The Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 33

Question & Answer 88

Q: What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion?

A: Two things:
the dying-away of the old self,
and the coming-to-life of the new.1

1 Rom. 6:1-11; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10



Question & Answer 89

Q: What is the dying-away of the old self?

A: It is to be genuinely sorry for sin,
to hate it more and more,
and to run away from it.1

1 Ps. 51:3-4, 17; Joel 2:12-13; Rom. 8:12-13; 2 Cor. 7:10



Question & Answer 90

Q: What is the coming-to-life of the new self?

A: It is wholehearted joy in God through Christ1
and a delight to do every kind of good
as God wants us to.2

1 Ps. 51:8, 12; Isa.57:15; Rom. 5:1; 14:17
2 Rom. 6:10-11; Gal. 2:20



Question & Answer 91

Q: What do we do that is good?

A: Only that which
arises out of true faith,1
conforms to God's law,2
and is done for his glory;3
and not that which is based
on what we think is right
or on established 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