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Question 104: What does the Fifth Commandment teach us?

Question 104: What does the Fifth Commandment teach us? Answer: We are to respect, love, and obey our father, mother, and elders. We are to obey and submit to their admonitions and discipline. Since God governs us through them, we are to tolerate and accept even their flaws as much as possible. Fifth, honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Living on this earth, people grow up receiving the protection and love of their parents, and as they mature, they consider them precious. Of course, not everyone lives this way. However, in general, the relationship between parents and children is a blood-related bond that cannot be artificially altered.  This is true even between parents and children in this world, so much more so with the relationship between God and humanity. Just as believers think of their parents, we are to think of God, our spiritual parent. Therefore, the Bible tells us that we are all beings who have left...

Question 103: What is God's will for us in the fourth commandment?

Question 103: What is God's will for us in the fourth commandment? Answer: First, that the preaching and instruction of the gospel should continue, especially on Sundays, and that we should regularly attend the assembly of God's people to learn the Word, participate in the sacraments, offer public prayer, and give alms for the poor. Second, that the Lord, by working in me through His Holy Spirit, has delivered me from the evils of daily life and already enjoys eternal rest in this life. The Fourth Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male or female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.” God's command to keep the Sabbath was to make the Israelites realize they were restless. Therefore, He was telling them to become rest.  They observed the Sabbath...

Question 102: Can we swear by saints or other creatures?

  Question 102: Can we swear by saints or other creatures? Answer: No. A proper oath involves calling on God, who knows our hearts, testifies to our truthfulness, and punishes us if we swear falsely. No creature is worthy of such honor. The Bible doesn't outright prohibit oaths. Rather, it prohibits swearing by the name of God or the name of the earth. Furthermore, it states that believers are to keep their vows to God. When believers swear by the saints or other creatures, what meaning does it hold in itself? It must reside in the heart of the one who accepts the oath. Personally, I believe that vows made between people are to be kept. In other words, don't make vows you can't keep. However, once you make a vow, you must keep it.

(2) Israel crossing the Red Sea

(2) Israel crossing the Red Sea Exodus 14:13-16 “ Then Moses said to the people, ‘ Fear not, stand firm, and you will see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will see them again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you; therefore you must be still. ” Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘ Why do you cry to me? Tell the Israelites to move forward. But lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites will go through the sea on dry ground. ’” God speaks to them through Moses. He tells them to simply observe what God is doing. This is salvation. Even today, with nothing we can do, people struggle to survive. Salvation is God's work, and all we need to do is enter into the faith He gives us. However, people believe and act according to their own thoughts and circumstances, regardless of the faith God gives them. Therefore, this faith changes depending on the circumsta...

Question 101: But isn't it permissible to swear by God's name if we do so reverently?

  Question 101: But isn't it permissible to swear by God's name if we do so reverently? Answer: Yes. It is permissible when circumstances require an oath, or when the government requires it, for the purpose of preserving truth and promoting trust for the glory of God and the benefit of our neighbors. Such oaths are authorized by God's Word and were appropriately used by believers in both the Old and New Testaments. The answer to question 101 confuses the terms "oath" and "vow." The Greek word translated "oath" (horkus) means "to swear" or "to swear." It refers to a voluntary promise to do something. However, an oath is a different concept from an oath, as it refers to a pledge made when the government demands it, when one intends to refrain from false testimony, and when one wishes to tell the truth. Since it is not something one takes voluntarily, but rather is enforced by public authority, such as the government or a...

Question 100: Is blaspheming God's name by swearing and cursing such a terrible sin that God's anger is kindled even against those who do not aid or abide by it?

  Question 100: Is blaspheming God's name by swearing and cursing such a terrible sin that God's anger is kindled even against those who do not aid or abide by it? Answer: Truly. There is no sin greater than blasphemy, nor is there anything more provoking God's anger. Therefore, God punishes it with death. Those who do not believe in God and do not accept Jesus Christ blaspheme God's name and even curse Him with oaths. Romans 1:21-25 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor were thankful, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for images made like corruptible man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonor of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rath...

Question 98-99

  Question 98: Then, can't those images be used as teaching aids in church? Answer: Yes. We shouldn't try to be wiser than God. God wants his people to be taught not by dumb idols, but by the preaching of his living Word. The image of God is Christ. The invisible image is made visible. Colossians 1:15, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Each church community portrays Jesus in various ways. They portray him as Jesus Christ preaching the gospel, Jesus Christ on the cross, and Jesus Christ resurrected. No church would call these images idolatrous.   Question 99: What does the third commandment require of us? Answer: We are not to blaspheme God, nor to use his name in cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths; nor by being silent bystanders to such terrible sins, nor to participate in them indirectly. In short, the commandment is that we are to use God's holy name in all our words and deeds, confessing our faith in him, p...