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

This section contains the historical facts about which the gospel testifies.  This is the basis of the faith.  In these passages, Christianity is laid out for all to see.  It is of some interest that there are any Old Testament verses in this section, but there are a few.  Of course, 1 Corinthians 15 features prominently as do all of the Gospels and Paul.

17. Lord's Day

Question 45. What does the "resurrection" of Christ profit us?

Answer: First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, that he might make us partakers of that righteousness which he had purchased for us by his death; (1 Corinthians 15:16; Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 1:3) secondly, we are also by his power raised up to a new life; (Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:1; Ephesians2:5-6) and lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:12, 20-21; Romans 8:11)

As you can see, only one question for this Lord’s Day is offered.  That is probably because this is one of the more important questions.  Just guessing.  Ephesians 2 and 1 Corinthians 15 should be read once a month each in every church.

18. Lord's Day

Question 46. How dost thou understand these words, "he ascended into heaven"?

Answer: That Christ, in sight of his disciples, was taken up from earth into heaven; (Acts 1:9; Matthew 26:64; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51) and that he continues there for our interest, (Hebrews 7:25, 4:14, 9:24; Romans 8:34; Ephesians4:10; Colossians 3:1) until he comes again to judge the quick and the dead. (Acts 1:11; Matthew 24:30)

Question 47. Is not Christ then with us even to the end of the world, as he has promised? (Matthew 28:20)

Answer: Christ is very man and very God; with respect to his human nature, he is no more on earth; (Hebrews 8:4; Matthew 26:11; John 16:28, 17:11;Acts 3:21) but with respect to his Godhead, majesty, grace and spirit, he is at no time absent from us. (John 14:17-19, 16:13; Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 4:8, 12)

Question 48. But if his human nature is not present, wherever his Godhead is, are not then these two natures in Christ separated from one another?

Answer: Not as all, for since the Godhead is illimitable and omnipresent, (Acts 7:49; Jeremiah 23:24) it must necessarily follow that the same is beyond the limits of the human nature he assumed, (Colossians 2:9; John3:13, 11:15; Matthew 28:6) and yet is nevertheless in this human nature, and remains personally united to it.

Question 49. Of what advantage to us is Christ's ascension into heaven?

Answer: First, that he is our advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven; (1 John 2:1; Romans 8:34) secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that he, as the head, will also take up to himself, us, his members; (John 14:2, 17:24, 20:17; Ephesians 2:6) thirdly, that he sends us his Spirit as an earnest, (John 14:16, 16:7; Acts 2:1-4, 33; 2 Corinthians 1:22,5:5) by whose power we "seek the things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God, and not things on earth." (Colossians 3:1; Philippians3:14)

While this whole section is important, these last two questions speak specifically to a couple of ancient heresies.  The Greeks loved to separate things into this world and the spiritual world.  Question #48 points out that Jesus remains both God and human even after the resurrection.  Question #49 ties the troublesome passages in Acts 2 concerning the Holy Spirit to Jesus in His role as our Advocate.  I wrote on this topic in the word study on perichoresis and paraclete.  This is also a great link to the next section on the Holy Spirit.  BTW, the quoted version of Acts 2:4 is great:  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

19. Lord's Day

Question 50. Why is it added, "and sits at the right hand of God"?

Answer: Because Christ is ascended into heaven for this end, that he might appear as head of his church, (Ephesians 1:20-21, 23; Colossians 1:18) by whom the Father governs all things. (Matthew 28:18; John 5:22)

Question 51. What profit is this glory of Christ, our head, unto us?

Answer: First, that by his Holy Spirit he pours out heavenly graces upon us his members; (Acts 2:33; Ephesians 4:8) and then that by his power he defends and preserves us against all enemies. (Psalms 2:9, 110:1-2; John 10:28;Ephesians 4:8)

Question 52. What comfort is it to thee that "Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead"?

Answer: That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person, who before offered himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven: (Luke 21:28; Romans 8:23; Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians4:16) who shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, (2 Thessalonians1:6, 8-10; Matthew 25:41-43) but shall translate me with all his chosen ones to himself, into heavenly joys and glory. (Matthew 25:34; 2 Thessalonians 1:7)

I actually expected to find some OT prophets and some Revelation in this section.  It just goes to show you that eschatology is found throughout the New Testament, not just in the last book.

We have now covered the first two parts of the Trinity.  In the next section, we will be looking at the Holy Spirit.

--Troll--

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--

Heidelberg Catechism: The Second Part--Of God the Son 1/3

One of the more interesting aspects of this section is that all of major verses that people quote will appear as citations.  These come from all over the Bible.  The Old Testament citations come primarily from the prophets, while the whole New Testament is cited.  I have broken this section on the Son into three parts for easier consumption.  Here is part one.

Of God The Son

11. Lord's Day

Question 29. Why is the Son of God "Jesus" called a Savior?

Answer: Because He saves us, and delivers us, from our sins; (Matthew1:21, Hebrews 7:24-25) and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can we find, salvation in any other. (Acts 4:12, John 15:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:5; Isaiah43:11; 1 John 5:11)

Question 30. Do such then believe in Jesus the only Savior, who seek their salvation and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?

Answer: They do not; for though they boast of him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Savior; (1 Corinthians 1:13,30-31; Galatians 5:4) for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Savior; or that they, who by a true faith receive this Savior, must find all things in him necessary to their salvation. (Hebrews 12:2,Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 1:19-20, 2:10; 1 John 1:7; John 1:16)

Sola Christus.  In addition, we see true faith again.  All of the components of the Reformed tradition will be brought out over the next week.

12. Lord's Day

Question 31. Why is he called "Christ", that is anointed?

Answer: Because he is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, (Psalms 45:8, Hebrews 1:9, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18) to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, (Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3:22, 7:37; Isaiah 55:4) who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption; (John 1:18, 15:15) and to be our only High Priest, (Psalms 110:4) who by the one sacrifice of his body, has redeemed us, (Hebrews 10:12, 14,9:12, 14, 28) and makes continual intercession with the Father for us; (Romans 8:34,Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1; Romans 5:9-10) and also to be our eternal King, who governs us by his word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in that salvation, he has purchased for us. (Psalms 2:6, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:5, Luke1:33, Matthew 28:18, John 10:28, Revelation 12:10-11)

Question 32. But why art thou called a Christian? (Acts 11:26)

Answer: Because I am a member of Christ by faith, (1 Corinthians 6:15) and thus am partaker of his anointing; (1 John 2:27, Acts 2:17) that so I may confess his name, (Matthew 10:32, Romans 10:10, Mark 8:38) and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him: (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation5:8, 10, 1:6) and also that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life (1 Peter 2:11; Romans 6:12-13; Galatians 5:16-17, Ephesians6:11; 1 Timothy 1:18-19) and afterwards I reign with him eternally, over all creatures. (2 Timothy 2:12; Matthew 24:34)

If you missed it, question 31 spells out the three offices of Christ:  Prophet, Priest and King.  This is important because the expectations of the Jews for the messiah were different.  Mostly, they wanted a king with military might to out the Romans.  But also, they did not expect a prophet, priest and king all in one person.  They had encountered all of the above in their past, but never all in the same person.

Question 32 is about sola fide, but also about Christian Living.  The accusations concerning reformed and practical application abound, so there it was, the first section on Christian living.  The Reformed believe that if you get the doctrine right, the Christian living flows obviously from it.  It really isn't that hard to find practical application.  But getting the doctrine correct is fundamentally essential.  Remember, Paul always answers questions about Christian living by first reviewing the doctrine.  Perhaps, Paul is right about this.

13. Lord's Day

Question 33. Why is Christ called the "only begotten Son" of God, since we are also the children of God?

Answer: Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God; (John 1:1-3, 14, 18; Hebrews 1:1-2; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9; Romans 8:32) but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for his sake. (Romans 8:15-17; John 1:12,Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:5-6)

Question 34. Wherefore calls thou him "our Lord"?

Answer: Because he hath redeemed us, both soul and body, from all our sins, not with silver or gold, but with his precious blood, and has delivered us from all the power of the devil; and thus has made us his own property. (1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:9; 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23; 1 Timothy 2:6; John20:28)

We were due the Trinitarian statement, but this is more than that.  The idea of adoption is going to be huge, particularly for we Gentiles.  In this particular context, however, the role of adoption is linked to propitiation and imputation concerning salvation.

As we move through the next two sections, keep this first section on the Son in mind.

--Troll--