Why I Am Not Charismatic by C Michael Patton

http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/category/spiritual-gifts/
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Inviting The Lost To Church

From http://www.fishwithtrish.com/

Patrick,

Thank you for your input on this issue. Although I would agree with you that church is for believers to be equipped, I would strongly disagree with your understanding of Scripture as regards to unbelievers and inviting them to attend the church service.

Unbelievers are in every church service. Children, teenagers, and even adults many times are already there as unbelievers and thus, you would not have a "Christian Congregation" anyway. Paul clearly expected unbelievers to be welcomed at church in 1 Cor. 14.23-25. Often times it is through the preaching of the Word of God in church that many people actually get saved. Spurgeon and John Owen both were converted in church by the preaching of the Word of God.

At our church, we place a high premium on church membership. We believe membership is only for believers that have a credible profession of faith and therefore, children and many teenagers are not allowed membership until they possess a credible profession of faith, are baptized, and can articulate the gospel accurately. These are all prerequisites for being a member at Sovereign Joy Community Church.
I think the premises that you are operating under are false, at least for our church. What you should not be concerned with are unbelievers being invited to church but rather gearing the church service towards unbelievers so as to preach particularly to them as so many seeker sensitive churches do. If you have heard any of our sermons you will realize that we do not do this at all. We preach in such a way that one of two things will happen…

Either people will get saved, or they will be insulted and leave (2 Cor. 2.15-17).

I hope that helps you to see a fuller picture.

Sincerely in Christ,

Emilio Ramos

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Counterfeit Salt by Dave Daubenmire - Worldy Conservatism

Multiculteralism Is Societal Aids

http://www.newswithviews.com/Daubenmire/dave179.htm 

By Coach Dave Daubenmire
January 7, 2010
NewsWithViews.com

”Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” -I Cor. 15:33

I don’t know if it is actually a natural law or not, but there is no doubt that we become like the company we keep. My Momma used to tell me that “when you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.”

Paul put it this way, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” The idea that we are all the same and that all cultures are equal is folly. This “Cultural Marxism,” dressed up as “multiculturalism” has destroyed this nation. It is the AIDS virus of American society.
All societies and all beliefs are not equal and not all behavior is appropriate. 

Marxist ideals and communist beliefs did not die with the fall of the Soviet Union. Ideals do not die, they merely change their names. Today, Marxism is ravaging the American society in the same way that AIDS destroys the body. We were told that Communism was dead, but have failed to realize that it has merely changed tactics.

Instead of guns and bombs the weapon Communism’s foot-soldiers have chosen to employ are words. Their stealth attack has come under the guise of tolerance, social justice, economic justice, peace, reproductive rights, sex education and safe sex, safe schools, inclusion, diversity, and sensitivity.

Permit me to say it again. Multiculturalism is the AIDS virus of America’s Christian culture. Let there be no mistake, America is a Christian culture despite what the homo-culturalists want you to believe. 

A Christian CULTURE…not a Christian nation. “Separation of church and state” does not mean separation of Christianity and culture. Even though our churches teach a “Christo-humanism”, the rules by which Americans raise our children are still Christian-based. A few weeks ago I wrote that Atheism is a Fraud, knowing that I would have to endure the wrath of the so-called “moral” atheists. I received scores of responses like this:

“It is idiots like you that give Christians a bad name. What makes you think that only Christians can be moral? I am a proud atheist and I am a better person than most people I know. Especially so-called Christians.” –Bill from Michigan

They don’t even realize that they were making my point. Christianity is more than a religion; it is a worldview…a way of life if you will…that even non-believers can adhere to. Yep, even atheists can be trained to follow right and wrong. These “moral” atheists have not grasped the realization that their standard of right and wrong is culturally-based. Only with careful prodding can you get them to see that “do unto others” is a Christian virtue…one not universally practiced in other cultures. Because America is a Christian-based culture our women don’t wear burkas and receive clitorectomies. At least not yet. 

Still think I am wrong? Even our pagan-promoting government schools teach quasi-Christian values. In fact, they are the point of infection of most of our cultural AIDS. Fairness and justice are the lynchpin upon which the moral atheists hang their beliefs, but “fairness” is the enemy of truth. 

The educational syndicate values “fairness” above truth. Homosexuals deserve to marry because to deprive them of the “right” would not be “fair.” Having too much money would not be “fair” to the poor. Profiling “terrorists” would not be “fair.” Meanwhile, our “fairness” has cost the rest of us our liberty. Islam isn’t even a race, it is a religion.

But what makes fairness such an important virtue? Does the desire to be “fair” trump the commandment to be truthful? Calling homosexuality a “death-style” is not politically-correct because it would not “be nice”, even though it is true. Labeling abortion “choice” may be “non-judgmental”, but child-killing isn’t very “nice” to the baby.

Indoctrination has a negative connotation, but in truth, we are all indoctrinated. A “doctrine” is a set of beliefs. To “indoctrinate” is to put a set of believes into someone. Isn’t that what parenthood, and education, is all about? As I have often stated, the question is not WILL doctrine be taught to our children, but whose doctrine? The Cultural Marxists are using the Christian principles of the “Golden Rule” to indoctrinate us with Marists beliefs.
Abraham Lincoln warned us “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” Can you say Barack Obama?

