Heidelberg Catechism, Week 21

Lord’s Day 21

54. What do you believe concerning the “holy catholic Church?”

That out of the whole human race,¹ from the beginning to the end of the world,² the Son of God,³ by His Spirit and Word,⁴ gathers, defends, and preserves for Himself⁵ unto everlasting life a chosen communion⁶ in the unity of the true faith;⁷ and that I am and forever shall remain a living member of this communion.⁸

¹ Gen 26:4; Rev 5:9; ² Isa 59:21; Jn 10:10; 1 Cor 11:26; ³ Jn 10:11; Acts 20:28; Eph 1:10-13, 4:11-13; Col 1:18; ⁴ Isa 59:21; Rom 1:16, 10:14-17; Eph 5:26; ⁵ Ps 129:1-5; Mt 16:18; Jn 10:28-30; ⁶ Rom 8:29-30; Eph 1:3-14, 4:3-6; ⁷ Ps 71:18; Jn 10:28-30; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Cor 1:8-9, 11:26; ⁸ Ps 23:6; Jn 10:27-28; 1 Cor 1:4-9; Gal 3:28; 1 Pt 1:3-5; 1 Jn 2:19, 3:14, 19-21

55. What do you understand by the “communion of saints?”

First, that believers, one and all, as members of the Lord Jesus Christ, are partakers with Him in all His treasures and gifts;¹ second, that each one must feel himself bound to use his gifts readily and cheerfully for the advantage and welfare of other members.²

¹ Rom 8:32; 1 Cor 6:17, 12:4-7, 12-13; 1 Jn 1:3; ² Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:12-13, 20-27, 13:1-7; Php 2:4-8; Heb 3:14

56. What do you believe concerning the “forgiveness of sins?”

That God, for the sake of Christ’s satisfaction,¹ will no more remember my sins, nor the sinful nature with which I have to struggle all my life long;² but graciously imputes to me the righteousness of Christ, that I may nevermore come into condemnation.³

¹ 1 Jn 2:2; ² Ps 103:3, 10-12; Jer 31:34; Mic 7:18-19; Rom 7:21-25, 8:1-4; 2 Cor 5:18-21; 1 Jn 1:7, 2:2; ³ Jn 3:17-18, 5:24; Rom 4:7-8, 7:18, 8:1-2; Eph 1:7

((URC Learning)