An Explanation Of The Small Catechism_Ten Commandments

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13. What are the Ten Commandments?

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The Ten Commandments are the Law of God.
Note: God gave them in this order but did not number them (Deut. 5:6-21; Ex. 20:1-17).

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14. How did God give His Law?

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When God created people, He wrote the Law on their hearts. Later he arranged the
Law in Ten Commandments, wrote it on two tables of stone, and made it known
through Moses. Rom. 2:14-15

Bible narrative: God wrote His commandments directly for the Israelites (Ex. 19-20; 31:18). There are three kinds of laws in the Old Testament: the moral law, which tells all people their duty toward God and other people; the ceremonial law, which regulated the religious practices in the Old Testament; and the political law, which was the state law of the Israelites. Only the
moral law was written into the human heart.

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15. What is the summary of commandments 1-3 (First Table)?

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Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind" (Matt. 22:37; see Deut. 6:5).

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16. What is the summary of commandments 4-10 (Second Table)?

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"And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:39; see Lev.
19:18).

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17. What is the summary of all the commandments?

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Love is the summary of all the commandments.
Rom. 13:10

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18. Whom does God mean when in the Ten Commandments He says, "You shall"?

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He means me and all other human beings.
Matt. 5:19; Rom. 3:19

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19. Who is the only true God?

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The only true God is the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct
persons in one divine being (the Holy Trinity).
Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 8:4; 2 Cor. 13:14

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20. What does God forbid in the First Commandment?

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God forbids us to have other gods (idolatry).
Is. 42:8 1; Matt. 4:10; 1 Cor. 8:4; 1 John 5:21

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21. When do people have other gods?

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They have other gods
A. when they regard and worship any creature or thing as God;
B. when they believe in a god who is not the triune God (see the Apostles' Creed).
C. when they fear, love, or trust in any person or thing as they should fear, love,
and trust in God alone;
D. when they join in the worship of one who is not the triune God.

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22. What does God require of us in the First Commandment?

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God requires that we fear, love, and trust in Him above all things.
A. We fear God above all things when we revere Him alone as the highest being,
honor Him with our lives, and avoid what displeases Him.
B. We love God above all things when we cling to Him alone as our God and
gladly devote our lives to His service.
C. We trust in God above all things when we commit our lives completely to His
keeping and rely on Him for help in every need.

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23. Who is able to keep this and the other commandments?

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No person can keep any or all commandments perfectly, except Jesus Christ. All
those who have faith in Him by the power of His Spirit willingly strive to keep these
commandments.
Eccl. 7:20; 1 John 1:8; John 14:15; Phil. 2:13

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24. Why do we say in the second and following commandments, "We should
fear and love God"?

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The fulfillment of all commandments must flow from the fear and love of God.
Ps. 111:10; John 14:23

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25. What is God's name?

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God, as He has revealed Himself to us, His essence and His attributes.
Ex. 3:14; Is. 9:6; Jer. 23:6; Matt. 1:21; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1

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26. What does God forbid in the Second Commandment?

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In the Second Commandment God forbids us to misuse His name.

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27. How is God's name misused?

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God's name is misused when people
A. speak God's name uselessly or carelessly (see Ex. 20:7);
B. curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name.

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28. What is cursing by God's name?

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Cursing by God's name is
A. blaspheming God by speaking evil of Him or mocking Him;
B. calling down the anger and punishment of God upon oneself or any other
person or thing.

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29. What is swearing by God's name?

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Swearing by God's name is taking an oath in which we call on God to witness the
truth of what we say or promise and to punish us if we lie or break our promise.

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30. When are we permitted, and even required, to swear by God's name?

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We are permitted, and even required, to take an oath by God's name when an oath
is necessary for the glory of God or the welfare of our neighbor. Examples include
the following: testimony in court, oath of office, wedding vows.

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31. When is swearing forbidden?

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Swearing is forbidden when it is done falsely, thoughtlessly, or in sinful, uncertain, or
unimportant matters.

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32. What is using satanic arts by God's name?

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Using satanic arts by God's name is:
A. using God's name in order to perform or claim to perform supernatural things
with the help of the devil, such as casting spells, calling up a spirit,
fortunetelling, consulting the dead, or other occult practices;
B. joining with or seeking the aid of people who practice these and similar satanic
arts or worship Satan;
C. depending on horoscopes or similar ways to foretell the future.

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33. What is lying and deceiving by God's name?

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Lying and deceiving by God's name is
A. teaching false doctrine and saying that it is God's Word or revelation;
B. covering up an unbelieving heart or a sinful life by pretending to be a Christian.

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34. What does God require of us in the Second Commandment?

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We should call upon His name in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
Ps. 50:15; Ps. 103:1; Ps. 118:1; Eph. 5:20

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35. What is the Sabbath day?

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In the Old Testament God set aside the seventh day (Saturday) as a required day of
rest (Sabbath means "rest") and worship.

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36. Does God require us to observe the Sabbath and other holy days of the Old Testament?

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The Sabbath was a sign pointing to Jesus, who is our rest. Since Jesus has come as
our Savior and Lord, God no longer requires us to observe the Sabbath day and other holy days of the Old Testament.

