New City Catechism Week 23 Resources

Week 23 Question:

Why must the Redeemer be truly God?

Week 23 Answer:

That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death.

Week 23 Verse: Acts 2:24


Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon hath shone forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Saviour's death hath set us free. In as much as he was held captive of it, he hath annihilated it…. He made Hell captive. He angered it when it tasted of his flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was angered, when it encountered thee…. It was angered, for it was abolished. It was angered, for it was mocked. It was angered, for it was slain. It was angered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was visible, and fell upon the invisible. O Death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigneth.

John Chrysostom (347–407). Archbishop of Constantinople, John was born in Antioch. He was given the title Chrysostom which means “golden mouth” because of his eloquent preaching. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and Doctor of the Church. Chrysostom is known for his Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his vast homiletical works including 67 homilies on Genesis, 90 on the Gospel of Matthew, and 88 on the Gospel of John.

From “Easter Sermon by John Chrysostom” in Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic (Greco-Russian) Church translated by Isabel Florence Hapgood (New York: Riverside Press, 1906), 235–236.

Video Commentary

NCC Q23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God? from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.


Supporting Scriptures:

Psalm 68:18; Acts 1:11; Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33-34; Hebrews 1:3


I can do no more than pray for you…. I pray God to pity you, and take care of you, and provide for you the best means for the good of your souls; and that God himself would undertake for you, to be your heavenly Father, and the mighty Redeemer of your immortal souls. Do not neglect to pray for yourselves…. Constantly pray to God in secret; and often remember that great day when you must appear before the judgment-seat of Christ.

Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758). A colonial American preacher, theologian, and philosopher, Edwards became pastor of his church in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1726. He is widely known for his famous sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" as well as his many books including The End For Which God Created the World and A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections. Edwards died from a smallpox inoculation shortly after beginning the presidency at the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University).
From "Farewell Sermon: Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards" in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Volume 1 (London: William Ball, 1839), ccxlviii.