Vol 99 Issue 06

As a Christian pastor and preacher, a common theme upon which I ponder is how believers in the church, myself included as a minister of the gospel, will experience the attack of the enemies of Christ. The Scriptures are clear: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Tim. 3:12). In describing the citizens of the kingdom of God, Jesus says: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10). The entire teaching of the New Testament Scriptures on the last days and the coming...

Previous article in this series: September 1, 2022, p. 472. In our previous article we noted that when Reformed churches are criticized for a lack of missionary zeal, the blame is often directed against the Reformed creeds, and more specifically, against the Belgic Confession. The reason for the latter is because the Belgic Confession is the most comprehensive summary of Reformed doctrines, and the critics judge this defining creed to be deficient in the area of missions. In fact, some will even say the Belgic Confession hinders mission work because the creed is overly doctrinal and overly polemical. The claim...

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. Psalm 125:2 It is good for God’s people to know and to be reminded that the Almighty, unchanging God is ever round about His people. Especially is this true when we reflect over the year that is passing. Most readers of the Standard Bearer are well aware of recent distress in the churches—of deep wounds congregations and families endure, inflicted by the schismatic departure of some. Adding to this distress is the growing number of vacant pulpits in the churches....

Previous article in this series: October 15, 2022, p. 43. May 2, 2011 was the day U.S. SEAL Team Six killed the murderer of thousands, Osama bin Laden. The raid was conducted in a compound in Pakistan in the dark. Using night-vision goggles, the SEALS made their way to the third floor, where they found bin Laden in a bedroom. The rest is history. The American public hears much about the raid itself, being a defining moment in U.S. military history. But what people are not always aware of is the knowledge and planning that were required before ever carrying...

As we start this series, we want to take a look into the past, especially around the time when the Protestant Reformed Churches had her beginnings. For those who can trace their family history to the early years, there may well be as many stories to tell as there are members. Moving forward, it is my hope to explore several of these family histories and stories…your stories. As I mentioned in my previous article, I want to hear from you. I want to hear about your family history. We begin with the Holstege family then, because we have to begin...

…the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78b-79 Christmas is a season in which we see many glittering lights and enjoy visits with friends and relatives. But how much more glorious is the Light that God sent forth to shine in darkness! And, how much more wonderful is that visit of the Dayspring from on high! Zacharias had not been able to speak because he doubted God’s word when the angel first announced that...

If you have ever heard someone cry, “I just can’t forgive myself!” or if you have heard that in your own soul and thought it to be proper, it would be wise to test that concept with Scripture. The biblical doctrine of forgiveness is assaulted by more than a few false doctrines, and the doctrine of self-forgiveness is one of them.1 Added to the biblical doctrine of vertical forgiveness that God grants men, and the biblical doctrine of horizontal forgiveness that men grant to other men, is the unbiblical doctrine of a ‘reflexive’ forgiveness that a man grants to himself....

Reporting sexual abuse (revisited) Dear readers, In the November 1 issue of the Standard Bearer, a reader submitted a letter that asked about “reporting sexual abuse.” The editor responded by showing that consistories must make careful judgments about whether a sexual sin should be reported or not. This response caused concern in another reader because the original letter was about sexual abuse, and therefore the editor’s response should have limited itself to sexual abuse, not sexual sin generally. The concerned reader’s fear was that those who have been sexually abused/assaulted would now hesitate to report their assault for fear of...

Previous article in this series: November 1, 2022, p. 60. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:2-4 In Habakkuk 1:12-2:1 the prophet had expressed puzzlement over God’s use...

An introduction to soteriology As I begin writing for a new rubric, I intend to treat Soteriology or the doctrine of salvation. Soteriology is the fourth of the six loci of dogmatics, where loci is the plural of locus, which means “place.” The Essentials of Reformed Doctrine students, usually tenth and eleventh graders, learn the six loci of dogmatics as Theology, Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology, or the study of God, man, Christ, salvation, the church, and the last things. Salvation is that great work of God in which He, through Christ and by the Holy Spirit, delivers His...