The “multiculturalists” have spread their poison mixed with the syrup of Christianity and through government-school indoctrination they “changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creation more than the Creator.” (Romans 1:25). In the “multicultural” version of Christianity, homosexuality is not wrong but those who speak against it are. Violating the law of God is not nearly as sinful as holding the sinner accountable. Loving the sinner is more honorable than hating the sin.

The current Obamaocracy in Washington is the manifestation of Lincoln’s admonition. His administration is the poster child of multicultural Christianity; Love the terrorist…hate the terror. By co-opting Christianity they have infected America’s Christian culture. We no longer recognize truth. What AIDS does to the immune system, multiculturalism has done to our nation. 

Watch for the coming assault on Brit Hume. All he did was suggest what millions of Christians have been thinking. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” Hume had the courage and personal conviction to say that Tiger needs Jesus. Had he suggested “meditation”, or sex-addiction therapy, or perhaps a session on Oprah’s couch he would have been hailed as compassionate and understanding. But to opine that sin requires redemption demands penance for such a judgmental act. 

Look at what Christianity has become. The new AIDS has emaciated the church. The average American-Christian no longer has the ability to discern right from wrong because the virus has invaded the leadership. There is no prophylactic for the tainted meat belching from the pulpits. The watchmen have been infected and they are passing the bug through their Humanistic sermons. Rare is the man of God who will boldly declare the oracles of God.

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14

A sea change is occurring in America. The “silent majority” is beginning to sing. In the rush to “reclaim” our government we must be sure not to ignore the point of infection. “Voting them out” is not enough. We must close the doors through which the infection has invaded.

Get out of your dead church. Start, or join, a home fellowship. Don’t wait on your pastor to get healthy. Most have full-blown AIDS. Trust yourself, those you fellowship with and the Holy Spirit to guide you to all truth. Take ownership of your spiritual health.

Remove your children from public schools. It is the greatest gift you can give them. We must quarantine our children from the poison of the left. Stop fighting to “reform” your public schools. Isolate for impact. See your children as tomorrow’s leaders. Form a home-school co-op with other like minded parents. Don’t waste money on “Christian” schools. Most merely mix a little Bible with their Humanism.

Educate yourself. Turn off Faux News, O’Reilly, Hannity, and Limbaugh. Get out of the “conservative box” they have trapped you in. Develop the mind of Christ and study to see the world through the filter of the Scriptures, rather than “conservative media.” Remember, Conservativism is Counterfeit Salt. None of the big three talkers are Christians. They cannot understand Spiritual things. They are trying to do what pastors won’t but offer political solutions for spiritual problems.

Hold “Tea-parties” in your home where you help inoculate your family and friends against the Cultural Marxist infection. Show videos, share ideas, teach the Constitution. Most people just don’t know. Call local talk shows, write letters to the editors. Help people realize they have been snookered.

Stand up. Speak up. Don’t back down. Lift up the Lord and His Word…His plan.

That is how the Marxists have won. We could learn a thing or two from studying them. Their techniques have worked. Is there any reason why we can’t win the next generation? What they have done with lies we can do with truth.

Revival is going on around the world….why not here? Revival or death. That is America’s choice. It is time to get off of your lazy hind end and resist the infection.
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A Letter To My Friends About TBN


Why We Watch. Why We Shouldn't.
by Michael Spencer

Dear friends,

Over the years, many of you have talked with me about the preachers and teachers you watch on TBN, the ironically named Trinity Broadcasting Network. Some of you tell me about the ministries you like, and you assume that I will like them too. You've been a little surprised that I don't like Joyce or T.D. or Jesse or Paul or Rod or Benny, and maybe you've concluded I am too narrow or too Baptist or too Calvinistic. I want you to know that my problem with TBN is more substantial than jealousy.

Some of you know that I worshiped with the charismatics when I was a much younger Christian, and that I am not at all opposed to a lot about charismatic worship. You know that I encourage raising hands, and that I've been seen with mine up in the air a few times. You know that I have tremendous respect for some Pentecostal ministers, particularly Jack Hayford and many of the Vineyard churches, even though I disagree with them on some important doctrinal matters. I love my Pentecostal and charismatic brothers and sisters. So you may be surprised that I view most of the TBN family quite negatively. In fact, I believe many of them are as dangerously cultic as the Mormons or the JWs.

Frequently, many of you will ask me what I think about someone you are watching on TBN, and you have noticed my lack of enthusiasm. Some of you are may be uneasy about what you've seen and heard as well, while others have obviously wondered if I have a lack of love for people who are anointed with the Spirit and obviously gifted with ministries that help people. You clearly wonder why I can't see that God is blessing these ministries, and using them in powerful ways. It's not that you don't see or hear some of what bothers me, it's simply that- on balance- you see and hear mostly things that you agree with. You have possibly concluded that I am too denominational, and not open to what the Holy Spirit is doing through those with whom I might disagree.

