What do the words of the Conclusion mean? 12. -What the word "Amen"? 13. What do we mean to express by adding this -word? 14. Why may we be certain that all our petitions are acceptable to -God? 15. Why are we certain that God will always hear our prayers? 16. -How will God hear our prayers and grant us His help?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 47.<br/> - -How We Should Pray.</strong></p> - -<p>Review Lesson.</p> - -<p>1. When we pray we frequently use the prayer which the Lord has given -us. It really does contain everything we need, everything we may pray -for. But we also use other prayers; we bring our petitions before God in -our own words, or offer praise and thanks to Him. This is well-pleasing -to our Father in heaven. But we must not forget <i>that all our prayers -should be in accordance with the Lord's Prayer.</i> He has given us His -prayer also for this purpose, that we should learn from it <i>how to -pray.</i> The Lord's Prayer should be <i>the model for all our prayers.</i> If -that is our model, we are certain that we are praying according to God's -will. Let us see what the Lord's Prayer teaches us in this respect. <i>Let -us learn how we should pray.</i></p> - -<p>2. Whom do we address in the Lord's Prayer? Who is "our Father in -heaven"? Our Father in heaven is <i>the only true, the Triune God, God the -Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.</i> To Him we pray, and to Him alone. Such is -His will. <i>"Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt -thou serve."</i> Matt. 4,10. Against which commandment do we sin when we -pray to any one but the true God? We pray only to the true God because -He alone is <i>able</i> and <i>willing</i> to hear and answer our prayer.</p> - -<p>3. The Lord teaches us to call the Triune God <i>"our Father."</i> Why does -Christ teach us to use this dear name? Through whom is God our true -Father and we His true children? In whose name should we pray? Our -Savior says: <i>"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask -the Father in My name, He will give it you."</i> John 16,23. In the Fifth -Petition we learn why it is so necessary to pray in Jesus' name, -trusting in His merits. We daily sin much. We deserve nothing but -punishment. We pray that God would not look upon our sins, but -graciously answer our prayers for Christ's sake, who has earned -forgiveness of sins for us. Only <i>in Christ</i> is God well pleased with -us; <i>only for His sake will our prayers be heard and answered.</i></p> - -<p>4. Christ teaches us to address God as our Father, to believe that in -Christ He is indeed our true Father. By this endearing name our Lord -would <i>encourage</i> and <i>tenderly invite us</i> to come to Him as His -children and ask Him with all confidence. We should always pray with -confidence, never doubting that God for Chris's sake <i>will hear us and -grant our prayers. "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, -believing, ye shall receive."</i> Matt. 21,22. We are praying to the -<i>almighty God,</i> who is able to give all good things; we pray to Him who -is our <i>Father,</i> who has promised to hear our prayers.</p> - -<p>5. For what do we pray in the first three petitions? For what in the -Fourth Petition? We learn from this that we may pray for <i>everything -that is needful for our welfare, both spiritual and temporal things. -"What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive -them, and ye shall have them."</i> Mark 11,24. In how many petitions do we -ask for the heavenly or spiritual things, which we need for our souls? -In one petition the Lord teaches us to pray for our daily bread, for our -wants here on earth. Whenever we pray, we should first of all pray for -those gifts which we need for our salvation. <i>"Seek ye first the kingdom -of God and His righteousness,"</i> our Lord tells us. Matt. 6,33. Above all -we should pray for the gift of God's pure Word, for the Holy Ghost, in -order that by His grace we may believe His holy Word and lead a godly -life, that His will may be done among us, and that we may remain -faithful to our Lord and obtain eternal life.</p> - -<p>6. The Fourth Petition follows the one in which our Lord teaches us to -pray that God's good and gracious will may be done. When we are praying -for our daily bread, asking God for the things we need for our body and -our temporal welfare, <i>we should submit everything to God's will,</i> that -is, we should pray that God would grant us these gifts, <i>if it is His -will, if they tend to His glory and to our welfare. "This is the -confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to -His will, He heareth us."</i> 1 John 5,14.</p> - -<p>7. Our Lord teaches us to say not <i>my,</i> but <i>our</i> Father; indeed, -throughout the whole prayer we always include our neighbor in our -petitions. He wants us to <i>pray for our neighbors,</i> not only for our -friends and relatives, but for <i>all men,</i> even for our <i>enemies. "Pray -for them that despitefully use you and persecute you."</i> Matt. 5,44.</p> - -<p>8. In the last three petitions the Lord tells us to bring our cares and -troubles, our afflictions and sorrows of every kind, before the Lord. -Indeed, we ought to pray <i>at all times. "Pray without ceasing."</i> -1 Thess. 5,17. Especially, however, we should pray in times of <i>trouble -and need. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and -thou shalt glorify Me."</i> Ps. 50,15.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Always pray to the true God, the Father of your Lord Jesus Christ, -who through Him is also your Father. Come to Him in Christ's name. That -is His will, and He alone can and will hear such prayers.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Pray in Christ's name, with full confidence that your prayer is -acceptable to God and heard. Pray in the same manner as a dear child -asks his dear father.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Ask Him for all you need for the welfare of your body and soul; in -the first place, however, for the welfare of your soul, for your -salvation. In asking for temporal blessings submit your will to God's -will. Not my, but Thy will be done, my heavenly Father.</i></p> - -<p>4. <i>Do not forget to include in your prayer your neighbor, all men, even -your enemies. Finish your prayer with a confident "Amen; yea, yea, it -shall be so."</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.</i> -Matt. 4,10.</p> - -<p><i>This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything -according to His will, He heareth us.</i> 1 John 5,14.</p> - -<p><i>All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall -receive.</i> Matt. 21,22.</p> - -<p><i>Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt -glorify Me.</i> Ps. 50,15.</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 48.<br/> - -Holy Baptism.</strong></p> - -<p>What Baptism Is.</p> - -<p>What is Baptism?</p> - -<p><i>Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in -God's command and connected with God's word.</i></p> - -<p>Which is that word of God?</p> - -<p><i>Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye and teach -all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and -of the Holy Ghost.</i></p> - -<p>1. After having explained the Lord's Prayer, our Catechism tells us -about <i>Holy Baptism.</i> You all, most probably, have seen children -baptized, and some of you, perhaps, also adults. You yourselves were -baptized in your infancy in the name of the Father and of the Son and of -the Holy Ghost. You, therefore, should learn what Baptism is, and what -it gives and profits. Let us hear what our Catechism has to say about -this sacred act. In the first place, it explains <i>what Baptism is.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>"Baptism is not simple water only."</i> In baptism there is indeed -<i>water.</i> The person to be baptized is sprinkled with water, with simple, -common, natural water. We must use water in baptism and nothing else. -<i>Water is the external means</i> which God Himself has instituted for -baptism. But Baptism is not only water, it is more; <i>"it is the water -comprehended in God's command and connected with God's word."</i> In -baptism there is both God's command and God's word.</p> - -<p>3. Baptism is the water comprehended in God's command, that is, <i>we use -the water in baptism because God has commanded it.</i> Without this command -of God Baptism would be water only. Before our Lord ascended into -heaven, He gave His disciples this command: <i>"Go ye and teach all -nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of -the Holy Ghost."</i> Holy Baptism, therefore, is an act instituted and -ordained by God. For that reason we call it a <i>sacred act.</i> Christ gave -this command to His <i>disciples, to His Church, to all Christians.</i> The -called ministers of Christ, our pastors, ordinarily administer baptism; -but in cases of necessity every Christian can and should perform it. -Christ commands us to <i>baptize;</i> that means He commands us to <i>apply</i> -the water <i>by washing or sprinkling the person to be baptized with -water, or by immersing him into the water.</i></p> - -<p>4. <i>Baptism is the water connected with God's word.</i> The word which -Christ has commanded us to use in baptism is this: <i>"In the name of the -Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."</i> This word must always be -connected with the water to make it a Baptism. <i>"Without the word of God -the water is simple water, and no baptism. But with the word it is a -baptism, that is, a gracious water of life."—We are baptized in the -name of the Triune God.</i> What does this mean? God's name is God Himself, -as we have learned in the Second Commandment. We are baptized in God the -Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. By baptism we are <i>received into -communion with the Triune God.</i> He gives Himself to us <i>as our Father</i> -and accepts us <i>as His children,</i> He bestows upon us all His blessings, -all that He has done for us to save us. <i>With</i> the word of God baptism -is indeed a gracious water of life.</p> - -<p>5. Our Lord commands us to baptize <i>all nations,</i> that is, <i>all human -beings,</i> old and young, men and women. <i>"Preach the Gospel to every -creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."</i> Mark -16,15.16. Baptism is necessary to salvation; consequently God wants all -who believe in Him to be baptized. But a <i>certain distinction</i> should be -made. Those who are old enough to be instructed we baptize after they -have been <i>previously</i> taught the main doctrine of the Word of God, -<i>confess their faith</i> in Jesus Christ, and <i>desire to be baptized</i> and -thus become Christians.</p> - -<p>6. <i>Little children</i> are baptized by us soon after their birth, before -they are able to learn the Word of God. We teach them after their -baptism in our homes and schools and churches. We baptize our little -children because in the word <i>nations</i> the children, too, are included. -We baptize them because our Lord says: <i>"Suffer the little children to -come unto Me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God."</i> -Mark 10,14. Christ bids us bring our little children to Him that He may -bless them. We can do this only by means of Holy Baptism. Without -baptism they are under God's wrath, and their sins are not forgiven. By -baptism the Holy Ghost Himself brings them to Christ and kindles in them -the true faith in Him. God becomes their Father, and they are made His -children.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Holy Baptism is a sacred act instituted by God. God Himself has -commanded us to baptize, that is, to apply water in the name of the -Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. It is the water -comprehended in God's command.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Baptism is the water connected with God's word. In baptism the water -must be applied with these words: "In the name of the Father and of the -Son and of the Holy Ghost." By baptism we are received into communion -with the Triune God. He becomes our Father, and we are made His -children.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father -and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.</i> Matt. 28,19.</p> - -<p><i>Preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized -shall be saved.</i> Mark 16,15.16.</p> - -<p><i>Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not; for of -such is the kingdom of God.</i> Mark 10,14.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What is the external means which God has instituted for Holy Baptism? -2. What kind of water is to be used when we baptize a person? 3. In what -is the water of Baptism comprehended? 4. What is meant when we say: "The -water is comprehended in God's command"? 5. Recite the words of God's -command. Matt. 28,19. 6. To whom did Christ give this command? 7. Who -does now ordinarily administer Holy Baptism? 8. Who may and should do it -in cases of necessity? 9. What does the word <i>baptize</i> mean? 10. What is -the word of God with which the water in baptism is connected? 1l. What -does it mean to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and -of the Holy Ghost? 12. What does God become to us in baptism? 13. Whom -did Christ command us to baptize? 14. Whom do we generally baptize? 15. -How can you prove that it is right to baptize little children? 16. What -does Christ say about the little children Mark 10,14?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 49.<br/> - -Holy Baptism</strong></p> - -<p>What Baptism Gives, Or Profits.</p> - -<p>What does Baptism give, or profit?</p> - -<p><i>It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and -gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and -promises of God declare.</i></p> - -<p>Which are such words and promises of God?</p> - -<p><i>Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth, -and is baptized shall be saved, but He that believeth not shall be -damned.</i></p> - -<p>1. In our last lesson we learned what Baptism is. <i>"Baptism is not -simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and -connected with God's word."</i> Now the question arises, What good does it -do one to be baptized? <i>What does Baptism give, or profit?</i> Baptism must -indeed be a great and wonderful thing. God Himself instituted it. He put -His name, His word, into it. Where His name and His word are, there, -indeed, must be great, eternal blessings.</p> - -<p>2. Our Catechism answers the question: <i>"What does Baptism give, or -profit?"</i> by saying: <i>"It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death -and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as -the words and promises of God declare."</i> Three great blessings of -Baptism are mentioned: 1. It works forgiveness of sins; 2. it delivers -from death and the devil; 3. it gives eternal salvation. It does this -because of the words and promises of God: <i>"He that believeth and is -baptized shall be saved."</i> Mark 16,16. How can we prove by these words -that Holy Baptism also works forgiveness of sins and delivers from death -and the devil? Christ merely says that he who believes and is baptized -shall be <i>saved.</i> Remember, however, that there is no salvation where -there is not forgiveness of sins and deliverance from death and the -devil. <i>Salvation consists in forgiveness of sins and deliverance from -death and the devil.</i> If Baptism gives us salvation, it must also work -forgiveness of sins and deliver us from death and the devil.</p> - -<p>3. <i>Baptism works forgiveness of sins. "Repent and be baptized, every -one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."</i> -Acts 2,38. How are we to understand this statement: Baptism works -forgiveness of sins? Has not Christ Himself merited this heavenly gift? -Christ, our Savior, has indeed, by His sufferings and death, atoned for -our sins; <i>He has redeemed us from all our sins and so indeed earned for -us, for all men, forgiveness of sins.</i> But Holy Baptism is the <i>means</i> -by which the Holy Ghost <i>makes the forgiveness</i> which Christ has earned -for us <i>our own.</i> In baptism He presents to us and gives us this great -blessing. The apostle says: <i>"Ye are all the children of God, by faith -in Christ Jesus; for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ -have put on Christ."</i> Gal. 3,26.27. We are baptized <i>into Christ.</i> In -baptism <i>we put on Christ</i> with all His merits. As in a beautiful, -white, spotless garment we are clothed in baptism in the perfect -righteousness Christ has merited for us. <i>Baptism works forgiveness by -making Christ's righteousness our own.</i></p> - -<p>4. <i>Baptism delivers us from death and the devil.</i> By sin death came -into the world; death is the wages of sin. In baptism our sins are -washed away for Christ's sake, and in this way we are delivered from -death. In our dying hour we do not really see death, but have eternal -life. In death we rejoice: <i>"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where -is thy victory? ... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory -through our Lord Jesus Christ."</i> 1 Cor. 15,55-57.—Baptism works -forgiveness of sin and therefore <i>delivers us from the devil.</i> When our -sins have been washed away, the devil no longer has any power over us; -we are free from hell and damnation. If Satan still tempts us to sin, we -may, in the power of our baptism, resist him and gain the victory.—By -working forgiveness of sin, by delivering us from death and the devil, -<i>Baptism gives us eternal salvation. "He that believeth and is baptized -shall be saved."</i> Mark 16,16.</p> - -<p>5. To whom does Baptism give all this? It gives these things <i>"to all -who believe this."</i> Our Savior says: <i>"He that believeth and is baptized -shall be saved."</i> Mark 16,16. All those who believe, trusting in the -promises God has given in His Word concerning Baptism, receive these -heavenly gifts. It is true, Baptism <i>contains</i> all these precious gifts -and blessings, <i>whether we believe or not.</i> They are <i>offered to all who -are baptized.</i> But we must take them and <i>make them our own.</i> This is -done <i>by faith in Christ.</i> Baptism is <i>God's hand,</i> by means of which He -hands down His gifts, forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. -Faith is our <i>hand,</i> with which we take God's gifts and make them our -own.—<i>During our whole life</i> we should remember our baptism and the -grace God therein has bestowed upon us. Whenever we have sinned, we -should in true repentance take refuge to our baptism, to the grace of -God which He has promised us there. <i>"The covenant of my peace shall not -be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."</i> Is. 54,10.</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>Do not forget to thank your Father in heaven for your baptism. It -makes you certain that His heavenly gifts, forgiveness of sins, life, -and salvation, are indeed yours. It makes you certain that God is your -Father and will remain your Father and you His child.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>If you have sinned and grieved your heavenly Father, take refuge to -your baptism. Trust to His unfaltering grace which He has promised you -there. Believe in Christ, who is yours through Baptism, and you will be -saved.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE:—</p> - -<p><i>Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ -for the remission of sins.</i> Acts 2,38.</p> - -<p><i>Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus; for as many of -you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.</i> Gal. 3,26.27.</p> - -<p><i>O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be -to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.</i> -1 Cor. 15,55-57.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What three great benefits does Baptism give us? 2. Where did Christ -Himself promise this? Mark 16,16. 3. Prove that in these words of Christ -forgiveness of sins and deliverance from death and the devil are -included. 4. Which is the first benefit Holy Baptism gives us? 5. Who, -indeed, has redeemed us from all sins? 6. How, then, can we say that -Baptism works forgiveness of sins? 7. Whom do we put on in baptism? 8. -What does that mean? 9. How, therefore, does Baptism work forgiveness of -sins? 10. Which is the second benefit of Baptism? 11. How does Baptism -deliver us from death and the devil? 12. How does it give us eternal -salvation? 13. To whom does Baptism give all these blessings? 14. -Baptism is God's hand, by means of which He gives us all His gifts. -Which is our hand with which we receive them? 15. How long should we -remember our baptism? 16. When, especially, should it be our refuge?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 50.<br/> - -The Lord's Supper.</strong></p> - -<p>What Is The Sacrament Of The Altar?</p> - -<p><i>It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread -and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ -Himself.</i></p> - -<p>What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?</p> - -<p><i>That 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.</i></p> - -<p>1. You have often seen how on certain Sundays confirmed members of our -church went up to the altar to receive bread and wine to eat and drink, -while the minister said to them: "Take and eat; this is the true body of -your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Take and drink; this is the true -blood of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." We call this sacred act the -<i>Lord's Supper,</i> or the <i>Sacrament of the Altar. What does this sacred -act mean?</i></p> - -<p>2. The holy evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and St. Paul the -Apostle write about the Lord's Supper thus: <i>"Our Lord Jesus Christ,"</i> -etc. The Lord's Supper was not instituted by men, by the Church, <i>but by -Christ Himself.</i> Therefore it is <i>a sacred act.</i> The Lord instituted His -Supper <i>"the same night in which He was betrayed,"</i> in the night before -His sufferings and death. After He had given His disciples the bread and -the cup, He added: <i>"This do in remembrance of Me."</i> The Lord <i>commanded</i> -His disciples that after His ascension <i>they should do as He had done,</i> -that they should take bread and wine, give thanks over them, and eat -and drink in remembrance of Him. <i>He commanded His Church to celebrate -His Supper to the end of days.</i> "As often as ye eat this bread and drink -this cup, ye do show the Lord's death <i>till He come."</i> 1 Cor. 11,26.</p> - -<p>3. In the night in which Jesus was betrayed by His disciple Judas, our -Lord <i>took bread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it into small -pieces, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take and eat. After the -same manner also He took the cup, filled it with wine, gave thanks, and -gave it to His disciples, saying, Take, drink ye all of it.</i> The Lord -took <i>bread and wine</i> and gave them to His disciples to eat and drink. -We should do likewise in celebrating the Lord's Supper. We should take -bread and wine, eat and drink both in remembrance of the Lord. As in -Baptism the water, so in the Lord's Supper bread and wine are the -external, visible means. The Lord's Supper is the bread and wine -<i>comprehended in God's command.</i></p> - -<p>4. In the Lord's Supper bread and wine are also <i>connected with God's -word.</i> While the disciples ate the bread and drank the wine, the Lord -said to them, <i>"This is my body, which is given for you. This cup is the -New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of -sins."</i> These words of Christ we must also have in His Supper, together -with the bread and wine.—In His Supper, under the bread and wine, our -Lord gives us, according to His promise, <i>His body, which was given for -us,</i> which was crucified, <i>and His true blood, which was shed for us on -the cross for the remission of our sins.</i> Under and with the bread and -wine we eat and drink the body and the blood of our Lord. We cannot -understand how this is possible, but we <i>believe</i> it because our Lord -has promised it. <i>"The Word of the Lord is right, and all His works are -done in truth."</i> Ps. 33,4. Our Lord is the <i>almighty God,</i> who is able -to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think and can -understand. Eph. 3,20. The Lord's Supper, or the Sacrament of the Altar, -<i>"is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread -and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ -Himself."</i></p> - -<p>5. <i>What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?</i> Our Catechism -answers: <i>"That is shown us by these words, 'Given and shed for you for -the remission of sins.'"</i> In the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, -and salvation are given us through these words. Our Lord, it is true, -speaks only of remission, or forgiveness, of sins; but <i>"where there is -forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation."</i>—In His -Supper my Lord gives me, and I eat, His body, given for me, and He gives -me, and I drink, His blood, shed for the remission of my sins. He gives -me His body and blood, by the giving and shedding of which upon the -cross He purchased and earned and procured for me the forgiveness of my -sins. So the Lord's Supper <i>strengthens our faith in Christ,</i> our -Redeemer. When we believe these words in the Sacrament, we have in it -<i>forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.</i> How we ought to thank our -Lord for making us so certain of our salvation in His Supper!</p> - -<p>REMEMBER:—</p> - -<p>1. <i>We have two Sacraments, two sacred acts, wherein our Lord, through -visible, external means, connected with the word of God, offers and -gives us His grace which Christ has merited.</i></p> - -<p>2. <i>Very many of those who call themselves Christians, and who are -Christians, deny that in the Sacrament there is really Christ's true -body and blood, because they cannot understand how this is possible. We -firmly believe the plain and clear words of our true and almighty -Savior.</i></p> - -<p>3. <i>Let us give thanks to the Lord, who has prepared for us such a -wonderful means of grace to strengthen our faith in the forgiveness of -sins, life, and salvation.</i></p> - -<p>MEMORIZE: —</p> - -<p><i>The Word of the Lord is right, and all His works are done in truth.</i> -Ps. 33,4.</p> - -<p><i>As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's -death till He come.</i> 1 Cor. 11,26.</p> - -<p>QUESTIONS.</p> - -<p>1. What do we call the second Sacrament of the Christian Church? 2. Who -instituted this Sacrament? 3. When did Christ institute it? 4. Which -words of Christ show that we also should do as He has done, and -celebrate His Supper? 5. What are the external visible means in this -Sacrament? 6. What word of God is it with which bread and wine are -connected? 7. What does Christ give us to eat and to drink under and -with the bread and wine? 8. Why do we believe this to be true though we -can not understand it? 9. Why do we believe that Christ is able to do -what He has promised in His Supper? 10. Which words of Christ show us -the benefit of such eating and drinking? 11. What is given us, according -to these words, in the Sacrament? 12. How do we prove that also life and -salvation are given us in the Sacrament, although Christ speaks only of -forgiveness of sins? 13. How does the Sacrament make us certain of -forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation? 14. What is a Sacrament?</p> - -<p><strong>LESSON 51.<br/> - -Baptism And the Lord's Supper.</strong></p> - -<p>Review Lesson.</p> - -<p>1. We have two Sacraments in our Church. What do we mean by a sacrament? -By whom have the Sacraments been instituted? What has God ordained in -the Sacraments to offer His grace? With what are these visible, external -means connected? What does God offer and give through the external means -connected with His word? What are the two Sacraments called?</p> - -<p>2. Our first Sacrament is Baptism. How does our Catechism answer the -question, "What is Baptism"? What is the external means in Baptism? What -kind of water must we uge when we baptize a person? If we have no water, -we cannot baptize. But the water in Baptism is not simple, common water; -what, then, is it?—Baptism is the water comprehended in God's -command. What command did Christ give His disciples before He ascended -into heaven? Matt. 28,19. Who, therefore, has instituted Baptism? Who, -at the present time, ordinarily performs this sacred act? In which case -can and should every Christian do it? Christ has commanded us to -baptize? What does the word baptize mean?—Which is the word of God -connected with the water in Baptism? We are baptized in the name of the -Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, in the name of the Triune -God. God's name is God Himself. We are baptized in God Himself, in the -Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. What does God bestow upon us in Baptism? -God there gives us Himself as our true Father and accepts us as His dear -children. Since the water of Baptism is connected with God's word and -name, it is indeed not common water, but a gracious water of life.— -Whom are we to baptize according to God's command? What is meant by the -word <i>nations</i>? We make a distinction in baptizing adults and children. -When do we baptize adults? We baptize our children in their infancy, -when they are still babies, not able to be instructed in the Word of -God. We instruct them in the doctrines of God's Word after they have -been baptized, when they are able to understand and to learn the Word of -God. What kind of schools do we Christians therefore establish? Which -word of Christ induces us to baptize our little children? Mark 10,14. -To whom are our children brought in Baptism? What does the Holy Ghost -kindle in them by Baptism? In Holy Baptism our children become God's -children. Christ takes them up in His arms and blesses them.</p> - -<p>3. Baptism is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with -God's word. Baptism is indeed a great and wonderful institution. Why? -What three great blessings of Baptism are mentioned in our Catechism? -Where has Christ promised these three blessings? Mark 16,16. Christ here -only says that he that believeth and is baptized <i>shall be saved.</i> He -mentions only salvation; how, then, can we prove that Baptism also works -forgiveness of sins and delivers from death and the devil?—Baptism -works forgiveness of sins. Christ by His innocent sufferings and death -has earned us this great gift, and yet we say that baptism works -forgiveness of sins. What do we mean to say by this? By what means does -the Holy Ghost make forgiveness of sins our own? What does the Apostle -write Gal. 3,26.27? Whom do we put on in Baptism? What does this mean? -By Baptism all the merits of Christ are imputed to us, His spotless -righteousness is made our own. The second great blessing of Baptism is -this, that it delivers us from death and from the devil. How did death -come into this world? If Baptism works forgiveness of sins, from what -must it deliver us? Baptism delivers us from the devil. How does Baptism -deliver us from the devil? How does it give us salvation? To whom does -Baptism give all these great things? What does our Lord say Mark 16,16? -It is true, Baptism offers all these heavenly gifts to us, whether we -believe or not. But we must take and receive them by faith. As God -offers all these things in Baptism, with what may we compare Holy -Baptism as far as God is concerned? What is the hand with which we take -all God's blessings which are offered in Baptism? We should remember our -baptism during our whole life. When especially should we think of it? -How long will God keep His promises?</p> - -<p>4. Our second Sacrament is the Lord's Supper. What is it also called? By -whom was it instituted? What does our Lord mean to say when He adds: -"This do in remembrance of Me"? Christ wants His Sacrament to be -celebrated in His Church till He again comes visibly on the Last Day.— -What are the visible means in this Sacrament? What are we to do with the -bread and wine? In the Lord's Supper as in baptism the visible means, -bread and wine, are comprehended in God's command.—What is the word -of God connected with the bread and wine? What does Christ give us in -the Sacrament under bread and wine? We, indeed, cannot understand this, -cannot see how it is possible. Why do we nevertheless believe it to be -true? Can Christ fulfil what He has promised us? Why? In which of His -words of institution is the benefit of such eating and drinking shown? -What is given us in the Sacrament through these words? We are given -forgiveness of sins; what must be there also, where there is forgiveness -of sins? What is especially strengthened in us when we partake of the -Lord's Supper?</p> - -<p>Lord, grant that we e'er pure retain<br/> -The catechismal doctrine plain<br/> -As Luther taught the heavenly truth<br/> -In simple words to tender youth.</p> - -<p>That we Thy holy Law may know<br/> -And mourn our sin and all its woe,<br/> -And yet believe in Father, Son,<br/> -And Holy Spirit, Three in One.</p> - -<p>That we on Thee, our Father, call,<br/> -Who canst and wilt give help to all;<br/> -That as Thy children we may live,<br/> -Whom Thou in Baptism didst receive.</p> - -<p>That, if we fall, we rise again,<br/> -Repentingly confess our sin,<br/> -And take the Sacrament in faith;—<br/> -Amen. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Lessons in the Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther - For the Senior Department of Lutheran Sunday-Schools and for General Use - -Author: George Mezger - -Release Date: November 7, 2016 [EBook #53465] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LESSONS IN THE SMALL CATECHISM *** - - - - -Produced by Kurt A.T. Bodling, Appalachian Trail hiker, -librarian, and still an LCMS pastor - - - - - -LESSONS - -in the - -Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther. - -For the Senior Department of Lutheran -Sunday-Schools and for General Use. - -By - -GEO. MEZGER, -Professor at Concordia Seminary, -St. Louis, Mo. - -St. Louis, Mo. -CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE. -1923. - - -LESSON 1. - -The Catechism and the Bible. - -1. The little book we have before us is called the _Small Catechism._ -The word "catechism" means _instruction._ This little book gives us -instruction in a brief and simple form, such as even a child can -understand. It teaches us what every Christian, as a child of God, -should believe, and how every Christian, as a child of God, should -live.--This book is called the _Small Catechism_ not only because it -is a small book, but mainly because we have also a _Large Catechism_ for -older people. - -2. The _Small Catechism_ was written by _Dr. Martin Luther, the great -Reformer of the Church._ Luther was born at Eisleben, a small town in -Germany, November 10, 1483, and died at the same place, February 18, -1546. He published his _Small Catechism in the year 1529,_ for the -benefit of the common people and the children, who are most in need of -such instruction. - -3. Our Catechism is a small book, indeed, but it is a most precious -little book. It does not contain Luther's thoughts and doctrines or -those of any other wise and learned man; it contains _God's own words_ -revealed to us for our salvation. It does not teach us _all_ the -doctrines of God's Word, but those that every Christian must know in -order _to believe rightly, to lead a godly life, and when his last hour -is come to depart in peace._ Our Catechism teaches these doctrines in a -short form, in plain and simple words. - -4. _Our Catechism teaches God's Word._ How do we prove this? Luther has -taken the contents of his Catechism from the Bible, and the Bible is the -Word of God.--The Word "Bible" means _book._ We call our Bible "the -book" because it really is the Book of books, the book in comparison -with which no other book is worthy to be called by that name, the most -important and valuable book.--The Bible is also called _the -Scriptures,_ or _Scripture,_ which means something written, a written -word. The Bible was written by _holy men of God._ These holy men did not -write the Bible of their own will. _"Holy men of God spake"_ (and wrote) -_"as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."_ 2 Pet. 1,21. God Himself moved -His holy men to write the Bible. - -5. The Bible contains many _different books,_ written at different -times. We divide the books of our Bible into _two chief parts._ The -first we call the _Old Testament._ To it belong all the books written by -the prophets of God, by Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, and others, before -our Savior was born.--The second part we call the _New Testament,_ -which contains all the books written by the evangelists and apostles, -such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, and others, after our -Savior came into this world. _Both Testaments teach us the same things -and doctrines._ In what respect do they differ? - -6. The Bible is the written Word of God. It is true, holy men have -written the Bible, but they wrote being moved by the Holy Ghost, and -moreover, they wrote what God told them to write, they wrote by -inspiration of God. _"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God."_ -2 Tim. 3,16. God inspired His prophets and apostles, that is, He taught -and told them what to write, He taught and gave them the very words -which they were to use. When a teacher dictates to his pupils, the -children, indeed, write the words; yet they do not write their own -words, but the words of their teacher. In a similar manner, God, as it -were, dictated His Word to the holy men; He told them what to write, -and how to write it. So the whole Bible is God's Word. Therefore it is -wholly _free from every error,_ it is _infallible._ Everything it tells -us is the truth. God will not and cannot tell us an untruth. - -7. _For what purpose did God give us His Word in the Bible?_ The Holy -Scriptures _"are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith -which is in Christ Jesus."_ 2 Tim. 3,15. God's Word is to make us -_wise,_ not wise unto the things of this world, unto our daily life and -work, but _wise unto salvation._ It teaches us how we who are sinners -can be saved from damnation. Nobody can teach us this but God in His -Word.--Our salvation is in Christ Jesus. We are saved solely by faith -in Him who has taken away the sins of the world. The Scriptures testify -of Christ.--The Word of God is _able_ to make us wise unto salvation. -In it we find all we must know, all that is necessary to save us, to -give us eternal life. _"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto -my path."_ Ps. 119,105. - -8. _How should we use the Scriptures?_ Our Savior says: _"Search the -Scriptures; for in them, ye think ye have eternal life; and they are -they which testify of Me."_ 3 John 5,39. We should _search_ the -Scriptures, that is, we should read and study them diligently. We hear -God's Word preached in our churches, we learn it in our schools, we -should read it daily in our homes. We should not only read, but _study_ -it _with earnest prayer to God_ that He would open our eyes that we may -understand His Word.--We should read it so as _to seek and to find in -it Christ,_ our Lord and Savior, and through faith in Him have eternal -life. _"Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it,"_ Luke -11,28. - -9. From the Word of God our Catechism is taken. Luther took the most -important doctrines from the Bible for his Catechism. _It may be called -a small Bible._ Gladly should we study this little book. As new-born -babes long and cry for their milk and grow thereby to become strong men -or women, so children of God, newly born in Holy Baptism, should desire -the pure milk of the Word set before them in their Catechism and grow -thereby in knowledge and faith unto salvation. 1 Pet. 2,2. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_The Bible is the Word of God, written by inspiration of the Holy Ghost. -God gave us His Word to make us wise unto salvation through faith in -Christ Jesus._ - -_We should diligently search the Scriptures to find in them Christ, our -Savior, and in Him, everlasting life._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are -able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ -Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God._ 2 Tim. 3,15.16. - -_Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and -they are they which testify of Me._ John 5,39. - -_Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it._ Luke 11,28. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What does the word "catechism" mean? 2. What does the Catechism teach -us? 3. By whom was our Catechism written? 4. Who was Dr. Martin Luther? -5. When was our Catechism published? 6. From what other book are the -doctrines of our Catechism taken? 7. What does the word "Bible" mean? -8. Why do we call this book the Bible? 9. How is the Bible also called? -10. By whom was the Bible, or Holy Scripture, written? Whose word is the -Bible? 11. How is the Bible God's Word, though it was written by men? -12. What are the chief parts of the Scriptures? 13. Of whom do both -parts testify? 14. In what respect do they differ? 15. For what purpose -did God give us His Word? 16. Unto what does the Bible make wise? 17. -How do we obtain salvation? 18. How should we use the Bible? 19. What -does the Psalmist say about God's Word? 20. Why should we also -diligently learn our Catechism? - -LESSON 2. - -The First Commandment. - -Which is the First Commandment? - -_Thou shalt have no other gods before Me._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things._ - -1. We all have been baptized. In Holy Baptism God has received us as His -children. _God is our heavenly Father._ A father gives his children his -commands. He tells them what they should do and not do, how they should -live to please him. So our heavenly Father has given us, His children, -His _commandments._ He tells us what, according to His will, we should -do and not do, how we should live and walk in His sight. As His obedient -children we will gladly hear and learn His will and try, with His -gracious help, to lead such lives as will please Him. It should be our -pleasure to fulfil His commandments, for they are the will of our -Father, who loves us so dearly.--_The Ten Commandments are our -heavenly Father's will; they tell us what we should do and not do._ - -2. _"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,"_ that is the first of the -Ten Commandments. That is the will of God, our Lord and Father, that we -are to have no other gods before or besides Him. He who is the only true -God should be our God. Him alone, and nobody and nothing besides Him, we -are to have and regard as our God. _"I am, the Lord, that is My name; -and My glory will I not give to another"_ Is. 42,8. When do we regard -God as our God? When is He our God indeed? Our Catechism says: _"We -should fear, love, and trust in God above all things."_ When we fear -God, and love Him, and trust in Him above all things, then He is truly -our God. - -3. _"We should fear God."_ A dutiful child fears his father. He -certainly is not afraid of him, but he honors and respects him. In the -same manner we should fear God. He says: _"I am the almighty God."_ Gen. -17,7. He has, through His mighty word, made heaven and earth. Because -God is so great and mighty, we should fear Him. We should not be afraid -of Him,--the almighty God is our Father,--but we should honor and -respect Him above all things. - -4. A child shows his fear and filial respect for his father _by not -doing anything wrong,_ because his dear father might see it or hear of -it. He is afraid he might displease his father by disobeying him, yes, -cause him grief. _God is always with us. He sees and hears everything -we do or say, yea, He knows the very thoughts of our hearts._ We should -always remember that He is present wherever we are, and therefore behave -accordingly. We should be afraid to grieve our heavenly Father by doing -wrong. _The fear of God will keep us from doing anything against His -holy will. "By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil."_ Prov. 16,6. -_Think of Joseph, in Egypt!_ When he was tempted by Potiphar's wife, he -remembered that God was with him, therefore he told her: _"How, then, -can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?"_ Gen. 30,9. -Remember always: God is with me! and you will not do such great -wickedness and sin against your God. _"I am the almighty God; walk before -Me and be thou perfect."_ Gen. 17,1. - -_We fear God, when we honor and respect Him, when we walk before Him, -and for His sake keep away from sin._ - -5. _"We should love God,"_ We all love our parents. We esteem them -highly, our hearts cling to them, because we know how dearly they love -us, and that they are doing all they can for us. God ought to be dearer -to us than everything in this world, dearer even than our parents. He is -our heavenly Father, our greatest Benefactor. From Him we receive all -that we have and enjoy. He loves us first, He has so loved us that He -gave His dear Son for us. _So we should love Him and cling to Him with -our whole heart._ - -6. _"This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments."_ 1 John -5,3. If we love God, we shall gladly do as He bids us do. Thus our -_Lord Jesus_ loved His heavenly Father. He says: _"I will delight to do -Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy Law is within My heart."_ Ps. 40,8. -_Abraham_ loved God, and therefore he was willing to sacrifice his only -son for God's sake. Gen. 22,1-12. - -_We love God when we cling to Him with our whole heart and from love to -Him fulfil His commandments._ - -7. _"We should trust in God."_ To trust in God means to put our -confidence in God and His promises, to be assured that He will give us -what we need and what is good for us in this life and in the life to -come. We trust in God when we believe that He will not forsake us in the -day of trouble, that whatever He sends us, though it seem evil, will be -for our good. Our Father can and will give us only good and perfect -gifts. Thus _David_ trusted in the Lord when he went forth to conquer -Goliath. 1 Sam. 17. Thus, too _those three men _trusted in God who -suffered themselves to be cast into the fiery furnace rather than deny -their God. Dan. 3. - -_We trust in God when we put our confidence in Him and firmly believe -that He will give us all we need, that He will never forsake us, and -that everything which He sends us will be for our welfare._ - -8. "We should fear and love God and trust" in Him _"above all things,"_ -that is, more than in all other men or things. We may, and we really do, -fear and love many things besides God. We fear and love our parents, our -teachers, our friends, and we trust in them. God Himself bids us do so. -For God's sake we fear and love them. But we must fear and love _God_ -more than all other things, more than even our parents, or our dearest -friends. _He must be first in our heart and in our life._ If our -parents, or friends, or anything else would separate us from God, or -prevent us from fearing and loving Him, or from trusting in Him above -all things, we must cast them aside. If we fear and love and trust in -anything more than in God, we make a creature our god; then we have -other gods besides God; then we are worshiping idols (other gods that -are no gods), as the heathen do. _"Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy -God, and Him only shalt thou serve."_ Matt. 4,10. - -9. Fear, love, and trust God demands from us. Fear, love, and trust are -to be found in the heart. _God claims our hearts in this commandment. -"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart."_ Prov. 3,5. Together with our -hearts God wants our whole lives, all we are and have. _The First -Commandment is the greatest of them all._ In this all the others are -included. Let us daily pray God to grant us His grace to fear and love -Him and trust in Him above all things, in order that we may have no -other gods before Him. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. We should fear and love God and trust in Him above all things; then -we shall have no other gods before Him; then He, the true God, will be -our God indeed._ - -_2. We should fear and love and trust in God above all things. God wants -our whole heart and life, all that we are and have._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_I am the almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect._ Gen. 17,1. - -_Trust in the Lord with all thine heart._ Prov. 3,5. - -_Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve._ -Matt. 4,10. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What does God tell us in His commandments? 2. Why has God a right to -give us these commandments? 3. Which is the First Commandment? 4. Who -should be our God? 5. When is the only true God our God? 6. What does it -mean to fear God? 7. How do we show that we fear God? 8. What does the -Lord say Gen. 17,1? 9. What does it mean to love God? 10. What shall we -fulfil if we love God? 11. What does it mean to trust in God? 12. What -shall we firmly believe if we trust in God? 13. How should we fear and -love God and trust in Him? 14. Why should we fear and love God above all -things? 15. What sin do we commit if we fear and love any one more than -God? 16. What does our Lord say Matt. 4,10? 17. What does God demand of -us in the First Commandment? 18. Why is the First Commandment the -greatest of all? - -LESSON 3. - -The Second Commandment. - -Which is the Second Commandment? - -_Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use -witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every -trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks._ - -1. We learned in the first Commandment that we should _fear and love our -God above all things._ That is the will of our Father in heaven. If we -fear and love God, we shall gladly fulfil His commandments and do His -will. And it is only if we fear and love God that we shall do so. All -our obedience to God and His commandments must come from a heart that -fears and loves God. In every commandment our God demands again that we -fear and love Him. Therefore our Catechism begins the explanation of -every commandment with these words: _"We should fear and love God."_ - -2. _"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain."_ -Because we fear and love God, we must not take His name in vain. God has -a name, just as you and everybody has a name by which he is known and -called; indeed, God has many names. You already learned several of His -names. _(God, Lord, Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost, the Almighty, -Creator, Savior,_ etc.) These names God has given Himself in His Word. -Through His names He shows us who and what He is, what He has done and -still is doing for His children. God is called Savior, and He really is -the Savior; He is called Creator because He has created heaven and -earth; He is called the Almighty, for with Him nothing is impossible. -_God's name is God Himself as He has revealed Himself to us._ - -3. _We are not to take God's name in vain._ To take God's name in vain -means to use His holy name _thoughtlessly_ and _without any need._ Many -persons, it is sad to say, very often use the name of God, and -especially that of Jesus Christ, in their speech without thinking of -their Savior, without even knowing that they do so. They use it even -when they talk of vile things. They take God's name in vain and mock -God. _"Be not deceived; God is not mocked."_ Gal. 6,7. - -4. Our Catechism shows us more plainly how God's name is taken in vain: -_"We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use -witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name."_ We should not _curse._ To -curse by God's name means _to call down upon oneself or another God's -punishment. Peter_ cursed. Matt. 26,74. He said God should punish him if -he knew "the man" Jesus. Christians should never curse. They bless and -praise God, their Father; how, then, can they curse their fellow-men and -wish them God's punishment? Blessing and cursing should not come out of -the same mouth. Jas. 3,9.10. - -5. _We should not swear by God's name._ We swear when we use God's name -to affirm the truth of what we say, as we hear it done so often in daily -life. Our Lord says to His disciples: _"I say unto you, Swear not at -all. ... But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for -whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."_ Matt. 5,34,37. - -6. _We should not use witchcraft by God's name._ We use witchcraft when -we try to perform things which by natural means we cannot do, such as -_fortune-telling, calling and asking the dead_ (as the Spiritualists -claim to do), etc. Such works are in themselves grievous sins, works of -the devil. But such sins are much greater when God's holy name is used -in performing them. Christians should have nothing to do with these -works of darkness, these works of the devil. (Read Deut. 18,10-12.) - -7. _We should not lie or deceive by God's name._ Lying by God's name -means telling a lie and using God's name and Word in order to make the -lie seem to be the truth. So the _false prophets_ use God's name and -Word in order to hide their false doctrines and make them appear as -God's truth. _"Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that -use their tongues and say, He saith." _Jer. 23,31, The hypocrites -deceive by God's name. They use God's name, they talk about God and His -Word in order to hide their evil life. _"Not every one that saith unto -Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that -doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven."_ Matt. 7,21. Think of -Ananias and Sapphira. Acts 5. - -8. To take God's name in vain is a _grievous sin._ God is greatly -displeased with it. How can we, who fear and love God, grieve Him by -taking His holy name in vain? _And God has threatened to punish all that -misuse His name. "The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His -name in vain."_ Ex. 20,7.4 - -9. God has revealed His name to us in order to _bless and save us._ He -wants us to use His holy name _in the right way. "We should call upon it -in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks."_ That is the right use -of our Lord's name.--He wants us to _call_ on Him, to beg for His -help, especially in all our troubles; for He alone can help us in all -our needs. God says: _"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will -deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me."_ Ps. 50,15.--We should -_pray_ in His name; for in every true prayer we use His name aright. He -wants us to come to Him daily and speak with Him, as a child speaks to -his father.--We should use His name in _praising_ and _thanking_ Him -for His manifold goodness, for all His benefits, all the great things He -does for us. If He has delivered or helped us, we should glorify Him. -_"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy -name."_ Ps. 103,1. _"O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; -because His mercy endureth forever."_ Ps. 118,1. If we rightly use the -name of our God, we shall be blessed by it. _"The name of the Lord is a -strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe."_ Prov. 18,10. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. God has given us His holy name that we may be blessed and saved by -it._ - -_2. He forbids us to take in vain and misuse His sacred name by cursing, -swearing, using witchcraft, lying, or deceiving, or by thoughtlessly -speaking it._ - -_3. He commands us to use it aright by calling upon it in all our needs, -by praying, praising, and giving of thanks. We should fear and love God -and so use His blessed name._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_I say unto you, Swear not at all, but let your communication be, Yea, -yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."_ [tr. -note: sic on quotation mark] Matt. 5,34.37. - -_Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their -tongues and say, He saith._ Jer. 23,31. - -_Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt -glorify Me._ Ps. 50, 15. - -_Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy -name._ Ps. 103,1. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. How does our Catechism begin the explanation of every commandment -after the First Commandment? 2. When only can and will we fulfil all the -commandments? 3. What, therefore, does God demand of us in every -commandment? 4. Enumerate some of God's holy names. 5. For what purpose -has God revealed His name to us? 6. What does it mean to take God's name -in vain? 7. What does it mean to curse by God's name? 8. When do we -swear by God's name? 9. Whose work is witchcraft? 10. What people lie by -God's name? 11. What does God say about the false prophets? (Jer. 3,31.) -12. What does it mean to deceive by God's name? 13. What has God -threatened those who take His name in vain? 14. What is the will of God -with respect to His name? 15. How should we use God's name? 16. What -does it mean to call upon God? 17. When especially should we do so? 18. -Recite Ps. 50,15. 19. Why should we praise the Lord and give thanks unto -His name? 20. Recite Ps. 103,1. - -LESSON 4. - -The Third Commandment. - -Which is the Third Commandment? - -_Thou shalt sanctify the holy-day._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His -Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it._ - -1. _"Thou shalt sanctify the holy-day,"_ that is the Third Commandment. -We Christians have a _holy-day._ We celebrate as our holy-day the first -day in week, Sunday. We do not do this because God has commanded us to -keep this day or any other day holy, more sacred than the rest of the -week. In the Old Testament, before Christ came into the world, God had -given His people a certain day as a holy-day, the seventh day of the -week, the _Sabbath._ In the New Testament, after Christ was born, God -has given no such commandment. _The Church, the Christians themselves,_ -has chosen a holy-day. The Church chose Sunday, because it was on a -Sunday that our dear Lord, our Savior and our King, arose again from the -dead. Every Sunday should remind us of the resurrection of our Savior, -of His victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil.--We also -keep other days holy, for instance, Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, -and other festival days. Can you name some other Christian festival? - -2. _Why do we Christians celebrate certain days as holy-days though God -has not commanded us to do so?_ It is God's will that His children -should come together for services of _preaching and hearing His Word,_ -that they should come together in their churches for public worship. In -order to do this, it is necessary to set aside a _certain day._ That is -the reason why the Church celebrates Sunday and other feasts. _We -celebrate them not by divine command, but in order to have time for -public worship,_ for going to church, for services of preaching and -hearing the Word of God. To the question, "What does this mean?" namely, -to sanctify the holy-day, our Catechism rightly answers: _"We should -fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but -hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it."_ - -3. _We should not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred,_ -that is the will of God according to the Third Commandment. Remember, it -is _His_ Word, the holy Word of our _heavenly Father,_ whom we should -fear and love. It is God Himself who speaks to us in His Word, in the -Bible, when we read it. It is God Himself who sends His messengers to -us, our pastors and teachers, to preach His Word that we may the better -understand it. Our Savior says concerning His messengers: _"He that -heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he -that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me."_ Luke 10, 16. In -despising His Word, we despise our Lord, yea, our God and Father -Himself. A child does not despise the words of his respected and beloved -father. How deeply would we, then, offend our heavenly Father by -despising His Word!--If we really fear and love God, we shall not -despise His Word, but hold it sacred. We shall not forget that we are -hearing our dear Father's voice when we are reading our Bible. When -God's Word is preached to us in our churches, we shall hear and receive -it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God. -1 Thess. 2,13. - -4. _When is this done?_ When do we not despise God's Word, but rather -hold it sacred? God's Word is _preached to to us in public worship._ We -despise the preaching of His Word when we do not go to church at all, or -only now and then, at long intervals, because we prefer to stay at home -to do our work or to amuse ourselves. We despise preaching when we -go to church, but hear the sermon carelessly when we do not pay -attention to the pastor. He that will not hear God's Word is not of God; -such a one cannot remain God's child. John 8,47.--If we keep the -preaching of God's Word sacred, we shall go to church regularly every -Sunday, unless sickness, or something else that we cannot avoid, hinders -us. We shall go to church in order to hear the sermon, to listen -attentively to it. We shall hear the Word willingly and gladly and -rejoice that we may again hear the dear Gospel of the love of God in -Jesus Christ, our Lord. We shall rejoice and say: _"Lord, I have loved -the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth."_ -Ps. 26,8.--God's Word is also preached and taught us in our -_day-schools_ and _Sunday-schools._ Come to your school regularly, hear -the lessons from the Word of God diligently and attentively and you will -hold His Word sacred; you will do the will of your Father. - -5. God's Word is not only preached, God has also given us the _Bible, -His written Word._ He wants us to read His Word in our _homes. "Search -the Scriptures,"_ John 5,39, our Savior says. We should not only read -it, but read it carefully and often, read it with prayer to God that we -may more thoroughly understand it. The Word of God should dwell among us -_richly, abundantly._ Col. 3,16. If we do not read and study our Bible -at home, we are despising the Word of God. - -6. We should not only hear and read the Word of God, and hear and read -it gladly; our Catechism also tells us _that we should learn it._ Like -Mary, the mother of Jesus, _so we, too, should keep all these words and -ponder them in our hearts._ Luke 2,19. We should try with the help of -our Lord to live more and more according to God's Word. _"Thy Word is a -lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."_ Ps. 119,105. If we do -this, we are holding God's Word sacred and shall be blessed by it. -_"Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it."_ Luke 11,28. -Remember _Hannah,_ the mother of little Samuel, 1 Sam. 1,2; _Mary_ -sitting at Jesus feet and hearing His Word, Luke 10,39. Remember -especially how our _Lord_ loved His Father's house. Luke 2,41-52. - -7. There is one thing we should not forget: to keep God's Word sacred. -God sends His messengers to us, our pastors and preachers. We should -_honor and esteem and love them_ for their work's sake. We should obey -them when they preach God's Word and _pray_ for them. We should help -that the blessed Word of God may be preached to all nations, to -all men, that all may hear it and be saved by it. - -8. In the First Commandment we learned that throughout our life we -should fear and love God and trust in Him with our whole heart; in the -Second, that we should not misuse His holy name, but use it to the -praise of God and the salvation of our neighbors and ourselves; in the -Third, that we should diligently hear and learn God's Word, so that all -our actions, our entire life, may be ordered according to it. _These -three commandments relate to God. They teach us the love of God._ Now -follow the other seven, which relate to our neighbor, _whom we should -love as ourselves._ - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. We sanctify our holy-day when we fear and love God that we may not -despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred._ - -_2. The fear and love of God will induce us to hear and read God's Word, -not carelessly, but diligently and gladly, to learn it and to live -according to it._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; -and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me._ Luke 10,16. - -_Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where -Thine honor dwelleth._ Ps. 26,8. - -_Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth -in all good things._ Gal. 6,6. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Which day did God institute in the Old Testament as the holy-day of -His people? 2. Did God in the New Testament give us a certain day as our -holy-day? 3. Why does the Christian Church choose a holy-day, though God -did not command us to do so? 4. What is God's will concerning His Word? -5. What is necessary that Christians may come together to preach and -hear God's Word? 6. How do we, therefore, sanctify our holy-days? 7. Why -should we not despise God's Word, but keep it sacred? 8. How do we show -that we do not despise the preaching of His Word? 9. Whose voice do we -hear in the sermon? 10. As whose word should we, therefore, hear and -accept the sermon? 11. Where do we also hear the Word of God? 12. In -which book do we find the written Word of God? 13. How should we us -our Bibles, the written Word of God? 14. What does it mean to learn -God's Word? 15. How must we, finally, show our love of God's Word? 16. -To whom do the first three commandments relate? 17. What does the First -Commandment teach us? 18. The Second? 19. The Third? 20. What is the sum -of these commandments? 21. To whom do the other commandments relate? 22. -How should we love our neighbor? - -LESSON 5. - -The Fourth Commandment. - -Which is the Fourth Commandment? - -_Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with -thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God that we may not despise our parents and -masters, nor provoke them to anger, but give them honor, serve and obey -them, and hold them in love and esteem._ - -1. _"Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother."_ Go has given us a -commandment in regard to our _father_ and _mother,_ our _parents._ This -is a very important commandment for all children. It is God's will that -we not only _love_ our parents, but also _honor_ them. We honor those -who occupy a higher position than we, who have been placed above us, who -have a right to command us and demand our obedience. By commanding us to -honor our parents, God places them above us. He wants children to regard -their parents as being in God's stead, above them, as His -representatives, whom for His sake they should honor. Never forget that -your dear parents have been placed over you by God. Never forget to -honor and respect them for God's sake. - -2. What does it mean to honor father and mother? _"We should, fear and -love God that we may not despise our parents ... nor provoke them to -anger."_ We should not _despise_ our parents. We despise them when we do -not respect the high station in which God has placed them over us, when -in our hearts we do not esteem them as God's representatives, when we -act as though we were their equals or even stood above them.--We -should not _provoke them to anger,_ that is, we should not by word or -deed excite them to just anger or cause them pain and distress, by being -unkind, stubborn, disobedient, even insolent towards them, or by wicked -deeds and sins which dishonor them. Remember _Absalom,_ who despised his -father David and caused him bitter grief by rebelling against him and -making himself king in his stead. 2 Sam. 15. Remember the wicked sons of -Eli. 1 Sam. 2,12.--God is displeased with this sin. _"The eye that -mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of -the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it,"_ says -the Word of God. Prov. 30,17. God will severely punish all bad and -disobedient children, very often in this life, as He did with Absalom, -and if they do not repent, in eternity. - -3. We must not despise our parents, but should _give them honor,_ that -is, we should regard them in our hearts as God's representatives; we -should respect their station, even if they are lowly, or poor, or even -queer. They are still our parents, and therefore should not be deprived -of their honor because of their failings. It is _God's will_ that we -honor them. - -4. We should show in words and deeds that we honor our parents. We -should _serve_ them, we should do for them whatever we can, even if they -do not ask for it, and do it gladly. When they become old or sick, we -should do all in our power to help them, and so try to repay the love -and care which they have shown us when we were young and weak and so -much in need of their kindness. Your dear parents did and still do so -much for you that you will hardly ever be able to repay them. _"Let -them_ [the children] _learn . . . to requite their parents_ [to repay -their love]; _for that is good and acceptable before God."_ 1 Tim. 5,4. - -5. We should, furthermore, show the respect we owe our parents by -_obeying them._ We should do what they tell us, carry out their -commands, and do it without a murmur, willingly, quickly, fully, and -gladly. In this manner you, at your age, can best prove that you honor -your parents. _"Children, obey your parents in all, things; for this is -well-pleasing unto the Lord."_ Col. 3,20. _"Hearken unto thy father that -begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."_ Prov. 23,22. - -6. _"We should hold them in love and esteem."_ God has given us our -parents as a most precious gift. Through them our heavenly Father -bestows upon us numberless other gifts and blessings. Our parents -provide for us; they give us all we need in this life; they shelter and -protect us. They try to lead us to our Savior by teaching us the Word of -God, by sending us to a Christian school. They bring us up in the -nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6,4. Should we not love and -esteem them as a precious gift of God? Should we not thank Him with all -our heart, thank Him by doing His will in regard to our parents? Do not -forget: _We honor our parents because we fear and love God, who has -given us this most precious gift._ - -7. Our Catechism not only says that we should honor our parents, but it -adds the word _"masters."_ God has placed other persons besides our -parents over us, in _home, school, and state._ Our parents are also -those who take our parents place, _who take care of us and protect us_ -if our parents are dead or otherwise unable to take care of us. God has -placed over us our _teachers_ in our schools, who instruct us in our -parents stead. There are many persons in our country, in our cities and -towns, who have been placed above us, such as the President of the -United States, the governor of our State, the mayor of our city, etc. It -is God who has placed also these rulers over us. He commands us to hold -all these in honor and esteem, to serve and obey them in all things in -which He has placed them over us. - -8. God has added to the Fourth Commandment a _special promise: "Honor -thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: That -it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."_ Eph. -6,2.3. This shows how well-pleasing it is unto God if we keep this -commandment, if we honor and love our parents and masters. Our gracious -Lord will abundantly reward all children who honor their parents and -masters, and do it in the fear and love of God. He will bless them here -on earth in a way which is good for them, and He will bless and reward -them more abundantly in heaven. The most beautiful example of the -fulfilment of this commandment is our _Lord Himself,_ of whom we read: -_"And He went down with them_ [His lowly parents], _and came to -Nazareth, and was subject unto them."_ Luke 2,51. He even remembered His -mother when He was nailed to the cross. John 19,26.27. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. Parents are a most precious gift of God. God has placed them over us -that through them He may provide for us, protect us, and lead us to -Himself, our Savor, and to eternal life._ - -_2. We should therefore highly honor and esteem our parents, serve and -obey them in the fear and love of God, our heavenly Father._ - -_3. This is well-pleasing to God, who will graciously reward us._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with -promise: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the -earth._ Eph. 6,2,3. - -_Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing -unto the Lord._ Col. 3,20. - -_Let them learn ... to requite their parents; for that is good and -acceptable before God._ 1 Tim. 5,4. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What is God's holy will regarding our parents? 2. What place does God -give our parents by commanding us to honor them? 3. Whose -representatives are they? 4. When do we despise our parents? 5. When do -we provoke them to anger? 6. Give examples of children who despised -their parents. 7. How will God punish children who despise their -parents? 8. What does it mean to hold our parents in honor? 9. How do we -show in words and deeds that we honor our parents? 10. When do we serve -them? 11. At what time especially can we repay their love? 12. What does -it mean to obey our parents? 13. How should we carry out their commands? -14. Why should we love and highly esteem our parents? 15. Who are the -"masters" whom God has placed over us? 16. What has God added to this -commandment? 17. What does God teach us by adding this special promise? -18. Who is the most beautiful example of the fulfilment of this -commandment? - -LESSON 6. - -The Fifth Commandment. - -Which is the Fifth Commandment? - -_Thou shalt not kill._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God, that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor -in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need._ - -1. You all know what it means to kill. It means to take our own life or -the life of our neighbor, our fellow-man. This is what God forbids in -this commandment. _God is the Giver of all life._ He alone, therefore, -has the right to take it away. God made man in His image. How dare we -destroy the image of God! Our neighbor's life should be _sacred_ to us. -God will punish him who takes his neighbor's life. _"Whoso sheddeth -man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God -made He man."_ Gen. 9,6. Remember _Cain_ and _Judas._ - -2. God forbids still more in this commandment. Our Catechism explains it -by saying: _"We should fear and love God that we may not hurt ... our -neighbor in his body."_ In the story of the good Samaritan we learn what -this means. The man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho fell among -thieves (robbers), who wounded him and, leaving him half dead, departed. -Luke 10,30. These robbers hurt the Jew in his body, they brought his -life into danger. But for the Samaritan he certainly would have died. -The life of our neighbor may be hurt in other ways. Pharaoh of Egypt -endangered the lives of the Israelites by compelling them to do labor -that was too hard for them. We should not wound our neighbor in his -body, or in any other way bring his life or health into danger and thus -shorten his life. - -3. _We should not harm our neighbor in his body,_ that is we should not -by spiteful words or wicked deeds embitter his life and in this way -shorten it. Remember how Joseph's brothers embittered his life by -selling him into slavery, how they embittered the life of their father -by telling him that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal They made -life a burden both to their brother and to their father. - -4. _We should fear and love God that we may ... help and befriend our -neighbor in every bodily need._ Our neighbor is in bodily need when he -is in danger of losing his life and health. Look again at the story of -the good Samaritan. There you will learn what it means to help and -befriend our neighbor in his bodily need. The poor Jew fell among -robbers, who stripped him of his raiment, wounded him and carelessly -departed, though that poor man was nearly dead. The Jew certainly was in -bodily need, being in great danger of losing his life. A Samaritan -passed, and, seeing this poor man, he took compassion on him. He went up -to him and helped him. He bound up his wounds, set him on his own beast -brought him to an inn, and took care of him. He helped the poor Jew in -his bodily need and saved his life.--But the good Samaritan did more. -The next day, not being able to stay any longer with his afflicted -brother, he gave money to the host of the inn, and asked him to take -care of the wounded Jew in his stead after his departure; he even -promised to give the innkeeper more money if it should be necessary. The -good Samaritan befriended the Jew, he acted as a friend to him. Not only -did he save him from death, he also assisted him until he was no longer -in bodily need. _"Go, and do thou likewise,"_ our Lord says.--That -Jew, like all the Jews at that time, most probably, was an enemy of the -Samaritans. The Samaritan knew that, and still he helped and befriended -him. We should help and befriend not only our relatives and friends, or -those who are able and willing to repay us and help us when we are in -need, but also our enemies, those who hate and despitefully use us, _"If -thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink,"_ Rom. -12,20. _"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them -that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and -persecute you."_ Matt. 5,44. - -5. The Samaritan _took compassion_ on the Jew, therefore he helped him. -The compassion, or pity, was in his heart. All our good works and all -our sins issue from the heart. _We should watch over our hearts, over -our thoughts._ No anger and hate against our neighbor should be in our -hearts. And even if our neighbor does us wrong, if he injures and -insults us, we should not revenge ourselves, but love our brother. -_"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no -murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."_ 1 John 3,15.--We should -always be kind, merciful, and forgiving to our neighbor, even to our -enemy. _"Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy."_ Matt. -5,7. And above all, we should _fear and love God,_ then we shall help -and befriend our neighbor, him whom God has made in His image. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. Life is God's gift. Only He who gave it has the right to take it. -The life of our neighbor should be sacred to us._ - -_2. Therefore we should not kill or hurt or harm our neighbor, our -fellowman, in his body, nor hate him or be angry with him. God has made -man in His image._ - -_3. We should help and befriend our neighbor whenever he is in bodily -need, always be kind and merciful to him and forgive him when he wrongs -us._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the -image of God made He man._ Gen. 9,6. - -_Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye know that no -murderer hath eternal life abiding in him._ 1 John 3,15. - -_Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him -drink._ Rom. 12,20. - -_Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy._ Matt. 5,7. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What does it mean to kill? 2. Why should we not take our fellow-man's -life? 3. In whose image did God make man? 4. What does God, furthermore, -forbid in this commandment? 5. What does it mean to hurt our neighbor in -his body? 6. What does it mean to harm him in his body? 7. From whom may -we learn how to fulfil this commandment? 8. How did the good Samaritan -help the Jew? 9. How did he befriend him? 10. When, even, should we help -our neighbor? 11. What does our Lord say Matt. 5,44? 12. Where do all -our good works and all our sins rise? 13. What kind of thoughts should -not be in our hearts against our neighbor? 14. What does the Bible tell -us of him who hates his brother? 15. How should we be disposed towards -our neighbor if he wrongs us? 16. When will we fulfill this commandment? -17. What does our Lord say about the merciful? - -LESSON 7. - -The Sixth Commandment. - -Which is the Sixth Commandment? - -_Thou shalt not commit adultery._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent life -in word and deed, and each love and honor his spouse._ - -1. _We should lead a chaste and decent life,_ that is the demand of our -God and heavenly Father according to the Sixth Commandment. Our hearts -must be chaste to make our lives chaste and decent. Our _hearts_ should -be _chaste,_ that is, free from evil lusts, free from unclean and lewd -thoughts and desires. When our hearts are chaste and pure, our lives -will be decent and modest and clean. The chastity of our hearts will -show itself in all the acts of our life. _"Keep thyself pure,"_ says the -Word of God. 1 Tim. 5,22. Keep your heart pure and chaste. - -2. _We should lead a chaste and decent life in word._ We should refrain -from _all filthy words_ that prove our heart to be unclean, from all -words, songs, jests, etc., of which we would be ashamed before God, or -before parents if they would hear them. We should shun all those jests -and verses which boy whispers to boy, or girl to girl, lest decent -persons might overhear them. Only such words as are good and clean -should pass our lips. Never use a word that you would be ashamed of in -the presence of your parents and teachers! Always remember that God is -with you, that He will hear every word you utter in secret. _"Let no -corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is -good."_ Eph. 4,29. - -3. _We should lead a chaste and decent life in deed._ We should shun all -acts which are mostly done in secret, all deeds which we would be -ashamed of in the presence of God, our parents, or other decent people. -We should walk honestly as in the day. Rom. 13,13. We should keep all -members of our body clean and pure. _Our body is the temple of the Holy -Ghost._ 1 Cor. 6,19. How could a child of God use a member of his body -for filthy purposes and so defile God's temple, make it impure! We -should be modest and decent in our behavior, manners, dress, etc. - -4. _What must we do to lead such a chaste and decent life?_ Our hearts, -by nature, are unclean and unchaste full of evil desires. We cannot -hinder evil lusts from springing up in our hearts at times. But with the -help of God we must try, and try earnestly, _to quench them, to put them -down,_ lest they gain a place in our hearts. We can do this only _by -means of God's Word and prayer._ Think of God's holy commandment, of the -will of our heavenly Father according to which we should be pure in -heart. God says: _"Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see -God."_ Matt. 5,8. Remember that God knows the secret thoughts of your -heart, and you will say with Joseph: _"How, then, can I do this great -wickedness and, sin against God?"_ Gen. 39,9. The fear and love of God -will put down all evil lusts and lewd thoughts. And whenever filthy -desires arise and tempt you, pray to God for His help, pray earnestly -and fervently: _"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right -spirit within me."_ Ps. 51,10. - -5. In order to lead a chaste and decent life, _we should, as far as -possible, shun all temptations and all places and occasions where such -temptations will come upon us._ The world is an unclean place, full of -evil lusts. Temptations meet us everywhere. Therefore we must always -watch over ourselves. _"Flee youthful lusts,"_ 2 Tim 2,22, as Joseph -fled when Potiphar's wife tempted him. We should not go to places where -such temptations may be met; we should shun bad company, impure books or -pictures, theaters, etc. where indecent talk or pictures may excite evil -lusts in us. - -6. _When we are alone and idle,_ the devil often comes to tempt us with -impure thoughts and desires In order to lead a chaste and decent life, -we should avoid idleness and work diligently and faithfully. Find -something useful to do in work or innocent play, and Satan will find -less time to tempt you with lustful thoughts. But above all, pray to -your heavenly Father that He would guard you in all temptations, that -you may overcome and obtain the victory. - -7. We should fear and love God _that each may love and honor his spouse. -Spouse_ is man or wife, persons who live in holy matrimony, as your -parents do. _Matrimony_ is instituted by God, and it is His will that -husband and wife should love and honor each other, that they should -faithfully live together till death parts them. If one is unfaithful to -the other, or leaves the other, he or she commits _adultery._ - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. God alone can make your heart chaste and keep it clean from sinful -lust. Pray to Him: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right -spirit within me."_ Ps. 51,10. - -_2. When temptation comes near you, when you feel in your heart the -sinful lust, remember: God is with me, He sees and hears everything I -do, even the innermost thoughts of my heart. "How, them, can I do this -great wickedness and sin against God?"_ Gen. 39,9. - -_3. Watch over yourself and keep away from all places where temptation -is sure to come. "Flee youthful lusts."_ 2 Tim. 2,22. - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Let us walk honestly as in the day._ Rom. 13,13. - -_Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which -is good._ Eph. 4,29. - -_Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me._ -Ps. 51,10. - -_Keep thyself pure._ 1 Tim. 5,22. - -_Flee youthful lusts._ 2 Tim. 2,22. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What does God command in the Sixth Commandment? 2. When will our -_hearts_ be chaste? 3. When will our lives be decent? 4. What does God -demand 1 Tim. 5,22? 5. When will we be chaste and decent in _words?_ 6. -What kind of words should we never use? 7. How do we lead a chaste and -decent life in _deed?_ 8. What does God Himself call our bodies in His -Word? 9. When do we defile this temple of God and make it impure? 10. -How should our behavior, our manners, be? 11. How are our hearts by -nature? 12. What feelings will therefore often arise in our hearts? 13. -By what means can and should we put down these evil thoughts? 14. What -should they not gain in our hearts? 15. What places should we avoid in -order to lead a chaste life? 16. Name some such places and occasions. -17. What should we also avoid, in order that Satan may have less -opportunity to tempt us? 18. What does God command those who live -together in holy matrimony? 19. How long should husband and wife live -together in this union? 20. What sin do they commit if they prove -unfaithful to each other? - -LESSON 8. - -The Seventh Commandment. - -Which is the Seventh Commandment? - -_Thou shalt not steal._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money -or goods, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve -and protect his property and business._ - -1. _We should not steal;_ that means, _we should not take our neighbor's -money or goods._ Our neighbor's, our fellow-man's, money and his goods -do not belong to us, but to him _They are his property._ It is God's -will that men should have property, money, and goods that belong to -them. All the goods in the world come from Him, they are His gift. He -gives to every one as much earthly goods as He pleases, as much or as -little as is best for him. There always will be rich people and poor -people among us. _The property of our neighbor should be sacred to us -because it is given him by God, our heavenly Father._ - -2. _We should not take our neighbor's money or goods._ It belongs to him -according to God's will; therefore we should not steal, that is, not -take his property away from him. He may give and present it to us, if he -so chooses, but we should not take it. We may buy his goods at a fair -price, if he is willing to sell, but we should not take it against his -will. This may be done in various ways. Think of the _thieves_ into -whose hands the Jew fell who came down from Jerusalem to Jericho. Luke -10,30. They stripped him of his raiment; _openly_ and _by force_ they -took his clothes and all that he had. We call such men _robbers._-- -Others do not take their neighbor's property by force, they sneak into -their neighbor's house and take his money and valuables _secretly,_ -without his knowledge, or they pick his pockets when there is a chance. -_Achan_ took some of the spoils of the city of Jericho secretly and hid -the goods in the earth under his tent, in order that nobody might know -what he had taken. Josh. 7,21. Such men are called _thieves;_ their sin -is called _theft._ Also to-day there are many robbers and thieves in the -world.--Beware of taking your fellow-pupil's property, be it ever so -small, a pen or a pencil, etc. That would be theft. Remember that your -heavenly Father, whom you fear and love, will see you. Our Lord says: -_"Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working -with his hands the thing which is good."_ Eph. 4,28. - -3. _We should not get our neighbor's money and goods by false ware or -dealing._ That is another way of taking our neighbor's property. Taking -our neighbor's property in this manner is generally called fraud or -cheating. _"Let no man go beyond_ [what belongs to him according to the -will of God], _and defraud his brother in any matter_ [in his trade and -business], _because that the Lord is the avenger of all such"_ (the Lord -will punish all that commit such frauds). 1 Thess. 4,6. We should not -take our neighbor's money _by false ware,_ that is, by selling bad, poor -wares to him in place of good ones for which he pays. We should not take -his money _by false dealings,_ that is, by using short weights and -measures, and in this way keeping back what belongs to our neighbor, by -taking too much profit when buying or selling anything, and thus -cheating our brother, by borrowing money or other goods and not -returning them, etc. _"The wicked borroweth and payeth not again."_ Ps. -37,21. There are many ways of taking our brother's money or goods. A -child of God will shun them all, he will be _honest_ in all his dealings -with his neighbor. - -4. _We should help our neighbor to improve ... his property and -business._ We should help and assist our neighbor as much as we can, by -_word and deed,_ that his property and business, by means of which he -earns his living, may be _improved,_ become better. If our neighbor is -poor and suffers want, we should help him by _giving_ him of our money, -or other goods which he may be in need of. _"He that hath pity upon the -poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him -again."_ Prov. 19,17 We should lend him our money if he is in need, -until he may be able to repay it. _"Give to him that asketh thee, and -from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."_ Matt. 5,42. -_Zacchaeus,_ after having joyfully received the Lord into his house, was -ready to give half of his goods to the poor. Luke 19,8. How -_well-pleasing_ it is to our Lord when we help the poor and needy! _"To -do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is -well pleased."_ Heb. 13,16. - -5. _We should help our neighbor to ... protect his property and -business._ Our neighbor's property and business sometimes is in danger, -in danger by water or fire, or by wicked men who try to harm our -brother. We should _warn_ him against these dangers, we should give him -_good advice how to overcome them._ But we should not only warn and -advise but also assist him as much as we can that his property may not -be lost or come to harm. Our love to God should prompt us to serve our -brethren. _"This commandment have we from Him, that he who loves God -love his brother also."_ 1 John 4,21. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. All our property has been given us by God. God bestows these goods -as He pleases. Rich and poor will always be among us. The property of -our neighbor should be sacred to us because God has given it to him._ - -_2. We should, therefore, not take our neighbor's money and goods against -his will, neither by robbery and theft, nor by defrauding him by poor -wares or crooked dealings. Always be honest!_ - -_3. We should rather help him to improve his property and business and to -preserve it from danger and harm._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee -turn not thou away._ Matt. 5,42. - -_He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which -he hath given will He pay him again._ Prov. 19,17. - -_To do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God -is well pleased._ Heb. 13, 16. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Stating it in one word, what do we call all the money and goods our -neighbor has? 2. From whom did he receive his property? 3. How should -the property of our neighbor be to us? 4. What does it mean to steal? 5. -In what way do men take the property of their neighbor against his will? -6. What do we call robbery? 7. What is theft? 8. How should we also not -take our neighbor's money or goods? 9. When do we take our neighbor's -money by false wares? 10. When do we take it by false dealings? 11. How -does the Bible call him who borrows money but does not repay it? (Ps. -37,21.) 12. What does God command us to do in behalf of our neighbor's -property and business? 13. How should we help our neighbor when he is -poor and suffering want? 14. What does our Lord say Matt. 5,42? 15. To -whom does he lend who takes pity on the poor? 16. What do we learn from -Heb. 13,16? 17. What should we do to protect our neighbor's property? -18. If we love God, whom shall we love also? - -LESSON 9. - -The Eighth Commandment. - -Which is the Eighth Commandment? - -_Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, -slander, nor defame our neighbor, but defend him, speak well, of him, -and put the best construction on everything._ - -1. _"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,"_ that is -the command of our heavenly Father in the Eighth Commandment. _False -witness_ is any false statement against our neighbor, anything false and -deceitful that we say against him. A _false_ statement is saying -something that is not true; it is a statement _against_ our neighbor -when it will harm him, or hurt his good name, or deprive him of it -altogether.--False witness comes out of an evil _heart,_ a heart that -is false and insincere against our neighbor. We should not even _think -evil_ of him. _"Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against your -neighbor."_ Zech. 8,17. If we love God and for His sake our neighbor, we -shall always think well of him, even if he is our enemy. - -2. We can bear false witness against our neighbor in many ways. Our -Catechism explains: "We should fear and love God that we may not -deceitfully belie, betray, slander nor defame our neighbor."--_We -should not belie our neighbor. Potiphar's wife_ belied Joseph. She told -her husband a lie about Joseph, saying that he had tried to wrong her. -She did so in order to harm Joseph, to bring him into prison.--_We -should not lie,_ we should never wilfully and knowingly tell an untruth, -or withhold the truth from our neighbor to harm him. Be careful always -to tell the truth. Our Lord tells us that the _devil_ is a liar and the -father of it. John 8,44. If you tell a lie, you do the work of the -devil. Remember that you are a child of God and that a child of God -fears and loves his heavenly Father. God hates all liars and will most -certainly punish them. _"He that telleth lies shall not tarry [remain] -in My sight,"_ says the Lord Ps. 101,7. - -3. _We should not betray our neighbor._ We should not reveal his -secrets, not tell others what our neighbor does not want other people to -know. It shows a false and deceitful heart against our brother to reveal -his secret sins. _"A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a -faithful spirit concealeth the matter."_ Prov. 11,13. - -4. _We should not slander nor defame our neighbor._ We are not to speak -evil against our brother behind his back, when he is not present and -therefore not able to defend himself. Even if the evil which we tell of -him be true, we should not tell others of it. Holy Scripture admonishes -us: _"Speak not evil one of another, brethren."_ Jas. 4,11. Because we -are brethren, we should not speak evil, but well, of one another. If we -slander and backbite our neighbor, speak evil of him when he is not -present, we _defame_ him, that is, we harm his good name; it is our -fault if other people will think evil of him. We are all much inclined -to these sins; therefore beware of backbiting and slandering your -neighbor. Honor and a good name are easily taken away, but not easily -restored. - -5. We should never speak against our neighbor to harm and injure him, -but we are to speak _for_ him. _We should defend him._ When in our -presence anybody speaks evil of our brother behind his back, so that -this brother cannot speak for himself, we should not remain silent, but -speak for him, defend him against all false statements and lies uttered -against him. We should never allow our neighbor to be slandered in our -presence. - -6. _We should speak well of our neighbor._ We are to speak well of his -good works and deeds, to praise them as far as it can be done in keeping -with the truth. Especially when others speak evil of our brother, when -they slander and defame him, we ought to take his part and speak -well of him, so that he may keep his good name. We read of Jonathan, -David's friend: _"And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul, his father_ -[who was David's enemy and wanted to kill him], _and said unto him, Let -not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he hath not -sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward_ -[towards you] _very good."_ 1 Sam. 19,4. And in verse 6 we read that -Saul listened to Jonathan and resolved not to kill David. Owing to -Jonathan's good words, then, David was safe for a while. The Jews who -asked Jesus to heal the servant of the centurion spoke highly of him. -They besought the Lord instantly to hear the prayer of the centurion, -saying, _"That he was worthy for whom He should do this, for he loveth -our nation, and he hath built us a synagog."_ Luke 7,4.5. In the same -way we should speak well of our neighbor and praise him. - -7. _We should put the best construction on everything_ that we hear of -our neighbor, or that we see him doing. We should put the best -construction on everything, that is, in love and charity we should cover -his faults and not make too much of them. We should explain all his -words and deeds in his favor as far as this can be done in keeping with -the truth. _"Charity shall cover the multitude of sins."_ 1 Pet 4,9. -True love and charity always thinks the best of the neighbor, always -hopes for the best, and will suffer wrong rather than do wrong. -_"Charity believeth all things, hopeth all things endureth all things."_ -1 Cor. 13,7. It is a noble virtue to explain as best you can all you may -hear of your neighbor. - -8. In this commandment God demands of us, His children, many good works -which are well-pleasing to Him, if only we would recognize them. There -is nothing which can do both greater good or harm in all matters than -our tongue, though it is such a small and feeble member of our body. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. If we love God and, for His sake, our neighbor, we shall always -think well of him, even though he is our enemy._ - -_2. A child of God should never tell a lie. God hates a liar and will -punish him._ - -_3. Always speak well of your neighbor, defend him if he is falsely -accused, and explain his deeds and words in his favor._ - -_4. "There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it -altogether."_ Ps. 139,4. - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor._ -Zech. 8,17. - -_Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor._ -Eph. 4,25. - -_Speak not evil one of another, brethren._ Jas. 4,11. - -_Charity shall cover the multitude of sins._ 1 Pet. 4,8. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Which is the Eighth Commandment? 2. What does it mean to bear false -witness against our neighbor? 3. When is a statement a false statement? -4. When is it a statement against our neighbor? 5. When do we belie our -brother? 6. What does it mean to lie? 7. Who was the first liar in the -world? 8. How does God look upon a liar? 9. What does it mean to betray -our neighbor? 10. When do we slander and defame him? 11. What ought we -to do to protect the good name of our neighbor? 12. When should we -defend him? 13. What does it mean to speak well of him? 14. Who, for -example, spoke well of his friend? 15. Whom did the Jews praise in the -presence of the Lord? 16. What does it mean to put the best construction -on everything? 17. What do we read 1 Pet. 4,8? 18. Of what member of our -body should we take especial care? - -LESSON 10. - -The Ninth and Tenth Commandments. - -Which is the Ninth Commandment? - -_Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God that we may not craftily seek to get our -neighbor's inheritance and house, nor obtain it by a show of right, but -help and be of service to him in keeping it._ - -Which is the Tenth Commandment? - -_Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his -maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbors._ - -What does this mean? - -_We should fear and love God that we may not estrange, force, or entice -away from our neighbor his wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to -stay and do their duty._ - -1. In the Ninth and the Tenth Commandment God forbids the same. Both -commandments begin with the words: _"Thou shalt not covet."_ To covet -means eagerly and sinfully to desire and want what does not belong to -us, but to some one else, to our neighbor. We are covetous when we envy -our neighbor because of what he has, and want it for ourselves, and will -not be satisfied until we have obtained it for ourselves. Remember the -story of _King Ahab and Naboth._ Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, had a -strong desire for a certain vineyard which was the property of Naboth. -He offered to buy the vineyard, but Naboth did not want to sell it -because he had inherited it from his fathers. Ahab kept on longing for -the property of his neighbor and was not satisfied until Naboth was -stoned to death, and he was able to take possession of the vineyard. -1 Kings 21,1-16. Here we learn what it is to covet our neighbor's -property. - -2. We are all, by nature, covetous. We all envy our neighbor and desire -to obtain what belongs to him. God forbids such evil desires. Already in -the Seventh Commandment we learned that our neighbor's property ought to -be sacred to us because God Himself gave it to him. God does not want us -even to covet it, to _desire_ to obtain it against the will of our -neighbor. We should, therefore, not _craftily,_ with cunning and fraud, -_seek to get our neighbor's inheritance,_ what he inherited from his -parents, or his _house,_ nor try _to obtain it by a show of right,_ in -such a way that it appears right before men while it is wrong in the -sight of God. We should not _force or entice away our neighbor's wife, -or servants, or cattle, or whatever belongs to him._ - -3. The property of our neighbor should be sacred to us. Because we love -him for God's sake, we should _help him and be of service to him in -keeping his property._ We should urge our _neighbor's wife or servants -to remain with him and do their duty towards him_ whenever we see that -they are seeking to leave him. God, our heavenly Father, tells us in His -Word: _"By love serve one another."_ Gal. 5,13. And furthermore He says: -_"Look not every man on his own things, but ever man also on the things -of others."_ Phil. 2,4. - -4. God forbids us to covet our neighbor's property, all that belongs to -him. _Covetousness is a sin of the heart._ God teaches us a very -important lesson in these last two commandments. He teaches us that not -only our evil deeds nor only our evil words are sins against the holy -God, _but also our evil thoughts._ In the sight of God every desire for -anything that He has forbidden in His Word is evil, is a sin, even if -this sinful thought does not break out in evil words or deeds. Every -lust in itself is truly a sin which God has threatened to punish. _"Thou -shalt not covet,"_ is His demand. Every sinful thought, every impure -desire in our heart, proves that we do not fear and love our heavenly -Father as we should, that we have broken not only these two -commandments, but the first also, yea, all the commandments of our Lord. - -5. God demands that our hearts be holy. There should be no evil lust, no -desire for any sin in our hearts, _but only a holy desire to serve our -God and Father. "Ye shall be holy [without any sin], for I, the Lord, -your God, am holy."_ Lev. 19,2. Our hearts should be so filled with fear -and love of God and all that is good in His eyes that no evil thought, -no sinful lust, can find room in them. _"Be ye therefore perfect, -even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."_ Matt. 5,48. - -6. These last two commandments, even as the First Commandment, -especially teach us that we have not kept the commandments of our Lord, -and _that we cannot keep them perfectly._ Our hearts are full of lust -against the demands of God, full of evil thoughts. Our lust so often -entices and tempts us to sin by word and deed. We must confess that -_we all are sinners in the sight of God._ And "the wages of sin is -death." We are poor and lost sinners. Therefore _we daily pray for God's -forgiveness,_ we beg our heavenly Father to be gracious unto us for -Christ's sake, who has fulfilled the commandments of God in our stead -and borne our sins. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. "Thou shalt not covet," is God's command. If you covet what belongs -to your neighbor, you sin against God. Every desire in your heart to do -what the Lord has forbidden is a sin in the sight of God._ - -_2. God wants our hearts to be without sin, perfect and holy, as He -Himself is holy._ - -_3. My heart is sinful. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a -right spirit within me."_ Ps. 51,10. - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_By love serve one another._ Gal. 5,13. - -_Ye shall be holy; for I, the Lord, your God, am holy._ Lev. 19,2. - -_Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is -perfect._ Matt. 5,48. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What does God forbid in the last two commandments? 2. What does it -mean to covet? 3. Why should we not covet our neighbor's property? 4. -How should we not seek to get our neighbor's inheritance and house? 5. -What does it mean to obtain our neighbor's property by a show of right? -6. Whom should we not force and entice away from our neighbor? 7. What -should we do concerning our neighbor's inheritance and house? 8. What -does our Lord tell us Gal. 5,13? 9. What should we do concerning our -neighbor's wife and servants? 10. What important lesson do these -commandments teach us? 11. What does every impure desire in our heart -prove? 12. How should our hearts be? 13. What does our Lord command Lev. -19,2? 14. With what ought our hearts to be filled? 15. What does our -Savior say Matt. 5,48? 16. What must we confess when we consider -the commandments of God? 17. What should therefore be our daily prayer? - -LESSON 11. - -The Close of the Commandments. - -What does God say of all these Commandments? - -_He says thus: I, the Lord, thy 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._ - -What does this mean? - -_God threatens to punish all that transgress these commandments. -Therefore we should fear His wrath, and not act contrary to them. But He -promises grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments. -Therefore we should also love and trust in Him, and willingly do -according to His commandments._ - -1. Thus says the Lord of all His commandments: _"I, the Lord, thy God, -am a jealous God."_ God reminds us that He who has given us His -commandments is the _Lord._ He is our Lord, we are His servants. He, as -our Lord, has the right to give us His commandments, and we are in duty -bound to obey them.--He furthermore reminds us that He is _our God._ -Through Christ, our Savior, God has become our God, our Father. A father -will give only good gifts to His children. Our heavenly Father means -well in giving His commandments. They are to be a blessing to us and -will be a blessing, if we rightly use them. We should thank Him for His -commandments.--God tells us that He is a _jealous God._ God is not -like a weak father who gives his children commands, but does not see to -it that his children obey. God is a strict, a very strict father. He -watches over His children whether they fulfil His commandments or break -them.--And do not forget: Our God is the _almighty_ God. He has the -power to do what He says, to carry out His threats and to fulfil His -promises. _"There is one Lawgiver_ [this lawgiver is God, who has given -us His commandments], _who is able to save and to destroy."_ Jas. 4,12. - -2. God is a _jealous_ God. This He shows by _"visiting the iniquity_ -[the wickedness] _of the fathers upon the children unto the third and -fourth generation of them that hate Him."_ That means: _"God threatens -to punish all that transgress these commandments."_ Those who break the -commandments of God surely deserve punishment. By breaking the Law of -God they sin against Him, they show that they _hate_ God, who has -created and preserved them, who gives them life and all they need, who -wants to be their Father in Christ, that they may become His children. -Instead of loving God, they hate Him, who is the Giver of all they have -and enjoy.--What punishment does God threaten those who hate Him? This -is what He threatens: _"Cursed be he that confirmeth_ [keeps] _not all -the words of this Law to do them."_ God's displeasure, His curse, His -anger and wrath, will be upon him that sins. How fearful is it to be -cursed by the almighty God!--When God gave Adam the first command, He -said: _"In the day that thou eatest thereof_ [of the tree] _thou shalt -surely die."_ Gen. 2,17. God threatens _death_ to every sinner. _"The -soul that sinneth, it shall die."_ Ezek. 18,20. _"The wages of sin is -death,"_ God tells us in His Word. Rom. 6,23. And after death eternal -damnation awaits the sinner. _Verily, we should fear God's wrath and -terrible punishment and not act contrary to His commandments._ We should -daily pray our heavenly Father for grace to help us shun and flee all -sins, even every evil thought that would bring God's wrath and -punishment upon us. Daily we will go to Christ, our only Savior, who has -redeemed us from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil. - -3. Our God is a _merciful_ God. This He proves _"by showing mercy unto -thousands that love Him and keep His commandments."_ God threatens to -punish all that transgress these commandments, but He also _"promises -grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments."_ Our God -is a gracious and loving God. He promises to reward those who keep His -commandments. It is true, we do not deserve any reward, even if we -fulfil His Law and live according to His will. It is our duty to do so. -But so kind and loving is He to His children that He will reward them if -they do what they owe Him.--What does our God promise us? He promises -_grace and every blessing._ The grace of God will be upon us when in -love of God we try to keep His commandments. He will be well pleased -with us, His children. What a great thing it is to be assured of God's -grace and good will! Who can harm us when the Lord is with us? He -furthermore promises _every blessing_ to those who keep His -commandments. God will bless His obedient children here on earth, in -this life, but far more will He bless them in the life to come with -eternal salvation. In heaven we shall see Him, our Father and Savior. -_Therefore we should also love and trust in Him and willingly do -according to His commandments._ - -4. The Ten Commandments teach us the _holy will of our God,_ or, as we -also call it, _His Law._ Here we learn what as God's children we should -do and not do, in order to please Him. Gladly we should learn it. We -desire to love Him who has loved us.--We learn also _that we have not -kept the Law,_ that we cannot keep it, that we daily transgress the -commandments of our Lord. We learn that we are sinners who have -deserved death and damnation. This also we should learn willingly, for -it teaches us _how much we need a savior._ And then we go to our only -Savior, to our Lord, who has fulfilled the Law in our stead. - -REMEMBER:-- - -_1. God is our Lord. He has a right to give us His commandments, and it -is our duty to obey Him. He is a jealous God, who will see to it that -His Law is fulfilled._ - -_2. God threatens to punish all who hate Him and transgress His -commandments. Fear His wrath and do not act contrary to His holy will._ - -_3. God promises grace and every blessing to all who love Him and keep -His commandments. Love and trust Him, and willingly do according to His -will._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy._ Jas. 4,12. - -_Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them._ -Deut. 27,26. - -_The soul that sinneth, it shall die._ Ezek. 18,20. - -_The wages of sin is death._ Rom. 6,23. - -_This do, and thou shalt live._ Luke 10,28. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What does God call Himself at the close of the Ten Commandments? 2. -What right has God as our Lord? 3. What is our duty to Him? 4. Of what -does God remind us when He calls Himself a jealous God? 5. What does God -threaten to all that transgress His commandments? 6. What is the -punishment that God threatens? 7. What is the wages of sin? 8. What -punishment does God threaten the sinner after his death? 9. What does -God promise those that love Him and keep His commandments? 10. Why do we -not deserve any reward? 11. What is the reward which God promises us? -12. What should we do because God promises such rich reward? 13. What do -the Ten Commandments teach us? 14. What do we furthermore learn from -them? 15. Of whom are we in need because we are sinners? 16. Who is our -true and only Savior? - -LESSON 12. - -Review. - -1. We have studied the Ten Commandments. Who gave us these commandments? -In all His commandments God tells us His holy will; He tells us what we -should do and not do. Why should we gladly obey Him? What is our -Father's will according to the _First Commandment?_ When do we regard -God as our God? When do we show that we fear and love Him? What does it -mean to trust in God? What sin do we commit if we fear and love any one -more than the true God? - -2. Which is the _Second Commandment?_ Our Catechism begins the -explanation of every commandment after the First with these words: "We -should fear and love God." What do we learn from this? In the Second -Commandment God reveals His will concerning His holy name. Mention some -of God's names. In all these names God shows us who and what He is. His -name should therefore be sacred to us. When do we take His holy name in -vain? What does it mean to curse by God's name? How should we use His -holy name? - -3. Which is the _Third Commandment?_ We celebrate as our holy-day the -first day of the week, Sunday. Who instituted this holy-day? How do we -sanctify our holy-day? We should not despise preaching and His Word. -When do we despise preaching and God's Word? How should we hold God's -Word? How is this done?--To whom do the first three commandments -relate? What is their sum? To whom do the other commandments relate? How -should we love our neighbor? - -4. We should love our neighbor as ourselves. Of all our fellow-men our -dear _parents_ are nearest to us. What is God's will concerning our -parents? What place does God give them by commanding us to honor them? -Whose representatives are they? We should honor our parents as God's -representatives. God has placed them over us. What should we therefore -not do with regard to our parents? When do we honor them? - -5. In the _Fifth Commandment_ God teaches us His will regarding the -life, body, and health of our neighbor. Who is the Giver of all life? -What right, therefore, belongs to God alone? God forbids us to kill, to -take the life of our neighbor. But He forbids more. What does God -furthermore forbid in this commandment? When do we hurt our neighbor in -his body? When do we harm him in his body? When should we help and -befriend our neighbor? What is "bodily need"? How should our hearts be -disposed towards our neighbor according to the Fifth Commandment? - -6. According to the _Sixth Commandment_ we should lead a chaste and -decent life. How should our hearts be in order that we may lead such a -life? When are our hearts chaste? When do we lead a chaste and decent -life in words? What acts must we shun to lead a chaste and decent life -in deed? Our hearts, by nature, are unclean and full of evil lust; what -should we do that our hearts may become clean? Do you know the prayer -for a clean heart? Ps. 51,10. What kind of place is this world? What may -meet us everywhere? What places should we therefore shun? What does God -command of married people in this commandment? - -7. In the _Seventh Commandment_ God protects our neighbor's property. -From whom do we receive all that belongs to us? The property of our -neighbor should be sacred to us because it is given him by God. What -does God therefore forbid in this commandment? When do we steal our -neighbor's property? There are many ways of taking our neighbor's -property. Name some of them. How do we take our neighbor's goods and -money by false ware and dealing? In what way should we help our neighbor -to keep and improve his property? - -8. Which is the _Eighth Commandment?_ What is false witness? When do we -bear false witness against our neighbor? When do we tell a lie? Never -tell a lie. God hates all liars. Who was the first liar? What does it -mean to slander and defame our brother? How should we act toward our -neighbor according to the Eighth Commandment? When do we put the best -construction on everything we hear about him? Of which member of our -body should we take special care? - -9. _The Ninth and the Tenth Commandment_ begin with these words: "Thou -shalt not covet." Covetousness is in the heart. What important lesson do -we therefore learn from these commandments? What should not be found in -our hearts according to these commandments? How should our hearts be? -Are they holy? What must we therefore confess? What should be our daily -prayer? - -10. _What does God say of all these commandments?_ Why does He call -Himself the Lord? What does He mean when He calls Himself a jealous God? -What does He threaten in these words? Whom will He punish? What does He -threaten those who hate Him and transgress His commandments? Therefore -we should fear His wrath and not act contrary to His commandments. What -does God promise those who love Him and keep His commandments? What is -the reward which He promises them? Why does He give His children such -rich rewards? What should this grace and kindness of God induce us to -do? What do the Ten Commandments teach us? We do not perfectly fulfil -the will of God; we are sinners. Whom are we in need of because we are -sinners? Who is our true and only Savior? - -Let us all diligently study the Ten Commandments and learn therefrom the -will of our Father. Let us pray to God for His Spirit that we may live -according to His will more and more. - -LESSON 13. - -Our Creed. - -1. You have already learned by heart the Three Articles of the Creed. -These articles, together with their explanation, form the _Second Chief -Part of our Small Catechism._ The Three Articles are called the _Creed,_ -that is, the _Christian faith._ In these articles is contained all that -we Christians _believe_ in our hearts, and _confess_ with our mouths, -_regarding God and His works,_ all that He has done and will do for us, -His children. Through Baptism you have become God's children; you must -therefore also believe and confess what our Church confesses in these -Three Articles. Consequently it is necessary for us to study them, in -order that we may understand them. - -2. No man knows of himself who God is and what He has done for us. _God -alone_ can tell us about these things. And God has revealed Himself to -us; He has told us in His holy _Word_ who He is and what He has done for -us. From Holy Scriptures alone do we learn what we, as Christians, are -to know and believe regarding God and His works. And what God tells us -in His Word we verily may believe. It must be true, since God cannot and -will not lie.--All the doctrines in Holy Scriptures which teach us who -God is and what He has done and will do for us to save us, we call the -_Gospel._ The word Gospel means _glad tidings, good news._ - -3. In the first part of our Small Catechism we also studied a word of -God, and we have called it the _holy will of God,_ or the _Law._ So you -see that there are _two chief doctrines in our Bible;_ one we call the -Law; the other, the Gospel. Both are revealed to us by our heavenly -Father, both are the Word of God. _But they differ greatly from each -other._ The _Law_ tells us how, according to the will of God, we ought -to be and what we must do and not do to please our God. From it we learn -that we all are sinners, having not kept His commandments, and that God -threatens to punish all who hate Him and break His commandments; that, -therefore, as transgressors of His Law, we deserve His punishment, death -and damnation. The Law does not bring us glad tidings.--The _Gospel_ -has quite another message for us. It brings a message of joy to sinners, -to those who have broken the commandments. It tells us that God loves -even us sinners. _"God so loved the world,"_ that is, all sinful men, -_"that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him -should not perish, but have everlasting life."_ John 3,16. It teaches -us what and how much God, moved by His love and grace toward us sinners, -has done and will do to save us from the deserved punishment of the Law, -from sin, death, and hell. These are indeed good tidings, tidings of -great joy for all men, to know that we have a Savior who can and will -save us and give us eternal happiness in heaven. This Gospel of great -joy we hear and learn in the Three Articles of our Christian faith. - -4. We call the Three Articles the Creed, or the _Apostles' Creed._ This -Creed contains what the apostles of the Lord believed and what they -taught in all the world, as the Lord Himself had commanded them: _"Go ye -into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."_ Mark -16,15. Let us give thanks to our dear Lord for having graciously sent -His Gospel also to us that we may be saved thereby. - -5. We have three articles of faith, because God has done three great -saving works for us. We call these _Creation, Redemption, and -Sanctification._ In our next lesson we shall begin our study of the -first of the Three Articles, which treats of Creation. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _In the Three Articles is contained all that we believe and confess -regarding God and His saving works for us. We call them also the -Apostles' Creed. Our Creed is taken from Scripture._ - -2. _There are two chief doctrines in the Bible, the Law and the Gospel. -Both are God's Word. The Law tells us how, according to the will of God, -we ought to be and what we must do and not do. It also tells us that God -will punish us because we have not fulfilled, His commandments._ - -3. _The Gospel brings to us the glad tidings of the grace and love of -God. It tells us what God in His grace has done and will do to save us -from the punishment of the Law, from sin and hell._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_The Gospel is the glad tidings of the grace of God toward all men, -proclaiming to them salvation from sin and death in Christ Jesus._ - -_God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting -life._ John 3,16. - -_Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature._ Mark -16,15. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Of what does the Second Chief Part of our Catechism treat? 2. How do -we also call these Three Articles? 3. What does the word "creed" mean? -4. Where are the Three Articles of our Christian faith taken from? 5. -How many chief doctrines are contained in the Scriptures? 6. How are -these two doctrines called? 7. What does our Lord tell us in His Law? 8. -With what does the Law threaten us because we have not fulfilled it? 9. -What will our punishment be according to the Law? 10. What is the -Gospel? 11. What does the word "Gospel" mean? 12. What does God reveal -to us in His Gospel? 13. Recite the Gospel-message that we find John -3,16. 14. In what work especially has God shown His love toward mankind? -15. Who, according to the words of our Savior, shall not perish? 16. -What will God give to him that believeth? 17. Why are the Three Articles -called the Apostles' Creed? 18. Why do we confess our faith in three -articles? 19. What are the three great works which God has done and will -do for our salvation? 20. To whom is the Gospel to be preached? 21. -Recite the command of our Lord to His disciples to preach the Gospel to -all the world. 22. What does the word "creature" in this verse mean? - -LESSON 14. - -The First Article. - -Of Creation. - -Which is the First Article of the Creed? - -_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._ - -1. _"I believe in God,"_ thus the First Article begins. Every Christian -should confess and every true Christian does confess: _I, I myself,_ -believe in God. It is of no avail to us that anybody else believes, we -ourselves must believe in God. _We believe in God the Father Almighty._ -We believe that God is the Father Almighty, or the almighty Father. And -why do we believe that God is the almighty Father? Because He is _the -Maker of heaven and earth._ That is God's first great, saving work for -us. He has made heaven and earth. We call this work the _creation._ - -2. _God is the Maker of heaven and earth._ Our Catechism explains these -words thus: _"I believe that God has made me and all creatures."_ God -has made _me;_ it is due to Him that I came into existence, that I am -living. He gave me life and everything that I have. God, however, did -not only make me, but me _and all creatures._ Creatures are all things -that God has made. Heaven and earth, all the angels, the sun, the moon, -the glittering stars, all things on earth, the mountain and the mighty -oceans, all animals, large and small, all the plants on land and in the -water, man himself; all things that we see, yes, even those we do not -see, all things, visible and invisible, are His creatures. God has made -them all, they are the work of His almighty power. "In the beginning God -created the heaven and the earth." Gen. 1,1. "By Him were all things -created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and -invisible." Col. 1,16. - -3. In Bible History you have already learned _how_ God made or created -heaven and earth. Before God began to create the world, nothing was -there except God alone, the Creator. God always was, is, and in all -eternity will be. _"From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God."_ Ps. -90,2.--God did not have any material out of which to make this world. -_Out of nothing_ He created heaven and earth. God simply said, "Let -there be light," and there was light. He simply said, Let there be the -sun and the moon and the stars, and, behold, there they were, shining in -all their splendor. In this manner, by speaking, by His word, God made -all things, visible and invisible, heaven and earth. God has created -everything without any means; _God has made heaven and earth and all -creatures out of nothing, by His word._ We do not understand how this is -possible; but we believe it because God Himself has revealed it to us in -His Word. _"Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by -the word of God."_ Heb. 11,3. God made all things by His word, with the -exception of His foremost creature, man. It pleased Him to form the -first man in a different manner. Do you know how God made Adam? Read -Gen. 1,26-28 and 2,7.--God could have made heaven and earth, as we see -them now, in one instant, but it has pleased Him to do it in _six days._ -In six days _"the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of -them."_ Gen. 2,1. And when all this was finished, _"God saw everything -that He had made, and, behold, it was very good."_ Gen. 1,31. - -4. When we consider this great work of our Lord, consider that He has -made the whole world, the heavens and all the host of them, the mighty -sun, the countless stars, the earth with all its treasures, with its -millions of living creatures, must we not say that God, who created all -these things by His word alone, is a _mighty_ and _powerful_ God, more -powerful and mighty than all other things which He has made? And it is -true indeed, God is more powerful than His creatures. He is _almighty._ -We believe in God, _the Father Almighty. "With God nothing shall be -impossible,"_ Holy Scripture tells us. Luke 1,37. _"He hath done -whatsoever He hath pleased."_ Ps. 115,3. God is an almighty Father. In -Him we can trust. He can and will be our help. No one and nothing can -resist His mighty power. - -5. When we consider how wonderful this world is made, when we consider -that everything that came from the hand of God was very good, that -everything was made as it should be to serve its end, must we not say -that God is a very wise God, being able to plan such a wonderful and -good work? Yea, _our God is the all-wise God._ What He does is always -good and wise, even if we do not understand it.--And remember, -moreover, that God has created this beautiful world for us, His -children. This great and wonderful earth is to be our dwelling-place; -sun, moon, and the stars are to serve us. Is not our God a loving, a -good, a merciful God? Truly, _"the Lord is good to all; and His tender -mercies are over all His works."_ Ps. 145,9. _"God is Love."_ 1 John -4,8. In Him, our loving, merciful God, will we trust; He _will_ surely -help us. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _I myself must believe in God the Father Almighty. The faith of -another cannot save me._ - -2. _In six days God created heaven and earth. He is the Creator of all -things, visible and invisible. He has created, that is, made, all things -out of nothing, by His word. This we believe because God Himself -has revealed it unto us in Holy Scriptures._ - -3. _God, the Maker of heaven and earth, always has been and always will -be. From everlasting to everlasting He is God. He is our almighty and -all-wise Father, always loving, good, and merciful. In Him we can and -will trust._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth._ Gen. 1,1. - -_Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of -God._ Heb. 11,3. - -_From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God._ Ps. 90,2. - -_With God nothing shall be impossible._ Luke 1,37. - -_God is Love._ John 4,8. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Why do we say in our Creed, _I_ believe? 2. In whom do we believe -according to the First Article? 3. Why do we call God "the Father -Almighty"? 4. How does our Catechism explain the words "Maker of heaven -and earth"? 5. What are creatures? 6. In how many days did God create -heaven and earth? 7. What does it mean when we say God _created_ them? -8. Why do we believe that God made everything out of nothing, merely by -His word? 9. Recite Heb. 11,3. 10. How was everything when God had -finished the work of creation? 11. What do we learn of God from Ps. -90,2? 12. Why is God called the almighty Father? 13. How does the -creation show us that God is all-wise? 14. Which other qualities of God -do we learn from His work of creation? 15. Why can and will we always -trust in the almighty, all-wise, loving, and merciful God? - -LESSON 15. - -The First Article. - -God Has Made Me And Still Preserves Me. - -Which is the First Article of the Creed? - -_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._ - -1. God is the Maker of heaven and earth. I believe that God made all -creatures, all things in heaven and earth. He also created _man._ About -the creation of man we read in the Holy Scriptures: _"And God said, Let -us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have dominion -over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the -cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that -creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the -image of God, created He him; male and female created He them. And God -blessed them; and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and -replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of -the sea and over the fowl of the air and over every living thing that -moveth upon the earth."_ Gen. 1,26-28. _"And the Lord God formed man of -the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of -life; and man became a living soul."_ Gen. 2,7. There is a _great -difference_ between the creation of man and the creation of all other -visible things. God, so to say, took especial care about this last of -all His wonderful works. He did not merely say: Let there be a man, but -God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as it were, _deliberated_ and -_planned_ beforehand how to make man. God then formed man, that is, his -body, _out of the dust of the ground,_ and _breathed the breath of -life,_ his soul, into his nostrils, his nose, and so man became a living -soul.--And what is more, God created man _in His own image, after His -likeness._ As God is Lord and Master over all things and governs them, -so He gave to man the power to govern all things on earth; He gave him -_dominion_ over all the creatures on earth, to be Lord over this world. -God made man in His own image. Adam and Eve were created _holy, without -any blemish and sin._ They _knew_ and _loved God,_ their Creator, and -lived according to His holy will. Truly, man is the _foremost of all of -God's visible creatures._ God has made all men; therefore I confess, He -made _me._ - -2. _"I believe,"_ I know it to be true from the Word of God, _"that God -made me." He has made me by giving me body and soul._ True, God did not -make me as He made Adam, by forming my body out of the dust and -breathing the breath of life into my nostrils. He made me by giving me -body and soul through my parents. Nevertheless it is true that God has -made me, that my body and my soul are _the gift of God,_ my heavenly -Father. I confess: _"The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of -the Almighty hath given me life."_ Job 33,4. - -3. How wonderfully did God make me! _"He has given me my body and soul, -eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses."_ Consider -how beautifully and wonderfully God made your body. He gave you _eyes_ -and _ears._ You can _see_ and _hear;_ you can see all the great works of -Go, the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the animals and plants, the -mighty mountains and the vast seas. You can see your fellow-men, your -friends and parents, and hear their voices, hear their words that -instruct and console you. You ca read your Bible and hear the preaching -of God's Word. He gave you not only eyes and ears, but _all the members -of your body_--your mouth so that you are able to talk to your friends -and parents and make known your needs and wishes; your feet and hands -for your work.--We are wonderfully made. God has given you a _soul,_ -and He has endowed it with _reason,_ and has given you _all your -senses._ You are able to _think_ about the great work of God that -surround you, to try to understand what they are and for what purpose -God created them, You are able to understand all that God tells you in -His Word about Himself, His will, and His grace, and thus to know Him. -You are able to _feel_ His goodness, His fatherly love and mercy. Surely -we must say: _"I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully -made. Marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well."_ -Ps. 139,14. - -4. _"I believe that God has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and -all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still preserves them."_ -Every Christian confesses: God, my Father, _preserves_ me, my life, my -body and soul, all that I am. God has not made us and given us His great -gifts and then left it to us how to preserve and keep them. This we -could never do. He is not like a builder who, having finished a house, -leaves it and lets others take care of it in the future. _"He is not far -from every one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our -being."_ Acts 17, 27.28. He will preserve us, and He alone, our Almighty -Father, can do it. He has preserved me until this day. The fact that I -am still enjoying life, that I still have body and soul with all their -precious gifts, that I still can see and hear and have the use of my -members, that I still have the gift of reason and the use of my senses, -all this is not my work, not due to my prudence, or the care of my -parents, or the skill of a physician, _but it is God's work and gift -alone. "He upholds all things by the word of His power."_ Heb. 1,3. And -I believe that God, my Father, will also in future preserve me, His -child, until the hour of death, and that He will then for Christ's sake -take me up to heaven, body and soul, and there preserve me forever. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _God has made you. He has given you your body and soul, eyes, ears, -and all your members, your reason and all your senses. He is your -almighty Father._ - -2. _God has preserved and still preserves you. That you are still -living, that you have body and soul and the use of your reason and all -your members, is God's free gift alone. God is your almighty Father._ - -3. _How precious are these gifts of God! Never forget how wonderfully -you are made. God, your almighty Father, is also a very kind and loving -Father._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous -are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well._ Ps. 139,14. - -_He is not far from every one of us; for in Him we live and move and -have our being._ Acts 17,27.28. - -_He upholds all things by the word of His power._ Heb. 1,3. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. On which of the six days did God create man? 2. What is the -difference between the creation of man and the creation of all other -visible creatures? 3. What did God do before He created man? 4. Out of -what did He form his body? 5. How did God create his soul? 6. What does -it mean that God created man in His own image? 7. How were Adam and Eve -after God had created them? 8. How did they show that they were holy and -without sin? 9. How did God make _you?_ 10. Through whom did He give you -body and soul? 11. Which gift did God bestow upon your body? 12. Why are -eyes and ears and all members such wonderful gifts of God? 13. Which is -God's greatest gift to your soul? 14. Why is reason His greatest gift? -15. What does God do for us in addition to having created us? 16. What -does it mean that God preserves us? 17. Until what day did God preserve -you? 18. How long will He preserve you? 19. What, therefore, is God to -me because He made me and preserves me? - -LESSON 16. - -The First Article. - -How My Heavenly Father Provides For Me And Guards My Life. - -Which is the First Article of the Creed? - -_I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that God has given me also clothing and shoes, meat and -drink, house and home, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my -goods; that He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to -support this body and life; that He defends me against all danger, and -guards and protects me from all evil._ - -1. In the First Article of our Christian faith we say: _"I believe in -God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth."_ This means, as we -have learned: _I believe that God has made me and has given me my body -and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, -and still preserves them._ God generally does not preserve us by His -word and will alone, but through _earthly means._ In order to preserve -our life and body, we must eat and drink, have clothing, house and home, -etc. True, God could preserve us without these means. He is the -Almighty. He has done so at times. He preserved Moses' life for forty -days and nights without food and drink on Mount Sinai. Ex. 34,28. Jesus -twice, as you know, fed several thousand people with a few loaves of -bread and with a few fish. God can do so to-day, and He will do it if -His children are in need of it. But generally it pleases God to preserve -our body and life through outward means. _God preserves me by providing -me with all that I need to support my body and life._ - -2. I need many things to support my body and life. Our Catechism names -quite a number of them. In order to support our life, we must have _meat -and drink._ We must have _clothing and shoes, house and home_ to protect -our bodies from sunshine and rain. True, you have not everything that -is named in our Catechism; but all these things are necessary to -preserve our lives, and somebody must have them. The farmer must have -_fields_ and _cattle_ to provide for his life and for the lives of many -other people. _All my goods,_ all that I need and have, clothing and -shoes, meat and drink house and home, father and mother, brothers and -sisters, were given me _by God, my heavenly Father. "The eyes of all -wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due season Thou -openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."_ -Ps. 145,15.16. - -3. God provides me with all that I need to support my life. God -generally does it through _the work of our hands._ He can do it without -our work, or labor, and at times has done so. Remember how God gave -manna from heaven to the children of Israel when they were in the -desert. Deut. 8,3.4. Remember how He fed His prophet Elijah during the -famine by sending the ravens to bring him his daily bread. 1 Kings 17. -God can do the same thing to-day, and He certainly will do so whenever -His children are in need of it. _"Cast all your care upon Him; for He -careth for you."_ 1 Pet. 5,7. As a rule, however, God wants us to work -diligently and carefully to save what we earn. But still it is _God_ -that provides for us. He gives us strength and health for our work. He -blesses our labors. Without His blessing all our labor would be in vain. -_"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it."_ -Ps. 127,1. - -4. God provides me with all that I need for my life and body, and He -does so _richly and daily._ God provides me _richly._ I have a rich -Father. He is the Maker of heaven and earth. Everything belongs to Him. -Out of His abundance He gives us richly all that we need, and often more -than we need. He gives us daily, that is, He never tires of giving. -Every morning He begins anew to bless us by giving us our daily bread. - -5. One thing more is needed to preserve us. Our life and our body are in -constant danger. But a child of God confesses: _"He defends me against -all danger, and guard and protects me from all evil."_ Remember how He -defended the children of Israel against their enemies, the Egyptians, at -the Red Sea. Ex. 13.14. Remember how He guarded His Son, the -Christ-child, whom King Herod sought to kill. Matt. 2,13-15. So God -defends and guards all His children. _"There shall no evil befall thee, -neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."_ Ps. 91,10. True, also -children of God have to suffer, they have many troubles and misfortunes; -but their Father protects them in all these troubles, so that nothing -can really harm them, but that everything must work together for good to -them. Joseph in Egypt had to suffer much that was meant to do him harm, -being cast into prison; but God was with him and made everything turn -out for his welfare. He himself said to his brothers: _"Ye thought evil -against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this -day, to save much people alive."_ Gen. 50,20.--In protecting His -children from evil, God often uses His _angels,_ those holy spirits whom -He has created, and whom He sends out to minister to His children. By an -angel God protected Daniel in the den of the lions and the three men in -the fiery furnace. He sends His angels to protect us from evil. _"He -shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. -They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a -stone."_ Ps. 91, 11.12. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _God preserves you by providing you with all things that you need for -your life and body. He does so richly and daily. Therefore trust in Him, -your rich and merciful Father._ - -2. _God wants you to work diligently and earn your daily bread; He also -wants you to be thrifty, saving, with what He has given you. But with -all your working and saving you could never provide the necessary food -and clothing without God's blessing. He alone provides for you._ - -3. _Trust in God! He will defend you against all danger and guard and -protect you from all evil. He will send His angels so that no evil may -harm you._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due -season. Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every -living thing._ Ps. 145,15.16. - -_Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you._ 1 Pet. 5,7. - -_There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy -dwelling._ Ps. 91,10. - -_He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy -ways._ Ps. 91, 11. - -_Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it -to pass._ Ps. 37,5. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. How does God preserve you? 2. What must you do to preserve your life -and body? 3. Where has God shown that He can preserve us without any -means? 4. In what manner does God generally preserve us? 5. Which of the -things that are needed to support our life and body does our Catechism -mention? 6. Who gave me all the good things I have? 7. In what way does -God generally provide us with the things necessary for our life? 8. -When, for instance, did God show that He can provide for us without the -labor of our hands? 9. What, however, is God's rule in this matter? 10. -Can you show that God provides for us even though we work to earn our -living? 11. How does God provide you with all that is needed for your -life? 12. Why can He provide richly for His children? 13. What more does -God do to preserve us? 14. Give examples of God's protecting care over -His children. 15. What is our consolation when we have troubles and -misfortunes? 16. Whom does God often send forth to protect His children? -17. What do we read Ps. 37,5? - -LESSON 17. - -The First Article. - -God Has Made Me And Preserves Me Out Of Fatherly, Divine Goodness And -Mercy. - -Which is the First Article of the Creed? - -_I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that God does all this out of fatherly, divine goodness and -mercy, without an merit or worthiness in me._ - -1. We have learned that God has _made_ me by giving me my body and soul, -and that He still _preserves_ me by giving me richly and daily all that -I need for life and body, by guarding and protecting me from all evil. -Now we ask, _Why has God done all this for me?_ Our Catechism answers: -He has done _"all this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and -mercy."_ This answer is taken from the Word of God. _"The Lord is good -to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works."_ Ps. 145,9.-- -God is moved by His _goodness_ to bestow His manifold blessings on us. -_Our God is good._ Ps. 118,1. He loves all His creatures, especially -those whom in Holy Baptism and through faith in Jesus Christ He has -accepted as His children. He wishes to make them happy here on earth and -above all, eternally in heaven. He also loves you; therefore He has -formed your body so beautifully and given you an immortal soul; -therefore He provides you with all that is needed for your life and -body, and does this richly and daily. - -2. God is moved by His _mercy_ to provide for me and protect me. _"His -tender mercies are over all His works." Our God is a merciful God._ He -knows that without Him, without His provident care, we are helpless, -unable to support our life, not even for a single day. And He has -compassion on us. He does not like to see His children in need and -danger. His tender mercies are over you also; therefore He feeds and -clothes you through your parents or friends; therefore He guards and -protects you, His child. - -3. His goodness and mercy is _fatherly_ goodness and mercy. He provides -for me and protects me as a _father_ provides for his children and -protects them. _"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord -pitieth them that fear Him."_ Ps. 103,13. Not only in His Word does God -assure us that He is our loving Father, but He daily proves it to us by -the blessings He sends us. He has given me my beautiful body and a -rational soul, that is, powers to think and understand; He daily -provides for everything I need; He is at my side in every danger to -defend me; from every evil that comes near me He protects me. Surely -_God is my Father._--His goodness and mercy are a _divine_ goodness -and mercy, such as only God has and can have, a _perfect_ and -_never-failing_ goodness and mercy. My Father is the _Father -Almighty,_ who daily will and can provide for and protect His -children. _"His compassions fail not. They are new every morning."_ -Lam. 3,22.--Therefore I confess: _I believe in God, my almighty -Father,_ that is, I do not only know from the Word of God and from the -blessings I am daily receiving from Him that the almighty God is my -Father, but _with all my heart I trust in Him,_ I confide in Him, I -rely on Him as on my true Father. When I am in need, I trust in Him, -my Father; He will and can provide for me. When dangers surround me, I -trust in Him, my Father; He will and can defend me. When evil seems to -come near me, I trust in Him, my Father; He will and can protect me. _To -believe in God the Father Almighty means to be fully assured that the -almighty God is my Father, and with all my heart to trust in Him who is -my Father for Jesus' sake._ - -4. Whatever God does for His children, He does _"purely_ out of -fatherly, divine goodness and mercy." His fatherly goodness and mercy-- -nothing else--moves Him to show us goodness and mercy. He provides and -protects me _"without any merit or worthiness in me."_ When a man -performs some work for another man, he has done something for him and -thereby earned, or _merited,_ payment for such service. We have not -given anything to God, so that He would be in duty bound to reward us -for it. We have not earned His fatherly love, nor can we ever do so.-- -When a rich man bestows a free gift upon a poor man, this poor man has -certainly not merited this gift, but he may be _worthy_ of the help. His -worthiness may have moved the rich man to take pity on him. We are _not -worthy_ of anything that God bestows upon us; we do not deserve His -fatherly love and kindness. We have transgressed, and daily transgress, -His holy commandments. We are sinners. We so often misuse God's kindness -and His gifts. If God were to treat us according to our merits and -worthiness, He would not be able to bless us, but he would have to -punish and condemn us. In us God does not find anything that might move -Him to love us and to care for us. It is _purely_ out of His fatherly, -divine goodness and mercy that He loves me and provides for me, an -unworthy sinner. We must confess with Jacob: _"I am not worthy of the -least of all the mercies and of all the truth which Thou hast showed -unto Thy servant."_ Gen. 32,10. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _In bestowing all His blessings on me God is moved only by His -goodness and mercy, not by any merit or worthiness in me. All I am and -all I have and receive is a free gift of His love and kindness._ - -2. _God's goodness and mercy are a fatherly and divine goodness and -mercy. He daily shows that He is my Father indeed, who loves me and -cares for me with a most perfect, never-failing, never-ceasing love._ - -3. _To believe in God the Father Almighty means to know and be assured -from Scripture that the almighty God is my Father, and with all my heart -to trust and confide in Him who is my Father for Christ's sake._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His -works._ Ps. 145,9. - -_Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that -fear Him._ Ps. 103,13. - -_I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth -which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant._ Gen. 32,10. - -_I believe in God the Father Almighty, that is, I know and am assured -that the almighty God is my Father; with all my heart, therefore, I -trust and confide in Him who is my Father for Christ's sake._ - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Who has made you and still preserves you? 2. What moves God to do -this? 3. Whom among His creatures does God especially love? 4. How does -He show His goodness and love toward His children? 5. What furthermore -moves God to care for His children? 6. What does it mean that God is -merciful? 7. How are His goodness and mercy called in our Catechism? 8. -What do we read Ps. 103,13? 9. How does God daily show His fatherly -goodness toward you? 10. How are His goodness and mercy furthermore -called in our Catechism? 11. Why is His goodness called a divine -goodness? 12. What do we therefore confess because God daily shows us -His fatherly love and mercy? 13. What does this mean, "I believe in God -the Father Almighty"? 14. Why may and should we trust and confide in God -as in our Father? 15. What does not move God to love us and provide for -us? 16. Why do we not merit God's love and kindness? 17. Why are we not -worthy of His goodness and mercy? 18. What have we sinners merited? 19. -Recite what Jacob said to the Lord. Gen. 32,10. - -LESSON 18. - -The First Article. - -For His Goodness And Mercy I Will Thank And Praise My Father, And Serve -And Obey Him. - -Which is the First Article? - -_I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that for all this it is my duty to thank and praise, to serve -and obey Him. This is most certainly true._ - -1. Great are the blessings which we daily receive from our heavenly -Father. It is He who preserves our bodies and souls. It is He who -provides us with all that we need for our lives, and who defends us -against all danger and guards and protects us from all evil. And He does -all this without any merit or worthiness in me, moved purely by His -fatherly, divine goodness and mercy. When we consider all this love -and kindness, we ask, _What, then, is our duty toward our Father in -heaven? "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward -me?"_ Ps. 116,12. Our Catechism answers: _"For all which it is my duty -to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him."_ - -2. For all His benefits we should, and, most certainly, every child of -God gladly will, _thank_ our Father. When somebody has shown us a -kindness and given us valuable gifts, we certainly thank him. How we do -look down with contempt upon an ungrateful person! If we give thanks to -our human benefactors, how much more should we thank God, our greatest -Benefactor, from whom we receive every good and perfect gift! It is -_God's will_ that we thank Him. _"O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is -good, because His mercy endureth forever."_ Ps. 118,1. Remember how well -pleased our Lord was with the _grateful Samaritan_ who alone of the ten -came back to thank Him for the gift of his health. Luke 17, 17-19. To be -able to thank God we must _believe in our hearts_ that everything that -we are, have and enjoy is God's gracious gift. Yet many do not admit -this. They boast that they themselves provide for their life by their -daily work, that they themselves defend their bodies and souls from -danger and evil, and so they do not consider it their duty to thank the -Lord. We are assured that all we have is a free gift of God, and -therefore we must and will thank Him in all our prayers. Do not forget -to do this, especially in your morning and evening prayers, as well as -before and after meals. (See the prayers in your Catechism.) - -3. _We should praise God, our Father._ With glad and rejoicing hearts we -will _tell_ others, our fellow-men, of the great and wondrous things the -Lord has done for us. We will _make know_ to them what a mighty and wise -as well as gracious, merciful, and loving Father our God is, and thus -_glorify_ His name in the world, also in the presence of _unbelievers. -"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!"_ Ps. -103,2. "To God, the Father of all love, the God of earth and heaven, the -mighty God who reigns above, be praise and glory given! With healing -balm my soul He fills and every pain and sorrow stills: To God all -praise and glory!" - -4. _It is our duty to serve the Lord._ God, it is true, is not in need -of our poor services, for it is He who gives us day by day everything we -have. But He has told us in His Word that what we do to our brethren for -His sake _we have done unto Him._ Matt. 25,40. _In serving our brethren -we serve God._ We serve Him by not using the gifts we receive from Him -merely for our own benefit, much less for sinful purposes, in the -service of sin and Satan, but _by using them to help our neighbor in -distress._ We serve Him by using our worldly goods _to further our -Father's kingdom here on earth, by laboring and giving for His Church, -for Foreign and Home Missions, and for all purposes pleasing to God._ In -this manner our whole life will be a service and a thank-offering to -God, our gracious Father. "O grant that I may through Thy grace use all -my powers to show Thy praise, and serve and help my neighbor." - -5. _Finally, it is my duty to obey Him, my Father._ I know that God is -my Father, and I am His child. How can a child show his love and his -gratitude toward his father better _than by obeying him?_ So will I -render my thanks unto my heavenly Father by cheerfully and willingly -obeying Him and by doing according to His commandments. Above all, I -will, according to His First Commandment, _love Him and trust in Him,_ -my Father, in every need and danger, firmly believing that He will never -leave nor forsake me. - -6. _"This is most certainly true."_ With these words we conclude our -First Article. These words are the explanation of the word _Amen_ which -we find at the end of our Creed. _Amen_ means: "This is most certainly -true." We declare it to be most certainly true what we have confessed -and what we believe. It is most certainly true that God has made me -and still preserves me. It is most certainly true that God has given me -my body and soul, that He provides for me and defends, guards, and -protects me. It is most certainly true that He has done all this purely -out of His fatherly, divine goodness and mercy. It is most certainly -true that God is my almighty Father whom I, His child, am in duty bound -to thank and praise, to serve and obey. _From God's Word we know that -all this is most certainly true._ - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _God is our heavenly Father, our greatest Benefactor; therefore we -should thank and praise, serve and obey Him. Let us never forget all His -benefits._ - -2. _We thank God when we believe and acknowledge it to be true that all -we have is the gift of God's goodness and mercy, given us without any -merit or worthiness in us.--We praise Him when we glorify Him and His -gracious deeds also before our fellow-men._ - -3. _We serve our heavenly Father by devoting all the powers of body and -soul, all of which are His gifts, not to the service of sin and Satan, -but to the service of our fellow-men and of the Church of God.--We -obey Him by fulfilling His will, by keeping His commandments, especially -by loving Him and trusting in Him._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?_ Ps. -116,12. - -_O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; because His mercy endureth -forever._ Ps. 118,1. - -_Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!_ Ps. 103,2. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Which are the great blessings we receive from God, according to the -First Article? 2. What do we ask when we consider these blessings? 3. -How is this expressed in Ps. 116,12? 4. How does our Catechism answer -this question? 5. Why is it our duty to thank God? 6. How can you prove -from Scripture that God is pleased with our gratitude? 7. What must we -admit in our hearts in order really to thank God? 8. Most men do not -admit this; what do they believe regarding their worldly goods? 9. At -what time especially should we thank God for His benefits? 10. What does -it mean to praise God? 11. Before whom also should we glorify Him? 12. -Recite Ps. 103,2. 13. What, in addition, is our duty towards God? 14. -How can we serve our Father? 15. How do you know that you are serving -God by serving your neighbor? 16. What should I also do to serve God? -17. What finally, is our duty towards our Father in heaven? 18. When do -we obey Him? 19. How should we obey Him, according to the First -Commandment? 20. What do we express in the last words of the First -Article? 21. How do we know that everything we have confessed in this -article is most certainly true? - -LESSON 19. - -The First Article. - -Review Lesson. - -1. We have begun to study the Three Articles of our Creed. These -articles contain all that we believe and confess regarding God and His -works, all that He has done and Will do for us, His children. Where did -God reveal Himself and His works to us? What do we call all the -doctrines of Scripture that teach us who God is and what He has done for -us? What is the meaning of the word _Gospel?_ There are two chief -doctrines in the Bible. What are they called? What does the Law tell us? -What are the good tidings brought to us in the Gospel? - -2. We confess in the First Article that God is the Father Almighty, -Maker of heaven and earth. God is the Maker of heaven and earth. What do -we call this great work of God? What is the meaning of the word create? -What do we call all the things that God has made? What does it mean to -say: God created all things _by His word?_ In how many days did God -create this world, heaven and earth?--When we thoughtfully consider -this great work of God, His creation, we can learn from it how wonderful -our God is. What does creation teach us about God? When we say, God is -almighty, what does that mean? How does creation teach us that God is an -all-wise God? How does creation show us God's great love and kindness -toward His creatures? How were all creatures when God had made them? - -3. God is the Maker of heaven and earth, He created all things. -Therefore He also created man. How did God create the first man? Man is -the foremost of all the visible creatures. How do we prove this? In -whose image did God make our first parents? In what respect did God make -man in His image? How were our first parents when God had made them? -Whom did they know and love? How did they live?--God made all men; -whom, therefore, did He also make? What did God give me in making me? It -is true that God did not make me in the same manner as He made our first -parents. Through whom did He give me my body and soul?--Consider how -wonderfully God has made you. Why did God give you eyes and ears? What -can you do because God endowed your soul with reason? All this proves -that we are God's foremost creatures.--God has made you, but what do -we furthermore confess? What does this statement mean: God preserves me? -What do we read Heb. 1,3? In whom do we all live and move and have our -being? - -4. We confess in the First Article that our heavenly Father has made me -and all creatures, that He has given me my body with all its members, my -soul, my reason and all my senses, and that He still preserves me, so -that in Him we live and move, and have our being. How does God preserve -me? from whom do we receive all things to support our body and life? -Recite Ps. 145,15.16. In what manner does God, as a rule, provide us -with all the things that we need to support our body and soul? Why is it -that we, nevertheless, must say that God provides for us? What must God -also do to preserve my body and life? Whom does God often use to protect -His children from danger and evil? - -5. God has done great things for me. He has made me, He has given me my -body and soul. He still preserves me by providing daily and richly all -that I need for my life and body, by guarding and protecting me from all -evil. What moves God to give me all these great benefits? Recite Ps. -145,9. What does that mean: God is good to all His creatures? Whom -especially does God love? What does that mean: God is merciful? How are -God's goodness and mercy called in our Catechism? Why is His goodness -called a fatherly goodness? Why is it called a _divine_ goodness? Why do -we say that it is _purely_ fatherly and divine goodness that moves God? -What have we merited by our conduct toward God? Why are we unworthy of -all the benefits of God? What must we confess with Jacob? Gen. 32,10. -What do we say by confessing: "I believe in God the Father Almighty"? - -6. Great are the blessings which we have received, and daily are -receiving, from our heavenly Father. And He gives all His blessings out -of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness -in me. What, therefore, is our duty over against God? We should, in the -first place, thank our Father. What do we think of an ungrateful person? -What do we read Ps. 118,1? With whom was our Lord well pleased? Why are -so many men not thankful to God? When only shall we be truly thankful? ---In the second place, we should praise our Father. What does it mean -to praise God? Before whom also should we glorify God?--In the third -place, we should serve God in order to show Him our gratitude. How can -we serve God although He is not in need of our services? How ought we to -use all the gifts of God in order to serve Him?--Lastly, we should -obey our Father. When do we obey Him? Which commandment, especially, -should we keep? What does this commandment require of us? Why do we -close the First Article with the words: "This is most certainly true"? - -We all believe in one true God, -Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, -Present Helper in all need, -Praised by all the heavenly host, -By whose mighty power alone -All is made and wrought and done. - -LESSON 20. - -The Second Article: Of Redemption. - -I Believe That My Lord Jesus Christ Is True God. - -Which is the Second Article? - -_I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from -eternity, ... is my Lord._ - -1. _"I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord"_ thus the Second Article of -our Creed begins. Every true Christian, every child of God, confesses: I -believe in my Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord. -We do not only believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and -earth, but likewise in our Lord Jesus Christ. You know what it means to -believe in Jesus Christ. It means, I know and am assured by God's Word -that Jesus Christ is my Lord, and with all my heart I trust and confide -in Him as in my Lord. Our Catechism teaches us _two things_ about our -Lord Jesus Christ: 1. _who our Lord Jesus Christ is,_ and 2. _what He -has done for me to become my Lord._ - -2. _Who is our Lord Jesus Christ?_ We confess _"I believe in Jesus -Christ, His only Son,"_ that is, God the Father's only Son. Many are -called, and in truth are, God's children. _"Ye are all the children of -God by faith in Christ Jesus."_ Gal. 3,26. All who believe in our Lord -Jesus Christ are sons and daughters of God. How, then, can we say that -Jesus Christ is God's only Son? Our Catechism says: _"I believe that -Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, is my -Lord."_ All those who believe in Christ are God's children; God has -_adopted_ them as His children for Christ's sake. Christ, however, is -God's _own Son, begotten, born of the Father from eternity._ Before God -created heaven and earth, Christ was God's Son, begotten of the Father. -God Himself says to this His only Son: _"Thou art My Son; this day_ -[that is, from eternity] _have I begotten Thee."_ Ps. 2,7. _"God so -loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever -believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."_ John -3,16. Christ is God's Son, begotten of the Father from eternity, and it -is for this reason, too, that in the First Article we call God the -_Father._ He is the Father of His own only Son, through whom He is also -our Father. - -3. Whoever is born of human parents is a true man; he has a human body -and a human soul. Our Lord Jesus Christ is born of the Father from -eternity, and therefore _He is true God._ We confess that we believe in -Jesus Christ, true God. He is true God in the same sense as the Father -is true God. _Together with the Father He is the one true God._ He -himself has said: _"He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father."_ John -14,9. _"I and My Father are one."_ John 10,30 The Father is the -_almighty_ God; likewise the Son, our Lord, is the _almighty_ God. _"All -power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth."_ Matt. 28,18. God the -Father is always with us wherever we are; likewise the Son, our Lord, is -with us always. _"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the -world."_ Matt. 28,20. God the Father has created all things; likewise -the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. _"All things were made by Him; and -without Him was not anything made that was made."_ John 1,3. He tells us -that we should _honor_ Him as we honor the Father. _"All men should -honor the Son even as they honor the Father."_ John 5,23. He tells us -that we should believe in Him as we believe in the Father. _"Ye believe -in God, believe also in Me."_ John 14,1. - -4. Jesus Christ is true God from eternity. When our Lord was dwelling -here on earth among men, He _showed_ that He was true God. His apostle -John tells us: _"We_ [the apostles] _beheld His glory, the glory as of -the Only-begotten of the Father."_ John 1,14. With His almighty word He -healed the sick, He made the blind to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to -hear, He brought the dead to life again: the daughter of Jairus, the son -of the widow in Nain, and Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. -Remember how the winds and the sea obeyed Him, how He stilled the storm -and walked on the sea as on dry land, how He changed water into wine. - -5. _Our Lord Jesus Christ is true God, the only-begotten Son of the -Father._ His disciples confessed it time and again. Simon Peter -confessed regarding the Lord: _"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the -living God."_ Matt. 16,16. Thomas said to Him, _"My Lord and my God."_ -John 20,28. And Jesus was well pleased with their confessions and -accepted them. _"This_ [our dear Lord] _is the true God and eternal -life," is what John the Apostle tells of Him._ 1 John 5,20. And St. Paul -writes: _"Who_ [Christ] _is over all, God blessed forever."_ Rom. 9,5. -_From our Bible, from the Word of God,_ we know it to be most certainly -true that our Lord is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity. - -6. Never forget that our dear Lord, together with the Father, is the one -true God. _Therefore I believe in Him and trust in Him with all my -heart._ In every need and trouble, in every danger, I lift up my hands -to my Lord and God and _pray_ to Him. He will not forsake me, for He is -_"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday to-day and forever."_ Heb. 13,8. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only Son of God the Father, His own -Son, begotten of the Father from eternity._ - -2. _Our Lord Jesus Christ is true God, with God the Father the one true -God in whom we believe, and to whom we pray._ - -3. _This we know and believe because God Himself has revealed it to us -in His holy Word. Our confession is and always will be: "I believe in -Jesus Christ, His only Son." I believe that Jesus Christ is true God, -begotten of the Father from eternity._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_This is the true God and eternal life._ 1 John 5,20. - -_Who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen._ Rom. 9,5. - -_Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God._ John 20,28. - -_For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that -whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting -life._ John 3,16. - -_All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth._ Matt. 28,18. - -_Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world._ Matt. 28,20. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord? 2. What two -things does our Catechism teach us about our Lord Jesus Christ? 3. Whose -only Son is Jesus Christ? 4. Who also are God's children? 5. Why is -Jesus called God's _only_ Son? 6. Where in the Bible is Christ called -the only-begotten Son of God? John 3,16. 7. Christ is the own, the -only-begotten Son of God; what must He therefore be? 8. What is Christ -together with the Father? 9. Where does our Lord Himself say so? 10. -Where does our Lord say that He is almighty? 11. Where does He promise -that He will always be with us? 12. What great work of God the Father is -also done by the Son? 13. How should we honor the Son? 14. How did -Christ show, when He was dwelling visibly on earth, that He is true God? -15. What did Peter confess of the Lord? 16. What did Thomas say to Him? -17. What does the Apostle John write about the Lord? 18. What does St. -Paul write? 19. How do we know that it is most certainly true that -Christ is true God? 20. What must our confession regarding Christ always -be? - -LESSON 21. - -The Second Article. - -I Believe That My Lord Is True God And True Man. - -Which is the Second Article? - -_I believe 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._ - -What does this mean? - -_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._ - -1. We confess that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, begotten of the -Father from eternity and therefore true God. We also confess _that He is -born of the Virgin Mary and therefore is a true man,_ with a human soul -and a human body. Holy Scripture expressly calls our Lord a man. _"There -is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."_ -1 Tim. 2,5. Our Lord is indeed true man. While He was visibly dwelling -here on earth, He lived as a man among men. He was born in Bethlehem as -a little child. In the house of His mother and His foster-father Joseph -He grew up like other children. He became hungry and thirsty, He ate and -drank, He grew tired and slept, and lastly, He died. - -2. Christ, our Lord, is _true_ man, man in the true sense of the word. -He is our Brother. But there is _one great difference_ between Him and -all other men. We confess in the Second Article that He was _conceived -by the Holy Ghost._ Though our Lord was born of a human mother, He did -not have a human father. He was conceived by the power of God the Holy -Ghost without sin. _"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee_ [the Virgin -Mary], _and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore -also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son -of God."_ Luke 1,35. Christ, our Lord, was born _holy, without sin,_ and -during His life He never committed any sin, but always fulfilled the -will of God, His Father. - -3. Christ, our Lord, is true God and true man. There are not two -Christs, one who is God, and another who is man, but _only one Christ, -who is God and man at the same time, God and man in one person, the -God-man._ He is _Emmanuel,_ that is, God with us, God in our flesh and -blood. Matt. 1,23. How this is possible we cannot understand, but we -firmly believe it because God Himself has revealed it to us in His Word. -The Son of God, the true God, became a true man, born of a woman. _"The -Word_ [the Son of God] _was made flesh_ [man], _and dwelt among us."_ -John 1,14. - -4. The Son of God, the true God, became man, but more than that. _He -also humbled Himself._ He did not, as a rule, show forth His divine -glory nor use His divine powers, but was like any other man. He did not -come to us as a great prince, in kingly splendor, but though He is our -God and King, He came to us _as a low, poor man._ From Bible History you -know the life of the God-man, how He was _born_ a little child in -Bethlehem, of the Virgin Mary, a lowly maid in Israel, though she came -from the royal house of the great King David. And after He was born, He -_suffered._ His whole life was a constant suffering. He was despised by -His people, persecuted by the priests and Pharisees. He was so poor that -He did not have where to lay His head. Remember how He suffered that -unspeakable agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and in the courts of His -enemies, where they passed that cruel sentence of death upon Him who had -never committed a sin. And _under Pontius Pilate,_ the governor of -Judea, He was _crucified,_ nailed to a cross. And on the cross He -_died,_ died the death of a criminal. And after His death His friends -_buried_ His body, just as they would have buried that of any other man. -Verily, the Son of God, our Lord, _deeply humbled Himself;_ He humbled -Himself unto death, even the death of the cross. - -5. _Why did our Lord do all this?_ Why did the Son of God become man? -Why did our Lord humble Himself so deeply? He did it for our sake, for -the sake of all men, for those who are His enemies. _He did it for me -that He might become my Lord and Savior._ Therefore our Lord was called -_Jesus._ This name means helper, savior. It was given to our Lord by the -will of God; for He had an angel tell Joseph: _"She_ [the Virgin Mary] -_shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He -shall save His people from their sins."_ Matt. 1,21. Jesus is our -Savior.--Our Lord is also called _Christ._ Christ means the _Messiah._ -Our Lord is the Messiah whom God had promised to His people in the Old -Testament. All the prophecies regarding the Messiah in the Old Testament -have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Lord.--Our Lord Jesus Christ -is the Savior, and He is our _only_ Savior. _"Neither is there salvation -in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men -whereby we must be saved."_ Acts 4,12. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Our Lord Jesus Christ is true God, born of the Father from eternity; -but He is also true man, born in time of the Virgin Mary. He is like -unto other men, except that He is holy and without sin._ - -2. _Christ, our Lord, is true God and true man in one person--the -God-man. As such He is my Savior._ - -3. _The Son of God did not only become man, He also humbled Himself, -suffering and dying, dying on the cross._ - -4. _Christ, our Lord, has done all this to be Jesus, the Savior of all -men, to be Christ, the promised Messiah. He has done all this for me -that He might become my Lord._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ -Jesus._ 1 Tim. 2,5. - -_The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, -the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and -truth._ John 1,14. - -_She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He -shall save His people from their sins._ Matt. 7,21. - -_Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name -under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved._ Acts 4,12. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What do we confess regarding our Lord? 2. What do we also confess? 3. -Recite the passage of Scripture where Christ is expressly called man. 4. -How did our Lord show in His life here on earth that He was truly a man? -5. By whom was Christ conceived? 6. How was He, therefore, when He was -born? 7. What, therefore, is the difference between Him and all other -men? 8. We confess that Christ is God and man, What do we mean by this? -9. What did the Son of God become? 10. How do we read John 1,14? 11. Our -Lord became true man; what did He also do? 12. What did He, as a rule, -not show and use while He was here on earth? 13. What kind of man did -our Lord become? 14. How was He born? 15. What was His whole life here -on earth? 16. How poor did He become? 17. How did He die? 18. Why did -Christ do all this? 19. For whose sake also did He humble Himself? 20. -Why is my Lord called Jesus? 21. Why is He called the Christ? - -LESSON 22. - -The Second Article. - -My Lord Has Redeemed Me, A Lost And Condemned Creature. - -Which is the Second Article? - -_I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that Jesus Christ 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._ - -1. We have learned that our Lord is true God and true man. We have heard -that the Son of God became man and humbled Himself even unto death for -our sake to become our Lord and Savior. Our Catechism furthermore tells -us _by what means Jesus Christ, true God and true man, became my Lord -and Savior._ That is the great work of our Lord: He came into this world -to save, to redeem us. His work is our _redemption._ Let us diligently -and prayerfully consider this great work of our Lord--our redemption. - -2. _Christ has redeemed me,_ so I confess. We were in great need of such -a Lord and of the redemption which He was to bring. For without such a -Lord _we are lost and condemned creatures._ We are _lost_ creatures. -What does this mean? Remember the beautiful story of the _Prodigal Son._ -The father in this story said of his son after his return that he had -been lost. Wilfully and sinfully the son had left his home and his -father and gone into a far country, where he spent all his goods with -riotous living. He was now far away from his father, separated from him -and his home. He was lost in that far-away country, where great misery -and distress soon overtook him. Without his father he would have -_perished_ with hunger. Thus we are lost without Christ. We have sinned -against our heavenly Father, we have transgressed His commandments. By -committing sins we have left our Father and are separated from Him. We -are in a far-away country, in this sinful world, where misery and -distress surround us. We are without God and without hope in the world. -Without our Lord we must perish, suffer eternal death. _Without Christ -we are indeed lost._ Every one of us must confess: I am a lost creature. -_"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his -own way."_ Is. 53,6. - -3. I confess also that I am a _condemned_ creature. God, as you have -learned, is a righteous and jealous God. He _threatens to punish_ all -that transgress His commandments. When Adam and Eye transgressed God's -command, the threatened punishment came over them. _"In the day that -thou eatest thereof,"_ God had told Adam, _"thou shalt surely die."_ -Gen. 2,17. _Death_ is the punishment of all sinners, not only death here -on earth, but _eternal death,_ that is, _eternal damnation._ That is the -sentence which God passed upon all that have sinned, that they should be -separated from Him in eternity, from Him in whom alone we find life and -true happiness.--It was the _devil_ that tempted Adam and Eve to sin. -They heard and obeyed his voice instead of the voice of their Father. He -became their Lord and master. _"He that committeth sin is of the -devil."_ 1 John 3,8. Because we have sinned, we are under the power of -the devil, we belong to his kingdom. Without Christ we are all lost and -condemned creatures, that is, _we are separated from God, our Father; we -are under God's judgment of damnation; we are under the powers of sin, -death, and the devil. They are our masters. "We were by nature the -children of wrath."_ Eph. 2,3. - -4. I am a lost and condemned creature; I am in the power of sin, death, -and the devil. _Who can help me in this misery and redeem and save me?_ -Surely not I myself. How could I deliver myself from these mighty -enemies? I have nothing with which I might atone for my sins or remove -God's wrath and curse. Neither can any other man help me, powerful and -wise though he may be. _All_ men are lost and condemned creatures, just -as helpless as I am. _There is only One who is able to help and redeem -us, Jesus Christ, our Lord._ He is the _God-man._ He could conquer these -fearful enemies, sin, death, and the devil. He is the _almighty God._ He -alone among men is without sin, and therefore not in the power of the -devil. He can redeem me, _and He has redeemed me._ In order to redeem -the world, the Son of God became man, humbled Himself, and suffered and -died. Thankfully I confess _that Christ has redeemed me, that He is my -Lord._ - -5. I confess that Christ, my Lord, has redeemed me. But not only me did -He redeem, but _all men,_ from Adam up to the last man that will be born -before the Day of Judgment. God loved the _world,_ all _mankind,_ and He -so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son to redeem and save -the world. All men are lost and condemned creatures, all are under God's -wrath and in the power of sin, and our Savior Himself said: _"The Son of -Man is come to save that which was lost."_ Matt. 18,11. John the Baptist -pointed to Him and said: _"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the -sin of the world."_ John 1,29. _"He is the propitiation for our sins, -and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."