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The Catechism in Questions & Answers
- Introduction
- Contents
- 215. Why are human beings in need of redemption?
- 216. What does “redemption” mean?
- 217. Where does evil come from?
- 218. What is evil?
- 219. How does evil reveal itself?
- 220. Does evil also exist as a person?
- 221. How did evil come to mankind?
- 222. Will evil always exist?
- 223. What is related in Holy Scripture concerning the fall into sin?
- 224. What were the consequences for mankind of the fall into sin?
- 225. What was God’s position toward fallen mankind?
- 226. How was the further development of mankind after the fall into sin?
- 227. Did the fall into sin have consequences for all human beings?
- 228. Did the fall into sin also have consequences for the creation?
- 229. What is sin?
- 230. What is the distinction between sin and guilt?
- 231. How can this separation from God be undone?
- 232. Who defines what is sinful?
- 233. How can we recognise what is sinful?
- 234. With what gifts did God equip sinful mankind?
- 235. How are we to engage the conscience, reason, and faith?
- 236. What is the purpose of the conscience?
- 237. What is the function of reason?
- 238. Are there limitations to human reason?
- 239. What is faith?
- 240. How does a human being come to believe?
- 241. What is the task of the believer?
- 242. What can faith help achieve?
- 243. What is meant by the term “salvation history”?
- 244. What is meant by the term “plan of salvation”?
- 245. How will salvation history transpire?
- 246. What was the object of hope for salvation in the time of the Old Testament?
- 247. What is the foundation for salvation?
- 248. Who is able to attain salvation?
- 249. In what phase of God’s plan of salvation do we live?
- 250. How can salvation be attained today?
- 251. What form of salvation will the bridal congregation experience at the return of Christ?
- 252. When will God’s plan of salvation be fulfilled?
- 253. What is the basis for our election by God?
- 254. Why does God elect people?
- 255. Are there examples of election in the Old Testament?
- 256. Are there examples of election in the New Testament?
- 257. Can anyone lay claim to election by God?
- 258. What does election signify from the perspective of the gospel?
- 259. What is the result of accepting this election?
- 260. What is blessing?
- 261. How is blessing attained, and how does it unfold?
- 262. How is God’s blessing revealed in the creation?
- 263. How was blessing experienced in the old covenant?
- 264. What were the implications for the Israelites if they accepted or rejected the blessing of God?
- 265. From whom does blessing emanate in the new covenant?
- 266. How did Jesus bless?
- 267. Where does the emphasis of the blessing of Jesus Christ lie?
- 268. What constitutes this spiritual blessing?
- 269. How can this blessing be attained and how should it be treated?
- 270. What constitutes the fullness of blessing?
- 271. Did God give His people a law in the old covenant?
- 272. What is the purpose of the Mosaic Law?
- 273. How was the Mosaic Law assessed in Old Testament times?
- 274. How is the Mosaic Law assessed from the perspective of the gospel?
- 275. What is the content of the gospel?
- 276. What other names are there for the gospel?
- 277. What is the relationship between the law and the gospel?
- 278. What are the fundamental prerequisites for obtaining the grace offered in the gospel?
- 279. What is the relationship between a person’s good works and his redemption?
278. What are the fundamental prerequisites for obtaining the grace offered in the gospel?
First of all, the individual must recognise that he is a sinner. Then he must come to believe that it has become possible for the sinner to be reconciled with God through Jesus Christ, and that the sinner can attain the righteousness valid before God through belief in Christ: “Therefore, as through one man’s offence judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life” (Romans 5: 18).
Righteousness before God / justification: to be righteous before God—in other words, to have attained justification—means: the believer is pleasing to God. God accepts the sinner, and grants him grace and forgiveness.