Q22. 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 virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Q1. Did Christ assume the person of a man?
A. No; he assumed the human nature, but not a human person, Heb. 2:16.
Q2. Had ever the human nature of Christ a distinct personality of its own?
A. No; it never subsisted one moment by itself, Luke 1:35.
Q3. What is the reason that the human nature of Christ never subsisted by itself?
A. Because it was formed and assumed at once; for the moment the soul was united to the body, both soul and body subsisted in the person of the Son of God.
Q4. How came the human nature to subsist in the person of the Son?
A. The whole Trinity adapted and fitted the human nature to him; but the assumption of it, into a personal subsistence with himself, was the peculiar act of the Son, Heb. 2:14, 16.
Q5. Since the human nature of Christ has no personality of its own, is it not more imperfect than in other men, when all other men are human persons?
A. The human nature of Christ is so far from being imperfect, by the want of a personality of its own, that it is unspeakably more perfect and excellent than in all other men, because to subsist in God, or in a divine person, is incomparably more noble and excellent than to subsist by itself.
Q6. In what lies the matchless and peculiar dignity of the human nature of Christ?
A. That it subsists in the second person of the Godhead, by a personal and indissoluble union.
Q7. What is the difference between the human nature and a human person?
A. A human person subsists by itself; but the human nature subsists in a person.
Q8. When Christ became man, did he become another person than he was before?
A. No; there was no change in his person; for he assumed our nature with his former personality, which he had from eternity.
Q9. What is the reason that the assumption of the human nature made no change in the divine person of the Son?
A. Because the human nature was assumed by Christ without a human personality.
Q10. Whether is it more proper to say, that the human nature subsists in the divine nature, or in the divine person of Christ?
A. It is more proper to say, that it subsists in the divine person of Christ, because the natures are DISTINCT, but the person is ONE; and it was the divine nature only, as it terminates in the second person, which assumed the human nature into personal union.
Q11. Can we not say, consistently with truth, that the man Christ Jesus is God?
A. We assuredly may; because in this case, we speak of the person, which includes the human nature.
Q12. But can we say, in consistency with truth, that Christ Jesus, as man, is God?
A. No; because in this case, we speak only of the human nature, which does not include his divine person.
Q13. What is the human nature, or in what does it consist?
A. It consists in a true body and a reasonable soul, of which the first Adam, and every man and woman descending from him, are possessed.
Q14. Had our Redeemer always a true body and a reasonable soul, subsisting in his divine person?
A. No; until he came in the fulness of time, and then took to himself a true body and a reasonable soul.
Q15. How do you prove that he took this human nature to himself?
A. From Heb. 2:14, 16 - "Verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham."
Q16. Why is Christ said to take to himself a true body?
A. To show that he had real flesh and bones, as we have, Luke 24:39; and that it was not, as some ancient heretics alleged, only the mere shape and appearance of a human body.
Q17. How does it appear that he had a true and real body, as other men have?
A. He is called Man, and the Son of man, Psalm 80:17; he was conceived and born, Matt. 1:20, 25; he was subject to hunger, thirst, and weariness, like other men; he was crucified, dead, buried, and rose again: none of which could be affirmed of him, if he had not had a true body.
Q18. Had not he a reasonable soul, as well as a true body?
A. Yes; otherwise he had wanted the principal constituent part of the human nature: accordingly, we read, that his "soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death," Matt. 26:38.
Q19. Why was not the human body created immediately out of nothing, or out of the dust of the earth, as Adam's body was?
A. Because, in that case, though he would have had a true body, yet it would not have been akin to us, bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh.
Q20. Did Christ bring his human nature from heaven with him?
A. No; for he was the "seed of the woman," Gen. 3:15.
Q21. How then is it said, 1 Cor. 15:47 - "The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man, is the Lord from heaven?"
A. The plain meaning is, the first man had his original from the earth; but the second man, as to his divine nature, is the eternal, independent, and sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, equally with the Father; and as to his human nature, there was a more glorious concurrence of the adorable Trinity, in the formation of it, than in making of the first Adam.
Q22. What was the peculiar agency of each person of the adorable Trinity in this wonderful work?
