Archive for August 2nd, 2011
Henry:
Q. 21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who being the eternal Son of God, became man; and so was and continues to be; God and man, in two distinct natures, and one person, for ever.
1. Did mankind need a Redeemer? Yes: for by our iniquities we had sold ourselves, Isa. 50:1. Did the elect themselves need a Redeemer? Yes: for we ourselves also were sometimes disobedient, Tit. 3:3. Would there have been a Redeemer if Adam had not sinned? No: for they that be whole need not a physician, Matt. 9:12. Could an angel have been our Redeemer? No: for his angels he charged with folly, Job 4:18.
2. Is Jesus Christ the Redeemer? Yes: there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ, Jesus, 1 Tim 2:5. Is he the only Redeemer? Yes: for there I is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, Acts 4:12. Is he a universal Redeemer? Yes: he gave himself a ransom for all, 1 Tim. 2:6. Did he die to purchase a general offer? Yes: the Son of man was lifted up, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, Jonh3:14,15. Is all the world the better for Christ’s mediation? Yes: for by him all things consist, Col. 1:7. Is it long [fault?] of Christ then that so many perish? No: I would have gathered you, and you would not, Matt. 23:37.
3. Is Christ in a special manner the Redeemer of God’s elect? Yes: I lay down my life for the sheep, John 10:15. Was their salvation particularly designed in Christ’s undertaking? Yes: Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou has given him, John 17:2. Was their sanctification particularly designed? Yes: For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified, John 19:19. Is all mankind redeemed from among devils? Yes: for none must say as they did, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God, Matt. 8:29. But are the elect redeemed from among men? Yes: these were redeemed from among men, Rev. 14:4.
4. Is the Redeemer LORD? Yes: every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, Phil. 2:11. Is he Jesus a Savior? Yes: thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins, Matt. 1:21. Is he Christ anointed? Yes: for God, even thy God, as anointed thee, Heb 1:9. Is he Emmanuel? Yes: They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is, God with us, Matt. 1:29.
Matthew Henry, “Scripture Catechism in the Method of the Assembly’s,” in The Miscellaneous Works of the Rev. Matthew Henry, V.D.M. (London: Joseph Ogle Robinson, 1830), 878. [Bracketed insert mine, some spelling modernized; and underlining mine.]