Course 2, Chapter 18: Union of our intellect with our Lord, the new Adam, by faith. — First and second articles of the Symbol

1. Where shall we find the truths which are the object of our faith?

They are contained in an abridged form in the symbol of the apostles. Before separating to preach the gospel, the apostles made an abridgment of the doctrine of their Master, in order that Christians might have but one and the same faith, and might first learn the most important truths of religion. This abridgment is called the apostles' creed.

2. What does the creed teach us?

The creed teaches us in an abridged form all that we are to believe of God, of man, and of the world.

3. What are we to believe of God?

We are to believe that there is one God, and but one only; that there is one God in three distinct persons, who are equally God, but who are only one God, because they have the same nature.

4. What further are we to believe?

We are further to believe that the Father begat his Son equal to himself from all eternity; that the Son became man, for our redemption; that in the Son of God, made man and called Jesus Christ, there are two natures, the divine and the human nature; and consequently two wills, the human and the divine;

174 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

but that there is only one person, namely, the divine; finally, we are to believe that the Holy Ghost, equal in all things to the Father and to the Son, proceeds from them both.

5. What are we to believe of man?

We are to believe of man, that he has been created by God; that he has a soul, spiritual, free, and immortal; that he has sinned, and has been redeemed; that he will one day be raised from the dead, in order to be judged, and to receive according to his works either eternal happiness or eternal misery.

6. What are we to believe of the world?

We are to believe of the world that it has been created; that it is preserved and governed by a universal providence, and that it shall -have an end.

7. Into how many parts is the creed divided?

The creed is divided into three parts; the first refers to the Father, and treats of the creation; the second refers to the Son, and treats of the redemption; the third refers to the Holy Ghost, and treats of sanetification. These three parts are divided into twelve articles.

8. Which is the first?

The first article of the creed is, 7 believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

9. What do the words, 7 believe in God, mean?

They mean that we hold as true, certain and beyond the possibility of doubt, the existence of one only God; his goodness, his wisdom, his truth, and all his perfections, because he has revealed them to us; moreover, that we fully, and in all things, confide in him.

10. Why is God called Father f

He is called Father; 1st, because from all eternity he begat his Son, and because he is the principle of all that exists; 2d, because he has created us; 3d,

because lie has adopted us, in our Lord, as his children.

11. Why do we call him Almighty?

We call him Almighty, because nothing is inv possible to God. This first truth produces in us con^ fidence, humility and gratitude.

12. Why is he, called Creator of heaven and ear'h f

lie is called Creator of heaven and earth because God is the first principle of all things;- but although we say the Father created heaven and earth, we must understand that the work of the creation was common to the three persons of the holy and indivisible Trinity.

13. Which is the second article of the creed?

The second article is: And in Jesus Christ, hi only Son, our Lord.*

14. What does the name Jesus signify?

The name Jesus signifies Saviour; for the Sou of God, made man, has saved us from sin and from eternal death.

15. What does the word Christ signify?

The word Christ signifies anointed. Our Lord is called the anointed; because among the Hebrews, they consecrated priests, kings and prophets, by anointing them with holy oil; and our Lord is king,

friest and prophet. The anointing, by which our <ord was consecrated, is not a simple participation in divine grace, but the plenitude of the divinity which dwells in him.

16. What do the words, only Son, our Lord, signify? A. The words, only Son, our Lord, signify: 1st, that our Lord is the only Son of God, by nature, whilst we are the sons of God by adoption; 2d, that our Lord Jesus Christ is our Lord or Master, because he has created us and redeemed us.

176 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.