In an effort to provide an on-going resource for readers to deepen their affections for our gracious and loving savior, I am going to begin adding the Heidelberg Catechism to this page in a series of updates.

The Heidelberg Catechism was written in 1563, and is a warmhearted exposition of the Christian faith for all ages. Conceived originally as a guide for religious unity, it soon became used as a guide for preaching as well. It is an endearing and steadfast explanation of the Christian faith.

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.

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Question 1.

What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer.

That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who, with His precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me, that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation; and therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready henceforth to live unto Him.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Cor. 6:20.
The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7.
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matt. 10:29–31.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Rom. 8:16, 17.

Question 2.

How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort mayest live and die happy?

Answer.

Three; the first, how great my sins and miseries are; the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance.

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 7:24, 25.

FIRST PART

OF MAN’S MISERY

Question 3.

Whence knowest thou thy misery?

Answer.

Out of the Law of God.

By the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:20.

Question 4.

What does the law of God require of us?

Answer.

Christ teaches us that briefly, Matt. 22:37–40. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This the first and great commandment.
The second is like unto this: thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commands hang the whole law and the prophets.