Vol 80 Issue 10

Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Mission Activities Rev. A. Spriensma, our denomination’s missionary to the Philippines, continues to be very busy heading into the new year. On a Saturday morning in early January, he began his day with a church meeting with all the heads of households of the members of the Berean Church of God Reformed in Manila, followed by teaching a Reformed church government class, and then a Board of Trustees meeting. On Sunday he preached two services, with an Essentials catechism class in between. The following weekend he planned...

Mr. Minderhoud is a teacher in Covenant Christian High School and a member of Hope Protestant Reformed Church, Walker, Michigan. Article 12 of our Belgic Confession of Faith begins “We believe that the Father, by the Word, that is, by His Son, hath created of nothing the heaven, the earth, and all creatures as it seemed good unto Him, giving unto every creature its being, shape, form, and several offices to serve its Creator; that He doth also still uphold and govern them by His eternal providence and infinite power, for the service of mankind, to the end that man...

Prof. Dykstra is professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Every builder will testify that the foundation of a building is of crucial importance for the building as a whole. The foundation not only determines the size and the shape of the building, but affects its value and longevity. A well-constructed building on a sure foundation should stand strong and function well in the purpose for which it was constructed. The foundation of the Christian school (not the school building, now, but the school itself) is likewise crucial. The foundation of the school will reflect...

Rev. Smit is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa. Redeemed by Christ he truth that these women were handmaidens of Jehovah is based upon the truth of their redemption. We with them were lost in the service and bondage of sin. We were enemies of Jehovah and slaves to sin and the curse of the law. We were by nature those who enjoyed the lusts of the flesh and being lords unto ourselves. But Jehovah, who is rich in mercy, redeemed us unto Himself. He made us His own property. He purchased us through the blood of...

Rev. Hanko is minister in the Protestant Reformed Church of Lynden, Washington. The First Prophecy (cont.) 7.Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 8.Go up to the mountain and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. As in verse 5, the Lord again admonishes His people and calls them to self-examination and repentance with the words, “Consider your ways.” All too often because we are so sluggish the Word of God must come repeatedly before we are roused from our sloth and begin to...

Prof. Engelsma is professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. The Case for Covenantal Infant Baptism, ed. Gregg Strawbridge. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R, 2003. 330 pages. $16.99 (paper). A number of prominent Reformed and Presbyterian theologians, representing almost (but not quite) all the reputedly conservative churches, argue for infant baptism on the basis of the covenant. A Ceremony of (Outward) Dedication The majority report, again representing almost (but not quite) all the conservative churches, is that infant baptism signifies nothing more than formally setting apart the offspring of believing parents for God. It is merely a ceremony...

Assurance is certainty of personal salvation. As the loving Father of His human family in Jesus Christ, God wills that all His children have assurance. It is not His will that only a very few of His children, His “best and dearest friends,” as the Puritans and their followers today call these favored few, ever attain to certainty of salvation. The previous editorial demonstrated from Scripture that God wills all His children to have and enjoy assurance. Certainty in Q. 1 of the Catechism That God wills all His children to have assurance of their salvation is the joyful—and binding—doctrine...

Rev. Miersma is a missionary of the Protestant Reformed Churches, currently serving in Ghana, West Africa. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Acts 8:3, 4 They preached Christ everywhere! In these first four verses we are told why this took place. A fierce persecution against the Jews had arisen, with the result that the Jews were scattered. This was a fulfillment of what Jesus had said before He ascended, “Ye shall be...