Previous article: May 15, 2017, p. 370 At bottom, the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century was a return to the supreme authority of Holy Scripture. The Latin phrases coined by the Reformers to express their conviction were sola Scriptura and prima Scriptura. Scripture alone is the rule of faith and life. What Christians believe and how they live is determined only by Scripture. Scripture rules over the individual believer and over the church as a whole. It rules over the local church and over all church assemblies and councils. Nothing apart from Scripture need be believed or obeyed, and...
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Trivia question Do you know how many PRCA churches have been organized since the year 2000? Answer later in this column. Minister activities On August 20 the congregation at Doon, IA PRC received a letter of decline from Rev. Clayton Spronk to be a missionary to the Philippine mission field. We are thankful for God’s clear revelation to Rev. Spronk. Also on August 20 the congregation at Byron Center, MI PRC called Rev. Brian Huizinga to be their next pastor. Rev. Huizinga declined this call on September 10. Candidate Matthew DeBoer accepted the call extended to him from the Edgerton,...
That the Heidelberg Catechism was intended from the outset to be preached and taught in established churches is evident from the Preface written by its royal sponsor, Elector Frederick III of the Palatinate: We do herewith affectionately admonish and enjoin upon every one of you, that you do, for the honour of God and our subjects, and also for the sake of your own soul’s profit and welfare, thankfully accept this proffered Catechism or course of instruction, and that you do diligently and faithfully represent and explain the same according to its true import, to the youth in our schools...
Previous article: March 1, 2017, p. 255. The Reformed believer has greater incentive than anyone else for teaching his children to love the church of God. We have the clearest and most biblical understanding of what the church is and who her members are. The church is God’s holy dwelling place with His chosen people. There God reveals His glory and salvation. Outside of the church there is no salvation. The membership of the church is determined by God, not by man’s choice. The Lord gathers His church with believers and their covenant children. This is God’s way from the...
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 36 Q. 99. What is required in the third commandment? A. That we, not only by cursing or perjury, but also by rash swearing, must not profane or abuse the name of God; nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others; and, briefly, that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence; so that He may be rightly confessed and worshiped by us, and be glorified in all our words and works. Q. 100. Is then the profaning of God’s name by swearing and cursing...
In recent years, there has been a troubling trend in the United Kingdom, in which the freedom of speech of street preachers has been increasingly curtailed. Whatever one might think of the practices and methods of street preachers, freedom of speech and freedom of religion are precious gifts that we enjoy (for now) in Western democracies, something our brothers and sisters in other lands do not enjoy. Americans have the First Amendment, while in the United Kingdom freedom of speech is generally protected in law. The United Kingdom has several statutes designed to prevent public disorder and violence. Unfortunately, Christian...
As we informed the reader last article, in 2014 Classis Grand Rapids (GR) East of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) appointed a study committee on human sexuality, giving it the mandate “to examine and summarize the biblical/theological support currently offered by Christian proponents of same-sex marriage.” In 2016 the committee submitted its report to Classis GR East, a report composed of “ten-strands of arguments woven together” of sufficient strength, its committee was convinced, to justify approving same-sex marriage in the name of contemporary Christianity. After twenty centuries of New Testament-age ignorance, man’s knowledge of biology has developed enough to warrant...
With all thanks and praise to God, we begin the 94th year of printing the Standard Bearer. The first issue of the SB consisted of sixteen pages, containing nine articles and three poems. Four men made up the entire staff. I am more thankful than I can express that in the upcoming year the SB has a total of 38 different writers who have agreed to contribute articles—from two articles to ten or twelve. By God’s grace working in these men and women, the SB will continue to be a Reformed magazine devoted to defending and expounding the Reformed faith...
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:7, 8 Another growing season is winding down in North America. In the Spring, seed was committed to the soil of countless gardens and fields. Many have been enjoying the fresh produce harvested from these gardens. And when each crop is mature, the combines and harvesters roll through the fields bringing in the wheat, soybeans,...
