An Explanation Of The Small Catechism_The Creed

Front 1

86. What is a creed?

Back 1

A creed is a statement of what we believe, teach, and confess.
Rom. 10:10

Front 2

87. What is meant by "I believe in God"?

Back 2

It means I trust God and His promises and accept as true all He teaches in the Holy
Scriptures.
Ps. 31:14; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1

Front 3

88. Why do we say, "I believe," and not, "We believe"?

Back 3

Everyone must believe for himself or herself, no one can be saved by another's faith.
Hab. 2:4; Luke 7:50

Front 4

89. What three creeds are used by the church?

Back 4

The Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian.

Front 5

90. Which creed is used in Luther’s Catechism?

Back 5

The Apostles’ Creed.

Front 6

91. Why is it called the Apostles' Creed?

Back 6

It is called the Apostles' Creed, not because it was written by the apostles
themselves, but because it states briefly the doctrine (teaching) which God gave through the apostles in the Bible. The Creed is trinitarian because the Scriptures
reveal God as triune. Christians are baptized in the name of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Matt. 28:19; Eph. 4:4-6

Front 7

92. In what ways does the triune God make Himself known?

Back 7

A. Through the existence of the world (natural knowledge of God). Ps.19:1;Rom. 1:19-20
B. Through conscience (natural knowledge of God).
Rom. 2:15
C. Especially through the Holy Scriptures in which God clearly reveals Himself and His gift of salvation in Christ (revealed knowledge of God).
John 20:31; 2 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 1:1-2

Front 8

93. Who is God?

Back 8

In His Word God has told us that He is
A. spirit (a personal being without a body); John 4:24
B. eternal (without beginning and without end); Ps. 90:1-2
C. unchangeable (immutable); Ps. 102:27
D. almighty, all-powerful (omnipotent); Gen. 17:1
E. all-knowing (omniscient); Ps. 139:1-4
F. present everywhere (omnipresent); Jer. 23:24
G. holy (sinless and hating sin); Lev. 19:2
H. just (fair and impartial); Deut. 32:4
I. faithful (keeping His promises); 2 Tim. 2:13
J. good (kind, desiring our welfare); Ps. 145:9
K. merciful (full of pity); Jer. 3:12; Titus 3:5
L. gracious (showing undeserved kindness, forgiving); Ex. 34:6-7
M. love. John 3:16; 1 John 4:8

Front 9

94. Who is the only true God?

Back 9

The only true God is the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one divine being (the Holy Trinity).

Front 10

95. How are the three divine persons distinguished from each other?

Back 10

The Father has begotten the Son from eternity; the Son is begotten of the Father
from eternity; the Holy Spirit from eternity proceeds from the Father and the Son. To
the Father especially is ascribed the work of creation; to the Son, the work of
redemption; to the Holy Spirit, the work of sanctification.
Ps. 2:7; John 15:26; Gal. 4:6

Front 11

96. Why is the first person of the Trinity called "the Father"?

Back 11

A. God is the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ and also my Father through faith in
Christ.
Matt. 3:17;John 20:17;Gal. 3:26
B. He is also the Father of all people because He created them. Strictly speaking,
there is only one human race, because all human beings are equally the children of Adam and Eve and are equally redeemed by Christ.

Front 12

97. Why is God, the Father Almighty called "Maker of heaven and earth"?

Back 12

Because in six days He created all things, out of nothing, simply by His word.

Front 13

98. What is meant by "heaven and earth"?

Back 13

All things visible and invisible.

Front 14

99. Which invisible beings created by God are especially important to us?

Back 14

The angels.
Note: Angel means "messenger." God frequently used angels to announce important events in
the history of salvation: the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:1-20): the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38; Matt. 1:1821); the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:4-7); the ascension and second coming of Jesus (Acts 1:10-11).

Front 15

100. What else does the Bible tell us about angels?

Back 15

A. They are spirit beings who were created holy.
B. Some angels rebelled against God. They are the devils or demons.
C. The good angels are many and powerful. They serve God and help us.
D. The evil angels are also many and powerful. They hate God and seek to destroy everything that is good, especially faith in Christ.

Front 16

101. Who are human beings?

Back 16

Human beings are the most important visible creatures. God created Adam and Eve
in his own image with authoritv over all the earth.

Front 17

102. Why do we say, "God has made me"?

Back 17

God created the first man and woman, and God has created each one of us.

Front 18

103. How did God first create life?

Back 18

God created all living things, both plant and animal, by His Word alone, from
nothing. He created humanity specially, from dust, then gave us His own breath as
life.

Front 19

104. What plan does God use for the reproduction of living things?

Back 19

God created living things to reproduce "according to their kinds." Animals, plants,
and people can reproduce only living things like themselves.

Front 20

Glavni kolodvor

Back 20

Main Station

Front 21

106. What was the image of God?

Back 21

The image of God was this:
A. Adam and Eve truly knew God as He wishes to be known and were perfectly
happy in Him.
B. They were righteous and holy, doing God's will.

Front 22

107. Do people still have the image of God?

Back 22

No, this image was lost when our first parents disobeyed God and fell into sin. Their
will and intellect lost the ability to know and please God. In Christians God has
begun to rebuild His image, but only in heaven will it be fully restored.

Front 23

108. How does the universe still depend on God?

Back 23

God sustains all things by His wisdom and power.

Front 24

109. Why are there evil and suffering in this world?

Back 24

Evil and suffering are in the world because of sin. But in the suffering, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has demonstrated His power over sin and death.
God in His almighty power and love causes all things to work together for good to
those who love Him.

Front 25

110. What does God do to take care of me?

Back 25

A. He gives me food and clothing, home and family, work and play, and all that I
need from day to day.
B. "He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil."

Front 26

111. Why does God do this for us?

Back 26

"All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit
or worthiness in me.”

Front 27

112. What do we owe our heavenly Father for all His goodness? It is our duty
to

Back 27

A. "Thank and praise, serve and obey Him";
B. be good stewards of His creation.

Front 28

113. Why do we close the explanation of the First Article with the words,
"This is most certainly true"?

Back 28

Everything I confess in this article is plainly taught in God's Word, Holy Scripture.
Therefore, I firmly believe it.

Front 29

114. Of whom does the second article speak?

Back 29

It speaks about Jesus Christ-His person and His work.

Front 30

115. Why is He named Jesus?

Back 30

The name Jesus means "the Lord saves." Jesus is His personal name.

Front 31

116. Why is He called Christ?

Back 31

The title Christ (Greek) or Messiah (Hebrew) means "the Anointed." Jesus has been
anointed with the Holy Spirit without limit to be our Prophet, Priest, and King.

Front 32

117. What does it mean when you confess, "I believe in Jesus Christ"?

Back 32

It means that I know and trust in Jesus Christ as my only Savior from sin, death, and
the devil and believe that He gives me eternal life.

Front 33

118. Who is Jesus Christ?

Back 33

Jesus Christ is "true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man,
born of the Virgin Mary."

Front 34

119. How do you know that Jesus Christ is true God?

Back 34

Because the Scriptures clearly call Him God, teaching the following:
A. Jesus has divine names.
B. Jesus possesses divine attributes (qualities or characteristics). He is
1. eternal (without beginning and without end);
2. unchangeable;
3. almighty (omnipotent);
4. all-knowing (omniscient);
5. present everywhere (omnipresent).
C. Jesus does divine works (which only God can do).
1. He forgives.
2. He created.
3. He will judge.
4. He preserves.
D. Jesus receives divine honor and glory.

Front 35

120. How do you know that Jesus Christ is also true man?

Back 35

Because the Scriptures
A. clearly call Him man;
B. say that He has a human body and soul;
C. speak of His human, but sinless, feelings and actions.

Front 36

121. What two natures, therefore, are united in the one person of Jesus
Christ?

Back 36

The divine and the human natures are united in Jesus Christ. This personal union
began when He became man (incarnation) and continues forever.

