Shorter Catechism, part 3/3
Questions and answers Scripture proofs
Q85: What doth God require (1) Act.20:21 Testifying both to the
of us, that we may escape Jews, and also to the Greeks,
his wrath and curse due to repentance toward God, and faith
us for sin? toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2) Prov.2:1 My son, if thou wilt
A: To escape the wrath and receive my words, and hide my
curse of God due to us for commandments with thee; V2 So that
sin, God requireth of us thou incline thine ear unto wisdom,
faith in Jesus Christ, and apply thine heart to
repentance unto life, (1) understanding; V3 Yea, if thou criest
with the diligent use of after knowledge, and liftest up thy
all the outward means voice for understanding; V4 If thou
w h e r e b y C h r i s t seekest her as silver, and searchest
communicateth to us the for her as for hid treasures; V5 Then
benefits of redemption. (2) shalt thou understand the fear of the
LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Q86: What is faith in Jesus (1) Hebr.10:39 We are not of them who
Christ? draw back unto perdition; but of them
that believe to the saving of the
A: Faith in Jesus Christ is soul.
a saving grace, (1) whereby (2) Joh.1:12 As many as received him,
we receive (2) and rest to them gave he power to become the
upon him alone for sons of God, even to them that believe
salvation, (3) as he is on his name.
offered to us in the (3) Philip.3:9 And be found in him,
gospel. (4) 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.
(4) Isa.33:22 For the LORD is our
judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the
LORD is our king; he will save us.
Q87: What is repentance 1) Act.11:18 Then hath God also to the
unto life? Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
A: Repentance unto life is (2) Act.2:37 When they heard this,
a saving grace, (1) whereby they were pricked in their heart, and
a sinner, out of a true said unto Peter and to the rest of the
sense of his sin, (2) and apostles, Men and brethren, what shall
apprehension of the mercy we do?
of God in Christ, (3) doth, (3) Joel 2:13 Rend your heart, and not
with grief and hatred of your garments, and turn unto the LORD
his sin, turn from it unto your God: for he is gracious and
God, (4) with full purpose merciful, slow to anger, and of great
of, and endeavour after, kindness, and repenteth him of the
new obedience. (5) evil.
(4) Jer.31:18 Turn thou me, and I
shall be turned; for thou art the LORD
my God. V19 Surely after that I was
turned, I repented; and after that I
was instructed, I smote upon my thigh:
I was ashamed, yea, even confounded,
because I did bear the reproach of my
youth.
(5) Ps.119:59 I thought on my ways,
and turned my feet unto thy
testimonies.
Q88: What are the outward (1) Act.2:41 Then they that gladly
means whereby Christ received his word were baptized. V42
communicateth to us the And they continued steadfastly in the
benefits of redemption? apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
A: The outward and ordinary
means whereby Christ
communicateth to us the
benefits of redemption, are
his ordinances, especially
the Word, sacraments, and
prayer; (l) all which are
made effectual to the elect
for salvation.
Q89: How is the Word made (1) Ps.19:7 The law of the LORD is
effectual to salvation? perfect, converting the soul: the
testimony of the LORD is sure, making
A: The Spirit of God maketh wise the simple.
the reading, but especially (2) 1 Thess.1:6 And ye became
the preaching of the Word, followers of us, and of the Lord,
an effectual means of having received the word in much
convincing and converting affliction, with joy of the Holy
sinners, (1) and of Ghost.
building them up in (3) Rom.1:16 For I am not ashamed of
holiness and comfort, (2) the gospel of Christ: for it is the
through faith, unto power of God unto salvation to every
salvation. (3) one that believeth.
Q90: How is the Word to be (1) Prov.8:34 Blessed is the man that
read and heard, that it may heareth me, watching daily at my
become effectual to gates, waiting at the posts of my
salvation? doors.
(2) 1 Pet.2:1 Wherefore laying aside
A: That the Word may become all malice, and all guile, and
effectual to salvation, we hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil
must attend thereunto with speakings. V2 As newborn babes, desire
diligence, (1) preparation, the sincere milk of the word, that ye
(2) and prayer; (3) receive may grow thereby.
it with faiths and love, (3) Ps.119:18 Open thou mine eyes,
(5) lay it up in our that I may behold wondrous things out
hearts, (6) and practice it of thy law.
in our lives. (7) (4) Hebr.4:2 The word preached did not
profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it.
(5) 2 Thess.2:10 They received not the
love of the truth, that they might be
saved.
(6) Ps.119:11 Thy word have I hid in
mine heart, that I might not sin
against thee.
(7) Jam.1:25 But whoso looketh into
the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth therein, he being not a
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the
work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed.
Q91: How do the sacraments (1) 1 Cor.3:7 So then neither is he
become effectual means of that planteth any thing, neither he
salvation? that watereth; but God that giveth the
increase.
A. The sacraments become (2)1 Pet.3:21 The like figure
effectual mean of whereunto even baptism doth also now
salvation, not from any save us (not the putting away of the
virtue in them, or in him filth of the flesh, but the answer of
that doth administer them; a good conscience toward God,) by the
(1) but only by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
blessing of Christ, and the
working of his Spirit in
them that by faith receive
them. (2)
Q92: What is a sacrament? (1) Gen.17:10 This is my covenant,
which ye shall keep, between me and
A: A sacrament is an holy you and thy seed after thee; Every man
ordinance instituted by child among you shall be circumcised.
Christ, wherein, by (2) Rom.4:11 And he received the sign
sensible signs, Christ, and of circumcision, a seal of the
the benefits of the new righteousness of the faith which he
covenant, are represented, had yet being uncircumcised.
(1) sealed, and applied to
believers. (2)
Q93: Which are the (1) Mar.16:16 He that believeth and is
sacraments of the New baptized shall be saved.
Testament? (2) 1 Cor.11:23 For I have received of
the Lord that which also I delivered
A: The sacraments of the unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same
New Testament are, Baptism, night in which he was betrayed took
(1) and the Lord's supper. bread, &c.
(2)
Q94: What is baptism? (1) Matt.28:19 Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in
A: Baptism is a sacrament, the name of the Father, and of the
wherein the washing with Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
water in the name of the (2) Rom.6:3 Know ye not, that so many
Father, and of the Son, and of us as were baptized into Jesus
of the Holy Ghost, (1) doth Christ were baptized into his death?
signify and seal our (3) Rom.6:4 Therefore we are buried
ingrafting into Christ, and with him by baptism into death: that
partaking of the benefits like as Christ was raised up from the
of the covenant of grace, dead by the glory of the Father, even
(2) and our engagement to so we also should walk in newness of
be the Lord's. (3) life.
Q95: To whom is baptism to (1) Act.2:41 Then they that gladly
be administered? received his word were baptized.
A: Baptism is not to be (2) Gen.17:7 And I will establish my
administered to any that covenant between me and thee and thy
are out of the visible seed after thee in their generations
church, till they profess for an everlasting covenant, to be a
their faith in Christ, and God unto thee, and to thy seed after
obedience to him; (l) but thee. V10 This is my covenant, which
the infants of such as are ye shall keep, between me and you and
members of the visible thy seed after thee; Every man child
church are to be baptized. among you shall be circumcised.
(2) Act.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.
V39 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.
Q96: What is the Lord's (1) Luk.22:19 And he took bread, and
supper? gave thanks, and brake it, and gave
unto them, saying, This is my body
A: The Lord's supper is a which is given for you: this do in
sacrament, wherein, by remembrance of me. V20 Likewise also
giving and receiving bread the cup after supper, saying, This cup
and wine, according to is the new testament in my blood,
Christ's appointment, his which is shed for you.
death is showed forth; (1) (2) 1 Cor.10:16 The cup of blessing
and the worthy receivers which we bless, is it not the
are, not after a corporal communion of the blood of Christ? The
and carnal mariner, but by bread which we break, is it not the
faith, made partakers of communion of the body of Christ?
his body and blood, with
all his benefits, to their
spiritual nourishment, and
growth in grace. (2)
Q97: What is required to (1) 1 Cor.11:28 But let a man examine
the worthy receiving of the himself, and so let him eat of that
Lord's supper? bread, and drink of that cup. V29 For
he that eateth and drinketh
A: It is required of them unworthily, eateth and drinketh
that would worthily partake damnation to himself, not discerning
of the Lord's, that they the Lord's body.
examine themselves of their (2) 2 Cor.13:5 Examine yourselves,
knowledge to discern the whether ye be in the faith.
Lord's body, (1) of their (3) 1 Cor.11:31 For if we would judge
faith to feed upon him, (2) ourselves, we should not be judged.
of their repentance, (3) (4) 1 Cor.11:18 When ye come together
love, (4) and new in the church, I hear that there be
obedience; (5) lest, coming divisions among you. V20 When ye come
unworthily, they eat and together therefore into one place,
drink judgment to this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
themselves. (6) (5) 1 Cor.5:8 Therefore let us keep
the feast, not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and
wickedness; but with the unleavened
bread of sincerity and truth.
(6) 1 Cor.11:27 Wherefore whosoever
shall eat this bread, and drink this
cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be
guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord.
Q98: What is prayer? (1) Ps.62:8 Trust in him at all times;
ye people, pour out your heart before
A: Prayer is an offering up him: God is a refuge for us.
of our desires unto God (1) (2) Rom.8:27 And he that searcheth the
for things agreeable to his hearts knoweth what is the mind of the
will, (2) in the name of Spirit, because he maketh intercession
Christ, (3) with confession for the saints according to the will
of our sins, (4) and of God.
thankful acknowledgment of (3) Joh.16:23 Whatsoever ye shall ask
his mercies. (5) the Father in my name, he will give it
you.
(4) Dan.9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD
my God, and made my confession.
(5) Philip.4:6 Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God.
Q99: What rule hath God (1) 1 Joh.5:14 And this is the
given for our direction in confidence that we have in him, that,
prayer? if we ask any thing according to his
will, he heareth us.
A: The whole Word of God is (2) Matt.6:9 After this manner
of use to direct us in therefore pray ye: Our Father which
prayer; (1) but the special art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name,
rule of direction is that &c.
form of prayer which Christ
taught his disciples,
commonly called "The Lords
Prayer". (2)
Q100: What doth the preface (1) Isa.64:9 Be not wroth very sore, O
of the Lord's prayer teach LORD, neither remember iniquity for
us? ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we
are all thy people.
A: The preface of the (2) Luk.11:13 If ye then, being evil,
Lord's prayer, [which is, know how to give good gifts unto your
"Our Father which art in children: how much more shall your
heaven",] teacheth us to heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
draw near to God with all to them that ask him?
holy reverence and (3) Rom.8:15 For ye have not received
confidence, (1) as children the spirit of bondage again to fear;
to a father, (2) able and but ye have received the Spirit of
ready to help us; (3) and adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
that we should pray with Father.
and for others. (4) (4) Eph.6:18 Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all
saints.
Q101: What do we pray for (1) Ps.67:1 God be merciful unto us,
in the first petition? and bless us; and cause his face to
shine upon us. V2 That thy way may be
A: In the first petition, known upon earth, thy saving health
[which is, "Hallowed be thy among all nations. V3 Let the people
name",] we pray, That God praise thee, O God; let all the people
would enable us and others praise thee.
to glorify him in all that (2) Rom.11:36 For of him, and through
whereby he maketh himself him, and to him, are all things: to
known; (l) and that he whom be glory for ever. Amen.
would dispose all things to
his own glory. (2)
Q102: What do we pray for (1) Ps.68:1 Let God arise, let his
in the second petition? enemies be scattered: let them also
that hate him flee before him.
