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THE WESTMINSTER
SHORTER CATECHISM
with Scripture Proofs
The Westminster Shorter Catechism was
completed in 1647 by the Westminster Assembly and continues to serve as
part of the doctrinal standards of many Presbyterian churches.
- Question 1: What
is the chief end of man?
- Question 2:
What rule hath God
given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
- Question 3:
What do the
Scriptures principally teach?
- Question 4:
What is God?
- Question 5:
Are there more
Gods than one?
- Question 6:
How many persons
are there in the Godhead?
- Question 7: What are the
decrees of God?
- Question 8:
How doth God
execute his decrees?
- Question 9:
What is the work
of creation?
- Question 10:
How did God
create man?
- Question 11: What are God's
works of providence?
- Question 12: What special act
of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was
created?
- Question 13:
Did our first
parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
- Question 14:
What is sin?
- Question 15:
What was the sin
whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were
created?
- Question 16:
Did all mankind
fall in Adam's first transgression?
- Question 17:
Into what estate
did the fall bring mankind?
- Question 18:
Wherein consists
the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
- Question 19:
What is the
misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
- Question 20:
Did God leave
all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
- Question 21:
Who is the
Redeemer of God's elect?
- Question 22:
How did Christ,
being the Son of God, become man?
- Question 23:
What offices
doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
- Question 24:
How doth Christ
execute the office of a prophet?
- Question 25:
How doth Christ
execute the office of a priest?
- Question 26:
How doth Christ
execute the office of a king?
- Question 27:
Wherein did
Christ's humiliation consist?
- Question 28:
Wherein
consisteth Christ's exaltation?
- Question 29:
How are we made
partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
- Question 30:
How doth the
Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
- Question 31:
What is
effectual calling?
- Question 32:
What benefits do
they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
- Question 33:
What is
justification?
- Question 34:
What is
adoption?
- Question 35:
What is
sanctification?
- Question 36:
What are the
benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification,
adoption, and sanctification?
- Question 37:
What benefits do
believers receive from Christ at death?
- Question 38:
What benefits do
believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
- Question 39:
What is the duty
which God requireth of man?
- Question 40:
What did God at
first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
- Question 41:
Wherein is the
moral law summarily comprehended?
- Question 42:
What is the sum
of the ten commandments?
- Question 43:
What is the
preface to the ten commandments?
- Question 44:
What doth the
preface to the ten commandments teach us?
- Question 45:
Which is the
first commandment?
- Question 46:
What is required
in the first commandment?
- Question 47:
What is
forbidden in the first commandment?
- Question 48:
What are we
specially taught by these words, "before me," in the
first commandment?
- Question 49:
Which is the
second commandment?
- Question 50:
What is required
in the second commandment?
- Question 51: What is
forbidden in the second commandment?
- Question 52:
What are the
reasons annexed to the second commandment?
- Question 53:
Which is the
third commandment?
- Question 54:
What is required
in the third commandment?
- Question 55:
What is
forbidden in the third commandment?
- Question 56:
What is the
reason annexed to the third commandment?
- Question 57:
Which is the
fourth commandment?
- Question 58:
What is required
in the fourth commandment?
- Question 59:
Which day of the
seven hath God appointed to be the weekly sabbath?
- Question 60: How is the
sabbath to be sanctified?
- Question 61: What is
forbidden in the fourth commandment?
- Question 62: What are the
reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
- Question 63: Which is the
fifth commandment?
- Question 64: What is required
in the fifth commandment?
- Question 65: What is
forbidden in the fifth commandment?
- Question 66: What is the
reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
- Question 67: Which is the
sixth commandment?
- Question 68: What is required
in the sixth commandment?
- Question 69: What is
forbidden in the sixth commandment?
- Question 70: Which is the
seventh commandment?
- Question 71: What is required
in the seventh commandment?
- Question 72: What is
forbidden in the seventh commandment?
- Question 73: Which is the
eighth commandment?
- Question 74: What is required
in the eighth commandment?
- Question 75: What is
forbidden in the eighth commandment?
- Question 76: Which is the
ninth commandment?
- Question 77: What is required
in the ninth commandment?
- Question 78: What is
forbidden in the ninth commandment?
- Question 79: Which is the
tenth commandment?
- Question 80: What is required
in the tenth commandment?
- Question 81: What is
forbidden in the tenth commandment?
- Question 82: Is any man able
perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
- Question 83: Are all
transgressions of the law equally heinous?
- Question 84: What doth every
sin deserve?
- Question 85: What doth God
require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for
sin?
- Question 86: What is faith in
Jesus Christ?
- Question 87: What is
repentance unto life?
- Question 88:
What are the
outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the
benefits of redemption?
- Question 89: How is the Word
made effectual to salvation?
- Question 90: How is the Word
to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
- Question 91: How do the
sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
- Question 92: What is a
sacrament?
- Question 93: Which are the
sacraments of the New Testament?
- Question 94: What is Baptism?
- Question 95: To whom is
Baptism to be administered?
- Question 96: What is the
Lord's Supper?
- Question 97: What is required
for the worthy receiving of the Lord's Supper?
- Question 98: What is prayer?
- Question 99: What rule hath
God given for our direction in prayer?
- Question 100: What doth the
preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
- Question 101: What do we
pray for in the first petition?
- Question 102: What do we
pray for in the second petition?
- Question 103: What do we
pray for in the third petition?
- Question 104: What do we
pray for in the fourth petition?
- Question 105: What do we
pray for in the fifth petition?
- Question 106: What do we
pray for in the sixth petition?
- Question 107: What doth the
conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
Question 1: What is the chief
end of man?
Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God,and to
enjoy him for ever.
1 Cor. 10:31 "Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God." Ps. 73:25 "Whom have I in heaven but
thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee."
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Question 2: What rule hath God
given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in
the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct
us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Ephesians 2:20 "And are built upon the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner
stone." 2 Tim. 3:16 "Every scripture inspired of God is
also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
which is in righteousness." I John 1:3 "That which we have
seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship
with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son
Jesus Christ."
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Question 3: What do the
Scriptures principally teach?
Answer: The Scriptures principally teach what
man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
2 Tim. 1:13 "Hold the pattern of sound words
which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ
Jesus."
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Question 4: What is God?
Answer: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and
unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and
truth.
John 4:24; Job 11:7; Psalm 90:2; James 1:17; Exodus 3:14; Psalm 147:5;
Revelation 4:8; Revelation 15:4; Exodus 34:6
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Question 5: Are there more Gods
than one?
Answer: There is but one only, the living and
true God.
Deut. 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one
Jehovah." Jeremiah 10:10 "But
Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting
King."
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Question 6: How many persons are
there in the Godhead?
Answer: 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.
Matt. 28:19 "Go
ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
I John 5:8 " For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and
the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one."
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Question 7: What are the decrees
of God?
Answer: 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.
Eph. 1:11-12 "Being predestined according to the
purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will;
to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory..."
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Question 8: How doth God execute
his decrees?
Answer: God executeth his decrees in the works
of creation and providence.
Rev. 4:11 "Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to
receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all
things, and because of thy will they were, and were created."
Dan. 4:35 "He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and
among the inhabitants of the earth..."
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Question 9: What is the work of
creation?
Answer: 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.
Gen. 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth." Gen. 1:31 "And God saw everything that he had
made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was
morning, the sixth day." Heb. 11:3 "By faith we understand
that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen
hath not been made out of things which appear."
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Question 10: How did God create
man?
Answer: God created man male and female, after
his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion
over the creatures.
Gen. 1:27 "And God created man in his own image, in the image of God
created he him; male and female created he them." Gen.
1:28 "And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over
the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every
living thing that moveth upon the earth." Colo. 3:10
"...and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge
after the image of him that created him."
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Question 11: What are God's
works of providence?
Answer: God's works of providence are, his most
holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and
all their actions.
