Jerusalem 
Catechism

The time has been fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news! Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet lose himself? Mark 1:15 Matthew 6:33 Matthew 16:26

I believe that the Messiah, whom God promised, already came long ago and is about to return. Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham, is the true Messiah, anointed with the Holy Spirit. God calls me to be one with Jesus and the people He gathers so I do not waste any privilege of His Kingdom. Hebrews 10:25 Psalm 45:7 Matthew 1:1 John 10:10 John 17:21 Revelation 22:20 Matthew 10:37 Hebrews 13:14

By God’s undeserved grace: The Holy Spirit has brought me to know and trust in Jesus the Messiah and thus made me God’s heir. This same grace now enables me to be grateful and to love God back. John 17:3 Jeremiah 31:18 1 John 2:3-6 Titus 3:7

By listening carefully to what God reveals about Himself. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God calls all things into being so that they speak truth about Him. Genesis 1:1 John 1:1 Colossians 1:15-17 Psalm 33:6 Psalm 19:2

By giving His written Word priority. Psalm 1:1-2 Proverbs 3:5 Joshua 1:8 Psalm 119:105

The Holy Scriptures, also known as the Bible. It was written by imperfect men under the perfect inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens its reading. 2 Peter 1:21 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

God’s Eternal Covenant with Israel, revealed by the Holy Spirit in two stages: originally in the First Covenant, as recorded in the Old Testament, and then in the promised New Covenant, fulfilled in the New Testament.

To show His eternal love toward a fallen people. With Israel, the Holy Spirit held up a mirror for all peoples. God appointed Israel to reveal human sin and rebellion, and to proclaim God’s promise to restore humanity. Isaiah 40:9-10 Exodus 24:7-8 Jeremiah 31:31-34

The Messiah, who fulfilled for us the law and the prophets, and the Holy Spirit, who creates in us what the law cannot: a clean heart that responds to God in love. Jeremiah 31:31-34 Matthew 26:28 Hebrews 8:6,13 Matthew 5:17 Romans 8:7-8

Because death seals their promises and warnings. Psalm 50:5

Animal sacrifices that pointed to the Messiah. Exodus 24:5 Hebrews 9

The sacrifice of the Messiah Himself. Hebrews 9:15-17 Isaiah 53

That they point to the Messiah as the one who fulfills God’s Eternal Covenant. Deuteronomy 18:15 Hebrews 1:1-2

Anointed one. Acts 10:32 John 1:41

With the Holy Spirit. Psalm 45:7 Mark 1:10

The Spirit of My Lord God is upon Me, for the Lord has anointed Me to give good news to the humble. He sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives, and to the prisoners the opening of jail, to announce the year of the Lord’s grace. Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:18-19

To be recognized as the Messiah among the people and empowered to save us. Matthew 7:28-29 Acts 10:38

They teach about His coming, His person, His official roles, and His states.

Through His miracles and message.

Make the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the mute speak. Isaiah 35:5-6

Yes, in front of the whole world. That is why even the faction of the Jews who did not believe in Him did not deny His miracles, although they blasphemed against them. Luke 7:18-23 Mark 3:22

Free forgiveness of sins and eternal life for whoever repents and trusts in the Messiah’s sacrifice for him as sinner: For You are my Lord, good and forgiving, very merciful to all who call upon You. Mark 1:15 Psalm 86:5 Isaiah 55:1 Romans 10:9

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil person his thoughts to return to the Lord, who will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will forgive much. Isaiah 55:6-7

Who is not? For there is no one in the world so righteous as to do good and at the same time not sin. Ecclesiastes 7:20 Isaiah 64:6 Psalm 53:3 Psalm 130:3 Psalm 143:2 Psalm 51:5 1Kings 8:46 Romans 11:32

An ordinary, humble, virgin young woman.

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, whom she will call ‘God with us.’ Isaiah 7:14

Yes, Mary of David’s royal line. Luke 1:32,34

By the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, so that in His very nature the Messiah was completely without sin and thus able to bear the sins of others. Luke 1:35

He, also of David’s royal line, became Jesus’ adoptive father and the biological father of His siblings. Matthew 1:24-25 Luke 3:23 Matthew 13:55-56

In Bethlehem.

