25 Mar

Covenant Reformed News - March 2023

Published in Covenant PRC Ballymena, Northern Ireland

Covenant Reformed News

March 2023 • Volume XIX, Issue 11

Was Hagar Saved?

Was Hagar, the wife or concubine of Abraham and the mother of Ishmael, saved? As with the spiritual condition of Ishmael, whom we considered in the last issue of the News, there are differences of opinion among orthodox Christians on this question, with some claiming that Hagar was not a believer and others reckoning that she was a child of God. Similar to last time, I will give five biblical arguments from Genesis in support of the position that Hagar was saved by God’s sovereign grace in Jesus Christ.

1. Do you really think that father Abraham would marry or take as a concubine an unbeliever and that holy Sarah (Heb. 11:11; I Pet. 3:6) would have presented an ungodly woman as a wife or concubine to her husband (Gen. 16:1-3)? This is Jehovah’s testimony regarding Abraham’s faithfulness in his household, the church: “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; [so] that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (18:19).

God’s people must marry “only in the Lord” (I Cor. 7:39). Believers are forbidden to enter into wedlock with an unbeliever: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (2 Cor.6:14,15).

2. The messenger of God appeared to Hagar. In fact, the very first recorded appearance of “the angel of the Lord” in Scripture is His conversation with Hagar (Gen. 16:7-14). Moreover, the angel of God spoke twice with Hagar, with the latter interaction being recorded in Genesis 21:17-19.

A careful consideration of these passages in Genesis 16 and 21, as well as a study of the angel or messenger of the Lord in the Old Testament, reveals that He is God, even an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ. Hagar was the recipient not only of the first Christophany in the form of the angel or messenger of the Lord but of two of them! Both appearances were favourable to her. Are we really to think that Hagar was ungodly?

3. God answered Hagar’s prayers (just as He answered Ishmael’s prayers, as Genesis 21:17 records): “the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction” (16:11).

In naming Hagar’s son “Ishmael,” which means “God heard,” the pre-incarnate Christ would have us remember, whenever we read or write or say or hear or think the name “Ishmael,” that Jehovah answered Hagar’s prayers. Moreover, this text specifically states that God heard her “affliction,” for He cares for His people in their suffering and hearkens to their cries (cf. Ex. 2:23-25; 3:7; 4:31; 6:5; Isa. 63:9). Remember Scripture’s testimony regarding whose prayers Jehovah answers and whose He does not: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Prov. 28:9); “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth” (John 9:31).

4. Hagar made a good confession of God’s gracious speech to, and vision of, her: “she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” (Gen. 16:13).

Hagar wisely and thankfully memorialized this marvellous meeting and the wonderful God who met with her in Jesus Christ: “Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi” (14). The three parts of “Beer-lahai-roi” mean, roughly, “well-living-seeing.” If the reference is to God, Hagar calls it “the well of Him who lives and sees me.” Others reckon that the verbs “living” and “seeing” refer to Hagar herself, so that her point is, “I live after seeing Him at this well.” Some think that the name is deliberately ambiguous and so is designed to include both meanings. We do not need a definitive answer for our present purposes. Whatever the precise import of the name “Beer-lahai-roi,” like the name “Ishmael,” it underscores Jehovah’s mercy to Hagar and her piety.

Homer C. Hoeksema makes the following astute remarks regarding Hagar in Genesis 16, the chapter from which we have derived the last four arguments: “There are ... facets of this history we must not ignore ... we note that the Lord comforts Hagar. She is the recipient of a wonderful revelation through the angel of Jehovah, the Old Testament manifestation of the Christ (Gen. 16:7ff). The Lord reveals his favor to Hagar and promises to multiply her seed exceedingly. Hagar commemorates this revelation by naming the well where the angel of Jehovah appeared to her Beerlahairoi, ‘the well of him that liveth and seeth me’ (Gen. 16:14)” (Unfolding Covenant History, vol. 2, p. 157).

