Geneva Catechism (91 - 100)

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Q. 91. Is it necessary to believe this article also?

A. Yes, verily, if we would not make the death of Christ without effect, and set at nought all that has hitherto been said. For the one effect resulting from all is, that there is a Church.

Q. 92. You mean then that we only treated of the cause of salvation, and showed the foundation of it when we explained that by the merits and intercession of Christ, we are taken into favour by God, and that this grace is confirmed in us by virtue of the Spirit. Now, however, we are explaining the effect of all these things, that by facts our faith may be made more firm?

A. It is so.

Q. 93. In what sense do you call the Church holy?

A. All whom God has chosen he justifies, and forms to holiness and innocence of life, (Rom. viii. 30) that his glory may be displayed in them. And this is what Paul means when he says that Christ sanctified the Church which he redeemed, that it might be a glorious Church, free from all blemish. (Eph. v. 25.)

Q. 94. What is meant by the epithet Catholic or Universal?

A. By it we are taught, that as all believers have one head, so they must all be united into one body, that the Church diffused over the whole world may be one-not more. (Eph. iv. 15; 1 Cor. xii. 12.)

Q. 95. And what is the purport of what immediately follows concerning the communion of saints?

A. That is put down to express more clearly the unity which exists among the members of the Church. It is at the same time intimated, that whatever benefits God bestows upon the Church, have a view to the common good of all; Seeing they all have communion with each other.

Q. 96. But is this holiness which you attribute to the Church already perfect?

A. Not yet, that is as long as she has her warfare in this world. For she always labours under infirmities, and will never be entirely purged of the remains of vice, until she adheres completely to Christ her head, by whom she is sanctified.

Q. 97. Can this Church be known in any other way than when she is believed by faith?

A. There is indeed also a visible Church of God, which he has described to us by certain signs and marks, but here we are properly speaking of the assemblage of those whom he has adopted to salvation by his secret election. This is neither at all times visible to the eye nor discernible by signs.

Q. 98. What comes next?

A. I believe in "the forgiveness of sins."

Q. 99. What meaning do you give to the word forgiveness?

A. That God of his free goodness forgives and pardons the sins of believers that they may not be brought to judgment, and that the penalty may not be exacted from them.

Q. 100. Hence it follows, that it is not at all by our own satisfaction we merit the pardon of sins, which we obtain from the Lord?

A. That is true; for Christ alone gave the satisfaction by paying the penalty.

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