 The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 52
127. Question: What is the sixth petition? Answer: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. That is: In ourselves we are so weak that we cannot stand even for a moment.[1] Moreover, our sworn enemies-- the devil,[2] the world,[3] and our own flesh[4]-- do not cease to attack us. Wilt Thou, therefore, uphold and strengthen us by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, so that in this spiritual war[5] we may not go down to defeat, but always firmly resist our enemies, until we finally obtain the complete victory.[6] [1] Ps. 103:14-16; John 15:1-5. [2] II Cor. 11:14; Eph. 6:10-13; I Pet. 5:8. [3] John 15:18-21. [4] Rom. 7:23; Gal. 5:17. [5] Matt. 10:19, 20; 26:41; Mark 13:33; Rom. 5:3-5. [6] I Cor. 10:13; I Thess. 3:13; 5:23. 128. Question: How do you conclude your prayer? Answer: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. That is: All this we ask of Thee because, as our King, having power over all things, Thou art both willing and able to give us all that is good,[1] and because not we but Thy holy Name should so receive all glory for ever.[2] [1] Rom. 10:11-13; II Pet 2:9. [2] Ps. 115:1; Jer. 33:8, 9; John 14:13. 129. Question: What does the word Amen mean? Answer: Amen means: It is true and certain. For God has much more certainly heard my prayer than I feel in my heart that I desire this of Him.[1] [1] Is. 65:24; II Cor. 1:20; II Tim. 2:13.
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 The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 16
40. Question: Why was it necessary for Christ to humble Himself even unto death? Answer: Because of the justice and truth of God[1] satisfaction for our sins could be made in no other way than by the death of the Son of God.[2] [1] Gen. 2:17. [2] Rom. 8:3; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:9, 14, 15. 41. Question: Why was he buried? Answer: His burial testified that He had really died.[1] [1] Is. 53:9; John 19:38-42; Acts 13:29; I Cor. 15:3,4. 42. Question: Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die? Answer: Our death is not a payment for our sins, but it puts an end to sin and is an entrance into eternal life.[1] [1] John 5:24; Phil. 1:21-23; I Thess. 5:9, 10. 43. Question: What further benefit do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross? Answer: Through Christ's death our old nature is crucified, put to death, and buried with Him,[1] so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer reign in us,[2] but that we may offer ourselves to Him as a sacrifice of thankfulness.[3] [1] Rom. 6:5-11; Col. 2:11, 12. [2] Rom. 6:12-14. [3] Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1, 2. 44. Question: Why is there added: He descended into hell? Answer: In my greatest sorrows and temptations I may be assured and comforted that my Lord Jesus Christ, by His unspeakable anguish, pain, terror, and agony, which He endured throughout all His sufferings[1] but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.[2] [1] Ps. 18:5, 6; 116:3; Matt. 26:36-46; 27:45, 46; Heb. 5:7-10. [2] Is. 53.  The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 5
12. Question: Since, according to God's righteous judgment we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how can we escape this punishment and be again received into favor? Answer: God demands that His justice be satisfied.[1] Therefore full payment must be made either by ourselves or by another.[2] [1] Ex. 20:5; 23:7; Rom. 2:1-11. [2] Is. 53:11; Rom. 8:3, 4. 13. Question: Can we ourselves make this payment? Answer: Certainly not. On the contrary, we daily increase our debt.[1] [1] Ps. 130:3; Matt. 6:12; Rom. 2:4, 5. 14. Question: Can any mere creature pay for us? Answer: No. In the first place, God will not punish another creature for the sin which man has committed.[1] Furthermore, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin and deliver others from it.[2] [1] Ezek. 18:4, 20; Heb. 2:14-18. [2] Ps. 130:3; Nah. 1:6. 15. Question: What kind of mediator and deliverer must we seek? Answer: One who is a true[1] and righteous[2] man, and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is at the same time true God.[3] [1] I Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:17. [2] Is. 53:9; II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26. [3] Is. 7:14; 9:6; Jer. 23:6; John 1:1; Rom. 8:3, 4. |
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