Jesus Christ - - Calvin

Catechism of the Church of Geneva (1545)

Being a form of instruction for children in the doctrine of Christ

Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord

Master.---Let us now come to the second part.

Student.---It is that we believe "in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord."

M.---What does it chiefly comprehend?

S.---That the Son of God is our Saviour, and it at the same time explains the method by which he has redeemed us from death, and purchased life.

M.---What is the meaning of the name Jesus which you give to him?

S.---It has the same meaning as the Greek word (Soter.) The Latins have no proper name by which its force may be well expressed. Hence the term Saviour (Salvator) was commonly received. Moreover, the angel gave this appellation to the Son of God, by the order of God himself (Matthew 1: 21.)

M.---Is this more than if men had given it?

S.---Certainly. For since God wills that he be called so, he must absolutely be so.

M.---What, next, is the force of the name Christ?

S.---By this epithet, his office is still better expressed-for it signifies that he was anointed by the Father to be a King, Priest, and Prophet.

M.---How do you know that?

S.---First, Because Scripture applies anointing to these three uses; secondly, Because it often attributes the three things which we have mentioned to Christ.

M.---But with what kind of oil was he anointed?

S.---Not with visible oil as was used in consecrating ancient kings, priests, and prophets, but one more excellent, namely, the grace of the Holy Spirit, which is the thing meant by that outward anointing.

M.---But what is the nature of this kingdom of his which you mention?

S.---Spiritual, contained in the word and Spirit of God, which carry with them righteousness and life.

M.---What of the priesthood?

S.---It is the office and prerogative of appearing in the presence of God to obtain grace, and of appeasing his wrath by the offering of a sacrifice which is acceptable to him.

M.---In. what sense do you call Christ a Prophet?

S.--- Because on coming into the world he declared himself an ambassador to men, and an interpreter, and that for the purpose of putting an end to all revelations and prophecies by giving a full exposition of his Father's will.

M.---But do you derive any benefit from this?

S.---Nay, all these things have no end but our good. For the Father hath bestowed them on Christ that he may communicate them to us, and all of us thus receive out of his fulness.

M.---State this to me somewhat more fully.

S.--- He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and loaded with a perfect abundance of all his gifts, that he may impart them to us,-that is, to each according to the measure which the Father knows to be suited to us. Thus from him, as the only fountain, we draw whatever spiritual blessings we possess.

M.---What does his kingdom bestow upon us?

S.---By means of it, obtaining liberty of conscience to live piously and holily, and, being provided with his spiritual riches, we are also armed with power sufficient to overcome the perpetual enemies of our souls-sin, the world, the devil, and the flesh.

M.---To what is the office of priest conducive?

S.---First, by means of it he is the mediator who reconciles us to the Father; and, secondly, access is given us to the Father, so that we too can come with boldness into his presence, and offer him the sacrifice of ourselves, and our all. In this way he makes us, as it were, his colleagues in the priesthood.

M.---There is still prophecy.

S.---As it is an office of teaching bestowed on the Son of God in regard to his own servants, the end is that he may enlighten them by the true knowledge of the Father, instruct them in truth, and make them household disciples of God.

M.---All that you have said then comes to this, that the name of Christ comprehends three offices which the Father hath bestowed on the Son, that he may transfuse the virtue and fruit of them into his people?

S.---It is so.

M.---Why do you call him the only Son of God, seeing that God designs to bestow this appellation upon us all?

S.---That we are the sons of God we have not from nature, but from adoption and grace only, in other words, because God puts us in that place, (John i. 1;) but the Lord Jesus who was begotten of the substance of the Father, and is of one essence with the Father, (Ephesians i. 2,) is by the best title called the only Son of God, because he alone is his Son by nature, (Hebrews 1:1.)

M.---You mean then, that this honour is proper to him, as being due to him by right of nature, whereas it is communicated to us by gratuitous favour, as being his members?

S.---Exactly. Hence with a view to this communication he is called the First-born among many brethren. (Romans viii. 29.)

M.---In what sense do you understand him to be "our Lord ?"

S.---Inasmuch as He was appointed by the Father to have us under his power, to administer the kingdom of God in heaven and on earth, and to be the Head of men and angels. (Colossians. i. 15, 18.)