Lord's Day 21

Question 54.

What believest thou concerning the "holy catholic church" of Christ?

Answer. That the Son of God [a] from the [b] beginning to the end of the world, gathers, [c] defends, and [d] preserves to himself by his [e] Spirit and word, out of the [f] whole human race, a [g] church chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith; and that I am and for ever shall remain, a [h] living member thereof.

Question 55.

What do you understand by "the communion of saints"?

Answer. First, that all and every one, who believes, being members of Christ, are in common, [i] partakers of him, and of all his riches and gifts; secondly, that every one must know it to be his duty, readily and [j] cheerfully to employ his gifts, for the advantage and salvation of other members.

Question 56.

What believest thou concerning "the forgiveness of sins"?

Answer. That God, for the sake of [k] Christ's satisfaction will no more [l] remember my sins, neither my corrupt nature, against which I have to struggle all my life long; but will graciously impute to me the righteousness of Christ; that I may never be [m] condemned before the tribunal of God.

[a]: John 10:11
[b]: Gen. 26:4
[c]: Rom. 9:24; Eph. 1:10
[d]: John 10:16
[e]: Isa. 59:12
[f]: Deut 10:14,15
[g]: Acts 13:48
[h]: 1Cor. 1:8,9; Rom. 8:35ff
[i]: John 1:3,4; Rom. 8:32; 1Cor. 12:13
[j]: 1Cor. 12:13
[j]: 1Cor. 13:5; Phil. 2:4,5,6
[k]: 1John 2:2; 2Cor. 5:19,21
[l]: Jer. 31:34; Psa. 103:3,4,10,11; Rom. 8:1,2,3
[m]: John 3:18

Lord's Day 23

Question 59.

But what doth is profit thee now that thou believest all this?

Answer. That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life. [a]

Question 60.

How are thou righteous before God?

Answer. Only [b] by a true faith in Jesus Christ; so that though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and [c] kept none of them, and am still [d] inclined to all evil; notwithstanding, God, without any [e] merit of mine, but only of mere [f] grace, grants [g] and [h] imputes to me, the perfect [i] satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ; even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully [j] accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me; [k] inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.

Question 61.

Why sayest thou, that thou art righteous by faith only?

Answer. Not that I am acceptable to God, on account of the [l] worthiness of my faith; but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, is my righteousness before [m] God; and that I cannot receive [n] and apply the same to myself any other way than by faith only.

[a]: Rom. 5:1; Rom. 1:17; John 3:36
[b]: Rom. 3:22ff; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8,9
[c]: Rom. 3:9ff
[d]: Rom. 7:23
[e]: Rom. 3:24
[f]: Tit. 3:5; Eph 2:8,9
[g]: Rom. 4:4,5; 2Cor. 5:19
[h]: 1John 2:1
[i]: Rom. 3:24,25
[j]: 2Cor. 5:21
[k]: Rom. 3:28; John 3:18
[l]: Psa. 16:2; Eph. 2:8,9
[m]: 1Cor. 1:30; 1Cor. 2:2
[n]: 1John 5:10