Ecclesiology

Question 1

Anglican, Anglicanism

Answer 1

Began in 17th century as part of English reformation. Formed out of Calvinism, but maintained a strong affinity to the worship and structure of the Roman Catholic Church. Uses the Book of Common Prayer in worship.

“Central principle: “the rule of prayer is the rule of the belief”

Question 2

Apostle, apostolicity

Answer 2

Basically a “sent one”. The 12 apostles and Paul are so and are foundational to the church.

Question 3

Augsburg Confession

Answer 3

Summarizes the faith claims of Lutherans regarding Christ and His word. Has 28 articles on God, humanity, sin, salvation, the church and the end of ages.

Question 4

Baptism

Answer 4

The practice of immersing in water as an act of Christian initiation and obedience to Christ’s own command.

Question 5

Baptismal regeneration

Answer 5

The belief that water baptism effects the saving work of the Holy Spirit in washing away original sin.

Question 6

Believer’s church

Answer 6

A theological conviction arising out of the radical reformation that emphasizes the church as comprising only those who through faith in Jesus Christ voluntarily gather together for the sake of worship, instruction and doing good deeds.

Question 7

Anabaptist

Answer 7

A general term referring to several varied movements coming out of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, often referred to as the radical reformation.

Question 8

Book of Common Prayer

Answer 8

The standard service and prayer book used by the Church of England and Anglican/episcopal communions throughout the world.

Question 9

Catechesis, catechism

Answer 9

The process of teaching the basic Christian beliefs and the contents of scriptures either to a child who is raised in the church or to a new convert of Christianity.

Question 10

Catholic

Answer 10

A term literally meaning “universal” or “worldwide”

Question 11

Charismatic, Charismatic Movement

Answer 11

Literally means having to do with the charismata or “gifts”, of the Holy Spirit as delineated in several Pauline texts.

Question 12

Clergy

Answer 12

Three persons who have been selected, set apart and acknowledged by the church to proclaim the Word of God and to administer the ordinances or sacraments.

Question 13

Communion

Answer 13

A term closely related to the Biblical idea of fellowship.

Question 14

Confirmation

Answer 14

According to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, it is one of the sacraments of the church and is administered by a clergyman to a child around age 12 to affirm the baptism they received as infants.

Question 15

Congregationalism

Answer 15

A system of church government that assumes Christ’s authority comes directly to the local congregation.

Question 16

Consubstantiationism

Answer 16

The theory of the Lord’s Supper most closely associated with Lutheran tradition. The body and blood of the Lord is present “in, with and under” the actual bread and wine.

Question 17

Council of Trent

Answer 17

Spanned the office of five popes, attempted to counter the Protestant doctrines of justification and sacraments and Scripture.

Question 18

Deacon, deaconess

Answer 18

(To serve) appointed in the early church as servants of God’s people.

Question 19

Denomination

Answer 19

An organizational structure of several congregations who unite together on the basis of common doctrines, etc.

Question 20

Eastern Orthodoxy

Answer 20

A branch in Christianity committed to preserving the doctrines formulated by the early church father as outlined in the seven Ecumencial councils.

1. Apophatic theology
2. Spirit proceeds from father alone
3. Salvation as a process of deification

Question 21

Ecumenism, ecumenical movement

Answer 21

Attempt to seek a worldwide unity and cooperation among all churches that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Question 22

Elements

Answer 22

The physical symbols used in the ordinances or sacraments of the church, especially in the Lord’s supper.

Question 23

Episcopacy, episcopal

Answer 23

Form of church government in which chief oversight of church is entrusted to bishops, while deacons or priests minister within local congregation. Hierarchal.

Question 24

Eucharist

Answer 24

(I give thanks) celebration of thanksgiving to God for the redemptive work of Christ. (Mass).

Question 25

Evangelical, evangelism, neo-evangelism

Answer 25

(Good news, gospel). The need to experience personal conversion through belief in Jesus Christ.

Neo: social dimension in North America

Question 26

Free churches

Answer 26

Churches or denominations that have deliberately separated themselves from the state or government.

Question 27

Fundamentalism

Answer 27

Movement that attempted to maintain a firm commitment to certain fundamentals in the Christian Faith.

Question 28

Indulgences

Answer 28

A practice of medieval RC church that suggested payments to the church could release them from purgatory into heavenly bliss.

Question 29

Invisible church

Answer 29

Sum total of all genuine believers who have been united by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, whether living or dead.

Question 30

Koinōnia

Answer 30

“Fellowship” “sharing together” of believers.

Question 31

Laity

Answer 31

Literally “people”

Question 32

Liturgy

Answer 32

Designated the church’s official public corporate ritual of worship, Eucharist, baptism.

Question 33

Memorialism

Answer 33

Views Lord’s supper as symbolic. Christ presence within believers not substances.

Question 34

Ordinance

Answer 34

Authoritative decree or law. (Baptism, Lords supper). Commanded by Christ.

Question 35

Ordination

Answer 35

“To set in order” “to put In place”. Appointment of official ministerial capacity.

Question 36

Penance

Answer 36

Sacrament of reconciliation. Often have to some act.

Question 37

Pietism

Answer 37

Biblical approach to Christian life that emphasizes personal appropriation of faith and a lifestyle of holiness as more important than the formal doctrine and church order.

Question 38

Priesthood of believers

Answer 38

All Christians can stand before God in personal communication through Christ, directly receiving forgiveness without the necessary recourse to human intermediates.

Question 39

Protestantism

Answer 39

“Protestation” movement that focused on the primacy of Scripture. Holy Spirit speaks through scripture.

Question 40

Puritanism

Answer 40

Reform movement that wanted to purify church if England according to biblical principles.

Question 41

Radical reformation

Answer 41

Did not identify with Luther or Calvin.

Included anabaptists, spiritualists, and evangelical rationalists.

Question 42

Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist

Answer 42

Jesus is present in bread and wine.

Question 43

Reformation

Answer 43

Term for massive change in western theology movements.

Question 44

Revivalism

Answer 44

Emphasizes the involvement of the emotional as well as the rational dimensions of a human person in conversion as response to hearing and receiving the gospel.

Question 45

Sacerdotalism

Answer 45

Emphasis in Roman Catholic tradition of the powers of holy priests as mediators between God and man.

Question 46

Sacraments

Answer 46

Sacred practices of the church.

Question 47

Transubstantiation

Answer 47

“Essential change”

Belief that by the power of God that wine and bread turn into blood and body

Question 48

Visible Church

Answer 48

The church as an organization that encompasses baptized members of local congregations.

Question 49

Wesleyanism, John Wesley

Answer 49

Attempted to balance the doctrine of justification by faith with an emphasis on the Spirit’s ongoing process of sanctification in the life of the believer.

Question 50

Westminster Confession

Answer 50

The confession commissioned (and rejected) by the English Parliament to help give a Puritan structure to the Church of England.

Question 51

Worship

Answer 51

The act of adoring and praising God, that is, ascribing worth to God as the one who deserves homage and service.