A. The Father prepares a body, or human nature for him, Heb. 10:5; the Holy Ghost forms it, by his overshadowing power, out of the substance of the virgin, Luke 1:35; and the Son assumes the entire human nature to himself, Heb. 2:14, 16.
Q23. Why was Christ born of a virgin?
A. That the human nature might be found again in its primitive purity, and presented to God as spotless as it was at its creation, free from the contagion of original sin, which is conveyed to all Adam's posterity by natural generation.
Q24. Was it necessary that Christ should be conceived and born without sin?
A. It was absolutely necessary; both because the human nature was to subsist in union with the person of the Son of God, and likewise because it was to be a sacrifice for sin, and therefore behoved to be without blemish, Heb. 7:26.
Q25. What benefit or advantage accrues to us by the spotless holiness of the human nature of Christ?
A. The:spotless holiness of his human nature is imputed to us as a part of his righteousness, 1 Cor. 1:30; and it is a sure earnest of our perfect sanctification at last, Col. 2:9, 10.
Q26. Was not the virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord, a sinner as well as others?
A. Yes; for she descended from Adam by ordinary generation; Christ rebuked her for going beyond her sphere, John 2:4; and she needed a Saviour as much as others; and believed in him for salvation from sin, Luke 1:47.
Q27. What necessarily follows upon the union of the two natures?
A. A communication of the properties of each nature to the whole person.
Q28. How does the scripture apply this communication of properties to his person?
A. By ascribing that to his person, which properly belongs to one of his natures.
Q29. How is this illustrated in scripture?
A. It is illustrated thus: though it was only the human nature that suffered, yet God is said to purchase his church with his own blood, Acts 20:28; and though it was only the human nature that ascended to heaven, yet, by reason of the personal union, God is said to go up with a shout, Psalm 47:5.
Q30. Can an imaginary idea of Christ, as man, be any way helpful to the faith of his being God-man?
A. So far is it from being any way helpful, that it is every way hurtful; because it diverts the mind from the object of faith to an object of sense; by means of which we cannot believe any truth whatever, divine or human; all faith being founded solely and entirely upon a testimony.
Q31. How then is the person of Christ, God-man, to be conceived of?
A. It can be conceived of no other way, than by faith and spiritual understanding; or, by "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him," Eph. 1:17.
Q32. What improvement ought we to make of Christ's incarnation?
A. To claim him as our own, in virtue of his wearing our nature, saying, "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given," Isaiah 9:6; or, which is the same thing, to follow the practice of Ruth, in lying down at the feet of our blessed Boaz, saying, "Spread thy skirt over me;" that is, take me, a poor bankrupt sinner, into a marriage relation with thee, "for thou art my near kinsman," Ruth 3:9.
Q1. 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.
Q2. 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; Hebrews 1:5. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you?
Q3. Why was it necessary he should become man?
A. That he might be capable to suffer death in our room; Hebrews 2:15, 16, 17. For truly he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham; wherefore in all things it behooved 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.
Q4. Why must the Redeemer be God as well as man?
A. Because the blood of a mere man could not satisfy and redeem us; Acts 20:28. Feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
Q5. Do these two natures make two persons?
A. No, the human nature is united to the second person, and exists in union with it; 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.
Q6. Was the union only for a time?
A. No, it continues and abides forever; Hebrews 7:24. But this man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
Q7. What is the first instruction from hence?
A. Hence we learn the transcendent love of God to poor sinners; John 3:16. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Q8. 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 Corinthians 8:9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be made rich.
Q9. What is the third instruction?
A. That the greatest sins are capable of remission to believers; John 1:29. Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world.
Q10. What is the fourth instruction?
A. That those that be in Christ need not fear the denial or want of any other mercy; Romans 8:32. He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all; how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Q11. 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.
Q12. 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
Q1. Did Christ the Son of God become man?
A. Yes: Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, Heb. 2:14.
Q2. Was it requisite he should become man?
A. Yes: For in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, Heb. 2: 17.
Q3. Has the Son of man the fulness of the Godhead?
A. Yes: For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Col. 2: 9.
Q4. Has the Son of God the tenderness of a man?
A. Yes: For he was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, Heb. 4:15.
Q5. Did Christ take unto himself a true body?
