Second Half Flashcards
What is sanctification?
Sanctification is the growth of the new nature put into them; purpose of election
Thomas Watson - consecrate and set apart to holy use
Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Whom does God sanctify?
Persons born again by the Holy Spirit with new heart and new nature
never divorced from election
those whom God hath from before the creation of the world chosen to be holy, those who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them
What are the grounds of sanctification?
The grounds of Sanctification are the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, applied by the Holy Spirit
the Spirit applying the death and resurrection unto them
Sanctification doesn’t get you into heaven, but you can’t get to heaven without it.
What is the difference between Calvin and Luther with regard to sanctification?
Luther has sanctification coming out of justification. The problem with this is that there is then no emphasis on the power within you.
The reformed view is Duplex Gratia - out of the union with Christ flows both justification and sanctification
(Michael Horton is very Lutheran in this regard - really downplayed importance of sanctification)
Who is the agent of sanctification? What is the means? Why is it important to not confuse the agent and the means?
Agent: Holy Spirit 100%
But we’re told to work out our sanctification… for God is at work in you. God uses the means of grace.
Eat, Drink, Sleep are not guarantees of health, but they are the means of health.
What is the difference between an Act and a Work?
Act: We are passive
Work: We are not passive.
What are the 4 differences between justification and sanctification?
- God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ, in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace and enableth to the exercise thereof
- justification - sin is pardoned; sanctification sin is subdued
- justification - frees believers from the revengeful wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation; sanctification - neither equal in all, nor perfect in any, but growing up to perfection (God in His wisdom always works in progressions.)
- Justification is equal and full in all believers, while sanctification is not equal in all nor perfect in this life
What is the extent of sanctification?
This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life
intellect, affections, will
remnants of corruption in every part
Continual civil war (Remaining corruption will at times prevail; Spirit of Christ continually sanctifying the regenerate part so that it overcomes)
What is the work of sanctification?
Definite: the dominionof the whole body of sin is destroyed
Progressive:
a. Lusts are weakened and mortified
b. Greater ability to perform acts of holiness
c. Enable one to come before God
What are the benefits of sanctification?
- Assurance of god’s love,
- Peace of conscience,
- Joy in the Holy Ghost,
- Increase of grace, and
- perseverance therein to the end.
We die unto sin and rise unto newness of life.
What makes a work a good work?
- only those works commanded by the word of God
- Not those devised by men, whether out of blind zeal of good intent
- Fruits of saving faith
What is the purpose and function of good works? (7 things)
- Give thanks
- Strengthen assurance
- edify the brethren
- adorn the profession of he Gospel
- Stop the mouths of adversaries
- Glorify God (for which purpose men are saved)
- Having personal holiness that assures eternal life
Are good works necessary for salvation?
Yes and No.
As people have overreacted to covenantal reformed justification by faithfulness rather than faith, they slip into antinomianism
Thief on the cross - his confession was a good work (evidence of regeneration and a lively faith)
How do we perform good works (3 points)?
- Can only perform good works under the power of the Spirit of Christ
- Must be a specific influence of the Holy Spirit for each good work
- But we are not to be negligent, waiting for the Spirit to stir, but be diligently seeking righteousness
How are our good works acceptable to God?
- None can even do the works God requires, best works fall short.
- So works cannot atone for sin
a. Even if works were perfect they would fail because they are inite and could never measure up to God’s infinite glory
b. Works merit nothing, because they are all owed
c. Works cannot satisfy for past sin
d. Anything we do as good comes from the Holy Spirit and not from ourselves
e. Our works are defiled and imperfect. - The works of believers are only accepted on account of Christ.
a. The works of believers are also imperfect
b. God accepts the sincere works of believers on account of the work of Christ
Can a non-believer perform a good work?
- Unbelievers may keep some of the commands of God.
- All their works are sinful and not pleasing to God.
a. come from heart not purified by faith
b. not performed according to God’s Word
c. Not for God’s glory - Does not cause a man to deserve grace
- To neglect them is even more sinful
What is the source of saving faith/grace?
It is a gift of God and a product of the Holy Spirit.
