The First Commandment (HC 94-95)

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
HEIDELBERG CATECHISM 94-95

94. What does God require in the first Commandment?
That, on peril of my soul’s salvation, I avoid and flee all idolatry, sorcery, enchantments, invocation of saints or of other creatures; and that I rightly acknowledge the only true God, trust in Him alone, with all humility and patience expect all good from Him only, and love, fear, and honor Him with my whole heart; so as rather to renounce all creatures than to do the least thing against His will.

95. What is idolatry?
Idolatry is to conceive or have something else in which to place our trust instead of, or besides, the one true God who has revealed Himself in His Word.

You must acknowledge that there is a God and you are not him.

I.    TRUE AND FALSE GODS
    A.    The Issue of Idolatry (HC 95)
    B.    One True God (HC 94)

II.    THE BIG QUESTIONS
    A.    What is it all about?
    B.    What are the greatest impediments?
    C.    Why is this so hard?

III.    SOULS IN PERIL
FOR NEXT TIME
HC Q. 96. What does God require in the second Commandment?
That we in no way make any image of God, nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded us in His Word.

HC Q. 97. May we not make any image at all?
God may not and cannot be imaged in any way; as for creatures, though they may indeed be imaged, yet God forbids the making or keeping of any likeness of them, either to worship them or to serve God by them.

HC Q. 98. But may not pictures be tolerated in churches as books for the people?
No, for we should not be wiser than God, who will not have His people taught by dumb idols, but by the lively preaching of His Word.