LORD'S DAY
1
Question 1: What is your only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul,
both in life and death1, am not my own2, but belong unto
my faithful Savior Jesus Christ3; who, with His precious blood, has
fully satisfied for all my sins4, and delivered me from all the
power of the devil5; and so preserves me6 that without
the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head7;
yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation8,
wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life9,
and makes me heartily willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him10.
1Rom. 14:7-9, For none of us liveth to
himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether
we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the
Lord's. For to this end Christ both
died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.
21 Cor. 6:19-20, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are
bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God's.
31 Cor. 3:23, And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
Titus 2:14, Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works.
41 Pet. 1:18-19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemedwith corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation
received
by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot.
1John 1:7, The same came for a
witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe.
1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation
for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole
world.
1John 2:12 I write unto you, little
children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
5Heb. 2:14-15, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He
also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might
destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them
who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
1John 3:8, He that committeth sin is of
the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son
of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it
listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the
servant abideth not in the house for ever: [but] the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye
shall be free indeed.
6John 6:39, And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which
He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the
last day.
John 10:28-29, And I give unto them
eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out
of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is
able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.
2Thes. 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you,
and keep [you] from evil.
1Pet. 1:5 Who are kept by the power of
God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time
7Matt. 10:30, But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Rom. 8:28, And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to His purpose.
Luke 21:18, But there shall not an hair
of your head perish.
8Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
92 Cor. 1:22, Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts.
2 Cor. 5:5, Now He that hath wrought us
for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the
Spirit.
Eph. 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Rom. 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
10Rom. 8:14, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God
1John 3:3 And every man that hath this
hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Question 2: How many things are necessary for you to know, that you in this
comfort, may live and die happily?
Answer: Three1; the
first, how great my sins and miseries are2; the second, how I may be
delivered from all my sins and misery3; the third, how I am to be
thankful to God for such deliverance4.
1Matt.11:28-30 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my
burden is light.
Eph. 5:8-10,For ye were sometimes
darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all
goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the
Lord.
2John 9:41, Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but
now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Matt.9:12 But when Jesus heard [that],
he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are
sick.
Rom. 3:10, As it is written, There is
none righteous, no, not one;
1John 1:9,10 If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
3John 17:3, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Rom. 7:22, For I delight in the law of
God after the inward man.
Luke 24:47, And that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem.
1 Cor. 6:10-11, Nor thieves, nor covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of
God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but
ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
THE FIRST
PART: SIN AND MISERY,
LORD'S DAY 2
Question 3: Whence do you know your misery?
Answer: Out of the law of God.1
1Rom 3:20, Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in
His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin
Question 4: What does the law of God require of us?
Answer: Christ teaches us that
briefly, Matt. 22:37-40, "Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and the great commandment;
and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On
these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."1
1Deut. 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD
thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Lev. 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor
bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and
with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.
Luke 10:27,And he answering said, Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
Question 5: Can you keep all this perfectly?
Answer: In no wise1; for
I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbor2.
1Rom. 3:10,20,23 As it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one. Therefore by the deeds of the law there
shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of
sin. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1John 1:8,10 If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us... If we say that we have
not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
2Rom. 8:7, Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject
to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Eph.2:3 Among whom also we all had
our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the
desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath,
even as others.
Tit. 3:3, For we ourselves also were
sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures,
living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great
in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was]
only evil continually.
Gen 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the
LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's
sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will
I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
Jer. 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things],
and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Rom. 7:23 But I see another law in my
members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to
the law of sin which is in my members.
LORD'S DAY
3
Question 6: Did God then create man so wicked and perverse?
Answer: By no means; but God
created man good1, and after His own image2, that is, in
true righteousness and holiness, that he might rightly know God his Creator,
heartily love Him, and live with Him in eternal blessedness to praise and
glorify Him3.
1Gen. 1:31, And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very
good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
2Gen. 1:26-27, And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and
let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that
creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of
God created He him; male and female created He them.
3Col. 3:10, And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
image of Him that created him.
Eph. 4:24, And that ye put on the new
man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
2Cor. 3:18, But we all, with open face
beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image
from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Question 7: Whence, then, comes this depraved nature of man?
Answer: From the fall and
disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise1;
whereby our nature became so corrupt that we all are conceived and born in sin2.
1Gen. 3,
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God
had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of
every tree of the garden? And the woman
said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in
the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall
ye touch it, lest ye die. And the
serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat
thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good
and evil. And when the woman saw that
the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did
eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and
they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made
themselves aprons. And they heard the
voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam
and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees
of the garden. And the LORD God called
unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because
I [was] naked; and I hid myself. And he
said, Who told thee that thou [wast] naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree,
whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The
woman whom thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did
eat. And the LORD God said unto the
woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent
beguiled me, and I did eat. And the LORD
God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above
all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go,
and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the
woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou
shalt bruise his heel. nto the woman he
said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou
shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he
shall rule over thee. nd unto Adam he
said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of
the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed
[is] the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat [of] it all the days of
thy life; horns also and thistles shall
it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; n the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou
[art], and unto dust shalt thou return. nd Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all
living. 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of
skins, and clothed them.
Rom. 5:12,18,19, Wherefore, as by one man
sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have
sinned;
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation;
even so by the right- eousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto
justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,
so by the obedience of one shall
many
be made righteous.
2Psa. 51:5, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive
me.
Gen. 5:3, And Adam lived an hundred
and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and
called his name Seth.
Question 8: But are we so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any good,
and inclined to all evil?
Answer: Yes, indeed1;
except we are regenerated by the Spirit of God2.
1Gen. 8:21, And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I
will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of
man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every
thing living, as I have done.
Gen. 6:5, And God saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Job 14:4, Who can bring a clean thing
out of an unclean? No one.
Job 15:14, 16, What is man, that he should
be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?; How
much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
John 3:6, That which is born of the
flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Isa. 53:6, All we like sheep have gone
astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
2John 3:3,5, Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
1Cor. 12:3, Wherefore I give you to
understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed:
and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
2Cor. 3:5, Not that we are sufficient
of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of
God;
Eph. 2:5, Even when we were dead in
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).
LORD'S DAY
4
Question 9: Does not God, then, wrong man by requiring from him in His law, that
which he cannot perform?
Answer: Not at all; for God made
man capable of performing it1; but man, through the instigation of
the devil2, by his own willful disobedience, deprived himself and
all his posterity of these gifts3.
1Eph. 4:24, And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.
2Gen. 3:13, And the LORD God said unto the woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast
done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
1Tim. 2:13,14, For Adam was first formed,
then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but
the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
3Gen. 3:6, And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it
[was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she
took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with
her; and he did eat.
Rom. 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man
sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned.
Question 10: Will God suffer such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished?
Answer: By no means; but He is
terribly displeased1 with our original as well as actual sins; and
will punish them by a just judgment temporally and eternally2, as He
hath declared, "Cursed is every one
that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law, to
do them."3
1Gen. 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.
Rom. 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin
entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for
that all have sinned:
2Ps. 50:21; 5:5, These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest
that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and
set [them] in order before thine eyes. ;
The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
Nah. 1:2, God [is] jealous, and the
LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take
vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.
Exod. 20:5, Thou shalt not bow down
thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
Rom. 1:18, For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who
hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Eph. 5:6, Let no man deceive you with
vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the
children of disobedience.
3Deut. 27:26, Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words ofthis law to do them.
And all the people shall say, Amen.
Gal. 3:10, For as many as are of the
works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one
that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to
do them.
Question 11: Is, then, God not also merciful?
Answer: God is indeed merciful1,
but He is also just2; therefore His justice requires, that sin which
is committed against the most high majesty of God, be also punished with extreme,
that is, with everlasting punishment of body and soul.
1Ex. 34:6,7; 20:6, And the Lord passed by
before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious,
longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands,
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear
[the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon
the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
2Ps. 7:9,
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for
the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
Ex. 20:5, Thou shalt not bow down
thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
Ex.23:7, Keep thee far from a false
matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify
the wicked.
Ex.34:7, Keeping mercy for thousands,
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear
[the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon
the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
Ps. 5:4, For thou [art] not a God
that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Nah. 1:2,3, God [is] jealous, and the
LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take
vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.
Na 1:3 The LORD [is] slow to anger,
and great in power, and will not at all acquit [the wicked]: the LORD hath his
way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds [are] the dust of his
feet.
THE SECOND
PART: DELIVERANCE,
LORD'S DAY
5
Question 12: Since, then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal
and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment,
and be again received into favor?
Answer: God will have His justice
satisfied1: therefore we must make this full satisfaction to the
same, either by ourselves, or by another2.
1Gen. 2:17, And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Ex. 23:7, Keep thee far from a false
matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify
the wicked.
Ezek. 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine;
as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that
sinneth, it shall die.
Matt. 5:26, Verily I say unto thee, Thou
shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
2Thess. 1:6, Seeing [it is] a righteous
thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
Luke 16:2 And he called him, and said
unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy
stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
2Rom. 8:4, That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Question 13: But can we ourselves make this satisfaction?
Answer:
By no means; on the contrary, we daily increase our debt1.
1Job 9:2-3, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If
he will contend with Him, he cannot answer Him one of a thousand.
Job 15:14-16, What is man, that he should
be clean? and he whichis born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold,
he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
Job 4:18,19, Behold, he put no trust in
his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: How much less [in] them
that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation [is] in the dust, [which] are
crushed before the moth?
Ps. 130:3, If thou, LORD, shouldest mark
iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Matt. 6:12, And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
Matt. 18:25, But forasmuch as he had not
to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all
that he had, and payment to be made.
Matt. 16:26, For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man
give in exchange for his soul?
Question 14: Can there be found anywhere, a mere creature able to satisfy for us?
Answer: None; for, first, God will
not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed1;
and, further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God's eternal wrath
against sin, and deliver others from it2.
1Ezek. 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the
soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Gen. 3:17, And unto Adam he said,
Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the
tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is]
the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat [of] it all the days of thy
life;
2Nah. 1:6, Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the
fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are
thrown down by him.
Ps. 130:3, If thou, LORD, shouldest
mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
Question 15: What manner of mediator and deliverer, then, must we seek?
Answer: One who is a true1
and righteous2 man, and yet more powerful than all creatures; that
is, one who is withal true God3.
11Cor. 15:21, For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the
dead.
2Heb. 7:26, For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
3Isa. 7:14; 9:6, Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel... For unto us
a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Jer. 23:6, In his days Judah shall be
saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be
called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Luke 11:22, But when a stronger than he
shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour
wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
LORD'S DAY
6
Question 16: Why must He be a true and righteous man?
Answer: Because the justice of God
requires that the same human nature which has sinned should make satisfaction
for sin1; and because one who himself is a sinner cannot satisfy for
others.
1Ezek. 18:4, 20, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul
of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. The soul that sinneth,
it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall
the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous
shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Rom. 5:18, Therefore as by the offence
of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the
righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of
life.
1Cor. 15:21, For since by man [came]
death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
Heb. 2:14-16, Forasmuch then as the
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part
of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of
death, that is, the devil;
2Heb. 7:26,27, For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests,
to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for
this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Ps. 49:8, For such an high priest
became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made
higher than the heavens;
1Pet. 3:18, For Christ also hath once
suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
Question 17: Why must He withal be true God?
Answer: That by the power of His
Godhead1 He might bear in His human nature2, the burden
of God's wrath3; and that He might obtain for us, and restore to us,
righteousness and life4.
1Isa. 9:6; 63:3, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. I have
trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I
will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood
shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
2Deut. 4:24, For the LORD thy God [is] a consuming fire, [even] a jealous God.
Nah. 1:6, Who can stand before his
indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is
poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
Ps. 130:3, If thou, LORD, shouldest
mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
3Isa. 53:4,11, Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did
esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. He shall see of the travail
of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous
servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
4Isa. 53:5,11, But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes
we are healed. He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be
satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he
shall bear their iniquities.
Question 18: But who is that
Mediator who is at once true God1, and a true2, righteous man3?
Answer: Our Lord Jesus Christ1: "who was made unto us wisdom from God,
and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.5"
11Jn. 5:20, And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an
understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is
true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Rom. 9:5; 8:3, Whose [are] the fathers,
and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God blessed
for ever. Amen. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh:
Gal. 4:4, But when the fulness of the
time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Isa. 9:6, For unto us a child is
born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Jer. 23:6, In his days Judah shall be
saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall
be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Mal. 3:1, Behold, I will send my
messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek,
shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye
delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
2Luke 1:42; 2:6,7, And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou
among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb. And so it was, that, while
they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn.
Rom.
1:3; 9:5, Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed
of David according to the flesh; Whose
[are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is
over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Phil. 2:7, But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men:
Heb. 2:14,16,17; 4:15, Forasmuch then as the
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part
of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of
death, that is, the devil; For verily he
took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of
Abraham. Wherefore in all things it
behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful
and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation
for the sins of the people. For we have
not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
3Isa. 53:9,11, And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death;
because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth. He
shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his
knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their
iniquities.
Jer.
23:5, Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a
righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the earth.
Luke 1:35, And the angel answered and
said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be
born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
John 8:46, Which of you convinceth me
of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
Heb. 4:15; 7:26, For we have not an high
priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. For such an high priest became us, [who is]
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the
heavens;
1Pet. 1:19; 2:22; 3:18 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins,
the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in
the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
41Tim. 2:5, For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus;
Matt. 1:23, Behold, a virgin shall be
with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.
1 Tim. 3:16,And without controversy
great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in
the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the
world, received up into glory.
Luke 2:11, For unto you is born this
day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Heb. 2:9, But we see Jesus, who was
made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with
glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
51 Cor. 1:30, But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Question 19: Whence do you
know this?
Answer: From the holy gospel, which
God Himself first revealed in Paradise1; afterwards published by the
holy patriarchs2 and prophets3, and foreshadowed by the
sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law4; and lastly fulfilled by
His only begotten Son5.
1Gen. 3:15, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, andbetween thy seed
and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
2Gen. 22:17-18, That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will
multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the
sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed
shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My
voice.
Gen 12:3; 49:10, And I will bless them that
bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of
the earth be blessed. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver
from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of
the people [be].
3Isa. 53, Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD
revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out
of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him,
[there is] no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of
men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our]
faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne
our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of
God, and afflicted. But he [was] wounded
for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement
of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of
us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he
is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is
dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment:
and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the
living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and
with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any]
deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him]
to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his]
seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper
in his hand. He shall see of the travail
of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant
justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with
the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath
poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and
he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isa.42:1-4; 43:25, Behold my servant, whom I
uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon
him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his
voice to be heard in the street. A
bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he
shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged,
till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law...
I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake,
and will not remember thy sins.
Isa. 49:5,6,22,23, And now, saith the LORD that
formed me from the womb [to be] his servant, to bring Jacob again to him,
Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD,
and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou
shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the
preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that
thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.... Thus saith the Lord
GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard
to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in [their] arms, and thy daughters
shall be carried upon [their] shoulders. And kings shall be thy nursing
fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with
[their] face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt
know that I [am] the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
Jer. 23:5,6; 31:32,33, Behold, the days come, saith
the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall
reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel
shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD
OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS... Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers
in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of
Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith
the LORD: But this [shall be] the
covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the
LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts;
and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer. 32:39-41, And I will give them one
heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and
of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with
them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my
fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice
over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my
whole heart and with my whole soul.
Mic. 7:18-20, Who [is] a God like unto
thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant
of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth
[in] mercy. He will turn again, he will
have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all
their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob,
[and] the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the
days of old.
Acts 10:43; 3:22-24, To him give all the
prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission of sins... For 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.
Heb. 1:1, God, who at sundry times
and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.
Rom. 1:2, (Which He had promised afore
by His prophets in the holy scriptures).
4Heb. 10:1, 7-8, For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very
image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by
year continually make the comers thereunto perfect...Then said I, Lo, I come
(in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God. Above
when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin
Thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the
law.
Col. 2:7, For 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.
John 5:46,For had ye believed Moses,
ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me.
5Rom. 10:4, For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one
that believeth.
Gal. 4:4; 3:24, But when the fulness of the
time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,...
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might
be justified by faith.
Col. 2:17, Which are a shadow of things
to come; but the body [is] of Christ.
LORD'S DAY
7
Question 20: Are all men, then, saved by Christ as they perished through Adam?
Answer: No1; only those
who by a true faith are ingrafted into Him and receive all His benefits2.
1Matt. 7:14; 22:14, Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth
unto life, and few there be that find it... For many are called, but few [are]
chosen.
2Mark 16:16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
John 1:12; 3:16,18,36 But as many as received Him,
to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on
His name... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life...
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God... He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and
he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth
on him.
Isa. 53:11, He shall see of the travail
of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous
servant justify many; for
He
shall bear their iniquities.
Rom. 11:20; 3:22, Well; because of unbelief they were broken
off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear... Even the
righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all
them that believe: for there is no difference:
Heb. 4:3; 5:9; For we which have believed
do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall
enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the
world... And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey him;
Heb.10:39; 11:6, . But we are not of them
who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the
soul... But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
Question 21: What is true faith?
Answer: True faith is not only a
sure knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His
Word2 but also a firm confidence2, which the Holy Spirit3
works in my heart by the gospel4, that not only to others, but to me
also, remission of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation5,
are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits6.
1Jas. 2:19, Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble.
2Heb. 11:1,7, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen... By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as
yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which
he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Rom. 4:16, 20-21, Therefore [it is] of faith,
that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the
seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the
faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,.. He staggered not at the
promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to
perform.
Rom. 10:10, For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Eph. 3:12, In whom we have boldness and
access with confidence by the faith of Him.
Heb. 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need.
Jas. 1:6, But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with
the wind and tossed.
3Gal. 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith,
Matt. 16:17, And Jesus answered and said
unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.
2Cor. 4:13, We having the same spirit of
faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we
also believe, and therefore speak;
John
6:29, Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye
believe on him whom he hath sent.
Eph. 2:8, For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Phil. 1:19, For I know that this shall
turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ,
Acts 16:14, And a certain woman named
Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard
[us]: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were
spoken of Paul.
4Rom. 1:16; 10:17, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek... So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Cor. 1:21, For after that in the
wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Acts 10:44;16:14, ...And a certain woman
named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God,
heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which
were spoken of Paul.
5Rom. 1:17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Gal. 3:11, But that no man is justified
by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by
faith.
Heb. 10:10,38, By the which will we are
sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]...
Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall
have no pleasure in him.
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, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no
flesh be justified.
6Eph. 2:8, 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, and not by the works of the law: for by
the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Rom. 3:24, 5:19, Being justified freely by
his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:... For as by one
man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall
many be made righteous.
Luke 1:77,78, To give knowledge of
salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender
mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Question 22: What, then, is necessary for a Christian to believe?
Answer: All that is promised us in
the gospel1, which the articles of our catholic and undoubted
Christian faith teach us in a summary.
1John 20:31, But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.
Mat. 28:19-20, Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Mark 1:15, And saying, The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel.
Question 23: What are these articles?
Answer:I. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker
of heaven and earth;
II. And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son,
our Lord;
III. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born
of the Virgin Mary;
IV. Suffered under Pontius
Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell;
V. The third day He rose again from the dead;
VI. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the
right hand of God the Father Almighty;
VII. From thence He shall come to judge the
living and the dead.
VIII. I believe in the Holy
Spirit.
IX. I believe in a holy
catholic Church, the communion of saints;
X. The forgiveness of sins;
XI. The resurrection of the body;
XII. And the life everlasting.
LORD'S DAY
8
Question 24: How are these articles divided?
Answer: Into three parts; the first
is of God the Father and our creation; the second of God the Son and our
redemption; the third of God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.
Question 25: Since there is but one divine Being1, why do you speak of three, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Answer: Because God has so revealed
Himself in His Word2, that these three distinct persons are the one,
true, and eternal God.
1Deut. 6:4, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.
Eph. 4:6, One God and Father of all,
who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.
Isa. 44:6, Thus saith the LORD the
King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I
[am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.
1Cor. 8:4,6, As concerning therefore the
eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that
an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but
one... But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things,
and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by
him.
2Isa. 61:1, The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed
me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the
prison to them that are bound.
Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord [is]
upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath
sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Gen. 1:2,3, And the earth was without
form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of
God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Ps. 33:6, By the word of the LORD were
the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Isa. 48:16, Come ye near unto me, hear
ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it
was, there [am] I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
Matt. 3:16,17, And Jesus, when he was
baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were
opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and
lighting upon him: And lo a voice from
heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matt. 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost.
1John 5:7, For there are three that
bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these
three are one.
Isa. 6:1,3, In the year that king Uzziah
died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his
train filled the temple... And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy,
holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.
John 14:26; 15:26, But the Comforter, [which
is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you
all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said
unto you... But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall
testify of me:
2 Cor. 13:14, The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you
all. Amen.
Gal. 4:6, And because ye are sons, God
hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Eph. 2:18, For through him we both
have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Titus 3:5,6, Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
LORD'S DAY
9
Question 26: What do you believe thou when you say: I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?
Answer: That the eternal Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who of nothing made heaven and earth with all that is in
them1; who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal
counsel and providence2 is for the sake of Christ His Son my God and
my Father3; in whom I so trust as to have no doubt that He will
provide me with all things necessary for body and soul4: and
further, that whatever evil He sends upon me in this vale of tears, He will
turn to my good5; for He is able to do it, being Almighty God6,
and willing also, being a faithful Father7.
1Gen. 1 and 2. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and
darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the
face of the waters. And God said, Let
there be light: and there was light. And
God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the
darkness. And God called the light Day,
and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the
first day. And God said, Let there be a
firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the
waters. And God made the firmament, and
divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which
[were] above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning
were the second day. And God said, Let
the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the
dry [land] appear: and it was so. And
God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters
called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed,
[and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself,
upon the earth: and it was so. And the
earth brought forth grass, [and] herb yielding seed after his kind, and the
tree yielding fruit, whose seed [was] in itself, after his kind: and God saw
that [it was] good. And the evening and
the morning were the third day. And God
said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from
the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and
years: And let them be for lights in the
firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater
light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the
stars also. And God set them in the
firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night,
and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good. And the evening and the morning were the
fourth day. And God said, Let the waters
bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may
fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every
living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after
their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that [it was]
good. ; And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the
waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the
fifth day. And God said, Let the earth
bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and
beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his
kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth
after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and
over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that
creepeth upon the earth. So God created
man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female
created he them. 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. And God said, Behold, I have given you every
herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree,
in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for
meat. And to every beast of the earth,
and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth,
wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was
so. And God saw every thing that he had
made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the
sixth day. Thus the heavens and the
earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he
rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed
the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all
his work which God created and made. These [are] the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they
were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, And every plant of the field before it was in
the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not
caused it to rain upon the earth, and [there was] not a man to till the
ground. But there went up a mist from
the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of
the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a
living soul. And the LORD God planted a
garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to
grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of
life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and
evil. And a river went out of Eden to
water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
The name of the first [is] Pison: that [is] it which compasseth the whole land
of Havilah, where [there is] gold; And
the gold of that land [is] good: there [is] bdellium and the onyx stone. And
the name of the second river [is] Gihon: the same [is] it that compasseth the
whole land of Ethiopia. And the name of
the third river [is] Hiddekel: that [is] it which goeth toward the east of
Assyria. And the fourth river [is] Euphrates. And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to
dress it and to keep it. And the LORD
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. And the
LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him
an help meet for him. And out of the
ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air;
and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever
Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the
fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not
found an help meet for him. And the LORD
God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his
ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and
brought her unto the man. And Adam said,
This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called
Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father
and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one
flesh. And they were both naked, the man
and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Ex. 20:11, 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.
Job 33:4, The Spirit of God hath made
me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Job 38 and 39, Then the LORD answered Job
out of the whirlwind, and said, Who [is]
this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will
demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if
thou hast understanding. Who hath laid
the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon
it? Whereupon are the foundations
thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all
the sons of God shouted for joy? Or
[who] shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, [as if] it had issued
out of the womb? When I made the cloud
the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, And brake up for it my decreed [place], and
set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto
shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy
days; [and] caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the
earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay [to] the seal; and they
stand as a garment. And from the wicked
their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. Hast thou entered into the springs of the
sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Have the gates of death been opened unto thee?
or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth?
declare if thou knowest it all. Where [is] the way [where] light dwelleth? and
[as for] darkness, where [is] the place thereof, That thou shouldest take it to
the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths [to] the house thereof? Knowest thou [it], because thou wast then
born? or [because] the number of thy days [is] great? Hast thou entered into the treasures of the
snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of
trouble, against the day of battle and war? By what way is the light parted, [which] scattereth the east wind upon
the earth? Who hath divided a
watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of
thunder; To cause it to rain on the
earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man; To
satisfy the desolate and waste [ground]; and to cause the bud of the tender
herb to spring forth? Hath the rain a
father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath
gendered it? The waters are hid as
[with] a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. Canst thou bind the sweet influences of
Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his
season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst
thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may
cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings,
that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we [are]? Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or
who hath given understanding to the heart? Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of
heaven, When the dust groweth into
hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young
lions, The waters are hid as [with] a stone, and the face of the deep is
frozen. Canst thou bind the sweet
influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his
season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst
thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may
cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings,
that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we [are]? Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or
who hath given understanding to the heart? Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of
heaven, When the dust groweth into
hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young
lions, When they couch in [their] dens, [and] abide in the covert to lie in
wait? Who provideth for the raven his
food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of
the rock bring forth? [or] canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? Canst thou number the months [that] they
fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth? They bow themselves, they bring forth their
young ones, they cast out their sorrows. Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go
forth, and return not unto them. Who
hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild
ass? Whose house I have made the
wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying
of the driver. The range of the
mountains [is] his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing. Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or
abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or
will he harrow the valleys after thee? Wilt thou trust him, because his strength [is] great? or wilt thou leave
thy labour to him? Wilt thou believe
him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather [it into] thy barn? [Gavest thou] the goodly wings unto the
peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and
warmeth them in dust, And forgetteth
that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, as
though [they were] not hers: her labour is in vain without fear; Because God hath deprived her of wisdom,
neither hath he imparted to her understanding. What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his
rider. Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with
thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a
grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils [is] terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in
[his] strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted;
neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the
shield. He swalloweth the ground with
fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that [it is] the sound of the
trumpet. He saith among the trumpets,
Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and
the shouting. Doth the hawk fly by thy
wisdom, [and] stretch her wings toward the south? Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and
make her nest on high? She dwelleth and
abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, [and] her
eyes behold afar off. Her young ones
also suck up blood: and where the slain [are], there [is] she.
Acts 4:24; 14:15, And when they heard that,
they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou [art]
God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:..
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with
you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the
living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are
therein:
Psa. 33:6, By the word of the LORD were
the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
Isa. 45:7, I form the light, and
create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these
[things].
2Heb. 1:3, Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his
person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by
himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Ps. 104:27-30, These wait all upon thee;
that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season. [That] thou givest them they gather: thou
openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath,
they die, and return to their dust. Thou
sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the
earth.
Ps. 115:3, But our God [is] in the
heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Matt. 10:29, Are not two sparrows sold
for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your
Father.
Eph. 1:11, In whom also we have
obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him
who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
3John 1:12, But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on His name;
Rom. 8:15-16, For ye have not received
the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with
our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Gal. 4:5-7, To redeem them that were
under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are
sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba,
Father. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his
own will:
Eph. 1:5, Having predestinated us
unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good
pleasure of His will.
4Psa. 55:22, Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall
never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Matt. 6:25,26, Therefore I say unto you,
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor
yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and
the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do
they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye
not much better than they?
Luke 12:22, And he said unto his
disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye
shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
5Rom. 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
6Isa. 46:4, And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will
I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will
deliver [you].
Rom. 10:12,For there is no difference
between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that
call upon Him.
7Matt. 6:32,33, (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt. 7:9-11,Or what man is there of you,
whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a
serpent? If ye then, being evil, know
how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father
which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
LORD'S DAY
10
Question 27: What do you mean by the providence of God?
