Fridays with The Heidelberg

Lord’s Day 7

The term “gospel-centered” has become a very helpful descriptive to help define how we are to accurately understand the Scriptures as well as how to view life as Christians in any day and age. The gospel ought to affect how husbands relate to their wives, how parents raise their children, how employees relate to their employer and co-workers, etc. The message of the gospel is not only for conversion but for all aspects of salvation; justification, sanctification, and glorification. The HC models for us such gospel-centered focus.

Up to this point, along with many other doctrinal truths, we have come to grips with the universal affect of Adam’s sin and marveled at the person and work of Christ. And so, if Adam’s sin had universal affects and Christ’s work on the cross is sufficient, are all saved (i.e. universalism)? No. The HC states that not all will be saved. Only those who place their faith in Christ will be saved. And what is the object of our faith? Saving faith is defined as a knowledge, conviction and assurance of the message of the gospel, which is concisely and helpfully communicated in the Apostles’ Creed (the answer to Q. 23).

Regarding the Apostles’ Creed, please do not panic when you read the following statements;

“He descended to hell” and “the holy catholic church.”

I am comfortable in understanding “He descended to hell” as an indicator that Christ possessed the complete nature of humanity; that His true body died. Others will disagree, but I do not think that Christ physically went to hell.

Also, “the holy catholic church” refers to the church universal rather than the Roman Catholic Church.

Lord’s Day 7

20. Q. ARE ALL SAVED THROUGH CHRIST JUST AS ALL WERE LOST THROUGH ADAM?
A. No. Only those are saved who by true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all His blessings.

21. Q. WHAT IS TRUE FAITH?
A. True faith is not only a knowledge and conviction that everything God reveals in His Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance, created in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel, that, out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, not only others, but I too, have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever right with God, and have been granted salvation.

22. Q. WHAT THEN MUST A CHRISTIAN BELIEVE?
A. Everything God promises us in the gospel. That gospel is summarized for us in the articles of our Christian faith-a creed beyond doubt, and confessed throughout the world.

23. Q. WHAT ARE THESE ARTICLES?
A. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will 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.