ESSENTIALS OF REFORMED DOCTRINE

A Guide in Catechetical Instruction

by Rev. H. Hoeksema (revised by Prof. H. Hanko)


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Lesson 11: The Fall of Man

  1. Did man remain God's friend-servant?
    No, he violated the covenant relation when he ate of the forbidden tree.
  2. Was this sin a great offense?
    Yes, for:
    1. It was disobedience of God's command.
    2. By it Adam chose for Satan against God.
    3. Adam sinned as the head and first father of the whole human race.
  3. What was the punishment for sin?
    Death: "for the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2:17 ; Romans 6:23 .
  4. Did Adam die immediately as God had said?
    Yes, he was separated from God, banished from His presence in the garden, became by nature dead in sin and the object of God's wrath. Ephesians 2:1 .
  5. Are we by nature also under the punishment of Adam's sin?
    Yes, for we also are born dead in trespasses and sins. Romans 5:112 ; Jeremiah 17:9 ; I Corinthians 15:21, 22 .
  6. What is original guilt?
    Original guilt is the imputation of Adam's guilt to the whole human race. Romans 5:12 .
  7. What is original pollution?
    The corruption of Adam's nature which was passed on to the whole human race. Genesis 2:17 ; Job 15:14 ; Psalm 51:5 .
  8. Is man capable of doing any good?
    No, he is by nature inclined to all evil, and all his works are corrupted and polluted with sin. Psalm 51:5
  9. How did God reveal His grace after the fall?
    He gave the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, Who would crush the head of the serpent. Genesis 3:15 .

EXTRA WORK:

  1. Read Genesis 3:1-6 and answer the following questions:
    1. Who was the real tempter of Eve?
    2. What lie did Satan speak to Eve?
    3. Why was Eve persuaded to eat of the forbidden tree?
  2. How was Adam a figure of Christ? Romans 5:12-19 ; I Corinthians 15:22 .
  3. What is the meaning of total depravity? Prove this doctrine from the following: Ephesians 2:1 ; Romans 3:10-19; Canons III-IV, Article 4.
  4. Read the second and third points of common grace and explain how they deny the truth of total depravity.

Lesson 12: The Mediator and His Names

  1. How does God save His people?
    By means of a true faith in the Mediator of the covenant of grace, our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Could not His people save themselves?
    By no means, for they could never satisfy God's justice and atone for their own sin.
  3. Was such satisfaction necessary?
    Certainly, for God cannot deny Himself; hence He can receive us into His covenant communion only if His justice is satisfied.
  4. But why could not fallen man satisfy God's justice?
    Because man is dead in sin and can only daily increase his guilt.
  5. Whence is this Mediator?
    He is from God, ordained by Him and given us of Him. I Corinthians 1:30 . Hence, He is also called the Lamb of God.
  6. Which are the most common names of the Mediator?
    The names Jesus, Christ, and Lord.
  7. Does Scripture give other names of the Mediator?
    Yes, there are many names given Him, some of which are: Son of God, Son of Man, Immanuel, Lamb of God, Lion of Judah's tribe, Son of David.
  8. Why is the Mediator called Jesus?
    Because He delivers us from the power of sin and death and makes us the partakers of eternal glory. Acts 4:12 .
  9. What does the name Christ signify?
    The name Christ means anointed of God; that He is ordained by God the Father and qualified by the Holy Spirit to be our Mediator.
  10. Why is He called Lord?
    Because He redeemed and delivered us from the power of the devil and made us His own property. I Corinthians 6:19-20 .

EXTRA WORK:

  1. Who gave the name Jesus to our Mediator? Describe what it means. Matthew 1:21 ; Luke 1:31 .
  2. What does the name Immanuel mean? Matthew 1:23 ; Why is Christ called this?
  3. Find a text where Jesus is called: The Word; the Son of Man; the Lamb of God; the Lion of Judah's tribe. Explain what the meaning of each name is. Use a concordance.
  4. Find several other names in Scripture for Christ.
  5. Look up Acts 11:26 and explain: When were believers first called Christians? Why were they given this name?
  6. Look up the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 12 and explain what the name "Christian" has come to mean.