Answer: The almighty and everywhere
present power of God1; whereby, as it were by His hand, He upholds
heaven, earth, and all creatures, and so governs them2 that herbs
and grass, rain and drought3, fruitful and barren years, food and
drink, health and sickness4, riches and poverty5, yea,
all things, come not by chance, but by His fatherly hand6.
1Acts 17:25-28, Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed any
thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all
things;
and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of
the earth, and hath determined the times before
appointed,
and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply
they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of
us: for in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your
own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
Jer. 23:23,24, [Am] I a God at hand, saith
the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can
any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do
not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Isa. 29:15,16, Woe unto them that seek deep
to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they
say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the
potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or
shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
Ezek. 8:12, Then said he unto me, Son of
man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark,
every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not;
the LORD hath forsaken the earth.
2Heb. 1:3, Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His
person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by
Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
3Jer. 5:24, Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God,
that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in His season: He reserveth
unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Acts 14:17, Nevertheless He left not
Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and
fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
4John 9:3, Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but
that the works of God should be made maniGod should b
5Prov. 22:2, The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
6Matt. 10:29-30, Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not
fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all
numbered."
Prov. 16:33, The lot is cast into the
lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
Question 28: What does it profit us to know that God has created, and by His
providence still upholds, all things?
Answer: That we may be patient in
adversity1; thankful in prosperity2; and that in all
things, and with a view to the future may have good confidence in our faithful
God and Father3, that no creature shall separate us from His love4;
since all creatures are so in His hand that without His will they cannot so
much as move5.
1Rom. 5:3, And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.
Jas. 1:3, Knowing [this], that the
trying of your faith worketh patience.
Ps. 39:9, I was dumb, I opened not my
mouth; because thou didst [it].
Job 1:21, 22, And said, Naked came I out
of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the
Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
21 Thes. 5:18, In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus concerning you.
Deut. 8:10, When thou hast eaten and
art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which He
hath given thee.
3Ps. 55:22, Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall
never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Rom. 5:3-6, And not only so, but we
glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and
patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is
given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died
for the ungodly.
4Rom. 8:38-39, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
5Job 1:12, And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy
power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the
presence of the Lord.
Job 2:6, And the Lord said unto
Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
Prov. 21:1, The king's heart [is] in the
hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he
will.
Acts 17:25, Neither is worshipped with
men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and
breath, and all things;
LORD'S DAY
11
Question 29: Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is, Savior?
Answer: Because He delivers us from
our sins and saves us1; and because no salvation is to be sought in
any other2.
1Matt. 1:21, And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS:
for He shall save His people from their sins.
Heb.7:25, Wherefore 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.
2Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 15:4,5, Abide in me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more
can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the
vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
1Tim. 2:5, For [there is] one God, and
one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Isa. 43:11, I, [even] I, [am] the LORD;
and beside me [there is] no saviour.
1Jn. 5:11, And this is the record, that
God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Question 30: Do such, then, believe in the only Savior Jesus who seek their
salvation and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?
Answer: They do not; for though
they boast of Him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only Savior Jesus1;
for one of two things must be true: either Jesus is not a complete Savior; or
they who by a true faith receive this Savior must find in Him all things
necessary to their salvation2.
11 Cor. 1:13, 31, Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in
the name of Paul?; That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him
glory in the Lord.
Gal. 5:4, Christ is become of no
effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace.
2Heb. 12:2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is
set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Isa. 9:6-7, For unto us a child is
born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder:
and His name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the
increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of
David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and
with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform
this.
Col. 1:19-20, For it pleased the Father
that in Him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood
of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say,
whether they be things
in
earth, or things in heaven.
Col. 2:10, And ye are complete in him,
which is the head of all principality and power:
1Jn. 1:7, But if we walk in the light,
as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of
Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
LORD'S DAY
12
Question 31: Why is He called Christ,
that is anointed?
Answer: Because He is ordained of
God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Spirit1, to be our chief
Prophet and Teacher2, who has fully revealed to us the secret
counsel and will of God concerning our redemption3; and our only
High Priest4, who by the one sacrifice of His body has redeemed us5,
and makes continual intercession for us with the Father6; and our
eternal King, who governs us by His word and Spirit, and defends and preserves
us in the salvation obtained for us7.
1Ps. 45:7, Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy
God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Heb. 1:9, Thou hast loved
righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, hath anointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Isa. 61:1, The Spirit of the Lord GOD
[is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the
meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the
captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;
Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord [is]
upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath
sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
2Deut. 18:15, The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of
thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Acts 3:22, 7:37, For 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... This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet
shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him
shall ye hear.
Isa. 55:4, Behold, I have given him
[for] a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
3John 1:18, No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in
the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.
John 15:15, Henceforth I call you not
servants; for the servantknoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you
friends; for all things
that
I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.
4Ps. 110:4, The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for
ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5Heb. 10:12,14, But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,
sat down on the right hand of God;... For by one offering He hath perfected for
ever them that are sanctified.
Heb. 9:12, 14, 28, Neither by the blood of
goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption [for us]... How much more shall the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?... So Christ was
once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he
appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
6Rom. 8:34, Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that
is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us.
Heb. 9:24, For Christ is not entered
into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but
into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
1Jn. 2:1, My little children, these
things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Rom. 5:9,10, Much more then, being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of
his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
7Ps. 2:6, Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Zech. 9:9, Rejoice greatly, O daughter
of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he
[is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt
the foal of an ass.
Matt. 21:5, Tell ye the daughter of
Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a
colt the foal of an ass.
Luke 1:33, And He shall reign over the
house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Matt. 28:18, And Jesus came and spake
unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
John 10:28, And I give unto them
eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out
of My hand.
Rev. 12: 10,11, And I heard a loud voice
saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our
God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,
which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the
Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto
the death.
Question 32: But why are you called a Christian1?
Answer: Because I am a member of
Christ by faith2, and thus a partaker of His anointing3,
that I may confess His Name4, present myself a living sacrifice of
thankfulness to Him5: and with a free and good conscience fight
against sin and the devil in this life6: and hereafter reign with
Him eternally over all creatures7.
1Acts 11:26, And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to
pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught
much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
21 Cor. 6:15, Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then
take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
31 John 2:27, But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and
ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of
all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye
shall abide in Him.
Acts 2:17, And it shall come to pass
in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
4Matt. 10:32, Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess
also before My Father which is in heaven.
Rom. 10:10, For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
5Rom. 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service.
1Pet. 2:5,9, Ye also, as lively stones,
are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.... But ye [are] a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light:
Rev. 1:6, And hath made us kings and
priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen.
Rev. 5:8,10, And when he had taken the
book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb,
having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the
prayers of saints.... And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we
shall reign on the earth.
61Pet. 2:11, Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain
from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Rom. 6:12,13, Let not sin therefore reign
in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members [as]
instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as
those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of
righteousness unto God.
Gal. 5:16,17, [This] I say then, Walk in
the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so
that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Eph. 6:11-12, Put on the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places.
1 Tim. 1:18-19, This charge I commit unto
thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that
thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience;
which some
having
put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
72 Tim. 2:12, If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also
will deny us.
Matt. 25:34, Then shall the King say unto
them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
LORD'S DAY
13
Question 33: Why is He called God’s only
begotten Son, since we also are children of God?
Answer: Because Christ alone is the
eternal, natural Son of God1; but we are children of God by
adoption, through grace, for Christ’s sake2.
1John 1:14, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and
truth.
Heb. 1:1,2, Let us therefore fear, lest,
a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to
come short of it. For unto us was the
gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit
them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].
John 3:16, For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.
1Jn. 4:9, In this was manifested the
love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the
world, that we might live through him.
Rom. 8:32, He that spared not his own
Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely
give us all things?
2Rom. 8:16, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:
John 1:12, But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on
his name:
Gal. 4:6, And because ye are sons, God
hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Eph. 1:5-6, Having predestinated us
unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good
pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath
made us accepted in the beloved.
Question 34: Why do you call Him our Lord?
Answer: Because He has redeemed us,
body and soul, from all our sins, not with gold or silver, but with His
precious blood, and has delivered us from all the power of the devil, and has
made us His own possession1.
11 Pet. 1:18-19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation
received
by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot.
1Pet. 2:9, But ye [are] a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light:
1 Cor. 6:20, For ye are bought with a
price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1Tim. 2:6, Who gave himself a ransom
for all, to be testified in due time.
John 20:28, And Thomas answered and said
unto him, My Lord and my God.
LORD'S DAY
14
Question 35: What does it mean that He was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary?
Answer: That God's eternal Son, who
is1, and continues2 true and eternal God, took upon
Himself the very nature of man of the flesh and blood of the Virgin Mary3,
by the operation of the Holy Spirit4, that He might also be the true
seed of David5, like unto His brethren in all things6,
sin excepted7.
11 John 5:20, And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an
understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is
true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
John 1:1; 17:3, In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom
thou hast sent.
Rom. 1:3, Concerning His Son Jesus
Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.
Col. 1:15, Who is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.
2Rom. 9:5, Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ
came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
3Gal. 4:4, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son,
made of a woman, made under the law.
Luke 1:31;42,43, And, behold, thou shalt
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS...
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women,
and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb. And whence [is] this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to
me?
4Matt. 1:20, But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to
take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy
Ghost.
Luke 1:35, And the angel answered and
said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be
born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
5Rom. 1:3, Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed
of David according to the flesh;
Ps. 132:11, The LORD hath sworn [in]
truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set
upon thy throne.
2Sam 7:12, And when thy days be
fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after
thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
Luke 1:32, He shall be great, and
shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him
the throne of his father David:
Acts 2:30, Therefore being a prophet,
and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his
loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne.
6Phil. 2:7, But God made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
Heb. 2:14,17, Forasmuch then as the
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part
of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of
death, that is, the devil;.. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made
like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest
in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people.
7Heb. 4:15, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.
Question 36: What benefit do you receive from the holy conception and birth of
Christ?
Answer: That He is our Mediator1;
and with His innocence and perfect holiness covers, in the sight of God, my sin
wherein I was conceived and brought forth2.
1Heb. 7:26,27, For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests,
to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for
this he did once, when he offered up himself.
21Pet. 1:18,19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by
tradition from your fathers; But with
the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pet. 3:18, For Christ also hath once
suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1 Cor. 1:30, But of him are ye in Christ
Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and
sanctification, and redemption.
Rom. 8:3,4, For what the law could not
do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be
fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isa. 53:11, He shall see of the travail
of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous
servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Psa. 32:1, Blessed is he whose
transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
LORD'S DAY
15
Question 37: What does it mean that He suffered?
Answer: That all the time He lived
on earth, but especially at the end of His life, He bore, in body and soul, the
wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race1; in order that
by His passion, as the only atoning sacrifice2, He might redeem our
body and soul from everlasting damnation3, and obtain for us the
grace of God, righteousness and eternal life4.
1Isa. 53:4, Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did
esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
1Pet. 2:24; 3:18, Who his own self bare our
sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed... For Christ also hath once
suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1Tim. 2:6, Who gave himself a ransom
for all, to be testified in due time.
2Isa. 53:10, Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief:
when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he
shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his
hand.
Eph. 5:2, And walk in love, as Christ
also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice
to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
1Cor. 5:7, Purge out therefore the old
leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our
passover is sacrificed for us:
1 John 2:2, And He is the propitiation
for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Rom. 3:25, Whom God hath set forth to
be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for
the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
Heb. 9:28; 10:14, So Christ was once offered
to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the
second time without sin unto salvation... For by one offering he hath perfected
for ever them that are sanctified.
3Gal. 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:
Col. 1:13, Who hath delivered us from
the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear
Son:
Heb. 9:12, Neither by the blood of
goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption [for us].
1Pet. 1:18,19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye
were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain
conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot:
4Rom. 3:25, Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his
blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God;
2Cor, 5:21, For he hath made him [to
be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God
in him.
John 3:16; 6:51, For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life... I am the living bread which came down from
heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread
that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Heb. 9:15; 10:19, And for this cause he is the
mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of
the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called
might receive the promise of eternal inheritance....Having therefore, brethren,
boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Question 38: Why did He suffer under Pontius
Pilate, as judge?
Answer: That He, though innocent,
might be condemned by a temporal judge1, and thereby free us from
the severe judgment of God to which we were subject2.
1John 18:38, Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he
went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault [at
all].
Matt. 27:24, When Pilate saw that he
could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and
washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of
this just person: see ye [to it].
Luke 23:14,Said unto them, Ye have
brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I,
having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those
things whereof ye accuse Him.
John 19:4, Pilate therefore went forth
again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring Him forth to you, that ye may know
that I find no fault in Him.
2Psa. 69:4, They that hate Me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine
head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty:
then I restored that which I took not away.
Isa. 53:4, Surely he hath borne our griefs,
and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted.
2Cor. 5:21, For he hath made him [to
be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God
in him.
Gal. 3:13-14, Christ hath redeemed us from
the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is
every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on
the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the
Spirit through faith.
Question 39: Is there anything more in His having been crucified than if He had died some other death?
Answer: Yes, since thereby I am
assured that He took on Himself the curse which lay upon me1; for
the death of the cross was accursed of God2.
1Gal. 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
2Deut. 21:23, His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in
any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that
thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
LORD'S DAY
16
Question 40: Why was it necessary for Christ to humble Himself even unto death?
Answer: Because, by reason of the
justice and truth of God1, satisfaction for our sins could be made
no otherwise than by the death of the Son of God2.
1Gen.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.
2Rom. 8:3,4, For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned
sin in the flesh: That the righteousness
of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit.
Heb. 2:14,15, Forasmuch then as the
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part
of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of
death, that is, the devil; And deliver
them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Question 41: Why was He buried?
Answer: To prove thereby that He
was really dead1.
1Acts 13:29, And when they had fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him
down from the tree, and laid Him in a sepulchre.
Matt. 27:59,60, And when Joseph had taken
the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and
he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
Luke 23:53, And he took it down, and
wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein
never man before was laid.
John 19:38, And after this Joseph of
Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews,
besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave
[him] leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
Question 42: Since, then, Christ died for us, why must we also die?
Answer: Our death is not a
satisfaction for our sins1, but only a dying to sins and entering
into eternal life2.
1Mark 8:37, Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Ps. 49:7, None [of them] can by any
means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
2Phil. 1:23, For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be
with Christ, which is far better.