Ps. 145:17 "Jehovah is righteous in all his ways, and gracious in all
his works." Ps. 103:19 "... His kingdom ruleth over
all." Isaiah 28:29 "This also cometh forth from Jehovah of
hosts, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom."
Matt. 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a
penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your
Father." Heb. 1:3 "... upholding all things by the word of his
power...."
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Question 12: What special act
of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was
created?
Answer: 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, upon
pain of death.
Gen. 2:17 "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou
shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt
surely die." Gal. 3:12 "And the law is not of faith; but,
He that doeth them shall live in them."
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Question 13: Did our first
parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
Answer: Our first parents, being left to the
freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created,
by sinning against God.
Eccles. 7:29 "Behold, this only have I found: that God made man
upright; but they have sought out many inventions."
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Question 14: What is sin?
Answer: Sin is any want of conformity unto, or
transgression of, the law of God.
I John 3:4 "Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin
is lawlessness."
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Question 15: What was the sin
whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
Answer: The sin whereby our first parents fell
from the estate wherein thy were created, was their eating the forbidden
fruit.
Gen. 3:6-8 "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food,
and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired
to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat....And the
eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked....
and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God
amongst the trees of the garden."
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Question 16: Did all mankind
fall in Adam's first transgression?
Answer: 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.
Gen. 1:28 "And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful,
and multiply, and replenish the earth...." Gen. 2:16-17
"And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the
garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest
thereof thou shalt surely die." Rom. 5:18 "So then as
through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to
condemnation;"
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Question 17: Into what estate
did the fall bring mankind?
Answer: The fall brought mankind into an estate
of sin and misery.
Rom. 5:12 "Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world,
and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all
sinned."
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Question 18: Wherein consists
the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
Answer: 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.
Rom. 5:19 "For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were
made sinners...." Rom. 3:10 "There is none righteous, no,
not one." Eph. 2:1 "And you did he make alive, when ye
were dead through your trespasses and sins." Matt. 15:19 "For
out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: these
are the things which defile the man." Ps.
51:5 "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my
mother conceive me."
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Question 19: What is the misery
of that estate whereinto man fell?
Answer: All mankind by their fall lost communion
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.
Gen. 3:8 "...and the man and his wife hid themselves from the
presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden." Eph.
2:3 "...and we were by nature children of wrath, even as the
rest...." Gal. 3:10 "Cursed is every one who continueth
not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do
them." Rom. 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the
free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Matt. 25:41 "Then shall he say also unto them
on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which
is prepared for the devil and his angels."
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Question 20: Did God leave all
mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
Answer: God having, out of his mere good
pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life [a,] 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.
Eph. 1:4 "...even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the
world...." Rom. 3:21 "But now apart from the law a
righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and
the prophets, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the
righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that
believe...."
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Question 21: Who is the
Redeemer of God's elect?
Answer: 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, forever.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Jesus Christ." I Tim. 2:5 "And the Word was made
flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14
"Whose are the fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ
came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen." Rom. 9:5
"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood." Hebrews 7:24
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Question 22: How did Christ,
being the Son of God, become man?
Answer: 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 Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of
her yet without sin.
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself took part in the same." Hebrews 2:14
"Then saith he unto them, my soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto
death." Matt. 26:38 "Behold, thou shalt
conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shall call his name
Jesus....The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest
shall over shadow thee." Luke 1:31, 35
"Such an high priest became us. who is holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners." Hebrews 7:26
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Question 23: What offices doth
Christ execute as our Redeemer?
Answer: 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.
"Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall
the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him
shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you."
Acts 3:22 "Thou art a priest forever, after the
order of Melchisedec." Hebrews 5:6 "Yet
I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." Psalm 2:6
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Question 24: How doth Christ
execute the office of a prophet?
Answer: Christ executeth the office of a
prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit the will of God for
our salvation.
