Heidelberg Catechism

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Introduction

Questions 1 & 2

1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death? 

A. That I am not my own,[1] but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,[2] to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.[3] He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.[5] He also preserves me in such a way[6] that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head;[7] indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.[8] Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life[9] and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.[10] 

[1] I Cor. 6:19, 20 

[2] Rom. 14:7-9. 

[3] I Cor. 3:23; Tit. 2:14. 

[4] I Pet. 1:18, 19; I John 1:7; 2:2. 

[5] John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14, 15; I John 3:8. 

[6] John 6:39, 40; 10:27-30; II Thess. 3:3; I Pet. 1:5. 

[7] Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18. 

[8] Rom. 8:28. 

[9] Rom. 8:15, 16; II Cor. 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14. 

[10] Rom. 8:14. 

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

A. First, how great my sins and misery are;[1] second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery;[2] third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.[3] 

[1] Rom. 3:9, 10; I John 1:10. 

[2] John 17:3; Acts 4:12; 10:43. 

[3] Matt. 5:16; Rom. 6:13; Eph. 5:8-10; I Pet. 2:9, 10. 

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