Westminster Larger Catechism (Q 158-159)

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, in our weekly Sunday school lessons in the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), we studied and discussed question 158-159. Here is a brief review.

WLC 158  By whom is the word of God to be preached?
A. The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office.

When asked about how to discern a call to an ecclesiastical office (pastor, elder, or deacon), I usually give three criteria from Scripture which a person ought to consider:

(1) Personal Desire – A man must have an aspiration (or yearning) to serve as an officer in Christ’s church for it is a fine work he desires to do (1 Timothy 3:1).

(2) Qualification – A man must be qualified according to the criteria which are laid out in Scripture (Titus 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-13).

(3) Approved by the Church – Others in the church have encouraged a man in this decision, as well as officially endorsed and ordained him to the office (Acts 6:1-6; 14:23; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).

WLC 158 gives the latter two items listed above as criteria for determining who is to preach the Word of God. First, the man must be sufficiently gifted. The continuing offices which Christ has gifted to His church include evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:8-13). And, to those whom He calls to such offices, He give certain gifts – one of which being the ability to teach (1 Timothy 3:12). Second, the preaching office is not something that one takes for themselves; the calling is received from God (Hebrew 5:4) and formally recognized by the elders of the church (1 Timothy 5:22).

WLC 159  How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?
A. They that are called to labour in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

The ministry of the Word is the primary means by which the Spirit of Christ creates faith in people’s hearts; the ministry of the Word is also the primary means by which the Spirit of Christ increases and strengthens that faith (WCF 14:1; Romans 10:14-17; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32). Therefore, it is critical for those who labor in the ministry of the Word that they “preach sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1, 7-8). The authors of the WLC then describe six aspects of how this sound doctrine ought to be preached:

(1) Diligently, in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

(2) Plainly, not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power (1 Corinthians 2:3-5).

(3) Faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:25-27)

(4) Wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers (Hebrews 5:11-14)

(5) Zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people (Colossians 4:12)

Conclusion

The Word of God instructs us that teachers of the Word of God will incur a stricter judgment; therefore, not many should become teachers or preachers of the Word (James 3:1). While not perfect, it is encouraging that our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), has a training, testing, examination, and accountability process in place which helps to guard the preaching and teaching offices in our churches. As such, we seek to continue the tradition of the Reformed faith by maintaining a high standard for those called to the ministry of the Word.

In addition to the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism, the Westminster divines wrote the Directory of Publick Worship (1645) which gives an excellent summary of the biblical teaching concerning the purpose and practice of preaching, including many helpful tips. You may read that document online here: https://thewestminsterstandard.org/directory-for-the-publick-worship-of-god/#5

I hope you will join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am in our continuing study of the Westminster Larger Catechism!

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Peter M. Dietsch