Baptist Catechism (1693)
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Work through what the church teaches, with the Scripture behind it close at hand. Tap a reference to read it right where you are. The creeds, confessions and catechisms here are historic and faithful, and good to read, but they are not all part of what this church professes.
To learn what we profess, see Our Beliefs.
1. Who is the first and chiefest being?
God is the first and chiefest being.
Isaiah 44:6 KJV Read in context
6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Isaiah 48:12 KJV Read in context
12Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Psalm 97:9 KJV Read in context
9For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
2. Ought everyone to believe there is a God?
Everyone ought to believe there is a God; and it is their great sin and folly who do not.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV Read in context
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Psalm 14:1 KJV Read in context
1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
3. How may we know there is a God?
The light of nature in man and the works of God plainly declare there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners.
Romans 1:19–20 KJV Read in context
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For 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:
Psalm 19:1–3 KJV Read in context
1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Acts 17:24 KJV Read in context
24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
1 Corinthians 2:10 KJV Read in context
10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
2 Timothy 3:15,16 KJV Read in context
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
4. What is the word of God?
The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience.
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV Read in context
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Ephesians 2:20 KJV Read in context
20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
5. May all men make use of the holy scriptures?
All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted to read, hear, and understand the holy scriptures.
John 5:38 KJV Read in context
38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
John 17:17–18 KJV Read in context
17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
Revelation 1:3 KJV Read in context
3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Acts 8:30 KJV Read in context
30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
6. What things are chiefly contained in the holy scriptures?
The holy scriptures chiefly contain what man ought to believe concerning God, and what duty God requireth of man.
2 Timothy 1:13 KJV Read in context
13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15–16 KJV Read in context
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
7. What is God?
God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
John 4:24 KJV Read in context
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Job 11:7, 8, 9 KJV Read in context
7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Psalm 90:2 KJV Read in context
2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
James 1:17 KJV Read in context
17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Exodus 3:14 KJV Read in context
14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Psalm 147:5 KJV Read in context
5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Revelation 4:8 KJV Read in context
8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 15:4 KJV Read in context
4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Exodus 34:6 KJV Read in context
6And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
8. Are there more gods than one?
There is but one only, the living and true God.
Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV Read in context
4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Jeremiah 10:10 KJV Read in context
10But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
9. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
There are three persons in the godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in essence, equal in power and glory.
1 John 5:7 KJV Read in context
7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Matthew 28:19 KJV Read in context
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
10. What are the decrees of God?
The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Ephesians 1:4, 11 KJV Read in context
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Romans 9:22–23 KJV Read in context
22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Isaiah 46:10 KJV Read in context
10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Lamentations 3:37 KJV Read in context
37Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
King James Version (1769 text), public domain. Text from eBible.org and the CrossWire Bible Society.