Westminster Larger Catechism
Q. 40 Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one person?
A. It was requisite that the Mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us,[o] and relied on by us as the works of the whole person.[p]
[o] Matthew 1:21, 23 — And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Ver.23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 3:17 — And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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?
[p] 1 Peter 2:6 — Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Q. 41 Why was our Mediator called Jesus?
A. Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins[q]
[q] Matthew 1:21 — And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Confession of Faith
8.2 The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon Him man's nature,[k] with all the essential properties, and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin;[l] being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance.[m] So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion.[n] Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.[o]
[k] John 1:1,14 — In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Ver.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.
1 John 5:20 — And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Philippians 2:6 — Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.
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.
[l] Hebrews 2:14,16,17 — 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. Ver.17 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.
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] Luke 1:27,31,35 — 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.
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.
[n] Luke 1:35 — 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.
Colossians 2:9 — For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Romans 9:5 — Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
1 Peter 3:18 — For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
1 Timothy 3:16 — And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
[o] Romans 1:3 — Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. Ver.4 — And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
1 Timothy 2:5 — For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
8.3 The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure,[p] having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;[q] in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell;[r] to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth,[s] He might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator and Surety.[t] Which office He took not unto Himself, but was thereunto called by His Father,[u] who put all power and judgment into His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same.[x]
[p] Psalm 45:7 — Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
John 3:34 — For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
[q] Corinthians 2:3 — In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
[r] Colossians 1:19 — For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.
[s] Hebrews 7:26 — For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.
John 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.
[t] Acts 10:38 — How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Hebrews 12:24 — And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Hebrews 7:22 — By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
[u] Hebrews 5:4-5 — And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Ver.5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
[x] John 5:22,27 — For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. Ver.27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Matthew 28:18 — And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Acts 2:36 — Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
End of Lesson, Day 27
For Further Study:
- Yasha - The Biblical Definition of "Salvation"
- I'm Dreaming of a Large Christmas -- What it means to be "saved from your sins."
- Salvation as Sanctification
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment