Questions & Answers

#AOC111 May there then at all any Images or Resemblances of things be made? God neither ought, nor can be represented by any means: and for the Creatures, although it be lawful to express them, yet God forbiddeth notwithstanding their Images to be made or had, as thereby to w...
#GC111 Since we have the foundation on which faith is laid, we should be quite able to gather from it what true faith is? Yes, indeed, It is a sure and steadfast knowledge of the love of God toward us, according as He declares in His gospel that He is our Father and Saviour (through the mediation of Jesus Christ).
#BC112 What do we pray for in the fifth petition? In the fifth petition, which is, And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins which we are rather encouraged to ask because...
#WLC112 What is required in the third commandment? The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes, ordinances, the word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, his works, and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes hims...
#HC112 What is required in the ninth commandment? I must not give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor condemn or join in condemning anyone rashly and unheard. Rather, I must avoid all lying and deceit as t...
#AOC112 But may not Images be tolerated in Churches, which may serve for Books unto the common People? No, for ’tis not seemly that we should be wiser then God, who will have his Church to be taught by the lively preaching of his Word, and not with dumb Images.
#GC112 Can we have this by ourselves, or does it come from God? Scripture teaches that it is the singular gift of the Holy Spirit, and experience also demonstrates it.
#BC113 What do we pray for in the sixth petition? In the sixth petition, which is, And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempte...
#WLC113 What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment? The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God’s name as is required; and the abuse of it in an ignorant, vain, irreverent, profane, superstitious, or wicked mentioning, or othe...
#HC113 What does the tenth commandment require of us? That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any of God’s commandments should ever arise in our heart. Rather, we should always hate all sin with all our heart, and delight in all righteo...
#AOC113 What is the third Commandment? Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain.
#GC113 How so? Our mind is too weak to comprehend the spiritual wisdom of God which is revealed to us by faith, and our hearts are too prone either to defiance or to a perverse confidence in ourselves or creaturely...
#BC114 What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s prayer teach us? The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, which is, For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen, teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers...
#WLC114 What reasons are annexed to the third commandment? The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, The Lord thy God, and, For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain, are, because he is the Lord and our God, the...
#HC114 But can those converted to God keep these commandments perfectly? No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience. Nevertheless, with earnest purpose they do begin to live not only according to some but to all the commandments of God.
#AOC114 What doth God decree in the third Commandment? That not only by cursing or forswearing, but also by rash swearing we should not use his Name despitefully, or unreverently, neither should by silence nor connivance be Partakers of these horrible Sin...
#GC114 What good comes to us from this faith, when we have it? It justifies us before God, and makes us obtain eternal life.
#BC115 What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.
#WLC115 Which is the fourth commandment? The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do an...
#HC115 If in this life no one can keep the ten commandments perfectly, why does God have them preached so strictly? First, that throughout our life we may more and more become aware of our sinful nature, and therefore seek more eagerly the forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ. Second, that we may be zeal...
#AOC115 Is it then so grievous a Sin by swearing, or banning, to take the Name of God in vain, as that God is also angry with them who in as much as in them lieth do not forbid or hinder it? Surely most grievous: for neither is there any Sin greater, or more offending God, than the despiting of his sacred Name; wherefore also he would have this Sin to be punished with Death.
#GC115 How so Is not man justified by good works in a holy life and in conformity to God? If any one be found so perfect, he might well be deemed righteous, but since we are all poor sinners, we must look elsewhere for a worthiness in which to make answer before the judgment of God.
#BC116 Wherein do Baptism and the Lord's Supper differ from the other ordinances of God? Baptism and the Lord's Supper differ from the other ordinances of God in that they were specially instituted by Christ to represent and apply to believers the benefits of the new covenant by visible a...
#WLC116 What is required in the fourth commandment? The fourth commandment requires of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven; which was the seventh from the begi...
#HC116 Why is prayer necessary for Christians? Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us. Moreover, God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing as...
#AOC116 May a Man swear religiously and lawfully, by the Name of God? He may when as either the lawful Magistrate exacteth it, or otherwise necessity requireth it: by this means the Faith and Truth of any Man, or thing to be ratified and established, whereby both the Gl...
#GC116 But are all our works so reprobate that they cannot merit grace before? God First, all that we do of ourselves, by our own nature, is vicious, and therefore cannot please God. He condemns them all.
#BC117 What is the visible church? The visible church is the organized society of professing believers, in all ages and places, wherein the gospel is truly preached and the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper rightly administer...
#WLC117 How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified? The sabbath or Lord’s day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day, not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on othe...
#HC117 What belongs to a prayer which pleases God and is heard by Him? First, we must from the heart call upon the one true God only, who has revealed Himself in His Word, for all that He has commanded us to pray. Second, we must thoroughly know our need and misery, so t...

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