A Scripture Catechism
in the
Method of the Assembly's

by Matthew 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. 1:1. 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 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, John 3:14, 15. Is all the world the better for Christ's mediation? Yes: for by him all things consist Col. 1:17. Is it long 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 has given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him, John 17:2. Was their sanctification particularly designed? Yes: For their sakes I sanctify myself; that they also might be sanctified, John 17:19. 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. 8:2, 9. 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 Saviour? 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, hath anointed thee, Heb. 1:9. Is he Emmanuel? Yes: They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is, God with us, Matt. 1:28.

5. Is he the Son of God? Yes: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, Matt. 16:16. Is he the Eternal Son of God? Yes: for he is before all things, Col. 1:17. Is he God? Yes: unto the Son he says, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever, Heb. 1:8. Is he true God? Yes: His Son Jesus Christ is the true God, and eternal life, 1 John 5:20. Is he the most high God? Yes: for Christ is over all, God, blessed for ever, Rom. 9:5. Is he equal with the Father? Yes: for he thought it not robbery to be equal with God, Phil. 2:6. Is he one with the Father? Yes: I and my Father are one, John 10:30. Is he to be worshipped as God? Yes: for all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father, John 5:28. Is he worshipped by the angels? Yes: Let all the angels of God worship him, Heb. 1:6. And is there good reason for it? Yes : for he is the brightness of his Father's glory, Heb. 1:3. Was he begotten of his Father before all worlds? Yes: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee, Ps. 2:7. Is he the only-begotten Son of God? Yes: We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, John 1:14.

6. Did the Son of God become man? Yes: the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, John 1:14. Did he come into this world? Yes: he came forth from the Father, and came into the world, John 16:28. Did he come in the fittest time? Yes: when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, Gal. 4:4. Did he come with a full commission? Yes: for the Father sanctified him, and sent him into the world, John 10:36. Did he come to save us? Yes: the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10. Did he come to conquer Satan? Yes: for this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil, 1 John 3:8.

7. Did the Redeemer take our nature upon him? Yes: he was found in fashion as a man, Phil. 2:8. Had he a being before his incarnation? Yes: before Abraham was, I am, John 8:58. Had he a being before the world? Yes: for the same was in the beginning with God, John 1:2. Is not his incarnation a great mystery? Yes: without controversy great is the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3:16. Is it necessary that we believe it? Yes: for he that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God, 1 John 4:3. Was Jesus Christ God even when he was upon earth? Yes: I am in the Father, and the Father in me, John 14:11. Is he man now he is in heaven? Yes for he that descended is the same also that ascended, Eph. 4:10.

8. Is the Redeemer both God and man? Yes: for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and he shall be called the mighty God, the everlasting Father, Isa. 9:6. Is he both the Son of God, and the Son of man? Yes: he was the Son of Adam, he was the Son of God, Luke 3:38. Does he continue to be so? Yes: for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day and for ever, Heb. 13:8. Was he man that he might suffer? Yes: for without shedding of blood is no remission, Heb. 9:22. Was he God that he might satisfy? Yes: for God has purchased the church with his own blood, Acts 20:28. Is he God and man in two distinct natures? Yes: for he is both the root and offspring of David, Rev. 22:16. compare Matt. 22:45. Is he so in one person? Yes: for to us there is but one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him, 1 Cor. 8:6. Is he so for ever? Yes: he is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, Rev. 22:13.

9. Is this Jesus the true Messiah promised to the fathers? Yes: we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world, John 4:42. Were the Scriptures fulfilled in him? Yes: to him give all the prophets witness, Acts 10:43. Did his miracles prove his doctrine? Yes: The works that I do bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me, John 5:36. Did the Father himself bear witness of him? Yes: by a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him, Matt. 17:5. May we venture our souls upon this foundation? Yes: for this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son, 1 John 5:11.