An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
OF GOD THE HOLY GHOST, OR SANCTIFICATION
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the Body; and the Life Everlasting. Amen. _What is meant by this article?_ I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me by His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; in like manner as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the true faith; in which Christian Church He daily forgives abundantly all my sins, and the sins of all believers, and will raise up me and all the dead at the last Day, and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true. * * * * * THE THIRD ARTICLE treats of GOD THE HOLY GHOST and His work of SANCTIFICATION. It tells us how we become partakers of the Redemption which is described in the Second Article. Christ _has accomplished_ our redemption, and the Holy Ghost _applies_ that redemption to our souls. The work of the Holy Ghost _in_ us is as necessary for our salvation as the [Cor. 2:14] work of Christ _for_ us. We must believe in Christ, if we would be saved; [Mark 16:16] and it is the Holy Ghost who causes us to believe. [1 Cor. 12:3] Article. III, and its Explanation may be analyzed as follows:-- I. _His Person and Nature_: He is True God. II. _His Work_: He Calls, Enlightens, Sanctifies, and Preserves me in the true Faith. III. _His Workmanship_: The Holy Christian Church. IV. _The Fruits of His Work_: 1. The Forgiveness of Sins. 2. The Resurrection of the Body, and the Life Everlasting.
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