Vol 29 Issue 17

Wherever there is a Paul, to preach, there will be a Tertullus, to find fault. —from Toplady. Christ is still crucified between two thieves: Antinomianism and Phariseeism. —from Toplady.

In the May 4th issue of Time magazine, in the department of Religion, we came across an interesting article entitled: “God’s Country” which we here quote in full.

“No one, though he be a professor of theology, elder or deacon, shall be permitted to enter upon the minis­try of the Word and the sacraments without having been lawfully called thereunto. And when anyone acts contrary thereto, and after being frequently ad­monished does not desist, the classis shall judge whe­ther he is to be declared a schismatic or is to be pun­ished in some other way.” (Art. 3, D.K.O.).

The expression: “The promise of the Holy Spirit,” occurs in Acts 2:33, and we quote: “Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” It is not our purpose, in this brief article, to call attention to this entire passage. We are merely interested now in the expression: the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Introducing this material.

It is well, before we discuss in detail the contents of our Canons, to devote a few words to the subject of the position of the Canons as a creed, and especially as the third of our Three Forms of Unity.

Blue eyes. They are usually considered to symbolize loyalty, honesty and integrity. Even as the expression “true blue” means to emphasize purity. Brown eyes. A romantic significance is attached to them as a rule. They seem to have attributed to them more depth of expression and feeling or emotion. Green eyes.

This well-known and sobering and yet comforting word of God reads as follows: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Absalom was dead, slain in battle. The remnant of his army, called “Israel” in the text, fled every man to his tent. The king tarried in Mahanaim, the sight of his encampment during the final stages of the re­bellion. He could have returned and reoccupied his throne by force and even reeked terrible vengeance upon all the leaders of the revolt. But he was not just another oriental despot but a true shepherd king of God’s people, humble, compassionate and forgiving. For much had been forgiven him. So he was decided to wait until recalled by the people.

Chapter 4: God is a Jealous God (cont.) Thus we understand that the mercy of the Lord is indeed only upon them that love Him and that fear His name. His mercy is not common. It is not gen­eral. It is strictly particular, limited to them that fear Him and do His commandments. Not as if our fear of the Lord was first and the cause of His mercy. The opposite is true.