Luther's Small Catechism Part 20

_240. What is the state of the church on earth?_

The church of G.o.d on earth is militant.

_241. Who are the enemies of the church?_

The enemies of the church are the devil, the world, and our own flesh.

Its last enemy is death.

_242. What will be the state of the church in heaven?_

It will be triumphant, because all its enemies are conquered.

=Rev. 7:9, 10. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great mult.i.tude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;=

=And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our G.o.d which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.=

_243. Is the holy Christian church found in this place?_

Yes; in the congregation, which in the Scriptures is called "the body of Jesus Christ", and "the house of G.o.d."

=Eph. 1:22, 23. 1 Tim. 3:15.=

_244. Are all the members of the organized body, called a congregation, true Christians?_

No; in this organized body both hypocrites and true Christians are found.

=Matt. 13:24-30; 47-50.=

_245. Who are hypocrites?_

Hypocrites are they who indeed make outward confession of Christ, but who inwardly and in their conduct deny Him.

=2 Tim. 3:5. Having a form of G.o.dliness, but denying the power thereof.=

_246. Should not the congregation remove these hypocrites from its midst?_

Yes; the congregation should expel the openly unG.o.dly and unbelieving; but it cannot judge concerning the secret thoughts of the heart.

=1 Cor. 5:13. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.=

=Matt. 18:15-17.=

_247. Who, then, are true Christians and the real members of the congregation?_

They who believe in Christ with all their heart, and confess Him both in word and deed.

=Rom. 10:10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.=

_248. What is the intimate fellows.h.i.+p called in which all true Christians live with one another?_

The Communion of Saints.

=Eph. 4:4-6. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;=

=One Lord, one faith, one baptism,=

=One G.o.d and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.=

_249. What precious gift does the Holy Spirit bestow upon us in this Christian church?_

In this Christian church He daily forgives me and all believers all our sins.

_250. But does a sanctified person need the forgiveness of sins every day?_

Yes; because sanctification is never perfected in this life, and sin cleaves to a Christian as long as he is in the world.

_251. Whom has G.o.d given power to declare the forgiveness of sins?_

The congregation, through its ministers. [Absolution.]

=Matt. 18:18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.=

_252. What is required that a Christian may receive the forgiveness of sins every day?_

That he repents every day, or that he daily feels his sins with deep shame and sorrow, confesses his sins to G.o.d, and earnestly seeks the grace of G.o.d in Christ.

_253. To whom should a repentant Christian confess his sins?_

First of all to G.o.d; then, if he feels the need of it, to his pastor; finally to his neighbor, if he feels that he has wronged him in any way.

=Jas. 5:16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.=

=1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.=

_254. What does the daily forgiveness of sins work in the Christian?_

The daily renewal, or that he day by day becomes more and more thankful to G.o.d, and increases in child-like obedience and faithfulness.

_255. What becomes of the soul of the believer when he dies?_

His soul goes home to G.o.d, where it rests from all strife and sorrow, in blessed fellows.h.i.+p with Him, until the resurrection of the body.

=Luke 23:43. Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.=

=Rev. 14:13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.=

_256. What is the resurrection of the body?_