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.
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.