Lesson 13: The Natures of the Mediator

  1. How many natures does Christ have?
    Two, a divine nature and a human nature. Romans 1:3-4 Romans 9:5 .
  2. How are these two natures united?
    They are united in the one Person of the Son of God.
  3. Is Christ, then, true and eternal God?
    Yes, for the Word was God and was made flesh. John 1:1, 14 ; I John 5:20 ; I Timothy 3:16 .
  4. Why must Christ be truly God?
    Because only one who is truly God can bear the burden of our sins and deliver us from them.
  5. Is Christ also true man?
    Yes, for God sent His son into the likeness of sinful flesh. Romans 8:3 .
  6. What proof is there that Christ had a real human nature?
    He had a real human body, Luke 24:39 ; a real human soul, Matthew 26:38 ; He could hunger and thirst, feel sorrow and joy. John 19:28 ; John 11:35 .
  7. What further can you say of Christ's human nature?
    1. That it was a complete human nature. Hebrews 2:14-17 .
    2. That it was a weak and humiliated human nature. Hebrews 4:15 .
    3. That it was a human nature without sin, holy and undefiled.
  8. How did Christ become man?
    He assumed the human nature through the power of the Holy Spirit and from the virgin Mary. Luke 1:35 .
  9. Why did Christ have to be truly a man?
    Because only a man can suffer for the sins which man committed.
  10. What can you say as to the union of the two natures in Christ?
    That they exist in unity of divine Person, without division, change, mixture, or separation.

EXTRA WORK:

  1. Read Article 19 of the Belgic Confession and state briefly what this article teaches concerning the natures of Christ.
  2. Read Lord's Day 5 and 6 and state why Christ had to be both very God and real man.
  3. Re-read your lesson and notes on Lesson 10 and 11 of this book and answer the following questions:
    1. Did Christ also possess original guilt? Explain.
    2. Did Christ also possess original pollution? Explain.
  4. Find in Scripture the narratives of Christ's temptation and read them. Read also Hebrews 4:14-1
  5. Was it possible for Christ to sin? Explain the temptations in light of your answer.
  6. Read Philippians 2:5-8 and write what this says about Christ's human nature.
  7. Find two or three texts in Scripture which prove that Christ was God.

Lesson 14: The Offices of the Mediator

  1. To which office was Christ anointed?
    To the three-fold office of Prophet, Priest, and King.
  2. What does Christ do as our Prophet?
    He reveals to us the whole counsel of God with respect to our salvation.
  3. Was Christ already our Prophet while on earth?
    Yes, in His own Person and in His works He revealed God's purpose in salvation. John 15:15 .
  4. How is Christ our Prophet now in heaven?
    He continues to teach us by His Word and Spirit. John 14:26 .
  5. What did Christ do as our Priest while on earth?
    He offered Himself upon the cross for the sins of His people. Hebrews 9:14,28 .
  6. What is the power and value of that sacrifice?
    It was a substitutionary sacrifice, by which He paid for all the sins of His people. Romans 5:19 ; Hebrews 10:14 ; Ephesians 5:2 .
  7. What does Christ do as our Priest in heaven?
    He intercedes for us with the Father and blesses us with every spiritual blessing.
  8. What did Christ do as our King while on earth?
    He destroyed all the powers of the devil and hell, of sin and death by His perfect work on the cross. Colossians 2:15 .
  9. What does he do now as our King?
    He rules His church by His Word and Spirit. Ephesians 1:22-23 .
  10. Does He do anything else?
    Yes, He protects His church against the assaults of the powers of darkness and brings His kingdom into final glory.

