The Heidelberg Catechism Part II: Deliverance The Holy Sacraments Lord’s Day 25
Question 65: It is through faith alone that we share in Christ and all his benefits: where then does that faith come from?
Answer 65: The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts [1] by the preaching of the holy gospel, [2] and confirms it by the use of the holy sacraments. [3]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] John 3:5 NKJV Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10-14 NKJV But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (13) These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Ephesians 2:8 NKJV For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
[2] Romans 10:17 NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Peter 1:23-25 NKJV having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, (24) because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, (25) but the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
[3] Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:16 NKJV The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Q 66: What are sacraments?
A 66: Sacraments are visible, holy signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by our use of them He might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and seal that promise [1] And this is God’s gospel promise: to grant us forgiveness of sins and eternal life by grace because of Christ’s one sacrifice accomplished on the cross. [2]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Genesis 17:11 NKJV and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
Deuteronomy 30:6 NKJV And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Romans 4:11 NKJV And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,
[2] Matthew 26:27-28 NKJV Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. (28) For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38 NKJV Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:10 NKJV By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Q 67: Are both the word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?
A 67: Yes! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and by the holy sacraments confirms that our entire salvation rests on Christ’s one sacrifice for us on the cross. [1]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Romans 6:3 NKJV Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
Galatians 3:27 NKJV For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Q 68: How many sacraments did Christ institute in the New Testament?
A 68: Two: holy baptism and the holy supper. [1]
Supporting Scripture:
[1] Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
1 Corinthians 11:21-26 NKJV For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. (22) What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. (23) For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; (24) and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (25) In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
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