Question 21.Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
Ans. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person for ever.
Q. 21.1. What is he called that is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The Redeemer of God's elect is called the Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. 21.2. Why is he called the Lord?
A. Because of his universal sovereignty and dominion. "He is Lord of all."Acts 10:36.
Q. 21.3. Why is he called Jesus?
A. Because he is the Saviour of his people. "Thou
shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins."Matt 1:21.
Q. 21.4. Why is he called Christ?
A. Because he is anointed by the Father unto his office with the Holy Ghost, which was given to him without measure. "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power."Acts 10:38. "God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."John 3:34.
Q. 21.5. How doth the Lord Jesus Christ redeem the elect of God?
A. The Lord Jesus Christ doth redeem the elect of God1. By purchase, paying the price of his blood for them. "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."1 Pet 1:18-19. "Who gave himself a ransom."1 Tim 2:6. 2. By conquest, rescuing them, through his almighty power, out of the snare of the devil, who before led them captive. "He led captivity captive."Eph 4:3. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them."Col 2:15.
Q. 21.6. Whose Son is the Lord Jesus Christ?
A. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.
Q. 21.7. How doth the Lord Jesus Christ differ from other sons of God?
A. 1. Angels are called the sons of God; but they are sons of God by creation. "All the sons of God shouted for joy."Job 38:7. 2. Saints are called the sons of God, by adoption and regeneration. "That we might receive the adoption of sons."Gal 4:5. "Every one that loveth is born of God."1 John 4:7. 3. The Lord Jesus Christ is the natural Son of God by eternal generation. "Unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?"Heb 1:5.
Q. 21.8. What did Christ, the eternal Son of God, become, that he might redeem the elect?
A. Christ, that he might redeem the elect, being the eternal Son of God, became man. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of
grace and truth."John 1:14. "When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman," etc.Gal 4:4.
Q. 21.9. How was it necessary in order to the redemption of the elect, that Christ should become man?
A. It was necessary, in order to the redemption of the elect, that Christ should become man(1.) That he might be capable of suffering death for them, which, as God, he was incapable of: without which suffering of death there could have been no remission or salvation. "Without shedding of blood there is no remission."Heb 9:22. (2.) That he might be their high priest to reconcile them unto God. "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham; wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."Heb 2:16-17.
Q. 21.10. Was it necessary that the Redeemer of the elect should be God as well as man?
A. Yes; because if he had not been God as well as man,1. He could not have borne up under, nor have got loose from, the weight of wrath which was laid upon him for the sins of men. 2. His sufferings would have been of finite extent, and so could not have made satisfaction to God's infinite justice, which was offended by sin.
Q. 21.11. How is Christ God and man?
A. Christ is God and man by an hypostatical or personal union, both his natures, divine and human, remaining distinct without composition or confusion, in one and the same person.
Q. 21.12. Will this union of the divine and human natures in Christ ever be dissolved?
A. No; for he was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person for ever. "Because he continueth for ever, he hath an unchangeable priesthood."Heb 7:24.
Q. 21.13. May the properties of the divine nature be ascribed to the human nature, or the properties of the human nature be ascribed to the divine nature of Christ?
A. Though it be improper to ascribe the properties of the one nature to the other nature, yet, by virtue of this near union of both natures in one person, there is a communication of the properties of each nature to the person of Christ.
Question 22.How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
Ans. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
Q. 22.1. Was it a voluntary act in Christ, the Son of God, to become man?
A. Yes; because he took on him the human nature, that he might be thereby fitted to be our Redeemer. "In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin, thou hast no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come."Heb 10:6-7. "He took on him the seed of Abraham."Heb 3:16.
Q. 22.2. Was Christ, the Son of God, a real man, like unto other men?
A. Christ, the Son of God, was a real man, taking to himself the two essential parts of man. 1. He had a real body of flesh, and blood, and bones; not a phantastical body, which is a body only in appearance. "Behold my hands and my feet: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."Luke 24:39. 2. He had a real rational soul, and his divine nature did not supply the place of the soul. "Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin."Isa 53:10. "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."Matt 26:3.
