Westminster Catechism #1-10

1. What is the chief end of man?

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

1. What is the chief end of man? The chief [blank_start]purpose[blank_end] for which man is [blank_start]made[blank_end] is to [blank_start]glorify[blank_end] God, and to [blank_start]enjoy[blank_end] him for ever. Romans 11:36 (Glorify) 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be [blank_start]glory[blank_end] forever. Amen. Isaiah 12:2-3 (Enjoy) 2 “Behold, God is my [blank_start]salvation[blank_end]; I will trust, and will not be [blank_start]afraid[blank_end]; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” 3 With [blank_start]joy[blank_end] you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

2. What rule has God given to direct us how to glorify and enjoy him?

2. What rule has God given to direct us how to glorify and enjoy him? A. The [blank_start]Word of God[blank_end], which consists of the [blank_start]Scriptures[blank_end] of the Old and New Testaments, is the only [blank_start]rule[blank_end] to direct us how to [blank_start]glorify[blank_end] and enjoy him. 2 Peter 1:20-21 20 knowing this first of all, that no [blank_start]prophecy[blank_end] of [blank_start]Scripture[blank_end] comes from someone's own [blank_start]interpretation[blank_end]. 21 For no prophecy was ever [blank_start]produced[blank_end] by the will of [blank_start]man[blank_end], but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the [blank_start]Holy[blank_end] Spirit.

3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?

3. What do the Scriptures principally teach? The Scriptures principally teach what man is to [blank_start]believe[blank_end] concerning God, and what [blank_start]duty[blank_end] God requires of man. John 20:30-31 (What to believe) 30 Now [blank_start]Jesus[blank_end] did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not [blank_start]written[blank_end] in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may [blank_start]believe[blank_end] that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by [blank_start]believing[blank_end] you may have [blank_start]life[blank_end] in his name. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (What to do about it) 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All [blank_start]Scripture[blank_end] is breathed out by God and profitable for [blank_start]teaching[blank_end], for reproof, for correction, and for training in [blank_start]righteousness[blank_end], 17 that the man of God may be complete, [blank_start]equipped[blank_end] for every good work.

3. What do the Scriptures principally teach? The [blank_start]Scriptures[blank_end] principally teach what man is to [blank_start]believe[blank_end] concerning God, and what [blank_start]duty[blank_end] God requires of man. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

4. What is God?

4. What is God? God is a [blank_start]Spirit[blank_end], infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his [blank_start]being[blank_end], wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. (Spirit)John 4:24 "God is [blank_start]spirit[blank_end], and those who worship him must worship in [blank_start]spirit[blank_end] and truth.” (Infinite) Psalm 139: 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your [blank_start]presence[blank_end]? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! (Eternal) Deuteronomy 33:27a The [blank_start]eternal[blank_end] God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Unchangeable) Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands [blank_start]forever[blank_end], the plans of his heart to all generations. (Wisdom) Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and [blank_start]wisdom[blank_end] and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Power) Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are [blank_start]possible[blank_end].” (Holiness) 1 Peter 1:15-16 15 but as he who called you is [blank_start]holy[blank_end], you also be [blank_start]holy[blank_end] in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, m“You shall be [blank_start]holy[blank_end], for I am [blank_start]holy[blank_end].” (Justice) Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are [blank_start]justice[blank_end]. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he." (Goodness) Psalm 107:8-9 8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with [blank_start]good[blank_end] things. (Truth) Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without [blank_start]iniquity[blank_end], just and upright is he."

5. Are there more Gods than one?

5. Are there more Gods than one? There is only [blank_start]one[blank_end] God, the [blank_start]living[blank_end] and [blank_start]true[blank_end] God. Deuteronomy 6:4 “[blank_start]Hear[blank_end], O Israel: dThe LORD our God, the LORD is [blank_start]one[blank_end].

6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?

6. How many persons are there in the Godhead? There are [blank_start]three[blank_end] persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are [blank_start]one[blank_end] God, the same in [blank_start]substance[blank_end], equal in [blank_start]power[blank_end] and [blank_start]glory[blank_end]. (3 Persons) [blank_start]Matthew[blank_end] 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Equal in Power and Glory) John 1:1-3 1 In the [blank_start]beginning[blank_end] was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the [blank_start]beginning[blank_end] with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

7. What are the decrees of God?

7. What are the decrees of God? The [blank_start]decrees[blank_end] of God are his [blank_start]eternal[blank_end] plan, according to the purpose of his [blank_start]will[blank_end], by which, for his own [blank_start]glory[blank_end], he has foreordained whatever comes to pass; yet in such a manner as to be in no way the author of [blank_start]sin[blank_end]. Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand," Acts 2:23 "this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you [blank_start]crucified[blank_end] and killed by the hands of lawless men. Genesis 50:20 "As for you, you meant [blank_start]evil[blank_end] against me, but God meant it for [blank_start]good[blank_end], to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." The catechism reminds us that [blank_start]God[blank_end] is not the author of sin, although he is so great that he can even bring good out of it (for example, the crucifixion was both a wicked act of men and the predetermined purpose of [blank_start]God[blank_end]).

8. How does God carry out his decrees?

8. How does God carry out his decrees? God carries out his [blank_start]decrees[blank_end] in the works of [blank_start]creation[blank_end] and [blank_start]providence[blank_end]. Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who [blank_start]created[blank_end] these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his [blank_start]might[blank_end] and because he is [blank_start]strong[blank_end] in power, not one is missing.

9. What is the work of creation?

9. What is the work of creation? The work of [blank_start]creation[blank_end] is the making by God of all things from [blank_start]nothing[blank_end], by his powerful [blank_start]word[blank_end], in the space of [blank_start]six[blank_end] days, and all very [blank_start]good[blank_end]. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God [blank_start]created[blank_end] the heavens and the earth.

10. How did God create man?

10. How did God create man? God [blank_start]created[blank_end] man, male and female, in his own [blank_start]image[blank_end], in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with rule over the creatures. Genesis 1:27 So God [blank_start]created[blank_end] man in his own image, in the [blank_start]image[blank_end] of God he created him; male and female he created them.