I think these are important matters. TBN is the largest religious broadcasting medium in the world. When I was growing up, Billy Graham Crusades appeared on television a couple of times a year. TBN reaches as many people as those Graham Crusades every minute. Years ago, when it was 700 Club, PTL and TBN, I would have laughed out loud to be told that the Paul and Jan's little operation would one day overwhelm every other religious broadcaster on the planet. I would never have believed that Jan's hair would outlast Tammy Faye's mascara, but that is what has happened. To be on TBN is to be at the pinnacle of religious broadcasting success, and to be guaranteed millions- maybe billions- of viewers and potential supporters. To be on TBN is to appear to be approved by God because you are as successful as you can be in the evangelical world.

Now, could we think about that for a moment? Think about the assumptions we make about what we see and hear on the major television networks and major cable channels. We are socialized as post-modern Americans to believe that, if it's on TV and it looks genuine, it's true, and legitimate. We need to admit that we think this way. Let me use a couple of illustrations. Which looks more impressive to most people: a baseball team playing right of front of them, or the same baseball team playing on television? Why? See what I mean? Which preacher is more impressive: the preacher at the church down the street or the often less capable preacher on TV? Do you think the camera shots, the production, the music, the stage settings have anything to do with that? Do you think the assumptions we make about television have anything to do with that? (Is Billy Graham really a better preacher than thousands of local church pastors? Was Johnny Carson really funnier than the guy at work? Is Pam Anderson really prettier than the girls you see at the mall?)

When you turn on TBN and Rod Parsley comes on, it is impressive. The music, the visuals, the graphics, the edited shots, the sweeping camera movement, the organ, the band, the choir, the overall production. If you take all that away from Parsley, and put  him in the little church on the corner to do his thing.....well, he's not the same. There are a number of words we could pick from here- overdone, over the top, freaky, scary, overdramatic, nuts, in need of medication- but I will let you supply the term. I'll just say it would bring Rod down to size. On TV he is fun to watch. If he showed up at our church, he would scare my dog and kids.

I am not the least bit afraid to say that television preachers are overrated and produced in a way that is designed to suck you right in. If I could be introduced to my church with professional-quality intro music; have all my gaffs, mistakes, and quirks edited out; be electronically forced to preach for 25 minutes and then my sermon be offered in book and tape form in a great commercial, I would be more successful too. That's why every preacher in America will do anything to be able to say he or she is on TV or radio. People automatically see being on TV or radio as success and superiority, whether it is the local religious cable channel or TBN's worldwide network.

So, how about considering for a moment that Benny Hinn, Kim Clement, Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis and company might be no better- and maybe a lot worse- than Joe Average Regular Guy Preacher down at the church on the corner. And, maybe, just maybe, by letting these characters take center stage and dominate American Christianity, we are making a terrible mistake. It could be that the presentation of these people of television has obscured things you would notice- and be really turned off by- if you spent real time in their presence.

Fortunately, there are people out there who make it their business to listen and read and look into the TBN gang. Now you may think it is a lack of love to have someone check out your friends, but if you are a responsible adult, you know that there is nothing at all unloving about asking what has Joyce Meyer written in all her books. What does Jesse really believe? What is Paul's attitude towards the Bible? What does T.D. really say?  Some of these observers are hostile, you say. They can't be trusted because they are biased. When Bill Clinton was having sex with an intern, did it matter whether a Republican pundit or a Democrat partisan gave us the news? Facts are stubborn things. If Parsley says he is dispensing an end-time financial blessing, if Jesse says he has been given personal visits to heaven, if Joyce says Jesus was reborn in hell, if Benny says Jesus will appear on his stage (all actual claims btw), then it's either in the record or its not.

I'll admit that some of the critics of TBN won't win any merit badges for being nice, but in all honesty, if we are talking about important matters of Christian belief, it doesn't matter who pulls the alarm. (In particular, I have in mind Cornerstone Magazine and CRI, both of who have done the body of Christ a true service by pointing out just how far astray many of the TBN crew have wandered from mainstream Christianity.) And that brings me to the primary mistakes people often make regarding many of the TBN ministries. I'll call it, "The things/people I like make up for the things/people I don't like or don't understand" problem.

Jesse Duplantis is funny. Joyce Meyer is straightforward and practical. Rod Parsley can be a powerful speaker. Paul and Jan are very sincere. The chicks love T.D. in a sweat. Many TBN worship services are exciting and the music is well done. Most of us like Hayford and Hagee. You even see D. James Kennedy and my hero Ravi Zacharias on TBN occasionally. Boar's Head Tavern member Rob Ray appeared on TBN.  Shouldn't all this be taken into consideration? Can't the average person filter out the problems and be edified by the good teaching and the good people? Does one bad apple have to spoil the whole bunch?

This is pretty persuasive. I know most of my friends take this approach. They turn off Benny when he starts knocking them over. They turn off Kim Clement when he gets off the piano and starts talking like the 67th book of the Bible. They forgive Jesse and Copeland and Freddie Price for the Word Faith stuff. A lot of TBN they avoid entirely. I would be a fool to say that a person can't sort through the bad and find a lot of good. 

You could do the same over at EWTN, the Roman Catholic Channel. You could do the same at most Mormon worship services. OR the New Age Bookstore. You could listen to T.D. Jakes for months and never guess he doesn't believe in the classic doctrine of the Trinity. You could listen to Kenneth Copeland for months and never guess that he doesn't believe the Nicene Creed. But let me ask you a question: Do you think that is what you should be doing? Is it God's plan that you, as a Christian, sort through the cyanide to get to the salad? Is it the Bible's teaching that a false teacher can be forgiven much as long as they give some practical guidelines on parenting or dealing with anger? You see, the fruit on the TBN tree in not entirely unattractive, but if you examine the roots, you will see major problems. Problems that scripture speaks to over and over. Problems that would have gotten you stoned to death in the Old Testament and excommunicated in the early church.

Paul Crouch has plainly said that he has no interest in doctrine, but only in Jesus. He's spoken about God sending vengeance on anyone who dared question the teachings of anyone on TBN. That non-interest in doctrine probably explains why the Jesus of TBN is dispensing instant faith healing, hundredfold financial returns, visions, prophecies, personal appearances, gold teeth fillings, hit movies, record contracts, new cars, and more along with the message of forgiveness. Crouch has created a network where anyone who calls himself a Christian is one, no matter what he believes or practices. Kenneth Hagin is as welcome as Franklin Graham. James Kennedy is on an equal footing with Mike Warnke. Jack Hayford and Kim Clement are interchangeable on TBN. And millions of TBN viewers buy this view of the body of Christ.

Even when TBN ministers don't explicitly deny the Gospel, many of them foster an atmosphere that majors on a constant menu of the next new thing. A new word. A new prophecy. A new product. A new blessing. The glory of the Gospel, the Bible and the drama of redemption are eclipsed by the next big thing coming down the pipeline from the Almighty. The Spirit always has a "Last Days" move on, or an "End Times" blessing happening or some major ministry event debuting that will change America and the world. It is like a huge soap opera or the continuing story line on wrestling. Yet no one ever says, "Too much drama, not enough Gospel!" You have to thank God for the Charles Stanleys and the David Jeremiahs who faithfully preach and teach without distraction or new story lines.

A few months ago, Christian radio personality Harold Camping made news when he announced that God had ended the church age and believers now only needed to listen to Camping's radio network for all their spiritual needs. I was surprised that Camping was kicked so hard for saying what TBN has been selling for years. TV preachers- both good and bad- have been replacing the local church for the entire existence of TBN. Religious television started out as a supplement to the church for shut-ins and night-shifters. Now it thinks it is the church, and TBN clearly thinks that it is the major instrument God is using to spread the Gospel in the world. Evangelicals now judge their churches and their pastors by comparison to Joyce Meyer or T.D. Jakes, not vice versa.

Aren't there good programs on TBN? Programs even I would recommend? Absolutely, and I hope they take over the network. But they won't. Crouch uses men like Kennedy or Greg Laurie or Adrian Rogers to achieve legitimacy. With a buffet that includes something for everyone, no one is willing to condemn the whole restaurant. So what should we do? I'm glad you asked.

1. TBN shouldn't be your whole spiritual meal. In fact, it shouldn't be the main course. Find the solid stuff. Watch it and turn off the rest quickly.

2. If they don't hold to the teaching of the Bible on the essentials- and most of them don't- don't watch them at all. The poison is there, even when you think it's not. Read Jude and 2 Peter on false teachers. We aren't supposed to tolerate them 95% of the time. I know that may be hard for you to face, but it's the truth. A false teacher who is right about some things and tells great stories and really preaches practical principles is still going to hell and taking busfulls with him/her.

3. If you don't know what they believe, find out. If they said or wrote something seriously unacceptable- and most of them have- then do the right thing. I have a library full of people who believe different things, so I think diversity is great. But not the health/wealth gospel. Not spiritual warfare fanaticism. Not the Word Faith mess. Not denying the Trinity and the incarnation. Not replacing the Bible with prophetic words. No, no, no.

4. Read. OK. Read. Good solid books. Go to Discerning Reader or Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service and get some decent books. This whole Christian media mess is because we have quit reading or decided to read nothing more substantial than "Jabez." The reformation couldn't happen today because no one would read Luther's stuff.

5. Make your pastor into a better preacher. Pray for him. Give him some book money. Send him to some conferences. Tell the crowd that wants more music and less preaching to button up or go to another church. Your pastor is intimidated and discouraged most of the time. If he works hard, he is a million times more important to you than a Joyce Meyer or Kim Clement or T.D. Jakes.

6. "But God uses those people." Maybe. But if they are preaching a false Gospel, or elements of a false Gospel, I think you may need to face an unpleasant truth: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.

7. Remember that we are to separate from error and it is not unloving to do so. Charles Spurgeon withdrew from the Baptist Union of England rather than be associated with its soft stand on the Bible. They weren't denying the Trinity or saying Jesus was born again in hell or offering an end times financial blessing to all contributors. They were just soft on the doctrine of verbal inspiration. Spurgeon took a walk. It broke his heart. He openly wept. He was criticized at the time. Today, we know what happened. The Baptist Union went down the commode and Spurgeon is a giant among preachers. He was right and you will be, too.

