Ecclesiology

Question 1

What does the Greek word “ekklesia” used in the Septuagint Greek OT mean?

Answer 1

It can refer to meetings for civil affairs (1 Kings 2:3), for war (Numbers 22:4), of nations (Genesis 35:11), and a variety of other gatherings, including, and most importantly, Israel’s gatherings for religious purposes (Joel 2:16).

Question 2

what does ekklesia or mean in the NT?

Answer 2

It refers to the church of God meeting in a home (Rom 16:5) in a particular city (1 Corinthians 1:2), in a region (Acts 9:31) or larger area such as Asia itself (16:19).

Question 3

Define Church.

Answer 3

Universal body of all true believers in Christ, united in Him by the Spirit, expressed in local and geographical “churches”. There is only one church (Ephesians 4:4).

Question 4

What are the seven metaphors which the church is referred to by the Scriptures?

Answer 4

1. the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). 2. God’s family (2 Corinthians 6:18) 3. her intimate and dependent relationship to her Lord is likened to a vine and its branches (John 15:1-11). 4. the pillar and ground of Truth to the world (1 Timothy 3:15) 5. a building (1 Corinthians 3:9), a living temple that grows (Ephesians 2:20-21), and a holy temple in which God dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16). 6. a “holy nation” or “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). 7. the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-15).

Question 5

What does the church have to do with the kingdom of God?

Answer 5

1. the church is not the kingdom. 2. the kingdom creates teh church 3. the church witnesses to the kingdom of God 4. the church is the instrument of the kingdom 5. the church is the custodian of the kingdom

Question 6

How do covenant-amillenial theologians view the relationship between the Church and Israel?

Answer 6

They think the church has replaced national Israel in God’s plan of blessing and has herself inherited the promises to Israel, thus becoming the new Israel. The David covenant is now being fulfilled in the church and will be ultimately fulfilled in the eternal state, and that there is no future for ethnic Israel an no special future for ethnic Jews either.

Question 7

How do classic Dispensational-premillennial theologians view the relationship between the Church and Israel?

Answer 7

They think the church and Israel are distinct and must not be merged. They claim that the Davidic covenant is not now being fulfilled in the church (since it was made with national Israel), but that it and all God’s promises made to Israel will be fulfilled in the millennium. The church fulfills God’s heavenly promises and Israel fulfills God’s earthly promises.

Question 8

How do covenant-premillennial theologians view the relationship between the Church and Israel?

Answer 8

They think there will be a future restoration of many ethnic Jews as Paul argues in Romans 11, but not the kind of national restitution that the classic or revised dispensationalist holds.

Question 9

How do progressive dispensationalists view the relationship between the Church and Israel?

Answer 9

They think the Davidic covenant is being fulfilled in the church, but that does not set aside the fulfillment envisioned in the OT with the nation of Israel. There is a soteriological equality among all the people of God (Israel in the OT and the church in the NT), but there are structural differences that will be maintained in the future millennial reign of Christ and in eternity.

Question 10

What is the purpose of the church?

Answer 10

To carry on the work of Christ in proclaiming the gospel and being a light to the world (Acts 13:47).

Question 11

How is the church to worship?

Answer 11

We should have a Godward focus in worship, praise, and prayer. Freely worshipping the Trinitarian God and praying for each other as well as those in the world, including political leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Question 12

What is the church commissioned to do with respect to new beleivers?

Answer 12

We are to teach concerning the gospel and its ethics such as obedience to the Lord’s commands, love for each other, and responsible and holy living in a fallen world.

Question 13

Name the three basic forms of church government.

Answer 13

1. Episcopalian 2. Presbyterian 3. Congregational 4. non-governmental

Question 14

Describe the Episcopalian form of Church government. Where is this form of church government found?

Answer 14

The archbishop (there are several) has authority over the bishop who in turn presides over a diocese, i.e., several church, which are cared for by the rector or vicar. The archbishop, bishop, and rectors are all ordained priest. This form of government is seen in the Methodist, Anglican, and Catholic churches.

Question 15

Describe the Presbyterian form of church government.

Answer 15

The local church elects certain elders to the “session” (Presbyterian) or “consistory” (Reformed Church), some or all of whom are members of a higher governing body called the “presbytery” (Presbyterian) or “classis” (Reformed). Some of the members of the presbytery or classis are chosen by the presbytery or classis to form a synod. A yet higher governing body in the Presbyterian church is The General Assembly which is itself composed of lay and clergy representatives from the presbyteries.

Question 16

Describe the Congregational form of church government.

Answer 16

Both the autonomy of the local church (under Christ) and the rights of its members are stressed. The conviction here comes from there being no evidence in the NT that churches were controlled by other churches or individuals. Paul told Titus to establish leaders among the churches in Crete (Titus 1:5). There is no mention that these leaders were responsible to outsiders for their budget or day-to-day, practical considerations. The priesthood of all believers is held in high regard, but a leader or leaders are almost always chosen. These leaders do not replace the ministry and involvement of the members.

Question 17

What system of church government does the NT seem to support?

Answer 17

It supports the idea of a plurality of elders at any one location (James 5:14), but not the idea of a developed hierarchical structure beyond this.

Question 18

What qualifications must a person meet before being considered for the role of elder?

Answer 18

They must be morally above reproach, a good leader in the home, have an ability to teach, and must not be a recent convert (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1).

Question 19

What are the principle roles of the elder?

