Here you will find the questions, answers and Scripture proofs for the Shorter Catechism, together with a brief explanation.

    • Q.9

      Hebrews 11:3, Revelation 4:11, Genesis 1:1-31, Psalm 33:6 & John 1:3

      The Westminster Shorter Catechism

      Q. 9. What is the work of creation?

      A. The work of creation is God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.

      Scripture References:

      Hebrews 11:3
      Revelation 4:11
      Genesis 1:1-31
      Psalm 33:6
      John 1:3

      The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English:

      Q.9. What is creation?

      A. Creation is God’s making everything out of nothing by His powerful word in six days - and all very good.

      Questions

      1. Why is it important to study the doctrine of creation?

      The work of creation is the basis of all revelation. It has been well said that if a person can accept “In the beginning God...” it will be possible for him to accept the rest of the Bible by faith.

      2. How can we know that the first verse of the Bible is true?

      “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command...” (Heb. 11:3). We start with the Biblical point of view that God is sovereign and creation is a basic doctrine.

      3. Why did God create the world?

      He created it for His own pleasure, for His glory. It was a free act of God and He did not need the world, but rather He existed in complete self-sufficiency prior to its creation.

      4. From what did God make the world?

      God created the world out of nothing. Bavinck states in “Our Reasonable Faith”: “The expression ‘out of nothing’ can be taken in a useable sense and can perform excellent service over against all kinds of heresy. For it denies that the world was made out of some stuff or matter or energy which co-existed eternally alongside of God. According to Scripture, God is not solely He who formed the world but also He who created it.” (Pgs. 166-167)

      5. How can we know there was no pre-existing material?

      The Bible does not mention any pre-existing matter, and it also states that God created everything that has ever been. (Neh. 9:6, Col. 1:16)

      6. How long did it take God to create the world?

      The Bible states it took God six days.

      7. What is the order of God’s creation?

      The order of God’s creation is: First Day, Light; Second Day, Firmament; Third Day, Dry Land, Grass; Fourth Day, Sun and Moon; Fifth Day, Fish and Fowl; Sixth Day, Land Animals and Man. God created the world and all creatures in six days and rested on the Sabbath day to hallow it for Himself and His children.