Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 91

How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ,a and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.b

How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that does administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ,a and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.b

  1. a. 1 Peter 3:21; Matthew 3:11; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7

    1 Peter 3:21

    3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

    3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God-through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

    Matthew 3:11

    3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

    3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

    1 Corinthians 3:6–7

    3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

    3:6 I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 3:7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. 1 Corinthians 12:13

    1 Corinthians 12:13

    12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

    12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Diff style

Changes in The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 96

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 96

How do baptism and the sacraments Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation?

Baptism and the sacraments Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation, not from for any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his the Spirit in them those that by faith receive them.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 91

How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 96

How do baptism and the Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation?

Baptism and the Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation, not for any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of the Spirit in those that by faith receive them.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 96

How do baptism and the sacraments Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation?

Baptism and the sacraments Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation, not from for any virtue in them, or in him that does administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his the Spirit in them those that by faith receive them.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (modernized) (1647), Question 91

How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that does administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 96

How do baptism and the Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation?

Baptism and the Lord’s supper become effectual means of salvation, not for any virtue in them, or in him that does administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of the Spirit in those that by faith receive them.

Related (1)

Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 161

How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted.

Commentaries (8)

  • Joseph Alleine, 1672, A Most Familiar Explanation of the Assemblies Shorter Catechism

    How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation? The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them,…

    Joseph Alleine’s text
  • Thomas Lye, 1672, The Assemblies Shorter Catechism Drawn out into Distinct Propositions

    How do the Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation? The Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation, not from any vertue in them, or in him that doth administer them,…

    Thomas Lye’s text
  • Thomas Vincent, 1673, An Explicatory Catechism

    How do the Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation? The Sacrament becomes effectual means of Salvation, not from any vertue in them or in him that doth administer them, but…

    Thomas Vincent’s text
  • 1675, An Explicatory Catechism

    How do the Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation? The Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation, not from any vertue in them, or in him that doth administer them,…

    Its text
  • John Flavel, 1692, An Exposition of the Assembly’s Catechism

    How do the Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation? The Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation, not from any vertue in them, or in him that doth administer them,…

    John Flavel’s text
  • Matthew Henry, 1703, A Scripture Catechism

    How do the Sacraments become effectual Means of Salvation? The Sacraments become effectual Means of Salvation, not from any Virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them,…

    Matthew Henry’s text
  • Alexander Whyte, 1883, A Commentary on the Shorter Catechism

    effectual means of salvation—For effectual see Answer 31. What is a mean of salvation? A mean of salvation signifies any appointment of God, whereby He promotes and accomplishes…

    Alexander Whyte’s text
  • Benjamin Beddome, 1752, A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism

    On The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 96, which adapts this question

    Are sacraments signs? Yes. Thus Abraham received the sign of circumcision, Are the sacraments effectual means of salvation to all who partake of them? No. For if thou be a breaker…

    Benjamin Beddome’s text