HenryWSC 86

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 86

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Are we to believe in Jesus Christ? Yes: Ye believe in God, believe also in me,
John 14:1
. Is Christ in the word the object of our faith? Yes: For the word is nigh thee,
Rom. 10:8
. Is faith in Christ a grace? Yes: it is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God,
Eph. 2:8
. Is it free grace? Yes: To you it is given on the behalf of Christ to believe in him,
Phil. 1:29
. Is it a saving grace? Yes: for we believe to the saving of the soul,
Heb. 10:39
. Is it that by which we live? Yes: The just shall five by his faith,
Rom. 1:17
. Is unbelief the great damning sin? Yes: They could not enter in because of unbelief,
Heb. 3:19
.
Do we by faith assent to gospel truths? Yes: He that has received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true,
John 3:33
. Do we by faith consent to gospel terms? Yes: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me,
Matt. 11:29
. Must both these go together? Yes: He said, Lord, I believe, and he worshipped him,
John 9:38
. Is there good reason for both? Yes: for it is both a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
1 Tim. 1:15
.
Is this receiving Christ? Yes: Ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord,
Col. 2:6
. Is it applying the righteousness of Christ to ourselves? Yes: Who loved me, and gave himself for me,
Gal. 2:20
. And consenting to it? Yes: We have now received the atonement,
Rom. 5:11
. Must we receive Christ to rule us as well as to save us? Yes: For him hath God exalted to be both a Prince and a Saviour,
Acts 5:31
. And is it enough only to receive him? No: as we have received him, so we must walk in him,
Col. 2:6
.
Do we by faith rest on Christ alone for salvation? Yes: in his name shall the Gentiles trust,
Matt. 12:21
. And rely on his righteousness? Yes: That I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,
Phil. 3:9
. And do we rejoice in him? Yes: for we are the circumcision that rejoice in Christ Jesus,
Phil. 3:3
.
Will faith in Christ produce good affections? Yes: for it works by love,
Gal. 5:6
. Will it purify the heart? Yes: Purifying their hearts by faith,
Acts 15:9
. Will it overcome the world? Yes: This is the victory, overcoming the world, even your faith,
1 John 5:4
. Will it resist the temptations of Satan? Yes: Yes: the shield of faith quenches the fiery darts of the wicked,
Eph. 6:16
. Does it exert itself in obedience? Yes: for the gospel is made known to all nations for the obedience of faith,
Rom. 16:26
. And does it subject the soul to the grace and government of the Lord Jesus? Yes: My Lord, and my God,
John 20:28
.
HenryWSC 86