Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 50 of 107
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.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 50. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- Deuteronomy 32:46
he said to them, “Keep in mind all the words I am solemnly proclaiming to you today; you must command your children to observe carefully all the words of this law. (NET)
- Matthew 28:20
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (NET)
- Acts 2:42
They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (NET)
What does this answer mean?
The second commandment requires us to receive, observe and keep pure and entire all the worship and ordinances God has appointed in his Word. In other words, we worship God in the ways he has given, without leaving parts out and without adding things he has not appointed.
What can we ask our children?
- Who decides how God should be worshiped?
- What are some parts of worship God has given in his Word?
- What does it mean to keep worship 'pure and entire'?
Can I print this question?
Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.
- Memory card for question 50 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 50 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 41 to 50
- Copywork for questions 41 to 50
- All Westminster Shorter Catechism printables
Text: The Shorter Catechism, constitutional text of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Public domain (1647). Proof references: Scripture proofs added by the Westminster Assembly, as transcribed by The Westminster Standard. Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible; see permissions.
Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.