And you, Bethlehem Ephratha, though young among the thousands of Judah; from you will come One who will rule for Me over Israel. Micah 5:2

For He is the Son of David and the Bread of Life – and Bethlehem, David’s hometown, means “House of Bread.“ 1 Samuel 16:1 John 6:48 Revelation 22:16

No. Micah adds: His origins are ancient, from the days of eternity. Micah 5:2 Genesis 1:1 John 1:1-4

The Messiah is both the true man and the true God. As man, He was born in Bethlehem when the time was ripe, and since His resurrection, He lives eternally. As God, He always has been and always will be. Colossians 1:17 Colossians 3:10 Colossians 2:9 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

Because He grew up in Nazareth after living as a refugee in Egypt. Isaiah 11:1 Matthew 2:15-23 Luke 4:16 Hosea 11:1

A devoid Messiah will be cut off. And the people of the coming ruler will destroy the city and the temple. Daniel 9:26 Philippians 2:7

To the temple that Zerubbabel rebuilt after the Babylonian captivity. Ezra 5:2

When the time was fulfilled: before the destruction of the Second Temple. Galatians 4:4

King Solomon. 1 Kings 6:1

Nebuchadnezzar, who took the Jews captive to Babylon. 2 Kings 25:9

Seventy years. 2 Chronicles 36:21

Cyrus the Great, first king of the Persian Empire. 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

They built the Second Temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel. Ezra 3:8

At first glance: the First Temple, since the glory of the Lord dwelt there openly. 1 Kings 8:10-11 Ezekiel 10:18-19 Ezekiel 11:23

That’s why the Messiah had to appear and teach in the Second Temple, entering from the east as the true glory of the Lord: I will fill this house with glory. And suddenly the Lord, whom you seek, will come to His temple. Haggai 2:7-9 Malachi 3:1 Isaiah 40:5 Ezekiel 43:1-5 Hebrews 1:3 John 1:14 Luke 19:29-48 Mark 12:37 John 12:20-21

It would be destroyed after the death of the Messiah. Daniel 9:26

About forty years. Matthew 24:1-2

God was patient and first called His people to repent and believe in their own Messiah. Luke 13:6-9 Matthew 15:26 Acts 2:38-40 Acts 3:17-26

Titus, who later became Roman emperor.

It was to be abolished. John 19:15

Neither government nor legislator of his own will disappear from Judah until Shiloh comes, to whom the peoples will obey. Genesis 49:10

The Messiah.

Peacemaker.

The one the Father longs for, that is: true reconciliation with God, who loves each one deeply, complete forgiveness of sins and peace in conscience, with the guarantee of the Holy Spirit to one day drown all our sorrows into the quiet of heaven eternal. Luke 15:11-32 John 3:16-17 Isaiah 66:13 Romans 5:1-8 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 1 Timothy 2:4 Leviticus 19:18 Psalm 103:12 Isaiah 1:18 1 John 1:9 Colossians 2:13-14 Isaiah 26:3 Hebrews 10:22 1 John 3:19-20 2 Corinthians 1:22 Ephesians 1:13-14 Romans 8:16 1 John 4:13

They would obey and return to God. Genesis 49:10 Acts 10:45 Ephesians 2:19 John 1:11-12

Let all the ends of the earth remember to return to the Lord! Let all the tribes of the peoples kneel before You! Psalm 22:27

Before our rebellion in Paradise, from which God expelled all mankind. Genesis 1:26-31 Genesis 3

Just like the Jews: by true faith in all that the Messiah did, does, and will do for them. Joel 2:32 Romans 3:22 Romans 10:12 Galatians 3:28 Ephesians 2:8-9 Acts 10:34-35

At the end of time the mount of the house of the Lord will be set on the top of the mountains, it will be raised above the hills. All peoples will stream toward it. Many peoples will go and say: Come, let us go up to the mount of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and we may walk in His paths! For out of Zion will go forth the teaching and the Word of the Lord, out of Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3 Isaiah 52:10

Spiritually, for the Messiah, Zion’s cornerstone, was lifted up into heaven and yet by the Holy Spirit remains present wherever His faithful people gather – a people who were, are, and always will be the true temple of God. Revelation 21:2 Isaiah 28:16 Psalm 118:22 Ephesians 2:20 John 12:32 Matthew 21:42 John 4:21-24 Matthew 18:20 Hebrews 10:25 Isaiah 66:1-2 2 Chronicles 6:18 Isaiah 5:7 1 Peter 2:5

They believe in Jesus the Messiah and long to live more and more according to His teaching. Psalm 2:8 Genesis 49:10 Philippians 3:12-14

When the disciples of the Messiah received the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem and then passed on the same message to Jews and non-Jews. Luke 24:47-49 Acts 2:1-4 Joel 2:28-29 Romans 1:16-17 Romans 3:29-30 Ephesians 2:14

It is too small a thing that You serve Me to raise up the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel, therefore I am going to make You a light of peoples that You may be My salvation unto the ends of the earth. Isaiah 49:6

He revealed the one God to the peoples while they were still in the darkness of idolatry, united them with Himself by the Holy Spirit, and then began to shine through them as well, as promised to Abraham: I will multiply your offspring beyond measure, like the stars in the sky. Genesis 15:5 Genesis 22:17-18 Isaiah 42:1-9 Matthew 5:14 Ephesians 2:18 Acts 10:44-45 Acts 14: 12-17

