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WESTMINSTER'SSHORTEST
CATECHISM
AcatechismbasedupontheWestminsterShorterCatechism
anddesignedforthelittlepeopleinourcongregations
WESTMINSTER'SSHORTESTCATECHISM
Acatechismbaseduponthe
WestminsterShorterCatechismanddesignedfor
thelittlepeopleinourcongregationsBy
J.A.Tosti
Vancouver,WAUSA
Copyright-1993byJ.A.Tosti
Allrightsreserved,includingtranslation.
NoticetoChurches:YouherebyhavepermissiontomakecopiesoftheShortestCatechismforuseinChristianministrysolongasyoudonotofferitforsaleoruseitforcommercialpurposes.
WESTMINSTER'SSHORTESTCATECHISM
AWordtoParentsandTeachers
InNovemberof1647theShorterCatechismwaspresentedbytheWestminsterAssemblytoEngland'sHouseofCommonsforapproval.And,inJulyof1648itwasalsoadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheChurchofScotland.Itwastoserveas"adirectoryforcatechisingsuchasareofweakercapacity".IcanremembermyreactionofnearamazementanumberofyearsagowhenmyeyesfelluponthesewordswhichdescribedthoseforwhomtheShorterCatechismwasdesigned.Afterall,whetherhebeachildoradult,it'sararebirdindeedwhocanbefoundwhoknowstheShorter
Catechism"byheart"thesedays.Veryfewinourcongregations—includingourpastorsandteachers—havesuccessfullymasteredtherudimentary,systematicinstructioninChristiandoctrinewhichwastobeforthose"ofweakercapacity".Thankfully,however,thereseemstobeamoveafoottobeginchangingthisstateofaffairs.Hereandthere,fathersandmothersaregatheringtheirchildrentothemonSundayafternoonstomemorizeandreviewtheCatechism.Althoughthenumbersatpresentarequitesmall,itisencouragingandexcitingtobepartofagenerationofChristianswhoarebeginningtorecoveryetanotherfacetoftheReformedfaith.
ButWhyThe"Shortest"Catechism?AsIhavepersonallystruggledtocatechisemyownchildren,ithasbecomemorethanobvioustomethat,whenveryyoung,theyareevidentlyofaneven"weakercapacity"thanthoseforwhomtheShorterCatechismwasoriginallywritten.Therefore,inanefforttosimplifyandshortenthematerialIwantedmylittleonestomemorizeandyetstillbefaithfultoatleasttheprimarypointbeingmadebytheCatechism,Ibeganfindingmyselfunderliningportionsoftheanswers.Althoughatanageofthreeorfouryearsitwasnotamajorundertakingtogetthecompleteresponsetothefirstquestion,"Man'schiefendistoglorifyGodandtoenjoyHimforever",thatwasnotthecasewithmanyofthesubsequentquestions.Forexample,questionnumbertwoisabitlengthyformany,ifnotmost,two,threeorfouryearolds:Q."WhatrulehathGodgiventodirectushowwemayglorifyandenjoyHim?"A."TheWordofGod,whichiscontainedinthescripturesoftheOldandNewtestaments,istheonlyruletodirectushowwemayglorifyandenjoyHim."AsIlookeditover,itseemedreasonabletometoshortenit,byunderliningthewords,"TheWordofGod...istheonlyrule"which—atleasttomymind—stillkeptthesenseoftheanswerintact.Andso,withfewexceptions,IbegantodothiswithanumberofquestionsintheShorterCatechism.Ichosetodothisratherthanusesomeother"children'scatechism"becauseIwantedmychildrento"growinto"theShorterCatechism.Thisway,asthechildmatures,thereisaquestion-by-questioncontinuitywithwhathelearnedatanearlierage.This,Ithink,isfarmoretobepreferredthantomakeachildjettisonthealmosttoo-simplecatechismofhisnurseryyearsinfavoroftheShorterCatechismonceheisreadyforit.AnotherbenefitofusingthisformoftheCatechismisthatyoungerchildrenareableto"keepup"withtheolderonesinthefamilyaseachmemorizeshisownanswertothesamequestion.Bytheway,Idon'tpresumetothinkthismethodisoriginalwithme.Infact,acursoryglanceovermanyofthequestionsintheLargerCatechismseemstorevealthattheShorterCatechismis
an"underlined"briefversionoftheLarger,stillkeepingmuchofthecontinuitywithandsenseoftheanswersfoundinitsbiggerbrother.Ideally,oncehehasmasteredit,oneshouldbeabletomakethetransitionfromtheShortertotheLargerCatechismwithoutmuchinthewayofunnecessary,addedconfusion.Likewise,ifyoustartyouryoungestonthe"Shortest"Catechism,hewillonedaymakethetransitiontotheShorterCatechismquitesmoothly.Afterall,he'salmosttherealready!
AWordAboutTheNameBynamingthis"Westminster'sShortestCatechism"IamnottryingtofoolyouintothinkingthatthisisaworkoftheoriginalWestminsterAssembly!But,withouttryingtobetoocute,thereisanintentionalplayonwordshere.WhatisbeingsuggestedhereisthatyouwillnotonlyfindasimplificationofbutalsoarealcontinuitywiththeoriginalShorterCatechism.Finally,itismyhopethatparentseverywherewillfindthis"shortest"catechismtobehelpfultothemastheyworkandstruggletoinstructtheirchildreninthenurtureandadmonitionoftheLord.J.A.TostiChristmas,1992
WESTMINSTER'SSHORTESTCATECHISM
Q.1>Whatisthechiefendofman?GlorifyGodandenjoyHimforever.Q.2>WhatrulehathGodgiventodirectushowwemayglorifyandenjoyHim?TheWordofGod.Q.3>WhatdotheScripturesprincipallyteach?Whatweshouldbelieveanddo.
Q.4>WhatisGod?GodisaSpirit.Q.5>AretheremoreGodsthanone?ThereisbutOneonly.Q.6>HowmanypersonsarethereintheGodhead?Threepersons.-or-Threepersons:Father,SonandHolyGhost.Q.7>WhatarethedecreesofGod?God’seternalpurpose.Q.8>HowdothGodexecutehisdecrees?Creationandprovidence.Q.9>Whatistheworkofcreation?God'smakingallthings.Q.10>HowdidGodcreateman?AfterHisownimage.Q.11>WhatareGod'sworksofprovidence?CaringforHiscreatures.Q.12>WhatspecialactofprovidencedidGodexercisetowardmanintheestatewhereinhewascreated?Acovenantoflife.Q.13>Didourfirstparentscontinueintheestatewhereintheywerecreated?No.TheysinnedagainstGod.
Q.14>Whatissin?SinisdisobeyingGod.Q.15>Whatwasthesinwherebyourfirstparentsfellfromtheestatewhereintheywerecreated?Eatingtheforbiddenfruit.Q.16>DidallmankindfallinAdam'sfirsttransgression?Yes.Allmankindsinned.Q.17>Intowhatestatedidthefallbringmankind?Anestateofsinandmisery.Q.18>Whereinconsiststhesinfulnessofthatestatewhereintomankindfell?Originalsinandallactualsins.Q.19>Whatisthemiseryofthatestatewhereintomanfell?AllareunderGod'swrathandcurse.Q.20>DidGodleaveallmankindtoperishintheestateofsinandmisery?No.Godelectedsometoeverlastinglife.Q.21>WhoistheRedeemerofGod'select?TheLordJesusChrist.Q.22>HowdidChrist,beingtheSonofGod,becomeman?HewasconceivedbytheHolyGhostandbornoftheVirginMary.Q.23>WhatofficesdothChristexecuteasourRedeemer?Prophet,PriestandKing.Q.24>HowdothChristexecutetheofficeofaprophet?
ByrevealingtousthewillofGodforoursalvation.Q.25>HowdothChristexecutetheofficeofapriest?ByofferingHimselfasasacrificeforoursins.Q.26>HowdothChristexecutetheofficeofaking?ByrulingusanddefendingusandbyconqueringallHisenemies.Q.27>WhereindidChrist'shumiliationconsist?Christwasbornunderthelaw,sufferedthewrathofGod,thedeathofthecrossandwasburied.Q.28>WhereinconsistethChrist'sexaltation?Christwasraisedfromthedeadandascendedintoheavenandiscomingtojudgetheworld.Q.29>HowarewemadepartakersoftheredemptionpurchasedbyChrist?ItiseffectuallyappliedtousbytheHolySpirit.Q.30>HowdoththeSpiritapplytoustheredemptionpurchasedbyChrist?Byworkingfaithinus,unitingustoChrist.Q.31>Whatiseffectualcalling?TheworkofGod'sSpirit,WhoenablesustobelieveonJesusChristasHeisfreelyofferedtousinthegospel.Q.32>Whatbenefitsdotheythatareeffectuallycalledpartakeofinthislife?Justification,adoptionandsanctification.Q.33>Whatisjustification?JustificationisanactofGod,whereinHepardonsoursinsandplacesChrist'srighteousnesstoouraccount.Q.34>Whatisadoption?AdoptionisanactofGod,wherebyHemakesussonsofGod.
Q.35>Whatissanctification?SanctificationistheworkofGod,renewingusafterHisimageandenablingustoliveuntorighteousness.Q.36>Whatarethebenefitswhichinthislifedoaccompanyorflowfromjustification,adoptionandsanctification?TheassuranceofGod'slove,peaceofconscience,joyintheHolyGhost,increaseofgrace,andperseverancethereintotheend.Q.37>WhatbenefitsdobelieversreceivefromChristatdeath?Believersimmediatelypassintoglory,whiletheirbodiesrestintheirgravesuntiltheresurrection.Q.38>WhatbenefitsdobelieversreceivefromChristattheresurrection?ThebodiesofbelieversshallberaisedupingloryandtheyshallfullyenjoyGodtoalleternity.Q.39>WhatisthedutywhichGodrequirethofman?ObediencetoHisrevealedwill.Q.40>WhatdidGodatfirstrevealtomanfortheruleofhisobedience?Themorallaw.Q.41>Whereisthemorallawsummarilycomprehended?Inthetencommandments.Q.42>Whatisthesumofthetencommandments?TolovetheLordourGodwithallourheart;andourneighborasourselves.Q.43>Whatistheprefacetothetencommandments?"IamtheLordthyGod,whichhavebroughttheeoutofthelandofEgypt,outofthehouseofbondage."Q.44>Whatdoththeprefacetothetencommandmentsteachus?ThatbecauseGodisourGodandRedeemer,wemustkeepallHiscommandments.
Q.45>Whichisthefirstcommandment?"ThoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeMe."Q.46>Whatisrequiredinthefirstcommandment?WearetoworshipandglorifyGodastheonlytrueGodandourGod.Q.47>Whatisforbiddeninthefirstcommandment?GivingworshipandglorytoanyoneoranythingotherthantheonlytrueGod.Q.48>Whatarewespeciallytaughtbythesewords,"beforeMe",inthefirstcommandment?Godnoticesandismuchdispleasedwiththesinofhavinganyothergod.Q.49>Whichisthesecondcommandment?"Thoushaltnotmakeuntotheeanygravenimage."Q.50>Whatisrequiredinthesecondcommandment?Wearetoreceive,observeandkeeppureandentiretheworshipofGodwhichHehasappointedinHisWord.Q.51>Whatisforbiddeninthesecondcommandment?GodmustnotbeworshippedbyimagesorinanyotherwaynotappointedinHisWord.Q.52>Whatarethereasonsannexedtothesecondcommandment?GodissovereignoverusandiszealousthatweworshipHimalone.Q.53>Whichisthethirdcommandment?"ThoushaltnottakethenameoftheLordthyGodinvain."Q.54>Whatisrequiredinthethirdcommandment?TheholyandreverentuseofGod'sNameandGod'sWord.Q.55>Whatisforbiddeninthethirdcommandment?
