Ecclesiology

Question 1

Define the church in a single sentence.

Answer 1

The assembly of the redeemed—those who have been called by God the Father to salvation as a gift to his Son. (MacArthur and Mayhue)

Question 2

In a single sentence each, provide five biblical arguments that the church was inaugurated on the Day of Pentecost.

Answer 2

Promise, Redemption, Baptism, Mystery, and Fondation
a) The Promise of Jesus (Matt 16:18) means that the church was inaugurated after the ascension.
b) Christ’s redemptive work was needed. (Acts 20:28)
c) Jews and Greeks baptized into one body (1 cor 12:13) which happened on the day of Pentecost.
d) The church was a mystery not yet revealed (Eph 3:9).
e) Apostles and prophets were the foundation (Eph 2:20)

Mem Aid: “Please Realize Before Making Folly”

Question 3

In a single sentence each, provide three biblical arguments that the church is distinct from the nation of Israel.

Answer 3

Ethnic, Promises, and Restoration
a) “Israel” In the NT consistently means ethnic Jews.
b) Israel presently enjoys promises and covenants (Rom 9:4-5).
c) The NT reiterates the coming future restoration of the ethnic nation of Israel.

Question 4

What implications does 1 Corinthians 9:20-21 have for the church’s relationship to the Mosaic Law?

Answer 4

We are not under the Mosaic law, but we are not without law and we are under the law of Christ.

Question 5

Name three New Covenant blessings that are experienced by the Church in the present age

Answer 5

a) The Forgiveness of Sin
b) The Transformation of Heart
c) The Indwelling Holy Spirit

Question 6

In a single sentence, distinguish between the universal kingdom and the mediatorial kingdom

Answer 6

U: Continuously, Heaven, Entirety
M: Earthly & representative

The universal kingdom is where God continuously reigns from heaven over the entirety of His creation whereas the mediatorial kingdom is where God reigns upon the earth through a human representative.

Question 7

What were the three qualifications for the office of apostle?

Answer 7

Eyewitness, Appointed, Signs

a) An Eyewitness of the Resurrected Christ (Acts 1:21-26)
b) Personally Appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ
c) Authenticated by the Signs of a True Apostle (2 Cor 12:12)

Question 8

Show from Scripture that the terms “elder,” “overseer,” and “pastor” all refer to the same office.

Answer 8

1 Tim 3 - overseerer/elder (n)
Acts 20 - elders/overseerers (n), shepherd (verb)
**1 Peter 5 **- elder (n), oversees/shepherds (verbs)

a) The terms are used interchangeably in the New Testament: The qualifications for an “overseer” in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and those for an “elder” in Titus 1:6-9 are unmistakably parallel.
b) In Titus 1:5,7, Paul uses the term “elder” v.5 and the term “overseer” in v.7 to refer to the same office.
c) In Acts 20, Paul assembles the “elders” of the church of Ephesus and then refers to them as “overseers” who are to “shepherd” the flock of God (Acts 20:17, 28).
d) According to 1 Peter 5:1-2, it is the duty of an elder both to oversee and shepherd/pastor the people of God.

Question 9

Provide at least three biblical examples that show the pattern of a plurality of elders in the local church.

Answer 9

a) Titus 1:5 – “appoint elders”
b) Acts 20:17, 28 “elders and overseers”
c) Hebrews 13:17 - Leaders

Question 10

Do you believe that 1 Timothy 3:11 refers to the wives of deacons or to female deacons? Provide what you believe is the single strongest argument for your view.

Answer 10

a) Wives of Deacons
b) The actual qualifications of the “office” (if it were that), are exceptionally slim and do not provide a clear basis for a legitimate church office. (1 Tim 3:11)

Question 11

What were the four priorities of the early church in Jerusalem according to Acts 2:42?

Answer 11

a) The Apostle’s teaching
b) Fellowship
c) The Breaking of Bread
d) Prayer

Question 12

Define a spiritual gift, supporting your definition with Scripture

Answer 12

A Spiritual gift is a Spirit-given (1 Cor 12:11), Father-glorifying (1 Peter 4:11), Body-of-Christ-edifying (1 Cor 12:7) spiritual ability that a Believer possesses at least one of (1 Cor 12:7).

Question 13

Where does Scripture indicate that God sovereignly distributes spiritual gifts to members of the Body of Christ?

Answer 13

1 Cor 12:11

Question 14

Where does Scripture indicate that every member of the Body of Christ has received a spiritual gift?

Answer 14

1 Cor 12:7

Question 15

What are the immediate and ultimate purposes of spiritual gifts? Provide one Scripture reference to support each one.

Answer 15

a) Immediate Purpose – Edification of Others (1 Cor 14:3)
b) Ultimate Purpose – Glorification of God (1 Peter 4:11)

Question 16

Define Continuationism and Cessationism.

Answer 16

a) Continuationism: the revelatory and miraculous gifts described in Acts and 1 Corinthians continue to function today.
b) Cessationism: the revelatory and miraculous gifts were unique to the apostolic era and therefore have ceased.

Question 17

Provide biblical evidence that the gift of apostleship has ceased.

Answer 17

a) Qualifications
i) An Eyewitness of the Resurrected Christ (Acts 1:21-26)
ii) Personally Appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 3:14)
iii) Authenticated by the Signs of a True Apostle (2 Cor 12:12)
b) The Foundational Role of the Apostles (Eph 2:19-22)

Question 18

What are the three marks of a biblical prophet that point to the cessation of the gift of prophecy? Provide a biblical reference for each.

