The LutherQueasies Can Run, But They Cannot Hide!What Did Missouri Teach in 1901?

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2011/01/lcms-1901-catechism-justification-by.html

By Norma Boeckler

JUSTIFICATION --

AS TAUGHT IN LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM

(KLEINER KATECHISMUS)

Concordia Publishing House, 1901 Edition

Translation from German by V. H. Harley

P. 164 ff. II. Of The Forgiveness of Sins or Justification.

305. Why do you say in this article: I believe in the Forgiveness of Sins?

Because I hold with certainty that by my own powers or through my

own works I cannot be justified before God, but that the forgiveness of sins is

given me out of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. For where there is

forgiveness of sins, there is also true justification.

Ps. 130, 3.4; Ps. 143, 2; Is. 64, 6; Job 25, 4-6 (Q.124).

306. What is Justification?

Justification is that activity (Handlung) of God by which He out of

pure grace and mercy for the sake of Christ’s merits forgives the sins of a poor

sinner who truly believes in Jesus Christ and receives him to everlasting life.

307. How then do you become righteous before God and receive

everlasting salvation?

Not out of any merit or works or through an indwelling and infused

righteousness, but alone out of God’s grace and mercy through and on account

of the sole merit of Christ which I with true confidence of the heart have taken

hold of and appropriated to myself.

Or:

Through the most holy obedience, as also through the suffering and

death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not through any other works. This I

hold on to with unwavering faith (ungezweifeltem Glauben), and upon this I

place the full confidence of my heart.

308. With which testimonies of the Scripture do you prove this?

Rom. 3:23-25; Rom. 3:28 (Q.147); Eph. 2:8 (Q.147); 2 Tim. 1:9;

(Q. 288); Rom. 4:5 (Q. 140); Rom. 10:4 (Q.125); Ps. 32:1.2 (Cp. Rom. 4:6-8),

Gen. 15:6 (Cp. Rom. 4:3); Is. 53:11; Rom. 11:6.

309. But how can one say that we are justified alone out of grace, alone

for the sake of Christ’s merits, and alone through faith, and yet also through the

Word and Sacraments?

We become justified:

1) Out of God’s grace and mercy as the activating cause

(bewirkedende Ursache).

2) For the sake of Christ’s merit as the sole meritorius cause

(alleinigen verdienstlichen Ursache).

3) Alone through faith, as the sole instrumental cause (die einige

Mittelursache) or hand which takes hold of salvation.

4) Finally through the Word and Sacraments, as through the Means of

Grace, which partly offer and partly seal the salvation

(Gnadenmittel, die die seligkeit theils darbieten, theils

versiegeln).

310. Can and should believers be certain of their faith and of their

justification and salvation?

Yes, most certainly; because: Since the evangelical promises of the

forgiveness of sins, of perseverance in faith, and of obtaining eternal life are

1) entirely firm and certain (1 Cor. 1:20),

2) affirmed by a divine oath (Ezek. 33:11 -Q.180, Cp. Heb.

6:17.18),

3) sealed by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the pious (2 cor.

1:21.22),

4) and affirmed through the holy Sacraments as seal

(Rom.4:11, Q.453),

therefore they can and should be certain that neither death, nor life may

separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:

38.39, 2 Tim. 1:12, Q. 139).

+++++++

NOTE: The above was translated from the edition done by Dr. Johann Conrad

Dietrich, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.. 
This was the official Catechism of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Missouri, Ohio and other States at the beginning of this century.

Links from the Small Catechism Quotations Here. Gideon - And Many Others - Appreciate the Catechism Data.

Pastor Jackson,

After reading the survey of catechism texts, I was reminded that these are actually facts not mere opinions that demonstrate the shift of American Lutheranism since the 19th century.

There it is.   Makes me feel like a Catholic— or maybe marginally better than one.

Indeed, what one sees when studying the change through the decades is a microcosm of the theological shift in the Catholic Church herself through her first 1500 years.

You don’t want to believe it, but there it is.  The TRUTH never changes, but institutions do.

