Catechism Challenge -L.D. 16

Study Questions – L.D. 16

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

A. Because God's justice and truth demand it: only the death of God's Son could pay for our sin.

Q. 41 Why was he "buried"?

A. His burial testifies that he really died.

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

A. Our death does not pay the debt of our sins. Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life.

Q. 43 What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross?
A. Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to him.

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

A. 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. What is the consequence for your disobeying God’s Word? (Gen. 2:17)

2. Why did Christ have to die? (Rom. 8:3-4; Heb. 2:9, 14, 15)

3. Why did Jesus Christ have to be buried? (Isa. 53:9; 1 Cor. 15:3-4)

4. Can our death pay the debt of another or our own? (Psalm 49:7-8)

5. If Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die? (Phil. 1:21-23)

6. What benefit do we receive Christ’s crucifixion and death? (Rom 6:5-14)

7. How does Christ death on the cross change you? (Rom 12:1; Eph. 5:1-2)

8. Why does the Apostles Creed add, “He descended to hell”? (Is. 53; Matt 26: 36-46; 27:45-36; Heb. 5:7-10)

9. What comfort does Christ descent into hell bring you? (Rom. 8:1)

Audio: Heidelberg Catechism L.D. 16