Question 38

What is it to be acknowledged by Christ?

It is Christ’s owning of the special relation betwixt him and them.^a Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world

Whom will Christ acknowledge for his?

Such as confess Christ now.^b Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my father which is in heaven.

Before whom will Christ confess them?

Before his Father, Angels and Men.^c He that overcometh, the same shall be cloathed in white Raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before Angels.

Who shall be denied by Christ in that Day?

All that now deny Christ, shall be denied by him.^d If we deny him, he also will deny us.

Why will Christ openly acknowledge them?

To wipe off all Aspersions and Censures that now are cast upon them^e Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my names sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

What will be the effect of Christ’s Acknowledgment?

’Twill put a full end to all Doubts, Fears, and Jealousies of themselves.^f But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment; yea, I judge not my own self, for I know nothing by my self; yet am I not hereby justified, but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

What other effect will it produce in them?

Joy unspeakable and transcendent: hence called time of refreshing.^g When the time refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Is this the only time Christ acknowledgeth them?

No, he acknowledgeth them by his Spirit’s Testimony now; but that’s private in their Bosoms.^h The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God.

What is the first Inference from hence?

To warn all how they pass rash Censures on Christ’s Servants.ⁱ If I say, I will speak this, Behold I should offend against the generation of thy children.

What is the second Inference?

Let none be afraid or ashamed to confess the Person, Office, or any truth of Christ, for any loss or danger, that may threaten them.^j Also I say unto you Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the son of man also confess before the Angels of God. But he that denieth me before men, shall be denied before the Angels of God.

What is the third Inference?

Let Christians abound in good works. Every act of Charity for Christ, shall be acknowledged by him in the Day of Judgment.^k For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in.

What is the last inference?

Let all Christians love and long for the day of Christ’s appearing.^l Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Iudge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing.