Luther's Small Catechism Part 17

He protects His kingdom from its enemies, prays for us, and sends us His Holy Spirit.

_195. Is Christ no longer present on earth?_

Yes; He is present in a real, though invisible, manner.

=Matt. 28:20. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.=

_196. When will He again come to earth in a visible manner?_

On the last day, when He comes to judge the quick and the dead.

=Luke 21:27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.=

=2 Cor. 5:10. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.=

_197. By what rule will Christ judge us?_

He will judge us by His Word.

=John 12:48. The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.=

_198. Is it sufficient that you know all these things about Christ and hold them to be true?_

No; the Holy Spirit must teach me to know Christ in a true and living faith.

THE THIRD ARTICLE.

CONCERNING SANCTIFICATION.

=I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.=

_That is_,

I believe that I cannot through my own strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit alone, who has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith;

Even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and preserves it in fellowship with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

In this Christian church He daily forgives me and all believers all our sins, and He will raise up me and all the dead on the last day, and will give me and all believers everlasting life.

All this is certainly true.

_199. What do you mean when you say, "I believe in the Holy Ghost"?_

I trust with all my heart in the Holy Ghost as my guide and my sanctifier, who gives me strength to believe in Jesus and to live according to His will.

=1 Cor. 12:3. No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.=

_200. Who is the Holy Ghost?_

The Holy Ghost is true G.o.d together with the Father and the Son.

=1 Cor. 2:10. The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of G.o.d.=

=1 Cor. 3:16. Know ye not that ye are the temple of G.o.d, and that the Spirit of G.o.d dwelleth in you.=

_201. What is the work of the Holy Spirit?_

To call, enlighten, sanctify, and preserve.

_202. How does the Holy Spirit call us?_

The Holy Spirit calls us by awakening in our hearts a deep sense of sin, and by inviting us to accept the grace of G.o.d in Christ.

=Eph. 5:14. Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.=

_203. By what means does the Holy Spirit call us?_

By the Word of G.o.d; using the law to awaken our hearts, and the gospel to invite us to Christ.

=Rom. 3:20. By the law is the knowledge of sin.=

=2 Thess. 2:14. He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.=

=Matt. 22:1-14.=

_204. What means does G.o.d use to make us heed the call of the Holy Spirit?_

To this end He often uses suffering, often blessings, often the example of others, and such other means as may lead us to reflect.

_205. Do all obey the call of the Holy Spirit?_

No; many resist the Holy Spirit, and will not repent and come to Christ.

=Acts 7:51. Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost.=

=Isa. 65:2. I have spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people.=

_206. When does a person harden his heart?_

A person hardens his heart when he persistently despises and opposes the voice of the Holy Spirit in his conscience.

_207. Who obey the call of the Holy Spirit?_

They who repent their sins and believe the Gospel.

=Mark. 1:15. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of G.o.d is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.=

_208. What is it to repent?_