The Shorter Catechism

Question 1

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?

Answer 1

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, [a] and to enjoy him for ever. [b]

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

Question 2

Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?

Answer 2

A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, [a] is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. [b]

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

Question 3

Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

Answer 3

A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, [a] and what duty God requires of man [b].

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

Question 4

Q. 4. What is God?

Answer 4

God is a Spirit [a], infinite [b], eternal [c], and unchangeable [d] in his being [e], wisdom [f], power [g], holiness [h], justice [i], goodness [j], and truth [k].

[a]. Deut. 4:15-19; Luke 24:39; John 1:18; 4:24; Acts 17:29

Question 5

Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one?

Answer 5

A. There is but one only [a], the living and true God [b].

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

Question 6

Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?

Answer 6

A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost [a]; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. [b]

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

Question 7

Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?

Answer 7

A. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass [a].

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

Question 8

Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees?

Answer 8

A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence[a].

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

Question 9

Q. 9. What is the work of creation?

Answer 9

A. The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power [a], in the space of six days, and all very good. [b]

[a]. Gen. 1:1; Ps. 33:6, 9; Heb. 11:3
[b]. Gen. 1:31

Question 10

Q. 10. How did God create man?

Answer 10

A. God created man male and female, after his own image [a], in knowledge [b], righteousness, and holiness [c], with dominion over the creatures [d].

[a]. Gen. 1:27
[b]. Col. 3:10
[c]. Eph. 4:24
[d]. Gen. 1:28; see Ps. 8

Question 11

Q. 11. What are God’s works of providence?

Answer 11

A. God’s works of providence are, his most holy [a], wise [b], and powerful [c] preserving [d] and governing [e] all his creatures, and all their actions [f].

[a]. Ps. 145:17
[b]. Ps. 104:24
[c]. Heb. 1:3
[d]. Neh. 9:6
[e]. Eph. 1:19-22
[f]. Ps. 36:6; Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30

Question 12

Q. 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?

Answer 12

A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death. [a]

[a]. Gen. 2:16-17; Jas. 2:10

Question 13

Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

Answer 13

A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God [a].

[a]. Gen. 3:6-8, 13; 2 Cor. 11:3

Question 14

Q. 14. What is sin?

Answer 14

A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God [a].

[a]. Lev. 5:17; Jas. 4:17; 1 John 3:4

Question 15

Q. 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

Answer 15

A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein thy were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit [a].

[a]. Gen. 3:6

Question 16

Psalm 86:9

Answer 16

All nations whom thou hast made nshall come

And oworship before thee, O Lord;

And shall glorify thy name.

Question 17

Isaiah 60:21

Answer 17

Thy people also shall be all righteous:

sThey shall inherit the land for ever,

tThe branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

Question 18

1 Corinthians 6:20

Answer 18

1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV 1900): 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Question 19

1 Corinthians 10:31

Answer 19

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV 1900): 31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Question 20

Psalm 16:5-11

Answer 20

Psalm 16:5–11 (KJV 1900): 5The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:
Thou maintainest my lot.
6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places;
Yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel:
My reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8I have set the LORD always before me:
Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:
My flesh also shall rest in hope.
10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
In thy presence is fulness of joy;
At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Question 21

Psalm 144:15

Answer 21

Psalm 144:15 (KJV 1900): 15Happy is that people, that is in such a case:
Yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

Question 22

Isaiah 12:2

Answer 22

Isaiah 12:2 (KJV 1900): 2Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and not be afraid:
For the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song;
He also is become my salvation.

Question 23

Luke 2:10

Answer 23

Luke 2:10 (KJV 1900): 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Question 24

Philippians 4:4

Answer 24

Philippians 4:4 (KJV 1900): 4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Question 25

Matthew 19:4-5

Answer 25

Matthew 19:4–5 (KJV 1900): 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Question 26

Genesis 2:24

Answer 26

Genesis 2:24 (KJV 1900): 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Question 27

Luke 24:27

Answer 27

Luke 24:27 (KJV 1900): 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Question 28

Luke 24:44

Answer 28

Luke 24:44 (KJV 1900): 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Question 29

1 Corinthians 2:13

Answer 29

1 Corinthians 2:13 (KJV 1900): 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Question 30

2 Peter 1:20-21

Answer 30

2 Peter 1:20–21 (KJV 1900): 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Question 31

2 Peter 3:2

Answer 31

2 Peter 3:2 (KJV 1900): 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Question 32

2 Peter 3:15-16

Answer 32

2 Peter 3:15–16 (KJV 1900): 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Question 33

Deuteronomy 4:2

Answer 33

Deuteronomy 4:2 (KJV 1900): 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Question 34

Psalm 19:7-11

Answer 34

Psalm 19:7–11 (KJV 1900): 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.

Question 35

Isaiah 8:20

Answer 35

Isaiah 8:20 (KJV 1900): 20 To the law and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this word, It is because there is no light in them.

Question 36

John 15:11

Answer 36

John 15:11 (KJV 1900): 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Question 37

John 20:30-31

Answer 37

John 20:30–31 (KJV 1900): 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 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.

Question 38

Acts 17:11

Answer 38

Acts 17:11 (KJV 1900): 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Question 39

2 Timothy 3:15-17

Answer 39

2 Timothy 3:15–17 (KJV 1900): 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. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Question 40

1 John 1:4

Answer 40

1 John 1:4 (KJV 1900): 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

Question 41

Genesis 1:1

Answer 41

Genesis 1:1 (KJV 1900): IN the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Question 42

John 5:39

Answer 42

John 5:39 (KJV 1900): 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Question 43

John 20:31

Answer 43

John 20:31 (KJV 1900): 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.

Question 44

Romans 10:17

Answer 44

Romans 10:17 (KJV 1900): 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Question 45

2 Timothy 3:15

Answer 45

2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV 1900): 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.

Question 46

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Answer 46

Deuteronomy 10:12–13 (KJV 1900): 12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

Question 47

Joshua 1:8

Answer 47

Joshua 1:8 (KJV 1900): 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Question 48

Psalm 119:105

Answer 48

Psalm 119:105 (KJV 1900): NUN. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Question 49

Micah 6:8

Answer 49

Micah 6:8 (KJV 1900): 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the LORD require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?

Question 50

Deuteronomy 4:15-19

Answer 50

Deuteronomy 4:15–19 (KJV 1900): 15 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: 16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, 18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Question 51

Luke 24:39

Answer 51

Luke 24:39 (KJV 1900): 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Question 52

John 1:18

Answer 52

John 1:18 (KJV 1900): 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.

Question 53

John 4:24

Answer 53

John 4:24 (KJV 1900): 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Question 54

Acts 17:29

Answer 54

Acts 17:29 (KJV 1900): 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.

Question 55

1 Kings 8:27

Answer 55

1 Kings 8:27 (KJV 1900): 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Question 56

Psalm 139:7-10

Answer 56

Psalm 139:7–10 (KJV 1900): 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.

Question 57

Psalm 145:3

Answer 57

Psalm 145:3 (KJV 1900): 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable.

Question 58

Psalm 147:5

Answer 58

Psalm 147:5 (KJV 1900): 5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.

Question 59

Jeremiah 23:24

Answer 59

Jeremiah 23:24 (KJV 1900): 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.

Question 60

Deuteronomy 33:27

Answer 60

Deuteronomy 33:27 (KJV 1900): 27 The eternal God is thy refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms: And he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; And shall say, Destroy them.

Question 61

Psalm 90:2

Answer 61

Psalm 90:2 (KJV 1900): 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.