Lord's Days 1-8: 10 Q&As from the Heidelberg Catechism Every Christian Should Know
Heidelberg Castle; image from Wikimedia Commons
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Christian catechisms are a great way to learn foundational biblical truths every believer should know. 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 the beloved Heidelberg Catechism every believer will benefit from knowing (and hopefully memorizing!):
Q&A 1: What is your only comfort in life and death?
That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1; Lord’s Day 1)
Q&A 2: What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
First, how great my sins and misery are; second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 2; Lord’s Day 1)
Q&A 3: From where do you know your sins and misery?
From the Law of God. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 3; Lord’s Day 2)
Q&A 6: Did God, then, create man so wicked and perverse?
No, on the contrary, God created man good and in his image, that is, in true righteousness and holiness, so that he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love him, and live with him in eternal blessedness to praise and glorify him. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 6; Lord’s Day 3)
Q&A 7: From where, then, did man's depraved nature come?
From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise, for there our nature became so corrupt that we are all conceived and born in sin. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 7; Lord’s Day 3)
Q&A 9: But does not God do man an injustice by requiring in his law what man cannot do?
No, for God so created man that he was able to do it. But man, at the instigation of the devil, in deliberate disobedience robbed himself and all his descendants of these gifts. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 9; Lord’s Day 4)
Q&A 15: What kind of mediator and deliverer must we seek?
One who is a true and righteous man, and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is at the same time true God. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 15; Lord’s Day 5)
Q&A 16: But who is that Mediator who at the same time is true God and a true and righteous man?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has become for us wisdom from God –that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption (1 Cor 1:30). (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 18; Lord’s Day 6)
Q&A 21: What is true faith?
True faith is a sure knowledge whereby I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word. At the same time it is a firm confidence that not only to others, but also to me, God has granted forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation, out of mere grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits. This faith the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 21; Lord’s Day 7)
Q&A 25: Since there is only one God, why do you speak of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Because God has so revealed himself in his Word that these three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 25; Lord’s Day 8)
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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