Q. What doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life (Acts 20:21), with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption (Proverbs 2:1-6, 8:33 to the end; Isaiah 55:2, 3).
Q. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the word, baptism, the Lord’s supper, and prayer; all which means are made effectual to the elect for salvation (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:42, 46, 47).
Q. 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 (Nehemiah 8:8; Acts 26:18; Psalm 19:8; Acts 20:32; Romans 1: 15, 16, 10: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 14:24, 25; 1 Timothy 3:15, 16, 17).
Q. 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 (Proverbs 8:34), preparation (1 Peter 2:1, 2), and prayer (Psalm 119:18); receive it with faith and love (Hebrews. 4:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:10), lay it up in our hearts (Psalm 119:18), and practice it in our lives (Luke 8:15; James 1:25).
from The Baptist Catechism, Charleston Association, 1813
