(Heidelberg Catechism, extended... part 5)
Q. 38.
Why did he suffer "under Pontius Pilate, as judge"?
A.
That he,
being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge, (a)
might thereby free us
from the severe judgement of God
to which we were exposed. (b)
(a)
John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said
this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in
him no fault at all.
Matt.27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that
rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before
the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person:
see ye to it.
Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast
anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the
people of Israel, were gathered together,
Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined
before to be done.
Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one
that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before
you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye
accuse him:
Luke 23:15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing
worthy of death is done unto him.
John 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them,
Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no
fault in him.
(b)
Ps.69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of
mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully,
are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
Isa.53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet
we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa.53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with
his stripes we are healed.
2 Cor.5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Gal.3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made
a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on
a tree:
Q. 39.
Is there anything more in his being "crucified",
than if he had died some other death?
A.
Yes there is;
for thereby I am assured,
that he took on him
the curse
which lay upon me; (a)
for the death of the cross was accursed of God. (b)
(a)
Gal.3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made
a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on
a tree:
(b)
Deut.21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou
shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is
accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God
giveth thee for an inheritance.
16. Lord's Day
Q. 40.
Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even "unto death"?
A.
Because with respect to the justice and truth of God, (a)
satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise,
than by the death of the Son of God. (b)
(a)
Gen.2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt
surely die.
(b)
Rom.8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and
for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom.8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Heb.2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels
for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by
the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Heb.2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through
death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the
devil;
Heb.2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage.
Q. 41.
Why was he also "buried"?
A.
Thereby to prove
that he was really dead. (a)
(a)
Matt.27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a
clean linen cloth,
Matt.27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in
the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre,
and departed.
Luke 23:52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it
in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was
laid.
John 19:38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of
Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he
might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came
therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
John 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to
Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an
hundred pound weight.
John 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen
clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden;
and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
John 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews'
preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Acts 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him,
they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
Q. 42.
Since then Christ died for us,
why must we also die?
A.
Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, (a)
but only an abolishing of sin,
and a passage into eternal life. (b)
(a)
Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Ps.49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to
God a ransom for him:
(b)
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not
come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Philip.1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to
depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Rom.7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body
of this death?
Q. 43.
What further benefit do we receive
from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?
A.
That by virtue thereof,
our old man is crucified,
dead and buried with him; (a)
that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh
may no more reign in us; (b)
but that we may offer ourselves unto him
a sacrifice of thanksgiving. (c)
(a)
Rom.6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve
sin.
(b)
Rom.6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve
sin.
Rom.6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom.6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also
live with him:
Rom.6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto
sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom.6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye
should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Col.2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with
him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him
from the dead.
(c)
Rom.12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service.
Q. 44.
Why is there added, "he descended into hell"?
A.
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, (a)
but especially on the cross,
has delivered me from the anguish and torments of hell. (b)
(a)
Ps.18:5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death
prevented me.
Ps.18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God:
he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even
into his ears.
Ps.116:3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat
hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Matt.26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful,
even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Heb.5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers
and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able
to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Isa.53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to
grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see
his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD
shall prosper in his hand.
Matt.27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God,
why hast thou forsaken me?
(b)
Isa.53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with
his stripes we are healed.
17. Lord's Day
Q. 45.
What does the "resurrection" of Christ profit us?
A.
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; (a)
secondly, we are also by his power raised up to a new life; (b)
and lastly, the resurrection of Christ
is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection. (c)
(a)
1 Cor.15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
Rom.4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for
our justification.
1 Pet.1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a
lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(b)
Rom.6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Col.3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col.3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Eph.2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together
with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph.2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(c)
1 Cor.15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how
say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1 Cor.15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the
firstfruits of them that slept.
1 Cor.15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the dead.
Rom.8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead
dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also
quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
18. Lord's Day
Q. 46.
How dost thou understand these words, "he ascended into heaven"?
A.
That Christ,
in sight of his disciples,
was taken up from earth into heaven; (a)
and that he continues there for our interest, (b)
until he comes again
to judge the quick and the dead. (c)
(a)
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he
was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Matt.26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say
unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right
hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was
received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted
from them, and carried up into heaven.
(b)
Heb.7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for
them.
Heb.4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession.
Heb.9:24 For 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:
Rom.8:34 Who is he that condemneth? 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.
Eph.4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above
all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Col.3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(c)
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up
into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Matt.24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:
and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see
the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory.
Q. 47.
Is not Christ then with us even to the end of the world,
as he has promised? (a)
A.
Christ is very man and very God;
with respect to his human nature, he is no more on earth; (b)
but with respect to his Godhead, majesty, grace and spirit,
he is at no time absent from us. (c)
(a)
Matt.28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
(b)
Heb.8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing
that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Matt.26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not
always.
John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world:
again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the
world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name
those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution
of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy
prophets since the world began.
(c)
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he
dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye
see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will
guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but
whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you
things to come.
Matt.28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
Eph.4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph.4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Q. 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?
A.
Not as all,
for since the Godhead is illimitable
and omnipresent, (a)
it must necessarily follow
that the same is beyond the limits of the human nature he assumed, (b)
and yet is nevertheless in this human nature,
and remains personally united to it.
(a)
Acts 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house
will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Jer.23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see
him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
(b)
Col.2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down
from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the
intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
Matt.28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the
place where the Lord lay.
Q. 49.
Of what advantage to us is Christ's ascension into heaven?
A.
First, that he is our advocate
in the presence of his Father in heaven; (a)
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; (b)
thirdly, that he sends us his Spirit as an earnest, (c)
by whose power we "seek the things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God,
and not things on earth." (d)
(a)
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye
sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous:
Rom.8:34 Who is he that condemneth? 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.
(b)
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be
with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast
given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet
ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I
ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Eph.2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(c)
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you
that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto
you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all
with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,
and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having
received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed
forth this, which ye now see and hear.
2 Cor.1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the
Spirit in our hearts.
2 Cor.5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God,
who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
(d)
Col.3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Philip.3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus.
19. Lord's Day
Q. 50.
Why is it added,
"and sitteth at the right hand of God"?
A.
Because Christ is ascended into heaven
for this end, that he might appear
as head of his church, (a)
by whom the Father governs all things. (b)
(a)
Eph.1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,
and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph.1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but
also in that which is to come:
Eph.1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in
all.
Col.1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might
have the preeminence.
(b)
Matt.28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all
judgment unto the Son:
Q. 51.
What profit is this glory of Christ, our head, unto us?
A.
First, that by his Holy Spirit
he pours out heavenly graces upon us
his members; (a)
and then that by his power
he defends and preserves us against all enemies. (b)
(a)
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having
received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed
forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Eph.4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(b)
Ps.2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them
in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Ps.110:1 <> The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at
my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Ps.110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule
thou in the midst of thine enemies.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Eph.4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(continued in part 6...)
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