Monday, May 26, 2014

Heidelberg Catechism Week 21

54. Q. What do you believe concerning "the holy catholic church"? A. I believe that the Son of God through His Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for Himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.

55. Q. What do you understand by "the communion of saints"? A. First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all His treasures and gifts. Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.

56. Q. What do you believe concerning "the forgiveness of sins"? A. I believe that God, because of Christ's atonement, will never hold against me any of my sins nor my sinful nature which I need to struggle against all my life. Rather, in His grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgment.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

Wow, these three questions grouped together for Week 21 certainly pack a punch! So many fundamental truths can be extracted.

DeYoung expands on the doctrine of the church (discussed in Questions 54-55):
Theologians often speak of the church in terms of catholicity, apostolicity, and unity. We believe in the catholic, or universal, church, a community not defined by culture or race but by one Lord and one baptism. We believe in the apostolic church, an institution built on the foundation of the doctrine of the apostles. And we believe in a united church, a group of diverse people and local expressions sharing, not simply a slogan or a religious experience but one true faith.
The catechism also touches on our election, justification, union with Christ, spiritual gifts, and preservation in the answers to these questions. 

What riches are mine through Christ!

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