Thursday, November 01, 2007

Heidelberg Catechism Part 2: Of Man’s Redemption


Lord’s day 5:


Q12: Since, then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment and be again received into favor?


A12: God wills that His justice be satisfied;[1] therefore, we must make full satisfaction to that justice, either by ourselves or by another.[2]

1. Exo 20:5; 23:7

2. Rom 8:3-4


Q13: Can we ourselves make this satisfaction?


A13: Certainly not; on the contrary, we daily increase our guilt.[1]

1. Job 9:2-3; 15:15-16; Mat 6:12; 16:26


Q14: Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us?


A14: None; for first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man committed;[1] and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath against sin [2] and redeem others from it.

1. Heb 2:14-18

2. Psa 130:3


Q15: What kind of mediator and redeemer, then, must we seek?


A15: One who is a true [1] and righteous man,[2] and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God.[3]

1. 1Co 15:21-22, 1 Co 15:25-26

2. Jer 33:16; Isa 53:11; 2Co 5:21; Heb 7:15-16

3. Isa 7:14; Heb 7:26


DF questions (as you answer these, refer back to Q12-15 for hints):

A) Read Exodus 20:2-6, 23:7, How do we know that God must make satisfaction for our sins?


B) Read Job 15:14-16, How do we know that we can never make satisfaction for our sins? (refer back to A.13)


C) Read Hebrews 2:14-18, Why would an animal or angel not be able to make satisfaction for your sin?


D) Psalm 130:3, Why would another human not be able to make satisfaction for your sin?


E) Read Isaiah 53:9-12, Hebrews 7:26-27, Why was Jesus able to make satisfaction for our sins?