The Westminster Shorter Catechism

Answer #1 - Man's chief end is to glorify God, (1) and to enjoy him forever (2).

(1) I Corinthians 10:31; Romans 11:36
(2) Psalm 73:25-28

Answer #2 - The word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, (1) is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him (2).

(1) II Timothy 3:16; Eph. 2:20
(2) I John 1:3-4

Answer #3 - The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man (1).

(1) II Timothy 1:13; 3:16

Answer #4 - God is a Spirit, (1) infinite, (2) eternal, (3) and unchangeable, (4) in his being, (5) wisdom, (6) power, (7) holiness, (8) justice, goodness, and truth (9).

(1) John 4:24
(2) Job 11:7-9
(3) Psalm 90:2
(4) James 1:17
(5) Exodus 3:14
(6) Psalm 147:5
(7) Revelation 4:8
(8) Revelation 15:4
(9) Exodus 34:6-7

Answer #5 - There is but One only, the living and true God (1).

(1) Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10

Answer #6 - There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God the same in substance, equal in power and glory (1).

(1) I John 5:7; Matthew 28:19

Answer #7 - The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass (1).

(1) Ephesians 1:4, 11; Romans 9:22-23

Answer #8 - God executes his decrees in the works of creation and providence.

Answer #9 - The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good (1).

(1) Genesis 1; Hebrews 11:3

Answer #10 - God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures (1).

(1) Genesis 1:26-28; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24

Answer #11 - God's works of providence are, his most holy, (1) wise, (2) and powerful preserving (3) and governing all his creatures, and all their actions (4).

(1) Psalm 145:17
(2) Psalm 104:24; Isaiah 28:29
(3) Hebrews 1:3
(4) Psalm 103:19; Matthew 10:29-31

Answer #12 - When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death (1).

(1) Galatians 3:12; Genesis 2:17

Answer #13 - Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God (1).

(1) Genesis 3:6-8, 13; Ecclesiastes 7:29

Answer #14 - Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God (1).

(1) I John 3:4

Answer #15 - The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit (1).

(1) Genesis 3:6, 12

Answer #16 - The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression (1).

(1) Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12; I Corinthians 15:21-22

Answer #17 - The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery (1).

(1) Romans 5:12

Answer #18 - The sinfulness of that estate where man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called Original Sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it (1).

(1) Romans 5:12, 19; 5:10-20; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 1:14-15; Matthew 15:19

Answer #19 - All mankind by their fall lost communion with God,(1) are under his wrath and curse, (2) and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever (3).

(1) Genesis 3:8, 10, 24
(2) Ephesians 2:2-3, Galatians 3:10
(3) Lamentations 3:39; Romans 6:23, Matthew 25:41, 46

Answer #20 - God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, (1) did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer (2).

(1) Ephesians 1:4
(2) Romans 3:20-22; Galatians 3:21-22

Answer #21 - The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, (1) who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, (2) and so was, and continue to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever (3).

(1) I Timothy 2:5-6
(2) John 1:14; Galatians 4:4
(3) Romans 9:5; Luke 1:35; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 7:24-25

Answer #22 - Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, (1) and a reasonable soul, (2) being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, (3) yet without sin (4).

(1) Hebrews 2:14, 16; 10:5
(2) Matthew 26:38
(3) Luke 1:27, 31, 35, 42; Galatians 4:4
(4) Hebrews 4:15; 7:26

Answer #23 - Christ, as our Redeemer, executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation (1).

(1) Acts 3:21-22; Hebrews 12:25; II Corinthians 13:3; Hebrews 5:5-7; 7:25; Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 21:5; Psalm 2:8-11

Answer #24 - Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation (1).

(1) John 1:18; I Peter 1:10-12; John 15:15; 20:31

Answer #25 - Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, (1) and reconcile us to God, (2) and in making continual intercession for us (3).

(1) Hebrews 9:14, 28
(2) Hebrews 2:17
(3) Hebrews 7:24-25

Answer #26 - Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, (1) in ruling (2) and defending us, (3) and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies (4).