Answer 19

Leading, teaching, and protecting the church of God.

Question 20

What qualifications must deacons have?

Answer 20

(1 Timothy 3:8-13) They must have good morals, being a good leader in the home, but nothing is mentioned regarding teaching the faith. It seems their duties would then include finances and church administration.

Question 21

What two ordinances has the Lord given the church?

Answer 21

Baptism and the Lord’s supper, which is commonly called the Eucharist.

Question 22

What 2 things did Christ command his disciples to do when going and making disciples of all nations?

Answer 22

1. baptizing them in the Trinitarian name of God, and 2. teaching them to obey everything that Christ had commanded.

Question 23

What evidence is there that “to baptize” means complete immersion and not sprinkling?

Answer 23

The most common meaning of the verb in Greek and the NT is to “immerse” “dip,” or “plunge.” It does not mean “to sprinkle.” John baptized people in the Jordan river and not on dry ground, which is best explained if with immersion instead of sprinkling. Jesus is said to go down into the waters and come up out of the waters. John baptized at Aenon near Salim because there was much water there. (John 3:23) A great amount of water would not be needed for immersion. In the case of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, they would not have had to wait until the Ethiopian saw a large amount of water if it was sprinkling. And why would they go down into the water if sprinkling were required? Paul uses water to symbolize “dying and rising” with Christ in Romans 6:4, a parallel easily understood if immersion is the method that Paul had in mind (Colossians 2:12).

Question 24

Who should be baptized?

Answer 24

It is to be administered to believers only. It does not work ex opere operato as the Catholic church teaches (1 Peter 3:21), but is an ordinance given to those who have personally trusted in Christ, conscious of what they are doing. There are several passages in Acts that make this clear, so other passages that seem to speak of the baptism of households should not be understood to include infant baptism nor the baptism of unbelieving adults (Acts 2:41).

Question 25

Is water baptism necessary for salvation?

Answer 25

Some say yes because of passages like (Acts 2:38). Other say no because repentance can precede baptism and salvation is given totally by grace, baptism must not constitute an essential aspect of a saving response to God. The early church viewed baptism as incorporating both the spiritual reality and the physical symbol. Also, what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:17. If baptism were essential in a saving response to the gospel, Paul would certainly never have omitted it. And to add an external rite to the gospel is to mix faith and works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Finally, the thief on the cross could not have really join heaven as Jesus promised (Luke 23:43).

Question 26

What does baptism symbolize?

Answer 26

It symbolizes a believer’s union with Christ in his death to sin (and life in Adam) and resurrection to a new life. It also signifies a washing making a person clean and now to live a holy life. It also symbolizes a believer’s introduction into the Messiah’s community.

Question 27

What is the Lord’s Supper?

Answer 27

It is an ongoing rite, as opposed to the baptism as an initiatory rite. It symbolizes our ongoing communion with Christ and our constant proclamation of the message regarding his death.

Question 28

How is the Lord’s Supper to be observed?

Answer 28

The Gospels do not say how often it should be celebrated. It applies to all believers. It should be continuous as Christ says to partake of the bread in “remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24). But no text says how often. As a reminder, it makes sense to celebrate it fairly frequently.

Question 29

What is the Roman Catholic view of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer 29

They view the bread and wine as the actual, physical body of the Lord. Their view, called transubstantiation, claims the bread and wine are mysteriously transformed into the literal body and blood of Christ. They don’t take Jesus as using a figure of speech which the disciples probably as Jesus was sitting right there. If Catholics are correct should we also regard the “cup” as the “new covenant” itself, for Christ said “this cup is the new covenant” (Luke 22:20)? On another occasion Jesus referred to himself as a
door”. Does Jesus become a literal door every time someone becomes a Christian?

Question 30

What is the Lutheran view of the Eucharist?

Answer 30

Luther’s view is consubstantiation. He thinks the language “this is my body” and “this is my blood” requires a special physical, presence of the Lord. But this is wrong because Christ’s human nature is not ubiquitous but ascended to heaven in his glorified body.

Question 31

What is the metaphorical view of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer 31

It is a reminder that Christ died for us, that we have forgiveness in his broken body and blood, his prophetic promises and fulfillments, and through him we freely participate and enjoy the benefits of the new covenant which he inaugurated. It confers sanctifying grace, not saving grace.

Question 32

Who should participate in the Lord’s Supper?

Answer 32

Believers only. It is not to be confined to baptized believers only, while others who have not been baptized are excluded. It is not a meal or a drinking party. Do not eat the bread or drink the cup without examining oneself or it might be done in an unworthy manner. Then you will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Some in Corinth got sick or died because they did not do this (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

Question 33

Who decides who gets spiritual gifts? Who does it benefit?

Answer 33

It is at God’s discretion and for the good of the body. (1 Corinthians 12:7,11) God knows what the body needs and gives it to whom he wills.

Question 34

What do we know from how lists of gifts?

Answer 34

No two lists agree so the number of gifts in the NT is probably not exhaustive.

Question 35

Which listed gifts are difficult to be certain about?

Answer 35

The “message of knowledge” and the “message of wisdom”. Are these gifts direct revelation from the Spirit or just interpretations from Scripture? How are they different from one another?

Question 36

Do you need to speak in tongues when you convert to be a Christian? What are the two views on the continuance of gifts called?

Answer 36

No. (1 Corinthians 12:30). Continuist and Cessationist.