What Are the "Means of Grace"?

The eighty-eighth question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?" It answers, "The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation."

What does it mean for Christ to communicate to us the benefits of redemption? 

This phrase does not simply refer to telling us about it, but actually sharing these benefits with us, giving them to us, giving us communion in them. Christ purchased redemption on the cross, and he then in due time gives the benefits of that redemption to the elect (e.g. justification, adoption, sanctification, the benefits that accompany or flow from them). 

What are means? 

A mean is something that is between, a middle point or place, and in this context it refers to an instrument, that which is used to accomplish a goal, to achieve an effect; the medium through which something is done.

What are the inward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?

The catechism explains in questions 29-31 that we are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the work of the Spirit in us, who applies it to us by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling (John 6:35, 44, 63, 1 Cor. 6:11).

Does Christ also ordinarily use outward means to communicate to us the benefits of redemption?

Yes, this catechism answer points out that Christ ordinarily uses outward means to give us the benefits of redemption (Rom. 10:14-17, 1 Tim. 4:15-16), both initially and continually, in our effectual calling and growth in grace. The Spirit makes these outward means effectual. Sometimes we refer to these outward and ordinary means as “the means of grace.”

Why do we call them the ordinary means?

First, because there may be exceptions, such as with elect infants who die in infancy and are nevertheless regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who works when, and where, and how he pleases (John 3:8). Second, because these means are the ordinary means and we should use them with that expectation. You should seek Christ and his benefits by a diligent and right use of the ordinary means appointed by him, as was said earlier. 

Are they made effectual for salvation to everyone?

No, the wilderness generation is used several times in the Bible as an illustration of those who had the means of grace but did not benefit from them (Heb. 4, 1 Cor. 10). Apart from the Spirit’s work, the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing, for their minds are blinded, kept from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

To whom are they made effectual to salvation? 

God makes them effectual to the elect for salvation. “…and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). These outward means are how God effectually calls and preserves his elect unto salvation. The efficacy of all the means of grace come from God, who removes our spiritual blindness and stubbornness, not from the means themselves.

Generally speaking, what are these outward and ordinary means?

They are Christ’s ordinances. Why is it important for us to specify that? Because it is only through ordinances of his appointing, appointed in his word, that we should expect to find salvation, not through ordinances invented by man. As Thomas Vincent (1634-1678) explains, “We ought not to make use of any ordinances which are of men’s appointment only, in order unto salvation, because this is will-worship, which is both vain and offensive; and we cannot groundedly expect the blessing of the Lord upon, or to receive any true benefit of any ordinances, but by those alone which are of his own appointment only.”

What are the chief ordinances of Christ? 

The Word of God, the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper), and prayer (Matt. 6:5-13, 26:26-29, 28:18-20). Acts 2:41-42, 47 describes how these ordinances were diligently observed by the apostolic church, and how God made them effectual to the elect for salvation. “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).