EPC ORDINATION EXAM -- BOOK OF
ORDER. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
What is the Constitution of the EPC? - ANS Westminster standards, Book of Order, Essentials
of Our Faith
What does the Book of Order consist of? - ANS Book of Government, Book of Discipline, Book
of Worship
What is the purpose of the visible church? (BG 1.3) - ANS Gathering and perfecting the saints
Who are the members of the visible church? (BG 1.3) - ANS All persons who profess Jesus as
Lord and Savior and submit to him, along with their children
What four things are said to bind the visible church in its essential unity? (BG 1.5) - ANS 1)
Scriptural discipline
2) Word rightly proclaimed
3) Sacraments properly observed
4) Loving fellowship maintained
What is the Presbyterian form of government? (BG 2.1) - ANS By elders, ruling and teaching,
in courts in regular gradation
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Who are the officers of the church? (BG 2.2) - ANS Teaching elders, ruling elders, deacons
What are the courts of the church? (BG 2.3) - ANS Session, presbytery, General Assembly
What is to be the ratio of representation at Presbytery and General Assembly of Ruling Elders to
Teaching Elders? (BG 2.3) - ANS 2 ruling elders to 1 teaching elder
What is the power of the church? (BG 3.1) - ANS Moral and spiritual
Where do the powers of the church reside? (BG 3.1) - ANS In the church courts, not in
individuals
How must the powers of the church be exercised? (BG 3.1) - ANS For proclamation,
administration, and enforcement of Scriptural laws
What are the two kinds of powers of the church? (BG 3.2) - ANS 1) Order (ordained ministry)
2) Jurisdiction (governance by courts)
What is the purpose of the powers of the church? (BG 3.3) - ANS To edify God's people,
promote the faith in the church, evangelize the world
What does a particular church consist of? (BG 4.1) - ANS All professing Christians with their
children who live their faith
What is the primary privilege and duty of a particular church? (BG 4.2) - ANS Worship God
regularly
What is the primary work of the church? (BG 4.3) - ANS Evangelism at home and abroad
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Summarize the church's responsibilities for the children. (BG 4.4,6) - ANS To promote true
religion in the home: learning the Word of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Is it required for a church to have a Board of Deacons? (BG 4.8) - ANS No
Who alone has the right to organized, dissolve, dismiss or receive a particular church? (BG 5.1) -
ANS Presbytery
What is the difference between a mission church and an organized church? (BG 5.2) -
ANS Has no permanent governing body
How may Presbytery organize a church? (BG 5.3A) - ANS Directly or through a commission
What does it mean to "receive" another church? (BG 5.4) - ANS From another body or from
independency desires to join the EPC; petitions the Presbytery by a delegation; promises to
promote purity and peace
What does it mean to "dissolve" a church? (BG 5.5) - ANS When a congregation ceases to
exist or is dissolved the property remaining goes to the Presbytery; remaining members are
commended to another congregation by Presbytery.
What does it mean to "dismiss" a church? (BG 5.6) - ANS To another body or to
independence; Session notifies Presbytery of desire; calls meeting, motion put and discussed;
recess 3-6 months; reconvene, motion put and discussed; must pass by 2/3 vote, written ballot
What are the three classes of membership, what are their respective requirements, and what
rights does each class entitle one to? - ANS 1) Confirmed: baptized, made profession of faith,
and admitted by Session; may participate in governing and voting
2) Baptized: those whose parents in good standing; may receive baptism
3) Affiliate: separated geographically (school, military), for one year, renewable; rights of
confirmed members except may not vote or hold office
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
ORDER. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND UPDATED)
What is the Constitution of the EPC? - ANS Westminster standards, Book of Order, Essentials
of Our Faith
What does the Book of Order consist of? - ANS Book of Government, Book of Discipline, Book
of Worship
What is the purpose of the visible church? (BG 1.3) - ANS Gathering and perfecting the saints
Who are the members of the visible church? (BG 1.3) - ANS All persons who profess Jesus as
Lord and Savior and submit to him, along with their children
What four things are said to bind the visible church in its essential unity? (BG 1.5) - ANS 1)
Scriptural discipline
2) Word rightly proclaimed
3) Sacraments properly observed
4) Loving fellowship maintained
What is the Presbyterian form of government? (BG 2.1) - ANS By elders, ruling and teaching,
in courts in regular gradation
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Who are the officers of the church? (BG 2.2) - ANS Teaching elders, ruling elders, deacons
What are the courts of the church? (BG 2.3) - ANS Session, presbytery, General Assembly
What is to be the ratio of representation at Presbytery and General Assembly of Ruling Elders to
Teaching Elders? (BG 2.3) - ANS 2 ruling elders to 1 teaching elder
What is the power of the church? (BG 3.1) - ANS Moral and spiritual
Where do the powers of the church reside? (BG 3.1) - ANS In the church courts, not in
individuals
How must the powers of the church be exercised? (BG 3.1) - ANS For proclamation,
administration, and enforcement of Scriptural laws
What are the two kinds of powers of the church? (BG 3.2) - ANS 1) Order (ordained ministry)
2) Jurisdiction (governance by courts)
What is the purpose of the powers of the church? (BG 3.3) - ANS To edify God's people,
promote the faith in the church, evangelize the world
What does a particular church consist of? (BG 4.1) - ANS All professing Christians with their
children who live their faith
What is the primary privilege and duty of a particular church? (BG 4.2) - ANS Worship God
regularly
What is the primary work of the church? (BG 4.3) - ANS Evangelism at home and abroad
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Summarize the church's responsibilities for the children. (BG 4.4,6) - ANS To promote true
religion in the home: learning the Word of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Is it required for a church to have a Board of Deacons? (BG 4.8) - ANS No
Who alone has the right to organized, dissolve, dismiss or receive a particular church? (BG 5.1) -
ANS Presbytery
What is the difference between a mission church and an organized church? (BG 5.2) -
ANS Has no permanent governing body
How may Presbytery organize a church? (BG 5.3A) - ANS Directly or through a commission
What does it mean to "receive" another church? (BG 5.4) - ANS From another body or from
independency desires to join the EPC; petitions the Presbytery by a delegation; promises to
promote purity and peace
What does it mean to "dissolve" a church? (BG 5.5) - ANS When a congregation ceases to
exist or is dissolved the property remaining goes to the Presbytery; remaining members are
commended to another congregation by Presbytery.
What does it mean to "dismiss" a church? (BG 5.6) - ANS To another body or to
independence; Session notifies Presbytery of desire; calls meeting, motion put and discussed;
recess 3-6 months; reconvene, motion put and discussed; must pass by 2/3 vote, written ballot
What are the three classes of membership, what are their respective requirements, and what
rights does each class entitle one to? - ANS 1) Confirmed: baptized, made profession of faith,
and admitted by Session; may participate in governing and voting
2) Baptized: those whose parents in good standing; may receive baptism
3) Affiliate: separated geographically (school, military), for one year, renewable; rights of
confirmed members except may not vote or hold office
@2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
