Week 11

Question 1

What parts of the directory for worship have constitutional authority? (if any)?

Answer 1

Chapter 56: The Administration of Baptism
Chapter 57: The Admission of Persons to Sealing Ordinances
Chapter 58: The Administration of the Lord’s Supper

Question 2

What rules guide public worship?

Answer 2

Regulative Principle of Worship (BCO 47-1):

Public worship is to be regulated by Scripture, meaning that only elements explicitly commanded or implied in Scripture are permissible in worship. This is known as the Regulative Principle.
Examples of elements sanctioned by Scripture include preaching, prayer, singing, the reading of Scripture, and the sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper).

Question 3

What is the purpose of public worship?

Answer 3

The Purpose of Worship (BCO 47-3, 47-4):

Worship is intended to glorify God and edify the people of God. It is a spiritual exercise of faith where the covenant community gathers to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Question 4

What are the proper elements of worship?

Answer 4

Elements of Worship (BCO 47-9):

The essential elements of public worship include:
Reading of Scripture: The Word of God must be read as a central part of worship.

Preaching: Proclamation of the gospel and exposition of Scripture.

Prayer: Corporate prayer offered in the name of Jesus Christ.

Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, administered according to biblical instruction.

Singing of Psalms and Hymns: Worship includes congregational singing of biblically-based songs.

Offering: The collection of tithes and offerings as an act of worship and support for the church’s mission.

Question 5

In brief, how ought we to keep the Lord’s day?

Answer 5

We ought to keep the Lord’s Day (Sunday) as a day of rest and worship, focusing on spiritual activities that honor God and strengthen our relationship with Him.

Public Worship, Rest from Work, Private and Family Devotion, Acts of Mercy and Necessity: Works of mercy (helping those in need) and necessity (essential duties) are permitted, reflecting Christ’s compassion and care.

Question 6

Who is responsible for deciding who preaches in the church?

Answer 6

The Session, The teaching elder (pastor) typically bears the primary responsibility for preaching. However, the Session can invite other ordained ministers, licentiates (those licensed to preach), or qualified individuals to preach, as long as it aligns with the church’s doctrinal standards and is approved by the Session.

Question 7

What vows do parents make at the baptism of their children?

Answer 7

The Baptismal Vows Parents Take:
According to the PCA Book of Church Order (BCO 56-5), parents are asked the following questions:

Acknowledgment of the Child’s Need for Redemption:

“Do you acknowledge your child’s need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit?”

Trust in God’s Covenant Promises:

“Do you claim God’s covenant promises in (his/her) behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for (his/her) salvation, as you do for your own?”

Commitment to Raise the Child in the Faith:

“Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before (him/her) a godly example, that you will pray with and for (him/her), that you will teach (him/her) the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring (him/her) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?”

Question 8

Who admits people to the Lord’s Supper? What vows are made?

Answer 8

The Session (the governing body of a local church consisting of the teaching elder(s) and ruling elders) is responsible for admitting people to the Lord’s Supper.

Acknowledge Sin and Need of Salvation:
“Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?”
Trust in Jesus Christ for Salvation:
“Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?”
Commitment to Follow Christ:
“Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?”
Support of the Church:
“Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?”
Submission to Church Authority:
“Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?”

Question 9

Identify a New Testament passage about the Atonement.

Answer 9

Romans 5; Hebrews 9

Question 10

Identify a New Testament passage about Repentance.

Answer 10

Acts 2-3
Matthew 3, 4

Question 11

Identify a New Testament passage about the Deity of Christ

Answer 11

Jn1:1-14
Phil 2

Question 12

Identify a New Testament passage about the Resurrection (Christ’s and ours).

Answer 12

1 Corinthians 15 - ours

Matthew 28 - Jesus’

Question 13

Identify a New Testament passage about the Return of Christ.

Answer 13

Revelation 16
1 Cor 4

Question 14

Identify a New Testament passage about speaking in tongues.

Answer 14

1 Corinthians 12-14, Acts 2

Question 15

Identify a New Testament passage about spiritual gifts

Answer 15

1 Corinthians 12-14

Question 16

Identify a New Testament passage about the civil government.

Answer 16

Romans 13

Question 17

Identify a New Testament passage about work/vocation.

Answer 17

1 Thessalonians 4-5

Question 18

Identify a New Testament passage about the gospel ministry.

Answer 18

Acts 20:28

Question 19

Identify a New Testament passage about the Church.

Answer 19

Mathew 16, 1 Peter 2

Question 20

Identify a New Testament passage about the qualifications for church officers.

Answer 20

1 Timothy 3
Titus 1

Question 21

Identify a New Testament passage about biblical (church) discipline.

Answer 21

Matthew 18

Question 22

Identify a New Testament passage about women in the church.

Answer 22

1 Timothy 2, 5; Titus 2

Question 23

Identify a New Testament passage about principles of giving.

Answer 23

1 Timothy 5 (worthy of support)
1 Corinthians 16 (setting aside)

Question 24

What Happens To Believers At Death? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.

Answer 24

• Bodies return to the ground but still united to Christ (Jn. 11; 1 Cor. 15)
• Souls return to Christ
  o Phil. 1:23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
• Souls made perfect in holiness
  o Heb. 12:23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
• Wait to be resurrected and vindicated
  o Rev. 6:10-11 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Question 25

What Happens To Unbelievers At Death? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.

Answer 25

• Bodies return to the ground
• Souls go into hell
  o Lk. 16 (Rich man and Lazarus)
  o Jude 6-7

Question 26

Who Will Be Raised To Life At The Last Day

Answer 26

• Everybody, just and unjust
  o Jn. 5 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
  o Dan. 12
  o Rev. 20

Question 27

Who Will Be Judged At The Last Day? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.

