An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism by Joseph Stump
page 112 of 222 (50%)
page 112 of 222 (50%)
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I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
_What is meant by this Article?_ I believe that God has created me and all that exists; that He has given and still preserves to me my body and soul, with all my limbs and senses, my reason and all the faculties of my mind, together with my raiment, food, home and family, and all my property: that He daily provides me abundantly with all the necessaries of life, protects me from all danger, and preserves me and guards me against all evil; all which He does out of pure, paternal and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank, praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true. I BELIEVE IN, that is, I trust in, I rely upon. GOD THE FATHER, He is the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, [Matt. 11:25] and the first Person of the Holy Trinity. Through Christ He is also my Father. [John 20:17, Eph. 1:3+] ALMIGHTY, He is able to do all things, and to help me in every time of need. MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. [Ps. 102:25] He has made all things,--the universe and all that it contains. The world did not come into being of itself or by chance, nor did it exist from eternity. God made it out of nothing. In the beginning He created the heaven and the earth. [Gen. 1:1+, Ps 33:6, 9] They were at first a formless mass; [Gen. 1:2] but in six days God fashioned the formless mass into the world as it now exists. On these six days He created, 1. Light, 2. The Firmament, 3. |
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