(Heidelberg Catechism, extended... part 3)
Q. 21.
What is true faith?
A.
True faith is
not only a certain knowledge,
whereby I hold for truth
all that God has revealed to us in his word, (a)
but also an assured confidence, (b)
which the Holy Ghost (c)
works by the gospel in my heart; (d)
that not only to others, but to me also,
remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, (e)
are freely given by God,
merely of grace,
only for the sake of Christ's merits. (f)
(a)
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the
devils also believe, and tremble.
(b)
2 Cor.4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is
written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and
therefore speak;
Eph.2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of
his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph.2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph.3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the
faith of him.
Gal.2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law,
but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by
the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified.
Heb.11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen.
Heb.11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the
which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness
which is by faith.
Heb.11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place
which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went
out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb.11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange
country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with
him of the same promise:
Heb.11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose
builder and maker is God.
Heb.4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Matt.16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou,
Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but
my Father which is in heaven.
Philip.1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through
your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Rom.4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many
nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the
dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Rom.4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was
able also to perform.
Rom.5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.
Rom.10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom.10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God.
Rom.4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the
end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which
is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who
is the father of us all,
Rom.4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the
father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall
thy seed be.
Rom.4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body
now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the
deadness of Sara's womb:
Rom.4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but
was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom.3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom.3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in
his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that
are past, through the forbearance of God;
(c)
Gal.5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Matt.16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou,
Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but
my Father which is in heaven.
2 Cor.4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is
written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and
therefore speak;
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God,
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Philip.1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through
your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the
city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord
opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
(d)
Rom.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.
Rom.10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God.
1 Cor.1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom
knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save
them that believe.
Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on
all them which heard the word.
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the
city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord
opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
(e)
Rom.1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Gal.3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God,
it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Heb.10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of
the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb.10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back,
my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Gal.2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law,
but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by
the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified.
(f)
Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Rom.3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom.5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so
by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the
remission of their sins,
Luke 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring
from on high hath visited us,
Q. 22.
What is then necessary for a christian to believe?
A.
All things promised us in the gospel, (a)
which the articles of our catholic undoubted christian faith
briefly teach us.
(a)
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life
through his name.
Matt.28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is
at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Q. 23.
What are these articles?
A.
1. I believe in Cod the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried: He
descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the
Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe a holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
11. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting.
8. Lord's Day
Q. 24.
How are these articles divided?
A.
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 Ghost, and our sanctification.
Q. 25.
Since there is but one only divine essence, (a)
why speakest thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?
A.
Because God has so revealed himself in his word, (b)
that these three distinct persons
are the one only true and eternal God.
(a)
Deut.6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Eph.4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all,
and in you all.
Isa.44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the
LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there
is no God.
Isa.45:5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside
me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
1 Cor.8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are
offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in
the world, and that there is none other God but one.
1 Cor.8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all
things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all
things, and we by him.
(b)
Isa.61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath
anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to
bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed
me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering
of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Gen.1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was
upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face
of the waters.
Gen.1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Ps.33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the
host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Isa.48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in
secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and
now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
Ps.110:1 <> The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at
my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Matt.3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of
the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the
Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Matt.3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.
Matt.28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Isa.6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting
upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isa.6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the
LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you
from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the
Father, he shall testify of me:
2 Cor.13:13 All the saints salute you.
Gal.4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his
Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Eph.2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father.
Tit.3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit.3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our
Saviour;
Of God The Father
9. Lord's Day
Q. 26.
What believest thou when thou sayest,
"I believe in God the Father,
Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"?
A.
That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
(who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; (a)
who likewise upholds and governs the same
by his eternal counsel and providence) (b)
is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father; (c)
on whom I rely so entirely,
that I have no doubt,
but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body (d)
and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me,
in this valley of tears
turn out to my advantage; (e)
for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, (f)
and willing, being a faithful Father. (g)
(a)
Genesis 1 and 2.
Exod.20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the
LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the
Almighty hath given me life.
Job 38 and 39.
Ps.33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the
host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God
with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Acts 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men
of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn
from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Isa.45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and
create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
(b)
Matt.10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them
shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Heb.1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image
of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when
he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the
Majesty on high;
Ps.104:27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their
meat in due season.
Ps.104:28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand,
they are filled with good.
Ps.104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away
their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Ps.104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou
renewest the face of the earth.
Ps.115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he
hath pleased.
Matt.10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them
shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Eph.1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things
after the counsel of his own will:
(c)
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Rom.8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father.
Gal.4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive
the adoption of sons.
Gal.4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his
Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal.4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son,
then an heir of God through Christ.
Eph.1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
(d)
Ps.55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of
destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their
days; but I will trust in thee.
Matt.6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life,
what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what
ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than
raiment?
Matt.6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do
they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth
them. Are ye not much better than they?
Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you,
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the
body, what ye shall put on.
(e)
Rom.8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
(f)
Rom.10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:
for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you,
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the
body, what ye shall put on.
Rom.8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Isa.46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will
I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will
deliver you.
Rom.10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:
for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
(g)
Matt.6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life,
what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what
ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than
raiment?
Matt.6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do
they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth
them. Are ye not much better than they?
Matt.6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his
stature?
Matt.6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of
the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Matt.6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these.
Matt.6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to
day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more
clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Matt.6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or,
What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Matt.6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Matt.6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt.6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow
shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day
is the evil thereof.
Matt.7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will
he give him a stone?
Matt.7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Matt.7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give
good things to them that ask him?
10. Lord's Day
Q. 27.
What dost thou mean by the providence of God?
A.
The almighty and everywhere present power of God; (a)
whereby, as it were by his hand,
he upholds and governs (b)
heaven, earth,
and all creatures;
so that herbs and grass,
rain and drought, (c)
fruitful and barren years,
meat and drink,
health and sickness, (d)
riches and poverty, (e)
yea, and all things
come, not by chance,
but be his fatherly hand. (f)
(a)
Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed
any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell
on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before
appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel
after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as
certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring.
Jer.23:23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
Jer.23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see
him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Isa.29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the
LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and
who knoweth us?
Isa.29:16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed
as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He
made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He
had no understanding?
Ezek.8:12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the
ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the
chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD
hath forsaken the earth.
(b)
Heb.1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image
of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when
he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the
Majesty on high;
(c)
Jer.5:24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our
God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season:
he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Acts 14:17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that
he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons,
filling our hearts with food and gladness.
(d)
John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his
parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
(e)
Prov.22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of
them all.
(f)
Matt.10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father
which speaketh in you.
Prov.16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing
thereof is of the LORD.
Q. 28.
What advantage is it to us to know
that God has created,
and by his providence does still uphold all things?
A.
That we may be patient in adversity; (a)
thankful in prosperity; (b)
and that in all things,
which may hereafter befall us,
we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, (c)
that nothing shall separate us from his love; (d)
since all creatures are so in his hand,
that without his will they cannot so much as move. (e)
(a)
Rom.5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience;
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh
patience.
Ps.39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked
shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD.
Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
(b)
Deut.8:10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the
LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
1 Thess.5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(c)
Ps.55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he
shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Rom.5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
(d)
Rom.8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come,
Rom.8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able
to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
(e)
Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in
thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went
forth from the presence of the LORD.
Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but
save his life.
Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as
certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring.
Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed
any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Prov.21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers
of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
(continued in part 4...)
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