Hearty Faith and Confession unto Salvation, Part 2

In The Heidelberg Catechism we confess, "That, out of the whole human race, from the beginning to the end of the world, the Son of God, by His Spirit and Word, gathers, defends and preserves for Himself unto everlasting life a chosen communion in the unity of the true faith; and that I am and forever shall remain a living member of the same." (Q/A 52) This answer explains what we mean when we use the word catholic, that is, universal, when we speak of the church. The reader will note that the answer reflects what the Scriptures teach in Revelation 5:9 where we see a vision of the church in heaven gathered from, "every tribe and tongue and people and nation." The call and message of the gospel is the same in every time, to every people, and in every land. This is also the message of today's text. Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, the promise of the gospel is given to you and is received by faith alone; there is no distinction. We are all sinners by nature, and we are all saved only by the one Savior. "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." – Pastor Schlegel