THE

BAPTIST CATECHISM,

COMMONLY CALLED

KEACH’S CATECHISM:

or,

A BRIEF INSTRUCTION

in

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION

agreeably to the confession of faith, put forth by upwards of an hundred congregations in great britain, july 3, 1689, and adopted by the philadelphia baptist association, september 22, 1742.

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”—Deut. 6:6, 7.

PHILADELPHIA:

AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY,

118 ARCH STREET

1851

In the year 1677, a Confession of Faith was published by the Baptists, in London and vicinity. This Confession of Faith was reprinted in the year 1689, having been approved and recommended by the Ministers and Messengers of above an hundred congregations in England and Wales—signed by Hanserd Knollys, William Kiffin, Benjamin Keach, and others.

The present Catechism was prepared by Benjamin Keach, agreeably to this Confession of Faith, with the following Preface:

TO THE READER.

Having a desire to show our near Agreement with many other Christians, of whom we have great esteem; we some years since put forth a Confession of our Faith, almost in all points the same with that of the Assembly and Savoy, which was subscribed by the Elders and Messengers of many Churches, baptised on profession of their faith: and do now put forth a short account of Christian principles, for the instruction of our families, in most things agreeing with the shorter Catechism of the Assembly. And this we were the rather induced to, because we have commonly made use of that Catechism in our families, and the difference being not much, it will be more easily committed to memory.

As occasional variations have occurred in the numerous editions which have been printed, this edition follows with few exceptions, the one published in London, under the superintendence of Rev. John Rippon, in the year 1794.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by the AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY,

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

THE

BAPTIST CATECHISM

Q. 1. Who is the first and best of beings?

A. God is the first and best of beings.

Q. 2. Ought every one to believe there is a God?

A. Every one ought to believe there is a God, and it is their great sin and folly who do not.

Q. 3. How may we know there is a God?

A. The light of nature in man, and the works of God, plainly declare there is a God; but his word and Spirit only do it fully and effectually for the salvation of sinners.

Q. 4. What is the word of God?

A. The holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only certain rule of faith and obedience.

Q. 5. May all men make use of the holy scriptures?

A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded ...