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Aug 12
13

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #31

Doctrinal Standard #31

  • Q. What is effective calling?
  • A. Effective calling is the work of God’s Spirit, Who convinces us that we are sinful and miserable, Who enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and Who renews our wills. This is how He persuades and makes us able to receive Jesus Christ, Who is freely offered to us in the gospel.

Memory Verses

  • “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10
    • Support Passages: Acts 26:14, Romans 8:28-30, John 3:5-8, Acts 28:23-28, Ezekiel 36:25-28, I Corinthians 1:22-25, II Thessalonians 2:13&14
  • Bible Story: Acts 10

Thoughts

  • Below is taken from Chapter thirty-three of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology on the Gospel Call and Effective Calling (pg. 692-693).

“When Paul says, ‘Those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified’ (Rom. 8:30), he indicates that calling is an act of God. In fact, it is specifically an act of God the Father, for he is the one who predestines people ‘to be conformed to the image of his son’ (Rom. 8:29). Other verses describe more fully what this calling is. When God calls people in this powerful way, he calls them ‘out of darkness into his marvelous light’ (1 Peter 2:9); he calls them ‘into the fellowship of his Son’ (1 Cor 1:9; cf. Acts 2:39) and ‘into his own kingdom and glory’ (1 Thess. 2:12; cf. 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 1:3). People who have been called by God ‘belong to Jesus Christ’ (Rom. 1:6). They are called to ‘be saints’ (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2), and have come into a realm of peace (1 Cor. 7:15; Col 3:15), freedom (Gal 5:13), hope (Eph. 1:18; 4:4), holiness (1 Thess. 4:7), patient endurance suffering (1 Peter 2:20-21; 3:9), and eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12).

These verses indicate that no powerless, merely human calling is in view. This calling is rather a kind of ‘summons’ from the King of the universe and it has such power that is brings about the response that it asks for in people’s hearts. It is an act of God that guarantees a response, because Paul specifies in Romans 8:30 that all who were ‘called’ were ‘justified.’ This calling has the capacity to draw us out of the kingdom of darkness and bring us into God’s kingdom so we can join in full fellowship with him: ‘God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his son, Jesus Christ our Lord’ (1 Cor. 1:9).

This powerful act of God is often referred to as effective calling to distinguish it from the general gospel invitation that goes to all people and which some people reject. This is not to say that human gospel proclamation is not involved. In fact, God’s effective calling comes through the human preaching of the gospel, because Paul says, ‘to this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (2 Thess. 2:14). Of course, there are many who hear the general call of the gospel message and do not respond. But in some cases the gospel call is made so effective by the working of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts that they do respond; we can say that they have received ‘effective calling.’

We may define effective calling as follows: Effective calling is an act of God the Father speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.

It is important that we not give the impression that people will be saved by the power of his call apart from their own willing response to the gospel (see chapter 35 on the personal faith and repentance that are necessary for conversion). Although it is true that effective calling awakens and brings forth a response from us, we must always insists that this response still has to be a voluntary, willing response in which the individual person puts his or her trust in Christ.

This is why prayer is so important to effective evangelism. Unless God works in people’s hearts to make the proclamation of the gospel effective, there will be no genuine saving response. Jesus said, ‘no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him’ (John 6:44).

An example of the gospel call working effectively is seen in Paul’s first visit to Philippi. When Lydia hearf the gospel message, ‘the Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul’ (Acts 16:14).

In distinction from effective calling, which entirely an act of God, we may talk about the gospel call in general which comes through human speech. This gospel call is referred to all people, even those who do not accept it. Sometimes this gospel call is referred to as external calling or general calling. By contrast, the effective calling of God that actually brings about a willing response from the person who hears it is sometimes called internal calling. The gospel call is general and external and often rejected, while the effective call is particular, internal, and always effective. However, this is not to diminish the importance of the gospel call – it is the means God has appointed through which effective calling will come. Without the gospel call, no one could respond and be saved! ‘How are they to believe in him whom they have never heard?’ (Rom. 10:14). Therefore it is important to understand exactly what the gospel call is.”[1]

Discussion Questions

  • Why do we need the work of the Holy Spirit in order to receive Jesus Christ and please God?
  • Why does God need to enlighten our minds in the knowledge of Christ?
  •  Why does God need to renew our wills?
  • The catechism says He “persuades and makes us able to receive Jesus Christ.” What does the catechism mean when it says persuades?
  • What part does God’s word and prayer play in people receiving Jesus Christ?
  • How does it make you feel that God is in control of our salvation?

[1] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

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Aug 12
6

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #30

Doctrinal Standard #30

  • Q. How does the Holy Spirit apply to us the redemption Christ bought?
  • A. The Spirit applies to us the redemption Christ bought by producing faith in us and so uniting us to Christ in our effective calling.

Memory Verses

  • “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: John 15:1-11
    • Support Passages: II Timothy 2:11-13, Romans 6:3-11, Galatians 2:20, I Corinthians 6:15-17, Ephesians 1:22-23
  • Bible Story: Exodus 28

Thoughts

  • In John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” It is only by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ that allows the “vines,” to be connected to the “branch.” Because of Jesus death and resurrection the Holy Spirit is able to dwell within the believer, producing faith and good works that is pleasing to the Father in heaven. Man’s responsibility in this work is to respond and act upon the leading and conviction of the Holy Spirit.
  • Exodus 28 might seem a little ambiguous on how the priestly garments apply to this doctrinal standard. When reading Exodus we must remember that it is during the epic of redemptive history referred to as the kingdom prefigured. During this time in history, God is providing an image or picture of something to come. In the Exodus 28 passage Moses gives three commands about the garments that picture or prefigure the work of Jesus Christ.
    • Exodus 28:30 – And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly.
  • Exodus 28:38 – It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.
  • Exodus 28:43 – and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.
  • These commands in Exodus were given during the epic of the kingdom being prefigured, therefore, they provide a picture or image of something being fulfilled in the later epics. The first thing we see is that man must be covered when approaching the Almighty Lord. This dates back to after the Fall. After Adam and Eve sinned they were no longer naked but covered when they came before God. Exodus 28 explains how the priests were to be covered when they worshiped before the Lord. The priestly garments prefigured or were pictures of what would eventually be fulfilled by the Messiah. While the garments covered the priest as they came before God, New Covenant believers are covered with the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ uniting and making them acceptable before God.

Discussion Questions

  • Does mankind, left to their own will, follow God? Explain.
  • Read John 15:1-11. How do we become connected to the branch? (WSC #30)
  • If God creates the connection between the branch and vine what part do we play in the process?
  • If God is the one who gives salvation and we cannot lose our salvation why does Jesus warn us about not following after Him in John 15:1-11? (Refer to Lesson 29).
  • Adam and Eve were covered after they sinned, the priests were dressed properly when they worshiped the Lord, and how are believers properly covered to worship God? Explain.
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Jul 12
30

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #29

Doctrinal Standard #29

  • Q. How are we made to take part in the redemption Christ bought?
  • A. We take part in the redemption Christ bought when the Holy Spirit effectively applies it to us.

Memory Verses

  • “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Hebrews 5:11-6:12
    • Support Passages: Matthew 7:15-23, 13:1-23,; Romans 2:17-3:8, 11:1-10; I Corinthians 2:1-16; II Timothy 2:14-21; Titus 3:4-7
  • Bible Story: Acts 5:1-11

