Lord's Days 17-24: 10 Q&As from the Heidelberg Catechism Every Christian Should Know
Heidelberg Castle; image from Wikimedia Commons.
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In parts one and two of this series, we shared questions and answers from Lord’s Days 1-16 of the Heidelberg Catechism. This post covers Lord’s Days 17-24.
According to historical theologian R. Scott Clark, “The Heidelberg Catechism is justly regarded as one of the finest summaries of the Christian faith ever written. First published in 1563, the catechism is used by more than a million Christians globally.”
The Heidelberg Catechism contains 129 questions and answers, divided over 52 sections (for each Sunday of the year) called Lord's Days, and consists of three main parts:
Our sin & misery (Q&A 1-11)
Our deliverance from sin (Q&A 12-85)
Our thankfulness to God for such deliverance (Q&A 86-129)
Here are 10 questions and answers from Lord’s Days 17-24 of the beloved Heidelberg Catechism that every believer will benefit from knowing (and hopefully memorizing!):
Q&A 45: How does Christ's resurrection benefit us?
First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he could make us share in the righteousness which he had obtained for us by his death.
Second, by his power we too are raised up to a new life.
Third, Christ's resurrection is to us a sure pledge of our glorious resurrection. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45; Lord’s Day 17)
Q&A 49: How does Christ's ascension into heaven benefit us?
First, he is our Advocate in heaven before his Father.
Second, we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that he, our Head, will also take us, his members, up to himself.
Third, he sends us his Spirit as a counter-pledge, by whose power we seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, and not the things that are on earth. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 49; Lord’s Day 18)
Q&A 52: What comfort is it to you that Christ will come to judge the living and the dead?
In all my sorrow and persecution I lift up my head and eagerly await as judge from heaven the very same person who before has submitted himself to the judgment of God for my sake, and has removed all the curse from me. He will cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but he will take me and all his chosen ones to himself into heavenly joy and glory. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 52; Lord’s Day 19)
Q&A 53: What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?
First, he is, together with the Father and the Son, true and eternal God.
Second, he is also given to me, to make me by true faith share in Christ and all his benefits, to comfort me, and to remain with me forever. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 53; Lord’s Day 20)
Q&A 54: What do you believe concerning the holy catholic Christian church?
I believe that the Son of God, out of the whole human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, defends, and preserves for himself, by his Spirit and Word, in the unity of the true faith, a church chosen to everlasting life. And I believe that I am and forever shall remain a living member of it. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 54; Lord’s Day 21)
Q&A 56: What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins?
I believe that God, because of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, nor my sinful nature, against which I have to struggle all my life, but will graciously grant me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never come into condemnation. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 56; Lord’s Day 21)
Q&A 57: What comfort does the resurrection of the body offer you?
Not only shall my soul after this life immediately be taken up to Christ, my Head, but also this my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul and made like Christ's glorious body. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 57; Lord’s Day 22)
Q&A 60: How are you righteous before God?
Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Although my conscience accuses me that I have grievously sinned against all God's commandments, have never kept any of them, and am still inclined to all evil, yet God, without any merit of my own, out of mere grace, imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ. He grants these to me as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me, if only I accept this gift with a believing heart. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 60; Lord’s Day 23)
Q&A 61: Why do you say that you are righteous only by faith?
Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, for only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God. I can receive this righteousness and make it my own by faith only. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 61; Lord’s Day 23)
Q&A 63: But do our good works earn nothing, even though God promises to reward them in this life and the next?
This reward is not earned; it is a gift of grace. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 63; Lord’s Day 24)
You can find the entire Heidelberg Catechism along with more related resources at heidelberg-catechism.com.
To learn more about the history and composition of the Heidelberg Catechism, be sure to check out this Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism by historical theologian R. Scott Clark from the heidelblog.net.
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Lord's Days 1-8: 10 Q&As from the Heidelberg Catechism Every Christian Should Know
Lord's Days 9-16: 10 Q&As from the Heidelberg Catechism Every
4 Reasons Why Every Christian Needs a Deeply Historical Faith
8 Covenants in the Bible and What They Mean for You Personally Today
10 Words Every Christian Should Know (and Be Able to Explain)