Questions 1–5Man's Chief End and Scripture
American revision, spelling regularized
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American revision with spelling regularized to American usage and the Westminster Assembly’s Scripture proofs retained inline. Source: Reformed Dogmatika transcription.
The catechism was first published in 1647; the Library of Congress identifies its digitized historical edition as public domain and free to use and reuse. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.
What is the chief and highest end of man?
A. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, (Rom. 11:36, 1 Cor. 10:31) and fully to enjoy him forever. (Ps. 73:24-28, John 17:21-23)
How doth it appear that there is a God?
A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; (Rom. 1:19-20, Ps. 19:1-3, Acts 17:28) but his word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation. (1 Cor. 2:9-10, 2 Tim. 3:15-17, Isa. 59:21)
What is the word of God?
A. The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:19-21) the only rule of faith and obedience. (Eph. 2:20, Rev. 22:18-19, Isa. 8:20, Luke 16:29,31, Gal. 1:8-9, 2 Tim. 3:15-16)
How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God?
A. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty (Hos. 8:12, 1 Cor. 2:6-7,13, Ps. 119:18,129) and purity; (Ps. 12:6, Ps. 119:140) by the consent of all the parts, (Acts 10:43, Acts 26:22) and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; (Rom. 3:19,27) by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: (Acts 18:28, Heb. 4:12, James 1:18, Ps. 19:7-9, Rom. 15:4, Acts 20:32) but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God. (John 16:13-14, 1 John 2:20,27, John 20:31)
What do the scriptures principally teach?
A. The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. (2 Tim. 1:13) Contents - What man ought to believe concerning God - Having seen what the Scriptures principally teach us to believe concerning God, it follows to consider what they require as the duty of man What man ought to believe concerning God