Shorter Catechism, part 1/3
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The Shorter Catechism
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with scripture proofs
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Original complete title:
THE SHORTER CATECHISM,
agreed upon by
The Assembly of Divines
at Westminster,
with the
Assistance of Commissioners
from the
Church of Scotland,
as a part of the covenanted uniformity in religion
betwixt the churches of Christ in the kingdoms
of Scotland, England, and Ireland.
And approved Anno 1648, by the General Assembly of the Church
of Scotland, to be a Directory for catechising such as
are of weaker Capacity
with references to the
Proofs from the Scripture
The Ministers of Westminster left to posterity the most thoroughly
thought-out statement ever penned of the elements of evangelical
religion, and also one which breathes the finest flagrance of spiritual
religion. Their most influential work, "The Shorter Catechism", was
intended as a teaching basis for an introduction to the Christian Faith.
Questions and answers Scripture proofs
Ql: What is the chief end (1) 1 Cor.10:31 Whether therefore ye
of man? eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
all to the glory of God.
A: Man's chief end is to (2) Ps.73:25 Whom have I in heaven but
glorify God, (1) and to thee? and there is none upon earth
enjoy him for ever. (2) that I desire beside thee.
Q2: What rule hath God (1) Eph.2:20 And are built upon the
given to direct us how we foundation of the apostles and
may glorify and enjoy him? prophets, Jesus Christ himself being
the chief corner stone.
A: The Word of God, which 2 Tim.3:16 All scripture is given by
is contained in the inspiration of God, and is profitable
Scriptures of the Old and for doctrine, for reproof, for
New Testaments, (l) is the correction, for instruction in
only rule to direct us how righteousness.
we may glorify and enjoy (2) 1 Joh.1:3 That which we have seen
him. (2) and heard declare we unto you, that ye
also may have fellowship with us: and
truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Q3: What do the Scriptures (1) 2 Tim.1:13 Hold fast the form of
principally teach? sound words, which thou hast heard of
me, in faith and love which is in
A: The Scriptures Christ Jesus.
principally teach what man
is to believe concerning
God, and what duty God
requires of man. (1)
Q4: What is God? (1) Joh.4:24 God is a Spirit: and they
that worship him must worship him in
A: God is a Spirit, (1) spirit and in truth.
infinite, (2) eternal, (3) (2) Job 11:7 Canst thou by searching
and unchangeable, (4) in find out God? canst thou find out the
his being, (5) wisdom, (6) Almighty unto perfection?
power, (7) holiness, (8) (3) Ps.90:2 From everlasting to
justice, goodness, and everlasting, thou art God.
truth. (9) (4) Jam.1:17 The Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning.
(5) Exod.3:14 And God said unto Moses,
I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus
shalt thou say unto the children of
Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
(6) Ps.147:5 Great is our Lord, and of
great power: his understanding is
infinite.
(7) Rev.4:8 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
Almighty, which was, and is, and is to
come.
(8) Rev.15:4 Who shall not fear thee,
O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou
only art holy.
(9) Exod.34:6 And the LORD passed by
before him, and proclaimed, The LORD,
The LORD God, merciful and gracious,
longsuffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth. V7: Keeping mercy
for thousands, forgiving iniquity and
transgression and sin, and that will
by no means clear the guilty.
Q5: Are there more Gods (1) Deut.6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD
than one? our God is one LORD.
(2) Jer.10:10 But the LORD is the true
A: There is but one only, God, he is the living God, and an
(1) the living and true everlasting king: at his wrath the
God. (2) earth shall tremble, and the nations
shall not be able to abide his
indignation.
Q6: How many persons are (1) Matt.28:19 Go ye therefore, and
there in the Godhead? teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the
A: There are three persons Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
in the Godhead; the father, (2) 1 Joh.5:7 For there are three that
the Son, and the Holy bear record in heaven, the Father, the
Ghost; (1) and these three Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these
are one God, the same in three are one.
substance, equal in power
and glory. (2)
Q7: What are the decrees of (1) Eph.1:11 Being predestinated
God? according to the purpose of him who
worketh all things after the counsel
A: The decrees of God are of his own will. V12: Eph.1:12 That we
his eternal purpose, should be to the praise of his glory.
according to the counsel of
his will, whereby, for his
own glory, he hath
foreordained whatsoever
comes to pass. (1)
Q8: How doth God execute (1) Rev.4:11 Thou hast created all
his decrees? things, and for thy pleasure they are
and were created.
A: God executeth his (2) Dan.4:35 And all the inhabitants
decrees in the works of of the earth are reputed as nothing:
creation (1) and and he doeth according to his will in
providence. (2) the army of heaven, and among the
inhabitants of the earth: and none can
stay his hand, or say unto him, What
doest thou?
Q9: What is the work of (1) Gen.1:1 In the beginning God
creation? created the heaven and the earth.
(2) Hebr.11:3 Through faith we
A: The work of creation is, understand that the worlds were framed
God's making all things of by the word of God, so that things
nothing, (1) by the word of which are seen were not made of things
his power, (2) in the space which do appear.
of six days, and all very (3) Gen.1:31 And God saw every thing
good. (3) that he had made, and, behold, it was
very good. And the evening and the
morning were the sixth day.
Q10: How did God create (1) Gen.1:27 So God created man in his
man? own image, in the image of God created
he him; male and female created he
A: God created man male and them.
female, after his own (2) Col.3:10 And have put on the new
image, (1) in knowledge, man, which is renewed in knowledge
righteousness, and after the image of him that created
holiness, (2) with dominion him:
over the creatures. (3) Eph.4:24 And that ye put on the new
man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.
(3) 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 fowl of
the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth.
Ql1: What are God's works (1) Ps.145:17 The LORD is righteous in
of providence? all his ways, and holy in all his
works.
A: God's works of (2) Isa.28:29 This also cometh forth
providence are, his most from the LORD of hosts, which is
holy, (1) wise (2), and wonderful in counsel, and excellent in
powerful preserving (3) and working.
governing all his (3) Hebr.1:3 Upholding all things by
creatures, and all their the word of his power.
actions. (4) (4) Ps.103:19 His kingdom ruleth over
all.
Matt.10:29 Are not two sparrows sold
for a farthing? and one of them shall
not fall on the ground without your
Father.
Q12: What special act of (1) Gal.3:12 And the law is not of
providence did God exercise faith: but, The man that doeth them
toward man in the estate shall live in them.
wherein he was created? (2) Gen.2:17 But of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
A: When God had created not eat of it: for in the day that
man, he entered into a thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
covenant of life with him, die.
upon condition of perfect
obedience; (l) forbidding
him to eat of the tree of
the knowledge of good and
evil, upon the pain of
death. (2)
Q13: Did our first parents (1) Eccl.7:29 Lo, this only have I
continue in the estate found, that God hath made man upright;
wherein they were created? but they have sought out many
inventions.
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)
Q14: What is sin? (1) 1 Joh.3:4 Whosoever committeth sin
transgresseth also the law: for sin is
A: Sin is any want of the transgression of the law.
conformity unto, or
transgression of, the law
of God. (1)
Q15: What was the sin Gen.3:6 And when the woman saw that
whereby our first parents the tree was good for food, and that
fell from the estate it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
wherein they were created? tree to be desired to make one wise,
she took of the fruit thereof, and did
A: The sin whereby our eat, and gave also unto her husband
first parents fell from the with her; and he did eat. V7 And the
estate wherein they were eyes of them both were opened, and
created, was their eating they knew that they were naked. V8 And
the forbidden fruit. (l) Adam and his wife hid themselves from
the presence of the LORD God amongst
the trees of the garden.
Ql6: Did all mankind fall Gen.1:28 And God blessed them, and God
in Adam's first said unto them, Be fruitful, and
transgression? multiply, and replenish the earth.
Gen.2:16 And the LORD God commanded
A: The covenant being made the man, saying, Of every tree of the
with Adam, not only for garden thou mayest freely eat. V17 But
himself, but for his of the tree of the knowledge of good
posterity; (l) all mankind, and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:
descending from him by for in the day that thou eatest
ordinary generation, sinned thereof thou shalt surely die.
in him, and fell with him, Rom.5:18 By the offence of one
in his first transgression. judgment came upon all men to
(2) condemnation.
Q17: Into what estate did (1) Rom.5:12 By one man sin entered
the fall bring mankind? into the world, and death by sin; and
so death passed upon all men, for that
A: The fall brought mankind all have sinned.
into an estate of sin and
misery. (1)
Q18: Wherein consists the (1) Rom.5:19 By one man's disobedience
sinfulness of that estate many were made sinners.
whereinto man fell? (2) Rom.3:10 There is none righteous,
no, not one.
