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214 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
What Is Meant By "Systematic Theology?" What Are Its Divisions? |
The study that attempts to arrange the teaching of Scripture in a coherent fashion, expressing it in a contemporary form, and relating it to issues of practical Christian concern. |
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What Is The "Reformed Faith?" (Explain As To A New Christian.) |
The Reformed faith is an approach to understanding (a system of belief and practice) God and the Bible through stressing what the Bible stresses: the need of man, the grace of God; the absolute sovereignty of God, the centrality of the Bible to all of life, Covenantal doctrine of Scripture, Sufficiency of the work of Christ, Effectual work of the Holy Spirit |
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What Is "Covenant Theology?" Why Is It Important? (Explain As To A New Christian.) |
Covenant Theology is a way of understanding how God relates to mankind. In the days of the Old Testament covenants were relationships between kings and his people. God chose to use that relationship/covenant to show how He relates to His people, only much more based on grace. Covenant theology believes that God has always dealt with His people in a similar way, both in the Old Testament and the New. The only way they have gotten to be in relationship is because He graciously chose to favor them with His presence. God’s people have always been saved by grace through faith in the hopes that God would deliver them from the punishment they deserved. |
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List And Explain The 'Five Points Of Calvinism.' Where Did They Come From? |
Total Depravity – through the fall, every part of man has been corrupted by the effects so that man is not able to restore His relationship with God. God must restore relationship if man is to enter into fellowship with God. Romans 3:10-18; Gen. 6:5. |
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Define And Distinguish "General Revelation" And "Special Revelation." |
General Revelation is truth about God available to everyone through nature, history and God's image in mankind. – Qualities rendering man without excuse. WCF 1.1 & Psalm 19:1-3 |
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Define And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The "Inspiration" Of Scripture. |
To say that the Scripture is inspired is to say the it is God's special revelation-a product of God' s direct intellectual superintending of the men who wrote it. Therefore the inspired Scriptures are the very words of God and thus are the absolute and immutable authoritative rule for faith and practice. 2 Tim.3:16, Heb. 1:1-2, 2 Pet.1:21. |
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Define And Defend The "Necessity" Of Scripture. |
Scripture is necessary as a means of revealing the saving truth of Jesus Christ, “the knowledge of God and of his will that is necessary for salvation”. WLC #2, Rom. 10:17, 1 Cor.2:11 |
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What Is The "Canon"? Defend It Scripturally. |
Canon means rule, measure or standard. The Old Testament canon was confirmed by Jesus himself (Matthew 5:17). The New Testament built on the teaching of Jesus as he taught and trained the disciples to accurately share his message. Matthew 10: sending out of the twelve with a specific message. John 20: Jesus appears to twelve with final instructions and Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 3, Peter understands Paul to be writing Scripture. Matt. 5:17, 2 Pet.3:15-16. |
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Define And Defend The "Authority" Of Scripture. |
The authority of Scripture rests not with any humans but solely with God, inspired by the Holy Spirit which makes , it God's very word. It possesses historical authority in that it is 100% historically reliable. It possesses normative authority in that it is God's rule for faith and practice. |
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Define And Defend The "Sufficiency" Of Scripture. |
Scripture is complete, containing all that is needed for God’s glory and for man’s salvation, faith, and life. WCF 1.6 |
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Define And Defend The "Perspicuity" Of Scripture. |
The knowledge of saving faith is so clearly and simply presented in Scripture that anyone who earnestly seeks salvation therein can easily gain this knowledge for himself, and need not depend on the church or the priesthood to attain it. WCF 1.7 |
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What Is Distinctive About Reformed Interpretation Of Scripture? |
It sees the continuity between the Old and New Testament. The principle of private interpretation, that is, the right of the individual believer to interpret Scripture without the aid of a priest or any other. |
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What Principles Should Guide Our Interpretation Of Scripture? |
Scripture is the only infallible rule of interpretation. When there is ambiguity concerning one passage, the true meaning must be found in other clearer portions of Scripture. WCF 1.9 |
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Define And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The "Inerrancy" Of Scripture. |
The Bible, in all that it teaches, is free from error. Where it speaks to history it is true, but it doesn't speak to everything. |
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What Do The Scriptures Principally Teach? |
What man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man. (WCF 2-5: WLC 7-19: WSC 4-11) |
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What is God? |
WSC #4 God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, his wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. |
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Briefly Explain And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The Doctrine Of The Trinity. |
WSC #5 There is but one God only, the living and true God |
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What Are The Attributes Of God? (Be Prepared To Offer Scripture Proofs.) |
WSC #5 God is a Spirit infinite, eternal and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth |
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Which Are Communicable? |
Wisdom: James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. |
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Which are Incommunicable? |
Infinite: Job 11:7-9 (ESV) "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? [8] It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? [9] Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. |
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What are the decrees of God? |
