PAGE 42

LEONARD. How do you know that God is merciful?

JOHN. From the fact that He sent His own Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world, that we should not be lost through sin, but should attain unto eternal life through him.

L. What is sin?

J. It is every impulse or lust contrary to the will of God, whether this be in thought, word or deed.

L. What is repentance?

J. To confess one's sins before God, beg His forgiveness for them, and do the like no more. The best repentance is to guard oneself in the future against sin, and walk according to the will of God.

L. What do you know about the promises of God?

J. God's promises comfort the confessing sinner, and prevent him from despairing of his sins. The promises looked forward to the coming of a Messiah who would atone for sins, release from the prison house of sin and lead those who believed them into the blessed Land promised to the Fathers. The old patriarchs relied on these promises of God. In this way the gospel was preached to them.

L. Show me a promise in the Bible.

J. The seed of the woman should crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3); and: Through thy seed, Abraham, shall all people on earth be blessed (Genesis 22)...

L. What is faith?

J. Faith is a recognition of the unspeakable mercy of God, and His gracious favour and goodwill. This He has given us through His dear Son Jesus Christ. He did not spare to give His Son up to death for our sakes that our sins may be atoned and we reconciled to Himself ... Now Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of his Almighty Father. Thence he will come to judge the living and the dead...

L. What do you want subsequent to faith?

J. Baptism in water.

L. Why were you not baptized in infancy?

J. Then I did not have faith, did not know what faith was, who Christ was, or what baptism was...