Catechism

Angels are rational, spiritual beings created by God. God’s holy angels joyfully serve him in heavenly worship, and God appoints… Read more

Satan and his angels were overcome by envy and pride and re- belled against God. Read more

Demons, of whom Satan is chief, are fallen angels. Satan rebelled against God and led other angels to follow him.… Read more

Yes. Satan had already opposed God and chosen evil when he tempted Adam and Eve. Read more

No. The sinful choices of his creatures do not implicate God in evil in any way. (Deuteronomy 30:15–19; Romans 7:7–25;… Read more

God created rational creatures free to love, obey, and worship him, but we have used our freedom to reject his… Read more

Evil is the willful perversion of God’s will. Evil defies God’s holiness, violates his Law, enslaves us to sin, and… Read more

The seventh petition is “But deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13) Read more

In the fellowship of Christ’s Body, I can find companionship when I am lonely or vulnerable, support to resist ungodly… Read more

As I abide in Christ, I can guard against temptation by praying for protection and strength, confessing my sins, recalling… Read more

No. God never tempts anyone, nor is he the cause of any sin; but he does allow me to be… Read more

I ask God to increase my faith to trust him, enliven my conscience to fear him, soften my heart to… Read more

I am tempted by the false promises of the world, the selfish desires of my flesh, and the lies of… Read more

Temptation is any enticement to turn from faith in God and to violate his commandments.(Proverbs 1:8–19; James 1:14–15) Support the… Read more

The sixth petition is “And lead us not into temptation.” Read more

No. Though my decision and desire to forgive may not result in my neighbor’s repentance or our reconciliation, I am… Read more

Forgiveness is a decision of my will and an attitude of my heart that seeks the good of my neighbor,… Read more

I should forgive others because, while I was still a sinner, God forgave me through Jesus Christ. Failing to forgive… Read more

Yes. In Christ, God freely forgives the sins of all, including me, who sincerely repent and in true faith turn… Read more

I ask God our loving Father to forgive me through his Son, Jesus Christ, who bore my sins upon the… Read more

God’s forgiveness is his merciful pardon of sin and removal of the guilt that results from our disobedience. Read more

Yes. I, together with all humankind, sin daily against God’s Law, in thought, word, and deed, both by what I… Read more

A “trespass” is a sin—a thought, word, or deed which offends God’s holy character and violates his Law, missing the… Read more

The fifth petition is “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Read more

God gives me daily bread because he is a good and loving Father, who gives good things to all his… Read more

God calls me to trust him for the needs of each day, to be concerned for the needs of others,… Read more

Daily bread includes all that we need each day for our bodily provision and spiritual nourishment. Read more

I pray for my needs and those of my brothers and sisters: for daily provision, pardon for sins, and protection from… Read more

The fourth petition is “Give us this day our daily bread.” Read more

In heaven, God’s Name is perfectly hallowed, and his will is perfectly obeyed and fulfilled. I pray for his kingdom… Read more

I can walk in God’s will by loving him and my neighbor, and by taking my part in the Church’s… Read more

I pray for God to break the dominion of the world, the flesh, and the devil; to establish justice and… Read more

God’s will is to reconcile all things to himself in Jesus Christ and to establish his kingdom on the earth.… Read more

The third petition is “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Read more

As a citizen of God’s kingdom, I am called to live in obedience to God’s Word and will, in loving… Read more

God’s kingdom is announced to the people of Israel, arrives in Jesus Christ, and advances through the Church’s mission. It… Read more

I pray that the whole creation may be renewed and restored under its rightful Lord, now in part and fully… Read more

The kingdom of God is the just and peaceful reign of Jesus Christ over all the world, especially in the… Read more

The second petition is “Thy kingdom come.” Read more

I can honor God’s Name as holy by worshiping him, serving others, and living in loving obedience as his child… Read more

God’s Name is holy in itself, and God glorifies his Name by saving fallen humanity, by building his Church, and… Read more

“Hallowed” means to be treated as holy—set apart, sacred, and glorified. Read more

Throughout the Scriptures, God is known as “Lord.”Through the Person and ministry of Jesus Christ, God is also revealed to… Read more

God’s Name reveals who he is—his nature, his character, his power, and his purposes. The Name God reveals to Moses… Read more

The first petition is “Hallowed be thy Name.” Read more

Because God is in all places and knows all things, he hears and answers my prayers, directs my paths, and… Read more

Heaven is the realm of God’s presence, power, and glory, which exists invisibly alongside this visible realm, and from which… Read more

Unlike our natural fathers, our heavenly Father loves us perfectly, is almighty in his care, makes no errors in judgment,… Read more

