Questions of Theology - Church Flashcards
What is the universal church?
All believers from all time
“The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head”—WLC ft64
What is the visible church?
All those professing true faith and their children.
What are the attributes of the church? Prove from Scripture.
Holy
Catholic
Apostolic
Holy—Separation from unbelief and sin, together with dedication to the service of God in all of life.
Catholic—It is not limited geographically, as Israel was, and it joins in one fellowship people of every sort. Apostol-ic—founded on the teaching of the apostles.
“Consequently, you ore no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”—Ephesians 2:19-20
“…you also, life living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacri-fices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”—1 Peter 2:5
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”—Ephesians 4:4-6
What are the marks of the church? Prove from Scripture.
Preaching of the Word
Proper Administration of the Sacraments
Practice of Church discipline
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28:19-2015
Who is the head of the church? Prove from Scripture.
“For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the savior.”
—Ephesians 5:23
Define the three basic forms of church government.
Prelacy/ Monarchial (Episcopalian)—This form of government holds that Christ has entrusted the administra-tion of his church directly and exclusively to an order of bishops as the successors of the apostles. These bishops are separate, independent, and self-perpetuating. In this system, the people of the church have no share in the gov-ernment of the church.
Independent/ Democratic (Congregational)—Each church is considered a complete church, entirely independent from all other churches. Therefore, the power resides exclusively with the members of the church with officers ap-pointed as functionaries. These churches may join together in fellowship, but any decisions made by these groups is regarded as only advisory and in no way binding on any individual church unless the congregation so desires.
Presbyterian/ Republican—This form of church government affirms the headship of Christ and the importance of individual churches to govern their own affairs. This is accomplished through representative organs—the primary being the local church session, then presbyteries, and synods or general assemblies. While the larger as-semblies do impose certain limitations on the autonomy of the local churches, but also promotes the growth and welfare of the churches, to guarantees the rights of the members of the Church, and serves to give fuller expres-sion to the unity of the Church.16
What are the principles of Presbyterian Church government? Support them from Scripture.
- Christ is the King and Head of the church Ep 5.
- The office bearers were chosen by the people Acts 6.
- The offices of bishop and elder are identical Titus 1.
- In each church there was a plurality of elders Acts 13.
- Ordination was an act of the presbytery—a plurality of elders 1 Tim 4:14.
- The privilege of appeal was to the assembly of elders, and the right of government was
exercised by them in their corporate character. acts 15 - “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection. So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.”—Acts 1:21-26
What is the role of women in the church? Support your answer from Scripture.
Women have a significant role in the church, just as any member of Christ’s body, having the full rights of the children of God, and the calling to exercise their gifts in a fashion which build up the body of believers. The only role the Scripture forbids a woman to hold is that of authority over a man—which the PCA has interpreted to mean a forbid-ding to ordained office in the church.
“I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man…“—l Timothy 2:12
May women serve as officers in the church? Support your answer from Scripture.
Women may not serve in any ordained offices in the church, as in our culture and denomination ordination and office communicate authority.
I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.”—1 Timothy 2:12-13
“Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”—Ephesians 5:22 What is “subscription?”
The issue surrounding what is meant when a church officer vows to “subscribe” to the PCA’s system of doctrine and its standards.
What privileges do Christians share?
Fellowship with Christ.
Union with one another in love.
“All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by His Spirit; and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His grace, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory: and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces, and are obliged to performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.”—WCF26.1
What duties do Christians owe one another?
Holy fellowship and communion in worship Mutual edification Relieving of outward needs
Does the “communion of the saints” deny the right of private property? Explain.
Communion of the saints is not communism. Scripture teaches that Christians can own property and have con-trol over the disposition of it.
“…Nor does their communion one with another, as saints, take away, or infringe the title or propriety which each man has in his goods and possessions.”—WCF 26.3
“He who is stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”—Ephesians 4:28
What authority does the church possess?
Keys of he Kingdom:
Retain and remit sins.
Shut the kingdom against the impenitent.
Open the kingdom to penitent sinners.
What is the purpose of church censures?
Vindicating the honor of Christ by: Reclaiming and gaining of offenders. Deterring other like offenses. Purging sin from the Church. Preventing the wrath of God from falling on the church for notorious and obstinate offenders
What censures may the church impose?
Admonition
Suspension from the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for a season.
Excommunication
“For the better attaining of these ends, the officers of the Church are to proceed by admonition, suspension from the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for a season; and by excommunication from the Church, according to the na-ture of the crime, and demerit of the person.”—WCF 30.3
