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 111
Which is the third commandment?
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. (Exod. 20:7)
Question 112
What is required in the third commandment?
The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes, (Matt. 6:9, Deut. 28:58, Ps. 29:2, Ps. 68:4, Rev. 15:3–4) ordinances, (Mal. 1:14, Eccl. 5:1) the word, (Ps. 138:2) sacraments, (1 Cor. 11:24–25,28–29) prayer, (1 Tim. 2:8) oaths, (Jer. 4:2) vows, (Eccl. 5:2) lots, (Acts 1:24,26) his works, (Job 36:24) and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holy and reverently used in thought, (Mal. 3:16) meditation, (Ps. 8:1,3–4,9) word, (Col. 3:17, Ps. 105:2,5) and writing; (Ps. 102:18) by an holy profession, (1 Pet. 3:15, Micah 4:5) and answerable conversation, (Phil. 1:27) to the glory of God, (1 Cor. 10:31) and the good of ourselves, (Jer. 32:39) and others. (1 Pet. 2:12)
Question 113
What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God’ s name as is required; (Mal. 2:2) and the abuse of it in an ignorant, (Acts 17:23) vain, (Prov. 30:9) irreverent, profane, (Mal. 1:6–7,12, Mal. 3:14) superstitious (1 Sam. 4:3–5, Jer. 7:4,9–10,14,31, Col. 2:20–22) or wicked mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes, (2 Kings 18:30,35, Exod. 5:2, Ps. 139:20) ordinances, (Ps. 50:16–17) or works, (Isa. 5:12) by blasphemy, (2 Kings 19:22, Lev. 24:11) perjury; (Zech. 5:4, Zech. 8:17) all sinful cursings, (1 Sam. 17:43, 2 Sam. 16:5) oaths, (Jer. 5:7, Jer. 23:10) vows, (Deut. 23:18, Acts 23:12,14) and lots; (Esth. 3:7, Esth. 9:24, Ps. 22:18) violation of our oaths and vows, if lawful (Ps. 24:4, Ezek. 17:16,18–19) and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful; (Mark 6:26, 1 Sam. 25:22,32–34) murmuring and quarrelling at, (Rom. 9:14,19–20) curious prying into, (Deut. 29:29) and misapplying of God’ s decrees (Rom. 3:5,7, Rom. 6:1) and providences; (Eccl. 8:11, Eccl. 9:3, Ps. 39) misinterpreting, (Matt. 5:21–48) misapplying, (Ezek. 13:22) or any way perverting the word, or any part of it; (2 Pet. 3:16, Matt. 22:24–31,25,28–30) to profane jests, (Isa. 22:13, Jer. 23:34,36,38) curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; (1 Tim. 1:4,6–7, 1 Tim. 6:4–5,20, 2 Tim. 2:14, Tit. 3:9) abusing it, the creatures, or any thing contained under the name of God, to charms, (Deut. 18:10–14,11–12, Acts 19:13) or sinful lusts and practices; (2 Tim. 4:3–4, Rom. 13:13–14, 1 Kings 21:9–10, Jude 4) the maligning, (Acts 13:45, 1 John 3:12) scorning, (Ps. 1:1, 2 Pet. 3:3) reviling, (1 Pet. 4:4) or any wise opposing of God’ s truth, grace, and ways; (Acts 13:45–46,50, Acts 4:18, Acts 19:9, 1 Thess. 2:16, Heb. 10:29) making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; (2 Tim. 3:5, Matt. 23:14, Matt. 6:1–2,5,16) being ashamed of it, (Mark 8:38) or a shame to it, by unconformable, (Ps. 73:14–15) unwise, (1 Cor. 6:5–6, Eph. 5:15–17) unfruitful, (Isa. 5:4, 2 Pet. 1:8–9) and offensive walking, (Rom. 2:23–24) or backsliding from it. (Gal. 3:1,3, Heb. 6:6)
Question 114
What reasons are annexed to the third commandment?
The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, [The Lord thy God,] and, [For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain,] (Exod. 20:7) are, because he is the Lord and our God, therefore his name is not to be profaned, or any way abused by us; (Lev. 19:12) especially because he will be so far from acquitting and sparing the transgressors of this commandment, as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment; (Ezek. 36:21–23, Deut. 28:58–59, Zech. 5:2–4) albeit many such escape the censures and punishments of men. (1 Sam. 2:12,17,22,24, 1 Sam. 3:13)
| 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.