Part One: The Profession of Faith › Section Two of Part One: The Profession of the Christian Faith: The Creeds ›› CHAPTER 2: I Believe in Jesus Christ, the Only Son of God ››› Article 4: “Jesus Christ Suffered Under Pontius Pilate, Was Crucified, Died and Was Buried” ›››› §2 Crucifixion

› IN BRIEF

Questions and Answers

595. What conclusion did the high priest Caiaphas reach at the trial of Jesus? (CCC 596) At the trial of Jesus, the high priest Caiaphas reached the conclusion that it was expedient that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation should not perish.
596. What religious institution declared that Jesus deserved death? (CCC 596) The religious institution that declared that Jesus deserved death was the Sanhedrin.
The Sanhedrin was the highest religious council of the Jews in Jerusalem.
597. Which three figures participated in Christ’s condemnation? (CCC 597) The three figures that participated in Christ’s condemnation were:
1. Judas
2. the Sanhedrin
3. Pilate.
598. Why is the Christian sinner more guilty of Christ’s death than the Jews? (CCC 598) The Christian sinner is more guilty of Christ’s death than the Jews, because by relapsing into sin he crucifies the Son of God anew in his heart where Christ has taken his dwelling place.
599. Who says in Acts 2 that Christ’s redemptive death was in God’s plan of salvation? (CCC 599) St Peter says in Acts 2 that Christ’s redemptive death was in God’s plan of salvation.
Thus Christ’s violent death was not merely some unhappy chance.
600. Where does the Old Testament foretell Christ’s redemptive death? (CCC 601) The Old Testament foretells Christ’s redemptive death in Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering Servant.
601. What does it mean that God “made Christ to be sin” (2 Cor 5)? (CCC 602-603) That God “made Christ to be sin” (2 Cor 5) means that Christ took upon Himself the consequences of our sins.
602. What is the ultimate reason for which God gave up His own Son for our sins? (CCC 604) The ultimate reason for which God gave up His own Son for our sins is His love.
603. Where in the NT is it said that Christ offered Himself to His Father for our sins? (CCC 606) It is said in 1 Jn 2 that Christ offered Himself to His Father for our sins.
604. Who reveals Christ as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”? (CCC 608) John the Baptist reveals Christ as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1).
605. Why is Christ called “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”? (CCC 608) Christ is called “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”, because He is:
1. the suffering Servant who like a lamb is slaughtered for the sin of the world
2. the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of the Redemption at the first Passover in Egypt (Ex 12).
606. What prompted Christ to freely accept His Passion and death? (CCC 609) The love for His Father and for men prompted Christ to freely accept His Passion and death.
607. When did Christ anticipate the free offering of his life? (CCC 610) Christ anticipated the free offering of His life at the Last Supper when He instituted the Holy Eucharist.
608. When did Christ accept the cup of the New Covenant from His Father’s hands? (CCC 612) Christ accepted the cup of the New Covenant from His Father’s hands in His agony in the garden at Gethsemani (Mt 26).
609. What are the two effects of Christ’s salvific death? (CCC 613) The two effects of Christ’s salvific death are that it:
1. redeems man from sin
2. restores man to communion with God.
610. Why is the sacrifice of Christ unique? (CCC 614) The sacrifice of Christ is unique because it completes and surpasses all other sacrifices.
611. Why does the sacrifice of Christ surpass all other sacrifices? (CCC 614) The sacrifice of Christ surpasses all other sacrifices, because it is:
1. a gift from God the Father Himself
2. an offering of the Son of God who surpasses and embraces all men.
612. Why is the sacrifice of Christ a gift from God the Father Himself? (CCC 614) The sacrifice of Christ is a gift of God the Father Himself, because the Father handed His Son over to sinners in order to reconcile men with Himself.
613. How did the Son of God offer His sacrifice to the Father? (CCC 614) The Son of God offered His sacrifice to the Father by presenting His life to Him in freedom and love through the Holy Spirit in reparation for our disobedience.
614. By what substitution did Christ atone for our faults? (CCC 615) Christ atoned for our faults by the substitution of His perfect obedience for our disobedience.
615. When is Christ’s sacrifice consummated? (CCC 616) Christ’s sacrifice is consummated at His death on the cross.
616. What value does the love of Christ confer on His Passion? (CCC 616) The love of Christ confers on His Passion the value of:
1. redemption and reparation of man
2. atonement (= satisfaction) to God.
617. How did Christ merit justification for us? (CCC 617) Christ merited justification for us through His most holy Passion.
618. How can the faithful participate in Christ’s sacrifice? (CCC 618) The faithful can participate in Christ’s sacrifice by taking up his cross and following Him.