Positive Theology

John William Baier's

Compendium of Positive Theology_

Edited by C. F. W. Walther

Published by:

St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1877

[Translator's Preface. These are the major loci or topics of

John William Baier's _Compendium of Positive Theology_ as ed-

ited by Dr. C. F. W. Walther. These should be seen as the

broad outline of Baier-Walther's dogmatics, but please don't

assume that this is all. Each locus usually includes copious

explanatory notes and citations from patristics and other

Lutheran dogmaticians.]

Prolegomena

Chapter One

On the nature and definition of theology

1. "Theology," in the meaning of the word, designates precisely

"the word concerning God," that is, the word or knowledge about

God. However from the way this word is normally used it brings in

the aptitude [habitus] of knowing God and divine things and

teaching, confirming and defending them, which agrees with the

object of theology and in humans is consistent with the state of

this life.

2. True theology for men in this life, because of a double

principle of knowing, is two-fold, Natural and revealed. The first

one is supported by the light of nature, the second by supernatural

manifestation or revelation. Both are about God, not only what he

is in himself, but also as he is the goal and the highest good to

humans.

3. Natural theology is a knowledge, and indeed a practice, in which

there occurs a goal, a subject of the operation and a cause and a

method, likewise a material object and a formal object.

4. The goal (to which ultimately and in itself it tends, and all

things which it teaches, which natural theology refers to) is the

ultimate blessedness of humans, by which in God's name we are

embraced; as an objective goal, both the consequence and its

product, and as the formal goal, consisting in the most perfect

operation of intellect and will.

5. The subject of the operation is the human pilgrim or the human

tending toward eternal blessedness.

6. To the cause of blessedness is referred (1) the effecting cause,

which is God, (2) the internal motivating cause, which is the

goodness or free favor of God.

7. The means of following blessedness in natural theology are the

act of mind and will occupied about God, by which rightly God is

recognized and worshipped. It is designated by the one name

"religion." It is limited by the law of nature or morals, and

partly it is occupied directly and immediately about God, partly

directly man to himself, or to the nearest creature, however it is

arranged consequently to God.

8. Truly how far this cult of the divine is sufficient, which

natural theology prescribes, as it follows in order to the

blessedness after this life, the greatest and most careful

diversity occurs and is observed, just as the state of humans are

diverse, the youthful state or purity, or the state of corruption

or sin. In that former state humans were able, by the leading of

natural theology and through the concession of their own power, to

attain to a sufficient knowledge of God and the worship owed to

God, standing before Him without defect or sin, and so far in this

way to obtain eternal blessedness from God. In this later state

however through the condition of the corrupt nature itself humans

are inclined to turn from God and to those things which displease

God; whoever has a hostile God toward themselves on account of sin,

he does not find in natural theology a means, by which he is able

to satisfy God gladly and to be led back in grace with Him; on the

contrary, he is not able to offer those things, which otherwise

relate to the worship of God, to perfectly know Him and to set it

down in writing, nor his worship, which he knows by the power of

the light of nature to be owed to God. From which it is clear that

for the present state natural theology is not sufficient for the

salvation of any human.

9. Sometimes natural theology, as far as its principles, and also

as far as the conclusions which hang from them, is altogether true

and certain, and sometimes it is not opposed to the truths of

revealed religion, and natural religion is allowed, just as people

after the fall are caught in acts of sin, to be contaminated by

prejudgement and various errors.

10. The formal object of natural theology, as a practical science,

is the goal, and it is the object or God, in so far as it is

learned from the light of nature before demonstration, through the

knowledge which is inborn, or a certain light of the in born

intellect and instinct of nature, also a vulgar or common

"acquiring" from an inspection of creatures.

11. To the material object they apply the subject of the operation,

and the end following the cause and the means, but on the contrary

in his way also the end itself, with the formal object, also the

object of the operation, in so far indeed as this is known

precisely through demonstration.

12. The parts of natural theology are three: First about the goal,

second about the subject of the operation, and third about the

principles and means.

13. Natural theology can be described (because it is a practical

science) from the principles of nature about God, prescribing,

explaining, confirming and defending to human pilgrims the

appropriate worship of God, and the things following from God and

the cause by God of eternal blessedness.

14. As we are instructed rightly about revealed theology, before

all things it is necessary to be certain, to be given a certain

supernatural divine revelation. However, this is not so much for

us, who are born in the church, but also it exists for the

gentiles.

15. However the aptitude of revealed theology is knowledge, if not

thus said first or rigorously, at least in broader significance, and

indeed is a practical knowledge.

