Join the Journey Sermon Series Resources Welcome to the Becoming Campaign! This is our 2026 spiritual journey as we seek to grow deeper in our faith as believers in Christ and as the church of Christ. As we look ahead to where God is leading us, we give thanks for His beautiful work among us—celebrating the completion of our Central Campus building project, the growth of the Wayland Campus, and all God has done to help us build and expand. But now, as we see our church flourishing, we believe it’s time to move from building the church to becoming the church. This campaign is about becoming who Christ is calling us to be—growing not just wider, but deeper, more rooted in our faith and more faithful in our walk. Wherever you are on your journey, this is an invitation to go deeper together as God continues to grow our church at the Central Campus, Wayland Campus, and as we prepare to launch the Hastings Campus—for the Glory of God, the Good of our Neighbor, and the Joy of the Church. Join the Journey To begin your journey, take time to prayerfully reflect on the five all-church initiatives and the personal and family initiatives shown to the right and in the online commitment form. Pray and consider where God may be leading you to take a next step of faith throughout this year. On January 25, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a commitment card during service. If you’re unable to attend or are joining us after that date, you can fill out the online commitment form using the button below or stop by the Becoming Lobby Booth at church on any Sunday to fill one out. Take your time, seek the Lord, and commit as He leads—then explore the resources below to help you get started on the journey. Central Campus Online Commitment Form Wayland Campus Online Commitment Form Becoming Sermon Series This sermon series launches our 2026 Spiritual Journey Campaign, Becoming. Together, the series and campaign focus on what it means for the church—and each of us—to become who Christ is calling us to be. We’ll begin by exploring three foundational callings Jesus gives His followers: to become Sons of Light, Children of God, and Fishers of Men. Watch Central Campus Full Series Watch Wayland Campus Full Series Becoming Guidebook This resource was created to help guide you through the Becoming spiritual journey and is designed to be used alongside your Bible each week in worship. You’ll find space for sermon notes throughout the year, daily prayers during the sermon series, and information about our All-Church Initiatives and personal or family commitments. If you don’t have a guidebook yet, stop by the Becoming lobby booth on any Sunday to pick one up—or start anytime and catch up by watching sermons on our website or YouTube. We pray this resource helps all of us become the church God is calling us to be—and helps you become who God is calling you to be. Download Central Campus Guidebook Download Wayland Campus Guidebook Stay Connected To receive weekly encouragement texts from Pastor Ryan (Central Campus) or Pastor Aaron (Wayland Campus), and weekly emails with the Bible-in-a-Year video, click the button below! Need help with this process? Stop by the Becoming lobby booth and we can walk through it with you. Central Campus Sign-Up Wayland Campus Sign-Up Becoming Testimonies The Blessing of Special Needs Adoption Hear Paige and Terri's adoption story Despair to Hope Hear Sam's story of hope Shame to Freedom Hear Carol's story of redemption All-Church Initiatives Everyone at Peace Church is being called in these five ways to take part in God’s work through the Becoming spiritual journey: READ Commit to the Bible-in-a-Year reading plan starting Jan. 19 (p. 13) Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2, 1 Timothy 3:16-17, Deuteronomy 11:18-19, Psalm 119:105, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 7:24 PRAY Log three hours of prayer each week (p. 11) Acts 1:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Colossians 4:2, Romans 12:12 CONNECT Wear the Becoming wristband throughout the year (p. 10) 1 Peter 2:9, 17, Psalm 100:3, Ephesians 2:19, 1 Timothy 3:15 SERVE Take the Spiritual Gifts Assessment and pray about where God is calling you to serve (p. 17) 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Ephesians 4:16, 2 Timothy 1:6, Hebrews 2:4 WORSHIP Assess your commitment to Sunday worship attendance and recommit if needed Luke 11:28, Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42, Psalm 122:1, Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Romans 12:4-5, Psalm 95:1-2, Acts 20:7, Ephesians 5:19-20 As we do these things together—knowing we are doing these together—we’ll deepen the family feel of our church while also growing spiritually and in unity as God’s people. Personal and Family Commitments Review these challenges and ask the Holy Spirit which ones he is calling you to take on, so that you may spiritually grow into the person God is calling you to become. Begin weekly family worship through Bible reading, devotions, and prayer (p. 28) Increase your prayer commitment from three hours a week to five hours a week Commit to regular fasting throughout the year, whether a full day, a single meal, or another rhythm (p. 18) Get relationally connected at Peace Church by joining or starting a Community Group, attending a Men’s or Women’s Bible Study, and/or serving in a ministry Begin biblical tithing and faithfully support God’s work through Peace Church (get a copy of Tithing: the Basics of Giving at the ‘Round the Table booth to learn more) Take first (or next) steps in adoption or foster care (p. 25) Write and share your testimony with the Peace Church family, either in print or on video, or share it with someone in your life who needs the Gospel or an invitation to church (p. 21) Start a Gospel conversation you’ve been wanting to have but haven’t yet Attend an Evangelism Training Night this spring or late summer (p. 28) Take our membership class (register at peacechurch.cc/events) Consider joining the core group of people who will help launch the new Hastings Campus (p. 27) Attend a gathering to learn more about pastoral ministry (p. 27) Pray and listen for any other ways the Holy Spirit may be calling you to grow spiritually The purpose of this is for each of us to grow into the person God is calling us to become, so that we can be the Church God is calling us to become. Why Wristbands? Did you know that from 2020 to 2025, Peace Church has tripled in size and doubled in locations? Simply put, we’ve grown—a lot! With such rapid growth, the ability to connect with, or even recognize, everyone in our church family can be very difficult. The Becoming wristbands will allow you to see who is part of the Peace Church family while out in public! Everyone is encouraged to wear the wristband during their waking hours! This will help show not just the world, but your church family, that Peace Church is your home church—and that you are participating in the Becoming Campaign. When you see someone out in public also wearing the wristband, go up and say hi and introduce yourself. This can be intimidating, so here are some things you could say: Show them your wristband and say, “Hey, so you’re part of the Peace family too? Awesome! My name is [your name], and I go to [1st/2nd/3rd] service. Which service do you usually go to?” Then you can ask about their family, how long they’ve been part of Peace Church, and how they are serving or connected. That’s it! With that simple interaction, you’ve made another connection in our larger church family. This is key—when the Bible speaks about the church, it uses family language. God is our Father, Christ is his Son, and we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Simply put, the wristbands help us identify and connect with our church family—especially during a year when we are trying to grow into the church that God is calling us to become! If you lose your wristband or it becomes too worn or dirty, don’t worry! Just grab another at church—they’ll be available all year. Prayer Log We cannot become the people or the church God is calling us to be, unless we are saturated in regular times of prayer. Everyone at Peace is challenged to log three hours of prayer per week. Maybe you’re hearing the Holy Spirit challenging you to even more! Our prayer is that your time in prayer before the Lord is sweet and refreshing. We pray the more time spent in prayer, the more you will want to saturate your life in it as you grow in faith. Let these verses be of encouragement to you: Acts 1:14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer… Matthew 14:23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, [Jesus] went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Luke 6:12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. Download Prayer Log Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan Each Monday, we’ll share a short video introducing the week’s passages, highlighting key points, context, and themes. Click below to find the full reading plan and the weekly videos. Download Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan Watch Bible-in-a-Year Videos Spiritual Gifts Throughout the New Testament, God tells us that the Holy Spirit provides members of the church with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). These gifts are given so that we can serve one another and bring glory to God. For Peace Church to become all that God is calling us to be, we need everyone to use their spiritual gifts as we see the gospel embraced and passed on for generations of Kingdom impact. A key step in using your spiritual gifts is knowing what they are. God’s word gives us three primary lists of spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and 1 Corinthians 12:28, which include gifts such as faith, service, teaching, generosity, leadership, and mercy. To find out what your spiritual gifts are, start by seeking God’s leading through studying his word and spending time in prayer. Jesus tells us in John 16:13 that the Spirit will guide us into all truth. As you look to the spiritual gifts lists in Scripture, spend time praying that you would know and use your gifts. Another way you can determine your spiritual gifts is through the wise counsel of other believers. We often see ourselves differently than others do, so it is helpful to ask other mature believers what gifts they see in you and how they would encourage you to use them to build up the church. At Peace, our Zone Elders are great resources for this. Finally, one modern practice that can help in the process of determining your spiritual gifts is taking an assessment that sheds light on it. We created an assessment that helps our members to biblically reflect on the ways that God has gifted them. Our hope is that this assessment will help you take the next steps in using your gifts so that each of us, and the church as a whole, becomes who God has called us to be. If you are interested in taking our online spiritual gifts assessment, you can access it by clicking the link below. After you complete the assessment, we will provide suggestions for possible next steps to use your gifts to bless the church and bring glory to God. Spiritual Gifts Assessment Fasting What is interesting about the English word fast is that it means to move quickly and to abstain from food, but we also use it in phrases like hold fast, which means to hold firmly. How did we get these varied meanings from this one word? The answer is found in the origin of the word. Fast comes from the Old English fæst, which means firm, fixed, secure, or constant. When we see how these words are all related in their core idea, it becomes clear that as fast evolved into Modern English, it took on these separate nuances. Secure and constant developed into the notion of quickness; firm and secure inform the idea of holding fast; and fixed and constant give us the concept of fasting as a determined posture of not eating food. However, when we speak of fasting as a religious endeavor—withholding or abstaining from taking food—the origin of this cross-cultural and cross-religious practice dates back millennia, typically carrying the notion of purification, humility, and drawing near to the divine, with the idea being that the physical must be set aside to achieve the spiritual. In the Christian tradition, its roots are found in the Hebrew Old Testament, where in ancient Israel it was connected with repentance, mourning, prayer, and reliance upon God. We see fasting practices throughout the Bible—from Moses, who fasted forty days on Mount Sinai before receiving the Law (Exodus 34:28), to David, who fasted in grief and repentance (2 Samuel 12:16), to the prophet Daniel, who fasted and prayed for wisdom and mercy (Daniel 9:3), as well as in the call from Queen Esther, who called upon her people to fast for three days before she approached the king (Esther 4:16). In the New Testament, fasting continues as a discipline to help us grow spiritually, as it calls us to find our dependence upon God—to put our love for the Lord over our desires for satisfaction. Jesus himself fasted for forty days in the wilderness. When the devil tempted him to turn stones into bread to relieve his hunger, Jesus refused and quoted Scripture, saying: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” — Matthew 4:4; cf. Deuteronomy 8:3 Fasting, then, is a way to declare to the Lord our reliance upon him. It is a practice of putting God before our desires, namely, our desire for food. As hunger pangs come, they serve as reminders to turn our focus to God and to direct our energy into prayer. Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that, when done rightly, can help us grow spiritually and deepen our faith. It is not simply about deprivation, but rather about devotion—about training our spirits to hunger for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). In college, my Spiritual Formation professor also warned against fasting as a means to simply lose weight, and Jesus also warns against fasting for the wrong reasons, such as using it to display our righteousness before others. He said: “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” — Matthew 6:16–18 All of Isaiah 58 is about true and false fasting, where we see that God calls us to fast in order to grow spiritually as we reflect God’s good will in this world and find our delight in the Lord. Again, the spiritual discipline only helps us grow spiritually when done for spiritually righteous reasons. Thus, fasting is typically a private practice—a personal act of humility and devotion before God. It is a way of living out the truth of the Bible: “man does not live by bread alone” (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). Fasting does not have a set prescribed length of time. In the Bible, we see fasts lasting from one day (Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6) to three days (Esther 4:16) to forty days (Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:2). As a spiritual discipline, there is no single method. Many people choose to fast for a day or even skip a single meal. The point is less about how we fast and more about why—it’s an act of faith meant to draw us closer to God. You might choose a three-month period in which you fast one day each week, or a week-long fast where every day you skip a particular meal, like lunch. While fasting traditionally means abstaining from food, modern practices also include other kinds of fasts—such as fasting from technology, entertainment, or particular types of food, like meat or sugar (see Daniel 10:2–3). The practice we see most clearly in Scripture is to abstain from food completely. Again, the notion here is about setting aside our desires in order to deepen our reliance upon God as we grow closer to him in trust, love, and joy. While this is a spiritual practice, it does have physical implications, so for those with health concerns, it’s always good to consult with your doctor before you begin this discipline. As the Lord leads you, may you prayerfully practice the spiritual discipline of fasting in order that you may continue to grow into the person God is calling you to become as you deepen your faith in the God of your salvation. *If you or you and your family decide to fast, please reach out to your Zone Elders so they can be praying for you! Sharing Your Testimony There is a church in London that Peace partners with. A few years ago, their lead pastor’s wife was miraculously healed from Stage 4 cancer. Even the nonreligious doctors told them, “You’ve experienced a miracle.” Do you think they shared that story with anyone? They’ve shared it with everyone. If you experienced a miracle, you would tell someone. You would tell everyone. The beauty of Christian testimonies is that every follower of Jesus has experienced a miracle. We were dead in our sin and then made alive in Christ. Your testimony is powerful because it’s both your personal story of experiencing a miracle and the good news of Jesus Christ for everyone. That’s why sharing your testimony of salvation is an essential element of becoming the church. God uses the stories of his work in our lives to open others to hear and receive the gospel. Our testimonies often play a pivotal role in the lost experiencing the miracle of salvation and receiving a testimony of their own. Just because it is good to share your testimony, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Many of us don’t know where to start, what to include, or how to use our story to share the good news. Where do I start? Sharing your testimony will look different based on your context: Who are you talking to? What is your relationship? What is their experience and understanding of Jesus? What environment are you in and how much time do you have? While there are some aspects that will change based on context, it’s helpful to spend time preparing to share the elements of your testimony that are important to include regardless of who you are talking to. Take some time to think about and write down the answers to these questions: What was my life like before receiving faith in Jesus? How did God reveal himself and his good news to me? What is the good news that I now believe? What has my life been like since becoming a follower of Jesus? As you dwell on your answers to these questions, the basis of your testimony is coming together. What do I include? The Bible doesn’t give us a checklist to follow to share our testimony, but following the examples of the early church gives us a helpful guide. As you share your story, it’s helpful to include details about your life before being saved (lost and sinful), how you were saved (faith and grace), and your life as a follower of Jesus (transformation and purpose). As you share the good news that brought you salvation, it’s important to include God’s love for us (creation and blessing), our sin and separation from him (fall and judgment), salvation through Christ (Jesus’ death and resurrection), and our response to the good news (faith or rejection). When sharing this, it’s helpful to have some key Scriptures to refer to, such as John 3:16, Romans 3:23, and Ephesians 2:8-10. How do I include the good news for everyone in my personal testimony? While testimonies are personal and reflect on your own experience, it’s critical to share the good news of Jesus for those listening. Whether the person you are sharing with has faith in Jesus or not, they need to hear the good news. If they are a follower of Jesus, they will be encouraged. If they are not, God might use your proclamation to bring them faith. The best bridge to share the story of Jesus in your story is to share the message that you received when you believed. This part of our testimony can challenge us, because it’s not just sharing our subjective experience, but declaring the objective truths that we are all sinners in need of salvation. As you share that you believe, don’t forget to share what it is that you believe, so that others will hear the gospel clearly. What does this actually look like? All of that sounds good in theory, but it’s helpful to look at a real-life example of someone’s testimony. Here is a short version of mine (Pastor Nate Harney) that I can share in about two minutes: I grew up in a peaceful, healthy home, where my parents taught me that there is a God who made me and loves me. While that should have brought me peace, instead my childhood was defined by fears that led to anxiety. I was afraid that no one liked me, that I wouldn’t be successful in life, and that I would never find true peace. As I got older, I heard the story of Jesus, that he was God among us, that he lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and then defeated death and rose again. While this seemed like good news in general, I wasn’t really looking to be saved from my sin. I wanted to be freed from my fears and anxiety. I felt like a good person, somehow I just needed to grow in confidence and find peace. As I learned more about Jesus and how he calls us to live selfless lives focused on loving God and others, I realized my fears and anxieties were all rooted in sin; a deep self-centered obsession with my own comfort, success, and happiness. The Gospel of John tells us that before Jesus gave his life for us, he shared this with his followers: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Jesus can promise peace because he offers salvation through faith. When I received faith in Jesus, by grace, my sins were forgiven and I started to become more like him and through that, I found freedom from fear and unshakable peace. Now my days aren’t filled with fears and anxieties that are focused on myself. Instead, each day is a faith-driven adventure where I enjoy his salvation and find purpose and peace in telling others about Jesus. When I share my testimony, it looks different depending on the specific context, but I always try to include my personal story of being delivered from sin, fear, and anxiety while I share the story of Jesus and salvation that comes through faith. In person, it’s often less polished, but time and again, God has used the story of his work in my life to share his good news with others. What now? Pray, prepare, and practice sharing your own testimony. Then when God opens the door, be ready to share his good news and how your life has been transformed by Jesus. With God’s help, you can do this. When we all share our testimonies, the good news of Jesus spreads, and we become the church that God is calling us to be. If you would like to share your testimony with the Peace Church family, whether in print or on video, please reach out to us at testimony@peacechurch.cc . Contact Us to Share Your Testimony Taking a Step of Faith: Adoption or Foster Care From the Old Testament and into the New, God reveals himself as our Father, and with this, we see his special concern for orphans and the fatherless—those without protection, provision, or family. Deuteronomy 10:18 He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Psalm 68:5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. Exodus 22:22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. Zechariah 7:10 Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor. James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. In God’s Kingdom, to care for or take in an orphan was often a form of adoption—bringing them into one’s household for protection and nurture. In the Bible, we see families take on children who are not biologically their own, such as Esther, who was raised by her cousin Mordecai. The most prominent example is Jesus Christ himself, who was raised by his adoptive father, Joseph. Knowing this is a beautiful and biblical call, adoption and foster care are powerful ways for believers to show the world how we are living out God’s call for compassion and righteousness—caring for the vulnerable as we reflect God’s heart for justice and mercy. Ultimately, every act of human adoption points to the greater truth that we have been adopted by God himself—brought from being spiritual orphans into belonging in God’s family through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:15–17; Galatians 4:4–7; Ephesians 1:5). At Peace Church, there are a large number of families who have taken up the call to adopt or become foster parents. While not everyone is called to take a child or children into their home, we are all called to love our neighbor, young and old, rich or poor. So, while you may not be called to adopt or provide foster care, we always encourage our church family to help and assist families who have adopted or fostered. We also know some are called more to help or assist, so during the Becoming Campaign, we are calling upon the families of Peace Church to prayerfully consider if they are called to adopt or become foster parents. We want to help you discern this call and support you along the way. If this is a conversation you feel led to begin, we encourage you to start in prayer. We have staff members who have walked through this process themselves and are passionate about helping others. Reaching out to them at adoption@peacechurch.cc is a great first step in starting the discussion and discerning God’s call to adopt or become foster parents. Contact Us About Adoption or Foster Care Hastings Campus At Peace Church, we have spent many years praying and preparing to plant other churches to reach the lost in our community. By God’s grace, in Fall 2023, we planted our first daughter church in Wayland. This congregation has grown and is well on its way toward becoming a self-sufficient church. After much prayer and consideration, we believe the Lord is now calling us to plant another daughter church in Hastings. One significant reason we feel this call to Hastings is because of the number of people who are already driving from Hastings to Peace Church in Middleville each week. We want to give these members of our church family a better opportunity to reach their neighbors and invite them to gather as a church in their own town. If you are open to considering a call to Peace Hastings, you can attend future interest meetings listed at peacechurch.cc/events to learn more and pray for the Lord’s work in the community See Upcoming Events Pastoral Ministry Young men, are you open to a call to ministry? In the last few years, we have lost many great Christian leaders and preachers, from Charlie Kirk to Tim Keller to R.C. Sproul. Now, more than ever, the world needs men who will boldly proclaim the truth. Who will step up? Who will answer God’s call with the words, “Here am I, Lord; send me”? If you think it’s possible the Lord may be calling you to pastoral ministry, we would love to help you consider that call. You don’t have to be the greatest speaker or leader. What the Lord calls you to, he will equip you for. If you sense this calling, come out for an opportunity to evaluate it and receive training from our pastoral staff. Look out for future gatherings at peacechurch.cc/events. See Upcoming Events Evangelism Training Join us for church-wide evangelism training nights coming this spring and late summer. Keep an eye on peacechurch.cc/events for details. Until then, here are some recommended resources to help you grow in confidence and clarity as you share your faith: Organic Outreach for Ordinary People by Kevin Harney Organic Outreach for Families by Kevin Harney Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer. See Upcoming Events Devotionals Personal Devotional Recommendations Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon Voices from the Past (Vol. 1 & 2) by Richard Rushing Valley of Vision Everyday Gospel by Paul David Tripp Refreshment for the Soul by Richard Sibbes Family Devotional Recommendations Comforting Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade The Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller Bearing Fruit by Diana Kleyn New City Catechism Family Worship Bible Guide The Biggest Story Bible by Kevin DeYoung Resources Monthly Updates from Pastor Ryan 'Round the Table ‘Round the Table offers gospel-centered articles, podcasts, videos, and teaching resources to help you grow in your faith. Visit roundthetable.co or click the button below to explore our content. Stop by the ‘Round the Table lobby booth to browse our books and sign up for our newsletter. Explore 'Round the Table

