Past Ordination Questions

Front 1

Where would you turn to give the Biblical rational for baptising infant?

Back 1

Gen 17:7 - covenant promise

Deut 6:7 - Teach children as covenant members

2 Chronicles 20:13 & Joel 2:16 - children stood by parents before God as God's gathered people.

Acts 2:38-42(*39) -The promise of baptism for children

Acts 10/11 - Household baptisms

1 Corinthians 7:14 - Children are holy under a believing parent.

Colossians 2:9-15 - Circumcision to baptism (Rom 4:9-13)

Ephesians 1:1 Paul calls children saints
Ephesians 6:1 Children are to obey their parents IN Christ.

Front 2

What is the relationship between the passover and the Lord's Supper?

Back 2

The Lord's Supper is the New Covenant sacrament in place of the passover meal.
Passover looked forward to the atoning sacrifice of the lamb (Christ).
(Elements - Bread, Bitter Herbs, & Lamb)
The Lord's Supper looks back to Christ's atoning sacrifice.
(Elements - Bread & Wine)

Front 3

Where would you turn to tell Christians to be citizens of this world?

Back 3

Romans 13 & 1 Peter 2

Front 4

How would you counsel someone lacking understanding in assurance of salvation?

Back 4

I would remind them that assurance is a benefit of this life that flows from justification, adoption, and sanctification.
Reference Hebrews 10:19-22 (Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.)
It is ok to doubt. Assurance is not necessary for salvation.

Front 5

What are the factors involved in assurance & salvation?

Back 5

The WCF 18.2 says, “This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God, which the Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.”

Front 6

How would you counsel someone who says, "I have fallen out of love."

Back 6

"Love" is more than a feeling. Marriage is a covenant relationship through life.
See Eph 5

Front 7

Summarise the relationship between the OT & NT

Back 7

The NT is part of God's unfolding redemptive plan that shifted at the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.

Front 8

Discuss the closing of the canon with a Muslim & a Mormon.

Back 8

The Canon is closed. It is closed because the Holy Spirit inspired the church’s apostles during the apostolic age to write and lay the foundation for the church to come. This inspiration ceased at the time of the passing away of the apostolic office.

The criteria for canonicity include at least the following:

Apostolicity – Written either by and apostle or an associate of an apostle under the direction of an apostle.

Catholicity – Nearly a universal acceptance and usage of the writing among the early church.

Orthodoxy- Consistent with the teaching of the Old Testament and other widely accepted Christian writings (scripture) from the apostles.

Liturgical Use – These books/letters were read publicly along with the Old Testament in early Christian church gatherings (worship services).

Front 9

Justify the NT scripture authority to the Jews

Back 9

.

Front 10

Does the OT itself look forward to a New Covenant?

Back 10

Yes, see Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36

Front 11

Apply the Covenant of Works and Covenant of Grace to your current ministry situation

Back 11

.

Front 12

What is important about the doctrine of creation?

Back 12

All creation was created good.
Man, male and female were created in the image of God to be vice-regents over all creatures.
It is also important to believe in a historical Adam & Eve.

Front 13

What is the image of God? What happened to it after the Fall?

Back 13

Man being made in the image of God means that in some way man(kind) reflects, is in the same likeness, and acts as a vice regent of God.
Genesis 1:26-27;
Ephesians 4:24;
Colossians 3:10;
and James 3:9

After the Fall,
In the narrow sense of the IOG (man's righteousness, and holiness) was lost.
In the broad sense of the IOG (man's rationality, moral sensitivity, relationships with others, and appreciation of the good, just, and beautiful) was marred.

Front 14

What is special grace and common grace?

Back 14

Special grace - God's saving grace only on the elect.
Common grace - God's general grace on all creation, elect and non-elect.

Front 15

Is it good to speak of common grace?

Back 15

Yes.

Front 16

How would you detect an antinomal? How would you deal with them?

Back 16

Ask if they believe that they should still obey the 10 Commandments (moral law/old covenant/Mosaic covenant).
If they said no, I would take them to Galatians and show them that the law is still good and that it acts as a tutor the points us to Christ.

Front 17

Define and differentiate the baptism and fillings of the Holy Spirit?

Back 17

Baptism - One time, at creation.
Fillings - ongoing throughout a believer's life.