16. The goal of revealed theology is two-fold: Internal, which

consists in the actions of knowing the object of theology, not in

any way, but in so far as they are accurately explained, confirmed

and defended, for the cause of faith and human salvation: and

external, which is itself faith and human salvation, and which are

joined with faith.

17. The external goal is usually distinguished as to the ultimate

goal and the intermediate goal. Further, both are distinguished in

object and form. The object is God, infinitely perfect and

supremely good. The formal is a certain operation about God, by

which we possess and have the benefit of it as by the highest good.

And the objective goal of both the ultimate and intermediate is

one. Truly the formal goal is different, one thing if talking

about the ultimate goal, another if talking about the intermediate.

18. Certainly the ultimate formal goal consists in the intuitive

and clear knowledge of God, and likewise by the intuitive love of

God by the most intense knowledge.

19. The intermediate formal goal is faith in Christ, as the cause

of the accomplishing grace from God. However then to the same place

pertains the love of God, as to us being reconciled; on the

contrary there is also an action to another, by which divine

goodness we are given back a participation: and in this way a total

holiness of life.

20. The subject of the operation is man the sinner, in so far as he

is being led to eternal life.

21. The efficient cause of the ultimate formal end is the triune

God.

22. The internal impulsive cause is the goodness of God; and the

external impulsive cause is the earned merit of Christ.

23. But also faith in Christ is rightly reckoned as a saving cause.

24. And because faith is not attributed to men unless it is applied

by God, who teaches that faith through word and sacraments, as

through instruments he produces and confirms such faith; therefore

also the word and sacraments are also rightly numbered among the

causes of salvation.

25. The object of revealed theology is two-fold: Material and

formal. The material object is the content [lit. res] of

revelation, which is known in revealed theology. And this applies

not so much to the subject of the operation and the cause and means

of the following goal, but also the goal itself, in so far as it is

known by the aptitude of theology. The formal object, or principle

and ground of knowing, from where also the knowledge of things

come, things which are put forward in revealed theology, is divine

revelation.

26. The material object is distinguished in what is believed and in

what is done. The believing things are said to be that of which

thus faith exists, so that formally they are not direct operations

by previous practical acts: however they are believed from this, by

those who have arrived at salvation; e.g. God loving the human

race, Christ being the son of God and son of man, etc. The name of

the things being done is understood themselves as describing the

operations of theology by practical actions, also as it happened

the aptitude of transferring to an operation, or acquiring through

an operation, if not following the cause of salvation, however, not

healthily we forget these actions; e.g., the actual and habitual

apprehension of the merits of Christ, which we call faith, the

actual and habitual love, by which we love God, Christ, and our

neighbor, the hope of eternal life, etc.

27. What is believed is otherwise called the articles of faith,

which in a wider understanding are divided (1) in articles pure and

mixed, (2) and in articles of faith fundamental and non-fundamental.

28. The articles of faith are called pure, which are especially

understood from divine revelations: such is the article about the

holy Trinity, about the incarnation of the Son of God, and others.

Mixed articles are said to be those, which not alone from

revelation, but are also consistent with the truth according to the

light of nature: e.g., the article about the existence of God, and

about the divine attributes.

29. Articles of faith are fundamental, which as they cause the

aptitude towards the foundations of faith and salvation, so that

for salvation they are not possible to ignore or at least to deny.

However the foundation of faith is said to be with that thing, by

which the faith and salvation of people are supported, and it is

Christ, in so far as he is the cause of our salvation: also

doctrine, by which that thing, on which faith is leaning, is held

together; and it is a complex of many propositions of divine

revelations, which cause a certain aptitude towards salvation. That

foundation is real or substantial, and this foundation is called

dogmatic by authors.

30. The fundamental articles of faith are distinguished as primary

and secondary.

31. The primary articles of faith are commonly said to be those

which for salvation, faith and health are not able to be denied,

but also are not able to be ignored.

32. The primary articles are able to be distinguished in another

way, that the thing signified by them is about the inward plan of

the real foundation: e.g., the article about Christ the God-man,

also the article about Christ's merits and satisfactions for our

sins; and in another way that the thing signified by them, is not

permitted to be about the internal plan of a real foundation,

however it is connected most tightly with it, thus that, unless it

is clearly understood, the other appropriate things of those

foundations have not been leading toward the point of generating

and sustaining saving faith: e.g., the article about God and from

there the point about Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the article

about the gracious will of God, which wishes all humans to be

saved, the article about sin, by which we are defiled, and by God

are delivered to hatred and are worthy of punishment, the article

about justification or the remission of sins obtained through

Christ, and then faith, through which the remission of sins is

obtained, about the blessed life, which they have tried to gain,

who by the gracious God have departed from this life.

