All Articles For Hanko, Cornelius

The apostle John is known for the depth of his thought and understanding of the words of Christ. This reveals itself especially in the fact that he seems to have chosen to record at length some of the more extensive discourses of Christ, whereas the other Gospel writers seem to have more an eye for the historical, the events, the happenings, the visible works of Christ. And as a consequence we have in John a rather simple vocabulary and grammar, by which John has left much of the depth of the truth unexpressed and as it were for the reader...

The Baptism Form speaks of baptism as a sign, but also as a seal of our entrance into God’s covenant. It does this by inference when it states that “Holy baptism witnesseth and sealeth unto us the washing away of our sins through Jesus Christ.” It speaks of baptism as a sign and seal of the cleansing from sin. And since through the cleansing from sin we are separated from the world and taken into God’s covenant, baptism is a sign and seal of our entrance into the covenant. It speaks also directly of this fact by saying, “God the...

Thus far the Baptism Form spoke of “God’s part” in the covenant in distinction from “our part”. In the next paragraph it considers “our part”, stating, “Whereas in all covenants there are contained two parts: therefore are we by God through baptism admonished of and obliged to a new obedience. . . .”, etc. Emphatically the Form brings home to us that God establishes His own covenant with us and realizes it in us. The establishment and the realization are both of God. If baptism means anything at all, it means exactly that to us. Particularly infant baptism, administered in...

Our baptism always has a special significance for us because of the fact that we and our children receive the sacrament in our infancy. Turning from a discussion of the significance of the sacrament to a discussion of the baptism of infants, the Form states: “and although our young children do not understand these things, we may not therefore exclude them from baptism. . . ” It is worthy of note, that the fathers did not say that children of believing parents may receive the sacrament of baptism, but that they must. They were, no doubt, well aware of the...

Thus far we have treated the expository part of our Baptism Form, discussing first the sacrament of baptism, and secondly the necessity of infant baptism. This brings us to the actual ritual, which deals with the administration of baptism to our covenant seed. The Form reaches the conclusion: “Since then baptism is come in the place of circumcision, therefore infants are to be baptized as heirs of the kingdom of God and of His covenant. And parents are in duty bound further to instruct their children herein, when they shall arrive to years of discretion.” You will have noticed that...

Classis West convened on the morning of September 25, 1946, at nine o’clock in the Protestant Reformed Church of Oskaloosa, Iowa. After the meeting was opened with the usual devotional exercises conducted by the Rev. L. Vermeer, the credentials were presented, showing all the delegates from the various consistories present. Thereupon the Rev. P. Vis took over the presidency for the day. He first of all extended a word of welcome to all the delegates, and particularly to the Rev. A. Petter who was attending our Classis for the first time as delegate from Orange City, and also to the...

Report of Classis West – Convened March 5, 1947 at Rock Valley, Iowa Classis West convened at Rock Valley, Iowa, on March 5, 1947. The meeting was opened with the usual devotions, conducted by the Rev. P. Vis. All the churches of the Classis were represented by their respective delegates. A word of welcome was extended to Rev. J. Howerzyl, representing Oskaloosa for the first time at our Classis, as also two other delegates who attended our Classis for the first time. They were given an opportunity to sign the formula of subscription. After the meeting was declared constituted, Rev....

The 1947 Synod of our Protestant Reformed Church is now a matter of history. Everyone who was present will agree that this was a significant gathering because of the weighty and far-reaching decisions that were made. For four and a half days Synod met and deliberated. The work moved along smoothly and rapidly. Harmony and unity prevailed. True Christian fellowship was enjoyed both during the sessions and during the periods of recess. And everyone appreciated the friendly hospitality shown, and the splendid meals served by our host church, the Protestant Reformed Church of South Holland, Illinois. Synod opened on the...

The regular meeting of Classis West was held in the newly remodeled church building of Doon, Iowa. It was a pleasure to all the delegates to accept the invitation of Doon Church to meet there, and to make use of their newly installed facilities. The meeting was opened with the usual preliminaries. Rev. G. Vos read Psalm 72 and led the assembly in prayer. The roll call showed that there was only one delegate from Bellflower, Manhattan, Redlands and Pella. Rev. L. Vermeer was unable to attend this Classis as delegate from Pella on account of a funeral in his...

This is an emergency measure. We are sorry to hear that Rev. Lubbers is ill, which prevents him from filling this department for the present. Our readers will be disappointed that his regular series of articles on the “Signs In The Gospel Of John” will not appear for a few issues, awaiting his recovery. M ay the Lord speedily restore him to health that he may soon resume his various duties among us.