The Foundation of Christian Religion, Gathered into Six Principles

Question: What do you believe concerning God?

1. There is one God, creator and governor of all things, distinguished into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Question: What do you believe concerning man: and concerning your own self?

2. All men are wholly corrupted with sin through Adam's fall: and so are become slaves of Satan, and guilty of eternal damnation.

Question: What means is there for you to escape this damnable estate?

3. Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God, being made man, by his death upon the Cross, and by his righteousness, has perfectly alone by himself accomplished all things that are needful for the salvation of mankind.

Question: But how may you be made partaker of Christ and his benefits?

4. A man of a contrite and humble spirit by faith alone, apprehending and applying Christ with all his merits unto himself, is justified before God and sanctified.

Question: What are the ordinary means for the obtaining of faith?

5. Faith comes only by the preaching of the word, and increases daily by it, as also by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer.

Question: What is the estate of all men after death?

6. All men shall rise again with their own bodies to the last judgment, which being ended the godly shall possess the kingdom of Heaven: but unbelievers and reprobates shall be in hell tormented with the devil and his angels, forever.

Question: What do you believe concerning God?

1. There is one God, creator and governor of all things, who exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Question: What do you believe concerning humanity — and concerning yourself?

2. All people are entirely corrupted by sin through Adam's fall, and have therefore become slaves of Satan and are guilty of eternal damnation.

Question: What means is there for you to escape this damnable condition?

3. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man and by His death on the cross and by His righteousness, He alone has perfectly accomplished everything needed for the salvation of mankind.

Question: But how can you become a partaker of Christ and His benefits?

4. A person with a contrite and humble spirit, through faith alone grasping and applying Christ with all His merits to himself, is justified before God and sanctified.

Question: What are the ordinary means for obtaining faith?

5. Faith comes only through the preaching of the word and grows daily by it, as well as through the administration of the sacraments and prayer.

Question: What is the condition of all people after death?

6. All people will rise again with their own bodies for the last judgment. When that is ended, the godly will possess the kingdom of Heaven, but unbelievers and reprobates will be tormented in hell with the devil and his angels, forever.