Scripture Proofs
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god." (Isa. 44:6)
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!You have set your glory above the heavens. (Ps. 8:1)
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods. (Ps. 97:9)
The first question of the Baptist Catechism, like the first question of most catechisms, is a simple one. God is the first and best of beings. I know of no genuine Christian, even one who has only read part of the Bible, who would dispute this. This is a fact well attested to in Scripture, as the Scripture proofs indicate.
So what does it mean for God to be first and best? The Bible says that God is, quite literally in terms of chronology, the first being; "My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together" (Isa. 48:13). God being first and best also indicates his status as king over all other beings: "Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven" (Ps. 148:13). His name alone is exalted. His majesty is above earth and heaven. Psalm 83:18 say that he "alone...[is] the Most High over all the earth." God is first in time and first in command.
I think that Keach (the framer of this particular catechism) meant "best" simply as a synonym for "first." It seems to have similar, if not the same, implications, doesn't it? But we must remember that God is literally the best of all beings. He is perfectly good, perfectly holy, perfectly just. He is perfectly perfect.
Our God, Yahweh, is indeed the first and best of all beings.
To read the full catechism, click here.
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