Shorter Catechism

Pastor Martin transitions from the mystery of Christ's person to the majesty of His offices, introducing the threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King. He shows that these offices are biblically rooted, that their success depends on the constitution of Christ's God-man person, that they are indivisible and must never be separated, and that they answer directly to the sinner's threefold need: ignorance, guilt, and rebellion.

Pastor Martin distinguishes the legal and experiential dimensions of adoption with a vivid illustration of adoptive parents waiting to receive their child, then expounds three legal privileges of adoption: an inviolable sonship grounded in the work of Christ for us (John 1:11-13), a shared heirship as co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-17), and a conferred brotherhood in which the risen Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:10-17). He urges believers to meditate on these privileges until they become felt realities and warns the unconverted of their alien, wrath-bearing position.