Questions 31-40 Flashcards
Q. 32. What do justification and sanctification mean?
A. Justification means our declared righteousness before God, made possible by Christ’s death and resurrection for us. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness, made possible by the Spirit’s work in us.
Q. 31. What do we believe by true faith?
A. Everything taught to us in the gospel. The Apostles’ Creed expresses what we believe in these words: We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Q. 33. Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works, or anywhere else?
A. No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior.
Q. 34. Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through Christ alone, must we still do good works and obey God’s Word?
A. Yes, because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, also renews us by his Spirit; so that our lives may show love and gratitude to God; so that we may be assured of our faith by the fruits; and so that by our godly behavior others may be won to Christ.
Q. 35. Since we are redeemed by grace alone, through faith alone, where does this faith come from?
A. All the gifts we receive from Christ we receive through the Holy Spirit, including faith itself.
Q. 36. What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?
A. That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that God grants him irrevocably to all who believe.
Q. 37. How does the Holy Spirit help us?
A. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word.
Q. 38. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving.
Q. 39. With what attitude should we pray?
A. With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers.
Q. 40. What should we pray?
A. The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus himself taught us.
