ANSWER: That I with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with His precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him.

Romans 14:7–9, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, 1 Corinthians 3:23, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 2:14–15, 1 John 3:8, John 10:28–30, Matthew 10:29–31, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:16, 2 Corinthians 5:15.

ANSWER: Three; the first, how great my sins and miseries are; the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance.

Romans 3:9–10, Romans 3:19–20, Romans 7:24–25, Romans 6:1–2, Romans 12:1.

ANSWER: Out of the law of God.

Romans 3:20, Romans 7:7.

ANSWER: Christ teaches us that briefly, Matthew 22:37–40, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; and with all thy strength. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Matthew 22:37–40, Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18.

ANSWER: In no wise; for I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbor.

Romans 3:10–12, Romans 8:7, Genesis 6:5, Jeremiah 17:9.

ANSWER: No; but God created man good, and after His own image, that is, in righteousness and true holiness, that he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love Him, and live with Him in eternal happiness, to glorify and praise Him.

Genesis 1:26–27, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10.

ANSWER: From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise; hence our nature is become so corrupt, that we are all conceived and born in sin.

Genesis 3, Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5.

ANSWER: Indeed we are; except we are regenerated by the Spirit of God.

John 3:3–5, Romans 8:7–8, Ephesians 2:3–5.

ANSWER: No; for God so made man, that he could perform it; but man, through the instigation of the devil, and by willful disobedience, deprived himself and all his posterity of those divine gifts.

Genesis 1:31, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 3:13, Romans 5:12.

ANSWER: By no means; but is terribly displeased with our original as well as actual sins, and will punish them in His just judgment temporally and eternally, as He hath declared, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”

Exodus 34:7, Psalm 5:5, Nahum 1:2–3, Galatians 3:10, Romans 6:23.

ANSWER: God is indeed merciful, but also just; therefore His justice requires that sin which is committed against the most high majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment of body and soul.

Exodus 34:6–7, Psalm 7:11, Romans 2:5–6, Matthew 25:46.

ANSWER: God will have His justice satisfied; and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.

Genesis 2:17, Exodus 23:7, Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 8:3–4.

ANSWER: By no means; but on the contrary, we daily increase our debt.

Job 9:2–3, Psalm 130:3, Matthew 6:12.

ANSWER: None; for first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man hath committed; and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it.

Ezekiel 18:20, Hebrews 10:4, Psalm 49:7–8.

ANSWER: For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.

1 Corinthians 15:21, Hebrews 7:26, Isaiah 7:14, Romans 8:3, Jeremiah 23:6.

ANSWER: Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which hath sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.

Romans 5:12, Romans 5:18–19, Hebrews 2:14–15, 1 Peter 3:18.

ANSWER: That He might, by the power of His Godhead, sustain in His human nature the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:11, John 1:1, Romans 1:4.

ANSWER: Our Lord Jesus Christ; who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

Matthew 1:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Romans 9:5, 1 Timothy 2:5.

ANSWER: From the Holy Gospel; which God Himself first revealed in Paradise; and afterwards published by the patriarchs and prophets, and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; and lastly, has fulfilled it by His only begotten Son.

Genesis 3:15, Genesis 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:15, Isaiah 53, Hebrews 10:1, John 1:17.

ANSWER: No; only those who are ingrafted into Him, and receive all His benefits, by a true faith.

Matthew 7:14, John 1:12–13, Romans 11:17, Ephesians 2:8–9.

ANSWER: True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel in my heart; that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.

Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:3, James 2:19, Romans 4:20–21, Galatians 2:16, Romans 1:16, Romans 3:21–26, Ephesians 2:8–9.

ANSWER: All things promised us in the gospel, which the articles of our catholic undoubted Christian faith briefly teach us.

John 20:31, Matthew 28:19–20, Luke 24:27.

ANSWER: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary;
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell;
The third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
I believe a holy catholic church; the communion of saints;
The forgiveness of sins;
The resurrection of the body;
And the life everlasting. Amen.

Matthew 28:19, Luke 1:35, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14, Romans 1:3–4, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, Acts 1:9–11.

ANSWER: Into three parts; the first is of God the Father, and our creation; the second of God the Son, and our redemption; the third of God the Holy Ghost, and our sanctification.

Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 1:3–14.

ANSWER: Because God has so revealed Himself in His Word, that these three distinct persons are the one only true and eternal God.

Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:6, Matthew 3:16–17, Matthew 28:19, 1 John 5:7.

ANSWER: That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ His Son my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body; and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage; for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

Genesis 1:1, Psalm 33:6, Hebrews 11:3, Psalm 104:2–5, Matthew 6:26–30, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:32.

ANSWER: The almighty and everywhere present power of God; whereby, as it were by His hand, He upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by His fatherly hand.

Psalm 135:6–7, Matthew 10:29–30, Proverbs 16:33, Isaiah 45:7, Amos 3:6.

ANSWER: That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love; since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.

Romans 5:3–5, Job 1:21, James 1:17, Romans 8:38–39, Proverbs 21:1.

ANSWER: Because He saves us, and delivers us from our sins; and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other.

Matthew 1:21, Acts 4:12, Hebrews 7:25.

ANSWER: They do not; for though they boast of Him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Savior; for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Savior, or that they who by a true faith receive this Savior, must find all things in Him necessary to their salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:13, Colossians 2:10, Galatians 5:4, Isaiah 9:6.

ANSWER: Because He is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption; and to be our only High Priest, who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us, and makes continual intercession with the Father for us; and also to be our eternal King, who governs us by His Word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in the enjoyment of that salvation He has purchased for us.

Psalm 45:7, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, Hebrews 1:9, Hebrews 7:24–25, John 18:36.

ANSWER: Because I am a member of Christ by faith, and thus am partaker of His anointing; that so I may confess His name, and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him; and also that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life; and afterwards reign with Him eternally, over all creatures.

Acts 11:26, 1 Corinthians 12:12–13, Romans 8:17, Romans 12:1, Revelation 5:10.

ANSWER: Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God; but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for His sake.

John 1:14, John 1:18, Romans 8:15–17, Ephesians 1:5–6.

ANSWER: Because He has redeemed us, both soul and body, from all our sins, not with gold or silver, but with His precious blood, and has delivered us from all the power of the devil; and thus has made us His own property.

1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 1:18–19, Hebrews 2:14–15, Revelation 5:9.

ANSWER: That God’s eternal Son, who is and continues true and eternal God, took upon Him the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the Virgin Mary, by the operation of the Holy Ghost; that He might also be the true seed of David, like unto His brethren in all things, sin excepted.

Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:18–23, John 1:14, Romans 1:3, Hebrews 4:15.

ANSWER: That He is our Mediator; and with His innocence and perfect holiness, covers in the sight of God, my sins, wherein I was conceived and brought forth.

Hebrews 2:16–17, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Psalm 51:5, Romans 8:3–4.

ANSWER: That He, all the time that He lived on earth, but especially at the end of His life, sustained in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sins of all mankind; that so by His passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice, He might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation, and obtain for us the favor of God, righteousness, and eternal life.

Isaiah 53:4–5, 1 Peter 2:24, Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2.

ANSWER: That He, being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge, might thereby free us from the severe judgment of God, to which we were exposed.

Luke 23:14–15, Isaiah 53:8, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21.

ANSWER: That He, being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge, might thereby free us from the severe judgment of God, to which we were exposed.

Luke 23:14–15, Isaiah 53:8, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21.

ANSWER: Because with respect to the justice and truth of God, satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God.

Genesis 2:17, Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 9:22, Romans 6:23.

ANSWER: Thereby to prove that He was really dead.

Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:59–60, John 19:38–42, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4.

ANSWER: Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life.

