Martin Luther to all Christians, but especially to all teachers and preachers, that they must train themselves daily in the Catechism, which is a short summary and example of the entire Holy Scripture, and that they may always teach the same. Well, it is also indeed a sure sign that they despise both their office and the souls of the people, yea, even God and His Word.
SHORT PREFACE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and eternal life. Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
PART FIRST
Therefore, it is forbidden here for anyone to be angry, except those (as we said) who are in the place of God, that is, parents and the government. What else would I appear, even in the eyes of the world, than a murderer and a criminal. And it is a common misfortune in the world that God-fearing men rarely stand out in the courts.
CONCLUSION OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Let this suffice concerning the first part of the general Christian doctrine, both to teach and to urge what is necessary. Although (as we heard above) this attachment was primarily linked to the First Commandment, this was nevertheless the case (we cannot deny that). This is precisely the meaning and true interpretation of the first and most important commandment, from which all others must flow and proceed, so that this word, Thou shalt have no other gods before me, in its simplest sense implies nothing other than this requirement. : You shall fear, love and trust Me as your one true God.
For where the heart is so set on God, it has fulfilled this and everything else. So the first commandment is to shine and give your shine to all others. Thus we continue with all the following commandments to our neighbor, just as everything should continue after the first.
Thus you see how the first commandment is the main source and fountain that flows into everything else, and again everything returns to it and depends on it, so that the beginning and the end are attached and connected to each other. For here we may boast and say: Let all the wise and holy come forward and do, if they can, [one] work like these commandments, which God insists on with such severity, and which he commands with his greatest wrath and punishment. , and besides, he adds such glorious promises that he will pour out upon us all good things and blessings.
PART SECOND
OF THE CREED
This article (as I have said) I cannot relate better than to Sanctification, that by it the Holy Spirit, with His office, is explained and depicted, namely that He makes holy. If you are asked: What do you mean by the words: I believe in the Holy Spirit. We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of sin, which is effected by the holy sacraments and salvation, moreover, by all kinds of comforting promises of the whole Gospel.
For although the grace of God is secured through Christ, and sanctification is effected by the Holy Spirit through the word of God in the unity of the Christian church, yet we are never without sin because of our flesh, which we carry with us. Behold, all this must be the office and work of the Holy Spirit, that he begins and daily increases holiness on earth by means of these two things, the Christian church and the forgiveness of sins. But we could not know anything about Christ either, unless it had been revealed by the Holy Spirit.
For they have not the Lord Christ, and besides they are not enlightened and favored with any gifts of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the Ten Commandments are written in the hearts of all men; but the creed cannot be understood by any human wisdom, but must be taught by the Holy Spirit himself.
PART THIRD
OF PRAYER
And it is also prescribed for this reason that we should see and consider the need which should urge and compel us to pray without ceasing. Therefore it should also serve to remind us of this, that we think about it and take it to heart, lest we become neglectful in prayer. Hitherto we have prayed that God's name might be honored through us, and that His kingdom might triumph among us; wherein two points are understood, all that pertains to the glory of God, and to our salvation, which we receive as our own God, and all His riches.
But now there is an equally great need, namely, to hold fast to them and not let them tear us apart. He promised that we will be sure that everything will be forgiven and forgiven, but in the same way that we also forgive our neighbor. So if you do not forgive, then do not think that God forgives you; but if you forgive, you have this comfort and assurance that you are forgiven in heaven, not because of your forgiving, — for God forgives freely and unconditionally, out of pure grace, because he has so promised, as the gospel teaches. , — but that he might set it up for our confirmation and assurance of a sign next to the promise which is in accordance with this prayer, Luke 6:37: Forgive, and it shall be forgiven you.
And it is given specially for this purpose, that we may use and practice it every hour, as a thing which we have with us at all times. Because it is He who prevents everything among us that we pray for: the Name or glory of God, God's kingdom and will, our daily bread, a joyful good conscience, etc.
PART FOURTH
OF BAPTISM
So, although it is done by human hands, it is truly God's work. From this fact one can easily conclude that it is a far higher work than any work done by man or saint. But a foolish mind will not consider it, and since baptism does not shine like the works we do, it must be valued as nothing.
But when it is added, as God has ordained it, it is a sacrament, and is called Christ-baptism. In the second place, since we now know what Baptism is, and how it should be regarded, we must also learn why and for what purpose it was instituted;. Thus faith clings to the water, and believes that it is Baptism, in which there is pure salvation and life; not by the water (as we have sufficiently said), but by the fact that it is.
We have therefore these three parts which it is necessary to know concerning this sacrament, especially that the ordinance of God should be kept in all honor, which alone would be sufficient, though it be an entirely external thing like the commandment, Honor your father and your mother, which refers to physical flesh and blood. Now, since both, the water and the Word, are one Baptism, therefore body and soul must be saved and live forever: the soul through the Word he believes, but the body because it is united with the soul and also.
PART FIFTH]
OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR
Answer: It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in and under the bread and wine that we Christians are to eat and drink through the Word of Christ. And as we have said of baptism that it is not simply water, so here we say that the sacrament is bread and wine, but not merely bread and wine, as is usually served at the table, but bread and wine understood in , and connected to the Word of God. It is the Word (I say) that makes and distinguishes this sacrament, so that it is not merely bread and wine, but is and is called the body and blood of Christ.
It is indeed true that if you take away the Word or look at it without the words, you have nothing but pure bread and wine. For it is not based on the holiness of men, but on the Word of God. The only way it is conveyed and appropriated to us is in the words (Given and shed for you).
For in this you have both truths: that it is the body and blood of Christ, and that it is yours as a treasure and gift. Therefore it is idle talk when they say that the body and blood of Christ were not given and shed for us in the Lord's Supper, and therefore we could not receive forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament.
CONCLUSION
But if you want to be a Christian, you have to fulfill this commandment from time to time and fulfill it. He invites and tempts you; if you despise him, you must answer for yourself. But if you want to look at how good and clean you are and try not to have any regrets, you should never.
For if you would wait until you are rid of such burdens, that you may come clean and worthy to the Sacrament, you must stay away forever. But if you say: What should I do if I cannot feel such distress or experience hunger and thirst after the sacrament. And if you find that to be the case, then, for your own good, go to St.
In the second place, look for you and see if you are also in the world, or if you do not know, ask your neighbors about it. If you are in the world, do not think that sins and misery will be absent.