Question 1 What Is the Christian Faith? (Martin Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, CPH 2017)

I am starting a new series of devotions based on the questions in the explanation to Martin Luther's Small Catechism (2017). I can't print out the answers and Bible verses so I encourage you to purchase the catechism from Concordia Publishing House. They have a printed version, a Kindle version, and an app version. Read the question, answer, and Bible verses along with these devotions. 

Question 1 What Is the Christian Faith?

(Martin Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, 2017)

Meditation

Christianity is salvation in Jesus Christ. 

From The Lutheran Study Bible: [John] Hus [wrote:] “The faithful were first called disciples and brethren, and later Christians” (The Church, p 63). Luther: “‘On this rock, that is, on me, Christ, I will build all of my Christendom, just as you and the other disciples are built on it through my Father in heaven, who revealed it to you.’… Thus Luke in Acts 11 [:26] says that the disciples in Antioch were first called Christians, which is why names have survived such as, ‘Christians, Christendom, Christian faith,’ etc. … Whoever believes in Christ is built on this rock and will attain salvation, even against all the gates of hell; whoever does not believe in Christ is not built on this rock and must be damned, with all the gates of hell” (AE 41:314–15). 

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for calling me to be a Christian - a follower of Christ, a disciple. I follow because You lead me in the way of salvation. Thank You for saving me from my sin. Help me to walk in Your ways now and forever. Amen. 

Hymn Christ Be My Leader

Christ be my leader by night as by day;
safe through the darkness for he is the way.
Gladly I follow, my future his care,
darkness is daylight when Jesus is there.

Christ be my teacher in age as in youth,
drifting or doubting, for he is the truth.
Grant me to trust him, though shifting as sand,
doubt cannot daunt me; in Jesus I stand.

Christ be my Savior in calm as in strife;
death cannot hold me, for he is the life.
Nor darkness nor doubting nor sin and its stain
can touch my salvation: with Jesus I reign.