PCA Sacraments Ordination Exam

PCA Sacraments Ordination Exam What is a Sacrament? Explain in laymen's terms. Defend with Scripture proofs. WSC #92 - "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." * Romans 4:11 - He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith... * 1 Cor. 10:16-17 - The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. * 1 Cor. 11:26 - For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. How many sacraments are there? Defend with Scripture proofs. WSC #93 - "The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper." * Matthew 26:26-28 - Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. * Matthew 28:19 - Go you therefore and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Does anything really happen in a sacrament? Yes, faith is strengthened and believers are nourished. WCF 27.2 "There is in every sacrament, a spiritual relation, or sacramental union, between the sign and the thing signified: whence it comes to pass, that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other." Cite at least four New Testament references showing parallels between the Old Testament and New Testament sacraments (quote two): Matthew 26 - The Lord's Supper is celebrated as the Passover Meal. Romans 4:11 - Abraham's Circumcision by Faith 1 Corinthians 5:7 - For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Colossians 2:11-12 - In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. Acts 15 - Circumcision is no longer necessary. Of What is baptism a sign and seal? WSC #94 - "Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, dost signify and seal our engrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenants of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's." Where in Scripture are these terms used? Romans 4:11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 2 Cor. 1:21-22 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Ephes. 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. How does the latter term relate to paedo-baptism? Infant baptism is a sign and seal indicating that one has been publicly identified with Christ by his parents and thus is engaged to be the Lord's. One can have confidence that he belongs to Christ if he perseveres in obedience. How is baptism rightly administered? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. WSC #95 "Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized." Acts 2:38-39 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." Would you under any circumstances baptize someone by immersion? Explain. Yes, The essential element of Baptism is the water and the Trinitarian formula. The mode of baptism can be sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, none of which being more preferable, though sprinkling is the traditional form used in Presbyterian circles. That being said, were, someone to express interest in immersion I would want to investigate to insure that they were not deceived into thinking it was somehow a "higher" form of baptism. Who is to be baptized? Defend your answer with Scripture proofs. WSC #95 "Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized." Acts 2:38-39 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 1 Cor. 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. Does baptism actually save the person baptized? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs. No, though it is a great grievance to neglect baptism, the outward sign is not so inextricably linked to the inner reality that one cannot be saved without it. Nor is our confidence in that which is signified and sealed in baptism such that we equate it with salvation. WCF 28.5 "Although it be a great sin to condemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated, or saved, without it or, that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated." WCF 28.6 "The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited, and conferred, by the Holy Spirit, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongs unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in His appointed time." Titus 3:4-6 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior Can a person be baptized more than once? Explain and defend your answer with Scripture proofs. No, a person cannot receive 'valid" Christian baptism more than once. WCF 28.7 "The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered unto any person. " Ephesians 4.5...one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all... How would you handle a request for baptism from a previously baptized Roman Catholic? I would want to spend time meeting to discuss their testimony and understanding of vows with that person understanding their view of baptism and what they were really desiring. I would want to further investigate the manner in which their baptism was administered to see if the name of the Trinity was used and if there was any discernible faith on the part of either parent. Seeing baptism as a sign of our passiveness in salvation I would want to encourage the person to view their belief as God's making effectual the sign and sealing of what was signified. Every baptism is administered and received by fallen human beings and thus is wrought with flaws, the question comes in terms of how egregious those flaws were. After all, the only baptism Calvin received was from the Catholic church. How would you handle a request for baptism from a previously baptized former liberal? Same/similar to above answer. How would you handle a request for baptism from a previously baptized Mormon? I would counsel the person to receive Christian baptism. The reason being that the Mormon church is no church of Christ. Therefore, I would want this person to recognize a definitive break from this false religion and to identify that though the Mormons may use the same words-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-they speak not of the Trinity, but of three god's and manipulations of the true God at that. What is the meaning of the Lord's Supper? * Perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ * Sealing of all the benefits thereof to the true believer. *Spiritual nourishment and growth for the believer.