Q1. What is the chief and highest
end of man?
A.
Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God [a], and
fully to enjoy him forever [b].
Q2. How doth it appear that there
is a God?
A. The very
light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare
plainly that there is a God [c]; but his word and Spirit
only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men
for their salvation [d].
Q3. What is the Word of
God?
A. The holy
Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of
God [e], the only rule of faith
and obedience [f].
Q4. How doth it appear that the
Scriptures are of the Word of God?
A. The
Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by
their majesty [g] and purity [h]; by the
consent of all the parts [i], and the scope of the
whole, which is to give all glory to God [k]; by their
light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort
and build up believers unto salvation [l]: 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 [m].
Q5. 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 [n].
Q6. What do the Scriptures make
known of God?
A. The
Scriptures make known what God is [o], the persons
in the Godhead [p], his decrees [q],
and the execution of his decrees [r].
Q7. What is God?
A. God is a
Spirit [s], in and of himself
infinite in being [t], glory [v],
blessedness [w], and perfection [x];
all-sufficient [y], eternal [z],
unchangeable [a], incomprehensible [b],
every where present [c], almighty [d], knowing all
things [e], most wise [f], most
holy [g], most just [h], most
merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth [i].
Q8. Are there more Gods than
one?
A. There is
but one only, the living and true God [k].
Q9. 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 [l].
Q10. What are the personal
properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
A. It is
proper to the Father to beget the Son [m], and to the
Son to be begotten of the Father [n], and to the Holy Ghost
to proceed from the Father and the Son from all
eternity [o].
Q11. 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 [p], attributes [q],
works [r], and worship [s], as
are proper to God only.
Q12. What are the decrees of
God?
A.
God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of
the counsel of his will [t], whereby, from all
eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably
foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time [v], especially
concerning angels and men.