Heidelberg Catechism: The Second Part--Deliverance, sub B

True Faith

To say that this section is huge would be to understate its absolute hugeness.  OK, I’ve been spending time with my teenage daughter, but the point is well given.  This section is about the definition of true faith.  Faith is a very specific and clearly defined entity in scripture.  Faith always has an object, and these questions explain what the object of faith must be, according to the Bible.  I have been promising the meat.  This is the first course.

7. Lord's Day

Question 20. Are all men then, as they perished in Adam, saved by Christ?

Answer: No; (Matthew 7:14, 22:14) only those who are ingrafted into Him, and, receive all His benefits, by a true faith. (Mark 16:16, John 1:12,3:16, 18, 36; Isaiah 53:11, Psalms 2:12, Romans 11:17, 19-20, 3:22; Hebrews 4:2-3, 5:9, 10:39, 11:6)

Question 21. What is true faith?

Answer: True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word, (James 2:19) but also an assured confidence, (2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:7-9, 3:12; Galatians 2:16;Hebrews 11:1, 7-10; 4:16; James 1:6, Matthew 16:17, Philippians 1:19, Romans 4:17,21; 5:1; 1:16; 10:10, 17; 4:16, 18-20; 3:24-25) which the Holy Ghost (Galatians5:22, Matthew 16:17; 2 Corinthians 4:13, John 6:29, Ephesians 2:8, Philippians 1:19,Acts 16:14) works by the gospel in my heart; (Romans 1:16, 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Acts 10:44, 16:14) that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews10:10, 38; Galatians 2:16) are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits. (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:24, 5:19; Luke 1:77-78)

True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the Gospel in my heart; that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, are freely given by God, merely of Grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.

Question 22. What is then necessary for a Christian to believe?

Answer: All things promised us in the gospel, (John 20:31, Matthew 28:19,Mark 1:15) which the articles of our catholic undoubted Christian faith briefly teach us.

Question 23. What are these articles?

Answer: 1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: 2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell: 5. The third day he rose again from the dead: 6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost: 9. I believe a holy catholic church: the communion of saints: 10. The forgiveness of sins: 11. The resurrection of the body: 12. And the life everlasting.

Amen.

Notably, there is the issue of Hell in article #4 that we will have to address soon; but otherwise, those articles should look awfully familiar, sort of like the Apostles' Creed.

8. Lord's Day

Question 24. How are these articles divided?

Answer: Into three parts; the first is of God the Father, and our creation; the second of God the Son, and our redemption; the third of God the Holy Ghost, and our sanctification.

Question 25. Since there is but one only divine essence, (Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:6, Isaiah 44:6, 45:5; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6) why speaks thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?

Answer: Because God has so revealed himself in his word, (Isaiah 61:1,Luke 4:18, Genesis 1:2-3, Psalms 33:6, Isaiah 48:16, Psalms 110:1, Matthew 3:16-17,28:19; 1 John 5:7, Isaiah 6:1, 3; John 14:26, 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 2:18, Titus 3:5-6) that these three distinct persons are the one only true and eternal God.

And obviously, the next three sections have been introduced.  We will be going through specific doctrinal statements concerning each person of the Trinity.  I have made some effort both to have the citations grouped together in their original position, but also to have them linked together as a group to make for easy clicking and easy reading.  If you were ever going to follow the links to read the passages, this is the section.  At least try the references for question #21. 

In the future, if you need to find scripture on a topic, this confession is a great reference tool.  All that is required is finding the appropriate question, and there is the scripture that you need.

The next few sections will be over larger chunks of material.

--Troll--