Where does faith take place?
It is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts (center of all spiritual activity either regenerate or unregenerate)
What is necessary for faith to act? What about in the believer?
- Spirit of Christ in our hearts.
- Ministry of the Word
a. word
b. sacraments
c. prayer
What are 3 aspects of saving faith? What is faith generalis?
- notitia - knowledge
- assensus - ascent
- fuducia - trust (receiving, resting, embracing, throw yourself on Christ with abandonment)
Faith generalis is notitia and assensus. Faith especialis includes all three.
What does saving faith receive?
Justification
Sanctification
Eternal Life
Can weak faith save?
- Faith differs in different individuals and in the same individuals at different times.
- True faith may be weak and wavering, but never is conquered.
- The Christian may attain unto full assurance in his faith.
What is the role of repentance in conversation?
Co-equal with saving faith is repentance. Faith and repentance are twin graces and they occur together.
Repentance is an evangelical grace (saving grace), which means that it also is a gift of God.
It is to be preached as part of the Gospel, for the Holy Spirit works repentance in an individual through the word, especially the preaching of it.
What are the three aspects of repentance?
- knowledge - Sinner realizes that his sins are against God and understands the mercy of God in Christ. (out of the sight and sense of the danger, filthiness, and odiousness of his sins as contrary to the holy nature) (apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent)
- affection - grieves for and hates sin, genuine sorrow
- will - turning from sins unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments
Is repentance necessary for salvation?
- is not the grounds or means of salvation
- but none can obtain pardon without it
- no sin too small to not be repented of
- no sin too large to bring condemnation on the man who is truly repentant
What is the relation of repentance to confession?
There are 3 fruits of repentance: confession, reparation, obedience
Confession means praying for pardon AND forsaking.
The order is to repent and confess 1. to God 2. to individual(s)
Then, make restitution. Make public confession if necessary. (A public sin must be confessed publicly. Sometimes private sins need to be confessed publicly as well)
To whom does the grace of perseverance apply?
- those whom God accepts in Christ
- those effectually called
- those being sanctified by the Holy Spirit
What is the promise of perseverance?
They shall not totally or finally fall away, but shall persevere to the end and be saved.
What are the grounds of perseverance? (6 things)
- immutability of the decree of election
- unchangeable love of God the Father
- merit and intercession of Jesus Christ
- abiding of the Spirit
- seed of God within them
- nature of the covenant itself’
Westminster Chapter XVII - Paragraph III - Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and, for a time, continue therein: whereby they incur God’s displeasure,, and grieve His Holy Spirit, come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.
Why this warning?
so we know to never presume “once saved always saved” The very thought of falling into sin should fill us with great fear and trepidation
Galatians 5 - substituting a method of salvation for the actual means of grace
A true believer may fall into grievous sin
a. Temptation
b. Remnant of corruption of the nature
c. Neglect of the means of perseverance
Usually when a person gets negligent in their public and private worship they will fall away. If they’re in Christ, He will give them over for a time.
Is there such a thing as presumptive assurance?
Yes, hypocrites and unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes.
The unregenerate may have a false assurance. He is only deceiving himself. It will do him no good in day of judgment.
What is infallible assurance?
- It belongs to those who truly believe in Christ.
- Who sincerely love him.
- Who strive to walk in holiness
- Such as these rejoice in the hope of glory, which shall never make them ashamed
- Not by special Revelation; truth of god’s promise
What are the grounds of assurance? (3 things)
- promise of the scriptures
- inward evidence of graces (love God, love God’s people, hate sin, fruit of the Spirit)
- testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits (guarantee of salvation, seals redemption)
How are the Grounds of Assurance to be used in counseling?
Essay Question: How would you address someone lacking assurance?
- Understand Gospel.
- Are you in sin?
- Are you truly believing in Christ?
The fact that you’re concerned is evidence of the Spirit at work.
What is the relation of assurance to saving faith?