(1) Acts 15:14-16
(2) Isaiah 33:22
(3) Isaiah 32:1-2
(4) I Corinthians 15:25, Psalm 110

Answer #27 - Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, (1) made under the law, (2) undergoing the miseries of this life, (3) the wrath of God, (4) and the cursed death of the cross; (5) in being buried, (6) and continuing under the power of death for a time (7).

(1) Luke 2:7
(2) Galatians 4:4
(3) Hebrews 12:2-3; Isaiah 53:2-3
(4) Luke 22:44; Matthew 27:46
(5) Philippians 2:8
(6) I Corinthians 15:3-4
(7) Acts 2:24-27, 31

Answer #28 - Christ's exaltation consists in his rising again from the dead on the third day, (1) in ascending up into heaven, (2) in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, (3) and in coming to judge the world at the last day (4).

(1) I Corinthians 15:4
(2) Mark 16:19
(3) Ephesians 1:20
(4) Acts 1:11; 17:31

Answer #29 - We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us (1) by his Holy Spirit (2).

(1) John 1:11-12
(2) Titus 3:5-6

Answer #30 - The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, (1) and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling (2).

(1) Ephesians 1:13-14; John 6:37, 39; Ephesians 2:8
(2) Ephesians 3:17, I Corinthians 1:9

Answer #31 - Effective calling is the work of God's Spirit, (1) whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, (2) enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, (3) and renewing our wills, (4) he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel (5).

(1) II Timothy 1:9; II Thessalonians 2:13-14
(2) Acts 2:37
(3) Acts 26:18
(4) Ezekiel 36:26-27
(5) John 6:44-45; Philippians 2:13

Answer #32 - They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, (1) adoption, (2) and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them (3).

(1) Romans 8:30
(2) Ephesians 1:5
(3) I Corinthians 1:26, 30

Answer #33 - Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins,(1) and accepts us as righteous in his sight, (2) only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, (3) and received by faith alone (4).

(1) Romans 3:24-25; 4:6-8
(2) II Corinthians 5:19, 21
(3) Romans 5:17-19
(4) Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9

Answer #34 - Adoption is an act of God's free grace, (1) whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the Sons of God (2).

(1) I John 3:1
(2) John 1:12; Romans 8:17

Answer #35 - Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, (1) whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, (2) and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness (3).

(1) II Thessalonians 2:13
(2) Ephesians 4:23-24
(3) Romans 6:4, 6

Answer #36 - The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, (1) joy in the Holy Ghost, (2) increase of grace, (3) and perseverance therein to the end (4).

(1) Romans 5:1-2, 5
(2) Romans 14:17
(3) Proverbs 4:18
(4) I John 5:13; I Peter 1:5

Answer #37 - The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, (1) and do immediately pass into glory; (2) and their bodies, being still united to Christ, (3) do rest in their graves (4) till the resurrection (5).

(1) Hebrews 12:23
(2) II Corinthians 5:1, 6, 8; Philippians 1:23; Luke 23:43
(3) I Thessalonians 4:14
(4) Isaiah 57:2
(5) Job 19:26-27

Answer #38 - At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, (1) shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, (2) and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God (3) to all eternity (4).

(1) I Corinthians 15:43
(2) Matthew 25:23; 10:32
(3) I John 3:2; I Corinthians 13:12
(4) I Thessalonians 4:17-18

Answer #39 - The duty which God requires of man, is obedience to his revealed will (1).

(1) Micah 6:8; I Samuel 15:22

Answer #40 - The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law (1).

(1)   Romans 2:14-15; 10:5

Answer #41 - The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments (1).

(1) Deuteronomy 10:4

Answer #42 - The sum of the ten commandments is: To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves (1).

(1) Matthew 22:37-40

Answer #43 - The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage (1).

(1) Exodus 20:2

Answer #44 - The preface to the ten commandments teaches us, that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments (1).

