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The Baptist Catechism otherwise known as Keach's Catechism was published to clarify the theology and instruct in the use of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.This particular edition of Keach's Catechism appears to have been edited at some point without changing its essential message. [1]
It was largely copied from the Westminster Shorter Catechism, [2] with changes being made to accomodate believer's baptism. This version was later adopted by the Philedelphia and Charleston Baptist assosiations, as well as forming the basis of Charles Spurgeon's A Puritan's Catechism. [3]
It is an astonishment to modern day Baptists that historically Baptists have used catechisms (and confessions) in the instruction of the faith and as protection from heresy. [4] But Particular Baptists including modern day Reformed Baptists have always believed in strong and precise doctrinal confessions, and, at least historically, in the use of catechismal instruction of children and new believers, giving a strong foundation in the biblical principles of the Christian faith that can only benefit the catechumins throughout their lives. In our day, with the influx of diverse heresies, post-modern skepticism, inclusive synchrotism and more attacks than I can think of on the Christian faith, there has never been a greater need for strong foundational teaching in the church, a need that catechisms were designed to answer.
Rather than have the entire catechism on one page as is common on the internet, I will attempt to divide the questions into sections according to the topic. These sections can be navigated by links in the left column.
The Baptist Catechism: First Questions about God and Man
- Question 1.
- Who is the first and best of beings?
- Answer :
- God is the first and best of beings.
( Isaiah 44:6; Psalm 8:1; 97:9 ) - Question 2.
- What is the chief end of man?
- Answer :
- Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
( 1 Cor. 10:31; Psalm 73:25-26 ) - Question 3.
- How do we know there is a God?
- Answer :
- The light of nature in man, and the works of God, plainly declare that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do effectually reveal Him unto us for our salvation.
( Rom. 1:18-20; Psalm 19:1,2; 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Cor. 1:21-24; 1 Cor. 2:9,10 )
Footnotes
1. See The Reformed Reader: Benjamin Keach's Catechism
2. A good resource for the Westminster Shorter Catechism is The Westminster Shorter Catechism Project which links to many commentaries and other aids to each of the questions of that catechism.
3. Dr. Tom Nettles, An Encouragement to Use Catechisms
4. Ibid
Introduction and First Questions
Of the Holy Scriptures
Of God and of the Holy Trinity
Of God's Decrees
Of Creation
Of Divine Providence
Of the fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof
Of Gods Covenant
Of Christ the Mediator
Of Effectual Calling
Of Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Perseverance and the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Of the State of Man After Death, the Resurrection of the Dead, and the Last Judgement
Of the Moral Law
The First Table of the Law
The Second Table of the Law
Of the Purpose of the Law
Of Saving Faith and Repentance Unto Life and Salvation
Of the Ordinances of God as Means of Grace
Of Baptism
Of the Church
Of the Lord's Supper
Of Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
1689 London Baptist Confession
Baptist Catechism
Cambridge Declaration
Canons of Dort
Reformed Baptist Distinctives
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Baptist Documents in the Reformed Family
- Edited by James Renihan
- Baptist Confessions, Covenants and Catechisms
- Editor Timothy George