THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST
Westminster Shorter Catechism, Questions 29 & 30

Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.

EXPLICATION.

Partakers. –Sharers.

Redemption. –Deliverance from sin and misery, and the possession of holiness and everlasting happiness in the heavenly world.

Purchased by Christ. –Our redemption, or salvation, is said to be purchased or bought by Christ, because he gave his life for it, that he might secure it for his people.

Effectual application of it to us. –The making of this redemption and all its blessings really ours, as much as any possession or inheritance can be.

ANALYSIS.

The doctrines contained in this answer, are three in number :

1. That redemption is purchased by Christ, for his people. –Eph. i. 7. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
2. That we are made sharers of this redemption by application. –John i. 12. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.
3. That this redemption can only be effectually applied to us by the Holy Spirit. –Titus iii. 5,6. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Q.30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ ?

A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ, in our effectual calling.

EXPLICATION.

Working faith in us. –Causing us to believe in Christ, to the saving of our souls.

Uniting us to Christ. –Joining us to Christ, or making us one with him, in the like manner as the different members are joined to the same body, and with it make one person.

ANALYSIS.

We have here three doctrines:

1. That the Holy Spirit, in applying redemption, works faith in us. –Eph. ii. 8. By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
2. That by faith, thus wrought in us, we are united to Christ. –Eph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.
3. That this union takes place in our effectual calling. –1 Cor. i. 9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ.