Christian Doctrines and the New City Catechism

Flashcards covering the essential theological questions regarding God, Sin, the Redeemer, the Holy Spirit, prayer, and the sacraments based on provided lecture notes.

What is our only hope in life and death?

That we are not our own but belong to God.

What is God?

The creator of everyone and everything.

How many persons in One God?

There are 3 persons in One God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

How and why did God create us?

God created us male and female in his own image to glorify Him.

What else did God create?

God created all things and all his creation was very good.

How can we glorify God?

By loving him and by obeying his commands and law.

What does the law of God require?

That we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves.

The Ten Commandments

1. you shall have no other gods before me. 2. You shall not make for yourself an idol. 3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your god. 4. remember the sabbath day by keeping it holy. 5. Honor your father and mother. 6. You shall not murder. 7. You shall not commit adultery. 8. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not give false testimony. 10. you shall not covet.

What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?

First, that we know God as the only true God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverance.

What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments

Fourth, that on the sabbath day we spend time in worship of God. Fifth, that we love and honor our Father and our mother.

What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments?

sixth, that we do not hurt or hate our neighbor seventh, that we live purely and faithfully. Eighth that we do not take without permission that which belongs to someone else

What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?

Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive. tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone

Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly?

Since the fall, no human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly.

Did God create us unable to keep his law?

Because of the disobedience of adam and eve we are all born in sin and guilt, unable to keep God’s law.

Since no one can keep the law, what is the purpose?

That we may know the holy nature of God, and the sinful nature of our hearts; and thus our need of a savior.

What is sin?

Rejecting or ignoring god in the world he created, not being or doing what he requires in his law.

What is idolatry?

Trusting in created things rather than the creator.

Will God allow our sin and idolatry to go unpunished?

God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them both in this life, and in the Life to come.

Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor?

God reconciles us to himself by a redeemer.

Who is the redeemer?

The only redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ

What sort of redeemer is needed to bring us back to God?

One who is truly human and also truly God.

Why must the redeemer be fully human?

That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin.

Why must the redeemer be truly God?

That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective

Why was it necessary for Christ, the redeemer, to die?

Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God.

Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven?

Because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God will remember our sins no more.

What else does Christ’s death redeem?

Every part of fallen creation.

Are all people, just as they are just as they were lost through Adam, saved through Christ?

No, only those who are elected by God and united to Christ by faith are saved.

What happens after death for those who are not unified to Christ by faith?

They will be cast out from the presence of God, into hell, to be justly punished, forever.

How can we be saved?

Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in his substitutionary atoning death on the cross.

What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Receivng and resting on him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel.

What do we believe by true faith?

Belief in God the Father almighty (maker of heaven and earth), Jesus Christ (his only son our lord, conceived by the virgin mary, suffered under pontius pilate, crucified, died, buried, descended into hell, rose on the third day, ascended into heaven, seated at God's right hand, coming to judge the living and dead), and the Holy Spirit (holy catholic church, communion of saints, forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, life everlasting).

What do justification and sanctification mean?

Justification means our declared righteousness before God. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness