Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 24 – Question 27
Of C…rist's Prophetical Office.
Quest. 24. HOW doth Christ execute the Office of a Prophet?
A. Christ executeth the Office of a Prophet, in revealing to us by his word and spirit, the will of God for our salvation.
Q. 1. What doth Christ's Prophetical Office imply?
A. It implies man's natural blindness and ignorance. 1 Cor. 2.14. But 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.
Q. 2. What …lse doth it imply?
A. That Christ is the original and fountain of all that light, which guides us to salvation. 2 Cor. 4.6, 7. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ.
Q. 3. How doth Christ teach men the will of God.
A. He doth it by external Revelation of it. Acts 3.22. For 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. And by internal illumination. Luke 24.45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scripture.
Q. 4 What need then of man's ministry?
A. Very much; for Christ hath instituted Ministers as instruments, by whom he will teach us. Eph. 4 11, 12. And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Acts 26.18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins.
Q. 5. Can no man savingly know the will of God without the teachings of Christ?
A. No; though common knowledge may be obtained in a natural way, yet not saving. Mat. 11.25. At that time Iesus answered, and said, I thank thee, O father, Lord of heaven and earth; because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Q. 6. How appears it that Christ is appointed to this office?
A. We have the written word for it. Acts 3.22. 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.
Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence?
A. None need be discouraged at their natural weakness, if Christ be their Teacher. Mat. 11.25. At that time Iesus answered, and said, I thank thee, O father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Psal. 19.7. The testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.
Q. 8. What is the second Instruction?
A. That it's a dreadful judgment to be spiritually blinded under the Gospel. 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. But if our Gospel be kid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine into them.
Q. 9. What is the third Instruction?
A. That Prayer is the best Expedient to obtain saving Knowledge. Iam. 1.5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.
Q 10. What is the last Instruction?
A. Learn hence the transcendent excellency of the Knowledge of Christ above all other knowledge. Phil. 3.8, 9. Yea doubtless, I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Iesus my Lord.
Of Christ's Priesthood.
Quest. 25. HOW doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest?
A. Christ executeth the Office of a Priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy Divine Iustice, and reconciling us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.
Q. 1. What is the Priesthood of Christ in general?
A. It is his expiation of our Sins by the sacrifice of himself▪ and obtaining God's favour for us. Col. 1.20. And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in heaven, … things in earth.
Q. 2. What are the parts of Christ's Priestly Office?
A. It hath two parts. First, Oblation, or offering of himself. Heb. 9.14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God. Secondly, Intercession for us. 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 3. What is the end of Christ's Oblation?
A. The end of it as to God, it was to satisfy his Incensed Justice. Rom. 3.25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation …mission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. And as to men, to put away their sins. Heb. 9.26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world, but now once in the end of the world, he hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Q. 4. What is the first difference between Christ and other Priests?
A. Other Priests offered the Blood of Beasts; Christ his own Blood. Heb. 9.12. Neither by the blood of Goats and Calves, but by his own blood, he entred in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Q. 5. What is the second difference?
A. They offered many Sacrifices; Christ perfected all by one offering. Heb. 10.14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Q. 6. What was the sacrifice Christ offered to God?
A. His Body. Heb. 10.10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once for all. And his Soul. Isa. 53.10. When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin.
Q. 7. Whence is the efficacy of this Sacrifice?
A. From the Divine Person to whom that Soul and Body was united. Acts 20.28. Feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Q. 8. VVhat is the first Inference from it?
A. That Believers are discharged by Christ from all their sins and debts. Acts 13.36. And by him all that believe are justified from all things.
Q. 9. VVhat is the second Inference?
A. That it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an absolute God. Luke 23.31. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
Q. 10. VVhat is the third Inference?
A. That it's impossible for man to satisfy God for his own Sins. Psal. 130.3. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Q. 11. VVhat is the last Inference?
A. That the Christian Religion only settles the conscience in peace. Heb. 9.14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God?
Of Christ's Kingly Office.
Quest. 26. HOW doth Christ execute the Office of a King?
