rist, repentance unto life, (u) with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. (v)
u Acts 20:21 v Pr. 2:1-6, 8:33 to the end; Is. 55:2, 3
Q. 91. What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, (w) whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel. (x)
w Heb. 10:39 x Jn. 1:12; Is. 26:3, 4; Ph. 3:9; Gal. 2:16
Q. 92. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, (y) whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, (z) and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, (a) doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, (b) with full purpose of and endeavour after new obedience. (c)
y Acts 11:28 z Acts 2:37, 38 a Joel 2:12; Jer. 3:22 b Jer. 31:18, 19; Ez. 36:3 1 c 2 Cor. 7: 1 1; Is. 1: 16, 17
The Means of Grace
Q. 93. What are the outward 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, baptism, the Lord’s supper, and prayer; all which means are made effectual to the elect for salvation. (d)
d Mt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:42, 46, 47
The Reading and Preaching of God’s Word
Q. 94. 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. (e)
e Neh. 8:8; Acts 26:18; Ps. 19:8; Acts 20:32; Rom. 1:15, 16, 10: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17; 15:4; 1 Cor. 14:24, 25; 1 Tim. 3:15, 16, 17
Q. 95. 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, (f) preparation, (g) and prayer; (h) receive it with faith and love, (i) lay it up in our hearts, (j) and practice it in our lives. (k)
f Pr. 8:34 g 1 Pet. 2:1, 2 h Ps. 119:18 i Heb. 4:2; 2 Thess. 2:10 j Ps. 119:18 k Luke 8:15; James 1:25
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Q. 96. How do baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation?
A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation, not for any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ, (l) and the working of the Spirit in those that by faith receive them. (m)
l 1 Pet. 3:21; Mt. 3:11; 1 Cor. 3:6, 7 m 1 Cor. 12:3; Mt. 28:19
Q. 97. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, burial, and resurrection; of his being ingrafted into him; (n) of remission of sins; (o) and of his giving up himself unto God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. (p)
n Rom. 6:3, 4, 5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27 o Mk. 1:4; Acts 2:38, and 22:16 p Rom. 6:3, 4
Q. 98. To whom is baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, (q) faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other. (r)
q Acts 2:38; Mt. 3:6 r Acts 8:12, 36, 37, 38; 10:47, 48
Q. 99. Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be baptized?
A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized, because there is neither command or example in the holy scriptures, or certain consequence from them to baptize such. (s)
s Ex. 23:13; Pr. 30:6; Lk. 3:7, 8
Q. 100. How is Baptism rightly administered?
A. Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the party in water, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ’s institution, and the practice of the apostles, (t) and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men.
t Mt. 3:16; Jn. 3:23; 4:1, 2; Mt. 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12
Q. 101. What is the duty of such who are rightly 