All Articles For Vol 69 Issue 01 10/1/1992

Mr. Wigger is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Young People’s Activities The Young People’s Societies of Faith PRC in Jenison, MI, this year’s host of the annual young people’s convention, invited their congregation to a special “get together” on Saturday evening, August 15th, at their church. This “get-together” was intended to show the young people’s appreciation for the congregation’s support of the recently completed convention. A slide presentation of the convention was shown, as well as video footage taken during the convention. All those with memorable photos of the convention were invited to take them...

Classis West met on Wednesday, September 2, 1992, in Loveland, CO. Classis finished its work at about 3:00 p.m., that same day. Rev. R. Moore served as President of the meeting and Rev. T. Miersma led Classis in opening devotions. The main item of business was a letter from the Isabel, SD, and congregation informing Classis of difficulties in that congregation. The result of those difficulties is that Isabel has no Consistory of its own at present. Classis, therefore, decided to put the congregation of Isabel under the care and government of Doon’s Consistory according to Articles 38 and 39...

The ABC’s of Assurance, by John H. Gerstner. Ligonier, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1991. 112 pages. Paper. $7.95. [Reviewed by the Editor.] Literally. Dr. Gerstner treats the biblical . doctrine of the Christian’s assurance of salvation by chapter headings that follow the alphabet: “Assurance of Eternal Salvation”; “Beating the Body”; “captain of Our Salvation”; etc. In short chapters, usually three or four pages, and in simple language, the book explains and defends the precious truth that the believing child of God can and must be sure of his or her eternal salvation. All of the glorious doctrines of salvation...

Rev. Woudenberg is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:4 I was quite surprised when, after the publication of my last article, I received a call expressing dismay at what I had written. It came from a former member of the Liberated churches who felt I had not represented them fairly. It bothers me, for I have no wish to misrepresent anyone; but perhaps it is to be expected, and to a degree unavoidable. When one describes events of...

Rev. Heys is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. In the beginning of the history of mankind, our God revealed the truth in His grace; but He also in His infinite wisdom and almighty power displayed: His love and mercy. We do well to bear in mind the fact that, although man was created in the image of God and was a most wonderful creature (in fact the most wonderful creature here on this earth), he could not, at the beginning of his life on this earth, do some of the things he can do today. Adam could...

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of Southeast Protestant Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We read of fasts for the most part in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word means to cover the mouth, to keep the mouth shut, to fast. The Mosaic law prescribed only one fast, what Leviticus 16:29-31 calls “afflicting of the soul,” on the great day of atonement. Later, the Israelites had the practice of fasting in hard circumstances, in the midst of bereavement, and whenever God threatened judgment. Still later, they fasted on certain days to commemorate outstanding events in their history, such as the capture of Jerusalem....

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. Those who are delegated to the assemblies shall bring with them their credentials and instructions, signed by those sending them, and they shall have a vote in all matters, except such as particularly concern their persons or churches.  Church Order, Article 33. This article concerns three things: credentials (“Those who are delegated to the assemblies shall bring with them their credentials…”); instructions (“‘…and instructions…”); voting (“…and they shall have a vote in all matters…”). Credentials Credentials are the official letter of authorization of the delegates to our broader...

Rev. Lubbers is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. My plan is to publish two “study helps” for each of the six chapters of I Timothy. After consulting with Prof. Engelsma, Editor-in-Chief, I saw the fitness of writing a short “Overview” before writing the study helps. We must keep in mind that these study helps must be brief, yet comprehensive of the main thrust of the letter. Furthermore, we must bear in mind that this letter is, in the deepest sense, issued by the risen Christ from His throne at, God’s right hand. It is no human letter,...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. In our last article we considered your struggle with doubt. We concluded that all doubt must be faced and must be resolved, and that the resolution of that doubt comes by going to the Bible for the answers to our questions. It seems to me, however, that to stop there is not sufficient. For there are those who may in fact have doubts about the Bible itself, its authenticity and its authority. Especially those of you who go on to college will find your Christian faith under attack...

William Oomkes is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church in Byron Center, MI and a member of the denominational Domestic Mission Committee. On August 15, 1992 the conferees set their sights toward the “Stricklands” Conference Center located on the Belfast Lough, in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. They came from such places as the heart of London, the southern coast of England, the far north of Scotland, the northern part of Northern Ireland, and the United States, to the Belfast area. One thing most of us had in common – we had never met each other before. Another was...