The Heidelberg
Catechism
As one Dutch
Elder once said, “This Catechism is the heart cry from the pew!”
The Third Part
- Of Thankfulness Good Works,
Ingratitude, True Conversion, Mortification, and Quickening
32. Lord's Day
Question 86. Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through
Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?
Answer: Because Christ, having redeemed and
delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own
image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude to
God for his blessings, (a) and that he may be praised by us; (b) also, that
every one may be assured in himself of his faith, (c) by the fruits thereof;
and that, by our godly conversation others may be gained to Christ. (d)
(a) Rom.6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments
of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are
alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom.12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service. Rom.12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 1 Pet.2:5 Ye also, as lively stones,
are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Pet.2:9 But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light: 1 Pet.2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are
now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy. 1 Cor.6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your
body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (b) Matt.5:16 Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven. 1 Pet.2:12 Having your conversation honest among the
Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your
good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1
Pet.1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are
in heaviness through manifold temptations: 1 Pet.1:7 That the trial of your
faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried
with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of
Jesus Christ: (c) 2 Pet.1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to
make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never
fall: Matt.7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a
corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Gal.5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by
love. Gal.5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, Gal.5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there
is no law. (d) 1 Pet.3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own
husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won
by the conversation of the wives; 1 Pet.3:2 While they behold your chaste
conversation coupled with fear. Rom.14:19 Let us therefore follow after the
things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Question 87. Cannot they then be saved, who, continuing in their wicked and ungrateful
lives, are not converted to God?
Answer: By no means; for the holy scripture
declares that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man,
drunkard, slanderer, robber, or any such like, shall inherit the kingdom of
God. (a)
(a) 1 Cor.6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with
mankind, 1 Cor.6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Eph.5:5 For this ye know, that
no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath
any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph.5:6 Let no man deceive
you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon
the children of disobedience. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from
death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother
abideth in death.
33. Lord's Day
Question 88. Of how many parts does the true conversion of man consist?
Answer: Of two parts; of the mortification of
the old, and the quickening of the new man. (a)
(a) Rom.6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in
sin, that grace may abound? Rom.6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism
into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom.6:5 For if we have
been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the
likeness of his resurrection: Rom.6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we
should not serve sin. Eph.4:22 That ye put off concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph.4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Eph.4:24 And that ye put on
the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Col.3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which
is idolatry: Col.3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the
children of disobedience: Col.3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when
ye lived in them. Col.3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Col.3:9 Lie not one
to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; Col.3:10
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of
him that created him: 1 Cor.5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may
be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed
for us: 2 Cor.7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be
repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Question 89. What is the mortification of the old man?
Answer: It is a sincere sorrow of heart, that
we have provoked God by our sins; and more and more to hate and flee from them.
(a)
(a) Rom.8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall
die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall
live. Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the
LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great
kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Hos.6:1 Come, and let us return unto
the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will
bind us up.
Question 90. What is the quickening of the new man?
Answer: It is a sincere joy of heart in God,
through Christ, (a) and with love and delight to live according to the will of
God in all good works. (b)
(a) Rom.5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Rom.14:17 For the kingdom of God
is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Isa.57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose
name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive
the heart of the contrite ones. (b) Rom.6:10 For in that he died, he died unto
sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Rom.6:11 Likewise reckon
ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Gal.2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I
live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
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