THESMALLCATECHISMOFMARTINLUTHER.EDITEDBYHENRYEYSTERJACOBS

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THESMALLCATECHISMOFMARTINLUTHER

EDITEDBYHENRYEYSTERJACOBS,D.D.

PhiladelphiaUNITEDLUTHERANPUBLICATIONSOCIETY

©1911/2018

LutheranLibrary.org

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CopyrightInformation

Copyright©2018byTheLutheranLibraryPublishingMinistryLutheranLibrary.org

Allrightsreserved.

Whiletheoriginaltextisinthepublicdomain,theformattingandcontentsofthisvolumeareundercopyright.

Pleaserespectthelaborthathasgoneintotherestorationofthiswork.

Originallypublished1911bytheUnitedLutheranPublicationHouse,Philadelphia.

Coverimage“TheCatechismLesson”byJules-AlexisMeunier,1889.

Unabridged.

302–v3r1

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Contents

CopyrightInformation

Contents

I.TheSmallCatechismofDr.MartinLuther.

PrefaceforPastorsandPreachers.

PartFirst.TheTenCommandments.

TheFirstCommandment.

TheSecondCommandment.

TheThirdCommandment.

TheFourthCommandment.

TheFifthCommandment.

TheSixthCommandment.

TheSeventhCommandment.

TheEighthCommandment.

TheNinthCommandment.

TheTenthCommandment.

PartSecond.TheCreed.

TheFirstArticle-OfCreation.

TheSecondArticle–OfRedemption.

TheThirdArticle–OfSanctification.

PartThird.TheLord’sPrayer.

TheIntroduction.

TheFirstPetition.

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TheSecondPetition.

TheThirdPetition.

TheFourthPetition.

TheFifthPetition.

TheSixthPetition.

TheSeventhPetition.

PartFourth.TheSacramentOfHolyBaptism.

OfConfession1

PartFifth.TheSacramentOfTheAltarorTheLord’sSupper.

AppendixI.MorningAndEveningPrayer.

MorningPrayer.

EveningPrayer.

AppendixII.TheBlessingAndThanksgivingAtTable.

GracebeforeMeat.

ThanksafterMeat.

AppendixIII.TableOfDuties.

Bishops,PastorsandPreachers.

WhatDutiesHearersowetheirBishops.1

Magistrates.

WhatDutiesSubjectsOweMagistrates.2

Husbands.

Wives.

Parents.

Children.

MaleandFemaleServants,andLaborers.

MastersandMistresses.

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YoungPersonsinGeneral.

Widows.

ChristiansinGeneral.

AbouttheAuthor

SelectedBibliography

Preface

AbouttheLutheranLibraryPublishingMinistry

SomeAuthorsForYouToDiscover

GreatNarratives

Topics

HowCanOneFindPeaceWithGod?

IfYouFindTypographicErrors

WanttobenotifiedofFutureReleases?

CatalogofTitles

“Extras”

TheLutheranLibrary

Benediction

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I.TheSmallCatechismofDr.MartinLuther.

Enchiridion[Handbook].

PrefaceforPastorsandPreachers.

MartinLuthertoallFaithfulandGodlyPastorsandPreachers:Grace,MercyandPeaceinJesusChrist,ourLord.

The deplorable condition inwhich I found religious affairs during a recentvisitation of the congregations has impelledme to publish this Catechism, orstatement of the Christian doctrine, after having prepared it in very brief andsimpleterms.AlasIwhatmiseryIbeheld!Thepeople,especiallythosewholiveinthevillages,seemtohavenoknowledgewhateverofChristiandoctrine,andmanyof thepastors are ignorant and incompetent teachers.And, nevertheless,theyallmaintainthattheyareChristians,thattheyhavebeenbaptizedandthattheyhavereceivedtheLord’sSupper.YettheycannotrecitetheLord’sPrayer,the Creed, or the Ten Commandments; they live as if they were irrationalcreatures,andnow that theGospelhascome to them, theygrosslyabuse theirChristianliberty.

Ye bishops! what answer will ye give to Christ for having so shamefullyneglectedthepeopleandpaidnoattentiontothedutiesofyouroffice?Iinvokenoevilonyourheads.ButyouwithholdthecupintheLord’sSupper,insistontheobservanceofyourhumanlaws,andyet,at thesametime,donot take theleast interest in teaching the people the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, the TenCommandments,oranyotherpartoftheWordofGod.Woeuntoyou!

WhereforeIbeseechyouinthenameofGod,mybelovedbrethren,whoarepastors or preachers, to engage heartily in the discharge of the duties of your

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office,tohavemercyonthepeoplewhoareentrustedtoyourcare,andtoassistusinintroducingtheCatechismamongthem,andespeciallyamongtheyoung.Andifanyofyoudonotpossessthenecessaryqualifications,Ibeseechyoutotakeatleastthefollowingformsandreadthem,wordforword,tothepeopleonthiswise:

Inthefirstplace,letthepreachertaketheutmostcaretoavoidallchangesorvariationsinthetextandwordingoftheTenCommandments,theLord’sPrayer,theCreed,theSacraments,etc.Lethim,onthecontrary,takeeachoftheformsrespectively, adhere to it, and repeat it anew year after year. For young andinexperiencedpeoplecannotbesuccessfully instructedunlessweadhere to thesametextorthesameformsofexpression.Theyeasilybecomeconfusedwhentheteacheratonetimeemploysacertainformofwordsandexpressions,andatanother,apparentlywithaviewtomakeimprovements,adoptsadifferentform.The resultof suchacoursewillbe, thatall the timeand laborwhichwehaveexpendedwillbelost.

This point was well understood by our venerable fathers, who wereaccustomedtousethesamewordsinteachingtheLord’sPrayer,theCreed,andtheTenCommandments.We,too,shouldfollowthisplanwhenweteachthesethings,particularlyinthecaseoftheyoungandignorant,notchangingasinglesyllable,norintroducinganyvariationswhen,yearafteryear,werecurtotheseformsandrecitethemanewbeforeourhearers.

Choose,therefore,theformofwordswhichbestpleasesyou,andadheretoitperpetually.Whenyoupreachinthepresenceofintelligentandlearnedmen,youareatlibertytoexhibityourknowledgeandskill,andmaypresentanddiscussthesesubjectsinallthevariedmodeswhichareatyourcommand.Butwhenyouare teaching the young, retain the same in form andmanner without change:teach them, firstof all, theTenCommandments, theCreed, theLord’sPrayer,etc.,alwayspresentingthesamewordsof thetext,sothat thosewholearncanrepeatthemafteryouandretaintheminthememory.

Butifanyrefusetoreceiveyourinstructions,tellthemplainlythattheydenyChristandarenotChristians; suchpersonsshallnotbeadmitted to theLord’sTable,norpresentachildforbaptism,norenjoyanyofourChristianprivileges,butaretobesentbacktothePopeandhisagents,and,indeed,toSatanhimself.Theirparents andemployers should,besides, refuse to furnish themwith foodanddrink,andnotifythemthatthegovernmentwasdisposedtobanishfromthecountryallpersonsofsucharudeandintractablecharacter.

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Foralthoughwecannot, and shouldnot, compel them toexercise faith,weought, nevertheless, to instruct the great mass with all diligence; so that theymayknowhowtodistinguishbetweenrightandwrongintheirconducttowardthosewithwhomtheyliveoramongwhomtheydesiretoearntheirliving.Forwhoeverdesirestoresideinacity,andenjoytherightsandprivilegeswhichitslaws confer, is also bound to know and obey those laws.God grant that suchpersonsmaybecomesincerebelievers!Butiftheyremaindishonestandvicious,letthematleastwithholdfrompublicviewthevicesoftheirhearts.

