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297 Cards in this Set
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What does the Bible teach about the Holy Spirit's work in the Old Testament?
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The Holy Spirit in the OT & NT is an agent in creation, giving life, revealing God’s Word, and enabling his people for spiritually growth and the progress of God's kingdom.
a.agent of creation: Gen 1; Ps. 104:30 b. life giving John 6:63: It is the Spirit who gives life c.revealing God’s Word: Gen 41:3 - Joseph / Pharaoh, John 14:26 HS teach you all things, brings to remembrance d.eliciting faith, repentance, obedience and righteousness John 3:6; 1 Cor 2:14 natural person doesn't accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him... / Titus 3:5 by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit e. empowerment for the kingdom judges, kings, leaders, craftsmen, Rom 12, 1 Cor 12, Eph 4 |
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What happens to believers at death? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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"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
2 Cor. 5:1 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 v6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord v8 We are confident, I say. and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him. I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise |
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What is the Holy Spirit's function today? Is it different than in the past?
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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
The Spirit's function is the same, though his work is more clearly understood (due to revelation) and more widely distributed (due to the churches empowerment for apostolic witness at Pentecost). |
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What is the universal or catholic church?
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“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)
The same answer is given is slightly abbreviated form in WLC #64. |
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What happened at Pentecost? How does this relate to the church today?
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At Pentecost the Spirit empowered the church for its kingdom task of proclaiming the gospel to people of all tribes, tongues and nations. The apostles were filled with courage and the memory of all that Jesus taught - enabling them write the infallible Scriptures of the New Testament and lead the NT church.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of OT/ John the Baptist/Jesus prophecy (Acts 2:1-41). Pentecost was a salvation-historical event - a one time occurrence. Jer 31 & Joel 2 Connection between the giving of the Law and the Pentecost (Intertestamental material) – signifies that God is writing His law on the hearts of the people -- for the purpose of godliness a)The giving of the Law came 50 days after the passover b)Pentecost came 50 days after the death of Christ |
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What happens to unbelievers at death? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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...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
Jude 6-7 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 1 Pet. 3:19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison. |
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Distinguish between the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit.
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The fruit of the Spirit is developed in believers’ character as they mature in their relationship with the Lord. (Gal 5:22 -23)
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 - (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12) |
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What is the moral law?
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The moral law is the declaration of God's will directing and binding everyone to conformity and obedience to it.
WLC 92 paraphrase... besides the command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam was obligated to keep the moral law. WLC 93 The moral law is the declaration of the will of God to mankind, directing and binding everyone to personal, perfect, and perpetual conformity and obedience there unto, in the frame and disposition of the whole man, soul and body, and in performance of all those duties of holiness and righteousness which he owes to God and man: promising life upon the fulfilling, and threatening death upon the breach of it. |
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Does the Spirit give gifts today? Explain.
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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).
The gifts displayed at the Pentecost were foundational and tied to a redemptive historical event. There is no new revelation |
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Who will be raised to life at the last day?
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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
John. 5:28-29 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. |
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Are there gifts mentioned in Scripture that are not given today? Explain and defend.
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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 included prophecy, signs and wonders, and miracles.
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What is the visible church?
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The visible church consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion and of their children.” (WCF 25.2)
See also WLC #62 |
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What do New Testament passages teach us concerning the following work of the Holy Spirit?
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How he comes
However he pleases - He comes like a dove (Matt 3); in tongues of fire (Acts 2), through the hearing of the Word ("faith comes by hearing... and hearing through the word of Christ - Rom 10:17) How he works like the wind - John 3 In our hearts by and with the word Ex 35 Spirit moved their hearts; Ezek 11; new heart & spirit; Heb 4:12 Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword....piercing soul, spirit, joint, marrow, thoughts & intentions of the heart What he does Generation of life, preparing men for office, formation and increase of the church, teaching and guiding the church, with the word, grants blessings which are ours in Christ: regeneration, conviction of sin, adoption, the fruit of the Spirit. What his ministry is today Sealing us in our union with Christ (2 Co 1:21–22) And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. |
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Who will be judged at the last day? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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The apostate angels and all persons who have walked the earth. (ref. WCF 33.1)
Jude 1:6-7 judgement of angels Jude 1:14-15 Lord comes with 10K holy ones to execute judgment on all... to convict the ungodly |
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How would you answer charismatic claims from Scripture?
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Discussion 1 Cor. 12 will lead to gifts (including healing and tongues) that are for the service and advancement of the kingdom… disturbed not as an elevated blessing… but some here, some there.
Discussion of Eph. 4 will lead to clarity in one baptism… not two. Discussion of key passages in acts (2,8,9,10,19) will show the purpose and pattern of the filling of the Holy Spirit which are establishing / founding the NT church. The HS activity is redemptive historical fulfilling OT; founding the church; a seal and guarantee for believers. |
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What is saving faith? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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WSC 86 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
WCF 13.1- The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened. John 1.12- “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” Philippians 3.8-9- “I consider [all things] rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” Galatians 2.15-16- “man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. |
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Answer from the Scriptures:
Mormon |
1) There is one God who is the creator of the world Gen 1 & John 1
2) Christ did not become God- he was God from all eternity John 1 3) Finality of Scripture - Acts 2 / HS founding the church / cannon ends with age of apostles - Rev 22:18 4) Trinity - Matt 28 baptize in the name.... John 10:30 I and the father are one... 5) Works of righteousness Gal 3:10,11 |
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By whom will all people and angels be judged? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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By Jesus Christ. (ref. WCF 33.1)
Acts 17:31 - he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man appointed... assurance to all by raising him from the dead... |
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Respond Biblically to the doctrines of the
Jehovah's Witness |
1) Deity of Christ John 1, Col 1, Heb 1
2) Eternal Son of God John 1, John 8 (before Abraham was... I am) 3) Works of Salvation Gal 3:10,11 |
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What are the attributes of the church? Prove from Scripture.
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holy, catholic, apostolic
Holy: set apart from unbelief and sin; dedicated to the service of God 1 Pet. 2:9-10 “You are . . . a holy nation” Eph. 5: 25-27 “Christ loved the church . . . to make her holy” catholic: not limited ethnically nor spatially (as in the case of Israel) but rather unifies “all those throughout the world who profess the true religion”. Eph. 4:4-6 “There is one body . . .” apostolic: founded upon the authority and teachings of the apostles Eph. 2:19-20 “built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone”. |
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Will any receive a second chance? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Heb. 9:27 - man appointed once to die & then the judgment
John 8:24 - [to Pharisees] "I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” |
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What laws besides the moral law did God give his people under the Old Covenant?
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The ceremonial law and the judicial (civil) law.
WCF 19.3 ...as a church under age [God gave them] ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth diverse instructions of moral duties. All ceremonial are now abrogated. WCF 19.4...to them also, as a body politic, He gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the State of that people; not obliging any other now, further than the general equity there of may require. |
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What practical use is the doctrine of the final judgment? Include Scripture proofs.
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1) Deters men from sin 2)Consoles the godly facing adversity
3) shakes off carnal security; creates a watchfulness ref.WCF 33.3 2 Cor. 5:10 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. |
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What are the marks of the church?
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-Preaching of the Word
-Proper administration of the sacraments -Exercise of church discipline -Acts 2:42-44 |
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When will Christ return? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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No one knows. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son.
Matt. 24:36 no one knows the hour, not angels, nor the Son only the Father Matt. 24:42-43 stay awake, you do not know when... if one knows when the thief is coming... |
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What is the ordo salutis? Support your answer from Scripture.
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The traditional sequence of discussions of the different aspects of salvation: Calling, Regeneration, Conversion, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, Perseverance, Glorification.
Rom 8:29 Those he foreknew he also predestined.....called, justified, glorified -WCF 3.6 "As God has appointed the elect to glory; so has he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Therefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified and kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation, Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified and saved, but the elect only. " |
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What will heaven be like? Scripture clearly represents heaven as a place.
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1) Christ ascended to heaven, which can only mean the he went from one place to another.
2) heaven is described as the house of our Father, with many mansions (John 14:1), and this description would hardly fit a condition. 3) believers are said to be within and unbelievers without. 4) Scripture givens us reason to believe that the righteous will not only inherit heaven but an entire new creation. |
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Who is the head of the church?
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Jesus Christ
“There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the pope of Rome, in any sense, be the head thereof.” Eph. 2:19-20 “built on the foundation of the prophets & apostles... Christ Jesus himself is the chief cornerstone” Eph. 1:22 “[God] appointed him [Jesus] to be head over everything” Col. 1:18 “he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church” |
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Is there a hell? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Matt. 13:40-42 Just as weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age... all lawbreakers thrown in the fiery furnace....in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt. 18:8-9 better to enter life crippled or lame... than be thrown into the eternal fire... |
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Are believers under obligation to the law today? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Believers are no longer under the law to be justified or condemned by it; however it remains for them the rule of life, informing them of the will of God which they are to obey. (paraphrase WCF 19.6)
The moral law forever binds all... Christ, in the Gospel does not dissolve it - but much strengthens this obligation. (paraphrase WCF 19.5) Romans 13:8-10 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Eph. 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise--that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth 1 Jn 2:3,4 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, 'I know him, " but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Matt. 5:17-18 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. |
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What is "annihilationism?" Evaluate it biblically.
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The teaching that the reprobate are destroyed completely (annihilated) after the judgment, rather than facing eternal punishment.
1) the vocabulary of destruction" This can only at times appear to support annilationism. It - is not an option when the whole biblical picture is taken into account. 2) Hell-fire imagery: Hell-fire speaks of the pain of the wicked, not of their consumption. 3) God's justice: We must learn of divine justice from the Bible itself. It will not do to protest God's revealed judgments on the basis of what seems fair to us. 4) Universalist passages": Universalists and annilationists have to argue that the last three chapters of the Bible are not a picture of the final state since these chapters reject both views. 5) Conditional immortality: Peterson believes in the immortality of human beings because the Bible clearly teaches everlasting damnation for the wicked and everlasting life for the righteous. ... |
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What are the principles of Presbyterian church government? Support your answer from Scripture.
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1) Christ is the King and Head of the church (Eph. 1:22)
2) office bearers chosen by the people (Acts 1:21-26 - replacement of Judas) 3) The office of bishop and elder are identical (Titus 1:5-7) 4) Plurality of elders in each church (Phil. 1:1, Acts 14:23, 20:17, I Tim. 5:17) 5) Ordination an act of the presbytery (a plurality of elders) (I Tim. 4:14 - elders laid hands on Timothy; Acts 6:6 - the "seven", Acts 13:1-3 Paul & Barnabas set apart) 6) The privilege of appeal was to the assembly of elders, and they exercised the right of government in their corporate character. (Acts 15 - Jerusalem council) |
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Describe Amillennialism
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There is not sufficient ground for belief in a literal millennium that will last for a thousand years.
After Christ's second coming the final judgment and the eternal state will be ushered in. The number 1000 is symbolic for a long period of time, or of "completeness." |
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Where does saving faith come from? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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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.” Ephesians 2.8-9 “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.” |
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Describe Postmillennialism
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Christ will return after the millennium.
The 1000 or more years of peace on the earth that comes about as a result of Christians' preaching and teaching. Their work in the world will bring many conversions, reducing evil to a minimum. After the period of the Church’s greatness, Christ will come again, the dead will rise, and God will conduct the final judgment. |
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What is the role of women in the church? Support from the Scriptures.
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1) Women should be encouraged to fulfill any duty a non-ordained member of the church is permitted to perform.
2) 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. (interdependence) 3) Women should seek to use their gifts in a manner that edifies and encourages the body of Christ. Examples: 1) evangelism, 2) discipleship &teaching of other women, 3) compassionate service, 4) leaders in children ministries 5) public prayer (1 Tim. 2:12) 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. Survey of OT roles of women, Survey of Acts |
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Describe Premillennialism
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Christ will return, set up an earthly kingdom, and rule for 1000 years.
Christ's return will be preceded by an increasingly evil world-more wars, famines, earthquakes-by the Gospel's being preached to all peoples, by the appearance of the Antichrist and by the great tribulation. Christ will then come and set up His Kingdom and reign with the saints for 1000 years. Jews will come to Christ in large numbers and will again take an important place in God's kingdom. After the millennium, evil will again cause rebellion; however God will crush it. At that time God will raise unbelievers for eternal judgment in hell and create a new heaven and earth for believers. |
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What is "theonomy?" Evaluate it biblically.
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1) simplest definition means “God’s Law.”
2) encompasses a fairly broad spectrum of views about the exercise & authority to exercise the civil, social, and religious laws of the Mosaic Law & the legal system of the OT theocracy of Israel. "All laws of the Old Testament were equitable for the era for which they were designed. But great care must be taken to determine precisely how they apply to the present era.” PP, 556 Matthew 5:17-18 came to fulfill not abolish... Deut. 22:8 "parapet law" John 4, Jesus set a precedent by showing mercy on an adulteress. NT moves to redemptive nature of the law - God will carry out retributive justice in his time. |
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May women serve as officers in the church? Support your answer from Scripture.
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Women may not hold an ordained office in the church.
1Timothy 2:12-13 - Do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man... remain quite.. appeal to creation. Ephesians 5:22 - Wives, submit to you husbands,as to the Lord |
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What is the chief end of man?
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"Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. " -WSC #1
1 Cor. 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. |
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What privileges do Christians share?
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1) Fellowship in Christ's grace, suffering, death, resurrection, glory (United to Christ)
2) Communion in each others gifts, graces 3) performance of duties, public & private... conducive to mutual good - both inward and outward Ref. WCF 26.1 I John 1:2-3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” |
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Where is the law of God summed up?
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The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments. (WSC #41)
By Jesus - Matt 22 & Mark 12 By the lawyer - Luke 10:27 |
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What duties do Christians owe one another?
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1) Holy Fellowship
2) Communion in worship 3) Mutual edification 4) Relieving of our outward needs -WCF 26.2 |
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What does saving faith believe? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Romans 10.9- “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
John 5.24- “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” Believes whatever is taught in Scripture. WCF 13.2 “By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatening, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.” |
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Does the “communion of the saints” deny the right of private property? Explain.
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No - ref. WCF 26.3
Eph. 4:28 “doing something useful with his hands that he may have something to share with those in need.” 1 Thess 3:10 - no work, no eat Acts 5:4 “Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?” |
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Can believers keep God's law? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them in thought, word and deed. WSC #82
Ecc. 7:20 There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. Rom 3:10ff There is no one righteous, not even one... 1 John 1:8 "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us .. Gal 5:17 the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit...They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. |
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What authority does the church possess?
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Matt 16:18ff
The “keys to the kingdom” - the power “to retain and remit sins” - and “to shut the kingdom to the impenitent” and “open the kingdom to penitent sinners.” ref. WCF 30.2 |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "effectual calling.
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Ez. 36:26-28 - I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put in you....remove heart of stone & give you heart of flesh... put my Spirit within you... cause you to walk in my statues & obey...
WSC 31 - Effectual calling Is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he does persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel. |
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What is the purpose of church censures?
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1) reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren” . . .
2) deterring others from like offenses . . . 3) vindicating the honor of Christ and the holy profession of the gospel . . . 4) preventing the wrath of God from falling on the church for notorious and obstinate offender Ref WCF 30.3 |
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What is at stake in the current "Lordship Controversy?" Explain and defend your view.
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The "Lordship controversy" has implications for the nature of regeneration, assurance, and salvation as well as the question of who or what will be the sovereign over our life.
Christ is both Lord and savior in union of person and cannot be saving embraced without both being true at the same time. Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved James 2 teaches that true faith must manifest itself in works of obedience to the King. This is not to say that we earn or in any way merit salvation, it is completely a gracious gift of the God who predestines, elects, regenerates, and sacrifice. |
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What censures may the church impose?
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Moving 1 - 3
1) Admonition 2) Suspension from the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for a season 3) Excommunication from the church ref. WCF 30.4 |
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Is all faith alike? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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No - there is saving and non-saving faith - and of the saving faith there are degrees of weak and strong;
WCF 13.3 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. Hebrews 5.13-14- “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not aquatinted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Matthew 6.30- “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith.” James 2.19- “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder.” |
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Identify some Scripture passages, which support the practice of church discipline.
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Matt. 18:15-17 biblical confrontation & reconciliation
Titus 3:10 warn a divisive person twice before having nothing to do with him 1 Cor 5:12-13 expel the wicked man from among you 2 Thess 3:14 if someone doesn’t obey the apostle’s instruction, warn him as a brother. Gal. 6:1 if anyone is caught in a sin, restore him gently |
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What are the "means of grace?"
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The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption... the Word, sacraments, and prayer.. all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. WSC #88
Acts 2:21,42 Those who accepted his message were baptized...They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. |
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Who may properly call church assemblies, synods, or councils?
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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.” ref. WCF 31.1
The main point underlying this passage is that the civil magistrate cannot convene a synod or assembly |
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WSC #4 - What is God?
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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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For what purposes are church assemblies, synods, or councils called?