EXTRA WORK:

  1. Look up Isaiah 61:1-2 and explain how this passage refers to the office of Christ. In this connection read also Luke 4:16-30 .
  2. Read Genesis 14:18-24 ; Hebrews 6:20 ; Hebrews 7:1-17 and explain how Melchizedek was a type of Christ.
  3. Name several prophets, priests, and kings in the Old Testament and explain how they were types of Christ.
  4. Look up Matthew 11:25-27 and show how this text speaks of Christ's work as Prophet.
  5. Read John 17 and explain how this shows Christ's work as Priest.
  6. How do the miracles of casting out demons show Christ's work as King?
  7. Explain how I Peter 2:9 speaks of believers as prophets, priests, and kings.

Lesson 15: The State of Humiliation

  1. How many states of the Mediator do we distinguish?
    Two: the state of humiliation and the state of exaltation.
  2. Which passage of Scripture clearly speaks of these two states?
    Philippians 2:7-9 where Scripture teaches that Christ was highly exalted because He humbled Himself to the death of the cross.
  3. What is the state of humiliation?
    It is the state in which Christ humbled Himself in our flesh even unto death in order to merit salvation for us.
  4. How many degrees are there in the state of humiliation?
    Five: His lowly birth, His suffering, His death, His burial, and His descension into hell.
  5. How was Christ's birth a part of His humiliation?
    He was born in abject poverty and was rejected of men. Isaiah 53:2-3 .
  6. How else was the incarnation of Christ a matter of humiliation?
    Though He remained God, Christ came into the likeness of sinful flesh. John 17:5 ; Romans 8:3 .
  7. Did the Son of God suffer?
    The Person of the Son of God suffered in His human nature, in body and soul. I Peter 2:24 ; Matthew 26:37-38 .
  8. Why was Christ's suffering necessary?
    He had to satisfy God's justice and atone for our sins.
  9. How did Christ suffer?
    He suffered at the hands of wicked men, but more particularly, He bore the burden of God's wrath. Matthew 20:28 ; Romans 5:6; Isaiah 53:4-5 .
  10. For whom did Christ suffer?
    He suffered for the elect, given Him by the Father. John 6:39 ; John 10:15 ; Matthew 1:21 .

EXTRA WORK:

  1. Explain how Christ suffered all His life. Quote texts from the gospels to prove this.
  2. Prove from John 6:39 and John 10:15 that Christ suffered only for His people.
  3. What does II Corinthians 8:9 teach concerning the humiliation of Christ's birth?
  4. Who taught that Christ died for all men? Prove from Canons, Second Head of Doctrine that this is heresy.

Lesson 16: The State of Humiliation (continued)

  1. What is the third step in the state of humiliation?
    Jesus' death on the cross. Luke 23:46 .
  2. What kind of death did Jesus die?
    The death of the cross which was an accursed death. Deuteronomy 21:23 .
  3. Why did Jesus have to die the accursed death of the cross?
    He had to bear God's curse which was upon us because of sin. Galatians 3:13 .
  4. Was Jesus' death like ours?
    No, Jesus gave Himself to death in obedience to the Father.
  5. Why did Jesus' death have to be an act of His own?
    Only in the way of obedience to the Father could Christ merit salvation for His people.
  6. Why was Jesus buried?
    He entered into our grave to show that He had overcome the power of death and destroyed the corruption of the grave for us. Psalm 16:9-10 .
  7. Why, then, must believers die?
    The death of believers is only a passage to life and glory. II Corinthians 5:1 .
  8. Why must the body of believers rest in the grave for a time?
    Salvation and glory cannot be completed until the return of Christ and the creation of the new heavens and earth.
  9. Did Jesus descend locally into hell?
    No, but He suffered the torments of hell, especially in Gethsemane and during the three hours of darkness on the cross.

EXTRA WORK:

  1. What is meant by the substitutionary atonement of Christ? Can you prove this doctrine from II Corinthians 5:21 ? Find other passages which teach the same truth.
  2. Look up the word 'vicarious" in the dictionary and explain how this word can be applied to the death of Christ.
  3. Look up Acts 2:23 and Acts 4:27-28 and explain what these passages have to say about the death of Christ in relation to God's counsel.
  4. The Roman Catholics and others teach that Christ descended locally into hell after His death and while His body was in the grave. Look up Lord's Day 16, Question and Answer 44, and I Peter 3:18-20 and explain what is the teaching of the latter verse. Look up Luke 23:46 in this connection.
  5. What does Isaiah 53:9 say about the burial of Christ?

