1
What is the chief end of humanity?
The chief end of humanity is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
1 Corinthians 10:31Romans 11:36Psalm 73:25–28John 17:22, 24
Scripture proofs & commentaryReformed / Presbyterian · 1647
Westminster Shorter Catechism (Modern English)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism rendered in clear, modern English. All 107 questions and answers faithfully preserve the original meaning while using contemporary language accessible to today's readers.
2
What rule has God given to direct us in how we may glorify and enjoy him?
The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us in how we may glorify and enjoy him.
2 Timothy 3:16Ephesians 2:201 John 1:3–4Deuteronomy 12:32Isaiah 8:20
Scripture proofs & commentary3
What do the Scriptures mainly teach?
The Scriptures mainly teach what we are to believe about God and what duty God requires of us.
2 Timothy 1:13John 20:312 Timothy 3:16Micah 6:8Deuteronomy 10:12–13
Scripture proofs & commentary4
What is God?
God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
John 4:24Job 11:7–9Psalm 147:5Psalm 90:2James 1:17Malachi 3:6Exodus 3:14Psalm 104:24Romans 11:33–34Revelation 1:8Genesis 17:1Revelation 4:8Isaiah 6:3Deuteronomy 32:4Exodus 34:6–7Psalm 117:2
Scripture proofs & commentary5
Are there more Gods than one?
There is only one, the living and true God.
Deuteronomy 6:4Jeremiah 10:10Isaiah 44:6
Scripture proofs & commentary6
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Matthew 28:192 Corinthians 13:14John 1:1John 10:30Acts 5:3–4
Scripture proofs & commentary7
What are the decrees of God?
The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, by which, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatever comes to pass.
Ephesians 1:11Romans 11:36Daniel 4:35
Scripture proofs & commentary8
How does God carry out his decrees?
God carries out his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
Genesis 1:1Psalm 145:17Isaiah 28:29
Scripture proofs & commentary9
What is the work of creation?
The work of creation is God's making all things from nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
Genesis 1:1Hebrews 11:3Genesis 1:31
Scripture proofs & commentary10
How did God create humanity?
God created humanity male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
Genesis 1:27Colossians 3:10Ephesians 4:24Genesis 1:28
Scripture proofs & commentary11
What are God's works of providence?
God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing of all his creatures and all their actions.
Psalm 145:17Psalm 104:24Isaiah 28:29Hebrews 1:3Psalm 103:19Matthew 10:29–30
Scripture proofs & commentary12
What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the condition in which he was created?
When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, on the condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, under the penalty of death.
Galatians 3:12Genesis 2:17
Scripture proofs & commentary13
Did our first parents continue in the condition in which they were created?
Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the condition in which they were created, by sinning against God.
Genesis 3:6–8Ecclesiastes 7:29
Scripture proofs & commentary14
What is sin?
Sin is any failure to conform to, or transgression of, the law of God.
1 John 3:4James 4:17
Scripture proofs & commentary15
What was the sin by which our first parents fell from the condition in which they were created?
The sin by which our first parents fell from the condition in which they were created was their eating the forbidden fruit.
Genesis 3:6Genesis 3:12–13
Scripture proofs & commentary16
Did all humanity fall in Adam's first transgression?
Since the covenant was made with Adam not only for himself but for his descendants, all humanity, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him and fell with him in his first transgression.
Romans 5:121 Corinthians 15:21–22
Scripture proofs & commentary17
Into what condition did the fall bring humanity?
The fall brought humanity into a condition of sin and misery.
Romans 5:12Genesis 3:16–19
Scripture proofs & commentary18
In what does the sinfulness of the condition into which humanity fell consist?
The sinfulness of the condition into which humanity fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the lack of original righteousness, and the corruption of our whole nature, which is commonly called original sin, together with all actual transgressions that proceed from it.
Romans 5:12, 19Romans 3:10Ephesians 2:1–3James 1:14–15
Scripture proofs & commentary19
What is the misery of the condition into which humanity fell?
All humanity by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so are made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.
Genesis 3:8, 24Ephesians 2:3Galatians 3:10Romans 6:23Matthew 25:41, 46
Scripture proofs & commentary20
Did God leave all humanity to perish in the condition of sin and misery?
God, having out of his sheer good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, entered into a covenant of grace to deliver them out of the condition of sin and misery and to bring them into a condition of salvation by a Redeemer.
Ephesians 1:42 Thessalonians 2:13Romans 3:20–22Galatians 3:21–22
Scripture proofs & commentary21
Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two distinct natures and one person, forever.
1 Timothy 2:5–6John 1:14Galatians 4:4Romans 9:5Colossians 2:9Hebrews 7:24–25
Scripture proofs & commentary22
How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
Christ, the Son of God, became man by taking to himself a true body and a rational soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary and born of her, yet without sin.
Hebrews 2:14, 17Philippians 2:7Luke 1:27, 31, 35Hebrews 4:15Hebrews 7:26
Scripture proofs & commentary23
What offices does Christ carry out as our Redeemer?
Christ, as our Redeemer, carries out the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his state of humiliation and exaltation.
Acts 3:22Deuteronomy 18:15Hebrews 5:5–6Psalm 2:6Isaiah 9:6–7
Scripture proofs & commentary24
How does Christ carry out the office of a prophet?
Christ carries out the office of a prophet by revealing to us, through his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.
John 1:18John 15:15John 14:26
Scripture proofs & commentary25
How does Christ carry out the office of a priest?
Christ carries out the office of a priest by his once offering up of himself as a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and by making continual intercession for us.
Hebrews 9:14, 28Hebrews 2:17Romans 5:10Hebrews 7:25Romans 8:34
Scripture proofs & commentary26
How does Christ carry out the office of a king?
Christ carries out the office of a king by subduing us to himself, by ruling and defending us, and by restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Psalm 110:3Matthew 2:6Isaiah 33:221 Corinthians 15:25Psalm 2
Scripture proofs & commentary27
In what did Christ's humiliation consist?
Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a lowly condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Luke 2:7Galatians 4:4Isaiah 53:3Luke 22:44Matthew 27:46Philippians 2:8Galatians 3:131 Corinthians 15:3–4
Scripture proofs & commentary28
In what does Christ's exaltation consist?
Christ's exaltation consists in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
1 Corinthians 15:4Acts 1:9, 11Ephesians 1:20Acts 17:31Matthew 25:31–32
Scripture proofs & commentary29
How are we made to share in the redemption purchased by Christ?
We are made to share in the redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
John 1:12Titus 3:5–6John 3:5–6
Scripture proofs & commentary30
How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 3:171 Corinthians 1:9
Scripture proofs & commentary31
What is effectual calling?
Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, by which, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he persuades and enables us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:92 Thessalonians 2:13–14Acts 2:37Acts 26:18Ezekiel 36:26–27John 6:44–45Philippians 2:13
Scripture proofs & commentary32
What benefits do those who are effectually called share in this life?
Those who are effectually called share in this life in justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the various benefits that in this life either accompany or flow from them.
Romans 8:30Ephesians 1:51 Corinthians 1:30
Scripture proofs & commentary33
What is justification?
Justification is an act of God's free grace in which he pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone.
Romans 3:24–252 Corinthians 5:21Romans 5:19Galatians 2:16Philippians 3:9
Scripture proofs & commentary34
What is adoption?
Adoption is an act of God's free grace by which we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
1 John 3:1John 1:12Romans 8:17
Scripture proofs & commentary35
What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the work of God's free grace by which we are renewed in our whole person after the image of God and are enabled more and more to die to sin and live to righteousness.
2 Thessalonians 2:13Ephesians 4:23–24Romans 6:4, 6Romans 8:1
Scripture proofs & commentary36
What are the benefits that in this life accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
The benefits that in this life accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification are: assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, and perseverance in it to the end.
Romans 5:1–2, 5Romans 14:17Proverbs 4:182 Peter 3:181 John 5:131 Peter 1:5
Scripture proofs & commentary37
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness and immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, rest in their graves until the resurrection.
Hebrews 12:232 Corinthians 5:1, 6, 8Philippians 1:23Luke 23:431 Thessalonians 4:14Isaiah 57:2Job 19:26–27
Scripture proofs & commentary38
What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
At the resurrection, believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted on the day of judgment and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God for all eternity.
1 Corinthians 15:43Matthew 25:23Matthew 10:321 John 3:21 Corinthians 13:121 Thessalonians 4:17–18
Scripture proofs & commentary39
What is the duty that God requires of us?
The duty that God requires of us is obedience to his revealed will.
Deuteronomy 29:29Micah 6:81 Samuel 15:22
Scripture proofs & commentary40
What did God first reveal to humanity as the rule of obedience?
The rule that God first revealed to humanity for obedience was the moral law.
Romans 2:14–15Romans 10:5
Scripture proofs & commentary41
Where is the moral law summarized?
The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.
Deuteronomy 10:4Matthew 19:17–19
Scripture proofs & commentary42
What is the summary of the Ten Commandments?
The summary of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbor as ourselves.