- does not belong to the essence of faith
- a true believer may go a period of time without assurance
- the man who has saving faith can get assurance by ordinary means
- assurance is not just a privilege, but the duty of every Christian
What are the benefits of assurance? (4)
- heart enlarged in peace and joy of Holy Spirit
- heart enlarged with love and thankfulness to God
- heart enlarged in obedience
- so assurance encourages perseverance instead of looseness (Romanists taught assurance would make men loose)
May a true believer lose his assurance?
God may shake it or remove it. Four reasons:
- negligence in preserving it
- falling into serious sin
- suffering sudden temptation
- God’s removal of the light of his face
Yet the believer is saved from utter despair:
- He has the seed of God and the life of faith
- He loves Christ and the brethren
- Sincerity of heart and conscience
- Spirit may use these things to renew assurance
What were the demands of the law before the fall?
Personal (Adam himself), Perfect (Exact and Entire), and Perpetual (not intermittently) OBEDIENCE
Adam was endued with the power and the ability to keep it. He could have kept it, but he was not sustained by the grace of God. (Romanists would say he could not have done it without donum superaddenum)
Adam would receive life upon fulfilling it and death upon its breach.
It is binding on all. Every person is born under these conditions. The Moral Law was written on Adam’s heart.
What are the demands of the law after the fall?
It remains the perfect rule of righteousness.
It is embodied in the 10 commandments (God giving the 10 commandments verbally with his finger was an act of grace)
What are the 3 types of law?
- Ceremonial laws containing several typical ordinances (abrogated under new testament - children have more laws to protect them which are lessened as the church grows)
- Judicial Laws for the people living as a theocracy (we are no longer in that government system, but in the kingdom of Christ - laws expired but principle of justice continued)
Principle of Equity - Calvin says if law had Biblical warrant and natural law application it would be good to continue it
Any DEATH penalty in OT deserves excommunication in new - unrepentant sinner excommuniated
- Moral Laaw (binds all people both on its matter and authority - No one under grace has been delivered from responsibility to obey the moral law (against antinomians))
What are the first two uses of the law?
- to convince of sin
2. to restrain men and society
What is the role of law in the life of the believer? (Calvin called third use)
to show them how they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good; and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness, and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience
Informing will of God and duty; showing corruption of our nature; basis of self-examination; bring conviction and hatred of sin; show need for Christ and his obedience; restrain corruption
Give a summary of each commandment.
- Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (one true God and our God, worship and glorify him accordingly)
- Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
- Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works - not profaning or abusing any thing whereby God maketh himself known)
- Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy
- Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (preserving the honour and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals)
- Thou shalt not kill (requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life and the life of others)
- Thou shalt not commit adultery (the preservation of our own and our neighbour’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior; forbideth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions)
- Thou shalt not steal (lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others, forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbor’s wealth or outward estate)
- Thou shalt not bear false testimony against they neighbor (maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor’s good name, especially in witness-bearing)
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s - full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward out neighbour, and all that is his)
What is Christian Liberty?
Christian liberty is the Liberty that is purchased by Christ - involves a change in relationship, justification, and change in nature, regeneration, and sanctification
Christian Liberty: What are the 3 things we are freed from with respect to justification?
- guilt of sin
- wrath of God
- curse of the law
Christian Liberty: What are the six things we are delivered from with respect to sanctification?
- present evil world
- bondage to Satan
- dominion of sin
- evil of affliction
- sting of death and victory of grace
- everlasting damnation
How does our Christian Liberty affect our relationship to God?
- Free access to God
- Ability to obey God (a. no longer a slavish fear b. act out of childlike love c. have mind willing and able to serve God)
All believers in the Old Covenant had the same liberty, but what are the three advantages in the New Covenant?
- free from ceremonial law
- Greater boldness of access
- Fuller communications of Holy Spirit
What is liberty of conscience?
- All liberty and obedience is under the Lordship of God
- Freed from human law
- To bind the conscience is to betray true liberty
- To bind others is assuming the prerogatives of God
“Liberty of conscience means the liberty of the individual to obey God rather than man, when the will of man and the will of God conflict.” This is true in faith and worship
How does liberty of conscience relate to worship?
The Church does not mandate things which are outside of Scripture.
