The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 1

Introduction to “Catechism”

Definition of key terms

Creed - “to believe” (usually shorter statement of belief like The Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed)

Confession - “to speak with others” (usually longer statement of faith like Belgic Confession, Westminster Confession of Faith, London Baptist Confession)

Catechism - “to instruct” (from Gk. katecheo, Luke 1:4; Acts 18:25; Gal. 6:6) (e.g. Heidelberg Catechism, Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms, New City Catechism)

Does it not contradict Sola Scriptura?

Only the Bible is inspired and infallible.

Creeds are not above the Bible.

Creeds are not equal to the Bible.

The Bible is the only rule for faith and life.

The Spirit leads the church into truth (John 16:13-14), in formulating and testing creeds.

Introduction to Heidelberg Catechism

Background

Written by Zacharias Ursinus (primary) and Caspar Olevianus in 1563 in Heidelberg, Germany, under the direction of Elector Frederick III, ruler of the Palatinate.

Has 129 questions arranged under 52 divisions, corresponding to 52 Lord’s Days for use in worship services, to aid pastors in having a model for preaching and teaching.

Designed to be an educational tool that parents and teachers can use in introducing the gospel to children and young people.

Why study the Heidelberg Catechism

Sound doctrinal formulations - helps us understand Scripture

Devotional value - helps us apply the Word of God

Pastoral approach - helps us teach the truth to others

Irenic potential - helps believers and churches unite

Question 1: What is your only comfort in life and death?

Why is comfort one of our deepest needs?

Because of sin

Because of suffering

Because of Satan

What are some of the things that people today substitute for true comfort?

Why does the Christian (alone) have true comfort?

The design of the doctrine of the catechism is our comfort and salvation. Our salvation consists in the enjoyment of the highest good. Our comfort comprises the assurance and confident expectation of the full and perfect enjoyment of this highest good, in the life to come, with a beginning and foretaste of it already, in this life. — Zacharias Ursinus

Living and Dying in Joy: A Devotional Guide to the Heidelberg Catechism Introduction

That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Ano ang tangi mong kaaliwan sa buhay at sa kamatayan? Na hindi ko pag-aari ang aking sarili. Sa halip, ako ay pag-aari – sa katawan at kaluluwa, sa buhay at sa kamatayan – ng aking tapat na Tagapagligtas na si Jesu-Cristo. Binayaran Niya nang buo ang lahat ng aking mga kasalanan sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang mahalagang dugo, at pinalaya Niya ako sa lahat ng kapangyarihan ng diyablo. Iniingatan Niya rin ako sa pamaraang – kung walang pahintulot ng aking Amang nasa langit ay walang malalaglag kahit isang buhok mula sa aking ulo. Tunay na ang lahat ng bagay ay magkakatugma-tugma para sa aking kaligtasan. Dahil dito, sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang Banal na Espiritu ay binibigyan rin Niya ako ng katiyakan ng buhay na walang hanggan. At ginagawa Niya akong taus-pusong sumasang-ayon at handang mamuhay mula ngayon para sa Kanya.

How does this first question introduce the theme of the whole catechism—indeed, the whole Christian life? - Gospel, Trinity, other doctrines?

That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. (Na hindi ko pag-aari ang aking sarili. Sa halip, ako ay pag-aari – sa katawan at kaluluwa, sa buhay at sa kamatayan – ng aking tapat na Tagapagligtas na si Jesu-Cristo.)

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. (Binayaran Niya nang buo ang lahat ng aking mga kasalanan sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang mahalagang dugo, at pinalaya Niya ako sa lahat ng kapangyarihan ng diyablo.)

1 Peter 1:18–19 ESV

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

1 John 3:8 ESV

8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. (Iniingatan Niya rin ako sa pamaraang – kung walang pahintulot ng aking Amang nasa langit ay walang malalaglag kahit isang buhok mula sa aking ulo. Tunay na ang lahat ng bagay ay magkakatugma-tugma para sa aking kaligtasan.)

John 6:39–40 ESV

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

1 Peter 1:4–7 ESV

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him. (Dahil dito, sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang Banal na Espiritu ay binibigyan rin Niya ako ng katiyakan ng buhay na walang hanggan. At ginagawa Niya akong taus-pusong sumasang-ayon at handang mamuhay mula ngayon para sa Kanya.)

2 Corinthians 1:20–22 ESV

20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Romans 8:13–16 ESV

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Question 2: What do you need to know in order to live and die in the joy of this comfort?

Why is theology important for us to enjoy true comfort in life and death?

“There are many ideologies and agendas waiting to rush and fill the hearts and minds of the uncommitted. Bereft of sound doctrine, the church is blown about by cultural fads and intellectual trends.” — Kevin Vanhoozer, The Drama of Doctrine

Living and Dying in Joy: A Devotional Guide to the Heidelberg Catechism Introduction

First, how great my sins and misery are; second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.

Ano ang dapat mong malaman upang makapamuhay ka at mamatay sa kagalakan ng kaaliwang ito? Tatlong bagay: Una, kung gaano kalubha ang aking mga kasalanan at ang aking pagdurusa. Pangalawa, kung paano ako iniligtas mula sa aking mga kasalanan at pagdurusa. Pangatlo, kung paano ako dapat magpasalamat sa Diyos na nagligtas sa akin.

Structure of Heidelberg Catechism

Patterned after the book of Romans

“How great my sins and misery are” (guilt): Part 1 (Q3–Q11) — Romans 1:1–3:20

“How I am delivered from all my sins and misery” (grace): Part 2 (Q12–Q85) — Romans 3:21–11:36

“How I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance” (gratitude): Part 3 (Q86–Q129) — Romans 12–16

Discussion