BCO: A - Preface and Principles

Question 1

Who is the head of the church? How does he exercise his authority?

Answer 1

Christ alone is the head of the church.

He exercises His authority and governs by His Word and Spirit and has appointed officers to guide His church by following His Word and Spirit.

Question 2

List at least 2 key principles of Presbyterian church government.

Answer 2

1. God alone is Lord of the conscience.
2. Every church, or body, has the right to determine its qualifications for its members.
3. Christ himself has appointed officers in his church.
4. Godliness is founded on truth.
5. Teachers should be sound in the faith.
6. Each particular body has a right to elect its own officers.
7. Church power is only ministerial and declarative and therefore not legislative
8. Church discipline must be purely moral and spiritual in nature and therefore not civil.

Question 3

Can the church “bind” men’s consciences? Why or why not?

Answer 3

All church power is “only ministerial and declarative”; “no church judicatory may make laws to bind the conscience.” God has set the standard and human courts are fallible, along with the church’s power being purely moral and spiritual, declarative and ministerial.

Question 4

What is the constitution of the PCA?

Answer 4

All the following as adopted by the Church and subject to the Scriptures:

• Westminster Confession of Faith (Doctrinal standards)
• Larger & Shorter Catechisms
• The Book of Church Order, consisting of Form of Government, the Rules of Discipline and the Directory of Worship