Romans 6:7–8, John 5:24, Philippians 1:23, Hebrews 9:27.

ANSWER: That by virtue thereof, our old man is crucified, dead, and buried with Him; that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us; but that we may offer ourselves unto Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Romans 6:6–7, Romans 6:12, Galatians 2:20, Romans 12:1.

ANSWER: That in my greatest temptations, I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself in this, that my Lord Jesus Christ, by His inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agonies, in which He was plunged during all His sufferings, but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell.

Psalm 18:4–5, Isaiah 53:10, Matthew 27:46, Hebrews 5:7.

ANSWER: First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, that He might make us partakers of that righteousness which He had purchased for us by His death; secondly, we are also by His power raised up to a new life; and lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:16–20, Romans 4:25, Romans 6:4–5, Philippians 3:10–11.

ANSWER: That Christ, in sight of His disciples, was taken up from earth into heaven; and that He continues there for our interest, until He shall come again to judge the quick and the dead.

Acts 1:9–11, Mark 16:19, Hebrews 9:24.

ANSWER: Christ is very man and very God; with respect to His human nature, He is no more on earth; but with respect to His Godhead, majesty, grace, and Spirit, He is at no time absent from us.

Matthew 28:20, John 14:16–18, Colossians 2:9.

ANSWER: Not at all; for since the Godhead is incomprehensible and everywhere present, it must necessarily follow that the same is not limited with the human nature He assumed, and yet remains personally united to it.

John 3:13, John 11:15, Matthew 28:6, Colossians 2:9.

ANSWER: First, that He is our Advocate in the presence of His Father in heaven; secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge, that He, as the Head, will also take up to Himself, us His members; thirdly, that He sends us His Spirit as an earnest, by whose power we seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and not things on earth.

Romans 8:34, 1 John 2:1, John 14:2–3, Ephesians 1:13–14, Colossians 3:1–4.

ANSWER: Because Christ is ascended into heaven for this end, that He might there appear as Head of His church, by whom the Father governs all things.

Psalm 110:1, Ephesians 1:20–23, Colossians 1:18.

ANSWER: First, that by His Holy Spirit He pours out heavenly graces upon us His members; and then that by His power He defends and preserves us against all enemies.

Acts 2:33, Ephesians 4:8–12, Psalm 110:1–2, John 10:28.

ANSWER: That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head, I look for the very same person, who before offered Himself for my sake to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as Judge from heaven; who shall cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall take me, with all His chosen ones, to Himself, into heavenly joy and glory.

Luke 21:28, Romans 8:23–25, 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10, Matthew 25:31–34.

ANSWER: First, that He is true and co-eternal God with the Father and the Son; secondly, that He is also given me, to make me by a true faith, partaker of Christ and all His benefits, that He may comfort me and abide with me forever.

Genesis 1:2, Matthew 28:19, Acts 5:3–4, John 14:16–17, Galatians 4:6.

ANSWER: That the Son of God, from the beginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to Himself, by His Spirit and Word, out of the whole human race, a church chosen to everlasting life; and that I am, and forever shall remain, a living member thereof.

Matthew 16:18, John 10:14–16, Ephesians 5:25–27, 1 Peter 2:5.

ANSWER: First, that all and every one, who believes, being members of Christ, are in common partakers of Him, and of all His riches and gifts; secondly, that every one must know it to be his duty, readily and cheerfully to employ his gifts, for the advantage and salvation of other members.

Acts 2:42–47, 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, Romans 12:4–8.

ANSWER: That God, for the sake of Christ’s satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, neither my corrupt nature, against which I have to struggle all my life long; but will graciously impute to me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never be condemned before the tribunal of God.

Psalm 103:3–4, Jeremiah 31:34, Romans 8:1, Romans 4:7–8, 2 Corinthians 5:19.

ANSWER: That not only my soul after this life shall be immediately taken up to Christ its Head; but also that this my body, being raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and made like unto the glorious body of Christ.

