Catechism Questions and Answers.
Question 61: Which is the ninth commandment?Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Question 62: What is required in the ninth commandment?Answer: The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man (1), and of our own (2,3),
and our neighbour's good name (4), especially in witness-bearing (5).
Supporting Scripture:
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: Zechariah 8:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 1 Peter 3:16
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. Acts 25:10
Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 3 John 1:12
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. Proverbs 14:25
Question 63: What is the tenth commandment?Answer: The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not
covet thy neighbour's house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's.
Question 64: What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?Answer: The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate (1), envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour (2),
and all inordinate emotions and affections to anything that is his (3).
Supporting Scripture:
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
1 Corinthians 10:10
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5
Question 65: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?Answer: No mere man, since the fall, is able in his life perfectly to keep the
commandments of God (1), but does daily break them in thought (2), word (3), and deed (4).
Supporting Scripture:
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Ecclesiastes 7:20
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Genesis 8:21
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. James 3:2
Question 66: Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?Answer: Some sins in themselves, and by reason of various aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than others (1,2).
Supporting Scripture:
Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
1 John 5:16, 17
Question 67: What does every sin deserve?Answer: Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life and that which is to come (1,2).
Supporting Scripture:
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. Psalms 11:6
Question 68: How may we escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?Answer: To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (1), trusting alone to his blood and righteousness. This faith is attended by
repentance for the past (2), and leads to holiness in the future.
Supporting Scripture:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21
Question 69: What is faith in Jesus Christ?Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace (1), whereby we receive
(2), and rest upon him alone for salvation (3), as he is set forth in the gospel (4).
Supporting Scripture:
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
And be found in him, 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: Philippians 3:9
For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. Isaiah 33:22
Question 70: What is repentance to life?Answer: Repentance to life is a saving grace (1), whereby a sinner, out of a
true sense of his sins (2), and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ (3), does with grief and hatred of his sin turn from it to God (4), with full purpose to strive after new obedience (5).
Supporting Scripture:
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Acts 11:18
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
Jeremiah 31:18, 19
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Psalms 119:59
Question 71: What are the outward means whereby the Holy Spirit
communicates to us the benefits of redemption?Answer: The outward and ordinary means whereby the Holy Spirit communicates to
us the benefits of Christ's redemption, are the Word, by which souls are begotten to spiritual life; Baptism, the
Lord's Supper, Prayer, and Meditation, by all of which believers are further edified in their most holy faith
(1,2).
Supporting Scripture:
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:41, 42
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18
Question 72: How is the Word made effectual to salvation?Answer: The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the
Word, an effectual means of convicting and converting sinners (1), and of building them up in holiness and
comfort (2), through faith to salvation (3).
Supporting Scripture:
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 1 Thessalonians 1:6
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
Question 73: How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become
effectual to salvation?Answer: That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend to it with
diligence (1,2), and prayer (3) receive it with faith (4), and love (5), lay it
up into our hearts (6), and practise it in our lives (7).
Supporting Scripture:
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1 Peter 2:1, 2
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Psalms 119:18
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11
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. James 1:25
Question 74: How do Baptism and the Lord's Supper become spiritually
helpful?Answer: Baptism and the Lord's Supper become spiritually helpful, not from any
virtue in them, or in him who does administer them (1,2), but only by the blessing of Christ
(3) and the working of the Spirit in those who by faith receive them (4).
Supporting Scripture:
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13
Question 75: What is Baptism?Answer: Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ
(1) to be to the person baptised a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, and burial, and
resurrection (2,3), of his being ingrafted into him (4), of remission of sins
(5,6), and of his giving up himself to God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life
(7).
Supporting Scripture:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4, 5.
Question 76: To whom is Baptism to be administered?
Answer: Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God
(1,2,3,4,5), and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other.
Supporting Scripture:
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. Acts 2:38
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3:6
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 8:36, 37
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Acts 10:47
Question 77: Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be
baptised?Answer: The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptised,
because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures for their baptism (1,2).
Supporting Scripture:
And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: Exodus 23:13
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30:6
Question 78: How is baptism rightly administered?Answer: Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body
of the person in water (1,2), in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
according to Christ's institution, and the practice of the apostles (3), and not by sprinkling or pouring
of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men (4,5).
Supporting Scripture:
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Matthew 3:16
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. John 3:23
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) John 4:1, 2
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:38
Question 79: What is the duty of such as are rightly baptized?Answer: It is the duty of such as are rightly baptized, to give up themselves to some
particular and orderly Church of Jesus Christ (1,2,3) that they may walk in all the
commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (4).
Supporting Scripture:
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. Acts 9:26
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:6
Question 80: What is the Lord's Supper?Answer: The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by
Jesus Christ; wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is shown
forth (1), and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporeal and carnal manner, but by faith, made
partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace
(2).
Supporting Scripture:
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16
Question 81: What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's
Supper?Answer: It is required of them who would worthily partake of the Lord's Supper,
that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's body (1), of their faith to feed
upon him, (2), of their repentance (3), love (4), and new obedience (5), lest
coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves (6).
Supporting Scripture:
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1 Corinthians 11:28, 29
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 1 Corinthians 11:31
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
1 Corinthians 11:18, 19, 20
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. 1 Corinthians 5:8
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.
1 Corinthians 11:27, 28, 29
Question 82: What is meant by the words, until he come, which are used
by the apostle Paul in reference to the Lord's Supper?Answer: They plainly teach us that our Lord Jesus Christ will come a second time;
which is the joy and hope of all believers (1,2).
Supporting Scripture:
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Swanny's Swaggy's website was started on 21st October 1996 and this web page was last updated on 7th November 2021 with CSS code.
