…sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear… (1 Peter 3:15)

America is truly a wonderful place to live. We are without a doubt more technologically advanced than any other nation on this planet. We have sent men to the Moon, unmanned spacecrafts to Mars and some are even traveling throughout the Galaxy as you read this. We have studied volcanoes on other planets, learned the secrets of Comets and photographed the unimaginable glories of God’s creation which were once only dreams. Yet, in spite of the fact we live in the greatest time of technological advancement and academic achievement, as Christians we also live in a time of Biblical illiteracy, traditions replacing God’s Word and a Christian’s worldview being influenced by the world instead of the Word.

It is no longer uncommon for an unbeliever to defend their worldview better than a Christians defend theirs. Biblical Novels (fiction) are replacing Biblical doctrines (truth). Misrepresenting the beliefs of others and unethical behavior among Christians seems to be the advancing dilemma of what is supposed to be Godly living. Religious celebrities dominate pulpits, but only a little more than religious celebration dominates the time of worship. We have ‘a’ god who learns from man rather than man learning from ‘the’ God and a secret code that excites the Christian mind more than the revealed truth of God’s Word.

Perhaps it is time to consider why our Biblical and Baptist roots are withering and the fruit thereof is either rotting and/or the branches are becoming barren. It seems as though the ‘forbidden fruit’ is still more enticing than ‘fruit-bearing’ obedience to God.

Our Baptist fathers knew quite well the exceeding value of not only knowing the Holy Scriptures but understanding, living and defending the truths of God’s Holy Word. In fact, they left us a legacy that is all but forgotten today found in the use of Catechetical training. A small sampling of more than 300 years of Baptist history concerning what our Baptist fathers believed and taught to their generations is found in the following documents:

The Baptist Catechism, 1677:

Q. 6. May all men make use of the Scriptures?
A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Scriptures.
(John 5:39; Luke 16:29; Acts 8:28-30; 17:11)

The Philadelphia Baptist Catechism, 1742:

Chapter 1

Q. 11. Is it all right for men to choose whether or not they are to read the Bible?
A. No, but God commands everyone to read, to hear, and to understand the Bible.

A Catechism or Instruction for Children and Youth, 1820:

Is not ignorance of the scriptures a cause of great errors?
Yes; the Sadducees greatly erred, because they knew not the scriptures. Mar. xii. 24, 27.

Is it not great folly to reject or despise the scripture?
Yes; they have rejected the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them? Jer. viii. 9.

And is it not very dangerous to do so?
Yes; whoso despiseth the word, shall be destroyed. Prov. xiii. 13.

Ought we not to practice what the scripture requires, as well as hear it?
Yes; be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James i. 22.

And are they happy who do hear and practice it?
Yes; blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke xi. 29.

The Baptist Scriptural Catechism, 1850:

Q. (7) Should we esteem the Scriptures as of the highest value to us?
A. We should. “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold.” Ps. xix. Io.

Q. (8) For what are the Scriptures profitable?
A. They are “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Tim. iii. 16.

Q. (9) How should we receive the word of God?
A. We should “give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Heb. ii. 1. Luke viii. 18.

Q. (10) For what were the Bereans particularly commended?
A. For searching the Scriptures, “They received the word with all the readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” Acts xvii. 11. 2 Thes. ii. 10, I 1. I Pet. ii. 1, 2.

In a recent Internet discussion, the use of Catechetical training was sharply criticized because the answers to the questions are given, thus discouraging the student/child to ‘draw their own conclusions about God’. Encouraging the student/child to ‘draw their own conclusions about God’ is the example of a ‘loving Father’ toward his children, this person stated. However, when this person was asked if he allowed his children to think whatever they want about God he said no because they lacked the ability to understand God in a correct manner without proper guidance. Of course, the ‘proper guidance’ to which he was referring is the answers his children did not have in order to understand God properly, of which he had no problem providing for his children. It is easy to see this person had not only contradictory reasoning but an incorrect understanding of the proper use of Catechisms. He first criticized giving answers found in a Catechism but then insisted his children be given answers to better understand God correctly. There is a serious danger allowing children to draw their own conclusions about God and it is no less dangerous for adults, even adult Christians, to do the same. God has revealed Himself to us in Scripture. The only conclusions we are allowed to draw about God are those God Himself has clearly revealed to us in Scripture.

The God-breathed words always be ready are mirrored in our Baptist Catechisms. Why? Because our Baptist fathers regarded a correct understanding of and a readiness to explain the Holy Scriptures as an essential element of the Christian life which reflects obedience to the Lord who sovereignly reigns over every aspect of our lives.

The Apostle’s teaching is not a request. It is a command from God, therefore, it is the law of God. It is neither a suggestion nor an option for the believer. It is the law of Christ by which Christians are commanded to live (1 John 2:3). It is not reserved for Theologians, Seminary Professors and/or students, Pastors, Elders or Sunday School teachers. It is required of each and every believer who uses the name ‘Christian’. It is, in fact, the outworking of our love for Christ as our Redeemer commanded, if you love me, keep my commandments who also commanded, study to show yourself a workman who does not need to be ashamed, correctly interpreting the Word of God.