The sacraments are, in the nature of the case, visible signs and seals that the Lord alone can appoint for the use and benefit of the church. Because they require divine authorization, the church may not appoint as sacraments any church rite or practice, however useful, that she pleases. Just as in the old covenant, […]

The Church of Christ is known by three distinguishing marks: the pure preaching of the Gospel, the pure administration of the sacraments, and the exercise of church discipline (Belgic Confession, Article 29). When she practices these three, she is true; when she does not, she is false. We come now to Articles 33–35 of the […]

So far our survey of the Heidelberg Catechism has shown that the Spirit of Christ is central to its structure and content as He is presented as intimately united to Jesus Christ and to the Christian. In light of His work upon the Christian, Heidelberg Catechism commentator Eugene Heideman once again mistakenly concludes concerning the […]