The Reformed Standard | Theological Questions and Answers from the Reformed Confessional Tradition

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.Psalm 27:11 The LORD is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear?The LORD is the stronghold of my life;of whom shall I be afraid?Matthew 14:3333 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”Matthew 16:1616 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Matthew 17:2–52 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”Matthew 24:2727 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.Mark 8:3131 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.Mark 15:2525 And it was the third hour when they crucified him.Mark 16:1919 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.Luke 1:3535 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.Luke 23:5353 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.Luke 24:124 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.Luke 24:5151 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.John 1:22 He was in the beginning with God.John 1:1414 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.John 1:1818 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.John 3:1616 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.John 6:33–3533 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.John 8:1212 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 10:3030 I and the Father are one.”John 19:66 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”Acts 1:1010 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,Acts 7:5555 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.Acts 10:4242 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.Acts 11:1717 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”1 Corinthians 15:33 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,1 Corinthians 15:44 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,1 Timothy 2:4–54 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,2 Timothy 4:14 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:Hebrews 1:1–21 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.2 Peter 1:1111 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.Genesis 1:11 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.Exodus 6:33 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.Deuteronomy 6:44 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.Matthew 6:99 Pray then like this:“Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.Romans 10:8–108 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.Ephesians 4:66 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.Colossians 1:15–1615 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.1 John 4:15

How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?A. The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only.Genesis 1:22 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.Isaiah 6:3–83 And one called to another and said:“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!”4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”Isaiah 9:66 For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Matthew 28:18–2018 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”John 1:11 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.John 2:24–2524 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.John 12:4141 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.Acts 5:3–43 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”Acts 28:2525 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:1 Corinthians 2:10–1110 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.2 Corinthians 13:1414 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.Colossians 1:1616 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.1 John 5:2020 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?A. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son, and to the Son to be begotten of the Father, and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity.John 1:1414 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.John 1:1818 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.John 15:2626 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.Galatians 4:66 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”Hebrews 1:5–85 For to which of the angels did God ever say,“You are my Son,today I have begotten you”?Or again,“I will be to him a father,and he shall be to me a son”?6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,“Let all God’s angels worship him.”7 Of the angels he says,“He makes his angels winds,and his ministers a flame of fire.”8 But of the Son he says,“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

How many persons are there in the Godhead?A. There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties.Genesis 1:1–31 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.Psalm 45:66 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;Matthew 3:16–1716 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”Matthew 28:1919 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,John 1:11 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.John 10:3030 I and the Father are one.”John 17:55 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.Acts 5:3–43 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”Romans 9:55 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.2 Corinthians 13:1414 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.Colossians 2:99 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,Hebrews 1:8–98 But of the Son he says,“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;therefore God, your God, has anointed youwith the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

Q. 8. Are there more Gods than one?A. There is but one only, the living and true God.Deuteronomy 6:44 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.Isaiah 44:66 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israeland his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:“I am the first and I am the last;besides me there is no god.Isaiah 45:21–2221 Declare and present your case;let them take counsel together!Who told this long ago?Who declared it of old?Was it not I, the LORD?And there is no other god besides me,a righteous God and a Savior;there is none besides me.22 “Turn to me and be saved,all the ends of the earth!For I am God, and there is no other.Jeremiah 10:1010 But the LORD is the true God;he is the living God and the everlasting King.At his wrath the earth quakes,and the nations cannot endure his indignation.John 17:33 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.1 Corinthians 8:4–64 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.1 Thessalonians 1:99 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,1 John 5:2020 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Q. 7. What is God?A. God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, everywhere present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.Genesis 17:117 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,Exodus 3:1414 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”Exodus 34:66 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,Deuteronomy 32:44 “The Rock, his work is perfect,for all his ways are justice.A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,just and upright is he.Deuteronomy 33:2727 The eternal God is your dwelling place,and underneath are the everlasting arms.And he thrust out the enemy before youand said, ‘Destroy.’1 Kings 8:2727 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!Job 11:7–97 “Can you find out the deep things of God?Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?8 It is higher than heaven—what can you do?Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?9 Its measure is longer than the earthand broader than the sea.Psalm 90:22 Before the mountains were brought forth,or ever you had formed the earth and the world,from everlasting to everlasting you are God.Psalm 117:22 For great is his steadfast love toward us,and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.Praise the LORD!Psalm 139:1–131 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from afar.3 You search out my path and my lying downand are acquainted with all my ways.4 Even before a word is on my tongue,behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.5 You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;it is high; I cannot attain it.7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?Or where shall I flee from your presence?8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!9 If I take the wings of the morningand dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,10 even there your hand shall lead me,and your right hand shall hold me.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,and the light about me be night,”12 even the darkness is not dark to you;the night is bright as the day,for darkness is as light with you.13 For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.Psalm 145:33 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,and his greatness is unsearchable.Psalm 147:55 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;his understanding is beyond measure.Isaiah 6:33 And one called to another and said:“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!”Isaiah 46:9–109 remember the former things of old;for I am God, and there is no other;I am God, and there is none like me,10 declaring the end from the beginningand from ancient times things not yet done,saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,and I will accomplish all my purpose,’Malachi 3:66 “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.Matthew 5:4848 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.Matthew 19:2626 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”John 4:2424 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”Acts 4:27–2827 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.Acts 7:22 And Stephen said:“Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,Acts 15:14–1814 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,16 “ ‘After this I will return,and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;I will rebuild its ruins,and I will restore it,17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’Romans 3:55 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.)Romans 3:2626 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.Romans 11:33–3433 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,or who has been his counselor?”Romans 11:35–3635 “Or who has given a gift to himthat he might be repaid?”36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.Romans 16:2727 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.1 Timothy 6:1515 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,Hebrews 4:1313 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.1 Peter 1:15–1615 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”Revelation 4:88 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,who was and is and is to come!”Revelation 15:44 Who will not fear, O Lord,and glorify your name?For you alone are holy.All nations will comeand worship you,for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

