An Orthodox Catechism

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus

    Question 33

    Section 13: Lord’s Day 13

    Why is Christ called the only begotten Son of God since we are also the children of God?

    Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God;a but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for his sake.b

    1. a. John 1:1; Hebrews 1:2

      John 1:1

      1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

      1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

      Hebrews 1:2

      1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

      1:2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. Romans 8:15–17; Ephesians 1:5–6

      Romans 8:15–17

      8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

      8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ-if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

      Ephesians 1:5–6

      1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

      1:5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, 1:6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

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    Changes in An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 32

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 32

    Why For what cause is Christ called the only begotten Son of God, since when we also are also the children Sons of God?

    Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God; but the eternal Father, and we are children but Sons adopted of God, the Father by Grace for his sake.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 33

    Why is Christ called the only begotten Son of God since we are also the children of God?

    Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God; but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for his sake.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 32

    For what cause is Christ called the only begotten Son of God, when we also are the Sons of God?

    Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of the eternal Father, and we are but Sons adopted of the Father by Grace for his sake.

    Related (1)

    Apostles’ Creed, which this question expounds

    Clause 2

    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,

    Commentaries (4)

    • Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (2 parts)

      For what cause is Christ called the only begotten sonne of God, when we also are the sonnes of God? Because christ alone is the coeternal & natural son of the eternall father, &…

      Zacharias Ursinus’s text

    • Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use

      THE ARGVMENT. Why Christ is called the onlie begotten Sonne of God, and our Lord. For what cause is Christ called the onely begotten Sonne of God, whereas we also are the sons of…

      Jeremias Bastingius’s text

    • Caspar Olevianus, 1581, An Exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles (6 parts)

      On Apostles’ Creed, Clause 2, which this question expounds

      That the kingdome of Christ is offered vnto vs in the Articles of our faith; and that the faithfull are partakers of it, whilest they liue here It is certaine, that there are two…

      Caspar Olevianus’s text

    • William Perkins, 1595, An Exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles

      On Apostles’ Creed, Clause 2, which this question expounds

      Thus much of the permission of the fall of man: Nowe we come to the Couenant of grace. Which is nothing else but a compact made betweene God and man touching reconciliation and…

      William Perkins’s text