Small Catechism

or

a concise form of the doctrine according to the Heidelberg Catechism.

Published by the Dutch Reformed Church.

Fifth Edition.

Elberfeld 1886.

Printed by Friedr. Könker.

1. How many things are necessary for you to know, so that you may live and die comforted and blessed?
Three things. First, how great my sin and misery are. Second, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery. And third, how I should be thankful to God for such redemption.

The First Part.

Of my Misery.

2. From where do you know your misery?
From the Law of God.

3. What then has God commanded you in His Law?
That He has made known to us in writing in the Ten Commandments, which are as follows, Exodus 20:

God spoke all these words:

1. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage: You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.

4. How are these commandments divided?
Into two tables.

5. What is the sum of what God commands you in the four commandments of the first table?
That I should love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength. This is the first and greatest commandment.

6. What is the sum of what God commands you in the six commandments of the second table?
That I should love my neighbor as myself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

7. Can you keep this?
Oh no, rather I find in myself hatred of God and of my neighbor; and that I have transgressed and do transgress God's commandments in thought, word, and all my deeds, I confess before Him with all repentance.

8. Is it God's fault that you are so evil and so perverse?
No, it is not God's fault. He is holy and just, and He also created me good and in His own image, to know Him and to live for His glory in true righteousness and holiness.

9. From where then are you so corrupt and perverse?
From the fall and disobedience of our first parents in Paradise, for which reason I confess before God that I was conceived and born in sin.

10. What then was this disobedience?
God had commanded our first parents that they should not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and they transgressed this commandment.

11. Does that concern you?
Certainly, for Adam is the father of us all; when he transgressed, we transgressed in him, and we all do the very same thing that he did.

12. So are we then incapable of all that is good before God, and inclined to all evil?
Yes, completely, and only when we are born again through God's Spirit will we do what is good in the holy eyes of God.

13. Can God let such disobedience and your perversity and transgression go unpunished?
No, that is impossible for Him, but according to His justice and righteous judgment, He must punish me for my sin both in this time and with eternal damnation, as He has said: Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, to do them.

The Second Part.

Of my Redemption from my Misery.

14. Is there also a way and a path for you to be redeemed from your sin, guilt, and punishment, and to come to grace again?
Yes, through such a Mediator who is at the same time true God and a true, righteous man.

15. Who is this Mediator?
My dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as the Apostle Paul testifies: For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

16. Can you not save yourself by doing better again?
No, the holy God must have a satisfaction that is eternally valid, and God's wrath is upon me if I do not believe.

17. Can people who have lived better than you not save you?
No, for there is no person who does good without sinning in the process.

18. Since all people since Adam's fall are condemned before God, will all people then be saved again through the Mediator Jesus?
No. I can only be saved if I embrace my Lord Jesus in sincere faith, as it is written in John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. And chapter 1, verse 12: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

19. What is a sincere faith?
First, a certain knowledge of God and His promises, revealed to us in His Gospel. Second, a heartfelt trust that all my sins are forgiven me for Christ's sake.

20. What are you to believe according to the Gospel, and what is your confession?

1. I believe that the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ is the one and living God, who created heaven and earth and also me, and that for Christ's sake He still bears and sustains all things in His long-suffering, and also that for His dear Son's sake He is my God and my Father and will provide for me in all things, as long as I abide in His Word.

2. I believe that Jesus Christ is the only-begotten and eternal Son of the Father, that He is of one substance with the Father. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, thus He became man for me. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, and there He was for me in the power of hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

3. I believe that the Holy Spirit is God, of one substance with the Father and the Son. I believe in a holy, universal, Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, and an eternal life.

This God: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is my God.

21. Why do you name three, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
Thus it is written in the Holy Scripture, that these three distinct persons are the one and true God. I therefore do not believe in three gods, but in one single God. But I am baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

22. Was your Lord Jesus a man with body and soul, created just as we humans are?
Yes. Hebrews 2:17-18: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

23. What has your Lord done for you?
He remained in the Word of His Father, He did the will of God without sin. Hebrews 4:15.

24. Why is He called Jesus, that is, Savior?
Because He saves His people from their sins.

25. Is there then no other Savior?
No; Acts 4:12: And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

26. Why do you call your Lord Christ, that is, Anointed?
Because He is anointed with the Holy Spirit and ordained by the Father to be our only Teacher and Prophet, our only High Priest, and our eternal King.

27. What has been brought to God through Jesus Christ?
Satisfaction has been made to God through Christ's faith. 

1. God is reconciled through Christ's death on the cross. 

2. The Law is glorified again through Christ's obedience. 

3. I, a poor sinner, am redeemed and made clean from my sin, guilt, and punishment through Christ's blood and Spirit.

28. For what purpose did Christ rise again?
Romans 4:25: He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

29. Have you been raised with Him and seated in heaven?
Yes, if I believe in Him, for He became sin and a curse for us, so that we might become righteous and blessed in Him.

30. Where is Christ according to His body?
In heaven, but with His grace and Spirit He never departs from us, and He rules His community and intercedes for us before the Father.

31. For what purpose did your Savior acquire the Holy Spirit for you?
So that through the same I may be born again and made alive, led into all truth, comforted, and assured of eternal life, and through this Spirit in Christ may always approach God as my dear Father.

32. What do you believe concerning the holy, universal, Christian Church?
That the Son of God, out of the whole human race, gathers for Himself those chosen for eternal life through His Spirit and Word, to be a community for Him, of which I believe I am and will remain a living member.

33. Where does He gather this community for Himself?
Where God's Word is taught purely and the holy sacraments are administered according to Christ's command.

34. What benefits does God bestow upon this community?
He grants it forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the flesh, and a life that is eternal.

35. What does it help you to believe all this?
That in Christ I have righteousness before God, as it is written in Romans 5:1: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And in Jeremiah 33 it is said of Christ: He will be called: The Lord our righteousness.

36. How then are you righteous before God?
Solely through a sincere faith in Jesus Christ, His dear Son.

37. How do you understand that you are justified by faith alone?
In this way, that only the perfect satisfaction and righteousness of Christ is imputed to me by God, whereby all my sins are forgiven, and I become an heir of eternal life, and that I may appropriate the righteousness and holiness of Christ in no other way than by faith alone.

38. Can we not then be justified and saved by our works and piety?
No, for even our best work is stained before the holy God, and what is there that we have not received?

39. But God will reward good works in time and eternity?
Certainly. But this reward is not given because we have deserved it, but because God is so gracious, for thus says our Lord, Luke 17:10: So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'

40. Who works such faith?
The Holy Spirit.

41. Through what means?
Through the hearing of the preaching of the Word.

42. How does He strengthen such faith?
Through the same preached Word and through the use of the holy sacraments.

The Third Part.

Of the Gratitude which I owe to God for His Redemption.

43. What are sacraments?
Signs and seals or pledges of divine grace, commanded by God to assure us that He gives us forgiveness of sins and eternal life out of grace, for the sake of the one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross.

44. How many sacraments has Christ commanded?
Two, holy baptism and the holy Lord's Supper.

45. What is the outward sign in baptism?
Water, with which we are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

46. What does this action signify and assure?
The washing away of all sins through the blood and the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

47. Where has Christ promised us this?
When He commanded baptism, He said, Mark 16:15-16: Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

48. Should young children also be baptized?
Yes, for they belong to the covenant of God and His community as well as the adults.

49. What is the outward sign in the Lord's Supper?
The broken bread, which we eat, and the poured-out wine, which we drink, in remembrance of the suffering and death of our dear Lord Jesus.

50. What does this action signify and assure?
That Christ feeds and refreshes our soul, which hungers and thirsts for grace, unto eternal life.

51. Where has Christ promised us this?
In the institution of the Lord's Supper, which reads as follows: Our Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. And this promise is also repeated by St. Paul when he says: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

52. Is the bread also changed into the body of Christ and the wine into His blood?
No. Just as little as the water in baptism is changed into the blood of Christ.

53. How are you to examine yourself before you come to the Lord's Supper?
First, I am to examine myself whether I am displeased with myself on account of my sins and humble myself before God for them. Second, whether I believe and trust that all my sins are forgiven me for Christ's sake. Third, whether I also have this earnest intention to walk henceforth in all good works.

54. But should those who promote godless doctrine or lead a scandalous life also be admitted to this Supper?
No, for thus the covenant of God is despised and His wrath is provoked against the whole community.

55. How then should one deal with such people?
According to the command of Christ, which is as follows in Matthew 18:15-17: If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

56. Since we are saved by grace alone through Christ, why then do you still have to do good works; can you not then live as you please?
By no means, for grace has not called us to impurity; therefore the Holy Scripture says: No immoral, idolatrous, adulterous, thieving, greedy, drunkard, reviler, robber, or the like will inherit the kingdom of God.

57. Am I then justified and saved by faith?
Certainly; but whoever truly believes is also renewed by Christ's Spirit, to honor God's will and command alone, to deny himself with all his desires, to forsake the world, to follow the Lord, and to wait for His coming.

58. In what then does the true conversion of man consist?
First, in acknowledging his sins. Second, in longing for forgiveness and redemption from his sins. Third, in taking refuge in the Lord and His grace. Fourth, in constant contrition before God for being so sinful, and in holding fast to Christ.

59. What are good works?
Those which God has commanded and are thus done in Him; which I do not do in order to be saved thereby, for Christ has earned that for me, but out of love for my neighbor. Good works are not based on human statutes or one's own opinion.

60. Can those who are converted to God keep the Law perfectly?
God leads me by His grace in His commandments, to which my heart is also inclined, so that I desire to walk not only according to some commandments, but according to all the will of God. What God does through me, He accepts as good, but I remain a sinner and imperfect in all my doing.

61. What then do you begin to do in order to walk according to God's will?
I pray to Him in all my needs and with every feeling of my inadequacy.

62. May one worship the saints or the mother of God?
No, for God alone can help us, as an almighty God, and wants to help us, as a gracious, faithful Father for Jesus Christ's sake. The so-called saints were sinners like us and know nothing of us. Compare Isaiah 63:16: For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. And the so-called mother of God or queen of heaven is already known as an idol in Jeremiah 44.

63. In whose name should we pray to God?
In the name of Jesus, John 16:23: Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

64. For what should we call upon God?
For all spiritual and bodily needs, which the Lord Christ has included in the prayer that He Himself has taught us.

65. How does that prayer go?
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

66. What do you ask of God in this entire prayer?
First, all that which serves to the glory of God, and through which our salvation may be advanced, and that the name, kingdom, and will of our flesh, the devil, and the world be brought to nothing. Second, that God would provide me with all necessities for the body and preserve my poor soul from all evil, and thus that God Himself would help me through this life and finally take me into His salvation.

67. What will be your last sigh?
"My God, be merciful to me, a poor sinner," and "Come, Lord Jesus!"

68. Will you persevere in this doctrine and honest conduct before God and His holy community?
Yes, so help me God, the Almighty, Amen.