John 5:24, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from
death unto life.
Rom. 7:24, O wretched man that I am!
who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Question 43: What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of
Christ on the cross?
Answer: That by His power our old
man is crucified, slain and buried with Him1, that so the evil lusts
of the flesh may no more reign in us2; but that we may offer
ourselves unto Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving3.
1Rom. 6:6, , Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body
of sin might be destroyed,
2Rom. 6:6,12 , Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body
of sin might be destroyed,... Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,
that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
3Rom. 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service.
Question 44: Why is there added, He
descended into hell?
Answer: That in my greatest
temptations I may be assured, and wholly comfort myself with this, that my Lord
Jesus Christ, by His inexpressible anguish, pains, terrors, and hellish agony
in which He was plunged during all His sufferings1, but especially
on the cross, hath delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell2.
1Ps. 18:4,5, The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made
me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed
me about: the snares of death prevented me.
Ps. 116:3, The sorrows of death
compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and
sorrow.
Matt. 26:38; 27:46, Then saith he unto them, My
soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with
me... And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli,
lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Heb. 5:7, Who in the days of his
flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and
tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he
feared;
2Isa. 53:5, But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes
we are healed.
LORD'S DAY
17
Question 45: What does the resurrection
of Christ profit us?
Answer: First, by His resurrection
He has overcome death, that He might make us partakers of the righteousness
which He has obtained for us by His death1; secondly, we also are
raised up by His power to a new life2; and third, the resurrection
of Christ is to us a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection3.
1Rom. 4:25, Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our
justification.
1Pet. 1:3, Blessed [be] the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead,
1 Cor. 15:16, For if the dead rise not,
then is not Christ raised.
2Rom. 6:4, Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life.
Col. 3:1, If ye then be risen with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right
hand of God.
Eph. 2:5,6, Even when we were dead in
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made
[us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:
31 Cor. 15:20,21, But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of
them that slept. For since by man [came]
death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
LORD'S DAY
18
Question 46: How do you understand the words, He
ascended into heaven?
Answer: That Christ, in the sight
of His disciples, was taken up from earth into heaven1; and there
continues for our interest2, until He comes again to judge the
living and the dead3.
1Acts 1:9, And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up;
and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Mark 16:19, So then after the Lord had
spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of
God.
Luke 24:51, And it came to pass, while
he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
2Heb. 9:24, 4:14, For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which
are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the
presence of God for us:...Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Rom. 8:34, Who is he that condemneth?
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the
right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Col. 3:1, If ye then be risen with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right
hand of God.
3Acts 1:11, Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Matt. 24:30, And then shall appear the
sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth
mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory.
Question 47: Is Christ, then, not with us even to the end of the world, as He has
promised1?
Answer: Christ is true man and true
God: with respect to His human nature, He is no more on earth2; but
with respect to His Godhead, majesty, grace and Spirit, He is at no time absent
from us3.
1Matt. 28:20, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2Heb. 8:4, For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there
are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Matt. 26:11, For ye have the poor always
with you; but me ye have not always.
John 16:28; 17:11, I came forth from the
Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the
Father... And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I
come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast
given me, that they may be one, as we [are].
Acts 3:21, Whom the heaven must
receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by
the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
3John 14:18, I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Matt. 28:20, Teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world. Amen.
Question 48: But if His human nature is not present wherever His Godhead is, are
not then these two natures in Christ separated from one another?
Answer: Not at all; for since the
Godhead is illimitable and omnipresent1, it must follow that it is
beyond the bounds of the human nature He assumed2, and yet none the
less is in this human nature and remains personally united to it.
1Jer. 23:24, Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith
the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Acts 7:49, Heaven is My throne, and
earth is My footstool: what house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: or what is
the place of My rest?
2Col. 2:9, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
John 3:13, And no man hath ascended up
to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in
heaven.
John 11:15, And I am glad for your sakes
that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto
him.
Matt. 28:6, He is not here: for he is
risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Question 49: Of what advantage to us is Christ's ascension into heaven?
Answer: First, that He is our
advocate in the presence of His Father in heaven1; second, that we
have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that He, as the Head, will also take
us, His members; up to Himself2, third, that He sends us His Spirit
as an earnest3, by whose power we seek the things which are above, where Christ is, seated on the right
hand of God, and not the things that are upon the earth4.
11Jn. 2:1, My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous:
Rom. 8:34, Who is he that condemneth?
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the
right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
2John 14:2, In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 17:24; 20:17, Father, I will that they
also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my
glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of
the world... Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to
my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father,
and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.
Eph. 2:6, And hath raised us up
together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
3John 14:16, And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter,
that He may abide with you for ever.
John 16:7, Nevertheless I tell you the
truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
2Cor. 1:22, Who hath also sealed us,
and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2Cor. 5:5, Now He that hath wrought us
for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the
Spirit.
4Col. 3:1, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
LORD'S DAY
19
Question 50: Why is it added, and sitteth at
the right hand of God?
Answer: Because Christ ascended
into heaven for this end, that He might there appear as Head of His Church1,
by whom the Father governs all things2.
1Eph. 1:20-23, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set
Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality,
and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in
this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under
His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the church. Which is
his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Col. 1:18, And He is the head of the
body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in
all things He might have
the
pre-eminence.
2Matt. 28:18, And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto
Me in heaven and in earth.
John 5:22, For the Father judgeth no
man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
Question 51: What profit unto us is this glory of Christ, our Head,?
Answer: First, that by His Holy
Spirit He sheds forth heavenly gifts in us, His members1; then, that
by His power He defends and preserves us against all enemies2.
1Acts 2:33, Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received
of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye
now see and hear.
Eph. 4:8, Wherefore He saith, When He
ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
2Psa. 2:9, Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in
pieces like a potter's vessel.
Psa. 110:1,2, The LORD said unto my Lord,
Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength
out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
John 10:28, And I give unto them eternal
life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My
hand.
Eph. 4:8, Wherefore he saith, When he
ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Question 52: What comfort is it to you that Christ shall come again to judge the living and the dead?
Answer: That in all my sorrows and
persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same Person, who before
has offered Himself for my sake to the tribunal of God, and has removed all
curse from me, to come as Judge from heaven1: who shall cast all His
and my enemies into everlasting condemnation2, but shall take me
with all His chosen ones to Himself into heavenly joy and glory3.
1Phil. 3:20, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Luke 21:28, And when these things begin
to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption
draweth nigh.
Rom. 8:23-24, And not only they, but
ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves,
waiting
for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope:
but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope
for?
Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed
hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
1 Thes. 4:16, For the Lord Himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
2Matt. 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:
2 Thes. 1:6, Seeing it is a righteous
thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
3Matt. 25:34, Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed
of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world.
2Thes. 1:7, And to you who are troubled
rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels,
LORD'S DAY
20
Question 53: What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit?
Answer: First, that He is true and
co-eternal God with the Father and the Son1; second, that He is also
given me2, to make me by a true faith partaker of Christ and all His
benefits3, to comfort me4, and to abide with me forever5.
11Jn. 5:7, For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word,
and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Gen. 1:2, And the earth was without
form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of
God moved upon the face of the waters.
Isa. 48:16, Come ye near unto Me, hear
ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it
was, there am I: and
now
the LORD God, and His spirit, hath sent Me.
1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19, Know ye not that ye are the
temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?... What? know ye not
that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have
of God, and ye are not your own?
Acts 5:3,4, But Peter said, Ananias, why
hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part]
of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after
it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing
in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
2Gal. 4:6, And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son
into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Matt. 28:19,20, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
2 Cor. 1:22, Who hath also sealed us, and
given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Eph. 1:13, In whom ye also [trusted],
after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom
also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
3Gal. 3:14, That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through
faith.
1Pet. 1:2, Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto
obedience and sprinkling of
the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1Cor. 6:17, But he that is joined unto
the Lord is one spirit.
4John 15:26, But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall
testify of me:
Acts 9:31, Then had the churches rest
throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in
the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
5John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter,
that He may abide with you for ever.
1Pet. 4:14, If ye be reproached for the
name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon
you: on their part He is
evil
spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.
LORD'S DAY
21
Question 54: What do you believe concerning the holy catholic Church?
Answer: That the Son of God1,
out of the whole human race2, from the beginning to the end of the
world3, gathers, defends, and preserves to Himself4, by
His Spirit and Word5, in the unity of the true faith6, a
Church chosen to everlasting life7, and that I am8, and
forever shall remain, a living member thereof9.
1Eph. 5:26, That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word,
John 10:11, I am the good shepherd: the
good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.
Acts 20,28, Take heed therefore unto
yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own
blood.
Eph. 4:11-13, And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ:
2Gen. 26:4, And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will
give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall
all
the nations of the earth be blessed.
Rev. 5:9, And they sung a new song,
saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for
thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred,
and tongue, and people, and nation;
3Ps. 71:17, O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I
declared thy wondrous works.
Isa. 59:21, As for Me, this is My
covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and My words
which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of
the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD,
from henceforth and for ever.
4Matt. 16:18, And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it.
John 10:28-30, And I give unto them eternal
life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my
hand. My Father, which gave [them] me,
is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's
hand. I and [my] Father are one.
Ps. 129:1-5, Many a time have they
afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not
prevailed against me. The plowers plowed
upon my back: they made long their furrows. The LORD [is] righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the
wicked. Let them all be confounded and
turned back that hate Zion.
1Cor. 11:26, For as often as ye eat this
bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
5Isa. 59:21, As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit
that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not
depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth
of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
Rom. 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom. 10:14-17, How then shall they call on
him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom
they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be
sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the
gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For
Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God.
Eph. 5:26, That he might sanctify and
cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
6Acts 2:42, And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Eph. 4:3-5, Endeavouring to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope
of your calling; One Lord, one faith,
one baptism,
7Rom. 8:29, For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Eph. 1:10-13, That in the dispensation of
the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things
after the counsel of his own will: That
we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye
heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that
ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
81Jn. 3:14, 19-21, We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the
brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.... My little
children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth,
and shall assure our hearts before him.
2Cor. 13:5, Examine yourselves, whether
ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how
that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Rom. 8:10, And if Christ [be] in you,
the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of
righteousness.
9Ps. 23:6, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
1Cor. 1:8,9, Who shall also confirm you
unto the end, [that ye may be] blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus
Christ. God [is] faithful, by whom ye
were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 10:28, And I give unto them eternal
life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my
hand.
1Jn. 2:19, They went out from us, but
they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have
continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that
they were not all of us.
1Pet. 1:5, Who are kept by the power
of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Question 55: What do you understand by the
communion of saints?
Answer: First, that believers, all
and every one, as members of Christ, are partakers of Him and of all His
treasures and gifts1; second, that every one must know himself bound
to employ his gifts, readily and cheerfully for the advantage and salvation of
other members2.
11Jn. 1:3, That which we have seen 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.
Rom. 8:32, He that spared not His own
Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely
give us all things?
1 Cor. 12:12,13, For as the body is one, and
hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one
body: so also [is] Christ. For by one
Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles,
whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Cor. 6:17, But he that is joined unto
the Lord is one spirit.
21 Cor. 12:21, And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor
again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
1 Cor. 13:1,5, Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding
brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ...Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not
her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
Phil. 2:4-8, Look not every man on his
own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took
upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Question 56: What do you believe concerning the
forgiveness of sins?
Answer: That God, for the sake of
Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, neither my sinful nature,
against which I have to struggle all my life long1; but will
graciously grant unto me the
righteousness
of Christ2, that I may never come into condemnation3.
11 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin.
1 John 2:2, And He is the propitiation
for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
2 Cor. 5:19, To wit, that God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and hath
committed
unto us the word of reconciliation;
2Rom. 7:23-25, But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
members. O wretched man that I am! who
shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I
myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Jer. 31:34, And they shall teach no
more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD:
for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them,
saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their
sin no more.
Mic. 7:19, He will turn again, he will
have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all
their sins into the depths of the sea.
Psa. 103:3, 10,12, Who forgiveth all thine
iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; He hath not dealt with us after our
sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities... As far as the east is from
the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
3John 3:18, He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the
name
of the only begotten Son of God.
John 5:24, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from
death unto life.
LORD'S DAY
22
Question 57: What comfort does the
resurrection of the body afford you?
Answer: That not only my soul,
after this life, shall immediately be taken up to Christ, its Head1;
but also that this my body, raised by the power of Christ, shall again be
reunited with my soul, and made like unto the glorious body of Christ2.
1Luke 16:22, And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the
angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 23: 43, And Jesus said unto him,
Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Phil. 1:23, For I am in a strait
betwixt tow, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far
better.
1 Cor. 15:53, For this corruptible must
put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
2Job 19:23-26, For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the
latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh I shall see God
1Jn. 3:2, Beloved, now are we the sons
of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he
shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Phil. 3:21, Who shall change our vile
body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Question 58: What comfort do you derive from the article of the life everlasting?
Answer: That, since I now feel in
my heart the beginning of eternal joy1, after this life I shall
possess perfect bliss, such as eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither has
entered into the heart of man - therein to praise God forever2.
12 Cor. 5:2-3, 6, For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our
house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found
naked. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home
in the body, we are absent from the Lord.
21 Cor 2:9, But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that
love Him.
LORD'S DAY
23
Question 59: But what does it profit you now that you believe all this?
Answer: That I am righteous in
Christ before God, and an heir of eternal life1.
1Hab. 2:4, Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the
just shall live by his faith.
Rom. 1:17, For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just
shall live by faith.
John 3:36, He that believeth on the
Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see
life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Question 60: How art you righteous before God?
Answer: Only by a true faith in
Jesus Christ1; that is, though my conscience accuse me that I have
grievously sinned against all the commandments of God and kept none of them2,
and am still inclined to all evil3; yet God, without any merit of
mine4, of mere grace5, grants and imputes to me6
the perfect satisfaction7, righteousness and holiness of Christ8;
as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and myself had accomplished all
the obedience which Christ has accomplished for me9; if only I
accept such benefit with a believing heart10.
1Rom. 3:21-24, But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being
witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God; Being justified freely by
his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom. 5:1,2, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this
grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
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, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no
flesh be justified.
Eph. 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works,
lest any man should boast.
Phil. 3:9, And be found in him, not
having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through
the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
2Rom. 3:9, What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have
before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.
