Ruling Elder Exam

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This Ruling Elder Exam is designed to prepare candidates for ordination to that office in the Presbyterian Church in America. 

Roger Smalling, D.Min

 

BIBLE

These questions should be presented orally to the candidate.

Genesis

Describe the main events and persons of Genesis

Creation: 1-2

Fall of man:   3

Flood:  6-8

Call of Abraham: 12

Sodom and Gomorrah: 18-19

Birth of Isaac:  21

Birth of Jacob and Esau: 25

Slavery of Joseph: 37

Last words of Jacob: 49

 The Ten Commandments

  1. You shall have no other gods before me.
  2. You shall make no images to bow down before them.
  3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
  4. You shall remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
  5. You shall honor your father and your mother.
  6. You shall not commit murder.
  7. You shall not commit sexual immorality.
  8. You shall not steal.
  9. You shall not bear false witness.
  10. You shall not covet.

Principle events of Exodus

Birth of Moses: 2

10 plagues

institution of the Passover: 12

Departure from Egypt/Red Sea

The giving of the Ten Commandments: 20

The tabernacle: 36

Principle events of the Book of Acts

Ascension of Jesus: 1

Pentecost: 2

Peter and John before the council: 4

Election of deacons: 6

Arrest and death of Steven: 7

Conversion of Saul: 9

Peter and Cornelius: 10

Call and first missionary journey of Paul: 13

Jerusalem Council: 15

Paul’s discourse before the Ephesian elders: 20

Arrest of Paul in the temple: 21

Shipwreck: 27

Paul in Rome: 28

Name the book and chapter in the Old Testament where each of the following  quotations are found

And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. —Genesis 15

And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. —Exodus 20

And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. —Deut. 6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. —Psalm 23

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. —Ezekiel 36

Name the book and chapter in the New Testament where each of the follow doctrines is found

Unity of the body of Christ: Ephesians 2 & 4

Relationship between husbands and wives: 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5

Predestination and election: Ephesians 1, Romans 9

Justification by faith: Romans 4 & 5, Galatians 2, 3, & 4

Ordination qualifications of elders and deacons: 1 Timothy 3

The new covenant in Christ: Galatians 3, Hebrews 8

Flesh versus spirit: Galatians 5

Faith of Abraham: Galatians 3

The relationship between faith and works: James 2

Freedom of conscience in minor matters: Romans 14

What passages would you use to minister in the following circumstances?

The references are suggestions

A funeral service: John 14, Revelation 7

A wedding: Ephesians 5

Visiting the sick: James 5

Counseling a couple regarding divorce: Matthew 19

What books or chapters from the New Testament would you use to support the following doctrines?

The triune nature of God: Matthew 28, 2 Corinthians 13

Total depravity, Ephesians 2: Romans 3

The deity of Christ: John 1, Hebrews 1, Colossians 1

The substitutionary death of Christ: Romans 5, Hebrews 9

The importance of regeneration: John 3, James 1, 1 peter 1

Justification by grace alone through faith in Christ: Romans 4, Galatians 2 & 3

The visible return of Christ: Revelation 19, Acts 1, 2 Thessalonians 2

The authority of Scripture: 2 Timothy 3, Peter 1

The value of Old Testament moral law for today: James 1, Romans 3

The nature of the church: Ephesians 2, Colossians 1

In what book and chapter are found the following texts?

  1. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. —Matthew 6
  2. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.—Matthew 28
  3. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. —John 1
  4. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. —John 3
  5. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. — John 10
  6. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ­—John 14
  7. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses… —Acts 1
  8. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. —Acts 4
  9. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6
  10. We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. —Romans 8
  11. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. —2 Corinthians 13
  12. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, —Galatians 5
  13. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. —Ephesians 2
  14. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4
  15. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.—2 Timothy 3
  16. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1

 

BIBLE SURVEY

Book                                                    Content

 

Genesis Creation and origin of the people of God
Exodus Departure from Egypt
Leviticus Sacrifices and feast days
Numbers Census and wandering in the desert
Deuteronomy Second law
Joshua Conquest of the promised land
Judges Cycle of apostasy and redemption
Ruth Love story; ancestor of Jesus
1 & 2 Samuel Origin of Israelite monarchy
1 & 2 Kings History of Israel and division of the kingdoms
1 & 2 Chronicles Reigns of David, Solomon, kings of Judah and captivity
Ezra Return from captivity and building of the temple
Nehemiah Rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem and restoration of worship.
Esther Rescue of the Jews from destruction
Job The sufferings of Job
Psalms The hymn book of Israel
Proverbs Collection of wise sayings
Ecclesiastes Vanity of life without God
Song of Solomon A celebration of marital love
Isaiah Prophecies of redemption
Jeremiah Fall of Israel into captivity
Lamentations A poem lamenting the suffering of Israel in captivity
Ezekiel Judgments against various nations
Daniel Sovereignty of God over nations and kings
Hosea Spiritual adultery of Israel
Joel National repentance of Judah
Amos Five visions of judgments on Judah and Israel for apostasy
Obadiah Against Edom
Jonah Against Nineveh
Micah Moral condition of Israel and Judah; future messianic reign
Nahum Destruction of Nineveh and liberation of Judah from Assyria.
Habakkuk The mystery of providence
Zephaniah Visions of the future glory of Israel
Haggai Rebuke for neglecting the temple
Zechariah Eight visions about the final triumph of the kingdom of God
Malachi Need of reforms and reproaches for negligence in obedience

 
Matthew Promised king and Messiah
Mark Jesus Christ as God’s servant
Luke Jesus Christ as son of man
John Jesus Christ as God the Son
Acts The story of the primitive church
Romans Christian systematic theology and practice
1Corintians Church problems
2Corinthians Paul’s defense of his apostleship
Galatians Justification by faith alone
Ephesians Our benefits of our union with Christ and outworking thereof
Philippians Devotion to Christ in all areas
Colossians The preeminence of Christ
1Thessalonians General counsel; second coming
2Thessalonias Second coming of Christ
1Timothy Counsel to a young pastor
2Timothy Continued counsel and Paul’s goodbye
Titus Instructions to Titus on church organization in Crete
Philemon Mercy for a runaway slave
Hebrews Jesus as high priest
James Practical Christian living
1 peter Victory in suffering; submission to authority
2Peter Against apostasy
1John Security of salvation
2John Avoiding false teachers
3John Christian hospitality
Jude Contending for the faith
Revelation Triumph of the kingdom of God

 

THEOLOGY

Procedure: All the following questions, without exception, should be answered by the candidate. In the next section, taken from the Westminster Confession, the candidate should answer with a simple yes or no. He should not be allowed to elaborate much on his answer, since this will prolong the exam unnecessarily. An opportunity to elaborate will follow later.

If the candidate answers a question incorrectly, the examiner may not present the question again. The examiner should mark the place of error. After finishing the section, the examiner can ask the candidate to elaborate on the questions answered incorrectly. This will reveal if the candidate may have misunderstood the question as posed or if he is in disagreement with the Westminster standards.

If it is found that the candidate is in disagreement with the doctrinal standards, the examination committee will note the fact and make recommendations to the candidate as to further preparation.

Westminster standards

Do you believe that…

  1. God is still revealing today new doctrinal truths not found in the Bible?

No. Cap. I (I-5)

  1. God has need of any of his creatures? No. 2 (II-5)
  2. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent?

Yes. Cap. 2 (I)

  1. The idea of the Trinity means that God is one person, not three, but only manifests himself as different persons, depending on the circumstances? No. Cap. 2 (III)
  2. God, from all eternity, has ordained whatsoever comes to pass? Yes, Cap. 3 (I-1)
  3. Are some people and angels predestined for eternal life, and others foreordained for eternal death? Yes. Cap. 3 (III)
  4. Did God choose some because he foresaw in them faith, good works, perseverance, or other virtues? No. Cap. III (V-3)
  5. God sustains, directs, and governs everything accordingly, including his creatures and their actions? Yes. 5 (I-1 & 2)
  6. Divine providence extends even to the fall of man and all the other sins of men and angels?