(1) Luke 1:74-75; I Peter 1:15-19

Answer #45 - The first commandment is: Thou shall have no other gods before me (1).

(1) Exodus 20:3

Answer #46 - The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; (1) and to worship and glorify him accordingly (2).

(1) I Chronicles 28:9; Deuteronomy 26:17

(2) Matthew 4:10; Psalm 29:2

Answer #47 - The first commandment forbids the denying, (1) or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, (2) and our God; (3) and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone (4).

(1) Psalms 14:1

(2) Romans 1:21

(3) Psalm 81:10-11

(4) Romans 1:25-26

Answer #48 - These words before me in the first commandment teach us, That God, who sees all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God (1).

(1) Ezekiel 8:5-18

Answer #49 - The second commandment is: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments (1).

(1) Exodus 20:4-6

Answer #50 - The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his word (1).

(1) Deuteronomy 32:46; Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:42

Answer #51 - The second commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images, (1) or any other way not appointed in his word (2).

(1) Deuteronomy 4:15-19; Exodus 32:5, 8
(2) Deuteronomy 12:31-32

Answer #52 - The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, (1) his propriety in us, (2) and the zeal he hath to his own worship (3).

(1) Psalm 95:2-3, 6
(2) Psalm 45:11
(3) Exodus 34:13-14

Answer #53 - The third commandment is: 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 (1).

(1) Exodus 20:7

Answer #54 - The third commandment requires the holy and reverend use of God's names, (1) titles, (2) attributes, (3) ordinances, (4) word, (5) and works (6).

(1) Matthew 6:9; Deuteronomy 28:58
(2) Psalm 68:4
(3) Revelation 15:3-4
(4) Malachi 1:11, 14
(5) Psalm 138:1-2
(6) Job 36:24

Answer #55 - The third commandment forbids all profaning or abusing anything whereby God makes himself known (1).

(1) Malachi 1:6-7, 12; 2:2; 3:14

Answer #56 - The reason annexed to the third commandment is: That however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment (1).

(1) I Samuel 2:12, 17, 22, 29; 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:58-59

Answer #57 - 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 any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it (1).

(1) Exodus 20:8-11

Answer #58 - The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself (1).

(1) Deuteronomy 5:12-14

Answer #59 - From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath.(1)

(1) Genesis 2:2-3; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 20:7

Answer #60 - The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, (1) even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; (2) and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, (3) except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy (4).

(1) Exodus 20:8, 10; 16:25-28
(2) Nehemiah 13:15-19, 21-22
(3) Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7; Psalm 92; Isaiah 66:23
(4) Matthew 12:1-31

Answer #61 - The fourth commandment forbids the omission or careless performance of the duties required, (1) and the profaning the day by idleness, (2) or doing that which is in itself sinful, (3) or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations (4).

(1) Ezekiel 22:26; Amos 8:5; Malachi 1:13
(2) Acts 20:7, 9
(3) Ezekiel 23:38
(4) Jeremiah 17:24-26; Isaiah 58:13

Answer #62 - The reasons for to the fourth commandment are: God's allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, (1) his challenging a special propriety in the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the sabbath-day (2).

(1) Exodus 20:9
(2) Exodus 20:11

Answer #63 - The fifth commandment is: Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee (1).

(1) Exodus 20:12

Answer #64 - The fifth commandment required the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, (1) inferiors, (2) or equals (3).

(1) Ephesians 5:21
(2) I Peter 2:17
(3) Romans 12:10

Answer #65 - The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongs to every one in their several places and relations (1).

(1) Matthew 15:4-6; Ezekiel 34:2-4; Romans 13:8

Answer #66 - The reason for the fifth commandment: is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment (1).

(1) Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesians 6:2-3

Answer #67 - The sixth commandment is: Thou shalt not kill (1).

(1) Exodus 20:13

Answer #68 - The sixth commandment requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, (1) and the life of others (2).

