Exam 2 (Ecclesiology)

Question 1

Define Church (General vs. technical)

Answer 1

The people of God (in Christ Jesus) united by the Spirit of God to carry out the mission of God.

Question 2

Define Local Church

Answer 2

The local church is an organized group of confessing believers in Jesus Christ who gather regularly for worship and edification and observing the biblical sacraments of baptism and communion, who are unified by the Spirit for mission, living out the great commandment and great commission.

Question 3

Define “Rock” in Matt. 16:18

Answer 3

It is a wordplay on the name Jesus gives Peter, emphasizing Peter’s unique role in the founding of the Church due to his confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, though ultimately the foundation of the Church is Christ himself (cf. Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4; 1 Pet. 2:8). This does not put Peter into a special office overseeing the Church, only acknowledging that he has a unique role to play in its founding.

Question 4

Define Body (of Christ)

Answer 4

1. Physical Whole of a Living or Dead Organism.
2. Organic Whole - Group Considered Collectively.
3. Living Person Turned Outward in Action.
4. Paul’s Use: Figurative - illustrates the nature of the Church; it’s how Christ usually works in the world

Question 5

What are the Classic and Protestant Marks of Church?

Answer 5

Classic: One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic.

Protestant: Pure Preaching of the Word, Right Administration of the Sacraments, Discipline.

Question 6

What are the “Baptist” Distinctives for Marks of Church?

Answer 6

1. Fellowship of True Disciples
2. Priesthood of all Believers
3. A Congregation under the Word of God
4. Loca Church Autonomy with Willful Cooperation with other Congregations
5. A Spiritual Democracy at Work
6. Believer Baptism by Total Immersion and Regular Communion
7. A Free Church in a Free State

Question 7

Aspects of Authority

Answer 7

Authority is the right to rule, make decisions, direct, coordinate the behavior of other persons.

1. ex officio, de jure = the legal authority of office.
2. ex persona, de auctoritas = the personal and moral authority of wise character.
3. ex charismata, de senso = the perceived authority of personality.

Question 8

Define ex opere operato

Answer 8

“From the work worked”
A Sacrament Works Independently From the Merits of Priest or Participant.
i.e. A sacrament gives the grace it signifies. . . . Christ always gives us grace [through it] unless we deliberately block him. .

Question 9

Define occasion of grace

Answer 9

“Occasions” Ordained by Christ for His Church When the Saving & Sanctifying Knowledge of the Gracious Redeemer is Presented to People.

Question 10

Define Trans/consubstantiation

Answer 10

The belief that, when blessed, the bread and wine of the eucharist actually transform into the physical body and blood of Jesus.
The belief that the bread and wine of the eucharist contain the spiritual presence of Christ in, beside, and throughout it.

Question 11

State and Defend: Mode of Baptism

Answer 11

.

Question 12

State and Defend: Infant/Believer Baptism

Answer 12

.