← Westminster Larger Catechism · Q. 57

What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation?

✚ Soteriology

Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption,1 with all other benefits of the covenant of grace.2

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 Heb. 9:12
Heb. 9:12

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

2 2 Cor. 1:20
2 Cor. 1:20

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

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

VIII.5 The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once …

The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father, and purchased not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him.

→ VIII.5 · Of Christ the Mediator
VIII.6 Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, …

Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect, in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise the serpent's head, and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, being yesterday and today the same, and forever.

→ VIII.6 · Of Christ the Mediator
VIII.7 Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures; by each nature doing that which is …

Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures; by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet, by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes, in Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.

→ VIII.7 · Of Christ the Mediator
VIII.8 To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the …

To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same; making intercession for them, and revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation; effectually persuading them by his Spirit to believe and obey; and governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit; overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner and ways as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation.

→ VIII.8 · Of Christ the Mediator
IX.4 When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he freeth him from his …

When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin, and by his grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so as that, by reason of his remaining corruption, he doth not perfectly, nor only, will that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil.

→ IX.4 · Of Free Will
X.1 All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and …

All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased, in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds, spiritually and savingly, to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.

→ X.1 · Of Effectual Calling
X.2 This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in …

This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man; who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.

→ X.2 · Of Effectual Calling
X.3 Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who worketh when, and …

Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who worketh when, and where, and how he pleaseth. So also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.

→ X.3 · Of Effectual Calling
X.4 Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some …

Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and the law of that religion they do profess; and to assert and maintain that they may is very pernicious, and to be detested.

→ X.4 · Of Effectual Calling

In the Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q.21 Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?

The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.

→ Open Q.21
Q.25 How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.

→ Open Q.25
Q.29 How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

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

→ Open Q.29
Q.30 How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

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.

→ Open Q.30
Q.31 What is effectual calling?

Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

→ Open Q.31
Q.32 What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?

They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.

→ Open Q.32