Ecclesiology

Question 1

What is “the Church”?

Answer 1

1 Corinthians 12:12
Ephesians 4

The Body of Christ

Question 2

Purpose of the Church

Answer 2

Ephesians 3:10-11
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Question 3

The Visible Church

Answer 3

The visible church is the church as Christians on earth see it

Question 4

The Invisible Church

Answer 4

2 Timothy 2:19
The Lord knows those who are his

Hebrews 12:23
and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven…

The church as God sees it, the collection of all Christians everywhere throughout time.

Question 5

Apostles

Answer 5

Ephesians 4:11
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed in the church first apostles…

Question 6

Elder/Pastor(Shepherd)/Overseer

Answer 6

Titus 1
1 Timothy 3
Hebrews 13:17
1 Peter 5

Question 7

Deacons

Answer 7

Acts 6
1 Timothy 3
1 Timothy 3:11 (Deaconesses?)

Question 8

Church Discipline

Answer 8

Matthew 18:15-20
Galatians 6
James 5:20

Question 9

Continuity with Israel

Answer 9

Continue to be God’s representatives

Covenantal Nature of the relationship
(Heb. 8: 8– 10). Here the author quotes the Lord’s promise that he will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, and says that that is the new covenant that has now been made with the church.

Question 10

Discontinuity with Israel

Answer 10

Romans 11 (v.24)
For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. 

The Church is pure (true believers only, at least in the invisible church).

Members are welcomed in only after a profession of faith.

Question 11

Baptism

Answer 11

Mark 1:9-11
(Christ’s Baptism)
Matthew 28:16-20
(The Great Commission)

Question 12

Lord’s Supper

Answer 12

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Matthew 26:26-29
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

Question 13

Congregationalism

Answer 13

1 Timothy 6:3-10
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness

Galatians 1:8, 2 John 1:10

Appointing Elders and Deacons
Titus 1:6, Acts 6