Are all men then, as they perished in Adam,
saved by Christ?
Answer
No; 1
only those who are ingrafted into him, and,
receive all his benefits, by a true faith. 2
Question 21
What is true faith?
Answer
True faith is not only a certain knowledge,
whereby I hold for truth all that God has
revealed to us in his word, 3 but also an
assured confidence, 4 which the
Holy Ghost 5
works by the gospel in my heart; 6 that not
only to others, but to me also, remission of
sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, 7 are freely
given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake
of Christ’s merits. 8
Question 22
What is then necessary for a christian to
believe?
Answer
All things promised us in the gospel, 9 which the
articles of our catholic undoubted christian
faith briefly teach us.
Question 23
What are these articles?
Answer
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker
of heaven and earth: 2. And in Jesus Christ, his
only begotten Son, our Lord: 3. Who was
conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
Mary: 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was
crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into
hell: 5. The third day he rose again from the
dead: 6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at
the right hand of God the Father Almighty: 7.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and
the dead: 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost: 9. I
believe a holy catholic church: the communion of
saints: 10. The forgiveness of sins: 11. The
resurrection of the body: 12. And the life
everlasting.