HenryWSC 34

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 34

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Are all believers God’s children? Yes: ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,
Gal. 3:26
. Are they so by nature? No: We are by nature children of wrath,
Eph. 2:3
. Are they so by adoption? Yes: we receive the adoption of sons,
Gal. 4:5
. Do they deserve to be made God’s children? No: how shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land?
Jer. 3:19
. Are they altogether unworthy of such a favour? Yes: I am no more worthy to be called thy son,
Luke 15:19
. Is it bestowed upon them notwithstanding their unworthiness? Yes: I will be a Father to you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty,
2 Cor. 6:18
.
Is adoption an act of God’s free grace? Yes: behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God,
1 John 3:1
. Are we by it received into the number of God’s children? Yes: there shall they he called the children of the living God,
Rom. 9:26
, Are we received into that number upon our believing? Yes: As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name,
John 1:12
.
Have we leave to call God, Father? Yes: Ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father,
Rom. 8:15
. Does he encourage us to do so? Yes: Thou shalt call me, My Father, and shalt not turn away from me,
Jer. 3:19
. May we call him so, though we have been prodigals? Yes: I will go to my Father, and will say unto him, Father,
Luke 15:18
. May we look upon all good Christians as our brethren? Yes: For all ye are brethren,
Matt. 23:8
. And do they all make one family? Yes: Of whom the whole family both in heaven and earth is named,
Eph. 3:15
.
Have all God’s adopted children a right to the privileges of children? Yes: they are brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God,
Rom. 8:21
. Does their Father pity them? Yes: like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him,
Ps. 103:13
. Does he spare them? Yes: as a man spares his own son that serves him,
Mal. 3:17
. Does he take care of them? Yes: Children, have ye any meat,
John 21:15
. Does he provide for them? Yes: for they that seek the Lord shall want no good thing,
Ps. 34:10
. Does he correct them in love? Yes: for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?
Heb. 12:7
. Does he hear their prayers? Yes: your Father in heaven will give good things to them that ask him,
Matt. 7:11
. Will he give them the inheritance of sons? Yes: It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,
Luke 12:32
. Will he bring them all safe to it? Yes: he will gather together the children of God that were scattered abroad,
John 11:52
. Will Christ present them all to the Father? Yes: Behold, I and the children which thou hast given me,
Heb. 2:13
.
Must all God’s children reverence him? Yes: If I be a Father, where is my honour?
Mal. 1:6
. Must they obey him? Yes: as obedient children,
1 Pet. 1:14
. Must they imitate him? Yes: be ye followers of God, as dear children,
Eph. 5:1
. Must they submit to him Yes: Father, thy will be done,
Matt. 26:42
.
HenryWSC 34