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-to determine controversies of faith
-to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God -to receive complaints and to determine them authoritatively -WCF 31.2 |
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What is "Christian Liberty?" Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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The freedom of the Christian, on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit is to
1) Join OT saints in being freed from the guilt of sin 2) the condemning wrath of God 3) the curse of the moral law 4) this present evil world 5) bondage to Satan, 6) dominion of sin 7) from the evil of afflictions 8) the sting of death 9) the victory of the grave and everlasting damnation AND have free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind. 2) Added in the NT 1) freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law 2) greater boldness of access to the throne of grace 3) in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God (I take an exception to this last one) - (WCF 20.1) Rom 6:18-22 You have been set free from sin, and have become slaves to righteousness…but now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life 1 Peter 2:16-17 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil... 1 Cor. 10:23-24 Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others 2 Cor. 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom |
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What authority do church councils possess?
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1) Ecclesiastical and not Civil
2) Ministerial rather than Declarative. ref. WCF 31.4 |
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Define "repentance." Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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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
Acts 2.37-38 “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “ Brothers, what shall we do? Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Joel 2.13-14 “Even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” |
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How should Christians respond to church councils?
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-they are not the rule of faith and practice- that is the Bible.
-they are intended to be a help in both faith and practice -WCF 31.3 |
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Who or what is Lord of the conscience? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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God alone is Lord of the conscience, and has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men... WCF 20.2
James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy... Rom 14:4 Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand for the Lord is able to make him stand 1 Cor 10:25-26 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of the conscience... the earth is the Lord's and everything in it. |
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Where does Westminster deal with the Church?
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WCF 25-26, 30-31
WLC 61-66, 69, 82-83, 86 |
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On what is God's decision to call a certain person based?
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Eph. 2:8,9 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.
Rom. 9:11&16 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. "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 |
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Describe a Presbyterian (republican) form of government
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1) affirms both Christ as the head of the church and the importance of individual churches to govern their own affairs. It is accomplished through representative bodies - the local church session is the most basic.
2) The regional presbytery is a assembly of the elders from the local congregations in a specified area. 3) The next level extends to the national level with synods and general assemblies. 4) The larger assemblies do have the power to impose certain limitations on the autonomy of local churches at the same time as they seek to promote the growth and welfare of churches, to guarantee the rights of its members, and to give fuller expression to the overall unity of the Church universal. |
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What is the "regulative principle?" Defend from Scripture.
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The manner in which we worship God should be in accordance with what he has instituted in his revealed will - the Scriptures.
the acceptable way... is instituted by Himself, limited by His own revealed will... He may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devises of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture WCF 21.1 Deut. 12:32 ...do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. Is. 29:13 ...These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men Matt. 15:9 - They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men |
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Describe a Congregational (Independent, democratic) form of government
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1) maintains that each individual church is a complete church. There is no dependency upon other churches.
2) The balance of power does not rest in a bishop but rather it lies with the members of the church and their officers elected as functionaries. 3) These churches may choose to join together in fellowship; however, the decisions rendered are only advisory and not authoritative for any individual church unless the congregation so desires. |
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In what sense is repentance "necessary?" Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Repentance is necessary in that no sinner may expect pardon without it.
WCF 15.3 “Although repentance is not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ; it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it. Luke 13.3 “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Acts 17.30-31 “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead. |
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Describe a Episcopal (prelacy, monarchical) form of government
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1) maintains 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.
2) These bishops are separate, independent, and self-perpetuating. 3) The actual people of the church have no share in the governance of the church. |
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Who is to be worshipped? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and Him alone (WCF 21.2)
Matt 4:10 & Luke 4:8 - Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. |
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What is subscription?
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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 is the supreme activity of man? (Catechism: "what does God require of man?")
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Obedience to God's revealed will.
"The duty God requires of man is obedience to his revealed will." - WSC #39 |
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Why are there disagreements regarding subscription?
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The disagreement over this issue stems from the candidate’s need to determine what his oath to the second ordination vow entails for him and the session/presbytery’s need to be satisfied that the candidate’s answer does not allow him to hold a view that destroys the unity of the system of doctrine established as the standard for the PCA.
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What are the ordinary parts or elements of worship?
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1) Reading of Scripture 2) preaching and hearing the Word 3) singing 4) administration of the sacraments (WCF 21.5), prayer (WCF 21. 3,4) and offering??
Eph. 5:19 ...addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart... (similar to Col 3:16) Acts 2:41-42 ... those who received his word were baptize.... And [all] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers |
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Regarding subscription, what is the “vital to the system" view?
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This view maintains that a session must determine if a scruple expressed by a candidate as an exception affects any of the articles essential to the system.
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How ought we to confess our sins? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Specifically in public or private
WCF 15.5 Men ought not content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly. WCF 15.6 As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof... forsaking of them... find[ing] mercy; He that scandalizes his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by public or private confession, and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended, who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him. Luke 19.8- But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. James 5:16 confess your sins one to another... 1 John 1.9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. |
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Regarding subscription, what is the “very doctrines of the Word” view?
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This view asserts that the WCF and its catechisms are the expression of the very doctrines of the Word. Therefore, scruples are limited to the exceptions taken over the exact wording of a proposition. They cannot question the substance of any part of the documents.
Problem: The very word of doctrine elevates the standards to the level of scripture itself, ignoring that it is subordinate to the Bible. |
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Are Christians under obligation to keep a Sabbath? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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WCF 21.7... the law of nature, that in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in His Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment binding all men in all ages, OT last day of week, NT first day of week (Lord's day).
The ten commandments are a summary of the moral law. Honoring the sabbath is the fourth commandment and a creation ordinance Gen 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were ompleted in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Ex 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy Sabbath principle repeated in Ex 16:29-30, Ex 31:12-17 & with special blessings mentioned in Is. 58:13-14 |
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Regarding subscription, what is the “substance of doctrine” view?
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This view asserts that the candidate is understood to adopt the doctrine not in the form or manner in which it is presented in the Confession, but only for “substance of doctrine.”
Problem: The substance of doctrine removes the distinctiveness of the Westminster standards. |
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How can infants be 'called'?
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"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
Luke 18:15-16 Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. |
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If so, how should the Sabbath be kept? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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• By rest, worship, deeds of piety, deeds of mercy, healing, and goodness, and if need be that of necessity.
I take exception to WCF 21.8 - ...not only observe an holy rest, all that day, from their own works, words, and thoughts about the worldly employments and recreations, but also are taken up, the whole time, in the public, and private exercises of His worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy. " The scripture is not this strict. Texts to reference: 1. Ex 20:8-11 (fourth commandment. 2. Is 58:13-14 honoring Sabbath and God will make you ride on the heights of the earth.... feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.... 3. Matt 12:11-12 - comparing the value of a man to a sheep Christ declares it is lawful to do good on Sabbath 4. Mark 2:27 - Sabbath made for man, not man for Sabbath 5. John 7:23-24 Jesus references circumcision Sabbath and declares healing is also acceptable... stop judging by mere appearances |
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What are good works? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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WCF 16.1 Good works [are those things which] God has commanded in His Holy Word... [and not things] devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention.
Micah 6.8- He has showed you, O Man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you. To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Hebrews 13.20-21- May the God of Peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen |
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Differentiate between the "Continental" and "Westminster" views of the Sabbath.
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• The continental view of Sabbath (espoused by Calvin) stresses the ceremonial and typological view of the Jewish Sabbath.
• The Westminster views the Sabbath as a creation mandate and therefore moral and universal in scope. |
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Define "General Revelation"
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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 The heavens declare the glory of God... Rom 1:19-20 what can be known about God is plain to them... his invisible attributes... clearly perceived... So they are without excuse. |
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Should a Christian ever take an oath or vow? Explain. Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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The taking of oaths for a Christian is permissible, yet they can never be contrary to the Word.
A.A. Hodge refers to an oath as an act of supreme religious worship, since it recognizes the omnipresence, omniscience, absolute justice and sovereignty of the Person whose august witness is invoked, and whose judgement is appealed to as final. – WCF 22.2 in matters of weight and moment an oath is warranted in the OT and NT Heb 6:16 - Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument... 2 Cor 1:23 Paul calls God as witness... "I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth..." Ex 20: 7 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name (third commandment) |
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What is the relation of good works to faith? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Good works are the fruit and evidence of true faith.
James 2.18,22 But someone will say, You have faith but I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. Ephesians 2.8-10- For we are saved by grace, through faith and this is not of ourselves it is a gift from God. We are God’s workmanship, created to do good works, which were prepared in advance for us. WCF 16.2 good works are: 1) are done in obedience to God’s commandments, 2) are the fruit and evidences of a true and lively faith They are performed by believers to 1) manifest their thankfulness, 2) strengthen their assurance, 3) edify their brethren, 4) adorn the profession of the gospel, 5) stop the mouths of the adversaries, 5) glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that , having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life. |
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What should be our attitude toward civil authorities? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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God has places the civil magistrates under his authority and over his people for his own glory and the public good. (WCF 23.1)
Matt 22:21 Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. Rom 13:1-4 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities..." 1 Tim 2:2 Pray for kings and all in high position... 1 Pet. 2:13-14 Submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good |
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Can anyone not called by the Spirit be saved? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs).
