It is a Lutheran insight to understand God’s Word speaking to us primarily in two ways. First, God’s Word comes to us as Law. His commandments indicate his perfect will. And second, God’s Word comes to us as Gospel or promise. These promises are based on what the Lord has mercifully done for us on our behalf.

It has long been held by Christians, even well before Luther, that the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer serve as a solid foundation for learning the essential elements of the Christian Faith.