The Catechism

Question 90: Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

Answer: Some sins in themselves and by reason of several aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

ScriptureEzekiel 8:13John 19:111 John 5:16.


Question 91: What does every sin deserve?

Answer: Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come.

ScriptureEphesians 5:6Galatians 3:10Proverbs 3:33Psalm 11:6Revelation 21:8.


Question 92: What does God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?

Answer: To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.

ScriptureActs 20:2116:303117:30.


Question 93: What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, trusting him to forgive our sins, and guide us to eternal joy, on the basis of his divine power and atoning death.

ScriptureHebrews 10:39John 1:126:35Philippians 3:9Galatians 2:15-1620Matthew 14:31.


Question 94: What is repentance unto life?

Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace, by which a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it to God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.

ScriptureActs 2:37Joel 2:13Jeremiah 31:18,  192 Corinthians 7:1011Romans 6:18.


Question 95: What are the outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?

Answer: The outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the Word, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper and Prayer; all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

ScriptureRomans 10:17James 1:181 Corinthians 3:5Acts 14:12:4142.


Question 96: How is the Word made effective for salvation?

Answer: The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith unto salvation.

ScripturePsalm 19:7119:11181 Thessalonians 1:61 Peter 2:12Romans 1:16.


Question 97: How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effective for salvation?

Answer: That the Word may become effective for salvation we must attend to it with diligence, preparation and prayer, receive it in faith and love, lay it up in our hearts and practice it in our lives.

ScriptureProverbs 8:341 Peter 2:121 Timothy 4:13Hebrews 2:1,  34:22 Thessalonians 2:10Psalm 119:11James 1:2125.


Question 98: How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effective means of salvation?

Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effective means of salvation, not from any virtue in them or in him that administers them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in those who by faith receive them.

Scripture1 Peter 3:211 Corinthians 3:6,  712:13.


Question 99: How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ from the other ordinances of God?

Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ from the other ordinances of God in that they were specially instituted by Christ to represent and apply to believers the benefits of the new covenant by visible and outward signs.

ScriptureActs 22:16Matthew 26:26-2828:19Romans 6:4.