Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 83

What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy in this life?

The members of the invisible church have communicated to them in this life the firstfruits of glory with Christ, as they are members of him their head, and so in him are interested in that glory which he is fully possessed of;a and, as an earnest thereof, enjoy the sense of God’s love,b peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory;c as, on the contrary, sense of God’s revenging wrath, horror of conscience, and a fearful expectation of judgment, are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death.d

What is the communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible church enjoy in this life?

The members of the invisible church have communicated to them in this life the firstfruits of glory with Christ, as they are members of him their head, and so in him are interested in that glory which he is fully possessed of;a and, as an earnest thereof, enjoy the sense of God’s love,b peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, and hope of glory;c as, on the contrary, sense of God’s revenging wrath, horror of conscience, and a fearful expectation of judgment, are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death.d

  1. a. Ephesians 2:5–6

    Ephesians 2:5–6

    2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

    2:5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:22

    Romans 5:5

    5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

    5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

    2 Corinthians 1:22

    1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

    1:22 placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Romans 5:1–2; 14:17

    Romans 5:1–2

    5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

    5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

    Romans 14:17

    14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

    14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. Genesis 4:13; Matthew 27:4; Hebrews 10:27; Romans 2:9; Mark 9:48

    Genesis 4:13

    4:13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.

    4:13 But Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.

    Matthew 27:4

    27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

    27:4 "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood," he said. "What is that to us?" they replied. "You bear the responsibility."

    Hebrews 10:27

    10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

    10:27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

    Romans 2:9

    2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

    2:9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek;

    Mark 9:48

    9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

    9:48 where 'their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.'

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 39

What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification?

The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 36

What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience joy in the Holy Ghost increase of grace and perseverance therein to the end.

Commentaries (9)