What is the purpose of liberty?
It is not a license to sin. It is to be enabled to freely serve God; freedom not to sin.
How does liberty relate to our submission to lawful authorities.
- Civil and ecclesiastical authority is ordained by God
- To resist such is to resist God
- Church authority to censure and discipline
- Reason. (1. If in the areas of faith, worship, or life a person publishes or maintains an opinion or practice contrary to the light of nature, known principles of Christian religion, or power of godliness. 2. If one does something destructive of the peace of the church)
Why are we to worship God?
- He has lordship and sovereignty
- He is good and does good unto all
Therefore he is to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served with all the heart, soul, and might
What is the principle to govern worship?
RPW - Regulative Principle of Worship (Calvin - whatever is not prescribed in Scripture is not allowed; Luther (Normative Principle) - Whatever is not forbidden is allowed
- Because of sin, man is blinded to the revelation in creation
- We may not worship God according to the imagination and devices of men
- We may not follow the suggestions of Satan
- We may not use any visible representation
- We may not worship in any way not prescribed in Scripture (Specifics must be set by the word. General rules of time and place “…to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be observed”)
Whom alone are we to worship?
- The triune God
- No other object may be worshiped (angels, saints, creatures)
- Only performed through a mediator, namely Jesus Christ
What does it mean that we are only to perform worship through a mediator?
The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being so great, as that we can have no access into his presence without a mediator; and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work but Christ alone, we are to pray in no other name but his only
What is to be the attitude of one praying? (7 things)
- with understanding
- with reverence
- with humility
- with fervency
- with faith
- with love
- with perseverance
For what may we pray?
- Things lawful
- For all men living on going to live
- Not for the dead (no command in Scripture to pray for the dead and no example of such being done)
- In the original confession, “nor for those of whom it may be known that thy have sinned the sin unto death” 1 Jn 5:16; Ps 69:22-28
How is scripture used in worship?
- read with godly fear
- preached
- heard in obedience (with understanding, in faith, with reverence)
Are there holy places?
- not tied to a place
2. God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth
What are three types of worship?
- private families daily
- in secret, each one by himself
- in public assemblies,(as appointed by the word or providence, to be diligent in attendance)
The command for worship on the Sabbath is positive, moral, and perpetual. What do these three things mean?
- Positive - based simply on the divine will of God. This is why the day may be changed. (It signifies God’s rest. It signifies the rest of redemption.)
- Moral - God’s moral law does not pass away
- Perpetual (Ex. 31:16 - sign of the covenant)
Why was the Sabbath day changed?
From the resurrection of Christ to the second coming, it is to be the first day (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2)
a. called the Lord’s Day (Rev 1:10
b. Continued as a Christian Sabbath (Mt. 5:17-18, Ex 20:8, 10
c. Hebrews 4:10 - Christ entered into his rest on the 8th day - which is why we do as well
What is an oath? (3 things)
- It an act of religious worship.
- It is the calling of God to witness the truth of an assertion or promise and to judge him if he lies.
- Only on special occasions
What makes an oath lawful?
- Only to swear by the name of God and that it is to be with a holy reverence
- Should not swear vainly or rashly
When is an oath appropriate?
- to be made only in matters of the utmost seriousness
2. When imposed by lawful authority
What is the subject matter of an oath?
- must be fully persuaded of the truth of the matter
- It must be a good and just matter.
- The oath-taker must be able and resolved to perform
- It is a sin to refuse to take a lawfully imposed oath concerning a good and just matter.
What is an occasion for breaking an oath?
- Must be not deceit in thought or words
- Only time to break it is if it would force us to sin
- At all other times must understand it as binding, even if to one’s own harm
- Binding even if made to an immoral person
What is a vow?
- Same nature as an oath
- Made with religious care
- Performed faithfully
What are the distinguishing characteristics of a vow (5 things)?
- made only to God
- It is to be voluntary
- Made in faith and in conscience of duty
- Purpose (made for thanksgiving, to obtain a certain end)
- Bind ourselves to certain duties
What are unlawful vows? (3 things)
- Anything forbidden in the word
- Anything that would forbid one from keeping a commandment
- Something not in one’s power to accomplish and there is no purpose from God to enable them to do it
What are 3 examples of vows?