In the second place, when those whom you are instructing have becomefamiliarwith thewords of the text, it is time to teach them to understand themeaningofthosewords,sothattheymaybecomeacquaintedwiththeobjectandpurportofthelesson.Thenproceedtoanotherofthefollowingforms,or,atyourpleasure,chooseanyotherwhichisbrief,andadherestrictlytothesamewordsand formsofexpression in the text,withoutalteringa single syllable;besides,allowyourselfampletimeforthelessons.Foritisnotnecessarythatyoushould,it on the sameoccasion, proceed from thebeginning to the endof the severalparts; it will be more profitable if you present them separately, in regularsuccession.When thepeoplehave, for instance, at lengthcorrectlyunderstoodtheFirstCommandment,youmayproceed to theSecond,andsocontinue.Byneglecting to observe this mode the people will be overburdened, and bepreventedfromunderstandingandretaininginmemoryanyconsiderablepartofthemattercommunicatedtothem.

In the third place, when you have thus reached the end of this ShortCatechism,beginanewwiththeLargeCatechism,andbymeansofitfurnishthepeoplewithfullerandmorecomprehensiveexplanations.Explainhereat largeeveryCommandment,everyPetition,and,indeed,everypart,showingthedutieswhich they severally impose, and both the advantages which follow theperformanceofthoseduties,andalsothedangersandlosseswhichresultfromthe neglect of them. Insist in an especial manner on such Commandments orotherpartsasseemtobemostofallmisunderstoodorneglectedbyyourpeople.It will, for example, be necessary that you should enforce with the utmostearnestnesstheSeventhCommandment,whichtreatsofstealing,whenyouareteachingworkmen,dealers,andevenfarmersandservants,inasmuchasmanyofthese are guilty of various dishonest and thievish practices. So, too, itwill beyourduty toexplainandapply theFourthCommandmentwithgreatdiligencewhen you are teaching children and uneducated adults, and to urge them toobserve order, to be faithful, obedient and peaceable, as well as to adduce

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numerousinstancesmentionedintheScriptureswhichshowthatGodpunishedsuchaswereguiltyinthesethingsandblessedtheobedient.

Here, too, let it be your great aim to urge magistrates and parents to rulewisely and to educate the children, admonishing them, at the same time, thatsuchdutiesareimposedonthem,andshowingthemhowgrievouslytheysinifthey neglect them. For in such a case they overthrow and laywaste alike thekingdomofGodandthekingdomoftheworld,actingasiftheyweretheworstenemiesbothofGodandofmen.Andshowthemveryplainlytheshockingevilsofwhichtheyaretheauthorswhentheyrefusetheiraidintrainingupchildrentobepastors,preachers,writers,etc.,andsetforththatonaccountofsuchsinsGodwillinflictanawfulpunishmentuponthem.Itis,indeed,necessarytopreachonthesethings;forparentsandmagistratesareguiltyofsinsinthisrespectwhicharesogreat that thereareno terms inwhich theycanbedescribed.And truly,Satanhasacrueldesigninfosteringtheseevils.

Finally, inasmuch as the people are now relieved from the tyranny of thePope,theyrefusetocometotheLord’sTable,andtreatitwithcontempt.Onthispoint,also,itisverynecessarythatyoushouldgivetheminstructions,while,atthesametime,youaretobeguidedbythefollowingprinciples:Thatwearetocompel no one to believe, or to receive theLord’s Supper; thatwe are not toestablish any laws on this point, or appoint the time and place; but that weshouldsopreachastoinfluencethepeople,withoutanylawadoptedbyus, tourge, and, as itwere, to compel us,who are pastors, to administer the Lord’sSupper to them. Now this object may be attained if we address them in thefollowingmanner: It is tobefeared thathewhodoesnotdesire to receive theLord’sSupperatleastthreeorfourtimesduringtheyeardespisestheSacrament,and isnoChristian.So, too,he isnoChristianwhoneitherbelievesnorobeystheGospel;forChristdidnotsay,“Omitordespisethis,”but,“Thisdoye,asoftasyedrinkit,”etc.Hecommandsthatthisshouldbedone,andbynomeansbeneglectedanddespised.Hesays,“Thisdo.”

Now,hewhodoesnothighlyvaluetheSacramentshowstherebythathehasnosin,noflesh,nodevil,noworld,nodeath,nodanger,nohell;thatistosay,hedoesnotbelieve that suchevilsexist, althoughhemaybedeeply immersed inthem,andcompletelybelongtothedevil.Ontheotherhand,heneedsnograce,no life, no Paradise, no heaven, no Christ, no God, no good thing. For if hebelieved that hewas involved in such evils, and that hewas in need of suchblessings, he could not refrain from receiving the Sacrament, wherein aid isaffordedagainstsuchevils,and,again,suchblessingsarebestowed.Itwillnot

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be necessary to compel him by the force of any law to approach the Lord’sTable;hewillhastentoitofhisownaccord,willcompelhimselftocome,andindeedurgeyoutoadministertheSacramenttohim.

Hence,youarebynomeanstoadoptanycompulsorylawinthiscase,asthePopehasdone.Let itsimplybeyouraimtoset forthdistinctly theadvantagesandlosses,thewantsandthebenefits,thedangersandtheblessings,whicharetobe considered in connectionwith theSacrament; thepeoplewill, doubtless,then seek itwithout urgent demands on your part. If they still refuse to comeforward, let themchoose theirownways, and tell them that thosewhodonotregard their own spiritualmisery, and do not desire the gracious help ofGod,belongtoSatan.Butifyoudonotgivesuchsolemnadmonitions,orifyouadoptodiouscompulsorylawsonthesubject,itisyourownfaultifthepeopletreattheSacramentwithcontempt.Willtheynotnecessarilybeslothfulifyouaresilentand sleep? Therefore consider the subject seriously, ye Pastors and Preachers.Ourofficehasnowassumedaverydifferentcharacter fromthatwhich itboreunder the Pope; it is now of a very grave nature, and is very salutary in itsinfluence.Itconsequentlysubjectsustofargreaterburdensandlabors,dangersandtemptations,whilstitbringswithitaninconsiderablerewardandverylittlegratitude in theworld.ButChrist himselfwill beour reward ifwe laborwithfidelity.MayHe grant suchmercy unto us who is the Father of all grace, towhombegiventhanksandpraisesthroughChrist,ourLord,forever!Amen.

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PartFirst.TheTenCommandments.

IntheplainforminwhichtheyaretobetaughtbytheHeadofafamily.

TheFirstCommandment.

IamtheLordthyGod.Thoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeme.WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.Weshouldfear,love,andtrustinGodaboveallthings.

TheSecondCommandment.

ThoushaltnottakethenameoftheLordthyGodinvain;fortheLordwillnotholdhimguiltlessthattakethhisnameinvain.

WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.WeshouldsofearandloveGodasnottocurse,swear,conjure,lie,

ordeceivebyhisname,butcalluponhim inevery timeofneed,andworshiphimwithprayer,praise,andthanksgiving.

TheThirdCommandment.

RemembertheSabbathday,tokeepitholy.WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.WeshouldsofearandloveGodasnottodespisehisWordandthe

preachingoftheGospel,butdeemitholy,andwillinglyhearandlearnit.

TheFourthCommandment.

Honor thy fatherand thymother, that thydaysmaybe; longupon the landwhichtheLordthyGodgiveththee.

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WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.WeshouldsofearandloveGodasnottodespisenordispleaseour

parentsandsuperiors,buthonor,serve,obey,love,andesteemthem.

TheFifthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotkill.WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.WeshouldsofearandloveGodasnottodoourneighboranybodily

harmorinjury,butratherassistandcomforthimindangerandwant.

TheSixthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotcommitadultery.WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.We should so fear and love God as to be chaste and pure in our

wordsanddeeds,eachonealsolovingandhonoringhiswifeorherhusband.

TheSeventhCommandment.

Thoushaltnotsteal.WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.Weshould so fear and loveGodasnot to robourneighborofhis

money or property, nor bring it into our possession by unfair dealing orfraudulentmeans,butratherassisthimtoimproveandprotectit.

TheEighthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotbearfalsewitnessagainstthyneighbor.WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.Weshouldso fearand loveGodasnotdeceitfully tobelie,betray,

slander,norraise injuriousreportsagainstourneighbor,butapologizeforhim,speakwellofhim,andputthemostcharitableconstructiononallhisactions.

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TheNinthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotcovetthyneighbor’shouse.WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.WeshouldsofearandloveGodasnottodesirebycraftinesstogain

possession of our neighbor’s inheritance or home, or to obtain it under thepretextofalegalright,butbereadytoassistandservehiminthepreservationofhisown.

TheTenthCommandment.

Thoushaltnotcovetthyneighbor’swife,norhisman-servant,norhismaid-servant,norhisox,norhisass,noranythingthatisthyneighbor’s.

WhatismeantbythisCommandment?Answer.We should so fear and loveGod as not to alienate our neighbor’s

wife from him, entice away his servants, nor let loose his cattle, but use ourendeavorsthattheymayremainanddischargetheirdutytohim.

WhatdoesGoddeclareconcerningalltheseCommandments?Answer,Hesays:ItheLordthyGodamajealousGod,visitingtheiniquity

ofthefathersuponthechildrenuntothethirdandfourthgenerationofthemthathateme:andshewingmercyuntothousandsofthemthatloveme,andkeepmycommandments.

Whatismeantbythisdeclaration?Answer. God threatens to punish all those who transgress these

commandments. We should, therefore, dread his displeasure and not actcontrarilytothesecommandments.Buthepromisesgraceandeveryblessingtoallwhokeepthem.Weshould,therefore,loveandtrustinhim,andcheerfullydowhathehascommandedus.

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PartSecond.TheCreed.

IntheplainforminwhichitistobetaughtbytheHeadofafamily.

TheFirstArticle-OfCreation.

IbelieveinGodtheFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth.WhatismeantbythisArticle?Answer. I believe that God has createdme and all that exists; that he has

givenandstillpreservestomemybodyandsoul,withallmylimbsandsenses,my reason and all the faculties of mymind, together withmy raiment, food,home, and family, and allmy property; that he daily providesme abundantlywith all thenecessaries of life, protectsme fromall danger, andpreservesmeandguardsmeagainstallevil;whichhedoesoutofpure,paternal,anddivinegoodnessandmercy,withoutanymeritorworthinessinme;forallwhichIamindutyboundtothank,praise,serve,andobeyhim.Thisismostcertainlytrue.

TheSecondArticle–OfRedemption.

AndinJesusChristHisonlySon,ourLord;whowasconceivedbytheHolyGhost, born of the VirginMary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,dead,andburied;Hedescendedintohell; thethirddayHeroseagainfromthedead;Heascendedintoheaven,andsittethontherighthandofGodtheFatherAlmighty;fromthenceHeshallcometojudgethequickandthedead.

WhatismeantbythisArticle?Answer. I believe that Jesus Christ, trueGod, begotten of the Father from

eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; who hasredeemedme,alostandcondemnedcreature,securedanddeliveredmefromallsins,fromdeath,andfromthepowerofthedevil,notwithsilverandgold,butwithhisholyandpreciousblood,andwithhisinnocentsufferingsanddeath;inorder that I might be his, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in

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everlasting righteousness, innocence andblessedness: even as he is risen fromthedead,andlivesandreignstoalleternity.Thisismostcertainlytrue.

TheThirdArticle–OfSanctification.

Ibelieve in theHolyGhost; theHolyChristianChurch, theCommunionofSaints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body; and the Lifeeverlasting.Amen.

WhatismeantbythisArticle?Answer.IbelievethatIcannotbymyownreasonorstrengthbelieveinJesus

ChristmyLord,orcometohim;buttheHolyGhosthascalledmethroughthegospel,enlightenedmebyhisgifts,andsanctifiedandpreservedmeinthetruefaith; in likemanner as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies thewholeChristianChurchonearth,andpreservesitinunionwithJesusChristinthetruefaith; inwhichChristianChurchhedaily forgivesabundantlyallmysins, andthesinsofallbelievers,andwillraiseupmeandallthedeadatthelastday,andwillgrant everlasting life tomeand toallwhobelieve inChrist.This ismostcertainlytrue.

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PartThird.TheLord’sPrayer.

IntheplainforminwhichitistobetaughtbytheHeadofafamily.

TheIntroduction.

OurFatherwhoartinheaven.WhatismeantbythisIntroduction?Answer.Godwouldtherebyaffectionatelyencourageustobelievethatheis

trulyourFather,andthatwearehischildrenindeed,sothatwemaycalluponhimwithallcheerfulnessandconfidence,evenasbelovedchildrenentreattheiraffectionateparents.

TheFirstPetition.

Hallowedbethyname.WhatismeantbythisPetition?Answer.ThenameofGodisindeedholyinitself;butweprayinthispetition

thatitmaybehallowedalsobyus.Howisthiseffected?Answer.WhentheWordofGodis taught inits truthandpurity,andwe,as

thechildrenofGod,leadholylivesinaccordancewithit;tothismayourblessedFatherinheavenhelpus!ButwhoeverteachesandlivesotherwisethanasGod’sWord prescribes, profanes the name ofGod among us; from this preserve us,HeavenlyFather!

TheSecondPetition.

Thykingdomcome.WhatismeantbythisPetition?

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Answer.ThekingdomofGodcomesindeedofitself,withoutourprayer;butweprayinthispetitionthatitmaycomeuntousalso.

Whenisthiseffected?Answer.WhenourheavenlyFather givesushisHolySpirit, so that byhis

grace we believe his holy Word, and live a godly life here on earth, and inheavenforever.

TheThirdPetition.

Thywillbedoneonearth,asitisinheaven.WhatismeantbythisPetition?Answer. The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our

prayer;butweprayinthispetitionthatitmaybedonebyusalso.Whenisthiseffected?Answer.WhenGod frustrates and brings to naught every evil counsel and

purposewhichwouldhinderusfromhallowingthenameofGodandpreventhiskingdomfromcomingtous,suchasthewillofthedevil,of theworld,andofourownflesh;andwhenhestrengthensus,andkeepsussteadfastinhisWordandinthefaith,evenuntoourend.Thisishisgraciousandgoodwill.

TheFourthPetition.

Giveusthisdayourdailybread.WhatismeantbythisPetition?Answer.Godgives indeedwithoutourprayereven to thewickedalso their

dailybread;butwepray in thispetition thathewouldmakeussensibleofhisbenefits,andenableustoreceiveourdailybroadwiththanksgiving.

Whatisimpliedinthewords:“Ourdailybread”?Answer.All things thatpertain to thewants and the supportof thispresent

life;suchasfood,raiment,money,goods,houseandland,andotherproperty;abelieving spouse and good children; trustworthy servants and faithfulmagistrates; favorable seasons; peace and health; education and honor; truefriends,goodneighbors,andthelike.

TheFifthPetition.

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Andforgiveusourtrespasses,asweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.WhatismeantbythisPetition?Answer.Wepray in thispetition thatourheavenlyFatherwouldnot regard

oursins,nordenyusourrequestsonaccountofthem;forwearenotworthyofanythingforwhichwepray,andhavenotmeritedit;butthathewouldgrantusall things through grace, although we daily commit much sin, and deservechastisementalone.Wewilltherefore,onourpart,bothheartilyforgive,andalsoreadilydogoodto,thosewhomayinjureoroffendus.

