WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM
WITH PROOF TEXTS
Question 11-20

Q. 11. How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?

A. The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names,[39] attributes,[40] works,[41] and worship,[42] as are proper to God only.

Q. 12. What are the decrees of God?

A. God's decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will,[43] whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time,[44] especially concerning angels and men.

Q. 13. What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?

A. God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory;[45] and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof:[46] and also, according to his sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will, (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favor as he pleaseth,) hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice.[47]

Q. 14. How doth God execute his decrees?

A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will.[48]

Q. 15. What is the work of creation?

A. The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of his power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for himself, within the space of six days, and all very good.[49]

Q. 16. How did God create angels?

A. God created all the angels[50] spirits,[51] immortal,[52] holy,[53] excelling in knowledge,[54] mighty in power,[55] to execute his commandments, and to praise his name,[56]yet subject to change.[57]

Q. 17. How did God create man?

A. After God had made all other creatures, he created man male and female;[58] formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground,[59] and the woman of the rib of the man,[60] endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls;[61] made them after his own image,[62] in knowledge,[63] righteousness, and holiness;[64] having the law of God written in their hearts,[65] and power to fulfill it,[66] and dominion over the creatures;[67] yet subject to fall.[68]

Q. 18. What are God's works of providence?

A. God's works of providence are his most holy,[69] wise,[70] and powerful preserving[71] and governing[72] all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions,[73] to his own glory.[74]

Q. 19. What is God's providence towards the angels?

A. God by his providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation,[75] limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to his own glory;[76] and established the rest in holiness and happiness;[77] employing them all,[78] at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power, mercy, and justice.[79]

Q. 20. What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created?

A. The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth;[80] putting the creatures under his dominion,[81] and ordaining marriage for his help;[82] affording him communion with himself;[83] instituting the sabbath;[84] entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience,[85] of which the tree of life was a pledge;[86] and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death.[87]


[39]Isaiah 6:3, 5, 8. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.... Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.... Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. John 12:41. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Acts 28:25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers. 1 John 5:20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Acts 5:3-4. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

[40] John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Isaiah 9:6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. John 2:24-25. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

[41] Colossians 1:16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. Genesis 1:2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

[42] Matthew 28:19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 2 Corinthians 13:14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

[43] Ephesians 1:11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Romans 11:33.O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Romans 9:14-15, 18. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.... Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

[44] Ephesians 1:4, 11. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.... In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Romans 9:22-23. What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory. Psalm 33:11. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

[45] 1 Timothy 5:21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

[46] Ephesians 1:4-6. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[47] Romans 9:17-18, 21-22. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.... Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. Matthew 11:25-26. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 2 Timothy 2:20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Jude 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

[48] Ephesians 1:11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

[49] Genesis 1 (entire). Hebrews 11:3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.Proverbs 16:4. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

[50] Colossians 1:16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

[51] Psalm 104:4. Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire.

[52] Matthew 22:30. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

[53] Matthew 25:31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.

[54] 2 Samuel 14:17. Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. Matthew 24:36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

[55] 2 Thessalonians 1:7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.

[56] Psalm 103:20-21. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

[57] 2 Peter 2:4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.

[58] Genesis 1:27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

[59] Genesis 2:7. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

[60] Genesis 2:22. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

[61] Genesis 2:7. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Job 35:11. Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? Ecclesiastes 12:7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.Matthew 10:28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Luke 23:43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

[62] Genesis 1:27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

[63] Colossians 3:10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

[64] Ephesians 4:24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

[65] Romans 2:14-15. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.

[66] Ecclesiastes 7:29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

[67] Genesis 1:28. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

[68] Genesis 3:6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Ecclesiastes 7:29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

[69] Psalm 145:17. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

[70] Psalm 104:24. O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Isaiah 28:29. This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

[71] Hebrews 1:3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

[72] Psalm 103:19. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

[73] Matthew 10:29-31. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Genesis 45:7. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

[74] Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Isaiah 63:14. As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

[75] Jude 6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 2 Peter 2:4.For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. Hebrews 2:16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. John 8:44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

[76] Job 1:12. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Matthew 8:31. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

[77] 1 Timothy 5:21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.Mark 8:38. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Hebrews 12:22. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.

[78] Psalm 104:4. Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire.

[79] 2 Kings 19:35. And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. Hebrews 1:14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

[80] Genesis 2:8, 15-16. And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.... And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.

[81] Genesis 1:28. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

[82] Genesis 2:18. And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

[83] Genesis 1:26-29. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Genesis 3:8. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

[84] Genesis 2:3. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

[85] Galatians 3:12. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Romans 10:5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

[86] Genesis 2:9. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

[87] Genesis 2:17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

웨스터 민스터 대요리문답
11항 -20항

문 11. 성자와 성령이 성부와 동일하신 하나님이라 함은 무슨 의미인가?
답. 성경은 성자와 성령이 성부와 동일하신 하나님이심을 분명히 말하며 하나님에게만 돌릴 수 있는 이름과 속성과 사역과 예배를 다같이 성자와 성령께 돌렸다.
(사6:3, 5, 8, 9:6; 요1:1, 2:24, 25, 12:41; 행5:3, 4, 28:25; 요일5:20; 사9:6; 고전2:10, 11; 골1:16; 창1:2; 마28:19; 고후13:14)

문 12. 하나님의 작정이란 무엇인가?
답. 하나님의 작정은 하나님의 뜻의 도모로 말미암은 지혜롭고 자유하며 거룩한 행위이신 데 이로 말미암아 자기 영광을 위하여 특히 천사와 사람에 대하여 무엇이든지 일어날 일을 변할 수 없게 영원 전부터 작정하신 것이다.
(엡1:4, 11; 롬9:14, 15, 18 ,22, 23, 11:33; 시33:11)

문 13. 천사와 사람에 대하여 하나님은 무엇을 특별히 작정하셨는가?
답. 하나님께서는 그의 영원한 사랑 가운데 불변한 작정으로 말미암아 때가 차면 나타날 그의 영광스러운 은혜를 찬송케 하시려고 어떤 천사들을 택하사 영광에 이르도록 하시고 또한 그리스도 안에 어떤 사람들을 택하셔서 영생과 그것을 얻는 방편을 주셨다.
또한 그의 주권과 측량할 수 없는 신비한 뜻(그것에 의하여 하나님께서 그 기쁘신 대로 은총을 주시기도 하시고 거두시기도 하시는)에 따라 자기의 공의의 영광을 찬송케 하시려고 나머지 사람들을 버려 두시고 치욕과 진노 아래 그들의 죄 값으로 벌을 받게 하셨다.
(딤전5:21; 엡1:4-6; 살후2:13, 14; 롬9:17, 18, 21, 22; 마11:25, 26; 딤후2:20; 유4; 벧전2:8)

문 14. 하나님은 어떻게 자기 작정을 이루시는가?
답. 하나님은 자기의 절대적으로 확실한 예지와 자유롭고 변할 수 없는 뜻에 따라 창조와 섭리의 일로 작정을 이루신다.
(엡1:11)

문 15. 창조하신 일이 무엇인가?
답. 창조하신 일이란 하나님이 자기를 위하여 태초에 그 권능의 말씀으로 아무 것도 없는 가운데서 엿새 동안에 세상과 만물을 지으신 일인데 그 지으신 만물이 다 선하셨다.
(창1장; 히11:3; 잠16:4)

문 16. 하나님께서 천사를 어떻게 지으셨는가?
답. 하나님께서는 천사를 영으로 지으셨다. 이는 불멸의 영이며, 거룩하며, 지식에 탁월하며, 능력이 크며 하나님의 계명을 지키고 그 성호를 찬송케 하셨으나 변할 수 있게 지으셨다.
(골1:16; 시103:20; 21. 106:4; 마22:31, 24:36; 삼하14:17; 살후1:17; 벧후2:4)

문 17. 하나님께서 사람을 어떻게 지으셨는가?
답. 하나님께서 모든 다른 피조물을 만드신 후에 사람을 남녀로 지으셨는데 남자의 몸을 흙으로 지으시고 여자를 남자의 갈비뼈로 지으셨다. 그들에게 살아 있는 이성적이며 불멸하는 영혼을 주셨다. 그들을 하나님의 형상대로 지식과 공의와 거룩함으로 지으시고 그들의 마음 속에 하나님의 법을 기록하시고 피조물의 통제권과 함께 하나님의 법을 지킬 수 있는 능력을 주셨으나 타락할 수도 있게 지으셨다.
(창1:27, 28, 2:7, 22, 3:6; 욥35:11; 전7:29, 12:7; 마10:28; 눅23:43; 골3:10; 엡4:24; 롬2:14, 15)

문 18. 하나님의 섭리하시는 일이란 어떠한 것인가?
답. 하나님의 섭리하시는 일은 가장 거룩하고 지혜롭고 능력 있게 만물을 보존하시고 통치하시는 것이며 자기의 영광을 위하여 피조물과 그 행위를 다스리시는 것이다.
(시103:19, 104:24, 145:17; 사28:2, 63:14; 히1:3; 마10:29-31; 창14:7; 롬11:36)

문 19. 천사에 대한 하나님의 섭리는 무엇인가?
답. 하나님께서는 그 섭리로 어떤 천사들을 강퍅함으로 만회할 수 없게 죄악에 빠져 영벌을 받게 허용하셨는데 그들의 모든 죄를 제재하며 정리하셔서 하나님께 영광이 돌아가게 하셨다. 나머지 천사들은 성결하고 행복하게 세우셔서 그 기쁘신 대로 사용하심으로 그의 권능과 긍휼과 공의의 집행에 수종들게 하셨다.
(유6; 벧후2:4; 히1:14, 2:16, 12:22; 요8:44; 욥1:12; 마8:21; 딤전5:21; 막8:38; 시104:4; 왕하 19:35)

문 20. 창조 후 타락 이전의 사람의 지위에 대한 하나님의 섭리는 어떠하였는가?
답. 창조 후 타락 이전의 사람의 지위에 대한 하나님의 섭리는 사람을 낙원에 두시고 그로 하여금 낙원을 가꾸게 하셔서 땅의 과실을 마음대로 먹게 하시고 다른 피조물을 사람의 통치하에 두시고 그를 돕기 위한 배필과 결혼도 하게 하셨다. 또 사람으로 하여금 하나님 자신과 교통할 수 있게 하시고 안식일을 제정하셨으며, 온전하게 인격적으로 영구히 복종할 것을 조건으로 하나님께서 사람과 더불어 생명의 언약을 맺으셨으니 이것의 보증은 생명 나무 열매였으며 선악을 알게 하는 나무를 먹는 것을 죽음의 벌로써 금하셨다.
(창1:26-29, 2:3, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 28, 30:8; 갈3:12; 롬10:5)