"No man hath seen God at any time: the begotten Son,
which is in the bossom of the Father, he hath declared him." John
1:18 "Which things also we speak, not in the words which
man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teachest..." I
Corinthians 2:13 "...from a child thou hast
known the Holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto
salvation...." II Timothy 3:15
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Question 25: How doth Christ
execute the office of a priest?
Answer: Christ executeth the office of a priest,
in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice,
and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
"Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the
sum: We have such a high priest....Christ was once offered to bear
the sins of many" Hebrews 8:1; 9:28 "In
all things....a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to
God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
Hebrews 2:17 "He is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
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Question 26: How doth Christ
execute the office of a king?
Answer: 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.
"Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy
power." Psalm 110 :3 "For the Lord is our
judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king he will save
us....Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness...as the shadow of a
great rock in a weary land." Isaiah 33:22, 32:1-2
"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his
feet." I Corinthians15:25
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Question 27: Wherein did
Christ's humiliation consist?
Answer: 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.
"And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger." Luke 2:7
"God sent forth His Son, made of a women, made under the law..."
Galatians 4:4 "He was despised and rejected of men,
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief..." Isaiah 53:3
"My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken
Me?" Matt. 27:46 "He became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:8
"He was buried...he rose again on the third day" I Cor.
15:4
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Question 28: Wherein consisteth
Christ's exaltation?
Answer: Christ's exaltation consisteth in his
rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven,
in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the
world at the last day.
"He rose again on the third day, according to the
Scriptures." I Cor. 15:4 "....He was
taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight." Acts
1:9 "....He raised Him from the dead, and set Him
at His own right hand in the heavenly places..." Eph. 1:20
"This same Jesus....shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him
go into heaven....He hath appointed a day, in which He will judge the
world in righteous ness by that man whom he hath ordained..."
Acts 1:11; 17:31
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Question 29: How are we made
partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
Answer: We are made partakers of the redemption
purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy
Spirit.
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God..." John 1:12 "He saved us,
not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but
according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the
Holy Spirit,whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our
Savior..." Titus 3:5-6
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Question 30: How doth the
Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
Answer: 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.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God;" Ephesians 2:8
"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..."
Ephesians 3:17 "God is faithful, through whom you were
called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
I Corinthians 1:9
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Question 31: What is effectual
calling?
Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God's
Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and 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.
"...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling..."
II Tim. 1:9, "Now when they heard this, they were pierced to
the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren,
what shall we do?" Acts 2:37 "...to
open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the
dominion of Satan to God..." Acts 26:18 "No
one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will
raise him up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And
they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned
from the Father, comes to Me." John 6:44-45
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within
you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a
heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26
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Question 32: What benefits do
they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
Answer: They that are effectually called do in
this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the
several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
"Moreover, whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He
called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also
glorified." Romans 8:30 "He predestined us to
adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind
intention of His will..." Ephesians 1:5 "But
by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,
and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption..." I
Corinthians 1:30
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Question 33: What is
justification?
Answer: Justification is an act of God's free
grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in
his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and
received by faith alone.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our
trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" Ephesians 1:7
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that
we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians
5:21 "For as through the one man’s disobedience the
many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many
will be made righteous." Romans 5:19
"...nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of
the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ
Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ ..." Galatians
2:16
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Question 34: What is adoption?
Answer: 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.
"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be
called children of God; and such we are. " I John 3:1
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God, even to those who believe in His name..."
John 1:12 "...and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and
fellow heirs with Christ..." Romans 8:17
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Question 35: What is
sanctification?
Answer: 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.
"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by
the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation
through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth." 2
Thess. 2:13 "...and put on the new self, which in the
likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the
truth." Ephesians 4:24 "Therefore there is now
no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
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Question 36: What are the
benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification,
adoption, and sanctification?
Answer: 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 Ghost,
increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have
obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and
we exult in hope of the glory of God....and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-2, 5
"But the path of the righteous is
like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full
day." Proverbs 4:18 "These things I have written to
you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that
you have eternal life." I John 5:13
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Question 37: What benefits do
believers receive from Christ at death?
