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Church Quiz Answers To Questions About Church

1/22/2011

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Did you enjoy this quiz? Discover anything interesting? I sure did! Things that make you go, "Really?" "Dude!" 

I've posted my answers below. I don't claim to be the "Bible Answer Man," but answers to questions about our faith can be found in the scriptures. We don't need a special decoder ring or a seminary degree. We need the right heart and the willingness to dig. The Lord invites us into his Word! Let's go!

So here's what I came up with...

1. How many books are there in the New Testament?
27 books. I wish all my math story problems were that simple.

2. When does the New Testament actually begin?
At first glance this is a no brainer, right? Matthew 1:1. But the trick is the word Testament, as in Last Will & Testament. According to Hebrews 9:16-17, For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

The New Testament began after the death of Christ. So, all of Jesus' preaching and teaching prior to his death was under the Old Testament, even though he often preached of things to come.

3. How often did Jesus command his disciples to go start churches?
I found this particularly interesting because “Church Planting” is such a big topic today (what kind of dirt would you should use?). But Jesus never commanded anyone to go plant or start a church. Here's what he did say...

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...
(Matthew 28:19)

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

The horse comes before the cart – not the other way around. If we focus on what Christ commanded, the word will be preached, disciples will be multiplied and churches will naturally form as we gather in his name. It's why I talk about teaching Bible studies. 

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.      (Acts 8:4)

4. According to the Book of Acts, was baptism a suggestion or a command?
Folks, even Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. The apostles preached baptism in Jesus name every single time they preached in Acts. If you haven't been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins, would you please make it a priority today?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord... (Acts 10:48)

5. How many times is pastor or pastors mentioned in the New Testament?
With all of the prominence given to the role of pastors, including Pastor Appreciation Month (while Jesus only gets December 25th), you'd think that the Bible would be full of references and instruction about the role of a pastor. But surprisingly there is only 1 New Testament reference (Eph. 4:11). Pastors are listed among the many spiritual gifts Christ has given to his church. Interesting... 

6. How many people does it take make a church?
There is no number given. Which should give us an indication of how important numbers for the sake of numbers is to God. We see a large congregation and get excited! But ask Gideon how impressed God is with the size of a gathering. What we do see is this: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)

7. How often did the apostles teach on tithing?
Were you shocked to see that the apostles didn't teach people to tithe even once? Perhaps because the tribe of Levi doesn't need to be supported for the work of the tabernacle. Yet, it seems many church leaders teach that Old Testament command to fund a New Testament church. That's how I was taught, and that's what I taught when I was a full-time minister on the church payroll years ago. I don't teach that anymore. 

Some will look at what Jesus said in Luke 11:42 for support. But remember this is present tense preaching prior to Christ's death which is still Old Testament. Tithing is not a New Testament command. Giving from the heart is - but that's a topic for another time.

8. What verse(s) gives us the authority to add to the scriptures?
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6) 

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (Revelation 22:18)  

Enough said. Beware of Bible versions that have added to or taken away ... 

9. How many years of Bible school are required before one can become ordained?
Zero. Every church should be it's own Bible school. Like a family, elders should teach the young the Word of God. Then as a person matures in Christ, and according to the instruction found in Titus 1 and 1Timothy 3, they should be ordained an elder.

10. Who is the head of the church?
Christ is head of his church. Not a pastor, pope, or general superintendent.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)

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A Church Quiz

1/20/2011

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Questions About Church

Search the scriptures; 
for in them ye think ye have 
eternal life: and they are they 
which testify of me. 

John 5:39 

I'm working on a novel about a young man's pursuit of God and in doing so, I've been digging deeper into the scriptures about church. I'm always amazed to see what surfaces when I go beyond mere reading, and topically study the Bible. 

I'm strengthened by the rereading of truth, but on occasion, I'm challenged by what I read. Something sticks out to me that hadn't seen before and my old beliefs are confronted. This is healthy and a sign of growth! Truth has always been there, but up to that moment, I wasn't able to see it. Revelational moments like these are often times life changing!

So, ready for a church quiz? I threw this quiz together based upon this recent studying into questions about church. Some answers will come easily, others might involve opening your concordance. In either case, I hope you enjoy this little 10-question church trivia brain teaser that might not be so trivial!

