Tag: catechism

  • What is the Chief End of Man? – Our #1 question

    What is the Chief End of Man? – Our #1 question

    Perhaps you know this first QUESTION (What is the chief end of man?) of the Westminster Divines, actually a shortened version of the original.

    1. What is the chief and highest end of man?

    I could ask the first question of the Westminster Catechism (teaching) a different way.

    What is the Highest Goal of Mankind?

    Mankind, of course, includes womankind, just as Scripture frequently includes women while referring to or instructing men.

    What is YOUR big GOAL?

    OR may I ask the chief question of every man or woman:

    WHY am I here?

    (You do have a purpose to your mortal life, don’t you?)

    If you don't know the ANSWER or have never considered the #1 Question of life, NOW might be the best time to carefully create your own answer to man's compelling question of purpose.

    Who do you live your life for?

    IF our chief end in life relates to a person, then we must ask:

    WHO is this VIP for whom WE live our lives, the one who truly deserves to be the principle person receiving the chief end of our goals of this brief mortal life?

    • Our Husband or Wife?
    • Our Father or Mother?
    • A Son or a Daughter (perhaps all of our Children)?
    • A beloved Friend or possibly a Mentor and Teacher worthy of our highest regard?
    • Someone from the past or an idol of these present times?

    WHO is the MOST important Person worthy of the chief end of your time?


    Answer to question #1

    Before I reveal the answer (if you don’t already know it) let me ask you this:

    Are YOU the ONLY important person in your life OR is someone else the MOST important person in your life?

    Didn’t God create you to relate to someone other than yourself?

    So then shouldn’t your goals in life — especially your ‘chief end’ — relate to the PERSON of highest importance to the most important outcome or final end of your mortal life?

    Consider one additional Person, an overlooked highest One most deserving to become the chief end of our earthly attention, love, praise — and yes, even worship.


    It is written from the Gospel:

    Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

    Gospel of John 13:1 Legacy Standard Bible

    Almost everyone knows the gospel of the One worthy of the chief end of mankind’s earthly purpose?

    “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

    Gospel of John 3:16 Legacy Standard Bible

    Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’

    Gospel of John 8:54 LSB

    10:30 ἐγὼ καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ἕν ἐσμεν

    “I and the Father are one.”

    Good News of John 10:30 – testimony of JESUS that he the Son is of one essence with the One God our Father

    Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.

    Gospel of John 14:6 LSB

    .. He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. – John 20:20b

    .. He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. – John 20:22b

    Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

    Answer: Question #1 of The Westminster Shorter Catechism
    ANSWER to Westminster Catechism QUESTION #1
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
    Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

    Does GOD deserve to be #1 on your VIP list?

    Whoever else you named as #1 on your personal VIP list, this most beloved person you view as your chief end of a purposeful life – they are NOT worthy of your worship.


    HOWEVER:

    IF you recognize the Eternal Person of God the Father —

    IF you recognize the Eternal Person of God the Son —

    IF you recognize the Eternal mysterious third Person of the TRINITY, God the Holy Spirit —

    THEN you have chosen the right PERSONS of GOD to glorify.


    Congratulations! You have won ETERNAL LIFE.

    Recognize that the Lord God is a PERSONAL God to those He has chosen.

    IF we will choose to place Him at the TOP of our VIP list, we secure His loving RELATIONSHIP for an ETERNAL LIFETIME!


    God is not a man like us, yet the Lord God IS One God of THREE PERSONS, a true teaching of the Bible called Trinity.

    I cannot address the deeper doctrine of the Trinity as part of this #1 answer to the teaching of a Biblical Christian Church, however you may read more about it here:

    What Is the Doctrine of the Trinity?

    .. only one God exists; there are three distinct Persons in the New Testament – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; each of these three distinct Persons is called God. Therefore the three distinct Persons must be the one God.

    Don Stewart :: What Is the Doctrine of the Trinity?

    What IF you have the wrong ANSWER to Question #1?