Answer: 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.
"...to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are
enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the
righteous made perfect..." Hebrews 12:23 "...
having the desire to depart and be with Christ..." Philippians
1:23 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in
Jesus." I Thess. 4:14 "He
enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walked in
his upright way." Isaiah 57:2 "Even
after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God"
Job 19:26
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Question 38: What benefits do
believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
Answer: At the resurrection, believers being
raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day
of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all
eternity.
"...it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory..." I Cor.
15:43 "Therefore
everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My
Father who is in heaven." Matt. 10:32
"We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will
see Him just as He is." I John 3:2 "...and so we
shall always be with the Lord." I Thess. 4:17
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Question 39: What is the duty
which God requireth of man?
Answer: The duty which God requireth of man, is
obedience to his revealed will.
"He has told you, O
man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do
justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8
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Question 40: What did God at
first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
Answer: The rule which God at first revealed to
man for his obedience, was the moral law.
"For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do
instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law
to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their
hearts..." Romans 2:14-15
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Question 41: Wherein is the
moral law summarily comprehended?
Answer: The moral law is summarily comprehended
in the ten commandments.
"He wrote on the tablets, like the former writing, the Ten
Commandments..." Deuteronomy 10:4 "And He said to
him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good?
There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life,
keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17
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Question 42: What is the sum of
the ten commandments?
Answer: 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 neighbour as ourselves.
"And He said to him, "Why are you asking
Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you
wish to enter into life, keep the commandments. This is the great
and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love
your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the
whole Law and the Prophets." Matt. 22:37-40
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Question 43: What is the
preface to the ten commandments?
Answer: 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 22:2
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Question 44: What doth the
preface to the ten commandments teach us?
Answer: 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.
"You shall therefore love the Lord your God, and always keep His
charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments."
Deuteronomy 11:1 "To grant us that we, being rescued from
the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness
and righteousness before Him all our days." Luke 1:74-75
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Question 45: Which is the first
commandment?
Answer: The first commandment is, Thou shalt
have no other gods before me.
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Question 46: What is required
in the first commandment?
Answer: 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.
"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father..."
I Chronicles 28:9 "You
have today declared the Lord to be your God, and that you would walk in
His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and
listen to His voice." Deuteronomy 26:17 "You
shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."
Matt. 4:10
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Question 47: What is forbidden
in the first commandment?
Answer: The first commandment forbiddeth the
denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our
God ; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due
to him alone.
"The fool has said in his heart, "There is no
God." Psalm 14:1 "But
My people did not listen to My voice, and Israel did not obey Me."
Psalm 81:11 "For since the creation of the world His
invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been
clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they
are without excuse....For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and
worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed
forever. Amen." Romans 1:20, 25
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Question 48: What are we
specially taught by these words, "before me," in the
first commandment?
Answer: 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.
"If we had forgotten the name of
our God or extended our hands to a strange god, would not God find this
out?" Psalm 44:20-21
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Question 49: Which is the
second commandment?
Answer: The second commandment is, Thou shalt
not make unto thee any graven image, or any 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 thy self to them, nor serve 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.
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Question 50: What is required
in the second commandment?
Answer: 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.
"Take to your heart all the words with which I am
warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully,
even all the words of this law." Deut. 32:46
"Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not
add to nor take away from it." Deut. 12:32 "...teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you..." Matt. 28:20
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Question 51: What is forbidden
in the second commandment?
Answer: The second commandment forbiddeth the
worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his Word.
"So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the
day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, so that you
do not act corruptly and make a graven image..." Deut. 4:15-16
"Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in
self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions
he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind..."
Colossians 2:18
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Question 52: What are the
reasons annexed to the second commandment?
Answer: 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.
"He is your Lord, bow down to Him." Ps.
45:11 "Let us come
before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with
psalms. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all
gods..." Psalm 95:2-3 "For you shall not
worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous
God." Exodus 34:14
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Question 53: Which is the third
commandment?
Answer: 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.
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Question 54: What is required
in the third commandment?
Answer: The third commandment requireth the holy
and reverend use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and
works.
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name." Ps. 29:2
"Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true
are Thy ways, Thou king of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord,
and glorify the name?" Rev. 15:3-4 "Guard your
steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to
offer the sacrifice of fools..." Ecclesiastes 5:1
"I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy
loving-kindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above
all Thy name." Psalm 138: 2 "Remember
that you should exalt His work, of which men have sung." Job
36: 24
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Question 55: What is forbidden
in the third commandment?
Answer: The third commandment forbiddeth all
profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh himself known.
"If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to
heart to give honor to My name," says the Lord of hosts, "then I
will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed,
I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to
heart." Malachi 2:2
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Question 56: What is the reason
annexed to the third commandment?
Answer: 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.
"If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which
are written in this book, to fear this honored and awesome name, the Lord
your God, then the Lord will bring extraordinary plagues on you and your
descendants..." Deuteronomy 28:58-59
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Question 57: Which is the
fourth commandment?
Answer: The fourth commandment is, Remember
the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, 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, 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.
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Question 58: What is required
in the fourth commandment?
Answer: 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.
"Observe the sabbath day to keep it holy, as the Lord your God
commanded you." Deuteronomy 5:12 "You shall keep My
sabbaths and revere My sanctuary; I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:30
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Question 59: Which day of the
seven hath God appointed to be the weekly sabbath?
Answer: 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.
"Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He
rested from all His work which God had created and
made." Genesis 2:3 "On the first day of the
week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began
talking to them..." Acts 20:7 "I was in the
Spirit on the Lord’s day..." Revelation 1:10
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Question 60: How is the sabbath
to be sanctified?
Answer: 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.
"For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a
sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work;
it is a sabbath to the Lord in all your dwellings." Leviticus
23:3 "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing
praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the
morning and Your faithfulness by night..." Psalm 92:1-2
"And He said to them, "What man is there
among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will
he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then
is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the
Sabbath." Matthew 12:11-12
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Question 61: What is forbidden
in the fourth commandment?
Answer: 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 our worldly employments or
recreations.
"If because
of the sabbath, you turn your foot from doing your own pleasure on
My holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the
Lord honorable, and honor it, desisting from your own ways, from
seeking your own pleasure and speaking your own word..."
Isaiah 58:13 "Again, they have done this to Me:
they have defiled My sanctuary on the same day and have profaned My
sabbaths." Ezekiel 23:38 "You also say, ‘My,
how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the
Lord of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what
is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from
your hand?" says the Lord." Malachi 1:13
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Question 62: What are the
reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
Answer: The reasons annexed to the fourth
commandment are, God's allowing us six days of the week for our own
employments, his challenging a special propriety in the seventh, his own
example, and his blessing the sabbath day.
"For six days work may be done, but on the
seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever
does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death. So
the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath
throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign
between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made
heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and
was refreshed." Exodus 31:15-17 "For six days
work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete
rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to
the Lord in all your dwellings." Leviticus 23:3
"Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He
rested from all His work which God had created and made." Genesis 2:3
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Question 63: Which is the fifth
commandment?
Answer: The fifth commandment is, Honour thy
father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the
Lord thy God giveth thee.
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Question 64: What is required
in the fifth commandment?
Answer: The fifth commandment requireth the
preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in
their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
"...be subject to one another in the fear of
Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the
Lord." Ephesians 5:21-22 "Children, obey your
parents in the Lord, for this is right. Slaves, be obedient to those
who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in
the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ..." Ephesians 6:1,5
"And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening,
knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no
partiality with Him." Ephesians 6:9 "Be devoted
to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in
honor" Romans 12:10 "Every person is to be in
subjection to the governing authorities." Romans 13:1
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Question 65: What is forbidden
in the fifth commandment?
