The Heidelberg Catechism

A. No, we shouldn”t try to be wiser than God. He wants his people instructed by the living preaching of his Word-1 not by idols that cannot even talk.2

A. That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing,1 perjury,2 or unnecessary oaths,3 nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders.4 In a word, it requires that we use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe,5 so that we may properly confess him,6 pray to him,7 and praise him in everything we do and say.8

A. Yes, indeed.1 No sin is greater, no sin makes God more angry than blaspheming his name. That is why he commanded the death penalty for it.2

A. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God”s glory and our neighbor”s good. Such oaths are approved in God”s Word1 and were rightly used by Old and New Testament believers.2

A. No. A legitimate oath means calling upon God as the one who knows my heart to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely.1 No creature is worthy of such honor.2

A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained,1 and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I regularly attend the assembly of God”s people2 to learn what God”s Word teaches,3 to participate in the sacraments,4 to pray to God publicly,5 and to bring Christian offerings for the poor.6 Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath.7

A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and punish me;1 and also that I be patient with their failings-2 for through them God chooses to rule us.3

A. God spoke all these words: THE FIRST COMMANDMENT 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. THE SECOND COMMANDMENT You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything 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 upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing stedfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. THE THIRD COMMANDMENT You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT 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; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, 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 the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it. THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT You shall not kill. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT You shall not commit adultery. THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT You shall not steal. THE NINTH COMMANDMENT You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. THE TENTH COMMANDMENT You shall not covet your neighbor”s house; you shall not covet your neighbor”s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor”s.1

A. Only that which arises out of true faith,1 conforms to God”s law,2 and is done for his glory;3 and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.4

A. It is wholehearted joy in God through Christ1 and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to.2