THE SMALL CATECHISM (2024)

THE SMALL CATECHISM

by

Dr.Martin Luther

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

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THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

You shall have noother gods.

What does thismean?

We should fear, loveand trust in God above all things.

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THE SECONDCOMMANDMENT

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

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we do not curse, swear, practice witchcraft, lie or deceiveby His name, but call upon Him in every trouble, pray, praise and give thanks.

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THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

You shall keep theday of rest holy.

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacredand gladly hear and learn it.

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THE FOURTHCOMMANDMENT

Honor your father andyour mother, that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on theearth.

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we do not despise our parents or superiors, nor provoke themto anger, but honor, serve, obey, love and esteem them.

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THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not kill.

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we do no bodily harm to our neighbor, but help and befriendhim in every need.

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THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not commitadultery.

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and thathusband and wife each love and honor the other.

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THE SEVENTHCOMMANDMENT

You shall not steal.

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or goods, nor getthem in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his goods andmeans of making a living.

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THE EIGHTHCOMMANDMENT

You shall not bearfalse witness against your neighbor.

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we do not lie about, betray or slander our neighbor, butexcuse him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.

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THE NINTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not covetyour neighbor’s house.

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we do not craftily seek to gain our neighbor’sinheritance or home, nor get it by a show of right, but help and serve him inkeeping it.

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THE TENTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not covetyour neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor hiscattle, nor anything that is his.

What does thismean?

We should fear andlove God, so that we do not tempt, force or coax away from our neighbor hiswife or his workers, but urge them to stay and do their duty.

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CONCLUSION

What does God sayabout these commandments?

I the Lord your Godam a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to thethird and fourth generations of those who hate Me, and showing mercy tothousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

What does thismean?

God threatens topunish all who transgress these commandments. Therefore we should fear Hiswrath and do nothing against these commandments. But He promises grace andevery blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore we should alsolove and trust in Him and willingly do according to His commandments.

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THE CREED

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THE FIRST ARTICLE

I believe in God theFather Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

What does thismean?

I believe that Godhas made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes,ears and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still preserves them;that He richly and daily provides me with food and clothing, home and family,property and goods, and all that I need to support this body and life; that Heprotects me from all danger, guards and keeps me from all evil; and all thispurely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit orworthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank and praise, toserve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

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THE SECOND ARTICLE

I believe in JesusChrist, His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born ofthe Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and wasburied; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; Heascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Fatheralmighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

What does thismean?

I believe that JesusChrist is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man,born of the Virgin Mary; and that He is my Lord, Who has redeemed me, a lostand condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and fromthe power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, preciousblood, and with His innocent suffering and death; in order that I might be Hisown, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness,innocence and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reignsto all eternity. This is most certainly true.

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THE THIRD ARTICLE

I believe in the HolySpirit; the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness ofsins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does thismean?

I believe that Icannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or cometo Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with Hisgifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; just as He calls, gathers,enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it withJesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily andrichly forgives me and all believers all our sins; and at the last day He willraise up me and all the dead, and will grant me and all believers in Christeternal life. This is most certainly true.

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THE LORD’SPRAYER

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THE INTRODUCTION

Our Father, Who artin heaven.

What does thismean?

God would herebytenderly invite us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are Histrue children, so that we may ask Him with all boldness and confidence, aschildren ask their dear father.

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THE FIRST PETITION

Hallowed be Thy name.

What does thismean?

God’s name iscertainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be holyamong us also.

How is God’sname hallowed?

God’s name ishallowed when His Word is taught in its truth and purity, and we as thechildren of God live holy lives according to it. This grant us, dear Father inheaven! But he who teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teachesdishonors God’s name among us. From this preserve us, heavenly Father!

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THE SECOND PETITION

Thy Kingdom come.

What does thismean?

The kingdom of Godcertainly comes of itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition thatit may come to us also.

How doesGod’s kingdom come?

The kingdom of Godcomes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His gracewe believe His holy Word and live godly lives here in time and hereafter ineternity.

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THE THIRD PETITION

Thy will be done onearth, as it is in heaven.

What does thismean?

The good and graciouswill of God is certainly done without our prayer, but we pray in this petitionthat it may be done also among us.

How is God’swill done?