SDG,

Gideon

Links to Historic Small Catechism Quotations

First Catechisms - The Changes, Oh Oh

Apology of the Book of Concord - JBF

Loehe Catechism

More Small Catechism Quotations

Easter Absolution and UOJ in the Catechism

Navigation Page for Confessing the Gopsel and the Huge, Expensive LCMS Small Catechism

A Murder of Crows - Initial Response to Confessing the Gospel, LCMS Two-Volume Dogmatics

Gideon - On the Dogmatanic and the Huge Expensive Catechism

Another Layman on the Huge Expensive Catechism

UOJ Should Stop Pretending It Belongs to Luther - Reader

UOJ in the New, Huge Small Catechism

How To Discern the Spirits

A Man Spoke, But the LCMS-WELS World Does Not Listen

A Word about the UOJ "Diamond" in the Large Catechism - This Is a Good One

Zwingli's diamond was his verse in John 6:63 that the flesh  profits nothing. That was the way he saw it - typical of sectarians, who find a verse and build a systematic theology upon it, a house built on sand.

Book of Concord, Large Catechism, Lord's Prayer

88] Therefore there is here again great need to call upon God and to pray: Dear Father, forgive us our trespasses. Not as though He did not forgive sin without and even before our prayer (for He has given us the Gospel, in which is pure forgiveness before we prayed or ever thought about it). But this is to the intent that we may recognize and accept such forgiveness.

***

GJ - This is the point where the pinheads dance around, grinning like the cat who found the cream, and say, "Here is proof that Luther taught Objective Justification - forgiveness without faith. Here is the the Book of Concord teaching OJ. You are dastardly heretics for denying this great truth!"

But avast, one little thing is overlooked. This is Luther's explanation of prayer, and only those who believe in Christ pray the Lord's Prayer, The Perfect Prayer, as recently published by the Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry.

To see this in context, we also need to look at the Small Catechism, which Luther called one of his two books that needed to be kept - the rest could be thrown away. The Lutheran leaders have obeyed Luther too well and thrown them all away, keeping only this sentence in red. (The other book was his Galatians Lectures, but try to find a Lutheran pastor who has read it! The great team of Buchholz and Webber, the Laurel and Hardy of Justification, mentioned Luther' Galatians and ignored its content.)

I believe in the Holy Ghost; one holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean?--Answer.

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.

GJ - So WELS, for example, sells a gigantic meadow muffin against Justification by Faith and entombs a perfectly wonderful Small Catechism in exactly the opposite teaching. That is the Kuske Catechism, a book by a moron designed for zombies. And yet, this useless trash prepared the way for the New NIV with its invention of UOJ (in a feeble, conflicted way) in Romans 3.

Thus Luther clearly taught forgiveness through faith in Christ, and never even suggested forgiveness or salvation without faith. The person praying "forgive us our sins" is acknowledging the Atonement, not OJ, UOJ, General Justification, or any other manufactured dogma of Calvinism and Pietism. The Atonement means Jesus has not only died for minor sins and those sins we think we can conquer, but also for great and terrible sins.

Laurel and Hardy,
or Abbott and Costello?

Intrepid Lutherans - Catechisms. Intelligent Discussions Found in the Comments Section

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Mr. Douglas Lindee said...

I'm, personally, not a big fan of Gausewitz (preferring the Dietrich Catechism, these days). But I do have it, and refer to it on occasion.

In this section, his explanation of Redemption seems confusing at first (esp. Q184), but when you take in the entire section, it is clear that he is talking about Redemption in the context of a person's Faith. The Second Article confesses, "I believe..." and that establishes the context of what is being taught (Q182). It is clear, too, when he discusses that from which we have been redeemed (Q192.2), the fruits of redemption (Q193) and the meaning of the resurrection (Q203.3), that none of this can be understood outside the context of Faith.

Making this fact all the more clear is his discussion on the Third Article, concerning the forgiveness of sins. As with the Second, the Third Article confesses "I believe..." and this establishes the context of what is being taught by it. God forgives the sins of believers, and sins are forgiven in the Christian Church on earth, etc. Gausewitz, on the whole, is pretty clear on JBFA.

OCTOBER 1, 2015 AT 2:23 PM

Vernon Knepprath said...

Thanks Douglas. I was also thinking of the questions under the Third Article, since I have looked them up many times in the last few years. I was taught from the Gausewitz, and it is what most WELS of my generation are familiar with. As you said, the Gausewitz is clear about JBFA and question 261 can't make it any clearer. "God forgives sins to me and all believers." Compare it to Kuske's, which says "God declared all people righteous." The teaching has changed.

OCTOBER 1, 2015 AT 5:22 PM

Jim Roberts said...

