| Question | How did Christ, being the Son of God become man? |
|---|---|
| Answer | Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body, 1 and a reasonable soul; 2 being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, 3 yet without sin. 4 |
The Baptist Catechism Set to Music
Benjamin Beddome’s Exposition
Did Christ assume a body?
Yes.
A body hast thou prepared me,
Hebrews 10:5
Was this a true human body?
Yes.
For he was made in the likeness of men,
Philippians 2:7
Had it all the properties of a body like ours?
Yes.
Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have,
Luke 24:39
Was it liable to sinless infirmities?
Yes.
He was hungry and weary,
Matthew 4:2
Was it capable of suffering?
Yes.
He hath reconciled us in the body of his flesh through death,
Colossians 1:21
And was it requisite that he should assume such a body?
Yes.
For in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren,
Hebrews 2:17
Had Christ a real human soul?
Yes.
Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin,
Isaiah 53:10
Was it a rational soul?
Yes.
For he increased in wisdom,
Luke 2:52
And endowed with natural passions?
Yes.
My soul is exceeding sorrowful,
Matthew 24:38
And capable of a separation from the body?
Yes.
He poured out his soul unto death,
Isaiah 3:12
Was Christ’s human nature greatly abased?
Yes.
I am a worm, and no man,
Psalm 22:6
And greatly exalted?
Yes.
For in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead, bodily,
Colossians 2:9
Did Christ come into the world in an ordinary way?
No.
For the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth,
Jeremiah 31:22
Was he conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost?
Yes.
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee,
Luke 1:35
And born of a virgin?
Yes.
Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a
Isaiah 7:14
Had Christ a reputed father?
Yes.
Is not this Joseph's Son,
Luke 4:22
But was he no more than a reputed father?
No.
For as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph (before they came together) she was found with child by the Holy Ghost,
Matthew 1:18
Was Christ born at the appointed time?
Yes.
When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his
Galatians 4:4
And at the appointed place?
Yes.
To you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour,
Luke 2:11
And of the appointed stock?
Yes.
For he took upon him the seed of Abraham,
Hebrews 2:16
Did the prophets foretell his birth?
Yes.
As God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets,
Luke 1:70
And did the angels celebrate it?
Yes.
There was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
Luke 2:13
Was Christ perfectly holy?
Yes.
He was holy, harmless and undefiled,
Hebrews 7:26
Was he free from original corruption?
Yes.
The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me,
John 14:30
And from actual sin?
Yes.
He did no sin,
1 Peter 2:22
Was it necessary that he should be so?
Yes.
Such an High Priest became us,
Hebrews 7:26
Would his sufferings otherwise have been ineffectual?
Yes.
For he must, through the eternal Spirit, offer himself without spot,
Hebrews 9:14
The Westminster Larger Catechism
| Question | How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man? |
|---|---|
| Answer | Christ the Son of God became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, 1 being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her, 2 yet without sin. 3 |
| Question | Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God? |
|---|---|
| Answer | It was requisite that the Mediator should be God, that he might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death; 1 give worth and efficacy to his sufferings, obedience, and intercession; 2 and to satisfy God's justice, 3 procure his favor, 4 purchase a peculiar people, 5 give his Spirit to them, 6 conquer all their enemies, 7 and bring them to everlasting salvation. 8 |
| Question | Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be man? |
|---|---|
| Answer | It was requisite that the Mediator should be man, that he might advance our nature, 1 perform obedience to the law, 2 suffer and make intercession for us in our nature, 3 have a fellow feeling of our infirmities; 4 that we might receive the adoption of sons, 5 and have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace. 6 |
| Question | Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one person ? |
|---|---|
| Answer | It was requisite that the Mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and relied on by us, 1 as the works of the whole person. 2 |
| Question | Why was our Mediator called Jesus? |
|---|---|
| Answer | Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins. 1 |