132 – Instrumental Cause

INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE 

§ 132. The means by which the benefits of Christ are offered and appropriated to the sinner,1 and by which not only the capability of accepting what is offered, but also such acceptance itself is wrought in Him,2 are the means of grace, the written and the spoken word of the Gospel 3 and the holy Sacraments.4

1. The means by which the benefits of Christ are offered and appropriated to the sinner,

  Galatians 3:2, 18, 22 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith? (18) For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (22) But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

  John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

  Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

  II Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself; … and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.

2. and by which not only the capability of accepting what is offered, but also such acceptance itself is wrought in Him,

  Romans 10:14, 17 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

  John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their Word.

  Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

  James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.

  Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

3. are the means of grace, the written and the spoken word of the Gospel

  II Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God might be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

  John 5:39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

  Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

  I Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

  I Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

  Ephesians 1:7-9 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.

4. and the holy Sacraments.

  Ephesians 5:26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.

  Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned.

  Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.