January Questions

QUESTION 1: What is our only hope in life and death?

Answer: That we are not our owna but belong, body and soul, both in life and death,b to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.c

Scripture: For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:7-8)

• a.) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
• b.) Romans 14:7-9. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
• c.) 1 Corinthians 3:23. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Titus 2:14. Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

QUESTION 2: What is God?a

Answer: God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything.b He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. c Nothing happens except through him and by his will.d

Scripture: There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God…But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:8-10 & 15)

• a.) See also The Baptist Catechism questions 1 and 8.
• b.) Colossians 1:16-17. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. See also Genesis 1:1, Job 33:4, Acts 14:17,1 Corinthians 8:6, Hebrews 1:3, and Revelation 4:11.
• c.) Psalm 90:2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Malachi 3:6. For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. Psalm 147:5. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. Matthew 5:48. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Exodus 34:6. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness...” Acts 7:2. And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran…” Romans 11:33-34. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” Deuteronomy 32:4. “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. Titus 1:2. In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.
• d.) Psalm 103:19. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

QUESTION 3: How many persons are there in God?a

Answer: There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.b

Scripture: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

• a.) See also The Baptist Catechism questions 9 and 10.
• b.) Deuteronomy 6:4. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Matthew 28:19. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. John 10:30. I and the Father are one. 1 Corinthians 8:6. Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 2 Corinthians 13:14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. See Also Matthew 3:16-17, John 1:1, John 17:5, Acts 5:3-4, Romans 9:5, and Colossians 2:9.

QUESTION 4: How and why did God create us?a

Answer: God created us male and female in his own imageb to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory.c

Scripture: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

• a.) See also The Baptist Catechism questions 2 and 14.
• b.) Matthew 19:4. He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female. Colossians 3:10. And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Ephesians 4:24. And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
• c.) 1 Corinthians 10:31. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.