THE WESTMINSTER 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 THE PROOFS FROM THE SCRIPTURE .

Assembly at EDINBURGH, July 28, 1648. Sess. 19.

Act approving the SHORTER CATECHISM

The General Assembly having seriously considered the SHORTER CATECHISM agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with assistance of Commissioners from this Kirk; do find, upon due examination thereof, that the said Catechism is agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this Kirk: And therefore approve the said Shorter Catechism, as a part of the intended uniformity, to be a Directory for catechising such as are of weaker capacity. A. KER.

THE SHORTER CATECHISM

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. The biblical proof texts included in this edition are those prepared by a special committee of the General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in 1978.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107


Q1. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,1 and to enjoy him for ever.2

  1. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11
  2. Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4


Q2. 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. Matt. 19:4-5 with Gen. 2:24; Luke 24:27, 44; 1 Cor. 2:13; 14:37; 2 Pet.1:20-21; 3:2, 15-16
  2. Deut. 4:2; Ps. 19:7-11; Isa. 8:20; John 15:11; 20:30-31; Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 John 1:4


Q3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God,1 and what duty God requires of man2.

  1. Gen. 1:1; John 5:39; 20:31; Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 3:15
  2. Deut. 10:12-13; Josh. 1:8; Ps. 119:105; Mic. 6:8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17


Q4. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit1, infinite2, eternal3, and unchangeable4 in his being5, wisdom6, power7, holiness8, justice9, goodness10, and truth11.

  1. Deut. 4:15-19; Luke 24:39; John 1:18; 4:24; Acts 17:29
  2. 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 139:7-10; 145:3; 147:5; Jer. 23:24; Rom. 11:33-36
  3. Deut. 33:27; Ps. 90:2; 102:12, 24-27; Rev. 1:4,8
  4. Ps. 33:11; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 1:12; 6:17-18; 13:8; Jas. 1:17
  5. Ex. 3:14; Ps. 115:2-3; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15-16
  6. Ps. 104:24; Rom. 11:33-34; Heb. 4:13; 1 John 3:20
  7. Gen. 17:1; Ps. 62:11; Jer. 32:17; Mat. 19:26; Rev. 1:8
  8. Heb. 1:13; I Pet. 1:15-16; 1 John 3:3, 5; Rev. 15:4
  9. Gen. 18:25; Ex. 34:6-7; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 96:13; Rom. 3:5, 26
  10. Ps. 103:5; 107:8; Matt. 19:17; Rom. 2:4
  11. Ex. 34:6; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 86:15; 117:2; Heb. 6:18


Q5. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only1, the living and true God2.

  1. Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6; 45:21-22; 1 Cor. 8:4-6
  2. Jer. 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 John 5:20


Q6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?

A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost1; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.2

  1. Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2
  2. Ps. 45:6; John 1:1; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 9:5; Col. 2:9; Jude 24-25


Q7. 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 pass1.

  1. Ps. 33:11; Isa. 14:24; Acts 2:23; Eph. 1:11-12


Q8. How doth God execute his decrees?

A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence1.

  1. Ps. 148:8; Isa. 40:26; Dan. 4:35; Acts 4:24-28; Rev. 4:11


Q9. What is the work of creation?

A. The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power1, in the space of six days, and all very good.2

  1. Gen. 1:1; Ps. 33:6, 9; Heb. 11:3
  2. Gen. 1:31


Q10. How did God create man?

A. God created man male and female, after his own image1, in knowledge2, righteousness, and holiness3, with dominion over the creatures4.

  1. Gen. 1:27
  2. Col. 3:10
  3. Eph. 4:24
  4. Gen. 1:28; see Ps. 8


Q11. What are God’s works of providence?

A. God’s works of providence are, his most holy1, wise2, and powerful3 preserving4 and governing5 all his creatures, and all their actions6.

  1. Ps. 145:17
  2. Ps. 104:24
  3. Heb. 1:3
  4. Neh. 9:6
  5. Eph. 1:19-22
  6. Ps. 36:6; Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30


Q12. 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, upon pain of death.1

  1. Gen. 2:16-17; Jas. 2:10


Q13. 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 God1.

  1. Gen. 3:6-8, 13; 2 Cor. 11:3


Q14. What is sin?

