This edition of the Heidelberg Catechism as posted on CCEL While we list it here as a “historical document”, the Heidelberg Catechism continues as one of two primary doctrinal standards for the Hungarian Reformed Churches. The designation “historical document” in this case does not minimize it’s current relevance.

Method of Instruction in the Christian Religion

As the Same is Taught in the Reformed Churches and Schools

Contents

The First Part – Of The Misery Of Man

The Second Part – Of Man’s Deliverance

Of God The Father

Of God The Son

Of God The Holy Ghost

Of The Sacraments

Of Holy Baptism

Of The Holy Supper Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Third Part – Of Thankfulness

Of Prayer

Note. This Catechism is fully based on the Scriptures. The references to Scripture are indicated in parentheses with a letter. For example, the letter (a) points to the texts (a) placed after the
answer.

1. Lord’s Day

Question 1.

What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer.

That I with body and soul, both in life and death, (a)

am not my own, (b)

but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; (c)

who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, (d)

and delivered me from all the power of the devil; (e)

and so preserves me (f)

that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;
(g)

yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, (h)

and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, (i)

and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him. (j)

(a) Rom.14:7,8. (b) 1 Cor.6:19. (c) 1 Cor.3:23; Tit.2:14. (d) 1

Pet.1:18,19; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:2,12. (e) Heb.2:14; 1 John 3:8; John

8:34-36. (f) John 6:39; John 10:28; 2 Thess.3:3; 1 Pet.1:5. (g)

Matt.10:29-31; Luke 21:18. (h) Rom.8:28. (i) 2 Cor.1:20-22; 2 Cor.5:5;

Eph.1:13,14; Rom.8:16. (j) Rom.8:14; 1 John 3:3.

Q. 2.

How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this
comfort, mayest live and die happily?

A.

Three; (a)

the first, how great my sins and miseries are; (b)

the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; (c)

the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such

deliverance. (d)

(a) Matt.11:28-30; Luke 24:46-48; 1 Cor.6:11; Tit.3:3-7. (b) John

9:41; John 15:22. (c) John 17:3; Acts 4:12; Acts 10:43. (d) Eph.5:8-

11; 1 Pet.2:9,10; Rom.6:1,2,12,13.

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