TheSixthPetition.

Andleadusnotintotemptation.WhatismeantbythisPetition?Answer.God indeed temptsnoone to sin; butwepray in this petition that

Godwouldsoguardandpreserveusthatthedevil,theworld,andourownfleshmaynotdeceiveus,norleadusintoerrorandunbelief,despair,andothergreatand shameful sins; and that, though we may be thus tempted, we mayneverthelessfinallyprevailandgainthevictory.

TheSeventhPetition.

Butdeliverusfromevil.WhatismeantbythisPetition?Answer.Weprayinthispetition,asinasummary,thatourheavenlyFather

would deliver us from all manner of evil, whether it affect the body or soul,propertyorcharacter,and,atlast,whenthehourofdeathshallarrive,grantusahappy end, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to himself inheaven.

Whatismeantbytheword“Amen”?Answer. That I should be assured that such petitions are acceptable to our

heavenlyFather,andareheardbyhim;forhehimselfhascommandedustoprayinthismanner,andhaspromisedthathewillhearus.Amen,Amen;thatis,Yea,yea,itshallbeso.

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PartFourth.TheSacramentOfHolyBaptism.

IntheplainforminwhichitistobetaughtbytheHeadofafamily.I.WhatisBaptism?Answer. Baptism is not simplywater, but it is the water comprehended in

God’scommand,andconnectedwithGod’sWord.WhatisthatWordofGod?Answer.ItisthatwhichourLordJesusChristspake,asitisrecordedinthe

lastchapterofMatthew,verse19:“Goye,andteachallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost.”

II.WhatgiftsorbenefitsdoesBaptismconfer?Answer.Itworkethforgivenessofsins,deliversfromdeathandthedevil,and

conferseverlastingsalvationonallwhobelieveastheWordandpromiseofGoddeclare.

WhataresuchwordsandpromisesofGod?Answer.ThosewhichourLordJesusChristspake,astheyarerecordedinthe

lastchapterofMark,verse16:“Hethatbelievethandisbaptized,shallbesaved;buthethatbelievethnot,shallbedamned.”

III.Howcanwaterproducesuchgreateffects?Answer.Itisnotthewaterindeedthatproducestheseeffects,buttheWordof

Godwhichaccompaniesand isconnectedwith thewater,andour faith,whichreliesontheWordofGodconnectedwiththewater.Forthewater,withouttheWord of God, is simply water and no baptism. But when connected with theWordofGod,itisabaptism;thatis,agraciouswateroflifeanda“washingofregeneration” in theHolyGhost, asSt.Paul says toTitus in the third chapter,vers.5-8:“Accordingtohismercyhesavedus,bythewashingofregenerationandrenewingoftheHolyGhost;whichheshedonusabundantlythroughJesusChrist ourSaviour; that being justifiedbyhis grace,we shouldbemadeheirsaccordingtothehopeofeternallife.Thisisafaithfulsaying.”

IV.Whatdoessuchbaptizingwithwatersignify?Answer.ItsignifiesthattheoldAdaminus-istobedrownedanddestroyed

by daily sorrow and repentance, togetherwith all sins and evil lusts; and that

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again the new man should daily come forth and rise, that shall live in thepresenceofGodinrighteousnessandpurityforever.

Whereisitsowritten?Answer.St.Paul,intheEpistletotheRomans,chapter6,verse4,says:“We

areburiedwithChristbybaptismintodeath;thatlikeashewasraisedupfromthedeadbythegloryoftheFather,evensowealsoshouldwalkinnewnessoflife.”

OfConfession1

Howplainquestionsshouldbetaughtconcerningit.WhatisConfession?Answer.Confessionconsistsoftwoparts:theoneis,thatweconfessoursins;

theother,thatwereceiveabsolutionorforgivenessthroughthepastorasofGodhimself,innowisedoubting,butfirmlybelievingthatoursinsarethusforgivenbeforeGodinheaven.

Whatsinsoughtwetoconfess?Answer.InthepresenceofGodweshouldacknowledgeourselvesguiltyof

allmannerofsins,evenofthosewhichwedonotourselvesperceive;aswedoin theLord’sPrayer.Butn thepresenceof thepastorweshouldconfess thosesinsalonewhichwehaveknowledgeandwhichwefeelinourhearts.

Whicharethese?Answer.Herereflectinyourcondition,accordingtotheTenCommandments,

namely: Whether you are a father or mother, a son or daughter, a master ormistress, aman-servant ormaidservant –whether you have been disobedient,unfaithful, slothful, whether you have injured any one by words or actions,whetheryouhavestolen,neglected,orwastedaught,ordoneotherevil.

Pleaseshowmeashortwaytoconfess.Answer. You should speak to the confessor thus: Reverend and dear sir, I

beseechyoutohearmyconfession,andtoannouncetomeforgivenessforGod’ssake.

Say:I,apoorsinner,confessbeforeGodthatIamguiltyofallsins;especiallyI

confessbeforetheethatIamaman-servant,amaid-servant,etc.Butalas,Iservemymasterunfaithfully; forhere and there Ihavenotdonewhathe toldme; Ihaveprovokedhim,andcausedhimtocurse;Ihaveneglectedmanythingsand

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letthemgotowaste;likewise,inwordsanddeedsIhavebeenimmodest;Ihavebeenangrywithmyonaequals;Ihavegrumbledandswornatmywife.ForallthisIamsorry,andprayforgrace:Imeantodobetter.

Amasterormistressshouldsaythus:InparticularIconfessbeforetheethatIhavenotbeenfaithfulintrainingmy

children, domestics and wife [family] for God’s glory. I have cursed. I havegivenabadexamplebyunchastewordsandworks.Ihaveinjuredmyneighbor.Ihave slandered, have overcharged and have given spurious goods and shortmeasure.

And whatever more he has done in violation of God’s command and hisstation,etc.But ifanyonedonot feel thathe isoppressedby theseorgreatersins, he shouldnot be anxious, or search for or devise other sins, and therebymakeatortureoutofconfession,2butshouldmentiononeortwosinsknowntohimself.Thus:InparticularIconfessthatIoncecursed.Ionceusedimmodestwords.Ihaveneglectedthisorthat,etc.Letthissuffice.

But if you know of none at all (which, however, is scarcely possible),mention none in particular, but receive the forgiveness after the generalconfessionwhichyoumakebeforeGodtotheminister.

ThentheConfessorshouldsay:Godbemercifuluntotheeandstrengthenthyfaith.Amen.Andagain:DostthoubelievethatmyforgivenessistheforgivenessofGod?Answer.Yes,dearsir.Thenlethimsay:Asthoubelievest,sobeitdoneuntothee.AndinthenameofourLordJesus

Christ,Iforgivetotheethysins,inthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost.Amen.Departinpeace.

But thosewhohavegreatburdensupon their consciences,or aredistressedandtempted,afatherconfessorwillknowwellhowtoconsolewithpassagesofScriptureandtoencouragethemtofaith.Thisshouldonlyserveasanordinaryformofconfessionfortheuncultivated.

1. Müllermakesofthisadistinctpart.HasegivesitasanAppendixtoPartIV.,OfBaptism.Franckeentitlesit“IntroductiontoPartV.”Thisis theviewofWalchIntroduction,p.611sqq.↩

2. Cf.Aug.Conf.,xxv.:7sqq.;Apology,Art.xi.(iv.):63.p.166.↩

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PartFifth.TheSacramentOfTheAltarorTheLord’sSupper.

