Page 106 - Bible Doctrine for Teens & Young Adults

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Why do both Christ's steps of humiliation and exaltation refer to His human nature and not His divine?

His human nature. As God, His divine nature's exaltation cannot be increased. This truth is displayed in the following chart:

CHRIST'S INCREASING STEPS OF EXALTATION

Step Degree of Exaltation
(of Christ's Human Nature)

1. His Resurrection
Exalted from a mortal to an immortal state

2. His Ascension into Heaven
His immortal state exalted from an earthly to a heavenly abode

3. His Sitting at the Right Hand of God
His entrance into heaven exalted to the highest position of sitting at the right hand of God

3. His Second Coming to Judge All People
His heavenly position exalted to be seen by all creatures, not only those in heaven, but also those on earth and in hell

Who can be compared to Jesus Christ? As sinners we all need His soul-delivering work in His state of humiliation and His heaven - preparing work in His state of exaltation. Only in Him can we possess all - for both time and eternity. Have you received, and are you growing in, His knowledge and grace?

Catechism Memorization
Questions from Rev. A. Hellenbroek's Divine Truths - Chapter XII

1. How many states can we distinguish in Christ?

Two: a state of humiliation and a state of exaltation (Phil 2:5-11).

2. Were both these states necessary for Christ?

Yes, in the state of humiliation He must merit salvation and in the state of exaltation He must apply salvation.

3. What are the steps of Christ's state of humiliation?

(1) His humble birth; (2) His sufferings; (3) His death; (4) His burial; and (5) His descending into hell.

4. What are the steps of His state of exaltation?

(1) His resurrection; (2) His ascension; (3) His sitting at the right hand of God; and (4) His coming again to judgment.

5. How was Christ conceived?

By the power of the Holy Ghost. "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also, that holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).

6. Who gave birth to Jesus?

The Virgin Mary. "Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isa. 7:14).

7. Was Jesus born of Mary's flesh and blood?

Yes, for He was "made of a woman " (GaL 4:4).

8. Did Christ bring His human substance (or flesh and blood) with Him from heaven?

No, He first assumed it here on earth from the Virgin Mary.

9. Was it necessary for Christ to suffer?

Yes, for it was foretold that Christ must suffer and die to pay for the sins of His people (Ps. 8; Ps. 22; Isa. 53; Dan. 9).

10. How long did His sufferings continue?

From His birth to the end of His life (II Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2,.8).

11. How did He suffer?

Both in soul and body (Mt. 26:38; I Pet. 2:24).

12. When were His sufferings the most severe?

Towards the end of His life which we can read in Matthew 26 and 27.

13. How did Christ die?

He was put to death on the cross. "He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:8). See Matthew 27:31-50 and the other evangelists.

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