Vol 89 Issue 21

Congregation Activities With the Word of God found in I Corinthians 12:12 in mind, “For as the body is one and hath many members…,” we extend our congratulations to the First PRC of Edmonton, AB, Canada, celebrating their anniversary as an organized church on September 25, 1975. The congregation of the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA was invited to a Chili Cook-off fundraiser on Saturday, August 17. The idea, of course, was to enjoy an afternoon of homemade chili and vote on your favorite one. There were sign-up sheets for those who would like to enter their chili into the...

Mr. Linke is an elder in the Confessing Protestant Reformed Congregation of Giessen, Germany. The article appeared first in Bekenende Kirche. Translated by Mr. Peter VanDerSchaaf. Previous article in this series, September 1, 2013, p. 474. The promises are fulfilled in Christ When Jesus says in His prayer that He reveals the name of God, He is proclaiming the truth that God faithfully fulfills His promises. But Christ has done still more. He has not only proclaimed. He has not only pointed to a treasure chest. Much more, He has opened this treasure chest, the container with the treasures of...

God commands us to discipline our children in love. The wise God-fearing author of the book of Proverbs makes the statement, “He that spa­reth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chaste­neth him betimes” (Prov. 13:24). God Himself chastens His people because of their sins in order to humble them and turn them to Himself. “For whom the Father loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiv­eth” (Heb. 12:6). By the grace of God we as parents are to reveal the love of God our Father in chastening our children when they need this. Our...

Previous article in this series: June 2013, p. 399. About twelve years ago, in this rubric, I defended the proposition that deacons must be men, that is, male in gender. In this and the following article, I defend the same point regarding the office of elder in the church of Jesus Christ: elders must be chosen from the male member­ship of the church. Not just any males may be elders: they must be adult, confessing believers who meet other requirements that God gives in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. But they may not be females. Admittedly, this position is...

When the seminary professors first license students to speak a word of edification in the churches, we make sure they understand what is required of them to lead a congregation in worship. We talk about things like how early to ar­rive at the consistory room, where to shake hands with the elders after the service, how to announce songs, what to do with announcements the consistory asks to be made, etc. The professors have a little “Manual” that gives advice for the students. Included in the manual is the head­ing: “Determine the liturgical de­tails.” That is, be aware of the...

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:1, 2 The correct understanding of the truth of Scripture is evidenced in a life of godliness (Titus 1:1). This godliness is to be manifest in the believer’s life in the home and in the church. And the text we consider emphasizes the fact that this godliness is to be manifest in the believer’s life in the world. In this letter...