Q.49. Which is the second commandment?

A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.[p]

[p] Exod. 20:4-6.

 

 

Q.50. What is required in the second commandment?

A. The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his word.[q]

[q] Deut. 32:46. Matt. 28:20. Acts 2:42.

 

We are here taught,

1. That God hath appointed certain religious ordinances to be observed in his worship.

2. That we are required to accept of and esteem the worship and ordinances of God.

3. That we are required to observe God’s worship and ordinances.

4. That we are required to keep God’s worship and ordinances pure and entire.

 

 

Q.51. What is forbidden in the second commandment?

A. The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images,[r] or any other way not appointed in his word.[s]

[r] Deut. 4:15-19. Exod. 32:5,8.

[s] Deut. 12:31,32.

 

We are here taught,

1. That we are forbidden to worship God by images.

2. That we are forbidden to worship God in any way not appointed in his Word.

 

 

Q.52. What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?

A. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us,[t] his propriety in us,[v] and the zeal he hath to his own worship.[w]

[t] Ps. 95:2,3,6.

[v] Ps. 45:11.

[w] Exod. 34:13,14.

 

We are here taught,

1. That God is our lord and sovereign.

2. 2.That we are the property of God.
   

3. That God is very zealous for the purity of his worship.

1.