The Baptist Catechism Commonly Called Keach's Catechism

by Benjamin Keach

In the year 1677, a Confession of Faith was published by the Baptists, in London and vicinity. This Confession of Faith was reprinted in the year 1689, having been approved and recommended by the Ministers and Messengers of above an hundred congregations in England and Wales—signed by Hanserd Knollys, William Kiffin, Benjamin Keach, and others. The present Catechism was prepared by Benjamin Keach, agreeably to this Confession of Faith, with the following TO THE READER. Having a desire to show our near Agreement with many other Christians, of whom we have great esteem; we some years since put forth a Confession of our Faith, almost in all points the same with that of the Assembly and Savoy, which was subscribed by the Elders and Messengers of many Churches, baptised on profession of their and do now put forth a short account of Christian principles, for the instruction of our families, in most things agreeing with the shorter Catechism of the Assembly. And this we were the rather induced to, because we have commonly made use of that Catechism in our families, and the difference being not much, it will be more easily committed to memory. As occasional variations have occurred in the numerous editions which have been printed, this edition follows with few exceptions, the one published in London, under the superintendence of Rev. John Rippon, in the year 1794.

Genres: Christian, Theology

First published January 1, 1851

About the author

Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) was a Particular Baptist preacher in London whose name was given to Keach’s Catechism.

Originally from Buckinghamshire, Keach worked as a tailor during his early years. He was baptized at the age of 15 and began preaching at 18. He was the minister of the congregation at Winslow before moving in 1668 to the church at Horse-lie-down, Southwark where he remained for 36 years as pastor (1668-1704). This congregation later became the New Park Street Church and then moved to the Metropolitan Tabernacle under the pastorship of Charles Spurgeon. It was as representative of this church that Keach went to the 1689 General Assembly and subscribed the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Keach was one of the seven men who sent out the invitation to the 1689 General Assembly. The signing of the confession was no mute doctrinal assent on the part of the church, for in the same year they entered into a Solemn Covenant which reflected, at the practical and congregational level, some of the doctrines of the confession. There was a secession from Horse-lie-down in 1673 and the Old Kent Road congregation was formed. Spurgeon later republished the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith for use in the congregation.

Keach wrote 43 works, of which his “Parables and Metaphors of Scripture” may be the best known. He wrote a work entitled “The Child’s Instructor” which immediately brought him under persecution and he was fined and pilloried in 1664. He is attributed with the writing of a catechism commonly known as “Keach’s Catechism”, although it is most likely that the original was compiled by William Collins. (From The Digital Puritan)

Reviews

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and sound set of questions and answers on the Christian faith (intended for training) based on the London Baptist Confession of 1689 and the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

[Hulda Gilca]

Q. 5. How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?
A. The Bible evidences itself to be God's Word by the heavenliness of Its doctrine, the unity of iIs parts, Its power to convert sinners and to edify saints; but the Spirit of God only, bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in our hearts, is able fully to persuade us that the Bible is the Word of God. (1 Cor. 2:6,7,13; Ps. 119:18, 129; Acts 10:43, 26:22; Acts 18:28; Heb 4:12; Ps. 19:7-9; Rom. 15:4; John 16:13,14; 1 John 2:20-27; 2 Cor. 3:14-17)

Q. 96. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith unto salvation. (Ps. 119:11,18; 1 Thess. 1:6; 1 Peter 2:1,2; Rom. 1:16; Ps. 19:7)

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up thinking that catechisms are not a baptist thing, and that they are stiff and boring.
I was wrong. This is historical baptist catechism. It would be really helpful for young Christians to grow in solid theology + a great help for families teaching their children in the knowledge and admonition of The Lord. I myself would benefit by internalizing the main basic doctrines I do believe, but sometimes it's hard for me to formulate when suddenly asked about them.

[Peter Van beek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good and concise catechism in the reformed baptist tradition. I took it on myself to translate this document to the Dutch language so it can be of use to the Christian family's and churches in the Netherlands.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be mindful of which edition you end up using, as there are some differences between them. However, drawing on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, this is an excellent little book.

[Maya Joelle]

Basically the Westminster Shorter Catechism (almost word-for-word), except that the sacraments/ordinances are just symbols and you shouldn't baptize babies.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting to me having always been trained that Baptists were not credal in their beliefs. I recognize there is a difference between catechism and creed and that the Baptist Faith and Message of the Southern Baptists has become more of a creed statement in recent years, however, it is hard to shake the thought that this disproves some of my schooling, which is probably a good thing.

The proof texts are helpful to establish some reasoning for questions that I have been asked many times in my adult life, but have seldom had answers for.

[Victor Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um dos melhore catecismos da história da Igreja, principalmente para a história dos batistas.

[Kevin Lum · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very worthy catechism, one for the "Reformed Baptist" crowd.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to agree :)