All Articles For The Church At Worship

We believe that the same God, after he had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that he rules and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his appointment: nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that he orders and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even then, when devils and wicked men act unjustly.

We wrote the last time that everyone is duty bound to consider by himself the matter of his sin in connection with the preparatory self-examination that is to precede the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. We stressed the personal or individualistic character of this self -examination. In the experiential sense of the word each one of us must be brought to self-knowledge of sin in order that we may consciously realize the real need of the Saviour and Mediator whose death we celebrate in the sacrament. 

The covenant of grace, signified and sealed in holy baptism, is established, realized, maintained, and ultimately perfected by GOD alone. In His eternal counsel He foreknew and predestinated His covenant people unto the adoption of children according to the good pleasure of His sovereign and unchangeable will. In time He purchased them with the blood of His own Son Jesus Christ, which was shed on the cross of Calvary and is the perfect and effective atonement for sm.

We are not yet ready to discuss our order of worship and to consider its various elements step by step. There are other matters pertaining to the idea and meaning of worship ‘that’ come first. It is imperative that before we try to understand what we do in our acts of worship, we realize the nature of worship itself. Without this our study cannot be meaningful. Worship must be scrutinized and carefully examined from its most profound motivation in the heart to its visible expression in the act.

“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”  Psalm 96:9

The next part of our Baptism Form deals with the subject of infant baptisin. It must be mentioned in this connection that the purpose of this rubric is not to develop the doctrines that are mentioned in our liturgical forms. For the reader who is interested in such a development we may refer to the Standard Bearer rubric, “Our Doctrine,” where in recent issues, beginning with the February 15th issue, our editor, Rev. H. Hoeksema, has been treating this very subject.

Following the description of and Scriptural arguments for the doctrine of infant baptism, we come upon the statement in the Baptism Form, “And parents are in duty bound, further to instruct their children herein, when they shall arrive to years of discretion.” Then follows an intercessory prayer.

PREPARATORY SELF-EXAMINATION (Con’t.)  “Nothing in my hands I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling.” 

“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”  Psalm 96:9

GRATITUDE