Q. 22.3. Was the birth of Christ like unto the birth of other men?
A. No; for Christ was born of a virgin, namely, the Virgin Mary. "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son."Isa 7:14. "And Joseph took unto him Mary his wife; and knew her not till she had brought forth her first born son; and he called his name Jesus."Matt 1:24-25.
Q. 22.4. How could Christ be born of a virgin?
A. It was a miraculous conception, by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary. "And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."Luke 1:34-35.
Q. 22.5. Was Christ born in sin like other men?
A. No; for however Christ took upon him the nature of man, and many human infirmities, yet he was perfectly free from sinful infirmities. "We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Heb 4:15.
Question 23.What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
Ans. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Q. 23.1. What is it to execute an office?
A. To execute an office, is to do or perform what belongeth to the office.
Q. 23.2. How many offices doth Christ execute as Our Redeemer?
A. There are three offices Christ doth execute as our Redeemer1. The office of a prophet: "Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you."Acts 3:22. 2. The office of a priest: "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."Heb 5:6. 3. The office of a king: "Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion."Ps 2:6.
Q. 23.3. In what estate doth Christ execute these offices?
A. 1. Christ doth execute these offices in his estate of
humiliation here on earth. 2. Christ doth execute these offices in his estate of exaltation now in heaven.
Question 24.How doth a Christ execute the office of a prophet?
Ans. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.
Q. 24.1. What doth Christ reveal to us as a prophet?
A. Christ, as a prophet, doth reveal unto us the will of God for our salvation.
Q. 24.2. What is meant by the will of God which Christ doth reveal?
A. By the will of God which Christ doth reveal, is meant the whole counsel of God, or whatever God would have us to know, believe, and do, in order to salvation.
Q. 24.3. Whereby doth Christ reveal unto us the will of God for our salvation?
A. Christ doth reveal unto us the will of God for our salvation1. By his word: "These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye might have life through his name."John 20:31. 2. By his Spirit: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things."John 14:26.
Q. 24.4. Which is the word of Christ, whereby he doth reveal to us the will of God?
A. The whole book of the Scriptures of the Old, and especially of the New Testament, is the word of Christ. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."Col 3:16.
Q. 24.5. How are the whole Scriptures the word of Christ, when but a small part of them was spoken by his own mouth?
A. The whole Scriptures are the word of Christ, forasmuch as the prophets and apostles, and other penmen of the Scriptures wrote not their own word, but the word which they had from the Spirit of Christ. "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired, searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them,
did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ," etc.1 Pet 1:10-11.
Q. 24.6. Is the word of Christ, without his Spirit, sufficient to teach us the will of God for our salvation?
A. The word, without the Spirit of Christ, is insufficient to teach us the will of God for our salvation, because it is by the Spirit of Christ only that we are enabled to discern and receive the things which are necessary to salvation. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."1 Cor 2:14.
Q. 24.7. Is the Spirit of Christ without his word, sufficient to teach us the will of God for our salvation?
A. Christ, by his Spirit without his word, could teach us the will of God; but he doth not, neither hath promised now to do it, since the whole will of God necessary to our salvation is revealed in his word: the word of Christ without his Spirit cannot, the Spirit of Christ without his word will not, teach us the will of God for our salvation.
Question 25.How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
Ans. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.
Q. 25.1. What is the first part of Christ's priestly office?
A. The first part of Christ's priestly office is, his offering up sacrifice to God for us. "Every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices, wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat to offer."Heb 8:3.
Q. 25.2. What is a sacrifice?
A. A sacrifice is a holy offering rendered to God by a priest of God's appointment.
Q. 25.3. Was Christ a priest of God's appointment?
A. Yes; for he was called and anointed by God to this office. "No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron: so also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest, but he that
said, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."Heb 5:4-6.
Q. 25.4. What sacrifice did Christ offer to God for us?
A. Christ did offer unto God for us the sacrifice of himself. "But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."Heb 9:26.
Q. 25.5. Did Christ offer the sacrifice of himself often?
A. No; but he offered the sacrifice of himself once only, this being sufficient for our sins. "Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many."Heb 9:28.
Q. 25.6. Wherefore was it that Christ did offer the sacrifice of himself unto God for us?
A. Christ did offer the sacrifice of himself unto God for us1. That hereby he might satisfy God's justice for us. 2. And that hereby he might reconcile us unto God.
Q. 25.7. How doth it appear that Christ did satisfy God's justice by the sacrifice of himself?
A. 1. Because Christ's sacrifice of himself was of sufficient worth to satisfy God's justice, infinitely offended by our sins, being the sacrifice of him who, as God, was of infinite dignity. 2. Because this sacrifice of Christ was accepted by God in behalf of sinners. "Christ hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour."Eph 5:2. 3. It doth further appear, because Christ in his death, who was our sacrifice, did bear our sins, or the punishment due for our sins; and wherefore did he bear them, but for the satisfaction of God's justice? "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree."1 Pet 2:24. And he is said to give his life a ransom for many (Matt 20:28); which ransom was God's satisfaction.
Q. 25.8. What is the consequent of the satisfaction Christ hath given to God by the sacrifice of himself?
A. The consequent of Christ's satisfaction by this sacrifice is, our reconciliation unto God. "That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross."Eph 2:16.
Q. 25.9. What is the second part of Christ's priestly office?
A. The second part of Christ's priestly office is, his making intercession for us. "He bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."Isa 53:2.
Q. 25.10. What doth Christ do for us in his intercession?
A. Christ, in his intercession, doth pray unto and plead with God, as our advocate, that through the merit of his death we might be actually reconciled, our persons accepted, our sins pardoned, our consciences quieted, our prayers answered, and at last our souls saved. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."1 John 2:1. "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."John 14:14.
Q. 25.11. Where doth Christ make intercession for us?
A. Christ doth make intercession for us at the right hand of God in heaven. "It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."Rom 8:34.
Q. 25.12. Doth Christ make intercession for us only for a time?
A. Christ maketh intercession for us continually and for ever. "He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."Heb 7:25.
Q. 25.13. Wherein doth Christ's priestly office differ from the priestly office under the ceremonial law?
A. 1. The priests under the law were priests after the order of Aaron; but Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, without father as man, without mother as God, etc. Heb 7:1-20. 2. The priests under the law were sinful; but Christ is holy, and perfectly free from sin. "Such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners."Heb 7:26. 3. The priests under the law were many, because mortal; but Christ is the one only high priest of his order, and abideth continually. "They truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; but this man continueth ever."Heb 7:23-24. 4. The priests under the law were consecrated and settled in their office without an oath; but Christ with an oath. "For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath, by him that said unto him, The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever," etc.Heb 7:21. 5. The priesthood under the law was changeable; but Christ's priesthood is unchangeable. "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change
also of the law; but this man hath an unchangeable priesthood."Heb 7:12,24. 6. The priests under the law offered up many sacrifices, and those of bulls and goats, and the blood of others; but Christ offered up but once one sacrifice, and that the sacrifice of himself, and his own blood. "Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with the blood of others."Heb 9:25. "He offered one sacrifice for sins for ever."Heb 10:12. 7. The priests under the law offered sacrifice for themselves, for their own sins as well as for the sins of the people; but Christ offered sacrifice only for others, being himself without sin. "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's."Heb 7:27. 8. The sacrifices which the priests under the law did offer were types of Christ's sacrifice, not being sufficient in themselves to take away sin, nor accepted by God any further than Christ was eyed in them; but Christ's sacrifice of himself was the thing typified, and is efficacious in itself for remission, and for itself is accepted. "The law having a shadow of good things to come, can never with those sacrifices make the comers thereunto perfect. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Christ, by one offering, hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."Heb 10:1,4,14. 9. The priests under the law appeared in the behalf of the people before God in the temple, the holy place made with hands; but Christ appeareth before God in heaven for us. "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."Heb 9:14. 10. The priests under the law had only the office of priesthood; but Christ is priest, prophet, and king.
