(1) This sermon is arranged and begun to be an instruction for children and the simple; therefore it is also called catechism from ancient times, that is, a children's teaching, so that every Christian should know it for his own use; so that whoever does not know it cannot be counted among Christians and be admitted to any sacrament. Just as a craftsman who does not know the right and use of his craft is cast out and considered unfit. The
In addition, young people are to be taught the pieces that belong in the catechism or children's sermon, and they are to practice and practice them diligently.
(2) Therefore every householder is obliged to examine his children and servants at least once a week and to find out what they know or have learned, and, if they cannot, to keep them in earnest. For I think it is time, yes, it still happens every day, that one can hear coarse, old.
old people who did not know or still do not know anything about it: Nevertheless, they go to baptism and the sacrament, and need everything that Christians have; so that those who go to the sacrament should know more and have a fuller understanding of all Christian doctrine than the children and new disciples; although we leave it for the common crowd with the three things that have remained in Christianity from old age, but have been taught and practiced little; until one practices and becomes proficient in the same, both young and old, what Christians are called and want to be, and are namely these:
First, the ten commandments of God.
1. you shall have no other gods besides me.
2. You shall not take the name of God in vain.
3. you shall celebrate the holiday saint.
You shall honor your father and mother.
5. you shall not kill.
6. you shall not commit adultery.
7. you shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. you shall not covet your neighbor's house.
010 Thou shalt not covet his wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle, or any thing that is his.
Second: The main articles of our faith.
I believe in God the Father, the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth.
(2) And to Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary the Virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried, descended into hell, rose again from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence He is to judge the living and the dead.
3. I believe in the Holy Spirit, One Holy Christian Church, Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Resurrection of the Flesh and One Eternal Life, Amen.
Third: The prayer or Our Father,
as Christ taught.
Our Father, who art in heaven! 1. hallowed be your name. 2. let your kingdom come. 3. thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 4. give us this day our daily bread. 005 And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. 6th And lead us not into temptation. 7. but deliver us from evil, amen.
These are the most necessary pieces, which one must first learn to recite from word to word. And the children must be accustomed to it every day when they get up in the morning, go to table and go to sleep in the evening, that they must recite it, and not give them food or drink, if they have said it. In the same way, every householder is obliged to keep the servants and maids with him, so that he does not keep them with him if they are unable or unwilling to learn. For it is not to be suffered that a man should be so rough and savage, and not learn such things, because in these three pieces all that we have in the Scriptures is written recently, crudely, and most simply; for the dear fathers or apostles (who they were) have thus put into one sum what is the doctrine, life, wisdom, and art of Christians, whereof they speak and act, and wherewith they deal.
Now when these three things have been comprehended, it is also necessary to know how to speak of our sacraments, which Christ Himself instituted, of baptism and of the holy body and blood of Christ; namely, the text which Matthew and Mark write at the end of their Gospels, how Christ gave the last to His disciples and dismissed them.
From baptism.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son; and
of the Holy Spirit. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Match. 28, 19. Marc. 16, 16.
This much is enough for a simple person to know from the Scriptures about baptism; likewise also about the other sacrament with short simple words, namely the text of St. Paul:
From the Sacrament.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take this and eat; this is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
The same also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is poured out for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. 1 Cor. 11, 23. 24. 25.
So everywhere you would have five pieces of the whole Christian doctrine, which you could always
and demand and interrogate from word to word. For do not rely on the young people learning and retaining from the sermon alone. If one knows such pieces well, then one can also present some psalms or hymns, which are made on them, for the addition and strength of the same, and thus bring the youth into the Scriptures and continue daily. But it should not be enough to grasp and count the words alone, but let the young people also go to the sermon, especially at the time appointed for the catechism, that they may hear it interpreted and learn to understand what each piece has in itself; so that they may also recite it as they have heard it, and answer correctly when they are asked, so that it may not be preached without profit and fruit. For this reason we take pains to preach the Catechism often, so that it may be imparted to the young, not in a high or sharp manner, but briefly and in the most simple way, so that it may be well received by them and remain in their memory. For this reason, we will now take the indicated pieces one after the other before us and speak of them most clearly, as much as is necessary.