Archives for May 2013

On the evening of May 6,
Tim Bosma of Ancaster, Ontario,
was doing the most mundane
of things—trying to sell his truck.

[KEEP READING]

⁵⁹ Who does the Holy Spirit make to share in redemption by Christ?

The Holy Spirit certainly applies and effectually communicates redemption
to all those for whom Christ has purchased it by enabling them in time to
trust in Christ according to the gospel.

⁶⁰ Can those who have never heard the gospel, and so do not know or
trust in Jesus Christ, be saved by living according to general revelation
and their consciences?

Those who have never heard the gospel, and so do not know or trust in
Jesus Christ cannot be saved—even if they could be ever so diligent to
frame their lives according to general revelation, their consciences, or
the teachings of whatever religion they profess—for there is salvation
in no one else except in Christ alone, who is the Saviour only of his
body the church.

⁶¹ Are all who hear the gospel and live in the church saved?

Not all who hear the gospel and live in the visible church are saved,
but only those who are true members of the invisible church.

⁶² What is the visible church?

The visible church is the church as we—who look on the outward appearance—see it;
it is the society made up of all—in all ages and all places of the world—who profess
the true religion, together with their children.

⁶³ What special privileges does God give to the visible church?

God gives the visible church the privileges of his special care and government;
his protecting and preserving it in all ages in spite of the opposition of all enemies;
and the advantages of the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation,
and his offers of his grace in Christ to all its members by the ministry of the gospel,
which testifies that whoever believes in him will be saved, and none who come to
him will be excluded.

⁶⁴ What is the invisible church?

The invisible church is the church as God—who looks on the heart and knows the
end from the beginning—sees it; it is all the elect who have been, are, or will be
gathered into one under Christ the Head.

⁶⁵ What special blessings do the members of the invisible church enjoy
through Christ?

Through Christ, the members of the invisible church enjoy union and communion
with him both in grace and glory.

                         Larger Catechism 58-65
(paraphrased into modern English for better understanding)