Some Questions for Children

From The Life and Works of Christopher Dock (Brumbaugh, 1908); pages 137–149. (Internet Archive)

Whereby the fear of God will be taught them through many excellent Scripture passages.

Question 1: What is faith?

Answer The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews xi, 1.

Question 2: Whence cometh faith?

Answer So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans x, 17.

Question 3: To reach the beginning of faith, what teacher shall we choose?

Answer Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews xii, 2.

Question 4: What does faith do when it is righteous?

Answer Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James i, 3.

Question 5: What must a Christian give in his faith?

Answer And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. II Peter i, 5, 6, 7.

Question 6: But who has not this to give?

Answer He is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. II Peter i, 9.

Question 7: Can one not please God without faith?

Answer Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews ii, 6.

Question 8: How precious then, is true faith?

Answer That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter i, 7.

Question 9: What comfort is it to believing souls to abide in faith?

Answer For we which have believed to enter into his rest, &c. Hebrews iv, 3.

Question 10: What is threatened the unbelieving?

Answer And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not. So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews iii, 18, 19.

Question 11: To what shall faithful souls be kept?

Answer Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter i, 5. See v, 41.

Question 12: By what quality do we reach true justice?

Answer If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. Romans x, 9, 10, 11.

Question 13: When we through faith in Christ Jesus partake of such justice, what is the relation of God to such souls?

Answer Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans v, 1.

Question 14: Is mere faith of mouth sufficient, without fruits, spirit and life?

Answer For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James ii, 26.

Question 15: What is the end of all commandments and what is its character?

Answer Now the end of a commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. I Tim. i, 5.

Question 16: But if the heart is not righteous, faith is feigned; in such condition do we partake of such promises?

Answer Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart be forgiven thee. Acts viii, 21, 22.

Question 17: Holy Script bears witness that Simon, the sorcerer, also was converted?

Answer Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well; the devils also believe, and tremble. James ii, 19 and fol.

Question 18: Which faith abides before God in Christ?

Answer Even as Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Romans iv, 9.

Question 19: But what shall one do when he finds that he is still a sinner?

Answer The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye and believe the Gospel. St. Mark i, 15; Matth. iii, 2; Chap, iv, 17.

Question 20: What is promised to poor repentant sinners?

Answer For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John iii, 16. Read also St. Luke xv; I Tim. i, 15; Luke xix, 10; Matth. xviii, 11; Matth. xi, 28, 29, 30.

Question 21: Are there in Holy Script other passages testifying that repentant sinners shall receive forgiveness of sins by believing in Christ Jesus?

Answer To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. Acts x, 43.

Question 22: Does this promise refer to all repentant sinners, or is there a distinction?

Answer For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans x, 12, 13.

Question 23: Did God send His Son into the world to proclaim to us sinners the redeeming Gospel?

Answer The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. St. Luke xviii, 19 [sic]; John iii, 17, 18; I John iv, 9; Gal. iv, 4, 5.

Question 24: Now as God, for love of us poor sinners did not spare His own Son, but sacrificed Him for us all, so that all believing in Him should not perish, but have eternal life; the next question is, seeing that true faith is the action of the Holy Ghost upon us, whereupon shalt this faith in Jesus Christ be founded, if we would have the Holy Ghost as our leader, and keep it? Have we certain information regarding this also in Holy Script, or may we in this regard believe according to our own will, judgment and liking whatever we wish?

Answer He that believeth on Me as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believed on Him should receive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.) John vii, 38, 39. See also II Peter i, 16 and 21.

Question 25: But if we find that we have given more attention to wise tales than to Holy Writ, thereby preventing the Holy Ghost from implanting the true faith in Jesus Christ; and we are then sorry from our heart and would like to become possessed of it again, how can we be helped?

Answer Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matth. vii, 7, 8.

Question 26: Hath God also promised such poor and wretched ones that he could be found?

Answer Look upon Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah xlv, 22. Also Jerem. xxix, 11, 12, 13.

Question 27: Because the references given emphatically testify that God has promised a hearing to those repentant sinners who turn to Him with prayers, the question arises, what is the first thing they should ask for?