A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God1.

  1. Lev. 5:17; Jas. 4:17; 1 John 3:4


Q15. 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 thy were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit1.

  1. Gen. 3:6


Q16. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?

A. The covenant being made with Adam1, 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 transgression2.

  1. Gen. 2:16-17; Jas. 2:10
  2. Rom. 5:12-21; 1 Cor. 15:22


Q17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery1.

  1. Gen. 3:16-19, 23; Rom. 3:16; 5:12; Eph. 2:1


Q18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin1, the want of original righteousness2, and the corruption of his whole nature3, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it4.

  1. Rom. 5:12, 19
  2. Rom. 3:10; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24
  3. Ps. 51:5; John 3:6; Rom. 3:18; 8:7-8; Eph. 2:3
  4. Gen. 6:5; Ps. 53:1-3; Matt. 15:19; Rom. 3:10-18, 23; Gal. 5:19-21; Jas. 1:14-15


Q19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God1, are under his wrath2 and curse3, and so made liable to all miseries in this life4, to death5 itself, and to the pains of hell for ever6.

  1. Gen. 3:8, 24; John 8:34, 42, 44; Eph. 2:12; 4:18
  2. John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; Eph. 2:3; 5:6
  3. Gal. 3:10; Rev. 22:3
  4. Gen. 3:16-19; Job 5:7; Ecc. 2:22-23; Rom. 8:18-23
  5. Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 5:12; 6:23
  6. Matt. 25:41, 46; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 14:9-11


Q20. 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 life1 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 Redeemer2.

  1. Acts 13:48; Eph. 1:4-5; 2 Thess. 2:13-14
  2. Gen. 3:15; 17:7; Ex. 19:5-6; Jer. 31:31-34; Matt. 20:28; 1 Cor. 11:25; Heb. 9:15


Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ1, who, being the eternal Son of God2, became man3 and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever4.

  1. John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5-6
  2. Ps. 2:7; Matt. 3:17; 17:5; John 1:18
  3. Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4
  4. Acts 1:11; Heb. 7:24-25


Q22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul1, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her2 yet without sin3.

  1. Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14, 17
  2. Luke 1:27, 31, 35
  3. 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; 1 John 3:5


Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet1, of a priest2, and of a king3, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

  1. Deut. 18:18; Acts 2:33; 3:22-23; Heb. 1:1-2
  2. Heb. 4:14-15; 5:5-6
  3. Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; John 18:37; 1 Cor. 15:25


Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?

A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word1 and Spirit2 the will of God for our salvation3.

  1. Luke 4:18-19, 21; Acts 1:1-2; Heb. 2:3
  2. John 15:26-27; Acts 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:11
  3. John 4:41-42; 20:30-31


Q25. 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 justice1, and reconcile us to God2; and in making continual intercession for us3.

  1. Isa. 53; Acts 8:32-35; Heb. 9:26-28; 10:12
  2. Rom. 5:10-11; 2 Cor. 5:18; Col. 1:21-22
  3. Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24


Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us1, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies2.

  1. Ps. 110:3; Matt. 28:18-20; John 17:2; Col. 1:13
  2. Ps. 2:6-9; 110:1-2; Matt. 12:28; 1 Cor. 15:24-26; Col. 2:15


Q27. Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?

A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition1, made under the law2, undergoing the miseries of this life3, the wrath of God4, and the cursed death of the cross5; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.6

  1. Luke 2:7; 2 Cor. 8:9; Gal. 4:4
  2. Gal. 4:4
  3. Isa. 53:3; Luke 9:58; John 4:6; 11:35; Heb. 2:18
  4. Ps. 22:1 (Matt. 27:46); Isa. 53:10; 1 John 2:2
  5. Gal. 3:13; Phil. 2:8
  6. Matt. 12:40; 1 Cor. 15:3-4


Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day1, in ascending up into heaven2, in sitting at the right hand3 of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day4.

  1. 1 Cor. 15:4
  2. Ps. 68:18; Acts 1:11; Eph. 4:8
  3. Ps. 110:1; Acts 2:33-34; Heb. 1:3
  4. Matt. 16:27; Acts 17:31


Q29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit1.

  1. Titus 3:4-7


Q30. 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 us1, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling2.