The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass- WSC #7 |
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What is the difference between infralapsarian and supralapsarian view of God's decrees? |
Infra: views God’s decrees historically |
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What is an Amyraldian view of God's decrees? |
A system of Reformed theology based on the premise that God wills all to be saved if they believe. – Moise Amyraut of the Saumer Academy- Unlimited Atonement or 4 point Calvinist |
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How does God execute his decrees? |
God executes his decrees through the works of creation and providence- WSC #8 |
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What is God's work of creation? |
The work of creation is, God’s making of all things out of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good- WSC #9 |
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Briefly discuss the length of the days of creation. |
I don’t think the scriptures are clear on the length. I see them as analogical days. They are God’s work days. |
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Evaluate biblically the theory of evolution. |
Naturalistic Evolution- believes everything, including matter and man developed by natural random processes and are purely a result of natural forces functioning over a period of time. Naturalistic evolution denies God’s work of creation and providence. This system denies that God created the world out of nothing, by the power of his word, in the space of six days. |
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What is God's work of providence? |
God’s work of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful, preserving and governing of all his creatures and all their actions- WSC #11 |
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What is a miracle? |
When God works without, above or against the normal means of his providence. |
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Do miracles occur today? Explain. |
If we take miracle to mean that God working without second causes for the sake of the affirmation of revelation, like Warfield does, then I would not affirm that miracles occur today due to the closed nature of the canon. In saying this I would also add that I would at the same time affirm what Warfield called “extra-ordinary” acts of providence. In other words, I do think God still answers prayer in quite extraordinary ways (for example prayers for healing). |
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Is God responsible for sin? |
NO |
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Did he decree it? |
God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered the will of the creatures; nor is liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established -WCF 3.1 |
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Did he permit it? |
In that nothing takes place in all the universe without God’s permission. |
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Who is the ultimate cause of all things? |
God is! |
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What is theodicy? |
A philosophical attempt to vindicate the justice and goodness of God, especially in view of the fact of evil, which is normally felt or judged to constitute a challenge to such attributes of God. |
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If God is good and all-powerful, explain AIDS, deformed babies, natural disasters. |
The affirmation that God is good and all-powerful does not deny the reality that we live in a fallen world. Though God created the world good man in his rebellion against God brought sin into the world and with it sickness, destruction and death. However, God’s goodness is still seen in his common grace as he holds his creation together, as well as in his sovereign acts of providence. WE see God’s goodness in his willingness to subject himself to the depravity of the world in order to redeem us from the world and his all powerful sovereignty in his even using that which is otherwise evil to work good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. |
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Discuss the biblical teaching regarding predestination, election, and reprobation. |
By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death- WCF 3.3 Romans 9 |
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Distinguish the Reformed and Arminian understandings of these doctrines. |
Arminians do not accept the Reformed doctrine of absolute predestination. Rather they support the doctrine of conditional predestination, that is, that God predestined his Elect based on the condition of his foreknowledge that they would believe. |
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Are these doctrines compatible with belief in real human choice and responsibility? |
“nor is violence offered the will of creatures; nor is liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established- WCF 3.1. It seems to me that the Bible affirms both sovereignty of God and responsibility of man. (He will not leave the guilty unpunished) |
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What should be some of the practical results of believing the doctrine of election? |
Humility, gratitude, comfort, security, assurance, grace/mercy towards others, obedience out of thankfulness |
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Is there a real, personal devil? Explain from Scripture. |
Yes, Job 1; Matthew 4 |
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What is the chief end of man? |
"Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. " -WSC #1 |
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What is the supreme activity of man? (Catechism: "what does God require of man?") |
Obedience to God's revealed will. |
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What does the Bible teach about the creation of human beings? |
“God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and |
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In what way is a man in the image of God? |
Man is endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. |
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Are all men in the image of God? If so, to what extent? |
Yes, to the extent that they possess the characteristics listed above and realizing that all men, share in the fallen state which has corrupted (though not destroyed) that image |
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How does the doctrine of the image or God influence debates about gender roles? |
They are equally the image of God. |
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Where did man's soul come from? When? |
Our soul is inherited from our parents-mediate origin. (Buswell). |
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What is sin? (See WSC 14). Include Scripture proofs. |
"Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. " (WSC #14) |
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Discuss guilt of sin and the corruption of sin. |
Guilt is a judicial or legal concept describing one's relationship to the, law-in this case God's law. Guilt is the state of deserving condemnation or being liable to punishment because the law has been violated. |
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Define and discuss original sin (include Scripture proofs). |
The effects of Adam ' s sin on the lives of all his descendants |
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How can original sin be reconciled to the canons of justice, either human or divine? |
The covenant was made with Adam and all his descendants, therefore Adam’s sin was the transgression of all men. This transgression requires of it the payment of the penalty of death. Thus, original sin is not only reconcilable with the perfect justice of God, his justice actually requires it. |
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Is there any good remaining in a fallen, sinful man? Explain. |
No. The fall has so corrupted and permeated all of man's being that nothing he does is not in some way effected by that fall. |
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In what ways does man sin? |
In that man does not perfectly conform to the righteous requirements of the law, but rather |
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What are some of the consequences of sin? |
"All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself; and to the pains of hell forever. (WSC#19) |
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Is the will of man free? Explain (include Scripture proofs). |
• Created: possible to sin |
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Was Adam's will (before he sinned) free? Explain; include Scripture proofs. |
Yes. |
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Can a sinner do anything good? Explain; include Scripture proofs. |
No (The confession defines "good" deeds as those which are glorifying to God). |
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Is a sinner's will free to believe? Explain; include Scripture proofs. |
Not without the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. |
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Does a believer have free will? Explain; include Scripture proofs. |
Yes, as God's grace enables him. |
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What is a covenant? |
-It is an agreement between persons. The elements of a covenant consist of parties, obligations/stipulations, promises, oaths/vows, blessings and curses and witnesses. |
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What is the Covenant of Works? Who are its parties? |
-(WSC 12) When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death. |
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Is there a present validity to the Covenant of Works? |
-The present validity of the Covenant of Works is the federal headship of Adam. He is our representative, and his sin and the subsequent effects of the fall are passed down to his descendants. We have sinned, fallen, and reaped the consequences of disobedience in Adam. |
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What is the Covenant of Redemption? who are its parties? |
-(WSC 20) God, having out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer. |
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Discuss the Covenant of Grace |
-Gracious = God had no obligation to enter into covenant and his word is the insurance of its validity. |
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How is the Covenant of Grace related to the Abrahamic Covenant? Mosaic? Noahic? |
-The promised Redeemer (seed of Gen 3:15 is coming one step closer in the covenant with Abraham. God chooses one man to be the eventual father of the promised Redeemer, the scope of the covenant encompasses all nations (eventually), and the sign of circumcision is added to the covenant as a physical reminder of God’s faithfulness to his covenant. |
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Discuss the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. Defend from Scripture. |
WCF 7. 6 |
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Explain and defend with Scripture proofs the orthodox doctrine of the person of Christ. |
(WSC 21) The only redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. |
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Briefly discuss the natures of Christ, including: |
(WSC 22) Christ took to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary and born of her, yet without sin. |
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What is kenosis? |
Kenosis is a theological term from Philippians 2:5-11 which refers to the incarnation of Christ. He is described as having “emptied himself” and taken human form. In taking on human flesh, Christ is spoken of undergoing some manner of self-limitation. The emptying has two aspects to it: taking on the likeness of sinful humanity and enduring death on the cross. Dr. Bayer underscores the humility of Christ in not exercising all the privileges of the godhead in the incarnation. |
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Did Christ lay aside any of his divine attributes at the incarnation? |
-No, Colossians 2:9 - “in Christ, all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form” |
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Briefly explain and defend against the challenges to orthodox Christology posed by: Docetism |
Christ only appears to become a man, the suffering and other human traits were merely imaginary phenomena - not a true body and a rational soul at the incarnation. John 20 and Thomas touching the nail prints and the wounded side of Jesus. |
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Briefly explain and defend against the challenges to orthodox Christology posed by: |
Christ is not the eternal son of God, the first created being. John 1:1-14. |
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Briefly explain and defend against the challenges to orthodox Christology posed by: |
Christ is divided into two persons, a human and divine. Colossians 2:9. |
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Briefly explain and defend against the challenges to orthodox Christology posed by: |
Christ lacked a human soul. WSC 22 - “reasonable soul” |
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Briefly explain and defend against the challenges to orthodox Christology posed by: |
Christ only had one nature, a mixture of both human and divine. WSC 22- “two distinct natures”. |
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Are any these early heresies regarding the nature of Christ held today? If so, by whom? |
The Jehovah Witnesses and the Mormons hold a form of Arianism. |
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Explain and defend the doctrine of the “communication of properties.” |
- A term within Christology that attempts to account for the way in which each of Christ’s natures’ properties are interchanged in the unity of his personhood. Both the human and divine properties are held in common by the one person of Christ in the incarnation. |
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Define the following name: |
he will save his people from their sins |
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Define the following name: |
Jesus favorite title for himself, taken from the book of Daniel |
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Define the following name: |
Messiah, the anointed one of God |
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Define the following name: |
Jesus unique reality as the second member of the trinity |
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Define the following name: |
New Testament designation for Christ as Yahweh. |
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Define the following name: |
Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world |
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How was Christ born? |
Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin. WSC #22 |
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Explain and defend the Virgin Birth. |
WSC 22 |
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Trace the revelation of the person and work of Christ from the beginning of the Old Testament. |
promised redeemer in Gen 3:15 |
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What is the humiliation of Christ? |
Christ’s humiliation consisted in being born and that in a low condition made under the law undergoing the miseries of this life the wrath of God and the cursed death of the cross, in being buried and continuing under the power of death for a time.” WSC #26 |
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Define and distinguish the active and passive obedience of Christ. |
Active = He fulfills the stipulations of the moral law in perfect obedience |
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What happened in the resurrection of Christ? |
Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day. – WSC#28 |
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Discuss the “glorified body” |
The glorified body is the resurrected state whereby the body is animated and guided wholly by the Spirit, free from sinful inclinations, imperishable, glorious and powerful. |
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What are the offices of Christ? How does Christ execute them? |
Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation. WSC #23 |
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Who is the only redeemer of God’s elect? |
The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, for ever. -WSC 21 |
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What is a redeemer? |
Someone who buys back another from slavery or bondage of some sort. |
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What is the atonement? |
Christ paying the penalty for our sin. He died my death and paid my debt. It combines the images of justifying, reconciling, substituting, and assuaging God’s wrath. |
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Was the atonement necessary? |
Christ paying the penalty for our sin. He died my death and paid my debt. It combines the images of justifying, reconciling, substituting, and assuaging God’s wrath. |
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Why isn’t a good life enough to gain salvation? |
Isaiah 53:6 |
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Define: |
atonement for sins through the death of Christ on the cross as the sacrifice once and for all |
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Define: |
turn away/satisfy God’s wrath |
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Define: |
restoring alienated people back into fellowship |
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Define: |
to buy back at a price |
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Define: |
to reckon, to charge to one’s account. Christ’s righteousness is imputed to believers. |
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What is the nature of the atonement? Discuss “penal substitutionary atonement”. |
Galatians 3:13-14 = Christ became a curse for us that we may avoid the curse |
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What of Christ’s remains to be done? |
The calling of the elect to salvation, his second coming, and the subsequent judgement of all the nations. |
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Were the Old Testament believers saved by Christ? |
WCF 8.6 |
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Will any for whom Christ died be lost? |
WCF 8.8 |
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What is the ordo salutis? Support your answer from Scripture. |
The traditional sequence of discussions of the different aspects of salvation: |
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How would you explain the plan of salvation to an unbeliever? |
WHO IS GOD? |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "effectual calling. |
WSC #31 |
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On what is God's decision to call a certain person based? |
"This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it. "-WCF 10.2 'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. "-Ephesians 2:8,9 Romans 9:11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad-- in order that God's purpose in election might stand. . . . 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. |
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How can infants be 'called'? |
Elect infants who are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit. "Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated and saved by Christ, through the Spirit, who works when, and where, and how he pleases: so also as all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word. "-WCF 10.3 |
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Can anyone not called by the Spirit be saved? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs). |
People may hear the gospel and have some response, but unless the Holy Spirit effectually calls them, they do not truly come to Christ and are not saved. 'Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved... ."-WCF 10.4 .'Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of m Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly. I never knew you. Depart from me, you evil doers. "-Matthew 7:21-23 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. "- John 6:44 |
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Is Jesus really the only way of salvation? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs). |
