HenryWSC 21

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 21

Show Catechism Question

Did mankind need a Redeemer? Yes: for by our iniquities we had sold ourselves,
Isa. 1:1
. Did the elect themselves need a Redeemer? Yes: for we ourselves also were sometimes disobedient,
Titus 3:3
. Would there have been a Redeemer if Adam had not sinned? No: for they that be whole need not a physician,
Matt. 9:12
. Could an angel have been our Redeemer? No: for his angels he charged with folly,
Job 4:18
.
Is Jesus Christ the Redeemer? Yes: there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus,
1 Tim. 2:5
. Is he the only Redeemer? Yes: for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved,
Acts 4:12
. Is he a universal Redeemer? Yes: he gave himself a ransom for all,
1 Tim. 2:6
. Did he die to purchase a general offer? Yes: the Son of Man was lifted up, that whosoever believes in him should not perish,
John 3:14–15
. Is all the world the better for Christ’s mediation? Yes: for by him all things consist
Col. 1:17
. Is it long of Christ then that so many perish? No: I would have gathered you, and you would not,
Matt. 23:37
.
Is Christ in a special manner the Redeemer of God’s elect? Yes: I lay down my life for the sheep,
John 10:15
. Was their salvation particularly designed in Christ’s undertaking? Yes: Thou has given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him,
John 17:2
. Was their sanctification particularly designed? Yes: For their sakes I sanctify myself; that they also might be sanctified,
John 17:19
. Is all mankind redeemed from among devils? Yes: for none must say as they did, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God,
Matt. 8:2
,
Matt. 8:9
. But are the elect redeemed from among men? Yes: these were redeemed from among men,
Rev. 14:4
.
Is the Redeemer LORD? Yes: every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
Phil. 2:11
. Is he Jesus a Saviour? Yes: Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins,
Matt. 1:21
. Is he Christ anointed? Yes: for God, even thy God, hath anointed thee,
Heb. 1:9
. Is he Emmanuel? Yes: They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is, God with us, Matt. 1:28.
Is he the Son of God? Yes: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God,
Matt. 16:16
. Is he the Eternal Son of God? Yes: for he is before all things,
Col. 1:17
. Is he God? Yes: unto the Son he says, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever,
Heb. 1:8
. Is he true God? Yes: His Son Jesus Christ is the true God, and eternal life,
1 John 5:20
. Is he the most high God? Yes: for Christ is over all, God, blessed for ever,
Rom. 9:5
. Is he equal with the Father? Yes: for he thought it not robbery to be equal with God,
Phil. 2:6
. Is he one with the Father? Yes: I and my Father are one,
John 10:30
. Is he to be worshipped as God? Yes: for all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father,
John 5:28
. Is he worshipped by the angels? Yes: Let all the angels of God worship him,
Heb. 1:6
. And is there good reason for it? Yes : for he is the brightness of his Father’s glory,
Heb. 1:3
. Was he begotten of his Father before all worlds? Yes: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee,
Ps. 2:7
. Is he the only-begotten Son of God? Yes: We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father,
John 1:14
.
Did the Son of God become man? Yes: the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us,
John 1:14
. Did he come into this world? Yes: he came forth from the Father, and came into the world,
John 16:28
. Did he come in the fittest time? Yes: when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son,
Gal. 4:4
. Did he come with a full commission? Yes: for the Father sanctified him, and sent him into the world,
John 10:36
. Did he come to save us? Yes: the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost,
Luke 19:10
. Did he come to conquer Satan? Yes: for this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil,
1 John 3:8
.
Did the Redeemer take our nature upon him? Yes: he was found in fashion as a man,
Phil. 2:8
. Had he a being before his incarnation? Yes: before Abraham was, I am,
John 8:58
. Had he a being before the world? Yes: for the same was in the beginning with God,
John 1:2
. Is not his incarnation a great mystery? Yes: without controversy great is the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh,
1 Tim. 3:16
. Is it necessary that we believe it? Yes: for he that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God,
1 John 4:3
. Was Jesus Christ God even when he was upon earth? Yes: I am in the Father, and the Father in me,
John 14:11
. Is he man now he is in heaven? Yes for he that descended is the same also that ascended,
Eph. 4:10
.
Is the Redeemer both God and man? Yes: for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and he shall be called the mighty God, the everlasting Father,
Isa. 9:6
. Is he both the Son of God, and the Son of man? Yes: he was the Son of Adam, he was the Son of God,
Luke 3:38
. Does he continue to be so? Yes: for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day and for ever,
Heb. 13:8
. Was he man that he might suffer? Yes: for without shedding of blood is no remission,
Heb. 9:22
. Was he God that he might satisfy? Yes: for God has purchased the church with his own blood,
Acts 20:28
. Is he God and man in two distinct natures? Yes: for he is both the root and offspring of David,
Rev. 22:16
,
Matt. 22:45
. Is he so in one person? Yes: for to us there is but one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him,
1 Cor. 8:6
. Is he so for ever? Yes: he is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last,
Rev. 22:13
.
Is this Jesus the true Messiah promised to the fathers? Yes: we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world,
John 4:42
. Were the Scriptures fulfilled in him? Yes: to him give all the prophets witness,
Acts 10:43
. Did his miracles prove his doctrine? Yes: The works that I do bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me,
John 5:36
. Did the Father himself bear witness of him? Yes: by a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him,
Matt. 17:5
. May we venture our souls upon this foundation? Yes: for this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son,
1 John 5:11
.
HenryWSC 21