Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 30
Of our Vnion with Christ.
Quest. 30. HOW doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption pu…chased by Christ?
A. By working faith in us, thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual Calling.
Q. 1. Can none have saving benefit by Christ, but such as are united to him?
A. No; for as Adam's Sin could not hurt us, except we had been in hin; so Christ's Redemption cannot profit us, except we are in him. 1 Cor. 1.30. But of him are ye in Christ Iesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
Q 2. What are the Bonds of this Union?
A. The Spirit on God's part. 1 Iohn 3.24. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him; and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the spirit which he hath given us. And Faith on our part. Eph 3.17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.
Q. 3. What is the first Property of this Union?
A. It is an intimate Union. Eph. 5.30. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Q. 4. What is the second Property?
A. It is an Union never to be dissolved. Rom. 8.35, 38. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord.
Q. 5. What is the third Propety of this Union?
A. It makes Christ, and all that he hath purchased, become ours. 1 Cor. 3.23. All are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Q. 6. What is the fourth property of this Union?
A. It is the foundation and root of all our spiritual and acceptable Obedience. Iohn 15.4 Abide in me, and I in you; as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Q. 7. What is the first Inference from hence?
A. That saving Grace in the Saints is immortal, being sec…red to them in and by Christ. Col. 3.3. Your life is hid with … in God.
Q. 8. What is the second Inference?
A. That the relation between Christ and Believers is ver… dear and intimate. Eph. 5.30. For we are members of his … of his flesh, and of his bones.
Q. 9. What is the third Inference?
A. That Believers need not be afraid to go down to … Grave. Rom. 8.38. For I am perswaded, that neither death … life, — nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from th… love of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. And this Unio… holds after death. Mat. 22.31, 32. But as touching the res… rection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto y… by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God … Isaac, and the God of Iacob? God is not a God of the dead, but … the living.
Q 10. What is the fourth Inference?
A. That in wronging and persecuting the Saints, … wrong and persecute Christ himself. Acts 9.4. And he fell t… the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, Why persecutest thou me?
Q. 11. What is the fifth Inference?
A. That in relieving and refreshing the Saints, we relieve and refresh Christ himself. Mat. 25.34, 35. For I was an hungry, and ye gave me meat, and I was thirsty, and ye gave … drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in, naked and ye cloath… me. I was sick, and ye visited me. I was in prison, and ye came … me. Ver. 40. In as much as ye have done it unto one of the leaf of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Q. 12. What is the last Inference?
A. That there is a sympathy in Christ under all the pressure… and grievances of his people Heb. 4.15. We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, … was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.