=Matt. 18:18. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.=
_252. What is required that a Christian may receive the
forgiveness of sins every day?_
That he repents every day, or that he daily feels his sins with deep
shame and sorrow, confesses his sins to God, and earnestly seeks the
grace of God in Christ.
_253. To whom should a repentant Christian confess his sins?_
First of all to God; then, if he feels the need of it, to his pastor;
finally to his neighbor, if he feels that he has wronged him in any way.
=Jas. 5:16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed.=
=1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.=
_254. What does the daily forgiveness of sins work in the
Christian?_
The daily renewal, or that he day by day becomes more and more
thankful to God, and increases in child-like obedience and
faithfulness.
_255. What becomes of the soul of the believer when he dies?_
His soul goes home to God, where it rests from all strife and sorrow,
in blessed fellowship with Him, until the resurrection of the body.
=Luke 23:43. Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me
in paradise.=
=Rev. 14:13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.=
_256. What is the resurrection of the body?_
On the last day, when the Lord Jesus returns to earth, the bodies of
the dead shall be made alive and shall be reunited with their souls.
=John 5:28, 29. The hour is coming, in which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have
done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.=
_257. What change shall then take place in the bodies of the
believers?_
Their bodies shall arise glorified and incorruptible, like unto the
body of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
=1 Cor. 15:42, 43. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption:=
=It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in
weakness; it is raised in power.=
_258. Where do all the risen go after the day of judgment?_
The chosen enter into life everlasting; the condemned, into eternal
death.
=Matt. 25:46. These shall go away into everlasting punishment;
but the righteous into eternal life.=
_259. What is life everlasting?_
Life everlasting is the blessed state in which the chosen are free
from all evil, and live forever in fellowship with their God and
Savior, praising God in the company of the holy angels, in everlasting
peace and joy.
=Matt. 25:34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right
hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world.=
_260. What is eternal death?_
Eternal death is a dreadful state of separation from God, and
everlasting anguish and suffering in hell.
=Matt. 25:41. Then shall he also say unto them on the left hand,
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for
the devil and his angels.=
_261. Who are thus condemned?_
All who continue in impenitence and unbelief until death.
=John 3:36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the
wrath of God abideth on him.=
_262. Who, on the other hand, obtain life everlasting?_
All who continue steadfast in faith until death.
=Rev. 2:10. [R. V.] Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee the crown of life.=
_263. Why do you end your confession of faith with the word Amen?_
Because I know that what I here confess is certainly true.
_264. What must you do that you may continue steadfast in faith
and also increase therein?_