Yes. "... much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never ~ so diligent to fame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess. And to assert and maintain the they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested. "-WCF 10.4 "1 am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. "-John 14:6 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there in no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. "-Acts 4: 12 |
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What about those who never had the chance to hear about Jesus? |
It is not a person's ignorance which will condemn him before God, it is his sinfulness. "Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word may have some common operation" of the Spirit. yet they never truly come unto Christ. and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to fame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess. And to assert and maintain that they may is very pernicious, and to be detested. "-WCF 10.4 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. "-Psalm 19: 1-2 "... since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. "-Romans 1:19-20 |
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What about the sincere Buddhist (or Moslem, or Unitarian)? |
There sincerity is commendable, but in the end we must declare that they are sincerely wrong. |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of “justification”. |
That gracious act of God in which he treats me "Just as if I'd never sinned and lived a perfect |
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What is the basis of justification? |
The finished work of Christ credited to our account by faith "Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifies; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God. "- WCF 11.1 |
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Explain this statement: "Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone.” |
Salvation is by faith alone, but true saving faith unites you to Christ and thus his Spirit conforms you after his image producing works of obedience. All saving faith will produce good fruit. "Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification: yet is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love. "-WCF 11.2 "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. "-James 2:24 |
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When is a Christian justified? |
When the Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to you by faith. (When he/she trusts in Christ)"God did, from all eternity decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit does in due lime, actually apply Christ to them. "-WCF 11.4 |
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What happens when a Christian sins after being justified? |
They may fall under fatherly discipline and need to humble themselves asking for forgiveness. "God does continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and, although they can never fall from the slate of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall under God's fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of His countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance. "-WCF 11.5 |
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How were believers justified under the old covenant? |
They looked forward, in faith, by grace, for send a Messiah to take away restore God’s favor, just as we look back in faith by grace. |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of “adoption”. |
"Adoption is an act of God' s free grace where we are received into the number, and have a , right to all the privileges, of the sons of God."-WSC 34 |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of “sanctification.” |
"Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, where we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God; and are enabled more and more to die to sin, and live to righteousness. "- WSC #35 |
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Can anyone become perfect (completely sanctified) in this life? Defend (include Scripture proofs). |
No, “This sanctification is throughout the whole man; yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still Some remnants of corruption in every part; whence arises the continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. "-WCF 13.2 |
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What is saving faith? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel- WSC86 |
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Where does saving faith come from? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Saving faith is worked in the heart by the Holy Spirit and the word of God. 2 Thessalonians 2.13 “But we ought to thank God for you brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” |
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What does saving faith believe? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Believes whatever is taught in Scripture. |
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Is all faith alike? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
No, there are degrees of weak and strong; saving and non-saving This faith is different, weak and strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.- WCF 13.3 |
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Define "repentance." Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it, unto God with full purpose of and endeavor after new obedience. WSC #87 |
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In what sense is repentance "necessary?" Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Repentance is necessary in that no sinner may expect pardon without it. |
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How ought we to confess our sins? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Specifically in public or private |
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What are good works? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Good works are only such as God has commanded n His Holy Word, and not such as, without the warrant thereof, are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention- WCF 16.1 |
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What is the relation of good works to faith? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Good works are the fruit of true faith. |
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Are good works necessary for salvation? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
No, They are a fruit of salvation |
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Can our good works save us? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
NO |
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Can unbelievers do good works? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
No, though unbelievers might do that which is perceived by fellow man to be good (and even commanded by God), the unbeliever's heart is so impure as that nothing untainted by sin may proceed from them, and therefore nothing which God considers good. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands; and of good use both to themselves and others: yet, because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God: and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing to God- WCF 16.7 Genesis 6.5- The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. Jeremiah 17.9- The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Romans 3.10-12 There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Romans 8.7,8 …The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Ephesians 2.1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of the sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest we were by nature objects of wrath. |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "perseverance." |
WCF 17.1- They, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly preserve therein to the end, and be eternally saved. John 6.44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. |
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Can a saved person later be eternally lost? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
NO! |
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On what does a believer's persevering depend? Defend with Scripture proofs. |
The immutability of God’s free election of them in Christ. |
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Can a person be sure he is saved? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Yes, |
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Should a person be sure he is saved? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
WCF 18.3- …And therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness |
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How could a person know he is saved? On what could such assurance be based? |
• By examining one’s heart to see if one has true belief |
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What should a person do who lacks assurance of salvation? |
Avail oneself to the means of grace |
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What is the moral law? |
• The declaration of God's will directing and binding everyone to conformity and obedience to it. |
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What laws besides the moral law did God give his people under the Old Covenant? |
• The ceremonial law and the judicial (civil) law. |
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Are believers under obligation to the law today? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• While believers are no longer under the law to be justified or condemned by it, it remains for them the rule of life, informing them of the will of God which they are to obey. |
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What is "theonomy?" Evaluate it biblically. |
• Theonomy in its simplest definition means “God’s Law.” |
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Where is the law of God summed up? |
The ten commandments-Love God and love your neighbor. |
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Can believers keep God's law? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• Yes and no. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do good, nonetheless, we cannot fulfill the law perfectly. |
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What is at stake in the current "Lordship Controversy?" Explain and defend your view. |
• The unity of the person of Christ. Christ is both Lord and savior in union of person |
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What are the "means of grace?" |
• Word, Sacraments, and Prayer |
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What is "Christian Liberty?" Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• "The freedom of the Christian, on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, to |
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Who or what is Lord of the conscience? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• God alone. |
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How does Christian liberty bear on the Christian's obligation to the state? |
• Since God intends our liberty, not to destroy, but to uphold the powers which he has ordained; we are to submit to the state. |
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What is the "regulative principle?" Defend from Scripture. |
• The principle that the manner in which we worship God should be in accordance with what he has instituted himself in his revealed will-the Scriptures. |
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Who is to be worshipped? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and Him alone. |
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What are the ordinary parts or elements of worship? |
• Reading of Scripture, preaching and hearing the Word, singing, administration of the sacraments. |
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Are Christians under obligation to keep a Sabbath? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• Yes. |
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If so, how should the Sabbath be kept? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• By rest, worship, deeds of piety, deeds of mercy, healing, and goodness, and if need be that of necessity. |
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Differentiate between the "Continental" and "Westminster" views of the Sabbath. |
• The continental view of Sabbath (espoused by Calvin) stresses the ceremonial and typological view of the Jewish Sabbath. |
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Should a Christian ever take an oath or vow? Explain. Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• The taking of oaths for a Christian is permissible, yet they can never be contrary to the Word. |
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What should be our attitude toward civil authorities? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• God has places the civil magistrates under his authority and over his people for his own glory and the public good. |
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What is the relationship between church and state? |
• Civil government has the right and responsibility to protect the church, while not being allowed to intervene in ecclesiastical matters or abridging church government. |
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What are the proper duties of civil authorities? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• To protect the church, prevent interference with church government, protect persons and their good name, to provide freedom of religion, and to guarantee the freedom of assembly |
