The Lesser Catechism
The Lesser Catechism by John Owen explores the nature of God, the relationship between God and humanity, and the role of Jesus Christ in our salvation.
John Owen emphasizes that all truth about God and ourselves is found in the Scriptures, which reveal God's nature as an eternal and holy Spirit, the existence of one God in three persons, and His decrees and works. He explains that humanity fell from grace through sin, and the only way to redemption is through Jesus Christ, who serves as our Mediator, King, Priest, and Prophet. Owen highlights the necessity of faith, repentance, and holiness in our relationship with God, and the privileges of believers, including union with Christ and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. Ultimately, he concludes that the purpose of God's plan is to glorify Himself through our salvation.
Text
Ques. Whence is all truth concerning God and ourselves to be learned?
Ans. From the holy Scripture, the Word of God. -- Chapter i. of the Greater Catechism.
Q. What do the Scriptures teach that God is?
A. An eternal, infinite, most holy Spirit, giving being to all things, and doing with them whatsoever he pleaseth. -- Chap. ii.
Q. Is there but one God?
A. One only, in respect of his essence and being, but one in three distinct persons, of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. -- Chap. iii.
Q. What else is held forth in the Word concerning God, that we ought to know?
A. His decrees, and his works. -- Chap. iv.
Q. What are the decrees of God concerning us?
A. His eternal purposes, of saving some by Jesus Christ, for the praise of his glory, and of condemning others for their sins. -- Chap. v.
Q. What are the works of God?
A. Acts or doings of his power, whereby he createth, sustaineth, and governeth all things. -- Chap. vi.
Q. What is required from us towards Almighty God?
A. Holy and spiritual obedience, according to his law given unto us. -- Chap. vii.
Q. Are we able to do this of ourselves?
A. No, in no wise, being by nature unto every good work reprobate. -- Chap. vii.
Q. How came we into this estate, being at the first created in the image of God, in righteousness and innocency?
A. By the fall of our first parents, breaking the covenant of God, losing his grace, and deserving his curse. -- Chap. viii.
468Q. By what way may we be delivered from this miserable estate?
A. Only by Jesus Christ. -- Chap. ix.
Q. What is Jesus Christ?
A. God and man united in one person, to be a Mediator between God and man. -- Chap x.
Q. What is he unto us?
A. A King, a Priest, and a Prophet. -- Chap. xi.
Q. Wherein doth he exercise his kingly power towards us?
A. In converting us unto God by his Spirit, subduing us unto his obedience, and ruling in us by his grace. -- Chap. xii.
Q. In what doth the exercise of his priestly office for us chiefly consist?
A. In offering up himself an acceptable sacrifice on the cross, so satisfying the justice of God for our sins, removing his curse from our persons, and bringing us unto him. -- Chap. xiii.
Q. Wherein doth Christ exercise his prophetical office towards us?
A. In revealing to our hearts, from the bosom of his Father, the way and truth whereby we must come unto him. -- Chap. xiii.
Q. In what condition doth Jesus Christ exercise these offices?
A. He did in a low estate of humiliation on earth, but now in a glorious estate of exaltation in heaven. -- Chap. xiv.
Q. For whose sake doth Christ perform all these?
A. Only for his elect. -- Chap. xv.
Q. What is the church of Christ?
A. The universal company of God's elect, called to the adoption of children. -- Chap. xvi.
Q. How come we to be members of this church?
A. By a lively faith. -- Chap. xvii.
Q. What is a lively faith?
A. An assured resting of the soul upon God's promises of mercy in Jesus Christ, for pardon of sins here and glory hereafter. -- Chap. xviii.
Q. How come we to have this faith?
A. By the effectual working of the Spirit of God in our hearts, freely calling us from the state of nature to the state of grace. -- Chap. xviii.
Q. Are we accounted righteous for our faith?
A. No, but only for the righteousness of Christ, freely imputed unto us, and laid hold of by faith. -- Chap. xix.
Q. 1. Is there no more required of us but faith only?
A. Yes; repentance also, and holiness. -- Chap. xx.
Q. 2. What is repentance?
A. A forsaking of all sin, with godly sorrow for what we have committed. -- Chap. xx.
469Q. 3. What is that holiness which is required of us?
A. Universal obedience to the will of God revealed unto us. -- Chap. xx.
Q. What are the privileges of believers?
A. First, union with Christ; secondly, adoption of children; thirdly, communion of saints; fourthly, right to the seals of the new covenant; fifthly, Christian liberty; sixthly, resurrection of the body to life eternal. -- Chap. xxi.
Q. 1. What are the sacraments, or seals, of the new covenant?
A. Visible seals of God's spiritual promises, made unto us in the blood of Jesus Christ. -- Chap. xxii.
Q. 2. Which be they?
A. Baptism and the Lord's supper.
Q. What is baptism?
A. A holy ordinance, whereby, being sprinkled with water according to Christ's institution, we are by his grace made children of God, and have the promises of the covenant sealed unto us. -- Chap. xxiii.
Q. What is the Lord's supper?
A. A holy ordinance of Christ, appointed to communicate unto believers his body and blood spiritually, being represented by bread and wine, blessed, broken, poured out, and received of them. -- Chap. xxiv.
Q. Who have a right unto this sacrament?
A. They only who have an interest in Jesus Christ by faith. -- Chap. xxiv.
Q. What is the communion of saints?
A. A holy conjunction between all God's people, partakers of the same Spirit, and members of the same mystical body. -- Chap. xxv.
Q. What is the end of all this dispensation?
A. The glory of God in our salvation.
Glory be to God on high!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Source of Truth
- A. The Bible as the Word of God
- B. The Importance of Scripture in Understanding God and Ourselves
- II. The Nature of God
- A. God as Eternal, Infinite, and Holy
- B. God's Decrees and Works
- III. The Relationship Between God and Humanity
- A. God's Purposes and Plans for Humanity
- B. Humanity's Response to God's Plan
- IV. The Role of Jesus Christ
- A. Jesus as God and Man
- B. Jesus as Mediator, King, Priest, and Prophet
- V. The Church of Christ
- A. The Universal Company of God's Elect
- B. The Privileges of Believers
- VI. The Sacraments
- A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper as Visible Seals of God's Promises
- B. The Importance of Faith and Repentance
- VII. Conclusion
- A. The Glory of God in Our Salvation
Key Quotes
“Glory be to God on high!” — John Owen
“The Bible as the Word of God.” — John Owen
“God and man united in one person, to be a Mediator between God and man.” — John Owen
Application Points
- We must understand the Bible as the Word of God and seek to obey His law.
- Faith and repentance are essential for our salvation and growth in Christ.
- The church of Christ is the universal company of God's elect, and we are called to live in holy conjunction with all God's people.