Lord's day 6; Qualities of the Mediator

Athanasius: On the Incarnation of the Word of God Introduction

The Eternal Word of God, therefore, who had originally made man after God’s Image, came down, and, as Man, fulfilled the law of death, while, as God, He implanted in human nature an antidote to the corruption, and by His resurrection afforded the promise of the life eternal.

Athanasius: On the Incarnation of the Word of God Introduction

The Eternal Word of God, therefore, who had originally made man after God’s Image, came down, and, as Man, fulfilled the law of death, while, as God, He implanted in human nature an antidote to the corruption, and by His resurrection afforded the promise of the life eternal.

Athanasius: On the Incarnation of the Word of God Introduction

The Eternal Word of God, therefore, who had originally made man after God’s Image, came down, and, as Man, fulfilled the law of death, while, as God, He implanted in human nature an antidote to the corruption, and by His resurrection afforded the promise of the life eternal.

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism Question 16. Why Must He Be Very Man, and Also Perfectly Righteous?

Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism Question 16. Why Must He Be Very Man, and Also Perfectly Righteous?

Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

“The Eternal Word of God, therefore, who had originally made man after God’s Image, came down, and, as Man, fulfilled the law of death, while, as God, He implanted in human nature an antidote to the corruption, and by His resurrection afforded the promise of the life eternal.” Athanasius: On the Incarnation of the Word of God.

Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

Answer. Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature, which hath sinned, should likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.

Read and .

As the answer to question 16 states, because it was man that sinned, it was necessary that man should make satisfaction for sin. As it was through man that sin and death entered into the world, it was necessary that through man resurrection from the dead must come as well, thus ending the curse brought upon us by the first Adam.

It was through man that sin and death entered into the world

Last week we learned that our mediator must be fully God and fully man. As our study guide states, “this doctrine of Christ - as the one person who has two natures - is really the central teaching of both the Old and the New testament Scriptures.” So like our study guide does, let’s start at the beginning in Genesis:

Last week we learned that our mediator must be fully God and fully man. As our study guide states, “this doctrine of Christ - as the one person who has two natures - is really the central teaching of both the Old and the New testament Scriptures.” So like our study guide does, let’s start there:

There are two aspects

Read The word “offspring” or “seed” used here is a singular noun.

What basic things did tell our first parents?

Humanity is now divided into two communities, the redeemed who love God and the reprobate, who love self, i.e. the sons of God and the sons of the devil.

The seed (singular) of the woman would destroy the works of the devil.

Theologians call this verse the protoevangelion, the first announcement of the gospel.

Theologians call this verse the protoevangelion, the first announcement of the gospel

Theologians call this verse the protoevangelion, the first announcement of the gospel

Question 16 reminds us that our mediator must be sinless. What are the two aspects of that sinlessness?

Innocence.

Active obedience.

Christ alone performed the perfect obedience required by the Law.

Question 17. Why must he in one person be also very God?

Answer. That he might, by the power of his Godhead, sustain, in his human nature, the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Question 18. Who, then, is that Mediator, who is, in one person, both very God, and a real righteous man?

Answer. Our Lord Jesus Christ; who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

Question 19. Whence knowest thou this?

Answer. From the holy Gospel, which God himself revealed first in Paradise; and afterwards published by the Patriarchs and Prophets, and was pleased to represent it by the shadows of sacrifices, and the other ceremonies of the law; and lastly has accomplished it by his only begotten Son.

In Question three we were asked how we knew our misery and we answered “Out of the Law of God”. Here in Question nineteen we were asked how we came to know our deliverance and we answered “Out of the gospel.” So we see Law and gospel. Go back to Question 2 and there in the answer to that question (which is really the outline of the entire catechism), we see that we need both Law and gospel in order to live and die in the comfort of redemption through Christ.

The Law promises life for those who keep it, and death for those who don’t, while the gospel promises life to those who are justified through faith in Christ.

Obviously, in the Old Testament we see the Law, but we don’t always associate gospel with the Old Testament. What are some examples in the Old Testament of types, shadows, or prophecies that point to the gospel and Christ?

As we talked about earlier, we first see the gospel revealed in the garden and get glimpses into the work of Christ at Calvary. Read . What do we learn about the person of Christ in that passage?

As we talked about earlier, we first see the gospel revealed in the garden and get glimpses into the work of Christ at Calvary. Read . What do we learn about the person of Christ in that passage?

Read

Jesus Himself affirms that is a messianic psalm that testifies of Him (, , ). As our study guide says, normally an ancestor is given honor by a descendant.

What other office of does this psalm ascribe to Christ?