Application. My child, be a beautiful image of God and hate sin, which has brought all evils into the world. 'Sin maketh nations miserable' (Prov. xiv. 34).
The Second Article.
'And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.'
1. What does this Second Article of the Creed teach us?
It teaches us that the Redeemer whom God promised and sent to us is the only Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
2. What does the name 'Jesus' signify?
The name Jesus signifies Saviour or Redeemer.
'Thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins' (Matt. i. 21)
3. What does the word 'Christ' signify?
The word Christ — in Hebrew Messias—signifies Anointed.
4. Why is Jesus called the Anointed?
Because in the Old Law the prophets, high-priests, and kings were anointed with oil, and Jesus is our greatest Prophet (Acts iii. 22), Priest (Hebr. iv. 14), and King (John xviii. 37).
'Jesus of Nazareth; how God anointed Him with the Holy Ghost, and with power' (Acts x, 38). The anointing of Jesus is the plenitude of the Divinity that dwells in Him.
5. Why is Jesus called our Prophet, Priest, and King?
Jesus is called, and is, 1. Our Prophet, because He revealed the mysteries of God to us, and taught us all that we are to believe, to hope, and to do in order to be saved; 2. Our Priest, because He offered Himself for us on the Cross, and offers himself daily on the altar, and is also our mediator and intercessor for ever in Heaven; and 3. Our King, because He established a spiritual kingdom (the Church) of which He is, and will be through all eternity, the Head.