Answer 18

a) Basic Godliness of Personal Character (Matt 7:15-23)
b) Perfect Consistency with Previous Revelation (Deut 13:1-5)
c) Perfect Accuracy in Prophetic Predictions (Deut 18:20-22)

Question 19

Provide biblical evidence that the gift of healings/miracles has ceased.

Answer 19

a) Nature of NT Miracles
i) Instantaneous and completely effective – Acts 3:6-8
ii) Conspicuously Obvious – Acts 5:16
b) Purpose of NT Miracles
i) To Confirm the Identity of the Messiah (Acts 2:22)
ii) Verify the Apostleship of the Apostles (Messenger) (Acts 2:43, Hebrews 2:3-4)
iii) Authenticate the Message of the Apostles (Romans 15:18-19, Acts 4:33)

Nature: C C
Purpose: M M M

Question 20

Identify three purposes of the miracles/healings performed in the New Testament, with at least one Scripture reference for each

Answer 20

a) To Confirm the Identity of the Messiah (Acts 2:22)
b) Verify the Apostleship of the Apostles (messenger) (Acts 2:43, Hebrews 2:3-4)
c) Authenticate the Message of the Apostles (Romans 15:18-19, Acts 4:33)

Purpose: M M M

Question 21

Prove biblically that the gift of tongues consisted of an authentic human language.

Answer 21

a) Acts 2:4-11 – “language” word and vv.9-11 foreign languages.
b) 1 Cor 14:12-22 referencing Isaiah 28:11-12 – real languages.
c) 1 Cor 14:5 – “interpret” means translate from one language to another.

Question 22

Identify three purposes of the gift of tongues, with at least one Scripture reference for each.

Answer 22

a) A Sign of Divine Judgment on Unbelieving Israel (1 Cor 14:21-22a; cf. Isa 28:11-12)
b) A Symbol of the International Nature of the Church (Acts 2:1-42, 8:14-17; 10:34-48; 19:1-7)
c) A Secondary Means of Divine Revelation in the Church (1 Cor 14:1-40)

“Just In eaRly (church)
Judgement
International
Revelation

Question 23

Identify three purposes of church discipline, with at least one Scripture reference in support of each.

Answer 23

a) To Restore a Fallen Brother (Galatians 6:1)
b) To Preserve the Purity of the Church
i) By Removing the Ungodly Influence (1 Cor 5:6-8)
ii) By Warning the Entire Congregation (1 Timothy 5:20)
c) To Protect the Honor of God’s Name (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12)

“R P P”

Question 24

24) List the four steps of church discipline according to Matthew 18:15-17.

Answer 24

a) Step 1—Rebuke Him Privately (15)
b) Step 2—Bring Some Witnesses (16)
c) Step 3—Tell the Congregation (17a)
d) Step 4—Treat Him as an Unbeliever (17b)

Question 25

25) In a single sentence each, provide three biblical arguments for baptism by immersion.

Answer 25

a) The Word for “Baptism”,
b) Descriptions of Baptisms,
c) The Symbolism (of Spiritual Cleansing and Union with Christ) of Baptism.

Question 26

How would you respond to someone who argued for baptismal regeneration?

Answer 26

a) Thief on Cross – Luke 23:43
b) Baptism is not about the water. - 1 Peter 3:21
c) Cornelius - Acts 10:44

Question 27

Define Credobaptism and Paedobaptism.

Answer 27

a) Credobaptism: Baptism should be administered only to those who give a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ (believer baptism).
b) Paedobaptism: Baptism should be administered to both believers and their children just like circumcision (infant baptism).

Question 28

How does the newness of the New Covenant provide evidence against infant baptism?

Answer 28

a) Every member of NC knows the Lord and has received forgiveness (Jer 31:33-34).
b) Baptism is the sign of membership in the NC.
c) Pedobaptism intentionally includes unbelieving people in a covenant which is only for the regenerate.

Question 29

How does the nature of the Church provide evidence against infant baptism?

Answer 29

a) A spiritual nation made up exclusively of believers (e.g., 1 Pet 2:9-10; 1 Cor 6:11; Eph 1:3-14)

Question 30

What is the three-fold significance of biblical baptism? Provide biblical support for each.

Answer 30

a) Baptism as a Profession of Faith in Christ
i) Outward expression of internal repentance (Luke 3:3)
ii) Baptism in Matt 28:18-20
iii) Acts 2:38
iv) 1 Cor 1:13-15
v) 1 Peter 3:21
b) Baptism as a Symbol of the Believer’s Cleansing from Sin (1 Cor 6:11)
c) Baptism as a Symbol of Believer’s Union with Christ (Romans 6:3-4)

Memory Aid: Profess Clean Union

Question 31

Explain and briefly refute the Roman Catholic view of the Lord’s Supper.

Answer 31

a) “According to the Roman Catholic Church, the bread and wine actually become the very body and blood of Christ (CCC: 1374-76).”
b) Fails to see finality and completeness of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:25-28).

Question 32

Explain the Lutheran view of the Lord’s Supper.

Answer 32

a) Consubstantiation - “the bread and wine does not actually become the physical body and blood of Christ, but rather the physical body and blood are present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper.”

Question 33

Identify and explain in one sentence each the four purposes of the Lord’s Supper, with biblical support for each.

Answer 33

a) Spiritual Fellowship (1 Cor 10:16-17)
b) Corporate Remembrance (1 Cor 11:24-25; Luke 22:19)
c) Visual Proclamation (1 Cor 11:26ab)
d) Eschatological Anticipation (1 Cor 11:26c)