Lesson 2 - The Church Defined

Question 1

How is the church the covenant assembly of the Triune King?

Answer 1

1. ) Assembly - brought together for a purpose
2. ) The church is conceived with a covenant purpose. When they get together it’s covenant renewal.
3. ) The trinity is the ontological principle of the church 2. The church is the community that is loved by God the Father in his electing loved, loved by God in e Son in his redeeming love, and loved by God the Spirit in his indwelling love.
4. ) Who God is determines the nature of the community.

Question 2

Explain how the church is called from all nations to be his holy sanctuary.

Answer 2

1. ) Called - the church has been called to be assembled
2. ) From all nations - material cause - the nations through the family of Abraham to all the earth
3. ) Holy Sanctuary - the church is God’s building project. the covenant assembly is also where God dwells in his sanctuary.

Question 3

How does the nature of the church indicated the purpose of the church?

Answer 3

Nature: Covenant assembly of the Triune King called from all nations to be His holy Sanctuary

Purpose: Since this is the place where God’s glory dwells then:

• • where the blessings of the messiah are communicated to God’s elect, according to His promise
• • Where God’s people serve him as Kingdom of Priests according to his command.

Question 4

How does Webster explain the relationship between God’s perfect being and the church?

Answer 4

A theology of church needs to be undergirded by a theology of divine perfection; this is accomplished by tying ecclesiology to election, thus generating an account of the church as differentiated, asymmetrical fellowship with God.

In this 2nd movement of holy love and grace, God’s perfection is actual as his determination for fellowship. It is this movement which is the ground of the church. The basis of the church’s being is the very simple and entirely unfathomable divine declaration: I am the Lord you Gord. Ecclesiology is a function of the election of the saints.

Question 5

Explain how Webster describes the perfection of God in outward movements.

Answer 5

It is not the first but a 2nd movment of the being of God.

1. ) The 1st movement is the eternally mobile repose of the Holy trinity. It is internally necessary because it flows fro the eternal divine counsel to be himself also in this 2nd movement.
2. ) This movment is a movement of holy love.
3. ) This movement is a movement of God’s grace. Grace is sovereignty directec to the creatures well being. The perfection of God’s lordship is wholly to the creatures good.
4. 0 In this 2nd movement of holy love and grace, God’s perfection is actual as his determination for fellowship. It is this movement which is the ground of the church. The basis of the church’s being is the very simple and entirely unfathomable divine declaration: I am the Lord you Gord. Ecclesiology is a function of the election of the saints.

Question 6

How does Webster describe the role of scripture to the church?

Answer 6

• -The church speaks because it has been spoken to. Only because there is a word from this son on man, only because there is a Word of God, is there a word to be uttered by the church.
• • In its word, the church does not activate, demonstrate or justify the Word which has already been spoken; it simply attests that Word in its inherent clarity and self-demonstration, announcing what has already been announced with kingly power.
• • The Word is not in the church, but is announced to the church through Holy Scripture. The church is therefore not first and foremost a speaking, but hearing community.
• • The church’s speech is a 2nd, not a first move, a responsive act whose aim is achieved when it draws attention not to what it says itself, but to what it has heard.
• • The primary public language of the church is the exegesis of Holy Scripture.
• • The church’s job is to let the Word stand as what it is, and therefore to be placed beneath its governance.