Well friends, I hope we are still friends. I know most of you will not pay that much attention to what I've said, but perhaps someone will. My concern is for your soul, your walk with Christ, and your ministry in your family, your church, and in the world. It is my hope that you become so grounded in the Word that listening to Rod Parsley makes your hair stand on end. I hope you become such a supporter of your church and your pastor that you don't have enough time to watch TBN. It's my prayer that you become an annoying person giving books by Puritans away to all your friends.

Your friend and brother in Christ, Michael Spencer

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What exactly DOES 1st Corinthians 9:19-22 mean, anyway?

http://defendingcontending.com/2009/08/27/what-exactly-does-1st-corinthians-919-22-mean-anyway/

Small Children's Cathecism

Small Children's Catechism

By Chris Schlect

1. Who made you?
A. God
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2. What else did God make?
A. God made all things.
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3. Why did God make all things?
A. For His own glory
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4. Why do things work as they do?
A. God has so decreed it.
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5. How do we learn about God?
A. God reveals Himself.
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6. Where does God reveal Himself?
A. In His word and in nature
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7. What does God reveal in nature?
A. His character, law, and wrath
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8. What more is revealed in His Word?
A. God's mercy toward His people
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9. Where is God's Word today?
A. The Bible is God's Word.
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10. How many Gods are there?
A. There is one true God.
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11. How many persons are in the Godhead?
A. three
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12. Who are these persons?
A. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
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13. Where is God?
A. He is everywhere.
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14. How long has God existed?
A. He has always been.
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15. How is man unique?
A. He bears God's image.
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16. Who was the first man?
A. Adam
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17. What was Adam like at creation?
A. He was good.
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18. Did Adam remain good?
A. No, he sinned.
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19. What is sin?
A. disobedience to God's law
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20. What is the penalty for sin?
A. death
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21. What came of Adam's sin?
A. Death came to all men.
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22. Why did Adam's sin affect all men?
A. we all sinned in Adam
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23. Must all men die for sin?
A. No, God elected some to life.
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24. How may we be saved from sin and death?
A. only through Jesus Christ
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25. Who is Jesus Christ?
A. He is God's Son.		   26. Did Jesus ever sin?
A. No, only He is righteous.
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27. What did Jesus do for His people?
A. He conquered death.
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28. How did He do this?
A. He died, then rose again.
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29. What else did Christ conquer?
A. all his enemies
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30. Are His enemies powerful?
A. They have come to nothing.
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31. What did He give to His people?
A. His own righteousness
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32. What did He take from His people?
A. their sin
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33. How is Christ's work brought to His people?
A. by the Holy Spirit
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34. What does the Holy Spirit do?
A. He gives faith.
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35. What is faith?
A. resting on Christ for salvation
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36. How do we recognize true faith?
A. it yields good works
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37. Who are Christ's people?
A. they make up His church
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38. What are the traits of His church?
A. the Word, discipline, and sacraments
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39. How is the Word a trait of His church?
A. All God's Word is preached.
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40. How is discipline a trait of His church?
A. God's people are protected.
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41. What are sacraments?
A. signs and seals of God's covenant
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42. What sacraments are there?
A. baptism and the Lord's supper
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43. Who is Head of the Church?
A. Jesus Christ
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44. What offices has Christ appointed?
A. overseers and deacons
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45. Is His Church perfect?
A. It is being perfected.
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46. When will it be perfect?
A. at the resurrection
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47. What happens at the resurrection?
A. Christ judges all men's deeds.
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48. What of those He deems righteous?
A. They dwell with Him forever.
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49. What of those He condemns?
A. They perish forever.
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50. How does this judgment affect Christ?
A. It magnifies His glory.
http://www.reformed.org/documents/child_cat.html

Catechism For Young Children

CATECHISM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

An Introduction to the Shorter Catechism

Q. 1. Who made you?
A. God.
Q. 2. What else did God make?
A. God made all things.
Q. 3. Why did God make you and all things ?
A. For his own glory.
Q. 4. How can you glorify God?
A. By loving him and doing what he commands.
Q. 5. Why ought you to glorify God?
A. Because he made me and takes care of me.
Q. 6. Are there more gods than one?
A. There is only one God.
Q. 7. In how many persons does this one God exist?
A. In three persons.
Q. 8. What are they?
A. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Q. 9. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, and has not a body like men.
Q. 10. Where is God?
A. God is everywhere.
Q. 11. Can you see God?
A. No; I cannot see God, but he always sees me.
Q. 12. Does God know all things?
A. Yes; nothing can be hid from God.
Q. 13. Can God do all things?
A. Yes; God can do all his holy will.
Q. 14. Where do you learn how to love and obey God?
A. In the Bible alone.
Q. 15. Who wrote the Bible?
A. Holy men who were taught by the Holy Spirit.
Q. 16. Who were our first parents?
A. Adam and Eve.
Q. 17. Of what were our first parents made?
A. God made the body of Adam out of the ground, and formed Eve from the body of Adam.
Q. 18. What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies?
A. He gave them souls that could never die.
Q. 19. Have you a soul as well as a body?
A. Yes; I have a soul that can never die.
Q. 20. How do you know that you have a soul?
A. Because the Bible tells me so.
Q. 21. In what condition did God make Adam and Eve?
A. He made them holy and happy.
Q. 22. What is a covenant?
A. An agreement between two or more persons.
Q. 23. What covenant did God make with Adam?
A. The covenant of works.
Q. 24. What was Adam bound to do by the covenant of works?
A. To obey God perfectly.
Q. 25. What did God promise in the covenant of works?
A. To reward Adam with life if he obeyed him.
Q. 26. What did God threaten in the covenant of works?
A. To punish Adam with death if he disobeyed.
Q. 27. Did Adam keep the covenant of works?
A. No; he sinned against God.
Q. 28. What is Sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the law of God.
Q. 29. What is meant by want of conformity?
A. Not being or doing what God requires.
Q. 30. What is meant by transgression?
A. Doing what God forbids.
Q. 31. What was the sin of our first parents?
A. Eating the forbidden fruit.
Q. 32. Who tempted them to this sin?
A. The devil tempted Eve, and she gave the fruit to Adam.
Q. 33. What befell our first parents when they had sinned?
A. Instead of being holy and happy, they became sinful and miserable.
Q. 34. Did Adam act for himself alone in the covenant of works?
A. No; he represented all his posterity.
Q. 35. What effect had the sin of Adam on all mankind?
A. All mankind are born in a state of sin and misery.
Q. 36. What is that sinful nature which we inherit from Adam called?
A. Original sin.
Q. 37. What does every sin deserve?
A. The wrath and curse of God.
Q. 38. Can any one go to heaven with this sinful nature?
A. No; our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for heaven.
Q. 39. What is a change of heart called?
A. Regeneration.
Q. 40. Who can change a sinner's heart?
A. The Holy Spirit alone.
Q. 41. Can any one be saved through the covenant of works?
A. None can be saved through the covenant of works.
Q. 42. Why can none be saved through the covenant of works?
A. Because all have broken it, and are condemned by it
Q. 43. With whom did God the Father make the covenant of grace?
A. With Christ, his eternal Son.
Q. 44. Whom did Christ represent in the covenant of grace?
A. His elect people.
Q. 45. What did Christ undertake in the covenant of grace?
A. To keep the whole law for his people, and to suffer the punishment due to their sins.
Q. 46. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever commit the least sin?
A. No; he was holy, harmless, and undefiled.
Q. 47. How could the Son of God suffer?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man that he might obey and suffer in our nature.
Q. 48. What is meant by the Atonement?
A. Christ's satisfying divine justice, by his sufferings and death, in the place of sinners.
Q. 49. What did God the Father undertake in the covenant of grace?
A. To justify and sanctify those for whom Christ should die.
Q. 50. What is justification?
A. It is God's forgiving sinners, and treating them as if they had never sinned.
Q. 51. What is sanctification?
A. It is God's making sinners holy in heart and conduct.
Q. 52. For whom did Christ obey and suffer?
A. For those whom the Father had given him.
Q. 53. What kind of life did Christ live on earth?
A. A life of poverty and suffering.
Q. 54. What kind of death did Christ die?
A. The painful and shameful death of the cross.
Q. 55. Who will be saved?
A. Only those who repent of sin, believe in Christ, and lead holy lives.
Q. 56. What is it to repent?
A. To be sorry for sin, and to hate and forsake it because it is displeasing to God.
Q. 57. What is it to believe or have faith in Christ?
A. To trust in Christ alone for salvation.
Q. 58. Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power?
A. No; I can do nothing good without the help of God's Holy Spirit.
Q. 59. How can you get the help of the Holy Spirit?
A. God has told us that we must pray to him for the Holy Spirit.
Q. 60. How long ago is it since Christ died?
A. More than nineteen hundred years.
Q. 61. How were pious persons saved before the coming of Christ?
A. By believing in a Savior to come.
Q. 62. How did they show their faith?
A. By offering sacrifices on God's altar.
Q. 63. What did these sacrifices represent?
A. Christ, the Lamb of God, who was to die for sinners.
Q. 64. What offices has Christ?
A. Christ has three offices.
Q. 65. What are they?
A. The offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king.
Q. 66. How is Christ a prophet?
A. Because he teaches us the will of God.
Q. 67. How is Christ a priest?
A. Because he died for our sins and pleads with God for us.
Q. 68. How is Christ a king?
A. Because he rules over us and defends us.
Q. 69. Why do you need Christ as a prophet?
A. Because I am ignorant.
Q. 70. Why do you need Christ as a priest?
A. Because I am guilty.
Q. 71. Why do you need Christ as a king?
A. Because I am weak and helpless.
Q. 72. How many commandments did God give on Mount Sinai?
A. Ten commandments.
Q. 73. What are the ten commandments sometimes called?
A. The Decalogue.
Q. 74. What do the first four commandments teach?
A. Our duty to God.
Q. 75. What do the last six commandments teach?