Never Alone Marriage Conference A Weekend to Strengthen Your Marriage Join us for the Peace Church Marriage Conference on February 7-8, 2025, designed to encourage and equip married couples in their journey with Christ. Featuring dynamic keynote speakers Jimmy and Kelly Needham, this two-day event will inspire you with biblical insights and practical wisdom to deepen your relationship with your spouse. The conference kicks off on Friday evening from 5-7:30 PM and continues Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM (8:30 AM check-in). Registration is $99 per couple through January 24 and $125 for extended registration (January 25 through the event). Childcare is available on Friday evening for $5 per child. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your marriage through engaging sessions, fellowship with other couples, and a renewed focus on God’s plan for your relationship. Register today! Keynote Speakers Breakout Speakers Frequently Asked Questions Schedule Friday 5:45pm – Check-In 7:00-7:30pm – Welcome 7:45-8:30pm – Main Session 1 (Tabernacle) 8:30pm – Reflection Time 8:45-9:15pm – Worship Saturday 8:00-9:00am – Breakfast (Great Lakes Room) 9:00-10:20am – Main Session 2 (Tabernacle) 10:30-11:15am – Breakout Sessions (Choose 1 of 4 options) 11:30-12:15pm – Breakout Sessions (Choose 1 of 4 options) 12:30-1:30pm – Lunch (Great Lakes Room) 1:00-5:00pm – Free Time (Pickleball in Gym) 1:00-2:00pm - Couple Photos 1:00-2:00pm - Free coffee tasting in Pure M Café 5:30-6:30pm - Dinner (Great Lakes Room) 6:30-7:15pm – Breakout Sessions (Choose 1 of 4 options) 7:30-8:30pm – Main Session 3 (Tabernacle) 8:30-8:45pm - Prayer Time 9:00-10:00pm – Entertainment (Tabernacle) Sunday 8:00am – Breakfast (Great Lakes Room) 9:00-10:00am – Main Session 4 (Tabernacle) 10:00-10:30am – Closing Worship 11:00am – Pack Up and Departure Map Maranatha Map Keynote Speakers Pastor Jon Delger Married with Jesus as Our Lord Pastor Ryan Kimmel Married with Scripture as Our Wisdom Pastor Logan Bailey Married with Eternity in Mind & Married with God as Our Treasure Breakout Speakers Pastor Logan & Rachel Bailey - Michigan Serving Together Pastor Noah & Liz Kamper - Tabernacle Finding Rhythm and Rest in Marriage Chris Wingeier - Ontario Financial Stewardship Pastor Aaron & Jessica Lewis - Michigan When Life Gets Hard Bookstore 12 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Easter 3 Days that Changed the World 5 Postcards [Encouragement] 7 Assorted Bible Verse Notecards A Good Old Age: An A to Z of Loving and Following the Lord Jesus in Later Years ~ Derek Prime A London Sparrow: The Inspiring and True Story of Gladys Aylward ~ Phyllis Thompson A Passion for Life ~ D J Carswell A Praying Life ~ Paul E. Miller A Taste of Asia: 21 Devotional Adventures for the Family ~ Reuben Grace An Anchor for the Soul Ann Judson: A Missionary life for Burma ~ Sharon James Are We Nearly There Yet? Arlo and the Great Big Cover Up Arlo and the Keep-Out Club Becoming Elisabeth Elliot Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures For Approaching God's Word ~ Matt Smethurst Before You Say I Don't Believe ~ Roger Carswell Before You Share Your Faith Beginners Gospel Story bible Bible Infographics for Kids Bible Infographics for Kids Volume 2 Bibles Stories Every Child Should Know Biggest Story Bible Story Book Build a Stronger Marriage Building a Godly Home Building a Marriage to Last C is for Christian ~ Alistair Begg Charlie and the Preschool Prodigal Christian Marriage Christian Postcards (packs of 10) Church History - Simonetta Carr Church History in Plain Language - Bruce Shelley Comforting Hearts, Teaching Minds - Starr Meade Coop Helps Out Coop Messes Up Creation ~ Susie Poole, Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe Daily Readings From All Four Gospels ~ JC Ryle Danger Lies Ahead Daniel (First Word Heroes) ~ Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe David (First Word Heroes) ~ Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe Deeper Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith (IVP Signature Collection) ~ Michael Reeves Devotional dippers (Key Bible words) ~ Andrew Sweasey Devotional dippers (Names and attributes of God) ~ Andrew Sweasey Devotional dippers (Prayer) ~ Andrew Sweasey Devotional dippers (Wisdom) ~ Champ Thornton Dig into Matthew: A Daily Bible Study ~ Chris Ranson Discipleship for Kids Disciplines of a Godly Man (Updated Ed.) ~ Hughes, R. Kent Disciplines of Grace - Bridges Divine Comedy - Human Tragedy Do You Pray? : A question for everybody ~ J C Ryle and Mary Davis Don't Waste Your Life Duties of Parents ~ JC Ryle & Alan Witchalls Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth Easter Activies Easter: The Greatest News Ember Falls (The Green Ember Series: Book II) ~ S. D. Smith Ember Rising (The Green Ember Series: Book III) ~ S. D. Smith Ember’s End (The Green Ember Series: Book IV) ~ S. D. Smith Emergency Prayers: God's Help fior Every Need Emotions: Mirrors of the Heart ~ Catherine Haddow Empty! Enjoy Your Prayer Life ~ Michael Reeves [Union Series] Esther (First Word Heroines) ~ Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe ESV Heritage Single Column Chestnut ESV Large Print Black ESV Large Print Compact Bible, Hardcover, Spring Bloom Design ESV Large Print Compact Bible, TruTone®, Brown, Mosaic Cross Design ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, 5 volume set ESV Study Bible Hardcover ESV Thinline TruTone Br/Crd Port Open Box Evangelistic Living: Making Our Lives Count for Christ ~ Roger Carswell Everyday Gospel - Paul Tripp Everyday talk about sex and marriage Everyone a Child Should Know ~ Clare Heath-Whyte Everything a Child Should Know About God Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II ~ Darlene Deibler Rose Expository Thoughts on the Gospels - Ryle Boxset Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop Faith: Scripture Notebook (10Pub) Family Worship Bible Guide Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia Finding Mercy on the Way of Sorrow First Wives' Club ~ Clare Heath-Whyte Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age Following Jesus in an Age of Quitters ~ John D Gillespie For Girls Only! Devotions For Richer For Poorer ~ Clare Heath-Whyte Forgiven Friends and the Traveller From Glory Into Glory Gain the Whole World ~ CB Martin Gentle and Lowly ~ Dane Ortlund Genuine: Becoming a Real Teenager ~ CB Martin God Does His Best Work With Empty ~ Nancy Guthrie God Is Better Than Trucks: A-Z Alphabetical Book ~ Sarah Reju God Made Boys and Girls: Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender God Made Me For Worship God marriage and family God’s Bible Timeline: The Big Book of Biblical History ~ Linda Finlayson God's Big Picture ~ Vaughan Roberts God's Needle ~ John Butterworth God's Secret Listener ~ John Butterworth God's Smuggler God's Timeline ~ Linda Finlayson Gods signpost Gospel of John Gospel Shaped Womanhood Grace: Scripture Notebook (10Pub) Grandparenting with Grace Greetings cards Grill a Christian ~ Roger Carswell Growing Up God's Way - For Boys Growing up God's Way - For Girls Happiness ~ J C Ryle and Mary Davis Have No Fear: Being salt and light even when it's costly ~ John Lennox Have You Ever Wondered?: Finding the Everyday Clues to Meaning, Purpose & Spirituality Heavenly Minded ~ Mary Willson Hannah Help for the Hungry Soul Henry's Big Mistake His Grace Is Enough ~ Melissa B Kruger & Isobel Lundie Holiness ~ JC Ryle [10Publishing edition] Holiness of God - Sproul Holy Sexuality and the Gospel Hope for All the Earth Hope: Scripture Notebook (10Pub) How to Get the Most Out of Your Counseling How to See Life: A Guide in 3 2 1 Hudson Taylor: Deep in the Heart of China I Can’t Believe My Eyes: A children's story on the existence of God I See Jesus I'm Praying for You: 40 Days of Praying the Bible for Someone Who is Suffering ~ Nancy Guthrie Immeasurably More Impossible Christianity In Her Words ~ Patricia St John In His Image ~ Jen Wilkin Incomparable Intentional Jars of Clay: Peace for the Anxious Soul ~ Catherine Haddow Jesus Saves: The Gospel for Toddlers Jesus Through the Eyes of Women Jonah (First Word Heroes) ~ Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe Journey Back to Joy ~ Dai Hankey [Union Series] Just Do Something Just Show Up: How Small Acts of Faithfulness Change Everything (A Guide for Exhausted Christians) Keeping a Quiet Heart Kids' Big Questions about Heaven, the Bible, and Other Really Important Stuff Knowing God - JI Packer Let Me Be a Woman Letters for Exiles ~ Andy Lamberton Lies Boys Believe Lies Girls Believe Like Or Follow Little Pilgrim's Progress Live Your Truth and Other Lies Loneliness: Don't Hate It or Waste It. Redeem It. Lost in the Caverns, Volume 3 Dream Keeper Saga Love Story Loving Your Adult Children Lucy and the Saturday Surprise Making Good Return: Biblical Wisdom on Honoring Aging Parents Mama Bear Apologetics Marriage – Paul David Tripp Married for God - Christopher Ash Martha (First Word Heroines) ~ Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe Meg is Not Alone Memorizing Scripture Mere Christianity Miriam (First Word Heroines) ~ Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe Morning and Evening - Charles Spurgeon Mud, Bullets and Open Roads My First ABC Book of Bible Verses Neighborhoods Reimagined New City Catechism New Morning Mercies New Morning Mercies for Teens Nine Day Queen of England No Reason to Hide Noah (First Word Heroes) ~ Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe Noah's Ark Activities None Like Him ~ Jen Wilkin North or Be Eaten - Book 2 Now and Not Yet Oh, The Treasures You'll Know! ~ Dan Olson and Craig MacIntosh Old Wives' Tales ~ Clare Heath-Whyte On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness Book 1 One Out of the Black Shadows ~ Stephen Lungu and Anne Coomes Overcoming Walls to Witnessing ~ Timothy K. Beougher Parenting – Paul David Tripp Parenting with Hope Pause Pilgrim Prayers - Tim Challies Pilgrim: 25 Ways God’s Character Leads Us Onward ~ Ruth Chou Simons Point Man Polly and the Screen Time Overload Radical Book for Kids Raising Kids in the Way of Grace ~ Bob Kellemen Raising Kids with a Heart for Mission ~ Daniel Akin Raising Men, Not Boys Real Bad Guys really radical book for kids Redeeming Sex in Marriage Remaking the World Respectable Sins Right With God Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments Road Map to Jesus ~ Alistair Chalmers Ruth (First Word Heroines) ~ Julie Clayden & Angela Joliffe Sagas Sam and the Sticky Situation: A Book about Whining Sarah Edwards ~ Sharon James Screwtape Letters Scuttlebutt Letters Seek and Find: New Testament Bible Stories Seek and Find: Old Testament Bible Stories Sharing the Gospel with a Jehovah's Witness ~ Tony Brown Sharing the Gospel with a Mormon ~ Tony Brown Sharing the gospel with a Muslim Neighbor Sighing on Sunday Social Sanity in an Insta World Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Star of Light Strangers and Exiles Suffering and Singing ~ John Hindley [Union Series] Surprised by Jesus: Subversive Grace in the Four Gospels ~ Dane Ortlund Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College Tears and Tossing ~ Sarah Walton Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands ~ Jen Wilkin Thank you Cards The Art of Turning ~ Kevin DeYoung The Biggest Story Hardback The Dark Star The Day the Earth Shook The Day the Earth Shook The Dead Sea Squirrels 6-Pack Books 1-6: Squirreled Away / Boy Meets Squirrels / Nutty Study Buddies / Squirrelnapped! / Tree-mendous Trouble / Whirly Squirrelies The Deconstruction of Christianity The Dragon and the Stone, Volume 1 Dream Keeper Saga The Final Lap The First Skyrider The Forgotten King The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness ~ Timothy Keller The Friends and the Traveller The Fruitful Home ~ Ann Benton The Good News of Easter The Gospel A-Z The Grand Tour The Green Ember (The Green Ember Series: Book I) ~ S. D. Smith The Heart of Jesus: How He Really Feels about You ~ Dane Ortlund The Hiding Place 35th Anniversary Edition ~ Corrie ten Boom The Hiding Place: Graphic Novel The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School The Jesus Storybook Bible The King Of All Things The King, the Cross, and the Meaning of Easter The Legendary Casey Jones The Life I Now Live The Lord of Psalm 23 The Lost Prince - HR Hess The Meaning of Marriage The Monster in the Hollows - Book 3 The Mystery of the Empty Tomb The New Testament Handbook, Stone Cloth Over Board: A Visual Guide Through the New Testament The Old Testament Handbook, Charcoal Cloth-Over-Board: A Visual Guide Through the Old Testament The Ology The Other Kitten The Pilgrim's Progress ~ John Bunyan The Prince and the Blight, Volume 2 Dream Keeper The Quest for the Guardians The Resurrection The Runaway Sheep The Seed of the Woman ~ Nana Dolce The Shadow and the Promise The Story of God Our King The Story Of God Our Savior The Story of God With Us The Tanglewoods' Secret ~ Patricia St John (2015) The Treasure The Trinity The True King ~ Nancy Guthrie The Truth About Lies The Valley of Vision (P/B) ~ Arthur Bennett- The Warden and the Wolf King The Weary World Rejoices Things God Wants us to Know Things We All Have in Common Think Again This Momentary Marriage - John Piper Thoughts For Young Men ~ J C Ryle and Mary Davis Time Well Spent: A Practical Guide to Developing Your Daily Devotions ~ Colin Webster To A Different Drum ~ Pauline Hamilton Todo lo Que un Niño Debería Saber Sobre Dios (Everything A Child Should Know about God) Topsy Turvy King ~ Alison Brewis Tree Street Kids Set Unbreakable ~ Andrew Wilson [Union Series]- Unlocking Mark’s Gospel ~ Ruth Bridcut Valley of Vision Visible Grace Voices from the Past (vol. 1) - Richard Rushing Waiting Isn't a Waste War and Faith War and Grace We Shall All Be Changed What Do I Say When...A Parents' Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teens What Every Child Should Know About Prayer (US) ~ Nancy Guthrie What is a Christian? What the Bible is All About Handbook When People are Big and God is Small (2nd edition) Where Is God In a Messed-Up World? ~ Roger Carswell Who is Jesus? Wild Things, The Art of Nurturing Boys - James and Thomas Wingfeather Tales: Seven Thrilling Stories from the World of Aerwiar #5 Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds (Updated Edition) ~ Jen Wilkin Wonderfull Wow God, Thank You, Sorry, Please You are a theologian You Never Stop Being A Parent Your Verdict on the Empty Tomb Zoe's Time to Shine Vision To see the Gospel embraced and passed on for generations of Kingdom impact. Mission At Peace Church, we are Gospel-Centered, Family-Focused, and Kingdom-Minded. Sponsors Sponsors 2024 Conference Messages

