Church Order & Sacraments

Question 1

What are the qualifications for an elder? Where are they found in scripture?

Answer 1

1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9

• Godly ambition
• Above reproach
• Husband of one women
• Sober-minded and self-controlled
• Hospitable
• Able to teach
• Sober, gentle, peacemaking
• Not a lover of money
• Leader at home
• Mature and humble
• Respected by outsiders

Question 2

What are the qualifications for a deacon? Where are they found in scripture?

Answer 2

1 Tim 3:8-12

• Worthy of respect
• Sincere
• Not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
• They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
• Faithful to spouse and must manage his children and his/er household well.

Question 3

What are the goals of church discipline? What form can church discipline take?

Answer 3

• *The goals are:**
  a. the glory of God,
  b. the purity of His Church,
  c. the restoration (keeping and reclaiming ) of sinners.
• *The forms are:**
  a. Admonition (formal reproof)
  b. Suspension from sacraments, or office in the case of elder/deacon
  c. Excommunication (removing from the communion of the church)

Question 4

What is a sacrament?

Answer 4

A sacrament is ordained by Christ; they are rites, involving physical elements (water, bread, wine) and actions (washing, eating, drinking), in the context of the Word of God.

The WSC 92: “A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.” Rom 4:11 1

Note that the catechism’s answer refers to “Christ and the benefits of the new covenant.” In other words, not only the saving fruit of Christ’s work, but also Christ himself, is “represented, sealed, and applied to believers.” (WSC 92)

Question 5

What are the two sacraments?

Answer 5

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (also called the Eucharist, or Holy Communion)

The other rites sometimes called sacraments in other churches are not given that name in the Reformed
churches, for they are not rites instituted by Christ for all believers.

Question 6

What are the differences between a Baptist and a Presbyterian understanding of the sacraments? &

Answer 6

• Symbolic memorialism (commonly held by baptists). This view, associated with Ulrich Zwingli, holds that the sacraments are purely symbolic, designed to help us remember and meditate upon what Christ has done for us in his death and resurrection. This view was largely rejected by the Reformed confessions.
• Symbolic instrumentalism (commonly held by Presbyterians). This view, associated with John Calvin, holds that the elements are not bare symbols but also instruments through which, by the Spirit, we receive in reality, through faith, that which is signified. This view allows us to say, “Through receiving the bread and wine of the Eucharist we are receiving the body and blood of Christ.” This is the view reflected in the WSC above and in the Westminster Standards generally.