Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The Second Part - Of God the Son

11^th Lord’s Day

Question 29. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus”, that is a Saviour?

Answer: Because he saveth us, and delivereth us from our sins;^a and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other.^b

References:
(a) Mat 1:21; Hbr 7:24-25
(b) Act 4:12; Jhn 15:4-5; 1Ti 2:5; Isa 43:11; 1Jo 5:11

Question 30. Do such then believe in Jesus the only Saviour, who seek their salvation and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?

Answer: They do not; for though they boast of him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Saviour;^a for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Saviour; or that they, who by a true faith receive this Saviour, must find all things in him necessary to their salvation.^b

References:
(a) 1Co 1:13; 1Co 1:30-31; Gal 5:4
(b) Hbr 12:2; Isa 9:6; Col 1:19-20; Col 2:10; 1Jo 1:7; Jhn 1:16

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12^th Lord’s Day

Question 31. Why is he called “Christ," that is anointed?

Answer: Because he is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, ^a to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, ^b who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption; ^c and to be our only High Priest, ^d who by the one sacrifice of his body, has redeemed us, ^e and makes continual intercession with the Father for us; ^f and also to be our eternal King, who governs us by his word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in that salvation, he has purchased for us. ^g

References:
(a) Psa 45:8; Hbr 1:9; Isa 61:1; Luk 4:18
(b) Deu 18:15; Act 3:22; Act 7:37; Isa 55:4
(c) Jhn 1:18; Jhn 15:15
(d) Psa 110:4
(e) Hbr 10:12; Hbr 10:14; Hbr 9:12; Hbr 9:14; Hbr 9:28
(f) Rom 8:34; Hbr 9:24; 1Jo 2:1; Rom 5:9-10
(g) Psa 2:6; Zec 9:9; Mat 21:5; Luk 1:33; Mat 28:18; Jhn 10:28; Rev 12:10-11

Question 32. But why art thou called a Christian?^a

Answer: Because I am a member of Christ by faith,^b and thus am partaker of his anointing;^c that so I may confess his name,^d and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him:^e and also that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life^f and afterwards I reign with him eternally, over all creatures.^g

References:
(a) Act 11:26
(b) 1Co 6:15
(c) 1Jo 2:27; Act 2:17
(d) Mat 10:32; Rom 10:10; Mar 8:38
(e) Rom 12:1; 1Pe 2:5; 1Pe 2:9; Rev 5:8; Rev 5:10; Rev 1:6
(f) 1Pe 2:11 Rom 6:12-13; Gal 5:16-17; Eph 6:11; 1Ti 1:18-19
(g) 2Ti 2:12; Mat 24:34

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13^th Lord’s Day

Question 33. Why is Christ called the “only begotten Son” of God, since we are also the children of God?

Answer: Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God;^a but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for his sake.^b

References:
(a) Jhn 1:1-3; Jhn 1:14; Jhn 1:18; Hbr 1:1-2; Jhn 3:16; 1Jo 4:9; Rom 8:32
(b) Rom 8:15-17; Jhn 1:12; Gal 4:6; Eph 1:5-6

Question 34. Wherefore callest thou him “our Lord”?

Answer: Because he hath redeemed us, both soul and body, from all our sins, not with silver or gold, but with his precious blood, and has delivered us from all the power of the devil; and thus has made us his own property.^a

References:
(a) 1Pe 1:18-19; 1Pe 2:9; 1Co 6:20; 1Co 7:23; 1Ti 2:6; Jhn 20:28

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14^th Lord’s Day

Question 35. What is the meaning of these words “He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary”?

Answer: That God’s eternal Son, who is, and continues^a true and eternal God,^b took upon him the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,^c by the operation of the Holy Ghost;^d that he might also be the true seed of David,^e like unto his brethren in all things,^f sin excepted.^g

References:
(a) Rom 1:4; Rom 9:5
(b) 1Jo 5:20; Jhn 1:1; Jhn 17:3; Rom 1:3; Col 1:15
(c) Gal 4:4; Luk 1:31; Luk 1:42-43
(d) Jhn 1:14; Mat 1:18; Mat 1:20; Luk 1:35
(e) Psa 132:11; Rom 1:3; 2Sa 7:12; Luk 1:32; Act 2:30
(f) Phl 2:7; Hbr 2:14; Hbr 2:17
(g) Hbr 4:15

Question 36. What profit dost thou receive by Christ’s holy conception and nativity?

Answer: That he is our Mediator;^a and with His innocence and perfect holiness, covers in the sight of God, my sins, wherein I was conceived and brought forth.^b

References:
(a) Hbr 7:26-27; Hbr 2:17
(b) 1Pe 1:18-19; 1Pe 3:18; 1Co 1:30-31; Rom 8:3-4; Isa 53:11; Psa 32:1

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15^th Lord’s Day

Question 37. What dost thou understand by the words, “He suffered”?

