Dr. Martin Luther's small catechism explained in questions and answers

Front matter

“zasAi

DR. MARIE LUTHER’S

EXPLAINED m QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Preface

H

in the title, and from the more extended Catechism of Conrad Dietrich. In the selection of biblical proof texts also the example of old orthodox Catechisms was kept in view ; only here and there it was deemed necessary, by words enclosed in parenthesis, to give an indication as to the parts of the answer to which the passages quoted were designed to apply ; in most cases, however, the difference in the matter to which the passages refer, is indicated by a larger space between the texts, or by commencing a new class of proof texts in a new line. To save room, the passages are not printed repeatedly, but, with but few exceptions, when they occur more than once the question is referred to under which they are printed.

As this Explanation of the Chatechism is designed for the lower as well as the higher classes of elementary schools, and for the instruction of catechumens preparatory to confirmation, at the same time that its purpose is to promote knowledge unto salvation in young people already confirmed and in grown persons, questions have been introduced which the teacher should take up only with more advanced pupils ; some of them, indeed, he should leave entirely to those of maturer years.

PREFACE.

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These have been marked with a star (*). The same holds good also respecting the proof texts. Only those which are printed in full should, so far as possible, be memorized by all the pupils, while those which are mer®y cited should be turned to only by those who are especially gifted, and learned rather as to their contents than as to their precise wording.

As regards the appendices, the first is designed only for the higher classes, the second only for catechumens and adults.

It is perhaps superfluous to remind the teacher that, before using this Catechism as the basis of his instruction, he should have thoroughly studied it in all its parts*

To the blessing of Him, ‘Vho will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,’’ (1 Tim. 2, 4.) this little book is commended. Amen. #

*

m

ENCHIRIDION,

THE

SMALL CATECHISM,

FOR

COMMON PASTORS AND PREACHERS,

BY

Dr. MARTIN LUTHER.

PEEFAOE.

Dr. martin LUTHER

TO ALL FAITHFUL AlsD PIOUS PASTORS AND MINIS- TERS, GRACE, MERCY, AND PEACE, IN JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD !

The deplorable moral wretchedness which I recently witnessed, when I visited your parishes, has impelled me to publish this Catechism, drawn up in a very simple and brief form. Eternal God 1 what distress did I behold ! — The people, especially those who live in the villages, know scarcely anything of the Christian doctrine, and even the ministers are without skill and ability to teach. And yet all are called Christians, and enjoy the sacraments, while they are totally ignorant of the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Decalogue, live like die brutes, which are without reason, and still, n||w that the Gospel is widely disseminated, have learned bravely to abuse all liberty.

0 ye bishops, what apology will ye make to Christ that ye have thus shamefully permitted men to go astray ? — Yours is the fault, who haYe never done one thing in your office to avert the great evil. Ye command communion in one kind and insist upon your human ordinances, but are

■ • (2)

PHEFACE, unconcerned tlie while whether the people know the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed, the Ten Commandments, or a single text of God’s Word. Woe to you eternally !

In the name of God, then, I beg and entreat you all, pastors and ministers, to discharge your duty seriously, to look after the people whom Heaven has commended to your care, and to assist us in inculcating this Catechism upon the people, and especially upon the young. Those who cannot do any better may use this form and set it, word for word, before their hearers, in the manner fbllowing :

First of all, the ministers will be careful not to set forth the text of the Decalogue, or of the Lord’s Prayer, or of the Apostle’s Creed, or of the Sacraments, &c., sometimes in one way, and then in another, but to use continually, one year after the other, the same form in setting them before the people. I give this advice because I know that the young and the uneducated cannot be successfully instructed, unless the same forms of expression be frequently pronounced and repeated. If you deliver your instructions now in one manner, and then in another, as if you would improve them, untutored minds will easily become confused, and all the labor which you have expended in teaching them may be lost.

The holy fathers well understood this, as they desired the form of the Commandments, of the Creed, and of the Lord’s Prayer, to be always the same. It becomes us to imitate their prudent example ; and we must endeavor to deliver those instructions to the young and uneducated without^ even changing a syllable, teaching the same form year after year. IVhatsoever mode, then, of teach-

PEEFACE.

iiig tlie Catechism you may adopt, retain it uniformly, and never depart from it. When you preach the Gospel in an assembly of learned men, you may exhibit your learning, and vary your forms of expression as much as you please ; but among the uneducated you must continually use the same forms, teaching first of all the Decalogue, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer, word for word, according to the text, so that they may repeat the words after you and commit them to memory.

