An Orthodox Catechism

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus

    Question 39

    Section 15: Lord’s Day 15

    Is there any thing more in his being crucified, than if he had died some other death?

    Yes [there is]; for thereby I am assured, that he took on him the curse which lay upon me; for the death of the cross was accursed of God.a

    1. a. Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13

      Deuteronomy 21:23

      21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

      21:23 you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

      Galatians 3:13

      3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

      3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

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    Changes in An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 38

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 38

    But is there any thing more in his being crucified, it, that he was fastened to the Cross, than if he had died some suffered any other kind of death?

    Yes There is more: for thereby by this I am assured that he took on him upon himself the curse which lay upon did ly on me; for the death of the Cross was accursed of God.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 39

    Is there any thing more in his being crucified, than if he had died some other death?

    Yes [there is]; for thereby I am assured, that he took on him the curse which lay upon me; for the death of the cross was accursed of God.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 38

    But is there any more in it, that he was fastened to the Cross, than if he had suffered any other kind of death?

    There is more: for by this I am assured that he took upon himself the curse which did ly on me; for the death of the Cross was accursed of God.

    Related (1)

    Apostles’ Creed, which this question expounds

    Clause 4

    Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell;

    Commentaries (4)

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

      But is there any thing more in it, that hee was fastned to the crosse, than if hee had suffered any other kind of death? There is more: For by this I am assured that he took vpō…

      Zacharias Ursinus’s text

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

      Is it any more that he was fastened to the crosse, than if he had bene put to any other kinde of death? Yea truelie, it is more: For by this I am sure that hee hath taken vppon…

      Jeremias Bastingius’s text

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

      On Apostles’ Creed, Clause 4, 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 4, which this question expounds

      Thus much of the incarnation of Christ: Now followeth the third and last point which is to be considered in the description of Christ, namely the estate of Christ after his birth,…

      William Perkins’s text