_ -1 John 2,2. Christ, my Lord, has redeemed all mankind, and therefore I -know that it is most certainly true: _He has redeemed also me._ - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Without Christ, my Lord, I am a lost and condemned creature. I am -without God and hope in this world, separated from God and under the -sentence of damnation._ - -2. _By nature I am in the power of sin, death, and the devil. I belong -to Satan's kingdom. Sin, death, and the devil were my masters._ - -3. _In this dreadful distress no man was able to help me. Only Christ -could redeem me, for He is the God-man; and He has redeemed me and all -the world._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_He that committeth sin is of the devil._ 1 John 3,8. - -_The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost._ Matt. 18,11. - -_Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world._ John -1,29. - -_He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also -for the sins of the whole world._ 1 John 2,2. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What do we call the great work which Christ has done for us and all -men? 2. What do I confess in the Second Article concerning myself? 3. -From which parable of our Lord do we learn what it means to be lost? 4. -Why was the Prodigal Son called lost? 5. How did he become separated -from his father? 6. What happened to him in that far-away country? 7. -How did we become separated from our heavenly Father? 8. What always -separates us from God? 9. What do we furthermore confess concerning -ourselves? 10. Why are we condemned creatures? 11. What does God -threaten to those who transgress His commandments? 12. In what does the -punishment of sin consist? 13. What death is meant? 14. Who tempted Adam -and Eve to sin? 15. Of whom is he who commits sin? 16. Under whose power -are we because we have sinned? 17. Who alone is able to help us in our -misery? 18. Why can Jesus Christ surely help and save us? 19. Whom did -Christ redeem? 20. How can you prove from Scripture that Christ has -redeemed all men? - -LESSON 23. - -The Second Article. - -Christ, My Lord, Has Redeemed Me With His Holy, Precious Blood. - -Which is the Second Article? - -_I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that Jesus Christ 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._ - -1. Christ has redeemed and _purchased us,_ that is, He bought us. Our -Lord had to pay a price, a very high price for our redemption. He has -purchased or bought me not with _gold_ or _silver. "Ye know that ye were -not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold."_ 1 Pet 1,18. -Gold and silver are, indeed, highly prized among men. Much can be -accomplished, much can be bought with gold and silver for the support of -our life and for our comfort here in this world. But all the gold and -silver, all the treasures in the world, cannot buy our redemption. Gold -and silver cannot redeem one lost and condemned sinner from sin, death, -and the powers of the devil, from hell and damnation. A much higher -price was necessary. Our Lord has paid this price. - -2. Christ redeemed and purchased us with His _blood._ He shed His blood -for us. He gave His _life_ for our redemption. Consider the great love of -our Lord. He gave His life not for His friends, but for us, who were His -enemies. We call this blood a _holy_ blood. _It is the blood of a holy -man._ Our Savior was born without sin, and He never committed a sin in -His life. We have been redeemed, not with gold or silver, _"but with the -precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without -spot."_ 1 Pet. 1,19. We call the blood of Christ a _precious_ blood. -This blood is the most precious thing in heaven and earth. It is the -_blood of the Son of God,_ shed for our sins. _"The blood of Jesus -Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin."_ 1 John 1,7. - -3. Christ purchased us with His blood _and with His suffering and -death._ Suffering and dying our Lord shed His blood for us. We say it -was an _innocent_ suffering and death, because He did not deserve this. -He was without sin, He never did any wrong. He did not suffer and die -because of any guilt of His own. He suffered and died _on account of my -guilt and the guilt of the whole world._ During His whole sinless life -He fulfilled God's commandments. _We_ ought to have kept the -commandments, but we could not do it because we were born in sins. -Christ, our Lord, has fulfilled the Law of God _for us, in our stead._ -He came into this world and was made under the Law that He might redeem -us, who were under the Law. _We_ had transgressed the commandments, -therefore the wrath of God was upon us, and we deserved His punishment. -_We_ ought to have suffered death, eternal death. _Christ_ was -_innocent,_ without sin, and still He suffered death on the cross. _He -did all this for us, in our stead. "Surely He hath borne our griefs and -carried our sorrows.... He was wounded for our transgressions, He was -bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, -and with His stripes we are healed."_ Is. 53,4.5.--It was a high price -that Jesus paid for our salvation. He gave Himself for us. How thankful -we ought to be to our dear Savior, who lived and died for us that we may -be saved! How thankful we ought to be to our heavenly Father, who _"so -loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever -believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"!_ John -3,16. - -4. Christ paid a high price for me. He gave Himself a ransom for my -salvation. But before His death on the cross my Savior cried out: _"It -is finished."_ His great work is finished indeed. My Lord _has_ -purchased and redeemed me and all mankind. Because Christ shed His -precious blood, and suffered and died for us in our stead, we are -redeemed and free from _our sins._ By leading a sinless life Christ has -fulfilled all commandments of God for us; _in Him we have fulfilled -them._ We are free from the curse of the Law. _"Christ hath redeemed us -from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us."_ Gal. 3,13. All -the punishments for our sins were suffered by Christ. _In Him God has -punished us,_ and therefore we no longer need to suffer punishment for -our sins.--We have been redeemed from _all_ sins. There is not a -single sin, either great or small, from which Christ, our Lord, has not -redeemed us. _He has earned forgiveness of all sins for us._ - -5. The penalty of sin is _death,_ eternal death and damnation. Christ, -our Lord, has taken away our sins, He has earned forgiveness for us; -therefore _we have been redeemed from death._ He has suffered death for -us and therefore we are free from death. Eternal death has no power over -us; for _"Christ hath abolished death, and hath brought life and -immortality to light."_ 2 Tim. 1,10. We no longer need to fear death. In -death our Lord gives us everlasting life. - -6. Since Christ has suffered and died for us, _we have also been -redeemed from the power of the devil._ Through sin the devil has power -over us. Our sins are forgiven; by His death the Lord _destroyed the -works of the devil._ Satan has lost his power over me. He cannot force -me to sin nor keep me in his kingdom. _"Through death He destroyed him -that had the power of death, that is, the devil."_ Heb. 2,14. We thank -the Lord for having redeemed us from all sin, from death, and from the -power of the devil. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _I have been bought with a price. My Lord has purchased me, not with -treasures of this world, but with His own precious blood, with His -innocent suffering and death._ - -2. _In my stead Christ fulfilled all the commandments of God. In my -stead He suffered and died for my sins. With His stripes I am healed._ - -3. _Now I am redeemed and free from all sins, from death, and from the -power of the devil. In Christ I have forgiveness of all my sins._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Ye know that ye ware not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver -and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without -blemish and without spot._ 1 Pet. 1,18.19. - -_The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sins._ 1 John -1,7. - -_Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.... He was -wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the -chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are -healed._ Is. 53,4.5. - -_Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse -for us._ Gal. 3,13. - -_Christ hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to -light._ 2 Tim. 1,10. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What does it mean when we say that the Lord purchased us? 2. Wherein -did the price which He paid for us not consist? 3. With what did our -Lord redeem us? 4. Why do we call His blood a holy blood? 5. Why do we -call it a precious blood? 6. What do we read 1 John 1,7? 7. Why do we -call the suffering and death of our Lord an innocent suffering and -death? 8. Why did our Lord not deserve suffering and death? 9. For whom -did He suffer and die? 10. What did Christ during His whole life fulfil? -11. For whom did He do this? 12. What did we deserve for our sins? 13. -Who suffered the punishment we had deserved in our stead? 14. What does -the prophet say Is. 53,4.5? 15. What do we know regarding this great -work of our Lord? 16. From what have we been redeemed? 17. What did -Christ earn for us with regard to our sins? 18. From what have we also -been redeemed? 19. What need we no longer fear? 20. In what respect are -we redeemed also from the power of the devil? - -LESSON 24. - -The Second Article. - -My Lord Has Won Me That I May Be His Own. - -Which is the Second Article? - -_I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord, who has won me, that I may be -His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting -righteousness, innocence, and blessedness._ - -1. Christ, my Lord, has redeemed and purchased me, and we add: _He has -won me._ He has won me after a hard fight with sin, death, and the -devil. In the first prophecy of the promised Messiah, God said to the -serpent, to Satan: _"I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and -between thy seed and her Seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt -bruise His heel."_ Gen. 3,15. This prophecy has been fulfilled in the -coming of Christ, our Lord. He is the _Seed of the woman._ The serpent, -Satan, indeed, bruised His heel. Christ had to suffer and die for us. -But through His death on the cross our Lord has gained the victory He -has bruised the serpent's head and destroyed his works. He has delivered -us out of the hand of our enemies. Sin, death, and the devil no longer -have any power over us. Christ has won us for Himself. _He has become my -Lord. I now am His own,_ I belong to Him, to Him alone, who has bought -me and won me. _Christ has won me in order that He may be my Lord and I -His own._ - -2. Christ, my Lord, has won me that I may _live in His kingdom._ Without -Christ we are all in Satan's kingdom, living under him. He is our evil -master, who rules over us But Christ has delivered us out of the hand of -our enemies that we should live in His kingdom.--_Our Lord has a -kingdom here on earth._ For the purpose of founding this His kingdom, He -came into the world and humbled Himself, and suffered and died for us. -Our Lord, truly, is a King. He Himself told us so. When Pontius Pilate -asked Him, _"Art Thou a king, then?"_ He answered: _"Thou sayest that I -am a King."_ To His kingdom all those belong who believe and trust in -Him and accept Him as their Lord and King. For this purpose my Lord -redeemed and won me, that I, too, may belong to His kingdom and live -under Him. - -3. The kingdom of our Lord and King is a _most glorious kingdom._ The -Lord Himself reigns and rules in His kingdom with His grace and love. In -His kingdom we live _under Him._ He rules and governs my whole life. -Under His rule and care I shall not want. I live under Him, under His -protection. He protects me from the temptations of sin, the godless -world, and the devil. My Lord and King is always with me. Under His care -and protection I am _safe;_ for my King is _the almighty God, whom -nothing can withstand._ All power is given unto Him in heaven and in -earth. Matt. 28,18. _This kingdom of our Lord we call the Kingdom of -Grace;_ for with grace and love our King governs all who accept Him -as their Lord and King. - -4. For this purpose Christ has redeemed and won me, that I may be His -own and live under Him in His kingdom and _serve Him,_ who has become my -Lord. Before Christ became our Lord, we had other masters. We served our -enemies, sin and the devil. We could not but serve them, and we served -them willingly, even joyfully. How miserable to be a servant of Satan -and sin, to do their will, to obey them! _The wages of sin is death,_ -eternal, death and damnation. Our Lord has delivered us from sin and -Satan, He has won us as His own. _"That we, delivered out of the hand of -our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness -before Him, all the days of our life."_ Luke 1, 74.75. We live in the -kingdom of our Lord under His care; we need not fear our enemies if we -do not serve them. We serve Him who has delivered us. In His kingdom our -Lord gives us strength to serve Him by living according to His -commandments, by doing His good and gracious will. To serve this Lord is -a _noble_ service. Can there be a nobler service than to serve God, the -highest Lord, to serve the highest King, who has bought and won us out -of the hands of our enemies, of sin and Satan? _Gladly_ and _joyfully_ -will we serve Him, our Savior and our Lord. - -5. We serve our Lord _in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and -blessedness._ The kingdom of our Lord is, indeed, a glorious kingdom. In -His kingdom we serve Him in _righteousness._ We are not righteous in -ourselves, but our Lord has gained a perfect righteousness for us. He -has fulfilled the Law in our stead. Clothed in Christ's blood and -righteousness, we serve our Lord, and therefore our poor service is -_well-pleasing_ to God.--We serve our Lord in _innocence._ We are free -from the guilt of our sins. Sad to say, we daily sin in the service of -our Lord, we deserve nothing but punishment; but God forgives us our -sins_ daily and richly for Christ's sake, and so we are _innocent_ in -His sight. In holiness and righteousness we will serve Him all the days -of our life.--We serve Him in _blessedness._ It is blessedness to -serve this our Lord. He blesses His servants with all His rich gifts. He -blesses them here on earth and leads them to eternal blessedness in -heaven. It is _everlasting righteousness and innocence and blessedness -that our Lord gives us. He leads His servants to _His kingdom in -heaven._ Here in this world His kingdom is a _Kingdom of Grace;_ in -heaven it is the _Kingdom of Glory. "The Lord shall deliver me from -every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom; to whom -be glory forever and ever! Amen."_ 2 Tim. 4,18. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Through His sufferings and death, Christ has become my Lord, and -therefore I am His own. I am living in His kingdom, under Him, my King, -being delivered from the hands of all my enemies. He cares for me and -protects me._ - -2. _In His kingdom I am serving my King in everlasting righteousness, -innocence, and blessedness, which He bestows on me. For my Lord's sake -God forgives me all my sins and accepts my poor sinful service._ - -3. _Our Lord's kingdom is a twofold kingdom, the Kingdom of Grace here -on earth, in which our King reigns with His grace, with forgiveness of -sins, and the Kingdom of Glory in heaven, in which we shall reign with -our King, freed from all evil, in His glory forever and ever._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and -her Seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise His heel._ Gen. -3,15. - -_Pilate, therefore, said unto Him, Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered, -Thou sayest, I am a King._ John 18,37. - -_That we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve -Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days -of our life._ Luke 1,74.75. - -_The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me -unto His heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen._ -2 Tim. 4,18. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. From whom has our Lord won me? 2. To whom do I now belong? 3. Recite -the first prophecy of the promised Messiah. 4. Who has no power over me -since Christ has won me? 5. In whose kingdom may I live? 6. What does it -mean to live under Him? 7. What will our Lord do as our King? 8. Why are -we safe under His rule and protection? 9. How do we call His kingdom -here on earth? 10. Because Christ is our Lord, what should we therefore -do? 11. Whom must we serve when we are not in our Lord's service? 12. -Why is this service a miserable service? 13. Why can we now serve our -Lord? 14. Why is His service a glorious service? 15. who has given us -the righteousness in which we serve our Lord? 16. Why are we innocent -before God? 17. Why is it blessedness to serve the Lord? 18. How do we -call His kingdom in heaven? - -LESSON 25. - -The Second Article. - -Review Lesson. - -(1) 1. In whom does every Christian believe according to the Second -Article? 2. What do we mean when we say: I believe in Jesus Christ, my -Lord? 3. What two things does our Catechism teach us about our Lord -Jesus Christ? 4. What do we confess in the Second Article concerning the -_person_ of our Lord? 5. Prove from Scripture that Christ is God's only -Son, the only-begotten Son of the Father. 6. If Christ is God's -only-begotten Son of the Father, He must be true God with the Father. -How can you prove this from Holy Writ? 7. How did the apostles confess -Jesus Christ as their God? 8. What do we confess about our Lord in the -beginning of the explanation of the Second Article? 9. Together with -whom is Christ true God? 10. In what respect is there no difference -between Jesus and His Father? Christ is coequal with the Father. He has -the same divine majesty, glory and honor. - -(2) We confess that Jesus Christ is God's only Son and therefore, -together with the Father, true God from eternity. 1. What do we -furthermore confess concerning our Lord? 2. How can you prove that -Christ is true man? 3. Christ is indeed true man, born of the Virgin -Mary. But there is one great difference between Him and all other men. -Which is it? 4. Why was Christ conceived and born without sin? 5. Christ -is true God and true man; there are, however, not two Christs, one true -God and the other true man; there is but one Christ. What is He? 6. The -Son of God became true man, but He did more. What kind of a man did He -become? 7. How does the Second Article describe the lowly life of our -Savior here on earth? 8. Why did Christ humble Himself so deeply? 9. -What does the name Jesus mean? 10. Why is He called Savior? 11. Why was -Jesus called the Christ? - -(3) We learn from our Catechism not only who Jesus, our Lord, is, but -also what He has done for us to become our Lord. 1. What does our -Catechism say concerning the work of our Lord? 2. Christ has redeemed -me; how do we therefore call His work? 3. Why was it necessary that I -should be redeemed? We are by nature lost and condemned creatures. 4. -From which parable of the Lord can you learn what it means to be lost? -5. Why are we also condemned creatures? 6. Who had pronounced judgment -upon us because of our sins? 7. What was this punishment? 8. We were -under the power of sin, death, and the devil. Who alone could help us in -this distress? 9. We confess that Christ redeemed me, a lost and -condemned sinner; but I am not the only one whom He has redeemed. Whom -did He also redeem? 10. Prove from Scripture that our Lord redeemed all -men. 11. What conclusion may and should I draw from this truth? - -(4) Our Catechism says that our Lord has redeemed and purchased us. 1. -What is the meaning of the Word purchase? 2. Christ has bought us with a -price. What is the price our Lord paid for our redemption? 3. Why could -we not be bought with gold or silver? 4. We have been purchased with His -blood. How did Christ purchase us with His blood? 5. It is, indeed, a -high price which our Lord paid for us. Why do we call His blood a holy -blood? 6. Why is it called a precious blood? 7. What does Christs blood -do for us regarding our sins? 8. Christ has purchased us with His -suffering. Why do we call His suffering an innocent suffering? 9. In -whose stead did Christ suffer all the punishment of sin? 10. What is the -punishment of sin?--11. Christ has purchased us with His holy blood -and His innocent suffering. From whom did He purchase us? Christ -redeemed us from the power of sin, and death, and the devil. 12. How did -Christ redeem us from all sins? 18. What did He fulfil in our stead? 14. -Why are we also free from death? 15. Being free from sin we are also -free from the power of the devil. Why are we free from his power? - -(5) Christ, our Lord, has redeemed and purchased us. He has also _won_ -us. He has won us after a severe fight with sin, death, and the devil. -1. Which is the first prophecy of this conflict between our Savior and -the devil? 2. Christ gained the victory in this conflict. He won us. To -whom do we now belong? 3. We are Christ's own; we live in His kingdom. -To whose kingdom do we belong without Christ? 4. Christ has won me from -the power and the kingdom of the devil; Christ now is my King. Who -belongs to His kingdom? 5. What do we call His kingdom here on earth? -6. Why do we call it the Kingdom of Grace? 7. In His kingdom we live -under Him. What does this mean? 8. Not only do we live under our King, -under His care and protection, we also serve Him. How do we serve Him? -9. Out of whose hand has our Lord delivered us? 10. How do we serve -our Lord? 11. Without Christ we had to serve sin and the devil. Why is -this service such a degrading service? 12. Why should we gladly and -willingly serve our Lord in His kingdom? 13. We serve our Lord in -righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Which righteousness is here -meant? 14. In what respect are we innocent in the eyes of God? 15. Why -does His service bestow blessedness upon us? 16. To what kingdom does -our gracious Lord lead us after this life? 17. Why is this kingdom -called the Kingdom of Glory? - -Let us give thanks to our dear Savior, who has become our Lord, that we -may be His own and in His kingdom live under Him and serve Him in -everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Amen. - -LESSON 26. - -The Second Article. - -How Our Lord As Victor Descended Into Hell And Rose Again From The Dead. - -Which is the Second Article? - -_I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.... He descended into -hell; the third day He rose again from the dead._ - -1. We believe and confess in the Second Article of our faith that Jesus -Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, became also true -man, born of the Virgin Mary, that He suffered, was crucified, died on -the cross, and was buried. All this our Lord has done to redeem us lost -and condemned creatures from all our sins, from death, and from the -power of the devil, that He may be our Lord, that we may be His own and -live under Him in His glorious kingdom and serve Him in everlasting -righteousness and blessedness. Our Lord died and was buried for our -sakes to redeem us. Is, then, our Lord still in death and in the grave? -Do we believe in a dead savior? Do we serve a dead and helpless king? -Thank God, we do not! _We know from Holy Writ that our Lord came to life -again, that our living Lord descended into hell and on the third day -after His death rose again from the grave._ - -2. We confess in the Second Article: _"He,"_ our Lord Jesus Christ, -_"descended into hell."_ When our Lord descended into hell, He was no -longer dead. It is true, when they took Him from the cross and buried -Him, He was really dead. Nobody, indeed, had taken His life from Him, He -had laid it down of Himself, of His own free will, laid it down for us -that we might not suffer eternal death; _but in His grave Christ, the -Son of God, took His life back again. "Christ was put to death in the -flesh, but quickened_ [came to life again] _by the Spirit."_ 1 Pet. -3,18. As our living Lord He went down into hell, into the place whither -the evil spirits, the devils and condemned men, have been banished. -Christ did not enter the gates of hell _in order to be punished there -for His sins;_ for our Savior was without sin and blemish. He did not -descend into hell _to suffer the penalty for our sins;_ this He had -already done on the cross. He descended into hell _to show that He had -won the victory over the devil and all his hosts._ "He made a show of -them openly, triumphing over them." Col. 2,15. As the triumphant Victor -over all His enemies Christ entered hell, the abode of Satan. Now we are -certain that the old Evil Foe cannot keep us in his power, that _we are -free from hell and damnation._ - -3. _On the third day our Lord rose again from the dead._ You have often -heard the Easter-Gospel, the joyful tidings of Christ's glorious -resurrection: Our Lord is not dead, but He lives. When, very early in -the morning, the women came to the grave to anoint the body of their -Master, they did not find Him, the grave was empty, and an angel of God -brought them the message: _"Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is -not here, but is risen."_ Luke 24,5.6. After His resurrection our Lord -showed Himself to His disciples as their living Savior. They saw Him, -they spoke to Him, and ate with Him. _The Lord convinced them that He -was risen._ They are the witnesses of His resurrection. Even the -_soldiers_ whom the enemies had placed around the grave as a watch, lest -His disciples might come by night and steal the body, could not deny -that the grave was empty, that the Lord had risen. Matt. 28,4.11-15. _We -are sure that Christ, our Lord, is not dead, but lives; for God Himself -tells us in His Word that Christ was raised up from the dead by the -glory of the Father._ Rom. 6,4. Joyously we confess: _"I know that my -Redeemer liveth."_ Job 19,25. - -4. Christ is risen. He came forth from His sepulcher with _the same -body_ that was laid in the grave. _The tomb was empty._ The disciples -knew Him when He showed Himself. They saw the print of the nails in His -hands and His feet and the wound in His side. He let them touch His -body in order to convince them that He was not a spirit. Luke 24,39.40. -But after His resurrection His body was _glorified;_ it was free from -all human weakness and sufferings, free from death. - -5. _The resurrection of our Savior is full of comfort and consolation -for us. "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your -sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If -in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most -miserable."_ 1 Cor. 15,17-19. This would be our sad lot if Christ were -not risen. All our faith and hope in Him would be in vain. But He _is_ -risen, and now we know _that He is the true Son of God._ We know that -Christ _has gained the victory over all our enemies,_ sin, death, and -the devil, who could not keep Him in their power. We know that Christ -_has paid the penalty for our sins,_ that our sins are forgiven. We know -that we have a _living_ Savior, _who is with us alway,_ to govern and -protect us in His kingdom. We know that we shall not perish when we die, -that our risen Lord will not leave us in the grave, but will _raise us -again unto eternal life. "Because I live, ye shall live also."_ John -14,19. Our Lord is risen, and so we put our trust in Him both in life -and death. "Jesus, my Redeemer, lives! I, too, unto life must waken -Endless joy my Savior gives; Shall my courage then be shaken? Shall I -fear, or could the Head Rise and leave His members dead?" - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Christ descended into hell to show Himself as Victor over our -enemies, over the devil and all his hosts._ - -2. _Christ is risen. We know that our Redeemer lives. We have a living -Savior, our sins are forgiven. Our King lives forever; under Him we live -in everlasting righteousness and innocence._ - -3. _Christ is risen; He has conquered death. Though we must die, He will -recall us from our graves and raise us to eternal life and everlasting -blessedness._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_I know that my Redeemer liveth._ Job 19,25. - -_If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins. -Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished._ 1 Cor. -15,17.18. - -_Because I live, ye shall live also._ John 14,19. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Where did Christ go after He had come to life again in the grave? 2. -Why did Christ not descend into hell? 3. What was His purpose in -descending into the abode of Satan? 4. When did our Lord rise from the -dead? 5. What message did the angel bring to the women at the grave? 6. -Who are the witnesses of His resurrection? 7. How did our risen Lord -convince His apostles that He was alive again? 8. Who even could not -deny His resurrection? 9. What makes us perfectly certain that Christ -is risen and lives forever and ever? 10. How was Christ's body after His -resurrection? 11. What does that mean, Christ's body was glorified? 12. -What do we know regarding our sins since Christ is risen? 13. What -consolation does His resurrection give us for our Christian life? 14. -What consolation does it give us in the hour of death? - -LESSON 27. - -The Second Article. - -The Triumphant Ascension Of Our Lord. - -Which is the Second Article? - -_I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.... He ascended into -heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty._ - -What does this mean? - -_Even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity._ - -1. After His resurrection our Lord _remained here on earth for forty -days._ During these days He repeatedly appeared to His disciples; He -showed Himself alive to them by many proofs. He convinced them that He -was not dead, but lived. He spoke to them about the kingdom of God, -_His_ kingdom. He finally gave them His great command or commission, to -go out into all the world and preach the Gospel of their living Savior -to all men. Acts 1,3. - -2. On the _fortieth day_ when the apostles were assembled in Jerusalem, -the Lord appeared to them again. He told them: _"Behold, I send the -promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem -until ye be endued with power from on high."_ Luke 24,49. He commanded -His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the gift of -the Holy Ghost, that in His power they might be His witnesses unto the -uttermost parts of the earth. Then our Lord led them out to _Mount -Olivet,_ as far as to _Bethany._ And there He lifted up His hands and -blessed them. _While He blessed them, He was parted from His beloved -apostles and carried up into heaven._ While the disciples looked on -He was taken up higher and higher, until a cloud received Him out of -their sight. Luke 24,50.51; Acts 1,8.9. In this manner our Lord was -received up to His heavenly glory _Visibly,_ before the eyes of His -disciples, He ascended on high and entered into the glory of His Father. - -3. Christ ascended into heaven, _and He did so for our sake._ He -ascended up on high as _the triumphant Victor_ over all His and our -enemies. His entrance into heaven assures us _that He has opened heaven -again for us through His sufferings and death._ Before His death He gave -His apostles the promise: _"In My Father's house are many mansions. I go -to prepare a place for you."_ John 14,2. This promise He has fulfilled. -He went up to heaven to prepare a place in His Father's house for all -who believe in Him, their Savior.--Our Lord ascended into heaven, _and -where He is, there shall we, His friends and disciples also be._ He will -not leave us behind in this world. As truly as Christ went up to heaven, -we, His own, will follow Him to His and our Father's house. _"Where I -am, there shall also My servant be."_ John 12,26. Our Lord prayed for us -before His death upon the cross: _"Father, I will that they also whom -Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory, -which Thou hast given Me."_ John 17,24. "Mighty Lord, in Thine ascension -we by faith behold our own."--Remember: _Our Treasure, our Lord and -Savior, is in heaven, and where our Treasure is, our hearts and hopes -should also be._ - -4. _"He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God,"_ -thus we read Mark 16,19. We, therefore, confess that our ascended Lord -now _"sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty."_ What does -this mean? It does not mean that in heaven, at the right hand of God the -Father, there is a special throne, prepared for our Lord, the God-man -Jesus Christ, upon which He is now seated in divine glory, adored and -praised by all the heavenly hosts, and that, because He is sitting on -that throne, He is _far away from us, His own._ It means--and so our -Catechism explains it--that our dear Lord, after being raised from -the dead, _"lives and reigns to all eternity."_ It means that Christ, -though He was dead, lives and is alive forevermore, that our living Lord -is with us and reigns over us as our gracious King to all eternity. He -is, and will be, according to His almighty power, our King forever and -ever. - -5. Christ, indeed, ascended into heaven. He now is in heaven, in the -glory of His Father; _but He is not far away from us. He is with us._ We -cannot see Him, as His apostles saw Him, but He is with us _invisibly in -His Word, His Gospel._ When we read or hear His Gospel or think about -it, our Savior is always at our side. He Himself has promised us: _"I -will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you."_ John 14,18.-- -_Our Lord lives and reigns to all eternity,_ that is, He rules and -governs us, His own, His disciples. He leads and protects us against all -our enemies. Out of His almighty hand no enemy can pluck us. Our mighty -Lord on God's throne is our Good Shepherd, who leads us in the paths of -righteousness for His name's sake. Ps. 23.--Christ's resurrection, His -ascension, and His sitting at the right hand of God assure us of the -fact that He is indeed our Lord, and will be our Lord and King to -eternity; and in His kingdom we shall live and Him we shall serve in -everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Christ, our Savior, ascended into heaven as the triumphant Victor -over all His and our enemies. He entered into heaven, into the glory of -His Father, there to prepare a place for us._ - -2. _His ascension assures us that the gates of heaven are open to all -who believe in Him, that we shall be where He is to see His glory._ - -3. _Our Lord sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, that is, -He, the God-man, lives to eternity, lives, and is with us in His Word, -and reigns over His own with His almighty power forever and ever._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_In My Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for -you._ John 14,2. - -_I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there -ye may be also._ John 14,3. - -_Where I am, there shall also My servant be._ John 12,26. - -_I will not leave You comfortless; I will come to you._ John 14,18. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. How long did our Lord remain on earth after His resurrection? 2. What -did He do during these forty days? 3. Where were His disciples assembled -on the fortieth day? 4. What promise did the Lord give them? 5. Why were -they to be endued with the power of the Holy Ghost? 6. Where did Christ -lead the apostles? 7. In what manner was the Lord taken up into heaven? -8. Who were the witnesses of His ascension? 9. What has Christ prepared -for us in His Father's house? 10. What does our Savior say John 12,26? -11. Since our Lord is in heaven, who also shall be there? 12. What does -the sitting of Christ at the right hand of the Father not mean? 13. With -what words does our Catechism explain it? 14. How is our Lord with us -after His ascension? 15. What does it mean that our Lord reigns over us? -16. Of what does His resurrection, His ascension, and His sitting at the -right hand of God make us certain? - -LESSON 28. - -The Second Article. - -Christ Will Come To Judge The World - -Which is the Second Article? - -_I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who sitteth at the -right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to -judge the quick and the dead._ - -1. When our Lord ascended into heaven and His disciples were looking -after Him as He was taken up before their eyes, higher and higher, two -men stood by them in white apparel, two angels, who said: _"This same -Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like -manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."_ Acts 1,11. We confess -therefore that our Lord _will come again,_ that He will come again in -like manner as His apostles saw Him taken up into heaven. He will come -_visibly._ All men on earth will see our Lord coming in a cloud with -power and great glory. Luke 21,27. He will not come again in deep -humility and poverty, as He came when He was born in Bethlehem, but -with great power and glory. _"The Son of Man shall come in the glory of -His Father with His angels."_ Matt. 16,27. All men will see Him as the -almighty King surrounded by His heavenly hosts. Every one will then have -to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and every one will have to bow to -Him. _Our Lord will come again visibly and in great glory._ - -2. When the Lord comes in His glory, the heavens shall pass away with a -great noise, and the earth and all the works therein shall be burned up. -2 Pet. 3,10. _The Last Day, the end of this world, will then have come._ -On this Last Day our Lord will come to _"judge the quick and the dead."_ -Christ has been ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. Acts -10,42. He will judge the _quick,_ that is, those who are still living -when He comes. He will judge the dead. On that day all the dead will -rise again and will be brought before the Lord to be judged by Him. - -3. Christ Himself has given us a beautiful description of His Judgment. -(Read the whole passage, Matt. 25,31-46.) He tells us: _"When the Son of -Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then -shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, and before Him shall be -gathered all nations."_ Matt. 25,31.32. Christ is the Judge of all -nations, of all men. _"We must all appear before the judgment-seat of -Christ, that every one may receive the things done in His body, -according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."_ 2 Cor. -5,10. No one, be He ever so mighty, rich, or learned, can escape His -Judgment. - -4. How will Christ judge? He says: _"And He shall separate them one from -another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And He shall -set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left."_ Matt. -25,32.33. The _sheep are those who truly believe in Christ, their -Savior,_ and in Him have forgiveness of their sins. _The goats are those -who in this life rejected Christ and His grace._ To His sheep He will -say: _"Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for -you from the foundation of the world."_ V. 34. On the goats He will -pronounce this judgment: _"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting -fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."_ V. 41. And then the Lord -will prove to all men that His judgment is a righteous one by the good -works of the believers and the evil deeds of His enemies.--This -judgment is final and will never be altered. His enemies _"shall go away -into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal."_ -Matt. 25,46. - -5. _When will this great Day of Judgment, the day of our Lord, come?_ -This we do not know. Our Lord says: _"Of that day and that hour knoweth -no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the -Father."_ Mark 13,32. We should not try to find out the exact day of the -coming of our Lord. But God has in His Word revealed two important -things about this day. He tells us that His day will come _suddenly, -when nobody expects it. "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the -night."_ 2 Pet. 3,10. _"Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor -the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh."_ Matt. 25,13.--We also know -that this day will come _soon. "The end of all things is at hand."_ -1 Pet. 4,7. We may and should expect the Lord _daily_ and be prepared to -receive Him. There are many signs which announce the coming of Christ. -Matt. 24,14-31; Luke 21,25-36. - -6. _"This is most certainly true."_ With these words we conclude also -our Second Article. From God's Word we know that all we have learned in -the Second Article is most certainly true. Therefore we believe and -confess it. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _On the Last Day our Lord will come again visibly and in great glory -to judge the quick and the dead, all men. You, too, must appear before -the judgment-seat of Christ._ - -2. _On this day He will cast away the wicked and unbelievers into -everlasting punishment. The righteous He will receive into His -everlasting kingdom. Believe in Christ, and you will be saved._ - -3. _We know neither day nor hour of His coming, but we know that His day -will come unexpectedly and soon. Watch always and be prepared to receive -your Lord._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_He is ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead._ Acts 10,42. - -_The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night._ 2 Pet. 3,10. - -_The end of all things is at hand._ 1 Pet. 4,7. - -_We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one -may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, -whether it be good or bad._ 2 Cor. 5,10. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. How did the apostles learn of the coming of their Lord at His -ascension? 2. How will the Lord come again, according to the words of -the angels? 3. Who will see our Lord in His second coming? 4. What is -the difference between His first and His second coming? 5. On what day -will the Lord come again? 6. What is the purpose of His coming? 7. Who -are the quick? 8. How can the Lord judge the dead? 9. Whom, therefore, -will Christ judge? 10. How will Christ judge? 11. Who are His sheep? 12. -Who are the goats? 13. What will Christ say to His sheep on that day? -14. What judgment will He pronounce on His enemies? 15. When will the -last day, the Day of Judgment, come? 16. What has God revealed to us -concerning this day? 17. When, therefore, should we expect our Lord and -prepare for His coming? - -LESSON 29. - -The Second Article. - -REVIEW LESSON. - -1. We confess in the Second Article that Christ, the God-man, is our -Lord. In order to become our Lord, He had to redeem and purchase us from -the cruel masters to whom we belonged, from all our sins, from death, -and from the power of the devil. To purchase us He had to pay a price, -a very high price--His holy, precious blood, His life. To purchase us -He of His own free will gave up His life; He died on the cross. Christ -was dead and buried. Do we now believe in a dead and buried Lord and -Savior? What happened after His death, when He was still in His grave? -Where did He go after having been quickened by the Spirit? What was His -purpose in entering the habitation of Satan and his evil spirits? Christ -showed Himself to be the Victor over Satan and hell. For whose benefit -did He win this victory? From whose power are we free? - -2. What happened on the third day after the death of our Lord? Christ -rose from the dead. What does that mean? Christ came forth from His -sepulcher. Who brought this glad message to the women? How did the Lord -convince His disciples that He was living? Even who could not deny His -resurrection? What makes us sure that Christ rose from the dead? What do -we therefore gladly confess? (Job 19,25.)--With what body did Christ -come forth from His grave? How can we prove that it was the same body -that was laid in the grave? But how was Christ's body after His -resurrection? His body, indeed, was glorified. What does this mean?-- -The resurrection of our Lord is of great importance for us. It is full -of comfort and consolation. If Christ would still be dead and lying in -the grave, how could He be our Savior and King, and how would it be -possible for Him to help us? Our faith in Him would be vain; indeed, we -would be of all men most miserable. What does the Apostle Paul say about -this? (1 Cor. 15,17-19.) But Christ is risen indeed. What great comfort -for us! Whom has He conquered? Who alone is able to conquer this -powerful enemy? What, therefore, must our Lord be? Christ rose after He -had given His life a ransom for our sins. What, therefore, does the -resurrection of our Lord prove concerning our sins? Christ is risen and -lives forever. What comfort does this give us for our whole life? What -comfort does it give us in the hour of death? - -3. How long did our Lord remain with His disciples after His -resurrection? Why did He repeatedly show Himself to them? What happened -on the fortieth day? Where did His ascension take place? What promise -did the Lord give His apostles just before His ascension? Why were they -to be endued with the power of the Holy Ghost? In what manner did the -ascension of our Lord take place?--Christ ascended into heaven as the -triumphant Victor over all His enemies. His enemies are our enemies. -What does His ascension prove concerning our enemies? For whose sake, -therefore, did Christ ascend into heaven?--Christ ascended into -heaven. Heaven is His Father's house. Why did our Lord go to His -Father's house for us? He has prepared a place for us in heaven. He has -opened the gates of heaven for us. What does our Lord say John 12,26? -Where will our Savior lead us, His disciples, too? Christ, our Treasure, -is in heaven; what, therefore, shall be there also? - -4. Christ ascended into heaven, and He now sits at the right hand of God -in the glory of His Father. How does our Catechism explain this? Though -Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, He is always with us, His -disciples. In what manner is He with us? What must we use, read, hear, -and think about in order that our Lord may be with us? What promise did -He give us, John 14,18? The Lord sitting at the right hand of God reigns -over us; what does this mean? Of what does Christ's resurrection, -ascension, and the sitting at the right hand of God make us certain? - -5. When our Lord ascended into heaven, two angels stood by the -disciples. They told them that Christ would come again in like manner as -they had seen Him taken up into His glory. What do we learn from these -words about the coming of our Lord? Who will see Him when He returns? -What is the difference between the first and the second coming of -Christ? Our Lord will come again with power and glory. What will all men -have to confess on that day, even His enemies? Who will escort the Lord -when He returns in His glory?