  1. Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 2:12-16; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29
  2. John 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:9; Eph. 3:17


Q31. What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ1, and renewing our wills2, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ3, freely offered to us in the gospel4.

  1. Acts 26:18; 1 Cor. 2:10, 12; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:17-18
  2. Deut. 30:6; Ezk. 36:26-27; John 3:5; Titus 3:5
  3. John 6:44-45; Acts 16:14
  4. Isa. 45:22; Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17


Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?

A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them1.

  1. Rom. 8:30; 1 Cor. 1:30; 6:11; Eph. 1:5


Q33. What is justification?

A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace1, wherein he pardoneth all our sins2, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight3, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us4, and received by faith alone5.

  1. Rom. 3:24
  2. Rom. 4:6-8; 2 Cor. 5:19
  3. 2 Cor. 5:21
  4. Rom. 4:6, 11; 5:19
  5. Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9


Q34. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace1, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God2.

  1. 1 John 3:1
  2. John 1:12; Rom. 8:17


Q35. What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace1, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God2, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness3.

  1. Ezk. 36:27; Phil. 2:13; 2 Thess. 2:13
  2. 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:23-24; 1 Thess. 5:23
  3. Ezek. 36:25-27; Rom. 6:4, 6, 12-14; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Pet. 2:24


Q36. 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 love1, peace of conscience2, joy in the Holy Ghost3, increase of grace4, and perseverance therein to the end5.

  1. Rom. 5:5
  2. Rom. 5:1
  3. Rom. 14:17
  4. 2 Pet. 3:18
  5. Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5


Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?

A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness1, and do immediately pass into glory2; and their bodies, being still united to Christ3, do rest in their graves till the resurrection4.

  1. Heb. 12:23
  2. Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:6, 8; Phil. 1:23
  3. 1 Thess. 4:14
  4. Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15


Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory1, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment2, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God3 to all eternity4.

  1. I Cor. 15:42-43
  2. Matt. 25:33-34, 46
  3. Rom. 8:29; 1 John 3:2
  4. Ps. 16:11; 1 Thess. 4:17


Q39. What is the duty which God requireth of man?

A. The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his revealed will1.

  1. Deut. 29:29; Mic. 6:8; 1 John 5:2-3


Q40. 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 law1.

  1. Rom. 2:14-15; 10:5


Q41. Wherein is the moral law summarily comprehended?

A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments1.

  1. Deut. 4:13; Matt. 19:17-19


Q42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?

A. The sum of the ten commandments is, To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves1.

  1. Matt. 22:37-40


Q43. 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. Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6


Q44. 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 commandments1.

  1. Luke 1:74-75; 1 Pet. 1:14-19


Q45. Which is the first commandment?

A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.1

  1. Ex. 20:3; Deut. 5:7


Q46. What is required in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly1.

  1. I Chron. 28:9; Isa. 45:20-25; Matt. 4:10


Q47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying1, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God2, and our God3; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone4.

  1. Ps. 14:1
  2. Rom. 1:20-21
  3. Ps. 81:10-11
  4. Ezek. 8:16-18; Rom. 1:25


Q48. 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 God1.

  1. Deut. 30:17-18; Ps. 44:20-21; Ezek. 8:12


Q49. Which is the second commandment?

A. 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.1

  1. Ex. 20:4-6; Deut. 5:8-10


Q50. 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 Word1.

  1. Deut. 12:32; Matt. 28:20


Q51. What is forbidden in the second commandment?

A. The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images1, or any other way not appointed in his Word2.

  1. Deut. 4:15-19; Rom. 1:22-23
  2. Lev. 10:1-2; Jer. 19:4-5; Col. 2:18-23


Q52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?

A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us1, his propriety in us2, and the zeal he hath to his own worship3.

  1. Ps. 95:2-3, 6-7; 96:9-10
  2. Ex. 19:5; Ps. 45:11; Isa. 54:5
  3. Ex. 34:14; ICor. 10:22


Q53. 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. Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11


Q54. What is required in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God’s names, titles1, attributes2, ordinances3, Word4, and works5.