    This may be a time to rethink the #1 priorities and goals of your daily and mortal life.

    Maybe God has NOT chosen you for eternal life

    and regrettably you accept the END of your mortal life

    — you are dust and to dust you will return — .. AND then the judgment!

    This is all supported by God’s written word of the Bible; but in addition to Scripture you could RETHINK your chief end through further study in the link provided earlier or by reading more about the DOCTRINES of God.


    • SELF is ALWAYS the wrong answer (as frequently WE see in others)
    • THINGS (like money or work or entertainment or vacations or clothes or cars or houses or politics or social clubs or sports or.. ANY other IDOL) will eventually prove to be WRONG ANSWERS.
    • Your mom or your dad (present in your life, but not far distant or long passed from this mortal life), MAY be your #1 living person worthy of #1 on your human list; BUT not in the place of God.
      • Most of us know the Biblical Commandment of God concerning the HONOR of Parents, yet honor of our father or mother is less than our chief end of giving glory to the God who created us all.
    • Your husband is not worthy of glory above God, though wives are commanded to RESPECT your husband.
      • And husbands, your wife is not worthy of glory above God since He commands you to LOVE her as Christ loves the Church.
      • These are God-ordained personal relationships between one man and one woman like no other, which God glorifies uniquely as ‘two become one,’ not unrelated to the Oneness of God and Christ with the Church.
    • Should ANY child, infant to adult, become the chief end of purpose in the life of a parent (especially a mom)?
      • ALL biological fathers and biological mothers ought to cherish the special bond of the conception and birth of their child which God has given into your care, nurture and instruction, but NO CHILD should receive your #1 glory above God. (There are no ‘single moms,’ or at least their wouldn’t be if in the lives of both lovers God we chief end of their relationship.)
      • Adopted children with parents having chosen them by a new relationship are also equal to our biological children in our love. Like the children of our birth parents, chosen children inherit God’s love through parents who have chosen them but not in the place of glorifying God first.
    • How about a FRIEND?
      • Do you value one friend above another? Are both of you not dependent on the God who knitted together the strong cord of all of your heart-held friendships? Glorify God with your friends and thank Him for each.
      • As for relationships of our past: have some become idols weighing our heart down to the darkness of the dust? You know God’s Commandment about idols, not all which are chiseled from wood or stone.

    Perhaps YOU CHOSE more than one of the PERSONS you glorify for the top of your list. (None deserve #1)


    ERASE your former WRONG answer[s] & REPENT.

    Glorify God

    Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever.

    Answer: Question #1 of The Westminster Larger Catechism

    Go ahead — repent and erase your former wrong answer.

    Glorify the Lord God – the only One who deserves our highest worship.

    The chief end of YOUR mortal life is to finish God’s work for His Glory.

    The chief end for those who love God, mere morals made in God’s image — men, women and children who’s chief relationship is the with Jesus Christ, Son of God — by His grace is eternal life.


    By the mercy of God the Father, foreordaining His Only Son to die for our sins — the end of a mortal Son of man, Jesus sacrificed for our sin on the Cross ERASES our mortal end.

    Christ’s resurrection of the body to eternal life assures us of God’s mercy, grace and love of those who love Him — those of us for whom He died.


    YOU and I have a #1 chief end:

    In heart and in deed WE must Glorify the One Person who has saved us to eternal life;

    consequently through Christ, our highest end will be with GOD to enjoy Him forever.

    Glorify the Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

    +

  • Creeds, Catechism, Confessions & Christ – What does your church teach?

    Creeds, Catechism, Confessions & Christ – What does your church teach?

    Credo, meaning, “I believe.” 

    Catechism – Teaching Church Doctrine summarized by Questions & Answers, formal teaching of Doctrines to members of a Church utilizing verbal recitation of questions and answers.

    Do you really believe that? doctrine - a line in the sand [picture of Jesus kneeling down to draw a line with his finger

    Creed I believe this.. Confession of FaithWe (the church) believe this.. & Catechism Our church teaches these Doctrines: 1.. 2.. 3.. etc.

    Last week in our series on Doctrine I defined and shared a brief look at Creeds. We discovered that a Creed is simply a brief statement of what you (supposedly) believe. And while some churches ritually repeat these as part of worship, every church has an underlying defined set of beliefs preached to the masses and taught to the uninitiated.

    Confession that Jesus is κύριος – Lord would have been a first Creed of the Way (Christians).

    What does your church believe?

    After glancing at a few Creeds and Confessions of faith do you now know more about what you believe and what your church believes and preaches?

    New believers and children are far more likely to have heard the catechism of your church than a casual weekly ‘worshiper’ gathering for its music and preaching. YES, every church has a catechism (whether veiled, indoctrinated or responsibly taught to its members).

    You likely have a few questions of your own (& please do not hesitate to share your question via a comment to this post).

    Christian Catechism 100

    Allow me to ask you just a few questions you might have heard and can answer from a catechism of your church.

    Some will recognize that a 100 series in teaching addresses pre-requisite knowledge; therefore your answers may come more readily to these selective catechism questions than from a 'Catechism 803'theology course. 
    
    Note that your children may be taught more than these in their second or third year of 'Sunday School' or a Christian Academy you have chosen for them in lieu of a 'public' school indoctrinating ALL with world-class 'education.'
    

    Do YOU know the answers to your children’s’ catechism questions?

    1. What is the Trinity?
    2. Who is the Holy Spirit?
    3. What is the Law of God and what does it require?
    4. What is sin?
    5. What is idolatry?
    6. What happens when we die?
    7. Will all be saved to eternal life?
    8. Who is Christ?
    9. What is the resurrection?
    10. How does Christ redeem me from sin?

    Bonus Question: What makes the Bible Holy?

    BIBLE DOCTRINE BRING THEOLOGY TO LIFE

    What do YOU believe?

    Catechism? You get the idea from these sample questions above.

    Proverbs 22:6

    Catechism is teaching.

    Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.

    Preaching and Teaching

    Christians hold to and teach a reasoned faith.

    Through our study of the Holy Bible, Christians Creeds and Confessions of Faith we grow in our confidence in the Lord God and Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit we continue in the confidence of our salvation God has predestined for those faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

    But before we look at Catechisms, let’s briefly define preaching and teaching, comparing their distinct yet parallel roles in the lives of the Church.

    Preaching

    The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim H7121 liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

    To proclaim H7121 the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

    KJV Strong’s H7121 matches the Hebrew קָרָא (qārā’). preach*” AND “H7121 Yeshaiya (Isaiah) 61:1-2 [WLC link]

    Hebrew definition – to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim;

    • preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
    • from קָרָא qârâʼ, kaw-raw’; a primitive root (rather identical with H7122 through the idea of accosting a person (metaphor); to call out to 

    but we preach G2784 Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness,

    Strong’s G2784 κηρύσσω kērýssō, kay-roos’-so; of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel):—preacher(-er), proclaim, publish. – 1 Corinthians 1:20 NASB20
    • Greek definition used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers

    Teaching

    Now note from this New Testament letter of Paul to Timothy (written in Greek) some particular similarities and differences between preachers and teachers. (We will not dig into the many doctrines covered in these few verses.)

    2 Timothy

    .. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

    for which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

    2 Timothy 1:11 NASB20
    • κῆρυξ – a preacher – a herald, i.e. of divine truth (especially of the gospel):—preacher.
    • ἀπόστολος – an apostle – a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
    • διδάσκαλος – a teacher – in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man
      • From διδάσκω (G1321) – .. to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, to impart instruction,
        • instill doctrine into one.. to explain or expound a thing, to teach one something

    Catechism & Teaching Doctrine

    The Creeds, Catechisms and Confessions are useful study tools to assist in understanding the Scriptures and in teaching Bible studies to others. These documents help to reaffirm the tenants of the traditional, historic Christian faith.

