2.7 KiB
Lord’s Day 16
40. Q. Why did Christ have to suffer death?
A. Because God’s justice and truth require it: 1nothing else could pay for our sins except the death of the Son of God.2
1 Gen. 2:17 2 Rom. 8:3–4; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:9
41. Q. Why was he “buried”?
A. His burial testifies that he really died.1
1 Isa. 53:9; John 19:38–42; Acts 13:29; 1 Cor. 15:3–4
42. Q. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?
A. Our death is not a payment for our sins,1 but only a dying to sins and an entering into eternal life.2
1 Ps. 49:7 2 John 5:24; Phil. 1:21–23; 1 Thess. 5:9–10
43. Q. What further benefit do we receive from Christ’s sacrifice and death on the cross?
A. By his power our old man is crucified, put to death, and buried with him,1 so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us,2 but that instead we may offer ourselves as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to him.3
1 Rom. 6:5–11; Col. 2:11–12 2 Rom. 6:12–14 3 Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1–2
44. Q. Why does the creed add, “He descended into hell”?
A. To assure me during attacks of deepest dread and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from hellish anguish and torment.1
1 Isa. 53; Matt. 26:36–46; 27:45–46; Luke 22:44; Heb. 5:7–10