From Discipleship Weekly
(a publication of the Presbyterian Church of Islip)
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A Word from Our Sponsor
". . .as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." -- John 3:14-15 The Heidelberg Catechism: Part 2- Of Man's Redemption Week 16 Of God the Son 40. Q. Why did Christ have to suffer "death"? A. Because the righteousness and truth of God are such that nothing else could make reparation for our sins except the death of the Son of God. [Gen. 2:17;
Rom. 8:3;
Phil. 2:8;
Heb. 2:9, 14-15]
41. Q. Why was he "buried"? A. To confirm the fact that he was really dead. [Is. 53:9;
John 19:38-42;
Acts 13:29;
I Cor. 15:3-4]
42. Q. Since, then, Christ died for us, why must we also die? A. Our death is not a reparation for our sins, but only a dying to sin and an entering into eternal life. [John 5:24;
Phil. 1:21-23;
I Thess. 5:9-10]
43. Q. What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross? A. That by his power our old self is crucified, put to death, and buried with him, so that the evil passions of our mortal bodies may reign in us no more, but that we may offer ourselves to him as a sacrifice of thanksgiving. [Rom. 6:5-14; 12:1;
Col. 2:11-12;
Eph. 5:1-2]
44. Q. Why is there added: "He descended into hell"? A. That in my severest tribulations I may be assured that Christ my Lord has redeemed me from hellish anxieties and torment by the unspeakable anguish, pains, and terrors which he suffered in his soul both on the cross and before. [Ps. 18:5-6; 116:3;
Is. 53;
Matt. 26:36-46; 27:45-46;
Heb. 5:7-10]
The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding. -- Martin Luther |