Luke 23:43, Philippians 1:23, 1 Corinthians 15:42–44, Philippians 3:21.

ANSWER: That since I now feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, after this life, I shall inherit perfect salvation, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, and that to praise God therein forever.

John 17:3, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Romans 8:23, Revelation 21:3–4.

ANSWER: That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life.

Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Romans 5:1, Titus 3:7.

ANSWER: Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, and am still inclined to all evil; notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, but only of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ; even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin; yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.

Romans 3:21–28, Romans 4:5–8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:8–9, Philippians 3:8–9.

ANSWER: Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith; but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, is my righteousness before God; and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only.

Romans 3:28, Romans 5:1, Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:9.

ANSWER: Because that the righteousness, which can be approved of before the tribunal of God, must be absolutely perfect, and in all respects conformable to the divine law; and also, that our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.

Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:10, James 2:10.

ANSWER: This reward is not of merit, but of grace.

Luke 17:10, Romans 11:6, 1 Corinthians 4:7.

ANSWER: By no means; for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into Christ by a true faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.

Matthew 7:17–18, Romans 6:1–2, John 15:5.

ANSWER: From the Holy Ghost, who works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, and confirms it by the use of the sacraments.

Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians 2:12–16, Ephesians 2:8, Acts 16:14.

ANSWER: The sacraments are holy visible signs and seals, appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof, He may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel; namely, that He grants us freely the remission of sin, and life eternal, for the sake of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross.

Genesis 17:11, Romans 4:11, Exodus 12:13, Matthew 28:19, Matthew 26:28.

ANSWER: Yes, indeed; for the Holy Ghost teaches us in the gospel, and assures us by the sacraments, that the whole of our salvation depends upon that one sacrifice of Christ, which He offered for us on the cross.

Romans 6:3–4, 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, Galatians 3:1.

ANSWER: Two; namely, holy baptism, and the holy supper.

Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.

ANSWER: Thus: that Christ appointed this outward washing with water, adding thereto this promise, that I am as certainly washed by His blood and Spirit from all the pollution of my soul, that is, from all my sins, as I am washed outwardly with water, whereby the filthiness of the body is commonly washed away.

Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3–4.

ANSWER: It is to receive of God the remission of sins, freely, for the sake of Christ’s blood, shed for us by His sacrifice upon the cross; and also to be renewed by the Holy Ghost, and sanctified to be members of Christ, that so we may more and more die unto sin, and lead holy and unblamable lives.

Hebrews 12:24, 1 Peter 1:2, Revelation 1:5, Romans 6:4, Galatians 3:27.

ANSWER: In the institution of baptism, which is thus expressed: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16.

ANSWER: No; for only the blood of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, cleanse us from all sin.

Matthew 3:11, 1 Peter 3:21, 1 John 1:7.

ANSWER: God speaks thus not without great cause; to wit, not only thereby to teach us, that as the filthiness of the body is purged by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of Christ; but especially, that by this divine pledge and sign, He may assure us, that we are spiritually cleansed from our sins, as really as we are outwardly washed with water.

Titus 3:5, Ephesians 5:26, Acts 22:16.

ANSWER: Yes; for since they, as well as the adult, are included in the covenant and church of God; and since redemption from sin by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the author of faith, is promised to them no less than to the adult; they must therefore by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be also admitted into the Christian church; and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers; as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision, instead of which baptism is instituted in the new covenant.

Genesis 17:7, Acts 2:39, 1 Corinthians 7:14, Colossians 2:11–12.

ANSWER: Thus: that Christ has commanded me and all believers, to eat of this broken bread, and to drink of this cup, in remembrance of Him, adding these promises: first, that His body was offered and broken on the cross for me, and His blood shed for me, as certainly as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me, and the cup communicated to me; and further, that He feeds and nourishes my soul to everlasting life with His crucified body and shed blood, as assuredly as I receive from the hand of the minister, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, as certain signs of the body and blood of Christ.