Should there be any who refuse to learn these things, let them be advised that they are denying Christ and are no Christians. They must not be admitted to the Sacrament of the Altar, nor to the privilege of being sponsors at the baptism of infants ; and if they wish to exercise Christian liberty, it must not be granted them, but let them rather be given over to the Pope and his officials^ even to Satan himself. Pa.rents and heads of families should refuse food to such people, and indicate to them that the ruler should expel such rude persons from the country.

For although no one can or ought to be forced to believe, yet the people ought to be brought to a knowledge of what is right and wrong with those among whom they live and procure their subsistence. For each one, whether he truly believes, or is at heart a knave, should understand and observe the laws of the community, whose privileges he would enjoy.

In the second place, — when the uneducated have learned to repeat the words of the Catechism, an explanation must be given, in order that they may also understand it. To this end either employ the forms which you see here prescribed, or any other. But, as the text should always be giv-

PREFACE.

en to tlie people in the same words, as I have already advised, so the explanation should always be in the same form, without changing even a single syllable. For this i)urpose sufficient time should be taken ; for it is not necessary that the whole be delivered at once, but let a certain system be pursued, and one part follow the other in proper order. When the people have learned accurately what the first commandment requires, you may then pass on to the second. In this manner let the whole be learned in regular succession ; for otherwise the mind, being burdened and confused with too great an abundance, can retain nothing at all.

In the third place, — when you have finished this short explanation of the Catechism, take up the Larger Catechism, in order that your hearers may understand the whole more completely. Here you will illustrate the several Commandments, the distinct parts of the Creed and of tlie Lord’s Prayer ; you will enumerate the difierent duties which they enjoin, the various results and advantages which arise from them, and likewise the dangers and the losses which we incur, if we fail to discharge them. These points jou will find amply unfolded every where in the writings of pious men. You will most earnestly enforce those portions Avhich you perceive are more necessary among the people of your parish. To give an example of this, — you will press i:he seventh commandment most especially upon merchants and mechanics, and also upon farmers and servants, for they often act unfaithfully and in various ways commit dis^ honest deeds. So it is proper to urge the fourth commandment especially upon the young and the un instructed, that they may be quiet, faitldhl, and

FKEFACE, lovers of peace. These instructions must also be illustrated by examples from sacred history, — showing how God brought severe punishment upon the violators of this commandment, or blessed those who observed it. In this place you should especially treat of magistrates and parents, urging them to perform their public duties with great diligence, and to send their children to school, and showing them how great is the sin of neglecting this. What else indeed are they doing by such neglect but rejecting at the same time divine and human government, as the most implacable enemies both of God and of men ! And here you should set forth what great injury they are doing Avho will not assist in training children as pastors^ ministers, clerks, &c., and what severe punishment God will inflict upon them. This subject merits special attention f for it can not be told how much, in the present age, magistrates and parents have offended in this respect. Satan designs thus to bring sore calamities upon us.

Lasthf, — since the tyranny of the Pope has been set aside, there are many every where who never approach the Sacrament, but evidently despise it. These also must be persuaded and urged, remembering, however, that no one must be forced to believe or to take the Sacrament. Those act very injudiciously who prescribe rules, certain times, and certain places for such purposes. Those however, who are engaged in the administration of the Word, ought to teach them that without our rules, influenced by their own choice, they should, come as hearers to us, and as it were compel us, the ministers of the Word, to administer the Sacrament to them. This is effected by teaching them that it is to be feared they despise the

PREFACE.

Sacrament and are not Christians, if they do not commune at the Lord’s table at least four times a year: just as those who do not believe, or who will not hear the Gospel, are not reckoned in the number of Christians. For when Christ instituted the Sacrament, He did not say : ^^omit this or despise this,” — but, ‘‘This do as often as ye drink it,” &c. He certainly wishes us to do so, and not entirely to neglect or despise it ; for He says : “This do.”

If any one despises the Sacrament, it is a certain evidence that in his estimation there is neither sin nor flesh, nor Satan, nor world, nor death, nbr danger, nor hell; that is, he has no belief whatever in any of them, although he is overwhelmed by them, and bound completely captive in the kingdom of Satan ; on the other hand, he has no need of grace, nor life, nor of Paradise, nor of heaven, nor of Christ, nor of God, nor of any thing else that is good. For if he could believe that he has so much evil and needs so much good, doubtless he would not despise the Sacrament, in which a remedy against all sins, and a rich abundance of all good things are extended to us. Such a man would require no law to compel him to receive the Sacrament ; — he would come of his own accord, driven by the weight of his sins, and rather compel you to administer the Sacrament to him.

