A. That we are fallen from Ged, and by nature in a state of sin and condemnation, Q. 19 And how should this affect us? A. We should humble ourselves before God, and pray to him to pardon our sins, through Jesus Christ, and to give us his Holy Spirit, in order that we may know and fear him. Q. 20-Cannot we truly believe in God, without the teaching of his Spirit ? A.-No; it is easy to pronounce the words, "I believe in God;" but really to repose our hearts on him, is the work of the Spirit, which God has promised to those who ask him. Reason tells me that there is a God; but reason alone cannot dispose my heart to come to God. THE FATHER ALMIGHTY. * Q. 1.-Why do you call God Father? A. Because he gave me life, and continues me in life from day to day. Q. 2-Is he your Father in a different sense from your earthly parent? A. Yes; for he is the Father of all; not only of our bodies, but of our souls; and therefore he is called the "God of the Spirits of all flesh." Num. 16. 22, Q. 3.- -Is not this a strong reason why we should submit ourselves to him? A. Yes; for if we have Fathers of our flesh, who correct us, and we give them reverence, "Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits, and live?" Heb. 12.9. Q. 4.Is there no other sense in which you speak of God as the Father in this place? A. Yes; in saying I believe in God the Father, I speak of him in a peculiar sense, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also as the Father of all who truly believe in Jesus Christ. Q. 5. Is he the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ as one man is the father of another? A.-No; for amongst men, the Father lives before the Son; but Jesus Christ was the Son of God, from all eternity. Q. 6-Prove this from Scripture. A.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." St. Jo. 1. 1. If therefore the Son was with God, and was God, he must be eternal. Q.7.-Does the name of Father imply that he is possessed of more dignity and glory than the Son? A.-No. The Son is equal in dignity to the Father. Q. 8.-Prove this from Scripture. A. He is said to be " The brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person," which words imply, that his glory is the same as the glory of the Father. Heb. 1. 3. Q. 9.-How then does Christ himself say, "My Father is greater than I." Jo. 14. 28. A. The Father was greater than the Son, with respect to the human nature of the Son, and the work in which Christ was engaged as Mediator, * Q. 10.-How is God the Father of all true believers? A. He is their Father by regeneration and adoption. * Q. 11.-Explain the word regeneration. A Regeneration means being born again, or made holy by the Spirit of God. See Jo. 3, 3. 6. * Q. 12.-Explain the word adoption. A.-Adoption means being received as a child into the family of one, who is not our real Father. Q.13. Are we not the children of God theri by nature? A No; we are born in sin, the children of wrath. "Ye were by nature the children of Eph. 2. 3. wrath, even as others, Q. 4.-Prove from Scripture, that God is the Father of those who truly helieve in Jesus Christ. A. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," Jo. 1, 12, 13. * Q.15.-What do you mean when you say that he is the Father Almighty? A.-I mean, that he has all power to do whatsoever he pleaseth: "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God." Ps. 62, 11. * Q. 16.-In what respect is the power of God different from that of man? 1 A.-Man's power is received from others, and depends upon others; but God's power is from himself, and the power of others is all from him. * Q. 17.-Explain this. A.-The power of the greatest king in the world, depends upon his subjects; but God's power depends upon none. Q. 18. And does the power of God extend over all things? A. Yes; the power of kings extends only over a part of this earth; but God ruleth over all. "Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee; and thou reignest over all." Chro. 29. 12. Q. 19.-Can God do what he pleases with the things which he has made? A. Yes; just as pleases with the clay. a potter can do what he "O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hands, so are ye in mine hands, O house of Israel." Jer. 18. 6. * Q. 20.-When does the power of man come to an end? A. When he dies. forth, he returneth to his day his thoughts perish." H "His breath goeth earth; in that very Ps. 146. 4. |