I love the church! Sadly, there are others who are not as fond of this divine institution. Even within Christian circles, it has become trendy to point out the flaws in the church and suggest newer, trendier contexts for serving the kingdom. Such revolutionary thinkers would benefit from some reflection on the Apostle’s creed (and this section of the Heidelberg Catechism, which comments on the Creed). The creed speaks of belief in “the holy catholic church”, “the communion of saints”, and “the forgiveness of sins.”
The “holy catholic church” need not scare off us protestant evangelicals. We are simply referring to the “universal” church. The bride of Christ that has been “gathered”, “protected”, and “preserved” by Christ for His own glory. Put simply, Christ loves the church, He died for the church and He will build His church. Do you love the church? Are you a member within this community of believers? Are you actively serving the other members of Christ’s body?
In 1 John we read that genuine love for Christ is evidenced by genuine love for the church. As you seek to raise your children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, teach them of the importance of the church.
Lord’s Day 21
54. Q. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE CONCERNING “THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH”?
A. I believe that the Son of God through His Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for Himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.
55. Q. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY “THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS”?
A. First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all His treasures and gifts. Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.
56. Q. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE CONCERNING”THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS”?
A. I believe that God, because of Christ’s atonement, will never hold against me any of my sins nor my sinful nature which I need to struggle against all my life. Rather, in His grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgment.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Fridays with the Heidelberg
Put simply, Christianity is about Christ. The focus in the Scriptures is on Christ, and so it is appropriate that our church’s focus is on Christ and not the Spirit. Many churches drift into error as they focus their attention on the Spirit rather than Christ. Conversely, there are many in our conservative, evangelical camp that de-emphasize the work of the Spirit within the life of the believer. Both perspectives are misguided.
While the Heidelberg’s focus is on Christ, this week’s reading is particularly interested in the Holy Spirit. Even still, you will notice that much is said about Christ. Perhaps, as Kevin DeYoung reminds us in The Good News We Almost Forgot, it is the Spirit’s role to glorify Christ (Jn. 16:14). (pg. 103)
Q. 53 points to the Deity and the work of the Holy Spirit. As the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer. Those who have the Spirit have Christ; they are God’s people. God comforts His people by the Holy Spirit, and He will remain with them forever.
Lord’s Day 20
53. Q. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE CONCERNING “THE HOLY SPIRIT”?
A. First, He, as well as the Father and the Son, is eternal God. Second, He has been given to me personally, so that, by true faith, He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings, comforts me, and remains with me forever.
While the Heidelberg’s focus is on Christ, this week’s reading is particularly interested in the Holy Spirit. Even still, you will notice that much is said about Christ. Perhaps, as Kevin DeYoung reminds us in The Good News We Almost Forgot, it is the Spirit’s role to glorify Christ (Jn. 16:14). (pg. 103)
Q. 53 points to the Deity and the work of the Holy Spirit. As the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer. Those who have the Spirit have Christ; they are God’s people. God comforts His people by the Holy Spirit, and He will remain with them forever.
Lord’s Day 20
53. Q. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE CONCERNING “THE HOLY SPIRIT”?
A. First, He, as well as the Father and the Son, is eternal God. Second, He has been given to me personally, so that, by true faith, He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings, comforts me, and remains with me forever.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Fridays with the Heidelberg
This morning at the gym, the group I was with was asked to do my least favorite exercise. This particular drill only takes one minute, but it is amazing how something so short in time can affect (think ruin) the rest of my day. After I completed aforementioned torture, I sat down for a breather. It was quite a discouraging rest though because I was looking up at the dry-erase board that listed at least 15 more exercises that remained. While I ended up skipping over a lot that was written, I did finally “complete” the workout and then sat down again. It is interesting how much better being seated felt in light of the reality that my task was over.
Though there are a variety of appropriate settings for sitting down (travel, occupation, lectures, portions of the worship service, etc.), it is often representative of completion. We are told in Hebrews 1 that Christ is seated for this very reason. Jesus is seated because all that we needed for salvation has been completed through his life, death, burial and resurrection. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. How wonderful it is to dwell on the fact that Christ is seated “at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” (Heb. 1:3b, ESV) because He accomplished what He came to do.
Read through Lord’s Day 19 below and spend some time dwelling on what Christ has accomplished for His glory and our good. Observe how the glory of Christ benefits us and why we “confidently await” His Second coming.
Lord’s Day 19
50. Q. WHY THE NEXT WORDS: “AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD”?
A. Christ ascended to heaven, there to show that He is head of His church, and that the Father rules all things through Him.
51. Q. HOW DOES THIS GLORY OF CHRIST OUR HEAD BENEFIT US?
A. First, through His Holy Spirit He pours out His gifts from heaven upon us His members. Second, by His power He defends us and keeps us safe from all enemies.
52. Q. HOW DOES CHRIST’S RETURN “TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD” COMFORT YOU?
A. In all my distress and persecution I turn my eyes to the heavens and confidently await as judge the very One who has already stood trial in my place before God and so has removed the whole curse from me. All His enemies and mine He will condemn to everlasting punishment: but me and all His chosen ones He will take along with Him into the joy and the glory of heaven.
Though there are a variety of appropriate settings for sitting down (travel, occupation, lectures, portions of the worship service, etc.), it is often representative of completion. We are told in Hebrews 1 that Christ is seated for this very reason. Jesus is seated because all that we needed for salvation has been completed through his life, death, burial and resurrection. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. How wonderful it is to dwell on the fact that Christ is seated “at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” (Heb. 1:3b, ESV) because He accomplished what He came to do.
