The Heidelberg Catechism, written in 1563, is a cherished Reformed confession that teaches core Christian doctrines through a question-and-answer format. It guides believers in understanding their faith, offering comfort and clarity.

This article is part of our ongoing series exploring each Lord’s Day. Read the full series here.

Lord’s Day 20 (Questions 53–55) focuses on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing His role in applying Christ’s redemption to believers. Below, we explore each question, summarizing its significance and connecting it to the theme of the Spirit’s life-giving presence.

What Do You Believe Concerning the Holy Spirit?

Q53: What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?
A: First, that He is true and coeternal God with the Father and the Son; second, that He is also given to me, to make me by a true faith partaker of Christ and all His benefits, to comfort me, and to abide with me forever.

Question 53 establishes two essential truths about the Holy Spirit. First, He is fully God, coeternal with the Father and Son, sharing the same divine essence (John 15:26, ESV). This affirms His deity, grounding His work in divine power. Second, the Spirit is personally given to believers, enabling true faith, uniting us to Christ’s benefits (e.g., justification, sanctification), comforting us in trials, and remaining with us forever (John 14:16–17, ESV). The Spirit’s role is not abstract but intimate, transforming believers by connecting them to Christ’s redemptive work. This question encapsulates the theme of Lord’s Day 20: the Holy Spirit as the divine agent who applies Christ’s salvation, sustains our faith, and assures us of God’s abiding presence. Through the Spirit, believers experience the reality of Christ’s promises, finding strength and hope in their daily walk.

For Reflection

Lord’s Day 20 reveals the Holy Spirit as the anchor of our faith. His divine power unites us to Christ, comforts us, and abides forever, echoing the redemptive hope of the gospel. Take these truths to heart: pray for strength to trust the Spirit’s work, rely on His comfort, and rest in His eternal presence.