A: In the second petition, (2) Ps.51:18 Do good in thy good
[which is, "Thy kingdom pleasure unto Zion: build thou the
come",] we pray, That walls of Jerusalem.
Satan's kingdom may be (3) 2 Thess.3:1 Finally, brethren,
destroyed; (1) and that the pray for us, that the word of the Lord
kingdom of grace may be may have free course, and be
advanced, (2) ourselves and glorified, even as it is with you.
others brought into it, Rom.10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire
kept in it; (3) and that and prayer to God for Israel is, that
the kingdom of glory may be they might be saved.
hastened. (4) (4) Rev.22:20 He which testifieth
these things saith, Surely I come
quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord
Jesus.
Q103: What do we pray for (1) Ps.119:34 Give me understanding,
in the third petition? and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall
observe it with my whole heart. V35
A: In the third petition, Make me to go in the path of thy
[which is, "Thy will be commandments; for therein do I
done in earth, as it is in delight. V36 Incline my heart unto thy
heaven",] we pray, That testimonies.
God, by his grace, would (2) Act.21:14 And when he would not be
make us able and willing to persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will
know, obey, (1) and submit of the Lord be done.
to his will in all things, (3) Ps.103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his
(2) as the angels do in angels, that excel in strength, that
heaven. (3) do his commandments, hearkening unto
the voice of his word. V22 Bless the
LORD, all his works in all places of
his dominion: bless the LORD, O my
soul.
Q104: What do we pray for (1) Prov.30:8 Remove far from me
in the fourth petition? vanity and lies: give me neither
poverty nor riches; feed me with food
A: In the fourth petition, convenient for me.
[which is, "Give us this (2) Ps.90:17 And let the beauty of the
day our daily bread",] we LORD our God be upon us: and establish
pray, That of God's free thou the work of our hands upon us;
gift we may receive a yea, the work of our hands establish
competent portion of the thou it.
good things of this life,
(1) and enjoy his blessing
with them. (2)
Q105: What do we pray for (1) Ps.51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
in the fifth petition? according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy
A: In the fifth petition, tender mercies blot out my
[which is, "And forgive us transgressions.
our debts, as we forgive (2) Matt.6:14 For if ye forgive men
our debtors",] we pray That their trespasses, your heavenly Father
God, for Christ's sake, will also forgive you.
would freely pardon all our
sins; (1) which we are the
rather encouraged to ask,
because by his grace we are
enabled from the heart to
forgive others. (2)
Q106: What to we pray for 1) Matt.26:41 Watch and pray, that ye
in the sixth petition? enter not into temptation. Ps.19:13
Keep back thy servant also from
A: In the sixth petition, presumptuous sins; let them not have
[which is, "And lead us not dominion over me.
into temptation, but (2) Ps.51:10 Create in me a clean
deliver us from evil",] we heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
pray, That God would either within me. V12 Restore unto me the joy
keep us from being tempted of thy salvation; and uphold me with
to sin, (1) or support and thy free spirit.
deliver us when we are
tempted. (2)
Q107: What doth the (1) Dan.9:18 We do not present our
conclusion of the Lord's supplications before thee for our
prayer teach us? righteousnesses, but for thy great
mercies. V19 O Lord, hear; O Lord,
A: The conclusion of the forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer
Lord's prayer, [which is, not, for thine own sake, O my God.
"For thine is the kingdom, (2) 1 Chron.29:11 Thine, O LORD, is
and the power, and the the greatness, and the power, and the
glory, for ever, Amen."] glory, and the victory, and the
teacheth us, to take our majesty: for all that is in the heaven
encouragement in prayer and in the earth is thine. V13 Now
from God only, (l) and in therefore, our God, we thank thee, and
our prayers to praise him, praise thy glorious name.
ascribing kingdom, power, (3) Rev.22:20 Amen. Even so, come,
and glory to him. (2) Lord Jesus.
And, in testimony of our
desire, and assurance to be
heard, we say, Amen. (3)
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