Study Reformed

Q53. What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?

First, He is, together with the Father and the Son, true and eternal God. Second, He is also given to me, to make me by true faith share in Christ and all His benefits, to comfort me, and to remain with me forever.

Proof texts

Gen. 1:1-2 — [1] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Matt. 28:19 — [19] 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,
Acts 5:3-4 — [3] But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? [4] While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
1 Cor. 3:16 — [16] Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
1 Cor. 6:19 — [19] Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
2 Cor. 1:21-22 — [21] And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, [22] and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Gal. 4:6 — [6] And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
Eph. 1:13 — [13] In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Gal. 3:14 — [14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
1 Pet. 1:2 — [2] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
John 15:26 — [26] “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
Acts 9:31 — [31] So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
John 14:16-17 — [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, [17] even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
1 Pet. 4:14 — [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Gen. 1:1-2 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
14 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?

Q54. What do you believe concerning the holy catholic Christian church?

I believe that the Son of God, out of the whole human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, defends, and preserves for Himself, by His Spirit and Word, in the unity of the true faith, a church chosen to everlasting life. And I believe that I am and forever shall remain a living member of it.

Proof texts

John 10:11 — [11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Acts 20:28 — [28] Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Eph. 4:11-13 — [11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Col. 1:18 — [18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Gen. 26:4 — [4] I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,
Rev. 5:9 — [9] And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,
Isa. 59:21 — [21] “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
1 Cor. 11:26 — [26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Ps. 129:1-5 — [1] “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth” — let Israel now say — [2] “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. [3] The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” [4] The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. [5] May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!
Matt. 16:18 — [18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
John 10:28-30 — [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. [30] I and the Father are one.”
Rom. 1:16 — [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Rom. 10:14-17 — [14] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [15] And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” [17] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Eph. 5:26 — [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Acts 2:42-47 — [42] And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [44] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Eph. 4:1-6 — [1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Rom. 8:29 — [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Eph. 1:3-14 — [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. [11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, [12] so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. [13] In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
1 John 3:14 — [14] We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
1 John 3:19-21 — [19] By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; [20] for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. [21] Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
Ps. 23:6 — [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
John 10:27-28 — [27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
1 Cor. 1:4-9 — [4] I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, [5] that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge — [6] even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you — [7] so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, [8] who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Pet. 1:3-5 — [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, [5] who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

For discussion

The Assembly cited John 10:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
24 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WSC Q32 · WLC Q57 · WCF 9.1 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · 1689 9.1 · 1689 9.2 · 1689 9.3 · 1689 9.4 · 1689 9.5 · 1689 10.1 · 1689 10.2 · 1689 10.3 · 1689 10.4

Q55. What do you understand by the communion of saints?

First, that believers, all and everyone, as members of Christ have communion with Him and share in all His treasures and gifts. Second, that everyone is duty-bound to use his gifts readily and cheerfully for the benefit and well-being of the other members.

Proof texts

Rom. 8:32 — [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
1 Cor. 6:17 — [17] But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
1 Cor. 12:4-7 — [4] Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; [5] and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; [6] and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. [7] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Cor. 12:12-13 — [12] For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
1 John 1:3 — [3] that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Rom. 12:4-8 — [4] For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, [5] so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. [6] Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; [7] if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; [8] the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Cor. 12:20-27 — [20] As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. [21] The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” [22] On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23] and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, [24] which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, [25] that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. [26] If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. [27] Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Cor. 13:1-7 — [1] If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. [4] Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [7] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Phil. 2:4-8 — [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Rom. 8:32 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WSC Q32 · WLC Q57 · WCF 9.1 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · 1689 9.1 · 1689 9.2 · 1689 9.3 · 1689 9.4 · 1689 9.5 · 1689 10.1 · 1689 10.2 · 1689 10.3 · 1689 10.4

Q56. What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins?

I believe that God, because of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, nor my sinful nature, against which I have to struggle all my life, but He will graciously grant me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never come into condemnation.

Proof texts

Ps. 103:3-4 — [3] who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, [4] who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Ps. 103:10 — [10] He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
Ps. 103:12 — [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Mic. 7:18-19 — [18] Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. [19] He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
2 Cor. 5:18-21 — [18] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. [20] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 John 1:7 — [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 2:2 — [2] He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Rom. 7:21-25 — [21] So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. [22] For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, [23] but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. [24] Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
John 3:17-18 — [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 5:24 — [24] Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Rom. 8:1-2 — [1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Ps. 103:3-4 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
11 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WSC Q32 · WLC Q57 · WCF 9.1 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · 1689 9.1 · 1689 9.2 · 1689 9.3 · 1689 9.4 · 1689 9.5 · 1689 10.1 · 1689 10.2 · 1689 10.3 · 1689 10.4

Q57. What comfort does the resurrection of the body offer you?

Not only shall my soul after this life immediately be taken up to Christ, my Head, but also this my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul and made like Christ's glorious body.

Proof texts

Luke 16:22 — [22] The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,
Luke 23:43 — [43] And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Phil. 1:21-23 — [21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. [23] I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Job 19:25-26 — [25] For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. [26] And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,
1 Cor. 15:20 — [20] But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Cor. 15:42-46 — [42] So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Cor. 15:54 — [54] When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Phil. 3:21 — [21] who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
1 John 3:2 — [2] Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

For discussion

The Assembly cited Luke 16:22 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WSC Q32 · WLC Q57 · WCF 9.1 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · 1689 9.1 · 1689 9.2 · 1689 9.3 · 1689 9.4 · 1689 9.5 · 1689 10.1 · 1689 10.2 · 1689 10.3 · 1689 10.4

Q58. What comfort do you receive from the article about the life everlasting?

Since I now already feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, I shall after this life possess perfect blessedness, such as no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived-- a blessedness in which to praise God forever.

Proof texts

John 17:3 — [3] And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Rom. 14:17 — [17] For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
2 Cor. 5:2-3 — [2] For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, [3] if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.
John 17:24 — [24] Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
1 Cor. 2:9 — [9] But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” —

For discussion

The Assembly cited John 17:3 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
WSC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WSC Q32 · WLC Q57 · WCF 9.1 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · 1689 9.1 · 1689 9.2 · 1689 9.3 · 1689 9.4 · 1689 9.5 · 1689 10.1 · 1689 10.2 · 1689 10.3 · 1689 10.4