Home/The Small Catechism/The Third Article

The Creed · piece 14 of 26

The Third Article: On Becoming Holy

From Luther’s Small Catechism, 1529

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the community of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and an everlasting life. Amen.

What does this mean?

I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my own intelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as He calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith. In this Church, He generously forgives each day every sin committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, He will raise me and all the dead from the grave. He will give eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is true!

In plain words

You cannot come to Jesus by being smart or trying hard. The Holy Spirit brings you to Jesus through the good news about him, which is called the Gospel. The Spirit gathers the whole church, forgives your sins every day, and keeps you in faith. On the last day, God will raise you from death and give you life forever.

Our summary of Luther’s explanation, for reading after his words, not instead of them.

Where Jesus says it

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

Games and a ten-minute family guide for the Catechism on Luther’s World

All 26 pieces