Elders Who Know the Sheep
What is the necessary knowledge that elders must have of their sheep? This article shows that there are three essential areas.
What is the necessary knowledge that elders must have of their sheep? This article shows that there are three essential areas.
Reformed worship has been accused of being a one-man show. This article shows that such an accusation cannot stand. From the beginning the Reformers understood that all members participate in public worship.
Reformed worship cannot be judged by whether is it traditional or contemporary. In its nature it is covenantal. The nature of covenant worship is found in its union between God and his people, centred on God’s Word. In this article the focus is on preaching in worship.
This article is a biography on John Calvin with focus on his pastoral and teaching ministry.
This article warns against the danger of abandoning church discipline. Church discipline is important because it is means of protecting God's covenant - the life of fellowship with His people. In these two articles the duty of officebearers in administering discipline is explained.
This article warns against the danger of abandoning church discipline. Church discipline is important because it is means of protecting God's covenant - the life of fellowship with His people. In these two articles the duty of officebearers in administering discipline is explained.
The growing toleration for wickedness in the world and the intolerance of Christian truth signals looming persecution for Christians. This article shares some ways in which parents can prepare children for persecution.
Preaching the Heidelberg Catechism is crucial for the defense and preservation of the church. This article traces this practice from the Reformation to the synod of Dordt, maintaining that teaching the Catechism is still necessary today.
The richness of Psalm singing is found in that the Psalms are songs given by God. The Psalms teach theology and the history of redemption, they reveal the blessed life, and they help in making the word of Christ dwell in you.
The struggle around the sacraments, Psalm singing, and church membership led to the formation of the Christian Reformed Church as members separated from the Reformed Church of America. This separation was based on doctrinal struggle.
This article draws a metaphor of the minister as a physician and the seminary as medical school. Biblically a link is made between the spiritual and physical condition – sickness and healing. The minister, like a physician, must be trained to correctly diagnose and prescribe. The nature of this work requires training at seminary in order to shape the minister and teach him to use his tools well.
This article draws a metaphor of the minister as a physician and the seminary as medical school. Biblically a link is made between the spiritual and physical condition – sickness and healing. The minister, like a physician, must be trained to correctly diagnose and prescribe. The nature of this work requires training at seminary in order to shape the minister and teach him to use his tools well.
After seeing how difficult a calling the ministry can be, why would anyone want to be a minister? This article answers that God makes the pastor, and prepares the way for him from childbirth. The apostle Paul is an illustration of this. It is God's power that makes men useful to his ministry. A minister will therefore not be proud, since he is only an instrument of God's hand.
Should parents who do not send their children to catechism classes be disciplined? The author shows that this has been a conviction in the history of the Reformed Churches. He shows the need for catechism and the benefits it has for the church. The author maintains that instruction in the Heidelberg Catechism is linked to the promise parents make to their children at their baptism.
Catechism teaching is under threat in many churches. This article shows that catechism is important for the formation of children as they grow in their knowledge of God. This article discusses how we can continue to develop and improve our ways of teaching the catechism.
Catechism teaching is under threat in many churches. This article shows that catechism is important for the formation of children as they grow in their knowledge of God. It is essential for the preservation of doctrine and is a suitable means to teach the word of God in a systematic way. Methodology for teaching the catechism is also discussed in order that God’s word may be taught and applied rightly.
Catechism teaching is under threat in many churches. This article shows that the church's instruction of the youth has always been the practice of God's people. Tracing this practice through the Old and New Testament, the early church, and the Reformation, the author encourages the church to continue in this practice.
Is the singing of hymns a deviation from God’s word? This article discusses the viewpoint of the Secession churches (of the Netherlands in the 1900's) on the singing of Psalms and hymns in the worship service.
This trilogy of articles discusses the task of the elder in working with the pastor for the improvement of the preaching. This article discusses how sermons must have an aspect of spirituality.
This trilogy of articles discusses the task of the elder in working with the pastor for the improvement of the preaching. This article provides reasons why this is important. The author also gives some direction as to what church council should look for in a sermon and how they can supervise the preaching.
The survival of the church depends on the keeping on the Lord’s Day. This keeping of the Sunday must be done in love. We must love the fourth commandment, just as Jesus did. This article gives some ways in which Christians can show that they love the fourth commandment.
Motherhood is a good analogy for the work of the minister. They are great principles for the ministry embedded in the role of the mother. The author discusses this concept by looking at 1 Thessalonians 2:7.
Motherhood is a good analogy for the work of the minister. They are great principles for the ministry embedded in the role of the mother. The author discusses this concept by looking at 1 Thessalonians 2:7.
What is the purpose and goal of mission work? Who sends out missionaries? Who may be sent to do mission work? Who is mission work directed toward? The written answers to these questions by Gisbertus Voetius contributed to the work of evangelism by the Netherlands churches.
What is the process behind the decision of whether an individual will go to a theological seminary? This article maintains that not only is the individual himself behind the decision, but the church federation and the church elders. Elders have the responsibility to seek out and encourage suitable individuals to consider going into the ministry.
"Oh, what God is this?!" Won't it be wonderful if these are your words after hearing a sermon? Preaching should lead to worship similar to that of Revelation 4. The minister has a calling to behold God unto the church.
This article is about lawlessness in the end times. The author looks at 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Matthew 24:11-13 and obedience in the church.
This article is about the place of the Holy Spirit in salvation, and specifically also about the relation between the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and the Father.
These articles on pornography, are about the strategy of satan in pornography, and about the consequences of sin. This article also discusses the relation of sin and addiction, and of sin and the judgment of God. The author also looks at pornography and church discipline and the victory over addiction.
Should I do it? Or should I not? The Bible does not always give us direct answers about what we should do in all situations. It looks at how we should find the will of God in the so-called indifferent things (adiaphora).
When we stand before the great white throne and the Lord asks us, "What have you done to Me in your life?" what will we say? This article is about the final judgment, election and reprobation, and the relation of our works and heaven and hell.
This article is about the preaching of the gospel to all the nations as a sign of the end times. The author also discusses Matthew 24:14, the coming of the kingdom of God, the health and wealth gospel, and the effectiveness and purpose of preaching.
This article about the great persecution (the persecution of the church) in end times, is about the great tribulation and the antichrist. The perseverance of the believers is also discussed, as well as the text Matthew 24:15-35.
This article on the signs of the times before the return of Christ, is about world disasters. The author also discusses Matthew 24:6-8, disasters and our prayer, prosperity, and the antichrist.
At the end times we will see the rise and development of Antichrist. This article is about the Antichrist, his rule over the world (religious and political) and Revelation 13.
The author discusses the different views on the millennium: postmillennialism, premillennialism, and amillennialism.
This article is about the preparation for worship and the participation in worship.