Vol 32 Issue 16

Such is the title of an article appearing in theReformed Guardian of April 10, 1956, from the pen of the Rev. J. Howerzyl. From the conclusion of his article it appears that he has a little “conscience” trouble. He believes that it is wrong to go into the courts to settle our church troubles. He would rather lose all the church properties and have a good conscience. He therefore suggests that a compromise be made between the group he represents and us, and that a settlement be made out of court with respect to the properties. 

C. The Deacon’s Qualifications There are especially two passages of Holy Writ that speaks of the qualifications of then office of deacons. In Acts 6:3 we read: “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” 

Article II. Who teach: That it was not the purpose of the death of Christ that he should confirm the covenant of grace through his blood, but only that he should acquire for the Father the mere right to establish with man such a covenant as he might please, whether of grace or of works. For this is repugnant to Scripture, which teaches that Christ has become the surety and mediator of a better, that is, the new covenant, and that a testament is of force where death as occurred.

Introductory Remarks 

“In God we trust.” This beautiful motto or slogan was stamped on every penny in circulation in these United States of America. If only all those who handle these pennies actually behaved according to that motto what a different world this would be wherein we pass our earth sojourn. For one thing, you would never see this godless “lucky” number graze practiced as it is so widely carried on today. It makes sport of putting trust in Him and of walking in His fear!

In this rather profound section of I Corinthians 2, Paul is still dealing with the questions of schism-and party-strife in the church of God.  This schism is very sinful, contrary to all the newness of life in Christ Jesus and must, therefore, be eradicated root and branch. Not one bit of the old leaven of sin may remain in their lives. Theirs is to be a life of truthfulness and of sincerity. And to this Paul calls them by exhortation and instruction. 

On the evening of April 26, 1956, the spring meeting of the League of Ladies’ Societies of the Protestant Reformed Churches was held. We were privileged to meet in the auditorium of the First Protestant Reformed Church of Grand Rapids.

What is this unifying idea? In bringing it clearly to the fore I must begin with calling attention to the following. 

Vision 8—the four chariots drawn by horses of different colors. Vs. 1-8

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” These words should be sufficient justification of the attempt to expound this last book of Holy Writ, if, indeed, the earnest endeavor by a minister of the Word of God to deliver God’s message to the Church of Christ in the world from any part of the Scriptures ever requires an apology. A satisfactory exposition of the book of Revelation is considered impossible by many.