LORD’S DAY 15
37. What do you understand by the word, “suffered?”
That all the time He lived on earth, but especially at the end of His life, He bore, in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race;1 in order that by His passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice,2 He has redeemed our body and soul from everlasting damnation,3 and obtain for us the grace of God, righteousness, and eternal life.4
1 Isa 53; 1 Tim 2:6; 1 Pt 2:2-4, 3:18; 2 Rom 3:25; 1 Cor 5:7; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:14; 1 Jn 2:2, 4:10; 3 Rom 8:1-4; Gal 3:13; Col 1:13; Heb 9:12; 1 Pt 1:18-19; 4 Jn 3:16; Rom 3:24-26; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 9:15
38. Why did He suffer “under Pontius Pilate,” as judge?
Though innocent, Christ was condemned by an earthly judge,1 to deliver us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.2
1 Lk 23:13-24; Jn 19:4, 12-16; 2 Isa 53:4-5; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13
39. Does it have a special meaning that Christ was “crucified” and did not die in a different way?
Yes, for thereby I am assured, that He took upon Himself the curse which lay upon me; because the death of the cross was accursed of God.1
1 Deut 21:23; Gal 3:13
Source: Heidelberg Catechism - Westminster Seminary California
That all the time He lived on earth, but especially at the end of His life, He bore, in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race;1 in order that by His passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice,2 He has redeemed our body and soul from everlasting damnation,3 and obtain for us the grace of God, righteousness, and eternal life.4
1 Isa 53; 1 Tim 2:6; 1 Pt 2:2-4, 3:18; 2 Rom 3:25; 1 Cor 5:7; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:14; 1 Jn 2:2, 4:10; 3 Rom 8:1-4; Gal 3:13; Col 1:13; Heb 9:12; 1 Pt 1:18-19; 4 Jn 3:16; Rom 3:24-26; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 9:15
38. Why did He suffer “under Pontius Pilate,” as judge?
Though innocent, Christ was condemned by an earthly judge,1 to deliver us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.2
1 Lk 23:13-24; Jn 19:4, 12-16; 2 Isa 53:4-5; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13
39. Does it have a special meaning that Christ was “crucified” and did not die in a different way?
Yes, for thereby I am assured, that He took upon Himself the curse which lay upon me; because the death of the cross was accursed of God.1
1 Deut 21:23; Gal 3:13
Source: Heidelberg Catechism - Westminster Seminary California
