Question 37. What dost thou understand by the words, "He suffered"?
Answer. That he, all the time that he lived on earth, but especially at the end of his life, [a] sustained in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sins of all mankind: that so by his passion, as the only [b] propitiatory sacrifice, he might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation, and obtain for us the favor of God, righteousness and eternal life.
Question 38. Why did he suffer under Pontius Pilate, as judge?
Answer. That he, being innocent, and yet condemned [c] by a temporal judge, might thereby free us from the severe judgment of God to which we were exposed. [d]
Question 39. Is there anything more in his being crucified, than if he had died some other death?
Answer. Yes [there is]; for thereby I am assured, that he took on him the curse which lay upon me; for the death of the cross was [e] accursed of God.
[a]: 1Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:12
[b]: 1John 2:2; Rom. 3:25
[c]: Luke 23:14; John 19:4; Psa. 69:4
[d]: Gal. 3:13,14
[e]: Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13
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Question 65. Since then we are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits by faith only, whence doth this faith proceed?
Answer. From the Holy Ghost, who works [a] faith in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, and [b] confirms it by the use of the sacraments.
Question 66. What are the sacraments?
Answer. The sacraments are holy visible signs and seals, appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof, he may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel, vis., that he grants us freely the remission of sin, and [c] life eternal, for the sake of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross.
Question 67. Are both word and sacraments, then, ordained and appointed for this end, that they may direct our faith to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, as the only ground of our salvation?
Answer. Yes, indeed: for the Holy Ghost teaches us in the gospel, and assures us by the sacraments, [d] that the whole of our salvation depends upon that one sacrifice of Christ which he offered for us on the cross.
Question 68. How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the new covenant, or testament?
Answer. [e] Two: namely, holy baptism, and the holy supper.
[a]: Eph. 2:8; Eph. 6:23; Phil. 1:29
[b]: Mat. 28:19; Rom. 4:11
[c]: Gen. 17:11; Rom. 4:11; Ex. 12; Lev. 6:25; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38; Mat. 26:28
[d]: Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27
[e]: 1Cor. 10:2,3,4
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