To Be a Christian: The Anglican Catechism in a Year

Today is day 32 and we are in the section Concerning Holy Scripture on question 32.

32. Why is Jesus Christ called the Word of God?

The fullness of God’s revelation is found in Jesus Christ, who not only fulfills the Scriptures, but is himself God’s Word, the living expression of God’s mind. The Scriptures testify about him, “In the beginning was the Word,” and “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14). Therefore, “ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” (Jerome, Commentary on Isaiah, prologue; see also Genesis 1:26–27; Psalm 33:1–12; Colos­ sians 1:15–19)

Our prayer today is the Collect for the First Sunday of Christmas found on page 600 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 31 and we are in the section Concerning Holy Scripture on question 31.

31. What does it mean that Holy Scripture is the Word of God?

The Old and New Testaments are inspired by the Holy Spirit and are therefore the Word of God written. God is revealed in his mighty works and in the incarnation of our Lord, which are made known through the inspired writings of the biblical authors. God “has spoken through the prophets” (Nicene Creed) and continues to speak through Scripture today. (Psalm 33:4–9; Jeremiah 1:9; Ezekiel 2:1–3:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 3:15–16; Hebrews 1:1–2)

Our prayer today is Prayer 70. For Inner Renewal Through the Word found on page 667 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 30 and we are in the section Concerning Holy Scripture on question 30.

30. What does it mean that Holy Scripture is inspired?

Holy Scripture is “God-breathed,” for the biblical authors wrote under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit to record God’s Word. (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:19–21)

Our prayer today is the Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent found on page 598 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 29 and we are in the section Concerning Holy Scripture on question 29.

29. How are the Old and New Testaments related to each other?

The Old Testament is to be read in the light of Christ, and the New Testament is to be read in light of God’s revelation to Israel. Thus the two form one Holy Scripture, which reveals the Person of Jesus Christ and his mighty works. As Saint Augustine says, “The New is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed.” (Augustine of Hippo, Questions in the Heptateuch 2.73; see also Matthew 5:17–18; Luke 24:25–27)

Our prayer today is the Eleventh Proper Collect found on page 618 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 28 and we are in the section Concerning Holy Scripture on question 28.

28. What is the New Testament?

The New Testament proclaims Jesus Christ’s birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension; the Church’s early ministry; the teaching of the apostles; the revelation of Christ’s eternal kingdom; and the promise of his return. (Luke 24:45–49; Acts 1:1–11; Philippians 2:5–11)

Our prayer today is the Collect for the Second Sunday of Easter found on page 612 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 27 and we are in the section Concerning Holy Scripture on question 27.

27. What is the Old Testament?

The Old Testament proclaims God’s creation of all things; mankind’s original disobedience; God’s calling of Israel to be his people; his Law, wisdom, and saving deeds; and the teaching of his prophets. The Old Testament bears witness to Christ, revealing God’s intention to redeem and reconcile the world through Christ. (Luke 24:44; 1 Corinthians 10:1–4; Hebrews 11)

Our prayer today is the Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent found on page 599 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 26 and we are in the section Concerning Holy Scripture on question 26.

26. What books are contained in Holy Scripture?

The thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament together form the whole of Holy Scripture. (Articles of Religion, 6)

Our prayer today is the Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent found on page 598 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 25 and we are beginning the section Concerning Holy Scripture with question 25.

25. What is Holy Scripture?

Holy Scripture is “God’s Word written” (Articles of Religion, 20), given by the Holy Spirit through prophets and apostles as the revelation of God and his acts in human history, and is therefore the Church’s final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (Psalm 19:7–11; Jeremiah 36:1–8; 2 Timothy 3:14–17; Revelation 1:1–11)

Our prayer today is the Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent found on page 598 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 24 and we are concluding the section Concerning the Creeds with question 24.

24. What is the Apostles' Creed?

The Apostles’ Creed says:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

      He was conceived by the Holy Spirit

      and born of the Virgin Mary.

      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

      was crucified, died, and was buried.

      He descended to the dead.

      On the third day he rose again.

      He ascended into heaven,

      and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

      He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

      the holy catholic Church,

      the communion of saints,

      the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our concluding prayer is the Seventh Proper Collect found on page 615 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Today is day 23 and we are in the section Concerning the Creeds on question 23.

23. Why should you know these creeds?

I should know these creeds because they state the essential beliefs of the Christian faith. (Deuteronomy 11:18–19; 1 Timothy 6:20–21; 2 Timothy 1:13–14)

Our prayer today is the Seventh Proper Collect found on page 615 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019).

If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism.

Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS.

Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.