1. What does the word ecclesia mean? Ecclesia means called out ones.
2. Give the interpretations of the meaning of Jesus' use of church in Matt. 16:18. Which do you believe and why? Jesus meant that He would build His church, meaning His kind of assembly. He could have been referring to "one" church, to a "universal" church, or to just "a" church, but He seems to be inferring that He meant His "kind" of church, or assembly.
3. Explain the interpretations of (1) rock, (2) keys, and (3) loosing and binding. First, rock has the dual meaning of Peter, indicating with man, and also message, meaning that He would use man to build His church based on the truth of the message. Second, keys, plural, probably refer to the truthes of the message. Third, binding and loosing probably continues the analogy and refers to foundational truth.
4. Give the technical meanings of the word "church" in Scripture. First, the church is His body. Second, the church is an unassembled assembly. Third, the church is an assembled assembly. Fourth, there are some assemblies which do not belong to Christ. Fifth, the church can refer to more than one church.
5. List the seven pictures of the church in Scripture and give the primary meaning of each. First, the church is the body of Christ. Second, the church is the temple of God. Third, the church is the bride of Christ. Fourth, the church is the flock of God. Fifth, the church is the garden of God. Sixth, the church is the family of God. Seventh, the church is a priesthood.
6. Give the theological definition of the church. First, the church is an assembly of professing believers. Second, the unique presence of Jesus Christ dwells within a church. Third, a church is under the discipline of the Word of God. Fourth, the church is organized to carry out the Great Commission. Fifth, the church administers the ordinances. Sixth, the church reflects spiritual gifts.
7. What are the different interpretations of I Cor. 12:13? Which do you accept and why?
8. What are the views of when the church began? What are the arguments for each? Which do you accept and why? First, the church began with the saints of the Old Testament. The Old Testament was the Old Covenant. The church is the New Covenant. They do not have any commonality. Second, the church began with the ministry of John the Baptist. John the Baptist was not the main thrust of the church. Besides that, his baptism was not the Christian baptism. Third, the church began with the public ministry of Jesus Christ. Entrance into the spiritual church was not possible until Christ died. Starting the physical church with His public ministry would not be consistent with that idea. Fourth, the church began somewhere in the Book of Acts as an eighth dispensation. Dispensationalists adopt this view, but it does not account for the days between Calvary and Pentecost. Fifth, the church began on the Day of Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came upon those believers assembled at Jerusalem, the church began. This view is appealing, but it also does not logically account for the days between Calvary and Pentecost. Sixth, the church began at Calvary when Christ provided salvation. This view seems most logical since Calvary is the focal point between the Old and the New Covenants. With this view, the church was merely manifested on the Day of Pentecost.
1. List the three types of church government. What is the strength of each?
2. Why is a church independent? The church is independent because every believer is indwelled by Christ, every believer is free to interpret Scriptures, the believer is responsible for correct doctrine and purity of life, and churches are independent (self-supporting, self-propagating, and self-governing). Figures in the New Testament also reflect an independent church.
3. Why should a church fellowship with other churches? Church fellowship puts forth a good step toward church growth, shows the unity that Christ sought in prayer, shows a recognition of leaders, demonstrates cooperation during times of trial and persecution, increases the vision for everyone, and creates a sense of identification.
4. Why should a church be organized? A church should be organized to establish times to meet, to make critical decisions for the body, to collect money for the Lord's work, to be established in a way that can help widows, and to perform the ordnances.
5. Who should join a local church and what should be the basis for joining a church? The basis for church membership is profession, baptism by immersion, knowledge of critical doctrine, and proper moral standards. Those who qualify to join should so that they can become involved with a local assembly and start to work for the Lord.
6. List the seven titles for pastor. What is the basic function that relates to each title? First, elder is a man of spiritual maturity who teaches and leads the flock. Second, bishop involves overseeing the needs of the flock. Third, shepherd is the gift of pastoring and involves leading, feeding, and tending to the needs of the flock. Fourth, preacher proclaims the Gospel to those in the assembly. Fifth, teacher explains or teaches the Bible. Sixth, servant is one who ministers to the needs of all. Seventh, messenger tells God's revelation.
7. What is ordination, and who should be ordained? Ordination is the "laying on of hands" on an individual by church leaders. Men who have been called by God should be ordained, those who meet the New Testament qualifications should be ordained, and those who demonstrate the gift of leadership should be ordained.
8. What is a deacon, and what is his function? A deacon is a servant. They take responsibility for the routine labors of the church. They smooth relationships, they lead others in the church, and they provide counsel and cooperation to the pastor.
9. Who should be a deacon? Those who are called by God into that ministry, if they are qualified.
10. Who are evangelists? Evangelists are gospelizers. They bring good tidings, but being an evangelist is not a church office.
11. What is baptism and why should a person be immersed? Baptism is the initial ordnance for believers, it is an outward sign of the inward change in the believer's heart, and it follows the example of Jesus.
12. What is the Lord's Table and what are the benefits for partaking? The Lord's Table is the practicing of the ordnance of Communion. Christians are to partake of the body and blood of Christ, in a symbolic ceremony, where they remember the death of Christ until He returns. Two benefits of this ordnance are fellowship and identification with other believers.
Tom of Spotswood "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lessons 22, 23, 24, & 25 - Eschatology
Send email to: tlee6040@aol.com