All Articles For The Lord Gave the Word

We are now coming to the most important aspect of our research on the Scriptural approach in preaching the Gospel to the unconverted. We examined the approach employed in preaching the Gospel in the old dispensation. We considered the approach used by our Lord Himself during His earthly ministry. We now turn to the Book of Acts to see how the apostles preached the Gospel to the unconverted after the day of Pentecost. 

In our recent study of the book of Acts, it became evident how the apostles carried out their mandate to preach the Gospel to all nations. They proclaimed the glad tidings that the crucified and risen Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that there was salvation in His Name, and in His Name alone. They preached Him as the fulfillment of the promise that had been given to the fathers ever since the fall in paradise. To Jew and Gentile they testified of sin and judgment.

The following is the report of the Mission Committee to our Synod of 1963 concerning mission work in Jamaica:  “Motion is made to inform Synod that First Church has expressed its willingness to relinquish Rev. C. Hanko for four weeks to go to Jamaica, and the churches in the Grand Rapids area have signified their willingness to give their ministers to First Church for one service each during Rev. Hanko’s absence. Carried. 

The question naturally arises, now that contact has been established between our Protestant Reformed Churches and the people in Jamaica, what can be done for them in the future? 

One cannot understand the period of the Gospel Narratives apart from considering the Intertestamentary Period. This is that period of history of some four hundred years which runs from the death of Malachi to the birth of our Savior. Much of Jesus’ teaching remains unintelligible apart from an understanding of this period and the phenomena which characterize it. In addition there are several of these characteristics which have direct bearing on the whole subject of missions. 

Normally, I suppose, a new department on missions in a church paper should start out with a discussion on the history of missions, or especially on the principles that govern all mission endeavor. I also considered this when I prepared the first article for this department a few months ago. And it is still my purpose; the Lord willing, to discuss at some future date the history and principles of missions. But in the meantime, there were other matters that forced themselves upon our attention. There was the Jamaican mission field that had been explored.

Last time we saw that in Revelation 6 the four Apocalyptic Horsemen, are sent out to carry out the counsel of God unto the consummation of the ages. The white horse which went forth “conquering and to conquer” is the triumph of the kingdom of heaven throughout the new dispensation. This triumph of the kingdom of heaven is attained through the preaching of the Gospel unto the uttermost ends of the earth.

Is radio broadcasting mission work? This is the question that has been raised repeatedly in connection with our mission program during the past years. Sometimes the question was asked: What is the purpose of radio broadcasting? Or again, Should our churches engage in radio broadcasting in areas where it is impossible to follow up this ministry by personal contact? 

It is our purpose in this and in following articles to discuss the so-called “five points of Calvinism” in connection with the subject of missions.  We shall begin this discussion with an article or two on the truth of sovereign predestination and its place in the preaching of the gospel on the mission field. 

In the December issue of the Reformed Journal, Harry R. Boer writes about the importance of election in the preaching of the gospel on the mission field as well as in the church. He points out, and correctly so, that when Paul told the Ephesians that he had not shrunk from declaring to them “the whole counsel of God,” he meant all the essentials of the gospel, including the doctrine of election. He goes on to say that “Election, in Paul’s view is a part, and a very necessary part, of the gospel.