HenryWSC 9

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 9

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Did God create the world? Yes: in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,
Gen. 1:1
. Did he create everything in the world? Yes: for without him was not any thing made that was made,
John 1:3
.
John 12:7–9
. Did he create the world by his word? Yes: for through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,
Heb. 11:3
. Did all things come into being by that word? Yes: for by the word of God the heavens were of old,
2 Pet. 3:5
. And are they thereby preserved in being? Yes: by the same word they are kept in store, ver. 7. Did God find any difficulty in making the world? No: for he spake and it was done; he said, Let there be light, and there was light,
Ps. 33:9
,
Gen. 1:3
.Did he need assistance in it? No: for he stretcheth forth the heavens alone, and spreadeth abroad the earth by himself,
Isa. 44:24
.
Did he make all out of nothing? Yes: for the things which are seen were not made of the things which do appear,
Heb. 11:13
. Did he bring light out of darkness? Yes: for God commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
2 Cor. 4:6
. And order out of confusion? Yes: for the earth was without form and void,
Gen. 1:2
. Did he make all in six days? Yes: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth,
Ex. 20:11
. Did God make all well? Yes: God saw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good,
Gen. 1:31
. Did he make all firm? Yes: he hath made a decree which shall not pass,
Ps. 148:6
. And all for himself? Yes: the Lord has made all things for himself,
Prov. 16:4
.
Did God make all things by Jesus Christ? Yes: for by him also he made the worlds,
Heb. 1:2
. and created all things by Jesus Christ,
Eph. 3:9
,
Col. 1:16
,
John 1:3
. Did God manifest his own perfections in the work of creation? Yes: for the heavens declare the glory of God,
Ps. 19:1
. Must we give him the glory of this work? Yes: we must worship him that made the heaven and the earth,
Rev. 14:7
. Must we give him thanks for his creatures? Yes: every creature of God is good, and to be received with thanksgiving,
1 Tim. 4:4
. May we be encouraged by the work of creation to trust in God? Yes: My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth,
Ps. 121:2
.
Did God create the angels? Yes: He maketh his angels spirits,
Heb. 1:7
. Are they attendants upon him? Yes: thousand thousands minister unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him,
Dan. 7:10
. Are they employed for the good of the saints? Yes: they are sent forth to minister for them which shall be heirs of salvation,
Heb. 1:14
. Have true believers communion with them in faith, hope, and love? Yes: for we are come to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb. 12:22
.
Did all the angels continue in their integrity? No: there were angels that left their first state,
Jude 6
. Is it probable that they who fell, fell by pride? Yes: for they that are lifted up with pride, fall into the condemnation of the devil, l Tim. 3:6. Were they punished for their sin? Yes: God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell,
2 Pet. 2:4
.
HenryWSC 9