(Heidelberg Catechism, extended... part 12)
43. Lord's Day
Q. 112.
What is required in the ninth commandment?
A.
That I bear false witness against no man, (a)
nor falsify any man's words; (b)
that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer; (c)
that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly,
or unheard; (d)
but that I avoid
all sorts of lies and deceit,
as the proper works of the devil, (e)
unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; (f)
likewise,
that in judgment
and all other dealings
I love the truth,
speak it uprightly and confess it; (g)
also that I defend and promote, as much as I am able,
the horror and good character of my neighbour. (h)
(a)
Prov.19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that
speaketh lies shall not escape.
Prov.19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that
speaketh lies shall perish.
Prov.21:28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth
speaketh constantly.
(b)
Ps.15:3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his
neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
Ps.50:19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
Ps.50:20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou
slanderest thine own mother's son.
(c)
Rom.1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication,
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate,
deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom.1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
(d)
Matt.7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matt.7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with
what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye
shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
(e)
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not
in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a
lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
(f)
Prov.12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal
truly are his delight.
Prov.13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome,
and cometh to shame.
(g)
1 Cor.13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Eph.4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his
neighbour: for we are members one of another.
(h)
1 Pet.4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
44. Lord's Day
Q. 113.
What does the tenth commandment require of us?
A.
That even the smallest inclination or thought,
contrary to any of God's commandments,
never rise in our hearts;
but that at all times
we hate all sin with our whole heart,
and delight in all righteousness. (a)
(a)
Rom.7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had
not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the
law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Q. 114.
But can those who are converted to God
perfectly keep these commandments?
A.
No: but even the holiest men,
while in this life,
have only a small beginning of this obedience; (a)
yet so, that with a sincere resolution
they begin to live,
not only according to some, but all the commandments of God. (b)
(a)
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and
the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and
his word is not in us.
Rom.7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold
under sin.
Rom.7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I
not; but what I hate, that do I.
Eccl.7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and
sinneth not.
1 Cor.13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
(b)
Rom.7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Ps.1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth
he meditate day and night.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in
one point, he is guilty of all.
Q. 115.
Why will God then have
the ten commandments so strictly preached,
since no man in this life can keep them?
A.
First, that all our lifetime
we may learn more and more to know (a)
our sinful nature,
and thus become the more earnest
in seeking the remission of sin,
and righteousness in Christ; (b)
likewise, that we constantly endeavour
and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit,
that we may become more and more
conformable to the image of God,
till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us,
in a life to come. (c)
(a)
Rom.3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ps.32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not
hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou
forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
(b)
Matt.5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Rom.7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body
of this death?
Rom.7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the
mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
(c)
1 Cor.9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one
receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Philip.3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of
the dead.
Philip.3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which
also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Philip.3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before,
Philip.3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus.
Of Prayer
45. Lord's Day
Q. 116.
Why is prayer necessary for christians?
A.
Because it is the chief part of thankfulness
which God requires of us: (a)
and also, because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit
to those only,
who with sincere desires continually
ask them of him, and are thankful for them. (b)
(a)
Ps.50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most
High:
Ps.50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee,
and thou shalt glorify me.
(b)
Matt.7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matt.7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek,
and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luke 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to them that ask him?
1 Thess.5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Q. 117.
What are the requisites of that prayer,
which is acceptable to God, and which he will hear?
A.
First, that we from the heart pray (a)
to the one true God only,
who has manifested himself in his word, (b)
for all things, he has commanded us to ask of him; (c)
secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know
our need and misery, (d)
that so we may deeply humble ourselves
in the presence of his divine majesty; (e)
thirdly, that we be fully persuaded
that he, notwithstanding that we are unworthy of it,
will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, (f)
as he has promised us in his word. (g)
(a)
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him
in spirit and in truth.
Ps.145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all
that call upon him in truth.
(b)
Rev.19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me,
See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that
have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus
is the spirit of prophecy.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for
salvation is of the Jews.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him
in spirit and in truth.
(c)
Rom.8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know
not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if
we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
(d)
2 Chron.20:12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no
might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know
we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
(e)
Ps.2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Ps.34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD
delivereth him out of them all.
Isa.66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those
things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to
him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
(f)
Rom.10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
(g)
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I
say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will
give it you.