Matthew 26:26–28, Mark 14:22–24, Luke 22:19–20, 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.

ANSWER: It is not only to embrace with a believing heart all the sufferings and death of Christ, and thereby to obtain the pardon of sin, and life eternal; but also, besides that, to become more and more united to His sacred body, by the Holy Ghost, who dwells both in Christ and in us; so that we, though Christ is in heaven, and we on earth, are notwithstanding flesh of His flesh, and bone of His bone; and that we live, and are governed forever by one Spirit, as members of the same body are by one soul.

John 6:35, John 6:51, John 6:63, 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, Ephesians 5:30.

ANSWER: In the institution of the supper, which is thus expressed: “The Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” And this promise is repeated by the holy apostle Paul, where he says, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.”

1 Corinthians 11:23–26, Matthew 26:26–28, Luke 22:19–20.

ANSWER: No; but as the water in baptism is not changed into the blood of Christ, neither is the washing away of sin itself, being only the sign and confirmation thereof appointed of God; so the bread in the Lord’s Supper is not changed into the very body of Christ; though agreeably to the nature and properties of sacraments, it is called the body of Christ Jesus.

Matthew 26:29, 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, 1 Corinthians 11:26–28.

ANSWER: Christ speaks thus not without great cause; namely, not only thereby to teach us, that as bread and wine support this temporal life, so His crucified body and shed blood are the true meat and drink of our souls unto eternal life; but more especially, by these visible signs and pledges to assure us, that we are as really partakers of His true body and blood, through the operation of the Holy Ghost, as we receive by the mouth of our body these holy signs in remembrance of Him; and that all His sufferings and obedience are as certainly ours, as if we ourselves had in our own persons suffered and made satisfaction for our sins to God.

John 6:51–55, 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, 1 Corinthians 11:26.

ANSWER: The Lord’s Supper testifies to us, that we have a full pardon of all sin by the only sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which He Himself once accomplished on the cross; and that we by the Holy Ghost are ingrafted into Christ, who according to His human nature is now not on earth, but in heaven, at the right hand of God His Father, and will there be worshipped by us; but the mass teaches, that the living and dead have not the pardon of sins through the sufferings of Christ, unless Christ is also daily offered for them by the priests; and further, that Christ is bodily under the form of bread and wine, and is therefore to be worshipped in them; so that the mass, at bottom, is nothing else than a denial of the one sacrifice and sufferings of Jesus Christ, and an accursed idolatry.

Hebrews 7:26–28, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 10:10–14, John 4:21–24, Colossians 3:1.

ANSWER: For those who are truly sorrowful for their sins, and yet trust that these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ, and that their remaining infirmities are covered by His passion and death; and who also earnestly desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and drink judgment to themselves.

Matthew 5:3, Matthew 11:28, 1 Corinthians 11:28–29, 2 Corinthians 7:10.

ANSWER: No; for by this, the covenant of God would be profaned, and His wrath kindled against the whole congregation; therefore it is the duty of the Christian church, according to the appointment of Christ and His apostles, to exclude such persons, by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, till they show amendment of life.

1 Corinthians 11:27–30, Matthew 18:15–18, 1 Corinthians 5:11–13.

ANSWER: The preaching of the holy gospel, and Christian discipline, or excommunication out of the Christian church; by these two, the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers, and shut against unbelievers.

Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18, John 20:23.

ANSWER: Thus: when according to the command of Christ, it is declared and publicly testified to all and every believer, that, whenever they receive the promise of the gospel by a true faith, all their sins are really forgiven them of God, for the sake of Christ’s merits; and on the contrary, when it is declared and testified to all unbelievers, and such as do not sincerely repent, that they stand exposed to the wrath of God, and eternal condemnation, so long as they are unconverted; according to which testimony of the gospel, God will judge them, both in this and in the life to come.

