Heidelberg Catechism Part III

THE THIRD PART: OF THANKFULNESS
Q. 86. Since, then, we are redeemed from our misery by grace through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we do good works?
A. Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood (cf. 1 Pet 1:18-19), renews us also by his holy Spirit (cf. 1 Pet 1:23) after his own image, that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for his blessing (Rom 6:13; 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:5, 9-10; 1 Cor 6:20), and that he may be glorified through us (Matt 5:16; 1 Pet 2:12); then, also, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by the fruits thereof (1 Pet 1:6-7; Matt 7:17-18; Luke 13:6-9; John 15:5; Gal 5:6, 22-25; 2 Pet 1:10-11), and by our godly walk may win our neighbors also to Christ (1 Pet 3:1-2; Rom 14:19; Matt 5:16).
Q. 87. Can they, then, not be saved who do not turn to God from their unthankful, impenitent life?
A. By no means; for, as the Scripture saith, no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or any such like, shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21;Eph 5:5-6; 1 John 3:14-15; 2 Cor 7:10; Rev 21:8; 22:15).
Q. 88. In how many things does true repentance or conversion consist?
A. In two things: the dying of the old man, and the quickening of the new (Rom 6:4-6; Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:5-10; 1 Cor 5:7; 2 Cor 5:17; 7:10–11).
Q. 89. What is the dying of the old man?
A. Heartfelt sorrow for sin; causing us to hate and turn from it always more and more (Rom 8:13; Ps 51:8, 12; Joel 2:13; Hos 5:15-6:1; Luke 15:18; 2 Cor 7:10).
Q. 90. What is the quickening of the new man?
A. Heartfelt joy in God (Ps 51:8, 12; Rom 5:1; 14:17; Isa 57:15); causing us to take delight in living according to the will of God in all good works (Rom 6:10-14; 7:22; 1 Pet 4:2; Gal 2:19-20; Ps 1:2).
Q. 91. But what are good works?
A. Those only which are done from true faith (John 15:5; Rom 14:23; Heb 11:), according to the law of God (Lev 18:4; 1 Sam 15:22; Eph 2:10), for his glory (1 Cor 10:31); and not such as rest on our own opinion or the commandments of men (Num 15:39; Deut 12:32; Ezek 20:18-19; Isa 29:13-14; Matt 15:7-9).
Q. 92. What is the law of God?
A. God spake all these words, saying (Exod 20:1-17; Deut 5:5-21):
FIRST COMMANDMENT

I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exod 20:2-3; Deut 5:6-7).

SECOND COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments (Exod 20:4-6; Deut 5:8-10).

THIRD COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain (Exod 20:7; Deut 5:11).

FOURTH COMMANDMENT

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it (Exod 20:8-11; Deut 5:12-15).

FIFTH COMMANDMENT

Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee (Exod 20:12; Deut 5:16).

SIXTH COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not kill (Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17).

SEVENTH COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not commit adultery (Exod 20:14; Deut 5:18).

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not steal (Exod 20:15; Deut 5:19).

NINTH COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor (Exod 20:16; Deut 5:20).

TENTH COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s (Exod 20:17; Deut 5:21).