5. The messenger of the Lord told Hagar not to fear: “the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad” (21:17). Unbelievers have everything to fear! Where in His Word does God ever tell the wicked not to fear dying or Him?

There are three other instances in the book of Genesis when Jehovah tells people, “Fear not.” All of these commands are addressed to the believing patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob): “the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (15:1); “And the Lord appeared unto him [i.e., Isaac] the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake” (26:24); “And he said [to Jacob], I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation” (46:3). Thus Hagar is included in Isaiah’s exhortation of all those whom Jehovah has “created” and “formed” by His grace, including us: “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine” (43:1)! Rev. Angus Stewart

Christ’s Reign as King

Our question for this issue of the News was sent by a reader who was asked by a dispensationalist, “Reformed believers hold that Christ is now reigning as King on His throne, but what about Matthew 25:31-34, II Timothy 2:12 and Revelation 5:10, which, on the surface, seem to imply that He is not yet reigning as King?”

Dispensationalists, as represented by the Scofield Reference Bible notes and those connected with Dallas Theological Seminary, believe concerning the kingship of Christ:

that Christ is King only of Israel, that is, of physical Jews, and has a different relationship to the church of which He is not King but Head (this is part of their belief that Israel and the church are two different peoples of God);
that Christ’s reign as King will only begin with the restoration of the Jewish nation to the land of Israel, with the rebuilding of the temple and the reestablishment of the throne of David in the earthly city of Jerusalem. This will mark the beginning of a literal thousand-year reign of Christ in Jerusalem over the Jews and will be the fulfilment of all the Old Testament promises to Israel.

Many postmillennialists also use language that implies that Christ must still be crowned King, and will not be until a future golden age is ushered in and all the world Christianized. Then this world will become the kingdom of God but not until then.

We believe that the true Israel, spiritual Jews, are the people of God, the church, gathered from both Jews and Gentiles in the New Testament. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Rom. 2:28-29). “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29).

Because believing Jews and Gentiles are one people of God, we believe that Christ is King of both, of the spiritual Israel as well as of the New Testament church. “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:37). “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him” (Rom. 10:11-12). “Lord” is very similar to “King” in Scripture.

We believe, then, that Christ’s reign as King is not merely future but also present. As the eternal Son of God, of course, His kingship is without beginning or end (I Tim. 1:17). As the One born in due time and in the likeness of our sinful flesh, His coronation and kingship begin with His exaltation. The risen Christ declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11). At Christ’s return, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (I Cor. 15:24-26).

What, then, about the verses mentioned in the question?

Matthew 25:31-34 states, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Dispensationalism presupposes that the judgment described in these verses takes place a thousand years before the end (dispensationalists believe in three or more judgments), at which time Christ’s kingship over the Jews will also be established. That is reading an awful lot into the passage! These verses describe the final great day of judgment at our Lord’s second coming: “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works” (Matt. 16:27).

What we have said regarding Matthew 25:31-34 applies also to II Timothy 2:12 and Revelation 5:10. In all three cases, dispensationism merely presupposes an earthly rule of Christ over the Jews for a thousand years before the end, something these verses do not even mention!

Moreover, the biblical truth of Christ’s bodily return is not just that He will come but that He is coming! The Lord Jesus told the sanhedrin at His trial, “I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64).

The present New Testament rule of Christ as King over all things on behalf of a church gathered out all nations is important. If He is not my King, then I owe Him no allegiance. If He is not King of the church, then I have no part in His kingdom. If He is not King of kings and Lord of lords now, then I can have no confidence that all things must work together for good to those who love God. If He is not King now and my King forever, then I have no idea where my citizenship resides, except, to my lasting grief, in some earthly nation that will soon be no more.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Phil. 3:20-21). Rev. Ron Hanko

Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena, BT43 5DR • Lord’s Day services at 11 am & 6 pm
Website: https://cprc.co.uk/ • Live broadcast: cprc.co.uk/live-streaming/
Pastor: Angus Stewart, 7 Lislunnan Road, Kells, N. Ireland, BT42 3NR • (028) 25 891851
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. • www.youtube.com/cprcni • www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC

19 Mar

PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 19, 2023 *(Updated)

Published in News

Psa 92 13 Today, March 19, is the twelfth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.

