Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q1. "What special benefits do the members of the invisible church (or such as are effectually called,) enjoy by Christ?"
A. They "enjoy union and communion with him, in grace and glory," Eph. 2:5, 6.41
Q2. "What is the communion in grace, which the members of the invisible church have with Christ?"
A. It "is their partaking of the virtue of his mediation, in their justification, adoption, sanctification, and whatever else in this life manifests their union with him," 1 Cor. 1:30.42
Q3. How are all these benefits connected with effectual calling?
A. By a connexion established in the eternal purpose and counsel of God, in which all these blessings or benefits are sweetly linked together, Rom. 8:30 - "Whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
Q4. What is the connexion between effectual calling and justification?
A. In effectual calling, sinners, being united to Christ by faith, have thereby communion with him in his righteousness, for justification, Phil. 3:9.
Q5. How is adoption connected with effectual calling?
A. In virtue of the union which takes place in effectual calling, believers stand related to Christ, as having a new kind of interest in God as his Father; and consequently their Father in him, according to John 20:17 - "I ascend to my Father, and your Father;" and Eph. 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Q6. What is the blessed effect of this new kind of interest, which Christ, as the head of the body, has in God as his Father?
A. That, by the Spirit of adoption, we may call God our Father, in the right of Jesus Christ, our elder brother, Rom. 8:15 - "Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
Q7. How is effectual calling connected with sanctification?
A. In virtue of the union, which takes place in effectual calling, believers are related to Christ as the Lord their strength, their quickening, and influencing head, "who of God is made unto them - sanctification," 1 Cor. 1:30.
Q8. What is the connexion between effectual calling and a blessed death?
A. In effectual calling, believers are united to Christ, by a union that cannot be dissolved by death, Rom. 8:38, 39.
Q9. What is the connexion between effectual calling and a happy resurrection?
A. In effectual calling, sinners are united to Christ, as a living and exalted head, and therefore their happy resurrection is absolutely secured in him, because he is "risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept," 1 Cor. 15:20.
Q10. What improvement should we make of the sweet connexion that is between all these benefits of which the effectually called are partakers?
A. We ought, through grace, in the use of all the means and ordinances of God's appointment, to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure; that having the knowledge of our justification, and adoption, by our sanctification, we may have the comfortable prospect of a happy death, and glorious resurrection, 2 Pet. 1:10, 11.
Q1. Are all that be effectually called, justified?
A. Yes; God justifies all, and every soul that obeys and answers his call; Romans 8:30. Whom he called, them he also justified.
Q2. What other benefits have the called in this life?
A. They are all the adopted children of God; Ephesians 1:5. Having predestined us unto the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ, unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
Q3. Are those all the benefits the called receive?
A. No; they are not only justified and adopted, but also sanctified; 1 Corinthians 1:30. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Q4. Do these three blessings come singly to the called?
A. No; they are all accompanied with multitudes of other blessings flowing from them; Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ.
Q5. What are the mercies flowing from justification?
A. They are great and manifold; Romans 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Q6. What are the benefits flowing from adoption?
A. Free access to God; Ephesians 3:12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. And a title to Heaven; Romans 8:17. If children, then heirs.
Q7. What blessings accompany sanctification?
A. Union with Christ; Hebrews 2:11. For both he who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, are all of one. And right to the inheritance; Acts 20:32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Q8. What is the first lesson from hence?
A. That they are enemies to their own souls, who obey not the gospel call; 2 Thessalonians 1:8. In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Q9. What is the second lesson from hence?
A. That the estate of believers abounds with spiritual privileges; 1 Corinthians 3:22, 23. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Q10. What is the third lesson from hence?
A. That all the believer's privileges are not in hope, but some in hand; 1 John 3:1. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.
Q11. What is the fourth lesson from hence?
A. The greatest sufferers for Christ have no reason to repent their call; Romans 8:18. For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present. time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.
Q12. What is the last lesson from hence?
A. That we have infinite reason to bless God for the gospel, by which we are called; 2 Thessalonians 2:14. Whereunto he called you by our gospel. Of Justification
Q1. Are all those happy which are effectually called?
A. Yes: For God hath called us to his kingdom and glory, 1 Thess. 2:12.
Q2. Are they partakers of the blessings of the new covenant?
A. Yes: For the promise is sure to all the seed, Rom. 4:16.
Q3. Are they happy even in this life?
A. Yes: For after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Eph. 1:13.
Q4. Are they dignified and preferred?
A. Yes: Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, 1 Pet. 2:9.
Q5. Are they brought near?
A. Yes: Ye who sometimes were afar off, are made nigh, Eph. 2:13.
Q6. Are they enriched?
A. Yes: God hath called the poor in this world rich in faith, Jam. 2:5.
Q7. Are they taken into the communion of saints?
A. Yes: For we are come to the church of the first-born which are written in heaven, Heb. 12:23.
Q8. And into communion with the holy angels?
A. Yes: For we are come to an innumerable company of angels, Heb. 12:29.
Q9. Are they entitled to tile best possessions?
A. Yes: All things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, 1 Cor. 3:22.
Q10. Are they happy in the best blessings?
A. Yes: The God and Father of our Lord Jesus hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly things, Eph. 1:3.
Q11. Are they happy both for soul and body?
A. Yes: He hath given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1:3.
Q12. Are they justified?
A. Yes: Whom he called, them he justified, Rom. 8:30.
Q13. Is that an unspeakable benefit?
A. Yes: Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven, Ps. 32:1.
Q14. Are they adopted?
A. Yes: For he hath predestinated us to the adoption of children, Eph. 1:5.
Q15. And is that an unspeakable benefit?
A. Yes: For if children, then heirs, Rom. 8:17.
Q16. Are they sanctified?
A. Yes: They are sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. 1:2.
Q17. And is that an unspeakable benefit?
A. Yes: For we are partakers of his holiness, Heb. 12:10.
Q18. Do they partake of other benefits?
A. Yes: The Lord will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly, Ps. 84:11
Q19. Are all these benefits given to them that are effectually called?
A. Yes: For the promise of the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, is to as many as the Lord our God shall call, Acts 2:39.
Q20. And shall every thing turn to their advantage?
A. Yes: All things work together for good to them that are the called, Rom. 8:28.
Q21. Will you therefore make it sure that you are effectually called, by coming at the call?
A. Yes: Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God, Jer. 3:22.
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Christ the Redeemer
The person and work of Christ, and the application of redemption
Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation.
Q25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q27. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Q34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
Q35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.