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WCF 10.4 '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..."
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.... John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. |
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What is the relationship between church and state?
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Civil government has the right and responsibility to protect the church, while not being allowed to intervene in ecclesiastical matters or abridging church government.
ref. WCF 23.3 [American Form 1789] |
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Are good works necessary for salvation? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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No, they are not necessary for salvation, but they are the necessary fruit of saving faith.
James 2.18,22 But someone will say, You have faith but I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. |
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What are the proper duties of civil authorities? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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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 - ref. WCF 23.3 [American Form 1789] (see above)
Romans 13:3-5 rulers not a terror to good conduct, but to bad... God’s servant for your good... servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 1 Tim 2:2.... prayers, petitions & thanksgivings be made... for kings &all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil & quiet life in all godliness & dignity. 1 Pet. 2:14 punishment of evil doers, praise of the good. |
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What does the Bible teach about the creation of human beings?
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WSC 10 & WCF 4.2
“God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.” - WSC #10 “After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after His own image, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing being left to the liberty of their own will which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.” - WCF 4.2 |
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What obligations do believers have to civil authorities? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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•Pray for magistrates, honor their persons, pay them tribute/other dues, obey lawful commands, and be subject to their authority . Ref WCF 23.4
Matt 22:21 pay taxes Rom 13:1ff Subjection to authority 1 Tim 2:2 Prayer for them 1 Pet. 2:13 Subjection to ordinances |
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Can our good works save us? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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WCF 16.5 We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin, or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion.... infinite distance that is between us and God... we can neither profit, nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins... when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants. Our works are good because they proceed from His Spirit... yet when done by us they are defiled... mixed with weakness and imperfectio.n.. cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment-
Romans 3.20- Therefore no will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Ephesians 2.8-9 for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. Titus 3.4-5 But when the kindness and love of God our savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. |
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By whom and for what purpose was marriage designed? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Marriage is for one man and one woman for their mutual help, the increase of mankind and church and to prevent uncleanness. Ref WCF 24.1&2
Gen 2:18,24 ...not good for man to be alone... make a helper suitable for him ...For this reason a man will leave his father &mother and be united to his wife.. become one flesh 1 Cor 7:2, 9 since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each wife her own... it is better to marry than to bum with passion. |
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How would you explain the plan of salvation to an unbeliever?
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Romans Road is the template - but will be modified based upon the situation... (3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9, 5:1 & 8:1)
1. What’s Wrong? Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." – and What does sin look like? (Romans 3:10-18) 2. So What? Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. How is the gift possible? Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 4. How does that work? Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." How doesn’t it work? (Gal 3:10-11) 5. Now what? Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." AND Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus |
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Who may (and may not) lawfully be married? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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All sorts of people who are able to give their consent - with Christians being exhorted to marry only in the Lord (not infidels, papists, idolaters). Ref. WCF 24.3
Heb 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 1 Cor 7:39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to many anyone she wishes, but he must belong 10 the Lord. 2 Cor 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers... |
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Can unbelievers do good works? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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WSF 16.7 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 (lacking saving faith) as that nothing untainted by sin may proceed from them (must proceed from the HS) and therefore nothing which God considers good.
Gen. 6.5 The Lord saw man’s wickedness ... every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. Jer. 17.9- The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Rom. 3.10-12 There is no one righteous no not one... Rom. 8:7 …The sinful mind is hostile to God. does not, cannot submit to God’s law; it is controlled by sinful nature cannot please God. Eph. 2.1-3 you were dead in your transgressions & sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world... |
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What is divorce?
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Dissolving the marriage bond.
"Adultery or fornication committed AFTER a contract, being detected BEFORE marriage, gives just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract. In the case of adultery AFTER marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue out a divorce: and, after the divorce, to marry another, as if the offending party were dead. " WCF 24.5 |
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Briefly Explain And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The Doctrine Of The Trinity.
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One God - Three Persons
Deut. 6:4 (ESV) "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (WSC #5 There is but one God only, the living and true God) Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 2 Cor. 13:14 (ESV) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (WSC #6 There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are on God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.) |
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Under what circumstances is divorce permissible? Defend your answer with Scripture.
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Adultery and irremediable willful desertion - ref. WCF 24.5 - 6
Matt 5:31-32 anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. Matt 19:9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery 1 Cor 7:15 if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of "perseverance."
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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.
John 10.28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. Phil. 1.6 be confident of this, he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Rom. 8.29-30 those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined....called.... justified.... gorified 1 John 2.19 they went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 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. |
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Is divorce an option for those abused by their spouses (physically or otherwise)? Defend.
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WCF 24.6 references cases where it can in "no way be remedied by the Church, or civil magistrates " In abuse, it can be said that 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 would want to defend the biblical principles of marriage, but not at the expense of doing good and showing charity.
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Is Jesus really the only way of salvation? Explain and defend (include Scripture proofs).
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John 14:6 I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there in no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. WCF 10.4 "... 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. " |
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May those who have been divorced remarry? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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• Those who have been divorced on biblical grounds are free to remarry .
• WCF 24.5 (see above) • Matthew 19.9 (see above) • "For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. "-Romans 7:2-3 |
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Can a saved person later be eternally lost? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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WLC #79 True believers, by reason of the unchangeable love of God, and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance, their inseparable union with Christ, his continual intercession for them, and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
1 John 2.19 they went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand 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 Phil. 1:6 …being confident of this, he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Romans 8:29-30 For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also... called.. justified, he also glorified. |
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How does Christian liberty bear on the Christian's obligation to the state?
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• Since God intends our liberty, not to destroy, but to uphold the powers which he has ordained; we are to submit to the state.
• “And because the powers which God has ordained, and the liberty which Christ has purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually uphold and preserve one another, they who, upon pretense of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God...” -WCF 20.4 |
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In what way is a man in the image of God?
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Man is endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness.
"God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. with dominion over the creatures. " (WSC #10) Ephes. 4:24 (ESV) and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Col. 3:10 (ESV) and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. |
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Where does Westminster deal with the Christian life?
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WCF 19-20, 22-24
WLC 91-152, 154-196 WSC 38-84, 88-107 |
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On what does a believer's persevering depend? Defend with Scripture proofs.
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The immutability of God’s free election of them in Christ.
WCF 17.2 This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of God’s free election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and the seed of God with them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which arises also the certainty and infallibility thereof. John 10.28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand 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 Phil. 1.6 be confident of this, he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. |
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What is meant by the “general equity” clause in the confession (regarding judicial law)?
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Appears in WCF 19.4
This means that the judicial laws for Israel do not apply for other nations today, unless the “general principal” behind the law has a modern day correlation. For example, the death penalty for murder in Gen 9:6 carries over, but the command against wearing clothes of more than one material in order to show the purity of God’s people does not. |
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What about those who never had the chance to hear about Jesus?
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Ps. 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God...
Rom. 1:19,20 ... since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them... men are without excuse. " A person is condemned by his sinfulness - not ignorance or lack thereof WCF 10.4 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 |
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How does Christian liberty bear on the Christian's obligation to the State?
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Since God intends our liberty, not to destroy, but to uphold the powers, which he has ordained; we are to submit to the state – in as much as it does not do violence to the light of nature, and the known principles of God’s Word (WCF 20.4)
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.... Rom 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.... |
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Can a person be sure he is saved? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him, may without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God’s promises, and only by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation WLC #80
1 John 5.13- I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life (2:5, 5:13& 20) Romans 8.16- The Spirit himself testifies with your spirit that we are God’s children |
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What Is Meant By "Systematic Theology?"
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arranging 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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Should a person be sure he is saved? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs.
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WCF 18.3 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
1 John 5.13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life (2:5, 5:13 & 20) 2 Peter 1.10-11 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ |
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What about the sincere Buddhist (or Moslem, or Unitarian)?
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There sincerity is commendable, but in the end we must declare that they are sincerely wrong.
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How could a person know he is saved? On what could such assurance be based?
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• By examining one’s self to see if one has true belief (2 Cor 13:5 - Examine yourselves)
• By clinging to God’s promises (2 Peter 2:4 through his promises you may be partakers of the divine nature...) • By the Spirit’s testimony (Rom. 8:16 testifies that we are God's children...) • Discipline tells us that we are children of God (Hebrews 12) • Good works- know them by their fruit (Matt 7.16-17) • Love for our brothers (1 John 3.14) WLC #80 Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavor to walk in all good conscience before him, may without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God’s promises, and only by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made, and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation- WLC #80 |
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Are all men in the image of God? If so, to what extent?
