(Heidelberg Catechism, extended... part 7)
Q. 61.
Why sayest thou,
that thou art righteous by faith only?
A.
Not that I am acceptable to God,
on account of the worthiness of my faith;
but because
only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ,
is my righteousness before God; (a)
and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself
any other way than by faith only. (b)
(a)
1 Cor.1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto
us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Cor.2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus
Christ, and him crucified.
(b)
1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in
himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he
believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
24. Lord's Day
Q. 62.
But why cannot our good works be the whole,
or part of our righteousness before God?
A.
Because, that the righteousness,
which can be approved of before the tribunal of God,
must be absolutely perfect, (a)
and in all respects conformable to the divine law;
and also, that our best works in this life
are all imperfect and defiled with sin. (b)
(a)
Gal.3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the
curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in
all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Deut.27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law
to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
(b)
Isa.64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our
righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and
our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Q. 63.
What! do not our good works merit,
which yet God will reward in this and in a future life?
A.
This reward is not of merit, but of grace. (a)
(a)
Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things
which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have
done that which was our duty to do.
Q. 64.
But does not this doctrine make men careless and profane?
A.
By no means:
for it is impossible that those,
who are implanted into Christ by a true faith,
should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness. (a)
(a)
Matt.7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me,
and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye
can do nothing.
Of The Sacraments
25. Lord's Day
Q. 65.
Since then we are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits
by faith only,
whence does this faith proceed?
A.
From the Holy Ghost, (a)
who works faith in our hearts
by the preaching of the gospel,
and confirms it
by the use of the sacraments. (b)
(a)
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.6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
of God.
Philip.1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only
to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
(b)
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.
1 Pet.1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye
love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1 Pet.1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Q. 66.
What are the sacraments?
A.
The sacraments are holy visible signs and seals,
appointed of God
for this end, that by the use thereof,
he may the more fully declare and seal to us
the promise of the gospel,
viz., that he grants us freely the remission of sin,
and life eternal,
for the sake of that one sacrifice of Christ,
accomplished on the cross. (a)
(a)
Gen.17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it
shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
Rom.4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the
righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that
he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not
circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Deut.30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the
heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and
with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Lev.6:25 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of
the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed
shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it is most holy.
Heb.9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every
year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the
errors of the people:
Heb.9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest
of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was
yet standing:
Heb.9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were
offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did
the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Heb.9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with
hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now
to appear in the presence of God for us:
Ezek.20:12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between
me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify
them.
Isa.6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in
his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa.6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched
thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Isa.54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have
sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so
have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
Q. 67.
Are both word and sacraments, then,
ordained and appointed for this end,
that they may direct our faith
to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross,
as the only ground of our salvation? (a)
A.
Yes, indeed:
for the Holy Ghost teaches us in the gospel,
and assures us by the sacraments,
that the whole of our salvation
depends upon that one sacrifice of Christ
which he offered for us on the cross.
(a)
Rom.6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus
Christ were baptized into his death?
Gal.3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ.
Q. 68.
How many sacraments
has Christ instituted in the new covenant, or testament?
A.
Two: namely,
holy baptism,
and the holy supper.
Of Holy Baptism
26. Lord's Day
Q. 69.
How art thou admonished and assured
by holy baptism,
that the one sacrifice of Christ
upon the cross
is of real advantage to thee?
A.
Thus: That Christ appointed this external washing with water, (a)
adding thereto this promise, (b)
that I am as certainly washed by his blood and Spirit
from all the pollution of my soul,
that is, from all my sins, (c)
as I am washed externally with water,
by which the filthiness of the body is commonly washed away.
(a)
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:
(b)
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:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Matt.3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that
cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to
bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned.
John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with
water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit
descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with
the Holy Ghost.
Rom.6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus
Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom.6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(c)
1 Pet.3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save
us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of
a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the
baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Q. 70.
What is it to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?
A.
It is to receive of God the remission of sins, freely,
for the sake of Christ's blood,
which he shed for us
by his sacrifice upon the cross; (a)
and also
to be renewed by the Holy Ghost,
and sanctified to be members of Christ,
that so we may more and more die unto sin,
and lead holy and unblamable lives. (b)
(a)
Heb.12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the
blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
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.