As we continue our pilgrim journey in this new year, we do so in glad and grateful worship of our sovereign, saving God and King. Through Jesus Christ His Son and by His Holy Spirit our heavenly Father has redeemed and renewed us to be His worshiping and serving people. To Him we owe our all, and to Him we strive to give our all! Soli Deo gloria!

If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. ~ Psalm 92:1-4

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

On February 26 Rev. S. Regnerus (Lynden WA PRC) accepted the call from Hull (IA) PRC. Today he preached his farewell in Lynden PRC (WA) and a farewell dinner was held for him and his family this evening. Tomorrow they plan to leave for Iowa. In Hull's bulletin today was this note: "The Installation Service for Rev. Regnerus is planned for Friday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Brummel is scheduled to lead us worship."
Lynden PRC's Consistory presented the following trio to the congregation last week: Revs. A Brummel (Calvary PRC), M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC, MN), and M. Kortus (Hope PRC, CA). At the congregational meeting Sunday, Rev. M. DeBoer received this call.
Today Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) declined the call from Doon (IA) PRC.
Today Rev. J. Maatman (SE PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) declined the calls he had received from Hudsonville PRC and from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB).
Last Sunday Rev. J. Smidstra received the call from Loveland PRC.
Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC, Jenison MI) is considering the call to First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI (received Feb.26). He plans to answer on March 26.
Randolph PRC's Consistory has a new trio for the congregation's consideration and vote: Revs. N. Decker (Grandville, MI), J. Maatman (SE-GR), and D. Noorman (SW-Wyoming, MI). The congregational meeting will be March 26 after the morning service.
Georgetown PRC's Council has announced a new trio consisting of Revs. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC), A. Spriensma (Cornerstone PRC) , and D. Noorman (SW PRC). A congregational meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2023.
Hosanna PRC's Consistory has formed a new trio (after Rev. Maatman's decline today): Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA), J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker, MI).
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. M. DeBoer in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Prof. R. Cammenga in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. W. Langerak in Hudsonville PRC; Sem. M. Koerner in Hull PRC; Prof. R. Dykstra (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. M. DeVries in Randolph PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Congregational Evangelism News
- Calvary PRC (Hull, IA): "Calvary PRC is hosting a marriage/parenting conference this weekend - Friday, March 24 from 6:30- 8:30 PM and Saturday, March 25 from 9 AM - 1 PM with biblical counselor, Mr. Scott O’Malley. Secure your babysitters now and confirm plans to attend as we seek God’s glory through the strengthening of our marriages and faithful parenting. The conference is free, and refreshments will be served. Invite family and friends to attend with you."
- Faith PRC (Jenison, MI): "The Reformed Doctrines Class taught by Prof. Engelsma will meet this Wednesday, March 22, at Faith Church at 7:30. The intriguing subject will be the providence of God, particularly regarding the fall of man in Eden. All are welcome to attend."
- Zion PRC (Jenison, MI): "Community Bible Study will meet next Wednesday (March 29) at 7 pm to study the second half of John 11. The plan is to continue through the month of April. Please consider inviting a neighbor or acquaintance and attending with them!"
- Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB): "Our new church website has gone live! You can check it out at www.hosannaprc.com."
- Providence PRC (Hudsonville, MI): She recently redesigned her website.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Classis East: Classis East met this past Wednesday in continuing session in Grandville PRC from its January meeting. For the report of this meeting, visit this page.

Classis West met Wednesday-Thursday, March 1-2, in Lynden PRC, Washington. A report of this meeting may be found on this webpage.

DMC News: Evangelism and Missions Conference: To be held at Trinity PRC the evenings of May 4 and 5, 2023. Speeches and discussion groups about timely topics related to home missions and personal evangelism are planned. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon in your church bulletins and newsletters. We hope to see you there!

