Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC) Q & A #49-#52 (1646,1647)

 #49 Question: What is the second commandment?

        Answer: The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth below, or 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 iniquities of the Fathers unto 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. 

#50 Question: What is required in the second commandment?

        Answer: 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.

 #51 Question: What is forbidden in the second commandment?

        Answer: The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his word

 #52 Question: What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?

         Answer: The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.

 Recommended Sermon: WSC #49-#52: The Image and the Word, by Paul J. Wallace [Text: Deuteronomy 4:1-40 (Audio)]