TEST PROCEDURES:
The Bible & Theology Exam will be administered to you by the Associate Pastor. He/she will direct you to a secluded area for taking the test. Cell phones, computers, and two-way pagers will not be permitted in the testing room and must be turned in to the Associate Pastor prior to taking the test. Books, study guides, and theological materials will not be permitted during the test. A Bible and concordance will be permitted for the essay portion of the testing only, and must be approved by the Associate Pastor prior to commencing this portion of the exam. (The Bible and concordance may not contain any kind of commentary or additional teaching on various subject matters.)
Those who are taking the test must come prepared with their own writing instruments. All answers and essay responses should be legible. If, while scoring the test, the test administrator is unable to determine the applicant's answer, due to poor penmanship, inaccurate marking of the test document, or poor grammar, the question will be marked incorrect and the test will be scored accordingly. Please indicate all answers in a legible and clear manner.
TIME ALLOTED TO TAKE THE TEST:
You will be given a maximum of three (3) hours to take the test. The test is administered in two parts.
Part One of the test contains two sections. Section One will test you on your knowledge of basic doctrine and theology. Section Two will test you on your knowledge of the Bible - familiar passages, themes, and biblical leaders. The questions of Part One are comprised of true/false questions, multiple choice, and matching. Part Two of the test contains seven essay questions, asking you to explain your position on various subject matter related to spiritual leadership and ministry. For more information on the content of this test, please see the study guide prepared for you (below).
The test is broken down in the following way:
Part 1- Section I - Theology:
Section II - Bible Knowledge:
100 questions
50 questions
Part 2- Section III - Application (Essay): 7 questions
You should plan to take the test, in its entirety, in one day. A one-hour break between part one and part two of the test is permitted.
SCORING OF THE TEST:
Your test will be scored within one week of taking the test. Your scores will be reported to you for the individual sections of the test, as well as a cumulative score; however, you will not be permitted to see the test or the grading after completing the test or after the scoring of the test has taken place. Applicants seeking a ministerial license must obtain a cumulative score of at least 85% accuracy. Should you need to retake the test, you may do so after thirty (30) days.
RiverGate Church – Licensure/Ordination Exam - Preparation & Study Guide
Revision 3.0
– 12/06
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ORIENTATION:
Know the difference between religion, theology, doctrine, dogma, and heresy.
Make-up: 5 matching
THE BIBLE
Be prepared to answer questions pertaining to the Bible - its inspiration and influence.
Make-up: 8 true/false
2 multiple choice
THE EXISTENCE AND NATURE OF GOD
Know the various evidences and arguments for the existence of God (i.e. argument of creation, argument of design, etc.)
Know the various erroneous views of God and what they believe (i.e. agnosticism, atheism, etc.).
Know the various attributes of God (i.e. omniscient, omnipresent, etc.).
Know the various names of God (i.e. Jehovah, Adonai, etc.)
Make-up: 29 matching
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
Know basic information of who Jesus is/was, and His walk on earth
Know how He relates to the Trinity
Make-up: 1 multiple choice
5 true/false
THE HOLY SPIRIT
Know how the Holy Spirit relates to the Trinity and His position in the lives of Christians.
Know the symbols and evidences of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Know what the Old Testament prophesies were in relation to the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
Make-up: 2 true/false
3 multiple choice
RiverGate Church – Licensure/Ordination Exam - Preparation & Study Guide
Revision 3.0
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS & FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
Know what the Spiritual Gifts are, identified in scripture, as well as the function and purpose of these gifts.
Know what the Fruits of the Spirit are, identified in scripture, as well as the function and purpose of these gifts.
Make-up: 5 true/false
2 multiple choice
6 matching
MAN & SIN NATURE
Know the indicators as a result of man's original sin.
Know the difference between a man's mind, will, and emotions, as well as his soul and spirit.
Know what temptation is and what constitutes a sin.
Know the different views of sin, passed on various theories and religions (i.e. Atheism, Determinism, etc.)
Know what "spiritual death" is.
Know what repentance is.
Make-up: 3 multiple choice
6 true/false
6 matching
SALVATION & SANCTIFICATION
Know what the Bible says about grace, faith, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins and the ability of have abundant life.
Know what salvation and sanctification are, and how one can receive these.
Know what atonement is, and how one can receive atonement (i.e. redemption, repentance, etc.)
Make-up: 4 true/false
2 multiple choice
9 matching
ANGELS & END TIMES
Know what angels are and about heaven.
Know about life after death on earth.
Make-up: 4 multiple choice
RiverGate Church – Licensure/Ordination Exam - Preparation & Study Guide
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THE CHURCH & ORDINANCES
Know the qualifications for being a spiritual leader, according to scripture.
Know the roles and functions of the New Testament church and its leadership.
Know the roles and functions of elders and deacons, according to scripture.
Know about the functions, purposes, and traditions of water baptism and communion.
Know about communion
Make-up: 4 true/false
4 multiple choice
GENERAL PASSAGES OF THE BIBLE
There are passages in the Bible which have been identified by saints down through history as being important.
Some are promises, others contain comfort, and some tell of God's character. Some are perhaps more familiar than others, but those less familiar passages usually are a logical part of the teaching of some book and can be identified if you know the book as a whole. These passages will normally be familiar to one who regularly reads through the Bible.
Sample Questions: This love comment occurs in what one book? "My lover is radiant and healthy looking, outstanding among ten thousand." a. Job b. Psalms c. Proverbs d. Ecclesiastes e. Song of Solomon
Spiritual warfare, an important leadership element, is in focus in this passage from what book. "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to breakdown strongholds." a. 1 Kings b. Matthew c. Ephesians d. 2 Corinthians e. Revelation
Make-up: 20 multiple choice
GENERAL BIBLE: NATURE, THEMES & CONTENT
Hint: When taking this portion of the test, read the statements carefully. You may not know the passage directly, but may understand where it is by other phrases describing the author of it or the Biblical or historical situation surrounding it
Sample Questions:
The 5 times repeated use of the phrase, the “Day of the Lord”, in this prophetic book signals the major contribution of this book which is an explanation of that phrase. It shows that the Day of the Lord is now and is yet to come in it fullest.
God's judgment in present events and events yet to come highlight his call to repentance. a. Obadiah b. Joel c. 1 Thessalonians d. 2 Thessalonians e. Revelation
RiverGate Church – Licensure/Ordination Exam - Preparation & Study Guide
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This book traces the early growth of the church and shows that it takes place as spirit directed people present salvation as "witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." a. Matthew b. Mark c. Luke d. Acts e. Revelation
Make-up: 25 multiple choice
GENERAL BIBLE: RECOGNITION OF BIBLICAL LEADERS
Sample Question: This greatest Old Testament leader led the children of Israel out of Egypt demonstrating spiritual authority through his miracles and close relationship with
God. a. Aaron b. Jethro c. Moses d. Joshua e. Caleb
Make-up: 5 multiple choice
For this section of the test, you will be asked to answer seven (7) questions in one essay each. You will write one paragraph for each question defending your belief as you would with a non-believer, with scripture references, for the topics identified. For this section, you may use your Bible and a concordance. You may not take a Bible into this portion of the test with you that contains commentaries or additional insights into various scriptures. You will need to get your Bible and/or concordance approved by the test administrator before beginning this portion.
RiverGate Church – Licensure/Ordination Exam - Preparation & Study Guide
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– 12/06
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