--What is the purpose of His coming? Whom -will the Lord judge? What judgment will He pronounce on His sheep? How -do we become His sheep? Who, therefore, will stand before the Son of Man -on Judgment Day? What terrible sentence will His enemies hear? Our Lord -tells us that after the Judgment His enemies will go away into -everlasting punishment, but His sheep into everlasting life. How, -therefore, is this Judgment?--Who alone knows the day and hour of the -second coming of Christ? What should we therefore never try to do? What, -however, does Scripture tell us concerning the Last Day? When, -therefore, should we expect His coming and prepare for it? What does our -Lord Himself say to us, Matt. 25,13? Believe in Jesus Christ, and you -will be saved. - -And we believe in Jesus Christ, -Son of God and Mary's Son, -Who from heaven above came down -And leads us to heaven's throne; -By whose blood and death are we -Rescued from all misery. - -LESSON 30. - -The Third Article: Of Sanctification. - -The Holy Ghost. The Triune God. - -Which is the beginning of the Third Article? - -_I believe in the Holy Ghost._ - -1. According to the Second Article we believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, -that is, we do not only know that it is true what God's Word says about -Christ and His work for us, but _we put all our confidence, all our -trust, in Him as our Savior_ who has redeemed us. That is the true, -saving faith. This saving faith is not our own work. _It is the work of -God the Holy Ghost._ Without Him and the work which He performs in us no -man would come to Jesus and believe in Him. The Holy Ghost alone can and -does bring to Christ those that believe in Him. About the Holy Ghost and -the work which He performs in us we learn in the _Third Article of our -Christian Creed._ - -2. _"I believe in the Holy Ghost,"_ these are the first words of the -Third Article. We _believe_ in the Holy Ghost, thus we confess. To -believe in some one means, as we have learned, _to put one's whole -confidence and trust in him._ Now, God tells us in the First Commandment -that we should fear and love Him above all things _and trust in Him -alone. In God only_ we should believe. And therefore we believe in the -Holy Ghost, because He is the true God. _In saying that we believe in -the Holy Ghost, we confess that He is the one true God, that He is our -God, God as truly as the Father and Jesus Christ, His only Son, our -Lord._ The apostle says: _"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, -and that the Spirit of God, dwelleth in you?"_ 1 Cor. 3,16. Because the -Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, dwells in us, we are _God's_ temple. The -Holy Ghost therefore is the true God.--Remember what you learned in -the history of creation. There we read: _"And the Spirit of God moved -upon the face of the waters."_ Gen. 1,2. The work of creation is -ascribed to the Spirit of God, to the Holy Ghost. Creation is the work -of God. _Therefore the Holy Ghost must be God._ - -3. _We believe in the Father, and we believe in Jesus Christ, God's only -Son, and we believe in the Holy Ghost._ There are _three distinct -persons_ in whom we believe. There are three persons whom we confess to -be our God--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. And -we confess this according to Scripture. Christ, our Lord, commands us to -baptize in the name of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. -Matt. 28,19. Let me remind you of the _baptism of our Lord._ There the -three divine Persons revealed themselves. _God the Son,_ our Lord Jesus -Christ, stood in the river Jordan, being baptized by John. _God the -Father_ revealed Himself in a voice from heaven, saying: _"This is My -beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."_ And the heavens opened, and -the _Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost,_ like a dove, descended upon our -Lord. _There are three distinct divine Persons in God, the Father, the -Son, and the Holy Ghost._ - -4. We confess that the Father is God, and the Son is God, and the Holy -Ghost is God. _There are not three gods, however, but only one God. -"Hear, O Israel: the Lord, our God, is one Lord."_ Deut. 6,4. The one -and only true God has revealed Himself in three distinct divine Persons. -_Our God, the one true God, besides whom there is no other God in heaven -and earth, is God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Ghost, -three divine Persons, but one God._ Because God has revealed Himself in -three divine Persons, we say: _God is the Triune God, the Holy -Trinity._--How it is possible that there are three distinct divine -Persons, but only one God, we do not _understand;_ but in accordance -with the Word of God we _believe_ in the Triune God, in God the Father, -Son, and Holy Ghost, who has created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us, -or makes us holy. In Him we believe, Him we praise and adore as our God. - -5. The Holy Ghost is the true God, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. -The Third Person is called the Holy Ghost because _He Himself is -perfectly holy,_ even as the Father and the Son. He is without sin. -_"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His -glory."_ Is. 6,3. Three times God is called holy, because there are -three divine Persons in God.--But the Holy Ghost is called holy also -_because He makes us sinners holy._ That is His work, making us holy, -who by nature are unholy and sinful. He makes us holy by bringing us to -Christ, our Savior, by kindling faith in Him in our hearts. This work of -the Holy Ghost we call _sanctification._ - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _The Holy Ghost is true God together with the Father and the Son. -Therefore we confess that we believe in Him._ - -2. _The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. -According to Scripture we confess three distinct divine Persons in God._ - -3. _There are not three gods, however, but only one true and eternal -God, who has revealed Himself in three Persons._ - -4. _The one true God, our God, is the Triune God, the Holy Trinity, God -the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God -dwelleth in you?_ 1 Cor. 3,16. - -_Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of -the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost._ Matt. 28,19. - -_Hear, O Israel: the Lord, our God, is one Lord._ Deut. 6,4. - -_Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His -glory._ Is. 6,3. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Of whom does the Third Article treat? 2. In whom do we believe? 3. -What does it mean to believe in some one? 4. In whom alone should we -believe? 5. What do we therefore confess when we say that we believe in -the Holy Ghost? 6. How do we prove from 1 Cor. 3,16 that the Holy Ghost -is true God? 7. What divine work is ascribed in Scripture to the Holy -Ghost? 8. What, therefore, must the Holy Ghost be? 9. How many divine -persons do we confess in the Three Articles of our Christian Faith? 10. -How are they called? 11. In whose name are we baptized? 12. How did the -three divine persons reveal themselves at the baptism of our Lord? 13. -How many gods are there? 14. In how many persons did the one true God -reveal Himself? 15. Who, therefore, is the one true God? 16. How do we -call God because He has revealed Himself in three distinct persons? 17. -Which person of the Holy Trinity is the Holy Ghost? 18. Why is He called -holy? 19. What is His work? 20. By what other name is this work of the -Holy Spirit known? - -LESSON 31. - -The Third Article. - -Without The Holy Ghost I Cannot Believe In Jesus Or Come To Him. - -Which is the Third Article? - -_I believe in the Holy Ghost._ - -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._ - -1. We confess that we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in -Jesus Christ or come to Him. Whoever would be saved must believe in -Jesus Christ and so come to Him _"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and -thou shalt be saved."_ Acts 16,31. Christ, our Lord, it is true, has -done everything that was necessary for our salvation. He redeemed us, He -paid the penalty for all our sins, by His sufferings and death He gained -for us the grace of God and the forgiveness of sins. He has done -everything that we might be His own and live under Him as our Lord. All -things are made ready for our salvation. - -2. _The only thing that we need do now is to come to Christ and accept -from Him all He has gained for us._ Take an example. You are in great -want and distress. A rich and charitably inclined man offers you a sum -of money sufficient to help you out of your trouble. The money is yours, -for the rich man has given it to you. If you take it, your want will be -at an end. But suppose you do not take it. Perhaps you do not believe -that the rich man really means what he says, or you do not want to -accept it from him, or, if you have taken it, you are not making use of -it. The help has then been offered to you in vain. Your sad condition -remains as it was. So it is with what Christ, our Savior, has merited -for us. He has gained full salvation for us, and He offers it to us in -His Word. If we do not accept it, His work is in vain as far as we are -concerned; we remain in our sins. - -3. How do we accept what Christ has gained for us? _By believing in Him -as our Savior._ He believes in Christ who from his whole heart -confesses: I know from the Word of God that Christ is _my_ Lord, that He -has redeemed me from all _my_ sins, from death, and from the power of -the devil. I know from the Word of God that _I_ am Christ's own, His -child, that He is really _my_ Lord. For His sake all _my_ sins are -forgiven. Through His suffering and death _I_ am free from death and -damnation and have everlasting life. _What Christ has done He has done -for me, a lost and condemned sinner._ In Him is my only hope. By faith -we come to Christ. Faith is, as it were, the _hand_ with which we take -everything that Christ has gained for us. - -4. Believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved, that is the only way -to heaven and everlasting life. But we confess that _we cannot by our -own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, or come to Him._ Alas! -also this is most certainly true. We are lost and condemned sinners. The -Scriptures tell us that all men are by nature _blind_ in these things. -We do not understand the glorious message that in Christ alone is our -salvation. We always try to save ourselves by our good works. If we are -told about this salvation, we think it _foolishness._ "The natural man -receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness -unto Him." 1 Cor. 2,14.--We have not the _strength_ to come to Jesus, -our Savior. We are _dead_ in the sight of God. _"Ye were dead in -trespasses and sins."_ Eph. 2,1. A dead person cannot do anything to -bring himself to life again. Lazarus could not raise himself from the -grave. So we cannot do anything to raise ourselves from our death in -sins. _"No man can say that Jesus is the Lord_ [that is, believe in Him] -_but by the Holy Ghost."_ 1 Cor. 12,3. And even if we could, we would -not come to Jesus and believe in Him. We are by nature God's enemies. We -do not want to be saved by Him. We cannot by our own reason or strength -believe in Jesus Christ, or come to Him. _As far as we are concerned, we -are lost._ - -5. But God has had pity on us. He sent His Holy Ghost. The _Holy Ghost_ -does what we cannot do. He brings us to Christ, He works in us true -faith. True faith is God's work in us, the work of the Holy Ghost, _His -work alone._ Not our works, but His _grace alone_ moves Him to do this -work. _"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, -it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast."_ -Eph. 2,8.9. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Christ has done everything for my salvation. All now depends upon my -coming to Jesus, my Lord and Savior._ - -2. _I come to Jesus by believing in Him. True faith in Christ is not my -own work. I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe -in Jesus Christ, or come to Him._ - -3. _Saving faith in Christ is the work of the Holy Ghost alone. Not my -works or my merits, but only His grace has moved Him to bring me to -Christ and save me._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they -are foolishness unto Him._ 1 Cor. 2,14. - -_Ye were dead in trespasses and sins._ Eph. 2,1. - -_No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost._ 1 Cor. -12,3. - -_By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is -the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast._ - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What has Christ done for our salvation? 2. In what manner did He gain -for us the grace of God, forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting? 3. -What is now the one thing necessary for our salvation? 4. What happens -if we do not accept all that Christ offers us for our salvation? 5. How -do we come to Christ and accept in true faith what He has gained for us? -6. What does it mean to believe in Christ? 7. In what respect may we -compare our faith with a hand? 8. Which is the only way to heaven? 9. -What do we confess in the Third Article about our coming to Christ and -believing in Him? 10. Why are we not able to come to Christ by our own -reason? 11. How do we always try to save ourselves? 12. Why do we not -have strength to come to Jesus and believe in Him? 13. What does the -apostle say 1 Cor. 12,3? 14. Who alone can bring us to Christ and work -faith in us? 15. What moves the Holy Ghost to perform this work in us? - -LESSON 32. - -The Third Article. - -The Holy Ghost Has Called Me. - -Which is the Third Article? - -_I believe in the Holy Ghost._ - -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._ - -1. We cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, our -Lord, or come to Him. The Holy Ghost alone is able to bring us to -Christ, our Savior. How does He bring us to Christ? We confess as -children of God that _the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel._ By -calling me through the Gospel, the Holy Ghost has brought me to Jesus -Christ, my Lord and Savior. Let us see what this means. - -2. Our Lord, in a parable, once spoke of a certain rich man who made a -great supper for his guests. And he sent out his servants at supper-time -to say to those who were bidden: _"Come, for all things are now ready."_ -Luke 14,16.17. The meal was prepared, and the rich man invited his -guests to come and partake of it. At dinner-time, when your mother has -prepared dinner for the family, she calls to you, "Dinner is ready. Now -come and eat! It is prepared for you too." In a similar manner the _Holy -Ghost calls us and invites us to come to Christ and accept His -salvation._ Christ, our Savior, has prepared all things; He has prepared -forgiveness of all our sins, life, and salvation. All things necessary -for our salvation are ready in Christ. All is finished. And now the Holy -Ghost brings us these glad tidings: All things are now ready, all things -needed for your salvation. Come, whosoever you are, come to your Savior! -Come and take and enjoy what He in His great love has prepared for you. -_We come to Jesus only by faith._ The Holy Ghost calls us and invites -us, Come, _believe_ in your Savior, and You will be saved. - -3. You do not see the Holy Ghost when He calls you. _The Holy Ghost -calls you by the Gospel._ The Gospel, as you have learned (Lesson 14), -_is the glad tidings of the grace of God for all men,_ the tidings of -what Christ has done for us to save us. As the rich man in the parable, -so the Holy Ghost sends His _servants._ These servants are all those who -tell you the Gospel of Christ, your minister, your teacher, your -parents, etc. When you hear the Gospel or read it, the Holy Ghost comes -to you and calls you. In the Gospel He says to you: All things have been -prepared by Christ; they are ready for you, for your salvation. In -Christ you have forgiveness of your sins and salvation. _Come now, you -lost and condemned sinner, and take what your Lord freely offers you. -Believe in Christ, and you will be saved._ That is the call of the Holy -Ghost by the Gospel. _"He called you by our Gospel to the obtaining of -the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."_ 2 Thess. 2,14. - -4. When your mother calls you to dinner, you must come by your own will -and strength, and you have the strength to do so. We sinners have -neither the will nor the strength to come to Jesus. The Holy Ghost knows -that we cannot by our own strength come to our Savior. _By calling us He -gives us the strength to hear and to follow His call._ By His call He -brings us to Christ and works in us faith in our Lord, so that we -willingly come to Him. The call of the Holy Ghost is God's call, full of -power. This work of the Holy Ghost we also call _conversion._ The Holy -Ghost alone converts us, that is, He turns us from our sins to Christ. -"Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned; for Thou art the Lord, my God." -Jer. 31,18. - -5. Remember that the Holy Ghost brings you to Christ _by the Gospel._ -Only through the Gospel does He work in the hearts of men. The Gospel is -the means by which we obtain the grace of God and salvation. _If we do -not read or hear the Word of God, the Gospel, the Holy Ghost cannot -perform His work in us._ Therefore you should _diligently_ read and hear -the Word of God, the Gospel. _"It is the power of God unto salvation to -every one that believeth."_ Rom. 1,16. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Christ has prepared your whole salvation. All is ready, ready for -you. The Holy Ghost calls and invites you to come and partake freely of -what Jesus has gained for you._ - -2. _By His call the Holy Ghost gives you strength to follow His call, to -come to your Lord. He Himself works by His call in your heart the true -faith in your Savior and so brings you to Christ. This work of the Holy -Ghost is also called conversion. Conversion is the work of the Holy -Ghost alone. Our salvation is a free gift of God._ - -3. _The Holy Ghost calls us by the Gospel of Christ. Diligently read and -hear God's saving Word._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Come, for all things are now ready._ Luke 14,17. - -_Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned; for Thou art the Lord, my God._ -Jer. 31,18. - -_By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is -the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast._ Eph. 2,8.9. - -_I am not ashame of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God -unto salvation to every one that believeth._ Rom. 1,16. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What do we confess in the Third Article concerning ourselves? 2. -Whose work is it that we come to Christ? 3. Who has prepared all things -necessary for our salvation? 4. Who calls us to come and partake of all -that Christ has gained? 5. What do we mean when we say that the Holy -Ghost calls us? 6. By what means does the Holy Ghost call us to Jesus? -7. What is the Gospel? 8. Who are the servants the Holy Ghost sends to -us with the Gospel message? 9. What the Holy Ghost do when you hear or -read the Gospel? 10. What are we not able to do of ourselves when the -Holy Ghost calls us? 11. What does the Holy Ghost give us when He calls -us? 12. What does He work in us by His call? 13. What other name have we -for this work of the Holy Ghost? 14. Whose work alone is our conversion? -15. To whom does the Holy Ghost tun us when He converts us? 16. The Holy -Ghost converts us by the Gospel; what should we therefore diligently do? - -LESSON 33. - -The Third Article. - -The Holy Ghost Has Enlightened, Sanctified, And Kept Me In The True -Faith. - -Which is the Third Article? - -_I believe in the Holy Ghost._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened -me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith._ - -1. The Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, and in doing so _He has -also enlightened me with His gifts._ By calling me, He has kindled true -faith in Christ in me, so that I know Christ and acknowledge Him to be -my Savior, I believe and trust, rejoice and find comfort in Him alone -for life and death. These are gifts of the Holy Ghost with which He -enlightens every child of God: _true knowledge of Christ as his -Redeemer, true faith in Him, peace with God, his Father, joy and comfort -in all distress._ What wonderful gifts! How rich does the Holy Ghost -make a child of God! _Do not forget to thank Him daily for the precious -gifts He bestows upon you._ - -2. _"The Holy Ghost has sanctified me,"_ that is, _He has made me holy, -and He does this every day, more and more._ He sanctifies me _"in the -true faith."_ By His call the Holy Ghost has called forth in us true -faith in our Lord. Through faith you have forgiveness of sins and are a -child of God, with whom God, for Christ's sake, is well pleased. _But it -is God's will that His children lead a holy life,_ flee and shun all -sin, and live according to His commandments. _"This is the will of God, -even your sanctification."_ 1 Thess. 4,3. Of ourselves we cannot do -this, but the Holy Ghost comes to our aid. _He sanctifies us, He makes -us holy._ Through faith He comes into our heart and dwells in us. _"Know -ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God -dwelleth in you?"_ 1 Cor. 3,16. And the Holy Ghost _works_ in us, the -children of God. In His strength we begin _to hate the sins_ that we -formerly loved, and to flee them. In His strength we begin _to fear and -love God above all things, and to trust in Him._ We no longer serve the -devil and our sins, but begin to serve our Lord who has redeemed us, and -our Father in heaven. - -3. True, we are not _perfectly holy,_ nor do we become so as long as we -live here on earth. True children of God also must confess _that they -daily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment._ But they are -heartily sorry for this. They daily ask God's forgiveness for Christ's -sake. And the Holy Ghost _daily_ gives them _new strength and power_ to -fight and struggle against all temptations of the devil and the world -and their own evil lusts. He daily gives them new strength to walk in -godliness, to love God and their neighbor. Let us abide in Him, and we -shall more and more overcome the devil, the world, and our sins, become -more and more holy as our Lord and God is holy. _"He that abideth in Me -and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can -do nothing."_ John 15,5. - -4. _"The Holy Ghost has kept me in the true faith,"_ so a child of God -confesses. The Holy Ghost has already called and enlightened us and -begun to sanctify us _in Holy Baptism._ There already He has brought us -to Christ and has bestowed His precious gifts upon us. And to-day we -still have the true faith; we believe in our Savior, and in Him we are -children of God. _That is not our own merit, it is the work of the Holy -Ghost in us._ He has worked in us by the Gospel, through our parents, -through the Christian school and the church, and by the Gospel. He has -kept us in the true faith. _"Ye are kept by the power of God through -faith unto salvation."_ 1 Pet. 1,5.--And He has promised in His Word -_that He will keep us in this faith until our end. "He which hath begun -a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."_ -Phil. 1,6. - -5. This is the work of the Holy Ghost in all true believers, and _He is -willing to perform this work in every one who hears the Gospel._ God -earnestly desires to save all men. _"God will have all men to be saved -and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."_ 1 Tim. 2,4. Christ died -for all men; He redeemed all lost and condemned sinners. The Gospel is a -power of God unto salvation to all who read and hear it.--_And yet not -all men are saved; most men are lost._ What is the cause of this? They -are lost _by their own fault._ Most men will not be saved. They -obstinately resist the Holy Ghost and the saving Gospel, and so they do -not come to Christ, but are condemned. _"O Israel, thou hast destroyed -thyself, but in Me is thine help."_ Hos. 13,9. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _The Holy Ghost has enlightened me and bestowed on me His precious -gifts, the right knowledge of Christ, true faith in Him._ - -2. _He sanctifies me and makes me holy. He daily gives me strength to -struggle against Satan, world, and sin, to overcome them and to lead a -godly life, to love God and my neighbor._ - -3. _He has, by the Gospel, kept me in the true faith until this day, and -He has promised me that He will do so until the end._ - -4. _This work the Holy Ghost desires to perform in all that hear the -Gospel. Whosoever is lost is lost by his own fault._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_This is the will of God, even your sanctification._ 1 Thess. 4,3. - -_Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation._ 1 Pet. -1,5. - -_He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of -Jesus Christ._ Phil. 1,6. - -_God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the -truth._ 1 Tim. 2,4. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Which is the second work of the Holy Ghost mentioned in our -Catechism? 2. With what does the Holy Ghost enlighten us? 3. What are -His gifts? 4. What has the Holy Ghost by His call kindled in us? 5. -Whose children are we through faith? 6. What is God's will regarding His -children? (1 Cor. 3,16.) 7. What does the word "sanctify" mean? 8. Who -performs this work in us? 9. What do we, by the grace of the Holy Ghost, -begin to hate? 10. Whom do we begin to love? 11. What must even true -believers confess? 12. What do we therefore daily ask of God? 13. And -what does the Holy Ghost daily grant us? 14. Which is the last work -which the Holy Ghost performs in us? 15. Since when has He kept us in -the true faith? 16. How long has He promised to keep us in the faith? -17. In whom will the Holy Ghost perform this work He has begun in us? -18. What is the gracious will of God toward all men? 19. What is the -reason that not all men are saved? 20. Whose fault is it that they are -lost? 21. By whose work alone are we saved? - -LESSON 34. - -The Third Article. - -REVIEW LESSON. - -1. In the Third Article of our Creed we learn about the Holy Ghost, -about His person and His work. We confess that we believe in the Holy -Ghost. In whom alone should we believe? What do we therefore confess of -the Holy Ghost when we say that we believe in Him? How can we prove -from Holy Scripture that the Holy Ghost is true God? 1 Cor. 3,16. Which -divine work is ascribed to the Holy Ghost? - -2. In whom do we believe according to the First Article? In whom -according to the Second Article? And in whom according to the Third -Article? In how many Persons of the Godhead do we believe, according to -our Creed? There are three distinct Persons in whom we believe. We -believe in them; what, therefore, are they? All these three persons are -the true God. In whose name have we been baptized? On what occasion did -these three divine Persons reveal themselves to us? How did they reveal -themselves at the baptism of Christ? The Father is God, the Son is God, -and tho Holy Ghost is God; how many Gods are there? In how many Persons -did the one true God reveal Himself? Who, therefore, is the one true -God? What do we call God because He is one and has revealed Himself in -three Persons?--Why is the third Person of God called the Holy Ghost? -The Holy Ghost makes us holy; what do we call this work of the Holy -Spirit? - -3. What has Christ done for our salvation? What has He gained for us in -order to save us? What is now the one thing necessary for our salvation? -What becomes of us if we do not come to Jesus and accept what He has -merited for us? How do we come to Jesus and accept all that He offers -us?--Believe in Jesus Christ, your Savior; that is the only way to -heaven. But what must we confess concerning our believing and coming to -Christ? Why can we not by our own reason and strength believe in Christ -or come to Him? What do we read Eph. 2,1? We are dead in trespasses and -sins. A dead person cannot do anything to raise himself from death to a -new life. As far as we are concerned, we are lost and condemned -creatures. Who took pity on us? Whom did God send to raise us from the -death of our sins? To whom does the Holy Ghost bring us? Do we and can -we help Him to perform this work in us? Whose work alone is it? By what -is the Holy Ghost moved to bring us to Christ, our Lord, and thus to -save us? - -4. The Holy Ghost alone can bring us to Christ. Our Catechism tells us -how the Spirit of God performs this work in us. What do we confess in -the Third Article about this work of the Holy Ghost? The Holy Ghost has -called me. In which parable does Christ Himself explain what this -means? As this rich man had prepared a supper for His guests, so Christ -has prepared, as it were, a supper for us, for all men. What is this -supper which Christ has prepared for all men? In what manner did He -prepare everything for our salvation? Who now calls us to the salvation -Christ has prepared? What does the Holy Ghost say to us in this call? We -come to our Lord and to the meal He has prepared for us by believing in -Him. The Holy Ghost calls and invites us to believe in Jesus Christ, our -Lord, and be saved.--By what means does the Holy Ghost call and invite -us to Christ, to faith in Him? Who, generally, are the servants He sends -out to call us to Christ by the Gospel? But who is it that really calls -us when we hear the Gospel?--The Holy Ghost calls us by the Gospel. He -says to us, Come to your Lord and be saved. What are we not able to do -by our own strength when the Holy Ghost calls us? What does the Holy -Ghost give us in calling us? What does He call forth in us by His call? -What do we call this work of the Spirit? Who alone performs conversion -in us? The Holy Ghost brings us to Christ, or converts us, only through -the Gospel. When can the Holy Ghost not perform this work in us? What -should we therefore diligently do? - -5. What is the second work of the Holy Ghost? With what does the Holy -Ghost enlighten us? What are His gifts?--The Holy Ghost sanctifies me; -what does that mean? The Holy Ghost sanctifies us in the true faith. -Whose children are we through faith? What is God's will toward His -children? 1 Thess. 4,3. Who performs this work in us? The Holy Ghost -dwells in our heart, and renews and sanctifies it. What do we hate now -by the power He has granted us? Whom do we begin to love?--Our -sanctification in this life is never perfect. What must also the -children of God confess? What do they therefore ask of their Lord every -day? But what does the Holy Ghost daily give them? Against whom do the -children of God daily struggle and fight? In whose strength do they more -and more overcome the devil, the world, and their own sins?--Which is -the last work performed in us by the Holy Ghost? Since when has the Holy -Ghost kept us in the true faith? How long has He promised to keep us -with Christ?--In whom is the Holy Ghost willing to perform His work to -the end in order to save them? What is God's gracious will towards all -men? What additional proof can you give for the fact that God desires -all men to be saved? How is it that not all men are saved? Whose fault -is it that those are lost who are condemned? By whose grace and work -alone are we saved? - -LESSON 35. - -The Third Article. - -The Holy Christian Church. - -Which is the Third Article? - -_I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian Church, the communion -of saints._ - -What does this mean? - -_I believe that ... the Holy Ghost has called me, ... even as He calls, -gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth -and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith._ - -1. God the Holy Ghost has called me to Christ, sanctified me, and kept -me in the true faith. The Holy Ghost, however, has performed this work -of His grace _not only on me._ Besides me He has called, and still -calls, many poor lost sinners to Christ, enlightens them with His -precious gifts, with faith in their Savior. All these the Holy Ghost -also _"gathers,"_ as our Catechism states. The Holy Ghost does not -suffer those who have been converted by the Gospel to _be separate,_ but -adds them to His disciples, as on that first Pentecost all those were -added to the congregation of the disciples who had been converted by -Peter's sermon. Acts 2,41. All true believers are Christ's own; through -faith in Him they are closely united as brethren and sisters in the one -Lord. _All true believers, taken together are the holy Christian Church -on earth, which the Holy Ghost sanctifies and keeps in the one true -faith._ - -2. The Third Article calls the Christian Church _the communion of -saints._ It is a communion, a congregation, of _saints,_ that is, of -_holy people._ They are not holy in themselves, but the Holy Ghost has -sanctified them, or made them holy, through faith in Christ. In Christ -they have _forgiveness of all their sins_ and are holy in the eyes of -God. _Only true believers in Christ therefore belong to the Christian -Church; only they, but all of them._ Instead of the communion of saints -we might also say _the communion of true believers._--The Church is -the communion of saints. All believers in Christ are a _communion,_ a -_congregation;_ they form, as it were, one _body._ They do not all live -together at one place, in one city, or in the same country,--we find -them scattered over all the earth,--but they are _closely bound -together by one and the same faith in Christ._ They belong to one -family, of which Christ is the Head and Master, and all are members. -_The Church is the communion of saints; for believers only, but all -believers, are members of it._ - -3. We _believe_ that the holy Christian Church is here on earth, but we -do not _see_ it; it is invisible. Only true believers belong to the -Church, and no man can look into another's heart and see his _faith._ -Only One really knows who the members of the Church are. _"The Lord -knoweth them that are His."_ 2 Tim. 2,19. We cannot see the Church, but -_we believe that it is here on earth;_ for holy Scripture assures us -that the Holy Ghost by the Gospel at all times calls men to Christ and -keeps them in the true faith to the end of the world. Our Lord says: -_"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the -gates of hell shall not prevail against it."_ Matt. 16,18.--The Church -is _holy_ because all its members are _holy by faith in Christ_ and in -the strength of the Holy Ghost _lead a godly life_ and serve their Lord -in His kingdom in righteousness.--It is called the _Christian_ Church -because it is built on _Christ. "Other foundation can no man lay than -that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."_ 1 Cor. 3,11. And He is not only -its Foundation, but also _the Head and King of the Church._ - -4. We do not see the Church, _but we know where it is, where we can find -it._ The Holy Ghost calls and keeps the Church only _by the Gospel._ God -has promised us that, where His Gospel is preached, it shall not remain -_without fruit;_ some of those who hear it will come to Christ and -believe in Him. _Wherever the Word of God is preached, and only where it -is in use, the holy Christian Church is to be found._ - -5. Scripture also speaks of a _visible_ Church, of visible congregations -of Christians. A visible Church is the number of all those who call -themselves Christians, who _profess their faith in Christ and are -gathered about God's Word._ In these visible congregations there are not -only true believers, but also _hypocrites,_ who indeed confess the -Christian faith, but do not believe in their Savior. Among the visible -churches there are _many false churches and one true visible Church._ -The true visible Church teaches and confesses the Word of God _in all -its purity, without false doctrines. This true visible Church is the -Evangelical Lutheran Church._ To this Church we ought to belong, and to -no other; for our Lord says: _"If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My -disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth; and the truth shall make -you free."_ John 8, 31.32. _"Beware of false prophets!"_ Matt. 7,15. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Let it be your earnest concern to be and remain a member of the -invisible Church of Christ; remain steadfast in the true faith. He that -believes, and He only, shall be saved._ - -2. _Let it also be your earnest concern to belong to the true visible -Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In this Church the pure Word is -preached, the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. Avoid -all false churches. "Beware of false prophets!"_ - -3. _Pray and work with all diligence for your Church that it may be -maintained and extended._ Matt. 28,19. - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_The Lord knoweth them that are His._ 2 Tim. 2,19. - -_Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the -gates of hell shall not prevail against it._ Matt. 16,18. - -_Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus -Christ._ 1 Cor. 3,11. - -_If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed, and ye -shall know the truth; and the truth shall make you free._ John 8,31.32. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Who are the members of the holy Christian Church? 2. By whom was the -Church founded? 3. In what way does the Holy Ghost build up and preserve -the Church? 4. What is the Church also called in the Third Article? 5. -Who are the saints? 6. Why are believers called saints? 7. How are they -sanctified by the Holy Ghost? 8. What does the Word "communion" mean? -9. What binds true believers so closely together? 10. Why is the Church -called the _holy_ Church? 11. Why is it called the _Christian_ Church? -12. Where do we find the true Church? 13. Why is this so? 14. What is -the visible Church? 15. Who also, besides true believers, belongs to -these visible churches? 16. Which is the true visible Church? 17. How is -the true visible Church called? 18. Why should we belong to this Church -and avoid all false churches? - -LESSON 36. - -The Third Article. - -The Forgiveness Of Sins. - -Which is the Third Article? - -_I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian Church, the communion -of saints; the forgiveness of sins._ - -What does this mean? - -_In which Church He_ [the Holy Ghost] _daily and richly forgives all -sins to me and all believers._ - -1. We confess in our Catechism that the Holy Ghost forgives all sins to -me and all believers. _We believe that there is a forgiveness of sins. -God's Word assures us of this. _"There is forgiveness with Thee."_ Ps. -130,4. _How sorely do we need forgiveness of sins!_ You know that all -men, also believers, commit sin. A child of God indeed earnestly -strives against committing any sin, he tries not to transgress the -commandments of his heavenly Father; but, alas! also God's children sin -daily and much. _"There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and -sinneth not."_ Eccl. 7,20. With our sins we deserve nothing but God's -punishment. _"The wages of sin is death."_ Rom. 6,23. _Without -forgiveness of sins we are lost. - -2. _But there is a forgiveness of sins with God._ He assures us in His -Word that by grace, for Christ's sake, He will forgive me all my sins. -He will do so _daily and richly._ Whenever we have sinned, we should -come to Him and pray to Him: Forgive me my trespasses. Even as a child -who has grieved his father by his disobedience penitently comes to him -and asks his forgiveness, so we in true penitence should daily come to -our heavenly Father, whom we have so sorely grieved, whose punishment we -deserve, and ask His forgiveness. _He will not cast us out._ He will -hear our prayer, and we will praise Him: _"Bless the Lord, O my soul, -and forget not all His benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who -healeth all thy diseases."_ Ps. 103,2.3. The _publican_ came into the -Temple and humbly said: _"God be merciful to me, a sinner!"_ and God was -merciful to him; he went down to his house _justified._ He had received -forgiveness of his sins. Luke 18,9-14. - -3. God forgives us our sins. He is moved to do this _not by our good -works or merits._ God does not see anything in us which could induce Him -to forgive us our trespasses. We deserve nothing but punishment. _His -free grace alone moves God to forgive us all our sins._ Our God is a -merciful God. He takes pity on us, His sinful children.--By grace God -_forgives_ us our sins, that is, He does not look upon our sins, does -not _impute_ them to us, but declares us sinners _righteous._ In the -beautiful parable of our Lord which we find Matt. 18,23 ff., the wicked -servant asks his Lord to have patience with him, whom he owed so much. -And the kind lord, moved with compassion, loosed the servant from his -fetters and forgave him all his debts, which he never would have been -able to pay. _Thus God, moved with compassion, does not punish us as we -have deserved, and declares us free from debt, declares us righteous, or -in other words, God justifies us._ - -4. How can the just and holy God who has threatened to punish all who -transgress His commandments forgive sins and declare sinners righteous? -He does so _for Christ's sake. In Christ_ we have the forgiveness of -sins. _"In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness -of sins, according to the riches of His grace."_ Eph. 1,7 Christ -fulfilled the Law of God in our stead, He suffered the punishment for -our sins, and so made good for us. _He has earned full forgiveness for -us; for His sake all our sins are forgiven._ - -5. Who _receives_ forgiveness of sins? We confess that God forgives all -sins _to me and all believers._ It is true, Christ has _procured_ -forgiveness _for all men_--Christ died for every sinner. God, in His -grace, _offers_ this forgiveness by the Gospel _to all who hear it._ We -read: _"God was in Christ, reconciling the world_ [all men] _unto -Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed -unto us the Word of Reconciliation."_ 2 Cor. 5,19. Yet not all receive -forgiveness, but only those _who believe in Christ and thus accept the -forgiveness_ which Christ has earned for all men. Without faith in -Christ there is no forgiveness of sins. _We are justified by faith -alone._ - -6. We receive forgiveness of sins, we are justified before God, _without -the deeds of the Law, by grace alone, for Christ's sake, through faith -in our Lord._ This is the _chief article of our Christian faith._ This -doctrine is taught only by the Christian Church. _It gives all the glory -for our salvation to God and affords true comfort to all sinners._ - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _God has promised in His Word to forgive us all our sins daily and -richly. Come to Him every day and with true penitence, with a contrite -heart, ask His forgiveness for Christ's sake. He will graciously grant -it._ - -2. _We are justified in the sight of God without the deeds of the Law, -by His grace, for Christ's sake, through faith in Him. This is the chief -doctrine of the Christian Church and the only one that gives lasting -comfort to all sinners._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who -forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases._ Ps. -103,2.3. - -_In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of -sins, according to the riches of His grace._ Eph. 1,7. - -_God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing -their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the Word of -Reconciliation._ 2 Cor. 5,19. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Why do we so sorely need daily forgiveness of sins? 2. What do we -deserve with our sins before God? 3. Of what does God assure us in His -Word with regard to our sins? 4. What should we therefore do every day? -5. How did the publican in the Temple ask for forgiveness 6. How did God -answer his prayer? Luke 18, 13.14. 7. Why cannot our works and merits -induce God to grant us forgiveness? 8. By what is God moved to forgive -us our sins? 9. God forgives us our sins--what does that mean? 10. -What do we also call this act of God by which He forgives us our sins? -11. For whose sake does God forgive, or justify, us? 12. Why do we have -forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake? 13. Who only receives forgiveness -of sins? 14. Why is faith in Christ necessary if we wish to receive -forgiveness? 15. How are we justified before God? 16. Why is this -doctrine the chief doctrine of our Church? - -LESSON 37. - -The Third Article - -The Resurrection Of The Body And Life Everlasting. - -Which is the Third Article? - -_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._ - -What does this mean? - -_He_ [the Holy Ghost] _will at the Last Day raise up me and all the dead -and give unto me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most -certainly true._ - -1. _We believe the resurrection of the body,_ so we confess. We believe -that _God will raise up me and all the dead,_ so that our bodies which -have died shall again be made alive and come forth from their graves. -Our bodies _die_ and are buried, and in the grave they decay. _These -same bodies_ will live again. It is true, we cannot _understand_ how -this is possible. To unbelievers it seems ridiculous, they laugh and -mock at this doctrine. Still we _believe_ it; we are assured by the Word -of God that our dead shall live again. And _"the Word of the Lord is -right."_ Ps. 33,4. Our Lord says: _"The hour is coming in the which all -that are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth."_ John -5,28. Our God is _almighty,_ with Him nothing is impossible. Luke 1,37. - -2. God will raise _me and all the dead. All_ that are in the graves -shall hear His voice and shall come forth from their graves. Christ will -not only raise His own, His believers, but all men, those, too, who did -not believe in Him, but died in their sins.