Comprehension Questions:

1.  How do the following categories intersect: church member (baptized), non-church member, Christian, elect, non-elect?  Elect, Christian, and Church member (baptized).

2.  Explain why you cannot be a good Christian if you neglect the Church, using both chapters 25 & 26?  Because the Head of the Church is Christ and to neglect the Church is to neglect Christ; unless the Church is corrupt in its teachings… I hope that suffices. I couldn’t exactly get a good outlook on what they want in those two chapters. Maybe you can read in those chapters and see for yourself if ya want to… http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/index.html

3.  Why is church discipline (or censure) necessary?  Church censures are necessary, for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren, for preventing others from the like offenses, for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump, for justifying the honor of Christ, and the holy profession of the Gospel, and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church.

4.  What are the responsibilities of church councils?  To consult and advise about matters of religion: to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his Church; to receive complaints in cases of maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same

Why do you think it is important to have church governments above local churches?  The church government makes sure its "family" of churches are on the same page on their point of views concerning Scripture. As for the local churches, they go off on their own views; not having anybody to steer them in the right direction if heading down the wrong path. So, like the missionary churches have a "church government" where they come together and discuss their teachings and views and correct their wrongs, if any.

5.  From where does the authority of synods and councils come?  The Church officers and magistrate(s)

When may they be disregarded?  When related to civil affairs which concern the commonwealth

6.  Is it enough for Christians to believe in the immortality of the soul?  Not only believing in the immortality of the soul, but Heaven, upon which the soul is sent after departure. There, the soul if judged by God to either enter the Kingdom of Heaven or be thrown into the pits of hell.

7.  Who will be resurrected on the last day?  At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed: and all the dead shall be raised up, with the selfsame bodies, and none other (although with different qualities), which shall be united again to their souls forever.

8.  How is the nature of God revealed in the last judgment?  The manifestation of the glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His justice, in the ****ation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient

9.  Can (or should) we predict when Christ will return?  No, but we must be alert and prepared.