According to "Martin Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation" 1902 Augustana Book Concern:

111. How shall Christ then Judge men?
Christ shall say to the faithful: Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
But to the unbelievers he shall say: Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

125. In what does true faith in Christ consist?
True faith in Christ consists in this, that with our heart's desire we accept Christ as our Saviour and in Him only ground the confident assurance of the forgiveness of our sins, life and salvation.

126. What does God do when man accepts Christ in True faith?
God justifies and regenerates him.

127. What is justification?
Justification is the act of God in which he imputed to us the meritorious righteousness of Jesus Christ and forgives all our sins.

127 is after 126 and shows Justification by Faith Alone.

128. What is regeneration?
Regeneration is that work of grace in which the believer, at the time of justification, by reason of the grace of baptism, receives the new life in Christ and becomes a child of God.

131. How does the Holy Ghost preserve a believer in the true faith?
The Holy Ghost continues to call and enlighten the believer, and thereby helps him through daily repentance to seek and accept from his Saviour the forgiveness of his sins and renewed strength for continued growth in sanctification.

Jim Roberts

OCTOBER 1, 2015 AT 8:05 PM

Mr. Douglas Lindee said...

I'm, personally, not a big fan of Gausewitz (preferring the Dietrich Catechism, these days). But I do have it, and refer to it on occasion.

In this section, his explanation of Redemption seems confusing at first (esp. Q184), but when you take in the entire section, it is clear that he is talking about Redemption in the context of a person's Faith. The Second Article confesses, "I believe..." and that establishes the context of what is being taught (Q182). It is clear, too, when he discusses that from which we have been redeemed (Q192.2), the fruits of redemption (Q193) and the meaning of the resurrection (Q203.3), that none of this can be understood outside the context of Faith.

Making this fact all the more clear is his discussion on the Third Article, concerning the forgiveness of sins. As with the Second, the Third Article confesses "I believe..." and this establishes the context of what is being taught by it. God forgives the sins of believers, and sins are forgiven in the Christian Church on earth, etc. Gausewitz, on the whole, is pretty clear on JBFA.

OCTOBER 1, 2015 AT 2:23 PM

Vernon Knepprath said...

Thanks Douglas. I was also thinking of the questions under the Third Article, since I have looked them up many times in the last few years. I was taught from the Gausewitz, and it is what most WELS of my generation are familiar with. As you said, the Gausewitz is clear about JBFA and question 261 can't make it any clearer. "God forgives sins to me and all believers." Compare it to Kuske's, which says "God declared all people righteous." The teaching has changed.

OCTOBER 1, 2015 AT 5:22 PM

Jim Roberts said...

According to "Martin Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation" 1902 Augustana Book Concern:

111. How shall Christ then Judge men?
Christ shall say to the faithful: Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
But to the unbelievers he shall say: Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

125. In what does true faith in Christ consist?
True faith in Christ consists in this, that with our heart's desire we accept Christ as our Saviour and in Him only ground the confident assurance of the forgiveness of our sins, life and salvation.

126. What does God do when man accepts Christ in True faith?
God justifies and regenerates him.

127. What is justification?
Justification is the act of God in which he imputed to us the meritorious righteousness of Jesus Christ and forgives all our sins.

127 is after 126 and shows Justification by Faith Alone.

128. What is regeneration?
Regeneration is that work of grace in which the believer, at the time of justification, by reason of the grace of baptism, receives the new life in Christ and becomes a child of God.

131. How does the Holy Ghost preserve a believer in the true faith?
The Holy Ghost continues to call and enlighten the believer, and thereby helps him through daily repentance to seek and accept from his Saviour the forgiveness of his sins and renewed strength for continued growth in sanctification.

Jim Roberts

OCTOBER 1, 2015 AT 8:05 PM

***

GJ - I get a wee bit nervous when people talk about which catechism is best. I have always used Luther's bare, naked Small Catechism.

Editions of Luther's Small Catechism become increasingly Talmudic, with commentary upon commentary, words piled on words. Is the correct answer really what this or that edition said?

I appreciate the discussion above, which casts a lot of light on the conflicts created by Lutheran publishers, especially WELS. The Kuske Catechism turned justification inside out, making justification by faith justification without faith.

