The Heidelberg Catechism

Question 60. How are you righteous before God?

Note: This question is found in the section headed "Lord's Day 23" in Part Two which deals with Our Deliverance.

Answer: Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.1 Although my conscience accuses me that I have grievously sinned against all God's commandments, have never kept any of them,2 and am still inclined to all evil,3 yet God, without any merit of my own,4 out of mere grace,5 imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ.6 He grants these to me as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me,7 if only I accept this gift with a believing heart.8

Scriptural support

1 Rom 3:21-28; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8, 9; Phil 3:8-11.

2 Rom 3:9, 10.

3 Rom 7:23.

4 Deut 9:6; Ezek 36:22; Tit 3:4, 5.

5 Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8.

6 Rom 4:3-5; 2 Cor 5:17-19; 1 Jn 2:1, 2.

7 Rom 4:24, 25; 2 Cor 5:21.

8 Jn 3:18; Acts 16:30, 31; Rom 3:22.

standard citation for this article:
“The Heidelberg Catechism”, 27 Jan 2008, Gilnahirk Baptist Church Web site. http://www.gilnahirkbaptist.org.uk/resources/worship/heidelberg.060.php (accessed 6 Jan 2009).

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The text is taken from Canadian and American Reformed Churches Book of Praise: Heidelberg Catechism, revised 2004.

Note. This Catechism is fully based on the Scriptures. The references to Scripture are indicated by superscript Arabic numberals. For example, the letter 1 points to the texts 1 placed after the answer.