The Heidelberg Catechism
30. Lord’s Day
Q. 80.
What difference is there between the Lord’s supper and the popish
mass?
A.
The Lord’s supper testifies to us, that we have a full pardon of all sin
by the only sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he himself has once accomplished
on the cross; (a)
and, that we by the Holy Ghost are ingrafted into Christ, (b)
who, according to his human nature is now not on earth, but in heaven, at the
right hand of God his Father, (c)
and will there be worshipped by us. (d)
But the mass teaches, that the living and dead have not the pardon of sins
through the sufferings of Christ, unless Christ is also daily offered for them
by the priests; and further, that Christ is bodily under the form of bread and
wine, and therefore is to be worshipped in them; so that the mass, at bottom,
is nothing else than a denial of the one sacrifice and sufferings of Jesus
Christ, and an accursed idolatry. (e)
(a) Heb.7:27; Heb.9:12,25-28; Heb.10:10,12-14; John 19:30; Matt.26:28;
Luke 22:19,20. (b) 1 Cor.6:17; 1 Cor.10:16. (c) Heb.1:3; Heb.8:1,2;
John 20:17. (d) Matt.6:20,21; John 4:21-24; Luke 24:52; Acts 7:55,56;
Col.3:1; Philip.3:20,21; 1 Thess.1:10; Heb.9:6-10. (e) Heb.9:26;
Heb.10:12,14,19-31.
Q. 81.
For whom is the Lord’s supper instituted?
A.
For those who are truly sorrowful for their sins, and yet trust that
these are forgiven them for the sake of Christ; and that their remaining
infirmities are covered by his passion and death; and who also earnestly
desire to have their faith more and more strengthened, and their lives more
holy; but hypocrites, and such as turn not to God with sincere hearts, eat and
drink judgment to themselves. (a)
(a) 1 Cor.10:19-22; 1 Cor.11:28,29.
Q. 82.
Are they also to be admitted to this supper, who, by confession and
life, declare themselves unbelieving and ungodly?
A.
No; for by this, the covenant of God would be profaned, and his wrath
kindled against the whole congregation; (a)
therefore it is the duty of the christian church, according to the appointment
of Christ and his apostles, to exclude such persons, by the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, till they show amendment of life.
(a) 1 Cor.11:20,34; Isa.1:11-15; Isa.66:3; Jer.7:21-23; Ps.50:16.
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