Overview

Q153 required “the diligent use of the outward means.” This section identifies those means (Q154), then focuses on the first and chief of them — the Word: how it is made effectual to salvation (Q155), that it is to be read by all (Q156), how it is to be read (Q157), by whom it is to be preached (Q158), how it is to be preached (Q159), and how it is to be heard (Q160). The Larger Catechism’s treatment of the ministry of the Word is the fullest in the Standards.

The Questions & Answers

Q154. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation? A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42, ESV)

Further proofs: Matt. 28:19–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–25.

Q155. How is the word made effectual to salvation? A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:14, 17, ESV)

“…the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation.” (2 Tim. 3:15–17, ESV)

Further proofs: Neh. 8:8; Acts 26:18; Ps. 19:11; 1 Cor. 14:24–25; 2 Cor. 3:18.

Q159. How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto? A. They that are called to labour in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.” (2 Tim. 4:2, ESV)

“…I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27, ESV)

Further proofs: Titus 2:1, 8; 1 Cor. 2:4; 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2; 1 Thess. 2:4–6.

Q160. What is required of those that hear the word preached? A. It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by the scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“Now these Jews were more noble… they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11, ESV)

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22; cf. Ps. 119:11, ESV)

Further proofs: Prov. 8:34; 1 Thess. 2:13; Luke 9:44; Heb. 4:2; Luke 8:15.

Exposition: Q154 names the “outward and ordinary means” of grace — “especially the word, sacraments, and prayer” — “made effectual to the elect” (the means work savingly where the Spirit works). Q155 gives a glorious description of what the Spirit does through the Word, “especially the preaching”: enlightening, convincing, humbling, “driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ,” conforming to His image, strengthening, building up. Note that the power is the Spirit’s — the Word is not magic, but the Spirit’s chosen instrument. Q156–157 (cited in exposition) affirm that all are to read the Scriptures (against withholding the Bible from the laity) with reverence, faith, and prayer. Q158–159 set a high standard for preaching: by gifted, called, ordained men, preaching “sound doctrine… plainly… faithfully… wisely… zealously… sincerely,” making known “the whole counsel of God.” Q160 puts responsibility on the hearer: to attend with diligence, preparation, and prayer; to examine by Scripture (Acts 17:11); to receive with faith; and to do it (James 1:22).

Connections

• WSC Q88–90 — the outward means; how the Word is made effectual; how it is to be read and heard.
• WCF 1 (the Word of God), WCF 14.1 (faith ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word), WCF 21.5 (preaching and hearing as worship).
• Loci: The means of grace; the ministry of the Word; preaching and hearing; the Spirit and the Word.

Pastoral & Practical Significance

These questions teach us to prize the ministry of the Word and to come to it expecting God to work. Q155’s description should reshape how we view preaching: it is no mere human lecture but the Spirit’s chosen instrument to convert, conform, strengthen, and comfort — which is why faithful, ordinary, week-by-week preaching of Scripture is one of the most important things in a Christian’s life, never to be despised or neglected. Q159 holds preachers to a searching standard — sound, plain, faithful to “the whole counsel of God,” wise, zealous, sincere — and calls congregations to pray for and support such preaching. But Q160 lays equal weight on the hearer: the same sermon falls on the careless and the prepared, and only the latter is fed. So we are to come to the Word with diligence (showing up, paying attention), preparation (praying beforehand, examining our hearts), and prayer (asking the Spirit to open it); to test what we hear against Scripture like the noble Bereans (Acts 17:11); to receive it as God’s Word with faith and meekness; to meditate on it and talk it over; to hide it in our hearts; and above all to do it. The tragedy of much churchgoing is hearing without doing — “deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Come hungry to the Word, and the Spirit will feed you, “through faith unto salvation.”

For Memory & Reflection

• Memorize Q154, Q155, and Q160; anchor verses: Romans 10:17, Acts 17:11, and James 1:22.
• Q155 says the Spirit uses the Word to drive me “out of myself” and draw me to Christ. Do I come to preaching expecting that work?
• Q160 requires me to examine, receive, meditate, and do the Word. Which of these do I most neglect as a hearer?