A Puritan Catechism

Compiled by C. H. Spurgeon*

I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the times, and therefore I have compiled this little manual from the Westminster Assembly's and Baptist Catechisms, for the use of my own church and congregation.  Those who use it in their families or classes must labour to explain the sense; but the words should be carefully learned by heart, for they will be understood better as years pass.

May the Lord bless my dear friends and their families evermore, is the prayer of their loving Pastor.
 
C. H. Spurgeon
 
    
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
II Timothy 2:15

Questions Only (with proofs)

  1  What is the chief end of man?
 
 2  What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify him?
 
 3  What do the Scriptures principally teach?
 
 4  What is God?
 
 5  Are there more Gods than one?
 
 6  How many persons are there in the Godhead?
 
 7  What are the decrees of God?
 
 8  How does God execute his decrees?
 
 9  What is the work of creation?
 
10  How did God create man?
 
11  What are God's works of providence?
 
12  What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the state wherein he was created?
 
13  Did our parents continue in the state wherein they were created?
 
14  What is sin?
 
15  Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
 
16  Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
 
17  Wherein consists the sinfulness of that state whereinto man fell?
 
18  What is the misery of that state whereinto man fell?
 
19  Did God leave all mankind to perish in the state of sin and misery?
 
20  Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
 
21  How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
 
22  What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?
 
23  How does Christ execute the office of a prophet?
 
24  How does Christ execute the office of a priest?
 
25  How does Christ execute the office of a king?
 
26  Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
 
27  Wherein consists Christ's exaltation?
 
28  How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
 
29  How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
 
30  What is effectual calling?
 
31  What benefits do they who are effectually called, partake of in this life?
 
32  What is justification?
 
33  What is adoption?
 
34  What is sanctification?
 
35  What are the benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
 
36  What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death?
 
37  What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the
    resurrection?
 
38  What shall be done to the wicked at their death?
 
39  What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment?
 
40  What did God reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
 
41  What is the sum of the ten commandments?
 
42  Which is the first commandment?
 
43  What is required in the first commandment?
 
44  Which is the second commandment?
 
45  What is required in the second commandment?
 
46  What is forbidden in the second commandment?
 
47  Which is the third commandment?
 
48  What is required in the third commandment?
 
49  Which is the fourth commandment?
 
50  What is required in the fourth commandment?
 
51  How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
 
52  Which is the fifth commandment?
 
53  What is required in the fifth commandment?
 
54  What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?
 
55  Which is the sixth commandment?
 
56  What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
 
57  Which is the seventh commandment?
 
58  What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?
 
59  Which is the eighth commandment?
 
60  What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
 
61  Which is the ninth commandment?
 
62  What is required in the ninth commandment?
 
63  Which is the tenth commandment?
 
64  What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
 
65  Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
 
66  Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
 
67  What does every sin deserve?
 
68  How may we escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin?
 
69  What is faith in Jesus Christ?
 
70  What is repentance to life?
 
71  What are the outward means whereby the Holy Spirit communicates to us the benefits of redemption?
 
72  How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
 
73  How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to salvation?
 
74  How do Baptism and the Lord's Supper become spiritually helpful?
 
75  What is baptism?
 
76  To whom is Baptism to be administered?
 
77  Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be baptised?
 
78  How is baptism rightly administered?
 
79  What is the duty of such as are rightly baptised?
 
80  What is the Lord's Supper?
 
81  What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's Supper?
 
82  What is meant by the words, "until he come," which are used by the apostle Paul in reference to the the Lord's Supper?

 * Published about Oct 14, 1855, when Spurgeon was 21 years old.  On Oct. 14, Spurgeon preached (sermon no. 46) to several thousand who gathered to hear him at New Park Street Chapel. When the sermon was published it contained an announcement of this catechism. The text that morning was, "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations." Ps. 90:1.