Heidelberg Catechism: The Second Part--Of God the Son 2/3

In this second section on the Son, we end up with that controversial topic of Hell.  But before that excitement, we go through the incarnation, the passion, the death and burial.

14. Lord's Day

Question 35. What is the meaning of these words "He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary"?

Answer: That God's eternal Son, who is, and continues (Romans 1:4,9:5) true and eternal God, (1 John 5:20; John 1:1, 17:3; Romans 1:3, Colossians1:15) took upon him the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, (Galatians 4:4, Luke 1:31, 42-43) by the operation of the Holy Ghost; (John 1:14; Matthew 1:18, 20; Luke 1:35) that he might also be the true seed of David, (Psalms 132:11; Romans 1:3; 2 Samuel 7:12; Luke 1:32; Acts 2:30) like unto his brethren in all things, (Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14, 17) sin excepted. (Hebrews 4:15)

Question 36. What profit do you receive by Christ's holy conception and nativity?

Answer: That he is our Mediator; (Hebrews 7:26-27, 2:17) and with His innocence and perfect holiness, covers in the sight of God, my sins, wherein I was conceived and brought forth. (1 Peter 1:18-19, 3:18; 1 Corinthians1:30-31; Romans 8:3-4; Isaiah 53:11; Psalms 32:1)

This section was clearly about the incarnation.  The importance of God becoming human is perhaps lost.  In order to fulfill the Law, a human had to do it, a human under the covenant curse of Adam.  This was the first reason that Jesus condescended to become man.

15. Lord's Day

Question 37. What do you understand by the words, "He suffered"?

Answer: That he, all the time that he lived on earth, but especially at the end of his life, sustained in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sins of all mankind: (Isaiah 53:4; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:6) that so by his passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice, (Isaiah 53:10, 12;Ephesians 5:2; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 John 2:2, 4:10; Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:28,10:14) he might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation, (Galatians3:13, 1:13; Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19) and obtain for us the favor of God, righteousness and eternal life. (Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:16,6:51; Hebrews 9:15, 10:19)

Question 38. Why did he suffer "under Pontius Pilate, as judge"?

Answer: That he, being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge, (John 18:38; Matthew 27:24; Acts 4:27-28; Luke 23:14-15; John 19:4) might thereby free us from the severe judgment of God to which we were exposed. (Psalms 69:4; Isaiah 53:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13)

Question 39. Is there anything more in his being "crucified", than if he had died some other death?

Answer: Yes there is; for thereby I am assured, that he took on him the curse which lay upon me; (Galatians 3:13) for the death of the cross was accursed of God. (Deuteronomy 21:23)

While most of this section is about His passion, the word propitiating appears in the answer to question #37.  While the four places in the New Testament that this word appears I have documented in the past, there is one Old Testament reference as well.  The Isaiah 53 passage you will have noticed has been cited multiple times already.

16. Lord's Day

Question 40. Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even "unto death"?

Answer: Because with respect to the justice and truth of God, (Genesis2:17) satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God. (Romans 8:3-4; Hebrews 2:9, 14-15)

Question 41. Why was he also "buried"?

Answer: Thereby to prove that he was really dead. (Matthew 27:59-60;Luke 23:52-53; John 19:38-42; Acts 13:29)

Question 42. Since then Christ died for us, why must we also die?

Answer: Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, (Mark 8:37, Psalms49:7) but only an abolishing of sin, and a passage into eternal life. (John 5:24,Philippians 1:23, Romans 7:24)

Question 43. What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?

Answer: That by virtue thereof, our old man is crucified, dead and buried with him; (Romans 6:6) that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us; (Romans 6:6-8, 11-12; Colossians 2:12) but that we may offer ourselves unto him a sacrifice of thanksgiving. (Romans 12:1)

Question 44. Why is there added, "he descended into hell"?

Answer: That in my greatest temptations, I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself in this, that my Lord Jesus Christ, by his inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agonies, in which he was plunged during all his sufferings, (Psalms 18:5-6, 116:3; Matthew 26:38 Hebrews 5:7 Isaiah 53:10Matthew 27:46) but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell. (Isaiah 53:5)

This is a great section up to Question #44.  I'll be posting on Hell soon.

The next post will be on the remainder of the questions concerning the Son.

--Troll--