The Heidelberg Catechism

A. In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat this broken bread and to drink this cup. With this command he gave this promise:1 First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely his body was offered and broken for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of him who serves, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, given me as sure signs of Christ”s body and blood, so surely he nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with his crucified body and poured-out blood. 1Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25

A. Yes. Infants as well as adults are in God”s covenant and are his people.1 They, no less than adults, are promised the forgiveness of sin through Christ”s blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith.2 Therefore, by baptism, the mark of the covenant, infants should be received into the Christian church and should be distinguished from the children of unbelievers.3 This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision,4 which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism.5

A. In the institution of baptism where he says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”1 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.”2* This promise is repeated when Scripture calls baptism the washing of regeneration3 and the washing away of sins.4

A. No. It is impossible for those grafted into Christ by true faith not to produce fruits of gratitude.1

A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.1 Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God”s commandments and of never having kept any of them,2 and even though I am still inclined toward all evil,3 nevertheless, without my deserving it at all,4 out of sheer grace,5 God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ,6 as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me.7 All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart.8

A. Sacraments are holy signs and seals for us to see. They were instituted by God so that by our use of them he might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and might put his seal on that promise.1 And this is God”s gospel promise: to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone because of Christ”s one sacrifice finished on the cross.2

A. Right! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and through the holy sacraments he assures us that our entire salvation rests on Christ”s one sacrifice for us on the cross.1

A. Two: baptism and the Lord”s supper.1

A. The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts1 by the preaching of the holy gospel,2 and confirms it through our use of the holy sacraments.3

A. Because the righteousness which can pass God”s scrutiny must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law.1 Even the very best we do in this life is imperfect and stained with sin.2