Answer Hide Thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Psalm li, 9-12.

Question 28: To whom shall we pray?

Answer Then saith Jesus unto him, get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. Matth. iv, 10.

Question 29: In whose name shall we pray to the heavenly Father?

Answer Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name. Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy be fulfilled. John xvi, 23, 24.

Question 30: How shall our prayer proceed?

Answer Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever you desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and yet shall have them. Mark xi, 24; James i, 3, 6.

Question 31: How shall our prayer be shaped further, that we may be heard?

Answer This is the confidence we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. I John v, 14.

Question 32: Now if the spirit be willing, but the power to believe too weak, who helps to strengthen this power in prayer?

Answer The Spirit helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans viii, 26 and 27.

Question 33: Does God's power still reign in such feeble ones when they reveal before God their weakness with humble and contrite heart?

Answer For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit shall fail before me, and the souls which I have made. Isaiah lvii, 15, 16.

Question 34: All witnesses cited from Holy Script clearly show that God's help is not lacking, however weak faith may be, if it be only of the right appearance before God, God will come to the aid of our weakness. For faith is an action of the Holy Ghost in us, if we will only allow it to act. So long, however, as unbelief has the upper hand within us, the evil spirit will through unbelief work acts of unbelief, namely, all uncleanness, dissension, untruth, injustice and all ungodly things in the children of unbelief, whereby God's wrath and punishment will come upon all ungodly conduct. Now the question is: If God's judgment is threatened over a city or country, and there is still enough faith left to admit that our punishment was caused by unbelief and sin, and we repent of wrong, and try to do right and justice, and raise once more in the heart by faith what unbelief has destroyed, will God be merciful still?

Answer Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. Jerem. v, i; Ezek. xviii, 22, 23.

Question 35: But if no conversion follow?

Answer God judgeth the righteous and is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Psalm vii, 11, 13.

Question 36: As since the fall, man likes to pose as knowing and wise, but often seeks wisdom in matters that God counts foolishness, the question is: By what quality can we make a beginning in true wisdom?

Answer The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all they that do His commandments; His praise endureth forever. Psalm cxi, 10.

Question 37: Because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, is it desirable for the young to begin all their undertakings in the fear of God?

Answer The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs i, 7.

Question 38: To live wisely what must we avoid?

Answer Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. Job xxviii, 28.

Question 39: Can we find information where true knowledge resides?

Answer Wisdom enters not the portals of a wicked soul, nor dwells in a body under the bondage of sin. For the Holy Ghost which teaches aright avoids the idolatrous and departs from the profligate who will be punished for his sins. Wisdom is so exalted that she will not permit the scoffer to go unpunished. For God is a witness of every thought. He knows the innermost recesses of every heart. He hears every word. The orb of the world is filled with the Spirit of the Lord. He who fathomest speech is everywhere. Therefore, he who speaks falsely will not escape; and the right by which he is to be judged will not fail him. Wisdom of Solomon i, 4-8.

Question 40: Where then doth it dwell?

Answer The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and is alone the heart's foundation of all believers. It dwells with the elect of womankind and is to be found only with the righteous and believing ones. Sirach i, 16.

Sirach 1:16 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful. (Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition)

Question 41: Because God has sent His Son into this world that through Him we shall live, who has left us an example in teachings and life, that we shall follow His footprints. Who also is made by God for wisdom, justice, healing and redemption. The question is: Do we need further to seek after knowledge, and study at high schools of philosophy, the books of philosophers and teachings of men, as it is customary in the world?

Answer Beware lest any man spoil you, through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him which is the head of all principality and power. Coloss. ii, 8, 10.

Question 42: Wherein then shall we continually study and remain?

Answer But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise, unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy iii, 14, 17.

Question 43: Because Holy Script, if we follow it, teaches us salvation, and to found our faith on nothing but the one God and Christ whom He sent, which is the right way from death into life, and is also truth and life, the question now is: Whether on this road that leads to life we may expect crosses and troubles?

Answer Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts xiv, 22.

Question 44: What is the benefit of trouble, if we are patient unto the end?

