Anti-Christ

March 11, 2014March 11, 2014 / formofsoundwords / Leave a comment

4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father all power for the calling, institution, order, or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner;g neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.h
(g) Col 1:18; Matt 28:18-20; Eph 4:11-12
(h) 2 Thess 2:2-9

I would add that any man (or woman) that exalts himself in this manner is anti-Christ, including non-Papists, and Southern Baptists.

An article by Todd Pruitt over at Ref21 dealing with this issue.

Reformed?

January 14, 2014January 14, 2014 / formofsoundwords / Leave a comment

Introduction

Several years ago I began to use the word “reformed” to describe my theology. A few people at my church weren’t very thrilled by the use of that term. “Baptists aren’t Reformed. They have never needed to be. Jesus and Paul weren’t reformed, so why should we be?” they would reply. Our church is historically an ~~Independent Fundamental~~ Baptist Church that has held to a Calvinistic soteriology. It has also been influenced by Landmarkism. The church has never officially held to this “Baptist perpetuitism,” or its associated belief of “Baptist bride-ism,” but has seen that Baptists were never a part of Rome and therefore didn’t need to be reformed of anything.

Since we have adopted the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, we’ve come to be more open to associating formally as well as rejecting Landmarkism. As I continued to use the word “Reformed” in reference to my doctrinal beliefs I was given a short treatise on the subject of “Reformed Baptist” by Laurence Justice, a pastor of a Baptist church in Missouri. Let me begin by giving the title of his pamphlet: “Are Baptists Reformed? Emphasizing the Truth that Baptists Are Not Reformers and Reformers Are Not Baptists.”

I do not intend to say anything about Dr. Justice himself. What I know about him is that he is a godly man, a faithful pastor, one committed to his church and God’s Word, as well as a man who takes doctrine seriously. I appreciate the work he has done in his church for missions, defending God’s sovereign grace, and his Credobaptist belief.

What I do intend to do is interact with what Dr. Justice has written in this pamphlet. I will state up front that I have no problem with being a Reformed Baptist. I own the title. I also don’t think one MUST call himself a Reformed Baptist. We will see that there are some Baptists who are “Calvinistic” while not being reformed. But we also must see there is no such thing as “just Baptist,” for there are all types of people who call themselves Baptist that have a broad range of doctrines. Let us begin our interaction with “Are Baptists Reformed?”

By way of introduction to his text, I want to summarize his pamphlet and review his sections outlining why he does not believe Baptists should be called “Reformed.” I will then answer each section in subsequent blog posts critiquing his argument. He gives an introduction and then gives 5 arguments against being reformed as a Baptist. He defines Reformed as those “which had for its object the reform of the Roman Catholic church leading to the establishment of Protestant churches.” In other words, Reformed are Protestant and Protestant are Reformed. He continues in his introduction that, although the greatest Baptist confession of faith was the 1689 London Confession, Baptists aren’t Protestant. Even though Baptists believe the same things regarding salvation as the Reformed Churches and the Westminster Presbyterians, they aren’t Reformed or Protestant. He then continues with 5 statements.

Because of What Baptists Believe About God’s Word
Because of What Baptists Believe About the Church
Because of What Baptists Believe About the Relationship of Church and State
Because of What Baptists Believe About Baptism
Because of the Un-Christian Way the Reformed Have Treated Baptists Through the Centuries

In my reading I saw that Dr. Justice makes 2 mistakes

He generalizes his use of “Baptist.”

– He picks and chooses which Baptists he identifies with in making his various arguments

He does poor history

– He doesn’t recognize the point of statements of faith throughout the last 2,000 years

– The Particular Baptists put out their statement of faith for a reason, and I don’t know that this is ignored or if it is unknown to Dr. Justice

These 2 mistakes permeate all of his arguments. I hope to point them out for correction, hoping this will lead to greater fellowship among Baptists who hold to a particular redemption. Also, confessional Baptism is at stake here. We must understand the context in which statements of faith are written and avoid an anachronistic reading of them. Next week we will pick up our interaction with his text, discussing Baptist Confessional history as well as looking at the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

The Baptist Confession

November 11, 2013January 28, 2017 / William F. Leonhart III / 1 Comment

Commonly referred to as the Second London Baptist Confession or the London Baptist Confession of Faith (1677/1689), for many generations it was simply known as The Baptist Confession. This confession was compiled by Particular Baptist ministers in London out of a desire to provide an identity for the growing number of credobaptist congregations touching the Congregationalist and Separatist movements. Its authors also aspired to demonstrate to those holding to the Westminster Standards and Savoy Declaration that they aligned more with them than with the increasingly liberal Anabaptists in continental Europe. As such, there are a great many similarities between The Baptist Confession and those other documents. For deeper study of the confession, Reformed Baptista has offered some helps for the ladies in her A Little Time with the 1689 series. You can read these helps by clicking on the “A Little Time” link next to each chapter. See also The Baptist Catechism (1693) and Tom Nettles’ A Catechism for Boys and Girls (2013).

Table of Contents

To the Judicious and Impartial Reader

Chapter One, Of the Holy Scriptures (A LIttle Time)
Chapter Two, Of God and of the Holy Trinity
Chapter Three, Of God’s Decree
Chapter Four, Of Creation
Chapter Five, Of Divine Providence
Chapter Six, Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof
Chapter Seven, Of God’s Covenant
Chapter Eight, Of Christ the Mediator
Chapter Nine, Of Free Will
Chapter Ten, Of Effectual Calling
Chapter Eleven, Of Justification
Chapter Twelve, Of Adoption
Chapter Thirteen, Of Sactification
Chapter Fourteen, Of Saving Faith
Chapter Fifteen, Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation
Chapter Sixteen, Of Good Works
Chapter Seventeen, Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Chapter Eighteen, Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter Nineteen, Of the Law of God
Chapter Twenty, Of the Gospel and the Extent of the Grace Thereof
Chapter Twenty-One, Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter Twenty-Two, Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
Chapter Twenty-Three, Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter Twenty-Four, Of the Civil Magistrate
Chapter Twenty-Five, Of Marriage
Chapter Twenty-Six, Of the Church
Chapter Twenty-Seven, Of the Communion of the Saints
Chapter Twenty-Eight, Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Chapter Twenty-Nine, Of Baptism
Chapter Thirty, Of the Lord’s Supper
Chapter Thirty-One, Of the State of Man after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead
Chapter Thirty-Two, Of the Last Judgment

To the Judicious and Impartial Reader

Courteous Reader: It is now many years since divers of us (with other sober Christians then living and walking in the way of the Lord that we professe) did conceive our selves to be under a necessity of Publishing a Confession of our Faith, for the information, and satisfaction of those, that did not thoroughly understand what our principles were, or had entertained prejudices against our Profession, by reason of the strange representation of them, by some men of note, who had taken very wrong measures, and accordingly led others into misapprehensions, of us, and them: and this was first put forth about the year, 1643. in the name of seven Congregations then gathered in London; since which time, diverse impressions thereof have been dispersed abroad, and our end proposed, in good measure answered, inasmuch as many (and some of those men eminent, both for piety and learning) were thereby satisfied, that we were no way guilty of those Heterodoxies and fundamental errors, which had too frequently been charged upon us without ground, or occasion given on our part. And forasmuch, as that Confession is not now commonly to be had; and also that many others have since embraced the same truth which is owned therein; it was judged necessary by us to join together in giving a testimony to the world; of our firm adhering to those wholesome Principles, by the publication of this which is now in your hand.

And forasmuch as our method, and manner of expressing our sentiments, in this, doth vary from the former (although the substance of the matter is the same) we shall freely impart to you the reason and occasion thereof. One thing that greatly prevailed with us to undertake this work, was (not only to give a full account of our selves, to those Christians that differ from us about the subject of Baptism, but also) the profit that might from thence arise, unto those that have any account of our labors, in their instruction, and establishment in the great truths of the Gospel; in the clear understanding, and steady belief of which, our comfortable walking with God, and fruitfulness before him, in all our ways, is most neerly concerned; and therefore we did conclude it necessary to expresse our selves the more fully, and distinctly; and also to fix on such a method as might be most comprehensive of those things which we designed to explain our sense, and belief of; and finding no defect, in this regard, in that fixed on by the assembly, and after them by those of the Congregational way, we did readily conclude it best to retain the same order in our present confession: and also, when we observed that those last mentioned, did in their confession (for reasons which seemed of weight both to themselves and others) choose not only to express their mind in words concurrent with the former in sense, concerning all those articles wherein they were agreed, but also for the most part without any variation of the terms we did in like manner conclude it best to follow their example in making use of the very same words with them both, in these articles (which are very many) wherein our faith and doctrine is the same with theirs, and this we did, the more abundantly, to manifest our consent with both, in all the fundamental articles of the Christian Religion, as also with many others, whose orthodox confessions have been published to the world; on behalf of the Protestants in divers Nations and Cities: and also to convince all, that we have no itch to clogge Religion with new words, but do readily acquiesce in that form of sound words, which hath been, in consent with the holy Scriptures, used by others before us; hereby declaring before God, Angels, & Men, our hearty agreement with them, in that wholesome Protestant Doctrine, which with so clear evidence of Scriptures they have asserted: some things indeed, are in some places added, some terms omitted, and some few changed, but these alterations are of that nature, as that we need not doubt, any charge or suspition of unsoundness in the faith, from any of our brethren upon the account of them.

In those things wherein we differ from others, we have exprest our selves with all candor and plainness that none might entertain jealousie of ought secretly lodged in our breasts, that we would not the world should be acquainted with; yet we hope we have also observed those rules of modesty, and humility, as will render our freedom in this respect inoffensive, even to those whose sentiments are different from ours.

We have also taken care to affix texts of Scripture, in the margin for the confirmation of each article in our confession; in which work we have studiously indeavoured to select such as are most clear and pertinent, for the proof of what is asserted by us: and our earnest desire is, that all into whose hands this may come, would follow that (never enough commended) example of the noble Bereans, who searched the Scriptures daily, that they might find out whether the things preached to them were so or not.

There is one thing more which we sincerely professe, and earnestly desire credence in-viz., that contention is most remote from our design in all that we have done in this matter: and we hope the liberty of an ingenuous unfolding our principles, and opening our hearts unto our Brethren, with the Scripture grounds on which our faith and practise leanes, will by none of them be either denyed to us, or taken ill from us. Our whole design is accomplished, if we may obtain that Justice, as to be measured in our principles, and practise, and the judgement of both by others, according to what we have now published; which the Lord (whose eyes are as a flame of fire) knoweth to be the doctrine, which with our hearts we must firmly believe, and sincerely indeavour to conform our lives to. And oh that other contentions being laid asleep, the only care and contention of all upon whom the name of our blessed Redeemer is called, might for the future be, to walk humbly with their God, and in the exercise of all Love and Meekness towards each other, to perfect holyness in the fear of the Lord, each one endeavouring to have his conversation such as becometh the Gospel; and also suitable to his place and capacity vigorously to promote in others the practice of true Religion and undefiled in the sight of God and our Father. And that in this backsliding day, we might not spend our breath in fruitless complaints of the evils of others; but may every one begin at home, to reform in the first place our own hearts, and wayes; and then to quicken all that we may have influence upon, to the same work; that if the will of God were so, none might deceive themselves, by resting in, and trusting to, a form of Godliness, without the power of it, and inward experience of the efficacy of those truths that are professed by them.

And verily there is one spring and cause of the decay of Religion in our day, which we cannot but touch upon, and earnestly urge a redresse of; and that is the neglect of the worship of God in Families, by those to whom the charge and conduct of them is committed. May not the grosse ignorance, and instability of many; with the prophaneness of others, be justly charged upon their Parents and Masters; who have not trained them up in the way wherein they ought to walk when they were young? but have neglected those frequent and solemn commands which the Lord hath laid upon them so to catechize, and instruct them, that their tender years might be seasoned with the knowledge of the truth of God as revealed in the Scriptures; and also by their own omission of Prayer, and other duties of Religion in their families, together with the ill example of their loose conversation, have inured them first to a neglect, and then contempt of all Piety and Religion? we know this will not excuse the blindness, or wickedness of any; but certainly it will fall heavy upon those that have thus been the occasion thereof; they indeed dye in their sins; but will not their blood be required of those under whose care they were, who yet permitted them to go on without warning, yea led them into the paths of destruction? and will not the diligence of Christians with respect to the discharge of these duties, in ages past, rise up in judgment against, and condemn many of those who would be esteemed such now?

We shall conclude with our earnest prayer, that the God of all grace, will pour out those measures of his holy Spirit upon us, that the profession of truth may be accompanyed with the sound belief, and diligent practise of it by us; that his name may in all things be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

THE BAPTIST CONFESSION

Chapter One: Of the Holy Scriptures

1. The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.
( 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Ephesians 2:20; Romans 1:19-21; Romans 2:14,15; Psalms 19:1-3; Hebrews 1:1; Proverbs 22:19-21; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19,20 )

2. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:

OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomen, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations,Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, To Titus, To Philemon, The Epistle to the Hebrews, Epistle of James, The first and second Epistles of Peter, The first, second, and third Epistles of John, The Epistle of Jude, The Revelation

All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.
( 2 Timothy 3:16)

3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon or rule of the Scripture, and, therefore, are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of than other human writings.
( Luke 24:27, 44; Romans 3:2 )

4. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God.
( 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 John 5:9 )

5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.
( John 16:13,14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 1 John 2:20, 27)

6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.
( 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Galatians 1:8,9; John 6:45; 1 Corinthians 2:9-12; 1 Corinthians 11:13, 14; 1 Corinthians 14:26,40)

7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.
( 2 Peter 3:16; Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:130)

8. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.
( Romans 3:2; Isaiah 8:20; Acts 15:15; John 5:39; 1 Corinthians 14:6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 28; Colossians 3:16 )

9. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.
( 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Acts 15:15, 16)

10. The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.
( Matthew 22:29, 31, 32; Ephesians 2:20; Acts 28:23)

Chapter Two: Of God and the Holy Trinity

1. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; whose subsistence is in and of himself, infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; who is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, and withal most just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.
(1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10; Isaiah 48:12; Exodus 3:14; John 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Deuteronomy 4:15, 16; Malachi 3:6; 1 Kings 8:27; Jeremiah 23:23; Psalms 90:2; Genesis 17:1; Isaiah 6:3; Psalms 115:3; Isaiah 46:10; Proverbs 16:4; Romans 11:36; Exodus 34:6, 7; Hebrews 11:6; Nehemiah 9:32, 33; Psalms 5:5, 6; Exodus 34:7; Nahum 1:2, 3)

2. God, having all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself, is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things, and he hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth; in his sight all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain; he is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands; to him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever he is further pleased to require of them.
(John 5:26; Psalms 148:13; Psalms 119:68; Job 22:2, 3; Romans 11:34-36; Daniel 4:25, 34, 35; Hebrews 4:13; Ezekiel 11:5; Acts 15:18; Psalms 145:17; Revelation 5:12-14)

3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on him.
(1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Exodus 3:14; John 14:11; 1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:14,18; John 15:26; Galatians 4:6)

Chapter Three: Of God’s Decree

1. God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein; nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree.
( Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Hebrews 6:17; Romans 9:15, 18; James 1:13; 1 John 1:5; Acts 4:27, 28; John 19:11; Numbers 23:19; Ephesians 1:3-5 )

2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything, because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
( Acts 15:18; Romans 9:11, 13, 16, 18 )

3. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.
( 1 Timothy 5:21; Matthew 25:34; Ephesians 1:5, 6; Romans 9:22, 23; Jude 4 )

4. These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
( 2 Timothy 2:19; John 13:18 )

5. Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.
( Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11; Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 9:13, 16; Ephesians 2:5, 12 )

6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so he hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto; wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.
( 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10; Romans 8:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:5; John 10:26; John 17:9; John 6:64 )

7. The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.
( 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5; 2 Peter 1:10; Ephesians 1:6; Romans 11:33; Romans 11:5, 6, 20; Luke 10:20)

Chapter Four: Of Creation

1. In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.
( John 1:2, 3; Hebrews 1:2; Job 26:13; Romans 1:20; Colossians 1:16; Genesis 1:31 )

2. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.
( Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 1:26; Romans 2:14, 15; Genesis 3:6 )

3. Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which whilst they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.
( Genesis 2:17; Genesis 1:26, 28 )

Chapter Five: Of Divine Providence

1. God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power and wisdom doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were created, according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will; to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy.
( Hebrews 1:3; Job 38:11; Isaiah 46:10, 11; Psalms 135:6; Matthew 10:29-31; Ephesians 1:11 )

2. Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without his providence; yet by the same providence he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
( Acts 2:23; Proverbs 16:33; Genesis 8:22 )

3. God, in his ordinary providence maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them at his pleasure.
( Acts 27:31, 44; Isaiah 55:10, 11; Hosea 1:7; Romans 4:19-21; Daniel 3:27 )

4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his providence, that his determinate counsel extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of angels and men; and that not by a bare permission, which also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the creatures, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.
( Romans 11:32-34; 2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Chronicles 21:1; 2 Kings 19:28; Psalms 76;10; Genesis 1:20; Isaiah 10:6, 7, 12; Psalms 1:21; 1 John 2:16 )

5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends. So that whatsoever befalls any of his elect is by his appointment, for his glory, and their good.
( 2 Chronicles 32:25, 26, 31; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Romans 8:28 )

6. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as the righteous judge, for former sin doth blind and harden; from them he not only withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understanding, and wrought upon their hearts; but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin; and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, under those means which God useth for the softening of others.
( Romans 1:24-26, 28; Romans 11:7, 8; Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 13:12; Deuteronomy 2:30; 2 Kings 8:12, 13; Psalms 81:11, 12; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Exodus 8:15, 32; Isaiah 6:9, 10; 1 Peter 2:7, 8 )

7. As the providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, so after a more special manner it taketh care of his church, and disposeth of all things to the good thereof.
( 1 Timothy 4:10; Amos 9:8, 9; Isaiah 43:3-5 )

Chapter Six: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof

1. Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened death upon the breach thereof, yet he did not long abide in this honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto them, in eating the forbidden fruit, which God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to his own glory.
( Genesis 2:16, 17; Genesis 3:12,13; 2 Corinthians 11:3 )

2. Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and we in them whereby death came upon all: all becoming dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.
( Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12, etc; Titus 1:15; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-19 )

3. They being the root, and by God’s appointment, standing in the room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and all other miseries, spiritual, temporal, and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus set them free.
( Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 45, 49; Psalms 51:5; Job 14:4; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 6:20 Romans 5:12; Hebrews 2:14, 15; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 )

4. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.
( Romans 8:7; Colossians 1:21; James 1:14, 15; Matthew 15:19 )

5. The corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and the first motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.
( Romans 7:18,23; Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8; Romans 7:23-25; Galatians 5:17 )

Chapter Seven: Of God’s Covenant

1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience to him as their creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of life but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.
( Luke 17:10; Job 35:7,8 )

2. Moreover, man having brought himself under the curse of the law by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace, wherein he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved; and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.
( Genesis 2:17; Galatians 3:10; Romans 3:20, 21; Romans 8:3; Mark 16:15, 16; John 3:16; Ezekiel 36:26, 27; John 6:44, 45; Psalms 110:3 )

3. This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman, and afterwards by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed in the New Testament; and it is founded in that eternal covenant transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the redemption of the elect; and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that all the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and blessed immortality, man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency.
( Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 11;6, 13; Romans 4:1, 2, &c.; Acts 4:12; John 8:56 )

Chapter Eight: Of Christ the Mediator

1. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the mediator between God and man; the prophet, priest, and king; head and saviour of the church, the heir of all things, and judge of the world; unto whom he did from all eternity give a people to be his seed and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
( Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 1:19, 20; Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:5, 6; Psalms 2:6; Luke 1:33; Ephesians 1:22, 23; Hebrews 1:2; Acts 17:31; Isaiah 53:10; John 17:6; Romans 8:30 )

2. The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father’s glory, of one substance and equal with him who made the world, who upholdeth and governeth all things he hath made, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her: and the power of the Most High overshadowing her; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures; so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.
( John 1:14; Galatians 4;4; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 2:14, 16, 17; Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 1:22, 23; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; Romans 9:5; 1 Timothy 2:5 )

3. The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure, having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell, to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety; which office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by his Father; who also put all power and judgement in his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same.
( Psalms 45:7; Acts 10:38; John 3:34; Colossians 2:3; Colossians 1:19; Hebrews 7:26; John 1:14; Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 5:5; John 5:22, 27; Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:36 )

4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, which that he might discharge he was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfil it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have borne and suffered, being made sin and a curse for us; enduring most grievous sorrows in his soul, and most painful sufferings in his body; was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption: on the third day he arose from the dead with the same body in which he suffered, with which he also ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father making intercession, and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.
( Psalms 40:7, 8; Hebrews 10:5-10; John 10:18; Gal 4:4; Matthew 3:15; Galatians 3:13; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Matthew 26:37, 38; Luke 22:44; Matthew 27:46; Acts 13:37; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; John 20:25, 27; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24; Acts 10:42; Romans 14:9, 10; Acts 1:11; 2 Peter 2:4 )

5. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of God, procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.
( Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:14; Romans 3:25, 26; John 17:2; Hebrews 9:15 )

6. Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices wherein he was revealed, and signified to be the seed which should bruise the serpent’s head; and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, being the same yesterday, and to-day and for ever.
( 1 Corinthians 4:10; Hebrews 4:2; 1 Peter 1:10, 11; Revelation 13:8; Hebrews 13:8 )

7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.
( John 3:13; Acts 20:28 )

8. To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them; uniting them to himself by his Spirit, revealing unto them, in and by his Word, the mystery of salvation, persuading them to believe and obey, governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit, and overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner and ways as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all of free and absolute grace, without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.
( John 6:37; John 10:15, 16; John 17:9; Romans 5:10; John 17:6; Ephesians 1:9; 1 John 5:20; Romans 8:9, 14; Psalms 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26; John 3:8; Ephesians 1:8 )

9. This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from him to any other.
( 1 Timothy 2:5 )

10. This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of his prophetical office; and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of our services, we need his priestly office to reconcile us and present us acceptable unto God; and in respect to our averseness and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to his heavenly kingdom.
( John 1:18; Colossians 1:21; Galatians 5:17; John 16:8; Psalms 110:3; Luke 1:74, 75 )

Chapter Nine: Of Free Will

1. God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty and power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any necessity of nature determined to do good or evil.
( Matthew 17:12; James 1:14; Deuteronomy 30:19 )

2. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God, but yet was unstable, so that he might fall from it.
( Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 3:6 )

3. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation; so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.
( Romans 5:6; Romans 8:7; Ephesians 2:1, 5; Titus 3:3-5; John 6:44 )

4. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin, and by his grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruptions, he doth not perfectly, nor only will, that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil.
( Colossians 1:13; John 8:36; Philippians 2:13; Romans 7:15, 18, 19, 21, 23 )

5. This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone in the state of glory only.
( Ephesians 4:13 )

Chapter Ten: Of Effectual Calling

1. Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, he is pleased in his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace. (Romans 8:30; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 1:10, 11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14; Ephesians 2:1-6; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:17, 18; Ezekiel 36:26; Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 36:27; Ephesians 1:19; Psalm 110:3; Song of Solomon 1:4 )

2. This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or agency in the creature, being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit; he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it, and that by no less power than that which raised up Christ from the dead. ( 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:5; John 5:25; Ephesians 1:19, 20 )

3. Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit; who worketh when, and where, and how he pleases; so also are all elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word. ( John 3:3, 5, 6; John 3:8 )

4. Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor can truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men that receive not the Christian religion be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and the law of that religion they do profess. ( Matthew 22:14; Matthew 13:20, 21; Hebrews 6:4, 5; John 6:44, 45, 65; 1 John 2:24, 25; Acts 4:12; John 4:22; John 17:3 )

Chapter Eleven: Of Justification

1. Those whom God effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth, not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing Christ’s active obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole righteousness by faith, which faith they have not of themselves; it is the gift of God.
( Romans 3:24; Romans 8:30; Romans 4:5-8; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31; Romans 5:17-19; Philippians 3:8, 9; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12; Romans 5:17 )

2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.
( Romans 3:28; Galatians 5:6; James 2:17, 22, 26 )

3. Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due unto them, make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in their behalf; yet, inasmuch as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in them, their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.
( Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Isaiah 53:5, 6; Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:26; Ephesians 1:6,7; Ephesians 2:7 )

4. God did from all eternity decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and rise again for their justification; nevertheless, they are not justified personally, until the Holy Spirit doth in time due actually apply Christ unto them.
( Galatians 3:8; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Timothy 2:6; Romans 4:25; Colossians 1:21,22; Titus 3:4-7 )

5. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified, and although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure; and in that condition they have not usually the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.
( Matthew 6:12; 1 John 1:7, 9; John 10:28; Psalms 89:31-33; Psalms 32:5; Psalms 51; Matthew 26:75 )

6. The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.
( Galatians 3:9; Romans 4:22-24 )

Chapter Twelve: Of Adoption

All those that are justified, God vouchsafed, in and for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have his name put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him as by a Father, yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption, and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.
( Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:4, 5; John 1:12; Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 3:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 2:18; Psalms 103:13; Proverbs 14:26; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 12:6; Isaiah 54:8, 9; Lamentations 3:31; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 6:12 )

Chapter Thirteen: Of Sanctification

1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
( Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6; John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23; Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14 )

2. This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.
( 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 7:18, 23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11 )

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in His Word hath prescribed them.
( Romans 7:23; Romans 6:14; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1)

Chapter Fourteen: Of Saving Faith

1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word; by which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord’s supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened. ( 2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:14, 17; Luke 17:5; 1 Peter 2:2; Acts 20:32 )

2. By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself, and also apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in the world, as it bears forth the glory of God in his attributes, the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his workings and operations: and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the truth thus believed; and also acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come; but the principal acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
( Acts 24:14; Psalms 27:7-10; Psalms 119:72; 2 Timothy 1:12; John 14:14; Isaiah 66:2; Hebrews 11:13; John 1:12; Acts 16:31; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:11 )

3. This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak or strong, yet it is in the least degree of it different in the kind or nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace of temporary believers; and therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory, growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.
( Hebrews 5:13, 14; Matthew 6:30; Romans 4:19, 20; 2 Peter 1:1; Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4, 5; Hebrews 6:11, 12; Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 12:2 )

