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Jun 12
18

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #27 (Week 1 of 2)

Doctrinal Standard #27 (Week 1 of 2)

  • 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 when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4–5, ESV)

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Philippians 2:5-11
    • Support Passages: Luke 2:7, II Corinthians 8:9, Galatians 4:4-5, Hebrews 2:9, 14
    • Bible Story: Hebrews 11:24-28, Exodus 2

Thoughts

  • C.I. Williamson breaks down the rather large catechism answer into more manageable parts and provides a helpful visual to illustrate Christ’s humiliation (see attached). Below is an excerpt taken from his book, The Westminster Shorter Catechism (pg. 118-119).
  •  Christ was humiliated: by being born as a man and born into a poor family (1) by being made subject to the law (2) and suffering the miseries of this life (3), the anger of God (4), and the curse of death on the cross (5); and by being buried (6) and remaining under the power of death for a time (7).
  1. “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
  2. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.” (Gal. 4:4)
  3. “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (Isa. 53:3)
  4. “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”(Matt. 27:46)
  5. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:8)
  6. “He was buried.” (Cor. 15:4)
  7. “He rose on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:4)

Discussion Questions

  • What does humiliation mean?
  • What are examples of Christ’s humiliation?
  • Why do you think Christ had to experience these various things?
  • How does this reveal God’s love?
  • How does this knowledge affect your heart? How does it make you feel?

 

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

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Jun 12
11

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #26 (Week 3 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #26 (Week 3 of 3)

  • Q. How is Christ a king?
  • A. As a king, Christ brings us under His power, rules and defends us, and restrains and conquers all His and all our enemies.

Memory Verses

  • “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24–26, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Matthew 16:13-28
    • Support Passages: Discipline: Mark 8:27-33, Luke 9:18-22, John 6:68-69; II Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; Officers: Acts 14:20-23, 20:28; I Timothy 3; Acts 6; Offices: Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 12; Judgment: John 5:19-29; Law: Matthew 5-7
    • Bible Story: Matthew 17:1-8

Thoughts

  • “After [Jesus’] resurrection, [he] was given by God the Father far greater authority over the church and over the universe. God raised him up and ‘made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church’ (Eph. 1:20-22; Matt. 28:18; 1 Cor. 15:25). That authority over the church and over the universe will be more fully recognized by people when Jesus returns to earth in power and great glory to reign (Matt. 26:64; 2 Thes. 1:7-10; Rev 19:11-16). On that day he will be acknowledged as ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’ (Rev. 19:16) and every knee shall bow to him (Phil. 2:10).” [1]
  • Every human being is a worshiper. We either worship the creation or the creator. As Christians we are called by Christ to deny our desires to worship self, material possessions, and the lust of the world. Christ has called us to die to ourselves and to live and worship the true and living King! When we submit our lives to the one and only King Jesus we begin to experience a life full of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23).

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean that Jesus is King over all?
  • How does this make you feel?
  • The memory verse tells us to deny ourselves and take up our cross. What does that mean?
  • What does Jesus mean when he said, “for whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”?
  • Why is it wise that we follow King Jesus instead of all our desires?

 


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

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Jun 12
4

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #26 (Week 2 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #26 (Week 2 of 3 )

  • Q. How is Christ a king?
  • A. As a king, Christ brings us under His power, rules and defends us, and restrains and conquers all His and all our enemies.

Memory Verses

  • “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
    • Support Passages: Psalm 8:6; Ephesians 1:20-23, 6:10-13; Philippians 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:13, 2:8, 10:12-13
    • Bible Story: Matthew 4:1-11

