An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism Part 19

Col. 1:16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or princ.i.p.alities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

Gen. 2:7. And the Lord G.o.d formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Jas. 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Acts 17:28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being.

Ps. 145:15, 16. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Matt. 6:31, 32 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink, or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Lam 3:22, 23. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compa.s.sions fail not. They are new every morning.

Ps. 34:7. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Ps. 121:5, 8. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Rom. 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love G.o.d, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Ps. 23:4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Ps. 103:13. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

I John 4:16. G.o.d is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in G.o.d, and G.o.d in him.

Matt. 5:45. He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Gen. 32:10. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant.

Ps. 116:12. What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

Ps. 103:1. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Rom. 12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of G.o.d, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto G.o.d, which is your reasonable service.

READING.--The Creation of the World, Gen. 1.

ILl.u.s.tRATIONS.--_Provides_: Manna, Exod. 16:14; Elijah, I Kings 17:6, 14; Feeding the Five Thousand, Matt. 14:15-21. _Protects_: The Israelites, Exod. 14:19 _seq._; Daniel, Dan. 6:22; Paul, Acts 22:12-33; Acts 27: 42-44. _Guards from evil_: Joseph; Job. _Thankfulness_: Noah, Gen. 8:20; The Samaritan, Luke 17:15,16.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE SECOND ARTICLE

OF G.o.d THE SON, OR REDEMPTION.

And in Jesus Christ His only 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 h.e.l.l; the third day He rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of G.o.d the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

_What is meant by this Article?_

I believe that Jesus Christ, true G.o.d, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, secured and delivered me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with His holy and precious blood, and with His innocent sufferings and death, in order that I might be His, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

The Second Article treats of Jesus Christ, THE SON OF G.o.d, and his work of REDEMPTION. Prompted by His infinite love, G.o.d pitied our lost race, and determined to save us by sending a Redeemer in the person of His only Son. [John 3:16+, I Tim. 1:15+] Throughout the centuries of Old Testament history He repeatedly gave the promise of redemption: In Eden, [Gen. 3:15] to the patriarchs, [Gen. 12:3, Gen. 26:4] to David, [II Sam.

7:12-13] and through the prophets. [Isa. 9:2-7, Mic. 5:2] In the fulness of time G.o.d seat His Son into the world. [Gal. 4:4]

Article II. and its Explanation may be a.n.a.lyzed as follows:--

I. OUR LORD.

1. _His Names_: Jesus, Christ.

2. _His Person and Nature_: True G.o.d and True Man.

3. _His Life_: His Humiliation and His Exaltation.

II. HIS WORK OF REDEMPTION.

1. _Whom He has redeemed._

2. _From what He has redeemed me._

3. _How He has redeemed me._

4. _Why He has redeemed me._

OUR LORD.

I. HIS NAMES.

I BELIEVE THAT

JESUS. This was our Lord's personal name, given to Him by the angel.

[Matt. 1:21] It signified, "He shall save."

CHRIST. This was His official name, corresponding with the Old Testament name "Messiah," [John 1:41] and signified "The Anointed One." G.o.d anointed Him with the Holy Spirit for the work of redemption, [Luke 4:18-21] to a threefold office:--

1. As Prophet, to teach us G.o.d's will. [Acts 3:22]

2. As Priest, to atone for our sins, and to intercede for us. [Heb.

4:14]

3. As King, [Matt. 21:5, Rev. 17:14] to reign over us in the Kingdom of Power, of Grace, and of Glory.

II. HIS PERSON AND NATURE.