Memory # 41-50
41 Second Article
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again
from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living
and the dead.
42 Meaning of the Second Article
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, 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 person, purchased and won me from all sins,
from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His
holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may
be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting
righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the
dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.
43 Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
44 Third Article and Meaning
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
45 Meaning of the Third Article
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord,
or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His
gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers,
enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with
Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my
sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead,
and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.
46 Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in Heaven.
What does this mean?
With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father
and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence
we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear Father.
47 The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?
God's name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept
holy among us also.
How is God's name kept holy?
God's name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity,
and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us
to do this, dear Father in Heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives
contrary to God's Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from
this Heavenly Father!
48 The Second Petition
Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean?
The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without prayer, but we pray in
this petition that it may come to us also.
How does God's kingdom come?
God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so
that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in
in time and there in eternity.
49 The Third Petition
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
What does this mean?
The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in
this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is God's will done?
God's will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the
devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God's name
or let His kingdom come, and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word
and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.
50 The Fourth Petition
Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean?
God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil
people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to
receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again
from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living
and the dead.
42 Meaning of the Second Article
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, 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 person, purchased and won me from all sins,
from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His
holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may
be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting
righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the
dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.
43 Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
44 Third Article and Meaning
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
45 Meaning of the Third Article
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord,
or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His
gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers,
enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with
Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my
sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead,
and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.
46 Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in Heaven.
What does this mean?
With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father
and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence
we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear Father.
47 The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?
God's name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept
holy among us also.
How is God's name kept holy?
God's name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity,
and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us
to do this, dear Father in Heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives
contrary to God's Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from
this Heavenly Father!
48 The Second Petition
Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean?
The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without prayer, but we pray in
this petition that it may come to us also.
How does God's kingdom come?
God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so
that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in
in time and there in eternity.
49 The Third Petition
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
What does this mean?
The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in
this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is God's will done?
God's will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the
devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God's name
or let His kingdom come, and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word
and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.
50 The Fourth Petition
Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean?
God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil
people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to
receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.