33. The secondary fundamental articles are usually described as

parts of Christian doctrine, which are permitted to be ignored by

the sound foundation of salvation: however they are not possible to

be denied by that sound foundation. Such are the articles about the

characteristic properties of the divine persons, about the clearly

observed union of persons, and the communication of attributes in

Christ, about original sin, about the decree of the final election

in view of faith, about justification through faith alone, apart

from the merit of works, etc., which articles even if the knowledge

is not easy for the faith of simple ones, however a denial of them

on the part of a denier is not able to stand with faith and

salvation, unless because of a vast simplicity on their part and an

ignorance of the consequences of the denial, through which the

denial is turned away from the foundation of faith itself through

the consequences, and the spirit intercedes from error, which is

turned directly away from the foundation of faith, shrinking back

and prepared to admit a better interpretation.

34. The non-fundamental articles are said to be those which for the

saving foundation of faith people are not only able to ignore, but

also to deny, or in each part to dispute. E.g., about the sin and

perpetual rejection of certain angels, about the immorality of the

first people before the Fall, about the AntiChrist, about the

origin of spirits through creation or transference (lit.,

traducem), etc.

35. The object of formal theology is divine revelation, through

which it performs its office, which affects, influences and stirs

the human will, so that it orders the assent of the intellect.

36. And from there it is established, that theology is an aptitude

supernatural in its substance, by our actions indeed, but through

men of grace and acquired through the operation of the Holy Spirit.

37. However theology is distinguished from faith, so that including

from it, because it is included. For theology beyond faith also

implies the faculty of explaining and confirming those things which

are revealed.

38. Theology is able to be defined, as a practical knowledge,

teaching, confirming and defending everything from divine

revelation, doing this to human sinners when they are known to

faith in Christ, then when these things are made necessary to

sanctity of life, following from God and in God they are the cause

of eternal blessedness.

39. The parts of revealed theology are arranged according to

analytic order, so that first is drawn out, what is about the goal,

then what is about the subject of the operation, and then what

applies to the causes and means.

_________________________________.__________________________________

This text was translated by Rev. Theodore Mayes and is copyrighted

material, (c)1996, but is free for non-commercial use or distribu-

tion, and especially for use on Project Wittenberg. Please direct

any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther

Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu

Surface Mail: 66000 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA

Phone: (260) 452-2123 Fax: (260) 452-2126

_________________________________.__________________________________

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God loved the world

In the gospel of St. John 3: 16 we read: For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This verse is called the small Bible, because you will find the main parts of the whole Bible in this verse. Dr. Martin Luther called it "the chief part of the NT, and is truly the purest gospel". He said it was "worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day.

This verse tells us at least three important things about us in relation to God. It is very important that we can understand it, or most of it.

I. First, it tells us what salvation is, or in other words, what we are going to be saved FROM and what we can be saved TO. This is a main point in all religion. We need to be saved - because of our sin. But how is it going to happen?

The biblical answer to this questionis two things: from condemnation and to heaven, which is eternal life.

a) First: We are saved from condemnation in Hell, the Bible says. To be condemned is to be separated from God for ever. That is Hell. You may never go back to God. The door is closed. This is the biblical teaching.

Jesus said to Zacchaeus in Luke 19: 10: "The Son of man came to seek and to save what was lost." Jesus is going to seek you and every lost person in order to save them from condemnation. And in Luke 16, we read about the reach man who was in Hell. It is said he was in tornment, and Abraham was far away.

In v. 26 we read that between Hell and heaven a great division had been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to the other part, could not do so. It is in other words impossible to go from one side to the other after we are dead. All dicisions must be taken in this life.

It is not possible to understand how serious Christianity is without knowing this point.

It is because of this we have Christmas and Easter. Jesus came to save us from eternal death.

b) But secondly, He came to bring us a new life, too. Salvation is eternal life in heaven. This is the real aim of our life. Heaven is to be with God for ever, an eternal blessedness, which we are not able to explain.

In Rev. 21 we can read about the holy city, the New Jerusalem, which was prepared as a bride beautifylly dressed for her husbond.

This is a picture of heaven where the bride is God's people and her husbond is Christ. He is the bridegroom. We are called to be there as his bride, beautifully dressed in the rightousness of God.