A: The sinfulness of that (3) Eph.2:1 You hath he quickened, who
estate whereinto man fell, were dead in trespasses and sins.
consists in the guilt of Ps.51:5 Behold, I was shapen in
Adam's first sin, (1) the iniquity; and in sin did my mother
want of original conceive me.
righteousness, (2) and the (4) Matt.15:19 For out of the heart
corruption of his whole proceed evil thoughts, murders,
nature, which is commonly adulteries, fornications, thefts,
called Original Sin; (3) false witness, blasphemies. V20 These
together with all actual are the things which defile a man.
transgressions which
proceed from it. (4)
Q19: What is the misery of (1) Gen.3:8 Adam and his wife hid
that estate whereinto man themselves from the presence of the
fell? LORD God amongst the trees of the
garden. V24 So he drove out the man.
A: All mankind by their (2) Eph.2:3 And were by nature the
fall lost communion with children of wrath, even as others.
God, (1) are under his Gal.3:10 Cursed is every one that
wrath and curse, (2) and so continueth not in all things which are
made liable to all miseries written in the book of the law to do
in this life, to death them.
itself, and to the pains of (3) Rom.6:23 The wages of sin is
hell for ever. (3) death. Matt.25:41 Then shall he say
also unto them on the left hand,
Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the
devil and his angels.
Q20: Did God leave all (1) Eph.1:4 According as he hath
mankind to perish in the chosen us in him before the foundation
estate of sin and misery? of the world.
(2) Rom.3:21 But now the righteousness
A: God having, out of his of God without the law is manifested,
mere good pleasure, from being witnessed by the law and the
all eternity, elected some prophets. V22 Even the righteousness
to everlasting life, (1) of God which is by faith of Jesus
did enter into a covenant Christ unto all and upon all them that
of grace, to deliver them believe.
out of the estate of sin
and misery, and to bring
them into an estate of
salvation by a Redeemer.
(2)
Q21: Who is the Redeemer of (1) 1 Tim.2:5 For there is one God,
God's elect? and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus.
A: The only Redeemer of (2) Joh.1:14 And the Word was made
God's elect is the Lord flesh, and dwelt among us.
Jesus Christ, (1) who, (3) Rom.9:5 Whose are the fathers, and
being the eternal Son of of whom as concerning the flesh Christ
God, became man, (2) and so came, who is over all, God blessed for
was, and continueth to be, ever. Amen.
God and man in two distinct (4) Hebr.7:24 But this man, because he
natures, and one person, continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
(3) for ever. (4) priesthood.
Q22: How did Christ, being (1) Hebr.2:14 Forasmuch then as the
the Son of God, become man? children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took
A: Christ, the Son of God, part of the same.
became man, by taking to (2) Matt.26:38 Then saith he unto
himself a true body, (1) them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful,
and a reasonable soul, (2) even unto death.
being conceived by the (3) Luk.1:31 And, behold, thou shalt
power of the Holy Ghost, in conceive in thy womb, and bring forth
the womb of the Virgin a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Mary, and born of her, (3) V35. The Holy Ghost shall come upon
yet without sin. (4) thee, and the power of the Highest
shall overshadow thee.
(4) Hebr.7:26 For such an high priest
became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners.
Q23: What offices doth (1) Act.3:22 Moses truly said unto the
Christ execute as our fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your
Redeemer? God raise up unto you of your
brethren, like unto me; him shall ye
A: Christ, as our Redeemer, hear in all things whatsoever he shall
executeth the offices of a say unto you.
prophet, (1) of a priest, (2) Hebr.5:6 Thou art a priest for
(2) and of a king, (3) both ever after the order of Melchisedec.
in his estate of (3) Ps.2:6 Yet have I set my king upon
humiliation and exaltation. my holy hill of Zion.
Q24: How doth Christ (1) Joh.1:18 No man hath seen God at
execute the office of a any time; the only begotten Son, which
prophet? is in the bosom of the Father, he hath
declared him.
A: Christ executeth the (2) Joh.20:31 But these are written,
office of a prophet in that ye might believe that Jesus is
revealing to us, (l) by his the Christ, the Son of God; and that
word (2) and Spirit, (3) believing ye might have life through
the will of God for our his name.
salvation. (3) Joh.14:26 But the Comforter, which
is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach
you all things.