    BlueLetterBible.org source for most definitions of this post – RH

    Why Catechisms MUST reflect Biblical Authority ABOVE all Church authority

    The following article and resource originally ran on July 8, 2018. A few weeks later, Pope Francis announced a redaction of the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church..

    RESOURCE: Traditional Catholic Catechisms [Updated]

    Catechisms included here reflect the doctrines and teachings of traditional Christian Protestant Denominations. – RH

    Luther’s Small Catechism of 1529

    Luther wrote his little catechism for parents to instruct their children in the faith just as he wrote his larger catechism as remedial instruction for pastors. Catechism in its Latin form means “book of instruction.”

    From its Greek roots, catechism means literally “sounding down in the ears” or, more pointedly, “indoctrination” in the Christian faith.

    source: St Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

    For Martin Luther, basic catechesis (doctrinal instruction) in the Christian faith refers to teaching children (and their parents!) the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the biblical basis for Baptism, Eucharist, and Confession.

    Although the complete Catechisms may be read on secure links, ONLY a few EXAMPLES of KEY DOCTRINAL TEACHING can be included in this brief post. - RH

    Heidelberg Catechism of 1563

    • 128 questions & answers; later,129 questions and answers were divided into 52 “Lord’s Days” with a view to the Catechism’s being explained in one of the services on the Lord’s Day.

    Here is the typical Q & A format with Scriptural references supporting the Authority of each answer:

    Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?

    PAUSE: IF you yourself have never heard this or considered this life and death question, 
    NOW might be a good time to pray for an answer (prior to reading the Scripturally supported ANSWER below). - RH
    Answer:

    That I with body and soul, both in life and death,a am not my own,b but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ;c who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins,d and delivered me from all the power of the devil;e and so preserves mef that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;g yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation,h and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,i and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.j

    Answer to Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism – a-j notes to Scriptural references
    Scripture References:

    (a) Rom 14:7-8 (b) 1Co 6:19 (c) 1Co 3:23; Tts 2:14 (d) 1Pe 1:18-19; 1Jo 1:7; 1Jo 2:2; 1Jo 2:12 (e) Hbr 2:14; 1Jo 3:8; Jhn 8:34-36 (f) Jhn 6:39; Jhn 10:28; 2Th 3:3; 1Pe 1:5 (g) Mat 10:29-31; Luk 21:18 (h) Rom 8:28 (i) 2Co 1:20-22; 2Co 5:5; Eph 1:13-14; Rom 8:16; 1Jo 3:3 (j) Rom 8:14; 1Jo 3:3

    Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The First Part – Of the Misery of Man

    Here is ANSWER to my combined QUESTION #3 above from Questions 3 & 4.

    Trinity and True Faith

    Let’s cut to the chase (so to speak). Scripture WARNS of false preaching and false teachers in the last days.

    Again, from 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT

    You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.

    • They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.
    • They will consider nothing sacred.
    • They will be unloving and unforgiving;
    • they will slander others and have no self-control.
    • They will be cruel and hate what is good.
    • They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
    • They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

    Stay away from people like that!

    Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The Second Part – Of Man’s Deliverance

    Trinity and the true faith of Scripture as expressed in Creeds caution the church (or the saints {small ‘s’} in these life and death matters. For these are matters concerning ETERNAL LIFE with the Lord or the God-given punishment of Hell and Death deserved by ALL.

    • Question 12: Answer: God will have his justice satisfied: and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.
    • Question 16. Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?
    • Question 17. Why must he in one person be also very God?

    Here (among other doctrines) is where false teachers DENY TRINITY & refuse to teach the Very Truth of Scripture.

    If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

    Gospel of John 10: Question of the Jews as Jesus was walking in the temple area, in the portico of Solomon.

    “I and the Father are one.”

    The Word of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of John
    • Question 22. What is then necessary for a christian to believe?
    • Answer: All things promised us in the gospel,a which the articles of our catholic undoubted christian faith briefly teach us.
    • References: (a) Jhn 20:31; Mat 28:19; Mar 1:15

    What follows as the answer to Question 23 is THE APOSTLES CREED.