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37. Does God require the church to worship together on any specific days?

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A. God requires Christians to worship together. (Heb. 10:25)
B. He has not specified any particular day. (Rom. 14:5-6)
C. The church worships together especially on Sunday because Christ rose from
the dead on Sunday. (Acts 20:7)

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38. When do we sin against the Third Commandment?

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We sin against the Third Commandment when we despise preaching and the Word of God.

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39. How is this done?

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We despise preaching and the Word of God
A. when we do not attend public worship;
B. when we do not use the Word of God and the Sacraments;
C. when we use the Word of God and the Sacraments negligently or carelessly.

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40. What does God require of us in the Third Commandment?

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A. We should hold preaching and the Word of God sacred.
B. We should gladly hear it, learn it, and meditate on it.
C. We should honor and support the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.
D. We should diligently spread the Word of God.

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41. What do the first three commandments (the First Table) show us about
ourselves?

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That we have sinned and deserve God's condemnation.
Rom. 3:22-23

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42. Who alone has kept the Law of God perfectly?

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Only Jesus Christ, the God-man.
John 8:46; Heb. 4:15

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43. How does Christ's perfect keeping of the Law benefit us?

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Since Christ was our substitute before God, our Savior's perfect keeping of the Law
is part of His saving work for us, and because of Him we are considered righteous
before God. (Gal. 4:4-5)

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44. Besides showing us our sin, what else does God's Law do for us?

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In the Ten Commandments God shows us what His will is. Christians, by the power
of the Holy Spirit, are eager to do God's will.
1 Thess. 4:3

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45. What is the summary of commandments 4-10 (Second Table)?

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"Love your neighbor as yourself' (Matt. 22:39).

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46. Who is our neighbor?

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All people are our neighbors.
Gal. 6:10; Matt. 5:44

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47. How should we love our neighbor?

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We should love our neighbor as ourselves and show this love by keeping the
commandments of the Second Table.
Matt. 7:12

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48. Who are parents and other authorities?

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Parents are fathers, mothers, and guardians; other authorities are all those whom
God has placed over us at home, in government, at school, at the place where we
work, and in the church.

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49. What does God forbid in the Fourth Commandment?

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God forbids us to despise our parents and other authorities by not respecting them
or angering them by our disobedience or by any other kind of sin.
Rom. 13:2

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50. What does God require of us in the Fourth Commandment?

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God requires us
A. to honor our parents and other authorities by regarding them as God's representatives;
B. to serve our parents and other authorities by gladly providing what they need
or require;
C. to obey our parents and other authorities in everything in which God has placed
them over us;
D. to love and cherish our parents and other authorities as precious gifts of God;
E. to show respect to the aged.

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51. What promise does God attach to this commandment?

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... that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Eph. 6:3

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52. What does God forbid in the Fifth Commandment?

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A. God forbids us to take the life of another person (murder, abortion, euthanasia)
or our own life (suicide).
B. God forbids us to hurt or harm our neighbor physically, that is, to do or say
anything which may destroy, shorten, or make his or her life bitter.
C. God forbids us to keep anger and hatred in our hearts against our neighbor.

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53. Does anyone have authority to take an other person's life?

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Yes, lawful government, as God's servant, may execute criminals and fight just wars.
Rom. 13:4

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54. What does God require of us in the Fifth Commandment?

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A. We should help and support our neighbor in every bodily need.
B. We should be merciful, kind, and forgiving towards our neighbor.
C. We should avoid and assist our neighbor in avoiding the abuse of drugs and the use of any substance that harms the body and the mind.

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55. How do we lead a sexually pure and decent life?

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We lead a sexually pure and decent life when we
A. consider sexuality to be a good gift of God;
B. honor marriage as God's institution, the lifelong union of one man and one
woman;
C. reserve sexual intercourse for the marriage partner alone;
D. control sexual urges in a God-pleasing way.

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56. What does God forbid in the Sixth Commandment?

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A. God forbids divorce except for marital unfaithfulness (adultery or desertion).
B. God forbids sexual intercourse between unmarried persons.
C. God forbids sexual sins such as rape, homosexual activity, incest, sexual child
abuse, obscenity, and the use of pornographic materials.
D. God forbids sexually impure thoughts and

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57. What does God require of us in the Sixth Commandment?

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A. God requires us to avoid all temptations to sexual sin.
B. God requires us to be clean in what we think and say.
C. God requires us to use our sexuality in ways pleasing to Him.

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58. What does God require especially of married people?

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God requires married people to love, honor, and respect each other. The wife is the
husband's God-given helper, and the husband is the wife's God-given head.

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59. What does God forbid in the Seventh Commandment?

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God forbids every kind of robbery, theft, and dishonest way of getting things.

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60. What does God require of us in the Seventh Commandment?

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A. We should help our neighbor to improve and protect that person's possessions and income.
B. We should help our neighbor in every need.

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61. What does God forbid in the Eighth Commandment?

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A. God forbids us to tell lies about our neighbor in a court of law or elsewhere,
that is, to lie about, lie to, or withhold the truth from our neighbor.
B. God forbids us to betray our neighbor, that is, to reveal our neighbor's secrets.
C. God forbids us to slander our neighbor or hurt our neighbor's reputation.

