Vol 36 Issue 03

Oct. 20, 1959  Rev: G. Lanting, of Grand Haven, received the call from Holland from a trio which included Revs. G. Lubbers and G. Vanden Berg.  Rev. J. A. Heys, of Hull, is considering a call from South Holland. The other members of the trio were Revs. G. Vanden Berg and B. Woudenberg.  Rev. G. Vanden Berg declined the call extended to him from Edgerton. 

The subject which I have chosen to consider with you this evening is “The Standard Bearer’s Witness.” 

Reverend Herman Bel answers questions sent to him by the readers of The Banner in the department: The Reader Asks. Most generally we find this department both interesting and instructive. We found this also true of the article appearing in the October 2nd issue of this denominational paper of the Christian Reformed Church.  There the reader asks: 1. Whether a consistory member may speak against a proposal introduced by the consistory? 2. Whether every consistory member who favored the proposal may speak on the motion? 

In the same issue of Christianity Today mentioned above, Jacob J. Vellenga gives his views on the above question. Dr. Vellenga, author of the article, is connected to the United Presbyterian Church.  He expects all who accept “the authority of Scripture” to agree with him that “the issue of capital punishment must be decided on what Scripture actually teaches and not on the popular naturalistic ideas of sociology and penology that prevail today.” We agree with him. 

The October 12th issue of Christianity Today presents among other interesting articles a “Feature Interview” on the subject stated above.  Dr. Carl Henry, editor of the periodical, served as moderator and directed the questions to the panel members. The panel consisted of Dr. Roger Nicole, Professor of Theology at Gordon Divinity School in New England; Dr. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, Professor of Church History at Fuller Seminary; and Dr. H. Orton Wiley, President Emeritus of Pasadena College in California. 

Article 40 Supervision by the Ministers The 40th Article of our Church Order makes provision for regular and periodic meetings of the deacons. It also stipulates that these meetings, wherein the business of the deacons is to be transacted, shall be attended with “the calling upon the Name of God.” To these provisions is added the words “whereunto the ministers shall take good heed and if necessary they shall be present.” 

PART TWO EXPOSITION OF THE CANONS FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE OF THE PERSERVERANCE OF THE SAINTS Article 13 (continued)

VIEWS DURING THE THIRD PERIOD (750-1517 A.D.) THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS EXTREME UNCTION (continued)

Romans 15:12 (9)

And Jacob lifted up his eyes, (and looked, and, beheld, Esau came, and with him four hundred men . . .. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.  And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.