Of the Baptist Catechism
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Question How is the word made effectual to salvation?
Answer The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. 1
[1] Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 26:18; Psalm 19:8; Acts 20:32; Romans 1:15–16; 10:13–17; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 14:24–25; 2 Timothy 3:15–17

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Benjamin Beddome’s Exposition Copy a link to this section

Is the word of God profitable for conviction?
Yes.

It is quick and powerful, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
Hebrews 4:12

And for conversion?
Yes.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul,
Psalm 19:7

Doth the word beget faith?
Yes.

Faith comes by hearing,
Romans 10:17

And holiness?
Yes.

That they also might be sanctified through the truth,
John 17:19

And comfort?
Yes.

Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart,
Jeremiah 15:16

Is it a means of enlightening our understandings?
Yes.

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes,
Psalm 19:8

And of restraining our corruptions?
Yes.

By the words of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer,
Psalm 17:4

And of perfecting our graces?
Yes.

It is able to build us up,
Acts 20:32

And of preparing us for heaven?
Yes.

To give us an inheritance among them that are sanctified,
Acts 20:32

But is it so by any inherent virtue or efficacy of its own?
No.

For it is the power of God unto salvation,
Romans 1:16

Should the word of God be read for these purposes?
Yes.

They read in the book of the law distinctly,
Nehemiah 8:8

And preached?
Yes.

Then will I teach transgressors thy law,
Psalm 51:13

Should it be preached purely?
Yes.

Teach them the things which become sound doctrine,
Titus 2:1

And plainly?
Yes.

Not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,
1 Corinthians 2:4

And prudently?
Yes.

Rightly dividing the word of truth,
2 Timothy 2:15

And affectionately?
Yes.

I ceased not to warn every one with tears,
Acts 20:31

And boldly?
Yes.

These things command and teach,
1 Timothy 4:11

And diligently?
Yes.

Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine,
2 Timothy 4:2

And may we hope that the word thus preached will be crowned with success?
Yes.

When the law of truth was in his mouth—he did turn many away from iniquity,
Malachi 2:6

From A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism

The Westminster Larger Catechism Copy a link to this section

#60 Copy this
Question Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?
Answer They who, having never heard the gospel, 1 know not Jesus Christ, 2 and believe not in him, cannot be saved, 3 be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, 4 or the laws of that religion which they profess; 5 neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, 6 who is the Savior only of his body the church. 7
[1] Romans 10:14
[2] 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; Ephesians 2:12; John 1:10–12
[3] John 8:24; Mark 16:16
[4] 1 Corinthians 1:20–24
[5] John 4:22; Romans 9:31–32; Philippians 3:4–9
[6] Acts 4:12
[7] Ephesians 5:23
#61 Copy this
Question Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?
Answer All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible. 1
[1] John 12:38–40; Romans 9:6; Matthew 22:14; 7:21; Romans 11:7
#155 Copy this
Question How is the word made effectual to salvation?
Answer The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening, 1 convincing, and humbling sinners; 2 of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; 3 of conforming them to his image, 4 and subduing them to his will; 5 of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; 6 of building them up in grace, 7 and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. 8
[1] Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 26:18; Psalm 19:8
[2] 1 Corinthians 14:24–25; 2 Chronicles 34:18–19, 26–28
[3] Acts 2:37, 41; 8:27–30, 35–38
[4] 2 Corinthians 3:18
[5] 2 Corinthians 10:4–6; Romans 6:17
[6] Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; Ephesians 6:16–17; Psalm 19:11
[7] Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 3:15–17
[8] Romans 16:25; 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 10–11, 13; Romans 15:4; 10:13–17; 1:16
#158 Copy this
Question By whom is the word of God to be preached?
Answer The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, 1 and also duly approved and called to that office. 2
[1] 1 Timothy 3:2, 6; Ephesians 4:8–11; Hosea 4:6; Malachi 2:7; 2 Corinthians 3:6
[2] Jeremiah 14:15; Romans 10:15; Hebrews 5:4; 1 Corinthians 12:28–29; 1 Timothy 3:10; 4:14; 5:22
#159 Copy this
Question How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?
Answer They that are called to labor in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine, 1 diligently, 2 in season and out of season; 3 plainly, 4 not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; 5 faithfully, 6 making known the whole counsel of God; 7 wisely, 8 applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; 9 zealously, 10 with fervent love to God 11 and the souls of his people; 12 sincerely, 13 aiming at his glory, 14 and their conversion, 15 edification, 16 and salvation. 17
[1] Titus 2:1, 8
[2] Acts 18:25
[3] 2 Timothy 4:2
[4] 1 Corinthians 14:19
[5] 1 Corinthians 2:4
[6] Jeremiah 23:28; 1 Corinthians 4:1–2
[7] Acts 20:27
[8] Colossians 1:28; 2 Timothy 2:15
[9] 1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12–14; Luke 12:42
[10] Acts 18:25
[11] 2 Corinthians 5:13–14; Philippians 1:15–17
[12] Colossians 4:12; 2 Corinthians 12:15
[13] 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2
[14] 1 Thessalonians 2:4–6; John 7:18
[15] 1 Corinthians 9:19–22
[16] 2 Corinthians 12:19; Ephesians 4:12
[17] 1 Timothy 4:16; Acts 26:16–18