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    Question 53

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    Section 2: Of the Holy Ghost

    What believest thou concerning the Holy and Catholick Church of Christ?

    I believe that the Son of God doth from the beginning of the World to the End thereof, gather,a defend, and preserve unto himself by his Spiritb and Word, out ofc whole Mankind, ad Company chosen to everlasting Life, and agreeing in true Faith; and that I am a lively Member of that Company, and so shal remain for ever.

    What do you believe concerning the Holy and Catholic Church of Christ?

    I believe that the Son of God does from the beginning of the World to the End thereof, gather,a defend, and preserve unto himself by his Spiritb and Word, out ofc whole Mankind, ad Company chosen to everlasting Life, and agreeing in true Faith; and that I am a lively Member of that Company, and so shall remain for ever.

    1. a. Isaiah 59:21; Ephesians 5:26

      Isaiah 59:21

      59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.

      59:21 "As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore," says the LORD.

      Ephesians 5:26

      5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

      5:26 to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. Acts 2:4,42; Ephesians 4:3–6

      Acts 2:4; Acts 2:42

      2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

      2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

      Ephesians 4:3–6

      4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

      4:3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    3. c. Matthew 16:18

      Matthew 16:18

      16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

      16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    4. d. 1 John 3:21; 2 Corinthians 13:5

      1 John 3:21

      3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

      3:21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,

      2 Corinthians 13:5

      13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

      13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can't you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you-unless you actually fail the test?

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Diff style

    Changes from Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 54

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 54

    What believest thou concerning the Holy Catholic and Catholick Church of Christ?

    I believe that the Son of God doth from the beginning to the end of the World to the gathers, defends, and preserves End thereof, gather, defend, and preserve unto himself by his Spirit and Word, out of the whole human race, Mankind, a church Company chosen to everlasting Life, and agreeing in true Faith; and that I am a lively Member of that Company, and for ever a living member thereof.so shal remain for ever.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 54

    What believest thou concerning the “Holy Catholic Church” of Christ.

    That the Son of God from the beginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to himself by his spirit and word, out of the whole human race, a church chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith; and that I am and for ever shall remain, a living member thereof.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 53

    What believest thou concerning the Holy and Catholick Church of Christ?

    I believe that the Son of God doth from the beginning of the World to the End thereof, gather, defend, and preserve unto himself by his Spirit and Word, out of whole Mankind, a Company chosen to everlasting Life, and agreeing in true Faith; and that I am a lively Member of that Company, and so shal remain for ever.

    Related (1)

    Apostles’ Creed, which this question expounds

    Clause 9

    The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints;

    Commentaries (5)