The catechetical question book

Front matter

BS

THE

J CATECHETICAL

Preface

The object of this new Question Book, is, to incorporate the Catechetical exercise with the ordinary Scripture Lessons, The plan is, to ask the doctrinal questions in the form of the Westminster Catechism. This method serves important purposes. 1st. It calls attention to the doctrine of the Gospel narratives in a way to unfold and enforce it. 2d. Instead of making the Catechism altogether a separate study, and using it only as a book quite distinct from the Scripture, this plan brings it into its proper connexion and use. It makes the Scripture passage illustrate the answers of the Catechism, and uses the Catechism as exhibiting the teachings of Scripture. Catechising becomes, thus, a part of every Scripture Lesson, instead of an exercise by itself. The Gospel is studied in a way to adduce constant and varying elucidations and proofs of the Catechism, which must be more natural and forcible than a dry collection of proof texts. And, by having the questions and answers of this excellent summary applied to the Gospel itself, and studied with it, the whole system of Scripture truth is brought to view, and the teaching is necessarily more complete. (See Lesson I., 21 — 23.) The Catechetical exercise is made more attractive and more profitable by the pleasing variety introduced, and by the new interest imparted, through the narratives. (See Lesson L., vss. 15, 16 and 21. Lesson LI., vss. 34, &c.) And it is pleasant to observe, that, in the study of the Gospel, by these Lessons, the

IV PREFACE.

entire Catechism is gone over, and many of the questions are repeatedly brought to view, with every variety of illustration. Youth, who have learned the Catechism in childhood, are here advanced to the second stage of instruction, in which, at once, those answers are opened and impressed upon the mind, and the scripture is elucidated.

Another feature of this Question Book is the new method of exhibiting the Harmony of the Four Gospels, and the Chronological order of the passages. This is done by a new method of notation, where the sections of the History are noted and numbered as they occur. The No. of the section shows the order of each in the History, and the arrangement into sections calls attention to the subjects and events. The "Notes" referred to, are "Jacobus's Notes on the Gospels."

MATTHEW.

LESSON I.

The Birth of Christ.

How many histories of the Lord Jesus are there in the New

Testament ?

What are the writers commonly called 1 How far do they all relate the s?.me things? Who was Matthew, the author of this Gospel ? (See Matt. ix. 9.) Which of the four Evangelists were Apostles? What is the meaning of the word Gospel ?

1. What is our Lord here called?

What is the meaning of the name Jesus ?

Why was He called Christ?

How was He the Son of David and of Abraham?

Why was it important to trace back His descent to these persons ?

2 — 15. What is this table of names called ?

What is the meaning of the word Genealogy ?

Chapter I

L The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham begat Isaac ; and Isaac begat Jacob ; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren ;

3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar ; and Phares begat Esrom ; and Esrom begat Aram ;

5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab ; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth ; and Obed begat Jesse ;

6 And Jesse begat David the king ; and David the king begat Solomon of her that that been the wife of Urias ;

7 And Solomon begat Roboam ; and Roboam begat Abia ; and Abia begat Asa ;

8 And Asa begat Josaphat ; and Josaphat begat Joram ; and Joram begat Ozias ;

In whose line of descent is Christ here traced 1 (ver. 16.) Where else is this table found?

Who is the Redeemer of God's elect ?

What -paragraph is next in order? (§ 7.)

18. Who was the mother of Jesus ?

How did Christ the Son of God become man?

In what other passages of Scripture is Mary the mother of Christ mentioned ?

Is there any Scriptural authority for praying to her, or worshipping her ?

What texts prove that to pay her divine honour, or to pray for her mediation, is idolatry ?

To whom was Mary espoused ?

What is meant by this, and what was the custom at that time?

19. What was the character of Joseph ?

What is meant by just in this connexion ?

20. Who revealed to him the future birth of Christ?

How was this revealed?

Was this mode of revelation common?

10 And E/ekias begat Manasses: and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias ;

11 And Josias begat .Techonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon :

12 And after they were brought to Babylon, .Techonias begat Salathiel ; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel ;

14 And Azor begat Sadoc ; and Sadoc begat Achim ; and Achim begat Eliud;

15 And Elind begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan ; and Matthari begat Jacob ;

16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations ; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

18 IT Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise : When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her Husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife : for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

I.] QUESTION BOOK. 7

Does this warrant us to believe in dreams now, or in any new

revelations 1 What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and

enjoy Him ?

21. Who announced the name He should bear, and what was it ?

What is the meaning of this name and why was

it given 1 Repeat.

Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and

misery?

What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer ? Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?

22. What prophecy was fulfilled by the birth of Christ ?

To whom was this prophecy given ? (See Isaiah vii. 13.) How was it meant to be specially fulfilled in Christ ? What are the decrees of God ?

23. What other name was given to Christ by a prophet ?

W r hat is the meaning of the word Emmanuel ?

How many persons are there in the Godhead ?

Who is the Redeemer of God's elect ?

How did Christ the Son of God become man ?

24. What spirit did Joseph show ?

What do we learn from this, about faith and obedience ?

What is the chief end of man?

What is the duty which God requireth of man ?

25. What did they call His name ?

Was this name given Him by Divine direction, and at what age was He named 1

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JE- SUS : for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife :

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born eon : and he called his name JESUS.

LESSON II.

Place and Circumstances of Christ's Birth.

Wkat items of the history are next recorded by Luke, tliat Matthew has not given ? (§ § 8—10. See Luke ii., 1—38.) What is the next paragraph ? (§ 11.)

1. Where was Jesus born ? Repeat 8 verses.

Why was this place called Bethlehem of Judea ?

How far was it from Jerusalem, and in what direction ?

How had Joseph and Mary come hither, as they lived at Nazareth? (See Luke ii., 1—7.)

Who was King of Judea?

What Herod was this, and who was he ?

What prophecy was then fulfilled as to the time for Christ's coming?

Who came to Jerusalem, and why ?

What is here meant by wise men ?

W T here did they come from, and what is here meant by "the East?"

2. What did the wise men say ?

How had they heard of this King and whom did they mean by

this ?

What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer? What had they seen, and from what quarter had

they seen it?

How doth Christ execute the office of a King? W T hat had they come for ? and what is here meant

by worship ?

3. What is said in this verse 1

Why was Herod troubled ? Why was Jerusalem troubled with him?

Chapter II

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews ? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

II.] QUESTION BOOK. 9

4. What did Herod do?

Who were the chief priests? Who were the scribes?

Why did he call upon them ?

What did he inquire of them ? •

Why did he wish to know this 1

5. How did they answer him ?

How could they so quickly tell 1

6. What is the substance of this prophecy ? and where is it found ?

Who was that governor spoken of ?-

7. What did Herod do ?

What is here meant by privily?

Why would he be so private in this matter ?

Why did he wish to know at what time the star appeared ?

8. To what place did he send the wise men, and what did he tell them to do ?

Why would he have them search diligently — and why did he

wish to know where the child was 1 Who saw and heard these plans of Herod ?

What are God's works of Providence ? What is God ?

9. What did the wise men do ? W r hat went before them ? Repeat to ver. 13.

In what did they rejoice 1

What does this miraculous direction show us of God's watch

and care 1 How doth God execute his decrees ?

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea : for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda : for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child ; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed 5 and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10. What did the wise men do, when they saw the star ?

Why were they so rejoiced at the star?

11. When they ha*d come into the house, whom did they see, and what did they do ?

What gifts did they present ?

Did they worship the mother of Christ?

Is the "Virgin Mary" (as she is called) to be worshipped?

What is frankincense ? What is myrrh ? and are they valuable

articles ?

What was the custom among Eastern nations, as to paying

honours to the great ?

12. What became of the wise men ?

What is the duty which God requireth of man? Why were not the wise men to return to Herod ? How did they avoid Herod ?

What way did he expect them to return ?

What is the next paragraph ? (§ 12) and where else is it recorded? (See Luke ii., 39, 40.)

13. What took place when they had departed 1 Repeat to ver. 16.

Who was Joseph? and what did the angel direct

him to do ?

How long were they to stay in Egypt ?

What was the reason of their going to Egypt ? About how far was Egypt from Bethlehem and in what direo

tion?

14. What did Joseph do ?

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 IT And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him : and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying. Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word : for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt :

II.] QUESTION BOOK. 11

15. Up to what time did they remain in Egypt? What kind of death was Herod's?

What prophecy was fulfilled, and where found ?

How did that prophecy include both events 2

A?is. It referred to the departure of tfte Church from Egypt first, and afterward, of Christ the Head of the Church.

Could any foresight but God's, have so predicted'?

What are the decrees of God ? What are God's works of Providence ?

16. When Herod found that the wise men did not return, how did he regard it? Repeat to vs. 19.

How did he feel himself mocked by them 7

What did he do ?

Why did he aim to kill the children of that age ?

17. What prophecy was then fulfilled?

Who is meant by Jeremy?

18. What was this prophecy, and where is it found ?

How does it apply both to Rama first, and afterward to Bethlehem ?

19. What became of Herod ? Repeat to vs. 21. What is shown in the wasting of his family ?

What doth every sin deserve ? (See Prov. x. 7, and xiv. 32.) What occurred to Joseph then ?

20. What did the angel say to him ?

Had the Lord promised to send Joseph word I Why could he feel safe to go now ?

15 And was there until the death of Herod : that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my Son.

16 if Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying.

13 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping yc/r her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19 IT But, when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appear* eth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.

20 Saying. Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the'land of Israel : for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

21. What did Joseph do ?

Where was the land of Israel, and what were its divisions ? (See Map.)

22. Who did he hear was reigning in Judea ? and who was this king ? Repeat.

How did this affect his course, and why ?

In what part of the land of Israel is Galilee ? Why was he safer in Galilee than in Judea?

23. Where did he dwell ? In what part of the

land is this ?

Why would they choose to go to Nazareth ?

How far from Bethlehem was this ?

What prophecy was thus fulfilled ?

Did any prophecy expressly say this ?

W T hat then is the meaning? and mention any prophecy that

conveys this idea. (Isa. liii. 2, 7, 8.) How long did our Lord remain at Nazareth ?

What opinion had the Jews of this place? and how was this

term used ?

LESSON III.

Preaching of John.

Matt. hi. 1—12.

What is the next event in Matthew's history, and by whom else

recorded? (Part II., § 14.) Where had Christ gone, before, at 12 years of age? (§ 13. See

1. Who announced our Lord's Public Ministry ? Repeat to vs. 15.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelausdid reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: nothwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee :

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth : that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

CHAPTER III 1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, III.] QUESTION BOOK

What is meant by those days? and why was John called the

Baptist ?

Who were his parents ? and how long before Christ was he

born? (See Luke i. 36.) How old was our Lord now 1 and how had He been employed

at Nazareth ?

Where did John preach, and what district of country was this ?

2. What did John say ?

What is Repentance unto Life ? Why should every one repent ? How was the coming of the kingdom of heaven a reason why

men should repent?

On what only ground does God forgive sin 7 What is Justification 1 What is meant by the kingdom of heaven ?

Is that kingdom now set up in the world, and who belong to it? What doth God require of us that we may escape His wrath

and curse due to us for sin ?

3. What prophet had spoken of John ?

What prophecy is here referred to ?

How long before John, did Isaiah prophesy 7

What did Isaiah say of John ?

How did this prophecy apply to this event ?

How did John prepare the way of the Lord?

How did he make his paths straight?

How many persons are there in the Godhead 7

4. Of what was John's clothing made?

How could camel's hair be used for clothing ? Of what was this dress the sign, and why was it appropriate to him 1

How was this dress fastened ?

What did he eat for food ?

What were these locusts, and how were they prepared in the

East for food ?

What is wild honey ?

2 And saying, Repent ye ; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is~he that was spoken of by^the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins ; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5. Who went out to John ? Repeat to vs. 7.

Who were meant here by Jerusalem and all Judea ? Give some description of Jerusalem and of Jordan.

6. What was done to these people ?

What did they signify by being baptized ?

What did the ceremony mean %

How do we infer the mode of baptism from the truths it was

meant to express 7 What is baptism 7 and to whom is it to be administered 7 What did the people confess ?

What is sin 7 and what did their confession mean 7

7. Who came to be baptized ? Repeat to vs. 10. Who were the Pharisees, and what was their character 7 Who were the Sadducees, and what doctrine did they hold 7 What did John say to them ?

What is a viper, and what did he mean by calling them a generation of vipers?

Why was it strange that these men should come 7 What is the wrath to come, and what doth every sin deserve 7 What doth God require of us that we may escape His wrath and curse due to us for sin 7

8. What did John tell them to do ?

What is meant by fruits meet for repentance ? Why did he demand these 7

What is Repentance unto Life, and how is it proved to be genuine 7

9. What further did John tell them ?

Why did they boast that Abraham was their father 7 Can any such boast of succession and descent save us 7 How was such a hope proved to be groundless in this case 7 Who are the true children of Abraham 7

10. What else did John say ? Repeat to the close.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 IT But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come 1

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance :

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees : therefore

III.] QUESTION BOOK. 15

What reference is here to Malachi's prophecy 7 What does Luke's narrative add?

Whom did he mean by the trees, and what did he mean by the axe laid at the root ?

What was now to be done ?

Who are represented by the trees here described 7

What is the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell 7

What is done with useless trees 7

What doth every sin deserve 7

What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell 7

11. What did John baptize with? and how did he speak of one to come after him ?

How did he express his own inferiority?

Describe the shoes then worn, and the meaning of this expression.

What was that One to baptize with ?

What reference is here to Malachi's prophecy 7 What is the difference between these kinds of baptism 7 What resemblance is there in the mode of baptism 7

12. What was in His hand, and how would He use it?

What was a fan ? and explain its use in Judea.

What was the Jioor, and what does it here mean 7

What was to be done with the grain, and what

with the chaff?

What do these terms signify — garner, wheat and chaff? What is meant by unquenchable fire 7 (Matt. xiii. 49, 50 : 25, 46.)

every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance : but he that Cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear : he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire :

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner ; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

LESSON IV.

Baptism of Christ, and Temptation of Christ. Matt. hi. 13, to iv. 11.

What section is the next in order ? (§ 15.)

13. To whom did Jesus come to be baptized ?

Repeat to the close of the chapter.

In what direction did he come, and where was John 7 What was His age at the time ?

Why did He thus present Himself?

14. What did John do and say ?

What did he mean ?

Were John and Jesus relatives, and how ?

15. What did Jesus answer ?

What did He mean by this?

Did John baptize Him, and where ?

16. What took place, and what was seen "as He prayed?" (See Luke's narrative.)

17. What was heard 1

Whose voice was this, and how was it an important testimony

to Christ ?

How many persons are there in the Godhead ?

How was the Trinity of persons here shown ?

Who is the Redeemer of God's elect ? What is Justification ?

CHAP. IV.

What section here follows in the history of our Lord? (§ 16.) and where else is this recorded ?

1. Where was Jesus now led up, and by whom ?

13 71 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me 1

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now : for thus it becometli us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water : and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him :

17 And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

CHAPTER IV. 1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

IV.] QUESTION BOOK. 17

How was Christ's temptation part of His work for our Redemption 1 Who is the Spirit, and how had He last appeared to Christ 7

For what purpose was He thus led up ?

What is it to be tempted, and who does it 1 W T ho is the Devil, and how does he tempt men 7 What are we to do when he tempts us, and what is promised those who resist?

2. How long did He fast, and what then occurred?

What is it to fast, and how may this exercise be abused 7

3. Who came to Him, and what did he say ?

Who is here meant by the tempter, and why is this name ^iven7 What was there in this temptation calculated to have effect ? What wrong would there have been in yielding to it ?- How may we know Satan's temptings in us 7 What claim of Christ did he dis pu tether e 7

4. How did Jesus answer ?

Where is this Scripture found, and whose words are they, and

how used 1 What was meant by " every word," &c. 7 What are God's works of Providence 7 What do we pray for in the sixth petition 7

5. Where was the next temptation, and what?

Repeat to vs. 8.

What city was this, and why so called 7

What was the temple ? What part was the pinnacle 1

6. What did the Devil now say, and on what plea?

Where is this promise written, and for whom 7

How was this meant to tempt Christ)

What was attempted like this by His crucifiers 7 (Ch. xxvii. 42.)

Who are the angels 7

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee : and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.