What matters would the Westminster Assembly regard as ecclesiastical as opposed to civil affairs? What does intermeddle mean in this context? What specific biblical passages guide Presbyterianism in its understanding of separation between churc

Episode 31.4: The Fallible Church

10 days ago

How can synods and councils err? What are examples of the “many” that have erred? How can we use decisions of synods and councils as a help to our faith? Join Nathan, Joel, Shawn, and Kyle as they discuss WCF 31.4: All synods or councils since

Episode 31.3: The Determinations of Synods and Councils

Mar 19th, 2024 54m 48s

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

Episode 31.2: Calling the Assemblies of the Church

Feb 20th, 2024 47m 24s

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 co

Episode 31.1: The Government of the Church

Feb 8th, 2024 55m 10s

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 Counci

Episode 30.4: Degrees of Censure

Jan 30th, 2023 47m 7s

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

Interview With David Whitla

Jan 23rd, 2023 53m 14s

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

Episode 30.3: The Necessity of Censure

Jan 17th, 2023 52m 43s

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, Shaw

Episode 30.2: The Keys of the Kingdom

Dec 13th, 2022 47m 25s

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 abs

Episode 30.1: Ecclesiastical Government

Nov 29th, 2022 49m 47s

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

Episode 29.8: Unworthy Participation

Nov 8th, 2022 42m 17s

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

Episode 29.7: The Spiritual Presence

Oct 19th, 2022 58m 25s

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 Ch

Episode 29.6: Transubstantiation

Oct 4th, 2022 54m 45s

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

Episode 29.5: Sign and Thing Signified

Apr 4th, 2022 50m 47s

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

Episode 29.4: Abuses of the Lord’s Supper

Jan 18th, 2022 52m 28s

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 pas

Episode 29.3 Sacramental Actions

Jan 4th, 2022 51m 12s

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

Special Episode: Interview with Richard Gaffin Jr.

Oct 28th, 2021 58m 35s

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 Pre

Episode 29.2: The Roman Mass

Jun 29th, 2021 54m 29s

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 q

Episode 29.1: What is the Lord’s Supper?

Jun 9th, 2021 46m 21s

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

Episode 28.7: One Baptism

Jun 1st, 2021 39m 5s

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

Episode 28.6: Time of Baptism’s Efficacy

May 26th, 2021 45m 54s

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 paragra

Episode 28.5: Too Low and High A View of Baptism

May 18th, 2021 42m 9s

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

Episode 28.4: Who Should Be Baptized?

May 11th, 2021 54m 18s

How do we know that those who profess faith should be baptized? Why is “obedience” to Christ important too? What connection is there between baptism and church membership? What is the Bible’s teaching on infant membership in the church? What ar

Episode 28.3: The Mode of Baptism

May 4th, 2021 36m 59s

Why is the mode of baptism important? Who might disagree that baptism is for the church today? What movement is this paragraph addressing? What is some of the biblical language translated as “baptism” or “baptize”? What does the mode of baptism

Episode 28.2: The Manner of Baptism

Mar 2nd, 2021 40m 52s

Is the element of water necessary to baptism? Rome includes other things with their water in baptism is that appropriate? What does water represent in the Bible? What is meant and why is baptism into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Hol