The Apostles' Creed - The Third Article

Read Luther’s Small Catechism. Notice the emphasize on what God does in the life of the believer and in the life of the church. Because it is God who is at work here, we can always be confident and sure that we really and truly have what is mentioned here. It is ours, not because we did enough to earn it. We have it because this is God’s work in our lives. When God does something, God always does it right.

The Third Article – SANCTIFICATION
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.

What does this mean?

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Martin Luther, Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1991).

The Bible Project

Watch the video below. Notice how it describes the Holy Spirit and the ways He works in and among creation. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a sign of God’s great love and care for us, and assures us that we truly are His children and are loved greatly by Him. 

Luther's Large Catechism

Notice how Luther expanded on the article here. 

Reflection and Reaction

After having read and watched everything above, fill out the answers and submit this form. Don’t forget the Bible Margins. They are on the bottom of this page.

Bible Margins

Print the margins below and put them in your Bibles.