(Heidelberg Catechism, extended... part 6)
Q. 52.
What comfort is it to thee that
"Christ shall come again
to judge the quick and the dead"?
A.
That in all my sorrows and persecutions,
with uplifted head
I look for the very same person,
who before offered himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God,
and has removed all curse from me,
to come as judge from heaven: (a)
who shall cast all his and my enemies
into everlasting condemnation, (b)
but shall translate me
with all his chosen ones
to himself, into heavenly joys and glory. (c)
(a)
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up,
and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
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.
Philip.3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we
look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Tit.2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
1 Thess.4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and
the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(b)
2 Thess.1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense
tribulation to them that trouble you;
2 Thess.1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not
God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thess.1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from
the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Thess.1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to
be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you
was believed) in that day.
Matt.25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart
from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and
his angels:
Matt.25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was
thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Matt.25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye
clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
(c)
Matt.25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come,
ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world:
2 Thess.1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord
Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
Of God The Holy Ghost
20. Lord's Day
Q. 53.
What dost thou believe concerning the Holy Ghost?
A.
First, that he is true and coeternal God
with the Father and the Son; (a)
secondly, that he is also given me, (b)
to make me by a true faith,
partaker of Christ and all his benefits, (c)
that he may comfort me (d)
and abide with me for ever. (e)
(a)
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.
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.
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.
1 Cor.3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Cor.6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to
lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Acts 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was
sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this
thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
(b)
Gal.4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his
Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
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:
Matt.28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
2 Cor.1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath
anointed us, is God;
2 Cor.1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the
Spirit in our hearts.
Eph.1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(c)
Gal.3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles
through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith.
1 Pet.1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of
the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1 Cor.6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
(d)
Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee
and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord,
and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
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:
(e)
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
1 Pet.4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;
for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he
is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
21. Lord's Day
Q. 54.
What believest thou concerning the "holy catholic church" of Christ?
A.
That the Son of God (a)
from the beginning to the end of the world, (b)
gathers,
defends, and preserves (c)
to himself
by his Spirit and word, (d)
out of the whole human race, (e)
a church
chosen to everlasting life, (f)
agreeing in true faith; (g)
and that I am and forever shall remain, (h)
a living member thereof. (i)
(a)
Eph.5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word,
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life
for the sheep.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Eph.4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph.4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph.4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(b)
Ps.71:17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I
declared thy wondrous works.
Ps.71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not;
until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power
to every one that is to come.
Isa.59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My
spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth,
shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed,
nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from
henceforth and for ever.
1 Cor.11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye
do shew the Lord's death till he come.
(c)
Matt.16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no
man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Ps.129:1 <> Many a time have they afflicted me
from my youth, may Israel now say:
Ps.129:2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they
have not prevailed against me.
Ps.129:3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their
furrows.
Ps.129:4 The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the
wicked.
Ps.129:5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
(d)
Isa.59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My
spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth,
shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed,
nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from
henceforth and for ever.
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.10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom.10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is
written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of
peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom.10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith,
Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom.10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God.
Eph.5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word,
(e)
Gen.26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven,
and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall
all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Rev.5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the
book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and
people, and nation;
(f)
Rom.8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brethren.
Rom.8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and
whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he
also glorified.
Eph.1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth; even in him:
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:
Eph.1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first
trusted in Christ.
Eph.1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
(g)
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart,
Eph.4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace.
Eph.4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in
one hope of your calling;
Eph.4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph.4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all,
and in you all.
(h)
Ps.23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
1 Cor.1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be
blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor.1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if
they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but
they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all
of us.
1 Pet.1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(i)
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because
we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall
assure our hearts before him.
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our
heart, and knoweth all things.
1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we
confidence toward God.
2 Cor.13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your
own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in
you, except ye be reprobates?
Rom.8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but
the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Q. 55.
What do you understand by "the communion of saints"?
A.