(1) Ephesians 5:28-29
(2) I Kings 18:4

Answer #69 - The sixth commandment forbids the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or whatsoever tend to (1).

(1) Acts 16:28; Genesis 9:6

Answer #70 - The seventh commandment is: Thou shalt not commit adultery (1).

(1) Exodus 20:14

Answer #71 - The seventh commandment requires the preservation of our own and our neighbor's chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior (1).

(1) I Corinthians 7:2-3, 5, 34, 36; Colossians 4:6; I Peter 3:2

Answer #72 - The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions (1).

(1) Matthew 15:19; 5:28; Ephesians 5:3-4

Answer #73 - The eighth commandment is: Thou shalt not steal (1).

(1) Exodus 20:15

Answer #74 - The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others (1).

(1) Genesis 30:30; I Timothy 5:8; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 22:1-5; Exodus 23:4-5; Genesis 47:14, 20

Answer #75 - The eighth commandment forbids whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbor's wealth or outward estate (1).

(1) Proverbs 21:17; 23:20-21; 28:19; Ephesians 4:28

Answer #76 - The ninth commandment is: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor (1).

(1) Exodus 20:16

Answer #77 - The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, (1) and of our own and our neighbor's good name, (2) especially in witness-bearing (3).

(1) Zechariah 8:16
(2) III John 12
(3) Proverbs 14:5, 25

Answer #78 - The ninth commandment forbids whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor's good name (1).

(1) I Samuel 17:28; Leviticus 19:16; Psalms 15:3

Answer #79 - The tenth commandment is: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's (1).

(1) Exodus 20:17

Answer #80 - The tenth commandment requires full contentment with our own condition, (1) with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all this is his (2).

(1) Hebrews 13:5; I Timothy 6:6
(2) Job 31:29; Romans 12:15; I Timothy 1:5; I Corinthians 13:4-7

Answer #81 - The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate, (1) envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, (2) and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his (3).

(1) I Kings 21:4; Esther 5:13; I Corinthians 10:10
(2) Galatians 5:26; James 3:14, 16
(3) Romans 7:7-8; 13:9; Deuteronomy 5:21

Answer #82 - No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, (1) but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed (2).

(1) Ecclesiastes 7:20; I John 1:8, 10; Galatians 5:17
(2) Genesis 6:5; 8:21; Romans 3:9-21; James 3:2-13

Answer #83 - Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others (1).

(1) Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15; I John 5:16; Psalm 78:17, 32, 56

Answer #84 - Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come (1).

(1) Ephesians 5:6; Galatians 3:10; Lamentations 3:39; Matthew 25:41

Answer #85 - To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, (1) with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption (2).

(1) Acts 20:21
(2) Proverbs 2:1-5; 8:33-36; Isaiah 55:3

Answer #86 - Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, (1) whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel (2).

(1) Hebrews 10:39
(2) John 1:12; Isaiah 26:3-4; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16

Answer #87 - Repentance unto life is a saving grace, (1) whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, (2) and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, (3) doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, (4) with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience (5).

(1) Acts 11:18
(2) Acts 2:37-38
(3) Joel 2:12; Jeremiah 3:22
(4) Jeremiah 31:18-19; Ezekiel 36:31
(5) II Corinthians 7:11; Isaiah 1:16-17

Answer #88 - The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation (1).

(1) Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42, 46-47

Answer #89 - The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation (1).

(1) Nehemiah 8:8; I Corinthians 14:24-25; Acts 26:18; Psalm 19:8; Acts 20:32; Romans 15:4; II Timothy 3:15-17; Romans 10:13-17; 1:16

Answer #90 - The word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, (1) preparation, (2) and prayer; (3) receive it with faith and love, (4) lay it up in our hearts, (5) and practice it in our lives (6).

(1) Proverbs 8:34
(2) I Peter 2:1-2
(3) Psalm 119:18
(4) Hebrews 4:2; II Thessalonians 2:10
(5) Psalm 119:11
(6) Luke 8:15; James 1:25

Answer #91 - The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, (1) and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them (2).