Question 26.How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
Ans. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q. 26.1. Over whom doth Christ exercise his kingly office?
A. Christ doth exercise his kingly office1. Over his elect people. "Thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel."John 1:49. 2. Over his and their enemies. "Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies."Ps 110:2.
Q. 26.2. How doth Christ exercise his kingly office over his elect people?
A. Christ doth exercise his kingly office over his elect people1. In his subduing them to himself. 2. In his ruling them. 3. In his defending them.
Q. 26.3. What doth Christ's subduing his elect people to himself suppose?
A. Christ's subduing his elect people to himself doth suppose that at first they are stubborn and disobedient, rebellious, and enemies unto him. "For we ourselves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, serving divers lusts."Titus 3:3. "You were sometimes alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works."Col 1:21.
Q. 26.4. What doth Christ's subduing his elect people to himself imply?
A. Christ's subduing his elect people to himself doth imply his effectual calling of them, and bringing them under his government, wherein, by his word and Spirit, he doth conquer their stubbornness and enmity, and make them a willing people to himself. "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power."Ps 110:3.
Q. 26.5. How doth Christ rule his people?
A. Christ doth rule his people1. By giving them laws, unto which they are to conform their hearts and lives. "The Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king."Isa 33:22. 2. By annexing or adding to his laws threatenings of punishing the disobedient, and promises of rewarding the obedient. "I will kill her children with death; and all the Churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give to every one of you according to your works."Rev 2:23. 3. By appointing Church officers, not only for declaring and publishing his laws, but also for the execution of some threatenings, who, having the key of discipline as well
as the key of doctrine committed to them, are to rule under him in the Church, and have power of binding and loosing, of administering Church censures, and relaxing or taking them off. "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."Matt 16:19. 4. And chiefly, Christ doth rule his people inwardly by his Spirit, whereby he doth write his laws in their hearts, working in them a disposition and strength to yield to him that obedience which he requireth. "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts."Heb 8:10. "Ye are the epistle of Christ, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."2 Cor 3:3.
Q. 26.6. How doth Christ defend his people?
A. Christ doth defend his people1. By hiding them under his wings. "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings!"Matt 23:37. "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."Ps 91:4. 2. By restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q. 26.7. Who are the enemies of Christ and his people?
A. The enemies of Christ and his people, are the devil, the flesh, the world, and death.
Q. 26.8. What is it for Christ to restrain his and his people's enemies?
A. Christ doth restrain his and his people's enemies, when (their power remaining) he doth set bounds and limits to them, over which he doth not suffer them to pass.
Q. 26.9. What is it for Christ to conquer his and his people's enemies?
A. Christ doth conquer his and his people's enemies, when he taketh away their power in part, that they have not dominion over his people; but then he doth completely conquer them, when he doth bring all enemies under his feet, and utterly abolish and destroy them. "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved
us."Rom 8:37. "For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet."1 Cor 15:25.
Question 27.Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
Ans. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Q. 27.1. In what things did Christ humble himself?
A. Christ did humble himself1. In his birth. 2. In his life. 3. In his death.
Q. 27.2. How did Christ humble himself in his birth?
A. Christ humbled himself in his birth, in that he, being the eternal Son of God, in time became man, and was born, not of a great princess, but of a mean virgin; not in a stately palace, but in the stable of an inn; and instead of a cradle, was laid in a manger. "He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden."Luke 1:48. "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn."Luke 2:7.
Q. 27.3. How did Christ humble himself in his life?
A. Christ did humble himself in his life, in that1. He subjected himself to the law. "God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law."Gal 4:4. 2. He conflicted with the temptation of the devil. "Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil."Matt 4:1. 3. He endured the contradictions, reproaches, and indignities of wicked men. "Consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself."Heb 12:3. "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household?"Matt 10:25. 4. He underwent the sinless infirmities of the flesh, such as weariness, hunger, thirst, and the like, in regard to his body; and grief and sorrow in regard to his soul. "Jesus being wearied with
his journey, sat on the well."John 4:6. "When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards an hungered."Matt 4:2. "He is a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief."Isa 53:3.
