LESSON 15
The State of Humiliation
1. How many states of the Mediator do we distinguish?
Two: the state of humiliation and the state of exaltation.
2. Which passage of Scripture clearly speaks of these two states?
Philippians 2:7-9, where Scripture teaches that Christ was highly exalted because He humbled Himself to the death of the cross.
3. What is the state of humiliation?
It is the state in which Christ humbled Himself in our flesh even unto death in order to merit salvation for us.
4. How many degrees are there in the state of humiliation?
Five: His lowly birth, His suffering, His death, His burial, and His descension into hell.
5. How was Christ’s birth a part of His humiliation?
He was born in abject poverty and was rejected of men.Isaiah 53:2, 3
6. How else was the incarnation of Christ a matter of humiliation?
Though He remained God, Christ came into the likeness of sinful flesh. John 17:5; Romans 8:3
7. Did the Son of God suffer?
The Person of the Son of God suffered in His human nature, in body and soul. I Peter 2:24; Matthew 26:37, 38
8. Why was Christ’s suffering necessary?
He had to satisfy God’s justice and atone for our sins.Romans 5:8-11
9. How did Christ suffer?
He suffered at the hands of wicked men, but, more particularly,He bore the burden of God’s wrath. Matthew 20:28; Romans 5:6;Isaiah 53:4, 5
10. For whom did Christ suffer?
He suffered for the elect, given Him by the Father. John 6:39;John 10:15; Matthew 1:21
EXTRA WORK
1. Explain how Christ suffered all His life. Quote texts from the gospels to prove this.
2. Prove from John 6:39 and 10:15 that Christ suffered only for His people.
3. What does II Corinthians 8:9 teach concerning the humiliation of Christ’s birth?
4. Who taught that Christ died for all men? Prove from Canons II that this is heresy.
5. If Christ died only for some, why does God want the gospel preached to all?