Answer: The fifth commandment forbiddeth the
neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which
belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations.
"Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe
nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his
neighbor has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:7-8
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Question 66: What is the reason
annexed to the fifth commandment?
Answer: 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.
"Honor
your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so
that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the
earth." Ephesians 6:2-3
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Question 67: Which is the sixth
commandment?
Answer: The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt
not kill.
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Question 68: What is required
in the sixth commandment?
Answer: The sixth commandment requireth all
lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.
"So
husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who
loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but
nourishes and cherishes it..." Ephesians 5:28-29
"Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and
destitute. Rescue the weak and needy;" Psalm 82:3-4
"The blessing of the one ready to perish came upon me..." Job
29:13
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Question 69: What is forbidden
in the sixth commandment?
Answer: The sixth commandment forbiddeth the
taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour, unjustly, or
whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
"Deliver
those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to
slaughter, Oh hold them back. If you say, "See, we did
not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the
hearts?" Proverbs 24:11-12 "Whoever
sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of
God He made man." Genesis 9:6 "But Paul cried
out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself..." Acts
16:28
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Question 70: Which is
the seventh commandment?
Answer: The seventh commandment is, Thou
shalt not commit adultery.
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Question 71: What is required
in the seventh commandment?
Answer: The seventh commandment requireth the
preservation of our own and our neighbour's chastity, in heart, speech,
and behavior.
"...that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own
vessel in sanctification and honor..." I Thess. 4:4
"...and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather even reprove them; for the things which are done by them in secret
it is a shame even to speak of." Ephesians 5:11-12
"But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith,
love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
II Timothy 2:22 "Let your speech
be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to
answer each one." Colossians 4:6
"...beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear."
I Peter 3:2
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Question 72: What is forbidden
in the seventh commandment?
Answer: The seventh commandment forbiddeth all
unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.
"...but I say unto you, that every one that
looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her
already in his heart." Matthew 5:28
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not
even be named among you, as becometh saints; 4nor
filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not
befitting..." Ephesians 5:3-4
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Question 73: Which is the
eighth commandment?
Answer: The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt
not steal.
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Question 74: What is required
in the eighth commandment?
Answer: The eighth commandment requireth the
lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves
and others.
"Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men."
Romans 12:17 "Be thou diligent to know the
state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds."
Proverbs 27:23 "And if thy brother be waxed poor,
and his hand fail with thee; then thou shalt uphold him: as a
stranger and a sojourner shall he live with thee."
Leviticus 25:35 "...not looking each of
you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others."
Philippians 2:4
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Question 75: What is forbidden
in the eighth commandment?
Answer: The eighth commandment forbiddeth
whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbour's,
wealth or outward estate.
"But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own
household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an
unbeliever." I Timothy 5:8
"But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty
enough." Proverbs 28:19 "The
getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by
them that seek death." Proverbs 21:6
"For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken
away a house, and he shall not build it up. Because he knew no quietness
within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth."
Job 20:19-20
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Question 76: Which is the ninth
commandment?
Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt
not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
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Question 77: What is required
in the ninth commandment?
Answer: The ninth commandment requireth the
maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and
our neighbour's good name, especially in witness bearing.
"...speak ye every man the truth with his neighbor..."
Zechariah 8:16 "...having a good
conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame
who revile your good manner of life in Christ" I
Peter 3:16 "Demetrius hath the
witness of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, we also bear
witness: and thou knowest that our witness is true."
3 John 12 "A faithful witness will not lie; But a
false witness uttereth lies...A true witness delivereth souls; But he that
uttereth lies causeth deceit." Proverbs 14:5, 25
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Question 78: What is forbidden
in the ninth commandment?
Answer: The ninth commandment forbiddeth
whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own, or our
neighbour's, good name.
"Their throat is an open sepulchre; With their tongues they have used
deceit: The poison of asps is under their lips..." Romans
3:13 "Far be it from me that I should
justify you: Till I die I will not put away mine integrity from me."
