All Articles For Article

And there were certain Greeks among them, that came to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Beth said a of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. John 12:20, 21 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast. It indicated that they had embraced the Messianic hope, as had the Magi from the East, who had come, some years previous, to Christ’s cradle. As the Magi, so in all likelihood these visitors had been brought in contact with this hope by the Jews...

We can probably do many of our younger readers a service if we publish a brief resume of the article by Dr. Schilder that appeared in De Reformatie recently and in which the writer clearly reveals his attitude towards the Protestant Reformed Churches. Many a reader cannot read the Holland language. Yet, he is deeply interested in these matters. Very frequently I have heard the suggestion, even received requests to discuss these matters in the English language. He, no doubt, heard of this article in question, for it was the subject of many a conversation. And he would like to...

The fifth psalm is a morning meditation. Many years later we find a quotation taken from this psalm and quoted in the New Testament. (Rom. 3:13). I cannot help but think: how few people will to-day meditate like the saint in this psalm. To-day there is a very different tenor in the meditations of those who “look up” and “direct their prayer in the morning.” There are not a few divines who explain (?) this psalm as a sinful outburst of selfishness on the part of David. Some do not try to explain it at all. Some think it a...

Having in our previous article ascertained the pattern and structure of the tabernacle, let us now lay hold on its meaning and design by considering the time of its erection, the names that it bore, its anointing and furniture. The instruction for the making and erection of the tabernacle were given to Moses by divine revelation immediately after God’s establishing His covenant with Israel as a nation at Sinai. The details of this act may be briefly stated. The Lord had called unto Moses out of the mountain saying that he tell the people of Israel that if they would...

The position that the “looper” is walking in sin is the only one that may be taken, so I wrote. This is especially true, in case the “looper” has serious objections against the method of preaching of a certain minister or against his person. For through his constantly and regularly attending the meeting for public worship of the other pastor, the “looper” openly declares, “The pastor of the church located in the place where I reside, is so extremely objectionable that it is impossible for me to derive a blessing from his ministry of the word.” Now, the person (or...

Selfishness is so deeply rooted in man’s heart that at the moment it becomes plain that there is no merit of ours in doing good works we stand aghast and say: why must we still do good works? The Heidelberger proposes this question, not because he himself is not plain on the issue, but he is engaged in showing us that we are by nature a very selfish lot. If our good works could merit us something, if they could gain us something, then we would gladly do them, yes we would be eager to do them. But, now, if...

 The people of Israel were encamped at Mount Sinai. Moses was with God on the summit of this mount. Then, after the ratification of the covenant, the Lord spake unto Moses, that he charge the children of Israel that “they bring me an offering; of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. . . . And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle. . . .” (Ex. 25:1, 9). Let us first ascertain from the...

No Creed but Christ, is the caption of a communication appearing in De Wachter (of the Christian Reformed Churches of North America) for October 8. In his communication the correspondent rises to the defense of the above slogan. Now the saying No Creed but Christ cannot possibly be defended. The conception from which it springs is thoroughly wrong. It may not be amiss to briefly show this, especially not in view of the circumstance that the saying seems to be a favored one with so many Christian people. The Christian creeds are definite and formal declarations on the part of...

The following excerpt is taken from the report of the Acts of the general Synod (now in session) of the “Gereformeerde” Churches of the Netherlands: [DUTCH REMOVED] The Reporter (Prof K. Schilder) states that the above question occasioned a broad discussion. Various questions arose. The reporter states his own view, which reads in part as follows: [DUTCH REMOVED] We are fully agreed with the views and sentiments here expressed. The position that, let us call them “runners” (loopers) are walking in sin, is the only one that may be taken. And if they are walking in sin, it cannot possibly...

Between what was Egyptian and what was Israelitish, there was, as we have seen, similarity. Let us now ask, first in respect to the religious institutions and in particular the sacrificial system of both people, how this similarity is to be explained. According to the prevalent view, the explanation is that the Israelitish institution of the sacrifice together with the rites and ceremonies attending it, was borrowed by Moses either wholly or in part from the religious worship of the Egyptians. To correctly appraise this explanation, it must be realized that it can be given several meanings. Let us attend...