A. Yes: A body hast thou prepared me, Heb. 10:5.
Q6. Was it a body like unto ours?
A. Yes: For he was in the likeness of sinful flesh, Rom. 8:3.
Q7. Did he take to himself a human soul?
A. Yes: For he said, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, Matt. 26:38.
Q8. Was he conceived by ordinary generation?
A. No: For he said, Ye are beneath, I am from above, John 8:23.
Q9. Was he conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost?
A. Yes: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, Luke 1:35.
Q10. Was he born of the Virgin Mary?
A. Yes: The Scripture was fulfilled, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, Matt. 1:23.
Q11. Was his conception and birth supernatural?
A. Yes: That which was conceived in the Virgin Mary was of the Holy Ghost, Matt. 1:20.
Q12. Yet was he really and truly man?
A. Yes: For he is not ashamed to call us brethren, Heb. 2:11.
Q13. Was Christ the seed of the woman?
A. Yes: For he was made of a woman, Gal 4:4.
Q14. Was the Scripture therein fulfilled?
A. Yes: For the seed of the woman must break the serpent's head, Gen. 3:15.
Q15. Was he the Son of Abraham?
A. Yes: For he took on him the seed of Abraham, Heb. 2:16.
Q16. Was the Scripture therein fulfilled?
A. Yes: For it was said to Abraham, In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, Gen. 12:2.
Q17. Was he the Son of David?
A. Yes: Hosanna to the Son of David, Matt. 21:9.
Q18. Was the Scripture therein fulfilled?
A. Yes: He hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spake by the mouth of all his holy prophets, Luke 1:69,70.
Q19. Was Christ born in Bethlehem?
A. Yes: To you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, Luke 2:11.
Q20. Was he born among the Jews?
A. Yes: Of them as concerning the flesh, Christ came, Rom. 9:5.
Q21. And was it the honour of that nation?
A. Yes: He was the glory of his people Israel, Luke 2:32.
Q22. Did he come when the Messiah was expected?
A. Yes: They then looked for redemption in Jerusalem, Luke 2:38.
Q23. Did he come when the sceptre was departed from Judah?
A. Yes: For then there went out a decree that all the world should be taxed, Luke 2:1.
Q24. Did the angels attend him at his birth?
A. Yes: There was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, Luke 2:13.
Q25. Was the Redeemer born in sin as we are?
A. No: He was without sin, Heb. 4:15.
Q26. Was he perfectly pure and holy?
A. Yes: That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God, Luke 1:35.
Q27. Was he pure aud holy in his whole life?
A. Yes: He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, 1 Pet. 2:22.
Q28. Was it requisite he should be so?
A. Yes: Such a High Priest became us, that was holy, harmless, and undefiled, Heb. 7:26.
Q29. Could he have satisfied for our sin, if he had had any sin of his own?
A. No: For he must through the eternal Spirit offer himself without spot, Heb. 9:14.
Q30. Was he subject to the sinless infirmities of our natures?
A. Yes: He was in all points tempted like as we are, Heb. 4:15.
Q31. Was he hungry?
A. Yes: When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards an hungered, Matt. 4:2.
Q32. Was he weary?
A. Yes: Being weary with his journey, he sat on the well, John 4:6.
Q33. Did he sleep?
A. Yes: When the ship was covered with waves he was asleep, Matt. 8:24.
Q34. Did he pass through the ages of human life?
A. Yes: For Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, Luke 2:52.
Q35. Was the Redeemer willing to be incarnate for us?
A. Yes: For when he cometh into the world, he saith, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God, Heb. 10:5, 7.
Q36. Is it well for us that he was so?
A. Yes: For by this will we are sanctified, Heb. 10:10.
Q37. Was Christ's incarnation great condescension in him?
A. Yes: For hereby he was made a little lower than the angels, Heb. 2:9.
Q38. Was it a great honour to our nature?
A. Yes: What is man that thou art thus mindful of him? Heb. 2:6-8.
Q39. Is it good news to mankind?
A. Yes: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1:15.
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Christ the Redeemer
The person and work of Christ, and the application of redemption
Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q22. 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 virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Q24. 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.
Q25. 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 justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
Q26. 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 in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q27. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A. Christ's humiliation consisted 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.
Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Q34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
Q35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.