Chapter Fifteen: Of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation

1. Such of the elect as are converted at riper years, having sometime lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures, God in their effectual calling giveth them repentance unto life. ( Titus 3:2-5 )

2. Whereas there is none that doth good and sinneth not, and the best of men may, through the power and deceitfulness of their corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall into great sins and provocations; God hath, in the covenant of grace, mercifully provided that believers so sinning and falling be renewed through repentance unto salvation.
( Ecclesiastes 7:20; Luke 22:31, 32 )

3. This saving repentance is an evangelical grace, whereby a person, being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils of his sin, doth, by faith in Christ, humble himself for it with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrency, praying for pardon and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavour, by supplies of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all well-pleasing in all things.
( Zechariah 12:10; Acts 11:18; Ezekiel 36:31; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Psalms 119:6; Psalms 119:128 )

4. As repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof, so it is every man’s duty to repent of his particular known sins particularly.
( Luke 19:8; 1 Timothy 1:13, 15 )

5. Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the covenant of grace for the preservation of believers unto salvation; that although there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation; yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation on them that repent; which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.
( Romans 6:23; Isaiah 1:16-18 Isaiah 55:7 )

Chapter Sixteen: Of Good Works

1. Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his Holy Word, and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intentions.
( Micah 6:8; Hebrews 13:21; Matthew 15:9; Isaiah 29:13 )

2. These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith; and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life.
( James 2:18, 22; Psalms 116:12, 13; 1 John 2:3, 5; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Matthew 5:16; 1 Timothy 6:1; 1 Peter 2:15; Philippians 1:11; Ephesians 2:10; Romans 6:22 )

3. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure; yet they are not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.
( John 15:4, 5; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 2:13; Philippians 2:12; Hebrews 6:11, 12; Isaiah 64:7 )

4. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.
( Job 9:2, 3; Galatians 5:17; Luke 17:10 )

5. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins; but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because as they are good they proceed from his Spirit, and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God’s punishment.
( Romans 3:20; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 4:6; Galatians 5:22, 23; Isaiah 64:6; Psalms 143:2 )

6. Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in God’s sight, but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections.
( Ephesians 1:6; 1 Peter 2:5; Matthew 25:21, 23; Hebrews 6:10 )

7. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others; yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner according to the word, nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, nor make a man meet to receive grace from God, and yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing to God.
( 2 Kings 10:30; 1 Kings 21:27, 29; Genesis 4:5; Hebrews 11:4, 6; 1 Corinthians 13:1; Matthew 6:2, 5; Amos 5:21, 22; Romans 9:16; Titus 3:5; Job 21:14, 15; Matthew 25:41-43 )

Chapter Seventeen: Of the Perseverance of the Saints

1. Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, whence he still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality; and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and obscured from them, yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.
( John 10:28, 29; Philippians 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 John 2:19; Psalms 89:31, 32; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Malachi 3:6 )

2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, the oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
( Romans 8:30 Romans 9:11, 16; Romans 5:9, 10; John 14:19; Hebrews 6:17, 18; 1 John 3:9; Jeremiah 32:40 )

3. And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue therein, whereby they incur God’s displeasure and grieve his Holy Spirit, come to have their graces and comforts impaired, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded, hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves, yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.
( Matthew 26:70, 72, 74; Isaiah 64:5, 9; Ephesians 4:30; Psalms 51:10, 12; Psalms 32:3, 4; 2 Samuel 12:14; Luke 22:32, 61, 62 )

Chapter Eighteen: Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation

1. Although temporary believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.
( Job 8:13, 14; Matthew 7:22, 23; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:14, 18, 19, 21, 24; 1 John 5:13; Romans 5:2, 5 )

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.
( Hebrews 6:11, 19; Hebrews 6:17, 18; 2 Peter 1:4, 5, 10, 11; Romans 8:15, 16; 1 John 3:1-3 )

3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness.
( Isaiah 50:10; Psalms 88; Psalms 77:1-12; 1 John 4:13; Hebrews 6:11, 12; Romans 5:1, 2, 5; Romans 14:17; Psalms 119:32; Romans 6:1,2; Titus 2:11, 12, 14 )

4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God’s withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light, yet are they never destitute of the seed of God and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived, and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.
( Psalms 51:8, 12, 14; Psalms 116:11; Psalms 77:7, 8; Psalms 31:22; Psalms 30:7; 1 John 3:9; Luke 22:32; Psalms 42:5, 11; Lamentations 3:26-31 )

Chapter Nineteen: Of the Law of God

1. God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience written in his heart, and a particular precept of not eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which he bound him and all his posterity to personal, entire, exact, and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it.
( Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10, 12 )

2. The same law that was first written in the heart of man continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, and was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six, our duty to man.
( Romans 2:14, 15; Deuteronomy 10:4 )

3. Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, all which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are, by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end abrogated and taken away.
( Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Colossians 2:14, 16, 17; Ephesians 2:14, 16 )

4. To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution; their general equity only being of moral use.
( 1 Corinthians 9:8-10 )

5. The moral law doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof, and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator, who gave it; neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.
( Romans 13:8-10; James 2:8, 10-12; James 2:10, 11; Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:31 )

6. Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of works, to be thereby justified or condemned, yet it is of great use to them as well as to others, in that as a rule of life, informing them of the will of God and their duty, it directs and binds them to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinful pollutions of their natures, hearts, and lives, so as examining themselves thereby, they may come to further conviction of, humiliation for, and hatred against, sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his obedience; it is likewise of use to the regenerate to restrain their corruptions, in that it forbids sin; and the threatenings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve, and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof. The promises of it likewise shew them God’s approbation of obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the law as a covenant of works; so as man’s doing good and refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one and deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law and not under grace.
( Romans 6:14; Galatians 2:16; Romans 8:1; Romans 10:4; Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7, etc; Romans 6:12-14; 1 Peter 3:8-13 )

7. Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to be done.
( Galatians 3:21; Ezekiel 36:27 )

Chapter Twenty: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof

1. The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and begetting in them faith and repentance; in this promise the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and therein effectual for the conversion and salvation of sinners.
( Genesis 3:15; Revelation 13:8 )

2. This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God; neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way; much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.
( Romans 1:17; Romans 10:14,15,17; Proverbs 29:18; Isaiah 25:7; Isaiah 60:2, 3 )

3. The revelation of the gospel unto sinners, made in divers times and by sundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God; not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men’s natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever did make, or can do so; and therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent or straitening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of the will of God.
( Psalms 147:20; Acts 16:7; Romans 1:18-32 )

4. Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual life; without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God.
( Psalms 110:3; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 1:19, 20; John 6:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6 )

Chapter Twenty-One: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the rigour and curse of the law, and in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin, from the evil of afflictions, the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave, and ever- lasting damnation: as also in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind.

All which were common also to believers under the law for the substance of them; but under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of a ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.
( Galatians 3:13; Galatians 1:4; Acts 26:18; Romans 8:3; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Romans 8:15; Luke 1:73-75; 1 John 4:18; Galatians 3:9, 14; John 7:38, 39; Hebrews 10:19-21 )

2. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or not contained in it. So that to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring of an implicit faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason also.
( James 4:12; Romans 14:4; Acts 4:19, 29; 1 Corinthians 7:23; Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:20, 22, 23; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 1:24 )

3. They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction, so they wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righeousness before Him, all the days of our lives.
( Romans 6:1, 2; Galatians 5:13; 2 Peter 2:18, 21 )

Chapter Twenty-Two: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

1. The light of nature shews that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is just, good and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart and all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.
( Jeremiah 10:7; Mark 12:33; Deuteronomy 12:32; Exodus 20:4-6 )

2. Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to him alone; not to angels, saints, or any other creatures; and since the fall, not without a mediator, nor in the mediation of any other but Christ alone.
( Matthew 4:9, 10; John 6:23; Matthew 28:19; Romans 1:25; Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:10; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5 )

3. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.
( Psalms 95:1-7; Psalms 65:2; John 14:13, 14; Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14; 1 Corinthians 14:16, 17 )

4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.
( 1 Timothy 2:1, 2; 2 Samuel 7:29; 2 Samuel 12:21-23; 1 John 5:16 )

5. The reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and hearing the Word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord; as also the administration of baptism, and the Lord’s supper, are all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with fastings, and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.
( 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 8:18; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12; Exodus 15:1-19, Psalms 107 )

6. Neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship, is now under the gospel, tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself; so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly nor wilfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God by his word or providence calleth thereunto.
( John 4:21; Malachi 1:11; 1 Timothy 2:8; Acts 10:2; Matthew 6:11; Psalms 55:17; Matthew 6:6; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42 )

7. As it is the law of nature, that in general a proportion of time, by God’s appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by his Word, in a positive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy unto him, which from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, and from the resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord’s day: and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath, the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.
( Exodus 20:8; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10 )

8. The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and recreations, but are also taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.
( Isaiah 58:13; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Matthew 12:1-13 )

Chapter Twenty-Three: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgement, solemnly calleth God to witness what he sweareth, and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof.
( Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 10:20; Jeremiah 4:2; 2 Chronicles 6:22, 23 )

2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used, with all holy fear and reverence; therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred; yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God; so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken.
( Matthew 5:34, 37; James 5:12; Hebrews 6:16; 2 Corinthians 1:23; Nehemiah 13:25 )

3. Whosoever taketh an oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knoweth to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.
( Leviticus 19:12; Jeremiah 23:10 )

4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.
( Psalms 24:4 )

5. A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness; but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.
( Psalms 76:11; Genesis 28:20-22; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 9; Ephesians 4:28; Matthew 19:11)

Chapter Twenty-Four: Of the Civil Magistrate

1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.
( Romans 13:1-4 )

2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called there unto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament wage war upon just and necessary occasions.
( 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalms 82:3, 4; Luke 3:14 )

3. Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake; and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.
( Romans 13:5-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2 )

Chapter Twenty-Five: Of Marriage

1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.
( Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:15; Matthew 19:5,6 )

2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and the preventing of uncleanness.
( Genesis 2:18; Genesis 1:28; 1 Corinthians 7:2, 9 )

3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord; and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy.
( Hebrews 13:4; 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; Nehemiah 13:25-27 )

4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity, forbidden in the Word; nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.
( Leviticus 18; Mark 6:18; 1 Corinthians 5:1 )

Chapter Twenty-Six: Of the Church

1. The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
( Hebrews 12:23; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23; Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32 )

2. All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints; and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.
( 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 11:26; Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:20-22 )

3. The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan; nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.
( 1 Corinthians 5; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 18:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12; Matthew 16:18; Psalms 72:17; Psalm 102:28; Revelation 12:17 )

4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner; neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.
( Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11, 12; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-9 )

5. In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father, that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribeth to them in his word. Those thus called, he commandeth to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which he requireth of them in the world.
( John 10:16; John 12:32; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 18:15-20 )

6. The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ; and do willingly consent to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel.
( Romans. 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 5:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 9:13 )

7. To each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he hath given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which he hath instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power.
( Matthew 18:17, 18; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 5:13; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8 )

8. A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.
( Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1 )

9. The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself; and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein; and of a deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands.
( Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 4:14; Acts 6:3, 5, 6 )

10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him; it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability, so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs; and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others; and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.
( Acts 6:4; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17, 18; Galatians 6:6, 7; 2 Timothy 2:4; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 9:6-14 )

11. Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.
( Acts 11:19-21; 1 Peter 4:10, 11 )

12. As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.
( 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15 )

13. No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the church.
( Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:2, 3 )

14. As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ, in all places, and upon all occasions to further every one within the bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their gifts and graces, so the churches, when planted by the providence of God, so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.
( Ephesians 6:18; Psalms 122:6; Romans 16:1, 2; 3 John 8-10 )

15. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned; howbeit these messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or officers.
( Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25; 2 Corinthians 1:24; 1 John 4:1 )

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Of the Communion of the Saints

1. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by his Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with him, have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory; and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each others gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.
( 1 John 1:3; John 1:16; Philippians 3:10; Romans 6:5, 6; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; Romans 1:12; 1 John 3:17, 18; Galatians 6:10 )

2. Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities, and necessities; which communion, according to the rule of the gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in the relation wherein they stand, whether in families, or churches, yet, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended to all the household of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, doth not take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man hath in his goods and possessions.
( Hebrews 10:24, 25; Hebrews 3:12, 13; Acts 11:29, 30; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27; Acts 5:4; Ephesians 4:28 )

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

1. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be continued in his church to the end of the world.
( Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26 )

2. These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ.
( Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 4:1 )

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Of Baptism

1. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of giving up into God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.
( Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2;12; Galatians 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4 )

2. Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of this ordinance.
( Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8 )

3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
( Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38 )

4. Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance.
( Matthew 3:16; John 3:23 )

Chapter Thirty: Of the Lord’s Supper

1. The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his churches, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing forth the sacrifice of himself in his death, confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their further engagement in, and to all duties which they owe to him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other.
( 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17,21 )

