Displays articles in our confessions
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 34 – 94. Q. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE IN THE FIRST COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 34 – 95. Q. WHAT IS IDOLATRY?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 35 – 96. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE SECOND COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 35 – 97. Q. MAY WE THEN NOT MAKE ANY IMAGE AT ALL?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 35 – 98. Q. BUT MAY NOT IMAGES BE PERMITTED IN THE CHURCHES AS TEACHING AIDS FOR THE UNLEARNED?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 36 – 99. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE THIRD COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 36 – 100. Q. IS BLASPHEMY OF GOD’S NAME BY SWEARING AND CURSING REALLY SUCH SERIOUS SIN THAT GOD IS ANGRY ALSO WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT DO ALL THEY CAN TO HELP PREVENT IT AND FORBID IT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 37 – 101. Q. BUT MAY WE SWEAR AN OATH IN GOD’S NAME IF WE DO IT REVERENTLY?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 37 – 102. Q. MAY WE SWEAR BY SAINTS OR OTHER CREATURES?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 38 – 103. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 39 – 104. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 40 – 105. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT?
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 34 – 94. Q. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE IN THE FIRST COMMANDMENT?
A. That I, not wanting to endanger my very salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry,1 magic, superstitious rites,2 and prayer to saints or to other creatures.3 That I sincerely acknowledge the only true God,4 trust him alone,5 look to him for every good thing6 humbly7 and patiently,8 love him,9 fear him,10 and honor him11 with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against his will in any way.12 1 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 10:5-14; 1 John 5:21
Biblical References:
2 Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:9-12
3 Matt. 4:10; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9
4 John 17:3
5 Jer. 17:5, 7
6 Ps. 104:27-28; James 1:17
7 1 Pet. 5:5-6
8 Col. 1:11; Heb. 10:36
9 Matt. 22:37 (Deut. 6:5)
10 Prov. 9:10; 1 Pet. 1:17
11 Matt. 4:10 (Deut. 6:13)
12 Matt. 5:29-30; 10:37-39
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 34 – 95. Q. WHAT IS IDOLATRY?
A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed himself in his Word.1 1 1 Chron. 16:26; Gal. 4:8-9; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 3:19
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 35 – 96. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE SECOND COMMANDMENT?
A. That we in no way make any image of God1 nor worship him in any other way than he has commanded in his Word.2
Biblical References:
1 Deut. 4:15-19; Isa. 40:18-25; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:22-23
2 Lev. 10:1-7; 1 Sam. 15:22-23; John 4:23-24
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 35 – 97. Q. MAY WE THEN NOT MAKE ANY IMAGE AT ALL?
A. God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way. Although creatures may be portrayed, yet God forbids making or having such images if one”s intention is to worship them or to serve God through them.1
Biblical References:
1 Ex. 34:13-14, 17; 2 Kings 18:4-5
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 35 – 98. Q. BUT MAY NOT IMAGES BE PERMITTED IN THE CHURCHES AS TEACHING AIDS FOR THE UNLEARNED?
A. No, we shouldn”t try to be wiser than God. He wants his people instructed by the living preaching of his Word-1 not by idols that cannot even talk.2
Biblical References:
1 Rom. 10:14-15, 17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19
2 Jer. 10:8; Hab. 2:18-20
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 36 – 99. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE THIRD COMMANDMENT?
A. That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing,1 perjury,2 or unnecessary oaths,3 nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders.4 In a word, it requires that we use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe,5 so that we may properly confess him,6 pray to him,7 and praise him in everything we do and say.8
Biblical References:
1 Lev. 24:10-17
2 Lev. 19:12
3 Matt. 5:37; James 5:12
4 Lev. 5:1; Prov. 29:24
5 Ps. 99:1-5; Jer. 4:2
6 Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9-10
7 Ps. 50:14-15; 1 Tim. 2:8
8 Col. 3:17
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 36 – 100. Q. IS BLASPHEMY OF GOD’S NAME BY SWEARING AND CURSING REALLY SUCH SERIOUS SIN THAT GOD IS ANGRY ALSO WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT DO ALL THEY CAN TO HELP PREVENT IT AND FORBID IT?
A. Yes, indeed.1 No sin is greater, no sin makes God more angry than blaspheming his name. That is why he commanded the death penalty for it.2
Biblical References:
1 Lev. 5:1
2 Lev. 24:10-17
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 37 – 101. Q. BUT MAY WE SWEAR AN OATH IN GOD’S NAME IF WE DO IT REVERENTLY?
A. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God”s glory and our neighbor”s good. Such oaths are approved in God”s Word1 and were rightly used by Old and New Testament believers.2
Biblical References:
1 Deut. 6:13; 10:20; Jer. 4:1-2; Heb. 6:16
2 Gen. 21:24; Josh. 9:15; 1 Kings 1:29-30; Rom. 1:9; 2 Cor. 1:23
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 37 – 102. Q. MAY WE SWEAR BY SAINTS OR OTHER CREATURES?
A. No. A legitimate oath means calling upon God as the one who knows my heart to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely.1 No creature is worthy of such honor.2
Biblical References:
1 Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:23
2 Matt. 5:34-37; 23:16-22; James 5:12
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 38 – 103. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT?
A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained,1 and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I regularly attend the assembly of God”s people2 to learn what God”s Word teaches,3 to participate in the sacraments,4 to pray to God publicly,5 and to bring Christian offerings for the poor.6 Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath.7
Biblical References:
1 Deut. 6:4-9, 20-25; 1 Cor. 9:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:2; 3:13-17; Tit. 1:5
2 Deut. 12:5-12; Ps. 40:9-10; 68:26; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25
3 Rom. 10:14-17; 1 Cor. 14:31-32; 1 Tim. 4:13
4 1 Cor. 11:23-25
5 Col. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:1
6 Ps. 50:14; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8 & 9
7 Isa. 66:23; Heb. 4:9-11
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 39 – 104. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT?
A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and punish me;1 and also that I be patient with their failings-2 for through them God chooses to rule us.3
Biblical References:
1 Ex. 21:17; Prov. 1:8; 4:1; Rom. 13:1-2; Eph. 5:21-22; 6:1-9; Col. 3:18- 4:1
2 Prov. 20:20; 23:22; 1 Pet. 2:18
3 Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-8; Eph. 6:1-9; Col. 3:18-21
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 40 – 105. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT?
A. I am not to belittle, insult, hate, or kill my neighbor- not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds- and I am not to be party to this in others;1 rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge.2 I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either.3 Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.4
Biblical References:
1 Gen. 9:6; Lev. 19:17-18; Matt. 5:21-22; 26:52
2 Prov. 25:21-22; Matt. 18:35; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26
3 Matt. 4:7; 26:52; Rom. 13:11-14
4 Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:14; Rom. 13:4