G*M
发帖数: 6042 | 1 Bible Course - Christian Doctrine
Lesson 5
God the Son
Lord's Day 11 - 13
In Lord's Day 8 we learned about a triune God - One God, consisting of three
distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Lord's Days 9
and 10 speak about God the Father. Lord's Days 11 - 19 teach us about the
Person and the work of God the Son.
Lord's Day 11
Q. 29. Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is a Savior?
A. Because He saveth us, and delivereth us from our sins (a); and likewise,
because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other (b).
(a) Matthew 1:21, Hebrews 7:25;
(b) Acts 4:12, John 15: 4-5, 1 Timothy 2:5, Isaiah 43: 11, 1 John 5:11.
The name Jesus
In Matthew 1, we read that through an angel the Lord informed Joseph, who
was engaged to Mary, of the coming birth of the Savior. In verse 21, the
angel says, "And thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His
people from their sins." God the Father gave His only begotten Son the name
"Jesus." Therefore this name must be very special. It means: the Lord saves.
That is part of His task: to save, to deliver. To save is to deliver from
the greatest evil and to bring to the supreme good.
What is greatest evil? Is it war? illness? death? hell? No, it is sin!
Because of sin the perfect communion with God was broken. Through sin we
severed the bond with God and our neighbor. The consequences are terrible:
war, illness, death, and hell. All the misery which we see around us and
which we ourselves experience is a result of sin.
And what is the supreme good? Is it life? health? riches? prosperity? or
perhaps heaven? No, it is communion with God! It is peace with God,
interaction with God, joy in God. The supreme good is the greatest
blessedness. "Blessed" actually means "full." "Blessed" is a shortened form
of "blessedness." Thus to be blessed means to be full of blessedness. The
Lord Jesus is the only One who can save us. The Son of God is Savior.
We cannot save ourselves, nor can Mary, Allah, or Buddha. He who lives on
without Jesus remains wretched, that is full of catastrophes. He will go
lost forever. Peter said on the day of Pentecost: "Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4: 12).
Q. 30. Do such then believe in Jesus the only Savior, who seek their
salvation and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?
A. They do not; for they boast of Him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus
the only Deliverer and Savior (a); for one of these two things must be true
, that either Jesus is not a complete Savior or that they, who by a true
faith receive this Savior, must find in Him all things necessary to their
salvation (b).
(a) 1 Corinthians 1:13, 30-31, Galatians 5:4;
(b) Hebrews 12:2, Isaiah 9:6, Colossians 1:19-20, 2:10, 1 John 1:7.
The only Way
Those who seek their happiness and salvation outside of Jesus are forewarned
that they will not find it there. Christ said, "I am the Way" (John 14:6).
That implies that there is no other way to attain salvation. All other ways
which we take will be dead end ways. The Catechism states very explicitly
that salvation is not be sought or found in any other.
However, practice teaches us that we do not believe this. The Roman Catholic
church teaches that the merits of the saints and those of the believer
himself must be added to the work of Jesus. Jesus is a Savior, but then a
helping Savior. He will fill in for that which I lack.
We don't need to be Roman Catholic to believe this. To gain salvation by our
doing and not doing, along with a helping Jesus, appeals to us more than
the message: "Nothing of, but all of Him." Then we do take the name of Jesus
on our lips, but we deny Him by our deeds.
What is meant by denying? It is the opposite of confessing. It is saying
that you do not know somebody. Denying can also be done without words. Then
your doing and not doing contradict what you confess. If we say "Jesus only
can save us," but at the same time claim that we must be a good person to be
saved, then we deny Jesus with deeds. True faith says, "I can do nothing,
but the Lord Jesus can do everything for me." That is said from the heart.
We then completely entrust ourselves to Him.
He is all
Faith finds everything in Jesus: satisfaction for heavenly-high guilt, peace
for a restless heart, and a righteousness which entirely serves to God's
honor. The believing sinner finds his full salvation in Jesus Christ. With
what man would like to add, he would degrade Jesus. Then Jesus would not be
a complete Savior. Then on the cross He would not have been able to say, "It
is finished." If His work had come short in any thing, the Father would not
have raised Him from the dead. Then there would never have been an Easter.
