Q.89. How is the word made effectual to salvation?

A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.[n]

[n] Neh. 8:8. 1 Cor. 14:24,25. Acts 26:18. Ps. 19:8. Acts 20:32. Rom. 15:4. 2 Tim. 3:15-17. Rom. 10:13-17. Rom. 1:16.

We are here taught,

1. That the Holy Spirit alone makes the Word effectual to salvation.

2. That the reading of the Word is made an effectual means of convincing sinners.

3. That the reading of the Word is made an effectual means of converting sinners.

4. That the reading of the Word is an effectual means of building up God’s people in holiness.

5. That the reading of the Word is an effectual means of comforting God’s people.

6. That the reading of the Word is made effectual to salvation.

7. That the preaching of the Word is especially an effectual means of convincing sinners.

8. That the preaching of the Word is especially an effectual means of converting sinners.

9. That the preaching of the Word is especially an effectual means of building up God’s people in holiness.

10. That the preaching of the Word is especially an effectual means of comforting God’s people.

11. That the preaching of the Word is made effectual to salvation, only through faith.

Q.90. How is the word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?

A. That the word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence,[o] preparation,[p] and prayer;[q] receive it with faith and love,[r] lay it up in our hearts,[s] and practise it in our lives.[t]

[o] Prov. 8:34.

[p] 1 Pet. 2:1,2.

[q] Ps. 119:18.

[r] Heb. 4:2. 2 Thess. 2:10.

[s] Ps. 119:11.

[t] Luke 8:15. James 1:25.

We are here taught,

1. That the Word of God must be attended to, and understood.

2. That the Word of God must be attended to with diligence.

3. That the Word of God must be attended to with preparation.

4. That the Word of God must be attended to with prayer.

5. That the Word of God must be received with faith.

6. That the Word of God must be received with love.

7. That the Word of God must be meditated upon.

8. That the Word of God must be laid up in the heart.

9. That the Word of God must be reduced to practice in our lives.