IntheplainforminwhichitistobetaughtbytheHeadofafamily.WhatistheSacramentoftheAltar?Answer. It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the

breadandwine,givenuntousChristianstoeatandtodrink,asitwasinstitutedbyChristhimself.

Whereisitsowritten?Answer. The holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, together with

St.Paul,writethus:1“OurLordJesusChrist,thesamenightinwhichhewasbetrayed,tookbread:

andwhenhehadgiventhanks,hebrakeit,andgaveittothedisciples,andsaid,Take,eat; this ismybody,which isgivenforyou: thisdo, in remembranceofme.”

“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, gavethanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: this cup is the newtestamentinmyblood,whichisshedforyou,fortheremissionofsins:thisdoye,asoftasyedrinkit,inremembranceofme.”

Whatbenefitsarederivedfromsucheatinganddrinking?Answer.Theyarepointedoutinthesewords:“Given,andshedforyou,for

theremissionofsins.”Namely,throughthesewords,theremissionofsins,lifeandsalvationaregranteduntousintheSacrament.Forwherethereisremissionofsins,therearealsolifeandsalvation.

Howcanthebodilyeatinganddrinkingproducesuchgreateffects?Answer.The eating and thedrinking, indeed,donotproduce them,but the

wordswhichstandhere,namely:“Given,andshedforyou,fortheremissionofsins.”Thesewordsare,besidesthebodilyeatinganddrinking,thechiefthingsintheSacrament;andhewhobelievesthesewordshasthatwhichtheydeclareandsetforth,namely,theremissionofsins.

Whoisit,then,thatreceivesthisSacramentworthily?Answer.Fastingandbodilypreparationareindeedagoodexternaldiscipline;

butheistrulyworthyandwellprepared,whobelievesthesewords:“Given,and

25

shed for you, for the remission of sins.” But he who does not believe thesewords,orwhodoubts,isunworthyandunfit;forthewords:“ForYou,”requiretrulybelievinghearts.

1. Matt.26:26-28;Mark14:22-24;Luke22:19,20;1Cor.11:23-25.↩

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AppendixI.MorningAndEveningPrayer.

IntheplainforminwhichitistobetaughtbytheHeadofafamily.

MorningPrayer.

In themorning,when thou risest, thou shaltmake the signof theholycross,andsay:

InthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost.Amen.Then kneeling or standing thou shalt say the Apostles’ Creed and the

Lord’sPrayer.TothesethoucanstalsoaddthisPrayer:Igivethanksuntothee,heavenlyFather,throughJesusChrist,thydearSon.

that thouhastprotectedme through thenight fromalldangerandharm;and Ibeseechtheetopreserveandkeepmethisdayalsofromallsinandevil;thatinallmythoughts,words,anddeedsImayserveandpleasethee.IntothyhandsIcommendmybodyandsoul,andallthatismine.Letthyholyangelhavechargeconcerningme,thatthewickedonehavenopoweroverme.Amen.

Andthen thoushouldstgowith joy to thywork,afterperhapsahymnhas been sung, as the Ten Commandments, or what thy devotion maysuggest.

EveningPrayer.

Intheevening,whenthougoesttobed,thoushaltmakethesignoftheholycross,andsay:

InthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost.Amen.Then kneeling or standing, thou shall say theApostles’ Creed and the

Lord’sPrayer.Then,ifthouwilt,thoumayestaddthisPrayer:Igivethanksuntothee,heavenlyFather, throughJesusChrist thydearSon,

thatthouhastthisdaysograciouslyprotectedme,andIbeseechtheetoforgive

27

meallmysins,andthewrongwhichIhavedone,andbythygreatmercydefendmefromalltheperilsanddangersofthisnight.IntothyhandsIcommendmybodyandsoul,andall that ismine.Let thyholyangelhavechargeconcerningme,thatthewickedonehavenopoweroverme.Amen.

Thenthoushouldstgotosleepimmediatelyandjoyfully.

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AppendixII.TheBlessingAndThanksgivingAtTable.

IntheforminwhichitistobetaughtbytheHeadofafamily.

GracebeforeMeat.

Beforemeat,themembersofthefamilystandingatthetablereverentlyandwithfoldedhands,thereshallbesaid:

Theeyesofallwaitupon thee,OLord:and thougivest them theirmeat indue season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every livingthing.1

Note.–Pleasure (Wohlgefallen)means, that all animals receive somuch toeatthat theyareonthisaccountjoyfulandofgoodcheer;forcareandavaricehindersuchpleasure.

ThenshallbesaidtheLord’sPrayer,andafterthatthisPrayer:LordGod,heavenlyFather,blessuntousthesethygifts,whichofthytender

kindnessthouhastbestoweduponus,throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.

ThanksafterMeat.

Aftermeat,allstandingreverentlyandwithfoldedhands,thereshallbesaid:

OgivethanksuntotheLord,forheisgood:forhismercyendurethforever.He giveth food to all flesh: he giveth to the beast his food and to the youngravenswhichcry.Hedelightethnot in the strengthof thehorse;he takethnotpleasureinthelegsofaman.TheLordtakethpleasureinthemthatfearhim,inthosethathopeinhismercy.

ThentheLord’sPrayerandthefollowingPrayer:Wegivethankstothee,OGodourFather,forallthybenefits,throughJesus

ChristourLord,whowiththeelivethandreignethforeverandever.Amen.

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1. Ps. 145:16. Otherwise rendered: “Fillest every living thing withpleasure.”↩

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AppendixIII.TableOfDuties.

Or certain passages of the Scriptures, selected for various orders andconditionsofmen,whereintheirrespectivedutiesaresetforth.

Bishops,PastorsandPreachers.

Abishopmustbeblameless,thehusbandofonewife,vigilant,sober,ofgoodbehavior, given to hospitality apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, notgreedyof filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that rulethwell his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; not anovice,butholdingfastthefaithfulWord,ashehathbeentaught,thathemaybeablebysounddoctrinebothtoexhortandtoconvincethegainsayers.1Tim.3:2-6;Tit.1:9.

WhatDutiesHearersowetheirBishops.1

EvensohaththeLordordainedthattheywhichpreachtheGospelshouldliveoftheGospel(1Cor.9:14).LethimthatistaughtintheWordcommunicateuntohim that teacheth inallgood things (Gal.6:6).Let theelders that rulewellbecountedworthyofdoublehonor,especiallytheywholaborinwordanddoctrine.FortheScripturesaith,Thoushaltnotmuzzletheoxthattreadethoutthecorn.And,Thelaborerisworthyofhisreward(1Tim.5:17,18).Obeythemthathavetheruleoveryou,andsubmityourselves:fortheywatchforyoursouls,astheythatmustgiveaccount,thattheymaydoitwithjoyandnotwithgrief;forthatisunprofitableforyou.Heb.13:17.

Magistrates.

Leteverysoulbesubjectuntothehigherpowers.ForthereisnopowerbutofGod:thepowersthatbeareordainedofGod;forrulersarenotaterrortogood

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works,buttotheevil.Wiltthouthennotbeafraidofthepower?Dothatwhichisgood,andthoushalthavepraiseofthesame;forheistheministerofGodtotheeforgood.Butifthoudothatwhichisevil,beafraid;forhebearethnottheswordinvain:forhe is theministerofGod,arevenger toexecutewrathuponhimthatdoethevil.Rom.13:1-4.

WhatDutiesSubjectsOweMagistrates.2

RenderthereforeuntoCaesarthethingsthatareCaesar’s(Matt.22:21).Leteverysoulbesubjectuntothehigherpowers,etc.Whereforewemustneedsbesubject,notonlyforwrath,butalsoforconscience’sake.Forforthiscausepayyetributealso;fortheyareGod’sministers,attendingcontinuallyuponthisverything.Renderthereforetoalltheirdues;tributetowhomtributeisdue;customtowhomcustom;feartowhomfear;honortowhomhonor(Rom.13:1,5sqq.).Iexhort,therefore,that,firstofall,supplications,prayers,intercessionsandgivingofthanksbemadeforallmen;forkingsandforallthatareinauthority,thatwemayleadaquietandpeaceablelifeinallgodlinessandhonesty(1Tim.2:1sq.).Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, etc. (Tit. 3:1).SubmityourselvestoeveryordinanceofmanfortheLord’ssake:whetheritbetothekingassupreme;oruntogovernorsasthosethataresent,etc.1Pet.2:13sq.

Husbands.

Yehusbands, dwellwith yourwives according to knowledge, giving honoruntothewife,asuntotheweakervessel,andasbeingheirstogetherofthegraceoflife,thatyourprayersbenothindered(1Pet.3:7).Andbenotbitteragainstthem.Col.3:29.

Wives.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord. Even asSarahobeyedAbraham,callinghimlord:whosedaughtersyeare,aslongasyedowell,andarenotafraidwithanyamazement.Eph.5:22;1Pet3:6.

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Parents.

Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in thenurtureandadmonitionoftheLord.Eph.6:4.

Children.

Children,obeyyourparentsintheLord:forthisisright.Honorthyfatherandmother;whichisthefirstcommandmentwithpromise;thatitmaybewellwiththee,andthoumayestlivelongontheearth.Eph.6:1-3.

MaleandFemaleServants,andLaborers.

Servants, be obedient to them that are yourmasters according to the flesh,withfearandtrembling,insinglenessofyourheart,asuntoChrist;notwitheye-service, asmen-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing thewill ofGodfromtheoheart;withgood-willdoingservice,astotheLord,andnottomen;knowingthatwhatsoevergoodthinganymandoeth,thesameshallhereceiveoftheLord,whetherhebebondorfree.Eph3;5-8.

MastersandMistresses.

Yemasters, do the same thingsunto them, forbearing threatening;knowingthatyourMasteralsoisinheaven;neitheristhererespectofpersonswithhim.Eph.6:9;Col.4:1.

YoungPersonsinGeneral.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.Yea, all of you besubjectonetoanother,andbeclothedwithhumility:forGodresisteththeproud,andgivethgracetothehumble.HumbleyourselvesthereforeunderthemightyhandofGod,thathemayexaltyouinduetime.1Pet.5:5,6.

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Widows.

Shethatisawidowindeed,anddesolate,trustethinGod,andcontinuethinsupplicationsandprayersnightandday;butshe that liveth inpleasure isdeadwhilesheliveth.1Tim.5:5,6.

ChristiansinGeneral.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Herein are comprehended all thecommandments (Rom. 13:9, 10).And persevere in prayer for allmen. 1Tim.2:1,2.

1. OmittedinGerman.↩2. OmittedinGerman↩

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AbouttheAuthor

HenryEysterJacobs(November10,1844–July7,1932)wasanAmericaneducatorandLutherantheologian.JacobswasborninGettysburg,Pennsylvania,the son of professor Michael and Juliana M (Eyster) Jacobs. His sister JuliaJacobs Harpster became a missionary in India; his brother Michael WilliamJacobsbecame a judge.Hegraduated fromPennsylvaniaCollege in 1862 andfromtheLutheranTheologicalSeminaryatGettysburg in1865.Between1870and 1883, he was professor at Pennsylvania College. He was then appointedprofessor of systematic theology in The Lutheran Theological Seminary inMount Airy, where he also assumed the office of dean in 1894. In 1920, hebecamePresidentoftheSeminarywhentheofficeofdeanwasabolished.

Heservedaspresidentofhischurch’sboardofforeignmissions(1902–07),of theGeneral Conference of Lutherans (1899, 1902, 1904), of theAmericanSocietyofChurchHistory(1907–08),andofthePennsylvaniaGermanSociety(1910–11).HealsotranslatedvariousGermantheologicalworksandeditingtheLutheran Church Review (1882–96), and Lutheran Commentary (1895-98).Henry Eyster Jacobs, working with John A.W. Haas, published The LutheranCyclopediain1899.

SelectedBibliography

First Free Lutheran Diet in America, Philadelphia, December 27–28,1877(1878)

TheLutheranmovementinEnglandduringthereignsofHenryVIIIandEdwardVI,anditsliterarymonuments(1890)

HistoryoftheLutheranChurchinAmerica(1893)

ElementsofReligion(1894)

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Annotations on the Epistles of Paul to the Romans and I. Corinthians(1896)

Annotations on the Epistles of Paul to I. Cortinthians VII-XVI, II.CorinthiansandGalatians(1897)

MartinLuther,theheroofthereformation(1898)

TheGermanEmigrationtoAmerica,1709-40(1899)

SummaryoftheChristianFaith(1905)

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Preface

TheChurch’sConfessionsofFaithareitsauthorizeddeclarationsonsubjectsconcerningwhich its teachinghasbeenmisunderstoodormisrepresented,or isliable to such misunderstanding and misrepresentation. They are notcomprehensive systems of doctrine covering the entire sphere of divinerevelation, but have arisen entirely from historical circumstances, where theteachingoftheChurchhasbecomeamatterofcontroversy.Anexceptiontothisstatementmayprobablybefound inLuther’sCatechisms ;andyet,while theywerewritten forother thanpolemicalpurposes, theywereofferedasstandardsforthemorepopularpresentationofthetruthsoftheChristianreligionatacrisiswhenbothpastorsandpeopleneededespecialguidance.IneachConfessionthetopicstreated,aswellastheorder,theextent,andthemodeoftreatmentofeachtopic, are not ideal or determined by any effort to present an exhaustive andlogicalsummaryofthefaith,asawhole,fromtheHolyScriptures,butonlytomeetanhistoricalneedandtorespondtoacallforaparticularemergency.EachConfessionisinrealityonlyapartoftheoneConfessionofthefaith,whichtheChurch,undertheguidanceoftheHolySpirit, iscontinuallydrawingfromtheHolyScripturesandfromcommunionwiththeChurch’sLord.

The Holy Scriptures are the sole source and authority of the Church’steaching,andamplysufficientforallordinarypurposesofinstruction;butwhenthatwhich theHolyScriptures teach is called intoquestion, it is theChurch’sduty,inallages,asawitnesstothetruthandsetforitsdefense,togiveclearandunmistakabletestimonyastowhatisthemeaningofGod’sWordonthesubjectsunder discussion. All the authority of such testimonies depends upon theirconformitywithHolyScripture.Confessionsareauthoritative,notbecause theChurchhasadoptedthem,butbecauseoftheWordofGodwhichtheyarefoundtocontain."WeaccepttheUnalteredAugsburgConfession,notbecauseitwascomposed by our theologians, but because it has been derived from God’sWord."(FormulaofConcord,p.536,5.)

WhattheChurchhasonceconfessed,withrespecttoquestionsofmorethanmerelytemporaryorlocalsignificance,becomesapartofherverylife.Ifitbe

37

whattheConfessiondeclaresthatitis,theverytruthofGod’sWord,expressedintermssoclearandunambiguousastoguardagainstallmisunderstanding,theChurchofthefuturecannotbeindifferenttoit,butcherishesitasasacredtrust(“the deposit,” 1 Tim. 6:20), which is to be transmitted to posterity that latergenerations may be profited by the experience of their predecessors.Nevertheless, in so doing, the Church cannot restrict Its testimony, as newcircumstancesarise,simplytothatwhich,underentirelydifferentcircumstances,hasbeengivenatsomeparticularcrisis in thepast.She isnotsobound to thepastastobeunabletodefineherfaithintermsadaptedtonewconditions,butis“readyalwaystogiveanswertoeveryonethataskethareason”ofherfaith(1Pet.1:15).Accordingly,theAugsburgConfessionveryappropriatelyassertstheprincipleofConfessionaldevelopmentinitsclosingwords:

“Ifanythingfurtherhedesired,weareready,Godwilling,topresentamplerinformationaccordingtotheScriptures”(p.67sq.).

