Date: Mon, 30 Jan 1995 10:25:09 +0100 Reply-To: t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel From: Teus Benschop Subject: 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) -------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/cate: short-03.txt .