No one could then have been saved. The apostle John wrote, "The blood of
Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
Lord's Day 12
Q. 31. Why is He called Christ, that is, anointed?
A. Because He is ordained by God the Father, and anointed with the Holy
Ghost (a), to be our chief Prophet and Teacher (b), who has fully revealed
to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption (c); and
to be our only High Priest (d), who by the one sacrifice of His body, has
redeemed us (e), and makes continual intercession with the Father for us (f)
; and also to be our eternal King, who governs us by His Word and Spirit,
and who defends and preserves us in (the enjoyment of) that salvation, He
has purchased for us (g).
(a) Psalm 45:7, Hebrews 1:9, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18;
(b) Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3: 22, 7:37, Isaiah 55:4;
(c) John 1:18, 15:15;
(d) Psalm 110: 4;
(e) Hebrews 10:12,14, 9:12, 14, 28;
(f) Romans 8:34, Hebrews 9:24, 1 John 2:1, Romans 5: 9-10;
(g) Psalm 2:6, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:5, Luke 1:33, Matthew 28:18, John
10:28,
Revelation 12:10-11.
The Name Christ
The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:5, "There is one Mediator between God
and men, the Man Christ Jesus." Thus the Lord Jesus has more names. In the
preceding Lord's Day there was spoken about the name "Jesus," that is,
Savior. We could say that this is His personal name. However, persons who
hold an office also have an official name in addition to their own personal
name. Think only of a president, king, or judge.
It is the same with Christ. In addition to "Jesus," His personal name, He
also has an official name, "Christ." That is a Greek name, which we find in
the New Testament. In the Old Testament, we find the Hebrew name "Messiah."
Both names, "Christ"' and "Messiah," signify "Anointed." We read in the
Bible how that people were anointed with oil when they received an office.
Think only of Aaron the high priest, David the king, and Elisha the prophet.
The oil portrayed the gifts of the Holy Ghost, with which He qualified the
office bearer for his office.
Of Christ it is also stated that He was anointed. God says in Psalm 2:6: "
Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion." The Father ordained the
Savior for this official work, which means He was chosen and appointed. And
the Lord Jesus accepted that office. The Lord Jesus was not anointed with
oil, but with the Holy Ghost Himself. Christ received all the gifts of the
Holy Ghost in order to perform His official work. He received three offices.
Therefore He is Prophet, Priest, and King.
The three offices of Christ
In the Old Testament times a prophet proclaimed the Word of God and
explained it to the people. Christ makes the way of salvation known and also
makes certain that the message is understood in the heart. The heart is
then opened and renewed.
The priest in the Old Testament had a threefold task. He offered a lamb or
some other clean animal, and then he made intercessory prayer for the people
. After that, he blessed the people. The catechism calls Christ the only
High Priest. Many priests served in Israel during the Old Testament times,
all under the guidance of a high priest. And yet here Christ is called the
only High Priest. Why is that? The priests were sinful people. They always
had to offer for themselves first. Afterwards they could offer for the
people. They were never finished offering, because the blood of animals
could not atone for sin. But Christ is Priest and sacrificial Lamb at the
same time. After His offer on the cross no more animals had to be offered.
The prayers of the priests were imperfect and were not always heard. The
intercessory prayers of Christ are always heard. Therefore it is good for us
to always ask in each prayer for the intercessory prayer of Christ.
When the priest gave a blessing, he could not give the substance of the
blessing to the people. However, when Christ blesses, the blessing is
actually received.
In Israel a king reigned. He issued laws, governed the country, and
protected it against all enemies. The catechism calls Christ the eternal
King. All kings on earth have died or will die. Christ is and remains King
eternally.
It is a privilege for a king or queen to have the hearts of the people. King
Jesus captures people's hearts by His love and governs them by His Word and
Spirit. The Word of Christ is a law of love for His people. Then obedience
cannot be missing. This King also teaches how His subjects are to obey.
God's children have three mortal enemies: Satan, the world, and their own
sinful heart. King Jesus protects His people against these enemies. He
safeguards them until they are in their eternal home.
Q. 32. But why art thou called a Christian (a)?
A. Because I am a member of Christ by faith (b), and thus am partaker of His
anointing (c); that so I may confess His name (d), and present myself a
living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him (e); and also that with a free and
good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life (f), and
afterwards reign with Him eternally, over all creatures (g).
(a) Acts 11: 26;
(b) 1 Corinthians 6:15;
(c) 1 John 2:27, Acts 2:17;
(d) Matthew 10:32, Romans 10:10;
(e) Romans 12:1, 1 Peter 2:5,9, Revelation 1:6, 5:8,10;
(f) 1 Peter 2:11, Romans 6:12-13, Galatians 5:16-17, Ephesians 6:11, 1
Timothy 1:18-19;
(g) 2 Timothy 2:12, Matthew 25:34.
Christian
We read in Acts 11:26: "And it came to pass…that the disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch." The people in Antioch had become aware that
those people were different than the Jews and those who had adopted the
Jewish religion. Because Christ was the central figure in their lives and
conversations, they were named after Him. This name was accepted as a name
of honor, and it still is today. Or is it not a privilege and honor to be a
Christian, but then in the most profound and true sense of the word. This is
what this question is all about.
The name "Christian" points to a bond with Christ. He who boasts of himself
to be a Christian ought to examine himself to see whether there is a bond
with Christ. A person is not a real Christian only because he is baptized
and a member of a Christian church, although this is a privilege. A person
is a true Christian only when he is united to Christ by faith and is a
partaker of His anointing. The latter implies that the Holy Spirit dwells in
his heart and that he experiences the Spirit's guidance in his life.
The three offices of a Christian
A Christian is an office-bearer: prophet, priest and king.
A Christian is a prophet. Being a prophet shows itself in the confessing of
the name of Christ. This means to confess Him, to give testimony, to bear
witness, to exhort others, and to point out the way. One does not have to be
a missionary, preacher, or elder to do so.
A Christian is a priest. This implies that his life is a sacrifice. He does
not live for himself, but for God and his neighbor. He has a tender life of
prayer, also for his fellow man. He seeks to be a blessing in his
surroundings. This he does this out of thankfulness for what he has received
from God.
A Christian is a king. His kingship becomes clear in his conscientious
conduct. In the strength of Christ he strives against sin and devil and
gains the victory. And one day he may sit with Christ in His throne and be
forever king with Him over all creation. What a blessed future!
Lord's Day 13
Q. 33. Why is Christ called the only begotten Son of God, since we are
also the children of God?
A. Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God (a); but we
are children adopted of God, by grace, for His sake (b).
(a) John 1:14, Hebrews 1:1-2, John 3:16, 1 John 4:9, Romans 8:32;
(b) Romans 8:16, John 1:12, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:5-6.
Christians are children of God
In John 3:1 we read: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." There is no greater
privilege for man than to be a child of God. Adam was a child of God in
Paradise. However, by the fall he chose the devil to be his father and did
what the devil whispered in his ear. We, as his descendents, do no
differently. This father is always seeking our ruin. It is by regeneration
that the children of the devil again become children of God. This can only
be brought about by God Himself. We then receive the heart of a child of God.
The Son of God
The Lord Jesus is also the Son of God, but differently than God's children.
He was never created, but has always existed from eternity. And He is
eternally the only begotten Son of God.
Think of a family where there are two kinds of children: adopted children
and biological children. The first are adopted and provided for as their own
children. It is only in this way that we, for Christ's sake, can become
children of God.
Adoption
Thus, it is necessary that we be adopted by God. Then the devil is no longer
our father, but the Lord God is. We then share in the love of our God and
He will always provide for us. And one day we may live eternally with God in
His heavenly home. Then we have the resemblance of God, for then we are
holy, as He is holy.
God also gives His adopted child the heart of a child. If I may call God my
Father, this will be noticeable in my life and conduct.
How is this adoption possible? It is for His sake, for Christ's sake. He was
willing to leave the house of His Father, to become man, and to die as a
transgressor in order to make this adoption possible. God's children will be
forever thankful to the Lord Jesus for this.
We cannot merit this adoption. On the contrary, we have all deserved death.
And it is only grace if someone becomes a child of God. Imagine for a moment
that a king not only grants mercy to a man condemned to death, but also
adopts him as his own son. He becomes a prince in the palace and receives
royal care and education. This is only a poor picture. The blessedness, the
salvation of a child of God cannot be expressed, and it remains forever,
eternally.
Q. 34. Wherefore callest thou Him our Lord?
A. Because He hath redeemed us, both soul and body, from all our sins, not
with gold or silver, but with His precious blood, and hath delivered us from
all the power of the devil; and thus hath made us His own property (a).
(a) 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:9, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Timothy 2:6, John 20:28.
Slaves of sin
Through the fall, man not only became a child of the devil, but also slave,
a slave of the devil and of sin. This is best perceived when a person who
always committed a certain sin with much pleasure, for one reason or another
does not want to do that sin anymore. He does not succeed in giving up that
sin. Only then does one experience how strong the attraction to sin is and
how he is enslaved to is.
Formerly it was possible that a slave could purchase his freedom, or that
someone else could purchase his freedom. This other person could also buy a
slave to make him his own slave. Think only of Joseph, who was bought by
Potiphar at the slave market (Genesis 39).
The devil became our lord and master and we are his slaves, righteously so,
as it is our own fault.
Yet, a great injustice was here done to God. The devil robbed God of His own
beautiful creation. It was done with our help, and we approved of it.
Free servants of the Lord
God does not resign Himself to the fact that we all became slaves of the
devil. He does not want to just leave His creation in the hands of the devil
. For that reason He sent His Son into the world to deliver God's creation.
Christ says to Nicodemus, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life" (John 3:16).
By His suffering and dying, the Lord Jesus paid His Father the price which
was necessary to buy back God's elect and to deliver them. This includes
that He paid the debt which was outstanding with God. However, more is
necessary. They must also be delivered from the power of Satan. This takes
place when the Lord comes in a man's life. Then he sheds abroad His love in
the heart. This person will desire to begin to serve Him, but he then feels
his slavery. Satan will not let loose of him. The result is a life and death
struggle. But the Lord gains the victory and the redeemed sinner is forever
God's possession. He acknowledges the triune God, thus also the Lord Jesus,
as his Lord. In John 20:28 Thomas confessed it, "My Lord and my God."
This manifests itself in his life; then it can be seen who is served: the
Lord or Satan.
Questions to go with Lesson 5 (Lord's Day 11- 13)
1. What does the name "Jesus" signify? (question 29)
2. What is meant by "to save"? (answer 29)
3. What is the greatest evil? (answer 29)
4. What is the supreme good? (answer 29)
5. Can a person gain salvation if we adhere to a different religion? Why or
why not?
(answer 29)
6. What events show that the Lord Jesus merited salvation perfectly on the
cross?
(answer 30)
7. What does the name "Christ" mean? (question 31)
8. What name do we find for this in the Old Testament? (answer 31)
9. Why do we say "for Jesus' sake" at the end each prayer? (answer 31)
10. What does it mean to be a Christian? (answer 32)
11. How does that manifest itself in daily life? (answer 32)
12. Against what must a Christian fight all his life? (answer 32) | x****g
发帖数: 4008 | 2 Thanks for sharing
three
【在 G*M 的大作中提到】
: Bible Course - Christian Doctrine
: Lesson 5
: God the Son
: Lord's Day 11 - 13
: In Lord's Day 8 we learned about a triune God - One God, consisting of three
: distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Lord's Days 9
: and 10 speak about God the Father. Lord's Days 11 - 19 teach us about the
: Person and the work of God the Son.
: Lord's Day 11
: Q. 29. Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is a Savior?
| j********1
发帖数: 2073 | 3 Thanks for sharing
three
【在 G*M 的大作中提到】
: Bible Course - Christian Doctrine
: Lesson 5
: God the Son
: Lord's Day 11 - 13
: In Lord's Day 8 we learned about a triune God - One God, consisting of three
: distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Lord's Days 9
: and 10 speak about God the Father. Lord's Days 11 - 19 teach us about the
: Person and the work of God the Son.
: Lord's Day 11
: Q. 29. Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is a Savior?
| m****u
发帖数: 1689 | 4 Thanks for sharing
three
【在 G*M 的大作中提到】
: Bible Course - Christian Doctrine
: Lesson 5
: God the Son
: Lord's Day 11 - 13
: In Lord's Day 8 we learned about a triune God - One God, consisting of three
: distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Lord's Days 9
: and 10 speak about God the Father. Lord's Days 11 - 19 teach us about the
: Person and the work of God the Son.
: Lord's Day 11
: Q. 29. Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is a Savior?
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