Baptized Into Christ

The Fourth Commandment Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. What does this mean?  We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. and from Luther's explanation to the third article of the Apostles' Creed... 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. There are two ditches I see when it comes to attending Sunday services (the Divine Service). "I don't have to go to church to be a Christian."  This is a very American and very postmodern attitude, but not a biblical one.  "Because I go to church I'm a Christian."  The response to...

The Second Commandment You shall not misuse the name of the Lord of the Lord your God.   What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks. The First Petition of the Lord's Prayer Hallowed be Thy Name.   What does this mean?   God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also. How is God’s name kept holy?   God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it.   Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven!   But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us.   Protect us from this, heavenly Father! The Second Commandment and the First Petition of the Lord’s Prayer go hand in hand.   Both, ultimate...