Q25: How doth Christ (1) Hebr.9:28 Christ was once offered
execute the office of a to bear the sins of many.
priest? (2) Hebr.2:17 In all things it behoved
him to be made like unto his brethren,
A: Christ executeth the that he might be a merciful and
office of a priest, in his faithful high priest in things
once offering up of himself pertaining to God, to make
a sacrifice to satisfy reconciliation for the sins of the
divine justice, (1) and people.
reconcile us to God; (2) (3) Hebr.7:25 He is able also to save
and in making continual them to the uttermost that come unto
intercession for us. (3) God by him, seeing he ever liveth to
make intercession for them.
Q26: How doth Christ (1) Ps.110:3 Thy people shall be
execute the office of a willing in the day of thy power.
king? (2) Isa.33:22 The LORD is our judge,
the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is
A: Christ executeth the our king; he will save us.
office of a king, in (3) 1 Cor.15:25 For he must reign,
subduing us to himself, (1) till he hath put all enemies under his
in ruling and defending us, feet.
(2) and in restraining and
conquering all his and our
enemies. (3)
Q27: Wherein did Christ's (1) Luk.2:7 And she brought forth her
humiliation consist? firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
A: Christ's humiliation manger.
consisted in his being (2) Gal.4:4 God sent forth his Son,
born, and that in a low made of a woman, made under the law.
condition, (1) made under (3) Isa.53:3 He is despised and
the law, (2) undergoing the rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and
miseries of this life, (3) acquainted with grief.
the wrath of God, (4) and (4) Matt.27:46 And about the ninth
the cursed death of the hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
cross; (5) in being buried, saying, My God! my God! why hast thou
and continuing under the forsaken me?
power of death for a time. (5) Philip.2:8 He humbled himself, and
(6) became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross.
(6) Matt.12:40 As Jonas was three days
and three nights in the whale's belly;
so shall the Son of man be three days
and three nights in the heart of the
earth.
(1) 1 Cor.15:4 And that he was buried,
Q28: Wherein consisteth and that he rose again the third day
Christ's exaltation? according to the scriptures:
(2) Mar.16:19 So then after the Lord
A: Christ's exaltation had spoken unto them, he was received
consisteth in his rising up into heaven, and sat on the right
again from the dead on the hand of God.
third day, (1) in ascending (3) Act.17:31 He hath appointed a day,
up into heaven, in sitting in the which he will judge the world
at the right hand of God in righteousness by that man whom he
the Father, (2) and in hath ordained; whereof he hath given
coming to judge the world assurance unto all men, in that he
at the last day. (3) hath raised him from the dead.
Q29: How are we made (1) Joh.1:12 As many as received him,
partakers of the redemption to them gave he power to become the
purchased by Christ? sons of God.
(2) Tit.3:5 Not by works of
A: We are made partakers of righteousness which we have done, but
the redemption purchased by according to his mercy he saved us, by
Christ, by the effectual the washing of regeneration, and
application of it to us (1) renewing of the Holy Ghost. V6 Which
by his Holy Spirit. (2) he shed on us abundantly through Jesus
Christ our Saviour.
Q30: How doth the Spirit (1) Eph.2:8 By grace are ye saved
apply to us the redemption through faith; and that not of
purchased by Christ? yourselves: it is the gift of God.
(2) Eph.3:17 That Christ may dwell in
A: The Spirit applieth to your hearts by faith, &c.
us the redemption purchased 1 Cor.1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye
by Christ, by working faith were called unto the fellowship of his
in us, (1) and thereby Son Jesus Christ.
uniting us to Christ in our
effectual ca11ing. (2)
Q31: What is effectual (1) 2 Tim.1:9 Who hath saved us, and
calling? called us with an holy calling.
(2) Act.2:37 Now when they heard this,
A: Effectual calling is the they were pricked in their heart, and
work of God's Spirit, (1) said unto Peter and to the rest of the
whereby, convincing us of apostles, Men and brethren, what shall
our sin and misery, (2) we do?
enlightening our minds in (3) Act.26:18 To open their eyes, and
the knowledge of Christ, to turn them from darkness to light,
(3) and renewing our wills, and from the power of Satan unto God.
(4) he doth persuade and (4) Ezek.36:26 I will take away the
enable us to embrace Jesus stony heart out of your flesh, and I
Christ, freely offered to will give you an heart of flesh.
us in the gospel. (5) (5) Joh.6:44 No man can come to me,
except the Father which hath sent me
draw him. V45 Every man therefore that
hath heard, and hath learned of the
Father, cometh unto me.
