Heidelberg Catechism
Question 20: Are all men, then, saved by Christ as they have perished in Adam?
A. No, only those who by true faith are ingrafted into Him and receive all His benefits.[1]
Question 21: What is true faith? A. True faith is not only a sure knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word,[1] but also a hearty trust,[2] which the Holy Spirit[3] works in me by the Gospel,[4] that not only to others, but to me also,[5] forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God,[6] merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.[7]
Question 22: What, then, is necessary for a Christian to believe? A. All that is promised us in the Gospel,[1] which the articles of our catholic (meaning 'worldwide' or 'universal'), undoubted Christian faith teach us in summary.
Question 23: What are these articles?
1. I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son, our Lord;
3. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary;
4. suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell.
5. On the third day He arose from the dead;
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
7. from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit;
9. I believe a holy catholic Christian church, the communion of saints;
10. the forgiveness of sins;
11. the resurrection of the body;
12. and the life everlasting. Amen.
Bible
Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:26-28
Prayer for those seeking faith in the truth
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise. AMEN.
Prayer for those that already believe in Jesus
Lord Jesus, I am astonished that you revealed yourself to me and that you caused me to have a hearty trust in you. I pray that I will build my life and identity on the truth of who I am in you. Please continue to lead me and guide me to become more like you. AMEN.
Scripture References
Q20 - [1] Ps 2:12; Mt 7:14; Jn 1:12-13, 3:16, 18, 36; Rom. 11:16-21; 1 Cor 15:22; Heb 4:2-3, 10:39 Q21 - [1] Jn 17:3, 17; Heb 11:1-3; Jas 1:6, 2:19; [2] Rom 4:16-21, 5:1, 10:10;Heb 4:16; [3] 2 Cor 4:13; Php 1:19, 29; [4] Acts 16:4; Rom 1:16, 10:17; 1 Cor 1:21; [5] Gal 2:20; [6] Rom. 1:17; Heb 10:10, 11:1-2; [7] Acts 10:43;Rom 3:20-26; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:7-10
Q22 - [1] Mt 28:19-20; Jn 20:30-31; 2 Tim 3:15; 2 Pt 1:21
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