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“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” — Luke 23:42

The holy catholic Church


Heidelberg Catechism

Heidelberg Catechism Question 54. What do you believe concerning “the Holy Catholic Church”? I believe that, from the beginning to the end of the world, and from among the whole human race, the Son of God, by his Spirit and his Word, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself, in the unity of the true faith, a congregation chosen for eternal life. Moreover, I believe that I am and forever will remain a living member of it.

Study Catechism

Study Catechism Question 62. What do you affirm when you speak of “the holy catholic church”? The church is the company of all faithful people who have given their lives to Jesus Christ, as he has given and gives himself to them. Since Christ cannot be separated from his people, the church is holy because he is holy, and universal (or “catholic”) in significance because he is universal in significance. Despite all its remaining imperfections here and now, the church is called to become ever more holy and catholic, for that is what it already is in Christ.

  • Gal. 2:20 “And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
  • 1 Cor. 1:2 “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours”
  • Lev. 11:44 “For I am the Lord your God; sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.”
  • 1 Pet. 1:15-16 “Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
  • Rev. 5:9 “They sing a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation.’”

 

Study Catechism Question 63. What is the mission of the church? The mission of the church is to bear witness to God’s love for the world in Jesus Christ.

  • Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
  • John 15:26-27 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.”
  • Eph. 3:8-10 “Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”


Study Catechism Question 64. What forms does this mission take? The forms are as various as the forms of God’s love, yet the center is always Jesus Christ. The church is faithful to its mission when it extends mercy and forgiveness to the needy in ways that point finally to him. For in the end it is always by Christ’s mercy that the needs of the needy are met.

  • Luke 10:37 “He said, 'The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”
  • Eph. 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
  • Deut. 15:11 “Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’”
  • Acts 4:34 “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.”


Study Catechism Question 65. Who are the needy? The hungry need bread, the homeless need a roof, the oppressed need justice, and the lonely need fellowship. At the same time — on another and deeper level — the hopeless need hope, sinners need forgiveness, and the world needs the gospel. On this level no one is excluded, and all the needy are one. Our mission as the church is to bring hope to a desperate world by declaring God’s undying love — as one beggar tells another where to find bread.

  • Ps. 10:12 “Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed.”
  • Matt. 25:37-40 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”
  • Jer. 9:23 “Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth.”
  • 1 Cor. 9:16 “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!”
  • Eph. 6:19 “Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”


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