Baptist Catechism Q3

Introduction

Who is the first and greatest of beings? God is the first and greatest of beings. Should everyone believe there is a God? Everyone should believe there is a God, and it is their great sin and folly who do not.

The questions and answers of the catechism are interrelated and build off of one another. Thus, there is bound to be some repetition and overlap in what we discuss as we survey this catechism. This is especially true from what I stated last time and what I will say this time as we consider the third question. That said, let’s consider the third question and answer.

Body

Questions and Answer

Q. 3. How may we know there is a God?

A. The light of nature in man and the works of God declare there is a God, but His Word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners. (Romans 1:19, 20; Psalm 19:1, 2, 3; Acts 17:24; 1 Corinthians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:15, 16)

1. The light of nature in man declares there is a God.

A. Exposition

i. Consider the image of God.

Humanity is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:7). This results in humans having a rational soul by which they intuitively know God exists (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Psalm 14:1) and may glean his existence from the things He has made (Romans 1:18-32).

ii. Consider the reason of man.

Reason is that faculty of the soul by which humans may gather evidence, draw conclusions, evaluate and make arguments, and come to understand themselves, others, nature, and what God requires them to know about God (Job 32:8; Proverbs 20:27). Two common arguments will serve as examples of how we might demonstrate God’s existence with reason.

a. Observe the argument from being (Ontological Argument).

God is the being of which none greater can be thought.

It is better to exist than to not exist.

Therefore, God exists.

b. Observe the argument from causation (Cosmological argument).

1) Horizontal argument

Everything that had a beginning has a cause.

The universe has a beginning.

Therefore, the universe has a cause.

This cause is God.

2) Vertical argument

Every part of the universe is dependent.

If every part is dependent, then the whole universe must also be dependent.

Therefore, the whole universe is dependent right now on some independent being beyond it for its initial and present existence.

This being is God.

Belief in God is consistent with reason, and denial of God’s existence is inconsistent with reason and sin.

iii. Consider Natural Law

Natural laws are those rules that direct created things towards their created ends. These laws govern inanimate beings like the sun and seasons (Genesis 1:15-19; 9:20-22; Psalm 19:1-6), irrational animate beings like animals (Jeremiah 8:7), and rational animate beings like men and angels (Genesis 2:18; Mark 10:1-12; Romans 2:12-16).

Respecting rational beings like angels and men, natural law is known both intuitively and can be derived from our sense experience. Such laws find themselves among mankind in the laws of government and in things like the marriage of a man and a woman. Laws, as I said last week, require a lawgiver. This lawgiver is none other than the Triune God of the Bible.

B. Uses

i. Learn the traditional proofs for God’s existence.

In a culture where belief in God is treated with suspicion or prejudice, you would do well to learn some of the philosophical arguments for God’s existence.

In a culture where belief in God is treated with suspicion or prejudice, you would do well to learn some of the philosophical arguments for God’s existence and show how these imply that there can only be one.

ii. Confidently believe and proclaim God’s existence to those who claim not to believe in Him.

2. God’s works declare there is a God.

A. Exposition

i. Consider creation.

a. Observe inanimate beings.

The heavens are said to declare the very glory of God (Psalm 19:1). God and some of His attributes can be know by the unbeliever if they were so inclined to give due consideration to the things that God has made. It is for this reason they are without excuse. God has spoken, and they did not listen (Romans 1:19-21).

b. Observe our bodies.

Our very bodies evidence the existence and wisdom of God. The complexity of the eye, the details of DNA, and the entire muscular and neurological structure, among other things, bear witness to our wise Creator (Psalm 139:14-16; Genesis 2:7).

c. Observe our souls.

Though all living things have souls, a life principle, per se (Genesis 1:24; Leviticus 11:10), God created man with a soul that is spiritual and has the faculties of intellect and will (Zechariah 12:1; Gen 2:7). Man is able to think, even think God’s thoughts after Him in a creaturely way. Moreover, man has a will and is able to make choices between good and evil or wisdom and folly.

