The Heidelberg Catechism in Questions and Answers (6)

Lord's Day 8

24. How are these articles divided?

Into three parts; the first is of God the Father and our creation; the second, of God the Son and our redemption; the third, of God the Holy Ghost and our sanctification.

1. What are the divisions in these articles? First: God the Father and our creation. Secondly: God the Son and our redemption. Thirdly: God the Holy Ghost and our sanctification.

2. What is this division called? A trinitarian division, that is, according to the Holy Trinity.

3. Is the creation the exclusive work of the Father? In the work of creation the Person of the Father was especially in the forefront; however, this was not to the exclusion of the other Persons of the Trinity.

25. Since there is hut one only divine essence, why speakest thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?

Because God so revealed Himself in His Word, that these three distinct Persons are the one only true and eternal God.

1. What is God? A perfect and eternal Spirit (John 4:24).

2. Can the existence of God be demonstrated? No, it far exceeds our understanding.

3. How do we know that there is a God? From nature and from the Holy Scriptures.

4. How has God revealed Himself in His Word? As one in Essence and as three in Persons.

5. May the word “Person” be used? Yes, it signifies an independent existence; “The express image of His Person” (Hebrews 1:3).

6. Wherein must God be known? In His Essence, His Names, His attributes, and His Persons.

7. How is the Trinity proved from the Old Testament? a. From texts in which God speaks of Himself in the plural, e.g., Genesis 1:26; b. From texts in which God and God, and Lord and Lord, are distinguished, e.g., Psalm 45:7; c. From texts in which the three Persons are distinctly mentioned, e.g., Psalm 33:6.

8. How is it proved from the New Testament? “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7); also Matthew 28:19, and at the baptism of Jesus, Matthew 3.

9. Wherein are the three Persons distinguished? In their personal attributes or manner of subsisting.

10. What is the personal attribute of the Father? That He, as Father, is self-existent.

11. What is the personal attribute of the Son? That He is begotten of the Father (Psalm 2:7).

12. What is the personal attribute of the Holy Ghost? That He proceeds from the Father and from the Son.

Lord's Day 9

26. What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body; and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage; for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

1. What particular faith is spoken of in this question: What believest thou? The true, saving faith.

2. How is God here spoken of? a. As the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; b. As the Father of His creation; c. As the Father of His children.

3. What does it mean that He is the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? That He from eternity to eternity communicates the divine essence to the Son.

4. How is it shown that He is the Almighty? That He of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them, and likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence.

5. For whose sake is He the Father of His people? Only for the sake of Christ His Son.

6. What great privilege do God's children have? That He will provide them with all things necessary for soul and body, and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends them in this valley of tears turn to their advantage.

7. Wherein lies the certainty of this privilege? In that He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and is willing to do it, being a faithful Father.

— to be continued —

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