LORD’S DAY 7
Q. 20. Are all men then, as they perished in Adam, saved by Christ?
A. No,1 only those who are ingrafted into Him, and receive all His benefits, by a true faith.2
- Mat. 1:21; Isa. 53:11.
- John 1:12, 13; Rom. 11:20; Heb. 10:39.
Q. 21. What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a certain knowledge,1 whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but also an assured confidence,2 which the Holy Ghost3 works by the gospel in my heart;4 that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin,5 everlasting righteousness, and salvation6 are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.7
- John 6:69; John 17:3; Heb. 11:3, 6.
- Eph. 3:12.
- Rom. 4:16, 20, 21; Heb. 11:1; Eph. 3:12; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21; Acts 16:14; Mat. 16:17; John 3:5.
- Rom. 10:14, 17; Mat. 9:2.
- Rom. 5:1.
- Gal. 2:20.
- Rom. 3:24-26.
Q. 22. What is then necessary for a Christian to believe?
A. All things promised us in the gospel,1 which the articles of our catholic undoubted Christian faith briefly teach us.
- John 20:31; Mat. 28:19, 20.
Q. 23. What are these articles?
A. I.
- etc.
LORD’S DAY 7
True Faith
1. Are all men, as they perished in Adam, saved by Christ?
No, only those who are grafted into Him, and receive all His benefits, by a true faith.
2. What is true faith?
That faith is the spiritual bond of living fellowship with Jesus Christ. John 15:1-5; Ephesians 5:30-32.
3. What is an essential element of a true and active faith?
It is a certain knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to me in His Word. John 17:3.
4. What other element is included in a true and active faith?
It is also an assured confidence that not only to others, but to me also, salvation is freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits. Ephesians 3:12; II Timothy 1:12.
5. How do you obtain such faith?
The Holy Spirit works it in my heart by the holy gospel. Matthew 16:17; Romans 1:16.
6. In whom does the Holy Spirit work this faith?
Only in those whom the Lord has ordained to eternal life from eternity. Acts 13:48.
7. What is necessary for a Christian to believe?
All things promised us in the gospel, which the articles of our catholic undoubted Christian faith briefly teach us.
8. What are these articles?
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 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 sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father, Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost. I believe an holy catholic church; the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting.