Thursday, November 15, 2007

Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s day 7

Q20: Are all men, then, saved by Christ as they have perished in Adam?

A20: No, only those who by true faith are ingrafted into Him and receive all His benefits.[1]

1. John 1:12-13; 1Co 15:22; Psa 2:12; Rom 11:20; Heb 4:2-3; Heb 10:39


Q21: What is true faith?

A21: 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 Ghost [3] works in me by the Gospel,[4] that not only to others, but to me also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God,[5] merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.[6]

1. James 1:6, 2. Rom 4:16-18; 5:1, 3. 2Co 4:13; Phi 1:19, 29, 4. Rom 1:16; 10:17, 5. Heb 11:1-2; Rom 1:17, 6. Eph 2:7-9; Rom 3:24-25; Gal 2:16; Acts 10:43


Q22: What, then, is necessary for a Christian to believe?

A22: All that is promised us in the Gospel,[1] which the articles of our catholic, undoubted Christian faith teach us in summary.

1. John 20:31; Mat 28:20; 2Pe 1:21; 2Ti 3:15


Q23: What are these articles?

A23: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

; And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

; I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.


DF Questions:

a) Read Mar 9:41, Mat 10:42, Gal 5:24. Who does the phrase “belong to Christ” refer to? ____________


b) Read 1 Corinthains 15:22-23. Some people quote only v.22 to say that everyone will be saved (Universalism). How does v.23 qualify who the “all” in v.22 are?


c) Read John 1:12 Which verb does the Bible use to describe someone who receives Christ? _________


d) Read John 1:12-13. According to v.13 who is it who makes v.12 happen? _________________


e) Read Romans 10:9-17, 1 Peter 1:23 List things that people need to hear before they can have faith?


f) Bonus Question: What clues are there that John 1:12 might refer to adoption, whilst v.13 refers to regeneration?