Job 27:5 "He that slandereth not
with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach
against his neighbor..." Psalm 15:3
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Question 79: Which is the tenth
commandment?
Answer: The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt
not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's
wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass,
nor anything that is thy neighbour's.
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Question 80: What is required
in the tenth commandment?
Answer: The tenth commandment requireth full
contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of
spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.
"Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye
have..." Hebrews 13:5 "Rejoice
with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep." Romans 12:15
"Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;
rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth..."
I Corinthians 13:4-6
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Question 81: What is forbidden
in the tenth commandment?
Answer: The tenth commandment forbiddeth all
discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our
neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is
his.
"Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the
destroyer." I Corinthians 10:10
"Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one
another." Galatians 5:26 "Put to
death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication,
uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry..." Colossians 3:5
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Question 82: Is any man able
perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
Answer: 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.
"Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and
sinneth not." Eccles. 7:20 "... for that the
imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth..." Genesis 8:21
"For in many things we all stumble....But the tongue can no man tame;
it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison."
James 3:2, 8
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Question 83: Are all
transgressions of the law equally heinous?
Answer: Some sins in themselves, and by reason
of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
"He that delivered me unto thee hath the
greater sin." John 19:11
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Question 84: What doth every
sin deserve?
Answer: Every sin deserveth God's wrath and
curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.
"Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are
written in the book of the law, to do them." Galatians 3:10
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left
hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared
for the devil and his angels" Matthew 25:41
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Question 85: What doth God
require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
Answer: To escape the wrath and curse of God,
due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance
unto life [a, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby
Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.
"...testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21
"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments
with thee; So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to
understanding; Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice
for understanding; If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for
hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find
the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5
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Question 86: What is faith in
Jesus Christ?
Answer: 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.
"But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them
that have faith unto the saving of the soul." Hebrews 10:39
"But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become
children of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
John 1:12 "...and be found in him, not having
a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but
that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God
by faith:" Philippians 3:9
"For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver, Jehovah is our
king; he will save us." Isaiah 33:22
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Question 87: What is repentance
unto life?
Answer: 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 his sin, turn from
it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.
"Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto
life." Acts 11:18 "Now when they heard this,
they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the
apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:37
"...and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah
your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in
lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil." Joel 2:13
"...turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art Jehovah my God.
Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was
instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded,
because I did bear the reproach of my youth." Jeremiah 31:18-19
"I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies."
Psalm 119:59
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Question 88: What are the
outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits
of redemption?
Answer: 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.
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized. And
they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:41-42
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Question 89: How is the Word
made effectual to salvation?
Answer: 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.
"The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of
Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7
"And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the
word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;" I Thess.
1:6 "For I am not ashamed of the
gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans
1:16
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Question 90: How is the Word to
be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
Answer: 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.
Proverbs 8:34; 1 Peter 2:1-2; Psalm 119:18; Hebrews 4:2;
II Thess. 2:10; Psalm 119:11; James 1:25
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Question 91: How do the
sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
Answer: 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, and the working of his Spirit in
them that by faith receive them.
"So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that
watereth; but God that giveth the increase." I
Corinthians 3:7 "...which also after a
true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away
of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience
toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Chris..." I Peter
3:21
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Question 92: What is a
sacrament?
Answer: 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.
"This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy
seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised."
Genesis 17:10 "...and he received the
sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he
had while he was in uncircumcision..." Romans 4:11
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Question 93: Which are the
sacraments of the New Testament?
Answer: The sacraments of the New Testament are,
Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." Mark
16:16 "For I received of the Lord that which
also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he
was betrayed took bread..." I Corinthians 11:23
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Question 94: What is Baptism?
Answer: Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the
washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost, 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.
"Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit:" Matthew 28:19
"Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through
baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through
the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:3-4
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Question 95: To whom is Baptism
to be administered?
Answer: 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; but the infants of such as are members of
the visible church are to be baptized.
"And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins;
and ye shall receive the gift of the |