- Vows of celibacy
- Vows of poverty
- A vow of obedience to mere men
What is the divine authority and purpose of civil government?
- God is king over all the earth.
- God has ordained the rule of the civil magistrate (under God’s rule, over people, for God’s glory, for public good
Purpose:
- armed with power of sword
- defense and encouragement for good
- punishment of evildoer
- wage just war
What are modern applications to the role of government?
?
May a Christian serve as civil magistrate?
- Lawful calling
- Maintain piety, justice, peace according to wholesome laws of each commonwealth
- Wage just war
What about tax revolt?
All I wrote was “this does away with tax revolt - it’s the duty to pay them tribute or other dues”
Where does God ordain marriage?
monogamous, heterosexual, permanent
What are the four purposes of marriage?
- mutual help
- increase of mankind with a legitimate issue
- and for the Church with an holy seed
- for preventing of uncleanness (sexual fulfillment)
What are the grounds of divorce? (5 things)
- Cause is corruption of human nature
- Adultery
- Irremediable desertion
- Those divorced on improper grounds may not remarry
- To be done with order and propriety
Define the invisible church (4 ways).
- All elect past, present, future
- Body of Christ under his headship
- Spouse, body, fullness of him that filleth all
- This is the Holy catholic church
Define the visible church and explain its relation to the invisible.
Definition: Made up of professors of true religion and their children
Kingdom of Lord Jesus Christ: house and family of God; out of which ordinarily no salvation
Also called the catholic church as it is not confined to one nation
Relation to invisible:
Apart from it no ordinary possibility of salvation
Discuss Witherow’s six principles of church government?
- Christ the head
- Bishops and Elders synonymous
- Plurality of elders
- People elect officers
- Right of appeal
- Ordained by plurality of elders
What is the work of the church? What are the means?
Gathering and perfecting of saints
Means - ministry, oracles, ordinances
Promise of Christ: presence and work of Holy Spirit
Expanded LC 63 - under God’s care, protected and preserved, enjoy communion of saints, means of grace
What about parachurch organizations to evangelism and discipleship?
not proper - not been given sacraments and promise of the Spirit
promise is given to this visible church
Christian college fine as not doing work of evangelism and discipleship
Seminary should ideally be part of a denomination
not doing work of the Church
equipping men to do work of the Church
What are the marks of the church?
- Doctrine - doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced
- Ordinances - ordinances administered
- Worship - public worship performed more or less purely in them
The Head of the church, par. 6 - Witherow What did he argue?
- Christ alone
- The claim of the pope or anyone else has no Biblical warrant
- One who denies such is an anti-Christ
Synods and Church Councils, WCF 31 - Discuss Witherow’s argument. What are objections to Witherow on this point?
Witherow: right of appeal to a higher court
must be a plurality of elders
actions of oversight performed by elders in council together
What are the functions of synods and councils? (3)
- Determine controversies of faith
- Rule for ordering of public worship and governance
- Court of appeal (bring complaint of mal-administration; authority to determine who is right in a disciplinary case)
What say to those who claim Confession trumps Scripture?
- If consonant with word, decrees and determination received with reverence and dominion (Such authority when in agreement with the Word; Because of power invested - They are an ordinance of God. Appointed by his word.)
- No council or synod since apostolic times has been infallible
a. All may err
b. Many have erred seriously
c. So not to be a rule of faith and practice, but a help in faith and practice
May church declare on issues not in Scripture?
humble petition in cases extraordinary
when requested
What is the basis of communion of saints?
- A saint is one set apart by justification and sanctification
- Derived from union with Christ (By His spirit, In faith)
- Have fellowship with Christ in (Grace, Sufferings, Death, Resurrection, Glory)
- With brethren (united in love, communion in each other’s gifts and graces)
What are the responsibilities of the members?