God’s will isdone when He breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will, which would notlet us hallow His name nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil,the world and our own flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Wordand in faith until our end. This is His good and gracious will.

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THE FOURTH PETITION

Give us this day ourdaily bread.

What does thismean?

God certainly givesdaily bread without our prayer, even to all the wicked; but we pray in thispetition that He would lead us to acknowledge this and to receive our dailybread with thanksgiving.

What is meant bydaily bread?

Daily bread includeseverything needed for this life, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house,home, fields, cattle, money, goods, God-fearing spouse and children, faithfulservants and rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, order,honor, true friends, good neighbors, and the like.

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THE FIFTH PETITION

And forgive us ourtrespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

What does thismean?

We pray in thispetition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor on theiraccount deny our prayer; for we are not worthy of anything we ask, neither havewe deserved it. But we pray that He would give us everything by grace, for wedaily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment; and we on our part willheartily forgive and readily do good to those who sin against us.

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THE SIXTH PETITION

And lead us not intotemptation.

What does thismean?

God certainly temptsno one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us sothat the devil, the world and our own flesh may not deceive us nor lead us intomisbelief, despair and other shameful sin and vice; and though we be thustempted, that we may still in the end overcome and retain the victory.

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THE SEVENTH PETITION

But deliver us fromevil.

What does thismean?

We pray in thispetition, as the sum of all, that our Father in heaven would deliver us fromevery evil of body and soul, property and honor; and at last, when the hour ofdeath shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from thisvalley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

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THE CONCLUSION

For Thine is thekingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

What does“Amen” mean?

Amen means that weshould be sure that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven andare heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray and has promisedto hear us. Amen, Amen: that is, Yes, Yes, it shall be so.

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BAPTISM

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THE NATURE OF BAPTISM

What is Baptism?

Baptism is not justwater, but it is the water used according to God’s command and connectedwith His Word.

What is that Wordand command of God concerning Baptism?

Jesus says:“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go thereforeand make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Fatherand of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all thingswhatever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20.

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THE BLESSINGS OFBAPTISM

What does Baptismgive or profit?

Baptism effectsforgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternalsalvation to all who believe this, just as the words and promises of Goddeclare.

Which are thesewords and promises of God?

Christ our Lord says,Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he whodoes not believe will be condemned.”

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THE POWER OF BAPTISM

How can water dosuch great things?

It is not the waterthat does these things, but the Word of God which is in and with the water, andfaith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without the Word of Godthe water is simply water, and no baptism; but with the Word of God it is abaptism, that is, a gracious water of life and washing of regeneration in theHoly Spirit, as St. Paul says, Titus 3:5-8: “According to His mercy Hesaved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whomHe poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that havingbeen justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope ofeternal life. This is a faithful saying.”

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THE MEANING OFBAPTISM

What does suchbaptizing with water mean?

Such baptizing withwater means that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance,be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts; and that a new man daily comeforth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is thiswritten?

St. Paul writes,Romans 6:4: “We are buried with Christ by baptism into death, that just asHe was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we alsoshould walk in newness of life.”

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THE OFFICE OF THEKEYS AND CONFESSION

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What is the Officeof the Keys?

The Office of theKeys is the special authority which Christ has given to His Church on earth: toforgive the sins of the penitent sinners, but to retain the sins of theimpenitent as long as they do not repent.

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Where is thiswritten?

The evangelistwrites, John 20:22-23: “Jesus breathed on His disciples and said to them,‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they areforgiven them; and if you retain the sins of any, they areretained.’”

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What isConfession?

Confession consistsof two parts: one, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receiveabsolution, or forgiveness, from the pastor or confessor as from God himself,and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgivenbefore God in heaven.

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What sins shouldwe confess?

Before God we shouldacknowledge ourselves guilty of all sins, even of those which we do not knowabout, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. But before the pastor or confessorwe should acknowledge those sins only which we know and feel in our hearts.

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Which are these?

Here consider yourown situation according to the Ten Commandments, whether you are a father,mother, son, daughter, employer, employee; whether you have been disobedient,dishonest, lazy; whether you have injured anyone by word or deed; whether youhave stolen, neglected, wasted anything, or done any harm.

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THE SACRAMENT OFTHE ALTAR

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THE NATURE OF THESACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

What is theSacrament of the Altar?

The Sacrament of theAltar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread andwine, instituted by Christ himself, for us Christians to eat and to drink.

