Heidelberg Catechism, Week 13

This morning at worship, my co-usher Troy and I talked briefly about the Heidelberg Catechism, and we came to an agreement: while we're both Presbyterians, and we love the Westminister Shorter and Larger Catechisms, there's something special about the Heidelberg.  Maybe it's because it was the first in the chain of Reformed confessions.  Maybe it's because the tone is a little 'warmer' than the Westminster.  Or maybe it's because it's 22 questions longer than the Westminster. 

For whatever reason, it's a wonderful catechism.  Scripture always comes first when it comes to matters of doctrine and life, and a good Confession or Catechism merely outlines what Scripture teaches without any deviations.  The Heidelberg, as well as the Westminster, follow this rule wonderfully. 

That said, here is Week 13
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(Source)
33. Why is He called God’s “only begotten Son,” since we also are the children of God?

Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God,1 but we are children of God by adoption, through grace, for His sake.2


1 Jn 1:1-3, 14, 18, 3:16; Rom 8:32; Heb 1; 1 Jn 4:9; 2 Jn 1:12; Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:6; Eph 1:5-6; 1 Jn 3:1



34. Why do you call Him “our Lord?”

Because not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood,1 He has redeemed and purchased us, body and soul,2 from sin and from all the power of the devil, to be His own.3


1 1 Pt 1:18-19; 2 Acts 2:36; 1 Cor 6:20, 7:23; 1 Tim 2:5-6; Tit 2:14; 1 Pt 2:9; 3 Col 1:13-14; Heb 2:14-15

Heidelberg Catechism, Week 12

Lord’s Day 12

31. Why is He called “Christ,” that is, Anointed?

Because He is ordained of God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit¹ to be our chief Prophet and Teacher,² who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption;³ and our only High Priest,⁴ who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us,⁵ and ever lives to make intercession for us with the Father;⁶ and our eternal King,⁷ who governs us by His Word and Spirit, and defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us.⁸

¹ Ps 45:7 [Heb 1:9]; Isa 61:1 [Lk 3:21-22, 4:18]; ² Deut 18:15 [Acts 3:22]; ³ Jn 1:18, 15:15; ⁴ Ps 110:4 [Heb 7:17, 21]; ⁵ Heb 9:12, 10:11-14; ⁶ Rom 5:9-10, 8:34; Heb 9:24; 1 Jn 2:1; ⁷ Zech 9:9 [Mt 21:5]; Lk 1:33; ⁸ Ps 2:6; Isa.61:1-2; Mt 28:18-20; Jn 10:28; 1 Pt 2:24; Rev 12:10-11, 19:16

32. But why are you called a Christian?

Because by faith I am a member of Christ¹ and thus a partaker of His anointing,² in order that I also may confess His Name,³ may present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him,⁴ and with a free conscience may fight against sin and the devil in this life,⁵ and hereafter in eternity reign with Him over all creatures.⁶

¹ Acts 11:26; 1 Cor 12:12-27; 1 Jn 2:20, 27; ² Joel 2:28 [Acts 2:17]; 1 Jn 2:27; ³ Mk 8:38, 10:32; Rom 10:9-10; Heb 13:15; ⁴ Rom 12:1; 1 Pt 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6, 5:8, 10; ⁵ Gal 5:16-17; Eph 6:11; 1 Tim 1:18-19; ⁶ Mt 25:34; Eph 6:12; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 3:21

(from  URC Learning)

Heidelberg Catechism, Week 11

Lord’s Day 11

29. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” that is, Savior?

Because He saves us from all our sins,¹ and because salvation is not to be sought or found in any other.²

¹ Mt 1:21; Heb 7:25; ² Isa 43:11; Lk 2:10-11; Jn 15:4-5; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Tim 2:5

30. Do those also believe in the only Savior Jesus, who seek their salvation and welfare from “saints,” themselves, or anywhere else?

No; although they make their boast of Him, yet in their deeds they deny the only Savior Jesus;¹ for either Jesus is not a complete Savior, or they who by true faith receive this Savior, must have in Him all that is necessary to their salvation.²

¹ 1 Cor 1:12-13, 30-31; Gal 5:4; ² Isa 9:7; Mt. 23:28; Jn 1:16; Col 1:19-20, 2:10; 1 Jn 1:7

(fromURC Learning

A Few Updates

The biggest one is this:  Jenn and I are going to adopt.  :-) 

Next to that, I've decided to take the June LSAT rather than the February.  Jenn, my tutor and I discussed it, and we all agree that because I suffer from test anxiety, perhaps waiting and doing more practice sections/tests would be a better option for me than to actually take the LSAT in February and not do as well as I know I can. 

Other than that, that's all that is going on in our lives.  What's going on with you all?

Heidelberg Catechism, Week 10

Lord’s Day 10

27. What do you understand by the providence of God?

The almighty, everywhere-present power of God,¹ whereby, as it were by His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures,² and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought,³ fruitful and barren years, meat and drink,⁴ health and sickness,⁵ riches and poverty,⁶ indeed, all things come not by chance,⁷ but by His fatherly hand.⁸

¹ Jer 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-28; ² Heb 1:3; ³ Jer 5:24; ⁴ Acts 14:15-17; ⁵ Jn 9:3; ⁶ Job 1:21; Ps 103:19; Prov 22:2; Rom 5:3-5; ⁷ Prov 16:33; ⁸ Mt 10:29; Eph 1:1

28. What does it profit us to know that God created, and by His providence upholds, all things?

That we may be patient in adversity,¹ thankful in prosperity,² and for what is future have good confidence in our faithful God and Father, that no creature shall separate us from His love,³ since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.⁴

¹ Job 1:21-22; Ps 39:10; Rom 5:3; Jas 1:3; ² Deut 8:10; 1 Thes 5:18; ³ Ps 55:22; Rom 5:3-5, 8:35, 38-39; ⁴ Job 1:12, 2:6; Ps 71:7; Prov 21:1; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Cor 1:10