Like all loving and sincere earthly fathers, God loves us in our weakness, provides for our needs, teaches us in… Read more

Jesus teaches us always to understand ourselves not only as individuals but as members of God’s family of believers, and… Read more

All who come to God through faith and Baptism in Christ are adopted as children of God the Father. Read more

We call God “Father” because Jesus teaches his disciples that we are God’s children and should call God “our Father.” Read more

The traditional form of the Lord’s Prayer begins by addressing God the Father, makes seven petitions, adds a doxology, and… Read more

The Lord’s Prayer models the primary types of prayer: praise of God, intercession for his rule, petition for his provision… Read more

I should pray the Lord’s Prayer regularly because it teaches me to pray as Jesus commanded and to desire what… Read more

I should learn the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus taught it to his disciples as both a practice and a pattern… Read more

The traditional version of the Lord’s Prayer is this: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy… Read more

I should pray at regular times throughout each day, with fellow Christians for prayer and worship, and whenever I am… Read more

I should pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms, the collected prayers of the Church, and my own prayers as the… Read more

I should pray because God calls me to do so, because I was made for fellowship with him, because I… Read more

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and union with him by the Holy Spirit, I have fellowship with God… Read more

From the Book of Homilies Read more

From the Book of Homilies Read more

From the Book of Homilies Read more

In prayer, I should seek not only God’s provision for my needs, but fellowship with God, who made me for… Read more

Prayer is turning my heart toward God, to listen and to speak with him. Read more

God gives healing, strength, and peace, either for recovery from injury or illness, or for perseverance in adversity, especially in… Read more

Through prayer and anointing with oil, the minister invokes God’s blessing upon those suffering in body, mind, or spirit. Read more

Repentance, in which I intend to resist further sin, accept responsibility for my actions, and endeavor to repair damage I… Read more

In absolution, God conveys his pardon through the Cross, removes and cancels my sin, declares me reconciled and at peace… Read more

In absolution, a priest, acting under God’s authority, pronounces God’s forgiveness in response to repentance and confession of sin. Read more

In Christian marriage, God unites husband and wife and blesses their common life, that they may grow together in love,… Read more

The union of husband and wife in one flesh signifies the communion between Christ, the heavenly bridegroom, and the Church,… Read more

Christian marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, uniting them in self-giving love,… Read more

Christian marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, uniting them in self-giving love,… Read more

Serving Christ under their bishops, deacons care for those in need, assist in public worship, and instruct both young and… Read more

Serving Christ with their bishops, priests (or presbyters) nurture God’s people through the ministry of Word and Sacrament and pronounce… Read more

Bishops represent and serve Christ and the Church as chief pastors, catechists, and missionaries in the tradition of the apostles.… Read more

The three orders are bishops, priests, and deacons, which we have received from Scripture and the historic Church. Read more

In ordination, God conveys the gift of the Holy Spirit for the office and work of the order being conferred. Read more

Ordination is the laying on of the bishop’s hands with prayer, which confirms the gifts and calling of the candidates,… Read more

All Christians are to bear witness to Christ in their lives; to care for the poor, strangers, widows, and orphans;… Read more

In confirmation, I am further empowered and gifted by the Holy Spirit for daily growth in wisdom, courage, and humility… Read more

Confirmation is the laying on of the bishop’s hands with prayer for strengthening by the Holy Spirit, following a period… Read more

I should continue to grow in holiness, avoiding sin, showing love and forgiveness to all, and serving others in gratitude. Read more

I am to examine myself: Do I truly repent of my sins and intend to lead a new life in… Read more

As my body is nourished by the bread and wine, my soul is strengthened by the Body and Blood of… Read more

The inward gift signified is the Body and Blood of Christ, which are truly taken and received in the Lord’s… Read more

The visible sign is bread and wine, which Christ commands us to receive. Read more

He instituted it for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of his atoning death, and to convey the benefits of… Read more

I should hope and pray that the Holy Spirit, who indwells me, will help me to be an active member… Read more

Because it is a sign of God’s promise that they are embraced in the covenant community of Christ’s Church. Those… Read more

Two things are required: repentance, in which I turn away from sin; and faith, in which I turn to Jesus… Read more

The inward and spiritual grace is death to sin and new birth to righteousness, through union with Christ in his… Read more

he outward and visible sign is water, in which candidates are baptized “in the Name of the Father, and of… Read more

They were not ordained by Christ as necessary to salvation, but arose from the practices of the apostles and the… Read more

