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  LUTHER'S
  SMALL CATECHISM

  _Explained in Questions and Answers_

  BY
  H. U. Sverdrup,
  Late Pastor in the Church of Norway.

  ABRIDGED

  Translated from the Norwegian
  By H. A. URSETH

  THIRD EDITION

  MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.
  THE FREE CHURCH BOOK CONCERN
  1906.




  COPYRIGHTED BY
  THE FREE CHURCH BOOK CONCERN
  1900.




PREFACE.


In 1897 the present publishers issued in Norwegian an Explanation of
Luther's Small Catechism by Pastor H. U. Sverdrup, being an abridged
edition of a larger work by the same author, based on Dr.
Pontoppidan's Explanation of the Catechism. Some alterations were made
in the answers to questions 244-252. The present work is a translation
of this abridged and slightly altered edition.

A literal translation has been avoided rather than sought; an attempt
has been made to render the original in the simplest and strongest
English, and to avoid words and expressions with which the young are
little familiar.

In the catechism proper the Standard English Catechism Version has
been followed when it did not interfere with the plan stated above.
But departures have been made reluctantly and only when simplicity and
clearness seemed to be gained thereby. It is not thought that these
few changes will cause any disturbance.

Scripture quotations have been added somewhat freely from the larger
edition.

As the needs of our English speaking young people have been constantly
borne in mind during the preparation of this translation, it is hoped
that the book may not fail to carry some blessing to them.

    October, 1900.

                                                 _The Translator._




LUTHER'S SMALL CATECHISM.




PART ONE.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.


THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt have no other gods before me.=

     _That is_,

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


THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the
Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and not curse, swear, conjure, lie, or
deceive by His name, but call upon His name in every time of need, and
worship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.


THE THIRD COMMANDMENT.

=Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and not despise or neglect His Word, but
deem it holy and gladly hear and learn it.


THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

=Honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and
thou mayest live long on the earth.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and not despise or give offense to our
parents or superiors; but honor, serve, obey, love, and esteem them.


THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not kill.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and not hurt or harm our neighbor in his
body, but help and befriend him in all bodily distress.


THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not commit adultery.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and live a chaste and pure life, in words
and deeds, husband and wife loving and honoring each other.


THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not steal.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and not take our neighbor's money or
property, nor get it by unfair dealing or other dishonesty, but help
him to improve and protect his property and living.


THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and not tell lies about our neighbor, nor
betray, slander, or defame him; but excuse him, speak well of him, and
look upon all his acts as well-meant.


THE NINTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and not by deceit or craft seek to gain
our neighbor's inheritance or home, nor try to get it though we seem
to have some right thereto, but help him to keep his own.


THE TENTH COMMANDMENT.

=Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor
his maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.=

     _That is_,

We should fear and love God, and not estrange, force, or entice away
from our neighbor, his wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to
stay and do their duty.

     _What does God say of all his commandments?_

=I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them
that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me,
and keep my commandments.=

     _That is_,

God threatens to punish all who transgress these commandments; we
should therefore fear His wrath, and do nothing against them.

On the other hand He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep
these commandments; we should therefore love Him and trust in Him, and
gladly do according to His commandments.




PART TWO.

THE THREE ARTICLES OF THE CREED.


THE FIRST ARTICLE.

CONCERNING CREATION.

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

     _That is_,

I believe that God has made me and all other creatures; that He has
given me body and soul, eyes, ears, and all other members, my reason,
and all my senses.

I also believe that He preserves all He has made, and that He daily
provides me with all I need, giving me clothing and food, home and
family, and every good thing.

I further believe that He protects me from all danger, and keeps me
from all evil; not because I have deserved it, but because He is a
loving and merciful Father.

For all these blessings it is my duty to serve Him thankfully and
obediently all the days of my life.

All this is certainly true.


THE SECOND ARTICLE.

CONCERNING REDEMPTION.

=I believe 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 hell; the
third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and
sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from whence He
shall come to judge the quick and the dead.=

     _That is_,

I believe that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from
eternity; I also believe that He is true man, born of the Virgin Mary;
that He is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned sinner;
who has freed me from sin, from death, and from the power of Satan,
not with gold or silver but with His holy and precious blood and His
innocent death.

All this He has done that I might be His own, and that I might serve
Him in righteousness, innocence, and happiness, and live and reign
with Him in His kingdom forever, even as He arose from the dead, lives
and reigns through all eternity.

All this is certainly true.


THE THIRD ARTICLE.

CONCERNING SANCTIFICATION.

=I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian church, the communion
of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and
life everlasting. Amen.=

     _That is_,

I believe that I cannot through my own strength believe in Jesus
Christ my Lord, or come to Him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit
alone, who has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with His
gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith;

Even as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole
Christian church on earth, and preserves it in fellowship with Jesus
Christ in the one true faith.

In this Christian church He daily forgives me and all believers all
our sins, and He will raise up me and all the dead on the last day,
and will give me and all believers everlasting life.

All this is certainly true.




PART THREE.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.


=Our Father who art in heaven.=

     _That is_,

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


THE FIRST PETITION.

=Hallowed be Thy name.=

     _That is_,

The name of God is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition
that it may be hallowed also among us.

This is done when the Word of God is rightly taught, and when we as
the children of God live holy lives in obedience to the Word. This
grant us, heavenly Father.


THE SECOND PETITION.

=Thy kingdom come.=

     _That is_,

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

This is done when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so
that by His grace we believe the Word of God, and live holy and
Christ-like lives here in time, and in heaven forever.


THE THIRD PETITION.

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

     _That is_,

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

This is done when God brings to nothing all evil plans and purposes of
the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that would hinder the
hallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom.

On the other hand, it is the good and gracious will of God to strengthen
us and keep us steadfast in His Word and in faith, until death.


THE FOURTH PETITION.

=Give us this day our daily bread.=

     _That is_,

God gives daily bread indeed without our prayer even to the wicked;
but we pray in this petition that He would help us to appreciate His
benefits, that we may receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

By daily bread is meant all those things which are needed for our
support and well-being in life, as food and clothing, home and property,
happy family relations, a good government, favorable weather, peace and
health, faithful friends, good neighbors, and the like.


THE FIFTH PETITION.

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

     _That is_,

We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon
our sins, nor, on account of them, deny our prayer, for we are not
worthy of anything we ask, neither have we deserved it; but we pray
that He would give it to us out of His mercy; for we sin every day,
and deserve nothing but punishment.

And we on our part will heartily forgive those who have sinned against
us, and return good for evil.


THE SIXTH PETITION.

=And lead us not into temptation.=

     _That is_,

God indeed tempts no one, but we pray in this petition that He would
guard and keep us from the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that
we fall not, through their deceit, into unbelief, despair, or other
sins; but we pray that although we be thus tempted, we may overcome
the temptation, and remain victorious.


THE SEVENTH PETITION.

=But deliver us from evil.=

     _That is_,

We pray in this petition, in general, that our Father in heaven would
deliver us from all evil, affecting body and soul, property and honor,
and at last grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this
world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

     _What are the closing words of the Lord's Prayer?_

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

     _That is_,

We should remember that God is able to answer our prayer, and that the
glory belongs to Him alone, when we get according to our prayer.

     _Why is the word "Amen" added?_

It is added in order that I may be fully assured that these petitions
are acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him.




PART FOUR.

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM.


     _What is Baptism?_

Baptism is not water alone, but it is water comprehended in God's
command, and united with His Word.

     _What is God's command concerning Baptism?_

It is given in the words of Christ in the last chapter of Matthew:

="Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."=

     _What benefit do we have from Baptism?_

Baptism works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the
devil, and gives everlasting life to all who believe what the Word and
promises of God declare.

     _What is God's promise concerning Baptism?_

It is given in the words of Christ in the sixteenth chapter of Mark:

="He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be condemned."=

     _How can water do such great things?_

It is not water indeed that does it, 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 water alone, and no Baptism.
But with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water of
life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost; as Paul says in
the third chapter of the epistle to Titus:

"According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through
Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His grace, we should
be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

     _What does the baptizing with water signify?_

It signifies that the old man in us should, by daily sorrow and
repentance, be drowned and die, with all sins and evil desires; and
again a new man daily appear more and more, who shall live before God
in righteousness and purity forever.




PART FIVE.

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.


     _What is the Lord's Supper?_

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under bread and
wine, instituted by Christ Himself for Christians to eat and to drink.

     _Repeat the Words of Institution._

="Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took
bread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to His
disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you;
this do in remembrance of me.=

="After the same manner, also, when He had supped, He took the cup,
and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all
of it; this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for
you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye
drink it, in remembrance of me."=

     _What benefit do we have from the Lord's Supper?_

It is shown 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.

     _How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?_

It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does it, but the words
which stand here: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins."
These words, together with the bodily eating and drinking, are the
chief thing in the sacrament; and He that believes these words, has
what they say and mean, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

     _Who, then, receive this sacrament worthily?_

Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a good outward practise;

But he alone is truly worthy and well prepared, who believes these
words: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins."

But he who believes not these words is unworthy and unprepared. The
words, "=for you=" require truly believing hearts.




INTRODUCTION.


     _1. What is God's will concerning man?_

God willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of
the truth. 1 Tim. 2:4.

     _2. Where does God show us how we may be saved?_

In the holy Scriptures, also called the Bible.

     _3. Who wrote the Bible?_

The holy prophets, evangelists, and apostles wrote the Bible.

     _4. But how can their word be the Word of God?_

The Spirit of God revealed to them what to speak and write.

     =2 Pet. 1:21. [R. V.] Men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy
     Ghost.=

     =2 Tim. 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
     is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
     instruction in righteousness.=

     _5. What must we do to experience personally that their word is
     the Word of God?_

We must obey the Word and receive it into our hearts.

     =John 7:17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
     doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.=

     _6. Is the Bible then the only safe rule of our faith and duty?_

Yes; the Bible alone contains full information of the will of God
concerning our salvation.

     _7. How do we rightly use the Word of God?_

We must first look to God for the light of His Spirit, and