I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What Does This Mean?
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, yes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.
The Central Thought
No one is self-sufficient. Each one of us receives life and support as a gift from outside of ourselves.
- Is the gratitude of Christians different from that of those who do not know God as their gracious Father?
- What are some examples of God’s generosity in my life?
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
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.
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.
Page 156, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation
Concordia Publishing House 2017
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