Question 54 - What do you believe concerning the holy catholic Christian church?

Answer - I believe that the Son of God,¹ out of the whole human race,² from the beginning of the world to its end,³ gathers, defends, and preserves for Himself, ⁴ by His Spirit and Word,⁵ in the unity of the true faith,⁶ a church chosen to everlasting life.⁷ And I believe that I am⁸ and forever shall remain a living member of it.⁹

¹ John 10:11; Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11-13; Col. 1:18. ² Gen. 26:4; Rev. 5:9. ³ Is. 59:21; I Cor. 11:26. ⁴ Ps. 129:1-5; Matt. 16:18; John 10:28-30. ⁵ Rom. 1:16; 10:14-17; Eph. 5:26. ⁶ Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:1-6. ⁷ Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:3-14. ⁸ I John 3:14, 19-21. ⁹ Ps. 23:6; John 10:27, 28; I Cor. 1:4-9; I Pet. 1:3-5.

Question 55 - What do you understand by the communion of saints?

Answer - First, that believers, all and everyone, as members of Christ have communion with Him and share in all His treasures and gifts.¹ Second, that everyone is duty-bound to use his gifts readily and cheerfully for the benefit and well-being of the other members.²

¹ Rom. 8:32; I Cor. 6:17; 12:4-7, 12, 13; I John 1:3. ² Rom. 12:4-8; I Cor. 12:20-27; 13:1-7; Phil. 2:4-8.

Question 56 - What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins?

Answer - I believe that God, because of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins,¹ nor my sinful nature, against which I have to struggle all my life,² but He will graciously grant me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never come into condemnation.³

¹ Ps. 103:3, 4, 10, 12; Mic. 7:18, 19; II Cor. 5:18-21; I John 1:7; 2:2. ² Rom. 7:21-25. ³ John 3:17, 18; 5:24; Rom. 8:1, 2.