Here you will find the questions, answers and Scripture proofs for the Shorter Catechism, together with a brief explanation.

    • Q.43/44

      Exodus 20:2, Luke 1:74 & 1 Peter 1:15-19

      The Westminster Shorter Catechism

      Q. 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?

      A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

      Q. 44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?

      A. The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us, that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.

      Scripture References:

      Exodus 20:2
      Luke 1:74
      1 Peter 1:15-19

      The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English:

      Q. 43. What introduces the ten commandments?

      A. These words introduce the ten commandments: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

      Q. 44. What does the introduction to the ten commandments teach us?

      A. The introduction to the ten commandments teaches us that, because God is Lord and is our God and redeemer, we must keep all His commandments.

      Questions

      1. What three things are found in the preface to motivate us to holy living?

      The three motivators are: (1) He is our Lord. (2) He is our God. (3) He is our Redeemer.

      2. Why should we keep His commandments because He is our Lord?

      We should keep His commandments because He is our Lord since He is our Creator and our Sovereign and as His creatures and subjects we owe Him this. (Psalm 100:2,3)

      3. Why should we keep His commandments because He is our God?

      We should keep His commandments because He is our God since He is our Covenant God and has brought us into a special relationship with Himself and therefore we have an obligation to serve Him.

      4. Why should we keep His commandments because He is our Redeemer?

      We should keep His commandments because He is our Redeemer since He bought us and made us free from sin and this should encourage us to be obedient unto Him.

      5. What wonderful lessons can be learned from the grammatical construction used in this question?

      The lesson that He is the Lord our God in the present time, not in the future; the lesson that He is the Lord God of every individual sinner (“Thy”) whom He calls.

      6. From what bondage are we delivered by the Lord our God?

      We are delivered from the bondage of being under the wrath of God and the guilt, power and pollution of sin, from hell itself. This should teach us to keep His commandments out of praise to Him for what He has done for us and out of the sense that this is the least we can do to repay Him. (Phil. 1:27)