Q. 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
Hebrews 10:39; John 1:12; Isaiah 26:3-4; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16.
Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.
Acts 11:18; Acts 2:37-38; Joel 2:12; Jeremiah 3:22; Jeremiah 31:18-19; Ezekiel 36:31; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Isaiah 1:16-17.
Q. 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, Sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42, 46-47.
Q. 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. 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.
Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Corinthians 14:24-25; Acts 26:18; Psalm 19:8; Acts 20:32; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Romans 10:13-17; Romans 1:16.
Q. 90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.
Proverbs 8:34; 1 Peter 2:1-2; Psalm 119:18; Hebrews 4:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; Psalm 119:11; Luke 8:15; James 1:25.
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