When people learn to translate, they often put the words above the text, as I did when a young lad in college. The problem is, the eyes go to the inserted word and not to the original one. The language student will not learn the language by looking at the words above. Therefore, the translator must use the bare, naked text and read it over and over until it becomes familiar. A jimmy (after KJV) or pony (free ride) is useful, as long as it is kept closed and off to the side.

LI was shocked that I wrote in words, because I forbade it while tutoring him. I said, "I learned it was wrong to do that, so you will not." We opened Lenski when necessary and the Keys book in German.
That led to talking in Lenski-isms - "Be thou continually brushing thy teeth" and so forth.

The Small Catechism is already a brilliant summary of the entire Bible, so why inflate it with the Talmudic commentary of various groups? That pits the A edition against the B edition, and "I grew up with A" while others say, "But I grew up with C."

So I use the Triglotta Small Catechism.

When people start comparing their Small Catechism editions, the ones with all the extra text, they end up looking at the extra text rather than the original - the same problem as in translating, and they tend to memorize the translation. We do not need anything more than a clear English text of the Catechism and the Biblical text.

The falser the teacher, the greater the explanations, until the explanations or glosses become the canon. Thus Walther, the Brief Confession of 1932, the Kuske Catechism, and Valleskey or Bivens on any topic.

Jay Webber had to wander all over the landscape for 50 pages to explain that the Bible, Luther, and the clown chorus members of ELS-WELS-LCMS all teach justification without faith.


The Third Article.

Of Sanctification.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; one holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean?--Answer.

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.

If we are confused by the pulpit brawlers who seek to divide and ruin the true Church, we only need to look at the Large Catechism on the same topic -


38] For neither you nor I could ever know anything of Christ, or believe on Him, and obtain Him for our Lord, unless it were offered to us and granted to our hearts by the Holy Ghost through the preaching of the Gospel. The work is done and accomplished; for Christ has acquired and gained the treasure for us by His suffering, death, resurrection, etc. But if the work remained concealed so that no one knew of it, then it would be in vain and lost. That this treasure, therefore, might not lie buried, but be appropriated and enjoyed, God has caused the Word to go forth and be proclaimed, in which He gives the Holy Ghost to bring this treasure home and appropriate it to us. 39] Therefore sanctifying is nothing else than bringing us to Christ to receive this good, to which we could not attain of ourselves.

56] But outside of this Christian Church, where the Gospel is not, there is no forgiveness, as also there can be no holiness [sanctification]. Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness [sanctification], not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin, but by their works, have expelled and severed themselves [from this Church].

Project Gutenberg - Luther's Small Catechism

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Norma Boeckler designed the Trinity/ Pentecost Symbol.

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Small Catechism of Martin Luther by Martin Luther, 

translated by Robert E. Smith.

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

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

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.

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 preaching or God's Word, but consider it holy, listen to it willingly, and learn it.

The Fourth Commandment

You must honor your father and mother. [So that things will go well for you 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 our parents or superiors nor irritate them, but will honor them, serve them, 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 our neighbor'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 clean and 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's money or property, nor acquire it by fraud or by selling him poorly made products, but will help him improve and protect his property and career.

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 will defend him, say good things about him, and see the best side of everything 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 our neighbor out of his inheritance or house, take it by pretending to have a 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 or anything 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's cattle, take his employees from him or seduce his wife, but urge them to 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 grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who hate me with their ancestor's sin. But I make whole those who love me for a thousand generations." (Exodus 20:5)

What does it mean?

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

Coburg

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, my mind and all my senses. He preserves them as well. He gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and land, wife and children, fields, animals and all I own. Every day He abundantly provides everything I need 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 of His pure, fatherly and divine goodness and His mercy, not because I've earned it or deserved it. For all of this, I must thank Him, praise Him, 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 the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried, descended to Hell, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Almighty Father. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ is truly God, born of the Father in eternity and also truly man, born of the Virgin Mary. He is my Lord! He redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, bought and won me from all sins, death and the authority of the Devil. It did not cost Him gold or silver, but His holy, precious blood, His innocent body—His death! Because of this, I am His very own, will live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him righteously, innocently and blessedly forever, just as He is 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 community of 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 own intelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as He calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith. In this Church, He generously forgives each day every sin committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, He will raise me and all the dead from the grave. He will give eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is true!

By Norma Boeckler

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 real Father and we are His real children, so that we will pray with trust and complete confidence, in the same way beloved children approach their beloved Father with their requests.