For this church quiz, please use your Bible as a textbook and be able to back up your answer with specific Bible verses. Then if you want, post your answers in the comments section. Here we go!

1. How many books are there in the New Testament?

 2. When does the New Testament actually begin?

3. How often did Jesus command his disciples to start churches?

4. According to the Book of Acts, was baptism a suggestion or a command?

 5. How many times is pastor or pastors mentioned in the New Testament?

 6. How many people does it take to make a church?

7. How often did the apostles teach on tithing?

 8. What verse(s) gives us the authority to add to the scriptures?

 9. How many years of Bible school are required before one can become ordained?

10. Who is the head of the church?

Got them answered? Great! I'll give my answers to these questions about church on the next post and we can compare notes. Remember, the scriptures are the only true and accurate reference material. Other books, commentaries or opinions from well respected theologians aren't the same as the holy Word of God and won't count.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (
Acts 17:11)


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Positive Words That Speak Life

1/10/2011

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My wife and I were conversing the other day about a particular situation in our lives we'd like to see change. Because the signs around this situation don't look very positive, it's easy to conclude that things won't be improving any time soon. We spoke as though things are not going to change. But as people of faith, is that how we should live?

It's true that things may not change soon. On the other hand, it's also true that God is bigger than any situation. The question is, on which side will we put our faith?

While listening to my wife, I thought about the power of our words and how those words reveal where our hearts are. I felt to remind us both to speak life.

If I pray for someone to be healed, but speak as though they never will be, what does that say about my faith? What does it say about my confidence in the power of God? If I truly believe that my Lord can do anything, then my speech should back up that belief. I should speak positive words of faith.

If I'm looking for a job in a tough economy, instead of telling myself, "Man, no one is hiring," I could say, "Thank you Jesus for the doors you're opening and for the opportunities your're leading me to!"  Yes that can be easier said than done.  But does God take notice of our faith and attitude? Have a look...

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (
Hebrews 11:6)

By speaking life, I don't mean we should just spout empty words to sound like we have faith. Faith is something we get by the Word of God and experience.

A politician we know of ran on a platform of “Hope and Change.” He didn't have much experience, nor did he have any specifics about what “Hope and Change” meant, but regardless, he won his campaign. Before long however, his inexperience caught up to him, and his words have fallen flat. Without real world experience and a track record of accomplishment, words are just words. The phrase, “Hope and Change” is a joke today.

By contrast, a young shepherd boy told a king he could defeat a giant and bring victory to his people. It sounded pretty far fetched. A shepherd in his youth going up against a giant who's been a warrior from his youth? Are you kidding? But keep reading...

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. (1 Samuel 17:34-36)

David's hope was founded on his past experiences with God. He spoke life and faith to this challenge because he knew his God was able. It's good to remind ourselves of our past victories and encourage ourselves in our God!

We should speak life and positive words of faith because our God is Mighty! He is Powerful! He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us! His word is true and his track record is stunning.

If speaking positive words of faith is difficult, read Psalm 34 (KJV) out loud, once a day for the rest of the month. Let's brag about our God and remind ourselves of past victories, and even greater ones to come!

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A Resolution

1/6/2011

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I don't usually make new year's resolutions. Probably because if I'm resolved to do something, it rarely coincides with the first of the year and probably should have been done yesterday.  Since the new year is upon us, I've been thinking about the word resolution lately.

To be resolute about something means to be firmly resolved or determined; set in purpose or opinion. To me, being resolute about something means I'm going to accomplish or obtain something or die trying. Anything less is a wish; if it happens or doesn't it's not that big of a deal. But a resolution is a lot more.

David wrote about his resolution in Psalms 27:4  
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

David was fixed on his relationship with the Lord. Everything else in life took a back seat to that one desire. Through thick and thin, success or failure – and he had plenty of both – he stayed his course. God would later describe David as a man after his own heart and gave him a name among the great men of the earth.

If we share the same mindset, and inheriting eternal life is our primary focus of life, how are we doing so far this year? Are we on course?

Paul's resolution went something like this...

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,    I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.    
Philippians 3:13-14

With a resolution like that, what an amazing year it's going to be.

Happy 2011 Everyone!


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    Patrick Sipperly

    Patrick Sipperly

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