Of the application of Christ, ΙΣ Quest 30 Of our union with Christ,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
Q. 10. Whatelsedoth it teach us?
A. The righteousness of God in the destruction of all unbelievers ; John v. 40. Mark xvi. 16. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved ; but he thatbelieveth not,shall be damned.
Quest. 30.H Of our Union with Christ .
OW doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ.
A. By working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q. 1. Can none have saving benefit by Christ, but such as a reunited to him ?
A. No, for as Adam's fin could not hurt us, except we had been in him ; so Christ's redemption cannot profit us, except we are in him ; 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him areye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Q. 2. What are the bonds of this union ?
A. The Spirit on God's part ; 1 John iii. 24. And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him; and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. And faith on our part; Eph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith .
Q. 3. What is the first property of this union ?
A. It is an intimate union ; Eph. v. 30. For we are members of hisbody, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Q. 4. What is the second property?
A. It is an union never to be dissolved ; Rom. viii. 35, 38.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Q. 5. What is the third property of this union ?
A. It makes Christ, and all that he hath purchased, become ours ; 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23. All are yours, and ye are Christ's ; and Christ is God's .
Q.6. What is the fourth property of this union ?
A. It is the foundation and root of all our spiritual and acceptable obedience ; John xv. 4. Abide in me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; nomorecan ye, exceptye abide in me.