The Epistle to the Galatians is the strongest polemic against the attempt of the Judaizers to impose on the New Testament church the ceremonial aspects of the Old Testament law. At stake was much more than the circumcision of the Gentiles. The epistle dealt with the question of the law,…

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. As we begin our study of the book of Judges, we should bear in mind that the events that are recorded in this book follow historically upon those that we examined in the book of Joshua. The Lord…

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We concluded in the previous article that God chastised His people through the heathen whom Israel had failed to exterminate as commanded by God. As soon as they were thus disciplined, Israel repented and returned unto Jehovah. We…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. The first five books of the Bible are joined together into what is called the Pentateuch (five books). The thread of history runs through each one and joins them together into a bond of unity. Genesis marks…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We are in the process of outlining the first discourse of Moses recorded in the book of Deuteronomy (Deut. 1:1-4:43). We continue our outlining in Deut. 2:1. Moses has recalled Jehovah’s faithfulness in dealing with them in their…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. 2. The priestly consecration with its warnings for violations (Lev. 8:1-10:20). Aaron and his family were presented to the Lord in the presence of the congregation. Aaron was dressed in the proper clothes of the priest, a…

This little gem was written by Paul to a rich man who -was instructed by Paul to receive his slave who had run to Rome, but was converted there by Paul’s preaching and instructed to return. As such, it contains many implications on the fruits of the gospel.

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. In the book of Deuteronomy, we do not have additional laws given by Moses. Rather we have a review of the instructions which God gave the people at Mt. Sinai, for the people who were about to…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. The Book of Joshua follows chronologically upon the events recorded in the Pentateuch. We have seen that the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy deal with the history of Israel that takes them to the very edge of…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We have come to the concluding part of the book of Deuteronomy, which contains the last words of Moses and the record of his death (Deut. 31:1-34:12). We are up to chapter 32 with our outline. In…

In this letter, the author to the Hebrews (Jewish Christians) sets forth Jesus as the true fulfillment of the law and the old covenant. Though there was a temptation to abandon faith in Him, this letter was written to encourage all, especially Jews, to consider the true ministry of Jesus…

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. After the Lord had given victory over the Canaanitish king Jabin, and his captain Sisera, Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise unto Jehovah. In the opening verses they describe Jehovah their God who alone is worthy…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. Since we expressed agreement with the idea that Joshua begins a new section in the Hebrew Bible which is entitled The Former Prophets, we at the same times reject the idea that it belongs to the Pentateuch as…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. The first main division in the Book of Joshua covers,Joshua 1:1-12:24, and describes the entrance of Israel into the land of Canaan and the conquest of all its parts. We continue this outline from Joshua 1:9. Joshua instructs…

In writing to the Hebrew Christians, the author holds forth the new covenant as “better” than that of the old. He uses the word better some thirteen times. To illustrate the comparative superiority of the new covenant in Christ, he speaks of a better revelation (Heb. 1:1-4); a better hope…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We are about to the end of outlining the first main division of the book of Joshua, which covers chapters 1-12. This gives the details of Israel entering into and possessing the land of Canaan. We pick…

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We come now to the ninth judge, Samson. The Lord delivered Israel into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years (Judges 13:1). The angel appears unto the wife of Manoah, of the city of Zorah from the…

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We are in the midst of outlining the narrative of the Levite whose concubine had been abused by the men of Gibeah and killed. He had taken her body and cut it into twelve pieces and called the…

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We now turn our attention to the next book in the section of the Old Testament designated as “The Former Prophets.” For this reason we do not treat Ruth now, but will take that up in connection with…

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We begin our outline of the books of I and II Samuel by following the three main divisions—chapters 1-12 which deal with the history of Samuel; chapters 13-31 which cover the rule of Saul; and chapters 1-24 of…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. The title of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, is derived from the opening word, Bereshith, which translated means, beginning. Hence, it sets forth the keynote of the whole book, the beginning of all things. This is…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We continue with the outline of the book of Genesis. 5. The generations of the sons of Noah (Gen. 10:1-11:9). Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen. 10:1). The generations of Japheth are listed (Gen.…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. In our outline of the book of Genesis, we have yet to complete the last two “generations.” 10. The generations of Esau (Gen. 36:1-37:1). Esau’s name is given as “Edom.” He took his three wives and five…

This letter of James is placed within the category of “catholic epistles,” designated as such because they were written to the children of God without mentioning a specific church. They are, in this sense, universal-catholic. The author was burdened by the threat of dead orthodoxy in the churches, so he…

As we take up the task of outlining the letter of James, we notice the difficulty that confronts us. It appears at first reading that James is dealing with so many subjects that it lacks cohesion. To put it bluntly, it seems as if he is rambling. The words of…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. 7. Holiness expressed in the keeping of specific feasts (Lev. 23:1-24:23). The first one mentioned is the Sabbath, no work is allowed on the seventh day in order that they may gather before the Lord (Lev. 23:1-3).…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. The Torah designates this second book of the Pentateuch as Shamoth, “names,” taken from the opening word of the book itself. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, changed the name to Exodos, which in turn was…

