We are a community of Christian believers, who are in association with John Knox Presbyterian Church. We are committed to:
- The Bible as our only rule of faith and practice. It is inerrant, infallible, inspired by God in its original autographs, and preserved by Him for His people throughout the ages.
- The Westminster Standards, which include the doctrines of grace, which are known by the acronym T.U.L.I.P
- The preaching of The Word, the exercise of Church discipline, and the right celebration of the sacraments.
| WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM QUESTION OF THE WEEK |
Agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, with the assistance of commissioners from the Church of Scotland, as a part of the covenanted uniformity in religion between the Churches of Christ in the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland and approved Anno 1648, by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to be a directory for catechising such as have made some proficiency in the knowledge of the grounds of religion, with The Proofs from the Scripture. Assembly at Edinburgh, July 2, 1648. Sess. 10. Act approving the Larger Catechism.
Question 188
Of how many parts doth the Lord’ s prayer consist?
The Lord’ s prayer consists of three parts; a preface, petitions, and a conclusion.
Question 189
What doth the preface of the Lord’ s prayer teach us?
The preface of the Lord’ s prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven, (Matt. 6:9)) teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein; (Luke 11:13, Rom. 8:15) with reverence, and all other child-like dispositions, (Isa. 64:9) heavenly affections, (Ps. 123:1, Lam. 3:41) and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension: (Isa. 63:15–16, Neh. 1:4–6) as also, to pray with and for others. (Acts 12:5)
Question 190
What do we pray for in the first petition?
In the first petition, (which is, Hallowed by thy name, (Matt. 6:9) ) acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honor God aright, (2 Cor. 3:5, Ps. 51:15) we pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem him, (Ps. 67:2–3) his titles, (Ps. 83:18) attributes, (Ps. 86:10–13,15) ordinances, word, (2 Thess. 3:1, Ps. 147:19–20, Ps. 138:1–3, 2 Cor. 2:14–15) works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by; (Ps. 145, Ps. 8) and to glorify him in thought, word, (Ps. 103:1, Ps. 19:14) and deed: (Phil. 1:9,11) that he would prevent and remove atheism, (Ps. 67:1–4) ignorance, (Eph. 1:17–18) idolatry, (Ps. 97:7) profaneness, (Ps. 74:18,22–23) and whatsoever is dishonorable to him; (2 Kings 19:15–16) and, by his over-ruling providence, direct and dispose of all things to his own glory. (2 Chron. 20:6,10–12, Ps. 83, Ps. 140:4,8)
Question 191
What do we pray for in the second petition?
In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come, (Matt. 6:10) ) acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan, (Eph. 2:2–3) we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed, (Ps. 68:1,18, Rev. 12:10–11) the gospel propagated throughout the world, (2 Thess. 3:1) the Jews called, (Rom. 10:1) the fullness of the Gentiles brought in; (John 17:9,20, Rom. 11:25–26, Ps. 67) the church furnished with all gospel-officers and ordinances, (Matt. 9:38, 2 Thess. 3:1) purged from corruption, (Mal. 1:11, Zeph. 3:9) countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate: (1 Tim. 2:1–2) and the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted: (Acts 4:29–30, Eph. 6:18–20, Rom. 15:29–30,32, 2 Thess. 1:11, 2 Thess. 2:16–17) that Christ would rule in our hearts here, (Eph. 3:14–20) and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him for ever: (Rev. 22:20) and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends. (Isa. 64:1–2, Rev. 4:8–11)
Question 192
What do we pray for in the third petition?
In the third petition, (which is, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven, (Matt. 6:10) ) acknowledging, that by nature we and all men are not only utterly unable and unwilling to know and do the will of God, (Rom. 7:18, Job 21:14, 1 Cor. 2:14) but prone to rebel against his word, (Rom. 8:7) to repine and murmur against his providence, (Exod. 17:7, Numb. 14:2) and wholly inclined to do the will of the flesh, and of the devil: (Eph. 2:2) we pray, that God would by his Spirit take away from ourselves and others all blindness, (Eph. 1:17–18) weakness, (Eph. 3:16) indisposedness, (Matt. 26:40–41) and perverseness of heart; (Jer. 31:18–19) and by his grace make us able and willing to know, do, and submit to his will in all things, (Ps. 119:1,8,35–36, Acts 21:14) with the like humility, (Micah 6:8) cheerfulness, (Ps. 100:2, Job 1:21, 2 Sam. 15:25–26) faithfulness, (Isa. 38:3) diligence, (Ps. 119:4–5) zeal, (Rom. 12:11) sincerity, (Ps. 119:80) and constancy, (Ps. 119:112) as the angels do in heaven. (Isa. 6:2–3, Matt. 18:10)
| The Apostles’ Creed
The basic creed of Reformed churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles’ Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament |
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell. [See Calvin]
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Amen.