Matthew 22:37–40
Scripture proofs & commentary43
What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?
The preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."
Exodus 20:2
Scripture proofs & commentary44
What does the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
The preface to the Ten Commandments teaches us that because God is the Lord, and our God and Redeemer, we are therefore bound to keep all his commandments.
Luke 1:74–751 Peter 1:15–18
Scripture proofs & commentary45
What is the first commandment?
The first commandment is: "You shall have no other gods before me."
Exodus 20:3
Scripture proofs & commentary46
What is required in the first commandment?
The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God as the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.
1 Chronicles 28:9Deuteronomy 26:17Matthew 4:10Psalm 29:2
Scripture proofs & commentary47
What is forbidden in the first commandment?
The first commandment forbids the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God and our God, and the giving of that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone.
Psalm 14:1Romans 1:21Psalm 81:10–11Romans 1:25–26
Scripture proofs & commentary48
What are we specifically taught by the words "before me" in the first commandment?
The words "before me" in the first commandment teach us that God, who sees all things, takes notice of and is very displeased with the sin of having any other god.
Ezekiel 8:5–6Psalm 44:20–21
Scripture proofs & commentary49
What is the second commandment?
The second commandment is: "You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God,…
Exodus 20:4–6
Scripture proofs & commentary50
What is required in the second commandment?
The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire all the religious worship and ordinances that God has appointed in his Word.
Deuteronomy 32:46Matthew 28:20Acts 2:42
Scripture proofs & commentary51
What is forbidden in the second commandment?
The second commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images or in any other way not appointed in his Word.
Deuteronomy 4:15–19Exodus 32:5, 8Deuteronomy 12:31–32
Scripture proofs & commentary52
What are the reasons attached to the second commandment?
The reasons attached to the second commandment are God's sovereignty over us, his ownership of us, and the zeal he has for his own worship.
Psalm 95:2–3, 6Psalm 45:11Exodus 34:13–14
Scripture proofs & commentary53
What is the third commandment?
The third commandment is: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."
Exodus 20:7
Scripture proofs & commentary54
What is required in the third commandment?
The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.
Matthew 6:9Psalm 68:4Revelation 15:3–4Malachi 1:11, 14Psalm 138:1–2Job 36:24
Scripture proofs & commentary55
What is forbidden in the third commandment?
The third commandment forbids all profaning or abusing of anything by which God makes himself known.
Malachi 1:6–7, 12Malachi 2:2
Scripture proofs & commentary56
What is the reason attached to the third commandment?
The reason attached to the third commandment is that however much the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from people, yet the Lord our God will not allow them to escape his righteous judgment.
1 Samuel 2:12, 17, 22, 291 Samuel 3:13Deuteronomy 28:58–59
Scripture proofs & commentary57
What is the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment is: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall not do any work — you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your…
Exodus 20:8–11
Scripture proofs & commentary58
What is required in the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as he has appointed in his Word, specifically one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath to himself.
Deuteronomy 5:12–14Genesis 2:2–3Acts 20:71 Corinthians 16:1–2
Scripture proofs & commentary59
Which day of the seven has God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath, and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath.
Genesis 2:2–3Psalm 118:24Matthew 28:1Mark 16:2John 20:19, 26Acts 20:7Revelation 1:10
Scripture proofs & commentary60
How is the Sabbath to be kept holy?
The Sabbath is to be kept holy by resting the whole day, even from such worldly work and recreation as is lawful on other days, and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy.
Exodus 20:10Exodus 16:25–28Nehemiah 13:15–22Luke 4:16Acts 20:7Psalm 92:1–2Isaiah 58:13–14Matthew 12:1–13
Scripture proofs & commentary61
What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment forbids the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning of the day by idleness, or doing what is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works about our worldly employment or recreation.
Ezekiel 22:26Amos 8:5Malachi 1:13Ezekiel 23:38Jeremiah 17:24, 27Isaiah 58:13
Scripture proofs & commentary62
What are the reasons attached to the fourth commandment?
The reasons attached to the fourth commandment are God's allowing us six days of the week for our own work, his claiming a special ownership of the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the Sabbath day.
Exodus 20:9Exodus 20:11
Scripture proofs & commentary63
What is the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment is: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you."
Exodus 20:12
Scripture proofs & commentary64
What is required in the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment requires the preserving of the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their various positions and relationships, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
Ephesians 5:21–22Ephesians 6:1, 5Romans 13:1Ephesians 6:9Romans 12:10
Scripture proofs & commentary65
What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty that belongs to everyone in their various positions and relationships.
Matthew 15:4–6Romans 13:8
Scripture proofs & commentary66
What is the reason attached to the fifth commandment?
The reason attached to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good) to all who keep this commandment.
Deuteronomy 5:16Ephesians 6:2–3
Scripture proofs & commentary67
What is the sixth commandment?
The sixth commandment is: "You shall not murder."
Exodus 20:13
Scripture proofs & commentary68
What is required in the sixth commandment?
The sixth commandment requires all lawful efforts to preserve our own life and the life of others.
Ephesians 5:28–291 Kings 18:4
Scripture proofs & commentary69
What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
The sixth commandment forbids the taking away of our own life or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatever tends toward that.
Acts 16:28Genesis 9:6Matthew 5:22
Scripture proofs & commentary70
What is the seventh commandment?
The seventh commandment is: "You shall not commit adultery."
Exodus 20:14
Scripture proofs & commentary71
What is required in the seventh commandment?
The seventh commandment requires the preservation of our own and our neighbor's chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.
1 Corinthians 7:2–3, 51 Thessalonians 4:3–5
Scripture proofs & commentary72
What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.
Matthew 5:28Matthew 15:19Ephesians 5:3–4
Scripture proofs & commentary73
What is the eighth commandment?
The eighth commandment is: "You shall not steal."
Exodus 20:15
Scripture proofs & commentary74
What is required in the eighth commandment?
The eighth commandment requires the lawful acquiring and advancing of the wealth and material well-being of ourselves and others.
Genesis 30:301 Timothy 5:8Leviticus 25:35Deuteronomy 22:1–5Ephesians 4:28
Scripture proofs & commentary75
What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
The eighth commandment forbids whatever does or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbor's wealth or material well-being.
Proverbs 21:17Proverbs 28:19Ephesians 4:282 Thessalonians 3:10
Scripture proofs & commentary76
What is the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment is: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
Exodus 20:16
Scripture proofs & commentary77
What is required in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between one person and another and of our own and our neighbor's good name, especially in giving testimony.
Zechariah 8:163 John 1:12Proverbs 14:5, 25
Scripture proofs & commentary78
What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment forbids whatever is harmful to truth or injurious to our own or our neighbor's good name.
1 Samuel 17:28Leviticus 19:16Psalm 15:3
Scripture proofs & commentary79
What is the tenth commandment?
The tenth commandment is: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."
Exodus 20:17
Scripture proofs & commentary80
What is required in the tenth commandment?
The tenth commandment requires full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable disposition of spirit toward our neighbor and all that is his.
Hebrews 13:51 Timothy 6:6Job 31:29Romans 12:151 Timothy 1:51 Corinthians 13:4–7
Scripture proofs & commentary81
What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own condition, envying or resenting the good of our neighbor, and all disordered desires and affections for anything that is his.
1 Kings 21:4Esther 5:131 Corinthians 10:10Galatians 5:26James 3:14, 16Romans 7:7–8Romans 13:9Deuteronomy 5:21
Scripture proofs & commentary82
Is anyone able to perfectly keep the commandments of God?
No mere human since the fall is able in this life to perfectly keep the commandments of God, but breaks them daily in thought, word, and deed.
Ecclesiastes 7:201 John 1:8, 10Galatians 5:17Genesis 6:5Genesis 8:21Romans 3:9–21James 3:2–13
Scripture proofs & commentary83
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
Some sins in themselves, and by reason of various aggravating factors, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15John 19:111 John 5:16
Scripture proofs & commentary84
What does every sin deserve?
Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life and in the life to come.
Ephesians 5:6Galatians 3:10Lamentations 3:39Matthew 25:41
Scripture proofs & commentary85
What does God require of us so that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?
To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance leading to life, along with the diligent use of all the outward means by which Christ gives us the benefits of redemption.
Acts 20:21Mark 1:15John 3:16, 18Proverbs 2:1–5Proverbs 8:33–36Isaiah 55:3
Scripture proofs & commentary86
What is faith in Jesus Christ?
Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace by which we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
Hebrews 10:39John 1:12Isaiah 26:3–4Philippians 3:9Galatians 2:16
Scripture proofs & commentary87
What is repentance leading to life?
Repentance leading to life is a saving grace by which a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin and an understanding of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it to God, with a full purpose of and effort toward new obedience.
Acts 11:18Acts 2:37–38Joel 2:12Jeremiah 3:22Jeremiah 31:18–19Ezekiel 36:312 Corinthians 7:11Isaiah 1:16–17
Scripture proofs & commentary88
What are the outward means by which Christ gives us the benefits of redemption?
