Catechism Friday

19. Q. From where do you know this?

A. From the holy gospel, which God Himself first revealed in Paradise.[1] Later, He had it proclaimed by the patriarchs[2] and prophets,[3] and foreshadowed by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law.[4] Finally, He had it fulfilled through His only Son.[5]

[1] Gen. 3:15. [2] Gen. 12:3; 22:18; 49:10. [3] Is. 53; Jer. 23:5, 6; Mic. 7:18-20; Acts 10:43; Heb. 1:1. [4] Lev. 1:7;John 5:46; Heb. 10:1-10. [5] Rom. 10:4; Gal. 4:4, 5; Col. 2:17.

20. Q. Are all men, then, saved by Christ just as they perished through Adam?

A. No. Only those are saved who by a true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all His benefits.[1]

[1] Matt. 7:14; John 1:12; 3:16, 18, 36; Rom. 11:16-21.

21. Q. What is true faith?

A. True faith is a sure knowledge whereby I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in His Word.[1] At the same time it is a firm confidence[2] that not only to others, but also to me,[3] God has granted forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation,[4] out of mere grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.[5] This faith the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel.[6]

[1] John 17:3, 17; Heb. 11:1-3; James 2:19. [2] Rom. 4:18-21; 5:1; 10:10; Heb. 4:16. [3] Gal. 2:20. [4] Rom. 1:17;Heb. 10:10. [5] Rom.3:20-26; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-10. [6] Acts 16:14; Rom. 1:16; 10:17; I Cor. 1:21.

 Heidelberg Catechism (1576 A.D.)

22. Q. What, then, must a Christian believe?

A. All that is promised us in the gospel,[1] which the articles of our catholic and undoubted Christian faith teach us in a summary.

[1] Matt. 28:19; John 20:30, 31.

23. Q. What are these articles?

A. III.1.I believe in God the Father almighty,  III.1. Creator of heaven and earth.  III.2.I believe in Jesus Christ,  III.2. His only begotten Son, our Lord;   III.3. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit,  III.3. born of the virgin Mary;   III.4. suffered under Pontius Pilate,  III.4. was crucified, dead, and buried;   III.4. He descended into hell;  III.5. On the third day He arose from the dead;  III.6. He ascended into heaven,  III.6. and sits at the right hand  III.6. of God the Father almighty;  III.7. from there He will come to judge  III.7. the living and the dead.  III.8. I believe in the Holy Spirit;  III.9. I believe a holy catholic Christian church,  III.9. the communion of saints;  III.10. the forgiveness of sins;   III.11. the resurrection of the body;  III.12. and the life everlasting.

24. Q. How are these articles divided?

A. Into three parts: the first is about God the Father and our creation; the second about God the Son and our redemption; the third about God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.