Where is thiswritten?

The holy evangelistsMatthew, Mark, Luke, together with St. Paul, write thus: “Our Lord JesusChrist, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He hadgiven thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take,eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance ofMe.’ In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks andgave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; this cup is the NewTestament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Dothis, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”

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THE BENEFIT OF THESACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

What benefit do wereceive from such eating and drinking?

The benefit which wereceive from such eating and drinking is shown us by these words: “Givenand shed for you for the remission of sins,” namely, that in theSacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through thesewords. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life andsalvation.

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THE POWER OF THESACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

How can bodilyeating and drinking do such great things?

It is not the eatingand drinking that does this, but the words here written, “Given and shedfor you for the remission of sins.” These words, along with the eatingand drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament; and whoever believes thesewords has exactly what they say, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

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THE PROPER RECEPTIONOF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

Who then receivesthis Sacrament worthily?

Fasting and bodilypreparation are indeed a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and wellprepared who has faith in these words, “Given and shed for you for theremission of sins.” But he who does not believe these words, or doubtsthem, is unworthy and unprepared; for the words “for you” requiretruly believing hearts.

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PRAYERS FOR DAILYUSE

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A MORNING PRAYER

Inthe morning, when you rise you shall make the sign of the holy cross, and youshall say:

In the name of theFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then,kneeling or standing, you shall say the Apostles’ Creed and theLord’s Prayer. Then you may say this prayer:

I thank You, myheavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me thisnight from all harm and danger; and I pray You to protect me this day also fromsin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Yourhands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angelbe with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Andthen you should go with joy to your work, after a hymn, or the TenCommandments, or whatever your devotion may suggest.

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AN EVENING PRAYER

Inthe evening, when you go to bed, you shall make the sign of the holy cross, andyou shall say:

In the name of theFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then,kneeling or standing, you shall say the Apostles’ Creed and theLord’s Prayer. Then you may say this prayer:

I thank You, myheavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciouslykept me this day; and I pray You to forgive me all my sins where I have donewrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself,my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that thewicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Andthen lie down in peace, and sleep.

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PRAYER BEFORE EATING

The eyes of all waitupon You, O Lord, and You give them their food in due season; You open Yourhand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Lord God, heavenlyFather, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountifulgoodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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PRAYER AFTER EATING

Oh, give thanks tothe Lord, for he is good, for His mercy endures forever.

We thank You, LordGod, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Your benefits,You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

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TABLE OF DUTIES

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PASTORS AND PREACHERS

A bishop must beblameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior,hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy formoney, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own housewell, having his children in submission with all reverence…not anovice….holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he maybe able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convict those who contradict.1 Timothy 3:2-4 and 6; Titus 1-9.

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WHAT THE HEARERS OWETO THEIR PASTORS

Obey those who havethe rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch out for your souls, asthose who must give account. Let them do it with joy and not with grief, forthat would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17.

Eat and drink suchthings as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Luke 10:7.

The Lord hascommanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 1Corinthians 9:14.

Let him who is taughtthe word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, Godis not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:6-7.

Let the elders whorule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in theword and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an oxwhile it treads out the grain,” and “The laborer is worthy of hiswages.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18.

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CIVIL GOVERNMENT

Let every soul besubject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except fromGod, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoeverresists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist willbring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but toevil. Do you then want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, andyou will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you forgood. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword invain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him whodoes evil. Romans 13:1-4.

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CITIZENS

Render to Caesar thethings that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.Matthew 22:21.

Therefore you must besubject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. Forbecause of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministersattending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due:taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honorto whom honor. Romans 13:5-7.

I exhort first of allthat supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made forall men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet andpeaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptablein the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

Remind them to besubject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.Titus 3:1.

Submit yourselves toevery ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king assupreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment ofevildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 1 Peter 2:13-14.

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HUSBANDS

Likewise youhusbands, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as tothe weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that yourprayers not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7.

Husbands, love yourwives and do not be bitter toward them. Colossians 3:19.

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WIVES

Wives, submityourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord…as Sarah obeyed Abraham,calling him lord, whose daughters you are as long as you do good and are notafraid with any terror. Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 3:6.

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PARENTS

Fathers, do notprovoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training andadmonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4.