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62. What does God require of us in the Eighth Commandment?

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A. We should defend our neighbor, that is, we should speak up for and protect
our neighbor from false accusations.
B. We should speak well of our neighbor, that is, we should praise our neighbor's
good actions and qualities.
C. We should put the best meaning on everything, that is, we should explain our
neighbor's actions in the best possible way.

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63. What is coveting?

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Coveting is having a sinful desire for anyone or anything that belongs to our
neighbor.

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64. What coveting does God forbid in the Ninth Commandment?

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God forbids every sinful desire to get our neighbor's possessions openly or by
trickery.

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65. What does God require of us in the Ninth Commandment?

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We should be content with what God has given us and assist our neighbor in
keeping what God has given that person.

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66. What coveting does God forbid in the Tenth Commandment?
.

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God forbids every sinful desire to take from our neighbor that person's spouse or
workers

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67. What does God require of us in the Tenth Commandment?

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We should be content with the helpers God has given us and encourage our
neighbor's helpers to be faithful to our neighbor.

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68. What does God particularly impress upon us in the last two
commandments?

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A. In God's sight evil desire, coveting, is indeed sin and deserves condemnation.
B. God wants us to love Him and to have holy desires.

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69. Why does God call Himself a jealous God?

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Because God is holy
A. He hates sin and insists on strict and perfect obedience;
B. He will not share with idols the love and honor we owe Him;
C. He will punish those who hate Him.

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70. What does God threaten to do to all who hate Him and break His commandments?

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God threatens earthly punishment, physical death, and eternal damnation.

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71. What does God mean when He threatens to punish the children for the sin
of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him?

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If the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren also hate God and follow in
the evil ways of their parents, then God will during their earthly lives punish them for
the sins of their ancestors.

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72. Why does God threaten such punishment?

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God threatens such punishment to make us fear His anger, so that we do not act against His commandments.

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73. How does God bless those who love Him and keep His commandments?

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He showers those who believe in Him and their God-fearing descendants with His
constant love and good gifts.

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74. How carefully does God want us to keep His commandments?

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God wants us to keep His commandments perfectly in thoughts, desires, words, and
deeds.
Lev. 19:2; James 2:10

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75. What prevents us from keeping God's commandments perfectly?

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Our sinful nature makes it impossible.
Ps. 14:3; Is. 64:6; 1 John 1:8

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76. Can anyone, then, be saved by the Law?

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No; the Law condemns everyone.
Gal. 3:10-11

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77. What purposes does the Law then serve?

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A. First, the Law helps to control violent outbursts of sin and keeps order in the
world (a curb). Rom. 2:14-15
B. Second, the Law accuses us and shows us our sin (a mirror). Rom 3:20
C. Third, the Law teaches us Christians what we should and should not do to lead a God-pleasing life (a guide). The power to live according to the Law comes from the Gospel.
Ps. 119:105

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78. What is sin?

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Sin is every thought, desire, word, and deed which is contrary to God's Law.
1 John 3:4
Note: Other names for sin are disobedience (Rom. 5:19); debts (Matt. 6:12); wickedness, rebellion, (Ex. 34:7); fault (Matt. 18:15); trespass (Rom. 5:17); wickedness (Rom. 6:13); and
wrong (Col. 3:25).

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79. Who brought sin into the world?

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The devil brought sin into the world by tempting Adam and Eve, who of their own free will yielded to the temptation.
1 John 3:8; Rom. 5:12

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80. How many kinds of sin are there?

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There are two kinds of sin: original sin and actual.

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81. What is original sin?

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Original sin is that total corruption of our whole human nature which we have
inherited from Adam through our parents.
Ps. 51:5; John 3:6; Rom. 5:12

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82. What has original sin done to human nature?

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A. Original sin has brought guilt and condemnation to all people; Rom. 5:19; Eph. 2:3
B. has left everyone without true fear and love of God, that is, spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God; Gen. 8:21;
1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1; Rom. 8:7
C. causes everyone to commit all kinds of actual sins.
Matt. 7:17; Gal. 5:19

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83. What is actual sin?

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Actual sin is every act against a commandment of God in thoughts, desires, words,
or deeds.
Matt. 15:19; James 1:15; James 4:17

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84. Where alone does God offer the forgiveness of sins?

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God offers the forgiveness of sins only in the Gospel, the good news that we are
freed from the guilt, the punishment, and the power of sin, and are saved eternally
because of Christ's keeping the Law and His suffering and death for us.
John 3:16; Rom. 1:16; Rom. 10:4; Gal. 3:13; Col. 1:13-14

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85. What is the difference between the Law and the Gospel?

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A. The Law teaches what we are to do and not to do; the Gospel teaches what God has done, and still does, for our salvation.
B. The Law shows us our sin and the wrath of God; the Gospel shows us our
Savior and the grace of God.
C. The Law must be proclaimed to all people, but especially to impenitent
sinners; the Gospel must be proclaimed to sinners who are troubled in their minds because of their sins.