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The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 1 What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God1 and to enjoy him forever.2
1 1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 11:36
2 Psa 73:25-28
Q.
2 What rule hath God given to direct us
how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A.
The word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments,1 is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and
enjoy him.2
1 2 Tim. 3:16; Eph. 2:20
2 1 John 1:3, 4
Q.
3 What do the Scriptures principally
teach?
A.
The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and
what duty God requires of man.1
1 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Tim. 3:16.
Q. 4 What is God?
A. God is a Spirit,1
infinite,2 eternal,3 and unchangeable,4 in his
being,5 wisdom,6 power,7 holiness,8
justice, goodness, and truth.9
1 John 4:24
2 Job 11:7-9
3 Psa 90:2
4 James 1:17
5 Exod. 3:14
6 Psa 147:5
7 Rev. 4:8
8 Rev. 15:4
9 Exod. 34:6, 7
Q. 5 Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only, the living
and true God.1
1 Deut. 6:4; Jer. 10:10
Q. 6 How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the
Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God,
the same in substance, equal in power and glory.1
1 1 John 5:7; Matt. 28:19; John 10:30
Q. 7 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.1
1 Eph. 1:4, 11; Rom. 9:22, 23.
Q. 8 How doth God execute his decrees?
A. God executeth his decrees in
the works of creation and providence.
Q. 9 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.1
1 Gen. 1:1-31
Q. 10 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.1
1 Gen. 1:26, 27, 28; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24
Q. 11 What are God’s works of providence?
A. God's works of providence are
his most holy,1 wise,2 and powerful preserving3
and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.4
1 Psa 145:17
2 Psa 104:24; Isa. 28:29
3 Heb. 1:3
4 Psa 103:19; Matt. 10:29, 30, 31
Q. 12 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 the knowledge of good and evil.1
1 Gal. 3:12; Gen. 2:17
Q. 13 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.1
1 Gen. 3:6, 7, 8, 13; Eccl. 7:29.
Q. 14 What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity
unto, or transgression of, the law of God.1
1 1 John 3:4.
Q. 15 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.1
1 Gen. 3:6, 12.
Q. 16 Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
A. The covenant being made with
Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from
him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.1
1 Gen. 2:16, 17; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22
Q. 17 Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into
an estate of sin and misery.1
1 Rom. 5:12
Q. 18 Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man
fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate
wherein man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin,1 the
want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which
is commonly called Original Sin;2 together with all actual
transgressions which proceed from it.3
1 Rom. 5:12, 1 Cor 15:22
2 Rom. 5:6; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 8:7, 8; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-20; Psa 51:5; Psa 58:3
3 James 1:14, 15; Matt. 15:19.
Q. 19 What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. All mankind by their fall lost
communion with God,1 are under his wrath and curse,2 and
so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains
of hell for ever.3
1 Gen. 3:8, 10, 24.
2 Eph. 2:2, 3; Gal. 3:10.
3 Lam. 3:39; Rom. 6:23; Matt. 25:41, 46.
Q. 20 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,1
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.2
1 Eph. 1:4.
2 Rom. 3:20, 21, 22; Gal. 3:21, 22.
Q. 21 Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's
elect is the Lord Jesus Christ,1 who, being the eternal Son of God,
became man,2 and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two
distinct natures, and one person, for ever.3
1 1 Tim. 2:5, 6.
2 John 1:14; Gal. 4:4.
3 Rom. 9:5; Luke 1:35; Col. 2:9; Heb. 7:24, 25.
Q. 22 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,1 and a reasonable soul,2
being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
and born of her,3 yet without sin.4
1 Heb. 2:14, 16; Heb. 10:5.
2 Matt. 26:38.
3 Luke 1:27, 31, 35, 42; Gal. 4:4.
4 Heb. 4:15; Heb. 7:26.
Q. 23 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 estate of
humiliation and exaltation.1
1 Acts 3:21, 22; Heb. 12:25 with 2 Cor.13:3; Heb. 5:5, 6, 7; Heb. 7:25; Isa. 9:6, 7; Matt. 21:5; Psa 2:8-11.
Q. 24 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?1
1 John 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; John 15:15; John 20:31
Q. 25 How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of
a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine
justice,1 and reconcile us to God,2 and in making
continual intercession for us.3
1 Heb. 9:14, 28.
2 Heb. 2:17.
3 Heb. 7:24, 25.
Q. 26 How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of
a king, in subduing us to himself,1 in ruling2 and
defending us,3 and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.4
1 Acts 15:14, 15, 16.
2 Isa. 33:22.
3 Isa. 32:1, 2.
4 1 Cor. 15:25; Psalm 110 - throughout.