3Rom. 7:23, But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
4Tit. 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing
of the Holy Ghost.
Deut. 9:6, Understand therefore, that
the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy
righteousness; for thou [art] a stiffnecked people.
Ezek. 36:22, Therefore say unto the house
of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not [this] for your sakes, O house of
Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the
heathen, whither ye went.
5Rom. 3:24, Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus.
Eph. 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works,
lest any man should boast.
6Rom. 4:4, Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of
debt.
2 Cor. 5:19, To wit, that God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto
them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
71 John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but
also for [the sins of] the whole world.
81 John 2:1, My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous.
92 Cor. 5:21,For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might
be made the righteousness of God in Him.
10Rom. 3:22, Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
John 3:18, He that believeth on Him is
not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath
not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Question 61: Why do you say that you are righteous only by faith?
Answer: Not that I am acceptable to
God on account of the worthiness of my faith, but because only the
satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before
God1, and I can receive the same and make it my own in no other way
than by faith only2.
11Cor. 1:30, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Cor. 2:2, For I determined not to know
any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1Jn. 5:10, He that believeth on the Son
of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a
liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
LORD'S DAY
24
Question 62: But why cannot our good works be the whole or part of our
righteousness before God?
Answer: Because the righteousness
which can stand before the tribunal of God must be absolutely perfect and
wholly conformable to the divine law1; while even best works in this
life are all imperfect and defiled with sin2.
Gal. 3:10,For as many as are of the
works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one
that continueth not in all
things
which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Deut. 27:26, Cursed be he that
confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall
say, Amen.
Isa. 64:6,But we are all as an unclean
thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a
leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Question 63: What? do our good works then merit nothing, while God will yet reward
them in this and in the future life?
Answer: This reward is not of
merit, but of grace1.
Luke 17:10, So likewise ye, when ye
shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are
unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Question 64: But does not this doctrine make men careless and profane?
Answer: By no means; for it is impossible
that those who are implanted into Christ, by a true faith should not bring
forth fruits of thankfulness1.
Matt. 7:17-18, Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good
tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit.
John 15:5, I am the vine, ye are the
branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much
fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
LORD'S DAY
25
Question 65: Since, then, we are made partakers of Christ and all His benefits by
faith only, whence comes this faith?
Answer: From the Holy Spirit1,
who works it in our hearts by the preaching of the holy gospel, and confirms it
by the use of the holy sacraments2.
1Eph. 2:8, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God.
Eph. 6:23, Peace be to the brethren,
and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 3:5, Jesus answered, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Phil. 1:29, For unto you it is given in
the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His
sake.
2Matt. 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
1Pet. 1:22,23, Seeing ye have purified your
souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the
brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being
born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,
which liveth and abideth for ever.
Question 66: What are the sacraments?
Answer: The sacraments are holy,
visible signs and seals, appointed of God for this end, that by the use thereof
He may the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel; namely,
that He of grace grants us the remission of sins and life eternal, for the sake
of the one sacrifice of Christ accomplished on the cross1.
1Gen. 17:11, And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a
token of the covenant betwixt Me and you.
Rom. 4:11, And he received the sign of
circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being
uncircumcised: that he
might
be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that
righteousness might be imputed unto them also.
Deut. 30:6, And the LORD thy God will
circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God
with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Lev. 6:25, Speak unto Aaron and to his
sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt
offering is killed shall
the
sin offering be killed before the LORD: it is most holy.
Heb. 9:7-9, 24, But into the second [went]
the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for
himself, and [for] the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying,
that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the
first tabernacle was yet standing: Which
[was] a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and
sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining
to the conscience;... For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with
hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to
appear in the presence of God for us:
Ezek. 20:12, Moreover also I gave them my
sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I [am]
the LORD that sanctify them.
Isa. 6:6,7, Then flew one of the
seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, [which] he had taken with
the tongs from off the altar: And he
laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity
is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Isa. 54:9, For this [is as] the waters
of Noah unto me: for [as] I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more
go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor
rebuke thee.
Question 67: Are, then, both the Word and the sacraments designed to direct our
faith to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our
salvation?
Answer: Yes, indeed; for the Holy
Spirit teaches us in the gospel and assures us by the sacraments that the whole
of our salvation stands in the one sacrifice of Christ made for us on the cross1.
1Rom. 6:3, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into His death?
Gal. 3:27, For as many of you as have
been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Question 68: How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the new covenant or
testament?
Answer: Two: holy baptism, and the
holy supper.
LORD'S DAY
26
Question 69: How is it signified and sealed unto you in holy baptism that you have
part in the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross?
Answer: Thus: that Christ appointed
this outward washing with water1 and added the promise2,
that I am washed with His blood and Spirit from the pollution of my soul, that
is, from all my sins3, as certainly as I am washed outwardly with
water, by which the filthiness of the body is commonly washed away.
1Matt. 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
2Matt. 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Mark 16:16, He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 2:38, Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
John 1:33, And I knew him not: but he
that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt
see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth
with the Holy Ghost.
Matt. 3:11, I indeed baptize you with
water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose
shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and
with fire.
Rom. 6:3,4, Know ye not, that so many of
us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore
we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life.
31Pet. 3:21, The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not
the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience
toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Mark 1:4, John did baptize in the
wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luke 3:3, And he came into all the
country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of
sins.
Question 70: What is it to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?
Answer: It is to have the
forgiveness of sins from God, through grace, for the sake of Christ's blood,
which He shed for us in His sacrifice on the cross1; and also to be
renewed by the Holy Spirit, and sanctified to be members of Christ, that so we
may more and more die unto sin, and lead holy and unblamable lives2.
1Heb. 12:24, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of
sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
1 Pet. 1:2, Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto
obedience and sprinkling of
the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Rev. 1:5, 7:14, And from Jesus Christ, [who
is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince
of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins
in his own blood,... And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Zech. 13:1, In that day there shall be a
fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for
sin and for uncleanness.
Ezek. 36:25, Then will I sprinkle clean
water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all
your idols, will I cleanse you.
2John 1:33, 3:5, And I knew Him not:
but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom
thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He
which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.... Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say
unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God.
1Cor. 6:11, 12:13, And such were some of you:
but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God... For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond
or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Rom. 6:4, Therefore we are buried
with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead
by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Col. 2:12, Buried with him in baptism,
wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God,
who hath raised him from the dead.
Question 71: Where has
Christ assured us that we are washed with His blood and Spirit as certainly as
we are washed with the water of baptism?
Answer:
In the institution of baptism, which reads thus: Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matt. 28:19.
And: He that believeth and is baptized,
shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned, Mark 16:16.
This promise is also repeated where the Scripture calls baptism the washing of regeneration, and the washing away of sins, Tit. 3:5; Acts
22:16.
LORD'S DAY
27
Question 72: Is then the outward washing with water itself the washing away of
sin?
Answer: No1, for only
the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins2.
1Matt. 3:11, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh
after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
Pet. 3:21, The like figure whereunto
even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the
flesh, but the answer of a
good
conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Eph. 5:26, That he might sanctify and
cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
21 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us
from all sin.
1 Cor. 6:11, And such were some of you:
but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Question 73: Why, then, does the Holy Spirit call baptism the washing of regeneration and the
washing away of sins?
Answer: God speaks thus not without
great cause; to-wit, not only to teach us thereby that as the filthiness of the
body is taken away by water, so our sins are removed by the blood and Spirit of
Jesus Christ1; but especially to assure us by this divine pledge and
sign that we are spiritually cleansed from our sins as really as we are
outwardly washed with water2.
1Rev. 1:5, And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first
begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that
loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.
Rev. 7:14, And I said unto him, Sir,
thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb.
1 Cor. 6:11, And such were some of you:
but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
2Mark 16:16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned.
Gal. 3:27, For as many of you as have
been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Question 74: Are infants also to be baptized?
Answer: Yes; for since they, as
well as adults, are included in the covenant and church of God1; and
since both redemption from sin2 and the Holy Spirit, the author of
faith, are through the blood of Christ promised to them no less than to adults3,
they must also by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be ingrafted into the
Christian Church, and distinguished from the children of unbelievers4
as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision5,
instead of which baptism was instituted in the new covenant6.
1Gen. 17:7, And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed
after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto
thee, and to thy seed after thee.
2Matt. 19:14, But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come
unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
3Luke 1:14-15, And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at His
birth. For He shall be great in the sight of the Lord,
and
shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and He shall be filled with the Holy
Ghost, even from His mother's womb.
Psa. 22:10, I was cast upon thee from
the womb: Thou art my God from my mother's belly.
Isa. 44:1-3, Yet now hear, O Jacob my
servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb,
[which] will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom
I have chosen. For I will pour water
upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit
upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
Acts 2:39, For the promise is unto
you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the
Lord our God shall call.
4Acts 10:47, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
5Gen. 17:14, And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not
circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken My
covenant.
6Col. 2:11-13, In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without
hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of
Christ: buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through
the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you,
being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened
together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
LORD'S DAY
28
Question 75: How is it signified and sealed unto you in the holy supper that you
partake of that one sacrifice of Christ, accomplished on the cross, and of all
His benefits?
Answer: Thus, that Christ has
commanded me and all believers to eat of this broken bread and to drink of this
cup in remembrance of Him, and has added these promises1: first,
that His body was offered and broken on the cross for me, and His blood shed
for me, as certainly as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me,
and the cup communicated to me; and further, that with His crucified body and
shed blood He Himself feeds and nourishes my soul to everlasting life as
assuredly as I receive from the hand of the minister, and taste with my mouth,
the bread and cup of the Lord as sure signs of the body and blood of Christ.
1Matt. 26:26-28, And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake
it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat;
this
is My body. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the new
testament,
which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mark 14:22-24, And as they did eat, Jesus
took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat:
this is My body. And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it
to them: and they all drank of it. And He said unto them, This is My blood of
the new testament, which is shed for many.
Luke 22:19-20, And He took bread, and gave
thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is
given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after
supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for
you.
1 Cor. 10:16-17, The cup of blessing which
we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we
break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one
bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1 Cor. 11:23-25, For I have received of the
Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night
in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it,
and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in
remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had
supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft
as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.
1 Cor. 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond
or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Question 76: What is it to eat the crucified body and drink the shed blood of
Christ?
Answer: It is not only to embrace
with a believing heart all the sufferings and death of Christ, and thereby to
obtain the forgiveness of sins and life eternal1; but, further, also
to become more and more united to His sacred body, by the Holy Spirit, who
dwells both in Christ and in us2; so that, though Christ is in
heaven3 and we are on earth, we are nevertheless flesh of His flesh
and bone of His bones, and live and are governed by one Spirit, as members of
the same body are by one soul5.
1John 6:35, 40, 47-48,50-51, 53-54, And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of
life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that
believeth
on Me shall never thirst; And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every
one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may
have
everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day; Verily, verily, I
say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. I
am
that bread of life; This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man
may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from
heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread
that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world; Then
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh
of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My
flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the
last day.
2John 6:55-56, For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that
eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.
3Col. 3:1, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Acts 3:21, Whom the heaven must
receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by
the mouth of all His holy
prophets
since the world began.
1 Cor. 11:26,For as often as ye eat this
bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come.
4Eph. 5:29-30, For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and
cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of His body, of
His flesh, and of His bones.
1 Cor. 6:15, Know ye not that your bodies are the members
of Christ?
1 John 3:24, And he that keepeth His
commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth
in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.
1 John 4:13, Hereby know we that we dwell
in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
5John 6:57,. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he
that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.
John 15:1-6, I am the true vine, and my
Father is the husbandman. Every branch
in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth
fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I
have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I
in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine;
no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I
am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as
a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire,
and they are burned.
Eph. 4:15-16, But speaking the truth in
love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from
whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every
joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every
part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Question 77: Where has Christ promised that He will as certainly feed and nourish
believers with His body and blood as they eat of this broken bread and drink of
this cup?
Answer: In the institution of the
supper1, which reads thus: The
Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had
given thanks, He brake it, and said: This is my body, which is broken for you;
this do in remembrance of me. In like manner also the cup, after supper,
saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood; this do, as often as ye drink
it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this
cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till He come, 1Cor. 11:23-26. This
promise is repeated by St. Paul, where he says: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood
of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of
Christ? Seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body; for we all
partake of the one bread, 1Cor. 11:16,17.
1Matt. 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake
it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body. And he
took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of
it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins.
Mark 14:22-24,And as they did eat, Jesus
took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat:
this is My body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave
[it] to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is
shed for many.
Luke 22:19,20, And He took bread, and gave
thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is
given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after
supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for
you.
LORD'S DAY
29
Question 78: Do, then, the bread and wine become the real body and blood of
Christ?
Answer: No1, but as the
water in baptism neither is changed into the blood of Christ, nor is the
washing away of sins itself, being only the divine token and confirmation
thereof2, so likewise the bread in the Lord's supper does not become
the real body of Christ3; though agreeably to the nature and
property of sacraments4 it is called the body of Christ Jesus.
1Matt. 26:29, But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the
vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
2Eph. 5:26, That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the
word,
Tit. 3:5, Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
31 Cor. 10:16, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the
blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body
of Christ?
1 Cor. 11:26, For as often as ye eat this
bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
4Gen. 17:10-11, This is My covenant, which ye
shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee;
Ex. 12:11, 13, And thus shall ye eat it;
[with] your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand;
and ye shall eat it in haste: it [is] the LORD'S passover.... And the blood
shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye [are]: and when I see the
blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy
[you], when I smite the land of Egypt.
Ex. 13:9, And it shall be for a sign
unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S
law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out
of Egypt
1 Pet. 3:21, The like figure whereunto
even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the
flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 10:3,4, and did all eat the same
spiritual meat; and did all drink the
same
spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and
that Rock was Christ.
Question 79: Why, then, does Christ call the bread His body, and the cup His
blood, or the new covenant in His
blood, and Paul a communion of the
body and blood of Christ?
