The Larger Catechism – Questions 51-60
Q.
51. What was the estate of Christ's exaltation?
A.
The estate of Christ's exaltation comprehendeth his resurrectiona,
ascensionb, sitting at the right hand of the Fatherc,
and his coming again to judge the worldd.
a
1 Cor.15:4 b Mark
16:19
c Eph.1:20 d Acts
1:11
; Acts
17:31
Q.
52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?
A.
Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in
death, (of which it was not possible for him to be helda,) and
having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties
thereofb, (but without mortality, and other common infirmities
belonging to this life,) really united to his soulc, he rose again
from the dead the third day by his own powerd; whereby he declared
himself to be the Son of Gode, to have satisfied divine justicef,
to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of itg, and to
be Lord of quick and deadh: all which he did as a public personi,
the head of his churchk, for their justificationl,
quickening in gracem, support against enemiesn, and to
assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last dayo.
a
Acts
2:24
,27 b Luke 24:39 c Rom.6:9; Rev.1:18 d John
10:18
e Rom.1:4 f Rom.8:34 g Heb.2:14 h Rom.14:9 i
1 Cor.15:21,22 k Eph.1:20,22,23; Col.1:18 l Rom.4:25 m
Eph.2:1,5,6; Col.2:12 n 1 Cor.15:25-27 o 1 Cor.15:20
Q.
53. How was Christ exalted in his ascension?
A.
Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection
often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the
things pertaining to the kingdom of Goda, and giving them
commission to preach the gospel to all nationsb, forty days after
his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our headc, triumphing
over enemiesd, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to
receive gifts for mene, to raise up our affections thitherf,
and to prepare a place for usg, where himself is, and shall
continue till his second coming at the end of the worldh.
a
Acts 1:2,3 b Matt.28:19,20 c Heb.6:20 d Eph.4:8 e
Acts 1:9-11; Eph.4:10; Ps.68:18 f Col.3:1,2 g John 14:3 h
Acts
3:21
Q.
54. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?
A.
Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man
he is advanced to the highest favour with God the Fathera, with all
fulness of joyb, gloryc, and power over all things in
heaven and earthd, and doth gather and defend his church, and
subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and
gracese, and maketh intercession for themf.
a
Phil.2:9 b Acts
2:28
compared with Ps.16:11 c John 17:5 d Eph.1:22; 1 Pet.3:22 e
Eph.4:10-12; Ps.110 f Rom.8:34
Q.
55. How doth Christ make intercession?
A.
Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before
the Father in heavena, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice
on earthb, declaring his will to have it applied to all believersc;
answering all accusations against themd, and procuring for them
quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failingse, access with
boldness to the throne of gracef, and acceptance of their personsg
and servicesh.
a
Heb.9:12,24 b Heb.1:3 c John 3:16; John 17:9,20,24 d
Rom.8:33,34 e Rom.5:1,2; 1 John 2:1,2 f Heb.4:16 g
Eph.1:6 h 1 Pet.2:5
Q.
56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?
A.
Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he,
who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked mena, shall come
again at the last day in great powerb and in the full manifestation
of his own glory, and of his Father's, with all his holy angelsc,
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of Godd,
to judge the world in righteousnesse.
a
Acts
3:14
,15 b Matt.24:30 c Luke 9:26; Matt.25:31 d 1
Thess.4:16 e Acts
17:31
Q.
57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation?
A.
Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemptiona, with all other
benefits of the covenant of graceb.
a
Heb.9:12 b 2 Cor.1:20
Q.
58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath
procured?
A.
We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the
application of them unto
usa
, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghostb.
a
John
1:11
,12 b Tit.3:5,6
Q.
59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?
A.
Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those
for whom Christ hath purchased ita; who are in time by the Holy
Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospelb.
a
Eph.1:13,14; John
6:37
,39; John
10:15
,16 b Eph.2:8; 2 Cor.4:13
Q.
60. Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ,
nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?
A.
They who, having never heard the gospela, know not Jesus Christb,
and believe not in him, cannot be savedc, be they never so diligent
to frame their lives according to the light of natured, or the laws
of that religion which they professe; neither is there salvation in
any other, but in Christ alonef, who is the Saviour only of his
body the churchg.
a
Rom.10:14 b 2 Thess.1:8,9; Eph.2:12; John 1:10-12 c John
8:24
; Mark
16:16
d 1 Cor.1:20-24 e John 4:22; Rom.9:31,32; Phil.3:4-9 f
Acts
4:12
g Eph.5:23
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