Dr. Martin Luther's

Small Catechism

The Six Chief Parts:

II. The Apostles Creed

The First Article

I believe in God, the almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth

What does this mean for us:

I believe that God has created me and all that exists. God has given me and still preserves my body and soul with all their powers. God 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 is done out of a fatherly and motherly divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it. Therefore I surely ought to thank and praise, serve and obey God.

This is most certainly true.

The Second Article

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord. Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. Jesus descended to the dead. On the third day Jesus rose again. Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God. Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead.

What does this mean:

I believe that Jesus Christ - true God, Son of the Most High from eternity, and true man, born of the Virgin Mary - is my Lord.

At grat cost Jesus has saved and redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, and has feed me from sin, death, and the pwoer of the devil - not with silver or gold, but with his holy and precious blood and innocent suffering and death.

All this Christ has done that I may be Christ's own, live under Christ in Christ's kingdom, and serve Christ in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as Christ is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally.

This is most certainly true.

The Third Article

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.

What does this mean:

I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Christ. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with the Spirit's gifts, and sanctified me and kept me in true faith. In the same way the Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

In this Christian church day after day the Spirit fully forgives my sins, and the sins of all believers. On the last day this same Spirit will raise me and all the deead and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life.

This is most certainly true.

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Dated: 15 June 2003, MTH