A. Christ executeth the Office of a King in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and restraining and conquering all his and our Enemies.
Q. 1. How manifold is Christ's Kingdom?
A. Twofold. First, Internal in men's Souls. Luke 17.20. Behold the kingdom of God is within you. Secondly, External over the world. Eph. 1.22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the Church.
Q. 2. VVhat is the End of Christ's providential Kingdom?
A. The good and salvation of the Church. Iohn 17.2. At thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Q. 3. VVherein doth he exercise his Kingly Power?
A. In restraining his, and his peoples enemies. Psal. 76.10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee, the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
Q. 4. How else is it Exercised?
A. In protecting his Church amidst all Enemies. Exod. 3.3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this gre… sight, why the bush is not burnt.
Q. 5. VVhat Instruments doth Christ use?
A. Angels are ministring Spirit to him. Heb. 1.14. Are they not all ministring spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? And men, yea the worst of men. Rev. 12.16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Q. 6. In what manner doth Christ rule the world?
A. By Supream power. Rev. 9 16. He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, Lord of lords. And perfect Wisdom. Eph. 1.11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.
Q 7. What learn we from hence?
A. That the Church is saved amidst all dangers. Ier. 30.11. For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee; though I make a full end of all nations, whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee.
Q. 8. What is the second Instruction?
A. That the godly may safely trust to Christ's care. 2 Chron. 16.9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him.
Q. 9. VVhat is the third Instruction?
A. That all plots against the Church shall surely be defeated Isa. 54.17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.
Q 10. VVhat is the fourth Instruction?
A. It gives the Saints full satisfaction in all conditions. Rom. 8.28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that …re called according to his purpose.
Q. 11. VVhat is the last Inference?
A. We should not stand in a slavish fear of men. Isa. 51.12. I, even I am he that comforteth you; who art thou that hou shouldst be afraid of a man, that shall die and of the son of man which shall be made as grass?
Of Christ's Humiliation.
Quest. 27. WHerein did Christ's Humiliation consist?
A. Christ's Humiliation consists 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. 1. VVhat doth Christ's humbling of himself import?
A. His voluntariness in the deepest point of Self-denial. Psal. 40.7. Then said I, lo I come, in the volume of the book it i… written of me.
Q 2. VVhat was the first act of Christ's Humiliation?
A. His taking man's Nature on him, with all its sinless Infirmities. Rom. 8.3. God sending his own son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh.
Q. 3. What is the second part of his Humiliation?
A. That mean life he lived in this world, which obscured his Divine Glory. Mark 6.3. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?
Q 4. VVhat was the first thing in Christ's Life that humbled him?
A. The poverty of it. Mat. 8.20. And Iesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Q 5. VVhat was the second thing in his life that humbled him?
A. The Temptations of Satan, to which he was subject. Mat. 4.1. Then was Iesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil, and that for our sakes. Heb. 2.17. VVherefore in all things it behoveth him to be made like unto his brethren. v. 18. For in that he himself hath s…ffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Q 6. What is the third thing in Christ that humbled him?
A. His subjection to the Law. Gal. 4.4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law.
Q 7. What was the fourth thing in Christ's life that humbled him?
A. The Reviling and Contradictions of Sinners. Heb. 12.3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.
Q. 8. Wherein was Christ humbled in his death?
A. His death was painful and ignominious. 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 o… a tree. Made a curse for us▪ and deserted in it. Mat. 27.46. And about the ninth hour, Iesus cried with a loud voice, saying; Eli, Eli, Lamasabachthani, that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Q 9. What is the first Inference from hence?
A. That lowliness and humility becomes Christ's Followers. Mat. 11.29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek, and lowly in heart.
Q. 10. What is the second Inference?
A. That Christ's love to Sinners is astonishingly great. 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. 11. What is the third Inference?
A. Christians should be ready to suffer for Christ. 1 Pet. 4.1. Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh; arm your selves likewise with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin
Q. 12. What is the last Inference?
A. That Humiliation is the true way to Exaltation. Mat. 23.12. And whosoever shall exalt himself, shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself, shall be exalted.