Rev.1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the
first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev.7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Zech.13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of
David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
Ezek.36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be
clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I
cleanse you.
(b)
John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with
water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit
descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with
the Holy Ghost.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
of God.
1 Cor.6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by
the Spirit of our God.
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.
Rom.6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Col.2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with
him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him
from the dead.
Q. 71.
Where has Christ promised us,
that he will as certainly wash us
by his blood and Spirit,
as we are washed with the water of baptism?
A.
In the institution of baptism, which is thus expressed:
"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.28:19.
And
"he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved;
but he that believeth not, shall be damned.", Mark 16:16.
This promise is also repeated, where the scripture calls baptism
"the washing of regenerations" and the washing away of sins. Tit.3:5,
Acts 22:16. (a)
(a)
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;
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash
away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
27. Lord's Day
Q. 72.
Is then the external baptism with water
the washing away of sin itself?
A.
Not at all: (a)
for the blood of Jesus Christ only,
and the Holy Ghost
cleanse us from all sin. (b)
(a)
Matt.3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that
cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to
bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
1 Pet.3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save
us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of
a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Eph.5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word,
Eph.5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy
and without blemish.
(b)
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.
1 Cor.6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by
the Spirit of our God.
Q. 73.
Why then does the Holy Ghost call baptism
"the washing of regeneration,"
and "the washing away of sins"?
A.
God speaks thus not without great cause,
to-wit, not only thereby to teach us,
that as the filth of the body is purged away by water,
so our sins
are removed by the blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ; (a)
but especially
that by this divine pledge and sign he may assure us,
that we are spiritually cleansed from our sins as really,
as we are externally washed with water. (b)
(a)
Rev.1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the
first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev.7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
1 Cor.6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by
the Spirit of our God.
(b)
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned.
Gal.3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ.
Q. 74.
Are infants also to be baptized?
A.
Yes:
for since they,
as well as the adult,
are included in the covenant and church of God; (a)
and since redemption from sin (b)
by the blood of Christ,
and the Holy Ghost,
the author of faith,
is promised to them no less than to the adult; (c)
they must therefore by baptism,
as a sign of the covenant,
be also admitted into the christian church;
and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers (d)
as was done in the old covenant or testament
by circumcision, (e)
instead of which baptism is instituted (f)
in the new covenant.
(a)
Gen.17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy
seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to
be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
(b)
Matt.19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them
not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
(c)
Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall
drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the
Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
Ps.22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my
mother's belly.
Isa.44:1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have
chosen:
Isa.44:2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the
womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou,
Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
Isa.44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods
upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my
blessing upon thine offspring:
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to
all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
(d)
Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be
baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
(e)
Gen.17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin
is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he
hath broken my covenant.
(f)
Col.2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ:
Col.2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with
him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him
from the dead.
Col.2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of
your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you
all trespasses;
Of The Holy Supper Of Our Lord Jesus Christ
28 Lord's Day
Q. 75.
How art thou admonished and assured
in the Lord's Supper,
that thou art a partaker of that one sacrifice of Christ,
accomplished on the cross,
and of all his benefits?
A.
Thus: That Christ has commanded me and all believers,
to eat of this broken bread,
and to drink of this cup,
in remembrance of him,
adding these promises: (a)
first,
that his body was offered and broken on the cross for me,
and his blood shed for me,
as certainly as I see with my eyes,
the bread of the Lord broken for me,
and the cup communicated to me;
and further,
that he feeds and nourishes my soul
to everlasting life,
with his crucified body and shed blood,
as assuredly as I receive from the hands of the minister,
and taste with my mouth
the bread and cup of the Lord,
as certain signs of the body and blood of Christ.
(a)
Matt.26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it,
and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this
is my body.
Matt.26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them,
saying, Drink ye all of it;
Matt.26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed
for many for the remission of sins.
Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and
brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
Mark 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave
it to them: and they all drank of it.
Mark 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new
testament, which is shed for many.
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave
unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in
remembrance of me.
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the
new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1 Cor.10:16 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?
1 Cor.10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are
all partakers of that one bread.
1 Cor.11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was
betrayed took bread:
1 Cor.11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take,
eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance
of me.
1 Cor.11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had
supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye,
as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
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.
(continued in part 8...)
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