Lord's Day 16
40. Q. Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even unto death?
A. Because, by reason of the justice and truth of God, satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise than by the death of the Son of God.
41. Q. Why was he buried?
A. To prove thereby that he was really dead.
42. Q. Since, then, Christ died for us, why must we also die?
A. Our death is not a satisfaction for our sins, but only a dying to sins and entering into eternal life.
43. Q. What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?
A. That by his power our old man is crucified, slain, and buried with him, that so the evil lusts of the flesh may no more reign in us, but that we may offer ourselves unto him a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
44. Q. Why is there added, He descended into hell?
A. That in my greatest temptations I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself with this, that my Lord Jesus Christ, by his inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agony in which he was plunged during all his sufferings, but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell. |
