While cherished for its rich theological depth, the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563's length and breadth could be difficult for the common man and children, so an official, shorter version was commissioned by Frederick III's son and successor, John Casimir, Count Palatine of Simmern. This "Small Heidelberg Catechism" first appeared in 1576, accompanied by a "Warning to the Reader." The text was later revised and reissued in 1585. This shorter catechism retains the beloved three-part framework of Misery, Redemption, and Thankfulness, serving as a practical tool for pastors and parents to instill the core tenets of the faith in a memorable way. The Small Catechism was printed alongside the standard catechism within the Church Order itself.
In 1599, Hermanus Faukelius would produce a similar abridgement in the Dutch language called A Compendium of the Christian Religion. This Compendium would find official recommendation at the Synod of Dort.
The text presented here is the 1585 revsion, as found in the critical German edition Die evangelischen Kirchenordnungen des XVI. Jahrhunderts (14. Band): Kurpfalz (1969). An 1859 edition is also available with supporting biblical citations. This English translation was produced using Gemini 2.5 Pro and compared to the Modern English Version of the Heidelberg Catechism produced by the RCUS. Question numbers are added for convenience.
This extract has not been composed with the intention of introducing a new catechism, nor of abolishing or displacing the original one. In this extract, we present not only the same Christian doctrine but also nearly the same wording as the larger catechism. We pray to Almighty God that in these troubled times He would grant us true and steadfast constancy in the saving doctrine that is grounded in the writings of the prophets and apostles.
However, because some questions in the catechism might be too long or too difficult for the common person and for young, beginning children, we have prepared this extract. It briefly comprehends the most important parts of Christian doctrine so that no one may have an excuse, and so that all households, children, and students may practice themselves in godliness and have an introduction to the catechism.
May the Father of lights, from whom alone all good gifts come, give to all heads of households and housemothers—indeed, to all of us—the diligence and zeal to love, practice, and promote the saving doctrine from the heart. Amen.
This extract, or small catechism, has not been conceived and newly revised as if we wanted to introduce a new catechism, or to abolish and set aside the larger one, which deals in detail with the main points of Christian doctrine. For in this extract we present not only the same doctrine but also, for the most part, the same words as the great catechism. We pray from the bottom of our hearts to the faithful God that in these troubled, last days, amidst so many adversities on our right and on our left, He would grant us a true, steadfast constancy in the saving doctrine of the Christian catechism.
We can testify with a good conscience that in our catechism we have not regarded any person's name or writings. Instead, we have been diligent to ensure that the main points of Christian doctrine are, as much as possible, taken and explained from the very words of the Holy Bible, from the firm foundation of the prophets and apostles.
However, since some questions in the larger catechism might seem too long or too difficult for the common, simple person and for the young, we prepared this extract and little catechism some years ago. In it, the most important and necessary parts of Christian doctrine are comprehended briefly, clearly, and orderly. We have now newly revised it with all diligence and in the fear of God, with the advice of God-fearing and learned people here, especially concerning the doctrine of the holy sacraments.
Given at Heidelberg, the 1st day of June, 1585.
What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully satisfied for all my sins with His precious blood and has redeemed me from all the power of the devil. For this reason I am also baptized in His name and called a Christian.
How many things are necessary for you to know, so that in this comfort you may live and die happily?
Three things: first, the greatness of my sin and misery; second, how I am redeemed from all my sin and misery; and third, how I am to be thankful to God for such redemption.
From where do you know your misery?
From the Law of God.
What then does the Law of God require of us?
Christ teaches us this in a summary in Matthew 22: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Can you keep all this perfectly?
No, for I am by nature inclined to hate God and my neighbor.
From where, then, does this depraved nature of man come?
From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise, whereby our nature became so corrupt that we are all conceived and born in sin.
Will God allow such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished?
By no means. He will punish them in time and eternity, as He has declared: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."
How then may we escape this punishment and again be received into grace?
God wills that His justice be satisfied, either by ourselves or by another.
Can we ourselves make this satisfaction?
Certainly not; on the contrary, we daily increase our guilt.
What kind of mediator and redeemer, then, must we seek?
One who is a true and righteous man, and at the same time true God.
Who then is that Mediator, who in one person is true God and also a true and righteous man?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, as the articles of our Christian faith teach us in a summary.
What are these articles?
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy, catholic Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Since there is but one Divine Being, why do you speak of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Because God has so revealed Himself in His Word, that these three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God.
What do you believe when you say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"?
That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing made heaven and earth with all that is in them, and who likewise upholds and governs them by His providence, is for the sake of Christ His Son my God and my Father. He provides me with all things necessary and turns to my good whatever evil may befall me.
Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” that is, Savior?
Because He saves us from our sins.
From where are you certain that He saves you?
From the holy gospel, which is contained in the articles of faith.
Why is He called “Christ,” that is, Anointed?
Because He is ordained by God the Father and sent into the world to be my true prophet and teacher, my high priest who offered Himself for me and intercedes for me with the Father, and my king who governs me on earth, until He finally takes me to Himself into eternal blessedness.
What do you believe concerning the “Holy Spirit”?
First, that He is co-eternal God with the Father and the Son. Second, that He is also given to me as the true comforter, who makes me holy and who plants and awakens in me faith in Christ, prayer, and all the fruits of faith.
How are you righteous before God?
Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Through it my sins are forgiven, so that the satisfaction of Christ alone is my righteousness before God, and I can receive it only by faith.
What is true faith?
A sure knowledge of the fatherly will of God toward us, and a hearty trust in His gracious promise through Christ our Savior.
But why cannot our good works be our righteousness before God, or part of it?
Because even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.
Do our good works merit nothing, even though it is God's will to reward them in this life and in that which is to come?
