Lord's Days 32-38: 10 Q&As from the Heidelberg Catechism Every Christian Should Know

Faith
Written By BCL

Heidelberg Castle; image from Wikimedia Commons.

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In parts one, two, three, and four of this series, we shared questions and answers from Lord’s Days 1-31 of the Heidelberg Catechism. This post covers Lord’s Days 32-38.

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)

In this installment of 10 Q&As from the beloved Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Days 32-38, the focus is on our new life in Christ and how to properly worship God:

Q&A 86: Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, why must we yet do good works?

Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit to be his image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for his benefits, and he may be praised by us. Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbours for Christ. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 86; Lord’s Day 32)

Q&A 88: What is the true repentance or conversion of man?

It is the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 88; Lord’s Day 33)

Q&A 89: What is the dying of the old nature?

It is to grieve with heartfelt sorrow that we have offended God by our sin, and more and more to hate it and flee from it. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 89; Lord’s Day 33)

Q&A 90: What is the coming to life of the new nature?

It is a heartfelt joy in God through Christ, and a love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 90; Lord’s Day 33)

Q&A 94: What does the LORD require in the first commandment?

[“I am the Lord your God…” — Exod. 20:2-3]

That for the sake of my very salvation I avoid and flee all idolatry, witchcraft, superstition, and prayer to saints or to other creatures. Further, that I rightly come to know the only true God, trust in him alone, submit to him with all humility and patience, expect all good from him only, and love, fear, and honour him with all my heart. In short, that I forsake all creatures rather than do the least thing against his will. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 94; Lord’s Day 34)

Q&A 95: What is idolatry?

Idolatry is having or inventing something in which to put our trust instead of, or in addition to, the only true God who has revealed himself in his Word. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 95; Lord’s Day 34)

Q&A 96: What does God require in the second commandment?

[“You shall not make for yourself a carved image…” — Exod. 20:4-6]

We are not to make an image of God in any way, nor to worship him in any other manner than he has commanded in his Word. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 96; Lord’s Day 35)

Q&A 99: What is required in the third commandment?

[“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain…” — Exod. 20:7]

We are not to blaspheme or to abuse the name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths, nor to share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders. Rather, we must use the holy name of God only with fear and reverence, so that we may rightly confess him, call upon him, and praise him in all our words and works. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 99; Lord’s Day 36)

Q&A 101: But may we swear an oath by the name of God in a godly manner?

Yes, when the government demands it of its subjects, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote fidelity and truth, to God's glory and for our neighbour's good. Such oath-taking is based on God's Word and was therefore rightly used by saints in the Old and the New Testament. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 101; Lord’s Day 37)

Q&A 103: What does God require in the fourth commandment?

[“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…” — Exod. 20:8-11]

First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained and that, especially on the day of rest, I diligently attend the church of God to hear God's Word, to use the sacraments, to call publicly upon the LORD, and to give Christian offerings for the poor. Second, that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, let the LORD work in me through his Holy Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal Sabbath. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 103; Lord’s Day 38)

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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The Heidelberg Catechism, 450th Anniversary Edition

BCL
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