coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious. 5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 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. 7. Unto you therefore which believe, he is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient. Rev. xix. 11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew but himself. 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 48th Q.-Wherefore did Christ lay aside his divine glory, and take upon him our nature? A.-It pleased divine wisdom that he should so become an atonement, reconciliation, or propitiation for fallen man, and a mediator between God and man. Rom. iii. 24. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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. Rom. v. 10. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atone ment. 2 Cor. v. 18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus; 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 John iv. 9. God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Rev. v. 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. Heb. ii. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren; that he might be a merciful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 49th Q.-Why did man stand in need of such a propitiation? A.-Sin, which separates from God, having been introduced into the world by the disobedience of Adam (as already stated) fallen man possessed no power to regain the divine image, and restore the harmony of the first creation: therefore Christ, who had all power, came, that he might destroy sin, and repair the breach it had made in the creation of God. See the Proofs to the next answer. 50th Q. How did Christ effect this all-important object. A.-He successfully withstood every temptation of the devil, and offered up his life on the cross, as a sacrifice for sin; by which sacrifice, as he triumphed over death, hell, and the grave, in his own person, so he enables his followers to obtain the like victory, by which they are reconciled and reunited to God, from whom they were before separated by their sins. Heb. ii. 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. 1 Peter ii. 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 John iii. 8. He that committeth sin, is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Matt. iv. 1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. 10. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11. Then the devil leaveth him, and behold angels came and ministered to him. Isaiah xxv. 8. He will swallow up death in victory. Hosea xiii. 14. I will ransom them from the power of the grave: I will redeem them from death: O Death, I will be thy plagues; O Grave, I will be thy destruction. Rom. vi. 9. Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Rev. i. 18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Eph. ii. 13. But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Eph. vi. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 1 Cor. xv. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. xvi. 20. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. 51st Q. How did Christ prove his victory over sin and death? A.-By his resurrection from the grave. As this afforded an indubitable and illustrious proof of his being the Messiah, so it confirms our faith in his power to destroy sin, which had been the means of introducing death; and also to raise up our bodies like unto his glorious body. Rom. vi. 4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death; we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. 1 Cor. vi. 14. and will also raise 2 Cor. iv. 14. Lord Jesus, shall sent us with you. And God hath both raised up the Lord, 1 Cor. xv. 13. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. 41. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: 44. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him. 52nd Q.-Do all men partake of the benefit of Christ's coming and mediation? A.-Christ died for all men; for, by his death, all are put in a capacity for salvation; but those only receive the full benefit of Christ's death and mediation, who, accepting his offer of salvation, "live not unto themselves, but unto him who died for them." Heb. ii. 9. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 1 John ii. 2. And he [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men: 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. |