Westminster Shorter Catechism · 3 of 8

Questions 31–45

Q. 31. 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 [a], and renewing our wills [b], he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ [c], freely offered to us in the gospel [d]. [a]. Acts 26:18; ICor. 2:10, 12; II Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:17-18 [b]. Deut. 30:6; Ezk. 36:26-27; John 3:5; Titus 3:5 [c]. John 6:44-45; Acts 16:14 [d]. Isa. 45:22; Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17

Q. 32. 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 [a]. [a]. Rom. 8:30; ICor. 1:30; 6:11; Eph. 1:5

Q. 33. What is justification?

A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace [a], wherein he pardoneth all our sins [b], and accepteth us as righteous in his sight [c], only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us [d], and received by faith alone [e]. [a]. Rom. 3:24 [b]. Rom. 4:6-8; IICor. 5:19 [c]. IICor. 5:21 [d]. Rom. 4:6, 11; 5:19 [e]. Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9

Q. 34. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace [a], whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God [b]. [a]. I John 3:1 [b]. John 1:12; Rom. 8:17

Q. 35. What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace [a], whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God [b], and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness [c]. [a]. Ezk. 36:27; Phil. 2:13; II Thess. 2:13 [b]. II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:23-24; I Thess. 5:23 [c]. Ezek. 36:25-27; Rom. 6:4, 6, 12-14; II Cor. 7:1; IPet. 2:24

Q. 36. 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 [a], peace of conscience [b], joy in the Holy Ghost [c], increase of grace [d], and perseverance therein to the end [e]. [a]. Rom. 5:5 [b]. Rom. 5:1 [c]. Rom. 14:17 [d]. II Pet. 3:18 [e]. Phil. 1:6; I Pet. 1:5

Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?

A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness [a], and do immediately pass into glory [b]; and their bodies, being still united to Christ [c], do rest in their graves till the resurrection [d]. [a]. Heb. 12:23 [b]. Luke 23:43; II Cor. 5:6, 8; Phil. 1:23 [c]. I Thess. 4:14 [d]. Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15

Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory [a], shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment [b], and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God [c] to all eternity [d]. [a]. I Cor. 15:42-43 [b]. Matt. 25:33-34, 46 [c]. Rom. 8:29; I John 3:2 [d]. Ps. 16:11; I Thess. 4:17

Q. 39. What is the duty which God requireth of man?

A. The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will [a]. [a]. Deut. 29:29; Mic. 6:8; I John 5:2-3

Q. 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?

A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law [a]. [a]. Rom. 2:14-15; 10:5

Q. 41. Wherein is the moral law summarily comprehended?

A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments [a]. [a]. Deut. 4:13; Matt. 19:17-19

Q. 42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?

A. The sum of the ten commandments is, To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves [a]. [a]. Matt. 22:37-40

Q. 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?

A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [a] [a]. Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6

Q. 44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?

A. The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us, That because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments [a]. [a]. Luke 1:74-75; I Pet. 1:14-19

Q. 45. Which is the first commandment?

A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. [a] [a]. Ex. 20:3; Deut. 5:7