- Public and private duties inward and outward means
- Spiritual fellowship in worship; performing spiritual service of mutual edification
- Material fellowship
- Extended to all those in every place who are believers
What is the difference between Objective union and Subjective union?
Objective Union - chosen in Him before the foundation of the world
Subjective Union - takes place at effectual calling
Spiritual and mystical (part of the Gospel mystery)
WCF 30 paragraphs 1 & 2 - Which 3 of WItherow’s principles are worked out here?
- Christ head
- Appointed officers
?
What are Witherow’s two principles with respect to appointed officers?
- Elders and bishops synonyms
2. People elect officers
The officers have Keys of kingdom. What is the concept of the keys?
The power of the keys (2 Cor. 13:10)
- retain and remit sins
- shut door to impenitent; word and censure
- open door gospel and salvation (Ministry of Gospel, Absolution of censures as occasion requires)
What are the purposes of church discipline? (5)
- Reclamation
- Deterrence
- Purging
- Vindicating
- Preventing
What are types of church discipline? (3)
- admonition
- suspension from the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for a season
- excommunication from the Church
What are the necessary requisites for a sacrament?
- Sign and Seal of the covenant of grace
2. Instituted by God
What are five purposes of the sacraments?
- Represent Christ and His benefits
- Confirm our interest in him
- Put a visible difference between Church member and the rest of the world
- To engage the Christian in the service of God according to his word
- Testify and cherish their love and communion one with another
What is meant by sacramental union?
- There is a sacramental union between the sign and the thing it signifies
- So the names and effects of the one are often attributed to the other
How are sacraments means of grace?
- When the sacraments are rightly used there is an exhibition of grace.
- Grace is not due to:
a. any power in the sacraments
b. purity or intention of the one administering it - Grace is due to
a. Work of the Holy Spirit
b. Words of institution (1. The precept authorizing the use, the promises of benefits to worthy receivers)
c. Receive by faith
Why is foot washing not a sacrament?
- The two sacraments ordained by our Lord Jesus in the Gospels
a. Baptism
b. The Lord’s Supper - Must be dispensed by a lawfully ordained minister of the gospel
Why must the sacraments be administered by a lawfully ordained minister of the gospel?
A theology of “calling” may help protect the church from several extremes. One of these extremes is the view that a call is a private matter with little or no relationship or accountability to the church. Another view of calling separates the “professional” clergy from the laity. An adequate theology is also needed to help place proper focus on the servant quality of leadership consistent with Christ’s call to discipleship. A biblical call is quite divorced from cultural ideas of power. The case of Simon Magus who attempted to gain ecclesiastical preferment (Acts 8:5–24) stands out as a serious error to avoid. The English word “simony,” the buying or selling of church office or preferment, comes from this incident in Acts.[46]
It should also be noted that the sacraments are to be guarded by the minister. “The body is not without order; again, the kingdom of God is not a Rousseauian paradise. In most churches, only ordained ministers may administer the Supper, and even if this is an unnecessary remnant of clericalism, it is still true that in all properly functioning churches of Christ someone is designated as guardian of the table. Flagrant and impenitent sinners are to be cut off from the fellowship of the feast. In this way, the eucharist not only manifests and exercises proper relationships among the members of the body but also reveals the fundamental contours of the world as a whole. And not only “reveals”: since the exercise of church discipline centers on the table, the feast establishes boundaries, creating an in-group and an out-group. Those who participate in the feast are members of the body, to be treated as brothers and sisters, while those outside may be enemies of the church, apostates cut off from Christ, or the unevangelized. The feast draws the ever-shifting lines between the church and the world.”[47]
Ministers themselves should be quite zealous to see the church adhere to the proper doctrinal standards surrounding belief and practice. To allow anyone to administer the sacraments would be to give up the dictates of Christ’s commission to the authority of the church, and to give up the historical witness of confessionalism to the truth of it. “A minister stands in the pulpit not as an individual but as an ordained minister from a particular communion. “The public,” Dabney wrote, “hears [the minister’s] church in him.” Therefore, officers had a duty to keep those out of the ministry who did not consent to the church’s teaching.”[48] In this office, it is the duty of the minister to fulfill his calling. As Goodykoontz states, “The powers of the ministry are seen in preaching, in administering the sacraments, and in ruling.”[49]
Define baptism.
Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament by washing with water in name of triune God.
It is ordained by Christ to be performed until He returns.
What are the purposes of baptism?
- Solemn admission in the church
- Sign and Seal of covenant of grace
a. of ingrafting into Christ
b. of regeneration
c. of remission of sins
d. of giving of life to walk in newness of life
e. of adoption and resurrection
Why don’t we accept RC and Greek Orthodox baptism?
- Baptism is to be administered by ordained ministers (priests are not rightly ordained)
- They don’t just use water but a “more efficacious” concoction
Discuss Murray’s arguments for infant baptism.
What does it mean that baptism is a means of grace?
- It is a sin to neglect or condemn baptism.
- But baptism does not regenerate or wash away sins
- Nor does baptism mean that the one who is baptized is definitely regenerate
- Grace is offered and conferred in the right use of baptism
- The efficacy of grace is not tied to the moment of administration
- Grace may continue, but there is only need to baptize once
How do you improve your baptism?
- in the time of temptation (remember you were baptized)
- when present at the administration of it to others
- by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein
- by being humbled by our sinful defilement, our falling short, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements
- by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace
- by endeavouring to live by faith, and to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ
- to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body
What are the purposes of the Lord’s Supper?
- In memory of Christ’s sacrifice
- the sealing of all benefits therof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in Him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto Him
- to be a bond and pledge of their communion with Him, and with each other, as members of His mystical body
What about intinction?
(dipping bread into the wine) They’re given separately in Scripture.
How about the sick with regard to the Lord’s Supper?
It must be administered in the presence of the congregation so you must at least take some members of the congregation with you.
What two errors about Christ’s presence are refuted? How is Christ present?
- In no way physically present, denial of transubstantiation and consubstantiation
- Christ is spiritually present (Worthy receivers as they partake of the visible elements inwardly by faith receive and feed on Christ crucified and all the benefits of his death. Christ is spiritually present to the eyes of faith as the visible elements are to the outward senses)
What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in the time of the administration of it?
- with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance
- diligently observing the sacramental elements and actions,
- heedfully discerning of the Lord’s body
- affectionately meditating on his death and sufferings
- thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces
(in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering thirsting after Christ, feeding on him by faith, receiving of his fullness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace) - renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints
What about paedo-communion?
argument is Passover - requirement was that men went up for Passover meal (Jesus went up at 12)
Why do believers die?
All men are destined to death till Christ intervenes by his second coming
What is the intermediate state?
a. The soul is immortal so neither dies nor sleeps, but immediately returns to God who made it
b. The soul of the righteous (made perfect in holiness, received into the presence of God, awaits the full redemption of its body)
c. The soul of the wicked (cast into hell, torment and utter darkness, reserved for the day of judgment)
d. The Bible teaches no other place for the would separated from their bodies
What are the events that occur at the return of Christ?
- None shall die
- Believers shall be changed into perfect bodies
- State of those who have died (Raised up in their souls forever, United to their souls forever, Bodies of the unjust raised to dishonor, Bodies of the just raised to honor)
When will the day of judgment occur?
Immediately after the resurrection - the day and hour whereof no man knoweth, that all may watch and pray, and be ever ready for the coming of the Lord
Who will be judged and on what basis?
a. apostate angels
b. all persons who have lived on the earth
c. matters to be judged: (thoughts, words, deeds)
Be recompensed for either good or evil
What is the purpose of the day of judgment?
The primary purpose is the glory of God
a. glory off his mercy in salvation of the elect
b. glory of his justice in damnation of reprobate
Secondary purpose is the sealing of the eternal destiny of men and apostate angels
a. righteous given everlasting life
b. wicked cast into hell
Why does the Bible teach so much about the judgment?
- Christ would have us to be certain of it (to deter us from sin; as consolation of the godly in adversity)
- Christ would have us remain uncertain of the time (Shake of carnal security, cause us to always be watchful)
