Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 42 Question 110. What doth God forbid in the eighth commandment? Answer. God forbids not only those thefts and robberies which are punishable by the magistrate; but He comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbor, whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness, all abuse and waste of His gifts. Question 111....

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24 Do you meditate on what Jesus is doing for us in heaven today? At the beginning of this lengthy discourse (John chapters 14-17), He tells His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2, 3). At the end of the discourse He utters His high-priestly prayer, and concludes with...

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 43 Q. What is required in the ninth commandment? A. That I bear false witness against no man, nor falsify any man’s words; that I be no backbiter, nor slanderer; that I do not judge, nor join in condemning any man rashly or unheard; but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit as the proper works of the devil, unless I would bring down upon me the heavy wrath of God; likewise, that in judgment and all other dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly and confess it; also that I defend and...

The Sixty-Seven Articles were prepared by Zwingli as “talking points” (theses for public debate) for the First Zurich Disputation held on January 29, 1523.1 In the four years prior to this, Zwingli, a Catholic priest and cleric, had publicly preached against many Roman Catholic practices including the sale of indulgences, the veneration of saints, pilgrimages, the use of images in worship, the requirement of clerical celibacy, and the dietary restrictions of Lent. Practicing what he preached, Zwingli made a bold statement in 1522 by publicly eating sausage during an imposed period of Roman Catholic fasting and by getting married without the...

Lord’s Day 41 Question 108. What doth the seventh commandment teach us? Answer. That all uncleanness is accursed of God; and that therefore we must with all our hearts detest the same, and live chastely and temperately, whether in holy wedlock or in single life. Question 109. Doth God forbid in this commandment, only adultery and such like gross sins? Answer. Since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Ghost, He commands us to preserve them pure and holy; therefore He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever can entice men thereto. In a...

Lord’s Day 40 Q. 105. What doth God require in the sixth commandment? A. That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, wound, or kill my neighbor, by myself or by another; but that I lay aside all desire of revenge; also, that I hurt not myself, nor willfully expose myself to any danger. Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder.   Q. 106. But this commandment seems only to speak of murder? A. In forbidding murder, God teaches us that He abhors the causes thereof, such as...

Lord’s Day 39 Question 104. What doth God require in the fifth commandment? Answer. That I show all honor, love, and fidelity to my father and mother and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction with due obedience; and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, since it pleases God to govern us by their hand. The law of the Ten Commandments is commonly divided into two groups: the first table (commandments 1–4) having to do with our love for God, and the second table (commandments 5–10) having to do with our...

Lord’s Day 38 Question 103. What doth God require in the fourth commandment? Answer. First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained; and that I, especially on the sabbath, that is, on the day of rest, diligently frequent the church of God, to hear His word, to use the sacraments, publicly to call upon the Lord, and contribute to the relief of the poor, as becomes a Christian. Secondly, that all the days of my life I cease from my evil works, and yield myself to the Lord, to work by His Holy Spirit in me;...

Lord’s Day 37 Question 101. May we then swear religiously by the name of God? Answer. Yes; either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects; or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm fidelity and truth to the glory of God and the safety of our neighbor; for such an oath is founded on God’s Word, and therefore was justly used by the saints both in the Old and New Testament. Question 102. May we also swear by saints or any other creatures? Answer. No; for a lawful oath is calling upon God, as the only one who knows...

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 36 Q. 99. What is required in the third commandment? A. That we, not only by cursing or perjury, but also by rash swearing, must not profane or abuse the name of God; nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others; and, briefly, that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence; so that He may be rightly confessed and worshiped by us, and be glorified in all our words and works. Q. 100. Is then the profaning of God’s name by swearing and cursing...