Front 37

122. Why was it necessary for our Savior to be true man?

Back 37

Christ had to be true man in order to
A. act in our place under the Law and fulfill it for us (active obedience);
B. be able to suffer and die for our guilt because we failed to keep the Law
(passive obedience).

Front 38

123. Why was it necessary for our Savior to be true God?

Back 38

Christ had to be true God in order that
A. His fulfilling of the Law, His life, suffering, and death might be a sufficient ransom for all people;
B. He might be able to overcome death and the devil for us.

Front 39

124. What do you therefore confess about Jesus Christ, the God-man?

Back 39

I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Redeemer, whom I love and serve with
my whole life.

Front 40

125. For what threefold office was Christ anointed?

Back 40

Christ was anointed to be our Prophet, Priest, and King.
A. As Prophet, Christ
1. preached personally during His life on earth, validating His word with miracles, especially His own resurrection;
2. through the preached Gospel today still proclaims Himself to be the Son of God
and Redeemer of the world.
B. As Priest, Christ
1. fulfilled the Law perfectly in our stead (active obedience);
2. sacrificed Himself for our sins (passive obedience);
3. still pleads for us with His heavenly Father (intercession).
C. As King, Christ
1. rules with His almighty power over all creation (the kingdom of power-all
creatures);
2. governs and protects especially His church (the kingdom of grace-the church
on earth);
3. finally leads His church to kingdom of glory-the church in heaven).

Front 41

126. What two states do the Scriptures distinguish in Christ's work of salvation?

Back 41

A. The state of humiliation
B. The state of exaltation

Front 42

127. What was Christ's humiliation?

Back 42

Christ's humiliation was that as man He did not always or fully use His divine
powers.

Front 43

128. Which words of the Apostles' Creed describe the stages of Christ's
humiliation?

Back 43

"Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried."

Front 44

129. What do the Scriptures teach about Christ's conception?

Back 44

They teach that Christ, the Son of God, received a true human body and soul in the
Virgin Mary through the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit, not through a human
father.

Front 45

130. What do the Scriptures teach of the birth of Christ?

Back 45

They teach that Jesus Christ, the God-man, was born of the Virgin Mary.

Front 46

131. What do the Scriptures teach about Christ's life, suffering, and death?

Back 46

They teach that Christ
A. endured poverty, contempt, and persecution in His earthly life;
B. suffered great agony of body and soul under Pontius Pilate;
C. died in excruciating agony on the cross.

Front 47

132. What do the Scriptures teach about Christ's burial?

Back 47

They teach that Christ's body was buried in the tomb and remained there until the
third day, without decaying in any way.

Front 48

133. Why did Christ humble Himself?

Back 48

Christ voluntarily humbled Himself in order to "redeem me, a lost and condemned person."

Front 49

134. From what has Christ redeemed you?

Back 49

He has redeemed me "from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil."

Front 50

135. How has Christ redeemed you from all sins?

Back 50

A. He took my guilt and punishment upon Himself
B. He freed me from the slavery of sin.

Front 51

136. How has Christ rescued you from death?

Back 51

Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, Christ has triumphed over death.
Since He now gives me eternal life I need not fear death.

Front 52

137. How has Christ rescued you from the power of the devil?

Back 52

Christ has completely conquered the devil. Therefore the devil can no longer accuse
me of my sins, and I can resist his temptations.

Front 53

138. With what has Christ redeemed you?

Back 53

Christ has redeemed me, "not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death."

Front 54

139. How does this work of redemption benefit you?

Back 54

Christ was my substitute. He took my place under God's judgment against sin. By
paying the penalty of my guilt, Christ atoned, or made satisfaction, for my sins
(vicarious atonement).

Front 55

140. Has Christ redeemed only you?

Back 55

No, Christ has redeemed me and all people (universal atonement).
2 Cor. 5:15;1 John 2:2

Front 56

141. What is Christ's exaltation?

Back 56

Christ's exaltation is that as man He now fully and always uses His divine powers.

Front 57

142. Which words of the Apostles' Creed describe the stages of Christ's
exaltation?

Back 57

"He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended
into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He
will come to judge the living and the dead."

