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'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. v. 12.

"In Adam all die." 1 Cor. xv. 22.

Did God leave mankind to perish in this miserable condition?

In his boundless and wonderful love, God provided a way of salvation for lost sinners by a Redeemer. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John iii. 16.

Who is the Redeemer of mankind?

"Jesus Christ our Lord, the eternal and only begotten Son of God."

"Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." John xvii. 1, 2. “Ye believe in God, believe also in me." John xiv. 1.

What is it to believe in Jesus Christ?

To receive him as my Redeemer, and trust in him alone for salvation.

"Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life; and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." John vi. 68, 69.

What does the name, Jesus, signify?
Jehovah, the Saviour.

“ Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." Matth. i. 21.

What is the meaning of the title Christ?

It is the same as Messiah, or the Anointed; and God anointed Jesus to be the Prophet, Priest, and King of his people.

"We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” John i. 41.

"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power." Acts x. 38.

How is Christ our Prophet?

He teaches us the will of God for our salvation. "God hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Heb. i. 2.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor." Luke iv. 18.

In what manner is Christ our Priest?

He made an atonement for our sins, by dying in our stead; and now he intercedes for us in heaven.

“This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God.” Heb. x. 12.

"He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. vii. 25.

Is not blessing another part of the priestly office? Yes; and Christ, our great High Priest, ever lives to bless his people.

"God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you." Acts iii. 26.

"He lifted up his hands and blessed them; and while he blessed them he was parted from them." Luke xxiv. 50, 51.

How is Christ our King?

He delivers us from the bondage of sin and Satan ; and reigns in our hearts by his grace.

"Translated into the kingdom of his dear Son." Col. i. 13.

"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign, through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. v. 21.

Why is Jesus Christ said to be our Lord?

Because he is the Lord Jehovah; he has redeemed us by his blood, and we are his disciples.

"To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory." Jude 25.

"The Church of God he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts xx. 28.

"Ye call me Master and Lord, and ye say well; for so I am." John xiii. 13.

How did Christ save sinners?

He took our nature upon him, that he might suffer the punishment due to our sins.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that, through death, he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil.'' Heb. ii. 14.

Did he then partake of the sinfulness of our nature?

No; he was perfectly holy, being conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. God was the Father of his human nature.

"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke i. 35.

What did Christ suffer that he might save sinners?

His whole life was full of suffering, from the manger to the tomb; and when arraigned before Pontius Pilate, the governor, he was scourged and crowned with thorns, mocked and spit upon, and afterwards crucified.

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Is. liii. 3.

"Jesus saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." Matth. xxvi. 38.

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What kind of death is crucifixion?

Being nailed to a cross and hung upon it. It was considered by the Jews a cursed and shameful death.

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." iii. 13.

Gal.

"He endured the cross; despising the shame." Heb. xii. 2.

Did Jesus die upon the cross ?

Yes. After hanging upon it six hours he exclaimed, "It is finished! and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost." John xix. 30.

How did our Saviour endure all this suffering?

With the greatest patience and meekness; as had long before been foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

"He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." Is. liii. 7.

After the death of our blessed Saviour, what became of his body?

"Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus; and buried it in his own new tomb." Matth. xxvii. 57–60.

Where did the soul of our Saviour go, when separated from the body?

It is said, He descended into hell; which here means the place of departed spirits.

"David said, in the name of Christ, Thou wilt not not leave my soul in hell." Ps. xvi. 10.

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