Read through Lord’s Day 19 below and spend some time dwelling on what Christ has accomplished for His glory and our good. Observe how the glory of Christ benefits us and why we “confidently await” His Second coming.
Lord’s Day 19
50. Q. WHY THE NEXT WORDS: “AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD”?
A. Christ ascended to heaven, there to show that He is head of His church, and that the Father rules all things through Him.
51. Q. HOW DOES THIS GLORY OF CHRIST OUR HEAD BENEFIT US?
A. First, through His Holy Spirit He pours out His gifts from heaven upon us His members. Second, by His power He defends us and keeps us safe from all enemies.
52. Q. HOW DOES CHRIST’S RETURN “TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD” COMFORT YOU?
A. In all my distress and persecution I turn my eyes to the heavens and confidently await as judge the very One who has already stood trial in my place before God and so has removed the whole curse from me. All His enemies and mine He will condemn to everlasting punishment: but me and all His chosen ones He will take along with Him into the joy and the glory of heaven.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Fridays with the Heidelberg
So there I was, sitting in a room with 4 pastors present as well as 1 in Indiana tapped in via speakerphone. The occasion was my ordination examination. If I were to list my top 5 most nervous moments, this day would surely make the cut. Overall, the 2 hours (which seemed like 7) were relatively painless. However, there was one question that I was asked where I was literally unable to provide an answer.
The question dealt with the two natures of Christ. Is He presently in human form? If so, how is He present with us in Spirit?
...Silence ensued
...Crickets began to chirp
...Heart rate increased
I could have prevented this if I would have taken better notes on “the hypostatic union” in Systematic II (I knew that 8 am Monday morning schedule was a bad idea!), or I could have read through Lord’s Day 18 in the HC.
Today’s section reveals to us in a clear and helpful way the two natures (divinity and humanity) in the one person Jesus Christ, the God-Man.
Christ ascended into heaven, and He is presently at the right hand of the Father interceding as our Mediator. Moreover, Romans 8:9 teaches us that as believers we have the Spirit of Christ. Kevin DeYoung explains, “The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, proceeding from the Father and the Son. So where the Spirit is, there the Son is also.” So Christ ascended into heaven and is with us until the end of the age.
Observe;
Lord’s Day 18
46. Q. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SAYING, “HE ASCENDED TO HEAVEN”?
A. That Christ, while His disciples watched, was lifted up from the earth to heaven and will be there for our good until He comes again to judge the living and the dead.
47. Q. BUT ISN’T CHRIST WITH US UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD AS HE PROMISED US?
A. Christ is truly human and truly God. In His human nature Christ is not now on earth; but in His divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit He is not absent from us for a moment.
48. Q. IF HIS HUMANITY IS NOT PRESENT WHEREVER HIS DIVINITY IS, THEN AREN’T THE TWO NATURES OF CHRIST SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER?
A. Certainly not. Since divinity is not limited and is present everywhere, it is evident that Christ’s divinity is surely beyond the bounds of the humanity He has taken on, but at the same time His divinity is in and remains personally united to His humanity.
49. Q. HOW DOES CHRIST’S ASCENSION TO HEAVEN BENEFIT US?
A. First, He pleads our cause in heaven in the presence of His Father. Second, we have our own flesh in heaven a guarantee that Christ our head will take us, His members, to Himself in heaven. Third, He sends His Spirit to us on earth as a further guarantee. By the Spirit’s power we make the goal of our lives, not earthly things, but the things above where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand.
The question dealt with the two natures of Christ. Is He presently in human form? If so, how is He present with us in Spirit?
...Silence ensued
...Crickets began to chirp
...Heart rate increased
I could have prevented this if I would have taken better notes on “the hypostatic union” in Systematic II (I knew that 8 am Monday morning schedule was a bad idea!), or I could have read through Lord’s Day 18 in the HC.
Today’s section reveals to us in a clear and helpful way the two natures (divinity and humanity) in the one person Jesus Christ, the God-Man.
Christ ascended into heaven, and He is presently at the right hand of the Father interceding as our Mediator. Moreover, Romans 8:9 teaches us that as believers we have the Spirit of Christ. Kevin DeYoung explains, “The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, proceeding from the Father and the Son. So where the Spirit is, there the Son is also.” So Christ ascended into heaven and is with us until the end of the age.
Observe;
Lord’s Day 18
46. Q. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SAYING, “HE ASCENDED TO HEAVEN”?
A. That Christ, while His disciples watched, was lifted up from the earth to heaven and will be there for our good until He comes again to judge the living and the dead.
47. Q. BUT ISN’T CHRIST WITH US UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD AS HE PROMISED US?
A. Christ is truly human and truly God. In His human nature Christ is not now on earth; but in His divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit He is not absent from us for a moment.
48. Q. IF HIS HUMANITY IS NOT PRESENT WHEREVER HIS DIVINITY IS, THEN AREN’T THE TWO NATURES OF CHRIST SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER?
A. Certainly not. Since divinity is not limited and is present everywhere, it is evident that Christ’s divinity is surely beyond the bounds of the humanity He has taken on, but at the same time His divinity is in and remains personally united to His humanity.
49. Q. HOW DOES CHRIST’S ASCENSION TO HEAVEN BENEFIT US?
A. First, He pleads our cause in heaven in the presence of His Father. Second, we have our own flesh in heaven a guarantee that Christ our head will take us, His members, to Himself in heaven. Third, He sends His Spirit to us on earth as a further guarantee. By the Spirit’s power we make the goal of our lives, not earthly things, but the things above where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand.
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