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Stump, Joseph

"An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism"

What
does Amen mean? 5. Why do we add it to our prayer? 6. Why are we sure
that these petitions are acceptable to our heavenly Father? 7. What
promise have we with respect to our prayers?
SCRIPTURE VERSE.--Ps. 145:13. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and
thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
READING.--Asking and Receiving, Luke 11:5-13.


CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE MEANS OF GRACE.

The spiritual blessings spoken of in the Creed and asked for in the
Lord's Prayer are brought to us through the Means of Grace.
WHAT THEY ARE. The Means of Grace are: 1. The Word of God, 2. The
Sacrament of Holy Baptism, 3. The Sacrament of the Altar. They are
called the means of grace, because they are the means or vehicles
through which God's grace comes to us. It is through the Word of God and
the Sacraments that the Holy Spirit does His work in us.
THE WORD OF GOD.
THE CHIEF MEANS OF GRACE is the Word of God. [I Pet. 1:23] For through
it the Holy Spirit "calls, enlightens, sanctifies, and preserves us in
the true faith.


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