An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism Part 3

_What is meant by this Pet.i.tion?_

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

CONCLUSION.

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

_What is meant by the word "Amen"?_

_Ans._ That I should be a.s.sured that such pet.i.tions are acceptable to our Heavenly Father, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this manner, and has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen, that is, Yea, yea, it shall be so.

PART IV.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM.

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

I. _What is Baptism?_

_Ans._ Baptism is not simply water, but it is the water comprehended in G.o.d's command, and connected with G.o.d's Word.

_What is that Word of G.o.d?_

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

II. _What gifts or benefits does Baptism confer?_

_Ans._ It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and confers everlasting salvation on all who believe, as the Word and promise of G.o.d declare.

_What are such words and promises of G.o.d?_

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

III. _How can water produce such great effects?_

_Ans._ It is not the water indeed that produces these effects, but the Word of G.o.d which accompanies and is connected with the water, and our faith, which relies on the Word of G.o.d connected with the water. For the water, without the Word of G.o.d, is simply water and no baptism. But when connected with the Word of G.o.d, it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life, and a "washing of regeneration" in the Holy Ghost; as St.

Paul says to t.i.tus, in the third chapter, verses 5-8: "According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying."

IV. _What does such baptizing with water signify?_

_Ans._ It signifies that the old Adam in us is to be drowned, and destroyed by daily sorrow and repentance, together with all sins and evil l.u.s.ts; and that again, the new man should daily come forth and rise, that shall live in the presence of G.o.d in righteousness and purity forever.

_Where is it so written?_

_Ans._ St. Paul, in the Epistle to the Romans, chapter 6, verse 4, says: "We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death; that like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

OF CONFESSION.

_What is Confession?_

_Ans._ Confession consists of two parts: the one is, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution or forgiveness through the pastor as of G.o.d himself, in no wise doubting, but firmly believing that our sins are thus forgiven before G.o.d in heaven.

_What sins ought we to confess?_

_Ans._ In the presence of G.o.d we should acknowledge ourselves guilty of all manner of sins, even of those which we do not ourselves perceive; as we do in the Lord's Prayer. But in the presence of the pastor we should confess those sins alone of which we have knowledge, and which we feel in our hearts.

_Which are these?_

_Ans._ Here reflect on your condition, according to the Ten Commandments, namely: Whether you are a father or mother, a son or daughter, a master or mistress, a manservant or maidservant--whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful, slothful--whether you have injured any one by words or actions-whether you have stolen, neglected, or wasted aught, or done other evil.

PART V.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR,

OR, THE LORD'S SUPPER.

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

_What is the Sacrament of the Altar?_

_Ans._ It is the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, given unto us Christians to eat and to drink, as it was inst.i.tuted by Christ Himself.

_Where is it so written?_

_Ans._ The Holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, together with St.

Paul, write thus:

"Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: this do, in remembrance of Me.

"After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: this cup is the new testament in my Blood, which is shed for you, for the remission of sins: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me."

_What benefits are derived from such eating and drinking?_

_Ans._ They are pointed out in these words; "given and shed for you, for the remission of sins." Namely, through these words, the remission of sins, life and salvation are granted unto us in the Sacrament. For where there is remission of sins, there are also life and salvation.

_How can the bodily eating and drinking produce such great effects?_