Matthew 16:19, John 3:18, John 20:21–23, Acts 10:43.

ANSWER: Thus: when according to the command of Christ, those, who under the name of Christians, maintain doctrines, or practices inconsistent therewith, and will not, after having been often brotherly admonished, renounce their errors and wicked course of life, are complained of to the church; and if they despise their admonition, are by them forbidden the use of the sacraments; whereby they are excluded from the Christian church, and by God Himself from the kingdom of Christ; and when they promise and show real amendment, are again received as members of Christ and His church.

Matthew 18:15–18, 1 Corinthians 5:3–5, 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15, Titus 3:10.

ANSWER: Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit, after His own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to God for His blessings, and that He may be praised by us; also, that every one may be assured in himself of his faith, by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation, others may be gained to Christ.

Romans 6:13, Matthew 5:16, John 15:8, 1 Peter 2:12.

ANSWER: By no means; for the holy scripture declares, that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or any such like, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10, Galatians 5:19–21, Ephesians 5:5–6.

ANSWER: Of two parts; of the mortification of the old, and the quickening of the new man.

Romans 6:4–6, Colossians 3:5–10, Ephesians 4:22–24.

ANSWER: It is a sincere sorrow of heart, that we have provoked God by our sins; and more and more to hate and flee from them.

Joel 2:12–13, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Romans 8:13.

ANSWER: It is a sincere joy of heart in God, through Christ, and with love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.

Psalm 51:8, Romans 5:1, Romans 6:10–11, Galatians 2:20.

ANSWER: Only those which proceed from a true faith, are performed according to the law of God, and to His glory; and not such as are founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men.

Romans 14:23, 1 Samuel 15:22, Matthew 15:9.

ANSWER: God spake all these words, Exodus 20:1–17, Deuteronomy 5:6–21, saying:
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain…
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy…
Honor thy father and thy mother…
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet…

Exodus 20:1–17, Deuteronomy 5:6–21.

ANSWER: Into two tables; the first of which teaches us how we must behave towards God; the second, what duties we owe to our neighbor.

Matthew 22:37–40.

ANSWER: That I, as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul, avoid and flee from all idolatry, sorcery, soothsaying, superstition, invocation of saints, or any other creatures; and learn rightly to know the only true God; trust in Him alone; with humility and patience submit to Him; expect all good things from Him only; love, fear, and glorify Him with my whole heart; so that I renounce and forsake all creatures, rather than commit even the least thing contrary to His will.

Exodus 20:3, 1 Corinthians 10:14, Deuteronomy 6:13, Matthew 4:10, Psalm 81:9–10.

ANSWER: Idolatry is, instead of, or besides the one true God, who has manifested Himself in His Word, to contrive or have any other object, in which men place their trust.

1 Chronicles 16:26, Galatians 4:8, Ephesians 5:5.

ANSWER: That we in no wise represent God by images, nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word.

Exodus 20:4–6, Deuteronomy 4:15–19, Isaiah 40:18–25.

ANSWER: God neither can, nor may be represented by any means; but as to creatures, though they may indeed be represented, yet God forbids to make or have any resemblance of them, either in order to worship them or to serve God by them.

Exodus 23:24, Exodus 34:13–14, Numbers 33:52.

ANSWER: No; for we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have His people taught, not by dumb images, but by the lively preaching of His Word.

Romans 10:14–15, 2 Peter 1:19, Jeremiah 10:8.

ANSWER: That we not only by cursing or perjury, but also by rash swearing, must not profane or abuse the name of God; nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others; and briefly, that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence; so that He may be rightly confessed and worshipped by us, and be glorified in all our words and works.

Leviticus 19:12, Matthew 5:34–37, James 5:12.

ANSWER: It undoubtedly is; for there is no sin greater, or more provoking to God, than the profaning of His name; and therefore He has commanded this sin to be punished with death.

Leviticus 5:1, Leviticus 24:15–16, Proverbs 29:24.

ANSWER: Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. Such oaths are grounded in God’s Word and were rightly used by the people of God in the Old and New Testaments.

Deut. 6:13, Deut. 10:20, Jer. 4:2, Heb. 6:16, Gen. 21:24, Gen. 31:53, Josh. 9:15, 1 Sam. 24:22, 1 Kings 1:29, Rom. 1:9, 2 Cor. 1:23.

ANSWER: No. A legitimate oath means calling upon God as the only one who knows my heart, to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely. No creature is worthy of such honor.

Isa. 65:16, Jer. 5:7, Matt. 5:34–36, Matt. 23:16–22, James 5:12.

ANSWER: First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the day of rest, I diligently attend the assembly of God’s people to learn what God’s Word teaches, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor.
Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal Sabbath.

Gen. 2:2–3, Exod. 20:11, Deut. 5:12–13, Isa. 58:13–14, Matt. 12:8, Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2, Col. 2:16–17, Heb. 4:9–10.

ANSWER: That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I submit myself with proper obedience to all their good teaching and discipline; and that I be patient with their failings—for through them God chooses to rule us.

Exod. 20:12, Deut. 5:16, Prov. 1:8, Prov. 23:22, Eph. 6:1–4, Col. 3:20, Rom. 13:1–2.

ANSWER: I am not to belittle, insult, hate, or kill my neighbor—not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds—and I am not to be party to this in others. Rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge. I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.

Gen. 9:6, Exod. 20:13, Matt. 5:21–22, Matt. 26:52, Rom. 12:19, Rom. 13:4, Eph. 4:26, 1 John 3:15.

ANSWER: By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness. In God’s sight all such are murder.

Prov. 14:30, Rom. 1:29, Gal. 5:19–21, James 1:20, 1 John 2:9–11.

ANSWER: No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly to them, to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.

Matt. 5:44–45, Luke 6:27–36, Rom. 12:17–21, Eph. 4:2, Col. 3:12.

ANSWER: That God condemns all unchastity, and that we should therefore detest it wholeheartedly and live decent and chaste lives, within or outside of the holy state of marriage.

Exod. 20:14, Lev. 18:27–28, 1 Cor. 6:18–20, Heb. 13:4.

ANSWER: Since we are body and soul, God forbids all unchastity, and wants us to avoid it in thoughts, words, looks, gestures, and actions.

Matt. 5:27–29, Eph. 5:3–4, Col. 3:5, 1 Thess. 4:3–5.

ANSWER: God forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law, but also all wicked tricks and schemes designed to get our neighbor’s goods for ourselves, whether by force or means that appear legitimate, such as inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God. In addition God forbids all greed and pointless squandering of his gifts.

Exod. 20:15, Lev. 19:35–36, Prov. 11:1, Luke 12:15, Eph. 4:28, 1 Cor. 6:9–10.

ANSWER: That I do whatever I can for my neighbor’s good, that I treat others as I would like them to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.

Isa. 58:7, Matt. 7:12, Luke 6:31, Eph. 4:28.

ANSWER: That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor condemn or join in condemning anyone rashly and without a hearing. Rather, I should avoid all lying and deceit as the devil’s own works, under penalty of God’s heavy wrath. In court and everywhere else, I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it. And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbor’s good name.

Exod. 20:16, Prov. 12:22, Matt. 7:1–2, Eph. 4:25, Col. 3:9, James 4:11.

ANSWER: That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any one of God’s commandments should ever arise in our hearts. Rather, with all our hearts we should always hate sin and delight in all righteousness.

Exod. 20:17, Rom. 7:7, Gal. 5:17.

ANSWER: No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience. Nevertheless, with all seriousness of purpose, they do begin to live according to all, not only some, of God’s commandments.

Eccl. 7:20, Rom. 7:14–15, 1 Cor. 13:9, Phil. 3:12.