--_"The hour is coming,"_ -our Lord says: it is coming on _the Last Day_ of the world. On that -great day, when our Lord will come again to judge the quick and the -dead, all the dead shall hear the almighty voice of the Son of God and -whether they will or not, shall come forth from their graves to meet -their God and Lord at His judgment-seat. - -3. All the dead will be raised from death and the grave; _but there will -be a great difference in their resurrection._ Our Lord says: _"They that -have done good_ [shall come forth] _unto the resurrection of life, and -they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation."_ John -5,29. Those who here on earth believed in Christ, and by the power of -His grace served Him in His kingdom, and died in the Lord trusting in -Him, will come forth to life everlasting and go with their Lord to His -eternal glory. _They that have done evil,_ those who rejected their -Savior and died in their sins, will rise unto _the resurrection of -damnation._ They will be thrown into _hell,_ into everlasting fire, -prepared for the devil and his angels. Matt. 25,41. May our heavenly -Father keep us steadfast in the true faith and preserve us from hell and -damnation! - -4. _They that have done good,_ those who believed in Christ and died in -the Lord, shall come forth unto _the resurrection of life. At the Last -Day the risen Lord will raise all that fell asleep in Him, and will give -them life everlasting, life without end._ We confess that the Lord will -"give _me_ and all believers eternal life." The Holy Ghost has called me -by the Gospel, by His grace I believe in my Savior, by grace He has kept -me in the faith, and so _I am assured_ that He will give _me_ eternal -life. _"Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have -everlasting life."_ John 3,16. To me and all believers the Lord will -give eternal life, but _to believers only. "He that believeth on the Son -hath eternal life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, -but the wrath of God abideth on him."_ John 3,36. - -5. God will give us believers _eternal life._ Christ will lead His own, -His believers, soul and body, into His heavenly kingdom, there to live -and reign with Him in everlasting joy and glory. In heaven there will be -_no sin;_ in perfect holiness we shall serve our Lord. There will be no -more _death,_ nor _sorrow,_ nor _crying,_ nor _pain._ Rev. 21,4. All -these things shall have passed away. There will be pure and _true joy -and happiness forever and ever._ We shall be _with God:_ we shall see -Him, our heavenly King and Father, and His wondrous ways. _"We shall see -Him as He is."_ 1 John 3,2. We shall _see our dear Lord and Savior,_ -whom we love now even without having seen Him. We shall see Him _in His -glory,_ in the glory which His Father has given Him. What unspeakable -joy to see God, our Lord and Savior, to be and live with Him! _"In Thy -presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures -forevermore."_ Ps. 16,11.--Our _bodies_ will share this joy. They will -come forth _glorified, freed from all sin, sickness, and infirmity, -fashioned_ like unto the glorious body of our risen Lord. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _It is most certainly true that the Holy Ghost by the Gospel has -called me to Christ, my Lord, and enlightened me with His gifts, with -true faith in my Savior._ - -2. _It is most certainly true that in Christ I have forgiveness of all -my sins, that I am justified before God without the deeds of the Law, by -grace alone, for Christ's sake through faith._ - -3. _It is most certainly true that the Holy Ghost will keep me in the -true faith, and at the day of my Lord raise my glorified body and give -to me and all believers in Christ eternal life. I am assured of all of -this by the Word of God. This is what I firmly believe and hope for in -life and death._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear -His voice and shall come forth: they that have done good unto the -resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection -of damnation._ John 5,28.29. - -_We shall see Him as He is._ 1 John 3,2. - -_In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are -pleasures forevermore._ Ps. 16,11. - -_He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and He that -believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth -on him._ John 3,36. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. "We believe the resurrection of the body"--what does this mean? 2. -What happens to our bodies when we die? 3. Why do we believe that God -will raise our bodies? 4. Why do we firmly believe that God can do this -though to us it seems impossible? 5. Who will hear the voice of the Son -of God when His hour has come? 6. When will His hour come? 7. What -difference will there be in the resurrection of the dead? 8. Who are -"they that have done good"? 9. Who are "they that have done evil"? 10. -To what kind of resurrection will these come forth? 11. What will the -Lord at the Last Day give unto me and all believers? 12. Why am I -assured that He will give eternal life also to me? 13. What does our -Lord say John 3,36? 14. What will there no longer be in eternal life? -15. What will give us everlasting joy and happiness in eternal life? 16. -How will the bodies of the believers rise at that day? 17. Like unto -whose body will they be fashioned? 18. Why do we believe that all we -have confessed in the Third Article is most certainly true? - -LESSON 38 - -The Third Article. - -Review Lesson. - -1. God the Holy Ghost has called me to Christ, sanctified and kept me in -the true faith. Besides me He has called and calls others. What does the -Holy Ghost also do in regard to all that He has brought to Christ? What -does it mean that He gathers them? What does Scripture call the whole -number of all true believers?--What is the Christian Church also -called in the Third Article? Why are the believers called saints? What -does the word _communion_ signify? Who only, therefore, belongs to the -one true Christian Church?--Why is this Church invisible? The true -Church is invisible; still we know and are convinced that it is always -here on earth. Why are we certain about this? What does our Lord say -concerning His Church Matt. 16,18? We call the Church the _holy_ Church; -why do we do this? Why is the Church called the _Christian_ Church? -Christ is the Foundation of the Church, what else?--We cannot see -the Church, still we know where we can find it. Where is it to be found? -Why can we be certain that the Church is where the Word of God, the -Gospel, is preached and used?--There is one true Church of Christ, the -congregation of all believers on earth. But Scripture also speaks of -visible churches, visible congregations. What do we mean when we speak -of visible churches? To these churches not only true believers belong, -but who also? Of these visible churches, or denominations, there is -quite a number. What difference exists among these churches? Which is -the true visible Church? What is it called? To which Church should we -belong? - -2. In the Third Article we also confess the forgiveness of sins. Why do -we so sorely need forgiveness of sins? What have we deserved with our -sins? What will be our fate if we do not receive forgiveness of sins?-- -Of what does God assure us in His Word concerning our sins? We daily sin -much and deserve nothing but punishment; what should we therefore do -every day? How did the publican in the Temple pray to God for -forgiveness? How do you know that God answered his prayer?--God -forgives the sins of all who come to Him in true penitence. What does -not move God to forgive us our sins? Why cannot anything He sees in us -induce Him to grant us forgiveness? What moves God to forgive us our -sins? What do we mean when we say that God forgives sin? For whose sake -does the just and holy God grant us forgiveness? In whom have we -redemption, the forgiveness of sins? What has Christ done to earn this -forgiveness?--For whom has Christ procured forgiveness? How does God -offer this forgiveness? What, however, is necessary if we wish to -receive this precious gift of God? How, therefore, are we justified in -the sight of God? Why is this doctrine of justification so important? We -should by all means hold fast to this doctrine: We are justified without -the deeds of the Law, by God's grace alone, for Christ's sake, through -faith in Him, our Savior. - -3. In the Third Article we furthermore confess the resurrection of the -body. How does our Catechism explain these words? How is the doctrine of -the resurrection of the body regarded by the unbelievers? Why do we -nevertheless believe it?--God will raise the dead. How many of them -will He bring to life again? All shall hear the voice of the Son of God -and come forth. When will Christ raise all the dead? What is this "Last -Day"? All the dead will rise again at the Last Day; but there will be a -difference among them. What will this difference be? Who will come forth -unto the resurrection of damnation? Who are they that have done evil? -What will be their punishment on that day? May our heavenly Father -preserve us from hell and damnation!--Who will come forth unto the -resurrection of life? Who are they that have done good? What will God -give to me and all believers on that day? From what shall we be free in -eternal life? With whom shall we be? Not only shall we be with Him, -united with Him by faith, what, too, has He promised us? 1 John 3,2. -Whom also shall we see in the heavenly kingdom? What do we read Ps. -16,11? How will our bodies be after the resurrection? Like whose body -will they be fashioned? What do we mean by adding: "This is most -certainly true"? - -And we confess the Holy Ghost, -Who from both fore'er proceeds, -Who upholds and comforts us -In the midst of fears and needs. -Blest and holy Trinity, -Praise forever be to Thee! - -LESSON 39. - -The Lord's Prayer. - -The Introduction. - -Which is the Introduction? - -_Our Father who art in heaven._ - -What does this mean? - -_God would by these Words tenderly invite us to believe that He is our -true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may with all -boldness and confidence ask Him as dear children ask their dear father._ - -1. We have thus far considered the _Ten Commandments,_ the holy _Law_ of -the Lord, in which our heavenly Father tells us what we should do and -not do, how we, as His children, should live according to His will. We -have considered the Law, which teaches us that we have not kept it, that -we have sinned against God and therefore deserved His punishment, -eternal death and damnation.--We have considered the _Three Articles -of the Christian Faith,_ which teach us the _Gospel,_ the glad tidings -of what the Triune God, our Redeemer, has done and will do for us to -save us from sin and death, that we may live in His kingdom in -everlasting innocence, righteousness, and blessedness. In its Third Part -our Catechism explains to us the _Lord's Prayer,_ that is, the prayer -that our Lord once taught His apostles. - -2. We read (Luke 11,1) that, at a certain time, the disciples saw and, -probably heard their Master praying, speaking with His Father in heaven. -This made so deep an impression upon them that one of them asked the -Lord: _"Lord, teach us to pray."_ The Lord gladly complied with this -request and said: _"When ye pray, say: Our Father who art in heaven,"_ -etc. The Lord Himself gave His disciples this prayer, and therefore we -call it the Lord's Prayer. We say this beautiful prayer _very often, -daily,_ and we should do so. Our Lord gave it to us. When we use this -prayer, we know that we pray according to our Master's will. But -reciting this prayer is not enough, we must also understand what we -are praying. We should ever better learn _what the words of this prayer -mean._ Let us see how our Catechism explains them. - -3. _"Our Father who art in heaven,"_ thus our Lord teaches us to address -_the true God, the Triune God._ What love God has bestowed upon us that -we are called His children, and that we are permitted to call Him -_Father!_ 1 John 3,1. Christ might have chosen different names to -address God; but He teaches us to call God our _Father._ Why does He do -so? _"God would by these words tenderly invite us to believe that He is -our true Father and we are His true children."_ When we come to God to -speak to Him in our prayers, we should always believe and remember that -God is our true Father, and that we are His true children. _You know -that God is indeed your Father and you are His child._ It is true, we -are all sinners, and the holy God hates sin, but our dear Lord has -redeemed us from all sins and has earned for us forgiveness of sins and -righteousness in the sight of God. _Through Christ, my Brother,_ I have -become God's true child, and God has become my true Father. _In Christ's -name_ I come to God and call Him Father, believing that for Christ's -sake God really is my Father and I am His child. _"For this cause"_ -(because Christ is my Brother) _"I bow my knees unto the Father of our -Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is -named."_ Eph. 3,14.15. Remember that only those who believe in Jesus -Christ may call God their Father. _Only children of God, through faith -in Christ, can really pray to God._ - -4. We pray to God, our Father. How _tenderly_ does this name _invite_ us -to come to Him in our need! How this name does give us courage, _"so -that we may with all boldness and confidence ask Him as dear children -ask their dear father"!_ A child is not afraid to come to his beloved -father, to tell him with confidence all that he wants and needs. He -knows that hie dear father will gladly listen to him and help him. So it -is with the children of God. They do not fear to come to their Father, -for He loves them. They do not doubt, but confidently believe that their -dear Father _will hear their prayer and help them._ Our Father promised -to do that. By the endearing name Father, God reminds us: I am your -Father, you are my dear child. Come without fear and doubt; pray with -ail confidence. I will hear your prayer. - -5. _"Our Father who art in heaven."_ This Father of ours to whom we pray -is not a weak, not an earthly father. God is the _heavenly Father;_ He -is the almighty God, the Lord of heaven and earth. He can do whatsoever -He wills. With all confidence we come to Him and believe that He not -only will hear our prayers, but _is also able to help us in every need -and trouble._ - -6. Our Lord teaches us to say: _"Our_ Father who art in heaven." He -reminds us of the fact that _all true believers are children of God, and -that all children of God pray for and with each other._ "One God and -Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all." Eph. -4,6. I am not the only one praying to God, but a great host of -fellow-men, all my brethren in Christ, are praying with me and for me. -In Christ's name I pray to my Father in heaven for and with all my -brethren; should I not therefore with all confidence ask my dear Father, -as dear children ask their dear father? - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Always pray in the name of Jesus Christ, your Savior. Through Him -alone God is your true Father, and you are His true child. In His name -you may and should ask your Father in heaven as dear children ask their -dear father._ - -2. _As God's child through Christ pray to your Father without fear and -doubt, with the firm, confidence that He will hear and accept your -prayer._ - -3. _The Father to whom you pray is the heavenly Father, the almighty -God. To Him we pray with all confidence that He not only will, but also -can answer our prayers and help us in all our troubles._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we -should be called the sons of God._ 1 John 3,1. - -_For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, -of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named._ Eph. 3,14.15. - -_One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you -all._ Eph. 4,6. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Of what does the Third Part of our Catechism treat? 2. Why do we call -this prayer the Lord's Prayer? 3. On what occasion did the Lord teach -His disciples this prayer? 4. Why do we Christians use this prayer so -often? 5. But it is not enough to recite this prayer if we would use it -correctly; what else is needed? 6. Whom do we address when we say "Our -_"Father"?_ [tr. note: punctuation is correct] 7. Why did Jesus teach us -to use the name Father in this prayer? 8. How does God become our -Father, and how do we become His children? 9. In whose name should we -therefore always pray? 10. Who only can really pray to God? 11. Of what -is a child certain when he asks his father for something? 12. What may -we confidently expect when we pray to our dear Father? 13. Of what do -the words "who art in heaven" remind us in our prayer? 14. Our Father to -whom we pray is the almighty God; what can He therefore do regarding our -prayers? 15. Why does our Lord teach us to say, _"Our_ Father"? - -LESSON 40. - -The Lord's Prayer. - -The First Petition. - -Which is the First Petition? - -_Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be Thy name._ - -What does this mean? - -_God's name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that -it may be holy among us also._ - -How is this done? - -_When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the -children of God, also lead a holy life according to it. This grant us, -dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than -God's Word teaches, profanes the name of God among us. From this -preserve us, Heavenly Father!_ - -1. _"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name,"_ this is our -first petition. It is a matter of utmost importance that God's name be -hallowed among us; for this reason our Lord teaches us to pray for it in -the first place. _"God's name is indeed holy in itself."_ God has a name -above every other name. In heaven and earth there is no name higher or -more sacred than the name of our heavenly Father; no name can be -compared with it. It is holy in itself. We cannot and we need not _make -it holy._ What, then, do we ask for in this petition? Since the name of -our Father in heaven is so holy and so exalted, we pray _that it may be -holy among us also,_ that we, His children, may hold it sacred and use -it rightly both in words and deeds. - -2. _How is this done?_ We shall place God's name above every other name -in heaven and on earth and hold it holy, sacred, only when we rightly -_know God as He is, and what He has done and will do for us His -children._ God has revealed Himself and His great name _only in His -Word._ There alone we learn to know our heavenly Father and the great -things He has done for our temporal and eternal welfare. We shall hold -His name holy and sacred "when the Word of God is taught in its truth -and purity." God's Word must be preached among us without the admixture -of any human thoughts and errors, just as God has given it to us, just -as it reads. In God's Word we learn how great God, our Father, is, the -perfectly holy and just God, and yet gracious, ever ready to forgive all -our sins and heal all our transgressions, when we come to Him in the -name of Christ; the almighty Ruler of heaven and earth and yet our dear -Father in Christ, who pities those that fear Him, as a father pities his -children Ps. 103,13. The more we learn from His Word how great our God -is, the more we shall hold His name sacred, the more we shall exalt and -praise it. - -3. It is not enough that God's Word is taught and preached among us in -its truth and purity, that we only hear it; we must also, as God's -children, _lead a holy life according to it. By a holy life we honor the -name of our Father._ If a child disobeys his father, if he leads a bad -life, committing sins and crimes, he will not only bring dishonor upon -himself, but he will also disgrace his father's name. Remember how the -sons of Eli, the high priest, brought dishonor upon their father's fair -name. 1 Sam. 2,12. When, on the other hand, a child is obedient to his -father, doing the will of his good father, leading an upright and honest -life, his father will be honored by the good deeds of his son. We are -children of God. We confess that He is our true Father. If we were to -lead an ungodly life, how would His name be dishonored among men! But -when we live according to our Father's Word and will, if we live in -accordance with the Word of God, our friends and neighbors will see our -good works. By our godly life we shall help others, too, to know and -honor the great name of God. Our Savior says: _"Let your light so shine -before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father -which is in heaven."_ Matt. 5,16.--By our own strength we cannot -preach the Word of God in its truth and purity among us, nor can we by -our own strength lead a holy life according to it; therefore we pray: -_Grant us, O Heavenly Father, the pure doctrine of Thy Word and a Holy -life according to it._ - -4. As the name of our Father is glorified here on earth by the preaching -of His pure Word and by our holy life, so it is dishonored by _false -doctrine and an ungodly life._ In our sinful hearts we are always -inclined _to teach and live otherwise than God's Word teaches,_ and thus -to profane the name of God. _"Thou that makest thy boast of the Law, -through breaking the Law dishonorest thou God. For the name of God is -blasphemed among the Gentiles through you."_ Rom. 2,23.24. Therefore we -pray: _Preserve us, O Heavenly Father, for Christ's sake, from false -doctrine and an ungodly life!_ - -REMEMBER:-- - -_We pray in this petition:_-- - -1. _Dear Heavenly Father, grant that we may always teach Thy Word in its -truth and purity, and that we may always live in accordance with it, so -that Thy name may be hallowed among us!_ - -2. _Dear Heavenly Father, preserve us from ever teaching and living -otherwise than Thy Word teaches!_ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works -and glorify your Father which is in heaven._ Matt. 5,16. - -_Thou that makest thy boast of the Law, through breaking the Law -dishonorest thou God. For the name of God is blasphemed among the -Gentiles through you._ Rom. 2,23.24. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Why does Christ teach us to pray in the first place that God's name -may be hallowed, held sacred, among us? 2. How is God's name in itself? -3. Why do we nevertheless pray that His name be hallowed? 4. What must -we know before we shall hold God's name sacred as we should? 5. Where -has God revealed Himself? 6. How, therefore, is God's name hallowed -among us? 7. How must God's Word be taught among us? 8. What does it -mean to teach God's Word in its truth and purity? 9. What, furthermore, -is necessary if we wish to glorify our Father's name? 10. In what way is -God's name honored by a godly life? 11. What does our Lord say Matt. -5,16? 12. Who profanes God's name among us? 13. From what do we ask God -to preserve us? 14. What are the two things for which we pray in the -First Petition? - -LESSON 41. - -The Lord's Prayer. - -The Second Petition. - -Which is the Second Petition? - -_Our Father who art in heaven. Thy kingdom come._ - -What does this mean? - -_The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we -pray in this petition that it may come unto us also._ - -How is this done? - -_When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace -we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life, here in time and -hereafter in eternity._ - -1. _"Thy kingdom come,"_ that is the Second Petition. We pray for the -kingdom of our heavenly Father. In the Second Article of our faith we -already heard of a kingdom, the _kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ._ -There we learned that our Lord has redeemed us from all sins, from -death, and from the power of the devil, in order that we may be His -own, and in His _kingdom_ live under Him in everlasting innocence, -righteousness, and blessedness. _Christ's kingdom and our Father's -kingdom is the same thing._ Christ established this kingdom by His -sufferings and death. All that believe in Christ belong to this kingdom. -Christ is their Lord and King; He governs them, bestowing upon them in -His kingdom all His gifts: forgiveness of sins, the grace of God, true -righteousness, peace with God, etc. He protects them against all their -enemies, against sin, Satan, and death. We also call this kingdom of our -Father the _Kingdom of Grace,_ or the _true Christian Church._ It has -its beginning here on earth; but when our Lord and King will come again -at the Last Day, He will lead it to His glory in heaven. Then we shall -call this kingdom the _Kingdom of Glory._ - -2. Our Lord teaches us to pray for the _coming_ of this kingdom. True, -_"the kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself."_ -Christ lives and reigns, and He gathers His congregation through the -Gospel from all nations, and He will lead it to its heavenly glory even -if we do not pray for it. But still the Lord teaches us to pray for the -coming of His kingdom. We pray _"that it may come to us also."_ It is -God's will to give _us_ His kingdom. Our Lord says: _"Fear not, little -flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."_ -Luke 12,32. But God wants us to _pray_ for His good gifts. We pray in -this petition that our Father's kingdom may come to us also, that we, -too, may belong to His kingdom and remain in it, _"here in time and -hereafter in eternity."_ - -3. _"How is this done?"_ How does the kingdom of God come to us? The -kingdom of God comes to us only through faith in Christ. Only those who -believe in Him can enter the kingdom. But _"I cannot by my own reason or -strength believe in Christ, or come to Him."_ (In what part of your -Catechism did you learn this?) To bring us to Christ is _the work of the -Holy Ghost._ He has called me to Christ and His grace by the Gospel. -_"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into -the kingdom of God."_ John 3,5. The kingdom of God, therefore, comes to -us _"when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His -grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life."_ The Holy Ghost -can and will graciously, by the Gospel, work within our hearts, so that -we believe God's holy Word, believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior; and in -this way the kingdom of God will come to us. - -4. The Holy Spirit does not only bring us to Christ, so that we, through -faith, enter the kingdom of God, but He also _preserves us in the true -faith;_ by means of the Gospel He gives us strength to prove our faith -_by a godly life_ and thus remain in the kingdom to the end. He will -lead us to the glory of our Lord, to the kingdom of glory in heaven. -_"The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me -unto His heavenly kingdom."_ 2 Tim. 4,18. By the Holy Spirit the kingdom -of God comes to me _"here in time"_ (the Kingdom of Grace) _"and -hereafter in eternity"_ (the Kingdom of Glory). In this petition we -especially pray our heavenly Father to grant us _the most precious gift ---His Holy Ghost._ - -5. But we do not only pray that the kingdom of God would come to _us_ -and remain with us, we also pray that it may come to _all men_ who as -yet are not members of this kingdom. We pray that all men may become -true believers in Christ through the preaching of the Gospel. This work, -preaching the Gospel to all nations, we call _mission-work. The Second -Petition is the great mission-prayer of the Church._ The Lord admonishes -us: _"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth -laborers into His harvest."_ Matt. 9,38. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _In this petition we pray: Dear heavenly Father, grant me Thy Holy -Spirit that by His grace I may believe in Jesus Christ, my King, and by -faith in Him lead a godly life, so that I may be with my Savior in His -kingdom, here in time and hereafter in eternity._ - -2. _Do not forget to pray for our missions when you say this petition. -Mission is the work our Lord has entrusted to all Christians, saying: -"Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."_ -Mark 16,15. - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give -you the kingdom._ Luke 12,32. - -_Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth -laborers into His harvest._ Matt. 9,38. - -_The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me -unto His heavenly kingdom._ 2 Tim. 4,18. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. How did Christ establish His kingdom on earth? 2. Who belongs to it? -3. Who is Lord and King of this kingdom? 4. What does Christ bestow upon -His own in His kingdom? 5. From whom does He protect and against whom -does He defend us? 6. What do we also call the kingdom of Christ? 7. -What will Christ do with His kingdom when He shall come in His glory at -the Last Day? 8. What shall we then call this kingdom? 9. What does our -Lord teach us to pray in behalf of His kingdom? 10. What, indeed, is -true concerning the coming of His kingdom? 11. Why do we nevertheless -pray for His kingdom? 12. How does the kingdom of God come to us? 13. -Why do we need the Holy Ghost for this purpose? 14. The Holy Spirit does -not only bring us to Christ and into His kingdom, what does He also -perform in us? 15. What do we call the work for which we are especially -praying in this petition? - -LESSON 42. - -The Lord's Prayer. - -The Third Petition. - -What is the Third Petition? - -_Our Father who art in heaven, Thy will be done on earth as it is in -heaven._ - -What does this mean? - -_The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; -but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also._ - -How is this done? - -_When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not -let us hallow God's name nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of -the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and preserves us -steadfast in His Word and faith unto our end. This is His gracious and -good will._ - -1. We pray in this petition that the will of our Father in heaven may be -done. _His will is a good and gracious one._ Being the will of our -heavenly Father, how could it be otherwise than good and gracious? He -wills, or desires, that His name be hallowed among us, that His kingdom -may come to us and all men, or, in other words, _that all men be saved. -"God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the -truth."_ 1 Tim. 2,4. He earnestly desires that His saving Gospel be -preached to all men, that all men, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, may -believe in Christ and through Him have eternal life. This is most -assuredly the good and gracious will of our heavenly Father. - -2. We pray that this will of our Father _may be done on earth, that it -may prevail. "The goo and gracious will of God is done indeed without -our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us -also,"_ that His gracious will may prevail against all such as try to -hinder our salvation. - -3. _How is the will of our heavenly Father done?_ Our Catechism answers: -_"When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would -not lat us hallow God's name nor let His kingdom come, such as the will -of the devil, the world, and our flesh."_ There is an evil counsel and -will here on earth. It is the will of the _devil,_ the _world,_ that is, -all godless men, who are in the service of Satan, and of the _flesh,_ -our own sinful heart, which is always in accord with Satan and the -world. These our enemies do not want us to hallow God's name, to come -into Christ's kingdom or to remain therein, to remain steadfast in -faith, to remain true to Christ, our Savior. Theirs is an evil will, -which desires to _lead us astray from God, our Father, into sin, into -the power and the kingdom of the devil._ If their evil will and counsel -prevails, we are lost. Against these mighty enemies we are powerless; we -ourselves have no strength whatever to resist them and their -temptations. Therefore we daily pray our Father in heaven to break and -hinder their evil will and counsel, in order that they may not be able -to fulfil their evil desires. - -4. God sincerely desires us to be saved, to obtain eternal life. But our -Lord says: _"He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be -saved."_ Matt. 24,13. We cannot endure by our own strength. _"Ye are -kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation."_ 1 Pet. 1,5. -Therefore we pray our dear Father to _"strengthen and preserve us -steadfast in His Word and faith unto our end."_ We ask Him for Christ's -sake to grant us strength to remain steadfast in His _Word,_ to continue -to hear, read, and use it. By means of the Gospel the Holy Spirit will -_preserve our faith_ in our Lord and Savior; through faith He will give -us strength gladly to do His will and to live according to His -commandments. In this way God will preserve us _unto our end,_ to our -dying hour, and thus His gracious and good will is done. - -5. God, our dear Father, _directs and guides our whole life_ according -to this will of His to lead us to salvation. For this purpose our Father -sometimes will permit _sufferings and troubles_ to come over us. In such -times especially we should pray: _"Thy will be done,"_ my Father! Give -me strength to remain steadfast and faithful in all sufferings and -cheerfully to submit to your gracious will. Even our Lord Jesus Christ -prayed in the hour of His deep agony: _"Not as I will, but as Thou -wilt."_ Matt. 26,39. - -6. The _first three petitions_ belong together. They are connected by -the words _"on earth as it is in heaven."_ We pray that our Father's -name may be hallowed on earth as it is hallowed in heaven, that His -kingdom may come to us on earth as it is in heaven, and that His -gracious will may be done among us on earth as it is done in heaven. _We -ask our heavenly Father for His heavenly gifts._ These gifts we most -urgently need, and therefore our Lord teaches us to pray for them first -of all. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, break and hinder -every evil will of my enemies, the devil, the world, and my own flesh, -that I may hallow Thy name and Thy kingdom may come to me._ - -2. _My dear heavenly Father, strengthen and preserve me in Thy Word and -in true faith unto my end, to my dying hour, that Thy gracious and good -will may be done._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the -truth._ 1 Tim. 2,4. - -_Ye are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation._ 1 Pet. -1,5. - -_He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of -Jesus Christ._ Phil. 1,6. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. We pray that God's will may be done among us. What is God's will -toward us? 2. What is this will, therefore, called in our Catechism? 3. -This good and gracious will of God is indeed done without our prayer; -why do we nevertheless pray that it may be done? 4. There is an evil -will and counsel against us, the children of God. Whose will is this? 5. -What is their evil will and desire against us? 6. Why must we ask God to -break and hinder their evil will? 7. God earnestly desires us to be -saved, to obtain eternal life. Who only will be saved and obtain eternal -life? Matt. 24,13. 8. By whose power are we kept unto salvation? 1 Pet. -1,5. 9. How do we, therefore, pray? 10. Why is it necessary for us to -remain steadfast in the Word of God? 11. Unto what time will God -preserve our faith through the Gospel? 12. Why does God sometimes permit -suffering and trouble to come over His children? 13. How should we pray -especially in such times? 14. What gifts do we pray for in the first -three petitions? 15. Why does Christ teach us to pray first of all for -His heavenly gifts? - -LESSON 43. - -The Lord's Prayer. - -The Fourth Petition. - -Which is the Fourth Petition? - -_Our Father who art in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread._ - -What does this mean? - -_God gives daily bread indeed without our prayer, also to all the -wicked; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it -and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving._ - -What, then, is meant by "daily bread"? - -_Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as -food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, field, cattle, money, goods, -a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful -rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, -good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like._ - -1. For _our daily bread_ our Lord bids us pray in this petition. By -daily bread everything is meant that _belongs to the support and wants -of our body,_ everything we need to support our life. Our Catechism -enumerates quite a number of such things. For all these things we pray -as far as we need them for our daily bread. We do not pray for _riches,_ -for many comforts or luxuries, but for that which we need. We pray: -_"Give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food convenient for -me, lest I be full, and deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I -be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."_ Prov. 30,8.9. -The apostle says: _"Having food and raiment, let us be therewith -content."_ 1 Tim. 6,8. - -2. We pray for our daily bread. _"God gives daily bread indeed without -our prayer";_ He gives it _"also to all the wicked,"_ who cannot and -will not pray for it. _"He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the -good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."_ Matt. 5,45. If -God gives daily bread without our prayer, why, then, do we pray for it? -_"We pray in this petition that He would lead us to know it,"_ that is, -we pray that God may lead us to know that our daily bread, all we have -and receive in this life, is _His gracious gift._ Wicked, unbelieving -men do not acknowledge this. They believe that they are earning their -daily bread by means of their labor or receiving it by other natural -means. Christians also often forget that all their earthly goods are -the gift of their Father in heaven. Therefore we pray that God would -grant us to know that every good gift comes from above, from Him, our -Father. _"The eyes of all wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their -meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of -every living thing."_ Ps. 145,15.16. When we acknowledge this, _we shall -receive our daily bread with thanksgiving._ Then our daily bread, all -our earthly goods, _will be a blessing to us,_ a blessing for both our -body and our soul. Knowing that our daily bread is God's gift, we -receive it with thanksgiving; therefore we pray before each meal and, -having finished it, say grace. - -3. Our Lord tells us to pray for _our_ daily bread. It is true, our -daily bread is the gift of our Father in heaven, but He will generally -bestow this gift upon us _by means of our labor._ God wants us to work, -and He will provide what we need for this life. The bread that we eat -should be the bread _that is honestly coming to us. "If any would not -work, neither should he eat."_ 2 Thess. 3,10.--We do not say _my,_ -but _our_ bread, because we _include our neighbor_ in our prayer, asking -God to give also him his daily bread. This reminds us of our duty -willingly to help our neighbor whenever he is in need and want. Our -Father in heaven very often gives us more than we need for our own -support and the support of our family; He does this for the purpose that -_we may have to give to those that are in need._ God, then, desires to -give our neighbor his daily bread through us. _"Deal thy bread to the -hungry."_ Is. 58,7. - -4. We pray God to give us our daily bread _this day._ Our Lord reminds -us _that we should not be anxiously concerned for the morrow._ We have a -rich and kind Father in heaven, who cares for us, for our life and -welfare. We pray to Him for our bread to-day and every day, and we know -that He will not forsake us. Our Lord admonishes us: _"Take therefore no -thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things -of itself."_ Matt. 6,34. - -5. In the Fourth Petition we pray for our _daily bread,_ for all that is -necessary for our life and bodily welfare here on earth. In the first -three petitions we pray for _heavenly gifts,_ for the gifts which we -need for our soul, for our eternal welfare. Our Lord in this way teaches -us that the heavenly gifts are much more important, that we should pray -for them first of all. _"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His -righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."_ Matt. -6,33. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, give me this day -my daily bread. Grant me grace to know and acknowledge that my daily -bread is Thy gracious gift in order that I may receive it from Thy hand -with thanksgiving._ - -2. _Do not forget to say your prayers at meals. Thereby you confess that -your daily bread is the gift of your Father in heaven, and you show your -thankfulness to Him._ - -3. _Pray also for your neighbor and give from your abundance whenever he -is in need._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good and sendeth rain -on the just and on the unjust._ Matt. 5,45. - -_Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for -me._ Prov. 30,8. - -_Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content._ 1 Tim. 6,8. - -_Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these -things shall be added unto you._ Matt. 6,33. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What is meant in this petition by "daily bread"? 2. Why does the Lord -teach us to pray for our daily bread? 3. Wherewith should we be content? -4. Does not God give us our daily bread without our Prayer? 5. On whom -even does He bestow this gift? 6. Why, then, do we pray for our daily -bread? 7. Why do we pray God to lead us to know that our daily bread -comes from Him? 8. How will we receive our daily bread when we know that -it is He who gives it to us? 9. Why does our Lord teach us to pray for -our daily bread? 10. Why do we not say _my,_ but _our_ bread? 11. Of -what should this remind us? 12. Why do we add the words _this day?_ 13. -Why do we not need to be anxious for the morrow? 14. What does our Lord -teach us by putting the petition for our daily bread after the petitions -for His heavenly gifts? - -LESSON 44. - -The Lord's Prayer. - -The Fifth Petition. - -Which is the Fifth Petition? - -_Our Father who art in heaven, 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 worthy of -none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but -that He would grant them all to us by grace; for use daily sin much and -indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we also heartily forgive -and readily do good to those who sin against us._ - -1. _"And forgive us our trespasses,"_ thus the Lord teaches us to pray -in the Fifth Petition. That means, as our Catechism explains these -words: _"We pray in this petition that our Father would not look upon -our sins."_ A child that has disobeyed his father approaches him -sorrowfully, asks his forgiveness, and promises to be more obedient in -future. We, the children of God, do the very same thing. Every day we -come to our heavenly Father with a contrite heart and ask His -_forgiveness._ Daily we confess that we have sinned again. We are deeply -sorry that again we have been disobedient to His good will, that we have -deserved His punishment. But we also know that God is _our gracious, -loving Father,_ always willing to forgive us our many sins. We know that -Christ has paid the _ransom for our transgressions_ and earned God's -forgiveness for us. In our Savior's name, trusting in Him, we come to -God every day and pray with deep shame, but also with firm confidence: -My dear Father in heaven, I, a poor sinner, come to Thee and humbly -confess that again I have trespassed and sinned against Thee. Do not -look upon my sins, do not punish me as I have deserved, but regard Thy -Son's righteousness and for His sake forgive me all my sins. We pray as -did the prodigal son: _"Father, I have sinned against heaven and in Thy -sight, and I am no more worthy to be called Thy son."_ Luke 15,21. -However, accept me again for Christ's sake. - -2. We have a _special reason_ for asking God's forgiveness in our -prayers. We pray to God for many blessings, for many precious gifts, -both heavenly and earthly. But we are sinners; _"we are worthy of none -of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them."_ If God -would look upon our unworthiness and sin, how could He grant us our -petitions? _"For we daily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment."_ -As long as our sins separate us from God, we are certain that God will -not hear us. Our prayers would indeed be in vain. Therefore we pray to -our Father that He would not look upon our sins, _"nor on their account -deny our prayer,"_ as we have so well deserved. We pray that He would -grant us His forgiveness and give us all His rich blessings _by grace, -for Christ's sake._ In Christ's name we come to our Father and -confidently pray with the _publican_ in the Temple: _"God be merciful to -me, a sinner."_ Luke 18,13. - -3. Our Lord adds something to this petition. He says: _"As we forgive -those who trespass against us."_ These words contain a _promise_ on our -part. Because God so graciously and willingly forgives us our many and -great sins, we promise that _we also will forgive those who sin against -us._ There are such as sin against us, wrong and grieve us with word or -deed. But how small are their faults over against the great and grievous -sins we have committed against our Father in heaven! Having received the -gracious forgiveness of our Father, how could we do otherwise than -forgive also those who trespass against us? Willingly we promise to -forgive them, and to do so _heartily, from our hearts,_ as our Father -has forgiven us, and not only to forgive them, but _readily_ to _do good -to them._ Does not our Father do the same thing to us? We sin against -Him and grieve Him daily, and nevertheless He not only forgives us, but -He also blesses us every day with all His gifts for body and soul. If, -on the other hand, we refuse to forgive our brother, we shall not obtain -forgiveness from our Father. _"When we stand praying, forgive if ye have -aught against any, that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive -you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father -which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."