Category: The Heidelberg Catechism

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LORD’S DAY 17, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 17 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next several weeks concerns the subject of God the Son.

Q. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us?

A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he obtained for us by his death.1 Second, by his power we too are already raised to a new life.2 Third, Christ’s resurrection is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection.3

1 Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:16-20; 1 Pet. 1:3-5.
2 Rom. 6:5-11; Eph. 2:4-6; Col. 3:1-4.
3 Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:12-23; Phil. 3:20-21.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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LORD’S DAY 16, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 16 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next several weeks concerns the subject of God the Son.

Q. Why did Christ have to suffer death?

A. Because God’s justice and truth require it: 1 nothing else could pay for our sins
except the death of the Son of God.2

1 Gen. 2:17.
2 Rom. 8:3-4; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:9.

Q. Why was he “buried”?

A. His burial testifies that he really died.1

1 Isa. 53:9; John 19:38-42; Acts 13:29; 1 Cor. 15:3-4.

Q. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?

A. Our death does not pay the debt of our sins.1 Rather, it puts an end to our sinning
and is our entrance into eternal life.2

1 Ps. 49:7.
2 John 5:24; Phil. 1:21-23; 1 Thess. 5:9-10.

Q. What further benefit do we receive from Christ’s sacrifice and death on the cross?

A. By Christ’s power our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him,1
so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us,2 but that instead we may offer ourselves as a sacrifice of gratitude to him.3

1 Rom. 6:5-11; Col. 2:11-12.
2 Rom. 6:12-14.
3 Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1-2.

Q. Why does the creed add, “He descended to hell”?

A. To assure me during attacks of deepest dread and temptation
that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from hellish anguish and torment.1

1 Isa. 53; Matt. 26:36-46; 27:45-46; Luke 22:44; Heb. 5:7-10.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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LORD’S DAY 15, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 15 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next several weeks concerns the subject of God the Son.

Q. What do you understand by the word “suffered”?

A. That during his whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race.1 This he did in order that, by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice,2 he might deliver us, body and soul, from eternal condemnation,3 and gain for us God’s grace, righteousness, and eternal life.4

1 Isa. 53; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18.
2 Rom. 3:25; Heb. 10:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10.
3 Rom. 8:1-4; Gal. 3:13.
4 John 3:16; Rom. 3:24-26.

Q. Why did he suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge?

A. So that he, though innocent, might be condemned by an earthly judge,1 and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.2

1 Luke 23:13-24; John 19:4, 12-16.
2 Isa. 53:4-5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13.

Q. Is it significant that he was “crucified” instead of dying some other way?

A. Yes. By this I am convinced that he shouldered the curse which lay on me,
since death by crucifixion was cursed by God.1

1 Gal. 3:10-13 (Deut. 21:23).

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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LORD’S DAY 14, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 14 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next several weeks concerns the subject of God the Son.

Q. What does it mean that he “was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary”?

A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God,1 took to himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit,2 from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,3 a truly human nature so that he might also become David’s true descendant,4 like his brothers and sisters in every way5 except for sin.6

1 John 1:1; 10:30-36; Acts 13:33 (Ps. 2:7); Col. 1:15-17; 1 John 5:20.
2 Luke 1:35.
3 Matt. 1:18-23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:14.
4 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11; Matt. 1:1; Rom. 1:3.
5 Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:17.
6 Heb. 4:15; 7:26-27.

Q. How does the holy conception and birth of Christ
benefit you?

A. He is our mediator1 and, in God’s sight, he covers with his innocence and perfect holiness my sinfulness in which I was conceived.2

1 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 9:13-15.
2 Rom. 8:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 4:4-5; 1 Pet. 1:18-19.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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LORD’S DAY 13. 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 13 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next several weeks concerns the subject of God the Son.

Q. Why is he called God’s “only begotten Son” when we also are God’s children?

A. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God.1 We, however, are adopted children of God—adopted by grace through Christ.2

1 John 1:1-3, 14, 18; Heb. 1. 
2 John 1:12; Rom. 8:14-17; Eph. 1:5-6. 

Q. Why do you call him “our Lord”?

A. Because—not with gold or silver, but with his precious blood—1 he has set us free from sin and from the tyranny of the devil,2 and has bought us, body and soul, to be his very own.3

1 1 Pet. 1:18-19.
2 Col. 1:13-14; Heb. 2:14-15.
3 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Tim. 2:5-6. 

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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LORD’S DAY 12, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 12 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next several weeks concerns the subject of God the Son.

Q. Why is he called “Christ,” meaning “anointed”?

A. Because he has been ordained by God the Father
and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit 1 to be our chief prophet and teacher 2 who fully reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our deliverance; 3 our only high priest 4 who has delivered us by the one sacrifice of his body,5 and who continually pleads our cause with the Father;6 and our eternal king 7 who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and who guards us and keeps us in the freedom he has won for us.8

1 Luke 3:21-22; 4:14-19 (Isa. 61:1); Heb. 1:9 (Ps. 45:7)
2 Acts 3:22 (Deut. 18:15)
3 John 1:18; 15:15
4 Heb. 7:17 (Ps. 110:4)
5 Heb. 9:12; 10:11-14
6 Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24
7 Matt. 21:5 (Zech. 9:9)
8 Matt. 28:18-20; John 10:28; Rev. 12:10-11

Q. But why are you called a Christian?

A. Because by faith I am a member of Christ 1 and so I share in his anointing.2 I am anointed to confess his name,3 to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks,4
to strive with a free conscience against sin and the devil in this life,5 and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for eternity.6

1 1 Cor. 12:12-27.
2 Acts 2:17 (Joel 2:28); 1 John 2:27.
3 Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9-10; Heb. 13:15.
4 Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9.
5 Gal. 5:16-17; Eph. 6:11; 1 Tim. 1:18-19.
6 Matt. 25:34; 2 Tim. 2:12. 

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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LORD’S DAY 11, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 11 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next several weeks concerns the subject of God the Son.

Q. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” meaning “savior”?

A. Because he saves us from our sins,1 and because salvation should not be sought
and cannot be found in anyone else.2

1 Matt. 1:21; Heb. 7:25. 
2 Isa. 43:11; John 15:5; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 2:5. 

Q. Do those who look for their salvation in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere. really believe in the only savior Jesus? 

A. No! Although they boast of being his, by their actions they deny the only savior, Jesus.1

Either Jesus is not a perfect savior, or those who in true faith accept this savior have in him all they need for their salvation.2

1 1 Cor. 1:12-13; Gal. 5:4. 
2 Col. 1:19-20; 2:10; 1 John 1:7. 

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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LORD’S DAY 10, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 10 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for today concerns the subject of God the Father.

Q. What do you understand by the providence of God?

A. The almighty and ever present power of God1 by which God upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, 2 and so rules them that leaf and blade,
rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness,
prosperity and poverty—3 all things, in fact, come to us not by chance4 but by his fatherly hand.5

1 Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-28.
2 Heb. 1:3.
3 Jer. 5:24; Acts 14:15-17/a>; John 9:3; Prov. 22:2.
4 Prov. 16:33.
5 Matt. 10:29.

Q. How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us?

A. We can be patient when things go against us, 1 thankful when things go well, 2
and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father
that nothing in creation will separate us from his love.3 For all creatures are so completely in God’s hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved.4

1 Job 1:21-22; James 1:3.
2 Deut. 8:10; 1 Thess. 5:18.
3 Ps. 55:22; Rom. 5:3-5; 8:38-39.
4 Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov. 21:1; Acts 17:24-28.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

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LORD’S DAY 9, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 9 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next two Lord’s Days will concern the subject of God the Father.

Q. What do you believe when you say, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”?

A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them,1 who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence,2 is my God and Father because of Christ the Son.3 I trust God so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul,4 and will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends upon me in this sad world.5 God is able to do this because he is almighty God6 and desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.7

1 Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11; Ps. 33:6; Isa. 44:24; Acts 4:24; 14:15.
2 Ps. 104; Matt. 6:30; 10:29; Eph. 1:11.
3 John 1:12-13; Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:4-7; Eph. 1:5.
4 Ps. 55:22; Matt. 6:25-26; Luke 12:22-31.
5 Rom. 8:28.
6 Gen. 18:14; Rom. 8:31-39.
7 Matt. 7:9-11.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

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LORD’S DAY 8, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 8 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. The theme for the next several Lord’s Days will be deliverance.

Q. How are these articles divided?

A. Into three parts: God the Father and our creation; God the Son and our deliverance;
and God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.

Q. Since there is only one divine being,1 why do you speak of three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

A. Because that is how God has revealed himself in his Word:2 these three distinct persons are one, true, eternal God.

1 Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6.
2 Matthew 3:16-17; 28:18-19; Luke 4:18 (Isaiah 61:1); John 14:26; 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:6; Titus 3:5-6.

May truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!