Luther's Little Instruction Book
                   (The Small Catechism of Martin Luther)
                    Part Six: The Sacrament of the Altar
                        Translated by Robert E. Smith
                                June 10, 1994

                         The Sacrament of the Altar:
         The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to his Household

       I.   Q. What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

            A. It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under
               bread and wine for us Christians to eat and to drink,
               established by Christ Himself.

       II.  Q. Where is that written?

            A. The holy apostles Matthew, Mark and Luke and St. Paul
               write this:

               ``Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night on which He was
                 betrayed, took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to His
                 disciples and said: ``Take! Eat! This is My body, which is
                 given for you. Do this to remember Me!'' In the same way He
                 also took the cup after supper, gave thanks, gave it to
                 them, and said: ``Take and drink from it, all of you! This
                 cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you
                 to forgive sins. This do, as often as you drink it, to
                 remember Me!''

       III. Q. What good does this eating and drinking do?

            A. These words tell us: ``Given for you'' and ``Shed for you to
               forgive sins.'' Namely, that the forgiveness of sins, life and
               salvation are given to us through these words in the
               sacrament. Because, where sins are forgiven, there is life and
               salvation as well.

       IV.  Q. How can physical eating and drinking do such great things?

            A. Of course, eating and drinking do not do these things. These
               words, written here, do them: ``given for you'' and ``shed for
               you to forgive sins.'' These words, along with physical eating
               and drinking are the important part of the sacrament. Anyone
               who believes these words has what they say and what they
               record, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

       V.   Q. Who, then, receives such a sacrament in a worthy way?

            A. Of course, fasting and other physical preparations are
               excellent disciplines for the body. But anyone who believes
               these words, ``Given for you,'' and ``Shed for you to forgive
               sins,'' is really worthy and well prepared.  But whoever
               doubts or does not believe these words is not worthy and is
               unprepared, because the words, ``for you'' demand a heart that
               fully believes.



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       This text was translated in 1994 for Project Wittenberg by Robert E.
       Smith and has been placed in the public domain by him. You may freely
       distribute, copy or print this text.  Please direct any comments or
       suggestions to Rev.  Robert E.  Smith of the Walther Library at:

                          Concordia Theological Seminary.
                          E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu
           Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft.  Wayne, IN 46825 USA
        Phone: (260) 481-2123                        Fax: (260) 481-2126
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