PRC 100th Anniversary Committee: "With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. Please assist the planning committee by completing a brief survey by March 10, 2023, to let them know how you would likely attend (in person or virtually) and your preferences for onsite accommodations. Access the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRCA100

PRC Minister/Teacher Scholarship Fund: Information for the 2023 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 12th.

BHuizinga BFeenstra Hebrew March
Prof. B. Huizinga teaching first-year Hebrew to Sem. B. Feenstra.

PRC Seminary Notices:

The PRTS' second semester continues with its ninth week this week. The seminary is now past the midway point of the semester. The 2nd semester schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website. Continue to keep the faculty, students, and staff in prayer as they carry on their normal labors and studies. The annual Spring break is scheduled for April 3-7.
Sem. Aaron Van Dyke will lead in daily devotions this week. Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC-Jenison, MI) will speak for chapel on Wednesday.
The first round of practice preaching was completed earlier this month. The second round is set for the two Mondays after Spring Break (April 10 and 17).
This Thursday, March 23, Mr. Dan Hanko will be bringing his students from Hope Protestant Reformed Christian School for an introduction and tour of the seminary. They will be joining faculty and students for devotions and refreshments afterwards.
The Protestant Reformed Theological School Committee (TSC) is seeking to interview qualified applicants to fill the position of seminary secretary at the close of the coming school year. Members of the PRC who have interest in serving in full or part-time capacity should contact the TSC Academic Affairs Committee by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for a job description and application form. Resumes are encouraged but not required.
Preparations are being made for the Spring 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal. In the meantime, the Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal is still available in print and digital formats. Print copies are available from the seminary. The digital editions have been posted on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This latest issue features articles by Prof. Griess (Calvin and the third mark of the true church), Prof. Kuiper (seminary history, chap.2), Prof. Gritters (introduction to an old article on mental illness by Herman Hoeksema and a book review article), plus numerous book reviews. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Sharon, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
The seminary is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., including the library and bookstore. PRC members and friends are welcome to visit and make use of these resources.
For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website - and don't forget the blog!

ephesians 4 3 2

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
- Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. In her bulletin today, we find this pastoral note concerning the significance of worship: "It is the Lord’s Day. We are given the highest duty of worshipping God. Upon us saints has been conferred upon the most honourable privilege of extolling the praise of the One true and living God. This is our goodly heritage bestowed upon us by our gracious God. To worship God of heaven and earth as one saved by His grace and who is forever under the wings of His care, is 'truly the fullness of my cup of bliss'."
- The newest issue of Salt Shakers was recently made available - Issue 68, December 2022. Especially for young people, the magazine contains a variety of articles and is edifying for ALL readers!

Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
- Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
- The last newsletter of the CPRC was published in January 2023. Read about the exciting work going on in the CPRC!
- The February 2023 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published the end of last month! Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (was Ishmael saved?) and R. Hanko (Felix's trembling).
- The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
- Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today.
- "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., will join us in our worship services via Livestream at our official Facebook page, D.V."
- Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her worship services today.

Reformed Resources for Education, Edification, and Evangelism

Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

CGriess 2019

This month the RWH begins to re-broadcast a series of Prof. C. Griess on the doctrines of grace (five points of Calvinism). Today's message is titled "Total Depravity' (1) based on John 6:44, 65-66.
The Reformed Witness Hour publishes each month's messages in an attractive booklet. These printed sermons are a great blessing to many and are distributed all over the world, including to many prisoners in the U.S. If you or your Evangelism Committee would like to receive these, let the RWHC know and they will add you to the mailing list (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

The Reformed faith is truly "the doctrine which is according to godliness" (1 Tim.6:3). You are encouraged to read this resource to discover or rediscover how truly biblical the doctrines of God's sovereign grace are.