Lesson 17: The State of Exaltation

  1. What is meant by the state of exaltation?
    The state in which Christ is exalted in highest glory in heaven. Romans 5:10 .
  2. How many degrees do we distinguish in the state of exaltation?
    Four: the resurrection, the ascension, the sitting at the right hand of God, and the return to judgment.
  3. Did Christ rise with the same body which was laid in the grave?
    Yes, but it was changed into a glorious and heavenly body.
  4. Through whose power did Christ arise?
    Through His own power as the eternal Son of God, but He was also raised by the Father. John 2:19 ; Romans 8:11 .
  5. What is the significance of the resurrection of Christ?
    It is the proof of our justification, the power of our spiritual resurrection, and a pledge of our final glory. Romans 4:25 ; Romans 6:4-5 ; I Thessalonians 4:14 .
  6. How did Jesus ascend into heaven?
    He ascended before the eyes of His disciples bodily and locally. Acts 1:9 ; Luke 24:51 .
  7. What does it mean that Christ is seated at God's right hand?
    That in heaven He is exalted to the state of highest glory and power and has a name above all names. Hebrews 1:3 ; Ephesians 1:20-22 .
  8. What does Christ do in heaven?
    He prepares a place for all His people, intercedes for them, and from heaven blesses them with all the blessings of salvation. Ephesians 1:3 ; John 14:2; Hebrews 9:24 .
  9. What else does Christ do in heaven?
    He rules over all so that He may come again to establish forever the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 15:24-28 .
  10. When will Christ return?
    When all things are finished according to the counsel of God.

EXTRA WORK:

  1. List the different appearances of Christ recorded in Scripture.
  2. Look up the passages under question and answer 5 above and show how the texts prove the answer.
  3. What does Philippians 2:9-11 tell of Christ's exaltation?
  4. Look up the texts under question 8 and explain how they prove the answer.

Lesson 18: The Covenant of Grace

  1. How does God save His people?
    By means of a living faith in the Mediator of the covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. What is the fruit of the work of Christ?
    That God maintains, restores, and perfects His covenant through Him. Jeremiah 31:33 .
  3. What is the covenant?
    It is the gracious relation of living fellowship and friendship between God and His people in Christ, wherein He is their God and they are His people. Genesis 17:7 ; Psalm 16:5 ; Psalm 33:22 .
  4. How many covenants are there?
    There is only one covenant in both the Old and New Testaments established with God's people throughout all time.
  5. Did not Adam stand in a covenant relationship to God?
    Yes, but he violated the covenant through his sin so that the covenant must be restored through Christ.
  6. How does God establish His covenant?
    God establishes His covenant by His own work of grace whereby He takes His people into His own covenant fellowship. Ephesians 2:8 .
  7. Does God establish His covenant with all men?
    No, He establishes His covenant only with His elect people in the line of continued generations. Galatians 3:16, 29 .
  8. What does God do for His people in that covenant?
    He forms them to be His people, makes them partakers of all the benefits of Christ, and leads them on to eternal glory. Ephesians 1:23 .
  9. Through Whom does God make us partakers of all Christ's benefits?
    Through the Holy Spirit, Who dwells in Christ as the Head and in His people as members of His body. Ephesians 1:23 .

EXTRA WORK:

  1. There are some who teach that the covenant is an agreement between God and man. How does an agreement differ from a bond of friendship and fellowship?
  2. Some teach that, because the covenant is an agreement, it is bilateral (two-sided). Prove from Genesis 15:7-18 that the covenant is unilateral (one-sided).
  3. Prove from Psalm 89:28-34 that God not only establishes His covenant, but that God also preserves it by His own work.
  4. How is the protevangel in Genesis 3:15 a promise of the coming of Christ the Head of the covenant?
  5. Prove from Psalm 25:14 that the covenant is a bond of friendship between God and His people.
  6. Prove from Genesis 17:7 that God establishes His covenant in the line of continued generations.
  7. Read the doctrinal part of the Baptism Form and explain from it what is our "part" of the covenant.

Lesson 19: Regeneration

  1. What are the steps in the order of salvation?
    Regeneration, calling, faith, justification, sanctification, preservation, and glorification.
  2. How is this salvation worked in the elect sinner?
    Christ, Who is the fullness of our salvation, works it efficaciously by His Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5 .
  3. What is the first work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the elect sinner?
    The work of regeneration, John 3:3 : "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
  4. What is regeneration?
    It is that work of the Spirit whereby He implants the new life of Christ in the heart of the sinner. Ephesians 2:1 ; Ezekiel 36:26-27 ; John 3:8.
  5. Is there more than one sense in which Scripture speaks of regeneration?
    Yes, Scripture speaks of regeneration in a narrower and a broader sense.
  6. What is regeneration in the narrower sense?
    It is the first implanting of Christ's life in the heart of the totally depraved sinner. I Peter 1:23 .
  7. What is regeneration in the broader sense?
    It is equal to conversion and is that act of God whereby He enlightens the mind, softens the will, and brings the sinner to repentance. I Peter 1:3 .
  8. What is conversion?
    It is the mortification of the old man of sin and the quickening of the new man in Christ whereby a sinner turns from his wicked way and towards God.
  9. What are the fruits of conversion?
    A thankful walk in obedience to God for the salvation which is ours through faith in Christ. II Corinthians 7:10 .
  10. Does the sinner cooperate in his own regeneration?
    Not at all; it is the work of the Holy Spirit alone. Acts 16:14 .

EXTRA WORK:

  1. Explain the difference between mediate and immediate regeneration (see H. Hoeksema's Reformed Dogmatics, page 455).
  2. Look up Reformed Dogmatics, pages 461, 462 and write what five things are listed there concerning regeneration.
  3. Look up Canons III-IV, 11-13 and describe what this confession has to say about the work of regeneration.
  4. What does Titus 3:5 have to say about regeneration?

Lesson 20: The Calling

  1. What is meant by the calling?
    It is that work of God's grace whereby the sinner is called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. I Peter 2:9 .
  2. Whom does God call?
    Only the elect, Romans 8:30 : "And whom He did predestinate them he also called."
  3. How does God call His people?
    Externally through the preaching of the gospel and internally through the operation of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. II Timothy 1:9-10 .
  4. What is the external call of the gospel?
    It is the official proclamation of the gospel by the church through her called and ordained ministry.
  5. What is the internal call of the Spirit?
    It is the efficacious work of the Spirit whereby the truth of the gospel is worked in the hearts of those called. Matthew 13:16 ; I Corinthians 2:10, 12 ; Ephesians 1:18 .
  6. But does not the call of the gospel also come to others than the elect?
    Yes, for many are called but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14 .
  7. Where is the gospel preached?
    To all those to whom God in His good pleasure sends it.
  8. What is the significance of the call of the gospel for the elect?
    It is the means by which God gathers His church from all nations of the earth.
  9. What is the significance of the call of the gospel for the reprobate wicked?
    It reveals the perversity of their sinful heart as they reject the gospel and it aggravates their judgment. Matthew 11:24 ; John 8:24.

EXTRA WORK:

  1. Look up II Corinthians 2:15-17 and answer the following questions:
    1. What does Paul mean when he says, "we are a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish?"
    2. What is the meaning of "savor of death unto death?"
    3. What is the meaning of "savor of life unto life?"
  2. What does Canons II, 5 say about the question, "To whom ought the gospel to be preached?"
  3. Read the parable of the four kinds of soil in Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23 and describe the different reactions to the gospel of which Jesus speaks.
  4. Read the First Point of common grace, adopted by the Christian Reformed Church, and answer these questions:
    1. What is meant by the "general offer of the gospel?"
    2. Is the call of the gospel such a general offer? Give proof.
  5. Read Lord's Day 31 of the Heidelberg Catechism and answer the question whether the call of the gospel is also a command to repent and believe.

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