Catechism of the Church of Geneva (1545)
Being a form of instruction for children in the doctrine of Christ
God the Father Almighty
Master.---Then the foundation and beginning of confidence in God is to know him in Christ?
Student.---Entirely so
M.---I should now wish you to tell me in a few words, what the sum of this knowledge is?
S.---It is contained in the Confession of Faith, or rather Formula
of Confession, which all Christians have in common. It is commonly
called the Apostles' Creed, because from the beginning of the Church it
was ever received among all the pious, and because it either fell from
the lips of the Apostles, or was faithfully gathered out of their
writings.
M.---Repeat it.
S.---I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and
earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived
by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried: he descended into hell; the
third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and
sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he
shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy
Ghost; the holy Catholick Church; the communion of saints; the
forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life
everlasting. Amen.
M.---To understand each point more thoroughly, into how many parts shall we divide this confession?
S.---Into four leading ones.
M.---Mention them to me.
S.---The first relates to God the Father; the second to his Son
Jesus Christ, which also embraces the whole sum of man's redemption;
the third to the Holy Spirit; the fourth to the Church, and the Divine
blessings conferred upon her.
M.---Since there is no God but one, why do you here mention three, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
S.---Because in the one essence of God, it behoves us to look on God
the Father as the beginning and origin, and the first cause of all
things; next the Son, who is his eternal Wisdom; and, lastly, the Holy
Spirit, as his energy diffused indeed over all things, but still
perpetually resident in himself.
M.---You mean then that there is no absurdity in holding that these
three persons are in one Godhead, and God is not therefore divided?
S.---Just so.
M.---Now repeat the first part.
S.---" I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth."
M.---Why do you call him Father?
S.---Primarily with reference to Christ who is his eternal Wisdom,
begotten of him before all time, and being sent into this world was
declared to be his Son. We infer, however, that as God is the Father of
Jesus Christ, he is our Father also.
M.---In what sense do you give him the name of Almighty?
S.---Not as having a power which he does not exercise, but as having
all things under his power and hand; governing the world by his
Providence, determining all things by his will, ruling all creatures as
seems to him good.
M.---You do not then suppose an indolent power in God, but consider
it such that his hand is always engaged in working, so that nothing is
done except through Him, and by his decree.
S.---It is so.
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