21 & 22
What is the church?
When we talk about the church, we don’t mean the building. The church is the people whom Christ gathers together to receive the gift of salvation.
What are good works?
Good works are things that we do that are good in the eyes of the LORD.
Where does faith come from?
The Bible teaches us that we do not make ourselves believe. Rather faith comes from the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."
Where did the practice of baptism come from?
Baptism was instituted __by Christ__ He commanded his disciples in Matt 28:19, __ “Therefore go out into all the world and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”__
You can remember it. And believe that God said this to you. And so you can be strengthened by that.
How does Christ "gather, defend and preserve" the church?
Christ does this through his word and Spirit. The LORD uses His Word to tell His people about himself, and work faith in their hearts. But this word is not believed by everyone who hears of it.
If God rewards our good deeds, does this mean that our reward is earned?
No! For we are also told that this reward is not earned. It is a gift of grace. In Ephesians 2:8-9 it says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
How does the Holy Spirit work faith?
The Holy Spirit uses _____preaching of the gospel_______ to work faith in our hearts. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
What does the sign of Baptism show?
Baptism is a sign of being cleansed from our sin. Just as water washes away dirt from the body, so the blood of Christ washes away all my sins. The catechism QA 70 shows us that baptism is a sign of the __forgiveness of sins__. It is also a sign of __being renewed by the Holy Spirit.__
What promise does a parent make when they have their children baptized?
Parents promise that they will instruct their child in the doctrine of the scriptures as soon as he or she is able to understand and they promise to have him or her instructed in this doctrine to the utmost of their power.
What happens to a believers’ soul when he dies?
When a believer dies his soul will immediately taken up to Christ. This is taught Lk 23:43 Christ says to the robber on the cross, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise."
If we can’t save ourselves by doing good works, will this not make us lazy and careless believers?
No! It is impossible for someone who is a true believer not to do good works out of thankfulness to the LORD.
If you ever have doubts about your faith, what would be the best thing you could do?
The best thing you could do is to read your Bible and attend church faithfully. God works faith through the reading and hearing of Scripture, so you have to be busy with the Bible to grow in faith.
How does this sign of Baptism strengthen your faith?__
Just as the water is a symbol of the child’s sins being washed away, so I can be sure that the LORD will wash away my sins and will give me the Holy Spirit.__
How do we know that children were included in God’s covenant in the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament God set up is covenant with parents and their children. This happened in Genesis 17: 7-14 where God says to Abraham, "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations." From then on every male child in Israel had to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant.
When does everlasting life begin?
Everlasting life begins already right now. Eternal life refers to having communion with God and this is already possible for believers. The catechism says that “I now already feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy.”
What if a person believes but still they might struggle against sins and doubts. Will they be saved?
It is not the worthiness of our faith that saves us but the person that we put our faith in. The Lord Jesus said in “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. (Luke 17:6).
What are the sacraments?
The sacraments are visible signs and seals that God gave us to confirm us in our faith. They are there to help us believe.
Does the water on the child’s head itself wash away sins?
No! The water is just a sign of the forgiveness of sins. The only thing that can wash away our sins is the blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ.
How do we know that children should be included in the covenant in the New Testament?
What does justification mean?
To be justified means to be declared not guilty before God. The way we are justified is when Jesus Christ removes our sin from us and so put us in a right relationship with God.
How do we get righteousness before God?
Only through faith in Jesus Christ. When we confess that we are sinners, believe in Christ and his promises, then we get to share in the righteousness of Christ. We become holy just as Christ is holy.
What is a Sign? What is a Seal?
Should infants be baptized? Why?
Infants should be baptized because they too belong to God’s covenant and congregation. That means that a child belongs to the family of God.
If a child is baptized and then grows up and rejects Christianity what does that baptism mean?
It does not mean that the baptism wasn't real. God has made these promises to them, but the promises must be believed otherwise they do not recieve what is promised.