A Christian catechism...

Preface

Three thousand years ago Solomon wrote, " Of making many books there is no end." Had he lived in our day he would perhaps have been a little more specific, and written, "Of making many catechisms there is no end."

"What! Another new catechism," methinks I hear one exclaiming, as he picks up this little manual. "Have we not catechisms in superabundance? Every denomination in the land at work on catechisms ! Some revising and reprinting their old ones, and others who never had a catechism before and who formerly ridiculed the use of them, now making and printing new ones for themselves ! And here comes another! diverse from all the rest. What does all this mean, and whither does it tend ? " Be not alarmed, gentle reader, it means a more systematic study of God's truth.

This little catechism is not intended to supplant any other one that is now in use, or that is in a state of preparation. We began this work with the object of refreshing and systemizing our own studies in Didactic Theology, and this little booklet is the result.

IV PREFACE.

Then we resolved to publish it and give others also the benefit of our labors, if they desired them.

This little book is not designed for very small children, whose minds are not sufficiently trained to grasp profound abstract truths. But we offer it to

1 . Heads of families who wish to have an outline of a complete system of Theology for the instruction of their households.

2. Superintendents and teachers of Sunday Schools or intelligent laymen who desire to have the doctrines of God's Word presented in a systematic order.

3. Students of Theology and pastors of churches who desire a simple review and outline of their theological studies in the briefest possible space.

If our little manual can afford any help to the above three classes we shall consider ourselves amply compensated.

P. A.

York, Pa., January, 1889.

INTRODUCTORY.

1 . What is meant by religion in general? A knowledge of God, and a particular

manner of worshiping him.

2. How many principal religions exist in the world'?

Four: the Heathen, the Mohamedan, the Jewish, and the Christian, which is the true religion.

• j. What is the character of the Heathen religion ?

The Heathen have no knowledge of the true God ; but they worship images or idols as gods, made by their own hands.

4. What is peculiar about the Mohamedan religion ?

They teach that there is but one God,

VI IRTRODUCTION.

and that Mohamed is his prophet Mohamed was a false prophet, who lived about 300 years after Christ. He pretended to have visions from heaven, which he recorded in a book, called The Koran, which the Mohamedans regard as their Bible. It contains many false doctrines and ridiculous stories.

5 . How did Mohamed propagate his religion ?

He collected an army, invaded different countries, and compelled the people to adopt his religion. Those who would not accept the religion of the Koran were put to death.

6, What is the character of the Jewish religion ?

The Jews believe in the one true God, and their doctrines and forms of worship are laid down in the Old Testament Scriptures. Their worship consisted

INTRODUCTION. Vll

largely of ceremonies and sacrifices, which were types of the promised Messiah, or Christ, but whom they rejected and crucified.

7. Why is the Jewish not the' true religion now?

Because all the types of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Christ, and therefore those types have passed away and the ceremonies connected with them should no longer be observed.

8. Whence do Christians derive their knowledge of God and religion ?

From the whole Bible, or Word of God, but chiefly from the New Testament.

9. What does the Word of God teach us? The Word of God teaches us what we

are to believe, to experience, and to do, in order to live properly and to die happy.

CHAPTER I. Of God and His Attributes

1. What is a Christian Catechism?

A Christian Catechism is a short, systematic statement of the doctrines of the Bible, or Word of God.

2. Whereof do the doctrines of our Christian religion treat ?

The doctrines of our holy religion treat i. Of God;

2. Of Angels;

3. Of Man, or the Human Race.

3. Why do we begin ivith the doctrine of God?

Because he is our Creator and the author of our salvation.

Eph. ii. 8. By grace ye are saved, through faith ; and that not of yourselves . It is the gift of God.

^. Wherein does our salvation consist? Our salvation consists in communion

with God, whereby we are received into

fellowship with him, and made partakers

of the gifts of his grace.

Psalm lxxiii. 25. Whom have I in heaven, but thee ? and there is none upon earth, that I desire beside thee.

I John i. 3. Truly our fellowship is with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

5 . When are we in fellowship zvith God? We are in fellowship with God, when

we love what he loves and hate what he hates.

I Cor. vi. 17. He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

6. How would you define God ?

God is the chief good and the most perfect being, who is self-existent, and from whom all creatures have received

their being and preservation.

Matt. xix. 17. There is none good but one, that is God.

Acts xvii. 25, 26. He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. And hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth.

IO A CHRISTIAN

7. How do zve gain the knowledge of God?

We gain the knowledge of God in

three ways; namely,

1. Externally;

2. Internally;

3. By Revelation.

8. Whence do we gain the knowledge of God externally ?

We derive the knowledge of God externally (though imperfectly) from his works of creation.

Rom. i. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ; so that they are without excuse.

9. How do zve gain the knowledge of God internally ?

We gain the knowledge of God internally through our conscience, which is a divine witness within us, whether our

actions are good or bad.

Rom. ii. 15. Their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing: one another.

CATECHISM. I I-

10. Whence do we chiefly gain our knowledge of God?

We gain our knowledge of God

chiefly from the Bible, or Holy Scriptures, also called the Word of God, which teaches us what God is, and how

we should serve him.

2 Tim. iii. 15, 16. The Holy Scriptures are able to make them wise unto salvation. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

John iv. 24. God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

1 1 . How do the Scriptures describe God in general ?

The Scriptures describe God as to his ineffable glory. His glory is comprehended in his exalted goodness and his infinite attributes, which can never be fully comprehended by his creatures.

1 Chron. xxix. II. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory,, and the majesty.

1 Kings viii. 27. Behold the heaven and the heaven of heavens can not contain thee.

Psa. xxxvi. 6. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains, thy judgments are a great deep.

12. How do the Scriptures describe God's glory in particular ?

The Scriptures describe God's glory in particular:

1. According to his being ;

2. According to his nature founded on his being ;

3. According to his conduct towards his creatures, whereby his glorious attributes are revealed.

The Divine Attributes.

13. What is God according to his being ?

According to his being God is a Living Spirit, possessing intelligence and will.

14. With zvhat attributes is he therefore endowed ?

The following are some of his attributes :

1. Infinite knowledge, or Omniscience;

2. Infinite Wisdom ;

3. Infinite Holiness, and freedom of

will;

4. Infinite power (Omnipotence), and

5. Eternal Life, which he has in himself. John v. 26..

15. What is meant by the Omniscience

of God?

By the Omniscience of God is meant,

that he knows and sees all things.

1 John iii. 20. God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things.

Psalm cxxxix. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me, Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understand est my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path, and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways For there is not a word in my tongue, but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether, etc.

16. What is understood by God's Infinite Wisdom ?

By the wisdom of God we mean, that he always selects the best means to secure the best ends, and knows what to do under all circumstances.

Gen. 1. 20. Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring it to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

1 7. What is understood by the Holiness and Free Will of God?

By the Holiness and Free Will of God we mean, that he loves that which is good and hates that which is evil ; and this he does of his own free will, without compulsion.

Psalms v. 5. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight : thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

1 Pet. i. 16. Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Dan. iv. 32. The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

1 8. What is meant by God's power and life which he has in himself? (John v. 26)

By the power of God is meant, U That God is self-existent, having the cause of his existence in himself.

John v. 26. For the Father hath life in himself, and hath given to the Son to have life in himself.

2. That God is almighty ; he can do what he pleases, and is the only potentate.

Psalm cxv. 3. God is in heaven ; he hath done whatsoever he pleased.

Isa. xlv. 5. I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside me.

3. That God is Omnipresent; that is, he is every where present and active.

Acts xvii. 27. The Lord is not far from

every one of us.

John v. 17. My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

19. How do the Scriptures describe God according to his glorious nature founded on his being ?

The Scriptures describe God as

1. Infinitely happy, having his highest enjoyment in himself.

Psalm xvi. 11. In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more.

2. Unchangeable; that is, he always remains the same, from eternity to eternity.

James i. 17. The Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

3. Eternal ; that is, he had no beginning, and will have no end.

Psalm xc 2, Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

Rev. i. 8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

20. How do the Scriptures describe God in his dealings with us and all his creatures in general f

In general the Scriptures declare, that it is God's will that all should be saved.

Isa. xlv. 22. Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth ; for I am God, and there is none else.

2 1 . How does God shozv this particularly?

God shows his gracious will toward us

1. In his Word, and

2. In his Works.

22. How does God declare his will in his Word?

Most truthfully, where he speaks as he means, both in his promises and his threatnings.

Num. xxiii. 19. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent : hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good ?

23. How does God reveal himself in his

works ?

God reveals himself in his works as

1. Just;

2. Faithful ; and

3. Benevolent.

24. How does God display his justice ? God displays his justice in that he rewards the good and punishes the evil.

Rom. ii 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds.

Psalm vii 11,12. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword, he hath bent his bow and made it ready.

25. How does God display his faithfulness ?

God displays his faithfulness by showing himself to be a covenant keeping God, who will always do according to his word, and fulfill his promise toward those who love him.

Deut. vii 9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.

Heb. x. 23. He is faithful that promised.

1 Cor. x. 13. God is faithful.

26. Hozv does God display his benevolence?

God displays his benevolence in that he rejoices over our welfare, which in his goodness he also promotes; and all this he does out of free grace and without our desert; according to his mercy he delivers us out of our troubles, and according to his patience he spares us in hope of our reformation.

Prov. viii. 17. I love them that love me ; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Psalm cxlv. 9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Psalm ciii. 13. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

Psalm c ii. 8. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

2 Pet. iii. 9. The Lord is not willing that any

should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Holy Trinity.

27. In how many persons has God revealed himself in his word?

God has revealed himself as one God in three persons.

Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.

Marki. 11, 12. When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven (the Father's) saying, This is my beloved Son in whom lam well pleased.,

28. By what names are the three persons in the Trinity called?

The three persons in the Holy Trinity are called Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and our salvation consists in our fellowship with this Triune God.

Matt, xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore arid teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

John xiv. 23. If a man love me, he will keep my words ; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

29. What benefits does the Triune God coyifer upon us?

Each person of the Godhead confers a special benefit upon us.

God the Father.

30 What has God the Father done and what does lie still do for us ?

God the Father has created us and all things; and still upholds all things; rules and governs all things, and has chosen us to salvation before the foundation of the world; and this he has done in Christ, that is on account of our foreseen faith in Jesus.

Gen. i. 1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Psa. cxlv. 15, 16. The eyes of all wait upon thee and thou givest them their m( at in due season. Thou openest thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Psalm ciii. 19. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Eph. i. 4. He hath chosen us in him (Chr'st) before the foundation of the world.

God the Son.

3 1 . What do the Holy Scriptures teach us of God, the Son ?

The Holy Scriptures teach us

i. That the Son was begotten of the Father from eternity;

2. That he was chosen from eternity to accomplish our salvation ; and

3. That he was born of the Virgin Mary in the fullness of time.

Psalm ii. 7 . Thou art my Son ; this day have I begotten thee.

Eph. i. 4. He hath chosen us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world.

32. Whence do we derive the evidence that Jesus of Nazareth is truly the Savior of the world ?

From the Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled in him.

33. What do these prophecies foretell of Christ?

They foretell the particulars 1. Of his birth; 2. Of his life; and 3. Of his death.

34. What are the prophecies in regard to his birth ?

The prophets foretold

1. The time of his birth;

2. The place of his birth; and

3. That the woman of whom he should be born would be a virgin.

The following passages' foretell the time of his birth :

to bring in everlasting righteousness and to

anoint the most Holy.

Haggai ii. 9. The glory of this latter house (the second temple) shall be greater than of the former.

Malachi iii. 1. BehoM I will send my messenger and he shall prepare my way before me.

Genesis xlix. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a law giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come ; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

The following passages foretell the

place of his birth.

Micah v. 2. But thou Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Compare Matt. ii. 4-6.

The following passages foretell that he should be born of a virgin:

Isa. vii. 14. The Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Compare Luke i. 34, 35.

35. What did the prophets foretell of the life of Jesus ?

The prophets foretold

1. That Jesus should be poor in this world's goods ;

2. That he should teach and establish his doctrines by miracles ; and

3. That he should establish the Christian religion.

Zech. ix. 9. Thy king Cometh unto thee : he is just, and having salvation ; lowly, and riding upon an ass and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.

Deut. xviii. 18. I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth.

John vi. 14 Then those men when they had seen the miracles that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

John i. 45. We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Luke xxiv. 44. These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning me.

36. What prophecies were fulfilled in the death of Jesus ?

The prophets foretold what should take place

1. Before his death ;

2. After his death.

Zech. xi. 12, 13. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.

Zech. xiii. 7. Smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

Isa. liii. The whole of the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah foretells the sufferings and triumphs of Christ.

37. What are the names and titles ascribed to Jesus ?

1. He is called a Savior;

2. He is called Christ, which means, the anointed one ;

3. He is called Immanuel, which means, " God with us."

Matt. i. 21. Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Luke ii. 11. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Isa. vii. 14. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Compare Matt. i. 22, 23.

Luke i. 31. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS.

38. What are the wotks of Christ ? They are

1. His teachings ;

2. His prophecies ;

3. His miracles.

Isaiah lxi. 1. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. Comp. Luke iv. 18.

Matt. vii. 29. For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

John vii. 46. Never man spake like this man.

Matt. xxiv. 14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations ; and' then shall the end come.

39. How is Christ revealed to us in regard to his person ?

In regard to his person Christ is revealed to us as both God and man.

40. Why must Christ be God in ordet to be our all-sufficient Savior?

Christ must be divine in his nature, because no mere man could have saved us ; a mere man could never have reconciled us with God ; and no mere man could have satisfied the justice of God.

Psalm xlix. 7. None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.

Isaiah liii. 5, 6. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

41. Why must Christ also be man ? Christ must also be man in order that

he might suffer and die, and thus make an atonement for our sins.

Hebrews ii. 16, 17. For he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

42. How many natures, therefore \ are there in the person of Cfaist?

There are two natures in the person of Christ, a divine and a human nature, and these two natures always act in harmony with each other.

2 Cor. v. 19. God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.

Romans ix. 5. Whose are the fathers; and of whom, as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is our all, God blessed forever. Amen. Rom. i. 3, 4.

43. How is Christ presented to us in his mediatorial work ?

In his mediatorial work, to which he was anointed, Christ is presented to us as our prophet, priest and king.

44. What does Christ do for us as our prophet?

As our prophet he instructs us, and reveals to us the counsel of God in regard to our salvation. He calls upon us to believe, and declares what shall be the condition of those who remain faithful to the end, and of those who continue finally in their impenitence.

John iii. 5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts x. 36. Preaching peace by Jesus Christ. (He is Lord of all.)

John x. 38. That ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me and I in him.

John iii. 16. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John iii. 18. He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

45. By what means does Christ instruct or teach its ?

Christ teaches us by his word, his example and the Holy Ghost.

John xv. -26. When the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit ■of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.

John xvi. 14. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.

46. What lias Christ done for us as our high priest?

As our high priest Christ has wrought out our salvation.

Psalm ex. 4. Thou art a priest forever, alter the order of Melchizedek.

Heb. iv. 14, 15. Seeing then we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

For we have not a high priest which can not be •touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

47. By what means has Christ accomplished our salvation ?

Christ has accomplished our salvation by his perfect obedience in fulfilling all the demands of the law, both as to its commands and threatenings, and by giving himself a sacrifice for us in his suffering and death, thus taking away the guilt and penalty of our sins.

Heb. ix. 14, 15. How much more shall the blood ■of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God ?

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions, etc.

Matt. v. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets : I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

48. What does Christ still do for us as our high priest ?

Christ intercedes for us in heaven at the right hand of God, and blesses us.

Romans viii. 34. It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Eph. i. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

49. What does Christ do as our King ? Christ rules and governs

1. In the kingdom of nature,

2. In the kingdom of grace, and

3. In the kingdom of glory.

50. How does Christ rule in the kingdom of nature?

In the kingdom of nature Christ displays his almighty power, and controls all creatures, good /and bad, angels included.

Eph. i. 20-22. God hath set him (Christ) at his own right hand. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come ; and hath put all things under his feet, etc.

5 1 . Whom does Christ rule over in the kingdom of grace ?

In the kingdom of grace Christ rules

over his believing people.

Eph. iv. 15. Speaking the truth in love, ye may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

Psalm xciii. 1. The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty.

Col. i. 18. He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church.

52. Whom does Christ ride over in the kingdom of glory ?

In the kingdom of glory Christ rules over his redeemed in heaven.

John xvii. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am ; that they may behold my glory.

53. In what two other states do the Scriptures represent Christ ?

The Scriptures represent Christ

1. In his state of humiliation; and

2. In his state of glory.

54. How many steps may be counted in Christ's humiliation ?

There were five steps in Christ's humiliation.

5 5 . What was t/ie first step in Chris fs humiliation ?

The first step in Christ's humiliation

consisted in the extreme poverty of his

birth, although he was descended from

the royal house of David.

Luke ii. 7. And she brought forth her first born and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there w,;s no room for them in the inn.

56. What zvas the second step in Christ s humiliation ?

The second step in Christ's humiliation consisted in his humble life, as he was poor and despised.

Luke ix. 58. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

57. What zvas the third step in Chris fs humiliation ?