Thoughts

  • C.I. Williamson provides a great explanation and meaningful insight behind the spiritual truths found in this week’s doctrinal standard.  Below is an excerpt taken from his book, The Westminster Shorter Catechism (pg. 112-114).
  • “Let us notice, in the first place, then, that the kingly work of Jesus Christ is a present spiritual activity. And perhaps it will help to make this clear if we contrast the teaching of the Catechism with a rather popular modern error called dispensationalism. Most people who hold to dispensational teaching are orthodox when it comes to many fundamental doctrines of our faith. But they have fallen under the influence of an artificial system of Bible interpretation. This system divides Bible history into certain periods (or dispensations) in which it is said that God has had different ways of dealing with men. During the time of Moses, for example, it is said that God dealt with men according to law, whereas at the present He deals with men by grace. The truth is, of course, that God has always maintained the law and always dealt with sinners (since the fall) by grace as the only way of salvation. But the point of interest here is that according to dispensationalists , Christ is not yet king. Dispensationalists say that He came to offer himself to the Jews as king, but when they refused, He delayed His kingdom. In the meantime God is saving men by the instrumentality of the Church. But when Christ comes again, then He will establish His kingdom, and rule on earth for 1,000 years, much after the manner of present earthly kings, except for the moral perfection of His reign.”
  • “Against this teaching stands clear teaching of Scripture. (1) The kingdom of Christ is already in existence. Paul says that when God has ‘delivered us from the power of darkness’ He also ‘hath translated un into the kingdom of his dear Son’ (Col. 1:13). (2) The kingdom of Christ is also spiritual and invisible. Jesus said, ‘My kingdom of God cometh not with observation’ (Luke 17:20). (3) It is a kingdom which will never end (Dan 2:44; 2 Peter 1:11), although it will give way to more perfect state of things at the end of the world (1 Cor. 15:24). His kingdom is now being extended. It will then be complete. So the basic error of the dispensationalist is that they separate the kingdom of Jesus Christ from the Church.”
  • “We must notice, in the second place, however, that it is also an error to say that the kingdom is the Church. This is the great error of the Roman Catholic Church. According to this teaching, the Roman Catholic Church itself represents the kingdom of Christ in this world. That is why the effort  is made to bring everything under the control of this Church. Every kind of organization and institution – schools, labor unions, political parties, etc. – should take orders from the Church. Only in this way, it is said, can Jesus Christ rule over all of life. He does this by means of His vicar, the Pope.”
  • “The Reformed view is this: while the Church and the kingdom of Jesus Christ are closely related, they are not identical. Christ is the king and head of the Church. But He also rules over a kingdom that includes much more than the Church. Thus it is the Reformed view that Christ should rule over every sphere of life, but not that the Church should exercise control over other organizations. The Church must indeed teach the Lord’s people what the Bible has to say about Christian schools, labor relations, politics, etc., but then it si the responsibility of the people to work out these principles under the direct kingship of Christ. In each sphere (or circle of life activity), in other words, the believer is directly responsible to Christ. It is Christ himself who rules the hearts of His people by His word and Spirit. And it is by this direct rule of His people which He effects in all that they do that the kingdom of Christ exists in this world.” [1]
  • C.I. Williamson provides a figure to help illustrate the three different views (see attached).

Discussion Questions 

  • Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 and discus if Jesus Christ is a king at this present time.
  • How does it make you feel that Jesus Christ is The King right now?
  • There might be times when it doesn’t seem like Jesus is a King in charge. Why do you think that is?
  • Scripture teaches that part of God’s kingdom is already in place here on earth. Why do you think God hasn’t fully given us His Kingdom?
  • Read through the memory verse and discuss how Jesus is sovereign over all and will bring about the praise and honor that is due to Him.

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


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May 12
28

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #26 (Week 1 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #26 (Week 1 of 3)

  • 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.

Memory Verses

  • “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32–33, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Acts 2:29-42
  • Support Passages: Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17; II Samuel 7:16; Psalms 2, 45, 72, 110; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9; Luke 1:31-33; John 18:33-38; Revelation 1, 19:16, etc.
  • Bible Story: Matthew 21:1-11 (Zechariah 9:9)

