Heidelberg Catechism (Page 5)

LORD’S DAY 15 37.  What do you understand by the word “suffered”? That all the time He lived on earth, but especially at the end of His life, He bore, in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race;1 in order that by His suffering, as the only atoning sacrifice,2 He might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation, and obtain for us the grace of God, righteousness, and eternal life. [1] 1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:12. [2] 1 Jn. 2:2; 4:10; Rom. 3:25–26; *Ps. 22:14–16; *Matt. 26:38; *Rom. 5:6. 38.  Why did He suffer “under PontiusRead More →

LORD’S DAY 14 35.  What is the meaning of “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary?” That the eternal Son of God, who is1 and continues true and eternal God,2 took upon Himself the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,3 by the operation of the Holy Spirit;4 so that He might also be the true seed of David,5 like unto His brethren in all things,6 except for sin.7 [1] Jn. 1:1; Rom. 1:3–4. [2] Rom. 9:5. [3] Gal. 4:4; Jn. 1:14. [4] Matt. 1:18–20; Lk. 1:35. [5] Ps. 132:11. [6] Phil. 2:7. [7] Heb. 4:15;Read More →

LORD’S DAY 13 33. Why is He called God’s “only begotten Son,” since we also are the children of God? Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God, but we are children of God by adoption, through grace, for His sake. [1] Jn. 1:14, 18. [2] Rom. 8:15–17; Eph. 1:5–6; *1 Jn. 3:1. 34. Why do you call Him “our Lord”? Because not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood, He has redeemed and purchased us, body and soul, from sin and from all the power of the devil, to be His own. [1] 1 Pet. 1:18–19; 2:9; 1 Cor. 6:20;Read More →

LORD’S DAY 12 31. Why is He called “Christ,” that is, Anointed? Because He is ordained of God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit1 to be our chief Prophet and Teacher,2 who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption;3 and our only High Priest,4 who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us, and ever lives to make intercession for us with the Father;5 and our eternal King, who governs us by His Word and Spirit, and defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us.6 [1] Heb. 1:9. [2] Deut. 18:15;Read More →

LORD’S DAY 11 29. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” that is, Savior? Because He saves us from all our sins,1 and because salvation is not to be sought or found in any other.2 [1] Matt. 1:21; Heb. 7:25. [2] Acts 4:12; *Lk. 2:10–11. 30. Do those also believe in the only Savior Jesus, who seek their salvation and welfare from “saints,” themselves, or anywhere else? No; although they make their boast of Him, yet in their deeds they deny the only Savior Jesus;1 for either Jesus is not a complete Savior, or they who by true faith receive this Savior, must haveRead More →

LORD’S DAY 10 27. What do you understand by the providence of God? The almighty, everywhere-present power of God,1 whereby, as it were by His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures,2 and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink,3 health and sickness,4 riches and poverty,5 indeed, all things come not by chance, but by His fatherly hand. [1] Acts 17:25–26. [2] Heb. 1:3. [3] Jer. 5:24; *Acts 14:17. [4] Jn. 9:3. [5] Prov. 22:2; *Ps. 103:19; Rom. 5:3–5a. 28. What does it profit us to know that God created, and byRead More →

LORD’S DAY 9 26. 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 of nothing made heaven and earth with all that is in them,1 who likewise upholds, and governs them by His eternal counsel and providence,2 is for the sake of Christ, His Son, my God and my Father,3 in whom I so trust as to have no doubt that He will provide me with all things necessary for body and soul;4 and further, that whatever evil He sends upon me in this valleyRead More →

LORD’S DAY 8 24. How are these articles divided? Into three parts: the first is of God the Father and our creation; the second, of God the Son and our redemption; the third, of God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.1 [1] 1 Pet. 1:2; *1 Jn. 5:7. 25. Since there is but one Divine Being,1 why do you speak of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Because God has so revealed Himself in His Word,2 that these three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God. [1] Deut. 6:4. [2] Isa. 61:1; Ps. 110:1; Matt. 3:16–17; 28:19; 1 Jn. 5:7; *2 Cor. 13:14.Read More →

LORD’S DAY 7 20. Are all men, then, saved by Christ as they have perished in Adam? No, only those who by true faith are engrafted into Him and receive all His benefits.1 [1] Jn. 1:12–13; 1 Cor. 15:22; Ps. 2:12; Rom. 11:20; Heb. 4:2–3; 10:39. 21. What is true faith? True faith is not only a sure knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word,1 but also a hearty trust,2 which the Holy Spirit3 works in me by the Gospel,4 that not only to others, but to me also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvationRead More →

LORD’S DAY 6 16. Why must He be a true and righteous man? Because the justice of God requires1 that the same human nature which has sinned should make satisfaction for sin; but one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others.2 [1] Rom: 5:15. [2] Isa. 53:3–5. 17. Why must He also be true God? That by the power of His Godhead He might bear in His manhood the burden of God’s wrath,1 and so obtain for2 and restore to us righteousness and life.3 [1] Isa. 53:8; Acts 2:24. [2] Jn. 3:16; Acts 20:28. [3] 1 Jn. 1:2. 18. But who now isRead More →