Answer: Christ speaks thus not
without great cause; namely, not only to teach us thereby that, as bread and
wine sustain this temporal life, so also His crucified body and shed blood are
the true food and drink, of our souls unto eternal life1; but much
more, by these visible signs and pledges to assure us that we are as really
partakers of His true body and blood, through the working of the Holy Spirit,
as we receive by the mouth of our body these holy tokens in remembrance of Him2;
and that all His sufferings and obedience are as certainly ours as if we
ourselves had in our own persons suffered and made satisfaction to God for our
sins.
1John 6:55, For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
21 Cor. 10:16, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the
blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body
of Christ?
LORD'S DAY
30
Question 80: What difference is there between the Lord's supper and the popish
mass?
Answer: The Lord's supper testifies
to us that we have a full pardon of all sin by the only sacrifice of Jesus
Christ, which He Himself has once accomplished on the cross1; and
that by the Holy Spirit we are ingrafted into Christ2, who according
to His human nature is now not on earth but in heaven, at the right hand of God
His Father3, and wills there to be worshipped by us4; but
the mass teaches that the living and the dead have not the forgiveness of sins
through the sufferings of Christ unless Christ is still daily offered for them
by the priests; and that Christ is bodily present under the form of bread and
wine and is therefore to be worshipped in them. And thus the mass, at bottom,
is nothing else than a denial of the one sacrifice and passion of Jesus Christ,
and an accursed idolatry5.
1Heb. 10:10,12, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once [for all]... But this man, after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God
Heb. 7:26,27, For such an high priest
became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made
higher than the heavens; Who needeth not
daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins,
and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb. 9:12,25, Neither by the blood of
goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption [for us]... Nor yet that he should offer
himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with
blood of others;
John 19:31, The Jews therefore, because
it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the
sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their
legs might be broken, and [that] they might be taken away.
Matt. 26:28, For this is My blood of the
new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luke 22:19, And He took bread, and gave
thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body wThis is My
body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.
21Cor. 10:16,17, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the
blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body
of Christ? For we [being] many are one
bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1Cor. 6:17, But he that is joined unto
the Lord is one spirit.
3John 20:17, Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my
Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and
your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.
Col. 3:1, If ye then be risen with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right
hand of God.
Heb. 1:3, Who being the brightness of
His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the
word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the
right hand of the Majesty on high.
Heb. 8:1, Now of the things which we
have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the
right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
4Matt. 6:20,21, But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also.
John 4:21, Jesus saith unto her,
Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor
yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Luke 24:52, And they worshipped Him,
and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
Acts 7:55, But he, being full of the
Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and
Jesus standing on the right hand of God.
Col. 3:1, If ye then be risen with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right
hand of God.
Phil. 3:20, For our conversation is in
heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Thes. 1:10, And to wait for his Son
from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us
from the wrath to come.
5Heb. 9:26, For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the
world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by
the sacrifice of himself.
Heb. 10:12,14, But this man, after he had
offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;..
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Question 81: For whom is the Lord's supper instituted?
Answer: For those who are truly
displeased with themselves for their sins and yet trust that these are forgiven
them for the sake of Christ, and that their remaining infirmity is covered by
His passion and death; who also desire more and more to strengthen their faith
and amend their life. But hypocrites and
such as turn not to God with sincere hearts eat and drink judgment to
themselves1.
11 Cor. 11:28, 29,But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread,
and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1 Cor. 10:19-22, What say I then? that the
idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any
thing? But I [say], that the things
which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would
not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the
Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of
the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than
he?
Question 82: Are they also to be admitted to this supper who, by their confession
and life, show themselves to be unbelieving and ungodly?
Answer: No; for in this way the
covenant of God would be profaned and His wrath kindled against the whole
congregation1; wherefore the Christian Church is in the duty bound,
according to the ordinance of Christ and His apostles, to exclude such persons
by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, until they show amendment of life.
11Cor. 11:20,34, When ye come together therefore into one place, [this] is not to eat
the Lord's supper... And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come
not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Isa. 1:11, To what purpose [is] the
multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt
offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of
bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
Isa. 66:3, He that killeth an ox [is
as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's
neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine's blood; he that
burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own
ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
Jer. 7:21, Thus saith the LORD of
hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and
eat flesh.
Psa. 50:16, But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do
to declare My statutes, or that thou shouldest take My covenant in thy
mouth?
LORD'S DAY
31
Question 83: What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven?
Answer: The preaching of the holy
gospel, and church discipline or excommunication out of the Christian Church.
By these two the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers and shut against
unbelievers.
Question 84: How is the kingdom of heaven opened and shut by the preaching of the
holy gospel?
Answer: By proclaiming and openly
witnessing, according to the command of Christ, to believers, one and all,
that, whenever they receive the promise of the gospel by a true faith, all
their sins are really forgiven them of God, for the sake of Christ's merits; and
on the contrary, by proclaiming and witnessing to all unbelievers, and such as
do not sincerely repent that the wrath of God and eternal condemnation abide on
them so long as they are not converted1. According to this witness of the gospel God
will judge, both in this life and in that which is to come.
1Matt. 16:19 "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
John 20:21- 23, Then said Jesus to them
again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I
you. And when he had said this, he
breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted
unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.
Question 85: How is the kingdom of heaven shut and opened by church discipline?
Answer: By forbidding, according to
the command of Christ, the use of the sacraments by those who under the
Christian name maintain unchristian doctrines or practices; who will not, after
repeated brotherly admonitions, renounce their errors and wicked course of
life; and who, having been complained of
to the church, or to those who are thereunto appointed by the church; despise
their admonitions- by which censure they are excluded from the Christian
Church, and by God Himself from the kingdom of Christ; and by again receiving
such as members of Christ and His Church when they promise and show real
amendment1.
1Matt. 18:15-18"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell
him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear
thee,
thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee
one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three
witnesses
every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it
unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as
an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind
on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall
be loosed in heaven."
1Cor. 5:4,5,11, In the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of
our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such
an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be
saved in the day of the Lord Jesus... But now I have written unto you not to
keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous,
or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one
no not to eat.
2Cor. 2:6-8, Sufficient to such a man
[is] this punishment, which [was inflicted] of many. So that contrariwise ye [ought] rather to
forgive [him], and comfort [him], lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed
up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I
beseech you that ye would confirm [your] love toward him.
THE THIRD
PART: GRATITUDE,
LORD'S DAY
32
Question 86: Since, then, we are delivered from our misery, by grace alone,
through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we yet do good works?
Answer: Because Christ, having
redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit after His own
image, that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for His
benefits1, and that He may be praised by us2; then, also,
that each of us may be assured in himself of his faith by the fruits thereof3,
and that by our godly walk our neighbors may be won for Christ4.
1Rom. 6:13"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that
are
alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God."
Rom. 12:1, 2"I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God,
which is your reasonable service"; "And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
1 Pet. 2:5, 9, 10"Ye also, as lively
stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ"; "But ye are
a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth
the
praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:
which in time past were not a people, but are now the
people
of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."
1 Cor. 6:20, For ye are bought with a
price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are
God's."
2Matt. 5:16"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
1 Pet. 2:12"Having your
conversation honest among the Gentiles:that, whereas they speak against you as
evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in
the day of visitation."
32 Pet. 1:10"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your
calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never
fall."
Matt. 7:17, Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Gal. 5:6,22, For in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by
love... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
41 Pet. 3:1, 2"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that,
if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the
conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled
with fear."
Rom. 14:19"Let us therefore follow
after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify
another."
Question 87: Can they, then, not be saved who, continuing in their wicked and
ungrateful lives, do not turn to God?
Answer: By no means; for the
Scripture declares that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief,
covetous man, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or any such like, shall inherit the
kingdom of God1.
11 Cor. 6:9, 10"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of
God."
Eph. 5:5, 6"For this ye know, that
no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath
any inheritance in the
kingdom
of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of
these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."
1 John 3:14, 15"We know that we have
passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not
his brother abideth in
death.
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath
eternal life abiding in him."
LORD'S DAY
33
Question 88: Of how many parts does true conversion, or the turning of man to God,
consist?
Answer: Two: the mortification of
the old man, and the quickening of the new1.
1Rom. 6:1,4- 6, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may
abound? "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like
as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted
together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in
the
likeness of His resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with
Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin."
Eph. 4:22,-24 "That ye put off
concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to
the deceitful lusts; and be
renewed
in the spirit of your mind. And that ye
put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness.”
Col. 3:5,6,810, "Mortify therefore your
members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate
affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. For which
things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: But now
ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy
communication out of your mouth. Lie not
one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new [man], which is
renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: "
1 Cor. 5:7 "Purge out therefore
the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even
Christ our passover is sacrificed
2 Cor. 7:10, For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh
death.
Question 89: What is the mortification of the old man?
Answer: It is heartfelt sorrow that
we have provoked God by our sins, and more and more to hate and flee from them1.
1Rom. 8:13 "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through
the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Joel 2:13, And rend your heart, and not
your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and
merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Hos. 6:1, Come, and let us return unto
the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will
bind us up.
Question 90: What is the quickening of the new man?
Answer: It is heartfelt joy in God
through Christ1, and with love and delight to live according to the
will of God in all good works2.
1Rom. 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom. 14:17, For the kingdom of God is
not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Isa. 57:15 "For thus saith the
high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the
high and holy place, with
him
also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the
humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
2Rom. 6:10, 11"For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He
liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead
indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Gal. 2:20 "I am crucified with
Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I
live
by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
Question 91: But what are good works?
Answer: Only those which are done
from true faith1, according to the law of God2, and to
His glory3; and not such as are based on our own opinions or the
precepts of men4.
1Rom. 14:23 "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not
of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
2Lev. 18:4, Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I
[am] the LORD your God.
1 Sam. 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath
the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the
voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken
than the fat of rams."
Eph. 2:10 "For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them."
31 Cor. 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all
to the glory of God."
4Ezek. 20:18 "But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in
the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments,
nor
defile yourselves with their idols."
Isa. 29:13, Wherefore the Lord said,
Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips
do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward
me is taught by the precept of men:
Matt. 15:7-9 " [Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias
prophesy of you, saying, This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but
their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men."
LORD'S DAY
34
Question 92: What is the law of God?
Answer: God spake all these words,
saying1: I am Jehovah thy God,
who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
I. Thou shalt
have no other gods before Me.
II. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven
image, nor any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself unto
them, nor serve them; for I, Jehovah thy God am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that
hate me, and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love Me, and
keep my commandments.
III. Thou shalt not take the name of the
Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him
guiltless, that taketh his name in vain.
IV. 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 unto Jehovah thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy
daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle,
nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that
in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the Sabbath
day, and hallowed it.
V. Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy
days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
VI. Thou shalt not kill.
VII.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII. Thou shalt not steal.
IX.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbor.
X. Thou
shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife,
nor his man servant, nor his maid servant,
nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
1Ex. 20:1-17, And God spake all these words, saying, I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of
Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou
shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven
image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is]
in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor
serve them: for I the 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 shewing mercy unto
thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 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. Remember
the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six
days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, 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. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy
days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt
not kill. Thou shalt not commit
adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou
shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 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 any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
Deut. 5:6-21, I [am] the LORD thy God,
which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before
me. Thou shalt not make thee [any]
graven image, [or] any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or
that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters beneath the
earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself
unto 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
shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my
commandments. 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. Keep the
sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy
work: But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant,
nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy
stranger that [is] within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant
may rest as well as thou. And remember
that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and [that] the LORD thy God
brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm:
therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD
thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go
well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Neither shalt thou steal. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against
thy neighbour. Neither shalt thou desire
thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his
field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any
[thing] that [is] thy neighbour's.
Question 93: How are these commandments divided?
Answer: Into two tables1;
the first of which teaches what must be our attitude toward God; the second,
what duties we owe to our neighbor2.
1Deut. 4:13 "And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to
perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of
stone."
Ex. 34:28, 29 "And he was there with
the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink
water. And He wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten
commandments. And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with
the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount,
that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with
Him."
Deut. 10:3, 4 "And I made an ark of
shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up
into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand. And He wrote on the tables,
according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto
you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and
the LORD gave them unto me."
2Matt. 22:37-40, Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself. On these
two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Question 94: What does God require in the first commandment?
Answer: That, as much as I love my
soul’s salvation, avoid and flee all idolatry1, sorcery,
soothsaying, superstition2, invocation of saints or any other creatures3;
and rightly acknowledge the only true God4, trust in Him alone5,
submit to Him6 with all humility7 and patience, expect
all good8 from Him only, and love9, fear10,
and honor11 Him with my whole heart; so that I leave and forsake all
creatures rather than do even the least thing against His will12.
11Jn. 5:21, Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
1 Cor. 6:10 Be not deceived: neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
1 Cor. 10:7, 14 "Neither be ye
idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat
and drink, and rose up to play"; "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee
from idolatry."
2Lev. 19:31, Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after
wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God.
Deut. 18:9,10, When thou art come into the
land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the
abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you [any one]
that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth
divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
3Matt. 4:10 "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is
written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou
serve."
Rev. 19:10 "And I fell at his feet
to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy
fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship
God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Rev. 22:8,9, And I John saw these
things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship
before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not:
for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which
keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
4John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent."
5Jer. 17:5, 7 "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and
maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD";
"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD
is."
6Heb. 10:36 "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will
of God, ye might receive the promise."
Col. 1:11 "Strengthened with all
might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering
with joyfulness."
Rom. 5:3, 4 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing
that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience,
hope."
1Cor. 10:11, Now all these things
happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon
whom the ends of the world are come.
Phil. 2:14 "Do all things without
murmurings and disputings."
71 Pet. 5:5, 6 "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all
of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due
time."
8Psa. 104:27 "These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat
in due season."
Isa. 45:7 "I form the light, and
create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these
things."
James 1:17 "Every good gift and
every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
9Deut. 6:5 "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
Matt. 22:37 "Jesus said unto him,
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind."
10Deut. 6:2, That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and
his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son,
all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Psa. 111:10, The fear of the LORD [is]
the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his
commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.
Prov. 1:7, 9:10, The fear of the LORD [is]
the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction... He
that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
Matt. 10:28 "And fear not them
which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him
which is able to destroy both soul
and
body in hell."
11Matt. 4:10 "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is
written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou
serve."
Deut. 10:20, Thou shalt fear the LORD thy
God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
12Matt. 5:29, 30 "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from
thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy membersshould perish, and
not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend
thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one
of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into
hell."
