Heidelberg Catechism: What do you believe concerning the “holy catholic Church?”
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,6 a chosen communion, in the unity of the true faith;7 and that I am,8 and forever shall remain, a living member of it.9
1 Gen 26:4; Rev 5:9; 2 Isa 59:21; 1 Cor 11:26; 3 Jn 10:11; Acts 20:28; Eph 4:11-13; Col 1:18; 4 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; Eph 1:3-14; 7 Acts 2:42-47; Eph 4:1-6; 8 1 Jn 3:14, 19-21; 9 Ps 23:6; Jn 10:27-28; 1 Cor 1:4-9; 1 Pt 1:3-5
55. What do you understand by the “communion of saints?”
First, that believers, all and everyone, as members of Christ have communion in Him and in all His treasures and gifts;1 secondly, that everyone is bound to use his gifts, readily and cheerfully, for the benefit 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 12:20-27, 13:1-7; Php 2:4-8
56. What do you believe concerning the “forgiveness of sins?”
That God, because of Christ’s satisfaction, will no longer remember my sins,1 nor my sinful nature, against which I have to struggle all my life;2 but He graciously imputes to me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never come into condemnation.3
1 Ps 103:3-4, 10, 12; Mic 7:18-19; 2 Cor 5:18-21; 1 Jn 1:7, 2:2; 2 Rom 7:21-25; 3 Jn 3:17-18, 5:24; Rom 8:1-2
