Misc.
Definition of a Sacrament (4 parts)
1. A sacred act instituted by God Himself,
2. Which consists of certain visible means
3. Connected with His Word,
4. Through which He offers, gives and seals to us the forgiveness of sins which Christ has earned for us.
What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used according to God’s command and connected with His Word.
What is the Office of the Keys?
The Office of the Keys is the special authority which Christ has given to His Church on earth: to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to retain the sins of the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.
What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
The Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself, for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Who then receives this Sacrament worthily?
While fasting and bodily preparations are fine outward training, whoever has faith in these words, “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins,” is truly worthy and well prepared. But whoever does not believe these words, or doubts them, is unworthy and unprepared because the words “for you” require only believing hearts.
What is the purpose of excommunication?
Lead the person to see the greatness of his sin and to repent.
What is that Word and command of God concerning Baptism?
Jesus says: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:18-20.
Where is this written?
The evangelist writes, in John 20:22-23, “Jesus breathed on His disciples and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; and if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’”
Where is this written?
The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark and Luke, together with St. Paul, write thus: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”
Does God want us to examine ourselves before communing? (Yes/No; Explain with 1 Cor. 11:27-28)
Yes!
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the Lord’s body and blood. 28 Instead, let a person examine himself and after doing so, let him eat of the bread and drink from the cup.
Is Baptism necessary?
Baptism is necessary to salvation in all ordinary circumstances. In those few cases where a person is deprived of Baptism he is saved without it through his faith in Jesus. Only unbelief condemns.
What does Baptism give or profit? Which are these words and promises of God?
Baptism delivers forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, just as the words and promises of God declare.
Christ our Lord says in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
What is Confession?
Confession consists of two parts: one, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the pastor or confessor as from God himself, and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.
Do the bread and wine symbolize the body and blood of Jesus? (Yes/No; Explain with 1 Cor. 10:16)
No!
“The cup of blessings which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”
Will an unbeliever receive the body and blood of Jesus if they go to the Communion?
Yes.
Who is the new man?
Our new spiritual life which the Holy Spirit creates in us by regeneration.
How can water do such great things?
It is not the water that does these things, but the Word of God which is in and with the water, and faith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without the Word of God the water is simply water, and no baptism; but with the Word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit.
What sins should we confess?
Before God we should acknowledge ourselves guilty of all sins, even of those which we do not know about, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer. But before the pastor or confessor we should acknowledge those sins only which we know and feel in our hearts.
What benefit do we receive from such eating and drinking?
The benefit which we receive from such eating and drinking is shown us by these words: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins,” namely, that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given to us in the Sacrament through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
Do the unworthy receive forgiveness?
No. They eat and drink to their harm.
How can we encourage children to remain in their baptisms?
Pray for their children, teach them the Word of God, and set them a good example.
What does such baptizing with water mean? Where is this written?
Such baptizing with water means that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires; and that
a new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
St. Paul writes in Romans 6:4, “We are buried with Christ by baptism into death, that just as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Which are these?
Here consider your own station according to the Ten Commandments, whether you are a father, mother, son, daughter, employer, employee; whether you have
been disobedient, dishonest, lazy; whether you have injured anyone by word or deed; whether you have stolen, neglected, wasted anything, or done any harm.
How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?
It is not the eating and drinking that does this, but the words here written: “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” These words, along with the eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: the forgiveness of sins.
Why did the tax-collector go home justified?
He confessed his sins and trusted in God's mercy.