Front 58

143. Why is Christ's descent into hell part of His exaltation?

Back 58

The Scriptures teach that Christ, after He was made alive in His grave, descended
into hell, not to suffer punishment, but to proclaim His victory over His enemies in
hell.

Front 59

144. What do the Scriptures teach about Christ's resurrection?

Back 59

They teach that on the third day Christ victoriously rose from the grave and showed
Himself alive to His disciples.

Front 60

145. Why is Christ's resurrection so important and comforting?

Back 60

Christ's resurrection proves that
A. Christ is the Son of God;
B. His doctrine is the truth;
C. God the Father accepted Christ's sacrifice for the reconciliation of the world;
D. all believers in Christ will rise to eternal life.

Front 61

146. What do the Scriptures teach about Christ's ascension?

Back 61

They teach that 40 days after His resurrection, Christ, in the presence of His
disciples, ascended bodily into the glory of His Father, to prepare a place for us in
heaven.

Front 62

147. What does it mean that Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty?

Back 62

With this expression Scripture teaches that Christ, as true man, is not only present
everywhere, but also now fully exercises His divine power over the whole universe.

Front 63

148. What comfort do we get from Christ's ascension to the right hand of God?

Back 63

We know that the exalted God-man, Christ
A. as our Prophet sends people to proclaim the saving Gospel by the power of
the Holy Spirit;
B. as our Priest pleads and prays for us before the Father;
C. as our King rules and protects His church and governs over all the world
especially for the benefit of His church.

Front 64

149. What do the Scriptures teach about Christ's second coming?

Back 64

A. Christ will return visibly and with great glory on the Last Day.
B. Christ will return to judge the world, not to set up an earthly government.
C. Christ will return on a specific day known by God alone.
D. Before Christ returns, there will be increasing turmoil and distress for the church and the world.
E. The return of Christ is a source of hope and joy for the Christian.

Front 65

150. In conclusion, then, why has Christ redeemed you?

Back 65

The Scriptures teach that Christ's purpose was
A. "that I may be His own"; that is, I am now righteous and blameless in the sight
of God;
B. that I may "live under Him in His kingdom"; that is, that I am now freed from the slavery of sin and thus freed to serve God;
C. that I may "serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness"; that is, that I honor God with my whole life and rejoice in Him now on earth and forever in heaven.

Front 66

151. What is the basis of our faith and life in Christ?

Back 66

"He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity."

Front 67

152. Why do you close this article with the words, "This is most certainly true"?

Back 67

Because all that I confess in this article is plainly taught in the Bible, and I, therefore,
firmly believe it.

Front 68

153. What five points does the third article discuss?

Back 68

1. The Holy Spirit
2. The Church, the Communion of Saints
3. The Forgiveness of Sins
4. The Resurrection of the Body
5. The Life Everlasting

Front 69

154. Who is the Holy Spirit?

Back 69

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Holy Trinity, true God with the Father and the Son-therefore not merely the power or energy of God.

Front 70

155 How do you know that the Holy Spirit is God?

Back 70

Because the Scriptures clearly call Him God, teaching that
A. the Holy Spirit has divine names;
B. the Holy Spirit possesses divine attributes (properties or characteristics);
C. the Holy Spirit does divine works (which only God can do);
D. the Holy Spirit receives divine honor and glory.

Front 71

156. What is the special work of the Holy Spirit?

Back 71

The Holy Spirit sanctifies me (makes me holy) by bringing me to faith in Christ, so that I might have the blessings of redemption and lead a godly life (sanctification in the wide sense).
Note: The word sanctification is used in two ways:
1. The wide sense-the whole work of the Holy spirit by which He brings us to faith and also enables us to lead a godly life.
2. The narrow sense-that part of the Holy Spirit's work by which He directs and empowers the believer to lead a godly life.

Front 72

157. Why do you need the Holy Spirit to begin and sustain this faith in you?

Back 72

By nature I am spiritually blind, dead, and an enemy of God, as the Scriptures teach;
therefore, "I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him."

Front 73

158. What has the Holy Spirit done to bring you to faith?

Back 73

The Holy Spirit "has called me by the Gospel," that is, He has invited and drawn me by the Gospel to partake of the spiritual blessings that are mine in Christ.

Front 74

159. How do the Scriptures describe this gracious work of the Spirit in you?

Back 74

The Scriptures teach that by the Gospel the Holy Spirit "enlightened me with His
gifts," that is, He gave me the saving knowledge of Jesus, my Savior, so that I trust,
rejoice, and find comfort in Him.

Front 75

160. What is this work of the Holy Spirit called?

Back 75

It is called conversion (being turned) or regeneration (new birth).

Front 76

161. Why do you say that the Holy Spirit has done this by the Gospel?

Back 76

The Gospel is the means by which the Holy Spirit offers us all the blessings of Christ
and creates faith in us.
Note: The written and spoken Word of the Gospel and the sacraments are the means of grace.

Front 77

162. Besides faith, what else does the Holy Spirit create in you by the
Gospel?

Back 77

The Holy Spirit sanctifies me in the true faith, that is, by faith He works a renewal of
my whole life-in spirit, will, attitude, and desires-so that I now strive to overcome sin
and do good works (sanctification in the narrow sense).

Front 78

163. What are good works in God's sight?

Back 78

In God's sight a good work is everything that a child of God does, speaks, or thinks in faith according to the Ten Commandments, for the glory of God, and for the benefit of his or her neighbor.

Front 79

164. What do the Scriptures teach about the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Back 79

The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to His church. They teach that
A. the Holy Spirit through the Word and sacraments freely gives to all Christians
the most precious gifts: faith in Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life;
B. in apostolic times the Holy Spirit also gave some Christians the gift to perform
miraculous signs and wonders (for example, healings, speaking in tongues,
raising the dead).
The Scriptures do not teach, however, that God will necessarily give all Christians in every time and place special miraculous gifts. The Holy Spirit bestows His
blessings according to His good pleasure.

Front 80

165. Finally, what also does the Holy Spirit do for you?

Back 80

The Holy Spirit by the Gospel keeps me in the true faith.

Front 81

166. Whom else does the Holy Spirit regenerate and renew?

Back 81

The Holy Spirit "calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith."

Front 82

167. Does the Holy Spirit want to do this in the lives of all people?

Back 82

God the Holy Spirit earnestly wants to convert all people and bring them to salvation
through the Gospel.

Front 83

168. Then, why are not all people saved?

Back 83

Many reject the Word and resist the Holy Spirit; therefore they remain in unbelief and
under God's judgment by their own fault.
Matt. 23:37;Acts 7:51
Bible narratives: The invited guests refused to come (Matt. 22:1-10). The guests refused to
accept the invitation (Luke 14:16-24).

Front 84

169. What is the holy Christian church?

Back 84

The holy Christian church is the communion of saints, the total number of those who
believe in Christ. All believers in Christ, but only believers, are members of the church (invisible church).

Front 85

170. Why do you say, "I believe" in the church?

Back 85

A. Because faith, which makes people members of the church, is invisible, the church is invisible to human eyes.
B. The Scriptures assure us that the Holy Spirit continues to gather and preserve the church.

Front 86

171. Why do you say, I believe in "the" church?

Back 86

There is only one church, one spiritual body of believers (saints), whose one and
only head is Christ.

Front 87

172. Why is the church called "holy"?

Back 87

It is made up of holy people (saints), believers who have been cleansed by the blood
of Christ and who serve God with holy living.

Front 88

173. Why is the church called "Christian"?

Back 88

It belongs to Christ and is built on Him alone.

Front 89

174. Where is this holy Christian church to be found?

Back 89

The holy Christian church is to be found where "the Gospel is preached in its purity
and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel" (Augsburg
Confession VII 1). The Gospel and the sacraments are called the "marks of the
church."

Front 90

175. In what other senses is the word church used?

Back 90

The word church is also used to indicate
A. the visible church of God
B. a denomination;
C. a local congregation;
D. a house of worship.

Front 91

176. Why does Scripture call local congregations "church"?

Back 91

Local, visible gatherings around the means of grace are called churches because
there believers are gathered around Word and sacrament.

Front 92

177. What is the visible church?

Back 92

The visible church is the whole number of those who use the Word of God and profess the Christian faith, but among whom, beside the true Christians, there are also unbelievers.

Front 93

178. Are there then two churches, one visible and the other invisible?

Back 93

There is only one church--all believers in Christ. The visible gathering is called church because of the believers gathered around the means of grace in an assembly in which there are also hypocrites.
Bible narratives: The net that caught all kinds of fish (Matt. 13:47-48). A man without wedding clothes (Matt. 22:11-12). Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:111).

Front 94

179. What do the Scriptures teach about our life in the church?

Back 94

They teach that
A. we should seek always to be and remain members of the invisible church,
Christ's body, by sincere faith in Christ, our Savior;
B. we should be faithful to that visible church, or denomination, which professes
and teaches all of the Bible's doctrine purely and administers the sacraments
according to Christ's institution;
C. we should avoid false teachers, false churches, and all organizations that promote a religion that is contrary to God's Word;
D. we should maintain and extend God's church by telling others about Jesus Christ, by personal service, and by prayer and financial support.

Front 95

180. Why do you say, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins"?

Back 95

I believe in the forgiveness of sins because through Christ God has declared pardon and forgiveness to all sinful humanity.

Front 96

181. What moves God to forgive sins?

Back 96

God forgives sins because He is merciful and because of Christ's atoning sacrifice
for sinners.

Front 97

182. How is it possible for a just and holy God to declare sinners righteous (justification)?

Back 97

God declares sinners righteous for Christ's sake; that is, our sins have been imputed or charged to Christ, the Savior, and Christ's righteousness has been imputed or credited to us.

Front 98

183. Where does God offer the forgiveness of sins?

Back 98

God offers the forgiveness of sins in the Gospel.

Front 99

184. How do you receive this forgiveness of sins?

Back 99

I receive this forgiveness through faith, that is, by believing the Gospel.

Front 100

185. Why can and should I be sure of the forgiveness of my sins?

Back 100

I can and should be sure of the forgiveness of my sins because God keeps His
promises in Christ.

Front 101

186. Why must we firmly hold to this teaching of justification by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith?

Back 101

We must firmly hold to this teaching because
A. it is the most important doctrine of the Christian religion;
B. it distinguishes the Christian religion from false religions, all of which teach
salvation by works;
C. it gives enduring comfort to the penitent sinner;
D. it gives all glory to God for His grace and mercy in Christ.

Front 102

187. What do the Scriptures teach about the resurrection of the body?

Back 102

They teach that on the Last Day Christ "will raise me and all the dead." The same bodies that have died shall be made alive.

Front 103

188. Are people reborn in bodies or forms?

Back 103

Reincarnation, the belief that when people die they are reborn in other bodies or in a
series of other bodies, is contrary to Scripture.

Front 104

189. What difference will there be between believers and unbelievers in the
resurrection?

Back 104

A. The believers will rise with glorified bodies and enter everlasting life in heaven
with God.
B. The unbelievers will rise to eternal death, that is, to shame and torment in hell
forever.

Front 105

190. To whom does God give eternal life?

Back 105

God gives eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.
A. Eternal life is a present possession.
B. At the time of death, the soul of a believer is immediately with Christ in heaven.
C. At the Last Day the believers, in both body and soul, will begin the full
enjoyment of being with Christ forever.

Front 106

191. Are you sure that you have eternal life?

Back 106

Even as I now believe in Christ my Savior, I also know that I have been chosen to eternal life out of pure grace in Christ without any merit of my own and that no one can pluck me out of His hand (eternal election of grace or predestination).

Front 107

192. Why do you close this article with the words "This is most certainly true"?

Back 107

Because all that I confess in this article is plainly taught in the Bible and therefore I firmly believe it.