Heidelberg Catechism Part 3

LORD'S DAY 15 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: that so by His passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice, He might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation, and obtain for us the favor of God, righteousness and eternal life. Question 38: Why did He suffer under Pontius Pilate, as judge? Answer: That He, being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge, might thereby free us from the severe judgment of God to which we were exposed. 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; for the death of the cross was accursed of God. 1 Pet. 2:24, Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isa. 53:12, Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out his soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 1 John 2:2, And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Rom. 3:25, Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Luke 23:14, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse Him. John 19:4, Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring Him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in Him. Psa. 69:4, They that hate Me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. Gal.

3:13-14, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Deut. 21:23, His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. Gal. 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

LORD'S DAY 16 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, satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God. Question 41: Why was He also "buried"? Answer: Thereby to prove that He was really dead. Question 42: Since then Christ died for us, why must we also die? Answer: Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life. 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; that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us; but that we may offer ourselves unto Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving. 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, but especially on the cross, hath delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell.

Gen. 2:17, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Heb. 2:9-10, But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Phil.

2:8, And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Acts 13:29, And when they had fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulchre. Mark 15:43, 46, Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus; And he bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. John 5:24, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Phil.

1:23, For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better. Rom. 6:6, 7, Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Rom.

6:12, Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Rom. 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Isa. 53:10, Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Matt. 27:46, And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? LORD'S DAY 17 Question 45: What doth the resurrection of Christ profit us? Answer: First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, that He might 1make us partakers of that righteousness which He had purchased for us by His death; secondly, we are also by His power raised up to a new life; and lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:16, For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. Rom.

6:4, Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Col. 3:1, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 1 Cor. 15 (whole chapter) Rom.

8:11, But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. LORD'S DAY 18 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; and that He continues there for our interest, until He comes again to judge the quick and the dead. Question 47: Is not Christ then with us even to the end of the world, as He hath promised? Answer: Christ is very man and very God; with respect to His human nature, He is no more on earth; but with respect to His Godhead, majesty, grace and spirit, He is at no time absent from us. 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 at all, for since the Godhead is illimitable and omnipresent, it must necessarily follow that the same is beyond the limits of the human nature He assumed, and yet is nevertheless in this human nature, and remains personally united to it. 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; 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; thirdly, that He sends us His Spirit as an earnest, by whose power we "seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and not things on earth.

" Acts 1:9, And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Mark 16:19, So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Heb. 4:14, Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Rom.

8:34, Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Eph. 4:10, He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things. Acts 3:21, Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. John 3:13, And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

John 16:28, I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. Matt. 28:20, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Acts 7:49, Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool: what house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of My rest? Matt.

24:30, And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matt. 28:20, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. John 16:28, I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

John 17:11, And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as we are. John 3:13, And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. Heb. 9:24, For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

1 John 2:2, And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Rom. 8:34, Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. John 14:2, In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Eph. 2:6, And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. John 14:16, And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever. 2 Cor. 1:22, Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2 Cor. 5:5, Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Col. 3:1, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Phil.

3:20, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. LORD'S DAY 19 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 1appear as head of His church, by whom the Father governs all things. Question 51: What profit is this glory of Christ, our head, unto us?Answer: First, that by His Holy Spirit He 3pours out heavenly graces upon us His members; and then that by His power He defends and preserves us against all enemies. 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: who shall cast all His 6and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall translate 7me with all His chosen ones to Himself, into heavenly joys and glory. Eph.

1:20-22, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the church. Col. 1:18, And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. Matt. 28:18, And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.

John 5:22, For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. Eph. 4:8, Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Psa. 2:9, Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

John 10:28, And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. Luke 21:28, And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Rom. 8:23-24, And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 1 Thes.

4:16, For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 2 Thes. 1:6-9, Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. Matt. 25:41, Then He shall say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matt. 25:34, Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. OF GOD THE HOLY GHOST LORD'S DAY 20 Question 53: What dost thou believe concerning the Holy Ghost? Answer: First, that He is true and co-eternal God with the Father and the Son; secondly, that He is also given me, to make me by a true faith, partaker of Christ and all His benefits, that He may comfort me and abide with me for ever. Gen. 1:2, And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Isa. 48:16, Come ye near unto Me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the LORD God, and His spirit, hath sent Me. 1 Cor. 3:16, Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? Matt.

28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. 1:22, Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Gal. 3:14, That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

1 Pet. 1:2, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Acts 9:31, Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever. 1 Pet.

4:14, If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. LORD'S DAY 21 Question 54: What believest thou concerning the "holy catholic church" of Christ?Answer: That the Son of God from the beginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to Himself by His Spirit and Word, out of the whole human race, a church chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith; and that I am and for ever shall remain, a living member thereof. 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; 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. 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; but will graciously impute to me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never be condemned before the tribunal of God. John 10:11, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

Gen. 26:4, And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Rom. 9:24, Even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? Eph. 1:10, That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.

John 10:16, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Isa. 59:21, As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. Deut. 10:14-15, Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. Acts 13:48, And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 1 Cor. 1:8-9, Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom. 8:35, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? John 1:3-4, All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. Rom. 8:32, He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 1 Cor.

12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Cor. 13:5, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. Phil. 2:4-6, Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. 1 John 2:2, And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 2 Cor. 5:19, 21, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation; For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Jer.

31:34, And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Psa. 103:3-4, 10-11, Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. Rom.