## Lord’s Day 7
### 20. Q. Are all people then saved through Christ just as they were lost through Adam?

**A**. No. Only those are saved who through true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all his benefits.<sup>1</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [Matt. 7:14](/References/Bible/40%20-%20Matthew/Matthew7.md#14); [John 3:16, 18, 36](/References/Bible/43%20-%20John/John3.md#16); [Rom. 11:16–21](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans11.md#16)

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### 21. Q. What is true faith?

**A**. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word;<sup>1</sup> it is also a wholehearted trust,<sup>2</sup> which the Holy Spirit works in me<sup>3</sup> by the gospel,<sup>4</sup> that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also,<sup>5</sup> forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation.<sup>6</sup> These gifts are purely of grace, only because of Christ’s merit.<sup>7</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [John 17:3, 17](/References/Bible/43%20-%20John/John17.md#3); [Heb. 11:1–3](/References/Bible/58%20-%20Hebrews/Hebrews11.md); [James 2:19](/References/Bible/59%20-%20James/James2.md#19)
<sup>2</sup> [Rom. 4:18–21](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans4.md#18); [5:1](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans5.md); [10:10](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans10.md#10); [Heb. 4:14–16](/References/Bible/58%20-%20Hebrews/Hebrews4.md#14)
<sup>3</sup> [Matt. 16:15–17](/References/Bible/40%20-%20Matthew/Matthew16.md#15); [John 3:5](/References/Bible/43%20-%20John/John3.md#5); [Acts 16:14](/References/Bible/44%20-%20Acts/Acts16.md#14)
<sup>4</sup> [Rom. 1:16](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans1.md#16); [10:17](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans10.md#17); [1 Cor. 1:21](/References/Bible/46%20-%201Corinthians/1Corinthians1.md#21)
<sup>5</sup> [Gal. 2:20](/References/Bible/48%20-%20Galatians/Galatians2.md#20)
<sup>6</sup> [Rom. 1:17](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans1.md#17); [Heb. 10:10](/References/Bible/58%20-%20Hebrews/Hebrews10.md#10)
<sup>7</sup> [Rom. 3:21–26](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans3.md#21); [Gal. 2:16](/References/Bible/48%20-%20Galatians/Galatians2.md#16); [Eph. 2:8–10](/References/Bible/49%20-%20Ephesians/Ephesians2.md#8)

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### 22. Q. What then must a Christian believe?

**A**. All that is promised us in the gospel,<sup>1</sup> a summary of which is taught us in the articles of our catholic and undoubted Christian faith.

<sup>1</sup> [Matt. 28:18–20](/References/Bible/40%20-%20Matthew/Matthew28.md#18); [John 20:30–31](/References/Bible/43%20-%20John/John20.md#30)

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### 23. Q. What are these articles?

**A**. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended to heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