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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
"Whosoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man." (Genesis 9:6) [post-fall; post-flood] "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. " (James 3:9) ...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Col 3:10) |
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What should a person do who lacks assurance of salvation?
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Avail oneself to the means of grace
WSC #88 The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of “justification”.
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Justification is an act of God 's free grace, where he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. "-WSC 33
Rom 3:23ff "..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that comes by Christ Jesus. Phil 3:5ff "I consider [all things] rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. |
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Where does Westminster deal with Salvation Applied?
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WCF 14-18
WLC 72-73, 76, 79-81, 153 WSC 85-87 |
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What Are The Attributes Of God? (Be Prepared To Offer Scripture Proofs.)
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WSC #5 God is a Spirit infinite, eternal and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth
spirit - John 4:24 - God is spirit, worship him in spirit & truth infinite - Rom 11:22-24 depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God, judgements are unsearchable... eternal - Rev 1:8 Alpha, Omega, beginning and the end unchangeable - James 1:7 no variableness nor shadow of turning wisdom - Rom 11:22-24 depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God, judgements are unsearchable... power - Matt 19:26 Jesus said... with God all things are possible holiness - 1 Pet 1:16 Be holy for I am holy justice - Rom 3:26 God is both just and the justifier... goodness - Rom 2:4 Goodness of God leads to repentance truth - Num 23 God is not a man that he should lie.... |
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What is the basis of justification?
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The finished work of Christ credited to our account by faith.
Rom 3:24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. WCF 11.1 “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.” |
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How does the doctrine of the image or God influence debates about gender roles?
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They are equally the image of God. (Gen 1:26,27) "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Part of being in the image of God includes gender differences and complements. Both male and female are made in the image of God in a unique way, and thus are equal in dignity and worth as human beings. On the other hand, neither male nor female fully reflects the image of God without the other. Thus, there is a necessary complimentary relationship between the genders. |
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Explain this statement: "Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone.”
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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.
James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. WCF 11.2 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. |
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Define And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The "Inspiration" Of Scripture.
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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: All Scripture breathed out by God.... Heb. 1:1-2: Long ago & in many ways God spoke.... 2 Pet.1:21 No prophecy ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the HS |
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When is a Christian justified?
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Rom 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation ...
WCF 11.4 When the Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to you by faith. (We mark this phenomenologically 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 |
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What is sin? (See WSC 14). Include Scripture proofs.
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"Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. " (WSC #14)
"Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. " (1 John 3:3,4) "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. " (James 4: 17) "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. " (James 2:10) "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: 'cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'" (Galatians 3:10) "Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord. " (Leviticus 18:5) |
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What happens when a Christian sins after being justified?
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They may fall under fatherly discipline and need to humble themselves asking for forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 "Confess, he is faithful and just to forgive, cleanse... WCF 11.5 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. |
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Which attributes of God are communicable?
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Knowledge: Ps. 147:5 Lord, abundant in power, understanding beyond measure
Wisdom: James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... Holiness: Leviticus 11:44 & 1 Peter 1:16 be holy, for I am holy. Justice (mercy, graciousness, patience, goodness, truth): Amos 5:15 Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate... Micah 6.8 but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God |
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How were believers justified under the old covenant?
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They looked forward, in faith, by grace, for a Messiah to take away sin and restore God’s favor - just as we look back in faith by grace.
Rom 4:3 Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. " Hebrews 11 WCF 11.6 The justification of believers under the old testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the new testament. |
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Discuss guilt of sin & the corruption of sin.
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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.
Corruption has to do with our moral condition. “From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.” (WCF 6.4) “This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified; yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.” (WCF 6.5) |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of “adoption”.
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John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God...
Rom 8:17-18 Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children... heirs-heirs of God and coheirs with Christ... WSC 34 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. |
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What Is The "Reformed Faith?" (Explain As To A New Christian.)
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A particular approach to understanding God and the Bible through stressing what the Bible stresses:
1) the need of man 2) the grace of God 3) the absolute sovereignty of God 4) the centrality of the Bible to all of life 5) Covenantal doctrine of Scripture 6) Sufficiency of the work of Christ 7) Effectual work of the Holy Spirit |
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Define and defend (include Scripture proofs) the doctrine of “sanctification.”
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1 Thess 4:3 This is the will of God - your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality
2 Thess 2:13 ...from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through the belief in the truth. WSC 35 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. |
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Define and discuss original sin (include Scripture proofs).
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The effects of Adam ' s sin on the lives of all his descendants.
"The sinfulness of that estate where into man fell consists in the guilt of Adam 's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions that proceed from it. " (WSC #18) "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men. because all sinned...For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. " (Romans 5: 12,19; see also second half of the chapter) " For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die. So in Christ all will be made alive. "-1 Corinthians 15:21,22 |
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Can anyone become perfect (completely sanctified) in this life? Defend (include Scripture proofs).
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Rom 7:18 ... I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Rom 7:23 but I see in my members another law waging war ... making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 1 John 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. WCF 13.2 “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. ” |
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Which attributes of God are Incommunicable?
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Infinite: Job 11:7-9 "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?... higher than heaven... deeper than Sheol... longer than the earth & broader than the sea.
Eternal: Psalm 90:2 (ESV) Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Unchangeable: James 1:17 (ESV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Perfection: Matt 5:48 be perfect as your Father is perfect All Present: Psalm 139 whither shall go from your Spirit.... ascend to heaven... make my bed in Sheol... |
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What is regeneration?
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The act of God alone, in which He renews the human heart, making it alive when it was dead. Regeneration is the gift of God’s grace. It is the immediate, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit created in us
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead Also Eph. 2:1 & 2:5 & Col. 2:14 "dead in trespasses and sins" |
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How can original sin be reconciled to the canons of justice, either human or divine?
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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.
"The covenant being made with Adam as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. " (WLC #22) |
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What is Faith and Repentance (Conversion):
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Saving Faith – “a certain conviction, wrought in the heart by the HS, as to the truth of the gospel, and a heart reliance (trust) on the promises of God in Christ” (Berkhof, Systematic Theology pg. 503)
Rom 10:9 Believe and Confession (rooted in regeneration by the HS) |
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Define And Defend The "Necessity" Of Scripture.
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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: So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ 1 Cor.2:11: For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. |
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Wesleyan Sanctification
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For Wesley, the ultimate goal of sanctification was "to renew men's and women's hearts in (God's) image." Wesley worked out this definition of sanctification in a practical way. He believed that true Christian maturity was primarily evidenced by "'a faith that works by divine love in the crucible of everyday life."
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Is there any good remaining in a fallen, sinful man? Explain.
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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.
"From this original corruption. whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgression. " (WCF 6.4) |
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Reformed Sanctification
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The gracious operation of the Holy Spirit, involving our responsible participation, by which he delivers us as justified sinners from the pollution of sin, renews our entire nature according to the image of God, and enables us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. - Hoekema
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WSC #7 What are the decrees of God?
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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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Pentecostal Sanctification
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Related to God’s plan of redemption. Justification and initial sanctification occur at the same moment, justification giving a new standing before God, sanctification putting one into a new state. A believer’s dependence on the Holy Spirit for his sanctification does not dissolve he believer’s own responsibility.
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In what ways does man sin?
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In that man does not perfectly conform to the righteous requirements of the law, but rather
transgresses that law, he sins. "Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. " (WSC #14) |
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Keswick Sanctification
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The normal Christian life should be one of progress and victory: victory over temptation, growth in obedience, improving in self-control, and increasing in joy. Unfortunately, the average Christian experience is far from normal. Church-goers are adept at moving through the routines of the Christian life, yet they show no excitement or evidence that anything supernatural is going on.
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Systematic Theology: God
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His being, Attributes and Works
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Augustinian - Dispensational Sanctification
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The Holy Spirit plays an indispensable role in sanctification, that sanctification involves both sovereign grace and human responsibility, that sanctification must be progressive. The believer cannot attain sinless perfection in this present life, and that such perfection will be reached only in the life to come.
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What are some of the consequences of sin?
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"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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Where does Westminster deal with Salvation Accomplished?
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WCF 10-13
WLC 57-60, 67-68, 70-71, 75-75, 77-78 WSC 29-36 |
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What is an Amyraldian view of God's decrees?
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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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Is the will of man free? Explain (include Scripture proofs).
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This is best explained in the various states...
• Created: possible to sin • Fallen: not possible not to sin • Redeemed: possible not to sin • Glorified: not possible to sin "God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that it is neither forced, nor by any absolute necessity of nature, determined to good, or evil. "(WCF 9.1) "But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. " (Matthew 17:12) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. " (James 1:14) "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live. "-Deuteronomy 30:19 |
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What Is The "Canon"? Defend It Scripturally.
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Canon means rule, measure or standard.
1) OT canon was confirmed by Jesus (Matt. 5:17 not to abolish law & prophets but fulfill). 2) NT is built on the teaching of Jesus as he taught and trained the disciples to accurately share his message. 2a. Matthew 10: sending out of the twelve with a specific message. 2b John 20: Jesus appears to twelve with final instructions and Holy Spirit. 3) Writings of Paul - In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter understands Paul to be writing Scripture. |
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Was Adam's will (before he sinned) free? Explain; include Scripture proofs.
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Yes.
"Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power to will and to do that which was good and well pleasing to god; but yet, mutably, so that he might fall from it. " (WCF 9.2) "Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God. " (WSC #13) "And the Lord God commanded the man, you are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. " (Genesis 2:16-17) “This only have I found: God made men upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.” (Ecclesiastes 7:29) |
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How does God execute his decrees?
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God executes his decrees through the works of creation and providence- WSC #8
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Can a sinner do anything good? Explain; include Scripture proofs.
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No (The confession defines "good" deeds as those which are glorifying to God).
"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. " (Romans 3:10,11) "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. " (Isaiah 64:6) |
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Systematic Theology: Humanity
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Imago Dei, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration
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Is a sinner's will free to believe? Explain; include Scripture proofs.
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Not without the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
"Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto. " (WCF 9.3) "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. "(1 Cor. 2: 14) "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. " (1 John 3:19,20) |
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What is God's work of creation?
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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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Does a believer have free will? Explain; include Scripture proofs.
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Yes, as God's grace enables him.
"When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he frees him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by his grace alone, enables him .freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he does not perfectly, nor only, will that which is good, but does also will that which is evil. " (WCF 9.4) "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. " (Romans 6: 18) “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and results in eternal life. " (Romans 6:22) |
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Define And Defend The "Authority" Of Scripture.
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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.
2 Tim.3:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. WCF 1.4 - authority depends not on any man or church but wholly on God... it is the Word of God |
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Origin of the Soul
Define: pre-existentianism |
The souls of men existed in a previous state, and that certain occurrences in that former state account for the condition in which those souls are now found (Origen).
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Briefly discuss the length of the days of creation.
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This must be an exegetical issue - not a scientific one. Say what scripture says. Let God be true and every many a liar.
I don’t think the original language of Genesis mandates / intends to communicate precise length of the days. This in no way questions that God created all things supernaturally by the word of his power - in his own wisdom and time. I see the days of Genesis as analogical days. They are God’s work days. |
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Origin of the Soul
Reason for pre-existentianism |
Thought to afford the most natural explanation of the fact that all men are born as
sinners. Man’s present material existence, with all its inequalities and irregularities, physical and moral, as a punishment for sins committed in a previous existence. |
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Systematic Theology: Person & Work of Christ
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Person, States, and Office
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Origin of the Soul
Objection to pre-existentianism |
1) Devoid of both scriptural and philosophical grounds. Based on dualism of matter and spirit, making it a punishment for the soul to be connected with the body.
2) Makes the body accidental. The was without the body at first. Wipes out the distinction b/w man and the angles. 3) Destroys the unity of the human race, assumes that all individual souls existed long before they entered this present life. 4) No support for in the consciousness of man. |
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What is God's work of providence?
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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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Origin of the Soul
Define Traducianism (Soul) |
The souls of men are propagated along with the bodies by generation, and are therefore transmitted to the children by the parents; mediate origin (Buswell).
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Define And Defend The "Sufficiency" Of Scripture.
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1) Bible is the only rule of the faith and practice. It is sufficient; it does not need the Church or any other institution to interpret it for us or to add regulations to it.
2) It is Sufficient in terms of principles rather than details, leaving it to men to apply general principles according to their image function in particular instances. 3) Scripture is complete, containing all that is needed for God’s glory and for man’s salvation, faith, and life. WCF 1.6 confirms above, adds the need for the inward illumination of the HS for saving understanding 1 Cor 2:9-12 "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.... |
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Origin of the Soul
Support for Traducianism |
1) Scriptural representation; a) God breathed once into the nostrils of man, b) Eve’s
soul was included in that of Adam’s, c) God ceased from the work of creation after He made man. 2) Supported by the analog of vegetable and animal life, in that the natural derivation of new individuals come from a parent stock. 3) The inheritance of mental peculiarities and family traits. 4) Inheritance of moral and spiritual depravity |
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What is a miracle?
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When God works without, above or against the normal means of his providence.
“God in His ordinary providence, makes use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them, at His pleasure - WCF 5.3 |
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Origin of the Soul
Objection to Traducianism |
1) Contrary to the philosophical doctrine of the simplicity of the soul.
2) One of three theories, a) the soul of the child has a sort of pre-existence, b) soul is potentially present in the seed of the man or woman, or both, materialism, c) the soul is brought forth in some way by the parents, making them creators. 3) Assumes after creation God works only mediately. 4) Wedded to the theory of realism. 5) Insuperable difficulties in Christology. |
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Systematic Theology: Person & Work of Holy Spirit (pneumatology)
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Person, Work
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Origin of the Soul
Define Creationism |
The individual soul of each man is an immediate creation of God, owing its origin to a direct creative act, of which the time cannot be precisely determined. The soul is created pure, but to become sinful even before birth by entering into that complex of sin by which humanity as a whole is burdened; without second causes (Berkhof).
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Do miracles occur today? Explain.
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If by miracle one means that God is working without second causes for the sake of the affirmation of revelation (Warfield's def) - then no - due to the closed nature of the canon.
However, I 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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Origin of the Soul
Support for Creationism |
1) More consistent with the prevailing representation of Scripture,
2) More consistent with the nature of the human soul, 3) Avoids the pitfalls of Traducianism in Christology and represents the person of Christ. |
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Define And Defend The "Perspicuity" Of Scripture.
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Literally means the “see-through-ableness” of Scripture
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. The biblical declaration of God’s redeeming grace in Jesus Christ is not a secret, which requires priestly mediation. It is clearly found in Scripture. But you cannot understand everything in the Bible some things take expertise. Psalm 119:105, 130 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path… The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. WCF 1.7 - All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves...yet those things which are necessary... |
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Origin of the Soul
Objection to Creationism |
1) If the soul is originally possessed of depraved tendencies, it makes God the author of moral evil.
2) The earthly father begets the body if his child and does not account for the reappearance of the mental and moral traits of the parents in the children. 3) It is out of harmony with God’s present relationship to the world and His manner of working in it, thus it removes God from all creative activity in the world. |
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Is God responsible for sin?
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NO. The responsibility for sins introduction is our first parents who in the exercise of their free will sinned (rebelled) against God.
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Explain Dichotomy
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Man is Material (body) and Immaterial (soul or spirit)
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Systematic Theology: Church (ecclesiology)
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Includes the means of Grace
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Explain Trichotomy
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Man is: Physical body, Soul which “is the seat of the affections, desires,
emotions, and the will of man,” and a Spirit which “knows and is capable of God consciousness and communication with God” |
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Did he decree sin?
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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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Refute the trichotomous view of man
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This view of man states that man has three parts; body, soul and spirit. Yet:
1.Scripture uses the phrase soul and spirit interchangeably. 2. Scripture refers to man as “body and soul” (Matt 6:25; {Gk: psuche}; 10:28) and also as “body and spirit” (Ecc 12:7; 1 Cor 5:3, 5). 3. Death is described as giving up the soul (Gen 35:18) while also described as giving up the spirit (Ps 31:5; Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59). 4.The immaterial element of the dead is described as both soul and spirit (Heb 12:23; Rev 6:9; 20:4). |
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What Is Distinctive About Reformed Interpretation Of Scripture?
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1) It sees the continuity between the Old and New Testament.
2)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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Is fallen man guilty because he sins or sinful because he is guilty?
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Fallen man is sinful because he is first guilty. Just as the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers, the guilt of Adam is imputed to all people when they are born. Thus, there is never a moment “before the first sin” that the baby is not guilty. Our sinful nature is part of the curse of our guilt.
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Did he permit sin?
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In that nothing takes place in all the universe without God’s permission.
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Where does Westminster deal with Humankind?
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WCF 4,6,9
WLC 14-17, 21-29 WSC 8-10,13-19 |
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Systematic Theology: Last Things (eschatology)
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The Last Things
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Who is the ultimate cause of all things?
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God is!
God from all eternity, did by the most holy and wise counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass… WCF 3.1 The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own Glory, God has ordained whatsoever comes to pass. - WSC #7 |
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What Principles Should Guide Our Interpretation Of Scripture?
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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 - Infallible rule of interpretation of scripture is the scripture itself... |
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What is theodicy?
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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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Systematic Theology: Scripture
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God has revealed himself authoritatively through His Word
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If God is good and all-powerful, explain AIDS, deformed babies, natural disasters.
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1) The affirmation that God is good and all-powerful does not deny the reality that we live in a fallen world.
2) God created the world good & man in his rebellion brought sin... sickness, destruction & death. 3) God’s goodness is seen in his common grace, holding his creation together, performing sovereign acts of providence, incarnation unto redemption, 4) In his 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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Define And Defend (Including Scripture Proofs) The "Inerrancy" Of Scripture.
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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.
Num. 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Heb 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. |
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Discuss the biblical teaching regarding predestination, election, and reprobation.
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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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Systematic Theology: Salvation
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Application and the Work of Redemption
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Distinguish the Reformed and Arminian understandings of election and predestination
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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.
Reformed - assurance rests on God's power and promise Arminian - assurance rests on man's ability |
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What Do The Scriptures Principally Teach?
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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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Is the doctrine of sovereignty compatible with belief in real human choice and responsibility?
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“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 are some divisions of Systematic Theology?
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1) God 2) Humanity 3) Person and Work of Christ 4) Person and Work of the Holy Spirit 5) Salvation 6) Church 7) Last Things (Eschatology) 8) Scripture
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What should be some of the practical results of believing the doctrine of election?
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Humility, gratitude, comfort, security, assurance, grace/mercy towards others, obedience out of thankfulness
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Where does Westminster deal with theology of the Bible?
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WCF 1; WLC 1-6; 154-160; WSC 3, 88-90
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Is there a real, personal devil? Explain from Scripture.
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Yes,
Job 1 Devil presenting himself in heaven Matthew 4 Jesus tempted by a real devil |
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Total Depravity
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Humans begin life with all aspects of their nature corrupted by the effects of sin. Total depravity is spiritual inability to reach God for all our capacities and faculties are overturned in the corruption of sin. 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 - None is righteous, no, not one…. Cited from Ps. 14 & 53 Gen. 6:5 (God’s assessment in the days of Noah) |
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infralapsarian view of God's decrees
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views God’s decrees historically
God decreed to CREATE man in holiness God decreed to permit the FALL God decreed to ELECT some God decreed to PASS over others |
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Define "Special Revelation"
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Special Revelation is what God has revealed about Himself to His people, through special messengers (angels or prophets), Jesus Christ, or the Scripture. Certain theological knowledge, i.e., the way of salvation, can come only through this method. – Mediated through word and spirit.
WCF 1.1 2 Tim 3:15 How from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. |
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supralapsarian view of God's decrees
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views God’s decrees logically (elect before the fall)
Decree to ELECT some and pass over others Decree to CREATE Decree to PERMIT the fall Decree to JUSTIFY the elect and condemn the reprobate |
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Unconditional Election
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God’s choice of certain persons to salvation, is not dependent upon any foreseen virtue or faith on their part.
Rom. 9:11-13: God’s purpose in election…. Jacob I have loved, Esau I have hated… Tit. 3:4-5: saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy… |
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Evaluate biblically the theory of Naturalistic Evolution
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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 revelation?
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God’s making known to man who he is, what kind of God he is, and what duty God requires of man.
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Evaluate biblically the theory of Theistic Evolution
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God as the worker/ mover behind the process set the evolutionary process in motion.
Theistic evolution , though acknowledging God as creator, gives him little more credit than first cause. This theory tends to view the creation account as mythical and denies God the sovereign capacity to create as he claims in Genesis 1-2 (essentially a form of Deism) |
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Limited Atonement, Particular Redemption
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Christ’s atoning death was effectual only for the elect. Christ came to save those the Father had given Him. All those Christ died for, God will draw to Himself. Sufficient for all, effectual for the elect.
John 6:37,39: All that the Father gives to me will come to me…. John 10:14-15: Good Shepherd… I know my own, my sheep know me…. |
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I could be said that the Westminster Confession itself, and the PCA Creation study report are consensus documents. In this consensus, what must you confess when talking about creation days?
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Genesis 1-3 is:
1. the inerrant word of God, and coherent account from Moses’ hand. 2. History, not myth. 3. teaching that YHWH created the heavens and the earth ex nihilo. 4. teaching that Adam &Eve were actual human beings, parents of all humanity 5. an account of a historical fall brought ALL humanity into an estate of sin and misery. 6. (along with all of scripture) the Creator’s word that speaks authoritatively to matters of history and science. |
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Why is revelation necessary?
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Without revelation, we would not know God, therefore we would not know anything.
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Berkhof on Election
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“That eternal act of God whereby He, in His sovereign good pleasure, and on account of no foreseen merit in them, chooses a certain number of men to be the recipients of special grace and of eternal salvation.” Or “God’s eternal purpose to save some of the human race in and by Jesus Christ.” (Berkhof, pg.114 Summary of Christian Doctrine or Systematic Theology)
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Irresistible Grace
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Those whom God has chosen for eternal life will come to faith and thus to salvation. The elect come to faith by the Spirit’s effectual call. Grace changes your nature giving you the ability to choose Him.
John 6:37: All that the Father gives to me will come to me…. 10:26-27: you don’t believe because you’re not my sheep… my sheep here and come… Acts 13:48: “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed…” |
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Berkhof on Reprobation
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Reprobation – “That eternal decree of God whereby He has determined to pass some men by with the operations of His special grace, and to punish them for their sins, to the manifestation of His justice." (Berkhof, 116 Summary of Christian Doctrine or Systematic Theology)
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Are “special revelation” and “Scripture” synonymous?
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These are synonymous terms. Although in the past God has revealed Himself through theophanies and direct communications (Heb 1:1-2), now His special revelation is found in Scripture.
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According to the PCA Creation Study Committee, what was the intention of the Westminster Assembly's use of "in the space of six days"?
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Three way tie:
1) the assembly intended to advocate a Calendar day view; 2) the assembly did not intend to exclude any view other than Augustine’s instantaneous view – a view which Calvin also excluded; 3) the assembly wished to express no more and no less than what Scripture expresses in the phrase “in six days” (Ex 20:11 & 31:17). |
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Perseverance of the Saints
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Those who are genuine believers will be preserved in their faith to the end. By God’s grace and perseverance, those who genuinely come to trust in Christ, despite their weaknesses, are preserved in the faith till the end.
Jn 10:28-29 I give them eternal life… they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand… [nor] out of the Father’s hand. Rom. 8:28-37: All things work together for good for those…. we are more than conquerors Phil. 1:6: He who began a good work… will be faithful to complete it…. |
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Where does Westminster address God & His World?
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WCF 2-5
WLC 7-19 WSC 4-11 |
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What is the meaning of theopneustos? (θεοπνευσος)
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the Greek word found in 2 Tim 3:16 which literally means “breathed out by God.”
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List The “Five Points Of Calvinism.” Where Did They Come From?
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1) Total Depravity 2) Unconditional Election 3) Limited Atonement 4) Irresistible Grace 5) Perseverance of the Saints
They are a summary of the Synod of Dort; in response to the (5) Remonstrance's of Jacob Arminius. |
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Define Inspiration
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God is its Speaker— He is its Author.
“Inspiration is defined as a supernatural providential influence of God’s Spirit upon the human authors which caused them to write what He wished to be written for the communication of revealed truths to others”-J.I. Packer. |
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What is Covenant Theology?
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Covenant Theology is a way of understanding how God relates to mankind. In OT days, 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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Explain Verbal Inspiration
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The influence of the Spirit extends, not merely to the ideas of the human writers but to the very words of Scripture in such a way that God can be spoken of as the speaker of the Word. Scripture therefore is the very words God intends His people to hear, yet it is not mechanically dictated.
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Why is Covenant Theology Important?
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Covenant theology maintains the unity and continuity of the Old and New Testaments and the way God relates to His people in each.
Covenant theology recognizes God's sovereignty over of history as an outworking of His loving grace. Continuity of: 1) the Covenant of Grace – one and the same way of salvation in both the Old and New Testaments, despite different outward requirements. 2) the People of God – One covenant of Grace between God and man, there is one continuous people of God (the church) in the Old and New Testaments. 3) the Covenant Signs – Baptism is the sign of the covenant in the New Testament, just as circumcision was the sign of the covenant in the Old Testament. 4) Households – Whole households are included in God’s redemptive covenant. |
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Define what is meant by Plenary (inspiration)
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Every part of Scripture is inspired; all of it is authoritative and not merely some parts of it. The fullness of the Scriptures are without error in the original manuscripts.
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What determines which books belong in Canon?
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1. God’s self-attesting witness.
2. Internal evidence - agreement of Christ and apostles to OT, language and idiom, consistency of style, comportment of substance, practical power (my sheep hear my voice). 3. External - citation by early church, catalogue of books (e.g., Muratorian canon), |
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Why is the Canon closed?
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The canon is closed because there are no longer Apostles to speak infallibly on matters of faith and practice.
Hebrews 1:1-2 says that the ways which God formerly communicated to His people have ceased, and now he speaks to us through the Son. |
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Canon Formation
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Criterion:
1) Self-Authentication: Life-Changing ability 2) Universal acceptance on the churches 3) Apostolic tie: Written or sanctioned by an apostle Progression 1) Muratorian Cannon (AD 170 - 190) - missing Hebrews & James 2) Athanasius' Easter letter (367) 3) Hippo (393) 4) Carthage (397) |
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Make a case for NT Special Revelation
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The voice of God was heard again in Israel beginning with John the Baptist. It
ceased with the death of the last apostle, John. The early church was conscious of the cessation of revelation. The church fathers testify to this: Clement wrote, "The apostles received the gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ." (1Clement 42:1). This indicates that Clement believed that revelation ceased with the apostles. |
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WCF 1.4 (sufficiency of scripture)
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The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.
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May the authority of Scripture be limited to matters of strictly theological importance? Why not?
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God’s word speaks to all of life, it is sufficient for “every good work,” man must live by it.
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What do we mean by saying the Scriptures are infallible?
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The Scriptures are trustworthy and will not fail to accomplish the task to reveal God and the path of salvation to man.
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WSC #3 What do the Scriptures principally teach?
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The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
2 Tim 1:13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. |
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Discuss “higher criticism” and its effect on biblical authority.
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Sees Bible as just another human literary artifact. It has had a deleterious effect upon people as it denies God’s authority, clarity, necessity, and sufficiency.
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Explain textual criticism and its contribution to biblical authority
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Textual criticism is the science and art of determining which copies contain the correct (original) text of Scripture.
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What is the Textus Receptus?
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The critical text of the KJV Bible’s NT.
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Where does Westminster address the Bible?
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WCF 1
WLC 1-6, 154-160 WSC 3, 88-90 |
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What is a covenant?
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An agreement between persons. A covenant consists of:
1. parties 2. obligations/stipulations 3. promises 4. oaths/vows 5. blessings and curses 6. witnesses. God’s covenant with man is described as a “voluntary condescension on God’s part” (WCF 7). |
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What is the Covenant of Works? Who are its parties?
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(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.
The parties are God and Adam, as well as all the descendants of Adam. |
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Is there a present validity to the Covenant of Works?
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-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?
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(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.
(WLC 31) The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed. |
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Discuss the Covenant of Grace
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1. Gracious = God had no obligation to enter into covenant and his word is the insurance of its validity.
2. Trinitarian = Father elects, Son justifies, Spirit applies effectually 3. Eternal = cannot be broken 4. Particular = only effectual for the elect, not universal in scope 5. One covenant of grace with various administrations (dispensations) |
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Discuss the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. Defend from Scripture.
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WCF 7. 6 & WLC 32 - 35
There is one covenant with different dispensations: Gal 3:14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. There is a distinction between the Old and New (Heb 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.) and the New in this sense replaces the old. |
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Explain and defend with Scripture proofs the orthodox doctrine of the person of Christ.
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(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.
Luke 1:35 = birth of Christ, fully man Col. 2:9= fully God Heb. 1:1-4 = the union of both God and man |
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Briefly discuss the natures of Christ, including:
Was Christ a human person? Does Christ have a soul? |
Yes Christ was a human person with a soul.
(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. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Matt 26:38 - Jesus saying "my soul is very sorrowful" |
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What is kenosis?
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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?
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-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
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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.
Rebuttal - 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:
Arius |
Christ is not the eternal son of God, rather the first created being. Jesus was a heavenly being and an intermediary between God and man – but still a created being.
Rebuttal - John 1:1-14. In the beginning was the Word... Word was with God, Word was God.... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us!! |
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Briefly explain and defend against the challenges to orthodox Christology posed by:
Nestorius |
Christ is divided into two persons, a human and divine.
Rebuttal - Col. 2:9: For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, |
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Briefly explain and defend against the challenges to orthodox Christology posed by:
Apollinarius |
Christ lacked a human soul, rather it was replaced by the logos. Allowed Christ only a divine nature and no human initiative
WSC 22 - “reasonable soul” Luke 1:35 "born of Mary" John 1:1 "became flesh" Luke 2:40,52 "grew, became strong, increased in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man" Luke 23:46 - "Into thy hands I commit my spirit" |
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Briefly explain and defend against the challenges to orthodox Christology posed by:
Eutyches |
Christ only had one nature, a mixture of both human and divine. (implying that Christ was a "third something" made from the mixture of divinity and humanity).
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 continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever. WSC #22 - 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. |
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Are any these early heresies regarding the nature of Christ held today? If so, by whom?
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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.”
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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 person-hood. 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:
Jesus |
he will save his people from their sins
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Define the following name:
Son of Man |
Jesus favorite title for himself, taken from the book of Daniel
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Define the following name:
Christ |
Messiah, the anointed one of God
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Define the following name:
Son of God |
Jesus unique reality as the second member of the trinity
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Define the following name:
Lord |
New Testament designation for Christ as Yahweh.
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Define the following name:
Lamb of God |
Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sins of the world
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How was Christ born?
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Luke 1:26-38 & 2:1-6 Birth of Christ to the virgin Mary
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.
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Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Luke 1:26-38 Birth of Jesus foretold WSC 22 - 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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Trace the revelation of the person and work of Christ from the beginning of the Old Testament.
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promised redeemer in Gen 3:15
prophet, priest, and king temple implements, sacrifices, and laws Angel of the Lord |
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What is the humiliation of Christ?
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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.
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Active = He fulfills the stipulations of the moral law in perfect obedience
Passive= He willingly undergoes the curses of the law for our sakes. |
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What happened in the resurrection of Christ?
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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”
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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?
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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?
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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?
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Someone who buys back another from slavery or bondage of some sort.
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What is the atonement?
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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?
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Yes - Man is spiritually unable (dead) to please God or turn away his wrath by nature. We are enslaved to sin, and God is holy and must punish sin by death. God choosing to elect some to salvation had to provide a means of atoning for their sin by a Redeemer.
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 2 Cor 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Gal 4:3-5 ... we were enslaved...God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. |
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Why isn’t a good life enough to gain salvation?
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Isaiah 53:6 - All like sheep have gone astray...
Ephesians 2:1-10 - dead in trespasses and sins.... grace you have been saved, not a result of works, so that no one may boast |
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Define:
Expiation |
atonement for sins through the death of Christ on the cross as the sacrifice once and for all
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Define:
Propitiation |
turn away/satisfy God’s wrath
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Define:
Reconciliation |
restoring alienated people back into fellowship
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Define:
Redemption |
to buy back at a price
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Define:
Imputation |
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”.
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The nature of the atonement is satisfaction to God for the breaking of the law (Penal Substitution - law is broken, so there must be a punishment.)
The fulfillment of the law is in Christ through His vicarious obedience (active and passive, progressive and climatic), which is accomplished by His work on the cross. Atonement purifies the sinner because of their guilt of sin and Christ’s work on the cross. Removal of guilt and sin, cleaning of heart and conscious before God. Christ became sin for us that we may receive declaration of righteousness from God. - 2 Cor 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Christ became a curse for us that we may avoid the curse - Gal 3:13-14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. |
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What of Christ’s work remains to be done?
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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?
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WCF 8.6 - Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect, in all ages successively from the beginning of the world....
Heb 10:4 - Impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin Promise of the Redeemer looked forward to by OT saints as we look back at the cross |
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Will any for whom Christ died be lost?
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WCF 8.8 - To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same...
John 6:37 All the Father gives will come... I will never cast them out John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, they follow me... they will never perish, no one will snatch them... Romans 8 Therefore no condemnation.... speaks of life in the Spirit and assurance of hope. |
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How is the Covenant of Grace related to the Abrahamic Covenant?
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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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How is the Covenant of Grace related to the Mosaic Covenant?
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The stipulations of the law are given in great detail under this administration of the covenant, regarding sacrifice, worship, and community, as a response to the redemption God achieves on behalf of his people.
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How is the Covenant of Grace related to the Noahic Covenant?
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This administration of the covenant underscores God’s intention not to abandon the work of his hands but to sustain, preserve, and redeem his good creation through families, despite the ongoing presence of sin in the world.
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How does Christ execute the office of a prophet?
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Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. WSC #24
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How does Christ execute the office of a priest?
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Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. WSC #25
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How does Christ execute the office of a king?
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Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies. WSC #26
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Where does Westminster deal with God's Way of Salvation?
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WCF 7-8
WLC 20, 30-56 WSC 12, 20-28 |
