Meditation Monday #10: The Apostles Creed:
"I believe in ...Jesus Christ...The third day he rose again from the dead..."
and Lord's Day 17 (Heidelberg Catechism)
Compiled by Marissa Namirr (Gospel Gal) and Joy Dudley
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
We're continuing our discussion of the Apostles Creed, and specifically, the article, "The third day he rose again from the dead.
Of Christ's resurrection, Caspar Olevianus, co-author of the Heidelberg Catechism writes,
And his co-author, Zacharius Ursinus writes,
“We have thus far spoken of the humiliation of Christ which reached its last point in the article of his descent into hell. We must now speak of his glorification, which began with his resurrection from the dead on the third day. The humiliation of the mediator was not to continue forever. It was sufficient that he should once suffer, and die. But the efficacy and power of Christ, in preserving the blessings which flow from his humiliation, will endure forever”
He continues, “What then is the meaning of this article of the Creed: I believe in Christ, who rose from the dead on the third day? It means that I believe: 1. That Christ did truly recall his soul to his body which was dead, and quickened it. 2. That he retained a true soul and body; and that both are now glorified, and free from all infirmity. 3. That he rose by his own divine virtue and power. 4. That he rose for the purpose of making us partakers of the righteousness, holiness, and glorification, which he had purchased for us.”
It is crucial to understand that a real, historic Jesus existed, died and rose again, as prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures and witnessed by hundreds, as attetested in the New. Michael Horton writes, Etched in my memory from childhood are those lines from a familiar Easter hymn in evangelical circles, "He Lives": "You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart." In spite of the warmth that such sentiment offers, it hardly fits the bill sketched out by the Apostle Peter: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Pet. 3:15). Many ideas can be, and often are, embraced by the heart that are simply wrong. Santa Claus and the tooth fairy may be harmless childhood myths, but when we are making claims about eternal matters, emotionally useful fantasies will not suffice. Eventually, we grow up, and if our understanding of the Christian truth-claims does not mature as well, we are likely to be blown about by the trendy gusts of whim.In an informal survey of evangelical Christians recently, nearly everyone agreed with the statement, "It is more important for me to give my personal testimony than to explain the doctrines and claims of Christianity." This is remarkable, especially since not even the New Testament eye witnesses of Christ's saving acts wrote much about their own experiences and feelings. "What Jesus Means To Me" or "How Jesus Changed My Life" are simply not the most notable headlines of these biblical accounts. "That which was from the beginning," says John, "which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life"--this is the Christian's confidence."
Having established testimony to the resurrection, we'll continue with the Heidelberg Catechism, which addresses Christ's resurrection and the benefits of His resurrection to us.
Lord's Day 17, Question 45 of the Catechism asks, "How does Christ's resurrection benefit us?"
It answers, "First,
by his resurrection
he has overcome death,
so that he could make us share
in the righteousness
which he had obtained for us
by his death. 1
Second,
by his power
we too are raised up
to a new life. 2
Third,
Christ's resurrection
is to us a sure pledge
of our glorious resurrection. 3
2.Rom 6:5-11; Eph 2:4-6; Col 3:1-4.
3.Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 15:12-23; Phil 3:20, 21.
Olevianus writes this concerning the fruit of Christ's resurrection:
Of the benefits of Christ's resurrection to us, Ursinus writes, “If Christ be risen, he has abolished sin; not, however, his own sin, for he was free from all manner of sin; but he has abolished sin as it respects us. And if he has abolished our sin, he has also abolished death; for in removing the cause he has, at the same time, removed the effect. "The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23.) And further, if he has abolished death, and that by a sufficient satisfaction for our sins, as his resurrection fully testifies, then his resurrection is most assuredly a certain evidence and pledge of our resurrection, in as much as it is impossible that we should continue in death since Christ has rendered a full and sufficient satisfaction in our behalf”
“That the resurrection of Christ is a pledge of our resurrection, may also be inferred from the fact that the same Spirit dwells in us which dwelt in Christ, and will also work the same in us which he wrought in Christ our head. The Spirit is always the same in whomsoever he dwells. He does not work effectually in the head, and sleep in the members. Seeing, therefore, that Christ raised himself from the dead by his Spirit, he will also without doubt raise us. "If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Rom. 8:11.)”
“Christ is our brother and will not, therefore, on account of his tender love and affection, leave us under the power of death, especially if we take into consideration his power and glory. For if he raised himself when dead, much more will he be able to raise us, in as much as he is now alive. And if he had power to raise himself from the dead when existing in a state of humiliation, much more can he now raise us, seeing that he reigns gloriously at the right hand of the Father”
“The last, though not the least, benefit resulting from the resurrection of Christ, is the consummation of all his benefits, and the glorification of the Church. It was for this reason that Christ died, rose again, and has delivered us perfectly from sin, that he might make us heirs with him in his kingdom and glory. "He is the First-born from the dead." "Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." (Col. 1:18. Rom. 8:17.) He shall conform us to himself, because both he and we live by the same Spirit. And this Spirit is not unlike himself. For "if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised," &c. "I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also." (Rom. 8:11. John 14:3.)
The historic life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for and outside of us, separate Christianity from every other religion. Thanks be to God, and glory to You, Lord Christ, for the power of your resurrection!
There is no greater assurance of God's love and favor than the provision of His Son's life, death, burial, and resurrection from the grave on the third day, for us. As Ursinus writes,
“We are assured by the resurrection of Christ...that he applies unto us the benefit of redemption, that he constantly preserves us in the righteousness which he has made over unto us, that he commences a new life in us, and thus confirms us as to the consummation of eternal life, which he could not do, had he not risen from the dead.”
Sources:
*The Apostles Creed
*Exposition of the Apostles Creed: Caspar Olevianus
*The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on The Heidelberg Catechism
*Can We Still Believe in the Resurrection?: Michael Horton
*The Heidelberg Catechism
