LORD’S DAY 7
20. Are all men, then, saved by Christ as they perished in Adam?
No, only those who by true faith are ingrafted into Him and receive all His benefits.1John 1:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Psalm 2:12; Romans 11:20; Hebrews 4:2-3; 10:39
21. What is true faith?
True faith is not only a certain knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word;2James 1:6 but also a hearty trust,3Romans 4:16-18; 5:1 which the Holy Spirit42 Corinthians 4:13; Philippians 1:19, 29 works in me by the gospel,5Romans 1:16; 10:17 that not only to others, but to me also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God,6Hebrews 11:1-2; Romans 1:17 merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.7Ephesians 2:7-9; Romans 3:24-25; Galatians 2:16; Acts 10:43
22. What, then, is necessary for a Christian to believe?
All that is promised us in the gospel,8John 20:31; Matthew 28:20; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:15 which the articles of our catholic, undoubted Christian faith teach us in summary.
23. What are these articles?
I believe in God the Father, Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven;
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.