All Articles For Vol 87 Issue 03 11/1/2010

Evangelism Activities The consistory of the Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, SD recently formed an Evangelism Committee to serve on behalf of their consistory and congregation. The consistory appointed five men to that committee, and they held their first meeting on September 13. The congregation of the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA sponsored a special lecture on Friday evening, September 17. Rev. W. Bruinsma, our denomination’s missionary to Pittsburgh, PA, was the guest speaker. Rev. Bruinsma spoke on the topic, “The Witness of the Reformed Believer.” Rev. Bruinsma was also invited to preach once the following Lord’s Day....

God gave us the book of Ecclesiastes to instruct us in spiritual wisdom as those living in a world fallen in sin and under the curse. He gave it by one who was old and endued not only with the wisdom of age and experience, but with the wisdom that only the Spirit of God can give. The Preacher searches the life of man under the sun, giving us to see with spiritual understanding the way of that life and its value and meaning in a world subject to vanity because of sin. In many ways the book addresses especially...

Previous article in this series: July 2010, p. 427. With great emphasis, dispensationalists claim that the rapture can take place at any moment. By this statement they mean that there are no signs that must take place before it occurs. And if there are no signs for us to see, there is no purpose in our looking for them. Yet looking for these signs is precisely what our Lord has called us to do. If we are not watching, then we are sleeping: Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or...

This is a continuation of Rev. Stewart’s article in the Special Reformation Issue, October 15, 2010, p. 42. The Westminster Confession on the Church In keeping with the directives of the Solemn League and Covenant (1643), the Westminster divines fervently sought a thoroughly biblical and doctrinal church unity for the Reformed churches of the British Isles. The Westminster Confession’s opening chapter, “Of the Holy Scripture,” is, in my opinion, the greatest creedal statement anywhere on the truth of God’s inspired Word. Philip Schaff states, “No other Protestant symbol has such a clear, judicious, concise, and exhaustive statement of this fundamental...

(Seminary convocation was held in Southwest PRC on September 15. SW PRC is right next door to the seminary, which was opened for visitors after the convocation program. The students and professors showed the newly remodeled building to many interested guests and friends of the seminary—more than the parking lot could hold. We are thankful for the interest of those who live in the area. At the suggestion of the Theological School Committee, we print the speech given at that occasion by Prof. Gritters, revised only slightly for publication.) A minister is very much like a physician; and the seminary...

What is truth? Pilate skeptically asked Jesus (John 18:38). Then he promptly subjected the truth to mockery, torture, and death. That’s the way it is with the ungodly—holding the truth in unrighteousness, they change the truth into a lie, put it to shame, turn from it with their hearts, and expel it from their minds to serve the creature (Rom. 1:18-28). Yet, they dare ask, What is truth? God is truth (I John 5:6). God is truth in that He alone is God (Rom. 1:20). He is truth in that He is perfect, righteous, and without iniquity in all His...

The Federal Vision (FV) movement is a heretical movement plaguing Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. In the past the FV has reared its ugly head within the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA). The URCNA’s Synod, which met from July 26-29, dealt with the FV in an attempt to refute its errors, especially its heretical teachings regarding the doctrine of justification. The FV teaches the heresy of justification by faith and works. Was synod successful in refuting the FV? Christian Renewal reporter Glenda Mathis believes it was. She writes, “Synod 2010 proved that the federation is united in its commitment...

Previous article in this series: October 1, 2010, p. 4. Dear Reformed Christian Young People (and their parents), Beware. My pastoral but very sharp warning last time was to look out for, in many Christian colleges and universities, a view of God’s kingdom that trivializes God’s church. This view makes the church merely a tool (only one of many) to establish the kingdom. For those who hold that view, God’s kingdom is far broader than the church, becomes something altogether different from God’s church, and is actually God’s real and supreme purpose in the world. In my judgment, this teaching...

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.” II Peter 3:15 Peter is ending his letter to some new Christians with an appeal that they stand fast and endure. He does not want to see them despair and give up. There is evidence that some of them had already become faint and had not endured (16). The danger is that they would be “led away” and “fall from [their] own steadfastness” (17). The key to practicing the virtue of patient endurance (strength and stability) is the knowledge of God’s Word generally—so Peter speaks of the Scriptures as they...