BCO B (Chappell/Meek) Flashcards
What is the visible church? Who are its members?
The visible church is every congregation which maintains the Word and Sacrament in their fundamental integrity.
The visible church consists of:
1. Those who profess faith in Jesus
2. Their children
What is the power of the church? How does it differ from that of the state?
The power of the church is only spiritual. It can be exercised:
1. Severally, as the power of order (preaching, sacraments, reproof, visitation, comfort)
2. Jointly, as the power of jurisdiction
The church’s power is spiritual and derived from divine revelation. The state’s power is earthly and determined by human reason.
What is a particular church?
A particular church consists of a number of professing Christians and their children. It has its own officers which exercise jurisdiction over it.
What is a mission church?
A mission church, like a particular church, consists of a number of professing Christians and their children, but it has no permanent governing body and must be governed by others.
What two kinds of members does the church have? What are their respective rights and privileges?
The church has communing and non-communing (children of believers) members.
Communing members have all the rights and privileges of the church, including:
1. Voting
2. Office-holding
3. Admission to the Lord’s table
Non-communing members are entitled to:
1. Baptism
2. Pastoral oversight
3. Instruction
4. Government
