Questions 21–30The Redeemer & His Work Applied

English text of 1647

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Wikisource transcription of the 1647 English text; source edition not documented; formatting and a known Q85 omission are normalized. Source: Wikisource transcription.

The catechism was first published in 1647; this edition reproduces its historical English text. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.

Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?

The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ^a, who, being the eternal Son of God^b, became man^c and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever^d.

Scripture proofs

aJohn 14:6; Acts 4:12; I Tim. 2:5-6

bPs. 2:7; Matt. 3:17; 17:5; John 1:18

cIsa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4

dActs 1:11; Heb. 7:24-25

How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul^a, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her^b yet without sin^c.

aPhil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14, 17

bLuke 1:27, 31, 35

cII Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; I John 3:5

What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet^a, of a priest^b, and of a king^c, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

aDeut. 18:18; Acts 2:33; 3:22-23; Heb. 1:1-2

bHeb. 4:14-15; 5:5-6

cIsa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; John 18:37; I Cor. 15:25

How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word^a and Spirit [b,] the will of God for our salvation^c.

aLuke 4:18-19, 21; Acts 1:1-2; Heb. 2:3

bJohn 15:26-27; Acts 1:8; IPet. 1:11

cJohn 4:41-42; 20:30-31

How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice^a, and reconcile us to God^b; and in making continual intercession for us^c.

aIsa. 53; Acts 8:32-35; Heb. 9:26-28; 10:12

bRom. 5:10-11; II Cor. 5:18; Col. 1:21-22

cRom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24

How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us^a, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies^b.

aPs. 110:3; Matt. 28:18-20; John 17:2; Col. 1:13

bPs. 2:6-9; 110:1-2; Matt. 12:28; ICor. 15:24-26; Col. 2:15

Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?

Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition^a, made under the law^b, undergoing the miseries of this life^c, the wrath of God^d, and the cursed death of the cross^e; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.^f

aLuke 2:7; II Cor. 8:9; Gal. 4:4

bGal. 4:4

cIsa. 53:3; Luke 9:58; John 4:6; 11:35; Heb. 2:18

dPs. 22:1 (Matt. 27:46); Isa. 53:10; I John 2:2

eGal. 3:13; Phil. 2:8

fMatt. 12:40; I Cor. 15:3-4

Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?

Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day^a, in ascending up into heaven^b, in sitting at the right hand^c of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day^d.

aI Cor. 15:4

bPs. 68:18; Acts 1:11; Eph. 4:8

cPs. 110:1; Acts 2:33-34; Heb. 1:3

dMatt. 16:27; Acts 17:31

How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit^a.

aTitus 3:4-7

How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us^a, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling^b.

aRom. 10:17; ICor. 2:12-16; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29

bJohn 15:5; ICor. 1:9; Eph. 3:17