Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 11

How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?

The scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names,a attributes,b works,c and worship,d as are proper to God only.

How does it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?

The scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names,a attributes,b works,c and worship,d as are proper to God only.

  1. a. Isaiah 6:3, 5, 8; John 12:41; Acts 28:25; 1 John 5:20; Acts 5:3–4

    Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 6:5; Isaiah 6:8

    6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

    6:3 And they were calling out to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory." 6:5 Then I said: "Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts." 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: "Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?" And I said: "Here am I. Send me!"

    John 12:41

    12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

    12:41 Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about Him.

    Acts 28:25

    28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

    28:25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

    1 John 5:20

    5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

    5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true-in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

    Acts 5:3–4

    5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

    5:3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? 5:4 Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!"

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. John 1:1; Isaiah 9:6; John 2:24–25; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11

    John 1:1

    1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    Isaiah 9:6

    9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

    9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

    John 2:24–25

    2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

    2:24 But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. 2:25 He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.

    1 Corinthians 2:10–11

    2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

    2:10 But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Colossians 1:16; Genesis 1:2

    Colossians 1:16

    1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

    1:16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

    Genesis 1:2

    1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

    1:2 Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14

    Matthew 28:19

    28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

    28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

    2 Corinthians 13:14

    13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.

    13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (1)

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 6

How many persons are there in the Godhead?

There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

Commentaries (9)