Proclaim A Journey of Faith Nearly 60 years ago, a group of faithful believers embarked on an incredible adventure to fulfill God's great commission in a new place. Over the decades, Peace Church has witnessed the remarkable hand of the Lord at work in our midst. In October 2023, we began PROCLAIM, a two-year spiritual and financial journey to support God’s call for us to continue to proclaim the gospel. Cherry Valley Entrance M37 North Entrance Cherry Valley South Entrance M37 South Entrance Worship Center Lobby New Plan for the Parking Lot New Plan for the Worship Center Cherry Valley Entrance M37 North Entrance Cherry Valley South Entrance M37 South Entrance Worship Center Lobby New Plan for the Parking Lot New Plan for the Worship Center Cherry Valley Entrance M37 North Entrance Cherry Valley South Entrance M37 South Entrance Worship Center Lobby New Plan for the Parking Lot New Plan for the Worship Center Cherry Valley Entrance M37 North Entrance Cherry Valley South Entrance M37 South Entrance Worship Center Lobby New Plan for the Parking Lot New Plan for the Worship Center What's Next? At any time you can join in the PROCLAIM journey! We invite you to pray and consider how the Lord may be calling you to sacrificially give to God’s call. We are so thankful for the faithful, generous, and sacrificial giving of the Peace Church family! All glory to God who is building his Church! Fill Out a Commitment Card Fill out an online Commitment Card or print one to drop in the offering box on Sunday. Online Commitment Card Print a Commitment Card Give to Proclaim Give via check with “PROCLAIM” in the memo, or online by selecting PROCLAIM in the drop-down menu. Give Online Proclaim Sermon Series This sermon series is entitled “Proclaim!” because, of all the things we are about at Peace Church, we proclaim the Gospel of Truth. This series is a walkthrough of Colossians chapter one, which provides the scriptural framework for our all-church spiritual journey and capital campaign. Colossians chapter one is a powerful section of scripture which is all about Jesus, his power and place in the universe, and in our lives. This series will help us prepare us to follow God’s call as we proclaim his message into the future that He is calling us to! Watch Proclaim Sermon Series September 2024 Proclaim Update August 2024 Proclaim Update July 2024 Proclaim Update June 2024 Proclaim Update May 2024 Proclaim Update April 2024 Proclaim Update March 2024 Proclaim Update February 2024 Proclaim Update

Heidelberg Catechism Introduction Part I: Misery Part II: Deliverance God The Father God The Holy Spirit God The Son The Holy Sacraments Holy Baptism The Holy Supper of Jesus Christ Part III: Gratitude The Ten Commandments The Lord's Prayer Introduction The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) is one of the most beloved and widely used confessions of faith in the Reformed tradition. Commissioned by Elector Frederick III of the Palatinate, it was written in Heidelberg, Germany, to provide a clear, biblical, and pastoral guide for teaching the Christian faith. Traditionally attributed to Zacharias Ursinus as the primary writer, with Caspar Olevianus playing a smaller role, the catechism was designed for young people, church preaching, and confessional unity among Protestants. Organized into 52 Lord’s Days for weekly study, it follows three key themes: guilt (our sin and need for salvation), grace (God’s redemption through Christ), and gratitude (our response to His grace). This simple yet profound structure makes it a valuable tool for both new and mature believers. The Synod of Dort (1619) formally approved the catechism, and it has since been translated worldwide, shaping the faith of countless Christians. With its warm, pastoral tone, the Heidelberg Catechism remains a trusted resource for understanding the comfort and assurance found in Jesus Christ. Lord’s Day 1 Q & A 1 Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I am not my own,1 but belong— body and soul, in life and in death—2 to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,4 and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.5 He also watches over me in such a way6 that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven;7 in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.8 Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life9 and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.10 1 1 Cor. 6:19-20 2 Rom. 14:7-9 3 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14 4 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:2 5 John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 John 3:1-11 6 John 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5 7 Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18 8 Rom. 8:28 9 Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14 10 Rom. 8:1-17 Q & A 2 Q. What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort? A. Three things: first, how great my sin and misery are;1 second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery;2 third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance.3 1 Rom. 3:9-10; 1 John 1:10 2 John 17:3; Acts 4:12; 10:43 3 Matt. 5:16; Rom. 6:13; Eph. 5:8-10; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:9-10 Part I: Misery Lord’s Day 2 Q & A 3 Q. How do you come to know your misery? A. The law of God tells me.1 1 Rom. 3:20; 7:7-25 Q & A 4 Q. What does God’s law require of us? A. Christ teaches us this in summary in Matthew 22:37-40: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’1 This is the greatest and first commandment. “And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’2 “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” 1 Deut. 6:5 2 Lev. 19:18 Q & A 5 Q. Can you live up to all this perfectly? A. No.1 I have a natural tendency to hate God and my neighbor.2 1 Rom. 3:9-20, 23; 1 John 1:8, 10 2 Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 7:23-24; 8:7; Eph. 2:1-3; Titus 3:3 Lord’s Day 3 Q & A 6 Q. Did God create people so wicked and perverse? A. No. God created them good1 and in his own image,2 that is, in true righteousness and holiness,3 so that they might truly know God their creator,4 love him with all their heart, and live with God in eternal happiness, to praise and glorify him.5 1 Gen. 1:31 2 Gen. 1:26-27 3 Eph. 4:24 4 Col. 3:10 5 Ps. 8 Q & A 7 Q. Then where does this corrupt human nature come from? A. The fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise.1 This fall has so poisoned our nature2 that we are all conceived and born in a sinful condition.3 1 Gen. 3 2 Rom. 5:12, 18-19 3 Ps. 51:5 Q & A 8 Q. But are we so corrupt that we are totally unable to do any good and inclined toward all evil? A. Yes,1 unless we are born again by the Spirit of God.2 1 Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Job 14:4; Isa. 53:6 2 John 3:3-5 Lord’s Day 4 Q & A 9 Q. But doesn’t God do us an injustice by requiring in his law what we are unable to do? A. No, God created human beings with the ability to keep the law.1 They, however, provoked by the devil,2 in willful disobedience,3 robbed themselves and all their descendants of these gifts.4 1 Gen. 1:31; Eph. 4:24 2 Gen. 3:13; John 8:44 3 Gen. 3:6 4 Rom. 5:12, 18, 19 Q & A 10 Q. Does God permit such disobedience and rebellion to go unpunished? A. Certainly not. God is terribly angry with the sin we are born with as well as the sins we personally commit. As a just judge, God will punish them both now and in eternity,1 having declared: “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.”2 1 Ex. 34:7; Ps. 5:4-6; Nah. 1:2; Rom. 1:18; Eph. 5:6; Heb. 9:27 2 Gal. 3:10; Deut. 27:26 Q & A 11 Q. But isn’t God also merciful? A. God is certainly merciful,1 but also just.2 God’s justice demands that sin, committed against his supreme majesty, be punished with the supreme penalty— eternal punishment of body and soul.3 1 Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:8-9 2 Ex. 34:7; Deut. 7:9-11; Ps. 5:4-6; Heb. 10:30-31 3 Matt. 25:35-46 BACK TO TOP Part II: Deliverance Lord’s Day 5 Q & A 12 Q. According to God’s righteous judgment we deserve punishment both now and in eternity: how then can we escape this punishment and return to God’s favor? A. God requires that his justice be satisfied.1 Therefore the claims of this justice must be paid in full, either by ourselves or by another.2 1 Ex. 23:7; Rom. 2:1-11 2 Isa. 53:11; Rom. 8:3-4 Q & A 13 Q. Can we make this payment ourselves? A. Certainly not. Actually, we increase our debt every day.1 1 Matt. 6:12; Rom. 2:4-5 Q & A 14 Q. Can another creature—any at all— pay this debt for us? A. No. To begin with, God will not punish any other creature for what a human is guilty of.1 Furthermore, no mere creature can bear the weight of God’s eternal wrath against sin and deliver others from it.2 1 Ezek. 18:4, 20; Heb. 2:14-18 2 Ps. 49:7-9; 130:3 Q & A 15 Q. What kind of mediator and deliverer should we look for then? A. One who is a true1 and righteous2 human, yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God.3 1 Rom. 1:3; 1 Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:17 2 Isa. 53:9; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26 3 Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Jer. 23:6; John 1:1 Lord’s Day 6 Q & A 16 Q. Why must the mediator be a true and righteous human? A. God’s justice demands that human nature, which has sinned, must pay for sin;1 but a sinful human could never pay for others.2 1 Rom. 5:12, 15; 1 Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:14-16 2 Heb. 7:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:18 Q & A 17 Q. Why must the mediator also be true God? A. So that the mediator, by the power of his divinity, might bear the weight of God’s wrath in his humanity and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.1 1 Isa. 53; John 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:21 Q & A 18 Q. Then who is this mediator— true God and at the same time a true and righteous human? A. Our Lord Jesus Christ,1 who was given to us to completely deliver us and make us right with God.2 1 Matt. 1:21-23; Luke 2:11; 1 Tim. 2:5 2 1 Cor. 1:30 Q & A 19 Q. How do you come to know this? A. The holy gospel tells me. God began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise;1 later God proclaimed it by the holy patriarchs2 and prophets3 and foreshadowed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law;4 and finally God fulfilled it through his own beloved Son.5 1 Gen. 3:15 2 Gen. 22:18; 49:10 3 Isa. 53; Jer. 23:5-6; Mic. 7:18-20; Acts 10:43; Heb. 1:1-2 4 Lev. 1-7; John 5:46; Heb. 10:1-10 5 Rom. 10:4; Gal. 4:4-5; Col. 2:17 Lord’s Day 7 Q & A 20 Q. Are all people then saved through Christ just as they were lost through Adam? A. No. Only those are saved who through true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all his benefits.1 1 Matt. 7:14; John 3:16, 18, 36; Rom. 11:16-21 Q & A 21 Q. What is true faith? A. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in Scripture;1 it is also a wholehearted trust,2 which the Holy Spirit creates in me3 by the gospel,4 that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also,5 forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation.6 These are gifts of sheer grace, granted solely by Christ’s merit.7 1 John 17:3, 17; Heb. 11:1-3; James 2:19 2 Rom. 4:18-21; 5:1; 10:10; Heb. 4:14-16 3 Matt. 16:15-17; John 3:5; Acts 16:14 4 Rom. 1:16; 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21 5 Gal. 2:20 6 Rom. 1:17; Heb. 10:10 7 Rom. 3:21-26; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-10 Q & A 22 Q. What then must a Christian believe? A. All that is promised us in the gospel,1 a summary of which is taught us in the articles of our universal and undisputed Christian faith. 1 Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:30-31 Q & A 23 Q. What are these articles? A. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to 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. I 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. Amen. Lord’s Day 8 Q & A 24 Q. How are these articles divided? A. Into three parts: God the Father and our creation; God the Son and our deliverance; and God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification. Q & A 25 Q. Since there is only one divine being,1 why do you speak of three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? A. Because that is how God has revealed himself in his Word:2 these three distinct persons are one, true, eternal God. 1 Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6 2Matt. 3:16-17; 28:18-19; Luke 4:18 (Isa. 61:1); John 14:26; 15:26; 2 Cor. 13:14; Gal. 4:6; Tit. 3:5-6 God the Father Lord’s Day 9 Q & A 26 Q. What do you believe when you say, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”? A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them,1 who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence,2 is my God and Father because of Christ the Son.3 I trust God so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul,4 and will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends upon me in this sad world.5 God is able to do this because he is almighty God6 and desires to do this because he is a faithful Father.7 1 Gen. 1-2; Ex. 20:11; Ps. 33:6; Isa. 44:24; Acts 4:24; 14:15 2 Ps. 104; Matt. 6:30; 10:29; Eph. 1:11 3 John 1:12-13; Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:4-7; Eph. 1:5 4 Ps. 55:22; Matt. 6:25-26; Luke 12:22-31 5 Rom. 8:28 6 Gen. 18:14; Rom. 8:31-39 7 Matt. 7:9-11 Lord’s Day 10 Q & A 27 Q. What do you understand by the providence of God? A. The almighty and ever present power of God1 by which God upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures,2 and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty—3 all things, in fact, come to us not by chance4 but by his fatherly hand.5 1 Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-28 2 Heb. 1:3 3 Jer. 5:24; Acts 14:15-17/a>; John 9:3; Prov. 22:2 4 Prov. 16:33 5 Matt. 10:29 Q & A 28 Q. How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us? A. We can be patient when things go against us,1 thankful when things go well,2 and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in creation will separate us from his love.3 For all creatures are so completely in God’s hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved.4 1 Job 1:21-22; James 1:3 2 Deut. 8:10; 1 Thess. 5:18 3 Ps. 55:22; Rom. 5:3-5; 8:38-39 4 Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov. 21:1; Acts 17:24-28 God the Son Lord’s Day 11 Q & A 29 Q. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus,” meaning “savior”? A. Because he saves us from our sins,1 and because salvation should not be sought and cannot be found in anyone else.2 1 Matt. 1:21; Heb. 7:25 2 Isa. 43:11; John 15:5; Acts 4:11-12; 1 Tim. 2:5 Q & A 30 Q. Do those who look for their salvation in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere really believe in the only savior Jesus? A. No. Although they boast of being his, by their actions they deny the only savior, Jesus.1 Either Jesus is not a perfect savior, or those who in true faith accept this savior have in him all they need for their salvation.2 1 1 Cor. 1:12-13; Gal. 5:4 2 Col. 1:19-20; 2:10; 1 John 1:7 Lord’s Day 12 Q & A 31 Q. Why is he called “Christ,” meaning “anointed”? A. Because he has been ordained by God the Father and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit1 to be our chief prophet and teacher2 who fully reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our deliverance;3 our only high priest4 who has delivered us by the one sacrifice of his body,5 and who continually pleads our cause with the Father;6 and our eternal king7 who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and who guards us and keeps us in the freedom he has won for us.8 1 Luke 3:21-22; 4:14-19 (Isa. 61:1); Heb. 1:9 (Ps. 45:7) 2 Acts 3:22 (Deut. 18:15) 3 John 1:18; 15:15 4 Heb. 7:17 (Ps. 110:4) 5 Heb. 9:12; 10:11-14 6 Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24 7 Matt. 21:5 (Zech. 9:9) 8 Matt. 28:18-20; John 10:28; Rev. 12:10-11 Q & A 32 Q. But why are you called a Christian? A. Because by faith I am a member of Christ1 and so I share in his anointing.2 I am anointed to confess his name,3 to present myself to him as a living sacrifice of thanks,4 to strive with a free conscience against sin and the devil in this life,5 and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for eternity.6 1 1 Cor. 12:12-27 2 Acts 2:17 (Joel 2:28); 1 John 2:27 3 Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9-10; Heb. 13:15 4 Rom. 