God, our Saviour (LD 1, part 2)

Introduction Have you noticed that the catechism, in its first question and answer, does not mention “God”? It easily could have; it could have said: “My only comfort is that I belong to God…” Instead, it talks about Jesus Christ as our Saviour. As we read on, the catechism also mentions “my heavenly Father” and … Continue reading God, our Saviour (LD 1, part 2) →

The Trinity in the Heidelberg Catechism

“Contemporary Christians by and large do not appropriate God for themselves in a specifically trinitarian way. Yet both worship and thought remain replete with symbols expressing God as triune—symbols, however, that remain at a certain remove from actual life.” (William J. Hill, The Three-Personed God, p. 251) Reformed Christian do not escape this problem. We … Continue reading The Trinity in the Heidelberg Catechism →

“Your comfort”: The personal approach of the Heidelberg Catechism

The Heidelberg Catechism was not the only catechism written in the time of the Reformation. The method of teaching children through questions and answers was very popular at that time. Many Reformed leaders published catechisms, including Luther, Calvin, and Ursinus. But the Heidelberg Catechism became the most popular of all. One thing that stands out … Continue reading “Your comfort”: The personal approach of the Heidelberg Catechism →

My only comfort (LD 1, part 1)

Introduction What are you living for? What makes your life meaningful? What keeps you going? As long as things go well, we may avoid thinking about this. Especially while you are young and healthy. But sooner or later, we all face discomfort, suffering, sickness, loss. Then we cannot escape those questions. Then we need something … Continue reading My only comfort (LD 1, part 1) →

PreCon 15: Elders and church discipline

... Do you promise to submit willingly to the admonition and discipline of the church, if it should happen, and may God graciously prevent it, that you become delinquent either in doctrine or in conduct?

PreCon 14: Sacraments

Sacraments are holy, visible signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by their use he might the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel. Acts 2:42 tells us that the early church "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread … Continue reading PreCon 14: Sacraments →

PreCon 13: Preaching and Bible study

Acts 2:42 describes four key activities of the early Christian church. The first that is mentioned is: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching ..." From this, we draw two simple conclusions: first, that teaching is an important activity in the church; and second, that it is focused on the message of Jesus' apostles, that … Continue reading PreCon 13: Preaching and Bible study →

PreCon 12: Worship service

... commit your whole life to the Lord's service ... The word "church" literally means assembly. Believers are not on their own, but they get together to serve the Lord. Not only to have fellowship with each other—that too!—but especially to engage in worship. Worship is an activity we can do individually and as families, … Continue reading PreCon 12: Worship service →

PreCon 11: Church membership

Fourth, do you firmly resolve to commit your whole life to the Lord's service as a living member of his church? When you make public profession of faith, you not only promise that you will serve God, but also that you will do this as a member of the church. Church membership belongs to a … Continue reading PreCon 11: Church membership →

PreCon 10: Forsaking the World

Third, do you declare ... that it is your heartfelt desire ... to forsake the world, and to crucify your old nature? "The world" God created the world good— and yet the Bible instructs us (Rom. 2:12): Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. … Continue reading PreCon 10: Forsaking the World →