Q. 27 Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A. Christ's humiliation consisted
in his being born, and that in a low condition,1 made under the law,2
undergoing the miseries of this life,3 the wrath of God,4
and the cursed death of the cross;5 in being buried,6 and
continuing under the power of death for a time.7
1 Luke 2:7.
2 Gal. 4:4.
3 Heb. 12:2, 3; Isa. 53:2, 3.
4 Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:46.
5 Phil. 2:8.
6 1 Cor. 15:3, 4.
7 Acts 2:24, 25, 26, 27, 31.
Q. 28 Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth
in his rising again from the dead on the third day,1 in ascending up
into heaven,2 in sitting at the right hand of God the Father,3
and in coming to judge the world at the last day.4
1 1 Cor. 15:4
2 Mark 16:19
3 Eph. 1:20
4 Acts 1:11; Acts 17:31
Q. 29 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 us1
by his Holy Spirit.2
1 John 1:11, 12
2 Tit. 3:5, 6
Q. 30 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,1 and thereby
uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.2
1 Eph. 1:13, 14; John 6:37, 39; Eph. 2:8
2 Eph. 3:17; 1 Cor. 1:9
Q. 31 What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work
of God's Spirit,1 whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery,2
enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ,3 and renewing our
wills,4 he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ,
freely offered to us in the gospel.5
1 2 Tim 1:9; 2 Thess. 2:13, 14
2 Acts 2:37
3 Acts 26:18
4 Ezek. 36:26, 27
5 John 6:44, 45; Phil. 2:13
Q. 32 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,1 adoption,2
and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either
accompany or flow from them.3
1 Rom. 8:30
2 Eph. 1:5
3 1 Cor. 1:26, 30
Q. 33 What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of
God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins,1 and accepteth
us as righteous in his sight,2 only for the righteousness of Christ
imputed to us,3 and received by faith alone.4
1 Rom. 3:24, 25; Rom. 4:6-8
2 2 Cor. 5:19, 21
3 Rom. 5:17-19
4 Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9
Q. 34 What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's
free grace,1 whereby we are received into the number, and have a
right to all the privileges of the sons of God.2
1 1 John 3:1
2 John 1:12; Rom. 8:17
Q. 35 What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of
God's free grace,1 whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the
image of God,2 and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and
live unto righteousness.3
1 2 Thess. 2:13
2 Eph. 4:23, 24
3 Rom. 6:4, 6; Rom. 8:1
Q. 36 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,1 joy in the Holy
Ghost,2 increase of grace,3 and perseverance therein to
the end.4
1 Rom. 5:1, 2, 5
2 Rom. 14:17
3 Prov. 4:18
4 1 John 5:13; 1 Pet. 1:5
Q. 37 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at
their death made perfect in holiness,1 and do immediately pass into
glory;2 and their bodies, being still united in Christ,3
do rest in their graves,4 till the resurrection.5
1 Heb. 12:23
2 2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil. 1:23; Luke 23:43
3 1 Thess. 4:14
4 Isa. 57:2
5 Job. 19:26, 27
Q. 38 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the
resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers
being raised up in glory,1 shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted
in the day of judgment,2 and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying
of God3 to all eternity.4
1 1 Cor. 15:43
2 Matt. 25:23; Matt. 10:32
3 1 John 3:2; 1 Cor. 13:12
4 1 Thess. 4:17, 18
Q. 39 What is the duty which God requireth of man?
A. The duty which God requireth
of man, is obedience to his revealed will.1
1 Micah 6:8; 1 Sam. 15:22
Q. 40 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.1
1 Rom. 2:14, 15; Rom. 10:5
Q. 41 Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
A. The moral law is summarily
comprehended in the ten commandments.1
1 Deut. 10:4; Matt. 19:17
Q. 42 What is the sum of the ten commandments?
A. The sum of the ten commandments
is, To love the our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all
our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.1
1 Matt. 22:37-40
Q. 43 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.1
1 Exod. 20:2
Q. 44 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.1
1 Luke 1:74, 75; 1 Pet. 1:15-19
Q. 45 Which is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.1
1 Exod. 20:3
Q. 46 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;1
and to worship and glorify him accordingly.2
1 1 Chron. 28:9; Deut. 26:17
2 Matt. 4:10; Psa 29:2
Q. 47 What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment forbiddeth
the denying,1 or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God,2
and our God;3 and the giving of that worship and glory to any other,
which is due to him alone.4
1 Psa 14:1
2 Rom. 1:21
3 Psa 81:10, 11
4 Rom. 1:25, 26
Q. 48 What are we specially 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.1
1 Ezek. 8:5, 6; Psa 46:20, 21
Q. 49 Which 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, nor serve them: for I the
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.1
1 Exod. 20:4, 5, 6
Q. 50 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.1
1 Deut. 32:46; Matt. 28:20; Acts 2:42
Q. 51 What is forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment
forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images,1 or any other way not
appointed in his word.2
1 Deut. 4:15-19; Exod. 32:5, 8
2 Deut. 12:31, 32
Q. 52 What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the
second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us,1 his propriety in
us,2 and the zeal he hath to his own worship.3
1 Psa 95:2, 6
2 Psa 45:11
3 Exod. 34:13, 14
Q. 53 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.1
1 Exod. 20:7
Q. 54 What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requireth
the holy and reverend use of God's names,1 titles,2 attributes,3
ordinances,4 word,5 and works.6
1 Matt. 6:9; Deut. 28:58
2 Psa 68:4
3 Rev. 15:3, 4
4 Mal. 1:11, 14
5 Psa 138:1, 2
6 Job 36:24
Q. 55 What is forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment forbiddeth
all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known.1
1 Mal. 1:6, 7, 12; Mal. 2:2; Mal. 3:14
Q. 56 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 from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his
righteous judgment.1
1 1 Sam. 2:12, 17, 22, 29; 1 Sam. 3:13;
Deut. 28:58, 59
Q. 57 Which 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 thy God: in
it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within
thy gates: For in six days the
made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh
day: wherefore the blessed
the sabbath-day, and hallowed it.1
1 Exod. 20:8-11
Q. 58 What is required in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment requireth
the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word;
expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself.1
1 Deut. 5:12, 13, 14
Q. 59 Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly
sabbath?
A. From the beginning of the
world to 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.1
1 Gen. 2:2, 3; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2; Acts 20:7
Q. 60 How is the sabbath to be sanctified?
A. The sabbath is to be
sanctified by a holy resting all that day,1 even from such worldly
employments and recreations as are lawful on other days;2 and spending
the whole time in the publick and private exercises of God's worship,3
except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.4
1 Exod. 20:8, 10; Exod. 16:25-28
2 Neh. 13:15-19, 21, 22
3 Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7; Isa. 66:23; Psa 92:1 (title)
4 Matt. 12:1-31
Q. 61 What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment
forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required,1
and the profaning the day by idleness,2 or doing that which is in
itself sinful,3 or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about
our worldly employments or recreations.4
1 Ezek. 22:26; Amos 8:5; Mal. 1:13
2 Acts 20:7, 9
3 Ezek. 23:38
4 Jer. 17:24-26; Isa. 63:13
Q. 62 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
employments,1 his challenging a special propriety in the seventh,
his own example, and his blessing the sabbath-day.2
1 Exod. 20:9
2 Exod. 20:11
Q. 63 Which is the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy
days may be long upon the land which the
thy God giveth thee.1
1 Exod. 20:12
Q. 64 What is required in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment requireth
the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in
their several places and relations, as superiors,1 inferiors,2
or equals.3
1 Eph. 5:21
2 1 Pet. 2:17
3 Rom. 12:10
Q. 65 What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth
the neglecting of, or doing any thing against, the honour and duty which
belongeth to every one in their several places and relations.1
1 Matt. 15:4-6; Ezek. 34:2-4; Rom. 13:8
Q. 66 What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
A. The reasons 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.1
1 Deut. 5:16; Eph. 6:2, 3
Q. 67 Which is the sixth commandment ?
A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.1
1 Exod. 20:13
Q. 68 What is required in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment requireth
all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life,1 and the life of others.2
1 Eph. 5:28, 29
2 1 Kings 18:4
Q. 69 What is forbidden. in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment forbiddeth
the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly, or
whatsoever tendeth thereunto.1
1 Acts 16:28; Gen. 9:6
Q. 70 Which is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.1
1 Exod. 20:14
Q. 71 What is required in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment
requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbour's chastity, in heart,
speech, and behaviour.1
1 1 Cor. 7:2, 3, 5, 34, 36; Col. 4:6; 1 Pet. 3:2
Q. 72 What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment
forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words,and actions.1
1 Matt. 15:19; Matt. 5:28; Eph. 5:3, 4
Q. 73 Which is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.1
1 Exod. 20:15
Q. 74 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.1
1 Gen. 30:30; 1 Tim. 5:8; Lev. 25:35; Deut. 22:1-5; Exod. 23:4, 5; Gen. 47:14, 20
Q. 75 What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment
forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbour's
wealth or outward estate.1
1 Prov. 21:17; Prov. 23:20, 21; Prov. 28:19; Eph. 4:28
Q. 76 Which is the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbour.1
1 Exod. 20:16
Q. 77 What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment requireth
the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man,1 and of
our own and our neighbour's good name,2 especially in
witness-bearing.3
1 Zech. 8:16
2 3 John 1:12
3 Prov. 14:5, 25
Q. 78 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment forbiddeth
whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour's
good name.1
1 1 Sam. 17:28; Lev. 19:16; Psa 15:3
Q. 79 Which is the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,
thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his
maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.1
1 Exod. 20:17
Q. 80 What is required in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment requireth
full contentment with our own condition,1 with a right and
charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.2
1 Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim. 6:6
2 Job 31:29; Rom. 12:15; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Cor. 13:4-7
Q. 81 What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth
all discontentment with our own estate,1 envying or grieving at the
good of our neighbour,2 and all inordinate motions and affections to
any thing that is his.3
1 1 Kings 21:4; Esther 5:13; 1 Cor. 10:10
2 Gal. 5:26; James 3:14, 16
3 Rom. 7:7, 8; Rom. 13:9; Deut. 5:21
Q. 82 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,1 but
doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.2
1 Eccl. 7:20; 1 John 1:8, 10; Gal. 5:17
2 Gen. 6:5; Gen. 8:21; Rom. 3:9-21; James 3:2-13
Q. 83 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.1
1 Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; 1 John 5:16; Psa. 78:17, 32, 56
Q. 84 What doth every sin deserve?
A. Every sin deserveth God's
wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.1
1 Eph. 5:6; Gal. 3:10; Lam. 3:39; Matt. 25:41
Q. 85 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
of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance
unto life,1 with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby
Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.2
1 Acts 20:21
2 Prov. 2:1-5; Prov. 8:33-36; Isa. 55:3
Q. 86 What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving
grace,1 whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as
he is offered to us in the gospel.2
1 Heb. 10:39
2 John 1:12; Isa. 26:3, 4; Phil. 3:9;
Gal. 2:16
Q. 87 What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving
grace,1 whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin,2
and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ,3 doth, with grief
and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God,4 with full purpose of,
and endeavour after, new obedience.5
1 Acts 11:8
2 Acts 2:37, 38
3 Joel 2:12; Jer. 3:22
4 Jer. 31:18, 19
5 Ezek. 36:31
Q. 88 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, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made
effectual to the elect for salvation.1
1 Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 2:42, 46, 47
Q. 89 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.1
1 Neh. 8:8; 1 Cor. 14:24, 25; Acts 26:18; Psa 19:8; Acts 20:32; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Rom. 10:-17; Rom. 1:16