Q. 27.4. How did Christ humble himself in his death?
A. Christ humbled himself in his death1. In regard of the antecedents of it. 2. In regard of his death itself. 3. In regard of the consequences of it.
Q. 27.5. How did Christ humble himself in regard of the antecedents of his death?
A. Christ humbled himself in regard of the antecedents of his death1. In permitting Judas to betray him. 2. In submitting himself to the officers to take him. 3. In hearing Peter deny him. 4. In suffering the people to mock him, spit on him, buffet him, and Pilate to scourge and condemn him; with many affronts and indignities which were offered to him.Matt 26-27.
Q. 27.6. How did Christ humble himself in regard of his death itself?
A. Christ humbled himself in regard of his death itself, in that1. The kind of his death was an accursed and disgraceful death, as also a lingering and painful death, being the death of the cross. "He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."Phil 2:8. "Christ was made a curse for us; as it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."Gal 3:13. 2. He, together with the pain of his body on the cross, endured the wrath of God due for man's sin in his soul. "About the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"Matt 27:46.
Q. 27.7. How did Christ humble himself in regard of the consequents of his death?
A. Christ humbled himself in regard of the consequents of his death, in that1. He was buried. "And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb."Matt 27:59-60. 2. He continued under the power of death for a time, namely, until the third day. "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of
man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."Matt 12:40.
Q. 27.8. What doth Christ's humiliation assure us of?
A. Christ's humiliation doth assure us of our redemption, through the merits of his sufferings. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."Eph 1:7.
Q. 27.9. What doth Christ's humiliation, especially his death, teach us?
A. Christ's humbling himself unto death doth teach us1. To humble ourselves and be lowly, like unto our Master. "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart."Matt 11:29. 2. That as Christ died for our sins, so we should die to sin, and not be unwilling to suffer and to die for his sake, if called thereunto. "If we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him. Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin."Rom 6:8,11. "Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind."1 Pet 4:1.
Question 28.Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
Ans. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up to heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q. 28.1. What is the first part of Christ's exaltation?
A. The first part of Christ's exaltation is his resurrection from the dead.
Q. 28.2. How do you prove that Christ rose again from the dead?
A. 1. By the many witnesses who saw him, and conversed with him after his resurrection. "He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once."1 Cor 15:5-6. 2. Because otherwise our faith would be in vain, the guilt of sin would still remain upon us, and there would be no hope for us. "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."1 Cor 15:17.
Q. 28.3. By whom was Christ raised from the dead?
A. Christ was raised from the dead by his own power and Spirit, whereby he was declared to be the Son of God. "I lay down my life, that I might take it again. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."John 10:17-18. "Declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."Rom 1:4.
Q. 28.4. How soon did Christ rise after his death?
A. Christ rose again from the dead on the third day. "He was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures."1 Cor 15:4.
Q. 28.5. Did Christ rise again with the same body which was buried?
A. Christ did rise again with the same body, for he bore the print of the nails in his hands and his feet, and of the spear in his side. "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side."John 20:27.
Q. 28.6. Was not Christ's body corrupted in the grave, like the bodies of others?
A. No; for God did not suffer him to see corruption. "He whom God raised again saw no corruption."Acts 13:37.
Q. 28.7. Was not Christ's body mortal after his resurrection?
A. No; for then his body did put on immortality. "Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."Rom 6:9.
Q. 28.8. What doth the resurrection of Christ teach us?
A. The resurrection of Christ doth teach us to walk in newness of life. "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of his Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."Rom 6:4.
Q. 28.9. What doth the resurrection of Christ assure us of?
A. The resurrection of Christ doth assure us, that our bodies shall be raised again from the dead on the last day. "Now is Christ raised from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept."1 Cor 15:20.
