Martin Luther - Luthers Small Catechism, with Explanation

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Small Catechism of Martin Lutherby Martin Luther, translated by Robert E. Smith.

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and withalmost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away orre-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License includedwith this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org

Title: The Small Catechism of Martin Luther

Author: Martin Luther

Translator: Robert E. Smith

Release Date: March 1999 [EBook #1670][Most recently updated December 31, 2004]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SMALL CATECHISM ***

Luther's Little Instruction Book:
The Small Catechism of Martin Luther

Translation by Robert E. Smith From the German text, printed in:
Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church.
St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, pp. 538-559.

Note: This version of the Small Catechism is under continuousrevision. Please check your source for this file from time to time toobtain updated versions of this text.

Fort Wayne, Indiana: Project Wittenberg, 2004

I. The Ten Commandments
The Simple Way a Father Should Present Them to His Household

The First Commandment

You must not have other gods. (Exodus 20:3)

What does this mean?

We must fear, love, and trust God more than anything else.

The Second Commandment

You must not misuse your God's name. (Exodus 20:7)

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that we will not use His name to curse,swear, cast a spell, lie or deceive, but will use it to call upon Him,pray to Him, praise Him and thank Him in all times of trouble.

The Third Commandment

You must keep the Sabbath holy. (Exodus 20:8)

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that we will not look down on preachingor God's Word, but consider it holy, listen to it willingly, and learnit.

The Fourth Commandment

You must honor your father and mother. [So that things will go well foryou and you will live long on earth]. (Exodus 20:12)

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that we will neither look down on ourparents or superiors nor irritate them, but will honor them, servethem, obey them, love them and value them.

The Fifth Commandment

You must not kill. (Exodus 20:13)

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that we will neither harm nor hurt ourneighbor's body, but help him and care for him when he is ill.

The Sixth Commandment

You must not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that our words and actions will be cleanand decent and so that everyone will love and honor their spouses.

The Seventh Commandment

You must not steal. (Exodus 20:15)

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that we will neither take our neighbor'smoney or property, nor acquire it by fraud or by selling him poorlymade products, but will help him improve and protect his property andcareer.

The Eighth Commandment

You must not tell lies about your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16 )

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that we will not deceive by lying,betraying, slandering or ruining our neighbor's reputation, but willdefend him, say good things about him, and see the best side ofeverything he does.

The Ninth Commandment

You must not desire your neighbor's house. (Exodus 20:17)

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that we will not attempt to trick ourneighbor out of his inheritance or house, take it by pretending to havea right to it, etc. but help him to keep & improve it.

The Tenth Commandment

You must not desire your neighbor's wife, servant, maid, animals oranything that belongs to him. (Exodus 20:17)

What does this mean?

We must fear and love God, so that we will not release our neighbor'scattle, take his employees from him or seduce his wife, but urge themto stay and do what they ought to do.

The Conclusion to the Commandments

What does God say to us about all these commandments?

This is what He says:"I am the Lord Your God. I am a jealous God. I plague the grandchildrenand great-grandchildren of those who hate me with their ancestor's sin.But I make whole those who love me for a thousand generations." (Exodus20:5)

What does it mean?

God threatens to punish everyone who breaks these commandments. Weshould be afraid of His anger because of this and not violate suchcommandments. But He promises grace and all good things to those whokeep such commandments. Because of this, we, too, should love Him,trust Him, and willingly do what His commandments require.

II. The Creed
The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household

The First Article
On Creation

I believe in God the Almighty Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth.

What does this mean?

I believe that God created me, along with all creatures. He gave to me:my body and soul, my eyes, ears and all the other parts of my body, mymind and all my senses. He preserves them as well. He gives me clothingand shoes, food and drink, house and land, wife and children, fields,animals and all I own. Every day He abundantly provides everything Ineed to nourish this body and life. He protects me against all danger.he shields and defends me from all evil. He does all this because ofHis pure, fatherly and divine goodness and His mercy, not because I'veearned it or deserved it. For all of this, I must thank Him, praiseHim, serve Him and obey Him. Yes, this is true!

The Second Article
On Redemption

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by theHoly Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried, descended to Hell, on the third dayrose again from the dead, ascended to Heaven and sat down at the righthand of God the Almighty Father. From there He will come to judge theliving and the dead.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ is truly God, born of the Father ineternity and also truly man, born of the Virgin Mary. He is my Lord! Heredeemed me, a lost and condemned person, bought and won me from allsins, death and the authority of the Devil. It did not cost Him gold orsilver, but His holy, precious blood, His innocent bodyHis death!Because of this, I am His very own, will live under Him in His kingdomand serve Him righteously, innocently and blessedly forever, just as Heis risen from death, lives and reigns forever. Yes, this is true.

The Third Article
On Becoming Holy

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communityof the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,and an everlasting life. Amen.

What does this mean?

I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my ownintelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel,enlightened me with His gifts, made me holy and kept me in the truefaith, just as He calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holythe whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, truefaith. In this Church, He generously forgives each day every sincommitted by me and by every believer. On the last day, He will raiseme and all the dead from the grave. He will give eternal life to me andto all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is true!

III. The Our Father
The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household

Introduction

Our Father, Who is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:9)

What does this mean?

In this introduction, God invites us to believe that He is our realFather and we are His real children, so that we will pray with trustand complete confidence, in the same way beloved children approachtheir beloved Father with their requests.