The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine

Jesus Christ, His Personality, His Mission

Who is Jesus Christ?: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, true God and true man.
What is the Blessed Trinity?: The Blessed Trinity is the union of three divine Persons in one God. "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit...." - Matthew 28:19
Why is Jesus Christ true God?: Jesus Christ is true God:
1) Because in Him were fulfilled the prophecies made concerning the Messias;

2) Because He proved His Divinity by His miracles, especially by His Resurrection from the dead;

3) Because His Church has triumphed over the powers of hell as He predicted.

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:17

...the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." - Luke 3:22
Why is Jesus Christ true man?: Jesus Christ is true man because He has a human mother, and a human body and soul like ours. See Luke 1:26-39; 2:1-52; 23:1-47.
Had Jesus Christ a human father?: Jesus Christ had no human father: He was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel. - Isaiah 7:14

And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God." - Luke 1:35
Who is the Mother of Jesus Christ?: The Blessed Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ.
Give an outline of the life of Jesus Christ.: The advent of Jesus Christ was announced by the Angel Gabriel. His birth in the stable of Bethlehem was proclaimed by Angels to shepherds. He spent about seven years of His childhood in exile in Egypt. Up to His thirtieth year He then lived in seclusion at Nazareth. His public ministry lasted three and one-half years. He lived in poverty and privation, and died on the cross on Mount Calvary on Good Friday.
How many natures are there in Jesus Christ?: In Jesus Christ there are two natures, the nature of God and the nature of man.

Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?" - John 6:70

And there was considerable murmuring about him in the crowds. Some said, "He is a good man," [while] others said, "No; on the contrary, he misleads the crowd." - John 7:12
Is Jesus Christ more than one person?: Jesus Christ is but one Divine Person.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus questioned them, saying, "What is your opinion about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They replied, "David's." He said to them, "How, then, does David, inspired by the Spirit, call him 'lord,' saying:

'The Lord said to my lord,
"Sit at my right hand
until I place your enemies under your feet"'? - Matthew 22:41-44
Why is there but one person in Jesus Christ?: There is but one person in Jesus Christ because His human nature never existed independently of His Divinity, but was united to it at the moment His soul was created.

May all kings bow before him, all nations serve him. - Psalm 72:11

...Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood... - Apocalypse 1:5

...every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. - I John 4:3
What do we call the union of the divine and the human nature in Jesus Christ?: The union of the divine and the human nature in Jesus Christ we call the Incarnation of the Son of God - "The Word was made flesh." - John 1:14
How many wills are there in Jesus Christ?: In Jesus Christ there are two wills, a human and a divine will.

They cried out, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?" - Matthew 8:29

And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed [him], crying out, "Son of David, have pity on us!" - Matthew 9:27
Why did Jesus Christ come into the world?: Jesus Christ came into the world:

1) To make Atonement to His heavenly Father for the sins of the world;

2) To effect the Redemption of the human race from the slavery of Satan;

3) To begin the Sanctification of mankind by the Application of His Merits.

Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil. - I John 3:8

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. - Luke 2:11

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!" - Luke 13:34

He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man..." - Matthew 13:37

...through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. - Ephesians 2:18
Why are the merits of Christ infinite?: The merits of Christ are infinite because He is a Divine Person.

...and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross [through him], whether those on earth or those in heaven. - Colossians 1:20
How did Jesus Christ make Atonement for the sins of the world?: Jesus Christ made atonement for the sins of the world by His suffering and death.
What were the chief sufferings of Jesus Christ?: The chief sufferings of Jesus Christ were His bloody sweat, His cruel scourging, His ignominious crowning with thorns, and His painful death on the cross.
What are the effects of Christ's triumph over Satan?: The effects of Christ's triumph over Satan are:

1) Christ became Lord and Master of the world;

2) He made it possible for man to be justified.
What is Justification?: Justification is that application of Christ's merits to man, which:

1) frees him from the slavery of Satan;

2) gives him spiritual life;

3) makes him a child of God and an heir to the kingdom of heaven.

...who was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification. - Romans 4:25

...just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. - Romans 5:18
What is Sanctification?: Sanctification is man's growth in grace, virtue, holiness and merit.
How is man sanctified?: A. Man is sanctified by avoiding evil, and by using the means of grace, which Christ has left him, to do God's will in all things.
What did Jesus Christ to facilitate man's Sanctification?: To facilitate man's Sanctification Jesus Christ did chiefly six things:

1) He completed divine Revelation, thus clearly indicating the way to heaven;

2) He promulgated a New Law, defining how man should make the journey of life;

3) He instituted special means of grace, called Sacraments, to enable all to keep the Law;

4) He organized His followers into a Society, which He called His Church;

5) He gave that Church the unerring guidance of the Holy Ghost in helping all of good will to sanctify themselves;

6) He promised to watch over that Church to the end of time.