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9 5 Gal. 5:16-17; Eph. 6:11; 1 Tim. 1:18-19 6 Matt. 25:34; 2 Tim. 2:12 Lord’s Day 13 Q & A 33 Q. Why is he called God’s “only begotten Son” when we also are God’s children? A. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God.1 We, however, are adopted children of God— adopted by grace through Christ.2 1 John 1:1-3, 14, 18; Heb. 1 2 John 1:12; Rom. 8:14-17; Eph. 1:5-6 Q & A 34 Q. Why do you call him “our Lord”? A. Because— not with gold or silver, but with his precious blood—1 he has set us free from sin and from the tyranny of the devil,2 and has bought us, body and soul, to be his very own.3 1 1 Pet. 1:18-19 2 Col. 1:13-14; Heb. 2:14-15 3 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Tim. 2:5-6 Lord’s Day 14 Q & A 35 Q. What does it mean that he “was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary”? A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God,1 took to himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit,2 from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,3 a truly human nature so that he might also become David’s true descendant,4 like his brothers and sisters in every way5 except for sin.6 1 John 1:1; 10:30-36; Acts 13:33 (Ps. 2:7); Col. 1:15-17; 1 John 5:20 2 Luke 1:35 3 Matt. 1:18-23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:14 4 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11; Matt. 1:1; Rom. 1:3 5 Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:17 6 Heb. 4:15; 7:26-27 Q & A 36 Q. How does the holy conception and birth of Christ benefit you? A. He is our mediator1 and, in God’s sight, he covers with his innocence and perfect holiness my sinfulness in which I was conceived.2 1 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 9:13-15 2 Rom. 8:3-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 4:4-5; 1 Pet. 1:18-19 Lord’s Day 15 Q & A 37 Q. What do you understand by the word “suffered”? A. That during his whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race.1 This he did in order that, by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice,2 he might deliver us, body and soul, from eternal condemnation,3 and gain for us God’s grace, righteousness, and eternal life.4 1 Isa. 53; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18 2 Rom. 3:25; Heb. 10:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10 3 Rom. 8:1-4; Gal. 3:13 4 John 3:16; Rom. 3:24-26 Q & A 38 Q. Why did he suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge? A. So that he, though innocent, might be condemned by an earthly judge,1 and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.2 1 Luke 23:13-24; John 19:4, 12-16 2 Isa. 53:4-5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13 Q & A 39 Q. Is it significant that he was “crucified” instead of dying some other way? A. Yes. By this I am convinced that he shouldered the curse which lay on me, since death by crucifixion was cursed by God.1 1 Gal. 3:10-13 (Deut. 21:23) Lord’s Day 16 Q & A 40 Q. Why did Christ have to suffer death? A. Because God’s justice and truth require it: 1 nothing else could pay for our sins except the death of the Son of God.2 1 Gen. 2:17 2 Rom. 8:3-4; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:9 Q & A 41 Q. Why was he “buried”? A. His burial testifies that he really died.1 1 Isa. 53:9; John 19:38-42; Acts 13:29; 1 Cor. 15:3-4 Q & A 42 Q. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die? A. Our death does not pay the debt of our sins.1 Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life.2 1 Ps. 49:7 2 John 5:24; Phil. 1:21-23; 1 Thess. 5:9-10 Q & A 43 Q. What further benefit do we receive from Christ’s sacrifice and death on the cross? A. By Christ’s power our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him,1 so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us,2 but that instead we may offer ourselves as a sacrifice of gratitude to him.3 1 Rom. 6:5-11; Col. 2:11-12 2 Rom. 6:12-14 3 Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1-2 Q & A 44 Q. Why does the creed add, “He descended to hell”? A. To assure me during attacks of deepest dread and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from hellish anguish and torment.1 1 Isa. 53; Matt. 26:36-46; 27:45-46; Luke 22:44; Heb. 5:7-10 Lord’s Day 17 Q & A 45 Q. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us? A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he obtained for us by his death.1 Second, by his power we too are already raised to a new life.2 Third, Christ’s resurrection is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection.3 1 Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:16-20; 1 Pet. 1:3-5 2 Rom. 6:5-11; Eph. 2:4-6; Col. 3:1-4 3 Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:12-23; Phil. 3:20-21 Lord’s Day 18 Q & A 46 Q. What do you mean by saying, “He ascended to heaven”? A. That Christ, while his disciples watched, was taken up from the earth into heaven1 and remains there on our behalf2 until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.3 1 Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11 2 Rom. 8:34; Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 7:23-25; 9:24 3 Acts 1:11 Q & A 47 Q. But isn’t Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us?1 A. Christ is true human and true God. In his human nature Christ is not now on earth;2 but in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit he is never absent from us.3 1 Matt. 28:20 2 Acts 1:9-11; 3:19-21 3 Matt. 28:18-20; John 14:16-19 Q & A 48 Q. If his humanity is not present wherever his divinity is, then aren’t the two natures of Christ separated from each other? A. Certainly not. Since divinity is not limited and is present everywhere,1 it is evident that Christ’s divinity is surely beyond the bounds of the humanity that has been taken on, but at the same time his divinity is in and remains personally united to his humanity.2 1 Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 7:48-49 (Isa. 66:1) 2 John 1:14; 3:13; Col. 2:9 Q & A 49 Q. How does Christ’s ascension to heaven benefit us? A. First, he is our advocate in heaven in the presence of his Father.1 Second, we have our own flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that Christ our head will also take us, his members, up to himself.2 Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a corresponding pledge.3 By the Spirit’s power we seek not earthly things but the things above, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand.4 1 Rom. 8:34; 1 John 2:1 2 John 14:2; 17:24; Eph. 2:4-6 3 John 14:16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5 4 Col. 3:1-4 Lord’s Day 19 Q & A 50 Q. Why the next words: “and is seated at the right hand of God”? A. Because Christ ascended to heaven to show there that he is head of his church,1 the one through whom the Father rules all things.2 1 Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 1:18 2 Matt. 28:18; John 5:22-23 Q & A 51 Q. How does this glory of Christ our head benefit us? A. First, through his Holy Spirit he pours out gifts from heaven upon us his members.1 Second, by his power he defends us and keeps us safe from all enemies.2 1 Acts 2:33; Eph. 4:7-12 2 Ps. 110:1-2; John 10:27-30; Rev. 19:11-16 Q & A 52 Q. How does Christ’s return “to judge the living and the dead” comfort you? A. In all distress and persecution, with uplifted head, I confidently await the very judge who has already offered himself to the judgment of God in my place and removed the whole curse from me.1 Christ will cast all his enemies and mine into everlasting condemnation, but will take me and all his chosen ones to himself into the joy and glory of heaven.2 1 Luke 21:28; Rom. 8:22-25; Phil. 3:20-21; Tit. 2:13-14 2 Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 1:6-10 BACK TO TOP God the Holy Spirit Lord’s Day 20 Q & A 53 Q. What do you believe concerning “the Holy Spirit”? A. First, that the Spirit, with the Father and the Son, is eternal God.1 Second, that the Spirit is given also to me,2 so that, through true faith, he makes me share in Christ and all his benefits,3 comforts me,4 and will remain with me forever.5 1 Gen. 1:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Acts 5:3-4 2 1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Gal. 4:6 3 Gal. 3:14 4 John 15:26; Acts 9:31 5 John 14:16-17; 1 Pet. 4:14 Lord’s Day 21 Q & A 54 Q. What do you believe concerning “the holy catholic church”? A. I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word,1 out of the entire human race,2 from the beginning of the world to its end,3 gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life4 and united in true faith.5 And of this community I am6 and always will be7 a living member. 1 John 10:14-16; Acts 20:28; Rom. 10:14-17; Col. 1:18 2 Gen. 26:3b-4; Rev. 5:9 3 Isa. 59:21; 1 Cor. 11:26 4 Matt. 16:18; John 10:28-30; Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:3-14 5 Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:1-6 6 1 John 3:14, 19-21 7 John 10:27-28; 1 Cor. 1:4-9; 1 Pet. 1:3-5 Q & A 55 Q. What do you understand by “the communion of saints”? A. First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts.1 Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and joyfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.2 1 Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 6:17; 12:4-7, 12-13; 1 John 1:3 2 Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:20-27; 13:1-7; Phil. 2:4-8 Q & A 56 Q. What do you believe concerning “the forgiveness of sins”? A. I believe that God, because of Christ’s satisfaction, will no longer remember any of my sins1 or my sinful nature which I need to struggle against all my life.2 Rather, by grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgment.3 1 Ps. 103:3-4, 10, 12; Mic. 7:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; 1 John 1:7; 2:2 2 Rom. 7:21-25 3 John 3:17-18; Rom. 8:1-2 Lord’s Day 22 Q & A 57 Q. How does “the resurrection of the body” comfort you? A. Not only will my soul be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head,1 but also my very flesh will be raised by the power of Christ, reunited with my soul, and made like Christ’s glorious body.2 1 Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:21-23 2 1 Cor. 15:20, 42-46, 54; Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:2 Q & A 58 Q. How does the article concerning “life everlasting” comfort you? A. Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy,1 so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart has ever imagined: a blessedness in which to praise God forever.2 1 Rom. 14:17 2 John 17:3; 1 Cor. 2:9 Lord’s Day 23 Q & A 59 Q. What good does it do you, however, to believe all this? A. In Christ I am righteous before God and heir to life everlasting.1 1 John 3:36; Rom. 1:17 (Hab. 2:4); Rom. 5:1-2 Q & A 60 Q. How are you righteous before God? A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.1 Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God’s commandments, of never having kept any of them,2 and of still being inclined toward all evil,3 nevertheless, without any merit of my own,4 out of sheer grace,5 God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ,6 as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, and as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me.7 All I need to do is accept this gift with a believing heart.8 1 Rom. 3:21-28; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil 3:8-11 2 Rom. 3:9-10 3 Rom. 7:23 4 Tit. 3:4-5 5 Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:8 6 Rom. 4:3-5 (Gen. 15:6); 2 Cor. 5:17-19; 1 John 2:1-2 7 Rom. 4:24-25; 2 Cor. 5:21 8 John 3:18; Acts 16:30-31 Q & A 61 Q. Why do you say that through faith alone you are righteous? A. Not because I please God by the worthiness of my faith. It is because only Christ’s satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness make me righteous before God,1 and because I can accept this righteousness and make it mine in no other way than through faith.2 1 1 Cor. 1:30-31 2 Rom. 10:10; 1 John 5:10-12 Lord’s Day 24 Q & A 62 Q. Why can’t our good works be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of our righteousness? A. Because the righteousness which can pass God’s judgment must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law.1 But even our best works in this life are imperfect and stained with sin.2 1 Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:10 (Deut. 27:26) 2 Isa. 64:6 Q & A 63 Q. How can our good works be said to merit nothing when God promises to reward them in this life and the next?1 A. This reward is not earned; it is a gift of grace.2 1 Matt. 5:12; Heb. 11:6 2 Luke 17:10; 2 Tim. 4:7-8 Q & A 64 Q. But doesn’t this teaching make people indifferent and wicked? A. No. It is impossible for those grafted into Christ through true faith not to produce fruits of gratitude.1 1 Luke 6:43-45; John 15:5 The Holy Sacraments Lord’s Day 25 Q & A 65 Q. It is through faith alone that we share in Christ and all his benefits: where then does that faith come from? A. The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts1 by the preaching of the holy gospel,2 and confirms it by the use of the holy sacraments.3 1 John 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; Eph. 2:8 2 Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25 3 Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 10:16 Q & A 66 Q. What are sacraments? A. Sacraments are visible, holy signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by our use of them he might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and seal that promise.1 And this is God’s gospel promise: to grant us forgiveness of sins and eternal life by grace because of Christ’s one sacrifice accomplished on the cross.2 1 Gen. 17:11; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 4:11 2 Matt. 26:27-28; Acts 2:38; Heb. 10:10 Q & A 67 Q. Are both the word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation? A. Yes! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and by the holy sacraments confirms that our entire salvation rests on Christ’s one sacrifice for us on the cross.1 1 Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 11:26; Gal. 3:27 Q & A 68 Q. How many sacraments did Christ institute in the New Testament? A. Two: holy baptism and the holy supper.1 1 Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26 BACK TO TOP Holy Baptism Lord’s Day 26 Q & A 69 Q. How does holy baptism remind and assure you that Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross benefits you personally? A. In this way: Christ instituted this outward washing1 and with it promised that, as surely as water washes away the dirt from the body, so certainly his blood and his Spirit wash away my soul’s impurity, that is, all my sins.2 1 Acts 2:38 2 Matt. 3:11; Rom. 6:3-10; 1 Pet. 3:21 Q & A 70 Q. What does it mean to be washed with Christ’s blood and Spirit? A. To be washed with Christ’s blood means that God, by grace, has forgiven our sins because of Christ’s blood poured out for us in his sacrifice on the cross.1 To be washed with Christ’s Spirit means that the Holy Spirit has renewed and sanctified us to be members of Christ, so that more and more we become dead to sin and live holy and blameless lives.2 1 Zech. 13:1; Eph. 1:7-8; Heb. 12:24; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rev. 1:5 2 Ezek. 36:25-27; John 3:5-8; Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 6:11; Col. 2:11-12 Q & A 71 Q. Where does Christ promise that we are washed with his blood and Spirit as surely as we are washed with the water of baptism? A. In the institution of baptism, where he says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”1 “The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.”2 This promise is repeated when Scripture calls baptism “the water of rebirth”3 and the washing away of sins.4 1 Matt. 28:19 2 Mark 16:16 3 Tit. 3:5 4 Acts 22:16 Lord’s Day 27 Q & A 72 Q. Does this outward washing with water itself wash away sins? A. No, only Jesus Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins.1 1 Matt. 3:11; 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 John 1:7 Q & A 73 Q. Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the water of rebirth and the washing away of sins? A. God has good reason for these words. To begin with, God wants to teach us that the blood and Spirit of Christ take away our sins just as water removes dirt from the body.1 But more important, God wants to assure us, by this divine pledge and sign, that we are as truly washed of our sins spiritually as our bodies are washed with water physically.2 1 1 Cor. 6:11; Rev. 1:5; 7:14 2 Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27 Q & A 74 Q. Should infants also be baptized? A. Yes. Infants as well as adults are included in God’s covenant and people,1 and they, no less than adults, are promised deliverance from sin through Christ’s blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith.2 Therefore, by baptism, the sign of the covenant, they too should be incorporated into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers.3 This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision,4 which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism.5 1 Gen. 17:7; Matt. 19:14 2 Isa. 44:1-3; Acts 2:38-39; 16:31 3 Acts 10:47; 1 Cor. 7:14 4 Gen. 17:9-14 5 Col. 2:11-13 BACK TO TOP BACK TO TOP BACK TO TOP The Holy Supper of Jesus Christ Lord’s Day 28 Q & A 75 Q. How does the holy supper remind and assure you that you share in Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross and in all his benefits? A. In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat this broken bread and to drink this cup in remembrance of him. With this command come these promises:1 First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup shared with me, so surely his body was offered and broken for me and his blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the one who serves, and taste with my mouth the bread and cup of the Lord, given me as sure signs of Christ’s body and blood, so surely he nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with his crucified body and poured-out blood. 1 Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25 Q & A 76 Q. What does it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and to drink his poured-out blood? A. It means to accept with a believing heart the entire suffering and death of Christ and thereby to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.1 But it means more. Through the Holy Spirit, who lives both in Christ and in us, we are united more and more to Christ’s blessed body.2 And so, although he is in heaven3 and we are on earth, we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone.4 And we forever live on and are governed by one Spirit, as the members of our body are by one soul.5 1 John 6:35, 40, 50-54 2 John 6:55-56; 1 Cor. 12:13 3 Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 11:26; Col. 3:1 4 1 Cor. 6:15-17; Eph. 5:29-30; 1 John 4:13 5 John 6:56-58; 15:1-6; Eph. 4:15-16; 1 John 3:24 Q & A 77 Q. Where does Christ promise to nourish and refresh believers with his body and blood as surely as they eat this broken bread and drink this cup? A. In the institution of the Lord’s Supper: “The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is [broken]* for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”1 This promise is repeated by Paul in these words: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”2 1 1 Cor. 11:23-26 2 1 Cor. 10:16-17 *The word “broken” does not appear in the NRSV text, but it was present in the original German of the Heidelberg Catechism. Lord’s Day 29 Q & A 78 Q. Do the bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ? A. No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into Christ’s blood and does not itself wash away sins but is simply a divine sign and assurance1 of these things, so too the holy bread of the Lord’s Supper does not become the actual body of Christ,2 even though it is called the body of Christ3 in keeping with the nature and language of sacraments.4 1 Eph. 5:26; Tit. 3:5 2 Matt. 26:26-29 3 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:26-28 4 Gen. 17:10-11; Ex. 12:11, 13; 1 Cor. 10:1-4 Q & A 79 Q. Why then does Christ call the bread his body and the cup his blood, or the new covenant in his blood, and Paul use the words, a sharing in Christ’s body and blood? A. Christ has good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that just as bread and wine nourish the temporal life, so too his crucified body and poured-out blood are the true food and drink of our souls for eternal life.1 But more important, he wants to assure us, by this visible sign and pledge, that we, through the Holy Spirit’s work, share in his true body and blood as surely as our mouths receive these holy signs in his remembrance,2 and that all of his suffering and obedience are as definitely ours as if we personally had suffered and made satisfaction for our sins.3 1 John 6:51, 55 2 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:26 3 Rom. 6:5-11 Lord’s Day 30 Q & A 80* Q. How does the Lord’s Supper differ from the Roman Catholic Mass? A. The Lord’s Supper declares to us that all our sins are completely forgiven through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he himself accomplished on the cross once for all.1 It also declares to us that the Holy Spirit grafts us into Christ,2 who with his true body is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father3 where he wants us to worship him.4 [But the Mass teaches that the living and the dead do not have their sins forgiven through the suffering of Christ unless Christ is still offered for them daily by the priests. It also teaches that Christ is bodily present under the form of bread and wine where Christ is therefore to be worshiped. Thus the Mass is basically nothing but a denial of the one sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ and a condemnable idolatry.]** 1 John 19:30; Heb. 7:27; 9:12, 25-26; 10:10-18 2 1 Cor. 6:17; 10:16-17 3 Acts 7:55-56; Heb. 1:3; 8:1 4 Matt. 6:20-21; John 4:21-24; Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:1-3 *Q&A 80 was altogether absent from the first edition of the catechism but was present in a shorter form in the second edition. The translation here given is of the expanded text of the third edition. **In response to a mandate from Synod 1998, the Christian Reformed Church’s Interchurch Relations Committee conducted a study of Q&A 80 and the Roman Catholic Mass. Based on this study, Synod 2004 declared that “Q&A 80 can no longer be held in its current form as part of our confession.” Synod 2006 directed that Q&A 80 remain in the CRC’s text of the Heidelberg Catechism but that the last three paragraphs be placed in brackets to indicate that they do not accurately reflect the official teaching and practice of today’s Roman Catholic Church and are no longer confessionally binding on members of the CRC. The Reformed Church in America retains the original full text, choosing to recognize that the catechism was written within a historical context which may not accurately describe the Roman Catholic Church’s current stance. Q & A 81 Q. Who should come to the Lord’s table? A. Those who are displeased with themselves because of their sins, but who nevertheless trust that their sins are pardoned and that their remaining weakness is covered by the suffering and death of Christ, and who also desire more and more to strengthen their faith and to lead a better life. Hypocrites and those who are unrepentant, however, eat and drink judgment on themselves.1 1 1 Cor. 10:19-22; 11:26-32 Q & A 82 Q. Should those be admitted to the Lord’s Supper who show by what they profess and how they live that they are unbelieving and ungodly? A. No, that would dishonor God’s covenant and bring down God’s wrath upon the entire congregation.1 Therefore, according to the instruction of Christ and his apostles, the Christian church is duty-bound to exclude such people, by the official use of the keys of the kingdom, until they reform their lives. 1 1 Cor. 11:17-32; Ps. 50:14-16; Isa. 1:11-17 Lord’s Day 31 Q & A 83 Q. What are the keys of the kingdom? A. The preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both of them open the kingdom of heaven to believers and close it to unbelievers.1 1 Matt. 16:19; John 20:22-23 Q & A 84 Q. How does preaching the holy gospel open and close the kingdom of heaven? A. According to the command of Christ: The kingdom of heaven is opened by proclaiming and publicly declaring to all believers, each and every one, that, as often as they accept the gospel promise in true faith, God, because of Christ’s merit, truly forgives all their sins. The kingdom of heaven is closed, however, by proclaiming and publicly declaring to unbelievers and hypocrites that, as long as they do not repent, the wrath of God and eternal condemnation rest on them. God’s judgment, both in this life and in the life to come, is based on this gospel testimony.1 1 Matt. 16:19; John 3:31-36; 20:21-23 Q & A 85 Q. How is the kingdom of heaven closed and opened by Christian discipline? A. According to the command of Christ: Those who, though called Christians, profess unchristian teachings or live unchristian lives, and who after repeated personal and loving admonitions, refuse to abandon their errors and evil ways, and who after being reported to the church, that is, to those ordained by the church for that purpose, fail to respond also to the church’s admonitions— such persons the church excludes from the Christian community by withholding the sacraments from them, and God also excludes them from the kingdom of Christ.1 Such persons, when promising and demonstrating genuine reform, are received again as members of Christ and of his church.2 1 Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:3-5, 11-13; 2 Thess. 3:14-15 2 Luke 15:20-24; 2 Cor. 2:6-11 BACK TO TOP Part III: Gratitude Lord’s Day 32 Q & A 86 Q. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works? A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image, so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits,1 so that he may be praised through us,2 so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits,3 and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ.4 1 Rom. 6:13; 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:5-10 2 Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:19-20 3 Matt. 7:17-18; Gal. 5:22-24; 2 Pet. 1:10-11 4 Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; 1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1-2 Q & A 87 Q. Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and unrepentant ways? A. By no means. Scripture tells us that no unchaste person, no idolater, adulterer, thief, no covetous person, no drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like will inherit the kingdom of God.1 1 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:1-20; 1 John 3:14 Lord’s Day 33 Q & A 88 Q. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion? A. Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the rising-to-life of the new.1 1 Rom. 6:1-11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10 Q & A 89 Q. What is the dying-away of the old self? A. To be genuinely sorry for sin and more and more to hate and run away from it.1 1 Ps. 51:3-4, 17; Joel 2:12-13; Rom. 8:12-13; 2 Cor. 7:10 Q & A 90 Q. What is the rising-to-life of the new self? A. Wholehearted joy in God through Christ1 and a love and delight to live according to the will of God by doing every kind of good work.2 1 Ps. 51:8, 12; Isa. 57:15; Rom. 5:1; 14:17 2 Rom. 6:10-11; Gal. 2:20 Q & A 91 Q. What are good works? A. Only those which are done out of true faith,1 conform to God’s law,2 and are done for God’s glory;3 and not those based on our own opinion or human tradition.4 1 John 15:5; Heb. 11:6 2 Lev. 18:4; 1 Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10 3 1 Cor. 10:31 4 Deut. 12:32; Isa. 29:13; Ezek. 20:18-19; Matt. 15:7-9 BACK TO TOP The Ten Commandments Lord’s Day 34 Q & A 92 Q. What is God’s law? A. God spoke all these words: THE FIRST COMMANDMENT “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.” THE SECOND COMMANDMENT “You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.” THE THIRD COMMANDMENT “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.” THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT “Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work— you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.” THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving to you.” THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT “You shall not murder.” THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT “You shall not commit adultery.” THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT “You shall not steal.” THE NINTH COMMANDMENT “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” THE TENTH COMMANDMENT “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”1 1 Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:6-21 Q & A 93 Q. How are these commandments divided? A. Into two tables. The first has four commandments, teaching us how we ought to live in relation to God. The second has six commandments, teaching us what we owe our neighbor.1 1 Matt. 22:37-39 Q & A 94 Q. What does the Lord require in the first commandment? A. That I, not wanting to endanger my own salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry,1 sorcery, superstitious rites,2 and prayer to saints or to other creatures.3 That I rightly know the only true God,4 trust him alone,5 and look to God for every good thing6 humbly7 and patiently,8 and love,9 fear,10 and honor11 God with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against God’s will in any way.12 1 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 10:5-14; 1 John 5:21 2 Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:9-12 3 Matt. 4:10; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9 4 John 17:3 5 Jer. 17:5, 7 6 Ps. 104:27-28; James 1:17 7 1 Pet. 5:5-6 8 Col. 1:11; Heb. 10:36 9 Matt. 22:37 (Deut. 6:5) 10 Prov. 9:10; 1 Pet. 1:17 11 Matt. 4:10 (Deut. 6:13) 12 Matt. 5:29-30; 10:37-39 Q & A 95 Q. What is idolatry? A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed himself in the Word.1 1 1 Chron. 16:26; Gal. 4:8-9; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 3:19 Lord’s Day 35 Q & A 96 Q. What is God’s will for us in the second commandment? A. That we in no way make any image of God1 nor worship him in any other way than has been commanded in God’s Word.2 1 Deut. 4:15-19; Isa. 40:18-25; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:22-23 2 Lev. 10:1-7; 1 Sam. 15:22-23; John 4:23-24 Q & A 97 Q. May we then not make any image at all? A. God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way. Although creatures may be portrayed, yet God forbids making or having such images if one’s intention is to worship them or to serve God through them.1 1 Ex. 34:13-14, 17; 2 Kings 18:4-5 Q & A 98 Q. But may not images be permitted in churches in place of books for the unlearned? A. No, we should not try to be wiser than God. God wants the Christian community instructed by the living preaching of his Word—1 not by idols that cannot even talk.2 1 Rom. 10:14-15, 17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19 2 Jer. 10:8; Hab. 2:18-20 Lord’s Day 36 Q & A 99 Q. What is the aim of the third commandment? A. That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing,1 perjury,2 or unnecessary oaths,3 nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders.4 In summary, we should use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe,5 so that we may properly confess God,6 pray to God,7 and glorify God in all our words and works.8 1 Lev. 24:10-17 2 Lev. 19:12 3 Matt. 5:37; James 5:12 4 Lev. 5:1; Prov. 29:24 5 Ps. 99:1-5; Jer. 4:2 6 Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9-10 7 Ps. 50:14-15; 1 Tim. 2:8 8 Col. 3:17 Q & A 100 Q. Is blasphemy of God’s name by swearing and cursing really such serious sin that God is angry also with those who do not do all they can to help prevent and forbid it? A. Yes, indeed.1 No sin is greater or provokes God’s wrath more than blaspheming his name. That is why God commanded it to be punished with death.2 1 Lev. 5:1 2 Lev. 24:10-17 Lord’s Day 37 Q & A 101 Q. But may we swear an oath in God’s name if we do it reverently? A. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. Such oaths are grounded in God’s Word1 and were rightly used by the people of God in the Old and New Testaments.2 1 Deut. 6:13; 10:20; Jer. 4:1-2; Heb. 6:16 2 Gen. 21:24; Josh. 9:15; 1 Kings 1:29-30; Rom. 1:9; 2 Cor. 1:23 Q & A 102 Q. May we also swear by saints or other creatures? A. No. A legitimate oath means calling upon God as the only one who knows my heart to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely.1 No creature is worthy of such honor.2 1 Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:23 2 Matt. 5:34-37; 23:16-22; James 5:12 Lord’s Day 38 Q & A 103 Q. What is God’s will for you in the fourth commandment? A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained,1 and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I diligently attend the assembly of God’s people2 to learn what God’s Word teaches,3 to participate in the sacraments,4 to pray to God publicly,5 and to bring Christian offerings for the poor.6 Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal Sabbath.7 1 Deut. 6:4-9, 20-25; 1 Cor. 9:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:2; 3:13-17; Tit. 1:5 2 Deut. 12:5-12; Ps. 40:9-10; 68:26; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25 3 Rom. 10:14-17; 1 Cor. 14:31-32; 1 Tim. 4:13 4 1 Cor. 11:23-25 5 Col. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:1 6 Ps. 50:14; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8 & 9 7 Isa. 66:23; Heb. 4:9-11 Lord’s Day 39 Q & A 104 Q. What is God’s will for you in the fifth commandment? A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I submit myself with proper obedience to all their good teaching and discipline;1 and also that I be patient with their failings—2 for through them God chooses to rule us.3 1 Ex. 21:17; Prov. 1:8; 4:1; Rom. 13:1-2; Eph. 5:21-22; 6:1-9; Col. 3:18-4:1 2 Prov. 20:20; 23:22; 1 Pet. 2:18 3 Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-8; Eph. 6:1-9; Col. 3:18-21 Lord’s Day 40 Q & A 105 Q. What is God’s will for you in the sixth commandment? A. I am not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor— not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds— and I am not to be party to this in others;1 rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge.2 I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either.3 Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.4 1 Gen. 9:6; Lev. 19:17-18; Matt. 5:21-22; 26:52 2 Prov. 25:21-22; Matt. 18:35; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26 3 Matt. 4:7; 26:52; Rom. 13:11-14 4 Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:14; Rom. 13:4 Q & A 106 Q. Does this commandment refer only to murder? A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness.1 In God’s sight all such are disguised forms of murder.2 1 Prov. 14:30; Rom. 1:29; 12:19; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 John 2:9-11 2 1 John 3:15 Q & A 107 Q. Is it enough then that we do not murder our neighbor in any such way? A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves,1 to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly toward them,2 to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.3 1 Matt. 7:12; 22:39; Rom. 12:10 2 Matt. 5:3-12; Luke 6:36; Rom. 12:10, 18; Gal. 6:1-2; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 3:8 3 Ex. 23:4-5; Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:20-21 (Prov. 25:21-22) Lord’s Day 41 Q & A 108 Q. What does the seventh commandment teach us? A. That God condemns all unchastity,1 and that therefore we should thoroughly detest it2 and live decent and chaste lives,3 within or outside of the holy state of marriage. 1 Lev. 18:30; Eph. 5:3-5 2 Jude 22-23 3 1 Cor. 7:1-9; 1 Thess. 4:3-8; Heb. 13:4 Q & A 109 Q. Does God, in this commandment, forbid only such scandalous sins as adultery? A. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why God forbids all unchaste actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires,1 and whatever may incite someone to them.2 1 Matt. 5:27-29; 1 Cor. 6:18-20; Eph. 5:3-4 2 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:18 Lord’s Day 42 Q & A 110 Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment? A. God forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law.1 But in God’s sight theft also includes all scheming and swindling in order to get our neighbor’s goods for ourselves, whether by force or means that appear legitimate,2 such as inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God.3 In addition God forbids all greed4 and pointless squandering of his gifts.5 1 Ex. 22:1; 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 6:9-10 2 Mic. 6:9-11; Luke 3:14; James 5:1-6 3 Deut. 25:13-16; Ps. 15:5; Prov. 11:1; 12:22; Ezek. 45:9-12; Luke 6:35 4 Luke 12:15; Eph. 5:5 5 Prov. 21:20; 23:20-21; Luke 16:10-13 Q & A 111 Q. What does God require of you in this commandment? A. That I do whatever I can for my neighbor’s good, that I treat others as I would like them to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.1 1 Isa. 58:5-10; Matt. 7:12; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 4:28 Lord’s Day 43 Q & A 112 Q. What is the aim of the ninth commandment? A. That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone rashly or without a hearing.1 Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are the very devices the devil uses, and they would call down on me God’s intense wrath.2 I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it.3 And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbor’s good name.4 1 Ps. 15; Prov. 19:5; Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; Rom. 1:28-32 2 Lev. 19:11-12; Prov. 12:22; 13:5; John 8:44; Rev. 21:8a> 3 1 Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25 4 1 Pet. 3:8-9; 4:8 Lord’s Day 44 Q & A 113 Q. What is the aim of the tenth commandment? A. That not even the slightest desire or thought contrary to any one of God’s commandments should ever arise in our hearts. Rather, with all our hearts we should always hate sin and take pleasure in whatever is right.1 1 Ps. 19:7-14; 139:23-24; Rom. 7:7-8 Q & A 114 Q. But can those converted to God obey these commandments perfectly? A. No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience.1 Nevertheless, with all seriousness of purpose, they do begin to live according to all, not only some, of God’s commandments.2 1 Eccles. 7:20; Rom. 7:14-15; 1 Cor. 13:9; 1 John 1:8-10 2 Ps. 1:1-2; Rom. 7:22-25; Phil. 3:12-16 Q & A 115 Q. Since no one in this life can obey the Ten Commandments perfectly, why does God want them preached so pointedly? A. First, so that the longer we live the more we may come to know our sinfulness and the more eagerly look to Christ for forgiveness of sins and righteousness.1 Second, so that we may never stop striving, and never stop praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, to be renewed more and more after God’s image, until after this life we reach our goal: perfection.2 1 Ps. 32:5; Rom. 3:19-26; 7:7, 24-25; 1 John 1:9 2 1 Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 John 3:1-3 The Lord’s Prayer Lord’s Day 45 Q & A 116 Q. Why do Christians need to pray? A. Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us.1 And also because God gives his grace and Holy Spirit only to those who pray continually and groan inwardly, asking God for these gifts and thanking God for them.2 1 Ps. 50:14-15; 116:12-19; 1 Thess. 5:16-18 2 Matt. 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-13 Q & A 117 Q. What is the kind of prayer that pleases God and that he listens to? A. First, we must pray from the heart to no other than the one true God, revealed to us in his Word, asking for everything God has commanded us to ask for.1 Second, we must fully recognize our need and misery, so that we humble ourselves in God’s majestic presence.2 Third, we must rest on this unshakable foundation: even though we do not deserve it, God will surely listen to our prayer because of Christ our Lord. That is what God promised us in his Word.3 1 Ps. 145:18-20; John 4:22-24; Rom. 8:26-27; James 1:5; 1 John 5:14-15 2 2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 2:11; 34:18; 62:8; Isa. 66:2; Rev. 4 3 Dan. 9:17-19; Matt. 7:8; John 14:13-14; 16:23; Rom. 10:13; James 1:6 Q & A 118 Q. What did God command us to pray for? A. Everything we need, spiritually and physically,1 as embraced in the prayer Christ our Lord himself taught us. 1 James 1:17; Matt. 6:33 Q & A 119 Q. What is this prayer? A. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.* For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen.1** 1 Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4 *This text of the Lord's Prayer is from the New Revised Standard Version in keeping with the use of the NRSV throughout this edition of the catechism. Most biblical scholars will agree that it is an accurate translation of the Greek text and carries virtually the same meaning as the more traditional text of the Lord's Prayer **Earlier and better manuscripts of Matthew 6 omit the words “For the kingdom and … Amen.” Lord’s Day 46 Q & A 120 Q. Why did Christ command us to call God “our Father”? A. To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer what should be basic to our prayer— a childlike reverence and trust that through Christ God has become our Father, and that just as our parents do not refuse us the things of this life, even less will God our Father refuse to give us what we ask in faith.1 1 Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13 Q & A 121 Q. Why the words “in heaven”? A. These words teach us not to think of God’s heavenly majesty as something earthly,1 and to expect everything needed for body and soul from God’s almighty power.2 1 Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-25 2 Matt. 6:25-34; Rom. 8:31-32 Lord’s Day 47 Q & A 122 Q. What does the first petition mean? A. “Hallowed be your name” means: Help us to truly know you,1 to honor, glorify, and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from them: your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth.2 And it means, Help us to direct all our living— what we think, say, and do— so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised.3 1 Jer. 9:23-24; 31:33-34; Matt. 16:17; John 17:3 2 Ex. 34:5-8; Ps. 145; Jer. 32:16-20; Luke 1:46-55, 68-75; Rom. 11:33-36 3 Ps. 115:1; Matt. 5:16 Lord’s Day 48 Q & A 123 Q. What does the second petition mean? A. “Your kingdom come” means: Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you.1 Preserve your church and make it grow.2 Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force which revolts against you and every conspiracy against your holy Word.3 Do this until your kingdom fully comes, when you will be all in all.4 1 Ps. 119:5, 105; 143:10; Matt. 6:33 2 Ps. 122:6-9; Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:42-47 3 Rom. 16:20; 1 John 3:8 4 Rom. 8:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:28; Rev. 22:17, 20 Lord’s Day 49 Q & A 124 Q. What does the third petition mean? A. “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” means: Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey your will without any back talk. Your will alone is good.1 Help us one and all to carry out the work we are called to,2 as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.3 1 Matt. 7:21; 16:24-26; Luke 22:42; Rom. 12:1-2; Tit. 2:11-12 2 1 Cor. 7:17-24; Eph. 6:5-9 3 Ps. 103:20-21 Lord’s Day 50 Q & A 125 Q. What does the fourth petition mean? A. “Give us this day our daily bread” means: Do take care of all our physical needs1 so that we come to know that you are the only source of everything good,2 and that neither our work and worry nor your gifts can do us any good without your blessing.3 And so help us to give up our trust in creatures and trust in you alone.4 1 Ps. 104:27-30; 145:15-16; Matt. 6:25-34 2 Acts 14:17; 17:25; James 1:17 3 Deut. 8:3; Ps. 37:16; 127:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:58 4 Ps. 55:22; 62; 146; Jer. 17:5-8; Heb. 13:5-6 Lord’s Day 51 Q & A 126 Q. What does the fifth petition mean? A. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” means: Because of Christ’s blood, do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are, any of the sins we do or the evil that constantly clings to us.1 Forgive us just as we are fully determined, as evidence of your grace in us, to forgive our neighbors.2 1 Ps. 51:1-7; 143:2; Rom. 8:1; 1 John 2:1-2 2 Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35 Lord’s Day 52 Q & A 127 Q. What does the sixth petition mean? A. “And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one” means: By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment.1 And our sworn enemies— the devil,2 the world,3 and our own flesh—4 never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle,5 but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.6 1 Ps. 103:14-16; John 15:1-5 2 2 Cor. 11:14; Eph. 6:10-13; 1 Pet. 5:8 3 John 15:18-21 4 Rom. 7:23; Gal. 5:17 5 Matt. 10:19-20; 26:41; Mark 13:33; Rom. 5:3-5 6 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Thess. 3:13; 5:23 Q & A 128 Q. What does your conclusion to this prayer mean? A. For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever” means: We have made all these petitions of you because, as our all-powerful king, you are both willing and able to give us all that is good;1 and because your holy name, and not we ourselves, should receive all the praise, forever.2 1 Rom. 10:11-13; 2 Pet. 2:9 2 Ps. 115:1; John 14:13 Q & A 129 Q. What does that little word “Amen” express? A. “Amen” means: This shall truly and surely be! It is even more sure that God listens to my prayer than that I really desire what I pray for.1 1 Isa. 65:24; 2 Cor. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:13 BACK TO TOP BACK TO TOP BACK TO TOP BACK TO TOP

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Never Alone Marriage Conference Unfiltered. The genuine truth of the Gospel. In a world filled with mixed messages, it’s time to return to the unfiltered truth of the Gospel. Peace Church invites young adults aged 18–29 to a one-day conference on Saturday, March 14, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Engage in meaningful discussions, worship, and fellowship as we explore God’s calling for our lives. Early registration is $15 until March 1; after that, the cost is $25. Register Now March 8, 2025 Keynote Speakers Pastor Logan Bailey Pastor Logan has been at Peace since 2017. Originally from Davison, Michigan, he lives in Hastings, Michigan, with his family. They have a small hobby farm with dogs, chickens, and quail, and enjoy gardening. In his free time, Logan loves to go fishing and spend time with close friends. His favorite Bible passage is Psalm 23. Unfiltered Truth: T he Bible Breakout Speakers Unfiltered Emotions Josh Hoekstra Hudsonville Reformed Church Unfiltered Prayer Caleb Horjus Caledonia CRC Unfiltered Relationships Jake Herrera First Baptist Church of Middleville Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to attend Peace Church to attend this conference? Anyone between the ages of 18 and 29 are welcome! What is the conference schedule? Check-In | 9:00 - 9:30 AM Opening Worship | 9:30 - 9:45 AM Ice Breaker | 9:45 - 10:00 AM Session 1 | 10:15 - 10:45 AM Breakout 1A & 1B | 11:00 - 11:30 AM Lunch | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Breakout 2A & 2B | 12:45-1:15 PM Session 2 | 1:45 - 2:15 PM Closing Worship | 2:15-2:30 PM Bookstore Open + Mingling | 2:15 - 2:30 PM Will there be food? Yes! We'll have snacks, coffee, and lunch provided! Where will the conference be held? The conference will be in the Chapel at Peace Church. Our breakout sessions will be held in additional rooms near the Chapel. Frequently Asked Questions Vision To see the Gospel embraced and passed on for generations of Kingdom impact. Mission At Peace Church, we are Gospel-Centered, Family-Focused, and Kingdom-Minded. Sponsors Sponsors 2024 Conference Messages Pastor Nate Harney Nate has been attending Peace since 2022 and joined the staff the same year. Originally from Byron Center, he is married to his wife Brynne, and they have three children: Coen, Piper, and Isla. In his free time, Nate loves spending time with his family and doing work around the house. His favorite Bible passage is John 13:33-36. Unfiltered Community: The Church

60th Anniversary Worship Night We’ve got an incredible staff team that works hard, has a lot of fun, loves the Lord, and loves the Word. If that sounds like a mission and a community you want to be part of, check out the job opportunities below. Peace Church is a Gospel-Centered, Family-Focused church on a mission to make disciples of Jesus. What We Believe Go Leadership & Staff Go History of Peace Church Go Thanks for joining us online for the 60th Anniversary Worship Night! We’ll go live at 6:30 PM. You can watch right here on our website, or join us on YouTube or Facebook. We are not hiring currently Apply Now Jobs About View All Sermons Go Go Discussion Questions Sermon Podcast Go

Meet The Pastors Have you met your pastors yet? Let’s fix that! Meet the Pastors is an event where you’ll hang out with the pastors at Peace Church. Knowing who’s leading you spiritually should be one of the most important factors in finding a place to worship. Come bring your family, eat lunch, ask questions, and discover why so many people gather here each week. Baptism We believe that Jesus has commanded all those who are His to be baptized with pure water "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). This sacrament signifies our reception into the Church of God, which separates us from all other religions and dedicates us wholly to Him (Galatians 3:27). Yet, we deny that baptism is necessary for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9; Luke 23:42-43, Romans 3:28, Romans 4:5, Galatians 2:16, Titus 3:5). We believe and confess that Jesus Christ, by His sacrificial death and the shedding of His blood, has fulfilled and abolished the old covenant practice of circumcision, instituting instead the sacrament of baptism (Colossians 2:11-12). Therefore, we believe in the baptism of infants, as it aligns with the biblical precedent of including children in the covenant community, much like the practice of circumcision under the old covenant (Genesis 17:10-12; Acts 2:38-39). Christ's redemptive work extends to the children of believers, and they, too, should receive the sign and sacrament of baptism, affirming that Jesus shed His blood for them as well (Luke 18:15-17; Acts 16:31-33). This practice underscores the continuity of God’s covenant promises, ensuring that our children are marked by the covenant from the earliest moments of their lives (Acts 16:15, 33; 1 Corinthians 7:14). We hold firmly that this sacrament, once administered, is sufficient for the entirety of one's life, symbolizing both our initiation into the faith and God's enduring grace towards us (Ephesians 4:5; Romans 6:3-4). Article about Infant Baptism Profession of Faith Article about Profession of Faith

Get Involved Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to be a member to join a group or serve? No, there are some areas in the church where can serve and join a group without being a member. However, if you consider Peace Church your home, we encourage you to consider membership. You can learn more about the membership process here . Is childcare provided for groups? Childcare is provided for the Thursday morning Women's Bible Study. For community groups, it depends on the group itself. You can find a list of community groups here and connect with them to learn more about their childcare arrangements. Have you met your pastors yet? Join us for lunch, ask questions, and connect with the leaders of Peace Church at Meet The Pastors! Go Membership Find more information about membership, baptism, and profession of faith. Become a Member Connect Find a group to grow in your faith with through studying God's Word together. Join A Group Serve Discover opportunities to use your gifts and make disciples by joining a ministry team. Start Serving How Can We Pray? Go Weddings Go Funerals Go

The Incarnation December 21, 2025 The Incarnation Sermon Series: From the Realms of Glory Download PDF Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Main Idea JESUS CHRIST IS GOD INCARNATE Outline THE INCARNATION IS SUPERNATURAL (v23A) - JESUS IS NOT JUST GOD BEYOND US; HE IS GOD BESIDE US THE INCARNATION IS THEOLOGICAL (v23B) - JESUS IS NOT JUST GOD AMONG US; HE IS GOD BECOME US THE INCARNATION IS RELATIONAL (v23C) - JESUS IS NOT JUST GOD OVER US; HE IS GOD WITH US Discussion Questions THE INCARNATION IS SUPERNATURAL (v23A) - JESUS IS NOT JUST GOD BEYOND US; HE IS GOD BESIDE US What does the supernatural birth of Jesus reveal about God’s initiative in salvation? How does this truth challenge the idea that we can save or fix ourselves? Where in your life do you most need to trust God’s power rather than your own ability? How does knowing Jesus is “God beside us” encourage you in ordinary or overwhelming moments right now? THE INCARNATION IS THEOLOGICAL (v23B) - JESUS IS NOT JUST GOD AMONG US; HE IS GOD BECOME US Why is it essential that Jesus was born as a real human child and not merely appeared in human form? How does Jesus sharing our full humanity help us better understand His role as Savior? In what ways do people today tend to reduce Jesus to something less than God incarnate? How does the incarnation help you trust that Jesus truly understands human weakness, temptation, and suffering? How might this truth shape the way you approach Jesus in prayer or during times of struggle? THE INCARNATION IS RELATIONAL (v23C) - JESUS IS NOT JUST GOD OVER US; HE IS GOD WITH US What does the name Immanuel teach us about God’s desire for relationship with His people? When are you most tempted to feel that God is distant or absent? How does the truth of “God with us” speak into experiences of loneliness, fear, or suffering? Who in your life might God be calling you to reflect His nearness to this Christmas season? Looking Forward In the upcoming days and weeks, which of these three aspects of the incarnation do you feel most called to focus on this upcoming week? How do you intend to practically focus in on and live out that truth? Prayer Focus Pray for… a deeper awe and wonder at the supernatural work of God in the incarnation of Jesus. greater trust in God’s power, especially in areas where we are tempted to rely on ourselves. humility to receive salvation as a gift, not something we earn or control. gratitude that Jesus became fully human, entering our weakness, suffering, and limitations. confidence that Jesus truly understands us, including our temptations, fears, and pain. bold faith to approach Jesus honestly in prayer, knowing He sympathizes with us. a stronger awareness of God’s nearness, especially when we feel lonely, anxious, or overwhelmed. comfort from the truth that God is with us, not distant or indifferent. renewed joy and hope this Christmas, rooted in Immanuel—God with us. hearts that reflect God’s presence to others, showing compassion, patience, and love. opportunities to share the hope of the incarnation with those who do not yet know Christ. a deeper love for Jesus, who is not only God over us, but God beside us and God with us.

Present Darkness vs. Spiritual Strength February 18, 2024 Present Darkness vs. Spiritual Strength Sermon Series: Withstand Download PDF Ephesians 6:10-13 Main Idea We need the whole armor of God if we are to stand strong. Outline 1. We need to be all in because the enemy is all in (vs 10-11) 2. We need the right perspective to identify the true enemy (vs 12) 3. We need the whole armor for the whole battle (vs 13) Discussion Questions In the sermon, Ryan said “The Devil has a specific strategy for you. He doesn’t use cookie-cutter strategies.” How does this impact your perspective on how you must fight? How does knowing our enemy change how we operate in the world around us? After hearing this sermon and reading this passage of scripture, who is God calling you to love that you wouldn’t naturally love? How will you put on the armor this week? When Jesus went to the cross he was most likely crucified naked in our place. How does Jesus’ death allow us to be able to put on the armor of God? How does the Gospel connect to putting on the armor of God? In light of this, how will you respond in worship? Looking Forward Prayer Focus

Weddings Peace Church is happy to participate in instituting Christian marriages for believers in Jesus Christ. Marriage is a covenant, designed by God, and modeled after Christ and His relationship with His church. It is the lifelong and faithful union of one man and one woman before God. The purpose of a Christian marriage is to glorify God in reflecting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world through the marriage relationship. 01. Couples desiring to be married at Peace Church must be Christians. (2 Corinthians 6:14) 02. At least one individual must be a member of Peace Church. 03. The couple must agree to remain sexually abstinent and live separately until marriage. 04. The couple must participate in pre-marital counseling (3-5 sessions) with a Peace Church pastor. To allow time for this, wedding applications should be submitted at least 3 months in advance of the wedding date. 05. If one or both person(s) has been married before, their union must conform to the biblical teaching on divorce and remarriage. Peace Church holds to the biblical teachings that remarriage is only permissible following a divorce caused by adultery or abandonment by a nonbeliever (which includes abuse). Requirements We're serious about marriage at Peace Church. Therefore, the requirements to be married by a Peace Church Pastor are as follows: Wedding Application Process The first step in the process is to fill out the wedding application. A Peace Church staff member will contact you following your application submission. Wedding Policy and Pricing Go Wedding Application Go