Displays articles in our confessions
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 40 – 106. Q. DOES THIS COMMANDMENT REFER ONLY TO KILLING?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 40 – 107. Q. IS IT ENOUGH THEN THAT WE DO NOT KILL OUR NEIGHBOR IN ANY SUCH WAY?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 41 – 108. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 41 – 109. Q. DOES GOD, IN THIS COMMANDMENT, FORBID ONLY SUCH SCANDALOUS SINS AS ADULTERY?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 42 – 110. Q. WHAT DOES GOD FORBID IN THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 42 – 111. Q. WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF YOU IN THIS COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 43 – 112. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE NINTH COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 44 – 113. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE TENTH COMMANDMENT?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 44 – 114. Q. BUT CAN THOSE CONVERTED TO GOD OBEY THESE COMMANDMENTS PERFECTLY?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 44 – 115. Q. NO ONE IN THIS LIFE CAN OBEY THE TEN COMMANDMENTS PERFECTLY: WHY THEN DOES GOD WANT THEM PREACHED SO POINTEDLY?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 45 – 116. Q. WHY DO CHRISTIANS NEED TO PRAY?
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Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 45 – 117. Q. HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO PRAY SO THAT HE WILL LISTEN TO US?
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 40 – 106. Q. DOES THIS COMMANDMENT REFER ONLY TO KILLING?
A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness.1 In God”s sight all such are murder.2
Biblical References:
1 Prov. 14:30; Rom. 1:29; 12:19; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 John 2:9-11
2 1 John 3:15
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 40 – 107. Q. IS IT ENOUGH THEN THAT WE DO NOT KILL OUR NEIGHBOR IN ANY SUCH WAY?
A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves,1 to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly to him,2 to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.3
Biblical References:
1 Matt. 7:12; 22:39; Rom. 12:10
2 Matt. 5:3-12; Luke 6:36; Rom. 12:10, 18; Gal. 6:1-2; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 3:8
3 Ex. 23:4-5; Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:20-21 (Prov. 25:21-22)
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 41 – 108. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT?
A. God condemns all unchastity.1 We should therefore thoroughly detest it2 and, married or single, live decent and chaste lives.3
Biblical References:
1 Lev. 18:30; Eph. 5:3-5
2 Jude 22-23
3 1 Cor. 7:1-9; 1 Thess. 4:3-8; Heb. 13:4
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 41 – 109. Q. DOES GOD, IN THIS COMMANDMENT, FORBID ONLY SUCH SCANDALOUS SINS AS ADULTERY?
A. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why he forbids everything which incites unchastity,1 whether it be actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires.2 1 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:18
Biblical References:
2 Matt. 5:27-29; 1 Cor. 6:18-20; Eph. 5:3-4
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 42 – 110. Q. WHAT DOES GOD FORBID IN THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT?
A. He forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law.1 But in God”s sight theft also includes cheating and swindling our neighbor by schemes made to appear legitimate,2 such as: inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God.3 In addition he forbids all greed4 and pointless squandering of his gifts.5
Biblical References:
1 Ex. 22:1; 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 6:9-10
2 Mic. 6:9-11; Luke 3:14; James 5:1-6
3 Deut. 25:13-16; Ps. 15:5; Prov. 11:1; 12:22; Ezek. 45:9-12; Luke 6:35
4 Luke 12:15; Eph. 5:5
5 Prov. 21:20; 23:20-21; Luke 16:10-13
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 42 – 111. Q. WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF YOU IN THIS COMMANDMENT?
A. That I do whatever I can for my neighbor”s good, that I treat him as I would like others to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.1
Biblical References:
1 Isa. 58:5-10; Matt. 7:12; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 4:28
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 43 – 112. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE NINTH COMMANDMENT?
A. God”s will is that I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one”s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone without a hearing or without a just cause.1 Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are devices the devil himself uses, and they would call down on me God”s intense anger.2 I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it.3 And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbor”s good name.4
Biblical References:
1 Ps. 15; Prov. 19:5; Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; Rom. 1:28-32
2 Lev. 19:11-12; Prov. 12:22; 13:5; John 8:44; Rev. 21:8
3 1 Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25
4 1 Pet. 3:8-9; 4:8
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 44 – 113. Q. WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR US IN THE TENTH COMMANDMENT?
A. That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any one of God”s commandments should ever arise in my heart. Rather, with all my heart I should always hate sin and take pleasure in whatever is right.1
Biblical References:
1 Ps. 19:7-14; 139:23-24; Rom. 7:7-8
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 44 – 114. Q. BUT CAN THOSE CONVERTED TO GOD OBEY THESE COMMANDMENTS PERFECTLY?
A. No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience.1 Nevertheless, with all seriousness of purpose, they do begin to live according to all, not only some, of God”s commandments.2
Biblical References:
1 Eccles. 7:20; Rom. 7:14-15; 1 Cor. 13:9; 1 John 1:8-10
2 Ps. 1:1-2; Rom. 7:22-25; Phil. 3:12-16
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 44 – 115. Q. NO ONE IN THIS LIFE CAN OBEY THE TEN COMMANDMENTS PERFECTLY: WHY THEN DOES GOD WANT THEM PREACHED SO POINTEDLY?
A. First, so that the longer we live the more we may come to know our sinfulness and the more eagerly look to Christ for forgiveness of sins and righteousness.1 Second, so that, while praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may never stop striving to be renewed more and more after God”s image, until after this life we reach our goal: perfection.2
Biblical References:
1 Ps. 32:5; Rom. 3:19-26; 7:7, 24-25; 1 John 1:9
2 1 Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 John 3:1-3 PRAYER
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 45 – 116. Q. WHY DO CHRISTIANS NEED TO PRAY?
A. Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us.1 And also because God gives his grace and Holy Spirit only to those who pray continually and groan inwardly, asking God for these gifts and thanking him for them.2
Biblical References:
1 Ps. 50:14-15; 116:12-19; 1 Thess. 5:16-18
2 Matt. 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-13
Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 45 – 117. Q. HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO PRAY SO THAT HE WILL LISTEN TO US?
A. First, we must pray from the heart to no other than the one true God, who has revealed himself in his Word, asking for everything he has commanded us to ask for.1 Second, we must acknowledge our need and misery, hiding nothing, and humble ourselves in his majestic presence.2 Third, we must rest on this unshakable foundation: even though we do not deserve it, God will surely listen to our prayer because of Christ our Lord. That is what he promised us in his Word.3
Biblical References:
1 Ps. 145:18-20; John 4:22-24; Rom. 8:26-27; James 1:5; 1 John 5:14-15
2 2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 2:11; 34:18; 62:8; Isa. 66:2; Rev. 4
3 Dan. 9:17-19; Matt. 7:8; John 14:13-14; 16:23; Rom. 10:13; James 1:6