2. In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the quick or dead, but only a memorial of that one offering up of himself by himself upon the cross, once for all; and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same. So that the popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is most abominable, injurious to Christ’s own sacrifice the alone propitiation for all the sins of the elect.
( Hebrews 9:25, 26, 28; 1 Corinthians 11:24; Matthew 26:26, 27 )

3. The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to a holy use, and to take and break the bread; to take the cup, and, they communicating also themselves, to give both to the communicants.
( 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, etc. )

4. The denial of the cup to the people, worshipping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance, and to the institution of Christ.
( Matthew 26:26-28; Matthew 15:9; Exodus 20:4, 5 )

5. The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to the use ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by the names of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ, albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before.
( 1 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Corinthians 11:26-28 )

6. That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine, into the substance of Christ’s body and blood, commonly called transubstantiation, by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense and reason, overthroweth the nature of the ordinance, and hath been, and is, the cause of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries.
( Acts 3:21; Luke 14:6, 39; 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25 )

7. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this ordinance, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually receive, and feed upon Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death; the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally, but spiritually present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.
( 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 )

8. All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ, so are they unworthy of the Lord’s table, and cannot, without great sin against him, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto; yea, whosoever shall receive unworthily, are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgment to themselves.
( 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 11:29; Matthew 7:6 )

Chapter Thirty-One: Of the State of Man After Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead

1. The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day; besides these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
( Genesis 3:19; Acts 13:36; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6,8; Philippians 1:23; Hebrews 12:23; Jude 6, 7; 1 Peter 3:19; Luke 16:23, 24 )

2. At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive, shall not sleep, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other; although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.
( 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Job 19:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 43 )

3. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honour, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.
( Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29; Philippians 3:21 )

Chapter Thirty-Two: Of the Last Judgment

1. God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ; to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.
( Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Jude 6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10, 12; Matthew 25:32-46 )

2. The end of God’s appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments, and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
( Romans 9:22, 23; Matthew 25:21, 34; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 )

3. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity, so will he have the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come, and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come quickly. Amen.
( 2 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:35-40; Revelation 22:20 )

The Baptist Catechism

November 11, 2013August 28, 2016 / William F. Leonhart III / 1 Comment

At the Baptist General Assembly of 1693, William Collins was commissioned to compile the truths of The Baptist Confession into question and answer format. The result was The Baptist Catechism. See also Tom Nettles’ A Catechism for Boys and Girls.

Table of Contents

Q&A 1-6, Authority, Revelation, and Scripture
Q&A 7-9, Theology Proper
Q&A 10-11, God’s Decrees
Q&A 12-13, Creation
Q&A 14-16, Divine Providence and Our First Parents
Q&A 17-23, Sin and the Fall
Q&A 24-32, Christ the Mediator
Q&A 33-41, The Application of Redemption
Q&A 42-43, The Punishment of the Wicked
Q&A 44-49, Preface to the Moral Law
Q&A 50-61, The First Three of the Ten Commandments
Q&A 62-67, The Fourth Commandment
Q&A 68-77, The Second Table of the Moral Law (Part One)
Q&A 78-89, The Second Table of the Moral Law (Part Two)
Q&A 90-92, The Proper Response to the Gospel
Q&A 93-104, The Ordinary Means of Grace
Q&A 105-114, Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

THE BAPTIST CATECHISM

Q.1: Who is the first and chiefest being?

A. God is the first and chiefest being.

( Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; Psalm 97:9 )

Q.2: Ought everyone to believe there is a God?

A. Everyone ought to believe there is a God; and it is their great sin and folly who do not.

( Hebrews 11:6; Psalm 14:1 )

Q.3: How may we know there is a God?

A. The light of nature in man and the works of God plainly declare there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners.

( Romans 1:19-20; Psalm 19:1-3; Acts 17:24; 1Corinthians 2:10; 2Timothy 3:15-16 )

Q.4: What is the Word of God?

A. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience.

( 2Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 2:20 )

Q.5: May all men make use of the Holy Scriptures?

A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted to read, hear, and understand the Holy Scriptures.

( John 5:38; Revelation 17:18-19; Acts 8:30 )

Q.6: What things are chiefly contained in the Holy Scriptures?

A. The Holy Scriptures chiefly contain what man ought to believe concerning God, and what duty God requireth of man.

( 2Timothy 1:13; 3:15-16 )

Q.7: What is God?

A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

( John 4:24; Job 11:7-9; Psalm 90:2; James 1:17; Exodus 3:14; Psalm 147:5; Revelation 4:8; 15:4; Exodus 34:6 )

Q.8: Are there more gods than one?

A. There is but one only, the living and true God.

( Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10 )

Q.9: How many persons are there in the Godhead?

A. There are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in essence, equal in power and glory.

( 1John 5:7; Matthew 28:19 )

Q.10: What are the decrees of God?

A. The decrees of God are His eternal purpose according to the counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, He hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.

( Ephesians 1:4,11; Romans 9:22-23; Isaiah 46:10; Lamentations 3:37 )

Q.11: How doth God execute His decrees?

A. God executeth His decrees in the works of creation and providence.

Q.12: What is the work of Creation?

A. The work of creation is God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of His power, in the space of six days, and all very good.

( Genesis 1; Hebrews 11:3 )

Q.13: How did God create man?

A. God created man, male and female, after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.

( Genesis 1:26-28; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24 )

Q.14: What are God’s works of providence?

A. God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing of all His creatures, and all their actions.

( Psalm 145:17; 104:24; Isaiah 28:29; Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 103:19; Matthew 10:29-31 )

Q.15: What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?

A. When God had created man, He entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience: forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.

( Galatians 3:12; Genesis 2:17 )

Q.16: Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

A. Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

( Genesis 3:6-8, 13; Ecclesiastes 7:29 )

Q.17: What is sin?

A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.

( 1John 3:4 )

Q.18: What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.

( Genesis 3:6,12 )

Q.19: Did all mankind fall in Adam’s transgression?

A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him in ordinary generation sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression.

( Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12; 1Corinthians 15:21-22 )

Q.20: Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.

( Romans 5:12 )

Q.21: Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

( Romans 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 1:14-15; Matthew 15:19 )

Q.22: What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. All mankind by their fall lost communication with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.

( Genesis 3:8,10,24; Ephesians 2:2-3; Galatians 3:10; Lamentations 3:39; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:41,46 )

Q.23: Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

A. God having out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.

( Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 3:20-22; Galatians 3:21-22 )

Q.24: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ; who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continueth to be God and man in two distinct natures, and one person for ever.

( 1Timothy 2:5-6; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4; Romans 9:5; Luke 1:35; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 7:24-25 )

Q.25: How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ the Son of God became man by taking to Himself a true body, and a reasonable soul; being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.

( Hebrews 2:14-16; 10:5 Matthew 26:38; Luke 1:27,31,34,35, 42; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26 )

Q.26: What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

A. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation.

( Acts 3:32; Hebrews 12:25; 2Corinthians 13:3; Hebrews 5:5-7; Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 21:5; Psalm 2:8-11 )

Q.27: How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

( John 1:18; 2Peter 1:10-12; John 15:15; 20:31 )

Q.28: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

A. Christ executeth the office of a priest in His once offering up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.

( Hebrews 9:14,28; 2:17; 7:24-25 )

Q.29: How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling, and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

( Acts 15:14-16; Isaiah 33:22; 32:1-2; 1Corinthians 15:25; Psalm 110 )

Q.30: Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?

A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.

( Luke 2:7; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 12:2-3; Isaiah 53:2-3; Luke 22:44; Matthew 27:46; Philippians 2:8; 1Corinthians 15:4; Acts 2:24-27,31; Matthew 12:40 )

Q.31: Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up to heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

( 1Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:19; Ephesians 1:20; Acts 1:11; 17:31 )

Q.32: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit.

( John 1:11-13; Titus 3:5-6 )

Q.33: How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ, in our effectual calling.

( John 6:37,39; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:8; 3:17; 1Corinthians 1:9 )

Q.34: What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby convincing us of our sin and our misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel.

( Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 6:44-45; Acts 2:37; 26:18; Philippians 2;13; 2Timothy 1:9; 2Thessalonians 2:13-14 )

Q.35: What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?

A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.

( 1Corinthians 1:30; Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:5 )

Q.36: What is justification?

A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all of our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

( Romans 3:24-25; 4:6-8; 5:17-19; 2Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9)

Q.37: What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.

( John 1:12; Romans 8:14; 1John 3:1 )

Q.38: What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

( Romans 4:4-6; Ephesians 4:23-24; 2Thessalonians 2:13 )

Q.39: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

( Proverbs 4:18; Romans 5:1-2,5,17; 1Peter 1:5; 1John 5:13 )

Q.40: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death?

A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory, and their bodies being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection.

( Job 19:26-27; Isaiah 57:2; Luke 23:43; 2Corinthians 5:1,6,8; Philippians 1:23; 1Thessalonians 4:14 Hebrews 12:23 )

Q.41: 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, both in soul and body, in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.

( Matthew 10:32; 25:23; 1Corinthians 13:12; 15:43; 1John 3:2; 1Thessalonians 4:17-18 )

Q.42: But what shall be done to the wicked at their death?

A. The souls of the wicked shall, at their death, be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day.

( Luke 16:23-24; Acts 1:25; Jude 7; 1Peter 3:19; Psalm 49:14 )

Q.43: What shall be done to the wicked, at the Day of Judgment?

A. At the Day of Judgment the bodies of the wicked, being raised out of their graves, shall be sentenced, together with their souls, to unspeakable torments with the devil and his angels for ever.

( John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:41, 46; 2Thessalonians 1:8-9 )

Q.44: What is the duty which God requireth of man?

A. The duty God requireth of man, is obedience to His revealed will.

( Micah 6:8; 1Samuel 15:22 )

Q.45: What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?

A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.

( Romans 2:14-15; 10:5 )

Q.46: Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?

A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments.

( Deuteronomy 10:4; Matthew 19:17-19 )

Q.47: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?

A. The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.

( Matthew 22:37-40 )

Q.48: What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?

A. The preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words; I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

( Exodus 20:2 )

Q.49: What doth the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?

A. The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord, and our God and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all His commandments.

( Luke 1:74-75; 1Peter 1:15-19 )

Q.50: Which is the first commandment?

A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

( Exodus 20:3 )

Q.51: What is required in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God; and to worship and glorify Him accordingly.

( 1Chronicles 28:9; Deuteronomy 26:17; Psalm 29:2; Matthew 4:10 )

Q.52: What is forbidden in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God and our God, and the giving that worship and glory to any other, which is due unto Him alone.

( Psalms 14:1; 81:10-11; Romans 1:21, 25-26 )

Q.53: What are we especially taught by these words “before Me,” in the first commandment?

A. These words “before Me,” in the first commandment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other god.

( Ezekiel 8:5-18 )

Q.54: Which is the second commandment?

A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto the any graven image, or the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the father upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.

( Exodus 20:4-6 )

Q.55: What is required in the second commandment?

A. The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and ordinances, as God hath appointed in His word.

( Deuteronomy 32:46; Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:42 )

Q.56: What is forbidden in the second commandment?

A. The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His word.

( Deuteronomy 4:15-19; 12:31-32; Exodus 32:5, 8 )

Q.57: What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?

A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He hath to His own worship.

( Psalms 45:11; 95:2-3, 6; Exodus 34:13-14 )

Q.58: Which is the third commandment?

A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

( Exodus 20:7 )

Q.59: What is required in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works.

( Deuteronomy 28:58; Job 36:24; Psalms 68:4; 138:1-2; Malachi 1:11, 14; Matthew 6:9; Revelation 15:3-4 )

Q.60: What is forbidden in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning and abusing of anything whereby God makes Himself known.

( Malachi 1:6-7, 12; 2:2; 3:14 )

Q.61: What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

A. The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment for men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape His righteous judgment.

( Deuteronomy 28:58-59; 1Samuel 2:12, 17, 22, 24, 29; 3:13 )

Q.62: What is the fourth commandment?

A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy: six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

( Exodus 20:8-11 )

Q.63: What is required in the fourth commandment?

A. The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God one whole day in seven to be a Sabbath to Himself.

( Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-14 )

Q.64: Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?

A. Before the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath.

( Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-14; Psalm 118:24; Matthew 28:1; Mark 2:27-28; 16:2; Luke 24:1, 30-36; John 20:1, 19-21, 26; Acts 1:3; 2:1-2; 20:7; 1Corinthians 16:1-2; Revelation 1:10 )

Q.65: How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?

A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.

( Exodus 16:25-28; 20:8, 10; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Psalm 92; Isaiah 66:23; Matthew 12:1-13; Luke 4:16 )

Q.66: What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?

A. The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about worldly employments or recreations.

( Jeremiah 17:24-27; Isaiah 58:13; Ezekiel 22:26; 23:38; Amos 8:5; Malachi 1:13; Acts 20:38 )

Q.67: What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?

A. The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment, are God’s allowing us six days of the week for our own lawful employments, His challenging a special propriety in a seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath day.

( Exodus 20:9, 11 )

Q.68: Which is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

( Exodus 20:12 )

Q.69: What is required in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor and performing the duties belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, and equals.

( Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:21; 1Peter 2:17 )

Q.70: What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglect of, or doing anything against the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations.

( Ezekiel 34:2-4; Matthew 15:4-6; Romans 13:8 )

Q.71: What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory, and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment.

( Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:2-3 )

Q.72: What is the sixth commandment?

A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.

( Exodus 20:13 )

Q.73: What is required in the sixth commandment?

A. The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life and the life of others.

( 1Kings 18:4; Ephesians 5:28-29 )

Q.74: What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?

A. The sixth commandment absolutely forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.

( Genesis 9:6; Acts 16:28 )

Q.75: Which is the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

( Exodus 20:14 )

Q.76: What is required in the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.

( 1Corinthians 7:2-3, 5, 34, 36; Colossians 4:6; 1Peter 3:2 )

Q.77: What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.

( Matthew 5:28; 15:19; Ephesians 5:3-4 )

Q.78: Which is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

( Exodus 20:15 )

Q.79: What is required in the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

( Genesis 30:30; 47:14, 20; Exodus 23:4-5; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 22:1-5; 1Timothy 5:8 )

Q.80: What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbor’s wealth or outward estate.

( Proverbs 21:17; 23:20-21; 28:19; Ephesians 4:28; 1Timothy 5:8 )

Q.81: Which is the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

( Exodus 20:16 )

Q.82: What is required in the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness bearing.

( Proverbs 14:5, 25; Zechariah 8:16; 3John 12 )

Q.83: What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name.

( Leviticus 19:16; 1Samuel 17:28; Psalm 15:3 )

Q.84: Which is the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment is Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.

( Exodus 20:17 )

Q.85: What is required in the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his.

( Job 31:29; Romans 12:15; 1Corinthians 13:4, 7; 1Timothy 1:5; 6:6; Hebrews 13:5 )

Q.86: What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.

( Deuteronomy 5:21; 1Kings 21:4; Esther 5:13; Romans 7:7-8; 1Corinthians 10:10; Galatians 5:26; James 3:14, 16 )

Q.87: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

A. No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

( Genesis 6:5; 8:21; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:9-21; Galatians 5:17; James 3:2-13; 1John 1:8, 10 )

Q.88: Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

( Psalm 78:17, 32, 56; Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15; 1John 5:16 )

Q.89: What doth every sin deserve?

A. Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life and that which is to come?

( Lamentations 3:39; Matthew 25:41; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 5:6; Galatians 3:10 )

Q.90: What doth God require of us that we may escape His wrath and curse, due to us for sin?

A. To escape the wrath and curse due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.

( Proverbs 2:1-6; 8:33-36; Isaiah 55:2-3; Acts 20:21 )

Q.91: What is faith in Jesus Christ?

A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the Gospel.

( Isaiah 26:3-4; John 1:12; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 10:39 )

Q.92: What is repentance unto life?

A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of and endeavor after new obedience.

( Isaiah 1:16-17; Jeremiah 3:22; 31:18-19; Esekiel 36:31; Joel 2:12; Acts 2:37-38; 11:28; 2Corinthians 7:11 )

Q.93: What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?

A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are His ordinances, especially the Word, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper; all which means are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

( Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42, 46-47 )

Q.94: 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 convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.

( Nehemiah 8:8; Psalm 19:8; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Romans 1:15-16; 10:13-17; 15:4; 1Corinthians 14:24-25; 1Timothy 3:15-17 )

Q.95: How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?

A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.

( Psalm 119:11, 18; Proverbs 8:34; Luke 8:15; 2Thessalonians 2:10; Hebrews 4:2; James 1:25; 1Peter 2:1-2 )

Q.96: How do baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation?

A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effectual means of salvation, not for any virtue in them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of the Spirit in those that by faith receive them.

( Matthew 3:11; 1Corinthians 3:6-7; 12:3; 1Peter 3:21 )

Q.97: What is baptism?

A. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Christ, to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with Him, in His death, burial, and resurrection; of his being engrafted into Him; of remission of sins; and of giving up himself unto God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.

( Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12 )

Q.98: To whom is baptism to be administered?

A. Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance toward God, faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other.

( Matthew 3:6; 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-38; 8:36-38 )

Q.99: Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be baptized?

A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized, because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures, or certain consequence from them to baptize such.

( Proverbs 30:6; Luke 3:7-8 )

Q.100: How is baptism rightly administered?

A. Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the party in water, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ’s institution, and the practice of the apostles, and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men.

( Matthew 3:16; 28:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 8:38; 10:48; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12 )

Q.101: What is the duty of such who are rightly baptized?

A. It is the duty of such who are rightly baptized to give up themselves to some particular and orderly church of Jesus Christ, that they might walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

( Luke 1:6; Acts 2:41-42; 5:13-14; 9:26; 1Peter 2:5 )

Q.102: What is the Lord’s Supper?

A. The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ; wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to His appointment, His death is shown forth, and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.

( Matthew 26:26-28; 1Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-26 )

Q.103: Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance?

A. They who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works.

( Acts 2:41-42 )

Q.104: What is required to be worthy of receiving the Lord’s Supper?

A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon Him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience, lest coming unworthily they eat and drink judgment to themselves.

( 1Corinthians 5:7-8; 10:16-17; 11:28-29, 31; 2Corinthians 13:5 )

Q.105: What is prayer?

A. Prayer is an offering up our desires to God, by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, believing, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgements of His mercies.

( Psalm 32:5-6; 62:8; Daniel 9:4 Matthew 21:22; John 16:23; Romans 8:26-27; Philippians 4:6; James 1:6; 1John 5:14 )

Q.106: What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that prayer which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer.

( Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4; 1John 5:14 )

Q.107: What doth the preface of the Lord’s prayer teach us?

A. The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is Our Father which art in heaven, teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.

( Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:13; Acts 12:5; Romans 8:15; 1Timothy 2:1-2 )

Q.108: What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. In the first petition, which is, Hallowed be Thy name, we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify Him in all that whereby He maketh Himself known, and that He would dispose all things unto His own glory.

( Psalm 67:2-3; 83:1-18; Matthew 6:9; Romans 11:36 )

Q.109: What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come, we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

( Psalm 68:1, 18; Matthew 6:10; John 17:19-20; Romans 10:1; 2Thessalonians 3:1; Revelation 12:10-11; 22:20 )

Q.110: What do we pray for in the third petition?

A. In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, we pray that God by His grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to His will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.

( 2Samuel 15:25; Job 1:21; Psalm 67:1-7; 103:20-21; 119:36; Matthew 6:10 )

Q.111: What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. In the fourth petition, which is, Give us this day our daily bread, we pray that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy His blessing with them.

( Genesis 28:20; Proverbs 30:8-9; Matthew 6:11; 1Timothy 4:4-5 )

Q.112: What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

A. In the fifth petition, which is, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are rather encouraged to ask because by His grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.

( Psalm 51:1-2, 7, 9; Daniel 9:17-19; Matthew 6:12; 18:35; Luke 11:4 )

Q.113: What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

A. In the sixth petition, which is, Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.

( Matthew 6:13; 26:41; 2Corinthians 12:8 )

Q.114: What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach?

A. The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen, teacheth us to make our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise Him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory, to Him. And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

( 1Chronicles 29:10-13; Daniel 9:4, 7-9, 16-19; Matthew 6:13; 1Corinthians 14:16; Revelation 22:20-21 )

Now, some of you may be asking, “Why catechize?“

A Catechism for Boys and Girls

November 11, 2013November 13, 2014 / William F. Leonhart III / 1 Comment

“The following catechism has been used by various groups as a preparation for more advanced catechisms which find their format in the Westminster Shorter catechism. This version, edited and amended specifically for this volume, should serve as a preparation for later implementation of the Baptist Catechism” (Tom Nettles, Teaching Truth, Training Hearts: The Study of Catechisms in Baptist Life. To be published in early 2015 by Founders Press). See also, The Baptist Confession and The Baptist Catechism.

Table of Contents

Part I: Questions about God, Man, and Sin
Part II: Questions about the Ten Commandments
Part III: Questions about Savlation
Part IV: Questions about Prayer
Part V: Questions about the Word, the Church, and the Ordinances
Part VI: Questions about Last Things

Part I: Questions about God, Man, and Sin

Q.1: Who made you?

A. God made me.

( Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Acts 17:24-29 )

Q.2: What else did God make?

A. God made all things.

( Genesis 1, esp. verses 1, 31; Acts 14:15; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16 )

Q.3: Why did God make you and all things?

A. For his own glory.

( Psalm 19:1; Jeremiah 9:23, 24; Revelation 4:11,15 )

Q.4: How can you glorify God?

A. By loving him and doing what he commands.

( Ecclesiastes 12:13; Mark 12:29-31; John 15:8-10; 1Corinthians 10:31 )

Q.5: Why ought you to glorify God?

A. Because he made me and takes care of me.

( Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11; cf. Daniel 4:23 )

Q.6: Are there more gods than one?

A. There is only one God.

( Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10; Mark 12:29; Acts 17:22-31 )

Q.7: In how many persons does this one God exist?

A. In three persons.

( Matthew 3:16, 17; John 5:23; 10:30; 14:9, 10; 15:26; 16:13-15; 1 John 5:20,2John 9; Revelation 1:4, 5 )

Q.8: Who are they?

A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

( Matthew 28:19; 2Corinthians 13:14; 1Peter 1:2; Jude 20, 21 )

Q.9: Who is God?

A. God is a Spirit, and does not have a body like men.

( John 4:24; 2Corinthians 3:17; 1 Timothy 1:17 )

Q.10: Where is God?

A. God is everywhere.

( Psalm 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23, 24; Acts 17:27, 28 )

Q.11: Can you see God?

A. No. I cannot see God, but he always sees me.

( Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; 1Timothy 6:16; Psalm 139 esp. vv. 1-5: Proverbs 5:21; Hebrews 4:12, 13 )

Q.12: Does God know all things?

A. Yes. Nothing can be hidden from God.

( 1Chronicles 28:9; 2Chronicles 16:9; Luke 12:6, 7; Romans 2:16 )

Q.13: Can God do all things?

A. Yes. God can do all his holy will.

( Psalm 147:5; Jeremiah 32:17; Daniel 4:34, 35; Ephesians 1:11 )

Q.14: Where do you learn how to love and obey God?

A. In the Bible alone.

( Job 11:7; Psalm 119:104; Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 22:29; 2Timothy 3:15-17 )

Q.15: Who wrote the Bible?

A. Holy men who were taught by the Holy Spirit.

( 1Peter 1:20, 21; Acts 1:16; 2Timothy 3:16; 1Peter 1:10, 11 )

Q.16: Who were our first parents?

A. Adam and Eve.

( Genesis 2:18-25; 3:20; 5:1, 2; Acts 17:26, 1Timothy 2:13 )

Q.17: Of what were our first parents made?

A. God made the body of Adam out of the ground, and formed Eve from the body of Adam.

( Genesis 2:7; 21-23; 3:19; Psalm 103:14 )

Q.18: What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies?

A. He gave them souls that could never die.

( 1Corinthians 15:45: Ecclesiastes 12:7; Zechariah 12:1 )

Q.19: Have you a soul as well as a body?

A. Yes. I have a soul that can never die.

( Matthew 10:28; Mark 8:34-38; 12:30 )

Q.20: How do you know that you have a soul?

A. Because the Bible tells me so.

( Matthew 10:28; Mark 8:34-38; 12:30 )

Q.21: What is your soul?

A. My soul includes all of me that should know and love God.

( Mark 8:34-38; Ephesians 3:16-19 )

Q.22: In what condition did God make Adam and Eve?

A. He made them holy and happy.

( Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8:4-8 )

Q.23: Did Adam and Eve stay holy and happy?

A. No. They sinned against God.

( Genesis 3:1-7; Ecclesiastes &:29; Hosea 6:7 where “men” = Adam )

Q.24: What was the sin of our first parents?

A. Eating the forbidden fruit.

( Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:6 )

Q.25: Why did they eat the forbidden fruit?

A. Because they did not believe what God had said.

( Genesis 3:1-6; cf. Hebrews 11:6 )

Q.26: Who tempted them to this sin?

A. The devil tempted Eve, and she gave the fruit to Adam.

( Genesis 3:1-13; 2Corinthians 11:3; 1Timothy 2:13, 14; cf. Revelation 12:9 )

Q.27: What happened to our first parents when they had sinned?

A. Instead of being holy and happy, they became sinful and miserable.

( Genesis 3:14-24; 4:1-24; James 1:14, 15 )

Q.28: What effect did the sin of Adam have on all mankind?

A. All mankind is born in a state of sin and misery.

( Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12, 18, 19; 1Corinthians 15:21, 22; 1John 5:19 )

Q.29: What do we inherit from Adam as a result of this original sin?

A. A sinful nature.

( 1Kings 8:46; Psalms 14:2, 3; 58:3; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Matthew 15:18-20;John 2:24, 25; Romans 8:7 )

Q.30: What is sin?

A. Sin is any transgression of the law of God.

( 1John 3:4; Romans 3:20; James 2:9-11 )

Q.31: What is meant by transgression?

A. Doing what God forbids.

( 1Samuel 13:8-14; 15:22, 23; Hosea 6:7; Romans 1:21-32 )

Q.32: What does every sin deserve?

A. The anger and judgment of God.

( Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 1:18; 2:2; Galatians 3:10; Ephesians 5:6 )

Q.33: Do we know what God requires of us?

A. Yes, he has given us his law both in our hearts and in writing.

( Romans 2:14-15 )

Part II: Questions about the Ten Commandments

Q.34: How many commandments did God give on Mount Sinai?

A. Ten commandments.

( Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-22 )

Q.35: What are the ten commandments sometimes called?

A. God’s moral law.

( Luke 20:25-28; Romans 2:14, 15; 10:5 )

Q.36: What do the first four commandments teach?

A. Our duty to God.

( Deuteronomy 6:5, 6; 10:12, 13 )

Q.37: What do the last six commandments teach?

A. Our duty to our fellow men.

( Deuteronomy 10:19; Micah 6:8; cf. Galatians 6:10 )

Q.38: What is the sum of the ten commandments?

A. To love God with all my heart, and my neighbor as myself.

( Deuteronomy 6:1-15; 11:1; Matthew 22:35-40; James 2:8 )

Q.39: Who is your neighbor?

A. All my fellow men are my neighbors.

( Luke 10:25-37; 6:35 )

Q.40: Is God pleased with those who love and obey him?

A. Yes. He says, ‘I love them that love me’

( Proverbs 8:17; Exodus 20:6; 1John 4:7-16 )

Q.41: Is God pleased with those who do not love and obey him?

A. No. ‘God is angry with the wicked every day’

( Psalm 7:11; Malachi 2:17; Proverbs 6:16-19; 1Corinthians 16:22 )

Q.42: What is the first commandment?

A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

( Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5:7 )

Q.43: What does the first commandment teach us?

A. To worship God only.

( Isaiah 45:5, 6; Matthew 4:10; Revelation 22:8, 9 )

Q.44: What is the second commandment?

A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them: for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

( Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10 )

Q.45: What does the second commandment teach us?

A. To worship God in the right way, and to avoid idolatry.

( Isaiah 44:9-20; 46:5-9; John 4:23, 24; Acts 17:29 )

Q.46: What is the third commandment?

A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

( Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11 )

Q.47: What does the third commandment teach us?

A. To reverence God’s name, word, and works.

( Isaiah 8:13; Psalm 29:2; 138:2; Revelation 15:3, 4 )

Q.48: What is the fourth commandment?

A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

( Exodus 20:8-11; 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:12-15 )

Q.49: What does the fourth commandment teach us?

A. To keep the Sabbath holy.

( Leviticus 19:20; 23:3; Isaiah 58:13, 14 )

Q.50: What day of the week is the Christian Sabbath?

A. The first day of the week, called the Lord’s Day.

( Acts 29:7; Revelation 1:10 )

Q.51: Why is it called the Lord’s Day?

A. Because on that day Christ rose from the dead.

( Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1 )

Q.52: How should the Sabbath be kept?

A. In prayer and praise, in hearing and reading God’s Word, and in doing good to our fellow men.

( Isaiah 58:13, 14; Acts 20:7; 1Corinthians 16:2; Luke 4:16; Matthew 12:10-13 )

Q.53: What is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

( Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16 )

Q.54: What does the fifth commandment teach us?

A. To love and obey our parents.

( Matthew 15:3-6; Ephesus 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20 )

Q.55: What is the sixth commandment?

A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.

( Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17 )

Q.56: What does the sixth commandment teach us?

A. To avoid hatred.

( Matthew 5:21-24; 1John 3:15 )

Q.57: What is the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

( Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18 )

Q.58: What does the seventh commandment teach us?

A. To be pure in heart, language and conduct.

( Matthew 5:27, 28; Ephesus 5:3-5; Philippians 4:8, 9 )

Q.59: What is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

( Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19 )

Q.60: What doe the eighth commandment teach us?

A. To be honest and not to take the things of others.

( Exodus 23:4; Proverbs 21:6, 7; Ephesus 4:28 )

Q.61: What is the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

( Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20 )

Q.62: What does the ninth commandment teach us?

A. To tell the truth and not to speak evil of others.

( Psalm 15:1-3; Zechariah 8:16; 1Corinthians 13;6; James 4:11 )

Q.63: What is the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.

( Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Romans 7:7 )

Q.64: What does the tenth commandment teach us?

A. To be content with what we have.

( Philippians 4:11; 1Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5 )

Q.65: Can any man keep these ten commandments?

A. No mere man, since the fall of Adam, ever did or can keep the ten commandments perfectly.

( Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:19, 20; James 2:10; 1John 1:8, 10 )

Q.66: Of what use are the ten commandments to us?

A. They teach us our duty, make clear our condemnation, and show us our need of a Saviour.

( 1Timothy 1:8-11; Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24 )

Q.67: Does God condemn all men?

A. No. Though he could justly have done so he has graciously entered into a covenant to save many.

( Romans 3:19, 20, 23-25; John 17:11, 12; Isaiah 53:11 )

Part III: Questions about Savlation

Q.68: What is a covenant?

A. A covenant is an agreement between two or more persons.

( 1Samuel 18:3; Matthew 26:14-15 )

Q.69: What is the covenant of grace?

A. It is an eternal agreement within the Trinity to save certain persons called the elect, and to provide all the means for their salvation.

( Genesis 17:1-8; Romans 11:27; Hebrews 10:16-17; 13:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-28 )

Q.70: What did Christ undertake in the covenant of grace?

A. Christ undertook to keep the whole law for his people, and to suffer the punishment due to their sins.

( Romans 8:3-4; Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 6:17-20; 7:22; 9:14-15; 13:20-21 )

Q.71: Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever sin?

A. No. He was holy, blameless, and undefiled.

( Hebrews 7:26; Luke 23:47; Hebrews 4:15; 1Peter 2:22; 1John 3:5 )

Q.72: How could the Son of God suffer?

A. Christ, the Son of God, took flesh and blood, that he might obey and suffer as a man.

( John 1:14; Romans 8:3; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14,17; 4:15 )

Q.73: What is meant by the atonement?

A. The atonement consists of Christ’s satisfying divine justice, by his sufferings and death, in the place of sinners.

( Mark 10:45; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 3:24-26; 5:8-9; 2Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 3:13; 1Peter 3:18 )

Q.74: For whom did Christ obey and suffer?

A. Christ obeyed and sufffered for those whom the Father had given him.

( Isaiah 53:8; Matthew 1:21; John 10:11,15-16, 26-29; 17:9; Hebrews 2:13 )

Q.75: What kind of life did Christ live on earth?

A. Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to the law of God.

( Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4; 1Peter 2:21-22 )

Q.76: What kind of death did Christ die?

A. Christ experienced the painful and shameful death of the cross.

( Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Matthew 26:47-75; 27:1-66; Mark 14:43-72; 15:1-47; Luke 22:47-71; 23:1-56; John 18-19 )

Q.77: Who will be saved?

A. Only those who repent of sin and believe in Christ will be saved.

( Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:37-41; 16:30-31; 20:21; 26:20 )

Q.78: What is it to repent?

A. Repentance involves sorrow for sin, leading one to hate and forsake it because it is displeasing to God.

( Luke 19:8-10; Romans 6:1-2; 2Corinthians 7:9-11; 1Thessalonians 1:9-10 )

Q.79: What is it to believe in Christ?

A. A person believes who knows that his only hope is Christ and trusts in Christ alone for salvation.

( John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1Timothy 2:5; 1John 5:11-12 )

Q.80: How were godly persons saved before the coming of Christ?

A. They believed in the Saviour to come.

( John 8:56; Galatians 3:8-9; 1Corinthians 10:1-4; Hebrews 9:15; 11:13 )

Q.81: How did they show their faith?

A. They offered sacrifices according to God’s commands.

( Exodus 24:3-8; 1Chronicles 29:20-25; Hebrews 9:19-23; 10:1; 11:28 )

Q.82: What did these sacrifices represent?

A. They were symbolic of Christ, the Lamb of God, who was to die for sinners.

( Exodus 12:46; cf. John 19:36; Hebrews 9-10; John 1:29; 1Corinthians 5:7; 1Peter 1:19)

Q.83: What does Christ do for his people?

A. He does the work of a prophet, a priest and a king.

( Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:5; Matthew 13:57; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 18:37 )

Q.84: How is Christ a prophet?

A. He teaches us the will of God, reveals God to us, and really was God in human flesh.

( Deuteronomy 18:15,18; John 1:18; 4:25; 14:23-24; 1John 5:20 )

Q.85: Why do you need Christ as a prophet?

A. Because I am ignorant.

( Job 11:7; Matthew 11:25-27; John 6:67-69; 17:25-26; 1Corinthians 2:14-16; 2Corinthians 4:3-6 )

Q.86: How is Christ a priest?

A. He died for our sins and prays to God for us.

( Psalm 110:4; 1Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-25; 1John 2:1-2 )

Q.87: Why do you need Christ as a priest?

A. Because I am guilty.

( Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:19-23; Hebrews 10:14,27-28; 1John 1:8-9)

Q.88: How is Christ a king?

A. He rules over us and defends us.

( Psalm 2:6-9; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 1:13,18; Revelation 15:3-4 )

Q.89: Why do you need Christ as a king?

A. Because I am weak and helpless.

( John 15:4-5; 2Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11; Jude 24- 25 )

Q.90: What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace?

A. By His goodness and mercy, God the Father elected,and determined to justify, adopt and sanctify those for whom Christ should die.

( Exodus 33:18-19; Ephesians 1:3-5; Romans 8:29-33; Galatians 4:4-7; Hebrews 10:9-10; 1Corinthians 1:8-9; Philippians 1:6; 1Thessalonians 4:3,7 )

Q.91: What is election?

A. It is God’s goodness as revealed in his grace by choosing certain sinners for salvation.

( Ephesians 1:3-4; 1Thessalonians 1:4; 1Peter 1:1-2 )

Q.92: What is justification?

A. It is God’s regarding sinners as if they had never sinned and granting them righteousness.

( Zechariah 3:1-5; Romans 3:24-26; 4:5; 8:33; 2Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 8:12; Philippians 3:9 )

Q.93: What is righteousness?

A. It is God’s goodness as revealed in his law, and as honored in Christ’s perfect obedience to that law.

( Exodus 33:19; 34:6; Psalm 33:5; Hosea 3:5; Romans 11:22 )

Q.94: Can anyone be saved by his own righteousness?

A. No. No one is good enough for God.

( Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-23; Philippians 3:8-9 )

Q.95: What is adoption?

A. It is God’s goodness in receiving sinful rebels as his beloved children.

( John 1:12; Ephesians 1:5; 5:1; Galatians 4:7,31; 1John 3:1-3 )

Q.96: What is sanctification?

A. In sanctification God makes sinners holy in heart and conduct so that they will demonstrate his goodness in their lives.

( John 17:17; Ephesians 2:10; 4:22-24; Philippians 2:12-13; 1Thessalonians 5:23 )

Q.97: Is this process of sanctification ever complete in this life?

A. No. It is certain and continual, but is complete only in heaven.

( Philippians 3:12-15; 2Peter 1:4-8; 1John 3:1-3 )

Q.98: What hinders the completion of sanctification in this life?

A. The Scripture says “The flesh lusts against the Spirit so that you cannot do the things you would.”

( Galatians 5:17 )

Q.99: Since we are by nature sinful, how can one ever desire to be holy and to gain heaven where God lives?

A. Our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for heaven.

( Ephesians 4:17-24; Colossians 3:5-12 )

Q.100: Who can change a sinner’s heart?

A. Only the Holy Spirit can change a sinner’s heart.

( John 3:3; Romans 8:6-11; 1Corinthians 2:9-14; 2Thessalonians 2:13-14; Titus 3:5-6 )

Q.101: What did the Holy Spirit undertake in the covenant of Grace?

A. He regenerates, baptizes, and seals those for whom Christ has died.

( Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:1-8; 4:30; 1Corinthians 12:13; 2Corinthians 1:22 )

Q.102: What is regeneration?

A. It is a change of heart that leads to true repentance and faith.

( Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:5-8; 2Thessalonians 2:13 )

Q.103: Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power?

A. No. I can do nothing good without God’s Holy Spirit.

( John 3:5-6; 6:44; Romans 8:2, 5, 8-11; 1Corinthians 2:9-14; Galatians 5:17, 18; Ephesians 2:4-6 )

Q.104: How does the Holy Spirit baptize believers?

A. He puts them into the body of Christ by making them a living part of all those who truly believe in Him.

( 1Corinthians 12 )

Q.105: How does the Holy Spirit seal believers?

A. He comes to live within them to guarantee that they will receive the wonders God has promised those who love Him.

( Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2Timothy 1:9; 2Corinthians 1:22 )

Q.106: How can you receive the Holy Spirit?

A. God has told us that we must pray to him for the Holy Spirit;

( Luke 11:9-13; John 4:10; 16:24 )

–but the evidence of His presence is seen most clearly in our trusting and loving the Lord Jesus Christ.

( Luke 12:8-10; John 3:3-5,16,20-21; 14:17-21; 1Corinthians 12:3; 1Peter 1:2; 1John 5:6-12 )

Part IV: Questions about Prayer

Q.107: What is prayer?

A. Prayer is talking with God.

( Genesis 17:22; 18:33; Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:4; Matthew 6:6; Romans 8:26, 27 )

Q.108: In whose name should we pray?

A. We should pray in the name of the Lord Jesus.

( John 14:13-14; 16:23-24; Hebrews 4:14-16 )

Q.109: What has Christ given to teach us how to pray?

