Lord's Day 16 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 16:

Scripture Readings: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Romans 3:1-28; Mark 9:38-50

Question 40. Why did Christ have to suffer "death"?
Answer. Because the righteousness and truth of God are such that nothing else could pay for our sins except the death of the Son of God.

Question 41. Why was he "buried"?
Answer. His burial testifies that he really died.

Question 42. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?
Answer. Our death does not pay the debt of our sins. Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life.

Question 43. What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the
cross?
Answer. Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule in us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to him.

Question 44. Why does the creed add, "He descended to hell"?
Answer. To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, especially on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.

For discussion:
Is there a connection between the first Adam and the second Adam anywhere in these questions? If so, what is it? If not, why not?
Did Christ literally enter into hell or is this purely figurative?

S.D.G.

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