Vol 32 Issue 04

Faith and Repentance  There is something in the lessons of history which we should not leave unnoticed to the readers of ourStandard Bearer. History often repeats itself on certain points. Especially on the point where the liberty of the believers in Christ is at stake.  The leaven of Phariseeism always wills to creep in.  Jesus did not say for naught: beware of the leaven of Phariseeism! 

“Vacant” Churches?  The Rev. Harold Petroelje, in the “Reformed Journal” of October, 1955, answers the question: What are “Vacant” Churches? He does not answer the question so much as to condemn the expression. Correctly, I think, he calls attention to the fact that the expression is really a misnomer as it is used by the majority. 

There are still many other requirements for the office of elder. Before discussing these we will digress a moment to comment upon a question which arose in connection with our former writing. The question is: “Is it proper to consider one a candidate for the office who has been guilty of some public, gross sin for which he has repented and made confession?” The elder must be blameless and have a good report of them that are without.

Article 2. Since therefore we are unable to make that satisfaction in our own persons, or to deliver ourselves from the wrath of God, he hath been pleased in his infinite mercy to give his only begotten Son, for our surety, who was made sin, and became a curse for us and in our, stead, that he might make satisfaction to divine justice on our behalf. 

Again, the very remoteness of Rome from the imperial court was favorable to the development of a hierarchy independent of all political influence and intrigue; while the bishop of Constantinople had to purchase the political advantages of the residence at the cost of ecclesiastical freedom.

“Bad luck!”  “Good Luck!”  “A lucky break!”  “Maybe next time my luck will be better!” “But just as fate would have it, I suffered more tough luck!”  “You were lucky, though.”  Speech, all of this is speech which manifests a lack of the fear of the Lord. O, it manifests fear alright. But it manifests fear of the idol “luck.” Such speech manifests no fear of the Lord. One walking in His fear never gives expression to the phrases and sentences above. 

We ended our last article with a promise that we would trace out the masterful skill with which Paul goes to battle with the sword of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, when he would combat the evil of schism and party strife in the church of the living God.  The attentive reader will, no doubt, be looking forward to this tracing out of Paul’s great apology and polemic against this cancerous evil in Christ’s body.  This we now proceed to do. 

Past Calamities Accounted for; New Blessings Assured, Haggai 2:10-19:  10. In the four and twentieth (day) of the ninth (month), in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,  11. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts: Ask now the priests for instruction, saying,

Chapter 1: Our Daily Bread  To ask for today is sufficient. And if, as the dusk of evening settles upon our earthly life of the day, we have neither bread in the house, nor the means wherewithal to buy bread, even for another day, but the Lord did provide us in the day that has come to a close, He heard our prayers and fulfilled His Word: “Give us this day our proper portion of bread.” 

The Heidelberg Catechism, (An Exposition) Vol. IX,Love thy Neighbor for God’s Sake, by Rev. H. Hoeksema. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich. $2.50.  It is with great pleasure that I announce the 9th volume of the series on the Heidelberger to you. I am also authorized to tell you that the 10th and final volume is at present in the hands of the printers, and that it will come off the press shortly.