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What obligations do believers have to civil authorities? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
•Pray for magistrates, honor their persons, pay them tribute/other dues, obey lawful commands, and be subject to their authority . |
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By whom and for what purpose was marriage designed? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• Marriage is for one man and one woman for their mutual help, the increase of mankind and to prevent uncleanness. |
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Who may (and may not) lawfully be married? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• All sorts of people who are able to give their consent-with Christians being exhorted to marry only in the Lord. |
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What is divorce? |
• Dissolving the marriage bond. |
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Under what circumstances is divorce permissible? Defend your answer with Scripture. |
• Adultery and willful desertion |
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Is divorce an option for those abused by their spouses (physically or otherwise)? Defend. |
• In cases where it can in "no way be remedied by the Church, or civil magistrates" (WCF 24.6) the guilty party has in effect willfully abandoned the other party. They have willfully broken the covenant that binds them and have split the unity of their flesh. However this would be a last resort situation and would not be considered until all other options have been exhausted. I want to defend the biblical principles of marriage, but not at the expense of doing good and showing charity. |
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May those who have been divorced remarry? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
• Those who have been divorced on biblical grounds are free to remarry . |
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What is the universal or catholic church? |
-“The catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of Christ’s elect, that have been, are , or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof.” (WCF 25.1) |
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What is the visible church? |
-“The visible church consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion and of their children.” (WCF 25.2) |
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What are the attributes of the church? Prove from Scripture. |
-Holy: set apart from unbelief and sin; dedicated to the service of God |
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What are the marks of the church? |
-Preaching of the Word |
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Who is the head of the church? |
- Jesus Christ |
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Define three basic forms of church government. |
Episcopal (Prelacy, Monarchial) asserts that Christ has given administration of his church, directly and exclusively to an order of bishops, who form the line of succession from the apostles themselves. These bishops are separate, independent, and self-perpetuating. The actual people of the church have no share in the governance of the church. |
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What are the principles of Presbyterian church government? Support your answer from Scripture. |
•Christ is the King and Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22) |
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What is the role of women in the church? Support from the Scriptures. |
•Women should be welcomed to fulfill any duty a non-ordained member of the church is permitted to perform. Women are a crucial and significant part of the church, just as any other member of the church, in possession of the full rights of the children of God. Women should seek to use their gifts in a manner that edifies and encourages the body of Christ. The one role that the Scriptures forbid that a woman should have is that of authority over a man, which the PCA interprets to mean, not holding an ordained office in the church. (I Timothy 2:12) |
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May women serve as officers in the church? Support your answer from Scripture. |
-Women may not hold an ordained office in the church. |
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What is “subscription”? |
-Subscription refers to the vow of a church officer to submit himself to the system of doctrine and the confessional standards of the PCA, as outlined in the Westminster Confession of Faith. There are four possible views surrounding the issue: The substance of doctrine view, the vital to the system view, the very doctrine of the Word view, and the very word of doctrine view. |
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What privileges do Christians share? |
-We enjoy “Fellowship with Christ” and “Union with one another in love” (WCF 26.1) |
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What duties do Christians owe one another? |
-Holy Fellowship |
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Does the “communion of the saints” deny the right of private property? Explain. |
-“Nor does their communion one with another, as saints, take away or infringe upon the title or propriety which each man has in his goods and possessions.” WCF 26.3 |
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What authority does the church possess? |
-They possess the “keys to the kingdom” |
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What is the purpose of church censures? |
-For the purpose of “reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren” . . . |
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What censures may the church impose? |
- Admonition |
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Identify some Scripture passages, which support the practice of church discipline. |
-Matthew 18: 15-17 = biblical confrontation |
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Who may properly call church assemblies, synods, or councils? |
-“It belongs to the overseers and other rulers of the particular churches, by virtue of their offices, and the power which Christ has given them for edification and not for destruction, to appoint such assemblies; and to convene together in then as often as they judge it expedient for the good of the church.” WCF 31.1 |
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For what purposes are church assemblies, synods, or councils called? |
-to determine controversies of faith |
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What authority do church councils possess? |
-Ecclesiastical and not Civil. Ministerial rather than Declarative. |
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How should Christians respond to church councils? |