There is functional harmony between the human and soul (Mark 12:30, not Mark 13:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Genesis 2:7; Romans 12:1). However, they are two distinct parts that experience temporary and tragic separation in death (Ecclesiastes 12:7; Matthew 10:28; Luke 1:46-47).

d. Observe animate beings

Even the life of animals bears witness to God’s existence (Job 12:7-10). For can that which is not living beget that which is living? No, it cannot. Thus, something that is pure life, something that is, must bring that which is not into being.

ii. Consider providence.

a. Observe extraordinary providences.

What we commonly call miracles bear witness to God’s existence and dominion over His creation. He is able to act above or in a way contrary to the ordinary operations and established laws of nature.

He did this through miracles in Egypt and through the Exodus (Exodus 4-14). He did this during the wilderness generation with the provision of bread and water (Exodus 15-17). He did this when He temporarily stoped the standard patterns of the orbit (Joshua 10:1-15). He did this through the fall of Jericho’s walls (Joshua 6:1-27). He did this with Gideon’s three hundred men (Judges 7). He did it through the various miracles performed by Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). He did this in the birth (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7; John 1:1-18) and resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24; John 20-21). Though the intention of miracles or extraordinary providences are not intended to demonstrate God’s existence because this is already plainly demonstrated in other ways, they do confirm His existence and absolute sovereignty over what He has made.

b. Observe ordinary providences.

God’s existence can be seen in His ordinary upholding and governing of the universe; even the animals know this (Job 12:8-12). It can be seen in the laws that govern such things, including the societies of men, as I mentioned earlier (Romans 2:12-16). It can be seen in the daily provision of needs for both animals and men (Matthew 6:25-34; Psalm 136:25; Acts 14:17).

iii. Consider prophecy.

As confirmed in fulfilled prophecy, God’s knowledge and prediction of the future also testifies to His existence and supremacy over all pretenders (Isaiah 46:9, 10). This ability is confirmed by God’s prediction of Jesus’ coming, living, dying, rising, ascending, and returning (Genesis 3:15; 22:16-18; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 22; 110). Moreover, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. is predicted with startling accuracy by Jesus nearly forty years before it happened (Matthew 24; Mark 13). Many more examples are readily available.

B. Uses

i. Allow your observation of God’s works to lead you to awe, reverence, adoration, and worship.

ii. Consider how you might appeal to God’s works to demonstrate God’s existence to an unbelieving family member or friend.

3. God’s Word declares there is a God fully and effectually.

A. Exposition

i. Consider the incompleteness of natural revelation and theology.

In a world after the fall, natural revelation and theology are insufficient to lead a person to a saving knowledge of God through His Son Jesus Christ. It can lead to a true and incomplete knowledge of God that leaves everyone without excuse and condemned for their rebellion against the God they know exist (Romans 1:18-32; especially Romans 1:18-22). Among other things, man cannot conclude that God is Trinity or that salvation comes through God the Son incarnate without special revelation. Thus, God has given us such special revelation in the Scriptures, which are to be preached by His servants.

ii. Consider the nature of God’s Word.

a. God’s Word is inspired.

Inspiration means that the Bible is a supernatural production of God the Holy Spirit through a human writer, making it God’s Word (Romans 15:4; 16:25; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

b. God’s Word is inerrant.

Inerrancy means that the Bible in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything contrary to fact (Psalms 12:6; 119:89, 96,142, 151, 160; Proverbs 30:5, 6; John 17:17; 2 Samuel 7:28; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18; Numbers 23:19; Matthew 24:35).

c. God’s Word is sufficient.

Sufficiency means the Bible contains all that a Christian needs to know about God and godly living. No additional revelation is necessary (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

d. God’s Word is clear.

Clarity means that what must be believed about God, the gospel, and godly living is taught plainly and can be understood by anyone who hears it (Deuteronomy 29:29; 30:10-14; 2 Kings: 22-23; Nehemiah 8:8; Psalms 19:7-8; 119:105, 130; Matt. 11:25; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 John 1:5).

e. God’s Word is authoritative.

Authoritative means that God’s Word always has final say (2 Peter 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Revelation 1:1-2; Matthew: 22:29, 31; Acts 28:23-25).

f. God’s Word is necessary.

