The Heidelberg Catechism in Questions and Answers (14)

Lord's Day 19

50. Why is it added, “and sitteth at the right hand of God”?

Because Christ is ascended into heaven for this end, that He might appear as Head of His church, by whom the Father governs all things.

1. What is the subject of this Lord's Day? It speaks of the third step of Christ's exaltation: His sitting at the right hand of God.

2. What does it mean to sit at the right hand of God? It signifies to be in the highest glory and adorned with the greatest power.

3. Must one literally understand the words “right hand”? No, for God is a Spirit and actually has no right hand.

4. In what way is Christ at the Father's right hand? He is there as Head of His Christian church. He is the Head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22).

5. What does He do at the Father's right hand? He shows that He is the Head of His Christian church, by whom the Father governs all things.

6. How must we understand this? Christ is given all power in heaven and in earth, namely, the power as Mediator given Him by His Father after His resurrection.

7. For what reason does He have power over all things? It is to govern His church, and to protect and preserve it.

51. What profit is this glory of Christ, our Head, unto us?

First, that by His Holy Spirit He pours out heavenly graces upon us His members; and then that by His power He defends and preserves us against all enemies.

1. What is the pro fit of Christ's glory for believers? By His Spirit He pours His heavenly graces upon believers, and by His power He defends and protects them against all enemies.

2. What are these heavenly graces? They are the saving gifts, the benefits of the covenant of grace.

3. What is pointed out by the words “pours out”? It points to great abundance (John 10:10).

4. Who are His members? His members are those whom the Father has given Him in the covenant and who are united to Him by a true faith.

5. Who are the enemies of the believers? They are the devil, the world, and their own flesh.

6. How does Christ defend and preserve believers? He does so by His power, for He stands above all those enemies; He has conquered them all.

52. What comfort is it to thee that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead?

That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same Person, who before offered Himself for my sake to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven; who shall cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall translate me with all His chosen ones to Himself, into heavenly joys and glory.

1. What is discussed in Question and Answer 52? It speaks about the last step of Christ's exaltation: His coming again for judgment.

2. Who will then be the Judge? It will be Christ, the Savior, who shall appear visibly upon the clouds of heaven.

3. Who will be judged? All people, and also the devils, shall be sentenced.

4. Since we are aware of His return, what are we to do? We are to watch and pray.

5. When will this judgment take place? There is no person who knows that day and hour. He shall come as a thief in the night.

6. How often shall this returning take place? Only once, at the last day; thus there shall not be a kingdom of a thousand years.

7. On what basis shall this judgment be made? We shall be judged according to what we have done in the body, whether it be good or bad.

8. Why are not the believers condemned? It is because Christ has stood in judgment in their stead and has removed the curse from them.

9. What will be the punishment of the ungodly? They will be cast into eternal destruction.

10. What is the privilege of the believers? They shall be brought unto Him in heavenly joy and salvation (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).

— to be continued —

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