All Articles For Ephesians

Previous article in this series: February 15, 2018, p. 233. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15 The footwear itself Like the girdle and breastplate we have previously examined, footwear is also important for battle. To have “your feet shod” is to have sandals fastened to your feet. The Roman soldier of Paul’s day did not wear rugged, all-terrain combat boots, but simple sandals with straps and sometimes spikes. Footwear helped the soldier maintain or alter his position on the field of battle. Footwear was not for defense like other parts of the...

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:3-4 We live in a time of great prosperity. The standard of living in the U.S. far exceeds any other nation, past or present. With this great prosperity has come an alarming increase in wickedness in our land. The principle here is that the more the Lord gives a wicked nation, the more they have with which to sin, so that they abound more and...

This is an abridged form of the pre-synodical sermon preached in Hull PRC, June 13, 2016.   “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”  Ephesians 5:32   As the delegates to Synod 2016 gather, we repre­sent Christ’s bride. Ephesians 5:32 reminds us that the most important relationship in life, the most blessed revelation of the covenant into which God has taken us, is found not in marriage, but in that which marriage is to reflect. It is that glorious relationship with Christ that is our only comfort in life and death. In the consciousness...

“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:22, 23 Our text arises out of Paul’s prayer for the Christians at Ephesus. Paul always assured those to whom he wrote that he was praying for them. This is what it means to be a pastor! And this is a wonderful expression of the communion of saints! Paul told the Ephesian Christians that he was asking God to give them the spirit of wisdom...

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32 Paul has just instructed husbands and wives how they are to behave toward each other in marriage. Wives are to submit to their husbands in all things, even as the church submits to Christ. Husbands are to love their wives, even as Christ loves His church. In that connection, Paul explains the great love that Christ has for His church....

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 13 Question 33. Why is Christ called the only begotten Son of God, since we are also the children of God? Answer. Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God; but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for His sake. Question 34. Wherefore callest thou Him our Lord? Answer. Because He hath redeemed us, both soul and body, from all our sins, not with gold or silver, but with His precious blood, and hath delivered us from all the power of the devil; and thus hath made us His own property....

Minister Activities Rev. Carl Haak, pastor of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI, declined the call that was extended to him to serve as the next pastor of the Hope PRC in Walker, MI. The Council of the Loveland, CO PRC granted the request of our Seminary to sponsor the intern-ship of Seminarian Eric Guichelaar, beginning July 1, 2012, God willing, with Loveland’s pastor, Rev. Steven Key, as his mentor. As Rev. Key supplied pulpit for the Edgerton, MN congregation in January, Loveland PRC welcomed to their pulpit and fellowship Seminarian Vernon Ibe, who comes from the Berean PRC in...

January 11, 2012 Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Hudsonville PRC. Each church was represented by two delegates. The session was chaired by Rev. Daniel Holstege. The January session is the time for voting. Elected to serve as synodical delegates are the following: MINISTERS: Primi: C. Haak, K. Koole, A. Lanning, J. Slopsema, R. VanOverloop; Secundi: M. DeVries, G. Eriks, W. Langerak, A. Spriensma, M. VanderWal. ELDERS: Primi: Nick Kleyn, Howard Pastoor, Dave Rau, John VanBaren, Pete VanderSchaaf; Secundi: James Lanting, Joel Minderhoud, Ted Pipe, Kevin VanOverloop, Deane Wassink. In other voting, Rev....

Previous article in this series: February 1, 2012, p. 197. Last installment we introduced to our readers the bookReformed Thought: Selected Writings of William Young. As stated, due to Young’s reference to Hoeksema’s covenant view in his severe criticism of Abraham Kuyper’s covenant view (in particular Kuyper’s doctrine of presupposed regeneration) and then essentially identifying Hoeksema’s view with that of Kuyper, we are constrained to respond, be it briefly, to Dr. Young’s assessment of and allegations against Hoeksema’s (and our own PRC’s) view. We use the word “allegations” purposely. In his paper Historic Calvinism and Neo-Calvinism(ch. 3 of Young’s selected writings),...

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10 What evils had come upon Job! In one day he lost all his earthly riches and his ten children. All that was left to him were his wife and a few servants. Soon after this he was afflicted with a loathsome disease...