ProfaningorabusinganythingwherebyGodmakesHimselfknown.Q.56>Whatisthereasonannexedtothethirdcommandment?TheLordourGodwillpunishthosewhobreakthiscommandment.Q.57>Whichisthefourthcommandment?"Rememberthesabbathday,tokeepitholy."Q.58>Whatisrequiredinthefourthcommandment?Godrequiresustokeepholyonewholedayinseven.Q.59>WhichdayofthesevenhathGodappointedtobetheweeklysabbath?Thefirstdayoftheweek,Sunday,istheChristiansabbath.Q.60>Howisthesabbathtobesanctified?Byholyrestingallthatday,spendingtimeinGod'sworship.Q.61>Whatisforbiddeninthefourthcommandment?FailingtoworshipGodasHehasappointedinHisWord.Q.62>Whatarethereasonsannexedtothefourthcommandment?God,byHisownexample,challengesustospecialproprietyontheseventhday.Q.63>Whichisthefifthcommandment?"Honourthyfatherandthymother."Q.64>Whatisrequiredinthefifthcommandment?WearetohonorandobeythosewhomGodhasplacedoverus.Q.65>Whatisforbiddeninthefifthcommandment?AlldisrespectanddisobediencetothosewhomGodhasplacedoverus.Q.66>Whatisthereasonannexedtothefifthcommandment?
Apromiseoflonglifeandprosperitytothosewhokeepthiscommandment.Q.67>Whichisthesixthcommandment?"Thoushaltnotkill."Q.68>Whatisrequiredinthesixthcommandment?Wemustdoallthatwelawfullycantopreserveourownlifeandthelifeofothers.Q.69>Whatisforbiddeninthesixthcommandment?Wemustnottakeawayourownlifeorthelifeofothers.Q.70>Whichistheseventhcommandment?"Thoushaltnotcommitadultery."Q.71>Whatisrequiredintheseventhcommandment?Wearetopreserveourownandourneighbor'schastity.Q.72>Whatisforbiddenintheseventhcommandment?Allunchastethoughts,wordsandactionsareforbidden.Q.73>Whichistheeighthcommandment?"Thoushaltnotsteal."Q.74>Whatisrequiredintheeighthcommandment?Allthewealththatwegainmustbedonesolawfully.Q.75>Whatisforbiddenintheeighthcommandment?Whatevermayunjustlyhinderourownorourneighbor'swealthisforbidden.Q.76>Whichistheninthcommandment?"Thoushaltnotbearfalsewitnessagainstthyneighbor."
Q.77>Whatisrequiredintheninthcommandment?Wearetopromotetruthbetweenmenandourneighbor'sgoodname.Q.78>Whatisforbiddenintheninthcommandment.Anythingwhichmaybeuntrueaboutourneighbororinjurehisgoodnameisforbidden.Q.79>Whichisthetenthcommandment?"Thoushaltnotcovet."Q.80>Whatisrequiredinthetenthcommandment?Wearetobecontentandhaveacharitablespirittowardourneighborandallthatishis.Q.81>Whatisforbiddeninthetenthcommandment?Discontentment,envyandinordinatedesiretowardsourneighborandallthatishisisforbidden.Q.82>IsanymanableperfectlytokeepthecommandmentsofGod?No.WedailybreakGod'scommandmentsinthought,wordanddeed.Q.83>Arealltransgressionsofthelawequallyheinous?SomesinsaremoreheinousinthesightofGodthanothers.Q.84>Whatdotheverysindeserve?EverysindeservesGod'swrathandcurse.Q.85>WhatdothGodrequireofus,thatwemayescapeHiswrathandcurseduetousforsin?GodrequiresfaithinJesusChristandrepentanceuntolife.Q.86>WhatisfaithinJesusChrist?FaithinJesusChrististrustingHimaloneforsalvation.Q.87>Whatisrepentanceuntolife?RepentanceuntolifeisaturningfromsintoGod.
