Foreword - Or, An Answer To The Critics
FOREWORD Or, An Answer To The Critics
I have been criticized for giving the credit to Martin Luther for the statement on Page 174, Par. C. of Luther's Small Catechism, where he states "...because infants, too, can believe." My critic responded, "Martin Luther did not say that. That is only in the explanation of the Catechism."
I submit to you that Martin Luther did say that and he most assuredly believed that. He takes up the subject of Infant Baptism in his Large Catechism on Page 86, of my copy; and on Page 87, Par. 52, he states, "Further, we are not primarily concerned whether the baptized person believes or not, for in the latter case Baptism does not become invalid." In Par. 53, he states, "...Baptism is valid, even though faith be lacking. He nails it down in Par. 55 when he concludes,
"As we said, even if infants did not believe; which, however is not the case, as we have proved-still their Baptism would be valid and no one should rebaptize them."
Thank you, Mr. Luther!
I have two Catechisms from the Missouri Lutheran Synod. One says, Luther's Small Catechism on the front; but, on the inside title page we find it states, "A Short Explanation of Dr. Martin Luther's Small Catechism, A Handbook of Christian Doctrine." Then, the next page says, "Dr. Martin Luther's Small Catechism." Well now! Which is it? Is it the Catechism; or an explanation by someone else; or the two mixed together? How confusing! I have found from my investigation that the latter (the two mixed together) is the case. The Small Catechism has been expanded with quotations and statements from the Large Catechism and Martin Luther's many other writings. Certainly it would be more helpful to the Lutheran student if these additions had been duly noted. In fact, Martin Luther encouraged this. Here are his words from the Preface to the Small Catechism, Eighth Paragraph.
"Thirdly, after you have thus taught them this Short Catechism, then take up the Large Catechism, and give them also a richer and fuller knowledge. Here explain at large every commandment, [article,] petition, and part with its various works, uses, benefits, dangers, and injuries, as you find these abundantly stated in many books written about these matters." (I am sure these "many books" would be works of Martin Luther).
(http://www.edccs.com/redeemer/beliefs/small-catechism.htm#preface).
Yes, the statement "...because infants, too, can believe" did come from Martin Luther and is exactly what he believed!
Another thing I have routinely been scolded for is saying that Martin Luther was not a saved man. I have been accused of standing in the place of God, Himself, because I say that Martin Luther was not a saved man.
God's Word is very clear about this. We are to judge the Gospel message. Our very salvation depends upon it!
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1).
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (V.17). For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:17-18).
One web author, who writes about Martin Luther, very aptly commented, "If these beliefs (meaning those of Martin Luther) were presented you anonymously, would you not say the author was a heretic, without saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Strange, then, that with Luther's name attached, excuses are made, such as: "You misun-derstand what he says"; Something was lost in the translation"; "The words don't have the same meaning they had in the 16th Century..."
(www.rapidnet.com~jbeard/exposes/luther.general.htm).
Approximately 16 years after Luther had written his Catechisms, he died. If at any time in his last 16 years of life he had changed his mind concerning his beliefs, it would have flashed over Europe like a forest fire! In those times when all his friends were listening to his so-called "Divine Discourses" and supposedly writing down every word that fell from his lips, could he not have said, "Away with the Catechisms!" "Away with the Sacraments!" "Away with Baptism!"? If he had done so, the course of History would have been changed in a big way! The true Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ would have spread over Europe like a flood. But did he? We all know that he did NOT change his mind about ANY of his teachings. Instead, the religion of works that Martin Luther taught in ALL his writings, ALL of his life were exported all over the world. Martin Luther believed that you have to be baptized to be saved. He said it over and over again. Here are his words from Page 174 of The Small Catechism.
"II. THE BLESSINGS OF BAPTISM. What does Baptism give or profit? It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare."
Or, from his Large Catechism, P. 83, #24.
"To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism IS TO SAVE." Nor did Luther believe that you had to have faith for baptism to be valid.
"Further, we are not primarily concerned whether the baptized person believes or not, for in the latter case, Baptism does NOT become invalid." (Large Catechism, P. 87, Par. 52).
"Baptism is valid, even though FAITH be lacking." (Par. 53). Do these sound like the words of a saved man? Absolutely not!
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
(John 3:36). The Bible teaches that the fruit of the believer is another believer. Matthew 7:15-20 explains this very clearly.
"BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (V.15).
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (V.16).
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (V.17). A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (V.18).
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (V.19).
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (V.20).
(Matthew 7:15-20). Our Lord is teaching a lesson in this Scripture passage about "false prophets." The "trees" picture the prophet's message and the "good fruit" is a born-again Christian, and the "evil fruit" is an unbeliever.
What kind of "fruit" did Martin Luther's teachings bear? "Evil fruit" from a "corrupt tree." The fruit of Martin Luther's corrupt message is his followers who have been convinced by his puppet preachers that their baptism as projected in his Catechisms, will gain them entry into Heaven. They are so deceived and Hell will be their reward, if they believe his philosophy.
"...Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"
(Matthew 25:41).
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
(Matthew 7:10). This is a perfect description of Martin Luther, the Master of Deceit! I will say it again! Martin Luther was never a saved man, as evidenced by his own writings.