Theology II – Doctrine of the Church & Eschatology

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms and concepts for the Theology II final covering the doctrine of the church and eschatology.

Ekklesia

New-Testament Greek word meaning “assembly,” “congregation,” or “church.”

Local Church

A specific gathering of believers meeting at a given time and place—the primary New-Testament use of ekklesia.

Universal Church

All living believers worldwide who belong to Christ.

Heavenly Church

Believers who have died and are now with the Lord.

Visible Church

The community of professing Christians as observed by people.

Invisible Church

The true believers known perfectly only to God.

One (Mark of Unity)

The church is one body of all Christian believers regardless of denomination, location, or tradition (Eph 4).

Holy (Mark)

The church’s fundamental purity—its positional holiness in Christ and progressive pursuit of sanctification.

Catholic (Mark)

The church is for all peoples, transcending ethnic, social, linguistic, and political boundaries.

Apostolic (Mark)

The church stands in meaningful continuity with the ministry and teaching of the original apostles.

Body of Christ

Metaphor picturing the church as an ordered, living organism directed by Christ the Head.

Bride of Christ

Metaphor portraying the church as Christ’s beloved bride, purchased by His blood.

Marks of the Church

Classical identifiers: faithful preaching of the Word, proper administration of sacraments, church discipline, and qualified leadership.

Preaching of the Word

Faithful proclamation and hearing of Scripture—Luther’s primary mark of the church.

Proper Administration of the Sacraments

Rightly observing baptism and the Lord’s Supper according to Scripture.

Church Discipline

Holding members accountable for doctrine and life in order to restore and protect the body.

Qualified Leadership

Elders/overseers whose character and life embody the gospel they teach.

Luther’s #1 Mark

Martin Luther identified the preaching of the Word as the foremost sign of the true church.

Ministry to God (Worship)

The church’s primary purpose—corporately glorifying and delighting in God.

Ministry to Believers (Discipleship/Edification)

Fostering fellowship, growth, and maturity among Christians.

Ministry to the World (Mission)

Evangelism and mercy/justice ministries to those outside the church.

Preservation of the Truth (Doctrine)

Guarding and transmitting the apostolic gospel and biblical teaching.

Sacraments

Sacred rites instituted by Christ—baptism and the Lord’s Supper—signs of grace and covenant membership.

Absence of Sacraments at Christian Colleges

Unlike a church, schools such as Biola normally do not administer baptism or the Lord’s Supper regularly.

Roman Catholic View of Baptism

Initiatory sacrament that forgives sins (including original sin) and incorporates one into salvation and the church.

Lutheran View of Baptism

God is the main actor; even infants receive “infant faith,” making baptism a saving means of grace.

Reformed/Presbyterian View of Baptism

Paedobaptism as a covenant “sign and seal” applied to believers’ children, marking them as members of God’s people.

Anabaptist/Baptist View of Baptism

Credobaptism—an ordinance and public confession performed after personal faith; not necessary for salvation.

Etymological Argument for Immersion

The Greek baptizō means “to immerse” or “dip,” supporting full-immersion baptism.

Symbolic Argument for Immersion

Immersion best pictures death, burial, and resurrection with Christ (Rom 6:3-4).

Transubstantiation

Catholic teaching that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ while appearances remain bread and wine.

Consubstantiation

Lutheran view that Christ’s body and blood are physically present “in, with, and under” the elements.

Memorialism

Anabaptist/Baptist view that the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of remembrance of Christ’s death.

Spiritual Presence (Reformed View)

Christ is uniquely, spiritually present in the Supper; believers commune with Him by faith.

Sacrificial Meal (Lord’s Supper)

Reminds participants of their covenant with God and nourishes faith.

Proclamation (Lord’s Supper)

Partaking declares the Lord’s death until He comes—an ongoing gospel witness.

Spiritual Nourishment

When received in faith, the Supper strengthens and refreshes believers’ souls.

Unity of Believers

Sharing one loaf and cup signifies the church’s oneness in Christ.

Eucharist (Thanksgiving)

Lord’s Supper as a joyful act of gratitude; “eucharist” means “thanksgiving.”

Anticipation (Lord’s Supper)

Foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb and Christ’s return.

Great Commission Model

Sees the church’s primary mission as making disciples through gospel proclamation (Matt 28:18-20).

Social Justice/Kingdom Model

Defines mission as advancing God’s kingdom in social, economic, and political justice (Matt 25:31-46; Jas 1:27).

Conventional View of Spiritual Gifts

Charisma/pneumatika are special Spirit-given abilities that believers must discover and use to build the church.

Alternative View of Spiritual Gifts

Ken Berding’s proposal that gifts are Spirit-energized ministries/activities rather than innate abilities.

Kingdom of God

“God in God’s place under God’s rule”—His sovereign reign manifest among His people.

Messiah (OT Hope)

Expectation of a Davidic King who would inaugurate God’s rule.

Restoration of Israel

Hope for national renewal, return from exile, and God’s renewed presence.

New Covenant

Promise of new hearts and full forgiveness of sins (Jer 31:31-34).

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Prophecy that God’s Spirit would be poured out on all His people (Joel 2:28-29).

Inaugurated Eschatology

The “already/not-yet” reality: God’s kingdom began with Christ’s first coming but awaits consummation at His return.

Soul Sleep

View that the dead are unconscious until resurrection; death is a “sleep.”

Traditional Protestant View of Intermediate State

Departed believers are immediately present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23).

Resurrection (Biblical Teaching)

Both righteous and unrighteous will bodily rise; the body is continuous yet transformed, affirming physicality’s goodness.

Adam–Christ Contrast

In 1 Cor 15:22 Paul states, “As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

Motivation for Sacrifice

Hope in bodily resurrection spurs believers toward costly ministry and holy living (1 Cor 15:30-32, 58).

Nature of the Resurrected Body

Raised imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual—yet the same body that was buried (1 Cor 15:42-44).

Traditional View of Final Destiny

Unbelievers experience eternal conscious punishment proportional to sin’s gravity against an infinitely worthy God (Rev 14:11).

Universalist View

Belief that ultimately all beings—even Satan and fallen angels—will be restored, appealing to God’s universal salvific will (1 Tim 2:3-4).