Front 18

What is the Order of Solidis?

Back 18

Election
Effectual Calling
Regeneration
Conversation
Justification
Adoption
Sanctification
Glorification

Front 19

What is Justification?

Back 19

Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all out sins, and accepteth us as righteousness in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Eph 1:7
2 Cor 5:21
Romans 5
Galatians 2:16

Front 20

What is Sanctification?

Back 20

Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby
1. We are renewed in the whole man after the image of God,
2. And are enabled more and more to die unto sin
3. And live unto righteousness

2 Thess 2:13
Eph 4:23-24 (Put on the New Self)
Roman 6:4-6 & 8:1

Front 21

What is the relationship between justification & sanctification?

Back 21

Justification is a one time act of God's free grace.
Sanctification is an ongoing work of God's free grace.

Front 22

Would you preform a baptism on a dying infant? And what is the historic Reformed practice in this area.

Back 22

If the session decided to hold a worship service in the hospital for that child and invited some members of the congregation to join them.

Front 23

If baptism essential for salvation?

Back 23

No, but it is a grave sin to prolong baptism.

Front 24

What is baptism?

Back 24

Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace and our engagement to the Lord's.
Matthew 28:19
Romans 6:3-4

Front 25

Is Christ present in the Lord's Supper? If so, how?

Back 25

Yes, Christ is really present. Spiritually present.

Front 26

View on paedo-communion?

Back 26

I do not believe in practicing paedo-communion.

Front 27

How would you fence the table? What would you say?

Back 27

Fencing the table is the elders responsibility that, “the ignorant and scandalous are not to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper” (BCO 58.2). The teaching elder should mention that the table is only for those baptized and professing Christians in good standing at their local church, along with warning members that they ought not to partake the Supper in an unworthy manner.

Front 28

Share and incident in church history and how we can learn from it? Reformation and early church?

Back 28

Early Church - All the first Ecumenical Church Councils and the importance of having a correct Christology and ability to know heresy when we see it.
Reformation - Conversations between Calvin & ... about the Lord's Supper at ... and the outcome being an understanding of the Real Presence of Christ being spiritually at the partaking of the Lord's Supper.

Front 29

What is your view on the regulative principle? How is that to be applied in your church?

Back 29

I believe that scripture regulates are worship.
All that we do in our service is regulated by scripture.

Front 30

What is the biggest challenge to your ministry? In the PCA?

Back 30

Our church - church membership and the view of membership in Orange County and the regular attendance of members.

PCA - Feminism, the lack of men leading in the church, and then ministers focusing too much on the minors of theology that they don't spend enough encouraging one another in the central work of worship and proclaiming the gospel.

Front 31

What do you like about the PCA?

Back 31

Faith to the Scripture
True to the Reformed Faith
Obedient to the Great Commission.

Front 32

What is the role of women in a worship service?

Back 32

The minister(s) should lead the worship service and should be assisted by the ordained officers.
Women should participate as full members of the church in studying the Word, signing, praying, and taking communion.
If they ask further, I think it is ok for a woman to sing in on the music team, play instruments, pray, and read the Bible.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
BCO 50 - Doesn't say that a woman cannot read the Bible publicly.
WLC 156?- Doesn't say that a woman cannot read the Bible publicly, and
- Mention that the Bible never speaks of women being allowed to partake of the Lord's Supper, but from what we know of Scripture we include them in the Supper. The same would be true for my view of women reading the Bible publicly.

Front 33

What are the 9 standards from the PCA about the Federal Vision? Do you agree with them?

Back 33

1. The view that rejects the bi-covenantal structure of Scripture as represented in the Westminster Standards (i.e., views which do not merely take issue with the terminology, but the essence of the first/second covenant framework) is contrary to those Standards.

2. The view that an individual is “elect” by virtue of his membership in the visible church; and that this “election” includes justification, adoption and sanctification; but that this individual could lose his “election” if he forsakes the visible church, is contrary to theWestminster Standards.

3. The view that Christ does not stand as a representative head whose perfect obedience and satisfaction is imputed to individuals who believe in him is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

4. The view that strikes the language of “merit” from our theological vocabulary so that the claim is made that Christ’s merits are not imputed to his people is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

5. The view that “union with Christ” renders imputation redundant because it subsumes all of Christ’s benefits (including justification) under this doctrinal heading is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

6. The view that water baptism effects a “covenantal union” with Christ through which each baptized person receives the saving benefits of Christ’s mediation, including regeneration, justification, and sanctification, thus creating a parallel soteriological system to the decretal system of the Westminster Standards, is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

7. The view that one can be “united to Christ” and not receive all the benefits of Christ’s mediation, including perseverance, in that effectual union is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

8. The view that some can receive saving benefits of Christ’s mediation, such as regeneration and justification, and yet not persevere in those benefits is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

9. The view that justification is in any way based on our works, or that the so-called “final verdict of justification” is based on anything other than the perfect obedience and satisfaction of Christ received through faith alone, is contrary to the Westminster Standards.

Yes, I agree with these 9 standards.

Front 34

Where in the OT can you defend the regulative principle?

Back 34

Building and worship in the tabernacle in the book of Exodus (Ex 25:40)

2nd Commandment - Ex 20:3-6 / Deut 5:8-10

Lev 10 - The story of Nadab and Abihu and the offering of “strange fire”

1 Sam 15:22 -God rejects Saul's non-prescribed worship- "To obey is better than sacrifice."

Front 35

What are the elements of the passover?

Back 35

Bread, Bitter Herbs, & Lamb

Front 36

Would you accept a Roman Catholic baptism?

Back 36

Yes.
The sacraments become effectual means of salvation
1. Not from any virtue in them.
2. Or in him that doth administer them.
But, only in the blessing of Christ and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.

Roman Catholic baptise in the Triune name of God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
I would not accept a Mormon baptism.

Front 37

Define regeneration?

Back 37

Berkhof defines regeneration as, “That act of God by which the principle of the new life is implanted in man, and the governing disposition of the soul is made holy and the first holy exercise of this new disposition is secured”

In addition to the word “regeneration” found in Matthew 19:28 and Titus 3:8, Scripture also uses the words/phrases “granting of a new heart” in Ezekiel 36:36, “new birth” in John 3:1, “new creation” in 2 Corinthians 5:17, and “being raised from the dead” in Ephesians 2:5.

Front 38

What would you say to a person who didn't want to regularly attend Sunday services?

Back 38

Hebrews 10:25 - Do not neglect to meet together.
Worship is a time that you not only express your worship to God, but that it forms you as a Christian.
It is also a not only for you and your preferences, but your presence is an encouragement to others. You are part of a body that needs each other.

Front 39

Why do we have creeds and confessions? How to they relate to Scripture?

Back 39

Our creeds and confessions are rich doctrinal summaries of good doctrine and help us to understand the Scripture, however, they are subordinate to Scripture and are not innerent and infallible as Scripture is.

Front 40

When was Obediah written?

Back 40

Pre-Exile
To Judah about the doom of Edom, in response to their cruelty to Judah.

Front 41

How does the New Covenant supersede the Old Covenant?

Back 41

All the covenants are part of the great unfolding redemptive plan of God.
The New Covenant came about as Jesus Christ through his life, death, and resurrection (active and passive obedience) fulfilled the Old Covenant then sent his Spirit to permanently dwell in all believers.

Front 42

What is important about the PCA's views on creation?

Back 42

The PCA believes in a historic Adam and Eve.

Front 43

Thoughts on the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Why have some gifts ceased?

Back 43

Gifts are for the encouragement and building up of the body of Christ.
The "miraculous gifts" have since ceased from the time of the Apostolic Age.

Front 44

How important is church membership in partaking the Lord's Supper?

Back 44

All people should be members of the church or another gospel professing church.

Front 45

What are the Steps in church discipline?

Back 45

1. Self-Discipline
2. Instruction in the word
3. Individual's responsibility to admonish one another
4. If the admonition is rejected, then the calling of one or more witnesses must occur.
5. If rejection persists, the the church session must move to suspension (from the Sacraments), excommunication, and deposition.
(Matthew 18)

Front 46

What is the 2 and 3 office view?

Back 46

2 - Elders (TE & RE) & Deacons

Front 47

What in Church history stand out for the edification of the local church?

Back 47

The Ecumenical Church Councils and their fight against Christological heresies. That helps identify them today.

Front 48

How do you preach the gospel to yourself?

Back 48

.

Front 49

How have you been changed by the gospel?

Back 49

.

Front 50

Why do you believe you are called to preach the gospel?

Back 50

.

Front 51

Why do we call Jesus the second Adam?

Back 51

Romans 5:12-21

Front 52

What is the passive and active obedience of Jesus Christ?

Back 52

Passive - Christ's death
Active - Perfect obedience to the Law of God in his life.

Front 53

What is repentance?

Back 53

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, doth, with grief and hatred of sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of and endeavour after new obedience.
Acts 2:39
Joel 2:13

Front 54

What is faith?

Back 54

Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, where by we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he his offered to us in the gospel.
Hebrews 10:39
John 1:12

Front 55

What rolls do repentance and faith play in our Christian lives?

Back 55

.

Front 56

Why must we be regenerated before we can exercise faith?

Back 56

Regeneration precedes faith. God has to do the first work of implanting new life into the elect before faith can be expressed.

You cannot be regenerate without having saving faith.

However, is possible to have dead faith, like the demons in James 2 and not be regenerate.
It is also possible to be and infant that is regenerated and not able to express their faith.

Front 57

How do you explain the Bible, the Confessions, and the Book of Church Order?

Back 57

The Confessions and BCO are subordinate to the Book.

Front 58

What is ordination? And why ordain elders and deacons?

Back 58

Ordination is the authoritative admission of one duly called to an office in the church of God.
Elders and deacons are the officers of the church.

Front 59

Do members need to subscribe to the confessions?

Back 59

No.

Front 60

Why do officers need to subscribe to the standards?

Back 60

Because they are held accountable to lead and serve the church.

Front 61

What questions would you ask parents that want to baptise their children?

Back 61

4 Questions - Do you promise to:
1. Set before them a godly example
2. Pray with and for them
3. Teach them the doctrines of true religion
4. Strive to bring them up in the admonition of the Lord.

Front 62

Apply your sermon to your own life?

Back 62

.

Front 63

As a husband/father how do you lead your family?

Back 63

.

Front 64

Where would you find Lot and his escape?

Back 64

Genesis 14 - Abraham rescues Lot
Genesis 19 - God rescues Lot

Front 65

Civil government in the Bible?

Back 65

Romans 13 & 1 Peter 2

Front 66

Overview Joel?

Back 66

.

Front 67

What does the Book of Malachi speak of?

Back 67

.

Front 68

Where would you find the binding of Satan? what does that mean? Specifically in Eschatologically.

Back 68

Revelation 20
The binding of Satan is Revelation 20 refers the point that he is unable to stop the gospel for being spread across the world. Satan is bound/defeated by the power of Christ’s resurrection (Hebrews 2:14).
Yes, the binding of the strong man in Matthew 12 and Mark 3 is synonymous with the binding of Satan in Revelation 20.

Front 69

What is a covenant?

Back 69

A covenant is relationship of promise between two parties.
Or, a covenant is simply a binding agreement or compact between two or more parties; in legal terms, it is a formal sealed agreement or contract.

Front 70

How did God create man?

Back 70

(WSC 10) God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
Gen 1:26-28
Col 3:10
Eph 4:24

Front 71

What does it mean for God to have dominion over creation?

Back 71

To act as God's vice-regent.
To govern and preserve creation.
NOT to dominate it!

Front 72

How would you minister to a person in your church who is about to have an amputation? Where would you take them in scripture?

Back 72

.

Front 73

How would you respond to parents who want to dedicate, not baptise, their child?

Back 73

Celebrate their desire to dedicate their child to God.
But, I would not baptise their child. I would wrote them to understand the biblical view of infant baptism.

Front 74

Why do you want to be ordained in the PCA?

Back 74

Faithful to the Scripture
True to the Reformed Faith
Obedient to the Great Commission

Front 75

What is the PCA's connection to the church universal?

Back 75

.

Front 76

What is the PCA's connection with the church historically?

Back 76

.

Front 77

Who was Pelagius?

Back 77

Pelagius came to Rome from Britain as monk who was know for his piety and austerity. There Pelagius was shocked by the influence of Augustine’s Confessions, specifically his doctrine of Original Sin. For Augustine, all men were corrupted from original sin and have no hope for salvation except by God’s abundant grace. Pelagius could not come to terms with Augustine’s teaching and denied that all mankind are affected by original sin. For Pelagius, man by he own merit as the ability to follow God’s commands. He saw man as having free wills that were completely autonomous.

Pelagius was condemed at the 3rd Ecumenical Church Council in Ephesus in 431.

Front 78

Who was Arianus? Who stood against him?

Back 78

d. 336. A presbyter from Alexandria. He was an early church heretic who denied the eternality of Jesus as the Son of God as the Logos. And that Christ was the highest of God’s creatures, and not divine. Arius and his heresy of Arianism was deemed a heretic/heresy at the Council of Nicea in 325.

Athanasius stood against him.

Front 79

What is your view on the Sabbath?

Back 79

I am a Reformed Sabbatarian.
The Sabbath is a holy day of REST.
As a holy day of rest, it should be dedicated to the works of piety (public & private), necessity, and mercy. (WCF 21)
OT - Gen 2:2-3 - Creation
Ex 20:8-11/Deut 5:12-15 - 4th Commandment
NT - Matt 5:17-20 - Christ came fulfil the law, not abolish it.
Mark 2:23-28 - Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
Revelation 1:10 - The Lord's Day is Holy

Front 80

How is an ordained man different to a lay member in the church?

Back 80

He has been authoritatively admitted in a call to an office in the church of God. A lay member hasn't.

Front 81

What are the sacraments? Name passages.

Back 81

Baptism
...

The Lord's Supper
...

Front 82

View on the relationship between faith and works?

Back 82

Works are the fruit of faith.

Front 83

What is a sacrament?

Back 83

A sacrament is a holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the New Covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.

Front 84

What makes the sacraments effectual?

Back 84

Not from any virtue in them,
Or in him that doth administer them
But only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
1 Cor 3:7
1 Peter 3:21

Front 85

Where in the Bible do you take people to talk about predestination?

Back 85

The WCF 3:3-4 states, “God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death” and “these angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.”

Front 86

What is your eschatological view? Verses?

Back 86

A-Mil
Rev. 20

Front 87

Do you believe in a historical Adam and Eve?

Back 87

Yes.

Front 88

What is the 4th ordination vow? What does it mean?

Back 88

Submit to your brethen.
In the Session, the Presbytery, and General Assembly.

Front 89

Talk about the Trinity.

Back 89

(WSC 6) There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

- Baptism of Jesus Mt 3, Mk 1, Lk 3
- Matt 28:19 - Great Commission/Baptism
- 1 john 5:7 -"For there are three that testify

Front 90

How many natures are in Jesus?

Back 90

2 - Divine and human

Front 91

How many persons are in Jesus?

Back 91

1

Front 92

Does Jesus have a soul?

Back 92

Yes, Jesus has a true body and a reasonable soul.

Front 93

How many wills does Jesus have?

Back 93

2 - Divine and Human

Front 94

What is the difference between infra and supra lapsarisan?

Back 94

Supralapsarian and infralapsarian views deal with the order of God’s degrees.
Supralapsarian – Election and reprobation both logically occur before (supra) creation, fall and Christ’s coming.
Infralapsarian – Election and reprobation both logically occur after creation and the fall before Christ’s coming.

Front 95

Who can come to the Lord's Table?

Back 95

Baptised believers who have given a profession of faith and are not under church discipline.

Front 96

What is the constitution of the PCA?

Back 96

Westminster Confession of Faith, WLC, WSC, and the BCO (Form of Government, Rules of Discipline, Directory of Worship - only 56, 57, & 58 are binding in the DOW)

Front 97

Who can serve communion?

Back 97

Only the minister can administer communion. I would then state that the best practice is for the elders to serve communion next to the minister.

Front 98

Could Christ have sinned?

Back 98

No, but he was tempted like we are.

Front 99

Should you be baptised in order to take the Lord's Supper?

Back 99

Yes.

Front 100

What is your view on women's ordination?

Back 100

Don't believe in it.

Front 101

What is your view on taking grape juice in place of wine during the Lord's Supper?

Back 101

Encourage all to take wine, even kids, except for those who cannot for conscience or substance abuse reasons.

Front 102

What is your view of intinction?

Back 102

Don't believe in it.