I. What is a catechism? In 1 Corinthians 14:19 Paul says, "In
the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in
order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue."
In Galatians 6:6 he says, "Let him who is taught the word share
all good things with him who teaches." Acts 18:25 says that
Apollos "has been instructed in the way of the Lord." In each of
these verses the Greek word for "instruct" or "teach" is
katecheo. From this word we get our English word "catechize". It
simply means to teach Biblical truth in an orderly way.
Generally this is done with questions and answers accompanied by
Biblical support and explanation. II. What is the history of
this catechism? This is a slightly revised version of "The
Baptist Catechism" first put forth by Baptists in 1689 in Great
Britain. It was adopted by the Philadelphia Baptist Association
in 1742. It is patterned on the well-known reformed Westminster
Catechism. The few comments in the earlier questions are meant
to help parents make things pla