Yes. Cap. 5 (IV-1)

  1. When Adam fell into sin, he lost his original righteousness and became corrupted in all his faculties. Yes. Cap. 6 (II)
  2. The sin of Adam is imputed truly and personally to each of his descendants? Yes. Cap. 6 (III-2)
  3. The death of Christ on the cross removed automatically the sin of Adam for all humanity? No. Cap. 6 (III-2)
  4. Do remnants of corruption remain in the regenerate throughout life?
    Cap. 6 (V-1)
  5. God gives to everyone the ability to believe and be saved? No. Cap. 7 (III-3)
  6. The redemption of Christ granted the ability to everyone to cooperate with the Holy Spirit for salvation? No. Cap. 8 (VIII)
  7. The covenant of grace, in its basic elements, was one and the same in both the Old and New Testaments. Yes. Cap. 7 (V)
  8. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, truly God and of one substance with the Father. Yes. Cap. 8 (II-1)
  9. Jesus was resurrected literally and physically? Yes. Cap. 8 (IV-8,9)
  10. The sacrifice of Christ satisfied completely the righteousness of the Father for those for whom it was offered—for those for whom the sacrifice was made and for those only? Yes. Cap. 8 (V-1)
  11. Redemption was purchased for those who are not elect? No. Cap. 8 (VIII-1)
  12. Christ persuades efficaciously those for whom he died and those only, that they might believe and obey? Yes. Cap. 8 (VIII-4)
  13. Man, because of the fall, has lost all ability to will any spiritual good that may lead him to salvation. Yes. Cap. 9 (III-1)
  14. The effectual call is based on some quality foreseen in man? No. Cap. 10 (II-1)
  15. Those of other religions who live according to the laws of their religion can be saved? No. Cap. 10 (IV-4&5)
  16. The perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed permanently to those who are saved? Yes. Cap. 11 (I)
  17. Saving faith is a gift of grace given only to the elect? Yes. Cap. 11 (I-3)
  18. Can sanctification be completed in this life? No. Cap. 13 (II-2)
  19. People have the right to decide for themselves what are good works.

No. Cap. 16 (I)

  1. Is it possible that unregenerate people can do good works that are acceptable to God? No. Cap. 16 (VII)
  2. Is it passive for those who have been effectually called to fall finally from the state of grace? No. Cap. 17 (I)
  3. Is it possible for believers to be absolutely sure of their salvation in this life? Yes. 18 (I-3)
  4. The moral law of the Old Testament done away with in Christ in the gospel? No. Cap. 19 (V)
  5. The law, as a covenant of works, is of some use to believers?

Yes.  Cap. 19 (VI y VII)

  1. Adultery and malicious abandonment are the only legitimate grounds for divorce? Yes. 24 (V)
  2. Is there in each sacrament a spiritual relation or sacramental union between the symbol and the thing symbolized? Yes. 27 (II)
  3. Does the grace received in the sacraments depend on some power inherent in them? No. 27 (III-1)
  4. The children of one or both believing parents must be baptized? Yes. 28 (IV)
  5. Negligence of the sacrament of baptism is a serious sin? Yes. 28 (V)
  6. Is it legitimate to administer baptism more than once to a person?
    Cap. 28 (VII)
  7. The suffering of the wicked is eternal, and they will never be annihilated or relieved of their torments? Yes. 32 (I-4)
  8. There will be a resurrection of the physical bodies of the just and the unjust? Yes. 32 (III)

DEFENSE OF POSITIONS

  1. Is it true that a believer’s freedom of conscience extends to the right to form doctrinal viewpoints on the basis of personal revelations or emotions?

Answer: No. Such an attitude puts emotions and revelations in authority above the word of God. We have freedom of conscience only in those matters in which the Bible gives us such freedom.

  1. Is it unjust for God to elect some and not others?

Answer: God owes salvation to nobody. Therefore, he is not unjust to save some. Paul anticipated this objection in Romans 9. He called this objection back while talking to God and rebuked our presumption for questioning it. He affirms God’s right to do as he pleases with his creation. The illustration of the potter shows this.

  1. A brother from a Pentecostal background says there exists a second work of grace after conversion called “baptism in the Holy Spirit” that guarantees sanctification. How do you respond?

Answer: Refer to Titus 3 and explain that the baptism in the Holy Spirit refers to our regeneration.

  1. What is the correct Ordo Salutis?

Answer: Election, effectual call, regeneration, regeneration, faith, justification, adoption, sanctification, glorification.

SHORTER CATECHISM

  1. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
  2. 14. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
  3. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
  4. 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer?
A. Christ, as our redeemer, executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
  5. 31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
  6. 33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
  7. 34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of, the sons of God.
  8. 35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
  9. 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
  10. 39. What is the duty which God requires of man?
A. The duty which God requires of man is obedience to his revealed will.
  11. 41. Where is the moral law summarily comprehended?
A. The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.
  12. 42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?
A. The sum of the ten commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.
  13. 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word and deed.
  14. 83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
  15. 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?
 A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
  16. 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
  17. 97. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s supper?
A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.

