HenryWSC 92

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 92

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Is a sacrament a holy ordinance? Yes: For we minister about holy things,
1 Cor. 9:13
. Must they therefore be holy that attend them? Yes: Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord,
Isa. 52:11
. Are sacraments instituted by Christ? Yes: The Lord himself shall give you a sign,
Isa. 7:14
. May men institute sacraments? No: Jeroboam, that ordained a feast which he had devised of his own heart sinned, and made Israel to sin,
1 Kings 12:33
.
Is there in a sacrament an outward and visible sign? Yes: Behold the blood of the covenant,
Ex. 24:8
. Is there an inward and spiritual grace? Yes: for that Rock was Christ,
1 Cor. 10:4
. Are outward signs of use to inform our understandings? Yes: for in them Christ is evidently set forth crucified among us,
Gal. 3:1
. Are they of use to refresh our memories? Yes: these stones shall be for a memorial,
Josh. 4:7
. And to stir up our affections? Yes: They shall look on him whom they have pierced, and mourn,
Zech. 12:10
. Are they of use to transmit the things of God from generation to generation? Yes: For your children shall ask you, What mean you by this service?
Ex. 12:26
.
Is a sacrament a seal? Yes: Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness which is by faith,
Rom. 4:11
. A seal of the covenant? Yes: He gave him the covenant of circumcision,
Acts 7:8
. Is a sacrament an oath? Yes: They entered into an oath to walk in God’s law,
Neh. 10:29
. Is it an encouragement to our faith? Yes: Reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing,
John 20:27
. Is it an engagement to obedience? Yes: That henceforth we should not serve sin
Rom. 6:6
. Is Christ applied to us in sacraments? Yes: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ,
Gal. 3:27
. Are the benefits of the new covenant applied to us? Yes: To be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee,
Gen. 17:7
.
HenryWSC 92