Answer: That he, all the time that he lived on earth, but especially at the end of his life, sustained in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sins of all mankind:^a that so by his passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice,^b he might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation,^c and obtain for us the favour of God, righteousness and eternal life.^d

References:
(a) Isa 53:4; 1Pe 2:24; 1Pe 3:18; 1Ti 2:6
(b) Isa 53:10; Isa 53:12; Eph 5:2; 1Co 5:7; 1Jo 2:2; 1Jo 4:10; Rom 3:25; Hbr 9:28; Hbr 10:14
(c) Gal 3:13; Col 1:13; Hbr 9:12; 1Pe 1:18-19
(d) Rom 3:25; 2Co 5:21; Jhn 3:16; Jhn 6:51; Hbr 9:15; Hbr 10:19

Question 38. Why did he suffer “under Pontius Pilate, as judge”?

Answer: That he, being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge,^a might thereby free us from the severe judgement of God to which we were exposed.^b

References:
(a) Jhn 18:38; Mat 27:24; Act 4:27-28; Luk 23:14-15; Jhn 19:4
(b) Psa 69:4; Isa 53:4-5; 2Co 5:21; Gal 3:13

Question 39. Is there anything more in his being “crucified”, than if he had died some other death?

Answer: Yes there is; for thereby I am assured, that he took on him the curse which lay upon me;^a for the death of the cross was accursed of God.^b

References:
(a) Gal 3:13
(b) Deu 21:23

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16^th Lord’s Day

Question 40. Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even “unto death”?

Answer: Because with respect to the justice and truth of God,^a satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God.^b

References:
(a) Gen 2:17
(b) Rom 8:3-4: Hbr 2:9; Hbr 2:14-15

Question 41. Why was he also “buried”?

Answer: Thereby to prove that he was really dead.^a

References:
(a) Mat 27:59-60; Luk 23:52-53; Jhn 19:38-42; Act 13:29

Question 42. Since then Christ died for us, why must we also die?

Answer: Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins,^a but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life.^b

References:
(a) Mar 8:37; Psa 49:7
(b) Jhn 5:24; Phl 1:23; Rom 7:24

Question 43. What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?

Answer: That by virtue thereof, our old man is crucified, dead and buried with him;^a that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us;^b but that we may offer ourselves unto him a sacrifice of thanksgiving.^c

References:
(a) Rom 6:6
(b) Rom 6:6-8; Rom 6:11-12; Col 2:12
(c) Rom 12:1

Question 44. Why is there added, “he descended into hell”?

Answer: That in my greatest temptations, I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself in this, that my Lord Jesus Christ, by his inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agonies, in which he was plunged during all his sufferings,^a but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell.^b

References:
(a) Psa 18:5-6; Psa 116:3; Mat 26:38; Hbr 5:7; Isa 53:10; Mat 27:46
(b) Isa 53:5

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17^th Lord’s Day

Question 45. What does the “resurrection” of Christ profit us?

Answer: First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, that he might make us partakers of that righteousness which he had purchased for us by his death;^a secondly, we are also by his power raised up to a new life;^b and lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.^c

References:
(a) 1Co 15:16; Rom 4:25; 1Pe 1:3
(b) Rom 6:4; Col 3:1; Col 3:3; Eph 2:5-6
(c) 1Co 15:12; 1Co 15:20-21; Rom 8:11

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18^th Lord’s Day

Question 46. How dost thou understand these words, “he ascended into heaven”?

Answer: That Christ, in sight of his disciples, was taken up from earth into heaven;^a and that he continues there for our interest,^b until he comes again to judge the quick and the dead.^c

References:
(a) Act 1:9; Mat 26:64; Mar 16:19; Luk 24:51
(b) Hbr 7:25; Hbr 4:14; Hbr 9:24; Rom 8:34; Eph 4:10; Col 3:1
(c) Act 1:11; Mat 24:30

Question 47. Is not Christ then with us even to the end of the world, as he has promised?^a

Answer: Christ is very man and very God; with respect to his human nature, he is no more on earth;^b but with respect to his Godhead, majesty, grace and spirit, he is at no time absent from us.^c

References:
(a) Mat 28:20
(b) Hbr 8:4; Mat 26:11; Jhn 16:28; Jhn 17:11; Act 3:21
(c) Jhn 14:17-19; Jhn 16:13; Mat 28:20; Eph 4:8; Eph 4:12

Question 48. But if his human nature is not present, wherever his Godhead is, are not then these two natures in Christ separated from one another?

Answer: Not as all, for since the Godhead is illimitable and omnipresent,^a it must necessarily follow that the same is beyond the limits of the human nature he assumed,^b and yet is nevertheless in this human nature, and remains personally united to it.

References:
(a) Act 7:49; Jer 23:24
(b) Col 2:9; Jhn 3:13; Jhn 11:15; Mat 28:6

Question 49. Of what advantage to us is Christ’s ascension into heaven?