Thoughts

  • The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 provides a thorough and well-balanced explanation between the effectiveness of God’s salvation in the lives of believers and the responsibility to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
  • LBC 18.1 “Although temporary believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions that [in an unspiritual way they take it for granted] they are in the favour of God and in a state of salvation, such a hope on their part will perish [die away]. Yet those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love Him in sincerity, and who endeavour to walk in all good conscience before Him, may be certainly assured in this life that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And such a hope shall never make them ashamed. [It will never disappoint them or let them down, for God will bless them, hear their prayers, and finally take them to glory.]”
  • LBC 18.2 “This assurance is not merely a conjectural persuasion nor even a probable persuasion [something supposed to be true on slender grounds] based upon a fallible hope. It is an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel. [It is based on a historical act of the Savior of the world.] It is also founded upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit [marks or evidence of grace] in connection with definite promises made in the Scriptures, and also on the testimony [evidence] of the Spirit of adoption who witnesses with our spirits that we are the children of God [a felt, spiritual assurance], and who uses the experience of assurance to keep our hearts both humble and holy.”
  • LBC 18.3 “This infallible assurance is not so joined to the essence of faith that it is an automatic and inevitable experience. A true believer may wait long and fight with many difficulties before he becomes a partaker of it. Yet, being enabled by the spirit to know the things which are freely given to him by God, he may, without any extraordinary revelation attain this assurance by using the means of grace in the right way. Therefore it is the duty of every one to give the utmost diligence to make his calling and election sure, so that his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness for carrying out the duties of obedience. These duties are the natural fruits of assurance, for it is far from inclining men to slackness.”
  • LBC 18.4 “True believers may have the assurance of their salvation in various ways shaken, diminished, or intermitted [suspended for a time]. This may be because of their negligence in preserving it, or by their falling into some special sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the Spirit, or by some sudden or forceful temptation, or by God’s withdrawing the light of His countenance, and causing even those who fear Him to walk in darkness and to have no light. Yet, [whatever the cause or duration of the impairment of assurance] believers are never left without the seed of God [essential spiritual identity] and life of faith [that hold on eternal values], that love of Christ and the brethren that sincerity of heart and that conscience about their spiritual duty. Out of these things, by the operation of the Spirit, their assurance can in due time be revived, and in the meantime the presence of these graces preserves them from utter despair.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • Who is the author of our salvation?
  • How does the Holy Spirit help us with our salvation?
  • How can we know if we are saved?
  • Philippians 2:12 says, “therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” What does this mean?
  • Why should we be both confident yet cautious with our salvation?

[1] Masters, Peter (1982). The Baptist Confession of Faith 1689 – Notes by Peter Masters. Ashland, Ohio, USA; BookMasters, Inc.

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Jul 12
23

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #28 (Week 3 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #28 (3 of 3 weeks)

  • Q. How is Christ exalted?
  • A. Christ is exalted by His rising from the dead on the third day, His going up into heaven, His sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and His coming to judge the world at the last day.

Memory Verses

  • “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: John 5:19-29
  • Support Passages: Matthew 13:36-43, 25:31-46; Acts 10:34-43, 17:30-31; Romans 2:1-8; II Corinthians 5:10; II Thessalonians 1; Hebrews 9:27-28; II Peter 3; Revelation 20-22
  • Bible Story: John 11:17-44

Thoughts

  • “The second coming will also issue in the great final judgment. This is for many people one of the most frightening prospects regarding the future, and well it might be for those who are apart from Christ and consequently will be judged to be among the unrighteous. For those who are in Christ, however, it is something to look forward to, for it will vindicate their lives.”
  • Jesus pictured himself as sitting on a glorious throne and judging all nations (Matt. 25:31-33). Although God is spoken of as the judge in Hebrews 12:23, it is clear from several other references that he delegates this authority to the Son. Jesus himself said, ‘Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son… And He has given him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man” (John 5:22,27). Peter told the gathering in Cornelius’s house, “[Jesus] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one Paul informed the Athenians that God ‘has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead’ (Acts 17:31). And Paul wrote to the Corinthians, ‘For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad’ (2 Cor. 5:10). Second Timothy 4:1 states that Christ is to judge the living and the dead. [1]
  • While true believers will be judges and accepted based on the perfect sacrifice and righteousness of Jesus Christ they will still be judged  for the things they have “done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). It is during this judgment that Christ will “evaluate and bestow various degrees of reward, but the fact that they will face such judgment should never cause believers to fear that they will be eternally condemned. Jesus say, ‘He who hears my words and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life; He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life’” (John 5:24). [2]

Discussion Questions

  • Why does Jesus have the authority to judge the world?
  • How will believers in Jesus Christ be judged?
  • Will Christians be held accountable for their actions? Explain
  • How do you feel about the fact that you will be judged by Jesus Christ?
  • How should Christians feel about the judgment of Jesus Christ?
  • Can we do anything to prepare for the judgment of Jesus Christ?

[1] Erickson, Millard J. (1998). Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Baker Books.

[2] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

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Jul 12
16

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #28 (Week 2 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #28 (2 of 3 weeks)

  • Q. How is Christ exalted?
  • A. Christ is exalted by His rising from the dead on the third day, His going up into heaven, His sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and His coming to judge the world at the last day.

Memory Verses

  • “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Revelation 1
    • Support Passages: Psalm 110:1 (quoted in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42; Matthew 26:64) Mark 14:62, 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33-34, 5:30-32; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 10:12-14; I Peter 3:22
    • Bible Story: Acts 7:54-60

Thoughts

  • Last week we examined the same doctrinal standard but focused on Christ being exalted through His resurrection and ascension. This week we will focus on Christ’s being exalted sitting at the right hand of God. Millard J. Erickson in his book Christian Theology provides a great explanation on the significance of Christ seated at the right hand of God.
  • “Jesus’ ascension means that he is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Jesus himself predicted this in His statement before the high priest (Matt. 26:64). Peter referred to the session at the Father’s right hand in his Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:33-36) and before the council (Acts 5:31). It is also mentioned in the Ephesians 1:20-22; Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22; and Revelation 3:21; 22:1. The significance of all this is that the right hand is the place of distinction and power. Recall how James and John desired to sit at Christ’s right hand, and at his left as well (Mark 10:37-40). Jesus’ sitting at the right hand of God should not be interpreted as a matter of rest or inactivity. It is a symbol of authority and active rule. The right hand is also the place where Jesus is ever making intercession with the Father on our behalf. (Heb. 7:25).” [1]
    (See WSC #25 and lesson 32-34 for more information on Christ’s intercession)

 

Discussion Questions

  • Where is Christ currently at?
  • What is the significance of Christ sitting at the right hand of God?
  • What benefit do we as believers receive from Christ being seated at the right hand of God? (Refer to WSC # 25 and lessons #32-34).
  • What power and authority does Christ hold as he sits at the right hand of God?
  • How does it make you feel that Christ is alive and sitting at the right hand of God?

[1] Erickson, Millard J. (1998). Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Baker Books.

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Jul 12
9

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #28 (Week 1 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #28 (1 of 3 weeks)

  • Q. How is Christ exalted?
  • A. Christ is exalted by His rising from the dead on the third day, His going up into heaven, His sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and His coming to judge the world at the last day.

Memory Verses

  • “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Acts 1:1-11
  • Support Passages: Matthew 27:62-28:20; Mark 15:42-16:20; Luke 23:50-24:53; John 19:38-21:25; I Corinthians 15:1-11; I Timothy 3:16
  • Bible Story: The resurrection of Christ from the gospels  Matthew 27:62-28:20; Mark 15:42-16:20; Luke 23:50-24:53; John 19:38-21:25

Thoughts

  • Wayne Grudem in his systematic theology book explains the significance of the resurrection within the lives of believers.
  • “Christ’s resurrection insures our regeneration: Peter says that ‘we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead’ (1 Peter 1:3). Here he explicitly connects Jesus’ resurrection with our regeneration or new birth. When Jesus rose from the head He had a new quality of life, a ‘resurrection life’ in a human body and human spirit that were perfectly suited for fellowship and obedience to God forever. In His resurrection, Jesus earned for us a new life just like his. We do not receive all of that new ‘resurrection life’ when we become Christians, for our bodies remain as they were, still subject to weakness, aging, and death. But in our spirits we are made alive with new resurrection power.  Thus it is through his resurrection that Christ earned for us the new kind of life we receive when we are ‘born again.’”
  • “Christ’ resurrection insures our justification: In only one passage does Paul explicitly connect Christ’s resurrection with our justification (or our receiving a declaration that we are not guilty but righteous before God). Paul says that Jesus ‘was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification’ (Rom. 4:25). When Christ was raised from the dead, it was God’s declaration of approval of Christ’s work of redemption. Because Christ ‘humbled himself and became him…’ (Phil 2:9). By raising Christ from the dead, God the Father was in effect saying that he approved of Christ’s work of suffering and dying for our sins, that His work was completed, and that Christ no longer had any need to remain dead. There was no penalty left to pay for sin, no more wrath of God to bear, no more guilt or liability to punishment.”
  • “Christ’s resurrection insures that we will receive perfect resurrection bodies as well: The New Testament several times connects Jesus’ resurrection with our final bodily resurrection. ‘And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power (1 Cor. 6:14). Similarly, ‘He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence’ (2 Cor. 4:14). But the most extensive discussion of the connection between Christ’s resurrection and our own is found in 1 Corinthians 15:12-58. There Paul says that Christ the ‘first fruits of those who have fallen asleep’ (1 Cor. 15:20)… Just as the ‘first fruits’ or the first taste of the ripening crop show what the rest of the harvest will be like for that crop, so Christ as the ‘first fruits’ shows what our resurrection bodies will be like when, in God’s final ‘harvest,’ he raises us from the dead and brings us into his presence.”  [1]
  • The memory verse speaks of the power that believers will have when the Holy Spirit comes and dwells within them. According to scripture the indwelling of the Holy Spirit took place after the resurrection and accession of Jesus Christ. “The sending of the Holy Spirit was important, for whereas Jesus could work with the disciples only through the external teaching and example, the Holy Spirit could work within them (John 14:17). Having more intimate access to the centers of their lives, He would be able to do the works that Jesus did, and even greater ones (John 14:12). And through the Holy Spirit’s ministry, the Triune God would be present with them; thus Jesus could say that He would be with them forever (Matt. 28:20).” [2]

Discussion Questions

  • Quickly review how Jesus Christ was humiliated and contrast that with how he was exalted.
  • Explain how Christ’s resurrection is much more than a historical event? (Refer to the “thoughts” section above).
  • What is the benefit of Christ’s resurrection and ascension in the lives of believers? (Refer to the “thoughts” section above).
  • How do the benefits or significance Christ’ resurrection make you feel?
  • In your own words explain the importance of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.

[1] Grudem, Wayne (1994). Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Zondervan Publishing House.

[2] Erickson, Millard J. (1998). Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Baker Books.

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Jul 12
2

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #27 (Week 2 of 2)

Doctrinal Standard #27 (2 of 2 weeks)

  • Q. How was Christ humiliated?
  • A. Christ was humiliated: by being born as a man and born into a poor family; by being made subject to the law and suffering the miseries of this life, the anger of God, and the curse of death on the cross; and by being buried and remaining under the power of death for a time.

Memory Verses         

  • “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Matthew 26:1-27:56; Mark 14:1-15:41; Luke 22:39-23:49; John 18:1-19:37
  • Support Passages: Psalm 16:10, 68:18; Acts 2:22-28, 4:23-28, 13:32-37; Ephesians 4:9; I Peter 3:18-19
  • Bible Story: Same as the study passages

