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Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 30

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Does the Spirit act freely in applying the redemption? Yes: The wind bloweth where it listeth, so is every one that is born of the Spirit,
John 3:8
. Does he act mysteriously? Yes: Thou knowest not what is the way of the Spirit, Eccl. 11:15. Does he act effectually? Yes: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me,
John 6:37
.
Is faith necessary to our interest in the redemption? Yes: for without faith it is impossible to please God,
Heb. 11:6
. Is it the great thing necessary? Yes: only believe, all things are possible to him that can believe,
Mark 5:36
,
Mark 9:23
. Can we have a saving interest in the redemption without faith? No: he that believeth not, is condemned already,
John 3:18
. Is it that which is required on our part? Yes: by grace ye are saved through faith. And is it of ourselves? No: not of ourselves, it is the gift of God,
Eph. 2:8
. Is it given for Christ’s sake? Yes: Unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ to believe on him,
Phil. 1:29
.
Does the Spirit work faith in us? Yes: it is the faith of the operation of God,
Col. 2:12
. Is it a divine work then? Yes: this is the work of God, that ye believe,
John 6:29
. Is it a work of divine power? Yes: we believe according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ,
Eph. 1:19–20
. Is it wrought in all the saints? Yes: for they have all obtained a like precious faith,
2 Pet. 1:1
. Shall it be wrought in all the chosen? Yes: for it is the faith of God’s elect,
Titus 1:1
.
Are all true believers united to Christ? Yes: He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit,
1 Cor. 6:17
. Are they interested in his death? Yes: We are crucified with Christ,
Gal. 2:20
. And in his burial? Yes: We are buried with him in baptism,
Rom. 6:4
. And in his resurrection? Yes: He has quickened us together with Christ,
Eph. 2:5
. And in his ascension? Yes: He has made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Eph. 2:6
.
Is there a real union between Christ and believers? Yes: for both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified are all of one,
Heb. 2:11
. Is he the head? Yes: he is the Head of the body, the church,
Col. 1:18
. Are they his members? Yes: Who are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones,
Eph. 5:30
. Is he the Root? Yes: for of his fulness have all we received,
John 1:16
. Are they the branches? Yes: I am the vine, ye are the branches,
John 15:5
. Is he the Foundation? Yes: Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone,
Isa. 28:16
. Are they built upon him? Yes: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
1 Pet. 2:5
.
Is there a relative union between Christ and believers? Yes: I ascend to my Father and your Father,
John 20:17
. Are they his children? Yes: here am I, and the children which thou hast given me,
Heb. 2:13
. Are they his brethren? Yes: he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Heb. 2:11–12
. Are they his spouse? Yes: I have espoused you to one husband,
2 Cor. 11:2
. Are they his subjects? Yes: they are translated into the kingdom of his dear Son,
Col. 1:13
. Are they his soldiers? Yes: good soldiers of Jesus Christ,
2 Tim. 2:3
. Are they his servants? Yes: Ye call me Master and Lord,
John 13:13
. Are they his scholars? Yes: they sit at Jesus’ feet and hear his word,
Luke 10:39
. Are they his sheep? Yes: for he is the great Shepherd of the sheep,
Heb. 13:20
.
Is it by faith that we are united to Christ? Yes: for Christ dwells in the heart by faith,
Eph. 3:17
. Is that owing to the Spirit? Yes: we are a habitation of God through the Spirit,
Eph. 2:22
. Does communion result from this union? Yes: for truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ,
1 John 1:3
. And is that owing to the Spirit? Yes: we have an access by one Spirit unto the Father,
Eph. 2:18
. Can we be united to Christ without the indwelling of the Spirit? No: for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his,
Rom. 8:9
. Have all that are united to Christ an interest in the benefits of redemption? Yes: for of him are we in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
1 Cor. 1:30
.
Are we united to Christ in our effectual calling? Yes: for we are called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
1 Cor. 1:9
. Will the common call unite us to Christ? No: for many are called, but few are chosen,
Matt. 22:14
. Is it the effectual call then that does it? Yes: for whom he called, them he justified,
Rom. 8:30
.
Does the gospel call us from sin to God? Yes: it turns from the power of Satan unto God,
Acts 26:18
. Does it call us from self to Christ? Yes: If any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself and follow me,
Matt. 16:24
. Does it call us from darkness to light? Yes: he hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light,
1 Pet. 2:9
. And from uncleanness to holiness? Yes: God hath not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness,
1 Thess. 4:7
. And from this world to the other? Yes: If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above,
Col. 3:1
. Is this call effectual when we come at the call? Yes: Follow me, and he arose and followed him,
Matt. 9:9
. Is it our great concern to make this sure? Yes: make your calling and your election sure,
2 Pet. 1:10
.
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