Heidelberg Catechism: The Second Part--Deliverance, sub A

One of the most interesting parts of doing these catechisms is that we get to see the doctrine spelled out, but also we are given the proof texts along with it.  Although it takes a considerable bit of time, these catechisms make a great reading guide.  Read not only the verses quoted, but also the sections around those verses for context.  If you keep in mind the doctrines that are being added as we go, you will have a nice systematic theology built.  At the end of the second part, I'll go back and summarize the doctrine without the proof texts.  It reads very nicely as a clear and coherent doctrinal statement, as it was designed to do.  The second part has an introduction that I've divided in half, then it goes through the Trinity, and finally through the sacraments.  This is the real meat of the discussion, but remember that each part builds upon the prior section.

The Second Part - Of Man's Deliverance

5. Lord's Day

Question 12. Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be again received into favor?

Answer: God will have his justice satisfied: (Genesis 2:17, Exodus 20:5, 23:7, Ezekiel 18:4, Matthew 5:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:6, Luke 16:2) and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another. (Romans 8:3-4)

Question 13. Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?

Answer: By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt. (Job 9:2-3, 15:15-16, 4:18-19, Psalms 130:3, Matthew 6:12, 18:25, 16:26)

Question 14. Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?

Answer: None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed; (Ezekiel 18:4, Genesis 3:17, Hebrews 2:14-17) and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it. (Nehemiah 1:6, Psalms 130:3)

Question 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

Answer: For one who is very man, and perfectly (1 Corinthians 15:21, Jeremiah 33:16, Isaiah 53:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21) righteous; (Hebrews 7:26, 7:16) and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God. (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6, Romans 9:5, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Luke 11:22)

This section lays out our need for a savior and exactly what His qualities must be.  We obviously already know the answers to the questions, but it is good to know that the questions also come from the Bible.  Often, when we are talking to others who are nominally Christian, the wrong questions are being asked.  We need to be sure to refocus the discussion on the right questions.

6. Lord's Day

Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

Answer: Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin; (Ezekiel 18:4,20, Romans 5:12, 15, 18; 1 Corinthians 15:21, Hebrews 2:14-16; 1 Peter 3:18, Isaiah 53:3-5, 10-11) and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others. (Hebrews 7:26-27, Psalms 49:7-8; 1 Peter 3:18)

Question 17. Why must he in one person be also very God?

Answer: That he might, by the power of his Godhead (Isaiah 9:6, 63:3) sustain in his human nature, (Isaiah 53:4, 11) the burden of God's wrath; (Deuteronomy 4:24, Nehemiah 1:6, Psalms 130:3) and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life. (Isaiah 53:5, 11, Acts 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18, John 3:16, Acts 20:28, John 1:4)

Question 18. Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God, (1 John 5:20, Romans 9:5, 8:3; Galatians 4:4, Isaiah 9:6, Jeremiah 23:6, Malachi 3:1) and a real (Luke 1:42, 2:6-7; Romans 1:3, 9:5; Philippians 2:7, Hebrews 2:14, 16-7, 4:15) righteous man? (Isaiah 53:9, 11; Jeremiah 23:5, Luke 1:35, John 8:46, Hebrews 4:15, 7:26; 1 Peter 1:19, 2:22, 3:18)

Answer: Our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:9, Matthew 1:23; 1 Timothy 3:16; Luke 2:11) "who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Question 19. Whence knows thou this?

Answer: From the holy gospel, which God himself first revealed in Paradise; (Genesis 3:15) and afterward published by the patriarchs (Genesis 22:18, 12:3, 49:10-11) and prophets, (Isaiah 53; 42:1-4, 43:25, 49:5-6, 22-23; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 31:32-33, 39-41; Micah 7:18-20, Acts 10:43, Romans 1:2, Hebrews 1:1, Acts 3:22-24, 10:43; John 5:46) and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; (Hebrews 10:1, 7; Colossians 2:7, John 5:46) and lastly, has fulfilled it by his only begotten Son. (Romans 10:4, Galatians 4:4-5, 3:24; Colossians 2:17)

Now, we have the answers to the questions that we raised above.  These two days of questions lay the framework for the whole Christian faith.  In the next group, we will finish the first section of the Second Part.

--Troll--