Other rites and institutions commonly called sacraments include confirmation (2 Timothy 1:6–7; Hebrews 6:1–2), ordination (Numbers 8:9–14; 27:18–23; 1 Timothy… Read more

The two sacraments ordained by Christ that are “generally necessary to salvation” (1662 Catechism) are Baptism and Holy Communion (also… Read more

I should receive the sacraments by faith in Christ, with repentance and thanksgiving. Faith in Christ is necessary to receive… Read more

A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. God gives us the sign as… Read more

I should live in joyful expectation of the fullness of my transformation, soul and body, into the likeness of Christ.… Read more

I know that it will be an eternal life of joyful fellowship with our triune God, together with all his… Read more

Because I put my hope in God’s resurrection of my body, I should honor and care for it. I should… Read more

They will be fully renewed and glorified in the image of Christ, perfected after the manner of his own resurrected… Read more

When the risen Lord Jesus returns to judge the earth, he will raise all the dead to bodily life. The… Read more

Because sin and death now corrupt this world, my body will degenerate and die. But, by the will of God,… Read more

Holy Scripture tells me that my body, though tainted by sin, was created good, bearing the image of God and… Read more

No. God’s common grace can be seen in his provision for all people. “He makes his sun rise on the… Read more

No. God wants to redeem every aspect of my life, and his grace in Christ is at work in all… Read more

No. God gives his grace freely and enables me to receive it. Everything I do for God should be in… Read more

God gives me grace in Christ for the forgiveness of my sins, redemption from sin’s power, healing of sin’s effects,… Read more

Grace is God’s undeserved gift of his love, mercy, and help, which he freely offers to us who, because of… Read more

rusting in God’s continual forgiveness, I should live in continual thanks, praise, and obedience to him; and as I have… Read more

By virtue of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, in which I put my trust, God sets aside my sins, accepts me, and… Read more

All sin is opposed to the righteousness of God and is therefore subject to God’s holy condemnation; yet God in… Read more

All sin is opposed to the righteousness of God and is therefore subject to God’s holy condemnation; yet God in… Read more

Sins are intentions, acts, or failures to act that arise out of my corrupted human nature and fall short of… Read more

Through union with Christ, as celebrated in the sacrament of Holy Communion, the Church on earth participates with the Church… Read more

 I live as a member of the communion of saints through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the… Read more

The communion of the saints is the fellowship of all those, in heaven and on earth, who are united in… Read more

“Communion” means being “one with” someone in union and unity. For Christians, it refers to the unity of the three… Read more

e all those in heaven and on earth who place their faith in Jesus Christ, who are set apart, holy… Read more

An apostle is one who is sent. The Church is called “apostolic” because it holds the faith of the first… Read more

The Church is called “catholic” (“according to the whole”) because it keeps the whole faith it has received from the… Read more

The Church is holy because the Holy Spirit dwells in it and sanctifies its members, setting them apart to God… Read more

The Church is one because all its members form the one Body of Christ, having “one Lord, one faith, one… Read more

The Nicene Creed expands upon the Apostles’ Creed to list four characteristics of the Church: it is “one, holy, catholic,… Read more

The Church is called the Body of Christ because all who belong to the Church are united to Christ as… Read more

Holy Scripture teaches me to view the Church as God’s family, as the Body and bride of Christ, and as… Read more

The Church is the whole community of faithful Christians in heaven and on earth, called and formed by God into… Read more

The Holy Spirit equips and empowers believers with gifts for service in the worship of Jesus Christ, for the building… Read more

Among the many gifts of the Holy Spirit named in the New Testament are faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of… Read more

Among the many gifts of the Holy Spirit named in the New Testament are faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of… Read more

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the very character of Jesus developing in us through the work of the… Read more

The Scriptures teach that, by repenting and being baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, I am forgiven my sins… Read more

The Scriptures teach that, by repenting and being baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, I am forgiven my sins… Read more

The Holy Spirit bears witness that I am a child of God, stirs my heart continually to worship and to… Read more

The Holy Spirit imparts life to every living thing in creation, reveals God’s Word to his people, and calls sinners… Read more

Jesus names the Holy Spirit “Paraclete” (“the one alongside”), which signifies Comforter, Guide, Counselor, Advocate, and Helper. Other descriptions for… Read more

God the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the one Being of the Holy Trinity, coequal and coeternal with… Read more

The authority Christ gave to his Church to judge is most often exercised by declaring God’s forgiveness in absolution. However,… Read more

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I examine my conscience according to the Word of God. Particularly useful are… Read more

It means that I should live mindful of his presence, walking in humility as his creature, resisting sin, obeying his… Read more

The unrepentant should fear God’s judgment, for “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness” (Romans 1:18).… Read more

All people, whether living or dead, will be judged by Jesus Christ. Those apart from Christ will receive eternal rejection… Read more

I should anticipate with joy the return of Jesus my Savior and be ready to stand before him. His promise… Read more

No. We cannot know when Jesus will return. Jesus patiently waits for many to repent and trust in him for… Read more

Jesus promised that he would return (Luke 21:27–28). His coming in victory with great glory and power will be seen… Read more

I can rely on Jesus always to be present with me by the Holy Spirit as he promised, and I… Read more

Because Jesus intercedes for us as our great high priest, I may now boldly approach the Father and offer my… Read more

The throne on the king’s right hand was traditionally the seat of one appointed to exercise the king’s own authority.… Read more

Jesus ascended into heaven so that, through him, his Father might send us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through… Read more

Jesus was taken up out of human sight and returned in his humanity to the glory he had shared with… Read more

Following his resurrection, Jesus spent forty days visiting and teaching his followers. He appeared to his disciples, spoke to them,… Read more

Today I’m reading a Homily from the Book of Homilies. This one’s long title is: An Homily or Sermon Concerning… Read more

It means that Jesus was not simply resuscitated; God restored him physically from death to life in his resurrected body,… Read more

That Jesus descended to the dead means that he truly died and entered the place of the departed. Read more

The Creed emphasizes Jesus’ death to counter suspicions that Jesus did not truly die on the Cross, to celebrate the… Read more

The Creed makes the point to emphasize that Jesus died a real, bodily death such as all people face because… Read more

Jesus bore my sins and died the death that I deserve, so that I could be saved from sin and… Read more

Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures by dying on the Cross as a sacrifice for sin in obedience to his Father. He… Read more

Jesus was executed as a common criminal. He was scourged, mocked, and nailed to a Cross outside the walls of… Read more

Jesus suffered as a sacrifice for our sins so that we could have peace with God, as prophesied in the… Read more

All Jesus does as a human being he also does as God. His human words and deeds are saving because… Read more

At the moment of Jesus’ conception, the divine nature of the one eternal Person of the Son was united to… Read more

Jesus was conceived not through a human father but by the Holy Spirit coming upon the Virgin Mary in power.… Read more

Jesus alone is God the Son, coequal and coeternal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He alone… Read more

Jesus the Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit to perfectly fulfill these roles, and he rules now as Prophet,… Read more

Jesus Christ is the eternal Word and Son of God, the second Person of the Holy Trinity. He took on… Read more

Yes. God created all things and called them “very good” (Genesis 1:31). However, through sin, evil and death have come… Read more

It means that all things, whether visible or invisible, physical or spiritual, were brought into being out of nothing by… Read more

I acknowledge that God created for his own glory everything that exists. He created human beings, male and female, in… Read more

I call the Father “Almighty” because he has power over everything and accomplishes everything he wills. Together with his Son… Read more

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only divine Son of the Father. He called God “Father” and taught his disciples… Read more

God the Father is the first Person of the Holy Trinity, from whom the Son is eternally begotten and the… Read more

God is both loving and holy. God mercifully redeems fallen creation, while righteously opposing all sin and evil. The Lord… Read more

God is one divine Being eternally existing in three divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This… Read more

Because Holy Scripture was given by God to the Church, it should always be understood in ways that are faithful… Read more

The fullness of God’s revelation is found in Jesus Christ, who not only fulfills the Scriptures, but is himself God’s… Read more

The Old Testament is to be read in the light of Christ, and the New Testament is to be read… Read more

The thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twentyseven books of the New Testament together form the whole of… Read more

Holy Scripture is “God’s Word written” (Articles of Religion, 20), given by the Holy Spirit through prophets and apostles as… Read more

A creed is a statement of faith. The word “creed” comes from the Latin credo, which means “I believe.” The… Read more

The first Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”… Read more

God desires to free me from captivity to sin and transform me into the image of Jesus Christ, by the… Read more

No. The Apostle Peter said of Jesus, “There is salvation in no one else.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus is the only… Read more

Jesus is the eternal Son of God, the Savior of the world. Fully divine, he took on our human nature,… Read more

Because he loves me, God saves me from sin and judgment, so that I may love and serve him for… Read more

God forgives my sins and reconciles me to himself through his Son Jesus Christ, whom he has given to the… Read more

No. I have no power to save myself, for sin has corrupted my conscience, confused my mind, and captured my… Read more

The way of death is a life without God’s love and Holy Spirit, a life controlled by things that cannot… Read more

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