  1. Deut. 10:20; Ps. 29:2; Matt. 6:9
  2. 1 Chron. 29:10-13; Rev. 15:3-4
  3. Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:27-28
  4. Ps. 138:2; Rev. 22:18-19
  5. Ps. 107:21-22; Rev. 4:11


Q55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God maketh himself known1.

  1. Lev. 19:12; Matt. 5:33-37; Jas. 5:12


Q56. 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 judgment1.

  1. Deut. 28:58-59; 1 Sam. 3:13; 4:11


Q57. Which is the fourth commandment?

A. 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.1

  1. Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15


Q58. 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 himself1.

  1. Ex. 31:13, 16-17


Q59. 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 sabbath1; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath2.

  1. Gen. 2:2-3; Ex. 20:11
  2. Mark 2:27-28; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10


Q60. How is the sabbath to be sanctified?

A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days1; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship2, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy3.

  1. Ex. 20:10; Neh. 13:15-22; Isa. 58:13-14
  2. Ex. 20:8; Lev. 23:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7
  3. Matt. 12:1-13


Q61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?

A. The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations1.

  1. Neh. 13:15-22; Isa. 58:13-14; Amos 8:4-6


Q62. 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 employments1, his challenging a special propriety in the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the sabbath day2.

  1. Ex. 20:9; 31:15; Lev. 23:3
  2. Gen. 2:2-3; Ex. 20:11; 31:17


Q63. 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 Lord thy God giveth thee.1

  1. Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16


Q64. What is required in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals1.

  1. Rom. 13:1, 7; Eph. 5:21-22, 24; 6:1, 4-5, 9; 1 Pet. 2:17


Q65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations1.

  1. Matt. 15:4-6; Rom. 13:8


Q66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment1.

  1. Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; Eph. 6:2-3


Q67. Which is the sixth commandment?

A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.1

  1. Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17


Q68. What is required in the sixth commandment?

A. The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others1.

  1. Eph. 5:28-29


Q69. 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 thereunto1.

  1. Gen. 9:6; Matt. 5:22; 1 John 3:15


Q70. Which is the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.1

  1. Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18


Q71. 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 behavior1.

  1. 1 Cor. 7:2-3, 5; 1 Thess. 4:3-5


Q72. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions1.

  1. Matt. 5:28; Eph. 5:3-4


Q73. Which is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.1

  1. Ex. 20:15; Deut. 5:19


Q74. 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 others1.

  1. Lev. 25:35; Eph. 4:28b; Phil. 2:4


Q75. 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 estate1.

  1. Prov. 28:19ff; Eph. 4:28a; 1 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8


Q76. Which is the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.1

  1. Ex. 20:16; Deut. 5:20


Q77. What is required in the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour’s good name1, especially in witness bearing2.

  1. Zech. 8:16; Acts 25:10; 3 John 12
  2. Prov. 14:5, 25


Q78. 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 name1.

  1. Lev. 19:16; Ps. 15:3; Prov. 6:16-19; Luke 3:14


Q79. 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 manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s.1

  1. Ex. 20:17; Deut. 5:21


Q80. What is required in the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition1, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his2.

  1. Ps. 34:1; Phil. 4:11; 1 Tim. 6:6; Heb. 13:5
  2. Luke 15:6, 9, 11-32; Rom. 12:15; Phil. 2:4


Q81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate1, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his2.

  1. 1 Cor. 10:10; Jas. 3:14-16
  2. Gal. 5:26; Col. 3:5


Q82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

A. No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed1.

  1. Gen. 8:21; Rom. 3:9ff, 23


Q83. 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 others1.

  1. Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; Matt. 11:20-24; John 19:11


Q84. What doth every sin deserve?

A. Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come1.

  1. Matt. 25:41; Gal. 3:10; Eph. 5:6; Jas. 2:10


Q85. 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 life1, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption2.

  1. Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21
  2. Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 11:24-25; Col. 3:16


Q86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?

A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace1, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel2.

  1. Eph. 2:8-9; cf. Rom. 4:16
  2. John 20:30-31; Gal. 2:15-16; Phil. 3:3-11


Q87. What is repentance unto life?

A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace1, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ2, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God3, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience4.