Necessity means we need special revelation to know God savingly; this revelation is found in the Bible alone (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; John 6:68; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13).

g. God’s Word is Christ-centered.

Christ-centered means that the Old and New Testament Scriptures ultimately bear witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ to the glory of the Father (2 Timothy 3:15-17; Luke 24:27; John 5:46; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Hebrews).

B. Uses

i. Listen to God’s Word publically.

ii. Read God’s Word privately.

iii. Study God’s Word diligently.

iv. Memorize God’s Word frequently.

v. Contemplate God’s Word meditatively.

4. God’s Spirit declares there is a God fully and effectually.

A. Exposition

i. Consider the fallen nature of man.

From the fall until now, man has been inclined toward sin and rebellion at his very core (Genesis 6:5; Ephesians 2:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 1:18-3:20). Man commits actual sins which flow from his wicked heart (Matthew 15:10-21). Man cannot will himself to a better condition or a state of salvation (Jeremiah 13:23). A heart change is required by an outside omnipotent force.

ii. Consider the insufficiency of the Word of God without the Spirit of God to lead to saving knowledge.

God’s Word is a certain and sufficient rule and standard for what must be known and believed for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15-17). However, it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to regard, understand, and apply this rule in a saving way (Matthew 10:20; Luke 12:12; 21:15; John 14:26; 15:26; John 6:63; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; 1 Corinthians 2:4; Ephesians 6:17).

Put differently, we find what content must be known and believed within Scripture for salvation, but the power to believe and apply this content to us comes from the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3; John 15:26; 16:13-14). Indeed, a Christian may sow or water with the Word, but only God the Holy Spirit brings growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

The same message of God’s Word is life to some and death to others (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). Some hear, and others do not (Isaiah 6:9). The letter without the Spirit brings death (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). You must have the Spirit of God to know God savingly (1 Corinthians 2:6-14).

Therefore, the work of the Spirit accompanying and applying the Word is necessary for a sinner to come to a saving knowledge of God.

iii. Consider the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.

a. God effectually calls people by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word.

Effectual calling is the work of God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14) where He convinces us of our sin and misery (Acts 2:37), enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ (Acts 26:18), renews our wills (Ezekiel 36:26, 27), and persuades and enables us to embrace Jesus as He is freely offered to us in the gospel (John 6:44, 45; Philippians 2:13).

This will be expounded more when we come to the question in the catechism that covers this subject.

b. God powerfully declares the adoption of His people by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Adoption is an act of God’s free grace (1 John 3:1) where we are received into the number of God’s family and given rights to all the privileges of God’s children (John 1:12; Romans 8:14).

God the Holy Spirit internally testifies this truth to those God has saved (Romans 8:16-17).

c. God powerfully sanctifies people by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word.

Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace (2 Thessalonians 2:13) where we are made more and more holy (Acts 20:32; Romans 6:4-6) by His Word and Spirit dwelling in us (John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23), destroying the dominion of sin (Romans 6:14), weakening and mortifying more and more our sinful desires (Galatians 5:24), and strengthening us more and more in all saving graces (Colossians 1:11).

This will be expounded more when we come to the question in the catechism that covers this subject.

d. God powerfully illuminates the understanding of His people by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word.

Illumination is a work of God the Holy Spirit where He gives us the understanding of the meaning of Scripture as it relates to the whole body of Divine revelation, the person and work of Jesus, and our lives (1 Corinthians 2:6-16; Psalm 18:28). It is something we need to come to a greater understanding of what we should believe about God and what duty we owe to Him (Psalm 119:18; 73).

B. Uses

i. Pray for the preacher of God’s Word.

ii. Pray for the listener of God’s Word.

iii. Pray for illumination.

iv. Pray for application.

Conclusion

It is true that the light of nature and man do plainly declare there is a God. They, however, do not contain either the content or power to lead you to a saving knowledge of God. You need God’s Word and Spirit, if you a sinner, are to come to a saving knowledge of God through His Son Jesus Christ. May God grant you such a knowledge and aid you in leading others to the same knowledge.