II. Secondly, this verse tells us about the real reason and cause of salvation. This is also the foundation of our salvation. It is the answer to the question: Why is it possible for me to be saved?

The answer is in two parts:

a) The love of God is the first answer. "God so loved the world." This is the greatest truth on earth. You cannot explain it, really. Because God IS love. 1 John 4: 8. John says: This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, v. 10.

God loved the world, and this means all people in every part of the world at all times. And he loves us in spite of our sin and failure.

But we can see and experience this love only in one place, on Calvary where Christ died. St. Paul says in Rom. 5, 8: God demonstrates his love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. In Philips translation it says: The proof of God's amazing love is this ---.

b) And this is in fact the other reason for our salvation, and this is very hard to understand: Christ died for our sins as a sacrifice. God gave his only son as an offering.

You know that some people bring animals or other things to an alter of their god and burn it to satisfy a god. In this way their sins are payed for, they think, because the animal died in their place.

This is also the case here. We are condemned to death and eternal punishment because of sin. But Christ came and took this doom upon himself. And no other sacrifice can save.

This is said in many parts of the Bible. The gifted prophet Isaiah wrote about 700 years before Christ: But He was pierced for our transgrations, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought our peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed (Is. 53: 5). This is said of Messiah, and it happened on Golgatha.

And in the Epistle to the Hebrews we read in chapter 9: 26: He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

The love of God is sent to us through Jesus Christ. He is the tunnel of it. It was a precious gift.

III. The last question is: How can we be saved? How is it possible to get this great salvation?

The Bible says here: That whoever believes in him...

This means that we cannot do anything by ourselves to have it. We are not saved by our own deeds, og by doing our best. This will never be enough. A decent life among men is very good and important. And we ought to live as good as we can, live peacefully and doing good. The Bible teaches us to do it.

BUT - the point is here: Do we rely upon it for salvation? Such deeds are called "The works of the law" in the Bible. A man cannot be saved by observing the law. Rom. 3, 28.

A reason for this is that our works are never good enough. There will allways be some sin and failure connected with it.

There is, however, another way to have this great salvation. You can have it by faith in Christ. This is mysterious but real.

When you believe in Christ, his works become yours. To believe in Christ is to believe in his works. In the verses just before our text it is said that Moses lifted up a snake in the desert. And those who looked upon it were healed. In the same way it is here, said Jesus. If you believe in Him, you are saved. Jesus was lifted up on the cross where he died for our sins.

If you believe that he died in your place, instead of you, you will be saved. To believe is to receive Christ as your personal saviour, This is said very clearly in John 1: 12: To all who received him, to those ho believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

What will you do with Christ?

Luther: The small catechism.

THE SMALL CATECHISM

by

Dr. Martin Luther

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

You shall have no other gods.

What does this mean?

We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT

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

What does this mean?

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

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

You shall keep the day of rest holy.

What does this mean?

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

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT

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

What does this mean?

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

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not kill.

What does this mean?

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

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not commit adultery.

What does this mean?

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

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not steal.

What does this mean?

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

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

What does this mean?

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

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

What does this mean?

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

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.

What does this mean?

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

CONCLUSION

What does God say about these commandments?

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

What does this mean?

God threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments. Therefore we should fear His wrath and do nothing against these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore we should also love and trust in Him and willingly do according to His commandments.

THE CREED

THE FIRST ARTICLE

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

What does this mean?

I believe that God has 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 He protects me from all danger, guards and keeps me from all evil; and all this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

THE SECOND ARTICLE

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

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ 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 lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood, and with His innocent suffering and death; in order that I might be His own, 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 reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

THE THIRD ARTICLE

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian 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 reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, 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 with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives me and all believers all our sins; and at the last day He will raise up me and all the dead, and will grant me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE INTRODUCTION

Our Father, Who art in heaven.

What does this mean?

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

THE FIRST PETITION

Hallowed be Thy name.

What does this mean?

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

How is God’s name hallowed?

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

THE SECOND PETITION

Thy Kingdom come.

What does this mean?

The kingdom of God certainly comes of itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.

How does God’s kingdom come?

The kingdom of God comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and live godly lives here in time and hereafter in eternity.

THE THIRD PETITION

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

What does this mean?

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

How is God’s will done?

God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will, which would not let 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 Word and in faith until our end. This is His good and gracious will.

THE FOURTH PETITION

Give us this day our daily bread.

What does this mean?

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

What is meant by daily bread?

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

THE FIFTH PETITION

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

What does this mean?

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

THE SIXTH PETITION

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean?

