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Article 21

THE SATISFACTION OF CHRIST, OUR ONLY HIGH PRIEST, FOR US

We believe that Jesus Christ was confirmed by an oath to be a high priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek. (1) He presented himself in our place before his Father, appeasing God’s wrath by his full satisfaction, (2) offering himself on the tree of the cross, where he poured out his precious blood to purge away our sins, (3) as the prophets had foretold. (4) For it is written, upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (5) He was like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and was numbered with the transgressors (Is 53:5, 7, 12), (6) and condemned as a criminal by Pontius Pilate, though he had first declared him innocent. (7) He restored what he had not stolen (Ps 69:4). He died as the righteous for the unrighteous (1 Pet 3:18). (8) He suffered in body and soul, (9) feeling the horrible punishment caused by our sins, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Lk 22:44). Finally, he exclaimed, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me (Mt 27:46)? All this he endured for the forgiveness of our sins.

Therefore we justly say, with Paul, that we know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). We count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus [our] Lord (Phil 3:8). We find comfort in his wounds and have no need to seek or invent any other means of reconciliation with God than this only sacrifice, once offered, by which the believers are perfected for all times (Heb 10:14). (10) This is also the reason why the angel of God called him Jesus, that is, Saviour, for he [would] save his people from their sins (Mt 1:21). (11)

1. Ps 110:4; Heb 7:15-17.

2. Rom 4:25;5:8,9;8:32; Gal 3:13; Col 2:14; Heb 2:9,17;9:11-15.

3. Acts 2:23; Phil 2:8; 1 Tim 1:15; Heb 9:22; 1 Pet 1:18,19; 1 Jn 1:7; Rev 7:14.

4. Lk 24:25-27; Rom 3:21; 1 Cor 15:3.

5. 1 Pet 2:24.

6. Mk 15:28.

7. Jn 18:38.

8. Rom 5:6.

9. Ps 22:15.

10. Heb 7:26-28;9:24-28.

11. Lk 1:31; Acts 4:12.