OPC Ordination Exam Questions and
Answers
Question 1
How did Peter receive the writings of Paul? What does this have to do with the
discussion of canon?
Correct Answer
1 Peter 3:15-16. He gives it equal authority as Scripture. This shows that the canon
was formed naturally and organically from the time of the apostles and onward.
Authentic writings were distributed and received as the Word of God.
Question 2
Scripture proofs for God's immutability:
Correct Answer
Mal 3:6 I change not, therefore you are not consumed
-James 1:17 no variation or shadow due to change
Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Question 3
What is baptism?
Correct Answer
Baptism is a sacrament, wherein by the washing of water in the name of the F, S,
and HG, does signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the
benefits of the covenant of Grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's
Question 4
If God's sovereignty compatible with human responsibility?
Correct Answer
Another mystery, but yes. Acts 2:23, "This Jesus, delivered up according to the
definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of
lawless men."
Page 1 of 29
,Question 5
Defend the unipersonality of Christ from Scripture.
Correct Answer
Jesus never addresses himself with "I" and "Thou" distinction, never uses plural.
Romans 1:3-4 and Phil 2:6-11 speaks of both the human and the divine nature, yet
refers to one person.
The one person is spoken of in terms true of either nature (communicato
idiomatum). Human attributes predicated of the divine title, Acts 20:28, "care for the
church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." Divine attributes predicated
of the human title, Romans 9:5, "To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race,
according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen."
Question 6
What is total inability?
Correct Answer
The effect of original sin on man's spiritual powers. John 6:44, "No one can come to
me unless the Father who sent me draws him."
Question 7
What is the difference between opera ad intra and opera ad extra.
Correct Answer
A theological distinction about the works of God, where the former do not
terminate on the creature, but the latter do and are thus manifested outwardly.
Question 8
In what ways does God reveal himself?
Correct Answer
Generally, which is through the created order (including our conscience!) Psalm
19:1; Romans 1. And more specifically through special revelation Psalm 19:7, "The
Law of the Lord is perfect..."
Page 2 of 29
, Question 9
Did God decree sin?
Correct Answer
YES.
Gen. 50:20 "You meant it for Evil God meant it for good"
Acts 2:23 Christ crucified according to God's plan
Isaiah 45:7 I create light and form darkness
Eph 1:11, "him who works all things according to cthe counsel of his will."
Question 10
What does "homoiusious" mean?
Correct Answer
Of similar substance.
Question 11
What Is "Covenant Theology?" Why Is It Important?
Correct Answer
-CT is a way of understanding how God relates to mankind.
-CT sees the Bible as telling one story of God successively dealing with people on
the basis of covenant relationship.
-CT emphasizes unity of Scripture.
Question 12
Did Jesus have two wills?
Correct Answer
Yes. Two nature=two wills, one belonging to each nature, the divine and the human.
To deny Christ a human will would be paramount to denying him a human nature--
and whatever Christ did not assume He did not redeem. The dual nature/will is a
mystery, but one that is unapologetically presented in Scripture. Hence Jesus can
know things omnisciently (John 2:25, "...for he himself knew what was in man") and
also be ignorant of other facts like His Second Coming (Mark 13:32).
Page 3 of 29
Answers
Question 1
How did Peter receive the writings of Paul? What does this have to do with the
discussion of canon?
Correct Answer
1 Peter 3:15-16. He gives it equal authority as Scripture. This shows that the canon
was formed naturally and organically from the time of the apostles and onward.
Authentic writings were distributed and received as the Word of God.
Question 2
Scripture proofs for God's immutability:
Correct Answer
Mal 3:6 I change not, therefore you are not consumed
-James 1:17 no variation or shadow due to change
Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Question 3
What is baptism?
Correct Answer
Baptism is a sacrament, wherein by the washing of water in the name of the F, S,
and HG, does signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the
benefits of the covenant of Grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's
Question 4
If God's sovereignty compatible with human responsibility?
Correct Answer
Another mystery, but yes. Acts 2:23, "This Jesus, delivered up according to the
definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of
lawless men."
Page 1 of 29
,Question 5
Defend the unipersonality of Christ from Scripture.
Correct Answer
Jesus never addresses himself with "I" and "Thou" distinction, never uses plural.
Romans 1:3-4 and Phil 2:6-11 speaks of both the human and the divine nature, yet
refers to one person.
The one person is spoken of in terms true of either nature (communicato
idiomatum). Human attributes predicated of the divine title, Acts 20:28, "care for the
church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." Divine attributes predicated
of the human title, Romans 9:5, "To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race,
according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen."
Question 6
What is total inability?
Correct Answer
The effect of original sin on man's spiritual powers. John 6:44, "No one can come to
me unless the Father who sent me draws him."
Question 7
What is the difference between opera ad intra and opera ad extra.
Correct Answer
A theological distinction about the works of God, where the former do not
terminate on the creature, but the latter do and are thus manifested outwardly.
Question 8
In what ways does God reveal himself?
Correct Answer
Generally, which is through the created order (including our conscience!) Psalm
19:1; Romans 1. And more specifically through special revelation Psalm 19:7, "The
Law of the Lord is perfect..."
Page 2 of 29
, Question 9
Did God decree sin?
Correct Answer
YES.
Gen. 50:20 "You meant it for Evil God meant it for good"
Acts 2:23 Christ crucified according to God's plan
Isaiah 45:7 I create light and form darkness
Eph 1:11, "him who works all things according to cthe counsel of his will."
Question 10
What does "homoiusious" mean?
Correct Answer
Of similar substance.
Question 11
What Is "Covenant Theology?" Why Is It Important?
Correct Answer
-CT is a way of understanding how God relates to mankind.
-CT sees the Bible as telling one story of God successively dealing with people on
the basis of covenant relationship.
-CT emphasizes unity of Scripture.
Question 12
Did Jesus have two wills?
Correct Answer
Yes. Two nature=two wills, one belonging to each nature, the divine and the human.
To deny Christ a human will would be paramount to denying him a human nature--
and whatever Christ did not assume He did not redeem. The dual nature/will is a
mystery, but one that is unapologetically presented in Scripture. Hence Jesus can
know things omnisciently (John 2:25, "...for he himself knew what was in man") and
also be ignorant of other facts like His Second Coming (Mark 13:32).
Page 3 of 29