^ Therefore you must not make laws of compulsion, as the Pope does. But strive in your discourse to portray the utility and the injury, the necessity and the benefits, the dangers and advantages in regard to this Sacrament; then they will hasten to you voluntarily, and will need no compulsion. And if some are not influenced by these

PREFACE.

means, permit them to live in their own way,— only say this to them, that those who cannot be moved, either by necessity, or by the kindness and grace of God, which He exhibits to them in the Sacrament, may remain unmolested in the kingdom of Satan. Those indeed, wdio do not stir their hearers in this way, but would prefer to force them by legal constraint, actually furnish them a pretext for despising the Sacrament. For when the ministers of the word are so careless, it is no wonder if the hearers also become more negligent. Pastors and ministers should, therefore, consider this seriously, that their office is far different from wdiat it was under the papacy: it has become earnest and salutary. Therefore it is now difficult and laborious. And though very distressing dangers and temptations must be encountered in the ministry, yet there is little reward or gratitude for it in this world. But Christ Himself will be our reward, if we only labor with honest fidelity in His vineyard. To this end may the Father of all grace help us, to whom be all praise and glory forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

AS THEY ARE TO BE TAUGHT IN ALE SIMPLICITY BY A FATHER TO HIS FAMILY.

FIRST COMMANDMENT.

Thou shalt have no othei' gods before me.

Answer. We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

SECOND COMMANDMENT.

Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

What is meant by this Commandment t

Ansiver. We should so fear and love God as not curse, swear, conjure, lie, or deceive, by His name, but call upon Him in every time of need, and worship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

THIRD COMMANDMENT.

Itemember the Sabbath day^ to keep it holy.

What is meant by this Commandment f Answer. We should so fear and love God as not to despise His word and the preaching of the Gospel, but deem it holy, and willingly hear and learn it.

THE TEX COMxMAXDMEXTS.

FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

Honor thy father and thy mother^ that it may he well with thee^ and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Wliq,t is meant by this Commandment f

Answer. We should so fear and love God as not to despise nor displease our parents and superiors, but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.

FIFTH COMMANDMENT.

Thou shalt not kill.

What is meant by this Commandment f Ansiver. We should so fear and love God as not to do our neighbor any bodily harm or injury, but rather assist and comfort him in danger and want. ^

SIXTH COMMANDMENT.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Ansiver. We should so fear and love God as to be chaste and pure in our words and deeds, each one also loving and honoring his wife or husband.

SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

Thou shalt not steal.

Answer. We should so fear and love God as not to rob our neighbor of his money or property, nor bring it into our possession by unfair dealing or fraudulent means, but rather assist him to improve and protect it.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.

Thou shalt not bear false ivitness against thy neighbor.

Wlmt is meant by this Commandment f

Answer. We should so fear and love God as not deceitfully to belie, betray, slander, nor raise injurious reports against our neighbor, but apologize for him, speak well of him, and put the most charitable construction on all his actions.

NINTH COMMANDMENT.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

Anstver. We should so fear and love God as not to desire by craftiness to gain possession of our neighbor’s inheritance or home, or to obtain it under the pretext of a legal right, but be ready to assist and serve him in the preservation of his OAvn.

TENTH COMMANDMENT. ‘

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife., nor his man-servant^ nor his maidservant., nor his ox., nor his ass., nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

What is meant by this Commandment ?

Answer. We should so fear and love God as not to alienate our neighbor’s wife from him, entice away his servants, nor let loose his cattle, but use our endeavors that they may remain and discharge their duty to him.

THE CREED.

What does God declare concerning all these Commandments f

Answer. He says: 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 shoiving niercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

What is meant hy this dedamtion ?

Answer. God threatens to punish all those who transgress these commandments. We should, therefore, dread His displeasure, and not act contrary to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep them. We should, therefore, love and trust in Him, and cheerfully do what He has commanded us.

THE CREED.

AS IT IS TO BE TAUGHT IN AEE SIMPLICITY BY A FATHER TO HIS FAMILY.

FIRST ARTICLE. OF CREATION.

I believe in God the Father Almighty ^ Maker of heaven and earth.

What is meant hy this article f ^

Answer. I believe that God h^ created me and all that exists ; that He has given and still preserves to me my body and soul with all my limbs and senses, my reason and all the faculties of my mind, together with my riiiment, food, home, and

THE CREED.

family, and all my property ; that He daily provides me abundantly with all the necessaries of life, protects me from all danger, and preserves me and guards me against all evil; all which He does out of pure, paternal, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me ; for all which I am in duty bound to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

SECOND ARTICLE. OF REDEMPTION.

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

What is meant by this Article f

Answer, I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, secured and delivered me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, bfit with His hol}^ and precious blood, and with His innocent sufferings and death; in order that I might be His, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness ; even as He is risen from the dead, and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

THIRD ARTICLE. OF SANCTIFICATION.

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

What is meant by this Article f

Ansiver. I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him ; but the Holy Ghost has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me by His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith ; in like manner as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the true faith ; in which Christian Church He daily forgives abundantly all my sins, and the sins of all believers, and will raise up me and all the dead at the last day, and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true.

THE LORD’S PRAYER,

AS IT IS TO BE TAUGHT IN ALL SIMPLICITY BY A FATHER TO HIS FAMILY.

Introduction

Our Father Who art in heaven.

What is meant by this Introduction f Answer. God would thereby affectionately encourage us to believe that He is truly our Father,

THE LOKH’s PKAYER.

and that we are His children indeed, so that we may call upon Him with all cheerfulness and confidence, even as beloved children entreat their affectionate parent.

FIRST PETITION.

Hallowed he Thy name.

What is meant by this Petition?

Anmver, The name of God is indeed holy in itself ; but we pray in this petition that it may be hallowed also by us.

JPow is this effected f

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

SECOND PETITION.

Thy kingdom come.

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

When is this effected?

Answer, When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit,- so that by His grace we believe His holy word, and live a godly life here on earth, and in heaven forever.

THIRD PETITION.

Thy tvill he done on eamtli^ as it is in heaven.

THE LOllDT^ TRAYER.

W hat is meant by this Petition ?

Answer, The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our pra3^er ; but we pray in this petition that -it may be done by us also.

W hen is this effected f

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

FOURTH PETITION.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Ansiver. God gives indeed without our prayer even to the wicked also their daily bread ; but we pray in this petition that He would make us sensible of His benefits, and enable us to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is implied in the ivords: ^^our daily bread

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

FIFTH PETITION.

And forgive us our trespasses^ as we forgive those ivho trespass against us.

W hat is ineaiii by this Feiitim f

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

SIXTH PETITION.

And lead m 7iot into temptation,

j

What is meojit by this Fdition f

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

SEVENTH PETITION.

But deliver us from evil.

What is meant by this Petition?

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

THE SACRAMENT OF HOEY BAPTISM,

Conclusion

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

What is meant by the word

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

THE SACRAMENT HOLY BAPTISM.

AS IT IS TO BE TAUGHT IN AEL SIMPEICTTY BY A FATHER TO HIS FAMIEY.

What is Baptism f

Ansiver, Baptism is not simple water, but it is the water comprehended in God’s command, and connected with God’s word.

What is that word of Godf

Ansiver, It is that which our Lord Jesus Christ spake, 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.”

What gifts or benefits does Baptism cmfer f

Answer, It worketh forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and confers everlasting salvation on all who believe, as the Avord and promise of God declare.

THE SACHAIviENT OF IlOIrY BAPTISM.

W hat arc such 7Vords and promises of God f •

Answer, Those which our Lord Jesus Christ spake, as they are recorded in the last chapter of Mark, verse 16 : ^*He that belie veth aiid is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that believeth not, shall be damned.’^

How can water produce such great effects f

Amiver, It is not the water indeed that produces these effects, but the word of God which accompanies and is connected with the water, and our faith, Avhich relies on the word of God connected with the water. For the water, without the word of God, is simply water and no baptism. But when connected with the word of God, it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a ^Svashing of regeneration” in the Holy Ghost; as St. Paul says to Titus, in the third chapter, verse 5-8 : ‘L^ccording 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 live. This is a faithful saying.”

What does such baptizing with water signify?

Answer, It signifies that the old Adam in us is to be drowned and destroyed by daily sorrow and repentance, together with all sins and evil lusts ; and that again the new man should daily come forth and rise, that shall live in the presence of God in righteousness and purity forever.

W here is it so written ?

Ansiver, St. Paul, in the Epistle to the Romans, chapter 6, verse 4, vsays: ‘ AY e are buried

THE OFEtCE OF THE KEYS.

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.’’

THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS.

AS IT IS TO BE TAUGHT IN ALL SIMPLICITY BY A FATHER TO HIS FAMILY.

. What is the office of the keys ?

The office of the keys is the peculiar power which Christ has given to His Church on earth, to forgive the sins of penitent sinners, but to retain the sins of the impenitent so long as they do not repent.

W here is it so written f

The holy Evangelist John, in the 20. chapter, writes -thus :

The Lord Jesus breathed on the disciples, and said unto them. Receive ye the Holy Ghost : Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.

What do you believe in virtue of these tvords f

I believe what the called ministers of Christ transact with us by His divine command, particularly wdien they exclude open and impenitent sinners from the Christian congregation, and absolve those who repent of their sins and are willing to amend their lives : I believe that this is just as efficacious and just as certain in heaven also, as if our Lord Jesus Christ had done it in His own person.

THE CONFESSION.

HOW THE INEXPERIENCED ARE TO BE TAUGHT CON- FESSION.