A. Our duty to our fellow men.
Q. 76. What is the sum of the ten commandments?
A. To love God with all my heart, and my neighbor as myself.
Q. 77. Who is your neighbor?A. All my fellow men are my neighbors.
Q. 78. Is God pleased with those who love and obey him?
A. Yes; he says, "I love them that love me."
Q. 79. Is God displeased with those who do not love and obey him?
A. Yes; "God is angry with the wicked every day."
Q. 80. What is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Q. 81. What does the first commandment teach us?
A. To worship God alone.
Q. 82. What is the second commandment?
A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any things that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Q. 83. What does the second commandment teach us?
A. To worship God in a proper manner, and to avoid idolatry.
Q. 84. What is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Q. 85. What does the third commandment teach me?
A. To reverence God's name, word, and works.
Q. 86. What is the fourth commandment?
A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it.
Q. 87. What does the fourth commandment teach us?
A. To keep the Sabbath holy.
Q. 88. What day of the week is the Christian Sabbath?
A. The first day of the week, called the Lord's day.
Q. 89. Why is it called the Lord's day?
A. Because on that day Christ rose from the dead.
Q. 90. How should the Sabbath be spent?
A. In prayer and praise, in hearing and reading God's Word, and in doing good to our fellow men.
Q. 91. What is the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Q. 92. What does the fifth commandment teach me?
A. To love and obey our parents and teachers.
Q. 93. What is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.
Q. 94. What does the sixth commandment teach us?
A. To avoid angry passions.
Q. 95. What is the seventh commandment?
A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Q. 96. What does the seventh commandment teach us?
A. To be pure in heart, language, and conduct.
Q. 97. What is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.
Q. 98. What does the eighth commandment teach us?
A. To be honest and industrious.
Q. 99. What is the ninth commandment?
A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Q. 100. What does the ninth commandment teach us?
A. To tell the truth.
Q. 101. What is the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
Q. 102. What does the tenth commandment teach us?
A. To be content with our lot.
Q. 103. Can any man keep these ten commandments perfectly?
A. No mere man, since the fall of Adam, ever did or can keep the ten commandments perfectly.
Q. 104. Of what use are the ten commandments to us?
A. They teach us our duty, and show our need of a Savior.
Q. 105. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is asking God for things which he has promised to give.
Q. 106. In whose name should we pray?
A. Only in the name of Christ.
Q. 107. What has Christ given us to teach us how to pray?
A. The Lord's Prayer.
Q. 108. Repeat the Lord's Prayer.
A. Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Q. 109. How many petitions are there in The Lord's Prayer?
A. Six.
Q. 110. What is the first petition?
A. "Hallowed be thy name."
Q. 111. What do we pray for in the first petition?
A. That God's name may be honored by us and all men.
Q. 112. What is the second petition?
A. "Thy kingdom come."
Q. 113. What do we pray for in the second petition?
A. That the gospel may be preached in all the world, and believed and obeyed by us and all men.
Q. 114. What is the third petition?
A. "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
Q. 115. What do we pray for in the third petition?
A. That men on earth may serve God as the angels do in heaven.
Q. 116. What is the fourth petition?
A. "Give us this day our daily bread."
Q. 117. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
A. That God would give us all things needful for our bodies and souls.
Q. 118. What is the fifth petition?
A. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
Q. 119. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A. That God would pardon our sins for Christ's sake, and enable us to forgive those who have injured us.
Q. 120. What is the sixth petition?
A. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Q. 121. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. That God would keep us from sin.
Q. 122. How many sacraments are there?
A. Two.
Q. 123. What are they?
A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Q. 124. Who appointed these sacraments?
A. The Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. 125. Why did Christ appoint these sacraments?
A. To distinguish his disciples from the world, and to comfort and strengthen them.
Q. 126. What sign is used in baptism?
A. The washing with water.
Q. 127. What does this signify?
A. That we are cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ.
Q. 128. In whose name are we baptized?
A. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Q. 129. Who are to be baptized?
A. Believers and their children.
Q. 130. Why should infants be baptized?
A. Because they have a sinful nature and need a Savior.
Q. 131. Does Christ care for little children?
A. Yes; for he says, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."
Q. 132. To what does your baptism bind you?
A. To be a true follower of Christ.
Q. 133. What is the Lord's Supper?
A. The eating of bread and drinking of wine in remembrance of the sufferings and death of Christ.
Q. 134. What does the bread represent?
A. The body of Christ, broken for our sins.
Q. 135. What does the wine represent?
A. The blood of Christ, shed for our salvation.
Q. 136. Who should partake of the Lord's Supper?
A. Only those who repent of their sins, believe in Christ for salvation, and love their fellow men.
Q. 137. Did Christ remain in the tomb after his crucifixion?
A. No; he rose from the tomb on the third day after his death.
Q. 138. Where is Christ now?
A. In heaven, interceding for sinners.
Q. 139. Will he come again?
A. Yes; at the last day Christ will come to judge the world.
Q. 140. What becomes of men at death?
A. The body returns to dust, and the soul goes into the world of spirits.
Q. 141. Will the bodies of the dead be raised to life again?
A. Yes; "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised."
Q. 142. What will become of the wicked in the day of judgment?
A. They shall be cast into hell.
Q. 143. What is hell?
A. A place of dreadful and endless torment.
Q. 144. What will become of the righteous?
A. They shall be taken to heaven.
Q. 145. What is heaven?
A. A glorious and happy place, where the righteous shall be forever with the Lord.

http://www.reformed.org/documents/cat_for_young_children.html

A Checklist For Church Music

In the book, Fool’s Gold- Discerning Truth in an Age of Error (Crossway Books, ISBN 158134726X), John MacArthur, general editor of the book also writes one of the chapters that focuses on “What the Bible Says About Contemporary Worship Music.”  In this chapter MacArthur quotes an article  by Nathan Busenitz called “A Checklist for Church Music.”  I think Busenitz’s list gives us a number of biblical principles to guide worship leaders in music selection.  Here is his list and comments:

1.  Is your church music God-focused?  Without a question, true worship must be God-centered (Exodus 20:3-6), for He alone is worthy of our praise (Psalm 148: 13)….Anything short of God-centered worship is idolatry (Jeremiah 2:13, 27-28) and false worship is unacceptable (Deuteronomy 12:29-31; 16: 21-22, Galatians 5:19-21). . . Because biblical worship demands a God-centered focus, church music (if it is to legitimately be called worship music) must begin and end with Him.

2. Does your church music promote a high view of God?  Too many Christian songs come dangerously close to violating the commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7) by treating Him in a common, almost mundane fashion.  Our music must clearly convey the majesty, glory, and honor of God (Hebrews 10:31, Romans 11:33-36, Revelation 14:7).

3.  Is your church music orderly? The God whom we serve is a God of order… the apostle Paul commands the Corinthians that “all things [in the church] should be done decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40).  Ephesians 5:18 commands believers to continually be under the control of the Holy Spirit at all times.  Church music, then, should never encourage participants to exchange the control of the Spirit for the control of some other force - be it emotional, psychological, or other. Rather church members are to be under the influence of the Spirit-empowered Word of God (Colossians 3:16).  Mindless emotionalism, often hyped up by repetition and “letting go,” comes closer to the paganism of the Gentiles (Matt. 6:7) than to any form of biblical worship.

4.  Is the content of your church music biblically sound? Lyrics should be both intelligible and biblically accurate - readily conveying scriptural truth to all who sing them (Ephesians 5:19-20).  Lyrics should never be trite or flippant in their treatment of great biblical themes.  Instead, church music (no matter the style) should deepen the biblical and theological understanding of the congregation.  A song that is inaccurate, out-of-context, or trite only hinders the spiritual growth of those who sing it.

5.  Does your church music promote unity in your church? As noted above, the primary goal of church music is worship. Yet, Scripture also speaks of Christian songs as a form of edification (I Corinthians 14:26, Ephesians 5:19-20). Because the church is a body (I Corinthians 12), our worship toward God includes our service toward others (Romans 12:1-9).  The goal of corporate worship then is to glorify God while serving others. With this in mind, the right approach to church music never selfishly demands personal preference, but always looks out for the interest of others (Philippians 2:1-4).

6.  Is your church music performed with excellence? Church music, along with everything else we do, should be done for the glory and honor of God (I Corinthians 10:31).  While a church may not have the resources to hire a full orchestra or recruit a large band, the music should still be done wholeheartedly and with excellence.

7.  Does your church music prepare your people for the preaching of God’s Word?   Times of singing (when God’s people speak to Him) should never overshadow or eclipse preaching (when God speaks to His people through His Word).  Instead, worship through song should compliment the proclamation of the truth.  Church music that takes place before the sermon should prepare the congregation for what the Holy Spirit wants them to hear.  And church music that follows the sermon should be an appropriate response to what has just been received (Colossians 3:16-17).
8.  Does your church music adorn the gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul commands us to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior … in everything” (Titus 2:10) and Peter exhorts us to “proclaim the excellencies” of God (I Peter 2:9).    Church music, then, should be a wonderful witness to the greatness of our Lord and Savior.  It should never tarnish His reputation or confuse unbelievers as to what the gospel teaches.

9.  Does your church music promote passionate worship?  Church music should never be boring, dry, or stale.  After all, God is not boring.  And heaven (where the primary occupation is worship) is also not boring (Revelation 4 and 5).  While maintaining a proper respect for God, biblical worship is always brimming with personal passion and Christ-exalting emotion.   The expression of this passion and Christ-exalting emotion will manifest itself differently in different congregations.  This passion must be expressed in and orderly, Spirit-controlled manner. Nonetheless, passionate worship - sounding more like a lullaby than a glorious anthem - is not really worship at all (John 4:23).

10.  Is your church’s philosophy of music based on biblical principles? Church leaders should not simply adhere to certain standards because they have always done so.  Nor should they blindly permit just any type of music to be played in their church services.  Instead, they should search the Scriptures (like the Bereans of Acts 17:11), determining the biblical principles that undergird a right philosophy of music in worship.

from A Checklist for Church Music - an article by Nathan Busenitz.
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