Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 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,[p] and a reasonable soul,[q] being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her,[r] yet without sin.[s]
[p] Hebrews 2:14,16 — 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 Ver.16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Hebrews 10:5 — Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.
[q] Matthew 26:38 — Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
[r] Luke 1:27,31,35,42 — To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Ver.31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Ver.35 And the angel answered and 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. Ver.42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Galatians 4:4 — But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
[s] Hebrews 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.
Hebrews 7:26 — For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.
Larger Catechism
Q. 37 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,[w] being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her,[x] yet without sin.[y]
Matthew 26:38 — Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
[x] Luke 1:27, 31, 35, 42 — To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Ver.31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Ver.35 And the angel answered and 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. Ver.42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Galatians 4:4 — But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
[y] Hebrews 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.
Hebrews 7:26 — For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.
Q. 38 Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God?
A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death,[z] give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession;[a] and to satisfy God's justice,[b] procure his favour,[c] purchase a peculiar people,[d] give his Spirit to them,[e] conquer all their enemies,[f] and bring them to everlasting salvation.[g]
[z] Acts 2:24-25 — Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Ver.25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
Romans 1:4 — And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. compared with
Romans 4:25 — Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Hebrews 9:14 — How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
[a] Acts 20:28 — Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Hebrews 9:14 — How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 7:25-28 — 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. Ver.26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Ver.27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Ver.28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
[b] Romans 3:24-26 — Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Ver.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Ver.26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
[c] Ephesians 1:6 — To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Matthew 3:17 — And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
[d] Titus 2:13-14 — Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Ver.14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
[e] Galatians 4:6 — And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
[f] Luke 1:68-69, 71, 74 — Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Ver.69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; Ver.71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; Ver.74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear.
[g] Hebrews 5:8-9 — Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Ver.9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Hebrews 9:11-15 — But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Ver.12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Ver.13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: Ver.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Ver.15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Q. 39 Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be man?
A. It was requisite that the Mediator should be man, that he might advance our nature,[h] perform obedience to the law,[i] suffer and make intercession for us in our nature,[k] have a fellow-feeling of our infirmities;[l] that we might receive the adoption of sons,[m] and have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace.[n]
[h] Hebrews 2:16 — For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
[i] Galatians 4:4 — But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
[k] Hebrews 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.
Hebrews 7:24-25 — But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Ver.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.
[l] Hebrews 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.
[m] Galatians 4:5 — To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
[n] Hebrews 4:16 — Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
End Lesson, Day 26
For Further Study:
- Defeating the Enemies -- The Work of the Promised Messiah at the First Christmas
- "The Way of Peace"
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