ANSWER: First, so that the longer we live the more we may come to know our sinfulness and thus more eagerly look to Christ and his righteousness for salvation. Second, so that we may never stop striving and never stop praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, to be renewed more and more after God’s image, until after this life we reach our goal: perfection.

Ps. 119:5, Rom. 3:20, Rom. 7:24–25, 1 John 1:9, Phil. 3:14.

ANSWER: Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us. And also because God gives his grace and Holy Spirit only to those who pray continually and groan inwardly, asking God for these gifts and thanking him for them.

Matt. 7:7–8, Luke 11:9–13, 1 Thess. 5:17.

ANSWER: First, we must pray from the heart to no other than the one true God, who has revealed himself in his Word, asking for everything he has commanded us to ask for. Second, we must acknowledge our need and misery, hiding nothing, and humble ourselves in his majestic presence. Third, we must rest on this unshakable foundation: even though we do not deserve it, God will surely listen to our prayer because of Christ our Lord. That is what he has promised us in his Word.

Ps. 145:18–19, Dan. 9:18–19, John 14:13–14, 1 John 5:14.

ANSWER: Everything we need, spiritually and physically, as embraced in the prayer Christ our Lord himself taught us.

Matt. 6:9–13, Luke 11:2–4.

ANSWER: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Matt. 6:9–13, Luke 11:2–4.

ANSWER: At the very beginning of our prayer Christ wants to kindle in us what is basic to our prayer—a childlike awe and trust that God through Christ has become our Father and will much less deny us what we ask of him in faith than our parents would refuse us earthly things.

Matt. 7:9–11, Luke 11:11–13, Rom. 8:15.

ANSWER: These words teach us not to think of God’s heavenly majesty as something earthly, and to expect everything for body and soul from his almighty power.

Ps. 115:3, Isa. 66:1, Jer. 23:23–24, Acts 17:24–25.

ANSWER: “Hallowed be your name” means: Help us to truly know you, to honor, glorify, and praise you for all your works, and for all that shines forth from them: your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. And it means: Help us to direct all our living—what we think, say, and do—so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised.

Ps. 119:137–138, Matt. 5:16, Ps. 86:11–12.

ANSWER: “Your kingdom come” means: Rule us by your Word and Spirit so that we may submit ourselves more and more to you. Preserve and increase your church. Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force that revolts against you and every conspiracy against your holy Word. Do this until your kingdom is complete and perfect, in which you are all in all.

Ps. 68:1, Matt. 6:33, Rom. 16:20, Rev. 22:17, 20.

ANSWER: “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” means: Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey your will without any back talk. Your will alone is good. Help everyone to carry out the work he is called to, as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.

Ps. 103:20–21, Matt. 26:39, Rom. 12:2.

ANSWER: “Give us today our daily bread” means: Do take care of all our physical needs so that we come to know that you are the only source of everything good, and that neither our work and worry nor your gifts can do us any good without your blessing. And so help us to give up our trust in creatures and to trust in you alone.

Ps. 104:27–28, Matt. 6:25–34, Acts 14:17, James 1:17.

ANSWER: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” means: Because of Christ’s blood, do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are, any of the sins we do or the evil that constantly clings to us. Forgive us just as we are fully determined, as evidence of your grace in us, to forgive our neighbors.

Ps. 51:1–4, Matt. 18:21–35, Eph. 4:32, Col. 3:13.

ANSWER: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” means: By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies—the devil, the world, and our own flesh—never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.

Matt. 26:41, Eph. 6:10–13, 1 Pet. 5:8.

ANSWER: “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” means: We have made all these requests of you because, as our all-powerful king, you not only want to but are able to give us all that is good. And because your holy name, and not we ourselves, should receive all the praise, forever.

Rom. 11:36, Rev. 5:12.

ANSWER: “Amen” means: This is sure to be so. It is even more sure that God listens to my prayer than that I really desire what I pray for.

2 Cor. 1:20, 2 Tim. 2:13.