HenryWSC 3

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 3

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Is it necessary that we have a faith concerning God? Yes: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him,
Heb. 11:6
. Can we have that faith without being taught? No: for how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
Rom. 10:14
. And have they not heard? Yes: verily their sound went into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world,
Rom. 10:18
.
Is not the knowledge of God a great privilege? Yes: for this is life eternal, to know thee the only true God,
John 17:3
. Is it not the best knowledge? Yes: for the knowledge of the holy is understanding,
Prov. 9:10
. Does the Scripture teach us that knowledge? Yes: for if we receive those words, and hide those commandments with us, then shall we understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God,
Prov. 2:1
,
Prov. 2:5
.
Do not the works of creation prove that there is a God? Yes: for we understand by the things that are made his eternal power and godhead,
Rom. 1:20
. And do not the works of providence prove it? Yes: for verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth,
Ps. 58:11
But do not the Scriptures tell us best what God is? Yes: for no man hath seen God at any time, the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him,
John 1:18
.
Are we all concerned to get the knowledge of God? Yes: we should all know him, from the least even to the greatest,
Heb. 8:11
. Must children get that knowledge? Yes: I write unto you, little children, because you have known the Father,
1 John 2:13
. And must we all grow in that knowledge? Yes: we must follow on to know the Lord,
Hos. 6:3
.
Are we to believe what the Scripture reveals concerning God? Yes: for these things are written that we may believe,
John 20:31
. And must we believe all that the Scripture reveals? Yes: Believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets,
Acts 24:14
. Must we believe that which is not revealed? No : for the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God,
1 Cor. 2:11
.
Does God require duty of man? Yes: forunto man He said, Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil, that is understanding,
Job 28:28
. Is it enough to believe the truth revealed, if we do not the duty that is required? No: for faith without works is dead,
James 2:26
. Is it enough to do the duty required, though we do not believe the truth revealed? No: for he that believeth not God, hath made him a liar,
1 John 5:10
.
Does the Scripture teach us what duty God requires? Yes: He has showed thee what the Lord thy God requires of thee,
Mic. 6:8
. And must we do the duty that the Scripture teaches? Yes: we must observe to do according to all that is written therein, and not turn from it to the right hand, or to the left,
Josh. 1:7
. Must this obedience always accompany faith? Yes: for they which have believed in God must be careful to maintain good works,
Titus 3:8
.
HenryWSC 3