Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 38 of 107
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A.At the resurrection, believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 38. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- 1 Corinthians 15:43
It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; (NET)
- Matthew 25:23
His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (NET)
- Matthew 10:32
“Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. (NET)
- 1 John 3:2
Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him because we will see him just as he is. (NET)
- 1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. (NET)
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NET)
What does this answer mean?
At the resurrection believers will be raised up in glory. On the day of judgment they will be openly acknowledged and acquitted, declared not guilty before everyone. Then they will be made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. Question 1's 'enjoy him forever' reaches its fulfillment here.
What can we ask our children?
- What will happen to believers' bodies at the resurrection?
- What does it mean to be acquitted?
- How does this answer connect back to question 1?
Can I print this question?
Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.
- Memory card for question 38 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 38 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 31 to 40
- Copywork for questions 31 to 40
- All Westminster Shorter Catechism printables
Text: The Shorter Catechism, constitutional text of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Public domain (1647). Proof references: Scripture proofs added by the Westminster Assembly, as transcribed by The Westminster Standard. Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible; see permissions.
Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.