All Articles For II Corinthians

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. II Corinthians 3:18  We all….  In the old dispensation there was an occasion when Israel saw the glory of the Lord, but only as it shone on the face of Moses. Moses was with God on the mount and asked to see God’s face. He was eager to see the one who was speaking to him. But he was assured that this was impossible, for God...

Rev. VanOverloop is pastor of Bethel Protestant Reformed Church in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. In the Puritan classic by Richard Baxter, The Saint’s Everlasting Rest, Mr. Baxter speaks of the duty of the people of God to excite others to obtain the saint’s rest, but he gives a caution about the manner of performing this duty. But because the manner of performing this work is of great moment, observe, therefore these rules: Enter upon it with right intentions. Aim at the glory of God in the person’s salvation. Do it not to get a name, or esteem to thyself, or...

Rev. Bruinsma is pastor of First Protestant Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. In vain one searches for the treatment of or even. a reference to the terminology “means of grace” in the writings of Anabaptist leaders. It is difficult to ascertain whether the absence of such reference is due to their, loathing of systematized theology, or whether they simply denied the existence of any means of grace. Both are probably true. But we are interested in pursuing the latter, namely, that the Anabaptists denied the existence and the necessity of means of grace. This denial finds its source in the...

D. Martyn Lloyd -Jones: The Fight of Faith 1939-1981, by Iain H. Murray. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1990. pp. xxiv-831. $36.95, cloth. [Reviewed by Prof. Robert D. Decker.] This massive work is volume two of a biography of the late great preacher of Westminster Chapel in London. D. Martyn Loyd-Jones: The First Forty Years 1899-1939, the first volume of the biography, was published in 1982, about a year after Lloyd-Jones’ death. The doctor himself authorized his long-time friend and former assistant pastor at the Chapel (1956-1959), Iain H. Murray, to write the biography. The two volumes present a...

Rev. Koole is pastor of Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan. February, 1993 is a significant month for our Faith Congregation. It marks 20 years of existence. Faith was organized on February 22, 1973, Prof. Hanko preaching the sermon “The Church – the Pillar of Truth,” based on I Timothy 3:15 b. Nineteen families organized as charter members. Also, fifteen years ago (1978) February was the month that Faith dedicated its then newly built sanctuary to worshiping God in a Reformed and biblical manner. Worthy of note is that, of the three members of that original building committee, two (Ernie Miedema...

Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?  Isaiah 27:7

Rev. Gritters is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. The letter arrived. You’ve been nominated for the office of elder. After careful thought, you let the deadline pass for declining the nomination. At the congregational meeting, the members chose you. I thank God for you. (The others were not elected. In His inscrutable wisdom, the Lord did not appoint the others, but appointed you to the work of elder.) Ordination has taken place. The questions have been asked: “Do you feel in your hearts…? Do you believe the books…? Do you reject the heresies…? Do you promise…...

Remembering as we do the birth of Jesus Christ, we rejoice at the Jubilee year that that birth has brought. The purpose of the coming into our flesh of the Son of God was to give the true Israel of God—the elect church in all nations—the year of Jubilee. Jesus Himself announced this. At the beginning of His ministry, He described His work as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1, 2. And Isaiah had foretold the mission of the coming Messiah as bringing about the great year of Jubilee. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he...

Rev. Gritters is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. The elders’ office is to observe and supervise the doctrine and conduct of the minister. Last time (SB, Nov. 15, 2002) I pointed out that the minister’s life must be an object of scrutiny, and that, for the sake of the doctrine. The Form for Installation of Elders, the Church Order, and the Questions for Church Visitation all enjoin the elders to “have regard to the doctrine and conversation of the minister of the word.” Reformed and Presbyterian churches have always recognized the importance of elder-supervision of the...

Rev. Slopsema is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselve from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. II Corinthians 7:1