    1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
    3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

    TRINITY, from the beginning – Father, begotten Son and Holy Ghost [or Holy Spirit].

    • Question 25. Since there is but one only divine essence,(a) why speakest thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?
    • Answer: Because God has so revealed himself in his word,(b) that these three distinct persons are the one only true and eternal God.
    • References:
      • (a) Deu 6:4; Eph 4:6; Isa 44:6; Isa 45:5; 1Co 8:4; 1Co 8:6
      • (b) Isa 61:1; Luk 4:18; Gen 1:2; Gen 1:3; Psa 33:6; Isa 48:16; Psa 110:1; Mat 3:16; Mat 3:17; Mat 28:19; 1Jo 5:7; Isa 6:1; Isa 6:3; Jhn 14:26; John 15:26; 2Co 13:13; Gal 4:6; Eph 2:18; Tts 3:5; Tts 3:6

    Heidelberg Catechism of 1563: The Second Part – Of God the Son

    Question 29. Why is the Son of God called “Jesus”, that is a Saviour?

    Answer: Because he saveth us, and delivereth us from our sins;(a) and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can find salvation in any other.(b)

    References: (a) Mat 1:21; Hbr 7:24-25 (b) Act 4:12; Jhn 15:4-5; 1Ti 2:5; Isa 43:11; 1Jo 5:11

    Now the birth of Jesus the [From Gr Christos, which means Messiah (Heb for Anointed One)] Messiah was as follows: .. an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph.. that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He himself will save His people from their sins.”

    The Gospel of Matthew excerpt from 1:18a,20b,d,v.21

    This section of the Heidelberg Catechism of the 16th century asks students of true faith a question still relevant to you, to me and to every 21st century Christian:

    (I'll paraphrase question 32 to update the translation from German into the King's English used in the KJV.)
    [Time to PAUSE & think through your reasoned Christian faith before you answer the KEY QUESTION below.]
    • Do YOU, my 21st century brother (or sister) in Christ have an answer of your Christian witness?
    • Is the Doctrine (teaching or catechism) from which you learned your answer based on Holy Scripture?

    Why are you called a Christian?

    References: (a) Act 11:26 

    Because I am a member of Christ by faith;

    References: (b) 1Co 6:15

    therefore I share in His anointing

    References: (c) 1Jo 2:27; Act 2:17

    so that I may confess Jesus’ name

    References: (d) Mat 10:32; Rom 10:10; Mar 8:38

    and offer myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him.

    References: (e) Rom 12:1; 1Pe 2:5; 1Pe 2:9; Rev 5:8; Rev 5:10; Rev 1:6

    As a Christian with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life;

    References: (f) 1Pe 2:11 Rom 6:12-13; Gal 5:16-17; Eph 6:11; 1Ti 1:18-19 

    and after this mortal life, Christ may choose me to reign with him eternally, over all creatures.

    References: (g) 2Ti 2:12; Mat 24:34
    
    *Complete Scripture will open in BlueLetterBible.org as you read each Question, Answer & Reference. I recommend it for your further prayer and study. RH

    The statement is trustworthy:
    For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;

    If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
    If we will deny Him, He will also deny us;

    2 Timothy 2:11-12 NASB20
    child reading Holy Bible - God's Personal Love

    Are you a Christian?

    Do you believe the teaching of the Holy Bible and the Word of God?

    Let the one who does wrong still do wrong, and the one who is filthy still be filthy;

    and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness, and the one who is holy still keep himself holy.”

    “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.

    I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John 22:11-13 NASB

    “It is written in the Prophets: ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

    John 6:45 NASB – The Words and Good News of Jesus Christ
    Doctrine - a line in the sand Creeds, Catechisms, Confessions & Christ – What do you believe?
    What does your church teach?

    “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life.

    John 6:47 – The Word of the Lord

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