The simplest and briefest of all the Confessions, the Apostles’ Creed,historical investigations show was the product of a gradual growth of fourhundredyears,assuccessivecontroversiesfurnishedtheoccasionforadditionalarticles. Itwas not primarily a liturgical formula, as it iswith us today, but aclearanddistinctutteranceonvariouscontrovertedpoints,withoutmentioningthosewhotaughtotherwise.AsimilargrowthcanbetracedwithoutdifficultyintheNiceneCreed,wheretheCouncilofNicemarksonlyaparticularstageinitsformulation,butneitheritsbeginningnoritscompletion.TheAthanasianCreedis the ultimate fruit of centuries of controversy concerning theTrinity and theIncarnation, as thearena for theologicaldiscussion ispassing from theEast totheWest.

Neither the structure nor the contents of the Augsburg Confession can beadequately interpreted without the study of the historical occasion for eacharticle.Evenwhereitisleastpolemical,anhistoricalmotiveforeachstatementis present.TheApology is the author’s ownprotest against perversions of themeaningandtheattemptstoanswerthepositionsoftheAugsburgConfession;in other words, it is the official interpretation of those who prepared andpresentedtheAugustana.

When, some years later, after the conciliatory spirit that animates theAugsburgConfessionhadfailedtomakeanimpressiononitsopponents,Luther,intheSmalcaldArticles,providedfortheGeneralCouncilthattheEmperorhadpromised to call a statement of the issues involved in the controversies with

38

Romethatwasentirelyuptodate,whileMelanchthonsupplementeditwithanappendixonChurchPower,thatisthefoundationofallLutheranChurchPolity.

The last of the Confessions, the Formula of Concord, after more than agenerationhadpassedsincethecontroversywithRomewasmostacute,attemptsto afford a common basis uponwhich Lutherans could stand, and thus end aperiod of confusion, division, and estrangement that had broken the LutheranChurch of Germany into fragments. Never was there a more careful anddiscriminating Church document written, guarding in each article againstexaggerationsoneachside,andthen,inmostpreciseanddefinitewords,settingforth the teaching from theHoly Scriptures on the subjects concerningwhichthere had beanmisunderstanding and alienation of feeling. In it the LutheranChurch shows her fidelity in judging errors within, just as in the other greatConfessions she had judged errors fromwithout, her borders. To judge otherswithoutalsojudgingourownselves(1Cor.11:31)istobefairandjustneithertoourselvesnortoothers.

Upon the basis of all these Confessions the foundations of the LutheranChurchinAmericawerelaid.TheywereincludednotonlyintheConstitutionsof many of the earlier congregations, but also in the first Constitution of theMother Synod. With the entrance of a period when the importance of thisconfessionalpositionwasnotrecognized, therecameintoourhistoryretardinganddisorganizing forces that threatened theveryexistenceofourChurchas itbecameanglicized,andthattothepresentdayhavegreatlydividedandconfusedit.

With a widespread and all but general return towards the confessionalposition of the Fathers, a period of new life and promise for our Church inAmerica has begun.Upon the hearty acceptance of theseConfessions in theirhistorical sense, and their consistent application in the spirit of the Gospel topractice, the General Council, in common with others, offers a basis for theunionoftheentireLutheranChurchinAmerica.Theworkinwhichshehassosuccessfully cooperated in the preparation of a Common Service will not becomplete until the agreement possible in such joint work is traced to a morethorough harmony in the faith than had been supposed, and its ultimateexpressioninagreementastothetermsofconfessionalstatement.

ButfortheattainmentofsuchendtheConfessionsmustbereadilyaccessibleinthecommonlanguageofthecountry,andshouldbefoundinthestudiesofallour pastors and in the homes and libraries of all our intelligent people. EvenalthoughourChurchhasneverasked its laymen tosubscribe tomore than the

39

Catechism,yettheimportanceoftheiracquaintancewithallthat,asmembersofLutheran synods, they require their pastors to know and teach cannot bequestioned.

Heretofore translations intoEnglishhavebeenaccessibleonly in expensiveeditions. The edition ofwhich this is a revisionwas undertaken in 1882 by aretiredclergyman,theRev.G.W.Frederick,atgreatpecuniaryrisk.Hesparednoexpenseinprovidingfortheworkamostattractiveform,andinenablingtheeditor to introduce any amount of matter, which he deemed of value forillustrating the history and teaching of the Confessions. That edition is notsupplanted by this. It will continue to be published by the General Council’sPublicationBoardfortheuseofscholars.Initwillbefoundthehistoryofeachconfession, and the various documents upon which they were based. But thepopular edition, here offered, fulfills the hope of the editor from the verybeginning, to have the Confessions published at such price that they may hescattered broadcast throughout all English-speaking lands, where there areconfessorsoftheLutheranfaithforCanadaandAustralia,forSouthAfricaandIndia,fortheWestIndiesandSouthAmerica,aswellasfortheUnitedStatesofAmerica. Such edition will serve an important office in deepening andstrengtheningthefaithofourpeopleindrawingthemtogetherinthebondsofacommonfellowship,andinenablingthemtoappreciateallthemorehighlytheirheritage. But beyond this, as the preceding editionwaswarmlywelcomed byeminentrepresentativesofotherdenominationsbecauseofmuchthattheyfoundinitencouragingthemintheirconflicts,sothiseditionwillcontinuetoamuchwider circle than the Lutheran Church the testimonywhich our Fathers gave,and,whileinmanyotherreligiousbodiesconfessionallineshavevanishedandconfessional obligations weakened, a standard is here raised around whichmillionsinthiswesternworldwillrally.Theattentivereader,whatevermaybehis antecedents, will see that the matters here treated are not antiquated orobsolescent,butentermostdeeplyintotheissuesofthehour.

Thetranslationsincludedinthisvolumearethoseofthetwo-volumeedition,except that, for the translation of the Augsburg Confession, credited in thatedition toDr.CharlesPorterfieldKrauth, butwhich is in reality a reprint of asixteenth century English translation, published in “The Harmony of theConfessions”in1586,wehavesubstitutedthetranslationofficiallyapprovedbythe General Council after its preparation by a joint committee of the varioussynodicalbodies,mentionedinthenoteintroducingitattheproperplace(p.32).Withthisexception,theplatesarethoseofthelargeredition.Anumberofminor

40

changes,however,havebeenmade,suggestedbytwenty-nineyears’useofthetranslationinthestudyandtheclass-room,andbycriticismsofwhichwehavebeeninformed.

We send forth this volume with gratitude for the privilege of having beencalled toedit it and itspredecessor,and in the full confidence that itwillbeablessingtoourChurchinAmerica,and,throughit,inadvancingthekingdomofourLordJesusChrist,inwhosenametheseconfessionswerewritten.

HenryEysterJacobs.

LutheranTheologicalSeminary.

Philadelphia,Pa.,February27,1911.

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Loy,Matthias,(1828-1915)

Schmauk,TheodoreEmanuel,(1860-1920)

GreatNarratives

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My experiences in themission field of SouthDakota during the years1892-1897byFrankAlbertKiess

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All titles are available to you in a variety of formats at no charge. Read.Study.Reflect.GrowintheknowledgeofthegraceofourLord.

