First Catechism - For Baptists [Part Two]

I've written previously about the Presbyterian emphasis in the Sunday School material we use, particularly their approach to the issue of baptism in the catechism questions.

I found this interesting link to a set of revisions to the catechism, again from a Baptistic perspective. I commend the catechism to you as a time-tested way of communicating the essentials of our faith to your children and family. Writing the questions on 3x5 cards for review is a great way to quiz the whole family after dinner or some other time that works for you.

The Questions pertaining to the Ordinances:

Q. What two ordinances did Christ give to his church?

A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Q. Why did Christ give these ordinances?

A. To show that his disciples belong to him, and to remind them of what he has done for them.

Q. What is baptism?

A. The dipping of believers into water, as a sign of their union with Christ in his death, burial

and resurrection.

Q. What is the purpose of baptism?

A. To show believers that God has cleansed them from their sins through Jesus Christ.

Q. Who are to be baptized?

A. Only those who repent of their sins, and believe in Christ for salvation.

Q. Should babies be baptized?

A. No; because the Bible neither commands it, nor gives any example of it.

Discipleship: A Book I'm Reading [Thursday Theology]

Is this your vision of a Healthy Church?

First Catechism Revisions for Baptists [Thursday Theology]

In our youngest Sunday school class, we use the First Catechism as part of our curriculum, which is produced by Great Commission Publications, a Presbyterian organization. I like Presbyterians, though we differ with them in a few areas of theology, specifically 'who are the right recipients of Baptism?'

To make the catechism fully accessible to our kids, my wife and I rewrote the 'questionable questions' and I am posting them, along with a link to the First Catechism. We're currently working through the questions with our kids, writing the questions on 3x5 cards, and then doing pop-quizzes after dinner. Mom and Dad get quizzed too in order to make it fair. (Mom is doing better than Dad so far... Dad is going to study a bit more and pull out a surprise victory!)

I commend the catechism to you as a basic discipleship tool. Let me know how you put it to use!

First Catechism Revisions

126. How many ordinances are there?
Two.

127. What are they?
Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

128. Who appointed these ordinances?
The Lord Jesus Christ.

129. Why did Christ appoint these ordinances?
To distinguish his people from the world, and to comfort and strengthen them.

130. What sign is used in baptism?
Immersion in water.

131. What does this immersion in water represent?
That we are buried with Christ, cleansed from sin by his blood, and raised to walk in newness of life.

132. Into whose name are we baptized?
Into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

133. Who are to be baptized?
Believers only.

134. Why are only believers to be baptized?
Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and so baptism is reserved for those who by faith have united with Christ.