Westminster Larger Catechism # 59
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?
Answer: Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for
whom Christ hath purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in
Christ according to the gospel.
References: Eph. 1:13-14; John 6:37,39; John 10:15-16; Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 4:13.
We must take care at this point to not take any single question and attempt to
understand the complete doctrine set forth by the Divines in this series of questions
dealing with salvation. The question under consideration appears to leave open the door
for those who would reduce the election to rubble saying "all" have been
elected, and that Christ died for the sins of all human beings. Later questions deal
specifically with election (67-69).
The third petal of our beloved TULIP bursts upon the scene at this point much as a
rainbow after a storm. It inevitably comes with the glorious light of the sun, so fragile,
yet not to be extinguished by any force known to man. Except the source of light itself is
extinguished, it continues it beautiful display. I like to point to the "Sermon on
the Mount" and the first four "Beatitudes" at this place (Mt. 5:3-6).
"Blessed are the poor in spirit..." having their eyes opened by the regeneration
of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of man withdraws before the awesome and sovereign God of
creation. No longer heeding the hue and cry of the world for self esteem, the spirit of
man sees itself in truth for the first time. "Blessed are they that mourn..."
aware or their sad and lost condition, their failure to measure up under the light
revealed to them by the Holy Spirit, the human spirit mourns for itself. We might compare
this with Romans 8:19-23 where we read that all of creation as well as we ourselves groans
while awaiting the manifestation of this "salvation of the Lord" (manifestation
of the sons of God). "Blessed are the meek..." aware of the awful condition of
his own heart, for the first time the creature (man) is able out of shame of past and
present conditions within himself allows his ego to be subdued, and begins to think of
himself as he should. Meekness is not weakness, and it takes a mighty character to so
examine itself and reach the truth. Something man alone cannot do, and even the elect
would stagger under the load and miss the truth apart from the light of God’s
revealed truth, and the powerful enablement of the Holy Spirit within. "Blessed are
they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness..." Righteousness being a part of
the image of God within man causes even the reprobate to "feel" good about
himself and seek out other good (right) works in an attempt to fill the vast void that
exists within the unregenerate heart. Awakened by the Holy Spirit, seeing himself as he
truly exists, and now knowing what righteousness really is the creature (man) hungers and
thirsts for more. Not for the mere "feeling" of good that comes from such, but
understanding the truth that it is such knowledge of God, and being about the good works
created by God for him, that man cannot get his fill by any other means (Eph. 2:10). I
believe a correct homily would apply all of the "Beatitudes" to man’s
salvation and the life that follows so great a salvation in Christ.
Who are those who partake of this glorious life in Christ? Those whom God chose before
the foundation of the earth, having opened their eyes by the power of the Holy Spirit,
imparts the gift of faith that they might believe. When I think of the TULIP I do not see
a flower with one color, nor a garden filled with flowers of different colors, but like
John lying at the feet of the Lord gazing upon the throne of God see a multitude of
beautiful and bright colors that rival all the precious jewels to ever adorn the crown of
a monarch. Not a mere pigment, but colors of light, that rival the rainbow in beauty, as
God’s grace is revealed to His creation. I can only wish it were true that all fellow
travelers would be enabled to see this glorious light and marvel at the love and grace of
God. Though my heart aches as I watch the reprobate continue to mock God even to the
grave, I cannot change God’s revealed truth. As noted several times before, this is a
doctrine we must so carefully share, but its truth must be declared. The election stands,
and not all will enter into the gates of heaven. In another place in the "Sermon on
the Mount" our Lord declares that not all shall enter into heaven (Mt. 7:21). How the
detractors of the reformed faith can claim universal election (salvation) in face of the
words of our Lord Himself I cannot understand. But twist God’s truth into a thing of
their own making is the work of all who do not know Christ, who have not been elected of
God before the foundation of the world. I find it significant that the Lord chose to give
us these words immediately after the warning concerning false prophets. Because a man is
of the church, and even holds a high office therein means nothing if he chooses to subvert
the word of God. We see many such men within the church today. Christ gave us the tool to
reveal such (by their fruits you shall know them). We are to follow no man, but to check
their every word under the light of God’s revealed truth, to see if they be of God or
otherwise.
Thus far in this series on salvation then we have seen the first three rainbow petals
of the precious TULIP most surely and powerfully revealed by God, as if His divine hand
were painting a rainbow upon the history of creation. Once more we see that the doctrine
of salvation of the reformed church reflects Scripture and brings comfort to the elect.
As an aside we might note that it was not the father of our faith, John Calvin who gave
us these five precious petals from the palette of God, but those who would deny God’s
revealed truth. The TULIP was born as an answer to the Arminian heresy long after Calvin
had entered the gates of heaven. They had chosen to deny and debate the true faith on
these five points, and what became known as the five points of Arminianism existed before
the TULIP. I am reminded of the psalmist who time after time in God’s promise of
salvation and victory points to the wicked being taken in their own snares. Thus it was
for those who would have buried the divine truth of our precious faith beneath the twisted
truth of man called Arminianism.
I feel compelled at this time to also point to a parable told by our Lord concerning
the wheat and tares. As harsh as the words above may seem toward those not of the reformed
faith, let us remember they "claim" to be of Christ, and we have not the tool to
judge that. So like the wheat and tares may we co-exist in peace until that day that the
light of the person of our risen Lord will put to shame even the glorious light in the
church, we know as TULIP; and the holy angels will separate the wheat from the tares in
that awesome day of harvest.
Dr. Chuck Baynard -- June 1998
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