Answer: First, that he is our advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven;^a secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that he, as the head, will also take up to himself, us, his members;^b thirdly, that he sends us his Spirit as an earnest,^c by whose power we “seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and not things on earth.”^d

References:
(a) 1Jo 2:1; Rom 8:34
(b) Jhn 14:2; Jhn 17:24; Jhn 20:17; Eph 2:6
(c) Jhn 14:16; Jhn 16:7; Act 2:1-4; Act 2:33; 2Co 1:22; 2Co 5:5
(d) Col 3:1; Phl 3:14

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19^th Lord’s Day

Question 50. Why is it added, “and sitteth at the right hand of God”?

Answer: Because Christ is ascended into heaven for this end, that he might appear as head of his church,^a by whom the Father governs all things.^b

References:
(a) Eph 1:20-21; Eph 1:23; Col 1:18
(b) Mat 28:18; Jhn 5:22

Question 51. What profit is this glory of Christ, our head, unto us?

Answer: First, that by his Holy Spirit he pours out heavenly graces upon us his members;^a and then that by his power he defends and preserves us against all enemies.^b

References:
(a) Act 2:33; Eph 4:8
(b) Psa 2:9; Psa 110:1-2; Jhn 10:28; Eph 4:8

Question 52. What comfort is it to thee that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead”?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) Luk 21:28; Rom 8:23; Phl 3:20; Tts 2:13; 1Th 4:16
(b) 2Th 1:6; 2Th 1:8-10; Mat 25:41-43
(c) Mat 25:34; 2Th 1:7

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20^th Lord’s Day

Question 53. What dost thou believe concerning the Holy Ghost?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) 1Jo 5:7; Gen 1:2; Isa 48:16; 1Co 3:16; 1Co 6:19; Act 5:3-4
(b) Gal 4:6; Mat 28:19-20; 2Co 1:21-22; Eph 1:13
(c) Gal 3:14; 1Pe 1:2; 1Co 6:17
(d) Act 9:31; Jhn 15:26
(e) Jhn 14:16; 1Pe 4:14

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21^st Lord’s Day

Question 54. What believest thou concerning the “holy catholic church” of Christ?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) Eph 5:26; Jhn 10:11; Act 20:28; Eph 4:11-13
(b) Psa 71:17-18; Isa 59:21; 1Co 11:26
(c) Mat 16:18; Jhn 10:28-30; Psa 129:1-5
(d) Isa 59:21; Rom 1:16; Rom 10:14-17; Eph 5:26
(e) Gen 26:4; Rev 5:9
(f) Rom 8:29-30; Eph 1:10-13
(g) Act 2:46; Eph 4:3-6
(h) Psa 23:6; 1Co 1:8-9; Jhn 10:28; 1Jo 2:19; 1Pe 1:5
(i) 1Jo 3:14; 1Jo 3:19-21; 2Co 13:5; Rom 8:10

Question 55. What do you understand by “the communion of saints”?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) 1Jo 1:3; 1Co 1:9; Rom 8:32; 1Co 12:12-13; 1Co 6:17
(b) 1Co 12:21; 1Co 13:1; 1Co 13:5; Phl 2:4-8

Question 56. What believest thou concerning “the forgiveness of sins”?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) 1Jo 2:2; 1Jo 1:7; 2Co 5:19; 2Co 5:21
(b) Jer 31:34; Psa 103:3-4; Psa 103:10; Psa 103:12; Mic 7:19; Rom 7:23-25
(c) Rom 8:1-4; Jhn 3:18 Jhn 5:24

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22^nd Lord’s Day

Question 57. What comfort does the “resurrection of the body” afford thee?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) Luk 16:22; Luke 23:43; Phl 1:21 Phl 1:23
(b) 1Co 15:53-54; Job 19:25-26; 1Jo 3:2; Phl 3:21

Question 58. What comfort takest thou from the article of “life everlasting”?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) 2Co 5:2-3
(b) 1Co 2:9; Jhn 17:3

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23^rd Lord’s Day

Question 59. But what does it profit thee now that thou believest all this?

Answer: That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life.^a

References:
(a) Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Jhn 3:36

Question 60. How are thou righteous before God?

Answer: 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, 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

References:
(a) Rom 3:21-25; Rom 3:28; Rom 5:1-2; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Phl 3:9
(b) Rom 3:9
(c) Rom 7:23
(d) Tts 3:5; Deu 9:6; Eze 36:22
(e) Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8
(f) Rom 4:4-5; 2Co 5:19
(g) 1Jo 2:2
(h) 1Jo 2:1
(i) 2Co 5:21
(j) Rom 3:22; Jhn 3:18

Question 61. Why sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) 1Co 1:30; 1Co 2:2
(b) 1Jo 5:10

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24^th Lord’s Day

Question 62. But why cannot our good works be the whole, or part of our righteousness before God?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) Gal 3:10; Deu 27:26
(b) Isa 64:6

Question 63. What! do not our good works merit, which yet God will reward in this and in a future life?

Answer: This reward is not of merit, but of grace.^a

References:
(a) Luk 17:10

Question 64. But does not this doctrine make men careless and profane?

Answer: 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

References:
(a) Mat 7:18; Jhn 15:5