Answer 27

• All angels
  o 2 Pet. 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;
  o 1 Cor. 6:3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
• All humans
  o 2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
  o Rom. 2
  o Mt. 25

Question 28

By Whom Will They Be Judged? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.

Answer 28

• Jesus (WCF 33.1 GOD hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father.)

Question 29

Will Any Receive A Second Chance? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.

Answer 29

No. Once dead, judgment will follow.
* Heb. 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Question 30

What Practical Use Is The Doctrine Of The Final Judgment? Include Scripture Proofs.

Answer 30

WCF 33.3 As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity; so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen
* Deters sin
* Consolation for the godly when suffering
* Remain watchful/Not become lax in sin (carnal security) (Mt 24:42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.)

Question 31

When Will Christ Return? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.

Answer 31

No man knows (even Jesus doesn’t know! (human nature)) but be ready because it’ll surprise us! (Mt. 24; Mk 13; Lk. 12; Rev. 22)

Question 32

What Will Heaven Be Like?

Answer 32

• Heaven is the greatest intensity of God’s presence.
  o Heb. 8:1-5
• God will merge heaven with earth and renew it all and dwell with us fully without sin, death, or pain.
  o Isa. 65 - picture of the New Heavens and New Earth

Question 33

Is There A Hell? Defend Your Answer With Scripture Proofs.

Answer 33

Yes.
* Mt. 25 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
* Lk. 16
* Mt. 5
* Rev. 20

Question 34

What Is “annihilationism?” Evaluate It Biblically.

Answer 34

• The belief that the wicked will not be punished forever but will eventually not exist.
  o While the language of ‘fire’ and ‘destruction’ could be taken as being annihilated, Scripture is clear that hell is eternal:
  Rev. 14:11
  Rev. 20:10

Question 35

What is your view of the millennium? Briefly defend your view from Scripture.

Answer 35

I take the amillennium position.
1. Chronology is not the main concern of John in Revelation. Intensified tribulation and apostasy along with the coming of a personal antichrist before the 2nd coming.
a. The earthly struggle against evil is shown in Rev. 1-11.
b. The spiritual struggle against evil is shown in Rev. 12-22.

2. Satan’s binding is not a total defeat of evil but a restriction on evil during the church-age for the gospel to spread to all nations.
   a. Jesus said that his own ministry was ‘binding’ Satan (Matt. 12:29; Mark 3:27).
   b. Jesus said that he saw Satan fall (Lk. 10:18-19) indicating a defeat.
3. The number ‘1,000’ like the rest of the numbers in Revelation is symbolic.
4. The faithful ‘came to life’ with Christ in their death while the unfaithful did not.
   a. This describes the death of believers who are now still alive with Christ (Phil. 1) whereas the wicked await final judgment (Rev. 20).
   b. These believers who are with Christ are said to be a part of the ‘first resurrection’ implying that a ‘second resurrection’ is coming which can only mean the resurrection from the dead at the end of time.
5. But even Satan will at last be given a chance to oppose the Lord but will be defeated and judged.
   a. This makes sense that the New Heavens and New Earth would follow because death, sin, and Satan are no more (Rev. 21).

Question 36

Other views of the millennium

Answer 36

Postmillennialism
1C. THE MILLENNIUM: “THE PRESENT AGE WILL GRADUALLY MERGE INTO THE MILLENNIAL AGE AS AN INCREASINGLY LARGER PROPORTION OF THE WORLD’S INHABITANTS ARE CONVERTED THRU THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL” AH 175.
- Evangelization of the whole world before the return of Christ.
- Doesn’t take into account the growing tribulation in Matt 24 or the antichrist/apostasy in 2 Thessalonians.

2C. THE BINDING OF SATAN MEANS HE CANNOT PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL DURING THE PRESENT AGE.

3C. THE TIMING OF CHRIST’S RETURN: AFTER THE MILLENNIUM

4C. THE SECOND COMING: A SINGLE EVENT

5C. THE RESURRECTION: ONE GENERAL RESURRECTION

Premillennialism
- Historic:
1C. THE MILLENNIUM: CHRIST’S REIGN ON EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS AFTER HIS RETURN & BEFORE THE ETERNAL STATE

2C. THE BINDING OF SATAN MEANS HE WILL BE UNABLE TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS DURING THE FUTURE MILLENNIUM.

3C. THE TIMING OF CHRIST’S RETURN: BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM

4C. THE SECOND COMING: A SINGLE EVENT

5C. TWO RESURRECTIONS, ONE BEFORE AND ONE AFTER THE MILLENNIUM

• Dispensational:
  1C. THE MILLENNIUM: CHRIST’S REIGN ON EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS AFTER HIS RETURN & BEFORE THE ETERNAL STATE. ADD A JEWISH CHARACTER WITH RESTORED TEMPLE AND SACRIFICES.

2C. THE BINDING OF SATAN MEANS HE WILL BE UNABLE TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS DURING THE FUTURE MILLENNIUM.

3C. THE TIMING OF CHRIST’S RETURN: BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM

4C. THE SECOND COMING WILL OCCUR IN TWO STAGES: THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH BEFORE THE TRIBULATION AND THE SECOND COMING TO EARTH AFTER THE TRIBULATION AND BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM.

5C. THREE RESURRECTIONS, AT RAPTURE, BEFORE AND AFTER THE MILLENNIUM