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Stump, Joseph

"An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism"


I BELIEVE THAT
JESUS. This was our Lord's personal name, given to Him by the angel.
[Matt. 1:21] It signified, "He shall save."
CHRIST. This was His official name, corresponding with the Old Testament
name "Messiah," [John 1:41] and signified "The Anointed One." God
anointed Him with the Holy Spirit for the work of redemption, [Luke
4:18-21] to a threefold office:--
1. As Prophet, to teach us God's will. [Acts 3:22]
2. As Priest, to atone for our sins, and to intercede for us. [Heb.
4:14]
3. As King, [Matt. 21:5, Rev. 17:14] to reign over us in the Kingdom of
Power, of Grace, and of Glory.
II. HIS PERSON AND NATURE.
He is
TRUE GOD, BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER FROM ETERNITY. Christ is true God,
[Rom. 9:5+] just as the Father is God. [John 5:23+, John 20:28+, John
8:58+, Mat. 16:16] He is the Son of God, not as a good or great man who
has been received or adopted as God's son, but He is in His very nature
the Son of God, _begotten by His Father_ [John 3:16+] _from all
eternity_. [John 1:1, John 17:5] He is "God of God, Light of Light, Very
God of Very God, Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the
Father.


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