Vol 61 Issue 13

Classis West of the Protestant Reformed Churches met in Randolph, Wisconsin on March 6, 1985. Nine ministers and fourteen elders represented the churches of the West. Elder G. Tolsma (Edmonton) was present for the first time and signed the Formula of Subscription. Rev. G. Lubbers and Rev. R. Van Overloop were present and were given the right to speak. Rev. D. Engelsma led Classis in the opening devotions, explaining and applying Matthew 20:1-16. Rev. M.

“But Jesus said unto him, ‘Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?'” Luke 22:48

In searching for the underlying truth of each of the Ten Commandments, we find in the Sixth Commandment an application of the great truth that God is Love. In a certain sense, of course, this truth underlies all the Commandments, as Jesus teaches inMatthew 22:37-40, thereby reminding us that the Commandments are not a hodge-podge of unconnected precepts, but one Law, teaching the one way of obedience which glorifies the One True God.

February 8, 1985  Readers of The Standard Bearer will be interested in information about the work being done on behalf of Reformed education in Northern Ireland. They will recall that the Covenant Christian School in Northern Ireland made an urgent request, last summer, for help in the form of a Protestant Reformed teacher for the 1984-1985 school year. In answer to this request, Mr. Deane Wassink and his family went to Northern Ireland, so that Mr. Wassink could teach. 

In the return of the Reformation to the truth of God’s Word and the controversies with Rome, a central issue was the question of Scripture’s authority. Both Rome and the reformers were agreed that Scripture was the Word of God, infallible and inerrant, possessing authority. The issue, however, was what kind of authority did Scripture possess? What was the nature of that authority? And how was that authority to be understood and interpreted? These questions were all interrelated and are worth some careful attention.

February, 1985  Greetings in the name of Ebenezer, for Jehovah hath helped us (I Samuel 7:12). In the confidence of Ebenezer do we labor in the cause of the truth and for the establishment of permanent beacons of the brilliant truth of the glory of God and the salvation of sinners.

13. The pouring out of the seven vials (bowls), (Rev. 15:1-16:21). The seven angels who have the seven last plagues are introduced (Rev. 15:1). Before they come forth, the saints who are victorious are pictured as standing upon a sea of glass which is mingled with fire. They are singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb, praising God and acknowledging that all glory is His.

(This article is the substance of a speech presented to the Officebearers’ Conference held in Southeast Church on January 8, 1985. It is prepared for printing at the request of the Consistory of Southeast Church which sponsored the meeting.)

A recent edition of The Grand Rapids Press carried in its “Religion” section a report concerning an address at Calvin Seminary by Haddon W. Robinson, president of Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, on the subject of preaching. The title of this report was “Preaching: A Lost Art?” and the sub-title, “Good Sermons Demand Work, Teacher Says.” The report was of interest to me because Dr. Robinson’s address dealt with a very real problem in American pulpits in general. Preaching of the Word is largely a lost art today. 

Ques. 88. Of how many parts does the true conversion if man consist?  Ans. Of two parts; of the mortification of the old man, and the quickening of the new man.  Ques. 89. What is the mortification of the old man?  Ans. It is the sincere sorrow of heart that we have provoked God by our sins; and more and more to hate and flee from them.  Ques. 90. What is the quickening of the new man?