Definitions
What is the means of grace?
The gospel in Word and sacraments.
What is the message of the gospel?
What God has done for you and given to you out of his love for you - especially the forgiveness of sins through Jesus. "Shows our Savior."
When did Jesus institute the Lord's Supper?
Holy/Maundy Thursday, while eating the Passover with his disciples.
What are we saying about the Bible when we say it is Verbally Inspired?
God gave the human authors all the right words, so that the Bible truly is God's Word.
What are the two main messages of the Bible?
Law and gospel.
What is the message of God's law?
God's will for humans, and the punishment we deserve for not living up to it. "Shows our Sins."
What does baptism do?
Gives the forgiveness of sins, new life in Christ, and eternal salvation.
Why is it necessary to teach the faith to those who have been baptized?
Baptism applies God's God's Word and promise to a person, and these must be believed in order for someone to benefit from them.
How often should we receive the Lord's Supper?
What are the two original languages of the Bible?
Hebrew (Old Testament)
Greek (New Testament)
What is a Sacrament?
(three criteria)
A sacred act that 1) is instituted by Christ, 2) consists of an earthly element used with God's Word, and 3) bestows the forgiveness of sins.
What words of Jesus tell us the blessing of the Lord's Supper?
"This is my body, given for you... This is my blood, poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins."
What is the significance of being baptized "in the name of" the Triune God?
He claims us as his own.
He adopts us into his family.
What makes someone properly prepared to have Communion?
Faith in Jesus' words "given" and "poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins."
Why do we not believe in mere Representation in the Lord's Supper?
Jesus said, "This is my body... This is my blood." Jesus' Word is powerful to make true what he says.
What do we mean when we say we believe in the Real Presence in the Sacrament?
Jesus' body and blood are really present in, with, and under the bread and wine.
How can the water of baptism or eating and drinking the Lord's Supper give such incredible blessings?
It's not the water, and it's not the eating and drinking. It's God's Word and promise about them that makes them give forgiveness, life, and salvation.
What critical truths can we not learn from the Natural Knowledge of God?
Who the true God is. We cannot justify ourselves by our works. God sent a Savior to give us his righteousness.
Give at least three good reasons to baptize babies.
They are part of "all nations."
They are sinful and need forgiveness.
They can believe in Jesus.
Faith is always a gift and a miracle.
Name two places we can learn information about God apart from the Bible.
Creation
Conscience
How should we examine ourselves before we eat and drink the Lord's Supper?
(at least three questions)
Do I recognize my sin?
Do I trust in Jesus as my Savior?
(Do I intend to fight temptation and my sinful nature?)
Do I believe his words in the Sacrament?
Who does God declare me to be in baptism?
His forgiven child, an heir of eternal life, with whom he is well pleased.
If an unbeliever takes Communion, what do they receive?
The body and blood of Jesus.
But they sin against it and eat and drink judgment on themselves.
Daily turn from my sins in contrition and repentance and trust in God's baptismal promises of forgiveness and new life.
Why is it important to say "The Bible is God's Word" instead of "The Bible contains God's Word"?
All of the Bible is God's Word. There are no merely human sections.