The Creed · piece 13 of 26
The Second Article: On Redemption
From Luther’s Small Catechism, 1529
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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, descended to Hell, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Almighty Father. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ is truly God, born of the Father in eternity and also truly man, born of the Virgin Mary. He is my Lord! He redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, bought and won me from all sins, death and the authority of the Devil. It did not cost Him gold or silver, but His holy, precious blood, His innocent body—His death! Because of this, I am His very own, will live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him righteously, innocently and blessedly forever, just as He is risen from death, lives and reigns forever. Yes, this is true.
In plain words
Jesus is truly God and truly human. You were lost, and Jesus rescued you from sin, death, and the devil. He did not pay with money but with his own life when he died on the cross. Because he rose again, you belong to him now and you will live with him forever.
Our summary of Luther’s explanation, for reading after his words, not instead of them.
Where Jesus says it
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Mark 10:45 Jesus says he came to serve and to give his life to set many people free.
Read Mark 10:45
45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →
Translated by Robert E. Smith for Project Wittenberg (revised 2004) and placed in the public domain by the translator. How we checked it, and the whole Catechism on one page