Ecclesiology Flashcards
Ecclesiology
The study of the church.
Elect Exiles
When we come together in local churches with other elect exiles, we experience as close as we can what it will be like to finally go home.
What is the Church?
A group of Christians who regularly gather in Christ’s name to officially affirm and oversee one another’s membership in Jesus Christ and his kingdom through gospel preaching and gospel ordinances.
Universal Church
The church of all time, everywhere.
Local Church
Local manifestations of the universal church.
Invisible Church
Only known by God - all those who are elect.
Visible Church
Christians who are accounted for.
Gathered Church
The church when they are gathered.
Scattered Church
The church when it is not meeting.
Organism
Living individuals who make up the corporate body.
Organization
The collection of the organisms when they come together.
Prescriptive
Certain things are prescribed by the Bible.
Descriptive
Some things describe what churches did, but don’t prescribe it for all churches.
The Regulative Principle
The only things permissible for a church to do when they gather are what the Bible positively tells them to do.
The Normative Principle
As long as the Bible does not prohibit it, it’s permissible.
Polity and Government
Not an adiaphoron.
Episcopalianism
Bishops, elders/priests, and deacons. Bishops hold authority.
Presbyterianism
Elders and Deacons. Elders or presbyteries have authority.
Congregationalism
Elders and Deacons. Congregation’s members have authority.
Offices of the Church
An official position within the church that is ordained by the lord.
Pastor / Elder / Overseer
Must be qualified.
Plurality of Eldership
Elders are always discussed in plurality.
Complementarianism
The roles that men and women play are not equal, but ought to complement each other.
Egalitarianism
Because men and women are equal in God’s sight, their roles can be the same.