Thoughts

  • Peter, in his sermon as recorded in Acts 2, contrasts King David with King Jesus. Peter reminds his audience that King David died, was buried, and his remains are in the ground. Jesus, being of the lineage of King David was crucified, buried, and then resurrected and is seated at the right hand of God forever ruling over His people.
  • “In the Old Testament the king has authority to rule over the nation of Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus was born to be King of the Jews (Matt.2:2), but he refused any attempt by the people to try and make him an earthly king with earthly military and political power (John 6:15). He told Pilate, “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might be handed over to the Jew; but my kingship is not from the world” (John 18:36). Nonetheless, Jesus did have a Kingdom whose arrival he announced in his preaching (Matt 4:17, 23; 12:28, et al.) He is in fact the true King of the new people of God. Thus, Jesus refused to rebuke his disciples who cried out at his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38; cf. vv.39-40; also Matt 21:5; John 1:49; Acts 17:7). [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What type of king did most of the people of Jesus’ day expect Him to be?
  • What makes Jesus like no other king?
  • How does Christ bring us under His power?
  • How does Christ rule and defend us?
  • How will Christ conquer all of His and all our enemies?

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

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May 12
22

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #25 (Week 3 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #25 (Week 3 of 3)

  • 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.

Memory Verses

  • “ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: John 17
  • Support Passages: John 14:6; Romans 8:31-39; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:23-8:3; I John 1:9-2:2
  • Bible Story: Numbers 16

Thoughts

  • According to John 17, while Jesus Christ was on earth he prayed for his current disciples and for those who would believe. Jesus prayed that the Father would “keep” all those who are His (assurance of salvation). Jesus prayed to the Father and asked Him to allow His followers to have His joy. He asked God to not take His followers out of the world but to “keep them from the evil one.” He asked the Father to sanctify, or, to set apart believers by the word of truth. Jesus prayed that all of His current and future followers might be of one mind in a loving community of faith.  Jesus also prayed that His followers would one day return with Christ and witness His magnificent glory.
  • Not only does Jesus Christ pray to and interact with God on our behalf, He also communicated to mankind on God’s behalf. Jesus mentions in His prayer (John 17) that He accomplished the work that the Father had given Him. Jesus mentions how He came from the Father bringing the truth of God to the world. Hebrews 1:1–4 explains it this way, “long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
  • Jesus Christ, as our High Priest, intercedes on our behalf before God the Father and He intercedes on God’s behalf before us. When we worship God the Father, Jesus Christ is the conduit or the door by which we are able to approach and be accepted before our Mighty Lord.

Discussion Questions

  • Read John 17. Who is Jesus praying for?
  • How does this make you feel?
  • List and discuss the types of things Jesus prayed for.
  • How does this make you feel?
  • Why do we need Jesus to intercede or mediate for us?
  • Jesus intercedes for us before God, but how does Jesus intercede for God before us?
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May 12
15

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #25 (Week 2 of 3)

Doctrinal Standard #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.

Memory Verses

  • “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 3:21-31
  • Support Passages: Matthew 5:23-24; Acts 20:28; Romans 5:1-11; I Corinthians 6:20, 7:23; II Corinthians 5:11-21; I Peter 1:18-19
  • Bible Story: Acts 9:1-22

Thoughts

  • Christ as our High Priest has perfectly and completely reconciled our relationship with God. He has done this by first paying the price for our sins, imputing His righteousness upon our hearts and interceding on our behalf before our Father in heaven. Christ has reconciled those who were once enemies of God bringing them into a friendship and loving relationship with the Lord most high.
  • “Reconciliation —  a change from enmity to friendship.
    (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be “reconciled to God”, i.e., to lay aside their enmity.
    (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconciled. Romans 5:11 teaches the same truth. From God we have received “the reconciliation” (R.V.), i.e., he has conferred on us the token of his friendship. So also 2 Cor. 5:18, 19 speaks of a reconciliation originating with God, and consisting in the removal of his merited wrath. In Eph. 2:16 it is clear that the apostle does not refer to the winning back of the sinner in love and loyalty to God, but to the restoration of God’s forfeited favour. This is effected by his justice being satisfied, so that he can, in consistency with his own nature, be favourable toward sinners. Justice demands the punishment of sinners. The death of Christ satisfies justice, and so reconciles God to us. This reconciliation makes God our friend, and enables him to pardon and save us.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What does reconciliation mean?
  • Reconciliation implies that during a period of time we were enemies with God. What made us enemies of God?
  • How has God reconciled our relationship with Him?
  • Is there any other way to reconcile our relationship with God?
  • Who initiates the reconciliation, God or man? (Acts 9:1-22).
  • If God is the one who starts the reconciliation process what part do we play?

