Luther's Small Catechism Part 3

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.

_What is Baptism?_

Baptism is not water alone, but it is water comprehended in G.o.d's command, and united with His Word.

_What is G.o.d's command concerning Baptism?_

It is given in the words of Christ in the last chapter of Matthew:

="Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."=

_What benefit do we have from Baptism?_

Baptism works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting life to all who believe what the Word and promises of G.o.d declare.

_What is G.o.d's promise concerning Baptism?_

It is given in the words of Christ in the sixteenth chapter of Mark:

="He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned."=

_How can water do such great things?_

It is not water indeed that does it, but the Word of G.o.d, which is in and with the water, and faith which trusts this Word of G.o.d in the water.

For without the Word of G.o.d, the water is water alone, and no Baptism.

But with the Word of G.o.d it is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a was.h.i.+ng of regeneration in the Holy Ghost; as Paul says in the third chapter of the epistle to t.i.tus:

"According to His mercy He saved us, by the was.h.i.+ng of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

_What does the baptizing with water signify?_

It signifies that the old man in us should, by daily sorrow and repentance, be drowned and die, with all sins and evil desires; and again a new man daily appear more and more, who shall live before G.o.d in righteousness and purity forever.

PART FIVE.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

_What is the Lord's Supper?_

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under bread and wine, inst.i.tuted by Christ Himself for Christians to eat and to drink.

_Repeat the Words of Inst.i.tution._

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

="After the same manner, also, when He had supped, He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."=

_What benefit do we have from the Lord's Supper?_

It is shown by these words: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins;" namely, that in the sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

_How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?_

It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does it, but the words which stand here: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins."

These words, together with the bodily eating and drinking, are the chief thing in the sacrament; and He that believes these words, has what they say and mean, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

_Who, then, receive this sacrament worthily?_

Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a good outward practise;

But he alone is truly worthy and well prepared, who believes these words: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins."

But he who believes not these words is unworthy and unprepared. The words, "=for you=" require truly believing hearts.

INTRODUCTION.

_1. What is G.o.d's will concerning man?_

G.o.d willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:4.

_2. Where does G.o.d show us how we may be saved?_

In the holy Scriptures, also called the Bible.

_3. Who wrote the Bible?_

The holy prophets, evangelists, and apostles wrote the Bible.

_4. But how can their word be the Word of G.o.d?_

The Spirit of G.o.d revealed to them what to speak and write.

=2 Pet. 1:21. [R. V.] Men spoke from G.o.d, being moved by the Holy Ghost.=

=2 Tim. 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of G.o.d, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.=

_5. What must we do to experience personally that their word is the Word of G.o.d?_