God the Father
God the Father and creation, as confessed in the Apostles' Creed
Questions 12–28
Q12. Since, according to God's righteous judgment we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how can we escape this punishment and be again received into favour?
God demands that His justice be satisfied. Therefore full payment must be made either by ourselves or by another.
Q13. Can we ourselves make this payment?
Certainly not. On the contrary, we daily increase our debt.
Q14. Can any mere creature pay for us?
No. In the first place, God will not punish another creature for the sin which man has committed. Furthermore, no …
Q15. What kind of mediator and deliverer must we seek?
One who is a true and righteous man, and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is …
Q16. Why must He be a true and righteous man?
He must be a true man because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned …
Q17. Why must He at the same time be true God?
He must be true God so that by the power of His divine nature He might bear in His human …
Q18. But who is that Mediator who at the same time is true God and a true and righteous man?
Our Lord Jesus Christ, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30).
Q19. From where do you know this?
From the holy gospel, which God Himself first revealed in Paradise. Later, He had it proclaimed by the patriarchs and …
Q20. Are all men, then, saved by Christ just as they perished through Adam?
No. Only those are saved who by a true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all His benefits.
Q21. What is true faith?
True faith is a sure knowledge whereby I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in His …
Q22. What, then, must a Christian believe?
All that is promised us in the Gospel, which the articles of our catholic and undoubted Christian faith teach us …
Q23. What are these articles?
III.1.I believe in God the Father almighty, III.1. Creator of heaven and earth. III.2.I believe in Jesus Christ, III.2.His only …
Q24. How are these articles divided?
Into three parts: the first is about God the Father and our creation; the second about God the Son and …
Q25. Since there is only one God, why do you speak of three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Because God has so revealed Himself in His Word that these three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God.
Q26. What do you believe when you say: I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and all that …
Q27. What do you understand by the providence of God?
God's providence is His almighty and ever present power, whereby, as with His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth …
Q28. What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by His providence?
We can be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and with a view to the future we can have a …