_ Mark 11,25.26. (Read -carefully the beautiful parable of our Lord about the _wicked servant,_ -Matt. 18,23-35.) - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _We pray in this petition: My dear Father in heaven, do not look upon -my sins and do not on their account deny my prayer. I am not worthy of -any of the things for which I pray, but on account of Thy grace hear my -prayer and forgive me all my sins for Christ's sake._ - -2. _We promise in this petition: My dear Father in heaven, as Thou hast -forgiven me the multitude of my sins and hast granted me daily all Thy -precious blessings, so will I show Thee my gratitude by heartily -forgiving those who sin against me and readily doing good to them. Grant -me grace to do this, dear heavenly Father._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Father, I have sinned against heaven and in Thy sight and am no more -worthy to be called Thy son._ Luke 15,21. - -_God be merciful to me, a sinner._ Luke 18,13. - -_When ye stand praying, forgive if ye have aught against any, that your -Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if -ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive -your trespasses._ Mark 11,25.26. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What is meant by the word "trespasses" in this petition? 2. What do -we ask our heavenly Father to do in this prayer? 3. How do we know that -God will forgive us our sins? 4. How has Christ earned forgiveness of -sins for us? 5. For whose sake, therefore, do we ask forgiveness? 6. -What special reason have we to include this petition in our prayers? 7. -Why are we unworthy of the things for which we pray? 8. What, on the -contrary, have we deserved? 9. What moves God to hear our prayers? 10. -What words does our Lord add to this petition? 11. What promise do we -give God when we add these words? 12. How are the sins our neighbor -commits against us to be regarded as compared with our sins against God? -13. What should we therefore willingly do? 14. What will happen to us if -we do not heartily forgive our neighbor? 15. What must we be willing to -do in addition to forgiving our neighbor? 16. What should induce us to -forgive our neighbor when he trespasses against us? - -LESSON 45. - -The Lord's Prayer. - -The Sixth Petition. - -Which is the Sixth Petition? - -_Our Father who art in heaven, lead us not into temptation._ - -What does this mean? - -_God indeed tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would -guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not -deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame -and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally -overcome and obtain the victory._ - -1. _"And lead us not into temptation,"_ this is the Sixth Petition. Our -Catechism explains it in the first place by saying: _"God indeed tempts -no one,"_ that is, He tempts no one _for evil._ That is most certainly -true. Our heavenly Father is the holy God. He hates sin and all those -who willingly commit it. How could He tempt us to sin, try to lead us -into evil ways which He hates? Scripture tells us: _"Let no man say when -he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, -neither tempteth He any man; but every man is tempted when he is drawn -away of his own lusts and enticed."_ Jas. 1,13.14. - -2. As God does not tempt us for evil, why, then do we pray our Father -not to lead us into temptation? We pray _"that God would guard and keep -us" that our enemies may not lead us into sin and shame._ There are such -as always try to lead us, the children of God, into sin, those _enemies_ -of whom we heard in the Third Petition--the _devil,_ the _world,_ and -our _own flesh._ Our most dangerous foe is the _devil. "Be sober, be -vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh -about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith."_ -1 Pet 5,8.9. Remember how he tempted _Adam and Eve_ in Paradise and -seduced them to fall into sin. Our next enemy is the _world,_ that is, -all the wicked men around us. How often do our friends or schoolmates -entice us to do wrong! _"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou -not."_ Prov. 1,10. The third enemy is _our own flesh,_ our old sinful -heart, which is full of evil lust. Our own lust draws us away from God -and entices us to sin. - -3. These our enemies have an _evil will_ against us. They want to lead -us away from God and our salvation, to lead us again into the kingdom of -Satan and sin. They try with all their power and cunning to _deceive_ -us; they try to give us the impression that it would be good for us to -follow their temptations. By such enticements they try to seduce us to -lead us astray from God and His Word, into _misbelief,_ into a wrong -faith, or into _despair,_ so that we abandon all hope for our salvation. -(Remember _Cain,_ Gen. 4,15, and _Judas,_ Matt. 27,4.5.) Or they try to -lead us into _other great shame and vice,_ into sins that will bring -shame upon us, to yield to evil passions, which will destroy our faith. - -4. Against these mighty enemies we are _powerless._ We could not -seriously think of taking up the fight against them by our own power. If -we did, we would soon learn to our sorrow that we cannot successfully -resist their temptations. Our enemies would gain the victory over us. In -this our pitiful condition we come to _our Father in heaven,_ who has -promised us His help, and who is always with us. We pray to Him in the -name of our Savior not to lead us into temptation, that is, we pray that -God would _guard_ or watch over us that such temptations may not come -near us, that He would graciously defend us against them.--_If is -true, temptations will come._ We live in this sinful world, which is -full of temptations. The devil "walketh about" to devour the children of -God, and our flesh tempts us with evil lust. These enemies will again -and again _assail_ us to gain their evil ends and desires. _And it is -for our good that God permits them to do so._ But we pray God to keep us -steadfast in all these temptations, to _strengthen_ us in order that we -may fight the good fight of faith against them. We pray to our Father -that He may _preserve_ us in the true faith, so that we shall _finally,_ -in the end, _overcome all temptations and obtain the victory._ Our -heavenly Father will hear our prayer. _"God is faithful, who will not -suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."_ 1 Cor. 10,13. -According to His good and gracious will He wants us to be faithful to -the end and to be saved. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, guard and keep me -against my powerful enemies, the devil, the world, and my flesh; hinder -their evil will that their temptations may not approach me._ - -2. _We pray in this petition: My dear heavenly Father, be with me in all -temptations, whenever my enemies assail me, and grant me grace to fight -the good fight of faith. Keep me in the true faith in Christ, my Lord, -that I may finally overcome all temptations and obtain the victory._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring -lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast -in the faith._ 1 Pet. 5,8.9. - -_My son, if sinners entice thee consent thou not._ Prov. 1,10. - -_God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye -are able._ 1 Cor. 10,13. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. Which is the Sixth Petition? 2. What does God indeed not do? 3. Why -are we certain that God will not lead any one into temptation? 4. Why, -then, do we pray God not to lead us into temptation? 5. Who are our -enemies that lead us into temptation? 6. Why is the devil compared to a -roaring lion? 7. Who is our second enemy? 8. What do we understand by -our own flesh? 9. What is the evil will of these our enemies against us? -10. Into what do they try to lead us? 11. Who alone can help us against -our powerful enemies? 12. What does it mean when we pray that God would -guard us against our enemies? 13. When their temptations do assail us, -what do we pray our Father in heaven to do? 14. What makes us certain -that God will hear our prayer? - -LESSON 46. - -The Lord's Prayer. - -The Seventh Petition And The Conclusion. - -Which is the Seventh Petition? - -_Our Father who art in heaven, 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 finally, when our last hour has come, grant us a blessed end, and -graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven._ - -Which is the Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer? - -_For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. -Amen._ - -What is meant by the word "Amen"? - -_That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our -Father in heaven, and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, -and has promised to hear us. Amen, Amen, that is, yea, yea, it shall be -so._ - -1. _"But deliver us from evil." "We pray in this petition, as the sum -of all";_ in this petition we sum up all the others. We include in the -word _"evil"_ our misfortunes and troubles of every kind, all our wants -and needs: all the ailments of our _body,_ such as sickness and the -like; everything that is hurtful to our _soul,_ sin with all its fearful -consequences; anything that injures or destroys our _property,_ such as -is done by fire, water, or bad, evil-minded men; whatever harms our -_honor,_ loss of our good name through lies and calumnies, etc. All -these things we sum up in the word _evil._ - -2. We pray that our Father would _deliver_ us from all these evils. We -beseech Him to _spare_ us from as many evils as He sees fit. We know -that days of sorrow and afflictions will indeed come to us. It is our -Father's good will that _"we must through much tribulation enter into -the kingdom of God."_ Acts 14,22. God sends us afflictions because He -_loves_ us, His children, because in His wisdom He knows that it is good -and salutary for us. _"Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth -every son whom He receiveth."_ Heb. 12,6. We willingly submit to His -will. But whenever the Lord has afflicted us, in every need and -distress, we lift our hearts to Him, the Father of mercies, and _pray -Him to be with us in our affliction,_ to help _bear the cross_ He has -laid upon us. We ask Him that He would turn every affliction _to our -benefit_ and in His own good time take it from us. It is our earnest -prayer that through everything that seems evil to us He would keep us -steadfast in faith to everlasting life. - -3. True, as long as we live here on earth, we shall not be entirely free -from evil. On earth we are living in a _"vale of tears."_ But the time -will come when _"the Lord shall deliver me from every evil and will -preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom."_ 2 Tim. 4,18. And when this time -has come, _our last hour,_ the hour of our departure from this world, we -pray _that our Father would grant us a blessed end, and graciously take -us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven,_ and thus wholly -deliver us from all evil. In that hour we shall say: _"Lord, now lettest -Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word; for mine eyes -have seen Thy salvation."_ Luke 2,29.30. When our dear Father takes us -to Himself in heaven, all our prayers will have been granted, all -earthly sorrow and affliction will be at an end; we shall have and enjoy -with our Father and our Lord all His heavenly gifts. - -4. In the Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer we say: _"Thine is the -kingdom."_ We mean to say: Thou alone art my Lord and King, from whom I -am to seek help, and who certainly will hear my prayer. _"Thine is the -power":_ that is, Thou alone art the almighty God, Thou alone hast the -power to grant my petitions. And so _"Thine is the glory";_ that is, all -glory, all honor, all praise, shall be given to Thee alone _forever and -ever._ - -5. The word _"Amen"_ with which we conclude our prayer means, as our -Catechism explains it: _"Yea, yea, it shall be so."_ We express in this -word our assurance that our prayers are _acceptable to our Father in -heaven,_ and that _He will hear them._ May we really be certain that our -petitions are acceptable to God? Most assuredly. _Our Lord Himself has -given us this prayer,_ He has taught us these petitions, and _"has -commanded us so to pray."_ When in true devotion, in the name of our -Redeemer, we come to our Father and pray these petitions, how could it -be otherwise than that our Father is well pleased! And He Himself, our -Father, has so often _promised that He will hear us,_ that He will grant -our prayer. Our Lord has promised us: _"Verily, verily, I say unto you, -Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you."_ -John 16,23. How could we doubt that God will hear us when we pray in -Christ's name, according to His will?--Indeed, it sometimes seems to -us as if God _did not hear_ our prayers. But it only seems so; God hears -every true prayer. But we must not forget that God grants us our -petitions _in His own manner,_ which we often do not understand. He does -not always grant our petitions at once, but _at His appointed time,_ at -the time He has appointed for His help, which, indeed, is the best time -for us. Confidently we always want to conclude our prayers with, _"Amen; -yea, yea, it shall be so."_ - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _We pray in this petition: My dear Father in heaven, lead me through -all my afflictions according to Thy gracious will and pleasure, and when -my last hour has come, grant me a blessed end and take me up to Thee in -heaven, and so deliver me from all evil._ - -2. _We are certain that this, our Lord's Prayer, as well as all the -prayers we are bringing before God in accordance with it, are acceptable -to God, and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray and -promised to hear us._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God._ Acts -14,22. - -_The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me -unto His heavenly kingdom._ 2 Tim. 4,18. - -_Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy -word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation._ Luke 2,29.30. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What do we mean when we say: "We pray in this petition,_as the sum of -all"?_ 2. What is meant in this petition by the word "evil"? 3. Why does -God sometimes send us afflictions? 4. What do we ask our Father in -heaven to do when He has afflicted us? 5. To what should He turn all our -afflictions, all that seems evil to us? 6. What should God preserve in -us at such times? 7. Why do we call this life a "vale of tears"? 8. -When, finally, will God deliver us from all evil? 9. What kind of end do -we ask our heavenly Father to grant us? 10. Why will all our sorrows -then be at an end. 11. What do the words of the Conclusion mean? 12. -What the word "Amen"? 13. What do we mean to express by adding this -word? 14. Why may we be certain that all our petitions are acceptable to -God? 15. Why are we certain that God will always hear our prayers? 16. -How will God hear our prayers and grant us His help? - -LESSON 47. - -How We Should Pray. - -Review Lesson. - -1. When we pray we frequently use the prayer which the Lord has given -us. It really does contain everything we need, everything we may pray -for. But we also use other prayers; we bring our petitions before God in -our own words, or offer praise and thanks to Him. This is well-pleasing -to our Father in heaven. But we must not forget _that all our prayers -should be in accordance with the Lord's Prayer._ He has given us His -prayer also for this purpose, that we should learn from it _how to -pray._ The Lord's Prayer should be _the model for all our prayers._ If -that is our model, we are certain that we are praying according to God's -will. Let us see what the Lord's Prayer teaches us in this respect. _Let -us learn how we should pray._ - -2. Whom do we address in the Lord's Prayer? Who is "our Father in -heaven"? Our Father in heaven is _the only true, the Triune God, God the -Father, Son, and Holy Ghost._ To Him we pray, and to Him alone. Such is -His will. _"Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt -thou serve."_ Matt. 4,10. Against which commandment do we sin when we -pray to any one but the true God? We pray only to the true God because -He alone is _able_ and _willing_ to hear and answer our prayer. - -3. The Lord teaches us to call the Triune God _"our Father."_ Why does -Christ teach us to use this dear name? Through whom is God our true -Father and we His true children? In whose name should we pray? Our -Savior says: _"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask -the Father in My name, He will give it you."_ John 16,23. In the Fifth -Petition we learn why it is so necessary to pray in Jesus' name, -trusting in His merits. We daily sin much. We deserve nothing but -punishment. We pray that God would not look upon our sins, but -graciously answer our prayers for Christ's sake, who has earned -forgiveness of sins for us. Only _in Christ_ is God well pleased with -us; _only for His sake will our prayers be heard and answered._ - -4. Christ teaches us to address God as our Father, to believe that in -Christ He is indeed our true Father. By this endearing name our Lord -would _encourage_ and _tenderly invite us_ to come to Him as His -children and ask Him with all confidence. We should always pray with -confidence, never doubting that God for Chris's sake _will hear us and -grant our prayers. "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, -believing, ye shall receive."_ Matt. 21,22. We are praying to the -_almighty God,_ who is able to give all good things; we pray to Him who -is our _Father,_ who has promised to hear our prayers. - -5. For what do we pray in the first three petitions? For what in the -Fourth Petition? We learn from this that we may pray for _everything -that is needful for our welfare, both spiritual and temporal things. -"What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive -them, and ye shall have them."_ Mark 11,24. In how many petitions do we -ask for the heavenly or spiritual things, which we need for our souls? -In one petition the Lord teaches us to pray for our daily bread, for our -wants here on earth. Whenever we pray, we should first of all pray for -those gifts which we need for our salvation. _"Seek ye first the kingdom -of God and His righteousness,"_ our Lord tells us. Matt. 6,33. Above all -we should pray for the gift of God's pure Word, for the Holy Ghost, in -order that by His grace we may believe His holy Word and lead a godly -life, that His will may be done among us, and that we may remain -faithful to our Lord and obtain eternal life. - -6. The Fourth Petition follows the one in which our Lord teaches us to -pray that God's good and gracious will may be done. When we are praying -for our daily bread, asking God for the things we need for our body and -our temporal welfare, _we should submit everything to God's will,_ that -is, we should pray that God would grant us these gifts, _if it is His -will, if they tend to His glory and to our welfare. "This is the -confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to -His will, He heareth us."_ 1 John 5,14. - -7. Our Lord teaches us to say not _my,_ but _our_ Father; indeed, -throughout the whole prayer we always include our neighbor in our -petitions. He wants us to _pray for our neighbors,_ not only for our -friends and relatives, but for _all men,_ even for our _enemies. "Pray -for them that despitefully use you and persecute you."_ Matt. 5,44. - -8. In the last three petitions the Lord tells us to bring our cares and -troubles, our afflictions and sorrows of every kind, before the Lord. -Indeed, we ought to pray _at all times. "Pray without ceasing."_ -1 Thess. 5,17. Especially, however, we should pray in times of _trouble -and need. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and -thou shalt glorify Me."_ Ps. 50,15. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Always pray to the true God, the Father of your Lord Jesus Christ, -who through Him is also your Father. Come to Him in Christ's name. That -is His will, and He alone can and will hear such prayers._ - -2. _Pray in Christ's name, with full confidence that your prayer is -acceptable to God and heard. Pray in the same manner as a dear child -asks his dear father._ - -3. _Ask Him for all you need for the welfare of your body and soul; in -the first place, however, for the welfare of your soul, for your -salvation. In asking for temporal blessings submit your will to God's -will. Not my, but Thy will be done, my heavenly Father._ - -4. _Do not forget to include in your prayer your neighbor, all men, even -your enemies. Finish your prayer with a confident "Amen; yea, yea, it -shall be so."_ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve._ -Matt. 4,10. - -_This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything -according to His will, He heareth us._ 1 John 5,14. - -_All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall -receive._ Matt. 21,22. - -_Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt -glorify Me._ Ps. 50,15. - -LESSON 48. - -Holy Baptism. - -What Baptism Is. - -What is Baptism? - -_Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in -God's command and connected with God's word._ - -Which is that word of God? - -_Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye and teach -all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and -of the Holy Ghost._ - -1. After having explained the Lord's Prayer, our Catechism tells us -about _Holy Baptism._ You all, most probably, have seen children -baptized, and some of you, perhaps, also adults. You yourselves were -baptized in your infancy in the name of the Father and of the Son and of -the Holy Ghost. You, therefore, should learn what Baptism is, and what -it gives and profits. Let us hear what our Catechism has to say about -this sacred act. In the first place, it explains _what Baptism is._ - -2. _"Baptism is not simple water only."_ In baptism there is indeed -_water._ The person to be baptized is sprinkled with water, with simple, -common, natural water. We must use water in baptism and nothing else. -_Water is the external means_ which God Himself has instituted for -baptism. But Baptism is not only water, it is more; _"it is the water -comprehended in God's command and connected with God's word."_ In -baptism there is both God's command and God's word. - -3. Baptism is the water comprehended in God's command, that is, _we use -the water in baptism because God has commanded it._ Without this command -of God Baptism would be water only. Before our Lord ascended into -heaven, He gave His disciples this command: _"Go ye and teach all -nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of -the Holy Ghost."_ Holy Baptism, therefore, is an act instituted and -ordained by God. For that reason we call it a _sacred act._ Christ gave -this command to His _disciples, to His Church, to all Christians._ The -called ministers of Christ, our pastors, ordinarily administer baptism; -but in cases of necessity every Christian can and should perform it. -Christ commands us to _baptize;_ that means He commands us to _apply_ -the water _by washing or sprinkling the person to be baptized with -water, or by immersing him into the water._ - -4. _Baptism is the water connected with God's word._ The word which -Christ has commanded us to use in baptism is this: _"In the name of the -Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."_ This word must always be -connected with the water to make it a Baptism. _"Without the word of God -the water is simple water, and no baptism. But with the word it is a -baptism, that is, a gracious water of life."--We are baptized in the -name of the Triune God._ What does this mean? God's name is God Himself, -as we have learned in the Second Commandment. We are baptized in God the -Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. By baptism we are _received into -communion with the Triune God._ He gives Himself to us _as our Father_ -and accepts us _as His children,_ He bestows upon us all His blessings, -all that He has done for us to save us. _With_ the word of God baptism -is indeed a gracious water of life. - -5. Our Lord commands us to baptize _all nations,_ that is, _all human -beings,_ old and young, men and women. _"Preach the Gospel to every -creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."_ Mark -16,15.16. Baptism is necessary to salvation; consequently God wants all -who believe in Him to be baptized. But a _certain distinction_ should be -made. Those who are old enough to be instructed we baptize after they -have been _previously_ taught the main doctrine of the Word of God, -_confess their faith_ in Jesus Christ, and _desire to be baptized_ and -thus become Christians. - -6. _Little children_ are baptized by us soon after their birth, before -they are able to learn the Word of God. We teach them after their -baptism in our homes and schools and churches. We baptize our little -children because in the word _nations_ the children, too, are included. -We baptize them because our Lord says: _"Suffer the little children to -come unto Me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God."_ -Mark 10,14. Christ bids us bring our little children to Him that He may -bless them. We can do this only by means of Holy Baptism. Without -baptism they are under God's wrath, and their sins are not forgiven. By -baptism the Holy Ghost Himself brings them to Christ and kindles in them -the true faith in Him. God becomes their Father, and they are made His -children. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Holy Baptism is a sacred act instituted by God. God Himself has -commanded us to baptize, that is, to apply water in the name of the -Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. It is the water -comprehended in God's command._ - -2. _Baptism is the water connected with God's word. In baptism the water -must be applied with these words: "In the name of the Father and of the -Son and of the Holy Ghost." By baptism we are received into communion -with the Triune God. He becomes our Father, and we are made His -children._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father -and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost._ Matt. 28,19. - -_Preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized -shall be saved._ Mark 16,15.16. - -_Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not; for of -such is the kingdom of God._ Mark 10,14. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What is the external means which God has instituted for Holy Baptism? -2. What kind of water is to be used when we baptize a person? 3. In what -is the water of Baptism comprehended? 4. What is meant when we say: "The -water is comprehended in God's command"? 5. Recite the words of God's -command. Matt. 28,19. 6. To whom did Christ give this command? 7. Who -does now ordinarily administer Holy Baptism? 8. Who may and should do it -in cases of necessity? 9. What does the word _baptize_ mean? 10. What is -the word of God with which the water in baptism is connected? 11. What -does it mean to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and -of the Holy Ghost? 12. What does God become to us in baptism? 13. Whom -did Christ command us to baptize? 14. Whom do we generally baptize? 15. -How can you prove that it is right to baptize little children? 16. What -does Christ say about the little children Mark 10,14? - -LESSON 49. - -Holy Baptism - -What Baptism Gives, Or Profits. - -What does Baptism give, or profit? - -_It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and -gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and -promises of God declare._ - -Which are such words and promises of God? - -_Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth, -and is baptized shall be saved, but He that believeth not shall be -damned._ - -1. In our last lesson we learned what Baptism is. _"Baptism is not -simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and -connected with God's word."_ Now the question arises, What good does it -do one to be baptized? _What does Baptism give, or profit?_ Baptism must -indeed be a great and wonderful thing. God Himself instituted it. He put -His name, His word, into it. Where His name and His word are, there, -indeed, must be great, eternal blessings. - -2. Our Catechism answers the question: _"What does Baptism give, or -profit?"_ by saying: _"It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death -and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as -the words and promises of God declare."_ Three great blessings of -Baptism are mentioned: 1. It works forgiveness of sins; 2. it delivers -from death and the devil; 3. it gives eternal salvation. It does this -because of the words and promises of God: _"He that believeth and is -baptized shall be saved."_ Mark 16,16. How can we prove by these words -that Holy Baptism also works forgiveness of sins and delivers from death -and the devil? Christ merely says that he who believes and is baptized -shall be _saved._ Remember, however, that there is no salvation where -there is not forgiveness of sins and deliverance from death and the -devil. _Salvation consists in forgiveness of sins and deliverance from -death and the devil._ If Baptism gives us salvation, it must also work -forgiveness of sins and deliver us from death and the devil. - -3. _Baptism works forgiveness of sins. "Repent and be baptized, every -one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."_ -Acts 2,38. How are we to understand this statement: Baptism works -forgiveness of sins? Has not Christ Himself merited this heavenly gift? -Christ, our Savior, has indeed, by His sufferings and death, atoned for -our sins; _He has redeemed us from all our sins and so indeed earned for -us, for all men, forgiveness of sins._ But Holy Baptism is the _means_ -by which the Holy Ghost _makes the forgiveness_ which Christ has earned -for us _our own._ In baptism He presents to us and gives us this great -blessing. The apostle says: _"Ye are all the children of God, by faith -in Christ Jesus; for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ -have put on Christ."_ Gal. 3,26.27. We are baptized _into Christ._ In -baptism _we put on Christ_ with all His merits. As in a beautiful, -white, spotless garment we are clothed in baptism in the perfect -righteousness Christ has merited for us. _Baptism works forgiveness by -making Christ's righteousness our own._ - -4. _Baptism delivers us from death and the devil._ By sin death came -into the world; death is the wages of sin. In baptism our sins are -washed away for Christ's sake, and in this way we are delivered from -death. In our dying hour we do not really see death, but have eternal -life. In death we rejoice: _"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where -is thy victory? ... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory -through our Lord Jesus Christ."_ 1 Cor. 15,55-57.--Baptism works -forgiveness of sin and therefore _delivers us from the devil._ When our -sins have been washed away, the devil no longer has any power over us; -we are free from hell and damnation. If Satan still tempts us to sin, we -may, in the power of our baptism, resist him and gain the victory.--By -working forgiveness of sin, by delivering us from death and the devil, -_Baptism gives us eternal salvation. "He that believeth and is baptized -shall be saved."_ Mark 16,16. - -5. To whom does Baptism give all this? It gives these things _"to all -who believe this."_ Our Savior says: _"He that believeth and is baptized -shall be saved."_ Mark 16,16. All those who believe, trusting in the -promises God has given in His Word concerning Baptism, receive these -heavenly gifts. It is true, Baptism _contains_ all these precious gifts -and blessings, _whether we believe or not._ They are _offered to all who -_are baptized._ But we must take them and _make them our own._ This is -done _by faith in Christ._ Baptism is _God's hand,_ by means of which He -hands down His gifts, forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. -Faith is our _hand, with which we take God's gifts and make them our -own.--_During our whole life_ we should remember our baptism and the -grace God therein has bestowed upon us. Whenever we have sinned, we -should in true repentance take refuge to our baptism, to the grace of -God which He has promised us there. _"The covenant of my peace shall not -be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."_ Is. 54,10. - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _Do not forget to thank your Father in heaven for your baptism. It -makes you certain that His heavenly gifts, forgiveness of sins, life, -and salvation, are indeed yours. It makes you certain that God is your -Father and will remain your Father and you His child._ - -2. _If you have sinned and grieved your heavenly Father, take refuge to -your baptism. Trust to His unfaltering grace which He has promised you -there. Believe in Christ, who is yours through Baptism, and you will be -saved._ - -MEMORIZE:-- - -_Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ -for the remission of sins._ Acts 2,38. - -_Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus; for as many of -you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ._ Gal. 3,26.27. - -_O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be -to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ._ -1 Cor. 15,55-57. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What three great benefits does Baptism give us? 2. Where did Christ -Himself promise this? Mark 16,16. 3. Prove that in these words of Christ -forgiveness of sins and deliverance from death and the devil are -included. 4. Which is the first benefit Holy Baptism gives us? 5. Who, -indeed, has redeemed us from all sins? 6. How, then, can we say that -Baptism works forgiveness of sins? 7. Whom do we put on in baptism? 8. -What does that mean? 9. How, therefore, does Baptism work forgiveness of -sins? 10. Which is the second benefit of Baptism? 11. How does Baptism -deliver us from death and the devil? 12. How does it give us eternal -salvation? 13. To whom does Baptism give all these blessings? 14. -Baptism is God's hand, by means of which He gives us all His gifts. -Which is our hand with which we receive them? 15. How long should we -remember our baptism? 16. When, especially, should it be our refuge? - -LESSON 50. - -The Lord's Supper. - -What Is The Sacrament Of The Altar? - -_It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread -and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ -Himself._ - -What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? - -_That 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._ - -1. You have often seen how on certain Sundays confirmed members of our -church went up to the altar to receive bread and wine to eat and drink, -while the minister said to them: "Take and eat; this is the true body of -your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Take and drink; this is the true -blood of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." We call this sacred act the -_Lord's Supper,_ or the _Sacrament of the Altar. What does this sacred -act mean?_ - -2. The holy evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and St. Paul the -Apostle write about the Lord's Supper thus: _"Our Lord Jesus Christ," -etc. The Lords Supper was not instituted by men, by the Church, _but by -Christ Himself._ Therefore it is _a sacred act._ The Lord instituted His -Supper _"the same night in which He was betrayed,"_ in the night before -His sufferings and death. After He had given His disciples the bread and -the cup, He added: _"This do in remembrance of Me." The Lord _commanded_ -His disciples that after His ascension _they should do as He had done,_ -that they should take bread and wine, give thanks over them, and eat -and drink in remembrance of Him. _He commanded His Church to celebrate -His Supper to the end of days._ "As often as ye eat this bread and drink -this cup, ye do show the Lord's death _till He come."_ 1 Cor. 11,26. - -3. In the night in which Jesus was betrayed by His disciple Judas, our -Lord _took bread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it into small -pieces, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take and eat. After the -same manner also He took the cup, filled it with wine, gave thanks, and -gave it to His disciples, saying, Take, drink ye all of it._ The Lord -took _bread and wine_ and gave them to His disciples to eat and drink. -We should do likewise in celebrating the Lord's Supper. We should take -bread and wine, eat and drink both in remembrance of the Lord. As in -Baptism the water, so in the Lord's Supper bread and wine are the -external, visible means. The Lord's Supper is the bread and wine -_comprehended in God's command._ - -4. In the Lord's Supper bread and wine are also _connected with God's -word._ While the disciples ate the bread and drank the wine, the Lord -said to them, _"This is my body, which is given for you. This cup is the -New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of -sins."_ These words of Christ we must also have in His Supper, together -with the bread and wine.--In His Supper, under the bread and wine, our -Lord gives us, according to His promise, _His body, which was given for -us,_ which was crucified, _and His true blood, which was shed for us on -the cross for the remission of our sins._ Under and with the bread and -wine we eat and drink the body and the blood of our Lord. We cannot -understand how this is possible, but we _believe_ it because our Lord -has promised it. _"The Word of the Lord is right, and all His works are -done in truth."_ Ps. 33,4. Our Lord is the _almighty God,_ who is able -to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think and can -understand. Eph. 3,20. The Lord's Supper, or the Sacrament of the Altar, -_"is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread -and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ -Himself."_ - -5. _What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?_ Our Catechism -answers: _"That is shown us by these words, 'Given and shed for you for -the remission of sins.'"_ In the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, -and salvation are given us through these words. Our Lord, it is true, -speaks only of remission, or forgiveness, of sins; but _"where there is -forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation."_--In His -Supper my Lord gives me, and I eat, His body, given for me, and He gives -me, and I drink, His blood, shed for the remission of my sins. He gives -me His body and blood, by the giving and shedding of which upon the -cross He purchased and earned and procured for me the forgiveness of my -sins. So the Lord's Supper _strengthens our faith in Christ,_ our -Redeemer. When we believe these words in the Sacrament, we have in it -_forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation._ How we ought to thank our -Lord for making us so certain of our salvation in His Supper! - -REMEMBER:-- - -1. _We have two Sacraments, two sacred acts, wherein our Lord, through -visible, external means, connected with the word of God, offers and -gives us His grace which Christ has merited._ - -2. _Very many of those who call themselves Christians, and who are -Christians, deny that in the Sacrament there is really Christ's true -body and blood, because they cannot understand how this is possible. We -firmly believe the plain and clear words of our true and almighty -Savior._ - -3. _Let us give thanks to the Lord, who has prepared for us such a -wonderful means of grace to strengthen our faith in the forgiveness of -sins, life, and salvation._ - -MEMORIZE: -- - -_The Word of the Lord is right, and all His works are done in truth._ -Ps. 33,4. - -_As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's -death till He come._ 1 Cor. 11,26. - -QUESTIONS. - -1. What do we call the second Sacrament of the Christian Church? 2. Who -instituted this Sacrament? 3. When did Christ institute it? 4. Which -words of Christ show that we also should do as He has done, and -celebrate His Supper? 5. What are the external visible means in this -Sacrament? 6. What word of God is it with which bread and wine are -connected? 7. What does Christ give us to eat and to drink under and -with the bread and wine? 8. Why do we believe this to be true though we -can not understand it? 9. Why do we believe that Christ is able to do -what He has promised in His Supper? 10. Which words of Christ show us -the benefit of such eating and drinking? 11. What is given us, according -to these words, in the Sacrament? 12. How do we prove that also life and -salvation are given us in the Sacrament, although Christ speaks only of -forgiveness of sins? 13. How does the Sacrament make us certain of -forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation? 14. What is a Sacrament? - -LESSON 51. - -Baptism And the Lord's Supper. - -Review Lesson. - -1. We have two Sacraments in our Church. What do we mean by a sacrament? -By whom have the Sacraments been instituted? What has God ordained in -the Sacraments to offer His grace? With what are these visible, external -means connected? What does God offer and give through the external means -connected with His word? What are the two Sacraments called? - -2. Our first Sacrament is Baptism. How does our Catechism answer the -question, "What is Baptism"? What is the external means in Baptism? What -kind of water must we use when we baptize a person? If we have no water, -we cannot baptize. But the water in Baptism is not simple, common water; -what, then, is it?--Baptism is the water comprehended in God's -command. What command did Christ give His disciples before He ascended -into heaven? Matt. 28,19. Who, therefore, has instituted Baptism? Who, -at the present time, ordinarily performs this sacred act? In which case -can and should every Christian do it? Christ has commanded us to -baptize? What does the word baptize mean?--Which is the word of God -connected with the water in Baptism? We are baptized in the name of the -Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, in the name of the Triune -God. God's name is God Himself. We are baptized in God Himself, in the -Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. What does God bestow upon us in Baptism? -God there gives us Himself as our true Father and accepts us as His dear -children. Since the water of Baptism is connected with God's word and -name, it is indeed not common water, but a gracious water of life.-- -Whom are we to baptize according to God's command? What is meant by the -word _nations_? We make a distinction in baptizing adults and children. -When do we baptize adults? We baptize our children in their infancy, -when they are still babies, not able to be instructed in the Word of -God. We instruct them in the doctrines of God's Word after they have -been baptized, when they are able to understand and to learn the Word of -God. What kind of schools do we Christians therefore establish? Which -word of Christ induces us to baptize our little children? Mark 10,14. -To whom are our children brought in Baptism? What does the Holy Ghost -kindle in them by Baptism? In Holy Baptism our children become God's -children. Christ takes them up in His arms and blesses them. - -3. Baptism is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with -God's word. Baptism is indeed a great and wonderful institution. Why? -What three great blessings of Baptism are mentioned in our Catechism? -Where has Christ promised these three blessings? Mark 16,16. Christ here -only says that he that believeth and is baptized _shall be saved._ He -mentions only salvation; how, then, can we prove that Baptism also works -forgiveness of sins and delivers from death and the devil?--Baptism -works forgiveness of sins. Christ by His innocent sufferings and death -has earned us this great gift, and yet we say that baptism works -forgiveness of sins. What do we mean to say by this? By what means does -the Holy Ghost make forgiveness of sins our own? What does the Apostle -write Gal. 3,26.27? Whom do we put on in Baptism? What does this mean? -By Baptism all the merits of Christ are imputed to us, His spotless -righteousness is made our own. The second great blessing of Baptism is -this, that it delivers us from death and from the devil. How did death -come into this world? If Baptism works forgiveness of sins, from what -must it deliver us? Baptism delivers us from the devil. How does Baptism -deliver us from the devil? How does it give us salvation? To whom does -Baptism give all these great things? What does our Lord say Mark 16,16? -It is true, Baptism offers all these heavenly gifts to us, whether we -believe or not. But we must take and receive them by faith. As God -offers all these things in Baptism, with what may we compare Holy -Baptism as far as God is concerned? What is the hand with which we take -all God's blessings which are offered in Baptism? We should remember our -baptism during our whole life. When especially should we think of it? -How long will God keep His promises? - -4. Our second Sacrament is the Lord's Supper. What is it also called? By -whom was it instituted? What does our Lord mean to say when He adds: -"This do in remembrance of Me"? Christ wants His Sacrament to be -celebrated in His Church till He again comes visibly on the Last Day.-- -What are the visible means in this Sacrament? What are we to do with the -bread and wine? In the Lord's Supper as in baptism the visible means, -bread and wine, are comprehended in God's command.--What is the word -of God connected with the bread and wine? What does Christ give us in -the Sacrament under bread and wine? We, indeed, cannot understand this, -cannot see how it is possible. Why do we nevertheless believe it to be -true? Can Christ fulfil what He has promised us? Why? In which of His -words of institution is the benefit of such eating and drinking shown? -What is given us in the Sacrament through these words? We are given -forgiveness of sins; what must be there also, where there is forgiveness -of sins? What is especially strengthened in us when we partake of the -Lord's Supper? - -Lord, grant that we e'er pure retain -The catechismal doctrine plain -As Luther taught the heavenly truth -In simple words to tender youth. - -That we Thy holy Law may know -And mourn our sin and all its woe, -And yet believe in Father, Son, -And Holy Spirit, Three in One. - -That we on Thee, our Father, call, -Who canst and wilt give help to all; -That as Thy children we may live, -Whom Thou in Baptism didst receive. - -That, if we fall, we rise again, -Repentingly confess our sin, -And take the Sacrament in faith;-- -Amen. 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