Vol 53 Issue 16

Rev. David Engelsma, lectured to a full church on April 21 in our new Hudsonville church auditorium. Rev. Engelsma’s topic was “Reprobation—Is it Reformed?” This lecture as well as many others. was tape-recorded. For information on obtaining one of these recordings, you may write to the Standard Bearer Business Office. 

Difficulties in the PCA  The recently formed denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America, is having difficulties—judging from recent issues of the Presbyterian Journal. This young denomination originated out of the Southern Presbyterian Church (P.C.U.S.) because of the liberalism in the latter body. Now, however, those who found themselves united against liberalism, find themselves divided as to how to handle the Reformed faith.

(Connection: In the last installment we saw the conflict become more intense. In some parts of the country actual separation began to take place, and even the formation of so-called “nood-gemeenten” (emergency congregations). Meanwhile, Simon Episcopius, on advice of the Remonstrants, was called to the Academy of Leiden. Again pleas were made to the States-General to authorize a National Synod; but this was prevented through the influence of. the Remonstrants. The latter continued to make open and shameful propaganda, to the grief and injury of the churches.) 

In our age, more and more, we are witness to the fact that the truth that the Bible is the infallible, inspired Word of God, and that it is normative for faith and life is brought under attack. It is said that God’s Word is in the Bible, rather than that the Bible is God’s Word. The Bible is said only to tell stories of what could happen, or is said to tell something of what God is willing to say to us. Much of the historical fact of Scripture is brought into question, and parts of the Bible are...

Dear Timothy,  We were discussing in these letters some practical aspects of the minister’s calling in relation to his congregation, especially as Paul comments on these things in I Timothy 4. I want to continue this discussion in this letter, for Paul has more things to say which are profitable to us. 

Drama is a sin that continues to plague the people of God from year to year and from generation to generation. There is more drama in the world today than ever before, and yet less and less it is pointed out and warned against as a sin to be avoided. We have become strangely silent about drama. Perhaps the reason for that is that most of us have in our homes television sets with which we watch drama, and if we condemn drama we condemn ourselves. It seems that we are willing to let the issue of drama die so...

“And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as He had spoken.”  These words, which may be found in Genesis 21:1, speak volumes. God did as He had said. He said that He would visit Sarah, and He did. He promised to give Abraham a son through aged Sarah, and He did as He had spoken. 

Esteemed Prof. H.C. Hoeksema  Editor-in-Chief of the Standard Bearer  Greetings in the Lord, Jesus Christ. It would please me much to be granted a little space in the S.B. to state my considered opinion concerning your “editorials” on “Baptism On The Mission Field.” Thanks! 

We are now ready to look at the Scripture passages from Acts which the Study Report cites as Scriptural proof for its position. To refresh our memories, let us quote the two paragraphs of this section of the report which refer to Acts: Exactly how the Lord intended the commands of Matthew 28 and Mark 16

“How many things are necessary for thee to know, that thou, enjoying this comfort, mayest live and die happily?  “Three, the first, how great my sins and miseries are; the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance.”  Lord’s Day I, Question 2