Q. 28.10. What is the second part of Christ's exaltation?
A. The second part of Christ's exaltation is his ascension into heaven.
Q. 28.11. How do you prove that Christ ascended into heaven?
A. By the Scripture record of the witnesses who saw him. "And he led them out as far as Bethany; and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."Luke 24:50-51.
Q. 28.12. How long after Christ's resurrection was his ascension?
A. Christ's ascension was forty days after his resurrection. "Until the day in which he was taken up, after he had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen; to whom he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days."Acts 1:2-3.
Q. 28.13. Wherefore did Christ ascend into heaven?
A. Christ ascended into heaven1. That his person (God-man) might be glorified there with that glory which (as God) he had with the Father before the world. "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."John 17:5. 2. That he might (as Head of the Church) take possession of heaven for all his members. "Whither the forerunner is for us entered."Heb 6:20.
Q. 28.14. What doth Christ's ascension into heaven teach us?
A. Christ's ascension into heaven doth teach us to set our affections on things above, where Christ is. "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth."Col 3:2.
Q. 28.15. What is the third part of Christ's exaltation?
A. The third part of Christ's exaltation, is his sitting at the right hand of God the Father.
Q. 28.16. What is meant by Christ's sitting at the right hand of God?
A. By Christ's sitting at the right hand of God is meant, his being exalted unto the highest honour, and power, and favour in heaven.
Q. 28.17. What doth Christ do for his people which are on the earth, at the right hand of God in heaven?
A. Christ, at the right hand of God in heaven1. Doth make continual intercession for his people. "Who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."Rom 8:34. 2. He is preparing a place in heaven for them. "In my Father's house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you."John 14:2.
Q. 28.18. What is the fourth part of Christ's exaltation?
A. The fourth part of Christ's exaltation, is his coming to judge the world. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; and before him shall be gathered all nations," etc.Matt 25:31-32, etc.
Q. 28.19. When is it that Christ will come to judge the world?
A. Christ will come to judge the world at the last day; then the world shall be at an end, and all things shall be dissolved. "But the day of the Lord will come, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up."2 Pet 3:10.
Q. 28.20. In what glory will Christ come to judge the world at the last day?
A. Christ will come to judge the world with his own glory, and his Father's, and the holy angels'. "He shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels."Luke 9:26.
Q. 28.21. How will Christ judge the world at this his glorious appearance?
A. Christ will judge the world at his glorious appearance, in righteousness, rendering to every one according to his deserts. "He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness."Acts 17:31. "We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."2 Cor 5:10.
Question 29.How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
Ans. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q. 29.1. By whom was our redemption purchased?
A. Our redemption was purchased for us by the blood of Christ. "By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."Heb 9:12.
Q. 29.2. By whom is our redemption applied?
A. Our redemption is applied by the Holy Spirit, in his effectual operation upon us. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour."Titus 3:5-6.
Question 30.How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
Ans. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q. 30.1. Whence is it that the redemption purchased by Christ is applied to us, or that we have an interest therein?
A. We have an interest in the redemption purchased by Christ, through our union to him in our effectual calling. "Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."1 Cor 1:30. "Whom he called, them he also justified."Rom 8:30.
Q. 30.2. What is the union between Christ and us?
A. The union between Christ and us is that whereby Christ and we are joined together, and made one. "He that is joined unto the Lord, is one spirit."1 Cor 6:17.
Q. 30.3. Whence is it that we are united unto Christ?
A. We are united unto Christ1. By the Spirit on
God's part, whereby he draws us, and joins us unto Christ. "No man can come unto me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him."John 6:44. 2. By faith on our part, whereby we come unto Christ, and lay hold upon him. "He that cometh unto me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."John 6:35. "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith."Eph 3:17.
Q. 30.4. Is faith from ourselves, or from God?
A. Though faith be our act, yet it is God's gift, and the work of his Spirit. "By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."Eph 2:8. "Ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God."Col 2:12.