Heidelberg Catechism

Heidelberg Catechism / Lord's Day 1 / Q. 1

Q. 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Question. What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer. That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 6;20); who with his precious blood hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil (1 John 1;7); and so preserves me that, without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head (John 10;28, 29); yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation (Rom. 8;28); and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life (Rom. 8;16,) and makes me sincerely willing and ready henceforth to live unto him (Phil. 2;13).

Proofs.

  • [proof-1] 1 Cor. 6;20.—Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.— Ps. 73;25, 26.—Rom. 14:7, 8.—1 Cor. 3;23.
  • [proof-2] 1 John 1;7.—And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.—1 Pet. 1;18, 19.—1 John 3;8.—Heb. 2;14, 15.—Tit. 2:14.
  • [proof-3] John 10;28, 29.—And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.— Luke 21;18.—John 6:39.
  • [proof-4] Rom. 8;28.—And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.
  • [proof-5] Rom. 8;16.—The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.—2 Cor. 1;22.—2 Cor. 5;5.
  • [proof-6] Phil. 2;13.—For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.— Ps. 110;3.—Rom. 8;14.—Heb. 13;21.