This week we begin with Question 48 of the New City Catechism, found in Part 3 (questions 36-52), which focuses on the Spirit, restoration, and growing in grace. Question 48: What is the church? Answer: God chooses and preserves for himself a community elected for eternal life and united by faith, who love, follow, learn from, and worship God together. God sends out this community to proclaim the gospel and prefigure Christ's kingdom by the quality of their life together and

Question 11: What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments? Answer: Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life, avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires, and whatever might lead to them. Eighth, that we do not take without pe

The preeminent manifestation of the Holy Spirit in us as believers is in the way we relate to other believers.

The eighth commandment forbids stealing and points us toward an ethic of productive labor and generous giving for the good of others.