An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
II. HOW GOD'S NAME IS PROFANED.
BUT WHOEVER TEACHES AND LIVES OTHERWISE THAN AS GOD'S WORD PRESCRIBES, PROFANES THE OF GOD AMONG US. [Rom. 2:21-24, Tit. 1:16] False teachers, who deny God's Word, or change it, or add to it, or subtract from it, profane the name of God, because they hide the glory of God from those who believe their teachings. Those who live otherwise than as God's Word prescribes, and are hypocrites or impenitent and unbelieving persons, profane God's name, because they refuse to glorify Him by obedience to His Word. FROM THIS PRESERVE US, HEAVENLY FATHER. We pray thus, because we are by nature inclined to error and sin, and have need of God's grace to preserve us from profaning His name. QUESTIONS.--1. What do we pray for in this first petition? 2. What does the name of God mean? 3. Why is God's name holy in itself? 4. What does it mean to hallow God's name? 5. How is God's name hallowed? 6. Why do we pray for God's help? 7. How is God's name profaned? 8. Why do we pray God to preserve us from profaning His name? SCRIPTURE VERSES.--John 17:6. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world. John 1:18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 17:17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Jas. 1:22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. READING.--The Name of Jesus, Acts 4:1-21.
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