Q. 90 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,1 preparation,2
and prayer;3 receive it with faith and love,4 lay it up
in our hearts,5 and practice it in our lives.6
1 Prov. 8:34
2 1 Pet. 2:1, 2
3 Psa 119:18
4 Heb. 4:2; 2 Thess. 2:10
5 Psa 119:11
6 Luke 8:15; James 1:25
Q. 91 How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual
means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer
them; but only by the blessing of Christ,1 and the working of his
spirit in them that by faith receive them.2
1 1 Pet. 3:21; Matt. 3:11; 1 Cor. 3:6, 7
2 1 Cor. 12:13
Q. 92 What is a sacrament?
A. sacrament is an holy ordinance
instituted by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of
the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.1
1 Gen. 17:7, 10; 1 Cor. 11:23, 26; Exod. 12:1-51 throughout
Q. 93 Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The sacraments of the New
Testament are, Baptism,1 and the Lord's supper.2
1 Matt. 28:19
2 Matt. 26:26-28
Q. 94 What is baptism ?
A. Baptism is a sacrament,
wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost,1 doth signify and seal our ingrafting into
Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our
engagement to be the Lord's.2
1 Matt. 28:19
2 Rom. 6:4; Gal. 3:27
Q. 95 To whom is baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is not to be administered
to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in
Christ, and obedience to him;1 but the infants of such as are
members of the visible church are to be baptized.2
1 Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 2:38
2 Acts 2:38, 39; Gen. 17:10 compared with
Col. 2:11, 12; 1 Cor. 7:14
Q. 96 What is the Lord's supper?
A. The Lord's supper is a sacrament,
wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ's
appointment, his death is showed 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.1
1 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 1 Cor. 10:16
Q. 97 What is
required to the worthy receiving of 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,1 of their faith to feed upon him,2 of their
repentance,3 love,4 and new obedience;5 lest,
coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.(6)
1 1 Cor. 11:28,29
2 2 Cor. 13:5
3 1 Cor. 11:31
4 1 Cor. 10:16,17
5 1 Cor. 5:7,8
6 1 Cor. 11:28,29
Q. 98 What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,1
for things agreeable to his will,2 in the name of Christ,3
with confession of our sins,4 and thankful acknowledgment of his
mercies.5
1 Psa 62:8
2 1 John 5:14
3 John 16:23
4 Psa 32:5,6; Dan. 9:4
5 Phil. 4:6
Q. 99 What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole word of God is of
use to direct us in prayer,1 but the special rule of direction is
that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The
Lord's prayer.2
1 1 John 5:14
2 Matt. 6:9-18 compared with Luke 11:2-4
Q. 100 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
heaven1) teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence
and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us;2
and that we should pray with and for others.3
1 Matt. 6:9
2 Rom. 8:15; Luke 11:13
3 Acts 12:5; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2
Q. 101 What do we pray for in the first petition?
A. In the first petition (which
is, Hallowed by thy name1)
we pray, That God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby
he maketh himself known;2 and that he would dispose all things to
his own glory.3
1 Matt. 6:9
2 Psa 67:2, 3
3Psa 83 throughout
Q. 102 What do we pray for in the second petition?
A. In the second petition (which
is, Thy kingdom come1) we
pray, That Satan's kingdom may be destroyed;2 and that the kingdom
of grace may be advanced,3 ourselves and others brought into it, and
kept in it;4 and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.5
1 Matt. 6:10
2 Psa 68:1, 18
3 Rev. 12:10, 11
4 2 Thess. 3:1; Rom. 10:1; John 17:9, 20
5 Rev. 22:20
Q. 103 What do we pray for in the third petition?
A. In the third petition (which
is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is
in heaven1) we pray, That God, by his grace, would make us able
and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things,2 as
the angels do in heaven.3
1 Matt. 6:10
2 Psa 67:1-7; Psa 119:36; Matt. 26:39; 2 Sam. 15:25; Job 1:21
3 Psa 103:20, 21
Q. 104 What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
A. In the fourth petition (which
is, Give us this day our daily bread1)
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.2
1 Matt. 6:11
2 Prov. 30:8, 9; Gen. 28:20; 1 Tim. 4:4, 5
Q. 105 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 debtors1) we pray, That God, for Christ's sake,
would freely pardon all our sins;2 which we are the rather encouraged
to ask, because by his grace we are enable from the heart to forgive others.3
1 Matt. 6:12
2 Psa 51:1, 2, 7, 9; Dan. 9:17, 18, 19
3 Luke 11:4; Matt. 18:35
Q. 106 What do we pray for in the sixth petition ?
A. In the sixth petition (which
is, And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil1) we pray, that God would either keep us
from being tempted to sin,2 or support and deliver us when we are
tempted.3
1 Matt. 6:13
2 Matt. 26:41
3 2 Cor. 12:7, 8
Q. 107 What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us?
A. The conclusion of the Lord's
prayer (which is, For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen1) teacheth
us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only,2 and in our
prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him.3
And, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.4
1 Matt. 6:13
2 Dan. 9:4, 7-9, 16-19
3 1 Chron. 29:10-13
4 1 Cor. 14:16; Rev. 22:20, 21
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When and Where We Worship
Did You Know?
Q. 26 How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of
a king, in subduing us to himself, 1 in ruling 2 and
defending us, 3 and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies. 4
1 Acts 15:14, 15, 16.
2 Isa. 33:22.
3 Isa. 32:1, 2.
4 1 Cor. 15:25; Psalm 110 throughout.
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