I will shake all peoples and they will come to the longing of all peoples. Haggai 2:7

Jesus, our dear Lord, the Messiah, who in life and death is the only comfort for all His own, Jew and non-Jew. John 12:20-21 Acts 4:12 Revelation 14:13 Romans 14:7-9 1 Corinthians 6:19 1 Corinthians 3:23 1 Peter 1:18-19 1 John 2:2 Romans 8:14

By believing in the Messiah, the peoples are already part of the New Jerusalem’s spiritual comfort. Zion will ask herself: Who gave birth to these for me? For I was childless and barren, naked and forsaken. Who raised these up? Isaiah 49:21 Isaiah 40:1 Isaiah 43:6-7 Isaiah 49:13-19 Isaiah 51:3 Isaiah 54:5-8,11 Isaiah 60:3-5 Isaiah 61:3 Romans 9-11 Luke 23:31 Ephesians 2:14-16 Revelation 21

That He had to be Son of man and Son of God. Psalm 2:2-7 Proverbs 30:4 Matthew 3:16-17 Revelation 22:16 Mark 8:31

They call Him “offspring of the woman,” “offspring of Abraham,” “offspring and scion of David,” “offshoot of Jesse,” and then explicitly “man.” Galatians 3:16 Genesis 3:15 Genesis 22:18 Isaiah 11:1-2 Jeremiah 23:5 Psalm 89:3-4 2 Samuel 7:12-15 Daniel 7:13-14

I will put hatred between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head, and you His heel. Genesis 3:15

On the cross, where Jesus took upon Himself the sentence of death for the sin of His people, thus depriving Satan of any basis to accuse and shame them all again or to continue to control them through the fear of death. Psalm 22 Romans 8:1-2 Colossians 2:13-15 Revelation 12:10-11 Hebrews 2:14-15 1 John 2:1-2 Isaiah 38:17

I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come forth from your bowels, and I will establish His kingdom. He will build a house to My name, and I will confirm the throne of His kingdom for all eternity. I will be a father to Him, and He will be a son to me, whom I will judge with a rod of men and with whips of men if He does evil. But my grace will not depart from Him. 2 Samuel 7:12-15 Psalm 89:3-4

Yes, but Solomon’s kingdom did not survive his death. 1 Kings 12

The spiritual kingdom of the Messiah. God His Father condemned Him once for the sin of His people and raised Him again just three days later. So much did God love His Son and so perfectly had Jesus done the will of His Father. Psalm 69:4 Isaiah 53 Isaiah 11:4 Mark 1:15 Luke 2:49 2 Corinthians 5:21

I saw in a night vision one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days. They brought Him before Him. He was given rule, glory, and kingship. All peoples, nations, and tongues will worship Him. His rule is an eternal rule that will not pass away. His kingdom will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14

Forty days after His resurrection from the dead, when the Lord Jesus ascended the throne of the Kingdom of Heaven. Acts 1:9-11 1 Peter 3:22

Word of the Lord to my Lord: Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool. Psalm 110:1

God alone: O God, Your throne will be eternal. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You loved justice and abhorred wrong. O God, therefore Your God anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your friends. Psalm 45:7-8 1 Samuel 12:12 Isaiah 42:8 Ezekiel 20:33

Because the Messiah is God Himself and not just a man. The Lord Jesus is heir of all and gives generously to His friends. John 10:33 Psalm 68:18 John 17:22 Hebrews 1:2

God spoke to the Messiah: You are My Son, today I have begotten You. And the prophets credited the Messiah with divine glory and attributes by giving Him specific pairs of names. They called Him simultaneously: “Child and Mighty God,” “Offshoot and Root of Jesse”, “David’s Scion and David’s Lord, The Lord Our Justice,” and finally simply “God with us.” Jeremiah 23:5-6 Psalm 2:7,12 Jeremiah 17:5 Proverbs 30:4 Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah 9:5 Isaiah 7:14 Revelation 22:16 Psalm 110:1 Mark 12:35-37

Entirely for our good, until by the Holy Spirit He has forged for Himself a people before the eyes of His enemies—a new mankind for a new creation: You ascended on high, took captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. Psalm 23:5 Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18 Zechariah 13:9 John 16:4-15 Isaiah 43:1-7 Deuteronomy 4:20 Daniel 3-4 Matthew 28:20 1 Peter 4:12 Revelations 19:7-8 John 14:18

Especially the Holy Spirit, who adopts us into God’s family and bequeaths to us eternal life; as well as His fully revealed Word, through which the Spirit bears much fruit in us for God. John 1:12 John 17:23 John 3:1-3 John 3:16 John 10:28-30

On Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection of the Messiah, who had sacrificed Himself as the true Passover Lamb. Joel 2:28-32 Luke 24:49 Luke 22:7 Acts 1:4-8 Acts 2

The Holy Spirit gave new birth to me and walks with me for all eternity. He cleanses me from my sins by making me listen and persevere in the faith that Jesus’ life and sacrifice count as my righteousness. The Holy Spirit unites me to Jesus and His people and strengthens my faith through His Word and the Covenant signs: baptism and holy supper. The Holy Spirit guides my thoughts and helps me pray and worship, to comfort, heal and renew me little by little into the image of the Messiah. John 14:16-17 Romans 8 John 17:21-23 1 Corinthians 6:11 2 Corinthians 3:18 Mark 14:24 John 6:51 Romans 6:3-4 Colossians 1:15 Isaiah 26:12

Priest, prophet, king and judge. Exodus 3:14

You are a priest for eternity like Melchizedek. Psalm 110:4 Genesis 14:17-24 Hebrews 7:17

Sacrifice Himself for our sins once for all, intercede for us before the Father, and by the Holy Spirit assure us of God’s grace through the Covenant signs of water, bread, and wine. Genesis 14:17-24 Isaiah 53:10

The Lord Jesus offered Himself as the final Passover lamb to remove all fear, shame, and guilt from us. He represented us in the hell of the cross and represents us now in heaven. There Jesus lays His sacrifice before the Father as the valid price for the acquittal of all who trust in Him. John 10:18 John 19:30 Luke 23:34 Hebrews 4:14-10:31 1 John 2:1-2 Romans 5:6-8 Matthew 26:17-29 John 17 Romans 8:34

I will raise up for them from among their brothers a prophet like you. I will put My words in His mouth. He will tell them all that I command Him. And whoever does not obey My words that He will speak in My name, I Myself will hold him accountable. Deuteronomy 18:18-19

First of all, He had to teach all rebels that God still owns the law and He alone determines its interpretation. He also had to reveal to us, according to the law, the way of our salvation, and then encourage us to confess that we are His before the world. Isaiah 53:11 Psalm 40:9-10 Psalm 129:1-2 Psalm 124 Psalm 50:15-16 Deuteronomy 26:5-10 Zechariah 13:9

To this day the Lord Jesus announces to us in the power of the Holy Spirit that He is the purpose of the law and the way to the Father. Jesus calls us through the preachers of His Word and the covenant signs to believe only in Him to exempt us from the curse, guilt, and punishment we deserve. Matthew 12:8 John 14:6 John 15:15 Ephesians 4:11-12 Romans 10:9-10,15 Acts 3:20-22 Acts 1:8 John 17:6-8 John 20:21-22 1 John 2:27 Matthew 10:32-33 1 John 4:15 Revelation 22:17

Shout for joy, daughter of Zion! Make noise, daughter of Jerusalem! Your King will come for your good. He is righteous and victorious. For the Lord our Judge, the Lord our Lawgiver, the Lord our King, He Himself will save us. Zechariah 9:9 Isaiah 33:22

Defeat sin, death, the world, and the devil; protect us, apportion the spoils of His victory at His discretion; and finally condemn unbelievers. Hosea 13:14 Isaiah 25:7-8 Isaiah 11:3-5 Isaiah 32:1-4 1 Samuel 30:23-25 Exodus 33:19

The Lord Jesus defeated death on the cross. His sacrifice as Son of God and blameless man atones for all our sin, which demands eternal death. He lives and, through the Holy Spirit, gives life to everyone who honours and confesses Him as his only Saviour, as King, who one day will judge and reward every thought, every word, and every deed. Luke 1:33 John 16:33 John 10:28 Matthew 28:18 Ephesians 3:16 Luke 23:43 Matthew 20:15 Luke 19:27 John 3:14 John 5:22

Only one—yet in two separate states: first humbled, to redeem us and perfect our faith; then glorified, in great power and majesty, so that His redeemed ones may reign with Him. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 1 Peter 1:7 Revelation 5:10 Revelation 22:5

We thought of Him as being punished with sickness, beaten and tormented by God. But He was pierced for our crime, crushed for our offenses. The penalty price for our peace fell upon Him, and by His wound we were healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

I will give Him a share in the many. He will divide spoil with the powerful because He gave Himself up to death and was counted among criminals, even though He bore the sin of many and pleaded for the criminals. Isaiah 53:12

Surely the Messiah has already come once since the Temple was destroyed long ago. He cannot be other than Jesus of Nazareth, for only in Him are the rest of the prophecies fulfilled. Israel’s King is reigning and about to return. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!