I believe in God the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God has created me and all that exists. He has given me and still preserves my body
and soul with all their powers. He provides me with food and clothing,
home and family, daily work, and all I
need from day to day.
God also protects me in time of danger
and guards me from every evil. All this He does out of fatherly and divine
goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it. Therefore, I surely ought to thank and
praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is
seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living
and the dead.
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ - true God,
Son of the Father from eternity, and true man,
born of the Virgin Mary - is my Lord.
At great cost He has saved and redeemed me, a
lost and condemned person. He has freed me from
sin, death, and the power of the devil - not with
silver or gold, but with His holy and precious blood
and His innocent suffering and death.
All this He has done that I may be His own,
live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him
in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness,
just as He is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally.
This is most certainly true.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or
effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him.
But the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel,
enlightened me with Hts gifts, imd sanctified and kept
me in true faith.
In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies
the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it united
with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
In this Christian church day after day He fully forgives my
sins and the sins of all believers.
On the last day He will raise me and all the dead and give me
and all believers in Christ eternal life.
The is most certainly true.
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