The Heidelberg Catechism in Questions and Answers (7)

Lord's Day 10

27. What dost thou mean by the providence of God?

The almighty and everywhere present power of God; whereby, as it were by His hand, He upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by His fatherly hand.

1. In how many acts does the providence of God consist? Three, in preservation, cooperation, and government.

2. What is this preservation? The almighty power of God by which He causes all things to continue in existence (Hebrews 1:3).

3. What is the cooperation? The almighty power of God by which He influences all the motions and operations of the creatures (1 Corinthians 12:6).

4. What is God's government? The almighty power of God by which He directs everything to a certain determinate end.

5. Over what does the providence of God extend? Over all things: “Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11).

6. Does God's providence also encompass sin? Yes, He permits it, limits it, and directs it to a certain end.

7. Does not God cause sin itself? No, He hates and punishes sin.

2 8 . What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things?

That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love; since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.

1. To what purpose does the doctrine of providence lead God's people? It teaches them to be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and trusting for the future.

2. What comfort is there in the doctrine of providence? That nothing can separate God's people from His love, since all creatures are so in His hand that, without His will, they cannot so much as move.

Lord's Day 11

29. Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is a Savior?

Because He saveth us, and delivereth us from our sins; and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other.

1. What is the subject matter of this Lord's Day? It concerns the personal name of the Mediator, the name Jesus.

2. How many names of the Mediator does the catechism speak of? Four, the names Jesus, Christ, the only begotten Son, and Lord.

3. Who gave the Mediator the name Jesus? The Lord Himself by means of the angel (Matthew 1:21).

4. What does the name Jesus signify? It means Savior, for He shall save His people from their sins.

5. Have others also had that name? Yes, it was the name of Joshua, the son of Nun, of Joshua the high priest, and of Hosea the prophet.

6. Had they that name in the full significance of it? No, they were but types of the Mediator.

7. Is Jesus a complete Savior? Yes, for He saves perfectly those who come unto God through Him (Acts 4:12).

8. Has He only acquired salvation? He not only acquired it, but also applies it.

9. May the acquiring and the application be separated? No, the acquiring and the application are both a work of God.

30. Do such then believe in Jesus the only Savior, who seek their salvation and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?

They do not; for though they boast of Him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Savior; for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Savior; or that they, who by a true faith receive this Savior, must find all things in Him necessary to their salvation.

1. Against whom is this question directed? Against those who seek their salvation outside of the only Savior.

2. Where do those in the church of Rome seek their salvation? In their works, in saints, in penances, and in pilgrimages.

3. What do they do by this? They in deed deny the only Savior Jesus, although boasting of Him in words.

4. Why may one not seek elsewhere than Jesus? Because He is a complete Savior, and therefore everything is to be found in Him which is necessary for salvation.

5. Is this reminder also necessary for us? Yes, for every person by nature seeks salvation outside of the only Savior.

— to be continued —

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