Westminster Larger Catechism (Q 155)

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, in our weekly Sunday school lessons in the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), we studied and discussed question 155. Here is a brief review.

WLC 155  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 enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.

We spent the entirety of our time on Sunday in just this one catechism question in which we examined three major emphases of this teaching: (1) it is the Spirit of God who works in and through the reading and preaching of the Word; (2) the preaching of the Word is a special means by which the Spirit of God works; and (3) the preaching of the Word works differently with respect to man’s sinful nature and the believer’s regenerate nature.

1. The Spirit of God works

Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men, the ministry of the Word would be to no avail. It is only when the Spirit of the Lord removes the veil that lies over our hearts that we may come to understand, believe, and be transformed (2 Corinthians 3:12-18). Unless one is born again or born of the Spirit, he cannot see or enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-8). The Spirit of God ordinarily works through the ministry of the Word and the ministry of the Word is ineffectual apart from the work of the Spirit of God.

2. The reading, but especially the preaching of the Word

As we will discuss in the next several catechism questions, it is important for God’s people to read His Word privately and as families. At the same time, there is something unique and special about the preaching of the Word. As this catechism points out, “The spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word an effectual means” of grace. The Word of God itself emphasizes this point. For instance, in the account of Philip ministering to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-36), the eunuch was able to read the Scriptures but it was not until Philip came and explained the meaning and “preached Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35) that he was able to understand.

Likewise, as the Apostle Paul explains the process by which a person is saved, he emphasizes the necessity of preaching (Romans 10:13-17). He begins with the premise found in Joel 2:32, “Whoever will call on the name of the LORD will be saved.” Then, Paul works backwards through the steps by which a person is able to call upon the name of the LORD. In order to call upon the name of the LORD, a person must believe. In order to believe, a person must hear. In order to hear, there must be a preacher. In order for there to be a preacher, the preacher must be sent. And the conclusion is: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Therefore, the preaching of the Word is the primary means by which the Spirit works.

3. The effects of the ministry of the Word

But what does the Spirit of God do in and through the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word? The answer is two-fold.

1. Directed at man’s sinful nature, the Spirit convicts the hearer of his need of Christ

The catechism speaks of the Spirit’s work in this regard as “enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ.” That is to say, that the Spirit of God convicts men and women of their sins and their need of repentance (Acts 2:37-41).

2. Directed to the believer’s regenerate nature, the Spirit conforms believer to the image of Christ

The catechism speaks of the Spirit’s work in this regard as “conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.” As Paul wrote to young Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Conclusion

Unfortunately, many professing Christians – and even many Christian churches – no longer esteem the preaching of God’s Word as the primary means of grace by which the Spirit of God works in the hearts of men, unbelievers and believers alike. With our technological developments, we have become too accustomed to going online, tuning in – and then tuning out! But God is pleased to use the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. Indeed, to those who are called, the preaching of Christ crucified is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:21-24).

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