First, that all and every one,
who believes,
being members of Christ,
are in common, partakers of him,
and of all his riches and gifts; (a)
secondly, that every one must know it to be his duty,
readily and cheerfully
to employ his gifts,
for the advantage and salvation of other members. (b)
(a)
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that
ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with
the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1 Cor.1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom.8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us
all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
1 Cor.12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the
members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1 Cor.12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,
whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have
been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Cor.6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
(b)
1 Cor.12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of
thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
1 Cor.13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and
have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1 Cor.13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is
not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Philip.2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on
the things of others.
Philip.2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philip.2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be
equal with God:
Philip.2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the
form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philip.2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Q. 56.
What believest thou concerning "the forgiveness of sins"?
A.
That God,
for the sake of Christ's satisfaction,
will no more remember my sins,
neither my corrupt nature,
against which I have to struggle all my life long; (a)
but will graciously
impute to me the righteousness of Christ, (b)
that I may never be condemned before the tribunal of God. (c)
(a)
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.
2 Cor.5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed
unto us the word of reconciliation.
2 Cor.5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(b)
Jer.31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and
every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know
me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:
for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no
more.
Ps.103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy
diseases;
Ps.103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee
with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Ps.103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us
according to our iniquities.
Ps.103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed
our transgressions from us.
Mic.7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will
subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the
depths of the sea.
Rom.7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law
of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is
in my members.
Rom.7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body
of this death?
Rom.7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the
mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
(c)
Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom.8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me
free from the law of sin and death.
Rom.8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and
for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom.8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not
come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
22. Lord's Day
Q. 57.
What comfort does the "resurrection of the body" afford thee?
A.
That not only my soul
after this life
shall be immediately taken up
to Christ its head; (a)
but also, that this my body,
being raised by the power of Christ,
shall be reunited with my soul,
and made like unto the glorious body of Christ. (b)
(a)
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried
by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was
buried;
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day
shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Philip.1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philip.1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to
depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
(b)
1 Cor.15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality.
1 Cor.15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand
at the latter day upon the earth:
Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall I see God:
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet
appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we
shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Philip.3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned
like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is
able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Q. 58.
What comfort takest thou from the article of "life everlasting"?
A.
That
since I now feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, (a)
after this life, I shall inherit perfect salvation,
which "eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
neither has it entered into the heart of man" to conceive,
and that to praise God therein for ever. (b)
(a)
2 Cor.5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon
with our house which is from heaven:
2 Cor.5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
(b)
1 Cor.2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
23. Lord's Day
Q. 59.
But what does it profit thee now that thou believest all this?
A.
That I am righteous in Christ, before God,
and an heir of eternal life. (a)
(a)
Hab.2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but
the just shall live by his faith.
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.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he
that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God
abideth on him.
Q. 60.
How are thou righteous before God?
A.
Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; (a)
so that,
though my conscience accuse me,
that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God,
and kept none of them, (b)
and am still inclined to all evil; (c)
notwithstanding, God,
without any merit of mine, (d)
but only of mere grace, (e)
grants and imputes to me, (f)
the perfect satisfaction, (g)
righteousness and holiness of Christ; (h)
even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin:
yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience
which Christ has accomplished for me; (i)
inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart. (j)
(a)
Rom.3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is
manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom.3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus
Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no
difference:
Rom.3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of 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;
Rom.3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
without the deeds of the law.
Rom.5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom.5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein
we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
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.
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.
Philip.3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith:
(b)
Rom.3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we
have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under
sin;
(c)
Rom.7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law
of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is
in my members.
(d)
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;
Deut.9:6 Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not
this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a
stiffnecked people.
Ezek.36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord
GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine
holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye
went.
(e)
Rom.3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus:
Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(f)
Rom.4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace,
but of debt.
Rom.4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
2 Cor.5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed
unto us the word of reconciliation.
(g)
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
(h)
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye
sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous:
(i)
2 Cor.5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(j)
Rom.3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus
Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no
difference:
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God.
(continued in part 7...)
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