-they are not the rule of faith and practice- that is the Bible. |
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What happens to believers at death? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
"The souls do believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection.” WSC #37 "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. . . .Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord... We are confident, I say. and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. "-2 Corinthians 5:1,6,8 "Jesus answered him. I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. .'-Luke 23:43 |
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What happens to unbelievers at death? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
They are cast into hell. "...And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day ..."-WCF 32.1 "And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day." Jude 6-7 "... through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison. "-1 Peter 3:19 |
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Who will be raised to life at the last day? |
The unjust and just alike. "The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor: the bodies of the just, by His Spirit, unto honor; and be made conformable to His own glorious body. "-WCF 32.3 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. "-John. 5:28-29 |
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Who will be judged at the last day? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
The apostate angels and all persons who have walked the earth. |
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By whom will they be judged? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
By Jesus Christ. |
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Will any receive a second chance? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
No, man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. |
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What practical use is the doctrine of the final judgment? Include Scripture proofs. |
•Deters men from sin |
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When will Christ return? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
No one knows. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son. |
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What will heaven be like? Scripture clearly represents heaven as a place. |
Christ ascended to heaven, which can only mean the he went from one place to another. It is described as the house of our Father, with many mansions (John 14:1), and this description would hardly fit a condition. Moreover believers are said to be within and unbelievers without. Scripture givens us reason to believe that the righteous will not only inherit heaven but an entire new creation. |
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Is there a hell? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. |
Yes. |
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What is "annihilationism?" Evaluate it biblically. |
The teaching that the reprobate are destroyed completely (annihilated) after the judgment, rather than facing eternal punishment. |
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What is your view of the millennium? Briefly defend your view from Scripture. |
Amillennialism- According to this view there is not sufficient ground for belief in a literal millennium that will last for a thousand years. This position advocates that after Christ's second coming the final judgment and the eternal state will be ushered in. This position sees the number 1000 as symbolic for a long period of time, or of "completeness." |
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What does the Bible teach about the Holy Spirit's work in the Old Testament? |
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament as he is in the New Testament was an agent in creation, giving life, revealing God’s Word, and enabling his people. |
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What is the Holy Spirit's function today? Is it different than in the past? |
The Holy Spirit includes the generation of life, preparing men for office, the inspiration of Scripture, the formation and increase of the church, and teaching and guiding the church. He also grants blessings which are ours in Christ: regeneration, conviction of sin, adoption, the fruit of the Spirit, etc |
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What happened at Pentecost? How does this relate to the church today? |
At Pentecost the Spirit began to indwell the church empowering the apostles with courage and memory of all that Jesus taught. Not only did this allow for the infallible Scriptures of the New Testament, but also provided the bold proclamation of the gospel to people of all tribes tongues and nations |
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Distinguish between the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit. |
The fruit of the Spirit is developed in believers’ character as they mature in their relationship with the Lord. Spiritual gifts are given to believers for “the equipping of the saints for the works of service, the building up of the body of Christ. They are not character qualities as much as abilities given for the planting and sustaining of the church |
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Does the Spirit give gifts today? Explain. |
The gifts of the spirit can be defined as abilities given to God’s people which are essential to the planting and sustaining of the church. As such, the Spirit continues to give gifts for the sustaining of the church (Preaching, evangelism, teaching, prayer, helps, administration, etc) though I believe extra-ordinary gifts have ceased. Especially with regard to new revelation. |
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Are there gifts mentioned in Scripture that are not given today? Explain and defend. |
There are gifts of the Spirit which seem to have been designed to provide for the foundation upon which the church would be built. This foundation is given to us in the form of Scripture-the apostolic witness of the New Testament. Such gifts include prophecy, signs and wonders, and miracles- those gifts associated with the affirmation of the message and witness of the Apostolic office which has now ceased. |
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What do New Testament passages teach us concerning the following work of the Holy Spirit? |
•How he comes |
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How would you answer charismatic claims from Scripture? |
see Carrico Notes 76ff. |
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Answer from the Scriptures: |
There is one God who is the creator of the world |
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Answer from the Scriptures: |
Deity of Christ |