Reformed Presbyterian Church Shorter Catechism Scriptures

Shorter Catechism Illustration: … The origin of sin …

A man overheard a discourse, “something like an altercation,” between a deacon, his son and his servants. Someone had informed him that the cattle had broken into the corn field, and were making great ravages. His servants were ordered to make haste and to turn them out, and repair the breach.

“How came they in there?” says one; “Which way did they get in?” cries another; “It is impossible, the fences are good,” says a third.

“Don’t stand here talking to no purpose,” cries the deacon, with increased earnestness. “They are in the field destroying the corn. I see them with my own eyes. Out with them speedily, and put up the fence.”

As the narrator approached him, he began to be more calm. “Your pardon, sir; these fellows have quite vexed me. They make one think of our pastor’s sermon on the origin of sin, spending his time needlessly, inquiring how it came into the world, while he ought to be exhorting us to drive it out.” — John Whitecross, 1828

Shorter Catechism Scriptures

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
—Genesis 2:16, 17

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. —Romans 5:12

Next week we will recite Shorter Catechism Q. 17: Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.

Among the adult Sabbath school classes that will begin Sept. 6, one requires a signup commitment. Capt. Rick Hepburn will conduct a couples’ class studying the Biblical pattern for marriage, using several texts and materials. This class requires pre-registration (helpful in knowing how many books are needed), reading, homework, and serious participation.

The Shorter Catechism class that meets at 9 each Sabbath morning is for adults and teenagers wishing to begin a systematic basic study. New students may begin at any time, but currently the class is just starting at the beginning of the catechism.