Having shown in his first epistle the significance of love as a power for true fellowship in Christ Jesus, John deals in his other letters with the application of this guideline to two specific instances. In this second epistle he emphasizes the need to hold to the truth and refuse…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We continue with our outline of the book of Exodus. 5. Preparation for and the deliverance from Egypt (Ex. 4:29-13:16). Moses and Aaron inform the congregation the deliverance is near (Ex. 4:29-31). They also go to Pharaoh…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. The people of Israel spent a little less than a year at Mt. Sinai. During this time they received the ten commandments, the details of the Levitical laws, the instructions on the construction of the temple. Toward…

God wrote His Word with a view to the many needs which His people have while they sojourn here below. This letter focuses upon the special needs of the pilgrim, especially the pilgrim who must face suffering for righteousness’ sake. The Holy Spirit assures him that there is good reason…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We are busy outlining the section of Exodus that deals with the covenant broken at Sinai by the worship of the golden calf and how God renews His covenant (Ex. 31:18-35:3). Moses interceded for the people’s sins,…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We continue with our outline of the first main part of the book of Numbers, the preparation for Israel to depart from Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1:1-10:10). 5. The law of the Nazarite is given (Num. 6:1-27). Details…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. The name “Leviticus” is derived from the Septuagint Bible, Levitikon (Levitical) as an adjective added toBiblios (books), hence Levitical books. This reference is made to the laws which were administered by the Levites in their duty in the temple. We…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We are dealing with the section of the book of Numbers that describes how God chastened His people during their wanderings in the wilderness for the forty years (Numbers 15:1-19:22). Instruction is given for the preparation of…

The one outstanding feature of this short letter is that the author draws a contrast between Gaius and Diotrephes concerning their hospitality or lack of it in their dealings with the brothers who brought the gospel in their midst.

The Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse (from the first word of the Greek text), unveils for us the things that must come to pass that lead to the return of Christ. With His return, all things are brought to the final conclusion. In Genesis, we learn of the…

Before considering an outline of this book, we should take note of two things. First, that the seals, trumpets, and vials mentioned in the book must not be interpreted to be historical sequence, as if the first seal introduces a series of historical events that are followed by events pictured…

13. The pouring out of the seven vials (bowls), (Rev. 15:1-16:21). The seven angels who have the seven last plagues are introduced (Rev. 15:1). Before they come forth, the saints who are victorious are pictured as standing upon a sea of glass which is mingled with fire. They are singing…

Having completed the study of the New Testament books of the Bible, we now turn to the Old Testament for a brief analysis of each of the books, especially seeking to understand the unique place of each book within the collection of all sixty-six. In this article we begin by…

We have seen that the apostle Peter wrote this letter to the persecuted saints who were in need of encouragement. The oppression of government, the fear of death affected their outlook on life. With the light of the Christian hope shining upon their dark circumstances, they would focus more clearly…

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We are in the midst of outlining the section of the Book of Numbers that covers the second numbering of the people and related events (beginning at chapter 30). Moses reminds the heads of each tribe that…

The background for Peter’s first epistle was the Roman persecution that threatened those who were converted to Christianity, whether Jews or Gentiles. To them Peter wrote concerning their hope in God. As pilgrims they must expect tribulation and realize that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to…

The Holy Spirit guided all the events that led to our receiving the inspired record of the Old Testament. Even though we do not have any of the original manuscripts (some were written as long ago as 1500 B.C.), we do have some copies through the discovery of the Dead…

The church as well as the individual believer needs to be reminded of the riches of the gospel of truth and its influence for good. All too often, we take for granted the beauty of true fellowship in the love of God in Jesus Christ. This need is fulfilled as…

Before we take up the study of the individual books of the Old Testament, we will say a few words about the first five books. Taken together they are called the Pentateuch. By doing this, we will not have to repeat ourselves concerning authorship, possible date, occasion for writing, etc.,…

There is no doubt but that the book of Esther sets forth most dramatically and with marvelous detail the account of God’s preserving His people in a critical hour of need. 

We are examining the background for the feast that Esther had with Haman and the king during which she interceded for the life of all Jews. The fair virgins had assembled in Shushan, hoping to please the king with their favors and become queen. Among them we also find Esther…

A few weeks ago, I walked into a Christian bookstore and informed the clerk that I was interested in buying a King James Bible for table use. There came the most puzzled look over his face. It still makes me smile to recall it. Politely, he replied that he did…

Family worship is part of our Reformed heritage. Some might be inclined to call it Reformed tradition. In a sense this is true. The problem with using the word tradition is that it rings with empty formality. If we speak of heritage, it conveys the idea of something precious and…