1. Define the Universal Church. The idea of a universal church was probably popularized by Augustine in "City of God." It is that group composed of all true believers in this present dispensation (Pentecost to Rapture), permanently united by the baptism of the Holy Spirit into vital spiritual union with all believers of this age thus forming His mystical body. It emphasizes the unity of believers and the positional nature of each believer as he stands perfect in Christ. I Corinthians 12:13 is a key verse for the Universal Church.
2. Explain Landmarkism. Landmarkism was developed by J.R. Graves in the 1980s. Landmarkians believe that Jesus established only local Baptist churches and that a person enters the church by water baptism after he believes in Jesus, the Christ. They believe that a church is only established by existing New Testament churches and that the only valid baptism is administered by a representative of a valid New Testament church. Only those who are properly baptized will be with Christ at the Marriage Supper. Those who are saved, but not properly baptized, will only be guests at the Supper. The "Trail of Blood" attempts to trace water baptism from John the Baptist.
3. Give the weaknesses and strengths of Landmarkism. Landmarkism is extremely anti-Universal Church. They deny all reference to the existence of the body of Christ and that of believers dwelling in Him in the heavenlies. They have created a false past and future. They cannot prove water baptism back to John. They cannot prove their beliefs about those at the Marriage Supper. Acts 19:1-6 shows a difference between John's baptism and Christian baptism. Landmark theology often overlooks the importance of carrying out the Great Commission.
4. List the various views of I Corinthians 12:13. The Pentecostal or Holiness View sees the baptism of the Spirit as a second work of grace which happens after salvation. With this view, the belief is that the sin nature is eradicated. The power-for-service view says that the baptism of the Holy Spirit sets a believer apart for special service. The Schofield Reference Bible view says that Spirit baptism places the believer in the Universal Church at the moment of baptism. The water baptism view says that the baptism of the Holy Spirit happens when the believer is placed in the local church by water baptism. The actual body view says that Spirit baptism takes place when believers are placed into Christ's body on Calvary and become partakers of His vicarious, substitutiuonary death.
5. List the views that explain when the Church began. Some believe that the church began with the saints in the Old Testament. Others say that it was with John the Baptist or the public ministry of Jesus. Some say somewhere in Acts 8, 13, or 28, which is hyperdispensationalism. Some say at Calvary, and some say on Pentecost.
6. What view do you accept and why? The church probably began at Pentecost because that is when the Holy Spirit came down. The church could not have begun before Matthew 16:18 or after Acts 2:47. For the church to begin, there had to be a death, a resurrection, an ascension, and the advent of the Holy Spirit. All of these had been done or were done at Pentecost.
7. Explain the three views of the authority of the Church. The Episcopal church government says that there is a single leader, sort of a monarchy. The Congregational church government is run by the votes of the people, and the Representative is run by a board of elders. The Congregational is democratic, and the Representative is like a republic.
8. Give the reasons why a church should be independent. Christ is the head of the church and indwells every believer. The Word of God is the authority for doctrine. The New Testament holds every believer responsible for correct doctrine. The New Testament churches were independent. There should be cooperation between the churches even though they are independent. Cooperation is for growth, unity, efficiency, recognition of leaders, in times of trials and persecution, to increase the vision, and for the sake of identification.
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)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 6 - Church Denominations and Organization
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