All Articles For Hebrews

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 In this chapter Paul speaks of himself. He tells why he might have reason to boast in the flesh (vv. 5-6). He then says that all these things he counted loss for Christ (vv. 7-8). Paul’s righteousness is of God by faith (v. 9). Thus, he presses toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (v. 14). We are to be followers of Paul’s example (v. 17) in opposition to those who do...

Mr. Huisken is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Edgerton, Minnesota.

Rev. Heys is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. Last time we considered that work of God’s grace whereby He made a sharp distinction between Jacob and Esau, blessing Jacob even though he did not deserve it, and revealing that there was absolutely no blessing for Esau. We also noted that God very clearly revealed to Rebekah, their mother, that He determined before these sons were born that the elder son would serve the younger one of these twins. Esau, the firstborn, would serve Jacob, who came forth out of his mother’s womb with his hand holding on to...

Mrs. Lubbers is a wife and mother in the Protestant Reformed Church of South Holland, Illinois. And he [Elisha] went up from thence unto Bethel and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.  And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.  II Kings 2:23-24 They...

By this time perhaps most have seen the little video about the PRC. If you haven’t, you can view it at your leisure on the PRC website (www.prca.org). And, we understand, it has made its appearance on YouTube as well. It is a well-designed 10-minute presentation produced by AIM (Active In Missions), done in a professional manner, introducing the PRC to the interested and the curious. Its central message is that we as Protestant Reformed believers are convinced there is such a thing as The Truth, and that this Truth, as set forth in God’s infallible Word, can be known...

Rev. Miersma is pastor of the Loveland Protestant Reformed Church in Loveland, Colorado. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  Hebrews 2:9 In just a few days we will be observing, as the church of Christ, Ascension Day. This is forty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Most of the church world does not pay attention to this day, but if it were not for the ascension...

Rev. VanBaren is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. “Science vs. Science” In World Magazine of February 26, 2000 an article appears presenting the “scientific” evidence of intelligent design in creation. The arguments appear to come from those who are not necessarily all Christian and probably do not believe in the literal account of creation in Genesis 1-3. The testimony of Scripture, of course, should ever be remembered: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb. 11:3). Many,...

Twanging Hearts Your classification of instrumental accompaniment as an attending “circumstance” of worship where the church has liberty, rather than as an element of worship regulated by express command of Scripture, is erroneous (Standard Bearer, May 15, 2000, “Shall We Please God or [Certain Kinds of] People…?”). Instrumental accompaniment was introduced into the Old Covenant worship by (and only by) the express command of God. “And he (king Hezekiah) stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the...

Prof. Engelsma is professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. The Case for Covenantal Infant Baptism, ed. Gregg Strawbridge. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R, 2003. 330 pages. $16.99 (paper). A number of prominent Reformed and Presbyterian theologians, representing almost (but not quite) all the reputedly conservative churches, argue for infant baptism on the basis of the covenant. A Ceremony of (Outward) Dedication The majority report, again representing almost (but not quite) all the conservative churches, is that infant baptism signifies nothing more than formally setting apart the offspring of believing parents for God. It is merely a ceremony...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa. Having discussed the truth of the preservation of the saints, we now turn to the perseverance of the saints. Preservation and perseverance—two very similar words and two words that go hand-in-hand. While our assurance rests in God who preserves us to the end, the way in which God preserves us is the way of our persevering in the faith. God preserves, we persevere. God keeps us in the palm of His hand, we continue in the way of salvation. God guides us by His counsel, we walk the...