_173. In what way is the believer freed from death by the
redemption of Christ?_
Spiritual death has lost its power over him, temporal death is but an
entrance into perfect life, and eternal death he no longer fears.
=John 11:25, 26. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and
the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall
he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.=
_174. In what way is the believer freed from the power of Satan
by the redemption of Christ?_
Satan has no power over the believer, unless the believer yield
himself into his service.
=Heb. 2:14. [R. V.] Since then the children are sharers in flesh
and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same;
that through death he might bring to nought him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil.=
_175. For what purpose has Christ redeemed you?_
He has redeemed me in order that I might be His own, live with Him in
His kingdom, and serve Him in righteousness, innocence, and happiness.
=1 Cor. 6:20. [R. V.] Ye are not your own, for ye were bought
with a price; glorify God therefore in your body.=
=Titus 2:14. [R. V.] He gave himself for us, that he might redeem
us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his
own possession, zealous of good works.=
_176. What did Christ do in order to become our Savior and
Redeemer?_
He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross. Phil. 2:8.
_177. How many steps do you notice in the humiliation of Christ?_
Five: the birth in poverty; the suffering; the crucifixion; the death;
the burial.
_178. Why did Christ begin His life on earth with the birth in
poverty?_
He began His life in poverty to show that His kingdom is not of this
world, and that we might be made rich through His poverty.
_179. When was the suffering of Christ greatest?_
In the night before His death, and on Good Friday, when He was
delivered into the hands of His enemies, and was bound, beaten,
scourged, crowned with thorns, and finally nailed to the cross.
_180. Did Christ suffer bodily pain only?_
No; His greatest suffering was a fearful anguish of soul on account of
our sins.
_181. When in particular did he suffer this anguish?_
In the garden, when His sweat was as drops of blood and He said, "My
soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death"; and on the cross, when He
cried, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"
=Isa. 53:4, 5. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our
sorrows:
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with
his stripes we are healed.=
_182. How did Christ act through all this suffering?_
He was patient as a lamb that is lead to the slaughter. Isa. 53:7.
_183. What did Christ accomplish for us by His death on the cross?_
By His death He has paid the wages of sin, which is death.
=Rom. 5:10. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by
the death of his Son.=
_184. What comfort do we have from the burial of Christ?_
He has buried our sins, hallowed our graves, and taken away their
horror.
_185. How should we look upon the life and suffering of Christ in
His humiliation?_
We should look upon His life and His suffering as an atonement for our
sins, and as an example to the believer of holiness in life and
patience in suffering.
=1 Pet. 2:21. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,
that ye should follow His steps.=
_186. Did Christ remain in humiliation and death?_
No; God exalted Him and gave Him a name which is above every name.
Phil. 2:9.
_187. How many steps do you notice in the exaltation of Christ?_
Five: His descent into hell; His resurrection; His ascension; His
session at the right hand of the Father; His coming to judge the quick
and the dead.
_188. What did Christ accomplish when he descended into hell?_
He made known the victory which He had won over the devil, and
preached to the spirits in prison. 1 Pet. 3:18, 19.
_189. What benefit do we have from the resurrection of Christ?_
1. The resurrection assures us that Christ is the Son of God, and that
He has conquered death and fully satisfied for our sins.
=Rom. 1:4. Declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection from
the dead.=
=1 Cor. 15:14. If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching
vain, and your faith is also vain.=
2. The resurrection gives us power to arise from spiritual death, and
to live a new and holy life.
=Rom. 6:4. As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.=
3. The resurrection assures us that our bodies shall arise in glory on
the last day.
_190. What command did Christ give His disciples before His
ascension?_
He commanded them to go out into the whole world and preach the gospel
to all nations. [Missions.]
=Matt. 28:19; Mark. 16:15.=
_191. What is meant by the ascension of Christ?_
He left the earth, so that He is no longer visibly present, and He
entered into His Father's glory to prepare a place for us in the
heavenly mansions.
=John 14:2. In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to
prepare a place for you.=
_192. What does the ascension of Christ teach us?_
It teaches us to be heavenly-minded, and to have a desire to depart
and be with Christ.
=Col. 3:1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.=
_193. What does Christ's session on the right hand of the Father
signify?_
It signifies that He shares also as true man in the power and glory of
God, and rules over all things.
=1 Pet. 3:22. [R. V.] He is on the right hand of God, having gone
into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject
to Him.=
_194. What benefit do we have from Christ's session on the right
hand of the Father?_
He protects His kingdom from its enemies, prays for us, and sends us
His Holy Spirit.
_195. Is Christ no longer present on earth?_
Yes; He is present in a real, though invisible, manner.
=Matt. 28:20. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world.=
_196. When will He again come to earth in a visible manner?_
On the last day, when He comes to judge the quick and the dead.
=Luke 21:27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a
cloud with power and great glory.=
=2 Cor. 5:10. We must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ; that every one may receive the things done in the body,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.=
_197. By what rule will Christ judge us?_
He will judge us by His Word.
=John 12:48. The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge
him in the last day.=
_198. Is it sufficient that you know all these things about
Christ and hold them to be true?_
No; the Holy Spirit must teach me to know Christ in a true and living
faith.