← Westminster Larger Catechism · Q. 154

What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation?

☩ Ecclesiology & Worship

The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation.1

Scripture proofs

The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.

1 Matt. 28:19–20; Acts 2:42, 46–47
Matt. 28:19–20

Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matt. 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Acts 2:42, 46–47

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

This doctrine across the Standards

Where the Confession and the Westminster Shorter Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.

In the Westminster Confession

XXI.1 The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is …

The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doeth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited to his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.

→ XXI.1 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
XXI.2 Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone: …

Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone: not to angels, saints, or any other creature: and since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone.

→ XXI.2 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
XXI.3 Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship, is by God required of all men; and …

Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship, is by God required of all men; and that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of his Spirit, according to his will, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and, if vocal, in a known tongue.

→ XXI.3 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
XXI.4 Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall …

Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.

→ XXI.4 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
XXI.5 The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear; the sound preaching; and conscionable hearing of the Word, in …

The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear; the sound preaching; and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God with understanding, faith, and reverence; singing of Psalms with grace in the heart; as, also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ; are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: besides religious oaths, vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon several occasions; which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner.

→ XXI.5 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
XXI.6 Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now, under the gospel, either tied unto, or …

Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now, under the gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed: but God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself, so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly or willfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God, by his Word or providence, calleth thereunto.

→ XXI.6 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
XXI.7 As it is of the law of nature that, in general, a due proportion of time be set …

As it is of the law of nature that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in his Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him: which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which in Scripture is called the Lord's day, and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath.

→ XXI.7 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
XXI.8 This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, …

This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts, about their worldly employments and recreations; but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.

→ XXI.8 · Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

In the Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q.45 Which is the first commandment?

The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

→ Open Q.45
Q.46 What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

→ Open Q.46
Q.47 What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.

→ Open Q.47
Q.48 What are we specially taught by these words, 'before me', in the first commandment?

These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.

→ Open Q.48
Q.49 Which is the second commandment?

The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thy self to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

→ Open Q.49
Q.50 What is required in the second commandment?

The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word.

→ Open Q.50
Q.51 What is forbidden in the second commandment?

The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his Word.

→ Open Q.51
Q.52 What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?

The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.

→ Open Q.52
Q.53 Which is the third commandment?

The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

→ Open Q.53
Q.54 What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.

→ Open Q.54
Q.55 What is forbidden in the third commandment?

The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh himself known.

→ Open Q.55
Q.56 What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

→ Open Q.56

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