What do the Scriptures make known of God?A. The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, his decrees, and the execution of his decrees.Exodus 34:6–76 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”Deuteronomy 6:4–64 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.Isaiah 40:18–2818 To whom then will you liken God,or what likeness compare with him?19 An idol! A craftsman casts it,and a goldsmith overlays it with goldand casts for it silver chains.20 He who is too impoverished for an offeringchooses wood that will not rot;he seeks out a skillful craftsmanto set up an idol that will not move.21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?Has it not been told you from the beginning?Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;23 who brings princes to nothing,and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,when he blows on them, and they wither,and the tempest carries them off like stubble.25 To whom then will you compare me,that I should be like him? says the Holy One.26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:who created these?He who brings out their host by number,calling them all by name;by the greatness of his mightand because he is strong in power,not one is missing.27 Why do you say, O Jacob,and speak, O Israel,“My way is hidden from the LORD,and my right is disregarded by my God”?28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary;his understanding is unsearchable.Isaiah 46:9–109 remember the former things of old;for I am God, and there is no other;I am God, and there is none like me,10 declaring the end from the beginningand from ancient times things not yet done,saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,and I will accomplish all my purpose,’Matthew 3:16–1716 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”Matthew 28:18–2018 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”John 4:2424 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”Acts 4:27–2827 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whateveryour hand and your plan had predestined to take place.Acts 15:14–1814 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,16 “ ‘After this I will return,and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;I will rebuild its ruins,and I will restore it,17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’1 Corinthians 8:4–64 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.2 Corinthians 13:1414 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.Hebrews 11:66 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

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.WGenesis 1:11 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.Exodus 35:6–76 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats’ hair, 7 tanned rams’ skins, and goatskins; acacia wood,Deuteronomy 10:12–1312 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?Psalm 48:11 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praisedin the city of our God!His holy mountain,John 21:2525 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.Acts 16:30–3130 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”2 Timothy 3:15–17

How doth it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?A. The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God.Psalm 12:66 The words of the LORD are pure words,like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,purified seven times.Psalm 19:7–97 The law of the LORD is perfect,reviving the soul;the testimony of the LORD is sure,making wise the simple;8 the precepts of the LORD are right,rejoicing the heart;the commandment of the LORD is pure,enlightening the eyes;9 the fear of the LORD is clean,enduring forever;the rules of the LORD are true,and righteous altogether.Psalm 119:1919 I am a sojourner on the earth;hide not your commandments from me!Psalm 119:129129 Your testimonies are wonderful;therefore my soul keeps them.Psalm 119:140140 Your promise is well tried,and your servant loves it.Hosea 8:1212 Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands,they would be regarded as a strange thing.Luke 24:2727 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.John 16:13–1413 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.John 20:3131 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.Acts 10:4343 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”Acts 18:2828 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.Acts 20:3232 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.Acts 26:2222 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:Romans 3:19–2719 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.Romans 15:44 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.Romans 16:25–2725 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.1 Corinthians 2:6–136 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,nor the heart of man imagined,what God has prepared for those who love him”—10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.2 Corinthians 3:6–116 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.Hebrews 4:1212 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.James 1:1818 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.1 John 2:20–2720 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

A. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience.Galatians 1:8–98 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.Ephesians 2:2020 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,2 Timothy 3:15–1615 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,2 Peter 1:19–2119 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.2 Peter 3:2–162 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.Revelation 22:18–1918 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.Psalm 19:1–31 The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.2 Day to day pours out speech,and night to night reveals knowledge.3 There is no speech, nor are there words,whose voice is not heard.Isaiah 59:2121 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”Acts 17:2828 for“ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’;as even some of your own poets have said,“ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’Romans 1:19–2019 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.1 Corinthians 1:20–2120 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.1 Corinthians 2:9–109 But, as it is written,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,nor the heart of man imagined,what God has prepared for those who love him”—10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.2 Timothy 3:15–1715 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What is the chief and highest end of man?A. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.Psalm 16:5–115 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;you hold my lot.6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;in the night also my heart instructs me.8 I have set the LORD always before me;because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;my flesh also dwells secure.10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,or let your holy one see corruption.11 You make known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.Psalm 69:6–126 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,O Lord GOD of hosts;let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,O God of Israel.7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,that dishonor has covered my face.8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,an alien to my mother’s sons.9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.10 When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting,it became my reproach.11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,I became a byword to them.12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,and the drunkards make songs about me.Psalm 73:24–2824 You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will receive me to glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you?And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.28 But for me it is good to be near God;I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,that I may tell of all your works.John 17:21–2321 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.Romans 11:3636 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.1 Corinthians 1:3131 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”1 Corinthians 6:2020 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.Revelation 21:3–4