Q&A 40 Why did Christ have to go all the way to death?

Because God's justice and truth demand it:¹

only the death of God's Son could pay for our sin.²

 

¹ Gen. 2:17

² Rom. 8:3-4; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:9

Q&A 41 Why was he "buried"?

His burial testifies

that he really died.¹

 

¹ Isa. 53:9; John 19:38-42; Acts 13:29; 1 Cor. 15:3-4

Q&A 42 Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?

Our death does not pay the debt of our sins.¹

Rather, it puts an end to our sinning

and is our entrance into eternal life.²

 

¹ Ps. 49:7

² John 5:24; Phil. 1:21-23; 1 Thess. 5:9-10

Q&A 43 What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross?

Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him,¹so that the evil desires of the fleshmay no longer rule us,²but that instead we may dedicate ourselvesas an offering of gratitude to him.³

¹ Rom. 6:5-11; Col. 2:11-12

² Rom. 6:12-14

³ Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1-2

Q&A 44 Why does the creed add, "He descended to hell"?

To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation

that Christ my Lord,

by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul,

especially on the cross but also earlier,

has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.¹

 

¹ Isa. 53; Matt. 26:36-46; 27:45-46; Luke 22:44; Heb. 5:7-10

 

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