STUDY GUIDE FOR READING ASSIGNMENT 6

Read John Eyre Yonge, An Exposition of the Apostles' Creed.

Use the review questions below to learn the most important teachings.

Note that Birmingham Theological Seminary does not necessarily agree with all the teachings of this book. However, it is important for the student to learn to read with theological discernment and to become familiar with differing views. Note the following theological concerns in this reading.

1) Yonge is not clear, but is confusing, on the orthodox teaching that Jesus actually suffered the curse and punishment for our sin.

On page 73 he says, "Christ bore our sins, therefore He endured the curse ; but it is not to be supposed that the "curse of God," which falls naturally (as in Deuteronomy) upon sin, fell upon the sinless Victim."

On page 75 he says, "Are we then to say that He suffered the penalty of man's sin in man's stead? To this it is objected that it is not consistent with Divine justice to punish the innocent for the guilty. It may be objected, moreover, that it is not so said in Scripture, which affirms no doubt that " He bore our sins," but nowhere that He bore the punishment of them."

But on page 76, he says, "We accept it then as a scriptural truth that Christ in His Passion and death became our Substitute; typified in this by the sin-offerings under the law, and by the ram in the sacrifice of Isaac. There is no reason to object to the term, or to the idea of vicarious offering, or again to the word punishment as descriptive of Christ's sufferings. If He suffered for sins (and all suffering is a consequence of sin), then His sufferings were punishments."

2) Yonge is also confusing regarding baptism as an instrument of sanctification and regeneration. It could almost be understood as baptismal regeneration (pages 131-132).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

Introduction

a. Yonge says, "It is evident that the Creeds which have come down to us are mainly an expansion of the doctrine of __________."

b. Does Yonge agree with the tradition that the twelve apostles each contributed a phrase to compose the Apostles' Creed?

Chapter 1

a. How does Yonge define "belief"?

b. Yonge believes that true faith is not mere ______ ______, but it leads to action.

c. Mention the elements that point to the existence of God, according to Yonge.

c. According to Yonge, what is the "highest sense" intended by the Apostles' Creed when it asserts that God is the "Father"?

d. What errors does Yonge mention as being countered by the teaching in the Apostles' Creed that God is the Creator?

Chapter 2

a. What is the basic simple meaning of the name "Jesus"?

b. What is the meaning of "Christ"?

c. What three office are suggested by the fact that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah?

d. The Bible (John 3:16) says that Jesus was the "only begotten Son." How is the original Greek word translated in other passages?

e. Does Yonge say that calling Jesus "Lord" necessarily ascribes divine honor to Him?

Chapter 3

a. What was the doctrinal error of the Nestorians?

b. Does Yonge believe that, just because Jesus was called the "firstborn" of Mary, this proves that Mary had other children after Jesus?

c. What does Yonge say about honoring Mary?

Chapter 4

a. What does Yonge say about whether not only the human nature of Jesus suffered, but also His divine nature?

b. What is the name of the Roman historian who corroborated that Jesus was crucified by Pilate?

c. Did early historians assert that the public records of Pilate recorded the crucifixion of Jesus?

Chapter 5

a. Was the phrase, "He descended into hell" in the earliest versions of the Apostles' Creed?

b. What is Yonge's view on whether Jesus literally descended into hell?

c. How does Yonge interpret the phrase that Jesus rose on the "third day"?

d. Does Yonge believe that the resurrection of Jesus was literal?

e. Does Yonge believe that after the resurrection, Jesus' body was exactly the same as before His death?

Chapter 6

a. What event helped the disciples to finally recognize the divinity of Christ, according to Yonge?

b. According to Yonge, what is the significance of the fact that Jesus in now sitting at the right of God the Father?

 c. Does Yonge teach that as eternal priest, Christ continues to offer sacrifices in the heavenly temple?

Chapter 7

a. What will be the special role of Jesus at first when He returns?

b. Does Yonge assert that only non-believers will have to face the final judgment?

Chapter 8

a. What are some of the special roles of the Holy Spirit that Yonge mentions?

Chapter 9

a. When used in the Apostles' Creed to refer to the Church, the word "catholic" means ______.

b. Who are the "saints"?

Chapter 10

a. Does Yonge say that, even though Christ has already paid for our sins, we should still continue to ask forgiveness?

b. What is the error of the Socinians regarding the doctrine of reconciliation?

c. Does Yonge believe that when someone is baptized, only original sin is forgiven?

Chapter 11

a. "The denial of a bodily resurrection was a characteristic of the widely-spread ______ systems."

b. According to Josephus, what did some Pharisees believe about the transmigration of souls?

Chapter 12

a. According to Yonge, when does eternal life begin for a believer?

b. Yonge says, "Life is the gift of God; in itself it is ______."