The Westminster Larger Catechism Title Page

THE

LARGER CATECHISM

Question 1

What is the chief and highest end of man?

Man’ s chief and highest end is to glorify God, (Rom. 11:36, Cor. 10:31) and fully to enjoy him forever. (Ps. 73:24–28, John 17:21–23)

Question 2

How doth it appear that there is a God?

The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; (Rom. 1:19–20, Ps. 19:1–3, Acts 17:28) but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation. (1 Cor. 2:9–10, 2 Tim. 3:15–17, Isa. 59:21)

Question 3

What is the word of God?

The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:19–21) the only rule of faith and obedience. (Eph. 2:20, Rev. 22:18–19, Isa. 8 :20, Luke 16:29,31, Gal. 1:8–9, 2 Tim. 3:15–16)

Question 4

How doth it appear that the scriptures are of the word of God?

The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty (Hos. 8:12, 1 Cor. 2:6–7,13, Ps. 119:18,129) and purity; (Ps. 12:6, Ps. 119:140) by the consent of all the parts, (Acts 10:43, Acts 26:22) and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; (Rom. 3:19,27) by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: (Acts 18:28, Heb. 4:12, James 1:18, Ps. 19:7–9, Rom. 15:4, Acts 20:32) but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God. (John 16:13–14, 1 John 2:20,27, John 20:31)

Question 5

What do the scriptures principally teach?

The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. (2 Tim. 1:13)

WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD

Question 6

What do the scriptures make known of God?

The scriptures make known what God is, (Heb. 11:6) the persons in the Godhead, (1 John 5:7) his decrees, (Acts 15:14–15,18) and the execution of his decrees. (Acts 4:27–28)

Question 7

What is God?

God is a Spirit, (John 4:24) in and of himself infinite in being, (Exod. 3:14, Job 11:7–9) glory, (Acts 7:2) blessedness, (1 Tim. 6:15) and perfection; (Matt. 5:48) all-sufficient, (Gen. 17:1) eternal, (Ps. 90:2) unchangeable, (Mal. 3:6, James 1:17) incomprehensible, (1 Kings 8:27) every where present, (Ps. 139:1–13) almighty, (Rev. 4:8) knowing all things, (Heb. 4:13, Ps. 147:5) most wise, (Rom. 16:27) most holy, (Isa. 6:3, Rev. 15:4) most just, (Deut. 32:4) most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. (Exod. 34:6)

Question 8

Are there more Gods than one?

There is but one only, the living and true God. (Deut. 6:4, 1 Cor. 8:4,6, Jer. 10:10)

Question 9

How many persons are there in the Godhead?

There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties. (1 John 5:7, Matt. 3:16–17, Matt. 28:19, 2 Cor. 13:14, John 10:30)

Question 10

What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?

It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, (Heb. 1:5–6,8) and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, (John 1:14,18) and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity. (John 15:26, Gal. 4:6)

Larger Catechism

 Question 1

Q. What is the chief and highest end of man?

A. Man’ s chief and highest end is to glorify God, (,) and fully to enjoy him forever. (, )

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV 1900

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Romans 11:1 KJV 1900

1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

Cor. 10:31) and fully to enjoy him forever. (, )

Psalm 73:24–28 KJV 1900

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all thy works.

John 17:21–23 KJV 1900

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Romans 11:36 KJV 1900

36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Question 2

How doth it appear that there is a God?

The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; (, , ) but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation. (, , )1

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 KJV 1900

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

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.

Isaiah 59:21 KJV 1900

21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, And my words which I have put in thy mouth, Shall not depart out of thy mouth, Nor out of the mouth of thy seed, Nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, From henceforth and for ever.

Romans 1:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Psalm 19:1–3 KJV 1900

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard.

Acts 17:28 KJV 1900

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

1 The Westminster larger catechism: with scripture proofs. (1996). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Question 3

What is the word of God?

The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, (, ) the only rule of faith and obedience. (, , , ,, , )

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.

Luke 16:29 KJV 1900

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luke 16:31 KJV 1900

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Galatians 1:8–9 KJV 1900

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

2 Timothy 3:15–16 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:

Ephesians 2:20 KJV 1900

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Revelation 22:18–19 KJV 1900

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Peter 1:19–21 KJV 1900

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 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.

The Westminster larger catechism: with scripture proofs. (1996). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.