(1) I Peter 3:21; Matthew 3:11; I Corinthians 3:6-7
(2) I Corinthians 12:13

Answer #92 - A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers (1).

(1) Genesis 17:7, 10; Exodus 12; I Corinthians 11:23, 26

Answer #93 - The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism, (2) and the Lord's supper (2).

(1) Matthew 28:19
(2) Matthew 26:26-28

Answer #94 - Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, (1) doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's (2).

(1) Matthew 28:19
(2) Romans 6:4; Galatians 3:27

Answer #95 - Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; (1) but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized (2).

(1) Acts 8:36-37; 2:38
(2) Acts 2:38-39; Genesis 17:10; Colossians 2:11-12; I Corinthians 7:14

Answer #96 - The Lord's Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ's appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worth receivers are, not after a corporal 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 (1).

(1) I Corinthians 11:23-26; 10:16

Answer #97 - It is required of them that 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).

(1) I Corinthians 11:28-29
(2) II Corinthians 13:5
(3) I Corinthians 11:31
(4) I Corinthians 10:16-17
(5) I Corinthians 5:7-8
(6) I Corinthians 11:28-29

Answer #98 - Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, (1) for things agreeable to his will, (2) in the name of Christ, (3) with confession of our sins, (4) and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies (5).

(1) Psalm 62:8
(2) I John 5:14
(3) John 16:23
(4) Psalm 32:5-6; Daniel 9:4
(5) Philippians 4:6

Answer #99 - The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; (1) but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord's prayer (2).

(1) I John 5:14
(2) Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4

Answer #100 - The preface of the Lord's prayer (which is, Our Father which art in heaven), (1) teaches us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; (2) and that we should pray with and for others (3).

(1) Matthew 6:9
(2) Romans 8:15; Luke 11:13
(3) Acts 12:5; I Timothy 2:1-2

Answer #101 - In the first petition (which is, Hallowed be thy name) (1) we pray, That God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he makes himself known; (2) and that he would dispose all things to his own glory (3).

(1) Matthew 6:9
(2) Psalm 67:2-3
(3) Psalm 83

Answer #102 - In the second petition (which is, Thy kingdom come)(1) we pray, That Satan's kingdom may be destroyed; (2) and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, (3) ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; (4) and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened (5).

(1) Matthew 6:10
(2) Psalm 68:1, 18
(3) Revelation 12:10-11
(4) II Thessalonians 3:1; Romans 10:1; John 17:9, 20
(5) Revelation 22:20

Answer #103 - In the third petition (which is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven)(1) we pray, That God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, (2) as the angels do in heaven (3).

(1) Matthew 6:10
(2) Psalm 67; 119:36; Matthew 26:39; II Samuel 15:25; Job 1:21
(3) Psalm 103:20-21

Answer #104 - In the fourth petition (which is, Give us this day our daily bread)(1), we pray, That of God's free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them (2).

(1) Matthew 6:11
(2) Proverbs 30:8-9; Genesis28:20; I Timothy 4:4-5

Answer #105 - In the fifth petition (which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors)(1) we pray, That God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins; (2) which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others (3).

(1) Matthew 6:12
(2) Psalm 51:1-2, 7, 9; Daniel 9:17-19
(3) Luke 11:4, Matthew 18:35

Answer #106 - In the sixth petition (which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil)(1) we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, (2) or support and deliver us when we are tempted (3).

(1) Matthew 6:13
(2) Matthew 26:41
(3) II Corinthians 12:7-8

Answer #107 - The conclusion of the Lord's prayer (which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen)(1) teaches us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, (2) and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him (3). And, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen (4).

(1) Matthew 6:13
(2) Daniel 9:4, 7-9, 16-19
(3) I Chronicles 29:10-13
(4) I Corinthians 14:16; Revelation 22:20-21