A. The Lord’s Prayer.

( Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13 )

Q.110: Can you repeat the Lord’s Prayer?

A. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Q.111: How many petitions are there in the Lord’s Prayer?

A. Six.

Q.112: What is the first petition?

A. ‘Hallowed be thy name.’

( Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2 )

Q.113: What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. That God’s name may be honored by us and all men.

( Psalm 8:1; 72:17-19; 113:1-3; 145:21; Isaiah 8:13 )

Q.114: What is the second petition?

A. ‘Thy kingdom come.’

( Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2 )

Q.115: What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. That the gospel may be preached in all the world, and believed and obeyed by us and all men.

( Matthew 28:19-20; John 17:20-21; Acts 8:12; 28:30-31; 2Thessalonians 3:1 )

Q.116: What is the third petition?

A. ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven’

( Matthew 6:20; Luke 11:2 )

Q.117: What do we pray for in the third petition?

A. That men on earth may serve God as the angels do in Heaven.

( Psalm 67; 103:19-22; John 9:31; Revelation 4:11 )

Q.118: What is the fourth petition?

A. ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’

( Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3 )

Q.119: What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. That God will give us all things needful for our bodies.

( Psalm 145:15-16; Proverbs 30:8-9; 1Timothy 4:4-5 )

Q.120: What is the fifth petition?

A. ‘And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.’

( Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4 )

Q.121: What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

A. That God will pardon our sins, and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us.

( Psalm 51: Matthew 5:23-24; 18:21-35; 1John 4:20, 21 )

Q.122: What is the sixth petition?

A. ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

( Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4 )

Q.123: What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

A. That God will keep us from sin.

( 1Chronicles 4:10; Psalm 119:11; Matthew 26:41 )

Part V: Questions about the Word, the Church, and the Ordinances

Q.124: How does the Holy Spirit bring us to salvation?

A. He uses the Bible, which is the Word of God.

( 1Thessalonians 1:5-6; 2:13; 2Timothy 3:15-16; James 1:18; 1Peter 1:22-23 )

Q.125: How can we know the Word of God?

A. We are commanded to hear, read and search the Scriptures.

( 1Peter 2:2; Revelation 3:22; Matthew 21:42; 22:29; 2Timothy 3:14-17 )

Q.126: What is a church?

A. A church is an assembly of baptized believers joined by a covenant of discipline and witness who meet together regularly under the preaching of the Word of God.

( Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:42 )

Q.127: What two ordinances did Christ give to his Church?

A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

( Matthew 28:19; 1Corithians 11:24-26 )

Q.128: Why Did Christ give these ordinances?

A. To show that his disciples belong to him, and to remind them of what he has done for them.

( Matthew 28:19; 1Corinthians 11:24-26 )

Q.129: What is Baptism?

A. The dipping of believers into water, as a sign of their union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection.

( John 3:23; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 35-38; Colossians 2:12 )

Q.130: What is the purpose of baptism?

A. Baptism testifies to believers that God has cleansed them from their sins through Jesus Christ.

( Acts 22:16; Colossians 2:11-14 )

Q.131: Who are to be baptized?

A. Only those who repent of their sins, and believe in Christ for salvation should be baptized.

( Act 2:37-41; 8:12; 18:8; 19:4-5 )

Q.132: Should babies be baptized?

A. No; because they can show neither repentance nor faith and the Bible neither commands it, nor gives any example of it.

Q.133: What is the Lord’s Supper?

A. At the Lord’s Supper, the church eats bread and drinks wine to remember the sufferings and death of Christ.

( Mark 14:22-24; 1Corinthians 11:23-29 )

Q.134: What does the bread represent?

A. The bread represents the body of Christ, broken for our sins.

( Matthew 26:26; 1Corinthians 11:24 )

Q.135: What does the wine represent?

A. The wine represents the blood of Christ, shed for our salvation

( Matthew 26:27-28; 1Corinthians 11:25 )

Q.136: Who should partake of the Lord’s Supper?

A. The Lord’s Supper is for those only who repent of their sins, believe in Christ for salvation, receive baptism, and love their fellow men.

( Matthew 5:21-24; 1Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:18, 20, 27-33; 1John 3:24-27; 4:9-11 )

Part VI: Questions about Last Things

Q.137: Did Christ remain in the tomb after his crucifixion?

A. No. He rose from the tomb on the third day after his death.

( Luke 24:45-47; 1Corinthians 15:3-4 )

Q.138: Where is Christ now?

A. Christ is in heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father.

( Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 10:12; 12:2 )

Q.139: Will Christ come again?

A. Yes. At the last day he will come to judge the world.

( Matthew 25:31-43; 2Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2Timothy 4:1 )

Q.140: What happens to men when they die?

A. The body returns to dust, and the soul goes to be with God or to a place of suffering and waiting for judgement.

( Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 12:7; 2Corinthians 5:1-6; Hebrews 12:22,23; Philippians 1:23; 2Peter 2:9; Romans 2:5 )

Q.141: Will the bodies of the dead be raised to life again?

A. Yes. ‘There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.’

( Act 24:14-15; John 5:28-29; Daniel 12:2 )

Q.142: What will happen to the wicked in the day of judgment?

A. They shall be cast into hell.

( Psalm 9:16-17; Luke 12:5; Revelation 20:12-15 )

Q.143: What is hell?

A. Hell is a place of dreadful and endless punishment.

( Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31 )

Q.144: What will happen to the righteous in the day of judgement?

A. They shall live with Christ for ever, in a new heaven and a new earth.

( Isaiah 66:22; 1Thessalonians 4;16-17; 2Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-4 )

Q.145: In light of these truths, what should you do?

A. I should strive with all my energy to repent of sin and believe savingly in the Lord Jesus Christ.

( Luke 13:23-24; John 6:27; Acts 16:31 )

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Five: The Word, the Church, and the Ordinances

October 8, 2013October 3, 2013 / William F. Leonhart III / Leave a comment

Visit the Catechism for Boys and Girls page to read the entire catechism as it is posted.

Q.124: How does the Holy Spirit bring us to salvation?

A. He uses the Bible, which is the Word of God.

( 1Thessalonians 1:5-6; 2:13; 2Timothy 3:15-16; James 1:18; 1Peter 1:22-23 )

Q.125: How can we know the Word of God?

A. We are commanded to hear, read and search the Scriptures.

( 1Peter 2:2; Revelation 3:22; Matthew 21:42; 22:29; 2Timothy 3:14-17 )

Q.126: What is a church?

A. A church is an assembly of baptized believers joined by a covenant of discipline and witness who meet together regularly under the preaching of the Word of God.

( Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:42 )

Q.127: What two ordinances did Christ give to his Church?

A. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

( Matthew 28:19; 1Corithians 11:24-26 )

Q.128: Why Did Christ give these ordinances?

A. To show that his disciples belong to him, and to remind them of what he has done for them.

( Matthew 28:19; 1Corinthians 11:24-26 )

Q.129: What is Baptism?

A. The dipping of believers into water, as a sign of their union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection.

( John 3:23; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 35-38; Colossians 2:12 )

Q.130: What is the purpose of baptism?

A. Baptism testifies to believers that God has cleansed them from their sins through Jesus Christ.

( Acts 22:16; Colossians 2:11-14 )

Q.131: Who are to be baptized?

A. Only those who repent of their sins, and believe in Christ for salvation should be baptized.

( Act 2:37-41; 8:12; 18:8; 19:4-5 )

Q.132: Should babies be baptized?

A. No; because they can show neither repentance nor faith and the Bible neither commands it, nor gives any example of it.

Q.133: What is the Lord’s Supper?

A. At the Lord’s Supper, the church eats bread and drinks wine to remember the sufferings and death of Christ.

( Mark 14:22-24; 1Corinthians 11:23-29 )

Q.134: What does the bread represent?

A. The bread represents the body of Christ, broken for our sins.

( Matthew 26:26; 1Corinthians 11:24 )

Q.135: What does the wine represent?

A. The wine represents the blood of Christ, shed for our salvation

( Matthew 26:27-28; 1Corinthians 11:25 )

Q.136: Who should partake of the Lord’s Supper?

A. The Lord’s Supper is for those only who repent of their sins, believe in Christ for salvation, receive baptism, and love their fellow men.

( Matthew 5:21-24; 1Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:18, 20, 27-33; 1John 3:24-27; 4:9-11 )

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Four: Prayer

September 23, 2013October 1, 2013 / William F. Leonhart III / Leave a comment

Visit the Catechism for Boys and Girls page to read the entire catechism as it is posted.

Q.107: What is prayer?

A. Prayer is talking with God.

( Genesis 17:22; 18:33; Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:4; Matthew 6:6; Romans 8:26, 27 )

Q.108: In whose name should we pray?

A. We should pray in the name of the Lord Jesus.

( John 14:13-14; 16:23-24; Hebrews 4:14-16 )

Q.109: What has Christ given to teach us how to pray?

A. The Lord’s Prayer.

( Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13 )

Q.110: Can you repeat the Lord’s Prayer?

Q.111: How many petitions are there in the Lord’s Prayer?

A. Six.

Q.112: What is the first petition?

A. ‘Hallowed be thy name.’

( Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2 )

Q.113: What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. That God’s name may be honored by us and all men.

( Psalm 8:1; 72:17-19; 113:1-3; 145:21; Isaiah 8:13 )

Q.114: What is the second petition?

A. ‘Thy kingdom come.’

( Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2 )

Q.115: What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. That the gospel may be preached in all the world, and believed and obeyed by us and all men.

( Matthew 28:19-20; John 17:20-21; Acts 8:12; 28:30-31; 2Thessalonians 3:1 )

Q.116: What is the third petition?

A. ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven’

( Matthew 6:20; Luke 11:2 )

Q.117: What do we pray for in the third petition?

A. That men on earth may serve God as the angels do in Heaven.

( Psalm 67; 103:19-22; John 9:31; Revelation 4:11 )

Q.118: What is the fourth petition?

A. ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’

( Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3 )

Q.119: What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. That God will give us all things needful for our bodies.

( Psalm 145:15-16; Proverbs 30:8-9; 1Timothy 4:4-5 )

Q.120: What is the fifth petition?

A. ‘And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.’

( Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4 )

Q.121: What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

A. That God will pardon our sins, and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us.

( Psalm 51: Matthew 5:23-24; 18:21-35; 1John 4:20, 21 )

Q.122: What is the sixth petition?

A. ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

( Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4 )

Q.123: What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

A. That God will keep us from sin.

( 1Chronicles 4:10; Psalm 119:11; Matthew 26:41 )

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Three: Salvation

September 16, 2013 / William F. Leonhart III / Leave a comment

Visit the Catechism for Boys and Girls page to read the entire catechism as it is posted.

Q.68: What is a covenant?

A. A covenant is an agreement between two or more persons.

( 1Samuel 18:3; Matthew 26:14-15 )

Q.69: What is the covenant of grace?

A. It is an eternal agreement within the Trinity to save certain persons called the elect, and to provide all the means for their salvation.

( Genesis 17:1-8; Romans 11:27; Hebrews 10:16-17; 13:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-28 )

Q.70: What did Christ undertake in the covenant of grace?

A. Christ undertook to keep the whole law for his people, and to suffer the punishment due to their sins.

( Romans 8:3-4; Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 6:17-20; 7:22; 9:14-15; 13:20-21 )

Q.71: Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever sin?

A. No. He was holy, blameless, and undefiled.

( Hebrews 7:26; Luke 23:47; Hebrews 4:15; 1Peter 2:22; 1John 3:5 )

Q.72: How could the Son of God suffer?

A. Christ, the Son of God, took flesh and blood, that he might obey and suffer as a man.

( John 1:14; Romans 8:3; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:7-8; Hebrews 2:14,17; 4:15 )

Q.73: What is meant by the atonement?

A. The atonement consists of Christ’s satisfying divine justice, by his sufferings and death, in the place of sinners.

( Mark 10:45; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 3:24-26; 5:8-9; 2Corinthians 5:19-21; Galatians 3:13; 1Peter 3:18 )

Q.74: For whom did Christ obey and suffer?

A. Christ obeyed and sufffered for those whom the Father had given him.

( Isaiah 53:8; Matthew 1:21; John 10:11,15-16, 26-29; 17:9; Hebrews 2:13 )

Q.75: What kind of life did Christ live on earth?

A. Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to the law of God.

( Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4; 1Peter 2:21-22 )

Q.76: What kind of death did Christ die?

A. Christ experienced the painful and shameful death of the cross.

( Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Matthew 26:47-75; 27:1-66; Mark 14:43-72; 15:1-47; Luke 22:47-71; 23:1-56; John 18-19 )

Q.77: Who will be saved?

A. Only those who repent of sin and believe in Christ will be saved.

( Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:37-41; 16:30-31; 20:21; 26:20 )

Q.78: What is it to repent?

A. Repentance involves sorrow for sin, leading one to hate and forsake it because it is displeasing to God.

( Luke 19:8-10; Romans 6:1-2; 2Corinthians 7:9-11; 1Thessalonians 1:9-10 )

Q.79: What is it to believe in Christ?

A. A person believes who knows that his only hope is Christ and trusts in Christ alone for salvation.

( John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1Timothy 2:5; 1John 5:11-12 )

Q.80: How were godly persons saved before the coming of Christ?