The First Request

May Your name be holy. (Matthew 6:9)

What does this mean?

Of course, God's name is holy in and of itself, but by this request, we pray that He will make it holy among us, too.

How does this take place?

It happens when God's Word is taught clearly and purely, and when we live holy lives as God's children based upon it. Help us, Heavenly Father, to do this! But anyone who teaches and lives by something other than God's Word defiles God's name among us. Protect us from this, Heavenly Father!

The Second Request

Your Kingdom come. (Matthew 6:10)

What does this mean?

Truly God's Kingdom comes by itself, without our prayer. But we pray in this request that it come to us as well.

How does this happen?

It happens when the Heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that we believe His holy Word by His grace and live godly lives here in this age and there in eternal life.

The Third Request

May Your will be accomplished. As it is Heaven, so may it be on Earth.
(Matthew 6:10)

What does this mean?

Truly, God's good and gracious will is accomplished without our prayer.
But we pray in this request that is accomplished among us as well.

How does this happen?

It happens when God destroys and interferes with every evil will and all evil advice, which will not allow God's Kingdom to come, such as the Devil's will, the world's will and will of our bodily desires. It also happens when God strengthens us by faith and by His Word and keeps us living by them faithfully until the end of our lives. This is His will, good and full of grace.

The Fourth Request

Give us today our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11)

What does this mean?

Truly, God gives daily bread to evil people, even without our prayer. But we pray in this request that He will help us realize this and receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What does "Daily bread" mean?

Everything that nourishes our body and meets its needs, such as: Food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, yard, fields, cattle, money, possessions, a devout spouse, devout children, devout employees, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors and other things like these.

The Fifth Request

And forgive our guilt, as we forgive those guilty of sinning against us. (Matthew 6:12)

What does this mean?

We pray in this request that our Heavenly Father will neither pay attention to our sins nor refuse requests such as these because of our sins and because we are neither worthy nor deserve the things for which we pray. Yet He wants to give them all to us by His grace, because many times each day we sin and truly deserve only punishment. Because God does this, we will, of course, want to forgive from our hearts and willingly do good to those who sin against us.

The Sixth Request

And lead us not into temptation. (Matthew 6:12)

What does this mean?

God tempts no one, of course, but we pray in this request that God will protect us and save us, so that the Devil, the world and our bodily desires will neither deceive us nor seduce us into heresy, despair or other serious shame or vice, and so that we will win and be victorious in the end, even if they attack us.

The Seventh Request

But set us free from the Evil One. ( Matthew 6:12)

What does this mean?

We pray in this request, as a summary, that our Father in Heaven will save us from every kind of evil that threatens body, soul, property and honor. We pray that when at last our final hour has come, He will grant us a blessed death, and, in His grace, bring us to Himself from this valley of tears. Amen

What does this mean?

That I should be certain that such prayers are acceptable to the Father in Heaven and will be granted, that He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and that He promises to answer us. Amen. Amen. This means: Yes, yes it will happen this way.

IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household

What is Baptism?

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water contained within God's command and united with God's Word.

Where in the Word of God is this?

Where our Lord Christ spoke in the last chapter of Matthew (Matthew
28:19):
"Go into all the world, teaching all heathen nations, and baptizing
them in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

What does Baptism give? What good is it?

It gives us the forgiveness of sins, redeems us from death and the
Devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, just as
God's words and promises declare.

What are these words and promises of God?

Our Lord Christ spoke one of them in the last chapter of Mark (Mark
16:16):
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever does not
believe will be damned."

How can water do such great things?

Water doesn't make these things happen, of course. It is God's Word, which is with and in the water. Because, without God's Word, the water is plain water and not baptism. But with God's Word it is a Baptism, a grace-filled water of life, a bath of new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul said to Titus in the third chapter (Titus 3:5-8): "Through this bath of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that we, justified by the same grace are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying."

What is the meaning of such a water Baptism?

It means that the old Adam in us should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance, and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, in turn, a new person daily come forth and rise from death again. He will live forever before God in righteousness and purity.

Where is this written?

St. Paul says to the Romans in Chapter Six (Romans 6:4): "We are buried with Christ through Baptism into death, so that, in the same way Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, thus also must we walk in a new life."

V. How You Should Teach the Uneducated to Confess

What is confession?

Confession has two parts: First, a person admits his sin Second, a person receives absolution or forgiveness from the confessor, as if from God Himself, without doubting it, but believing firmly that his sins are forgiven by God in Heaven through it.

Which sins should people confess?

When speaking to God, we should plead guilty to all sins, even those we don't know about, just as we do in the "Our Father," but when speaking to the confessor, only the sins we know about, which we know about and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

Consider here your place in life according to the Ten Commandments. Are you a father? A mother? A son? A daughter? A husband? A wife? A servant? Are you disobedient, unfaithful or lazy? Have you hurt anyone with your words or actions? Have you stolen, neglected your duty, let things go or injured someone?

Please suggest to me a simple way to confess.

You should speak to your confessor this way:

Honorable, dear Sir: Would you please hear my confession and pronounce forgiveness according to God's will.

He will respond: Yes. Please go ahead.

Then say: I confess in the presence of God that I am a poor sinner and guilty of every kind of sin. I specifically admit to you that I am a servant, maid, etc., but I'm afraid that I have served my master unfaithfully. >From time to time, I have not done what I was told to do. I have angered them and caused them to swear at me. I have neglected my duty and allowed damage to be done. My words and actions have been shameful. I have been angry with my peers. I have complained about my master's wife and sworn at her, etc. I am sorry for all of this and ask for grace. I want to do better.

A master or a lady of the house should speak this way: I specifically confess to you that I have not faithfully led my children, servants or wife to God's glory. I have cursed. I have set a bad example with my obscene words and actions. I have hurt my neighbor and spoken evil things about him. I have charged him too much, cheated him and sold him badly made goods.

Let him also confess any other sins against God's commandments and his place in life, etc.

If a person is not burdened with sins such as these or greater sins, he should not look for other sins or invent them, because that would turn confession into torture. Instead, he should mention one or two that he knows about. For example: specifically I confess that I once cursed. Once I used inappropriate language. Once I neglected to do this or that thing, etc. Let that be enough.

If you do not know of anything you have done wrong (which does not seem possible), do not say anything in specific, but receive forgiveness based upon the general confession you make to God in the presence of your confessor.

After this, the Confessor will say:
May God be merciful to you and strengthen your faith!

Then he will ask:
Do you also believe that the forgiveness I give is God's forgiveness?

Then you will answer:
Yes, dear sir.

After this, he will say: May what you believe happen to you. And by the command of my Lord Jesus, I forgive your sins in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace! The confessor will know how to use additional passages to comfort and to encourage the faith of those who sorrow, are troubled or whose conscience is greatly burdened. This is only meant to be a general confession for the uneducated.

VI. The Sacrament of the Altar


The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to his Household

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

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

Where is that written?

The holy apostles Matthew, Mark and Luke and St. Paul write this: "Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night on which He was betrayed, took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to His disciples and said: 'Take! Eat! This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me!' In the same way He also took the cup after supper, gave thanks, gave it to them, and said: 'Take and drink from it, all of you! This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you to forgive sins. This do, as often as you drink it, to remember Me!'"

What good does this eating and drinking do?

These words tell us: "Given for you" and "Shed for you to forgive sins." Namely, that the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given to us through these words in the sacrament. Because, where sins are forgiven, there is life and salvation as well.

How can physical eating and drinking do such great things?

Of course, eating and drinking do not do these things. These words, written here, do them: "given for you" and "shed for you to forgive sins." These words, along with physical eating and drinking are the important part of the sacrament. Anyone who believes these words has what they say and what they record, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

Who, then, receives such a sacrament in a worthy way?

Of course, fasting and other physical preparations are excellent disciplines for the body. But anyone who believes these words, "Given for you," and "Shed for you to forgive sins," is really worthy and well prepared. But whoever doubts or does not believe these words is not worthy and is unprepared, because the words, "for you" demand a heart that fully believes.

Appendix I How a Father Should Teach His Household to Conduct Morning and Evening Devotions.

Morning Devotions

As soon as you get out of bed in the morning, you should bless yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say:

May the will of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be done! Amen. Then, kneeling or standing, say the creed and pray the Lord's Prayer. If you wish, you may then pray this little prayer as well: My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You kept me safe from all evil and danger last night. Save me, I pray, that you will keep me safe today from every evil and sin as well,, so that all I do and the way that I live will please you. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your holy Angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen. After that, with joy go about your work and perhaps sing a song inspired by the Ten Commandments or your own thoughts.

Evening Devotions

When you go to bed in the evening, you should bless yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say:

May the will of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be done! Amen. Then, kneeling or standing, say the creed and pray the Lord's Prayer. If you wish, then you may pray this little prayer as well: My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You have protected me, by Your grace. Forgive, I pray, all my sins and the evil I have done. Protect me, by Your grace, tonight. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your holy angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.

After this, go to sleep immediately with joy.

Appendix II How a Father Should Teach His Household to say Grace and Return Thanks at Meals:

The Blessing

The children and servants should come to the table modestly and with folded hands and say: All eyes look to you, O Lord, and You give everyone food at the right time. You open Your generous hands and satisfy the hunger of all living things with what they desire. (Psalm 145:15-16) Note: "What they desire" means that all animals get so much to eat, that they are happy and cheerful. Because, worry and greed interferes with such desires. After this, pray the Lord's Prayer and the following prayer: Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these gifts, which we receive from Your generous hand, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Thanking God

After eating, too, they should modestly fold their hands and say:

Thank the Lord, because He is kind and His goodness lasts forever! He gives all creatures food. He gives livestock their food and feeds the young ravens that call out to Him. A horse's strength does not give Him pleasure. A man's legs do not give Him joy. People who fear the Lord and who wait for His goodness please Him.

After this, pray the Lord's Prayer and the following prayer:

We thank You, Lord God, Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for all
Your blessings. You live and rule forever! Amen!

Appendix III The Home Chart A number of passages to use to teach and admonish people in all holy orders and statuses in life about their duties.

For Bishops, Pastors and Preachers: 1 Tim. 3:2-4 Titus 1: 6

What Hearers owe their Pastors: 1 Cor. 9:14 Gal. 6: 6 1 Tim. 5:17-18 Heb. 13:17

For Earthly Authorities
Rom. 13:1-4

For those Under Authority Matt. 22:21 Rom. 13:5-7 1 Tim. 2:1-3 Titus 3:1 1 Peter 2:13-14

For Husbands 1 Peter 3:7 Col. 3:19

For Wives Eph. 5:22 1 Peter 3:5-6

For Parents
Eph. 6:4

For Children
Eph. 6:1-3

For Servants, Maids, Hired Hands and Workers
Eph. 6: 5-7
Col. 3:22

For the Man and Woman of the House
Eph. 6:9
Col. 4:1

For Young People in General 1 Pet. 5:5-6

For Widows 1 Tim. 5:5-6

For Everyone in General Rom. 13:8-10 1 Tim. 2:1-2

If everyone will learn his part,
The whole household will fare well.

________________________________________________________________________

This text was translated in 1994, revised in 2002 and revised and expanded in 2004 for Project Wittenberg by Robert E. Smith. It has been placed in the public domain by him. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at:

Concordia Theological Seminary
Email: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu
Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825
USA Phone: (260) 452-3149 Fax: (260) 452-2126

Thou Shalt Not Steal

The Seventh Commandment.

Thou shalt not steal.

What does this mean?

Answer

We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money or property, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and business [that his means are preserved and his condition is improved].

***

The Eighth Commandment, Large Catechism, Book of Concord:

284] All this has been said regarding secret sins. But where the sin is quite public so that the judge and everybody know it, you can without any sin avoid him and let him go, because he has brought himself into disgrace, and you may also publicly testify concerning him. For when a matter is public in the light of day, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying; as, when we now reprove the Pope with his doctrine, which is publicly set forth in books and proclaimed in all the world. For where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public, that every one may learn to guard against it.

***

A. Nony Mouse has left a new comment on your post "Thou Shalt Not Steal":

...and you're not stealing any images for your blog?

GJ - Right click, save picture as... I did not claim to have photographed these two Church Growth Enthusiasts. Their photos are not copyrighted. If they object in writing, I can always change them. My attorneys--Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe--advised that trademarks and copyrights need to be displayed for protection.

WELS objected to having their lavender cross copied. My attorneys said they needed to have a TM near it, for TradeMark. Of course, it does look a little silly to trademark a cross. Nevertheless, I removed the logo and replaced it with a dollar sign. Likewise, Steve Kurtzahn's touchy webmaster in the CLC had objections about their graphics, so I made a quick change. Those are the only two objections I have received...so far.

And, since you didn't ask, I write my own sermons.