Q.88>WhataretheoutwardmeanswherebyChristcommunicatethtousthebenefitsofredemption?TheWordofGod,thesacramentsandprayeraretheseoutwardandordinarymeans.Q.89>HowistheWordmadeeffectualtosalvation?TheSpiritofGodmakestheWordofGodaneffectualmeansofconvertingsinners.Q.90>HowistheWordtobereadandheard,thatitmaybecomeeffectualtosalvation?WemustattendtoGod'sWordwithdiligenceandprayer,hidingitinourheartsandobeyingitinourlives.Q.91>Howdothesacramentsbecomeeffectualmeansofsalvation?OnlybytheblessingofChristandtheworkingofHisSpirit.Q.92>Whatisasacrament?AsacramentisaholyordinanceinstitutedbyChrist.Q.93>WhicharethesacramentsoftheNewTestament?ThesacramentsareBaptismandtheLord'sSupper.Q.94>Whatisbaptism?BaptismisasacramentwhichsignifiesandsealsouringraftingintoChristandourpartakingofthebenefitsofthecovenantofgrace.Q.95>Towhomisbaptismtobeadministered?BaptismistobeadministeredtothosewhoprofesstheirfaithinChrist,includingtheirinfantchildren.Q.96>WhatistheLord'ssupper?TheLord'sSupper,whichincludesbothbreadandwine,isasacramentwhichshowsforthChrist'sdeath.Q.97>WhatisrequiredtotheworthyreceivingoftheLord'ssupper?
Wemustexamineourselves,makingsurewediscerntheLord'sbody.Q.98>Whatisprayer?PrayerisanofferingupofourdesirestoGod.Q.99>WhatrulehathGodgivenforourdirectioninprayer?TheWordofGod,withspecialdirectiontaughtinthe"Lord'sPrayer".Q.100>WhatdoththeprefaceoftheLord'sprayerteachus?"OurFatherwhichartinheaven"teachesustoreverentlydrawneartoGodaschildrentoafather.Q.101>Whatdoweprayforinthefirstpetition?Whenwepray,"Hallowedbethyname",wepraythatGodwouldenableusandotherstoglorifyHim.Q.102>Whatdoweprayforinthesecondpetition?Whenwepray,"Thykingdomcome",wepraythatSatan'skingdommaybedestroyedandthatGod'skingdomofgracemaybeadvanced.Q.103>Whatdoweprayforinthethirdpetition?Whenwepray,"Thywillbedoneinearth,asitisinheaven",wepraythatGodwouldmakeusableandwillingtoknowanddoHiswillinallthings.Q.104>Whatdoweprayforinthefourthpetition?Whenwepray,"Giveusthisdayourdailybread",wepraythatGodwillgiveusaportionofthegoodthingsofthislifetoenjoy.Q.105>Whatdoweprayforinthefifthpetition?Whenwepray,"Andforgiveusourdebts,asweforgiveourdebtors",wepraythatGod,forChrist'ssake,wouldfreelypardonalloursins.Q.106>Whatdoweprayforinthesixthpetition?Whenwepray,"Andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil",wepraythatGodwouldkeepusfrombeingtemptedtosinanddeliveruswhensotempted.
Q.107>WhatdoththeconclusionoftheLord'sprayerteachus?Whenwesay,"Forthineisthekingdom,andthepower,andtheglory,forever,Amen",weascribepraiseandglorytoGodandareconfidentthatHehearsuswhenwepray.