A. They believed in the Saviour to come.

( John 8:56; Galatians 3:8-9; 1Corinthians 10:1-4; Hebrews 9:15; 11:13 )

Q.81: How did they show their faith?

A. They offered sacrifices according to God’s commands.

( Exodus 24:3-8; 1Chronicles 29:20-25; Hebrews 9:19-23; 10:1; 11:28 )

Q.82: What did these sacrifices represent?

A. They were symbolic of Christ, the Lamb of God, who was to die for sinners.

( Exodus 12:46; cf. John 19:36; Hebrews 9-10; John 1:29; 1Corinthians 5:7; 1Peter 1:19 )

Q.83: What does Christ do for his people?

A. He does the work of a prophet, a priest and a king.

( Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:5; Matthew 13:57; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 18:37 )

Q.84: How is Christ a prophet?

A. He teaches us the will of God, reveals God to us, and really was God in human flesh.

( Deuteronomy 18:15,18; John 1:18; 4:25; 14:23-24; 1John 5:20 )

Q.85: Why do you need Christ as a prophet?

A. Because I am ignorant.

( Job 11:7; Matthew 11:25-27; John 6:67-69; 17:25-26; 1Corinthians 2:14-16; 2Corinthians 4:3-6 )

Q.86: How is Christ a priest?

A. He died for our sins and prays to God for us.

( Psalm 110:4; 1Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-25; 1John 2:1-2 )

Q.87: Why do you need Christ as a priest?

A. Because I am guilty.

( Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:19-23; Hebrews 10:14,27-28; 1John 1:8-9 )

Q.88: How is Christ a king?

A. He rules over us and defends us.

( Psalm 2:6-9; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 1:13,18; Revelation 15:3-4 )

Q.89: Why do you need Christ as a king?

A. Because I am weak and helpless.

( John 15:4-5; 2Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:11; Jude 24- 25 )

Q.90: What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace?

A. By His goodness and mercy, God the Father elected,and determined to justify, adopt and sanctify those for whom Christ should die.

( Exodus 33:18-19; Ephesians 1:3-5; Romans 8:29-33; Galatians 4:4-7; Hebrews 10:9-10; 1Corinthians 1:8-9; Philippians 1:6; 1Thessalonians 4:3,7 )

Q.91: What is election?

A. It is God’s goodness as revealed in his grace by choosing certain sinners for salvation.

( Ephesians 1:3-4; 1Thessalonians 1:4; 1Peter 1:1-2 )

Q.92: What is justification?

A. It is God’s regarding sinners as if they had never sinned and granting them righteousness.

( Zechariah 3:1-5; Romans 3:24-26; 4:5; 8:33; 2Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 8:12; Philippians 3:9 )

Q.93: What is righteousness?

A. It is God’s goodness as revealed in his law, and as honored in Christ’s perfect obedience to that law.

( Exodus 33:19; 34:6; Psalm 33:5; Hosea 3:5; Romans 11:22 )

Q.94: Can anyone be saved by his own righteousness?

A. No. No one is good enough for God.

( Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-23; Philippians 3:8-9 )

Q.95: What is adoption?

A. It is God’s goodness in receiving sinful rebels as his beloved children.

( John 1:12; Ephesians 1:5; 5:1; Galatians 4:7,31; 1John 3:1-3 )

Q.96: What is sanctification?

A. In sanctification God makes sinners holy in heart and conduct so that they will demonstrate his goodness in their lives.

( John 17:17; Ephesians 2:10; 4:22-24; Philippians 2:12-13; 1Thessalonians 5:23 )

Q.97: Is this process of sanctification ever complete in this life?

A. No. It is certain and continual, but is complete only in heaven.

( Philippians 3:12-15; 2Peter 1:4-8; 1John 3:1-3 )

Q.98: What hinders the completion of sanctification in this life?

A. The Scripture says “The flesh lusts against the Spirit so that you cannot do the things you would.”

( Galatians 5:17 )

Q.99: Since we are by nature sinful, how can one ever desire to be holy and to gain heaven where God lives?

A. Our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for heaven.

( Ephesians 4:17-24; Colossians 3:5-12 )

Q.100: Who can change a sinner’s heart?

A. Only the Holy Spirit can change a sinner’s heart.

( John 3:3; Romans 8:6-11; 1Corinthians 2:9-14; 2Thessalonians 2:13-14; Titus 3:5-6 )

Q.101: What did the Holy Spirit undertake in the covenant of Grace?

A. He regenerates, baptizes, and seals those for whom Christ has died.

( Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:1-8; 4:30; 1Corinthians 12:13; 2Corinthians 1:22 )

Q.102: What is regeneration?

A. It is a change of heart that leads to true repentance and faith.

( Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:5-8; 2Thessalonians 2:13 )

Q.103: Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power?

A. No. I can do nothing good without God’s Holy Spirit.

( John 3:5-6; 6:44; Romans 8:2, 5, 8-11; 1Corinthians 2:9-14; Galatians 5:17, 18; Ephesians 2:4-6 )

Q.104: How does the Holy Spirit baptize believers?

A. He puts them into the body of Christ by making them a living part of all those who truly believe in Him.

( 1Corinthians 12 )

Q.105: How does the Holy Spirit seal believers?

A. He comes to live within them to guarantee that they will receive the wonders God has promised those who love Him.

( Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 2Timothy 1:9; 2Corinthians 1:22 )

Q.106: How can you receive the Holy Spirit?

A. God has told us that we must pray to him for the Holy Spirit;

( Luke 11:9-13; John 4:10; 16:24 )

–but the evidence of His presence is seen most clearly in our trusting and loving the Lord Jesus Christ.

( Luke 12:8-10; John 3:3-5,16,20-21; 14:17-21; 1Corinthians 12:3; 1Peter 1:2; 1John 5:6-12 )

A Brief History of Catechetical Instruction – Philip Schaff

August 31, 2013 / William F. Leonhart III / Leave a comment

“Religious instruction preparatory to admission to church membership is as old as Christianity itself, but it assumed very different shapes in different ages and countries. In the first three or four centuries (as also now on missionary ground) it always preceded baptism, and was mainly addressed to adult Jews and Gentiles. It length and method it freely adapted itself to various conditions and degrees of culture. The three thousand Jewish converts on the day of Pentecost, having already a knowledge of the Old Testament, were baptized simply on their profession of faith in Christ, after hearing the sermon of St. Peter. Men like Cornelius, the Eunuch, Apollos, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Cyprian, Jerome, Ambrose, Augustine, needed but little theoretical preparation, and Cyprian and Ambrose were elected bishops even while yet catechumens. At Alexandria and elsewhere there were special catechetical schools of candidates for baptism. The basis of instruction was the traditional rule of faith or Apostles’ Creed, but there were no catechisms in our sense of the term; and even the creed which the converts professed at baptism was not committed to writing, but orally communicated as a holy secret. Public worship was accordingly divided into a missa catechumenorum for half-Christians in process of preparation for baptism, and a missa fidelium for baptized communicants or the Church proper.

“With the union of Church and State since Constantine, and the general introduction of infant baptism, catechetical instruction began to be imparted to baptized Christians, and served as a preparation for confirmation or the first communion. It consisted chiefly of the committal and explanation, (1) of the Ten Commandments, (2) of the Creed (the Apostles’ Creed in the Latin, the Nicene Creed in the Greek Church), sometimes also of the Athanasian Creed and the Te Deum; (3) of the Lord’s Prayer (Paternoster). To these were added sometimes special chapters on various sins and crimes, on the Sacraments, and prayers. Councils and faithful bishops enjoined upon parents, sponsors, and priests the duty of giving religious instruction, and catechetical manuals were prepared as early as the eighth and ninth centuries, by Kero, monk of St. Gall (about 720); Notker, of St. Gall (d. 912); Otfried, monk of Weissenbourg (d. after 870), and others. But upon the whole this duty was sadly neglected in the Middle Ages, and the people were allowed to grow up in ingnorance and superstition. The anti-papal sects, as the Albingenses, Waldenses, and the Bohemian Brethren, paid special attention to catechetical instruction.

“The Reformers soon felt the necessity of substituting evangelical Catechisms for the traditional Catholic Catechisms, that the rising generation might grow up in the knowledge of the Scriptures and the true faith. Of all the Protestant Catechisms, those of Luther follow most closely the traditional method, but they are baptized with a new spirit” (Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, Vol. I: The History of Creeds, pp. 245-246).

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Two: The Ten Commandments

August 29, 2013 / William F. Leonhart III / Leave a comment

Visit the Catechism for Boys and Girls page to read the entire catechism as it is posted.

Q.34: How many commandments did God give on Mount Sinai?

A. Ten commandments.

( Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-22 )

Q.35: What are the ten commandments sometimes called?

A. God’s moral law.

( Luke 20:25-28; Romans 2:14, 15; 10:5 )

Q.36: What do the first four commandments teach?

A. Our duty to God.

( Deuteronomy 6:5, 6; 10:12, 13 )

Q.37: What do the last six commandments teach?

A. Our duty to our fellow men.

( Deuteronomy 10:19; Micah 6:8; cf. Galatians 6:10 )

Q.38: What is the sum of the ten commandments?

A. To love God with all my heart, and my neighbor as myself.

( Deuteronomy 6:1-15; 11:1; Matthew 22:35-40; James 2:8 )

Q.39: Who is your neighbor?

A. All my fellow men are my neighbors.

( Luke 10:25-37; 6:35 )

Q.40: Is God pleased with those who love and obey him?

A. Yes. He says, ‘I love them that love me’

( Proverbs 8:17; Exodus 20:6; 1John 4:7-16 )

Q.41: Is God pleased with those who do not love and obey him?

A. No. ‘God is angry with the wicked every day’

( Psalm 7:11; Malachi 2:17; Proverbs 6:16-19; 1Corinthians 16:22 )

Q.42: What is the first commandment?

A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

( Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5:7 )

Q.43: What does the first commandment teach us?

A. To worship God only.

( Isaiah 45:5, 6; Matthew 4:10; Revelation 22:8, 9 )

Q.44: What is the second commandment?

( Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10 )

Q.45: What does the second commandment teach us?

A. To worship God in the right way, and to avoid idolatry.

( Isaiah 44:9-20; 46:5-9; John 4:23, 24; Acts 17:29 )

Q.46: What is the third commandment?

A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

( Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11 )

Q.47: What does the third commandment teach us?

A. To reverence God’s name, word, and works.

( Isaiah 8:13; Psalm 29:2; 138:2; Revelation 15:3, 4 )

Q.48: What is the fourth commandment?

( Exodus 20:8-11; 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:12-15 )

Q.49: What does the fourth commandment teach us?

A. To keep the Sabbath holy.

( Leviticus 19:20; 23:3; Isaiah 58:13, 14 )

Q.50: What day of the week is the Christian Sabbath?

A. The first day of the week, called the Lord’s Day.

( Acts 29:7; Revelation 1:10 )

Q.51: Why is it called the Lord’s Day?

A. Because on that day Christ rose from the dead.

( Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1 )

Q.52: How should the Sabbath be kept?

A. In prayer and praise, in hearing and reading God’s Word, and in doing good to our fellow men.

( Isaiah 58:13, 14; Acts 20:7; 1Corinthians 16:2; Luke 4:16; Matthew 12:10-13 )

Q.53: What is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

( Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16 )

Q.54: What does the fifth commandment teach us?

A. To love and obey our parents.

( Matthew 15:3-6; Ephesus 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20 )

Q.55: What is the sixth commandment?

A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.

( Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17 )

Q.56: What does the sixth commandment teach us?

A. To avoid hatred.

( Matthew 5:21-24; 1John 3:15 )

Q.57: What is the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

( Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18 )

Q.58: What does the seventh commandment teach us?

A. To be pure in heart, language and conduct.

( Matthew 5:27, 28; Ephesus 5:3-5; Philippians 4:8, 9 )

Q.59: What is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

( Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19 )

Q.60: What doe the eighth commandment teach us?

A. To be honest and not to take the things of others.

( Exodus 23:4; Proverbs 21:6, 7; Ephesus 4:28 )

Q.61: What is the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

( Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20 )

Q.62: What does the ninth commandment teach us?

A. To tell the truth and not to speak evil of others.

( Psalm 15:1-3; Zechariah 8:16; 1Corinthians 13;6; James 4:11 )

Q.63: What is the tenth commandment?

( Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Romans 7:7 )

Q.64: What does the tenth commandment teach us?

A. To be content with what we have.

( Philippians 4:11; 1Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5 )

Q.65: Can any man keep these ten commandments?

A. No mere man, since the fall of Adam, ever did or can keep the ten commandments perfectly.

( Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:19, 20; James 2:10; 1John 1:8, 10 )

Q.66: Of what use are the ten commandments to us?

A. They teach us our duty, make clear our condemnation, and show us our need of a Saviour.

( 1Timothy 1:8-11; Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:24 )

Q.67: Does God condemn all men?

A. No. Though he could justly have done so he has graciously entered into a covenant to save many.

( Romans 3:19, 20, 23-25; John 17:11, 12; Isaiah 53:11 )

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The Believers Covenant

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The Baptist Confession

The Baptist Catechism

A Catechism for Boys and Girls

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Five: The Word, the Church, and the Ordinances

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Four: Prayer

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Three: Salvation

A Brief History of Catechetical Instruction – Philip Schaff

Catechism for Boys and Girls, Part Two: The Ten Commandments