120 Questions for PCA Ordination Flashcards
(119 cards)
What is a sacrament?
A sign and seal of the covenant of grace. Instituted by God to represent Christ and his benefits, to confirm our interest in him and to create a boundary between the church and the world. 1 Cor 10 and 11, Matthew 28
How many sacraments? Defend.
Two. 1 cor 11, Matthew 26 and 28
Does anything really happen in a sacrament?
Yes, faith is strengthened and believers are nourished. WCF 27.2 “There is in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified: whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other.”
Give 4 new testament proofs for parallels between sacraments
Matt 26, 1 Cor 11, Colossians 2, (Rom 4)
Of what is baptism the sign & seal?
The covenant of grace, the ingrafting into Christ, regeneration, remission of sins, & of giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church.
How does the seal of baptism relate to infants?
The efficacy is not tied to the time, but to the timing of the grace of God
How is baptism rightly administered? defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
Baptism is to be administered with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; by an ordained minister of the Gospel, to those who profess faith and their children.
Would you ever baptize someone by immersion?
Yes, the mode is inconsequential.
What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?
*Perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ. *Sealing of all the benefits thereof to the true believer. *Spiritual nourishment and growth for the believer. *Further engagement in and to all the duties which they owe to him *Bond and pledge of the believer’s union with Christ and each other.
What happens in the Lord’s Supper?
Christ is present spiritually and he enables believers to enjoy mystical communion with him as they are spiritually nourished
Roman Catholic View of The Lord’s Supper
*Transubstantiation… The bread becomes the body of Christ and the wine becomes the blood of Christ. (literally) The accidental properties… remain the same (the touch, smell, and taste) The essential properties change into Christ’s actual body/blood.
In the Lutheran view of the Lord’s Supper:
The body and blood of Christ are “really present” “in, with and under” the elements of bread and wine. Consubstantiation
. How should believers celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
WSC #97 “It is required of them… that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.”
How is “fencing the table” practiced during communion?
*BCO 58-4 “Since, by our Lord’s appointment, the sacrament sets forth the communion of Saints, the minister, at the discretion of the Session, before the observance begins, may either invite all those who profess the true religion, and are communicants in good standing in any evangelical church, to participate in the ordinance; or may invite those who have been approved by the session, after having given indication of their desire to participate. It is proper also to give special invitation to non-communicants to remain during the service.”
Briefly discuss the development of covenant theology.
Covenant theology is based in Scripture, but can be identified in the writings of Church Fathers like Irenaeus and Augustine. It is further developed in the writings of Reformers like Zwingli, Calvin and Bullinger, and continued in the 17th century writings of Owen, Cocceius, Witsius, and the Westminster Confession of Faith. `
What are the historical origins and distinctives of the following: a. Methodist Churches
Origins: Began in Oxford University as a movement within the Church of England and expanded under the leadership of Charles and John Wesley Distinctives: Typically has been concerned with ministry to the poor and disadvantages, expressing its faith in compassion for human condition.
Episcopal Churches
Origins: the Episcopalian Church began in America as an extension of the Church of England. However, During the American Revolution a great controversy arose over prayers for the monarchy in the liturgy, so after the revolution it severed ties with the Church of England and became its own denomination. Distinctives: Acknowledges no central authority, though maintains a hierarchy of bishops, relies totally on traditional liturgical worship, while not defining the exact nature of the communion element (regarded as a mystery).
Baptist distinctives
Believers’ baptism, Congregational ecclesiology, Authority for community is local; no hierarchy,
Mennonite Churches
Origins: Dating from 1520’s in central Europe, take name from Menno Simmons who led them in a pursuit of biblical living. Distinctives: No common doctrine, rejection of infant baptism, real presence at the Lord’s supper, pacifist, no oaths, complete separation of church and state
pentecostal churches
late 19th C, revival experiences, presence of holy spirit, speak in tongues and filled with spirit
Presbyterian Churches
Origins: Dating back to John Knox in 1560 and the Scots Confession becoming the expression of government assigned by the Westminster Assembly in the Form of Government. Distinctives: Offices of Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder. Usually hold to the WCF, Spiritual presence in the elements (Calvin),
orthodox churches
mostly in Russia, Balkans, and Eastern Europe. strong traditions, conservatism, patterns of early christianity. women cannot be priests. writings of saints, veneration of icons, direct relationship with god, unceasing prayer
Lutheran churches
Origins: Germany; Martin Luther, 1517 October 31 commonly the beginning of the reformation. 1521 Diet of Worms which lead to Luther’s excommunication. Distinctives: Consubstantiation, Salvation by grace, justification by faith, Augsburg Confession (and the Book of Concord)
Briefly identify and give dates for the following: Council of Nicea
- The council of Nicea was concerned primarily with the nature of the second person of the trinity—Jesus Christ. Arius asserted that Christ was not eternally generated from the Father, but created from the non-existent. Athanasius and his followers asserted that Christ was eternally begotten of the father. The semi-Arians argued that Christ was homoiousios (“of similar substance”) with the father. The Council adopted the Athanasian position of homoousios (“the same essence”).