Heidelberg Catechism Part 5

LORD'S DAY 39 Question 104: What doth God require in the fifth commandment?Answer: That I show all honor, love and fidelity, to my father and mother, and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction, with due obedience; and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, since it pleases God to govern us by their hand. Eph. 6:1, 2, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise. Col.

3:18, 20, Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord; Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Eph. 5:22, Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Rom. 1:31, Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.

Prov. 23:22, Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Eph. 6:5, 6, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. Col.

3:19, 21, Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them; Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Rom. 13:1-8, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Matt. 22:21, They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

LORD'S DAY 40 Question 105: What doth God require in the sixth commandment? Answer: That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, wound, or kill my neighbor, by myself or by another; but that I lay aside all desire of revenge: also, that I hurt not myself, nor wilfully expose myself to any danger. Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder. Question 106: But this commandment seems only to speak of murder? Answer: In forbidding murder, God teaches us, that He abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge; and that He accounts all these as murder. Question 107: But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above? Answer: No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves; to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness, towards him, and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies; and that we do good, even to our enemies. Matt.

5:21, 22, Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Prov. 12:18, There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. Matt. 26:52, Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Eph. 4:26, Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Rom. 12:19, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Matt.

5:39, 40, But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. Matt. 4:5, 6, 7, Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Col. 2:23, Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Gen. 9:6, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man. Matt.

26:52, Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Rom. 13:4, For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. James 1:20, For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Gal. 5:20, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. Rom. 1:29, Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers. 1 John 2:9, He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

1 John 3:15, Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Matt. 22:39, And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matt. 7:12, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Rom. 12:10, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. Eph. 4:2, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Gal.

6:1, 2, Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Matt. 5:5, Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Rom.

12:18, If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Ex. 23:5, If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. Matt. 5:45, That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Rom. 12:20, Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. LORD'S DAY 41 Question 108: What doth the seventh commandment teach us? Answer: That all uncleanness is accursed of God: and that therefore we must with all our hearts detest the same, and live chastely and temperately, whether in holy wedlock, or in single life. Question 109: Doth God forbid in this commandment, only adultery, and such like gross sins? Answer: Since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Ghost, He commands us to preserve them pure and holy: therefore He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever can entice men thereto. Lev.

18:27, (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled.) Deut. 29:20-23, The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and His jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven. And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law: so that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it; and that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger, and in His wrath. 1 Thes.

4:3, 4, For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour." Heb. 13:4, Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 1 Cor. 7:4-9, The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. Eph. 5:3, But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. 1 Cor. 6:18, Flee fornication.

Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. Matt. 5:28, But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Eph. 5:18, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.

1 Cor. 15:33, Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. LORD'S DAY 42 Question 110: What doth God forbid in the eighth commandment? Answer: God forbids not only those thefts, and robberies, which are punishable by the magistrate; but He comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbor: whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness, all abuse and waste of His gifts. Question 111: But what doth God require in this commandment? Answer: That I promote the advantage of my neighbor in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others: further also that I faithfully labor, so that I may be able to relieve the needy. 1 Cor.

6:10, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 5:10, Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. Luke 3:14, And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And He said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. 1 Thes.

4:6, That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. Prov. 11:1, A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is His delight. Ezek. 45:9, 10, Thus saith the Lord God; Let it suffice you, princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from My people, saith the Lord God.

Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath. The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer, and the ephah the tenth part of an homer: the measure thereof shall be after the homer. Deut. 25:13, Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. Psa.

15:5, He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Luke 6:35, But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 1 Cor. 6:10, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Matt. 7:12, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Prov. 5:16, Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Eph.

4:28, Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." LORD'S DAY 43 Question 112: What is required in the ninth commandment? Answer: That I bear false witness against no man, nor falsify any man's words; that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer; that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly, or unheard; but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit, as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly and confess it; also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able, the honor and good character of my neighbor. Prov. 19:5, 9, A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape; A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Prov.

21:28, A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. Psa. 15:3, He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour." Rom. 1:29, 30, Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.

Matt. 7:1, Judge not, that ye be not judged. Luke 6:37, Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Lev. 19:11, Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Prov. 12:22, Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are His delight. Prov. 13:5, A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 1 Cor.

13:6, Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. Eph. 4:25, Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 1 Pet. 4:8, And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

LORD'S DAY 44 Question 113: What doth the tenth commandment require of us? Answer: That even the smallest inclination or thought, contrary to any of God's commandments, never rise in our hearts; but that at all times we hate all sin with our whole heart, and delight in all righteousness. Question 114: But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments? Answer: No: but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience; yet so, that with a sincere resolution they begin to live, not only according to some, but all the commandments of God. Question 115: Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them? Answer: First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, 5and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come. Rom. 7:7, What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid.

Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Rom. 7:14, For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Rom. 7:22, 15, For I delight in the law of God after the inward man; For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

James 3:2, For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Rom. 3:20, Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Rom. 5:13, (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Rom. 7:7, What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Rom. 7:24, O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 1 Cor. 9:24, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. Phil. 3:12, 13, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. OF PRAYER LORD'S DAY 45 Question 116: Why is prayer necessary for christians? Answer: Because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us: and also, because God will give His grace and Holy Spirit to those only, who with sincere desires continually ask them of Him, and are thankful for them. Question 117: What are the requisites of that prayer, which is acceptable to God, and which He will hear? Answer: First, that we from the heart pray to the one true God only, who hath manifested Himself in His word, for all things, He hath commanded us to ask of Him; secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know our need and misery, that so we may deeply humble ourselves in the presence of His divine majesty; thirdly, that we be fully persuaded that He, notwithstanding that we are unworthy of it, will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, as He has promised us in His word. Question 118: What hath God commanded us to ask of Him? Answer: All things necessary for soul and body; which Christ our Lord has comprised in that prayer He Himself has taught us. Question 119: What are the words of that prayer? Answer: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Psa. 50:14, 15, Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: and call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. Matt.

7:7, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Luke 11:9, 13, And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? Matt. 13:12, For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Psa. 50:15, And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.

John 4:22, 23, Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. Rom. 8:26, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 1 John 5:14, And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us.

John 4:23, 24, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Psa. 145:18, The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. 2 Chron.

20:12, O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee. Psa. 2:11, Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Psa. 34:18, 19, The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Isa. 66:2, For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word. Rom. 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Rom. 8:15, 16, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. James 1:6, But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

John 14:13, And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Dan. 9:17, 18, Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies. Matt.

7:8, For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Psa. 143:1, Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness. James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Matt.

6:33, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:9, 10, After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.