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 …

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THE GOSPEL § 133. The Gospel in the strict sense of the term 1 is the divine doctrine 2 by which God announces to all mankind 3 His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus,4 earnestly offers to all that hear …

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THE SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL   § 134. The sacraments are sacred acts 1 of divine institution,2 in which, wherever they are properly administered 3 by the use of the prescribed external elements 4 in conjunction with the divine words of institution,5 …

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THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH   § 135. The sacraments of the Christian Church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.    

BAPTISM   § 136. The sacrament of Baptism is the act of sprinkling,1 pouring,2 or by immersion applying upon a living human person 3 water 4 in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost,5 …

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THE LORD’S SUPPER   § 137. The sacrament of the Lord’s Table,1 or the Lord’s Supper,2 or the Eucharist,3 is the divinely instituted act 4 of consecrating by the word of institution 5 the divinely prescribed visible elements bread and wine,6 …

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EFFICACY AND RESISTIBILITY   § 138. The operations of God,1 or, by appropriation, of the Holy Ghost,2 performed through the means of grace,3 though in all cases equally earnest and efficacious 4 are in no case irresistible,5 but the grace and …

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OPERATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT   § 139. The various operations of the Holy Spirit performed through the means of grace are the works of Vocation, Regeneration or Conversion, Renovation or Sanctification, and Preservation.    

VOCATION   § 140. Vocation 1 is the act of God by which He, through the means of grace,2 earnestly offers 3 to all who hear or read the Gospel,4 or to whom the sacraments are administered,5 the benefits of Christ’s …

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EFFECTS OF THE CALL   § 141. By the divine power residing in the means of grace, and working through the same,1 the calling grace of God effects regeneration,2 or conversion.3 Wherever these effects are not attained, this is due to …

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