The Forgiveness of Sins (HC 56)

When God forgives our sins, he doesn’t simply forget that they happened, but he marks them legally paid for, so that we can never be judged guilty again.

The Communion of the Saints (HC 55)

The communion of the saints refers to the fact that Jesus shares all he gained as our Redeemer with us and calls us, out of that reality, to share the gifts we receive with each other.

The Holy Catholic Church (HC 54)

When we say “the Holy Catholic Church,” we mean the one universal and invisible church that Christ has called to salvation out of all places, peoples and ages and belong to him for all eternity.

The Work of the Holy Spirit (HC 53)

The Holy Spirit is our companion through the Christian life who unites us to Jesus, assures us that we are God’s children, and guarantees us that we will one day be in heaven.

The Person of the Holy Spirit (HC 53)

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, who created the world and accepts worship.

The Comfort of the Last Day (HC 52)

The Last Day is a comfort because on that Day Christ will come to judge the wicked and to bless those who have placed their hope in him.

The Session of Christ (HC 50-51)

In heaven, Christ is seated on a throne, where he is ruling until all his enemies are put under his feet and from where he blesses his church with gifts through the Holy Spirit.

The Benefits of the Ascension (HC 49)

Jesus ascended into heaven so that he could effectively advocate before us before the Father and so that he could send the Spirit to advocate for us on earth.

I Am With you (HC 47-48)

In heaven, Christ is seated on a throne, where he is ruling until all his enemies are put under his feet and from where he blesses his church with gifts through the Holy Spirit.

The Ascension (HC 46)

After the resurrection, Jesus ascended (bodily) into heaven where he remains active on behalf of the church, through the ministry of his Holy Spirit.

The Resurrection, Part 3 (HC 45)

The bodily resurrection of Jesus guarantees us that we will be raised up in our bodies on the Last Day and join him in heaven.

The Resurrection, Part 2 (HC 45)

Being partakers of Jesus’ resurrection means that we are raised to newness of life and made more and more able to walk in obedience to God.

The Resurrection, Part 1 (HC 45)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof that our salvation has been purchased and the basis upon which we have confidence that it is applied to us.

He Descended into Hell (HC 44)

Jesus suffered all the torment we would have in hell in order to deliver us from it and that is the basis of our hope of heaven.

Sanctification, Part 2 (HC 43)

Sanctification is about being made more like Jesus in sacrificial love for God and others.

Sanctification, Part 1 (HC 43)

Obedience in the Christian life is something that we do not give to God, but he gives to us, by conquering sin’s power over us.

Why Do We Die? (HC 42)

In conquering death on the cross, Christ transforms death for Christians into something positive—the eradication of sin and the entrance into eternal life.

The Necessity of Death (HC 40-41)

The only way for sinners to be saved was if God would become man, live a perfect life, die a cursed death in our place and be buried, but not decay.

He Suffered Under Pontius Pilate (HC 37-39)

Jesus suffered death in an perfect way so that it would be legal, substitutionary and cursed in order that he might redeem us from all that we deserve for our sin.

The Virgin birth (HC 35-36)

Jesus had to be born of a virgin because it was necessary that he both human and sinless in order to redeem sinful humanity.