ECCLESIOLOGY

Note: All these questions should be asked of the candidate. However, this part of the exam need not be limited to these questions.

  1. What are the doctrinal standards of the Presbyterian denomination?
    Answer: Westminster Confession, Larger and Shorter Catechisms
  2. Where does the authority reside that Christ has put in his church?

Answer: In the Presbytery.

  1. Who belongs to the invisible church?

Answer: All the elect from all the ages.

  1. What is the visible church?

Answer: Members of the local church with their children.

  1. What are the officers of the church?

Answer: Elders and deacons.

  1. What is the difference between a teaching elder and a ruling elder in their function?

Answer: The teaching elder is committed primarily to preaching and teaching; the ruling elder to administrative functions.

  1. May a ruling elder administer the sacraments?

Answer: Under the authority of the teaching elders, yes.

  1. Explain the general duties of the deacon.

Answer: Take care of the material aspects of the church and the works of mercy.

  1. Explain the general duties of an elder.

Answer: Spiritual care of the church and administration of the sacraments.

  1. Explain the responsibilities of the Session of the church.

Answer: The oversight and care of the church as a whole.

  1. Explain the responsibilities of the Presbytery in the denomination.

Answer: Oversight and care of the churches associated within the Presbytery.

  1. Of what is formed the Presbytery?

Answer: All the teaching elders of the churches associated with it.

  1. What are the officers of the Presbytery?

Answer: Moderator, Stated clerk and Treasurer.

  1. What is the difference between a committee and a commission of the Presbytery?

Answer: Committees are investigative only, unless special powers are assigned to it by the Presbytery. Commissions have plenipotentiary authority to act on behalf of the Presbytery.

  1. How many members must there be for a congregation to be organized as a church?

Answer: This may vary depending on the current BCO.

  1. Are the votes of a congregation final and definitive?

Answer: No. They are recommendations only to the Session or to the Presbytery.

SACRAMENTS

Note: All these questions must be asked of the candidate. The exam, however, need not be limited to these questions. The answers to some questions are absent and must be supplied by the candidate.

  1. What is the meaning of the term sacrament? Why do we use that word and not “ordinance,” as do some other churches?

Answer: Sacrament means a symbol presented to the mind for holy purposes. We use the term to show that it is more than a ritual but also a means of grace.

  1. How many sacraments do we recognize?

Answer: Two, baptism and the Lord’s Supper

  1. What is the biblical evidence to show the relationship between baptism and circumcision?

Answer: Colossians 2 shows Christ changed the sign of the covenant from circumcision to baptism.

  1. What is the biblical evidence to show the relationship between the Lord’s Supper and the Old Testament Passover?

Answer: 1 Corinthians 5:7

  1. Who is authorized to administer the sacraments?

Answer: Ordained teaching elders only.

  1. What is meant by the term “sacramental union”?

Answer: The connection between the use of the elements in the Lord’s Supper and the grace communicated. In Reformed theology, the grace is communicated through the believer’s faith, not through the elements themselves.

  1. What is the cause of the efficacy of the sacraments?

Answer: The Holy Spirit and the faith of the believer.

  1. Does there exist in the sacramental elements some power that confers grace?

Answer: No. The power resides solely in the Holy Spirit through the faith of the believer.

  1. What Old Testament ordinance corresponds to baptism?

Answer: Circumcision

  1. If baptism was administered only in the name of Jesus, is that a valid baptism?

Answer: No, because it represents a false concept of God.

The candidate should provide his own answers at this point. The answers require more elaboration than the above questions.

  1. What is the basic meaning of the sacrament of baptism?
  2. Who has the right to participate in the sacrament of baptism?
  3. What is the biblical basis for the baptism of children?
  4. According to Scripture, what is the correct mode of baptism?
  5. By what mode was Jesus baptized, and why?
  6. Who has the right to participate in the Lord’s Supper?
  7. Do we allow small children to participate in the Lord’s Supper? Justify your answer from Scripture.
  8. Is it proper to apply the Lord’s Supper privately to yourself in your own home? Justify your answer from Scripture.
  9. What is the biblical warning with regard to the Lord’s Supper?
  10. Is the validity of the sacraments tied to the character of the person who administers it?
  11. It is proper to administer the Lord’s Supper to someone who has not been baptized? Justify your answer from Scripture.

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