Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Grafted into Christ - Out of Sheer Grace

From the Heidelberg Catechism. This set contains the Apostles' Creed. 
We are worse than we think and He is better than we can imagine.


Question 20. Will all people then be saved through Christ
just as they were lost through Adam?
Answer. No. Only those are saved who by true faith are
grafted into Christ and accept all his blessings.


Question 21. What is true faith?
Answer. It is not only a certain knowledge by which I accept as true all that God
has revealed to us in the Word, but also a wholehearted trust which the Holy Spirit creates in me
through the gospel, that, not only to others, but to me also God has given the forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation, out of sheer grace,
solely for the sake of Christ's saving work
.
Question 22. What then must a Christian believe?
Answer. All that is promised us in the gospel, a summary of which is
taught us in the articles of our universally acknowledged Christian faith.

Question 23. What are these articles?
Answer. I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church

4 comments:

Trisha said...

We memorize the Heidelberg! Wonderful, isn't it? :)

I like your words.."worse than we think and He is better than we can imagine."

EJN said...

Actually, it is either a quote or paraphrase for Ray Ortlund's book "Isaiah God Saves Sinners" - we have a friend who says that all the time, and it sticks.

Trisha said...

Jo,
My pastor is preaching through Isaiah right now. This book sounds good, and thanks for sharing it with me.

EJN said...

Yes...We are worse then we think but I am much better with you!!!