Heidelberg Catechism, Week 5

This week's installment got posted late due to life getting in the way.  Hopefully, it's received in time for us all to meditate on our Lord's Day evening this week.  I also found another translation of the catechism here at the United Reformed Church in North America's website.  As always, here is the link to the previous version of the catechism that I've used in the past.  

 

 

 

12. Since, then, by the righteous judgment of God we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment and be again received into favor?

God wills that His justice be satisfied;¹ therefore, we must make full satisfaction to that justice, either by ourselves or by another.²

¹ Ex 20:5, 23:7; Rom 2:1-11; ² Isa 53:11; Rom 8:3-4

13. Can we ourselves make this satisfaction?

Certainly not; on the contrary, we daily increase our guilt.¹

¹ Job 9:2-3, 15:15-16; Ps 130:3; Mt 6:12, 16:26; Rom 2:4-5

14. Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us?

None; for first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man committed;¹ and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin and redeem others from it.²

¹ Ezek 18:4, 20; Heb 2:14-18; ² Ps 130:3; Nah 1:6

15. What kind of mediator and redeemer, then, must we seek?

One who is a true¹ and righteous man,² and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God.³

¹ 1 Cor 15:21-22, 25-26; Heb 2:17; ² Isa 53:11; Jer 13:16; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 7:26; ³ Isa 7:14, 9:6; Jer 23:6; Jn 1:1; Rom 8:3-4; Heb 7:15-16