Q16: Why must he be a true and righteous man?

He must be a true man

because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned should pay for sin.1

He must be a righteous man

because one who himself is a sinner cannot pay for others.2

Q17: Why must he at the same time be true God?

He must be true God

so that by the power of his divine nature1

he might bear in his human nature

the burden of God’s wrath,2

and might obtain for us

and restore to us

righteousness and life.3

Q18: But who is that Mediator who at the same time is true God and a true and righteous man?

Our Lord Jesus Christ,1

who became to us wisdom from God,

righteousness and sanctification

and redemption (1 Cor 1:30).

Q19: From where do you know this?

From the holy gospel,

which God himself first revealed in Paradise.1

Later, he had it proclaimed

by the patriarchs2 and prophets,3 and foreshadowed by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law.4

Finally, he had it fulfilled

through his only Son.5