(1) Rom.8:30 Moreover whom he did
Q32: What benefits do they predestinate, them he also called: and
that are effectually called whom he called, them he also
partake of in this life? justified: and whom he justified, them
he also glorified.
A: They that are (2) Eph.1:5 Having predestinated us
effectually called do in unto the adoption of children by Jesus
this life partake of Christ to himself.
justification, (1) (3) 1 Cor.1:30 But of him are ye in
adoption, (2) and Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto
sanctification, and the us wisdom, and righteousness, and
several benefits which in sanctification, and redemption.
this life do either
accompany or flow from
them. (3)
Q33: What is justification? (1) Eph.1:7 In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of
A: Justification is an act sins, according to the riches of his
of God's free grace, grace.
wherein he pardoneth all (2) 2 Cor.5:21 For he hath made him to
our sins, (1) and accepteth be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
us as righteous in his we might be made the righteousness of
sight, (2) only for the God in him.
righteousness of Christ (3) Rom.5:19 For as by one man's
imputed to us, (3) and disobedience many were made sinners,
received by faith alone. so by the obedience of one shall many
(4) be made righteous.
(4) Gal.2:16 Knowing that a man is not
justified by the works of the law, but
by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we
have believed in Jesus Christ, that we
might be justified by the faith of
Christ.
Q34: What is adoption? (1) 1 Joh.3:1 Behold, what manner of
love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
A: Adoption is an act of that we should be called the sons of
God's free grace, (1) God!
whereby we are received (2) Joh.1:12 But as many as received
into the number, and have a him, to them gave he power to become
right to all the privileges the sons of God, even to them that
of the sons of God. (2) believe on his name.
Rom.8:17 And if children, then heirs;
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ.
Q 3 5 : W h a t i s (1) 2 Thess.2:13 God hath from the
sanctification? beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit.
A: Sanctification is the (2) Eph.4:24 And that ye put on the
work of God's free grace, new man, which after God is created in
(1) whereby we are renewed righteousness and true holiness.
in the whole man after the (3) Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no
image of God, (2) and are condemnation to them which are in
enabled more and more to Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
die unto sin, and live unto flesh, but after the Spirit.
righteousness. (3)
Q36: What arc the benefits (1) Rom.5:1 Therefore being justified
which in this life do by faith, we have peace with God
accompany or flow from through our Lord Jesus Christ. V2 By
justification, adoption, whom also we have access by faith into
and sanctification? this grace wherein we stand, and
rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
A: The benefits which in V5 And hope maketh not ashamed;
this life do accompany or because the love of God is shed abroad
flow from justification, in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which
a d o p t i o n , a n d is given unto us.
sanctification, are, (2) Prov.4:18 The path of the just is
assurance of God's love, as the shining light, that shineth
peace of conscience, joy in more and more unto the perfect day.
the Holy Ghost, (1) (3) 1 Joh.5:13 These things have I
increase of grace, (2) and written unto you that believe on the
perseverance therein to the name of the Son of God; that ye may
end. (3) know that ye have eternal life.
Q37: What benefits do (1) Hebr.12:23 And to the spirits of
believers receive from just men made perfect.
Christ at death? (2) Philip.1:23 Having a desire to
depart, and to be with Christ.
A: The souls of believers (3) 1 Thess.4:14 Them also which sleep
are at their death made in Jesus will God bring with him.
perfect in holiness, (1) (4) Isa.57:2 He shall enter into
and do immediately pass peace: they shall rest in their beds,
into glory; (2) and their each one walking in his uprightness.
bodies, being still united (5) Job 19:26 And though after my skin
to Christ, (3) do rest in worms destroy this body, yet in my
their graves (4) till the flesh shall I see God.
resurrection. (5)
Q38: What benefits do (1) 1 Cor.15:43 It is sown in
believers receive from dishonour; it is raised in glory.
Christ at the resurrection? (2) Matt.10:32 Whosoever therefore
shall confess me before men, him will
A: At the resurrection, I confess also before my Father which
believers being raised up is in heaven.
in glory, (1) shall be (3) 1 Joh.3:2 When he shall appear, we
openly acknowledged and shall be like him; for we shall see
acquitted in the day of him as he is.
judgment, (2) and made (4) 1 Thess.4:17 And so shall we ever
perfectly blessed in the be with the Lord.
full enjoying of God (3) to
all eternity. (4)
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