Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 22 – Question 23
Of Christ's Incarnation.
Quest. 22. HOw did Christ being the Son of God become man?
A. 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 Uirgin Mary, and born of her, yet without Sin.
Q. 1▪ Who is the only Redeemer of God's Elect?
A. The Lord Jesus Christ is their only Redeemer, and there is no other Redeemer besides him. Acts 4.12. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Q. 2. How is he the Son of God, or can be, as no other is so?
A. He is the Son of God by Nature, from all Eternity, and so no Angel or Saint is. Heb. 1.5. For unto which of the Angels said he, at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee?
Q. 3 VVhy was it necessary he should become man?
A. That he might be capable to suffer Death in our room. Heb. 2.15, 16, 17. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him 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.
Q. 4. Why must the Redeemer be God as well as Man?
A. Because the blood of a meer man could not satisfy and redeem us. Acts 20.28. Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Q. 5. Do these two Natures make two Persons?
A. No, The Humane Nature is united to the second Person, and subsists in union with it. Iohn 1.14. 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.
Q 6. VVas the Union only for a time?
A. No, It continues and abides for ever. Heb. 7.24. But this man, because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable …
Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence?
A Hence we learn the transcendent love of God to poor Sinners. Iohn 3.16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Q 8. What is the second Instruction?
A. Hence we learn the matchless love of Christ, that he should stoop to such a condition for us. 2 Cor. 8.9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich.
Q. 9 What is the third Instruction?
A. That the greatest Sins are capable of remission to Believers. Iohn 1.29. Behold, the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.
Q 10. What is the fourth Instruction?
A. That those that be in Christ need not fear the denial or want of an… other mercy. Rom 8.32. He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Q. 11. What is the fifth Instruction?
A. Hence we learn how impious it is to ascribe any part of the glory of redemption to any other besides Christ
Q. 12. What is the sixth Instruction?
A. This teaches us the miserable condition of all that are out of Christ, and the necessity of their damnation, he being the only Redeemer.
Of the Manner of Christ's Incarnation.
Quest. 1. WAS Christ's Incarnation a voluntary act in him?
A. Yes, it was; for though he had a command to die for us, Iohn 10.18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my self, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; Yet he came willingly. Psal 40.6, 7. Sacrifice and offerings thou didst not desire, mine ears hast thou opened; burnt offerrings, and sin offerings hast thou not required; lo, I come, in the volume of thy book, it is written of me, V. 8. I delight to do thy …
Q. 2. Was the Body of Christ a real and true Humane Body?
A. Yes, it was a true and real Body, not the appearance and shape of a Body only. Luke 24.38. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Ver. 29. Behold my hands, and my feet, that it is I my self; handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.
Q. 3. Had he a true Humane Soul as well as a Body?
A. Yes, he had, a real Humane Soul also, and all the natural faculties and powers thereof. Mat. 26.38. Then saith he unto them▪ My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.
Q. 4. Was he then in all respects like to other men?
A. No; his conception was not like others. Isa. 7.14. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emanuel. And he had no sin in him as others have. Heb. 7.26. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.
Q. 5. Did Christ put off the Humane Nature at his Ascention?
A. No, he did not, but carried it up to glory, and now is in our Nature in Heaven. 1 Tim. 3.6. Received up into glory.
Q. 6. Why did he assume our Nature?
A. That he might die in it for our Salvation. Heb. 2.15. And delivered them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage.
Q 7. Why did he rise in it after Death?
A. He raised it from the dead, for our Justification. Rom. 4.25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our Iustification.
Q 8. Why did he ascend in our Nature into Heaven?
A. To be a Mediator of intercession in our Nature: 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.
Q 9. What is the first Instruction from hence?
A. That the Body of Christ is not every where, but is contained in Heaven. Acts 3.21. Whom the heaven must receive till the times of restitution of all things.
Q. 10. VVhat is the second Iustruction?
A. That Christ is full of tender compassions to his peoples infirmities. Heb. 4.15. For we have not an 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.
Q. 11. VVhat is the third Instruction?
A. That great and admirable is the glory designed for the bodies of Believers. Phil. 3.21. VVho shall change our vile bodies, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working, whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Q. 12. VVhat is the last Instruction?
A. That the bodily Eyes of Believers after the Resurrection, shall see Christ in glory. Iob 19.26, 27. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. VVhom I shall see for my self, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.
Of Christ's Offices.
Quest. 23. WHat Offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ as our Redeemer doth execute the Office of a Prophet, of a Priest, and of a King, both in his Estate of Humiliation and Exaltation.
Q. 1. What are the States and Conditions of our Redeemer?
A. Christ's States are twofold, namely, his State of Humiliation, and his State of Exaltation. Phil. 2.8, 9. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. VVherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name.
Q. 2. How many Offices belongs to Christ in these States?
A. Christ hath a threefold Office; namely, of a Prophet, of a Priest, and of a King.
Q. 3 Why doth Christ take all these three Offices?
A. Because they are all necessary for our salvation, and we have the benefit of them all. 1 Cor. 1.30. Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Q. 4. Can no man take Christ in one Office, and not in another?
A. No; whoever will have the benefit of any one, must receive him in all. Acts 5.31. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince, and a saviour, for to give repentance unto Israel, and forgiveness of Sins.
Q. 5. What respect have the Offices of Christ to the Promises?
A. The Promises flow out of them as out of their Fountain. 2 Cor. 1.20. For all the promises of God in him, are Yea, and in him, Amen.
Q. 6. What Promises flow out of the Prophetical Office?
A. All the Promises of Illumination, Guidance and Direction flow out of Christ's Prophetical Office.
Q. 7. What Promises flow out of the Priestly Office?
A. All the Promises of Pardon and Peace flow out of it.
Q. 8. What Promises flow out of the Kingly Office?
A. All the Prom…ses of Defence, Protection and Deliverances.
Q 2. What is the first instruction?
A. Hence we learn the compleatness of Christ for all the wants of his people. Col. 2.10. And ye are compleat in him.
Q. 10. What is the second Instruction?
A. Hence we learn the folly and misery of all Hypocrites that close partially with Christ.
Q 11 What is the third Instruction?
A. Hence we learn the singular dignity of the Lord Jesus. None ever have all those Offices but Christ.
Q. 12. What is the last Instruction?
A. That Faith is a considerate act; and requires much deliberation.