Answer For our light afflictions, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinth, iv, 17, 18.

Question 45: As the road to eternal life is so narrow and one must enter through trial and tribulation into the kingdom of God, is it necessary daily to pray God for strength and patience?

Answer For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith, but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back into perdition, but of them that believe in the saving of the soul. Hebrews x, 36-39.

Question 46: Have we also to expect persecution?

Answer Because God hath loved you, it had to be thus. Without temptation thou canst not be, in order that thou mayest be established in the faith. Tobia xii, 13.

Question 47: Then the pious will be saved by crosses and tribulations?

Answer Just as gold is purified by fire, those who please God are approved through the fire of tribulation. Sirah ii, 5.

Question 48: If it is the fate of a Christian on his road to life to be tried and purified by the fire of trouble, is it a Christian's sole mission to prepare to suffer persecution?

Answer My child, if thou desirest to be God's servant, prepare thyself for tribulations. Sirah ii, 1.

Question 49: How must we behave in such persecution?

Answer My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James i, 2, 3.

Question 50: Is such trouble and persecution sent a Christian by God solely to preserve him, or has he other enemies for Jesus' sake?

Answer These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogue; yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father, nor Me. But these things have I told you that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning because I was with you. John xvi, 1-4.

Question 51: Then if I understand aright, on this narrow way we may expect enemies?

Answer Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Psalm iii, 1, 2.

Question 52: How shall a Christian act toward his bodily foes, and what orders has he in his Christian knighthood from his King?

Answer But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matth. v, 44.

Question 53: If a Christian is to conquer his enemies by love, what arms does love carry that can injure enemies?

Answer Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh not evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. I Cor. xiii, 4-7.

Question 54: How is it with spiritual enemies; what weapons of Christian knighthood are used against them?

Answer For though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. II Corinth, xi, 3, 4, 5.

Question 55: If the weapons and the fighting are not carnal, the enemies must be such as can be resisted in another way. Who are all these enemies?

Answer Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand up against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephes. vi, 10, 11. 12.

Question 56: Are these all the foes we must conquer?

Answer For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. I John v, 4.

Question 57: Are there other foes that fight against the soul?

Answer Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. I Peter ii, 11. And also: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Romans vi. 12.

Question 58: How shall we strengthen our power against such enemies?

Answer Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Ephes. vi, 10.

Question 59: Have we also news that a war has arisen?

Answer And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels; and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revel, xii, 7, 8, 9.

Question 60: Now because this enemy was conquered in heaven, overcome and cast out, we while we live on earth must fight him here, and are unable to wage such war alone and without the help of God's divine power. Unless the strong hero of David's race, who can take his booty from the giant, come and help us, this enemy will seek to bar our way to heaven. For with our power nothing can be done, and our own strength is easily vanquished?

Answer But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee, and fol. Isaiah xliii, 1, 2, &c.

Question 61: If this is promised us poor ones for our protection, then we may be very happy in everything that may befall us in God's will.

Answer What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans viii, 31, 32, to the end.

Question 62: How have the faithful vanquished the enemy?

Answer And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death. Revel, xii, 11.

Question 63: If we can conquer by the death and blood of Christ, if we relinquish ourselves to absolute faith, have we a fortress in which we are safe from the foe and soul-murderer?

Answer The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and are safe. Prov. xviii, 10.

Question 64: But this enemy and soul-murderer found our first parents in paradise in this tower, which he could not take by force, but caused it to surrender by deceit and cunning. The question is: Is it necessary to be watchful even within this fortress?

Answer Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. I Peter v, 8, 9.

Question 65: How long is it necessary to be watchful?

Answer Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke xxi, 36.

Question 66: What is the war cry of these watchers?

Answer: Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. I Corinth, xvi, 13, 14.

Question 67: What clothes shall they wear?

Answer Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfection. Coloss. iii, 12, 13, 14, to 17.

Question 68: Wherein consists their implements of war, armor and weapons, that they daily seize, and have in readiness if they wish to fight and conquer this soul-enemy?

Answer Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of wickedness. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints. Ephes. vi, 13-18.

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