Heidelberg Catechism: The Second Part--Righteousness

While this may not look like much, this section is the meat of Christianity.  The passages in this section are extremely dense.  While you may not have followed all of the links in the past, and the whole Catechism should be read with an open Bible as the verses are given as a part of the catechism, this is a section that is all the more vital in that regard.  Justification is the declaration that we are righteous before God through Jesus Christ by virtue of our faith in Him, alone and apart from works.  The catechism gives you the doctrine, but the verses demonstrate beyond any doubt that the text yields the doctrine.  We are not imposing our own thought on the text, but rather, we are attempting to summarize and organize what is already there. 

21. Lord's Day

Question 54. What do you believe concerning the "holy catholic church" of Christ?

Answer: That the Son of God (Ephesians 5:26; John 10:11; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-13) from the beginning to the end of the world, (Psalms 71:17-18; Isaiah 59:21; 1 Corinthians 11:26) gathers, defends, and preserves (Matthew 16:18; John 10:28-30; Psalms 129:1-5) to himself by his Spirit and word, (Isaiah 59:21; Romans 1:16,10:14-17; Ephesians 5:26) out of the whole human race, (Genesis 26:4; Revelation 5:9) a church chosen to everlasting life, (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:10-13) agreeing in true faith; (Acts 2:46, Ephesians 4:3-5) and that I am and forever shall remain, (Psalms 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; John 10:28; 1 John 2:19; 1 Peter 1:5) a living member thereof. (1 John 3:14,19-21; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 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; (1 John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 6:17) secondly, that everyone must know it to be his duty, readily and cheerfully to employ his gifts, for the advantage and salvation of other members. (1 Corinthians 12:21, 13:1, 5; Philippians 2:4-8)

Question 56. What do you believe 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; (1 John 2:2, 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21) but will graciously impute to me the righteousness of Christ, (Jeremiah 31:34; Psalms 103:3-4, 10, 12; Micah 7:19; Romans 7:23-25) that I may never be condemned before the tribunal of God. (Romans 8:1-4; John 3:18, 5:24)

We could spend a long time discussing the implication of being of one body with Christ and the substance of the body that is implied with that statement.  The idea of substance concerning the sacrament of the Eucharist is of similar type.  The covenant context, however, is sufficient for understanding of the Body of Christ in this place.

22. 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; (Luke 16:22, 23:43; Philippians 1:21, 23) 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. (1 Corinthians 15:53-54; Job 19:25-26; 1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:21)

Question 58. What comfort do you take from the article of "life everlasting"?

Answer: That since I now feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, (2 Corinthians 5:2-3) 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 forever. (1 Corinthians 2:9; John 17:3)

A lot of interesting issues come from this section.  You  might be surprised to hear that there are vast numbers of professing Christians who have the very Greek idea of the soul going to heaven and the body never being reunited with the soul on the Last Day.  It is interesting how this part of the faith seems to be glossed over without much of a discussion.  The old German Lutherans understand this to the nth degree, but have little faith in God's ability to mend resurrected bodies to the perfection that we were intended in the same way that He justifies us to perfection in terms of righteousness.  

23. Lord's Day

Question 59. But what does it profit you now that you believe all this?

Answer: That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life. (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; John 3:36)

Question 60. How are thou righteous before God?

Answer: Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; (Romans 3:21-25, 28, 5:1-2; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9) so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them, (Romans 3:9) and am still inclined to all evil; (Romans 7:23) notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine, (Titus 3:5; Deuteronomy 9:6; Ezekiel 36:22) but only of mere grace, (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8) grants and imputes to me, (Romans 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:19) the perfect satisfaction, (1 John 2:2) righteousness and holiness of Christ; (1 John 2:1) even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; (2 Corinthians 5:21) inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart. (Romans 3:22; John 3:18)

Question 61. Why do you say, that you are 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; (1 Corinthians 1:30, 2:2) and that I cannot receive and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only. (1 John 5:10)

Vegan warning:  questions #59-64 are the meat!  Notice the density of the references in Question #60.  This is heavy on Romans, but really, a lot of Paul is used here.  It is interesting where the Prophets are woven into the catechism.  If you have doubts that the Old Testament testifies to Christ, these sections should put an end to that stuff.

24. 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, (Galatians 3:10; Deuteronomy 27:26) 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. (Isaiah 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. (Luke 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. (Matthew 7:18; John 15:5)

Truly fantastic stuff.  This is outline of Romans 3-8 without mentioning Romans 3-8.  This may be a relatively brief section, but it is theologically dense.

We have seen in this section the basis of our righteousness before a Just and Holy God.  The next section is on the Sacraments.  I'll post on the definition of sacrament and Baptism in the next post, and then we'll tackle the Lord's Supper afterwards.

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