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Westminster Shorter Catechism series
Prayer
October 2, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 98. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of His mercies.
Q 99. What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called The Lord's prayer.
October 2, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 98. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of His mercies.
Q 99. What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called The Lord's prayer.
| WSC Q98 and Q99 October 2 2016 |
The Lord's Supper
September 25, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 96. What is the Lord's supper?
A. 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 worthy 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.
Q 97. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's supper?
A. 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, of their faith to feed upon Him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.
September 25, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 96. What is the Lord's supper?
A. 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 worthy 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.
Q 97. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's supper?
A. 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, of their faith to feed upon Him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.
| WSC Q96 and Q97 September 25 2016 |
Baptism
September 18, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 94. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, signifies and seals our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's.
Q 95. To whom is baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are not of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.
September 18, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 94. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, signifies and seals our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's.
Q 95. To whom is baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are not of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.
| WSC Q94 and Q95 September 18 2016 |
Sacraments
September 11, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him who administers them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of His Spirit in those who receive them by faith.
Q 92. What is a sacrament?
A. 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.
Q 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The sacraments of the New Testament are baptism and the Lord's Supper.
September 11, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him who administers them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of His Spirit in those who receive them by faith.
Q 92. What is a sacrament?
A. 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.
Q 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The sacraments of the New Testament are baptism and the Lord's Supper.
| WSC Q91 through Q93 September 11 2016 |
The Word of God
September 4, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 88. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?
A. 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.
Q 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. 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.
Q 90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.
September 4, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 88. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?
A. 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.
Q 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. 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.
Q 90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.
| WSC Q88 through Q90 September 4 2016 |
Faith and Repentance
August 28, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but daily breaks them in thought, word, and deed.
Q 83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
Q 84. What does every sin deserve?
A. Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.
Q 85. What does God require of us, that we may escape His wrath and curse due to us for sin?
A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.
Q 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered to us in the gospel.
Q 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.
August 28, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but daily breaks them in thought, word, and deed.
Q 83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
Q 84. What does every sin deserve?
A. Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.
Q 85. What does God require of us, that we may escape His wrath and curse due to us for sin?
A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.
Q 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered to us in the gospel.
Q 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.
| WSC Q82 through Q87 August 28 2016 |
The Tenth Commandment
August 21, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 79. Which is the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment is, You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.
Q 80. What is required in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment requires full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his.
Q 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.
August 21, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 79. Which is the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment is, You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.
Q 80. What is required in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment requires full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his.
Q 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.
| WSC Q79 through Q81 August 21 2016 |
The Ninth Commandment
August 14, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 76. Which is the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment is, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Q 77. What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor's good name, especially in witness-bearing.
Q. 78. What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment forbids whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor's good name.
August 14, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 76. Which is the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment is, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Q 77. What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor's good name, especially in witness-bearing.
Q. 78. What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment forbids whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor's good name.
| WSC Q76 through Q78 August 14 2016 |
The Eighth Commandment
August 7, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 73. Which is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment is, You shall not steal.
Q 74. What is required in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.
Q 75. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment forbids whatever does or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbor's wealth or outward estate.
August 7, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 73. Which is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment is, You shall not steal.
Q 74. What is required in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.
Q 75. What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment forbids whatever does or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbor's wealth or outward estate.
| WSC Q73 through Q75 August 7 2016 |
The Seventh Commandment
July 31, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 70. Which is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, You shall not commit adultery.
Q 71. What is required in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment requires the preservation of our own and our neighbor's chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.
Q 72. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.
July 31, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 70. Which is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, You shall not commit adultery.
Q 71. What is required in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment requires the preservation of our own and our neighbor's chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.
Q 72. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.
| WSC Q70 through Q72 July 31 2016 |
The Sixth Commandment
July 24, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 67. Which is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, You shall not murder.
Q 68. What is required in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.
Q 69. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment forbids the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or anything tending to these ends.
July 24, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 67. Which is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, You shall not murder.
Q 68. What is required in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.
Q 69. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment forbids the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, or anything tending to these ends.
| WSC Q67 through Q69 July 24 2016 |
The Fifth Commandment
July 17, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 63. Which is the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment is, Honor your father and your mother; that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you.
Q 64. What is required in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment requires the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
Q 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongs to everyone in their several places and relations.
Q 66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
A. The reason annexed to 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.
July 17, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 63. Which is the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment is, Honor your father and your mother; that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you.
Q 64. What is required in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment requires the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
Q 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongs to everyone in their several places and relations.
Q 66. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
A. The reason annexed to 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.
| WSC Q63 through Q66 July 17 2016 |
The Fourth Commandment
July 10, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 57. Which is the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (see Exodus 20:8-11).
Q 58. What is required in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as He has appointed in His Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to Himself.
Q 59. Which day of the seven has God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
A. 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.
Q 60. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.
Q 61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment forbids the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations.
Q 62. What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God's allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath day.
July 10, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 57. Which is the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (see Exodus 20:8-11).
Q 58. What is required in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as He has appointed in His Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy Sabbath to Himself.
Q 59. Which day of the seven has God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?
A. 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.
Q 60. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.
Q 61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment forbids the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations.
Q 62. What are the reasons annexed to the fourth commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God's allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath day.
| WSC Q57 through Q62 July 10 2016 |
The Third Commandment
June 19, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 53. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Q 54. What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.
Q 55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment forbids all profaning and abusing of any thing whereby God makes Himself known.