Q. 93. How are these Commandments divided?
A. Into two tables (Exod 32:15; 34:1, 28; Deut 4:13; 10:3-4): the first of which teaches us, in four commandments, what duties we owe to God; the second, in six, what duties we owe to our neighbor (Matt 22:37-40).
Q. 94. What does God require in the first commandment?
A. That, on peril of my soul’s salvation, I avoid and flee all idolatry (1 Cor 6:9-10; 10:7, 14; 1 John 5:21), sorcery, enchantments (Lev 18:21; 19:31; Deut 18:10-12), invocation of saints or of other creatures (Matt 4:10 [citing Deut 6:13]; Rev 19:10; 22:8-9); and that I rightly acknowledge the only true God (John 17:3), trust in him alone (Jer 17:5-7), with all humility (1 Pet 5:5-6) and patience (Heb 10:36; Col 1:11; Rom 5:3-5; 1 Cor 10:10; Phil 2:14) expect all good from him only (Ps 104:27-30; Isa 45:7; Mic 7:7; Jas 1:17), love (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37-38), fear (Deut 6:2; Ps 111:10; Prov 1:7; 9:10; Matt 10:28; 1 Pet 1:17), and honor him (Deut 6:13; Matt 4:10; Deut 10:20; Rev 5:1) with my whole heart; so as rather to renounce all creatures than do the least thing against his will (Matt 5:29-30; 10:37-39; Acts 5:29; Eph 2:12; Rom 1:23; Matt 5:19).
Q. 95. What is idolatry?
A. It is, instead of the one true God who has revealed himself in his Word, or along with the same, to conceive or have something else on which to place our trust (Gal 4:8; Eph 1:12-13; 2:12; 5:5; 1 Pet 4:3;Phil 3:19; 1 Chr 16:26; 2 Chron 16:12; 1 John 2:23; 5:21; 2 John 9; Matt 6:24; John 5:23).
Q. 96. What does God require in the second commandment?
A. That we in nowise make any image of God (Deut 4:15-19; Isa 40:18, 19-25; Rom 1:23-25; Acts 17:29), nor worship him in any other way than he has commanded in his Word (Lev 10:1-7; 1 Sam 15:23; Deut 12:30-32; Matt 15:9 [quoting Isa 29:13]; John 4:23-24).
Q. 97. Must we, then, not make any image at all?
A. God may not and can not be imaged in any way; as for creatures, though they may indeed be imaged, yet God forbids the making or keeping any likeness of them either to worship them, or by them to serve himself (Exod 23:24-25; 34:14, 17; Num 33:51-52; Deut 4:12, 15-18; 7:5; 12:3; 16:22; 2 Kgs 18:4; Exod 35:30-33; Lev 26:1; Ps 97:7; Isa 40:18, 25; 46:5; Rom 1:23).
Q. 98. But may not pictures be tolerated in churches as books for the laity (cf. Pope Gregory I)?
A. No; for we should not be wiser than God, who will not have his people taught by dumb idols (Jer 10:8-10; Hab 2:18-19; Deut 27:15), but by the lively preaching of his Word (Rom 10:14-15, 17; 2 Pet 1:19; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12).
Q. 99. What is required in the third commandment?
A. That we must not by cursing (Lev 24:10-17), or by false swearing (Lev 19:12), nor yet by unnecessary oaths (Matt 5:34-37; Jas 5:12), profane or abuse the name of God; nor even by our silence and connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others (Lev 5:1, 4; Prov 29:24); and in sum, that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence (Deut 28:58; Ps 99:1-5; Isa 45:23; Jer 4:2; Mal 4:2), so that he may be rightly confessed (Matt 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10) and worshiped by us (Ps 50:14-15; 1 Tim 2:8), and be glorified in all our words and works (Rom 2:24; [quoting Isa 52:5]; 1 Tim 6:1; Col 3:16).
Q. 100. Is, then, the profaning of God’s name, by swearing and cursing, so grievous a sin that his wrath is kindled against those also who do seek not, as much as in them lies, to hinder and forbid the same?
A. Yes, truly (Lev 5:1; Prov 29:24-25); for no sin is greater or more provoking to God than the profaning of his name. Wherefore he even commanded it to be punished with death (Lev 24:15-16).
Q. 101. But may we not swear by the name of God in a religious manner?
A. Yes; when the magistrate requires it, or it may be needful otherwise (Matt 5:33ff.; 26:63) to maintain and promote fidelity and truth (Exod 22:11; Neh 13:25), to the glory of God and our neighbor’s good. For such swearing is grounded in God’s Word (Deut 6:13; 10:20; Isa 48:1; Jer 4:1-2; Heb 6:16), and therefore was rightly used by the saints in the Old and New Testament (Gen 21:23-24; 31:53-54; Josh 9:15, 19; 1 Sam 24:21-22; 2 Sam 3:35; 1 Kgs 1:29-30; Rom 1:9; 9:1; 2 Cor 1:23).
Q. 102. May we swear by the saints or any other creatures?
A. No; for a lawful oath is a calling upon God, as the only searcher of hearts, to bear witness to the truth, and to punish me if I swear falsely (2 Cor 1:23; Rom 9:1; Isa 65:16; 1 Kgs 8:31-32); which honor is due to no creature (Matt 5:34-36; 23:16-22; Jas 5:12; Jer 5:7).
Q. 103. What does God require in the fourth commandment?
A. In the first place, that the ministry of the Gospel and schools be maintained (Deut 6:4-9; 6:20–25; Titus 1:5; 1 Tim 3:14-15; 4:13-16; 5:17; 1 Cor 9:11-14; 2 Tim 2:2; 3:15); and that I, especially on the day of rest, diligently attend [the] church [of God] (Lev 23:3; Deut 12:5-12; Ps 40:9-10; 68:26; Acts 2:42, 46; Heb 10:23-25), to learn the Word of God (Rom 10:14-17; 1 Cor 14:19, 29, 31; 1 Tim 4:13, 19), to use the holy Sacraments (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:33-34), to call publicly upon the Lord (Col 3:16; 1 Tim 2:1-3, 8-9; 1 Cor 14:16), and to give Christian alms (Ps 50:14; 1 Cor 16:2; 2 Cor 8-9). In the second place, that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, allow the Lord to work in me by his Spirit, and thus begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath (Isa 66:23; Heb 4:9-11).
Q. 104. What does God require in the fifth commandment?
A. That I show all honor, love, and faithfulness to my father and mother, and to all in authority over me; submit myself with due obedience to all their good instruction and correction (Eph 6:1-2, 5; Col 3:18-24;Eph 5:22; Rom 1:31; Prov 1:8; 4:1; 15:20; 20:20; Exod 21:17; Rom 13:1; Deut 6:6-9; 1 Tim 5:17), and also bear patiently with their infirmities (Prov 23:22; Gen 9:24-26; 1 Pet 2:18), since it is God’s will to govern us by their hand (Eph 6:4-9; Col 3:19-21; Rom 13:2, 7; Matt 22:21).
Q. 105. What does God require in the sixth commandment?
A. That I neither in thought, nor in word or look [German: GebÄrden], much less in deeds, revile, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor, whether by myself or by another (Matt 5:21-22; Prov 12:18; 24:8; Matt 26:52; Gen 9:6; Lev 19:17-18); but lay aside all desire of revenge (Prov 25:21-22; Eph 4:26-32; Rom 12:19; Matt 5:25; 5:39-40; 18:35): moreover, that I harm not myself, nor willfully run into any danger (Rom 13:14;Col 2:23; Sir 3:26; Matt 4:7). Wherefore, also, to restrain murder the magistrate is armed with the sword (Gen 9:6; Exod 21:14; Matt 26:52; Rom 13:4).
Q. 106. But this commandment speaks only of killing?
A. In forbidding this, however, God means to teach us that he abhors the root of murder—namely, envy (Prov 14:30; Rom 1:29-32; Jas 3:16), hatred (1 John 2:9-11), anger (Jas 1:20; 2:13; Gal 5:19-21), and desire of revenge; and that all these are in his sight hidden murder (Rom 12:19†; 1 John 3:15).
Q. 107. Is it, then, enough that we do not kill our neighbor in any such way?
A. No; for in condemning envy, hatred, and anger, God requires us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt 7:12; 22:39; Rom 12:10), to show patience, peace, meekness (Eph 4:1-3; Gal 6:1-2; Matt 5:5; Rom 12:18; 1 Pet 3:8), mercy (Matt 5:7; Luke 6:36), and kindness towards him (Col 3:12; Rom 12:20-21), and so far as we have power, to prevent his hurt (Exod 23:5); also, to do good even unto our enemies (Matt 5:44-45; Prov 25:21-22; Rom 12:20-21).
Q. 108. What does the seventh commandment teach us?
A. That all unchastity is accursed of God (Lev 18:27-29; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:3-5); and that we should therefore loathe it from the heart (Deut 29:20-23; Jude 23), and live chastely and modesty (1 Thess 4:3-5), whether in holy wedlock or single life (Heb 13:4; 1 Cor 7:7).
Q. 109. Does God in this commandment forbid nothing more than adultery, and such like gross sins?
A. Since our body and soul are both temples of the Holy Ghost, it is his will that we keep both pure and holy; for which reason he forbids all unchaste actions, gestures [German: GebÄrden], words (Eph 5:3-4; 1 Cor 6:18-20), thoughts, desires (Matt 5:27-28), and whatever may entice men thereto (Eph 4:29; 5:18-19;1 Cor 15:33).
Q. 110. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
A. Not only such theft (Exod 22:1; 1 Cor 6:10) and robbery (1 Cor 5:10; Isa 33:1) as are punished by the magistrate, but God views as theft also all wicked tricks and devices whereby we seek to draw to ourselves our neighbor’s goods, (c) whether by force or with show of right (Luke 3:14; 1 Thess 4:6; Jas 5:1-6), such as unjust weights (Prov 11:1; Prov 12:22; 16:11; Mic 6:9-11), ells, measures (Ezek 45:9-10; Deut 25:13-15), wares, coins, usury (Ps 15:5; Luke 6:35), (e) or any means forbidden of God (Jer 22:13; Amos 8:4-7); so, moreover, all covetousness (Luke 12:15; 1 Cor 6:10; Eph 5:5; 1 Tim 6:9-10), and useless waste of his gifts (Prov 5:16; 21:20; 23:20–21; Luke 16:10-13; John 6:12).
Q. 111. But what does God require of thee in this commandment?
A. That I further my neighbor’s good where I can and may, deal with him as I would have others deal with me (Matt 7:12; Phil 2:4), and labor faithfully that I may be able to help the poor in their need (Prov 5:16;Isa 58:5-10; Gal 6:9-10†; Eph 4:28; 1 Thess 4:11; Heb 13:16).
Q. 112. What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. That I bear false witness against no one (Prov 19:5, 9; 21:28); wrest no one’s words (Ps 15:3; 50:19-20); be no backbiter or slanderer (Rom 1:28-32); join in condemning no one unheard and rashly (Matt 7:1-2; Luke 6:37; Jas 4:11; John 7:24, 51): but that I avoid, on pain of God’s heavy wrath, all lying and deceit (Lev 19:11-12; Prov 12:22; 13:5; Rev 21:8), as being the proper works of the devil (John 8:44); in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other affairs, love, honestly speak and confess the truth (1 Cor 13:6; Eph 4:25, 29); and, so far as I can, defend and promote my neighbor’s good name (1 Pet 3:8-9; 4:8).
Q. 113. What is required in the tenth commandment?
A. That not even the least inclination or thought against any of God’s commandments ever enter into our hearts; but that, with our whole heart, we continually hate all sin, and take pleasure in all righteousness (Ps 19:7-14; 139:23–24; Prov 4:23; Rom 7:7-8; Matt 15:19; Jas 1:14-15; Gal 5:24; Col 3:5).
Q. 114. Can those who are converted to God keep these commandments perfectly?
A. No; but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience (1 Kgs 8:46; Ps 130:3; 1 John 1:8-10; Rom 7:14-15; Eccl 7:21; 1 Cor 13:9), yet so that with earnest purpose they begin to live, not only according to some, but according to all the commandments of God (Ps 1:1-2; 19:13; Rom 7:22-23; Jas 2:10-11; 3:2; Phil 3:14).
Q. 115. Why, then, doth God so strictly enjoin upon us the ten commandments, since in this life no one can keep them?
A. First, that all our life long we may learn more and more to know (a) our sinful nature (1 John 1:9; Ps 3:2-5; 32:5; 1 John 1:9; Rom 3:20; 5:13; 7:7), and so the more earnestly seek forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ (Rom 7:24-25; Matt 5:6; 11:28); secondly, that we may continually strive and beg from God the grace of the Holy Ghost (Ps 51:12), so as to become more and more changed into the image of God, till we attain finally to full perfection after this life (1 Cor 9:24; Phil 3:12-14; 1 John 3:1-3).

OF PRAYER
Q. 116. Why is prayer necessary for Christians?
A. Because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us (Ps 50:14-15; 116:12-19; 1 Thess 5:16-18), and because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit only to such as earnestly and without ceasing beg them from him and render thanks for them (Matt 7:7; 13:12; Luke 11:9-13; Ps 50:14-15).
Q. 117. What belongs to such prayer as God is pleased with and will hear?
A. First, that from the heart (John 4:23-24; Ps 145:18-20) we call pray only upon the one true God (Matt 4:10; John 4:22-24; Rev 19:10; 22:9), who has revealed himself to us in his Word, for all that he has commanded us to ask of him (Rom 8:26-27; Jas 1:5; 1 John 5:14-15); secondly, that we thoroughly know our need and misery (2 Chr 20:12; Luke 18:13), so as to humble ourselves before the face of his divine majesty (2 Chr 7:14; Ps 2:11; 34:18; 62:8; Isa 66:2; Rev 4); thirdly, that we be firmly assured (Rom 10:14; 8:15–16; Jas 1:6-8) that, notwithstanding our unworthiness, he will, for the sake of Christ our Lord (John 14:13-16; 15:7, 16; 16:23; Dan 9:17-18), certainly hear our prayer, as he has promised us in his Word (Matt 7:8; Ps 143:1; 27:8).
Q. 118. What has God commanded us to ask of him?
A. All things necessary for soul and body, which Christ our Lord has comprised in the prayer taught us by himself (Jas 1:17; Matt 6:33; Matt 6:9-10; Luke 11:2).
Q. 119. What is the Lord’s Prayer?
A. Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen (Matt 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4).
Q. 120. Why has Christ commanded us to address God thus: Our Father (Matt 6:9)?
A. To awaken in us, at the very beginning of our prayer, that filial reverence (1 Pet 1:17) and trust toward God which are to be the ground of our prayer (Isa 63:16; Gal 4:6; Eph 3:14-15); namely, that God has become our Father through Christ, and will much less deny us what we ask of him in faith than our parents refuse earthly things (Matt 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13; Isa 49:15).
Q. 121. Why is it added: Who art in heaven?
A. That we may have no earthly thought of the heavenly majesty of God (Jer 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-27), and may expect from his almighty power all things necessary for body and soul (Matt 6:25-34; Rom 8:31-32;Rom 10:12).
Q. 122. What is the first petition?
A. Hallowed be thy name (Matt 6:9). That is: Enable us rightly to know thee (John 17:3; Jer 9:23-24; 31:33-34; Matt 16:17; Jas 1:5; Ps 119:105), and to hallow, magnify, and praise thee in all thy works (Ps 100:3-4), in which shine forth thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy, and truth (Ps 119:137-38;Luke 1:46-55; 1:68-75; Ps 145:8-9, 17; Exod 34:6-7; Jer 31:3; 32:18-19, 40-41; 33:11, 20-21; Rom 3:4; 2 Tim 2:19; Matt 19:17; Rom 11:22-23); and likewise so to order our whole life, in thought, word, and work, that thy name may never be blasphemed, but honored and praised on our account (Ps 71:8; 115:1; Matt 5:16; Rom 11:33; 1 Cor 10:31).
Q. 123. What is the second petition?