Thoughts

  • This doctrinal standard does a great job explaining how Christ humiliated himself for the sake of redeeming his people. While there is great truth to this doctrinal standard, we must be careful to understanding that when Christ became man he did not cease being God.  C.I. Williamson in his book, The Westminster Shorter Catechism does a great job explaining the importance of this truth and how there has a lot of false teaching in this area throughout church history. Williamson explains that, “it is necessary to make it quite clear, however, that when Jesus did this (become man), He did not in doing it cease to be God. He did not in His state of humiliation, cease to be ‘the same in substance’ and equal ‘in power and glory’ with respect to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Some have seriously erred in teaching this wrong view. This teaching is called the kenosis doctrine. The Greek word kenosis is found in Philippians 2:7, and is sometimes translated as ‘emptied.’ Those who prefer this translation sometimes say that Jesus emptied Himself of His divine attributes. They say He left his divine nature, as it were, or at least his divine powers, when He became man. We could well say that, according to this false view, Christ’s humiliation meant the subtraction of his deity.”
  • Williamson provides a few reasons for why this belief is false. “But the true view is that Christ’s humiliation consisted – not in the fact that His divine nature, or attributes, were subtracted from Him – but in fact that a true human nature was added to Him. There are a number of reasons why this false kenosis doctrine must be rejected. (1) It must be rejected because it would suggest the idea that Christ’s divine nature was changeable. But God is unchangeable. (2) It must be rejected because the scripture clearly teaches that Jesus was God even in his estate of humiliation. ‘That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the son of God.’ Said the angel (Luke 1:35). (3) It must be rejected because it does not solve the ‘mystery’ of the incarnation. We cannot fully understand the astounding fact that the second person of the Godhead, without any diminution of his divine attributes, became a real man. But this subtraction theory does not help explain the mystery. It only makes it more unintelligible.”
  • It is important to note that, “while our Lord’s humiliation did not involve any subtraction of deity, it did involve what we may perhaps call a ‘veiling’ of his deity, for a time. It is quite evident, from the Bible, that many people who saw Jesus did not – from that fact alone – realize that he was God. Neither did Jesus manifest His divine power and glory until He entered upon his public and official work as the Messiah.”  [1]

Discussion Questions

  • When Jesus became a man were things added or taken away from his nature and attribute? Explain.
  • How do you know that nothing in Jesus’ nature or attributes were taken away when he became a man?
  • If Jesus is fully God, why didn’t people recognize him as so here on earth?
  • In the memorize verse Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ.” What does this mean?
  • How do we partake and benefit of Christ’s humiliation?

 

 

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Jun 12
25

Catechism Insight – Review Doctrinal Standards WSC #22-27

Doctrinal Standards

WSC #22
Q. How did Christ, the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man by assuming a real body and a reasoning soul. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Him; yet He was sinless.

WSC #23
Q. How is Christ our redeemer?
A. As our redeemer, Christ is a prophet, priest, and king in both His humiliation and His exaltation.

WSC #24
How is Christ a prophet?
As a prophet, Christ reveals the will of God to us for our salvation by His word and Spirit.

WSC #25
Q. How is Christ a priest?
A. As a priest, Christ offered Himself up once as a sacrifice for us to satisfy divine justice and to reconcile us to God, and He continually intercedes for us.

WSC #26
Q. How is Christ a king?
A. As a king, Christ brings us under His power, rules and defends us, and retrains and conquers all His and all our enemies.

WSC #27
Q. How was Christ humiliated?
A. Christ was humiliated: by being born as a man and born into a poor family; by being made subject to the law and suffering the miseries of this life, the anger of God, and the curse of death on the cross; and by being buried and remaining under the power of death for a time.

Memory Verses

  • “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

Scripture

  • Study Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-22

Thoughts

  • This should be a time of reflection, assessment, and re-teaching.
  • There are a couple of different ways to approach this review lesson. First, the review questions and answers could be made into a game that forces the students to remember what they have learned while assessing their understanding. Another idea is to quiz each student on each of the 10 questions making sure to encourage and celebrate their accomplishments. Last, it would be beneficial to review each of the question and answers drawing out their central truths and mentioning how they are connected.

Discussion Questions

  • What does doctrinal standard mean?
  • Why is important to know facts and these doctrinal standards found in the Bible?
  • What errors can take place if we don’t know what scripture teaches?
  • According to 1 Peter 3:8-22 (specifically verse 15) why should we know scripture?
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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Posted by Phil. No Comments

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"Him we proclaim,
warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)

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