Q 56. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
A. 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.
June 19, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 53. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Q 54. What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.
Q 55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment forbids all profaning and abusing of any thing whereby God makes Himself known.
Q 56. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
A. 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.
| WSC Q53 through Q56 June 19 2016 |
The Second Commandment
June 12, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 49. Which is the second commandment?
A. The second commandment is, You shall not make for yourself a carved 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. You shall not bow down to them or serve them.
Q 50. What is required in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God has appointed in His Word.
Q 51. What is forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His Word.
Q 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He has to His own worship.
June 12, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 49. Which is the second commandment?
A. The second commandment is, You shall not make for yourself a carved 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. You shall not bow down to them or serve them.
Q 50. What is required in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God has appointed in His Word.
Q 51. What is forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The second commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His Word.
Q 52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, His propriety in us, and the zeal He has to His own worship.
| WSC Q49 through Q52 June 12 2016 |
The First Commandment
June 5, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 45. Which is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, You shall have no other gods before Me.
Q 46. What is required in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the holy true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify Him accordingly.
Q 47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment forbids the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to Him alone.
Q 48. What are we specially taught by these words [before Me] in the first commandment?
A. These words [before Me] in the first commandment teach us, That God, who sees all things, takes notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.
June 5, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 45. Which is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, You shall have no other gods before Me.
Q 46. What is required in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the holy true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify Him accordingly.
Q 47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment forbids the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to Him alone.
Q 48. What are we specially taught by these words [before Me] in the first commandment?
A. These words [before Me] in the first commandment teach us, That God, who sees all things, takes notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.
| WSC Q45 through Q48 June 5 2016 |
The Preface to the Ten Commandments
May 29, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?
A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Q 44. What does the preface to the ten commandments teach us?
A. 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.
May 29, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?
A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Q 44. What does the preface to the ten commandments teach us?
A. 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.
| WSC Q 43 and Q44 May 29, 2016 |
The Moral Law
May 22, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 39. What is the duty which God requires of man?
A. The duty which God requires of man is obedience to His revealed will.
Q 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law.
Q 41. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.
Q 42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?
A. 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.
May 22, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 39. What is the duty which God requires of man?
A. The duty which God requires of man is obedience to His revealed will.
Q 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law.
Q 41. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.
Q 42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?
A. 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.
| WSC Q39 through Q42 May 22 2016 |
The Benefits of Salvation
May 15, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
May 15, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
| WSC Q36 through Q38 May 15 2016 |
Adoption and Sanctification
May 8, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.
Q 35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
May 8, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.
Q 35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
| WSC Q34 and 35 May 8 2016 |
Justification
May 1, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q 33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein He pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in His sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
May 1, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q 33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein He pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in His sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
| WSC Q32 and 33 May 1 2016 |
The Gift of Faith
April 24, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit.
Q 30. How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q 31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He persuades and enables us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel.
April 24, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by His Holy Spirit.
Q 30. How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q 31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He persuades and enables us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel.
| WSC Q29 to Q31 Apr 24 2016 |
Christ the Redeemer
April 3, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
April 3, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
| WSC Q21 and 22 Apr 3 2016 |
Grace for Sinners
March 20, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 19. What is the misery of that estate into which man fell?
A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.
Q 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
A. God having, out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, 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.
March 20, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 19. What is the misery of that estate into which man fell?
A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.
Q 20. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
A. God having, out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, 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.
| WSC Q19 and 20 Mar 20 2016 |
Inherited Corruption
March 13, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate into which man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate into which 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.
March 13, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate into which man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate into which 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.
| WSC Q18 Mar 13 2016 |
Original Sin
March 6, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
A. 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.
Q 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
March 6, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
A. 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.
Q 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
| WSC Q16 and 17 Mar 6 2016 |
The Fall
February 28, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. 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.
Q 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.
Q 14. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
Q 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
February 28, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. 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.
Q 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.
Q 14. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
Q 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
| WSC Q12 through 15 Feb 28 2016 |
Providence
February 21, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 11. What are God's works of providence?
A. God's works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures, and all their actions.
February 21, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 11. What are God's works of providence?
A. God's works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures, and all their actions.
| WSC Q11 Feb 21 2016 |
There was no evening service on February 14th.
The Work of Creation
February 7, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 9. What is the work of creation?
A. 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.
Q 10. How did God create man?
A. God created man male and female, after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
February 7, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 9. What is the work of creation?
A. 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.
Q 10. How did God create man?
A. God created man male and female, after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
| WSC Q9 and 10 Feb 7 2016 |
God's Eternal Decree
January 31, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, He has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Q 8. How does God execute His decrees?
A. God executes His decrees in the works of creation and providence.
January 31, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are His eternal purpose, according to the counsel of His will, whereby, for His own glory, He has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Q 8. How does God execute His decrees?
A. God executes His decrees in the works of creation and providence.
| WSC Q 7 and 8 Jan 31 2016 |
The Doctrine of God
January 24, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Q 5. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but One only, the living and true God.
Q 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. 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.
January 24, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Q 5. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but One only, the living and true God.
Q 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. 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.
| WSC Q 4 5 and 6 Jan 24 2016 |
The Sufficiency of Scripture
January 17, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 2. What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.
Q 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
January 17, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 2. What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.
Q 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
| WSC Q 2 and 3 Jan 17 2016 |
What is the chief end of man?
January 10, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
January 10, 2016 by Alexander S. Brown
Q 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
| WSC Q 1 Jan 10 2016 |