The outward and ordinary means by which Christ gives us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
Matthew 28:19–20Acts 2:42, 46–47Romans 10:17Romans 1:16
Scripture proofs & commentary89
How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, to salvation.
Nehemiah 8:81 Corinthians 14:24–25Acts 20:322 Timothy 3:15–17
Scripture proofs & commentary90
How is the Word to be read and heard so that it may become effectual to salvation?
For the Word to become effectual to salvation, we must give attention to it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, store it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.
Proverbs 8:341 Peter 2:1–2Psalm 119:18Hebrews 4:22 Thessalonians 2:10Psalm 119:11Luke 8:15James 1:25
Scripture proofs & commentary91
How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any power in them or in the one who administers them, but only by the blessing of Christ and the working of his Spirit in those who by faith receive them.
1 Peter 3:211 Corinthians 3:6–71 Corinthians 12:13
Scripture proofs & commentary92
What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ, in which, by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.
Genesis 17:7, 10Exodus 12Matthew 26:26–28Matthew 28:19
Scripture proofs & commentary93
What are the sacraments of the New Testament?
The sacraments of the New Testament are baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Matthew 28:19Matthew 26:26–28
Scripture proofs & commentary94
What is baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament in which the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit signifies and seals our being grafted into Christ, sharing in the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's.
Matthew 28:19Romans 6:4Galatians 3:27
Scripture proofs & commentary95
To whom is baptism to be administered?
Baptism is not to be administered to any who are outside the visible church until they profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him; but the infants of those who are members of the visible church are to be baptized.
Acts 8:36–37Acts 2:38Acts 2:38–39Genesis 17:10Colossians 2:11–121 Corinthians 7:14
Scripture proofs & commentary96
What is the Lord's Supper?
The Lord's Supper is a sacrament in which, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to Christ's appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, for their…
1 Corinthians 11:23–261 Corinthians 10:16
Scripture proofs & commentary97
What is required for the worthy receiving of the Lord's Supper?
It is required of those who would worthily partake of the Lord's Supper that they examine themselves regarding their knowledge to discern the Lord's body, their faith to feed upon him, their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment on themselves.
1 Corinthians 11:28–292 Corinthians 13:51 Corinthians 11:311 Corinthians 10:16–171 Corinthians 5:7–81 Corinthians 11:28–29
Scripture proofs & commentary98
What is prayer?
Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
Psalm 62:81 John 5:14John 16:23Psalm 32:5–6Daniel 9:4Philippians 4:6
Scripture proofs & commentary99
What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?
The whole Word of God is useful to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called the Lord's Prayer.
1 John 5:14Matthew 6:9–13Luke 11:2–4
Scripture proofs & commentary100
What does the preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
The preface of the Lord's Prayer, which is "Our Father in heaven," teaches us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father who is able and ready to help us, and that we should pray with and for others.
Romans 8:15Luke 11:13Acts 12:51 Timothy 2:1–2
Scripture proofs & commentary101
What do we pray for in the first petition?
In the first petition, which is "Hallowed be your name," we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that by which he makes himself known, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.
Psalm 67:2–3Psalm 83:18Romans 11:36
Scripture proofs & commentary102
What do we pray for in the second petition?
In the second petition, which is "Your kingdom come," we pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed, that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, that we and others may be brought into it and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.
Psalm 68:1, 18Revelation 12:10–112 Thessalonians 3:1Romans 10:1John 17:9, 20Revelation 22:20
Scripture proofs & commentary103
What do we pray for in the third petition?
In the third petition, which is "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," we pray that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.
Psalm 67Psalm 119:36Matthew 26:392 Samuel 15:25Psalm 103:20–21
Scripture proofs & commentary104
What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
In the fourth petition, which is "Give us this day our daily bread," we pray that as a free gift from God we may receive a sufficient portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them.
Proverbs 30:8–9Genesis 28:201 Timothy 4:4–5
Scripture proofs & commentary105
What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
In the fifth petition, which is "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," we pray that God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are all the more encouraged to ask because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.
Psalm 51:1–2, 7, 9Daniel 9:17–19Luke 11:4Matthew 18:35
Scripture proofs & commentary106
What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
In the sixth petition, which is "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin or support and deliver us when we are tempted.
Matthew 26:41Psalm 19:131 Corinthians 10:13Psalm 51:10, 12
Scripture proofs & commentary107
What does the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is "For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen," teaches us to take our encouragement in prayer from God alone, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him. And, as a testimony of our desire and…
Daniel 9:4, 7–9, 16–191 Chronicles 29:10–131 Corinthians 14:16Revelation 22:20–21
Scripture proofs & commentary