Luther's Small Catechism Part 19

=John 1:12, 13. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of G.o.d, even to them that believe on his name:=

=Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of G.o.d.=

_224. What change is wrought in us in the New Birth?_

We get a new heart or a new spiritual life; namely,

In the understanding, a new spiritual light; In the conscience, real peace and joy; In the will, a holy desire and a steadfast purpose.

=Ezek. 36:26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.=

=Eph. 4:24. Put on the new man, which after G.o.d is created in righteousness and true holiness.=

=Gal. 5:22. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.=

_225. In what does this new life really consist?_

In consists in love to G.o.d who first loved us.

_226. By what means is the New Birth accomplished?_

In little children it is accomplished by water and the Spirit in baptism; but in those who have fallen from the grace of their baptism, also by the Word of G.o.d.

=John 3:5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of G.o.d.=

=1 Peter 1:23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of G.o.d, which liveth and abideth forever.=

_227. Is the New Birth necessary to our salvation?_

Yes, indeed; except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of G.o.d. John 3: 3. [R. V.]

=John 3:6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.=

_228. What does the Holy Spirit further work in the believer?_

He sanctifies and preserves him.

_229. What is Sanctification?_

Sanctification is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He day by day renews the believer more and more after the image of G.o.d.

_230. How is the daily renewal accomplished?_

The old man, or sin, is put away more and more, and the new man, or the new spiritual life, appears more and more in all our conduct.

=Eph. 4:22-24. [R. V.] Put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the l.u.s.ts of deceit;=

=And be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind,=

=And put on the new man, which after G.o.d hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.=

_231. How does this new conduct appear in the daily life of a Christian?_

A Christian denies himself, strives against the devil, the world, and his own flesh; he grows in love toward G.o.d and man, and seeks to do the will of G.o.d in all things.

=Matt. 16:24. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.=

=1 Cor. 16:13. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.=

=1 Tim. 6:12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.=

_232. Is the believer, then, justified and saved by his own good works?_

No; our best works avail nothing to this end: we must build our hope of salvation on Christ alone and His righteousness.

=Luk. 17:10. When ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.=

_233. What is the work of Preservation done by the Holy Spirit?_

Preservation is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He keeps us, through all temptations, in the true and living faith in Jesus, until the end.

=Phil. 1:6. [R. V.] He which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.=

_234. By what means does the Holy Spirit sanctify and preserve the believer?_

By the Word of G.o.d and the Lord's Supper.

_235. How does the Holy Spirit preserve the believer?_

He teaches and guides, corrects and comforts him.

_236. What are they called whom the Holy Spirit thus sanctifies and preserves in faith?_

They are called the children of G.o.d; the Elect of G.o.d; Holy and Beloved; Members of the Body of Christ. In a body they make up the holy Christian church.

_237. What is the holy Christian church?_

The holy Christian Church is the congregation of saints or true believers, where the Word of G.o.d is preached and the sacraments are administered according to the ordinance of G.o.d.

_238. Why is the church called holy?_

The church is called holy because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who performs His sanctifying work in all its members. For this reason the church is called holy, in spite of its sins and shortcomings.

=1 Peter 2:9. Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.=

_239. Why is the church called universal?_

The church is called universal because its object is to gather all nations, and because it includes all true believers of all times and all places.