  1. Acts 11:18; II Tim. 2:25
  2. Ps. 51:1-4; Joel 2:13; Luke 15:7, 10; Acts 2:37
  3. Jer. 31:18-19; Luke 1:16-17; 1 Thess. 1:9
  4. 2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 119:57-64; Matt. 3:8; 2 Cor. 7:10


Q88. What are the outward and ordinary 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 salvation1.

  1. Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-42


Q89. 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 salvation1.

  1. Neh. 8:8-9; Acts 20:32; Rom. 10:14-17; 2 Tim. 3:15-17


Q90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?

A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer1; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives2.

  1. Deut. 6:6ff; Ps. 119:18; 1 Pet. 2:1-2
  2. Ps. 119:11; 2 Thess. 2:10; Heb. 4:2; Jas. 1:22-25


Q91. 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, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them1.

  1. I Cor. 3:7; cf. 1 Cor. 1:12-17


Q92. What is a sacrament?

A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ1; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers2.

  1. Matt. 28:19; 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 1:22-26
  2. Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 10:16-17


Q93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?

A. The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism1, and the Lord’s Supper2.

  1. Matt. 28:19
  2. 1 Cor 11:23-26


Q94. 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 Ghost1, 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’s2.

  1. Matt. 28:19
  2. Acts 2:38-42; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21


Q95. 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 him1; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized2.

  1. Acts. 2:41; 8:12, 36, 38; 18:8
  2. Gen. 17:7, 9-11; Acts 2:38-39; 16:32-33; Col. 2:11-12


Q96. 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 forth1; 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 grace2.

  1. Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26
  2. 1 Cor. 10:16-17


Q97. What is required for 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, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves1.

  1. 1 Cor. 11:27-32


Q98. What is prayer?

A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God1, for things agreeable to his will2, in the name of Christ3, with confession of our sins4, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.5

  1. Ps. 10:17; 62:8; Matt. 7:7-8
  2. 1 John 5:14
  3. John 16:23-24
  4. Ps. 32:5-6; Dan. 9:4-19; 1 John 1:9
  5. Ps. 103:1-5; 136; Phil. 4:6


Q99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer1; 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. 6:9-13


Q100. What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

A. The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, Our Father which art in heaven, teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence1 and confidence2, as children to a father3, able and ready to help us4; and that we should pray with and for others5.

  1. Ps. 95:6
  2. Eph. 3:12
  3. Matt. 7:9-11, cf. Luke 11:11-13; Rom. 8:15
  4. Eph. 3:20
  5. Eph. 6:18; 1 Tim. 2:1-2


Q101. What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. In the first petition, which is, Hallowed be thy name, we pray, that God would enable us, and others, to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known1; and that he would dispose all things to his own glory2.

  1. Ps. 67:1-3; 99:3; 100:3-4
  2. Rom. 11:33-36; Rev. 4:11


Q102. What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come, we pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed1; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced2, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it3; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened4.

  1. Matt. 12:25-28; Rom. 16:20; 1 John 3:8
  2. Ps. 72:8-11; Matt. 24:14; 1 Cor. 15:24-25
  3. Ps. 119:5; Luke 22:32; 2 Thess. 3:1-5
  4. Rev. 22:20


Q103. 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 heaven, we pray, that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things1, as the angels do in heaven2.

  1. Ps. 19:14; 119; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20-21
  2. Ps. 103:20-21; Heb. 1:14


Q104. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. In the fourth petition, which is, Give us this day our daily bread, we pray that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them1.

  1. Prov. 30:8-9; Matt. 6:31-34; Phil. 4:11, 19; 1 Tim. 6:6-8


Q105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

A. In the fifth petition, which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins1; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others2.

  1. Ps. 51:1-2, 7, 9; Dan. 9:17-19; 1 John 1:7
  2. Matt. 18:21-35; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13


Q106. 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 evil, we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin1, or support and deliver us when we are tempted2.

  1. Ps. 19:13; Matt. 26:41; John 17:15
  2. Luke 22:31-32; I Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 12:7-9; Heb. 2:18


Q107. 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, Amen. teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only1, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him2; and, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.3

  1. Dan. 9:4, 7-9, 16-19; Luke 18:1, 7-8
  2. 1 Chron. 29:10-13; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 5:11-13
  3. 1 Cor. 14:16; Rev. 22:20