II. The Doctrine of the Church and Its Government Flashcards
What is the purpose of the Church?
The church the Lord Jesus heist has erected in this world for the gathering and perfecting of the saints in His visible kingdom of grace.
The sole functions of the Church, as a kingdom and government distinct from the civil commonwealth, are to proclaim, to administer, and to enforce the law of Christ revealed in the Scriptures.
The church is ordained for the edification and government of his people, the propagation of the fain, and the evangelization of the world.
What are the marks of the Church?
Word and Sacraments and Church Discipline
“This scriptural doctrine of Presbytery is necessary to the perfection of the order of the visible Church, but is not essential to its existence”
(BCO 1-7). Explain this statement.
This means that to maintain order—to operate the church according to God’s word—would be to follow a Presbyterian form of Government. However, just because a church does not have a Presbyterian form of Government does not mean that it ceases to be the true church or that it is breaking with foundational Christian doctrine.
List the basic types of church government
- Presbyterian or representative
- Episcopalian
- Congregationalist
Presbyterian or representative
describe & show the biblical warrant and weakness
Chosen by the people: Acts 6:1-6 Deacons elected by the people. Qualifications in Titus 1 and 1 Tim 3 to help the people choose.
Representation by group of elders - Acts 11, 15 – Jerusalem Council, Paul and Barnabas sent out as representatives of the Presbytery Acts 16
Plurality of elders – norm in the churches Acts 14:23, Titus 1:3 (“appoint elders in every town as I directed you”)
Episcopalian
describe & show the biblical warrant and weakness
hierarchical—ignores the larger idea that the every member of the church is part of the body and has power within the church. Elders and bishops the same—not having authority over one another in Scripture. No passing on of apostleship. Lack of accountability.
Congregationalist
describe & show the biblical warrant and weakness
rule by individual congregations, usually by majority votes of the congregation. Some operate by a single single elder model with all authority over the local congregation. Misses the interconnectedness of thew early church and the combined rule of the Council of Jerusalem for example.And misses the plurality of elders.
What constitutes the unity of the Church?
Word and sacraments are maintained in their fundamental integrity
How is the church “apostolic” and what is Presbyterian understanding of “apostolic succession”?
The office of apostle ended with the apostolic age, but we are apostolic in that we continue the teaching of the apostles as inscripturated in the NT.
How as a Protestant do you justify being separated from Rome?
Apostasy in the Catholic Church. The once and for all sacrifice of Jesus replaced by the continued sacrifice and offering of Jesus. Grace being infused not imputed. Fundamental misunderstanding and corruption of salvation by Grace and abuse of the work of Jesus.
Among Protestants, how do you justify the existence of the PCA as a separate denomination?
Movement away from PCUSA liberalism and modernism. The denial of the miracles of Jesus, virgin birth, inerrancy of Scripture
What is apostasy; may churches become apostate; are there any such churches?
An abandonment of true Christian doctrine. Abandoning the essential of the faith. Saved by faith and not by works.
What will be your responsibility as a Teaching Elder with respect to the following proposition from the commandment of men (a) which are in any respect contrary to the Word of God, or (b) which, in regard to matters of faith and worship, are not governed by the Word of God. Therefore, the rights of private judgment in all matters that respect religion are universal and inalienable.”
A) I should fight for freedom from such laws and actively work to break down such man-made law which seek to enslave.
B) I should encourage people to apply Scripture to these situations when good and necessary and to encourage people to do so with clear consciences and towards the end of glorifying God and enjoying Jesus Christ.
Distinguish between the power of the Church and the power of the state and discuss the separation of Church and state.
No religious constitution should be supported by the civil power further than may be necessary for protection and security equal and common to all others.
The power of the Church is exclusively spiritual; that of the State includes the exercise of force. The constitution of the Church derives from divine revelation; the constitution of the State must be determined by human reason and the course of providential events. The Church has no right to construct or modify a government for the State, and the State has no right to frame a creed or polity for the Church. They are as planets moving in concentric orbits: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
