Luther's Small Catechism

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The first commandment

Back 1

You shall have no other Gods.

We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else.

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The second commandment

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You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

We are to fear and love God so that we do not use his name to curse, swear, lie, or deceive, but call on him in prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

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The third commandment

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Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.

We are to fear and love God so we do not neglect his Word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.

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The fourth commandment

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Honor you father and mother.

We are to fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents or those in authority, but respect, obey, love, and serve them.

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The fifth commandment

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You shall not kill.

We are to fear and love God so that we do not harm our neighbor in any way, but help him in all his physical needs.

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The sixth commandment

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You shall not commit adultery

We are to fear and love god so that in matters of sex our words and conduct are pure and honorable, and husband and wife love and respect each another.

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The seventh commandment

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You shall not steal.

We are to fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor's money or property, or try to gain them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his property and means of making a living.

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The eighth commandment

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You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

We are to fear and love God so that we don't betray, slander, or lie about our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain his actions in the kindest way.

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The ninth commandment

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You shall not covet your neighbor,s house.

We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to get our neighbor's possessions by scheming, or by pretending to have a right to them, but always help him keep what is his.

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The tenth commandment

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You shall not covet your neighbor,s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle, or anything that is your neighbor's.

We are to fear and love God so that we do not tempt or coax away from our neighborhis wife or his workers, but encourage them to remain loyal.

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What does God say of all these commandments?

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He says:
"I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children of the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."

What does this mean to us?
God warns us that he will punish all who break these commandments. Therefore we are to fear his wrath and not disobey him. But he promises grace and every blessing to those who keep these commandments. Therefore we are to love and trust him, and gladly do what he commands.

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The first article of the apostles creed.

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I believe in God the father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

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The explanation of the first article of the AC

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I believe that God has created me and all that exists. He has given me and still preserves my body and soul with all their powers.
He provides me with food and clothing, home and family, daily work, and all I need from day to day.
God also protects me in time of danger and guards me from every evil.
All this he does out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it.
Therefore I surely out to thanks praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.

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The second article of the AC

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I believe inJesus Christ, His only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffed under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

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The explanation of the second Article of the AC

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I believe that Jesus Christ - true God, Son of the Father from eternity, and true man,born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord.
At great cost he has saved and redeemed me, a lost and condemned person.
He has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil - not with silver or gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death.
All this he has done that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally.
This is most certainly true.

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The third article of the AC

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I believe in the Holy Spirit
The holy catholic Church
The communion of saints
The forgiveness of sins
The resurrection of the body
And the life everlasting. Amen

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The explanation of the third article of the AC

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I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him.
But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in the true faith.
In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christin church on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
In this Christian church day after day he fully forgives my sins and the sins of all believers.
On the last day he will raise me and all the dead and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life.
This is most certainly true.

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The LP introduction

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Our Father who art in heaven

Here God encourages us to believe that he is truly our Father and we are his children. We therefore pray to him with complete confidence, just as children speak to their loving father.

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The LP first petition

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Hallowed be thy name

God's name is certainly holy in itself, but we ask in ta praye that we may keep it holy.

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The LP first petition: When does this happen?

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God's name is allowed whenever his Word is taught in truth and purity and we as children of God live in harmony with it.
Helpus to do this, heavenly Father!
But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to the Word of God dishonors God's name among us. Keep us from doing this, Heavenly Father!

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The LP second petition: what does this mean?

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Thy kingdom come.

God,s kingdom comes indeed without our praying for it, but we ask in this prayer that it may come also to us.

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The LP second petition: when does this happen?

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God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that by grace we believe his holy Word and I've a godly life on earth now and in heaven forever.

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The LP third petition: what does this mean?

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Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

The good and gracious will of God is surely done without our prayer, but we ask in this prayer that it maybe done also among us.

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The LP third petition: when does this happen?

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God's will is done when he jeers and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the evil, the world, and our sinful self, which would prevent us from keeping his name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom.
And his will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his Word as long as we live. This is his gracious and good will.

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The LP fourth petition: what does this mean?

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Give us this day our daily bread

God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, but we ask in this prayer that he will hep us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanks.

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The LP fourth petition: what is meant by daily bread?

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Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors.

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The LP fifth petition: what does this mean?

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Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

We ask in this prayer that rue Father in heaven would not hold our sins against us, and because of them refuse to hear our prayer.
And we pray that he would give us everything by grace, for we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. So we on our part will heartily forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

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The LP sixth petition: what does this mean?

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And lead us not into temptation

God tempts no one to sin, but we ask in this prayer that God would watch over us and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins.
And we pray that even though we are so tempted, we may still win the final victory.

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The LP seventh petition: what does this mean?

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But deliver us from evil

We ask in this inclusive sprayer that our heavenly Father would save us from every evil to body, soul, and at our last hour would mercifully take us from the troubles of this world to himself in heaven.

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The LP Doxology

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For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Amen means Yes it shall be so. We say Amen because we are Crain that such petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are shared by him.
For he himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us.