The Shorter Catechism - Q # 3

Q3: What do the Scriptures principally teach?

A3: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

1. The Shorter Catechism is divided into these two main headings. Questions 4-38 contain a summary of what the Bible teaches us to believe concerning God. Questions 39-107 contain a summary of what the duty God requires of man.
2. Whatever the Scriptures teach, we must accept upon the authority of God Himself, since the Scriptures are His inspired, inerrant and infallible Word.

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:13

3. The two main headings in the teaching of Scripture are “faith and practice” or “doctrine and duty.” Faith, or more properly Christ, is the foundation for duty and not the other way around.

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” ~ Titus 3:8

4. Sound doctrine, or theology, is absolutely essential for the Christian to know. We must know the Lord and His covenant of grace before we are fit to serve Him. Those pastors and churches today who disparage and sneer at the study of sound doctrine are in opposition to Scripture.

“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:13

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:3

5. Without true faith in Jesus Christ, our good works are only filthy rags and do not please God in the least. Without faith, our works are “dead works.”

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” ~ Hebrews 9:14

“But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.” ~ Isaiah 64:6

6. Scripture alone prescribes the duty of the believer. Our conscience cannot be bound by the commandments of men.

“And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” ~ Matthew15:9

7. True faith is seen or proven by one’s obedience. Faith without works is dead. Works without faith are dead. Faith in Christ comes first, then works will follow. (i.e. only what is done according to God’s command)

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” ~ Ephesians 2:10

8. If we truly love God, and are thankful for His mercy in Christ, we will keep His commandments.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” ~1 John 5:3

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” ~ John 14:15