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101Lehmanowsky,JohnJacob.ATaleofTwoCaptains

102Sandt,GeorgeWashington.BiographyofTheodoreSchmauk

103Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.NewTestamentConversions

104Schmauk,TheodoreEmanuel.TheConfessionalPrinciple

105Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.BiographyofWilliamPassavant

106Scriver,Christian.Gotthold’sEmblems

108Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.TheLutheranCountryChurch

109Jacobs,HenryEyster.ASummaryoftheChristianFaith

110Krauth,CharlesPorterfield.InfantBaptisminCalvinism

111Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.What’sWrongWithTheWorld

112Greenwald,Emanuel.WhyTheReformation?

114Jacobs,HenryEyster.MartinLuther:TheHerooftheReformation

116Gerberding,GeorgeHenry.ThePriesthoodofBelievers

117Jacobs,HenryEyster.TheBookofConcord:Epitome

120Luther,Martin.FirstPrinciplesoftheReformation

121White,RalphJerome.SixYearsinHammockLand

125Hosmer,JamesKendell.TheStoryoftheJews

133Greenwald,Emanuel.JustificationByFaith

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138Dolbeer,WilliamHenry.TheBenediction

139Stromme,PeerOlsen.ChurchHistory:JustTheBasics

141Fesperman,JosephHamilton.TheLifeofaSufferer

143Whitteker,JohnEdwin.GospelTruths

144Whitteker,JohnEdwin.ChurchandState

145Stump,Joseph.Melanchthon

149 Greenwald, Emanuel. Pastor Louis Harms and the Church atHermansburg

155Miller,CharlesArmand.ThePerfectPrayer

156Laird,Samuel.SelectionofSermons

158 Morris, John Gottlieb. Life Reminiscences of an Old LutheranMinister

163LutheranTreasuryofPrayers

168 Brown, James Allen. The Anti-Lutheran Theology of Dr. S. S.Schmucker

169Einspruch,Henry.TheMostNotedJewishBookintheWorld

170Lichtenstein,Isaac.AnAppealtotheJewishPeople

171Loy,Matthias.TheDoctrineofJustification

176Neve,JuergenLudwig.ChurchesandSectsofChristendom

180Loy,Matthias.TheStoryofMyLife

185Dau,WilliamHermanTheodore.LutherExaminedandReexamined

188Schuh,LewisHerman.FuneralSermonsofLutheranDivines

189Greenwald,Emanuel.TheBaptismofChildren

190Long,SimonPeter.TheWayMadePlain

196Kiess, FrankAlbert.My experiences in the mission field of SouthDakota

201Long,SimonPeter.PreparetoMeetThyGod

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207Harms,JohnHenry.TheVictoryofFaith:LutheranMeditations

209Horine,Mahlon.TheBookofRuth

212Huber,Eli.FoodFortheHeavenlyWay

213Ochsenford, Solomon Erb. The Passion Story as Recorded by theFourEvangelists

221Keyser, Leander Sylvester. The Conflict Between FundamentalismandModernism

222 Keyser, Leander Sylvester. Election and Conversion. A FrankDiscussionofDr.FranzPieper’sBook

225Young,EgertonRyerson.MyDogsintheNorthland

236Sheldon,HenryClay.TheosophyandNewThought

240Lenski&Stellhorn.WhichPredestination:ReformedorLutheran?

241Lenski,Schmidt&Gohdes.IntuituFideiElectionInViewofFaith

242Lenski,Allwardt&Tressel.ElectionandPredestination:TheBlueIslandTheses

247Krauth, Charles Porterfield. A Sermon on the Burning of the OldLutheranChurch

249Sander,John.DevotionalReadingsfromLuther’sWorks

253Mahan,Milo.Palmoni:TheNumeralsofScripture

259Morris,John.ToRomeandBackAgain

272Wells,AmosRussel.ABibleYear

s01Krauth,CharlesPorterfield.SayingsofCharlesPorterfieldKrauth

s02Greenwald,Emanuel.TheTrueChurch

s03Wolf,EdmundJacob.JohnBurns:HeroofGettysburg

“Extras”

47

e10Diaz,Abby.TheCats’ArabianNights

e15Grimalkin,Tabitha.TalesfromCatland

e16Elwes,Alfred.TheAdventuresofaCat

e17Elwes,Alfred.TheAdventuresofaDog

e18Elwes,Alfred.TheAdventuresofaBear

e19Jackson,HelenHunt.LettersfromaCat

e22Jackson,Gabrielle.TheAdventuresofTommyPostOffice

e25Cowles,Julia.Crow’sLanguageLessons

e26Smith,Jeanie.Zephyr:AChristmasStory

e28Tappan,EvaMarch.DixieKitten

e32Bacon,Peggy.TheTruePhilosopherandOtherCatTales

e38Davis,RichardHarding.TheBarSinister

e41Carr,WalterE.TheStoryofFiveDogs

TheLutheranLibrary

The goal of theLutheranLibrary is to re-releasewell-written and readablebooks from sound, faithfulAmerican Lutherans of the past for the enjoymentand edification of a new generation. All books are available atlutheranlibrary.orgforfreedownloadinavarietyofformatsforKindle,Apple,andotherdevices.

Yourhelpisappreciatedinspreadingthewordasoftenandinasmanywaysasyoufeelisappropriate.

MayGod bless you and keep you, help you, defend you, and lead you toknowthedepthofHislove.Amen

48

Benediction

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present youfaultlessbeforethepresenceofhisglorywithexceedingjoy,

TotheonlywiseGodourSavior,begloryandmajesty,dominionandpower,bothnowandever.Amen.–Jude1:24-25

49

TableofContents

CopyrightInformation 5Contents 6I.TheSmallCatechismofDr.MartinLuther. 9PrefaceforPastorsandPreachers. 9PartFirst.TheTenCommandments. 14

TheFirstCommandment. 14TheSecondCommandment. 14TheThirdCommandment. 14TheFourthCommandment. 14TheFifthCommandment. 15TheSixthCommandment. 15TheSeventhCommandment. 15TheEighthCommandment. 15TheNinthCommandment. 16TheTenthCommandment. 16

PartSecond.TheCreed. 17TheFirstArticle-OfCreation. 17TheSecondArticle–OfRedemption. 17TheThirdArticle–OfSanctification. 18

PartThird.TheLord’sPrayer. 19TheIntroduction. 19TheFirstPetition. 19TheSecondPetition. 19TheThirdPetition. 20TheFourthPetition. 20TheFifthPetition. 20TheSixthPetition. 21TheSeventhPetition. 21

PartFourth.TheSacramentOfHolyBaptism. 22OfConfession1 23

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PartFifth.TheSacramentOfTheAltarorTheLord’sSupper. 25AppendixI.MorningAndEveningPrayer. 27

MorningPrayer. 27EveningPrayer. 27

AppendixII.TheBlessingAndThanksgivingAtTable. 29GracebeforeMeat. 29ThanksafterMeat. 29

AppendixIII.TableOfDuties. 31Bishops,PastorsandPreachers. 31WhatDutiesHearersowetheirBishops.1 31Magistrates. 31WhatDutiesSubjectsOweMagistrates.2 32Husbands. 32Wives. 32Parents. 33Children. 33MaleandFemaleServants,andLaborers. 33MastersandMistresses. 33YoungPersonsinGeneral. 33Widows. 34ChristiansinGeneral. 34

AbouttheAuthor 35SelectedBibliography 35

Preface 37AbouttheLutheranLibraryPublishingMinistry 42SomeAuthorsForYouToDiscover 42GreatNarratives 42Topics 43HowCanOneFindPeaceWithGod? 43IfYouFindTypographicErrors 43WanttobenotifiedofFutureReleases? 44

CatalogofTitles 45

51

“Extras” 47TheLutheranLibrary 48

Benediction 49

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