Dan.9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and
his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that
is desolate, for the Lord's sake.
Dan.9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and
behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for
we do not present our supplications before thee for our
righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
(h)
Matt.7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Ps.27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Q. 118.
What has God commanded us to ask of him?
A.
All things necessary for soul and body; (a)
which Christ our Lord has comprised in that prayer
he himself has taught us.
(a)
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning.
Matt.6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Q. 119.
What are the words of that prayer? (a)
A.
Our Father which art in heaven,
1 Hallowed be thy name.
2 Thy kingdom come.
3 Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
4 Give us this day our daily bread.
5 And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
6 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever.
Amen.
(a)
Matt.6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matt.6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in
heaven.
Matt.6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matt.6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matt.6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which
art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that
is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us
from evil.
46. Lord's Day
Q. 120.
Why has Christ commanded us
to address God thus: "Our Father"?
A.
That immediately,
in the very beginning of our prayer,
he might excite in us a childlike reverence for,
and confidence in God,
which are the foundation of our prayer:
namely, that God is become our Father in Christ,
and will much less deny us
what we ask of him in true faith,
than our parents will refuse us earthly things. (a)
(a)
Matt.7:9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will
he give him a stone?
Matt.7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Matt.7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give
good things to them that ask him?
Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father,
will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give
him a serpent?
Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to them that ask him?
Q. 121.
Why is it here added, "Which art in heaven"?
A.
Lest we should form any earthly conceptions
of God's heavenly majesty, (a)
and that we may expect from his almighty power
all things necessary for soul and body. (b)
(a)
Jer.23:23 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
Jer.23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see
him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that
he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with
hands;
Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed
any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel
after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
(b)
Rom.10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:
for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
47. Lord's Day
Q. 122.
Which is the first petition?
A.
"Hallowed be thy name";
that is,
grant us, first, rightly to know thee, (a)
and to sanctify, glorify and praise thee, (b)
in all thy works,
in which thy power,
wisdom, goodness, justice,
mercy and truth, are clearly displayed;
and further also, that we may so order and direct
our whole lives,
our thoughts, words and actions,
that thy name may never be blasphemed,
but rather honoured and praised on our account. (c)
(a)
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Jer.9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise
lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in
these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Jer.31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law
in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their
God, and they shall be my people.
Jer.31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and
every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know
me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:
for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no
more.
Matt.16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou,
Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but
my Father which is in heaven.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Ps.119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
(b)
Ps.119:137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and
redeemed his people,
Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house
of his servant David;
Rom.11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding
out!
Rom.11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been
his counsellor?
Rom.11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed
unto him again?
Rom.11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to
whom be glory for ever. Amen.
(c)
Ps.71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all
the day.
Ps.115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give
glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
48. Lord's Day
Q. 123.
Which is the second petition?
A.
"Thy kingdom come";
that is,
rule us so by thy word and Spirit,
that we may submit ourselves more and more to thee; (a)
preserve and increase thy church; (b)
destroy the works of the devil, and all violence
which would exalt itself against thee;
and also all wicked counsels
devised against thy holy word; (c)
till the full perfection of thy kingdom take place, (d)
wherein thou shalt be all in all. (e)
(a)
Matt.6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Ps.119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Ps.143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is
good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
(b)
Ps.51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls
of Jerusalem.
Ps.122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love
thee.
Ps.122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
Ps.122:8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace
be within thee.
Ps.122:9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy
good.
(c)
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil
sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Rom.16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet
shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
(d)
Rev.22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that
heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever
will, let him take the water of life freely.
Rev.22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come
quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Rom.8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth
in pain together until now.
Rom.8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
(e)
1 Cor.15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall
the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under
him, that God may be all in all.
49. Lord's Day
Q. 124.
Which is the third petition?
A.
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven";
that is,
grant that we and all men
may renounce our own will, (a)
and without murmuring obey thy will,
which is only good; (b)
that every one may attend to,
and perform the duties of his station and calling, (c)
as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven. (d)
(a)
Matt.16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Tit.2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to
all men,
Tit.2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(b)
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from
me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Eph.5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Rom.12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(c)
1 Cor.7:24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein
abide with God.
(d)
Ps.103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that
do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Ps.103:21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his,
that do his pleasure.
(continued in part 13...)
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