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CHILDREN

Children, obey yourparents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father andmother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it maybe well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3.

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EMPLOYEES

Servants, be obedientto those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling,in sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers,but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good willdoing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever goodanyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave orfree. Ephesians 6:5-8.

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EMPLOYERS

Masters, do the samethings to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is inheaven, and there is no partiality with Him. Ephesians 6:9.

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THE YOUNG

You younger people,submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another,and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives graceto the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6.

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ALL CHRISTIANS

You shall love yourneighbor as yourself….I exhort…that supplications, prayers,intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. Romans 13:9; 1 Timothy2:1.

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CHRISTIANQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Drawn up by Dr.Martin Luther for those who intend to go to the Sacrament of the Altar

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After confessionand instruction in the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer,and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Supper, the pastor may ask, or onemay ask himself:

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1. Do you believethat you are a sinner?

Yes, I believe it; Iam a sinner.

2. How do you knowthis?

From the TenCommandments, which I have not kept.

3. Are you alsosorry for your sins?

Yes, I am sorry thatI have sinned against God.

4. What have youdeserved from God by your sins?

His wrath anddispleasure, temporal death and eternal damnation. Romans 6:21 and 23.

5. Do you alsohope to be saved?

Yes, such is my hope.

6. In whom, then,do you trust?

In my dear Lord JesusChrist.

7. Who is Christ?

The Son of God, trueGod and man.

8. How many Godsare there?

Only one; but thereare three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

9. What, then, hasChrist done for you that you trust in Him?

He died for me andshed His blood for me on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.

10. Did the Fatheralso die for you?

He did not; for theFather is God only, the Holy Ghost likewise; but the Son is true God and trueman. He died for me and shed his blood for me.

11. How do you knowthis?

From the holy Gospeland from the words of the Sacrament, and by His body and blood given me as apledge in the Sacrament.

12. How do thosewords read?

“Our Lord JesusChrist, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had giventhanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take, eat;this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks and gave it tothem, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; this cup is the New Testament inMy blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often asyou drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”

13. You believe,then, that the true body and blood of Christ are in the Sacrament?

Yes, I believe it.

14. What inducesyou to believe this?

The word of Christ:“Take, eat, this is My body….Drink from it, all of you;this…is…My blood.”

15. What ought weto do when we eat His body and drink His blood, and thus receive the pledge?

We ought to rememberand proclaim His death and the shedding of His blood, as He taught us:“Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

16. Why ought weto remember and proclaim His death?

That we may learn tobelieve that no creature could make satisfaction for our sins but Christ, trueGod and man; and that we may learn to look with terror at our sins, and toregard them as great, indeed, and to find joy and comfort in Him alone, andthus be saved through such faith.

17. What was itthat moved Him to die and make satisfaction for your sins?

His great love to HisFather and to me and other sinners, as it is written in John 14; Romans 5;Galatians 2; Ephesians 2.

18. Finally, whydo you wish to go to the Sacrament?

That I may learn tobelieve that Christ died for my sin out of great love, as before said; and thatI may also learn of Him to love God and my neighbor.

19. What shouldadmonish and incite a Christian to receive the Sacrament frequently?

In respect to God,both the command and the promise of Christ the Lord should move him; and inrespect to himself, the trouble that lies heavy on him, on account of whichsuch command, encouragement, and promise are given.

20. But what shalla person do if he is not aware of such trouble and feels no hunger and thirst forthe Sacrament?

To such a person nobetter advice can be given than that, in the first place, he put his hand intohis bosom, and feel whether he still have flesh and blood, and that he by allmeans believe what the Scriptures say of it in Galatians 5 and Romans 7.Secondly, that he look around to see whether he is still in the world, and keepin mind that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say inJohn 15 and 16; 1 John 2 and 5. Thirdly, he will certainly have the devil alsoabout him, who with his lying and murdering, day and night, will let him haveno peace within or without, as the Scriptures picture him in John 8 and 16; 1Peter 5; Ephesians 6; 2 Timothy 2.

(NOTE: Thesequestions and answers are no child’s play, but are drawn up with greatearnestness of purpose by the venerable and pious Dr. Luther for both young andold. Let each one take heed and likewise consider it a serious matter; for St.Paul writes to the Galatians, chapter six: “Do not be deceived; God isnot mocked.”)