A. Thy kingdom come (Matt 6:10). That is: So govern us by thy Word and Spirit that we may submit ourselves unto thee always more and more (Matt 6:33; Ps 86:11; 119:5; 119:105; 143:10); preserve and increase thy Church (Ps 51:18; 102:14-15; 122:6–7; Matt 16:18; Acts 2:42-47); destroy the works of the devil, every power that exalteth itself against thee, and all wicked devices formed against thy holy Word (1 John 3:8; Rom 16:20), until the full coming of thy kingdom (Rev 22:17, 20; Rom 8:22-23), (d) wherein thou shalt be all in all (1 Cor 15:28).
Q. 124. What is the third petition?
A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10). That is: Grant that we and all men may renounce our own will (Matt 7:21; 16:24; Titus 2:11-12), and yield ourselves, without gainsaying, to thy will, which alone is good (1 Sam 3:18; Luke 22:42; Eph 5:10; Rom 12:1-2); that so every one may fulfill his office and calling (Luke 12:42; 1 Cor 7:24; Eph 4:1; Eph 6:5-9) as willingly and truly as the angels do in heaven (Ps 103:20-21).
Q. 125. What is the fourth petition?
A. Give us this day our daily bread (Matt 6:11). That is: Be pleased to provide for all our bodily need (Ps 104:27-28; 145:15-16; Matt 6:25-26), that we may thereby know that thou art the only fountain of all good (Acts 14:17; 17:25-28; Jas 1:17), and that without thy blessing neither our care and labor nor thy gifts can profit us (Matt 16:8; 1 Cor 15:38; 1 Cor 15:58; Deut 8:3; Ps 37:16-17, 32; 127:1-2), and may therefore withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in thee (Ps 55:22; 62:8, 10; 146:3; Jer 17:5, 7; Heb 13:5-6).
Q. 126. What is the fifth petition?
A. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. That is: Be pleased, for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to impute to us, miserable sinners, our manifold transgressions, nor the evil which still always cleaves to us (Matt 6:12; Ps 32:1-5; 51:1–5; 143:2; Rom 8:1; 1 John 1:9; 2:1); as we also find this witness of thy grace in us, that it is our full purpose heartily to forgive our neighbor (Matt 6:14-15; 18:21-35).
Q. 127. What is the sixth petition?
A. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matt 6:13). That is: Since we are so weak in ourselves that we can not stand a moment (John 15:5; Gal 6:1; Rom 8:26; Ps 103:14-16), while our deadly enemies—the devil (2 Cor 11:14; 1 Pet 5:8; Eph 6:11-12), the world (John 15:19), and our own flesh (Rom 7:23; Gal 5:17; Jas 1:14)—assail us without ceasing, be pleased to preserve and strengthen us by the power of thy Holy Spirit, that we may make firm stand against them, and not sink in this spiritual war (Matt 10:19-20; 26:41; Mark 13:33; Rom 5:3-5), until we come off at last with complete victory (1 Cor 10:13; 1 Thess 3:13; 5:23; Rom 16:20).
Q. 128. How do you close this prayer?
A. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. That is: All this we ask of thee, because as our King, having power over all things, thou art both willing and able to give us all good (Matt 6:13; Rom 10:11-12; 2 Pet 2:9; 2 Chr 20:6), and thereby not we but thy holy name may be glorified forever (1 Chr 29:10-12; John 14:13; Ps 115:1; Jer 33:8-9; Phil 4:20).
Q. 129. What is the meaning of the word Amen?
A. Amen means: So shall it truly and surely be. For my prayer is much more certainly heard of God than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of him (2 Cor 1:20; 2 Tim 2:13; Isa 65:24; Eph 3:20-21; Jer 28:6).
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