The reward comes not of merit, but of grace.
What are the sacraments?
They are visible, holy signs and seals, attached to the promise of the gospel to assure us that God, on account of the one sacrifice of Christ accomplished on the cross, graciously grants us the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.
Are both the Word and the sacraments designed to direct our faith to the one Christ and the one ground of salvation?
Yes, truly, for the true body of Christ, given for us, is the true treasure of the gospel and of the holy sacraments.
How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the New Testament?
Two: Holy Baptism and the Holy Supper.
What then is Holy Baptism?
It is not a simple washing with water, but a sacrament or divine sign of the new covenant, which assures me that I am a member of the Christian church. And just as I am outwardly sprinkled with water, so Christ inwardly washes and cleanses me from all sin with His blood, and renews me as a child of God to a new life.
Where has Christ promised this?
In the institution of Baptism, which says, “Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” This promise is also repeated where Scripture calls Baptism the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins.
Should young children also be baptized?
Yes, for they, as well as the adults, belong to the covenant of God and His church.
What is the Holy Supper?
It is the second sacrament or divine sign of the New Testament, instituted for those who grow and increase in Christ. There the Lord does not offer mere bread and wine, but rather testifies and assures that He has given His body for us unto death for the forgiveness of our sins, and that with this same body and His shed blood He feeds and nourishes our souls to everlasting life.
How do the words of the institution read?
The holy apostle Paul relates them from the three evangelists as follows: “The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” And this promise is also repeated by St. Paul, where he says, "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, so we being many are one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread."
But Christ in the institution calls the bread His body, not a sign of His body.
Since He ordains a sacrament for His remembrance, and the sacraments are divine signs, the bread and wine are rightly called divine signs to feed and nourish to eternal life, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup shared with me.
Are they then mere signs?
By no means. They are signs with which the Lord at the same time gives to His true communicants the heavenly gift, namely His body given for us and His blood poured out for us.
How can we eat Christ's body, since He has ascended into heaven?
Very well. For although He is bodily in heaven until He comes to judge the living and the dead, as the articles of faith teach us, He is still received by faith in the word of the promise. The faithful are certain that they are united with Him by His almighty Spirit and are His members; yes, that He lives in them and they in Him.
Does our faith then make the sacrament?
No. Christ's ordinance and command make the sacrament. Faith, however, receives the gift promised in the sacrament—namely His body and blood—just as the hand or the mouth receives the holy signs of bread and wine.
But Christ does not say: take, believe; He says: take, eat.
"Take, eat" is said of that which He took in His hand and broke, namely the bread. The promise, however—"this is my body, which is given for you"—requires solely believing hearts and a spiritual eating and drinking of the soul.
Since, then, we are redeemed from our misery by grace through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we do good works?
Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit into His own image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful.
Can they, then, not be saved who do not turn to God from their unthankful, unrepentant life?
By no means, for, as Scripture says, no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like shall inherit the kingdom of God.
What are good works?
Only those which proceed from true faith, according to the law of God, for His glory.
What is the law of the Lord?
God spoke all these words:
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.
What does the Lord require in the first commandment?
That I avoid and flee all idolatry, sorcery, superstitious blessings, and the invocation of saints or other creatures.
What is idolatry?
To invent or have something else in place of, or alongside, the one true God who has revealed Himself in His Word, in which to place one's trust.
What does God will in the second commandment?
That we should not depict God in any way, nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word.
What does the third commandment will?
That we do not blaspheme or misuse the name of God, not only with cursing or false oaths, but also with unnecessary swearing.
What does God will in the fourth commandment?
God wills that the ministry of the Word and schools be maintained, and that I, especially on the day of rest, diligently attend the church of God.
What does God will in the fifth commandment?
That I show all honor, love, and faithfulness to my father and mother and to all who are set in authority over me.
What does God will in the sixth commandment?
In forbidding murder, God teaches us that He abhors its very root, namely, envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge, and that in His sight all these are a hidden murder.
What does the seventh commandment will?
That all unchastity is accursed by God; therefore, He forbids all unchaste acts, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever may entice a person to it.
What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
He forbids not only the theft and robbery which the government punishes, but God also calls theft all wicked devices and schemes by which we seek to get our neighbor's goods.
What does the ninth commandment will?
That I avoid all lying and deceit as the very works of the devil, on pain of God's heavy wrath.
What does the tenth commandment will?
That not even the least desire or thought against any commandment of God ever enter our hearts.
Why then does God so strictly enjoin the Ten Commandments, since in this life no one can keep them?
First, that we may more and more know our sinful nature and so seek righteousness in Christ; second, that we pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may be more and more renewed into the image of God.
How does the prayer go?
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, etc.
Why did Christ command us to address God this way: "Our Father"?
To awaken in us a childlike reverence and trust in God, namely, that God has become our Father through Christ.
What is the first petition?
Hallowed be Your name; that is, grant us that we may rightly know You, and sanctify, praise, and glorify You in all Your works.
What is the second petition?
Your kingdom come; that is, so govern us by Your Word and Spirit.
What is the third petition?
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven; that is, grant that we renounce our own will and obey Your good will alone without contradiction, as the angels do in heaven.
What is the fourth petition?
Give us this day our daily bread; that is, be pleased to provide for all our bodily need.
What is the fifth petition?
And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors; that is, for the sake of Christ's blood, be pleased not to impute to us all our sins, just as we also find this witness of Your grace in us, that we forgive our neighbor from the heart.
What is the sixth petition?
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; that is, since the devil, the world, and our own flesh do not cease to attack us, be pleased to preserve and strengthen us by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we may make a firm stand against them.
What does the little word "Amen" mean?
Amen means: it shall be true and certain.
End.