Westminster Shorter Catechism – Lord’s Day 28
Q & A 49
Q Which is the second commandment?
A You shall not make unto yourselves any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: You shall not bow down yourselves to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.*1
Q & A 50
Q What is required in the second commandment?
A The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God has appointed in his Word.*2
Q & A 51
Q What is forbidden in the second commandment?
A The second commandment forbids the worshiping of God by images,3 or any other way not appointed in his Word.4
Q & A 52
Q What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
A The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us,5 his propriety in us,6 and the zeal he has to his own worship.*7
*1 Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10.
*2 Deuteronomy 12:32; Matthew 28:20.
*3 Deuteronomy 4:15-19; Romans 1:22-23.
*4 Leviticus 10:1-2; Jeremiah 19:4-5; Colossians 2:18-23
*5 Psalm 95:2-3, 6-7.
*6 Exodus 19:5; Psalm 45:11; Isaiah 54:5.
*7 Exodus 34:14.
