Heidelberg Catechism

A Commentary On The Heidelberg Catechism

Heidelberg 70: Washed With Christ’s Blood And Spirit—The Double Benefit Of Christ

by on May 21, 2015 | 1 Comment

Baptism testifies and seals to us believers that we have been declared clean on the basis of Christ’s perfect righteousness and condign merit imputed to us. We have come “to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Heb 12:24). It also testifies and seals to us believers that we are being cleansed, i.e., that we are being progressively, graciously sanctified by Christ’s Spirit, that Christ’s sprinkled blood not only justifies but it is unto (toward) actual “sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 1:2). Continue reading →

Heidelberg 67: The Sacraments Are True Signs And Seals Of Christ And His Gospel (1)

by on May 14, 2015

67. Are both the Word and the Sacraments designed to direct our faith to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation? Yes truly, for the Holy Spirit teaches in the Gospel and assures us by . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 66: Sacraments Are No More Or Less Than Gospel Signs And Seals (3)

by on May 13, 2015 | 1 Comment

66. What are the Sacraments? The Sacraments are visible holy signs and seals appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof He may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the Gospel: namely, that of . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 66: Sacraments Are No More Or Less Than Gospel Signs And Seals (2)

by on May 12, 2015 | 3 Comments

66. What are the Sacraments? The Sacraments are visible holy signs and seals appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof He may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the Gospel: namely, that of . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 66: Sacraments Are No More Or Less Than Gospel Signs And Seals (1)

by on May 10, 2015 | 6 Comments

66. What are the Sacraments? The Sacraments are visible holy signs and seals appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof He may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the Gospel: namely, that of . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 64: Sanctification By Grace Versus Sanctification By Scolding (2)

by on May 10, 2015 | 7 Comments

64. But does not this doctrine make men careless and profane? No, for it is impossible that those who are implanted into Christ by true faith, should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness (Heidelberg Catechism 64) In part 1 we began to look . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 64: Sanctification By Grace Versus Sanctification By Scolding (1)

by on May 9, 2015 | 2 Comments

Usually, if a boss wants greater efficiency and productivity from her employees, she sets up a system of incentives for her employees. If the boss is of the ordinary, uncreative sort, those incentives are likely to be negative. Fail to meet this goal and x (e.g., loss of pay, demotion etc) shall happen. A more creative boss might set up a series of positive incentives: meet this target and you shall receive y reward (e.g., extra paid vacation, flexible scheduling, company car etc). Whatever the nature of the incentive, the very structure is a covenant of works. Continue reading →

Heidelberg 63: Rewards Merited For Us By Christ And Given Freely To Believers

by on May 8, 2015 | 4 Comments

When the medieval church thought about rewards, it thought about merit. They distinguished between two kinds or aspects of merit. That which we most frequently discuss was called “condign merit” (meritum de condigno). Condign merit is intrinsically worthy. The second category was “congruent . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 65: Faith, Union With Christ, And The Means Of Grace (3)

by on May 7, 2015

Neither Holy Baptism nor the Holy Supper create the realities they signify and seal but they are gospel sacraments. They are promises of good news to believers. Faith receives what they promise. Faith knows, assents, and trusts and receives all that they promise. The sacraments do not replace faith. They supplement faith. They confirm faith the way a registered letter embossed or stamped with a government seal confirms a declaration. Continue reading →

Heidelberg 65: Faith, Union With Christ, And The Means Of Grace (2)

by on May 6, 2015 | 2 Comments

65. Since then we are made partakers of Christ and all His benefits by faith only, whence comes this faith? The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the Holy Gospel, and confirms it by the use of the . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 65: Faith, Union With Christ, And The Means Of Grace (1)

by on May 5, 2015 | 1 Comment

65. Since then we are made partakers of Christ and all His benefits by faith only, whence comes this faith? The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the Holy Gospel, and confirms it by the use of the . . . Continue reading →

Heidelberg 62: Works No Part Of Our Justification

by on April 23, 2015 | 8 Comments

Because the popular rhetoric in evangelical and even in confessional Protestant circles has frequently been that the medieval (or the Roman communion) taught justification by works and the Reformers taught justification by grace well-meaning but misguided Christians sometimes conclude that so long . . . Continue reading →

Why Is Sola Fide So Important?

by on April 16, 2015 | 1 Comment

The primary purpose of the Heidelblog is to explain the Heidelberg Catechism (1563). The catechism was written primarily by Zacharias Ursinus (1534–83) at the behest of the Elector Palatinate, Frederick III (1515–76). It was adopted by the German Reformed Church and by . . . Continue reading →

Muddying The Distinction Between Justification And Salvation (2)

by on April 15, 2015

…although they make their boast of Him, yet in deeds they deny the only Savior Jesus, for either Jesus is not a complete Savior, or they who by true faith receive this Savior, must have in Him all that is necessary to their salvation. Continue reading →

Heidelberg 60: Only By True Faith (4)

by on April 3, 2015

“Yet God without any merit of mine, of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never committed nor had any sin, and had myself accomplished all the obedience which Christ has fulfilled for me…” Continue reading →