The Gift of God’s Word
God has given us His Word, the Bible, to feed us, guide us, point us to Christ, and show us how to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and for our good.
Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
What is the Lord’s Supper?
The Lord’s Supper is the sacramental meal Christ commanded all believers to eat, in which the death of Christ for our salvation is represented in the breaking of the bread and the pouring out of the cup, and through which the believer spiritually feeds upon Christ, giving thanks to God as the elements are received in faith.
Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16
Series Outline for Catechism – Foundations of the Faith
This ongoing series looks at the BRCC Catechism question by question.
Jesus Christ – The Only Redeemer and Mediator
Question 25: Who is the Redeemer and Mediator, the perfectly righteous God-Man?
The only Redeemer and Mediator between God and humanity is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God who became human for us and for our salvation.
1 Timothy 2: 5-7
God Our Redeemer
Question 24: Why must the Redeemer be truly, fully God?
The Redeemer must be truly, fully God so that His obedience and suffering would be of infinite value, He would be able to bear the full wrath of God against sin, and overcome Satan and death.
Acts 20:28; Colossians 2:13–15
Our Perfectly Righteous Redeemer
Question 23: Why must the Redeemer be perfectly righteous?
The Redeemer must be perfectly righteous so that His obedience and sacrifice in our place will be acceptable to God.
Romans 5:19; Hebrews 2:17; 1 Peter 1:18-19
Redemption Through Christ the True Human
Question 22: Why must the Redeemer be truly human?
The Redeemer must be truly human so that He might fulfill humanity’s obligations to God by completely obeying God’s Law and suffering and dying for human disobedience.
Romans 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21; Hebrews 2:14-17
Why the God-Man?
Question 21: What sort of Redeemer and Mediator is needed to bring us back to God?
One who is perfectly righteous, truly human and truly God.
Hebrews 4:14–16; Hebrews 7:23–28
The Church – God’s People on Mission Together
The Church has been given the Spirit to empower us to be on mission together, taking the Gospel forth and displaying the love of God to others from our location to the ends of the earth.
Luke 4:16-19; Luke 24:45-49
The Church – The Community of Servanthood
The local church community is where we are taught humble servanthood as a virtue, where we practice acts of servanthood, and where our souls are shaped so that our whole life becomes characterized by the attitude and practices of servanthood.
Galatians 5:13-15
The Church – The Community of Worship
Worship is the assembly of the local church where God speaks to us through His Word, meets and strengthens us in the sacraments, and we respond as a community in spoken and sung prayers.
Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:16
The Church – Elders
Each local church must have a group of elders who shepherd the flock by God’s Word, are servant leaders for those under their care, set a godly example in character and conduct, and point people to Jesus, the Chief Shepherd.
1 Peter 5:1–7
The Church – Universal and Local
All Christians are called to be part of local churches where they are led and cared for by elders, worship God, learn the Scripture, receive the sacraments, pray together, serve one another, and carry out the Great Commission together.
1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Acts 14:23
The Church – The Communion of Saints
The Church is the communion of the saints, all of those in every age who have been united to Christ in faith and draw their life from Him and who are therefore spiritually united with one another now and in eternity.
John 10:16; Hebrews 12:22-24
The Church – The Temple of God
The Church is God’s Temple, where He dwells by His Spirit as His people gather to worship and live in holiness and unity.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV2011
The Church – The Bride of Christ
The Church is the Bride of Christ, Whom He loves and for Whom He gives Himself that she might be glorious, full of the beauty of holiness.
Ephesians 5:22-33
The Church – The Body of Christ
The Church is the Body of Christ, in which believers are united with one another and with Jesus Christ, their Head and source of life.
1 Corinthians 12:12–13
The Church – The Community of Believers
The Church is the community of those who have personally responded to the Gospel, gather for worship, and care for one another.
Acts 2:36-47
My Only Comfort – Part 3
Knowing all of these things, what is your only comfort in life and death? That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, from this day forth, to live unto him.
Romans 8:12–17
My Only Comfort – Part 2
Knowing all of these things, what is your only comfort in life and death? That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, from this day forth, to live unto him.
Matthew 10:28–31; Romans 8:28–30
My Only Comfort – Part 1
Knowing all of these things, what is your only comfort in life and death? That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, from this day forth, to live unto him.
Romans 14:7–9; Romans 8:31–39
Can I Keep God’s Law?
Can you live up to all of this perfectly? No. I have a natural tendency in thought, word, and deed to not love God and my neighbor as He has commanded.
Romans 3:10-24
The Summary of God’s Law
Can you summarize what God’s law commands you to do? All the law is summarized in these two commandments: You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:34-40
How Do We Know What God Demands of Us?
How do we know what God demands of us? What has God given to teach you his demand? God has given us His law, which is a reflection of His character, to teach us how to be perfect in holiness, love, and integrity.
Romans 2:14–15; Ezekiel 20:11; James 2:12
What Does God Demand of You?
What does God demand of you? God demands that I be perfect in holiness, love, and integrity.
Matthew 5:48