God certainly tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world and our own flesh may not deceive us nor lead us into misbelief, despair and other shameful sin and vice; and though we be thus tempted, that we may still in the end overcome and retain the victory.

THE SEVENTH PETITION

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean?

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

THE CONCLUSION

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

What does “Amen” mean?

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

BAPTISM

THE NATURE OF BAPTISM

What is Baptism?

Baptism is not just water, but it is the water used according to God’s command and connected with His Word.

What is that Word and command of God concerning Baptism?

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

THE BLESSINGS OF BAPTISM

What does Baptism give or profit?

Baptism effects forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, just as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are these words and promises of God?

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

THE POWER OF BAPTISM

How can water do such great things?

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

THE MEANING OF BAPTISM

What does such baptizing with water mean?

Such baptizing with water 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 come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

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

THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS AND CONFESSION

What is the Office of the Keys?

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

Where is this written?

The evangelist writes, 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 are forgiven them; and if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’”

What is Confession?

Confession consists of two parts: one, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the pastor or confessor as from God himself, and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.

What sins should we confess?

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

Which are these?

Here consider your own 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 you have stolen, neglected, wasted anything, or done any harm.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

THE NATURE OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

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

Where is this written?

The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, together with St. Paul, write thus: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given 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 of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”

THE BENEFIT OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

What benefit do we receive from such eating and drinking?

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

THE POWER OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

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

THE PROPER RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

Who then receives this Sacrament worthily?

Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words, “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” But he who does not believe these words, or doubts them, is unworthy and unprepared; for the words “for you” require truly believing hearts.

PRAYERS FOR DAILY USE

A MORNING PRAYER

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

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

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

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

And then you should go with joy to your work, after a hymn, or the Ten Commandments, or whatever your devotion may suggest.

AN EVENING PRAYER

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

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

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

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray You to forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, 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 the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

And then lie down in peace, and sleep.

PRAYER BEFORE EATING

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

Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER EATING

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

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

TABLE OF DUTIES

PASTORS AND PREACHERS

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

WHAT THE HEARERS OWE TO THEIR PASTORS

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

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

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

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

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

CIVIL GOVERNMENT

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

CITIZENS

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

Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending 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, honor to whom honor. Romans 13:5-7.

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

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

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

HUSBANDS

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

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

WIVES

Wives, submit yourselves 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 not afraid with any terror. Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 3:6.

PARENTS

Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4.

CHILDREN

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

EMPLOYEES

Servants, be obedient to 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 will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Ephesians 6:5-8.

EMPLOYERS

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

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 grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6.

ALL CHRISTIANS

You shall love your neighbor as yourself….I exhort…that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. Romans 13:9; 1 Timothy 2:1.

CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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

After confession and 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 one may ask himself:

1. Do you believe that you are a sinner?

Yes, I believe it; I am a sinner.

2. How do you know this?

From the Ten Commandments, which I have not kept.

3. Are you also sorry for your sins?

Yes, I am sorry that I have sinned against God.

4. What have you deserved from God by your sins?

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

5. Do you also hope to be saved?

Yes, such is my hope.

6. In whom, then, do you trust?

In my dear Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Who is Christ?

The Son of God, true God and man.

8. How many Gods are there?

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

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

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

10. Did the Father also die for you?

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

11. How do you know this?

From the holy Gospel and from the words of the Sacrament, and by His body and blood given me as a pledge in the Sacrament.

12. How do those words read?

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given 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 of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you 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 induces you 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 we to do when we eat His body and drink His blood, and thus receive the pledge?

We ought to remember and 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 we to remember and proclaim His death?

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

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

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

18. Finally, why do you wish to go to the Sacrament?

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

19. What should admonish 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 in respect to himself, the trouble that lies heavy on him, on account of which such command, encouragement, and promise are given.

20. But what shall a person do if he is not aware of such trouble and feels no hunger and thirst for the Sacrament?

To such a person no better advice can be given than that, in the first place, he put his hand into his bosom, and feel whether he still have flesh and blood, and that he by all means 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 keep in mind that there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say in John 15 and 16; 1 John 2 and 5. Thirdly, he will certainly have the devil also about him, who with his lying and murdering, day and night, will let him have no peace within or without, as the Scriptures picture him in John 8 and 16; 1 Peter 5; Ephesians 6; 2 Timothy 2.

(NOTE: These questions and answers are no child’s play, but are drawn up with great earnestness of purpose by the venerable and pious Dr. Luther for both young and old. 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 is not mocked.”)