Matt. 10:37, He that loveth father or
mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me.
Acts 5:29 "Then Peter and the
other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
Question 95: What is idolatry?
Answer: It is, instead of the one
true God who has revealed Himself in His Word, or besides Him, to devise or
have something else on which to place our trust1.
1Eph. 5:5, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God.
1Chron. 16:26, For all the gods of the
people [are] idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
Phil. 3:18, 19 "(For many walk, of
whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the
enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)"
Gal. 4:8 "Howbeit then, when ye
knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods."
Eph. 2:12 "That at that time ye
were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the
world."
1Jn. 2:23, Whosoever denieth the Son,
the same hath not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the
Father also].
2Jn. 9, Whosoever transgresseth, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
John 5:23, That all [men] should honour
the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son
honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
LORD'S DAY
35
Question 96: What does God require in the second commandment?
Answer: That we in no wise make any
image of God1, nor worship Him in any other way than He has
commanded in His Word2.
1Isa. 40:18,19,25, "To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare
unto Him?" The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth
it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.... To whom then will ye liken me,
or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
Deut. 4:15,16, "Take ye therefore good
heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the
LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire. Lest ye corrupt
[yourselves], and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the
likeness of male or female, "
Rom. 1:23, "And changed the glory
of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to
birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."
Acts 17:29 "Forasmuch then as we
are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto
gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."
21 Sam. 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is
as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He
hath also rejected thee from being king."
Deut. 12:30 "Take heed to thyself
that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from
before thee; and that thou
enquire
not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so
will I do likewise."
Matt. 15:9, But in vain they do worship
me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
Question 97: May we, then, not make any images at all?
Answer: God neither can nor may be
visibly represented in any way1. As for creatures, though they may be visibly represented, yet God
forbids us to make or have any likeness of them in order to worship them or
serve God by them2.
1Isa. 40:25, To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy
One.
2Ex. 34:17, Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.
Ex. 23:24 "Thou shalt not bow
down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt
utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images."
Ex. 34:13, 14 "But ye shall destroy
their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: for thou shalt
worship no other god: for the
LORD,
whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."
Numb. 33:52 "Then ye shall drive
out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their
pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their
high places."
Question 98: But may not images be tolerated in the churches as books to the
laity?
Answer: No; for we must not be
wiser than God, who will have His people taught by dumb images1, but
by the living preaching of His Word2.
1Jer. 10:8, But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine
of vanities.
Hab. 2:18, 19 "What profiteth the
graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a
teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb
idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it
shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no
breath at all in the midst of it."
2Rom. 10:14,15,17, How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and
how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they
hear without a preacher? And how shall
they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet
of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good
things!... So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2 Pet. 1:19 "We have also a more
sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light
that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in
your hearts."
2 Tim. 3:16 ,17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
"
LORD'S DAY
36
Question 99: What is required in the third commandment?
Answer: That we must not by cursing1
or perjury2, nor by unnecessary swearing3, profane or
abuse the Name of God, nor by our silence or connivance become partakers of
these horrible sins in others4; and briefly, that we use the holy
Name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence5; to the end
that He may be rightly confessed6 and worshipped by us7,
and be glorified in all our words and works8.
1Lev. 24:15,16, And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever
curseth his God shall bear his sin. And
he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death,
[and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as
he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall
be put to death.
2Lev. 19:12 "And ye shall not swear by My name falsely, neither shalt thou
profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord."
3Matt. 5:37 "But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
Jas. 5:12, But above all things, my
brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any
other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into
condemnation.
4Lev. 5:1, And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and [is] a witness,
whether he hath seen or known [of it]; if he do not utter [it], then he shall
bear his iniquity.
Prov. 29:24, Whoso is partner with a
thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.
5Jer. 4:2, And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in
righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall
they glory.
Isa. 45:23, "I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone
out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee
shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
6Matt. 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I
confess also before My Father which is in heaven."
Rom. 10:9,10, That if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
7Ps. 50:14,15, Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And
call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify
me.
1 Tim. 2:8 "I will therefore that
men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
8Col. 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Rom. 2:24, For the name of God is
blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
1Tim. 6:1, Let as many servants as are
under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of
God and [his] doctrine be not blasphemed.
Question 100: Is, then, the profaning of God's Name by swearing and cursing so
heinous a sin that His wrath is kindled even against those who do not, as much
as in them lies, help to prevent and forbid such cursing and swearing?
Answer: Certainly1, for
no sin is greater or more provoking to God than the profaning of His Name;
wherefore, also, He has commanded this sin to be punished with death2.
1Prov. 29:24, Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing,
and bewrayeth [it] not.
Lev. 5:1, And if a soul sin, and hear
the voice of swearing, and [is] a witness, whether he hath seen or known [of
it]; if he do not utter [it], then he shall bear his iniquity.
2Lev. 24:16, And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put
to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the
stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the
LORD], shall be put to death.
LORD'S DAY
37
Question 101: But may we not swear by the Name of God in a godly manner?
Answer: Yes; when the magistrate
demands it of his subjects, or when otherwise necessity requires us thus to
confirm fidelity and truth, for the glory of God and the welfare of our
neighbor; for such swearing is grounded on God's Word1, and
therefore was rightly used by the saints in the Old and the New Testament2.
11Deut. 6:13 "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve Him, and shalt swear
by His name."
Deut. 10:20, Thou shalt fear the LORD thy
God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
Isa. 48:1, Hear ye this, O house of
Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the
waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the
God of Israel, [but] not in truth, nor in righteousness
Heb. 6:16 "For men verily swear
by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all
strife."
2Gen. 21:24 "And Abraham said, I will swear."
Gen. 31:53, The God of Abraham, and the
God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the
fear of his father Isaac.
Jos. 9:15, "And Joshua made peace with them, and
made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation
sware unto them";
1 Sam. 24:22, And David sware unto Saul.
And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
2 Sam. 3:35, And when all the people came
to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God
to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
1 Ki. 1:29, And the king sware, and
said, [As] the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
Rom. 1:9 "For God is my witness,
whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I
make mention of you always in my prayers."
Rom. 9:1, I say the truth in Christ, I
lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 Cor. 1:23 "Moreover I call God
for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto
Corinth."
Question 102: May we also swear by saints or any other creatures?
Answer: No; for a lawful oath is
calling upon God, as the only Searcher of hearts, to bear witness to the truth, and to punish me if I swear
falsely1; which honor is due to no creature2.
12 Cor. 1:23 "Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you
I came not as yet unto Corinth."
Rom. 1:9 "For God is my witness,
whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I
make mention of you always in my prayers."
2Matt. 5:34,-36"But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it
is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by
Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by
thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. "
Jas. 5:12, But above all things, my
brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any
other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into
condemnation.
LORD'S DAY
38`
Question 103: What does God require in the fourth commandment?
Answer: First, that the ministry of
the gospel and the schools be maintained1; and that I, especially on
the Sabbath, that is, the day of rest, diligently attend the church of God2,
to learn God’s Word3, to use the sacraments4, to call
publicly upon the Lord5, and to give Christian alms6.
Second, that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, let the Lord
work in me by His Holy Spirit, and thus
begin in this life the eternal Sabbath7.
1Tit. 1:5 "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in
order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had
appointed thee."
2 Tim. 3:14, But continue thou in the
things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou
hast learned [them];
1 Cor. 9:13,14, Do ye not know that they
which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they
which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord
ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel
2 Tim. 2:2 "And the things that
thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful
men, who shall be able to teach others also."
2 Tim. 3:15, And that from a child thou
hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ps. 40:9,10, I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have
not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy
faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy
truth from the great congregation.
Ps. 68:26, Bless ye God in the
congregations, [even] the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
Acts 2:42, "And they continued
stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers";
31 Tim. 4:13, Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Cor. 14:19, "Yet in the church I
had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might
teach others also, than ten
thousand
words in an unknown tongue"; "Let the prophets speak two or three,
and let the other judge"; "For ye may all prophesy one by one, that
all may learn, and all may be comforted."
41 Cor. 11:33 "Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one
for another."
51 Tim. 2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men."
1 Cor. 14:16, Else when thou shalt bless
with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen
at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
61 Cor. 16:2 "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him
in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I
come."
7Isa. 66:23 "And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another,
and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me,
saith the LORD."
LORD'S DAY
39
Question 104: What does God require in the fifth commandment?
Answer: That I show all honor, love,
and fidelity to my father and mother, and to all in authority over me; submit
myself with due obedience to their good instruction and correction1;
and also bear patiently with their weaknesses and shortcomings2,
since it pleases God to govern us by their hand3.
1Eph. 6:1, 2,5, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with
promise."...
Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Col. 3:18, 20,22, "Wives, submit
yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord";
"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto
the Lord... Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh;
not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.”
Eph. 5:22 "Wives, submit
yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”
Prov. 1:8; 4:1, My son, hear the
instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:... Hear, ye
children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Prov. 15:20; 20:20, A wise son maketh a glad
father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother... Whoso curseth his father or
his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
Ex. 21:17, And he that curseth his
father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Rom. 1:31 "Without understanding,
covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful."
2Prov. 23:22 "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy
mother when she is old."
Gen. 9:24, And Noah awoke from his
wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
1Pet. 2:18, Servants, [be] subject to
[your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the
froward.
3Eph. 6:4,9, And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord... And, ye masters, do the same
things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in
heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Col. 3:20, Children, obey [your]
parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Rom. 13:1,2, Let every soul be subject
unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be
are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore
resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall
receive to themselves damnation.
Matt. 22:21 "They say unto him,
Caesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things
which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
LORD'S DAY
40
Question 105: What does God require in the sixth commandment?
Answer: That I, neither in thought,
nor word or gesture, much less in deed, dishonor, hate, wound, or kill my
neighbor, by myself or by another1; but lay aside all desire of
revenge2; moreover, that I harm not myself nor willfully expose
myself to any danger3. Therefore, also, the magistrate is armed with
the sword to prevent murder4.
1Matt. 5:21, 22 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt
not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the
judgment:
but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause
shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother,
Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool,
shall be in danger of hell fire."
Matt. 26:52 "Then said Jesus unto
him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword
shall perish with the sword."
Gen. 9:6, Whoso sheddeth man's blood,
by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
2Eph. 4:26 "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your
wrath."
Rom. 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge
not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance
is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
Matt. 5:25, Agree with thine adversary
quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary
deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou
be cast into prison.
Matt. 18:35, So likewise shall my
heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one
his brother their trespasses.
3Rom. 13:14, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the
flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
Col. 2:23 "Which things have
indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the
body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."
Matt. 4:7, Jesus said unto him, It is
written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
4Gen. 9:6 "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for
in the image of God made He man."
Ex. 21:14, But if a man come
presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him
from mine altar, that he may die.
Matt. 26:52 "Then said Jesus unto
him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword
shall perish with the sword."
Rom. 13:4 "For he is the minister
of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain:
for
he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth
evil."
Question 106: But this commandment seems to speak only of murder?
Answer: In forbidding murder, God
teaches us that He abhors the root of murder, as envy1, hatred2,
anger3, and desire of revenge; and that He accounts all these as
murder4.
1Prov. 14:30, A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of
the bones.
Rom. 1:29 "Being filled with all
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of
envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers."
21 John 2:11, But he that hateth his
brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he
goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
3James 1:20 "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
Gal. 5:19,20, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
[these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies."
41 John 3:15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no
murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."
Question 107: But is it enough that we do not kill our neighbor in any such way?
Answer: No; for when God forbids
envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves1;
to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness towards him2,
prevent his hurt as much as in us lies3; and do good even to our
enemies4.
‑1Matt. 22:39 "And the second is like
unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
Matt. 7:12 "Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this
is the law and the prophets."
Rom. 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned
one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another."
2Eph. 4:2 "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing
one another in love."
Gal. 6:1, 2 "Brethren, if a man be
overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering
thyself,
lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law
of Christ."
Matt. 5:5 "Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the earth."
Rom. 12:18 "If it be possible, as
much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
Luke 6:36, Be ye therefore merciful,
as your Father also is merciful.
Matt. 5:7, Blessed [are] the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.
1Pet. 3:8, Finally, [be ye] all of one
mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be]
courteous:
Col. 3:12, Put on therefore, as the
elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of
mind, meekness, longsuffering;
3Ex. 23:5 "If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his
burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with
him."
4Matt. 5:44, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you;
Rom. 12:20 "Therefore if thine
enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou
shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
LORD'S DAY
41
Question 108: What does the seventh commandment teach us?
Answer: That all unchastity is
accursed of God1: and that we must, therefore, detest it with all
our heart2, and live a chaste and continent life3, both
within and outside of holy wedlock4.
1Lev. 18:28, That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued
out the nations that [were] before you.
2Jude 23, And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even
the garment spotted by the flesh.
31 Thes. 4:3,-5, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye
should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should
know
how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour. Not in the lust of
concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: "
4Heb. 13:4 "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but
whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
1 Cor. 7:7, For I would that all men
were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after
this manner, and another after that.
Question 109: Does God in this commandment forbid, nothing more than adultery and
such like gross sins?
Answer: Since our body and soul are
both temples of the Holy Spirit, it is His will that we keep both pure and
holy; wherefore He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words1,
thoughts, desires2, and whatever may entice men thereto3.
1Eph. 5:3, 4, "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it
not be once named among you, as becometh saints. Neither filthiness, nor
foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of
thanks. "
1 Cor. 6:18, 19, "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without
the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in
you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? "
2Matt. 5:27,28, " Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt
not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to
lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
3Eph. 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit."
1 Cor. 15:33, "Be not deceived: evil
communications corrupt good manners."
LORD'S DAY
42
Question 110: What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
Answer: God forbids not only such
theft1 and robbery as are punished by the magistrate, but He also
brands as theft all wicked tricks and devices whereby we aim to appropriate our
neighbor’s goods3, whether by force or with show of right, as unjust
weights, ells, measures, and wares4, false coins, usury5,
or any other means forbidden by God; likewise all covetousness6 and
all abuse and waste of His gifts7.
11 Cor. 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
21 Cor. 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with
the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye
needs
go out of the world."
Isa. 33:1, Woe to thee that spoilest,
and thou [wast] not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not
treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled;
[and] when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal
treacherously with thee.
3Luke 3:14 "And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what
shall we do? And He said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any
falsely; and be content with your wages."
1 Thes. 4:6" "That no man go
beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the
avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified."
4Prov. 11:1 "A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is
His delight."
Prov. 16:11, A just weight and balance
[are] the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag [are] his work
Ezek. 45:9, , "Thus saith the Lord
God; Let it suffice you, princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and
execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from My people, saith
the Lord God. Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.
Deut. 25:13 "Thou shalt not have in
thy bag divers weights, a great and a small."
5Psa. 15:5 "He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward
against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."
Luke 6:35 "But love ye your
enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall
be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the
unthankful and to the evil."
61 Cor. 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
7Prov. 23:20,21, Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to
poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags.
Prov. 21:20, [There is] treasure to be
desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Question 111: But what does God require of you in this commandment?
Answer: That I further my
neighbor’s profit wherever I can or may, deal with him as I would have others
deal with me1, and labor faithfully that I may be able to relieve
the needy2.
1Matt. 7:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to
you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
2Eph. 4:28 "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour,
working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him
that needeth."
LORD'S DAY
43
Question 112: What is required in the ninth commandment?
Answer: That I bear false witness
against no man1, wrest no one's words2; be no backbiter
or slanderer3; do not judge, or join in condemning any man rashly or
unheard4; but that I avoid all sorts of lies and deceit as the
proper works of the devil5, unless I would bring down upon myself
the heavy wrath of God6; likewise, that in judicial and all other
dealings I love the truth, speak it uprightly7, and confess it; and
that, as much as I am able, I defend and promote the honor and reputation of my
neighbor8.
1Prov. 19:5, 9 "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh
lies shall not escape"; "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and
he that speaketh lies shall perish."
Prov. 21:28 "A false witness shall
perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly."
2Psa. 15:3 "He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his
neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour."
Psa. 50:19,20, Thou givest thy mouth to
evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine
own mother's son.
3Rom. 1:29, 30 "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors
of evil things, disobedient to parents."
4Matt. 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."
Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and ye
shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and
ye shall be forgiven."
5John 8:44, Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye
will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because
there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for
he is a liar, and the father of it.
6Prov. 12:22 "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly
are His delight."
Prov. 13:5 "A righteous man hateth
lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame."
71 Cor. 13:6 "Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth."
Eph. 4:25 "Wherefore putting away
lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of
another."
81 Pet. 4:8 "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for
charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
LORD'S DAY
44
Question 113: What does the tenth commandment require of us?
Answer: That not even the slightest
inclination or thought contrary to any of God's commandments shall ever rise in
our heart; but that at all times we shall hate all sin with our whole heart and
delight in all righteousness1.
Rom. 7:7, "What shall we say
then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for
I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."
Question 114: But can those who are converted to God keep these commandments
perfectly?
Answer: No; but even the holiest
men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience1;
yet so that with earnest purpose they begin to live, not only according to some
but according to all the commandments of God2.
11 John 1:8, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us.
Rom. 7:14 "For we know that the
law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow
not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."
Eccl. 7:20, For [there is] not a just
man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
1Cor. 13:9, For we know in part, and we
prophesy in part.
2Rom. 7:22, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man";
Ps. 1:2, But his delight [is] in the
law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Question 115: Why, then, will God have the ten commandments preached so strictly,
since in this life no man can keep them?
Answer: First, that all our life
long we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature1, and so
become the more earnest in seeking remission of sins, and righteousness in
Christ2; second, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the
grace of the Holy Spirit, to be renewed more and more after the image of God,
till after this life we arrive at the perfection3.
1Rom. 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness."
Ps. 32:5, I acknowledged my sin unto
thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my
transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
2Matt. 5:6, Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for
they shall be filled.
Rom. 7:24 ,25, "O wretched man that I
am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with
the flesh the law of sin. "
31 Cor. 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one
receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."
Phil. 3:12-14, "Not as though I had
already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I
may apprehend that for
which
also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
LORD'S DAY
45
Question 116: Why is prayer necessary for Christians?
Answer: Because it is the chief
part of the thankfulness which God requires of us1, and because God
will give His grace and Holy Spirit to those only who with hearty sighing unceasingly
beg them of Him and thank Him for them2.
1Psa. 50:14, "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most
High:
2Matt. 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you."
Luke 11:9, 13 "And I say unto you,
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you"; "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good
gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the
Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"
1Thes. 5:17, Pray without ceasing.
Question 117: What belongs to such prayer as God is pleased with and will hear?
Answer: First, that from the heart1
we call upon the one true God only, who hath revealed Himself in His Word2,
for all He has commanded us to ask of Him3; second, that we right
thoroughly know our need and misery4, in order to humble ourselves
before the face of His majesty5; third, that we be firmly assured6
that, notwithstanding we are unworthy of it, He will, for the sake of Christ
our Lord, certainly hear our prayer7, as He has promised us in His
Word8.
1John 4:24, God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in
spirit and in truth.
Psa. 145:18 "The LORD is nigh unto
all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth."
2Rev. 19:10, And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou
do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony
of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
John 4:22-24, Ye worship ye know not what:
we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the
true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the
Father seeketh such to worship him. God
[is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in
truth.
3Rom. 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know
not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
1 John 5:14 "And this is the
confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His
will, He heareth us."
Jas.
1:5, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men]
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
42 Chron. 20:12 "O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might
against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do:
but our eyes are upon Thee."
5Psa. 2:11 "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling."
Psa. 34:18, "The LORD is nigh unto
them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Isa. 66:2 "For all those things
hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to
this man will I look, even to
him
that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word."
6Rom. 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved."
James 1:6, "But let him ask in
faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed."
7John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son."
Dan. 9:17, 18 "Now therefore, O our
God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face
to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. O my God,
incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and
the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications
before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies."
8Matt. 7:8 "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
Psa. 27:8, [When thou saidst], Seek ye
my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Question 118: What has God commanded us to ask of Him?
Answer: All things necessary for
soul and body1; which Christ our Lord has comprised in the prayer He
Himself has taught us.
1Psa. 143:1 "Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in Thy
faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness."
Matt. 6:33 "But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you."
Question 119: What is the Lord’s Prayer?
Answer:
Our Father who art in
heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the
evil one.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever. Amen1.
1Matt. 6:9-13, After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Luke 11:2-4, And he said unto them, When
ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive
every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver
us from evil.
LORD'S DAY
46
Question 120: Why has Christ commanded us to address God thus: Our Father?
Answer: To awaken in us, at the
very beginning of our prayer, that childlike reverence and trust toward God
which should be the ground of our prayer; namely, that God has become our
Father through Christ, and will much less deny us what we ask of Him in true
faith than our parents will refuse us earthly things1.
1Mat. 7:9, 10, 11 "Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he
give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a
serpent?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how
much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that
ask Him?"
Luke 11:11-13, "If a son shall ask
bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a
fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then,
being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall
[your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? "
Question 121: Why is there added, Who art in
heaven?
Answer: That we may have no earthly
thought of the heavenly majesty of God1, and may expect from His
almighty power all things necessary for body and soul2.
1Jer. 23:23,24, " [Am] I a God at hand,
saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith
the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD."
Acts 17:24 ,25,27, "God that made
the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth,
dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Neither is worshipped with men's
hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath,
and all things; ... That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel
after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: "
2Rom. 10:12, "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for
the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him."
LORD'S DAY
47
Question 122: What is the first petition?
Answer: Hallowed be Thy name. That is: grant us, first, rightly to know
Thee1, and to sanctify, glorify and praise Thee in all Thy works, in
which Thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth shine forth2;
further also, that we may so order and direct our whole life, thoughts, words
and actions, that Thy name may not be blasphemed but honored and praised on our
account3.
1John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent."
Jer. 9: 24 , “but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth
and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and
righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the
LORD."
Jer. 31:33,34, But this [shall be] the
covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the
LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts;
and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his
neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all
know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for
I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Matt. 16:17 "And Jesus answered and
said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not
revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven."
James 1:5 "If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him."
Psa. 119,105, Thy word [is] a lamp unto my
feet, and a light unto my path.
2Psa. 119:137, "Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments. Thy
testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful."
Luke 1:46,47; 68,69,"And Mary said, My soul
doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. ...
Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his
people, And hath raised up an horn of
salvation for us in the house of his servant David; "
Psa. 145:8, 9 "The LORD is gracious,
and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to
all: and His tender mercies are over all His works."
Rom. 11:33, O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments,
and his ways past finding out!
3Psa. 71:8"Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honour all
the day."
Psa. 115: 1,"Not unto us, O LORD,
not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's
sake."
LORD'S DAY
48
Question 123: What is the second petition?
Answer: Thy kingdom come. That is: so rule us by Thy word and Spirit that
we may submit ourselves more and more to Thee1; preserve and
increase Thy Church2; destroy the works of the devil, every power
that exalts itself against Thee, and all wicked counsels conceived against Thy
holy Word3; until the perfection of Thy kingdom arrive4
wherein Thou shalt be all in all5.
1Psa. 143:10, Teach me to do thy will; for thou [art] my God: thy spirit [is] good;
lead me into the land of uprightness.
Psa. 119:5, "O that my ways were
directed to keep Thy statutes!"
Matt. 6:33, But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you.
2Psa. 51:18, "Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of
Jerusalem."
Psa. 122:6, Pray for the peace of
Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
31 John 3:8, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He
might destroy the works of the devil."
Rom. 16:20, "And the God of peace
shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you. Amen."
4Rev. 22:17, 20 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take
the water of life freely"; "He which testifieth these things saith,
Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Rom. 8:22,23, For we know that the whole
creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only [they], but ourselves also,
which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
51 Cor. 15: 28, "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the
Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God
may be all in all."
LORD'S DAY
49
Question 124: What is the third petition?
Answer: Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. That is: grant that we
and all men may renounce our own will1, and without gainsaying obey
Thy will, which is only good2; that so every one may discharge the
duties of his office and calling3, as willingly and faithfully as
the angels in heaven4.
1Matt. 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after
Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
Tit. 2:11,12 " For the grace of God
that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world."
2Luke 22:42 "Saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me:
nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done."
Eph. 5:10, Proving what is acceptable
unto the Lord.
Rom.12:2, And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
31 Cor. 7:24 "Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide
with God."
4Psa. 103:20,21, "Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do
his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. less ye the LORD, all
[ye] his hosts; [ye] ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
LORD'S DAY
50
Question 125: What is the fourth petition?
Answer: Give us this day our daily bread. That is: be pleased to provide for all our bodily need1, that
we may thereby acknowledge Thee to be the only fountain of all good2,
and that without Thy blessing neither our care and labor, nor Thy gifts can
profit us3; and, therefore, that we may withdraw our trust from all
creatures, and place it alone in Thee4.
1Psa. 145:15 "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat
in due season."
Psa. 104:27, These wait all upon thee;
that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season.
Matt. 6:26, Behold the fowls of the air:
for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your
heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
2Jas. 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.
Acts 14:17 "Nevertheless He left
not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven,
and fruitful seasons, filling
our
hearts with food and gladness."
Acts 17:25 "Neither is worshipped
with men's hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life,
and breath, and all thgiveth 1 3Cor.
15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye
know
that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Deut. 8:3 "And He humbled thee,
and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not,
neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not
live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the
Lord doth man live."
Psa. 37:16, A little that a righteous
man hath [is] better than the riches of many wicked.
Psa. 127:1, 2 "Except the LORD build
the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city,
the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up
late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep."
4Psa. 55:22"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He
shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Psa. 62:11"God hath spoken once;
twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God."
Psa. 146:3, Put not your trust in
princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.
Jer. 17:5,7, Thus saith the LORD; Cursed
[be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart
departeth from the LORD... Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and
whose hope the LORD is.
LORD'S DAY
51
Question 126: What is the fifth petition?
Answer: And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. That is: be pleased, for the sake of Christ's
blood, not to impute to us, miserable sinners, any of our transgressions, nor
that evil, which always cleaves to us1; as we also find this witness
of Thy grace in us that it is our full purpose heartily to forgive our neighbor2.
1Psa. 51:1 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my
transgressions."
Psa. 143:2, And enter not into judgment
with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
John 2:1, 2 "My little children,
these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and He is the
propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the
whole world."
Rom. 8:1, [There is] therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit.
2Matt. 6:14, 15 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will
your Father forgive your trespasses."
LORD'S DAY
52
Question 127: What is the sixth petition?
Answer: And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. That is: since we are so weak in ourselves
that we cannot stand a moment1; and besides, since our sworn
enemies, the devil2, the world3, and our own flesh4,
cease not to assault us, be pleased to preserve and strengthen us by the power
of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not succumb in this spiritual warfare5,
but always offer strong resistance, till at last we obtain a complete victory6.
1John 15:5, I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in
him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Psa. 103:14 "For He knoweth our
frame; He remembereth that we are dust."
21 Pet. 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
Eph. 6:12 "For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places."
3John 15:19"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but
because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you."
4Rom. 7:23 "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of
my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
members."
Gal. 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary
the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
5Matt. 26:41 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Mark 13:33 "Take ye heed, watch
and pray: for ye know not when the time is."
51 Thes. 3:13 "To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness
before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all
His saints."
1 Thes. 5:23 "And the very God of peace
sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be
preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Question 128: How do you conclude your prayer?
Answer: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
That is: all this we ask of Thee because Thou, as our King who hast power over
all things, art both willing and able to give us all good1, and that
thereby not we but Thy holy name may be glorified for ever2.
1Rom. 10:12 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for
the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him."
2 Pet. 2:9 "The Lord knoweth how
to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day
of judgment to be punished."
2John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son."
Jer. 33:8,9, And I will cleanse them from
all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all
their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed
against me. And it shall be to me a name
of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall
hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all
the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.
Psa. 115:1, "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but
unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake."
Question 129: What does the word Amen
signify?
Answer: Amen signifies: it shall truly and surely be; for my prayer is more
certainly heard of God than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of
Him1.
12 Cor. 1:20 "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen,
unto the glory of God by us."
2 Tim. 2:13 "If we believe not, yet
He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself."