[1] Easton, M. (1996). Easton’s Bible dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

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May 12
7

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #25

Doctrinal Standard #25 (Week 1 of 3)

  • 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.

Memory Verses

  • “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14, ESV)

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Hebrews 10:11-25 (more context read Hebrews 8-10)
  • Support Passages: Hebrews 5:1-10, 7:1-28, 9:11-15, 12:24
  • Bible Story: Leviticus 16

Thoughts

  • In the Law (first five books of the Old Testament) God had established a priesthood that would perform specific acts of worship before God on behalf of the people. While people were able to worship God, it had to be done through a mediator, a priest. The same is still true today. We no longer depend on another human to bring us to God, we look to Jesus Christ our eternal high priest. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the priesthood of the Old Covenant. The priests and various ceremonies of the Old Testament pre-figured and gave a physical representation of what Christ would do in the spiritual. We no longer depend on the weakness of man to bring us before God but we have the power and perfection of Jesus Christ as our High Priest who continually intercedes on our behalf.
  • Israel was given various feasts or holidays to observe throughout the year. The New Testament explains that these feast along with the rest of Law and Prophets all point to Jesus Christ. I believe that the Lord gave Israel these feasts or holidays as teaching tools to explain spiritual truths in a physical and tangible way.  Hebrews chapter 8-10 explains this beautifully by showing how Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement found in Leviticus 16. I strongly encourage you to first read Leviticus 16 and then Hebrews 8-10.

Discussion Questions

  • What did the priest do in the Temple and Tabernacle?
  • What does it mean to mediate or intercede?
  • Why do you think God established a priesthood?
  •  Do we still need a priest to worship God?
  • Who is our High Priest? (John 14:6)
  • If Jesus Christ is our Priest what does He do for us?
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Apr 12
30

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #24

Doctrinal Standard #24

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

Memory Verses

  • “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1–2, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: John 1:1-5, 9-18
  • Support Passages: Deuteronomy 18:18-19; Daniel 9:24; John 14:18-24; Acts 3:11-26
  • Bible Story: Luke 24:13-35

Thoughts

  • The statement that Christ is a prophet has the potential of being easily misunderstood. Wayne Grudem in chapter 29 of his Systematic Theology book provides a great explanation on what it does and does not mean.
  •  “Why did the New Testament epistles avoid calling Jesus a prophet? Apparently because, although Jesus is the prophet whom Moses predicted (Deuteronomy 18:18-19), yet he is also far greater than any of the Old Testament prophets, in two ways:”
  1. “He is the one about whom the prophesies in the Old Testament were made. When Jesus spoke with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, he took them through the entire Old Testament, showing how the prophecies pointed to him: ‘And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27)… The Old Testament prophets looked forward to Christ in what they wrote, and the New Testament apostles looked back to Christ and interpreted his life for the benefit of the church.”
  2. “Jesus was not merely a messenger of revelation from God (like all the other prophets), but was himself the source of revelation from God. Rather than saying as all the Old Testament prophets did,  ‘Thus says the Lord,’ Jesus could begin divinely authoritative teaching with the amazing statement, ‘But I say unto you’ (Matt 5:22). The word of the Lord cam to the Old Testament prophets, but Jesus spoke on his own authority as the eternal Word of God (John 1:1) who perfectly revealed the Father to us (John 14:9; Heb 1:1-2).”
  3. “In the broader sense of prophet, simply meaning one who reveals God to us and speaks to us the words of God, Christ is of course truly and fully a prophet. In fact, he is the one whom all the Old Testaments prophets prefigured in their speech and in their actions” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is a prophet?
  • What did prophets do in the Old Testament?
  • How is Jesus Christ a prophet like the prophets in the Old Testament?
  • How is Jesus not like the prophets of the Old Testament?
  • Explain how the Road to Emmaus account (Luke 24 does:13-35) teach us that Jesus is much more than a prophet?
  • What word does John 1:1-5, 9-18 use to refer to Jesus? Why?

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


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