The Jerusalem Chamber » Podcast

We are told in this paragraph what belongs to synods and councils. We are told that these things belong “ministerially.” What’s that mean? What would the other option be? What are the four reasons for a Synod or Council to act, and what do they mean? How are the decisions to be received? Join Nathan, … More Episode 31.3: The Determinations of Synods and Councils

Within American Presbyterianism why has this paragraph been deleted and within the RPCNA why is it rejected? Why does the confession say it’s lawful for a magistrate to call a Synod and can you give historical examples of this? What does the confession mean by “other fit persons”? What is meant by “consult or advise … More Episode 31.2: Calling the Assemblies of the Church

Why did the Assembly put church discipline before church courts? Why did the congregationalists object to this chapter? Where did Christ give the Apostles authority to establish church government? How do we distinguish between Synods and Councils? How do these assemblies contribute to the better government of the church? The edification of the church? Tune … More Episode 31.1: The Government of the Church

What does “officers of the Church” mean? Can you define admonition, suspension, and excommunication? Do our churches follow this path? How do each serve to meet the end of church discipline? How do those called to, enforce these censures? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 30.4: For the better attaining of … More Episode 30.4: Degrees of Censure

We’ve got a special episode! Dr. David Whitla has recently (slightly) updated and edited the famous work The Sum of Saving Knowledge, and our friends at Crown&Covenant have published it. Tune in to hear Dr. Whitla talk about why this monumental work should still have a place on every Christian’s bookshelf!

How does God use discipline to reclaim an offending brother? What are biblical examples? What are the other reasons for church discipline? Can you give pastoral counsel on these? How can churches grow in doing this well? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 30.3: Church censures are necessary for the reclaiming … More Episode 30.3: The Necessity of Censure

Where do we get the language “keys of the kingdom”? Can you show from the Bible that it’s the officers of the church who exercise the keys? How do you respond to congregationalism? What is meant by retain and remit sins? What’s meant by the absolution of censures? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and … More Episode 30.2: The Keys of the Kingdom

What does the word “censure” mean? What is the distinction between the government of the church and civil government? Can you briefly define and describe different perspectives on church government? What is a church officer? Is the “separation of church and state” biblical? Tune in as Shawn, Nathan, Kyle, and Joel discuss WCF 30.1:

Westminster Confession of Faith 29.8: Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this sacrament, yet they receive not the thing signified thereby; but by their unworthy coming thereunto are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit … More Episode 29.8: Unworthy Participation

Westminster Confession of Faith 29.7: Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or … More Episode 29.7: The Spiritual Presence

Westminster Confession of Faith 29.6: That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine, into the substance of Christ’s body and blood (commonly called transubstantiation) by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant, not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense and reason; overthroweth the nature … More Episode 29.6: Transubstantiation

Where do we find the biblical instruction set the elements of the Lord’s Supper apart? Can you explain the difference between transubstantiation, consubstantiation, and the Reformed view? Are there any teachings that deny the presence of Christ in the Supper? What’s the relationship between the sign and the things signified? What pastoral application is found … More Episode 29.5: Sign and Thing Signified

How does this paragraph fit within the chapter? What is the background justification Rome has used for private masses? Why did Protestants stand against them? What about the denial of the cup? What about worshiping the elements? What do you pastorally do about shut-ins? Should every communicant take both elements? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, … More Episode 29.4: Abuses of the Lord’s Supper

Can you briefly describe how you administer the Lord’s Supper? Why should ministers administer the sacrament? How are each of the actions mentioned here biblical? Why do churches use grape juice? Are things not listed here that can be done? Why are both elements given to participants? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, and our guest … More Episode 29.3 Sacramental Actions

After a slight break — due to the demands of the pastoral ministry — we’re back in the Jerusalem Chamber for an interview with Rev. Dr. Richard Gaffin Jr. on his booklet No Adam, No Gospel. Dr. Gaffin is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and was a former professor of Biblical and … More Special Episode: Interview with Richard Gaffin Jr.

Can you outline for our listeners some of what the Roman Catholic Church teaches regarding their doctrine and practice of Mass? What are the historical precursors to Mass? Why is the Lord’s Supper only for the living? Can you elaborate on the qualities of Christ’s death present in this paragraph? Why is the sacrifice of … More Episode 29.2: The Roman Mass

Why is it important to remember that Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper? What’s the significance that it was instituted on the night he was betrayed? Why is it important that this supper is to be observed until Christ’s return? Why do we need a memorial of Christ’s death? How is the supper a seal of … More Episode 29.1: What is the Lord’s Supper?

Can you give us a quick summary of baptism as a sacrament? What is important about the word “administration”? What’s being refuted by the word “once”? What’s the spiritual significance of “once”? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 28.7: The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered to any … More Episode 28.7: One Baptism

What is the logic of this paragraph in relation to the rest of the chapter? How does this view differ from Rome? How do we balance this with what the Bible says elsewhere about baptism “saving” you? If baptism a means of grace what this paragraph say about the conferring of that grace? What pastoral … More Episode 28.6: Time of Baptism’s Efficacy

What does it mean to “contemn” something, and who contemns baptism? What about neglect? Why is this a great sin? In what other ways to people have a low view of baptism? What’s the relationship between baptism and regeneration? What’s the risk of having too high a view? What pastoral help can you bring from … More Episode 28.5: Too Low and High A View of Baptism