Would you like to learn more about the doctrines and practices of the PRC? Or, are you in need of some pamphlets and/or articles published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing? Or are you simply interested in growing in your faith and walk with the Lord? Visit the Resources pages of this website and the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.

For sound, distinctively Reformed literature on a variety of subjects and for all ages - including church history and Bible study materials - visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association website or stop in at their Jenison (Michigan) location.

The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) has now opened its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Regular hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 10-1.
Do you need some catechism materials for use in your church or family? The PRC publishes catechism materials on Bible history and Reformed doctrine, for children of all ages. Visit this page for more information.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

evangelism reformed faith DJE "The Reformed Faith preaches an almighty, gracious God and a powerless, totally depraved mankind. Such a faith, men charge, cannot evangelise. Indeed, such a faith must be unevangelistic in its very spirit. It cannot be motivated to be zealous in evangelism. Even if it were so motivated, it would have no message to bring.

"Note well, however, that this charge, or fear, as the case may be, arises from certain preconceived notions about evangelism - notions that are unbiblical. There is the notion that the motivation of evangelism is God's love for all men and desire to save all men. There is the notion that the message of evangelism is a universal love of God, a universal atonement, and a universal grace in the preaching, all dependent upon the free will of sinners, who, it is thought, are able to choose for Christ. There is the notion that the efficacy of evangelism is the persuasiveness of the evangelist and the decision of the sinner's wooed will.

"Raving these notions of evangelism, men proceed to corrupt the Reformed Faith in the interests of evangelism. Double predestination hinders missions; and, therefore, reprobation is denied, and men proclaim a universal saving love of God - the evangelist preaches to all and sundry, 'God loves you.' Limited atonement hampers missions; and, therefore, men preach a universal atonement - the evangelist assures all and sundry, 'Christ died for you.' An efficacious call of the gospel to some only restricts mission work; and, therefore, men teach that God is gracious to all men in the preaching - the evangelist announces to all his hearers, 'God desires your salvation and is now sincerely offering salvation to you.' Total depravity does not square with such evangelism (for what good is all this love, atonement, and grace, if the sinner cannot avail himself of it?); and, therefore, it is suggested to the sinner that he has the ability to open up his heart to let Jesus in, or he is told outright that the new birth depends upon his believing.

"With this kind of evangelism, the Reformed Faith is incompatible; of such an evangelism, it is the sworn foe. A Reformed preacher would not dare to engage in evangelism of this kind. He would not, because he fears to stand in the Judgment, having preached a message that robbed God of His glory in the salvation of sinners and that taught sinners to trust for salvation in their own ability and activity. The worst evolutionist, a veritable Charles Darwin, will not be so culpable of despoiling the wonderful works of God as such an evangelist.

"But this is not Biblical evangelism. With Biblical evangelism, the Reformed Faith is perfectly compatible. It is false, it is absurd to suppose that the Reformed Faith cannot do evangelism, because of the doctrines of grace that it espouses. These truths, assailed as detrimental to evangelism, are truths that set forth salvation as God's gracious gift. They constitute the gospel, the 'evangel', the good news. How foolish of men, whether within Reformed churches or without, to deny the gospel, in order that they may better evangelise, i.e., proclaim the gospel. Men are really saying that God's gospel is unpreachable, or that it is not serviceable for saving sinners and gathering the Church."

~ Taken from the resource "Evangelism and the Reformed Faith" by Prof. D. Engelsma

Revile

By Langerak, William

The Cup Our Savior Drank

By Haak, Carl

17 Mar

Classis East Report - January 11-12 and March 15, 2023

Grandville small
Grandville (MI) PRC, host of Classis East meeting

Classis East met for two full days Wednesday and Thursday, January 11,12 at Grandville PRC.

An appeal was treated in closed session, and therefore, the details of the case cannot be shared publicly. It can be said that classis made some decisions in response to the appeal and approved the appointment of a committee to work with the involved consistory and appellant; we pray these actions will assist in bringing the case to a God-glorifying resolution.
First PRC of Grand Rapids officially notified classis of the resignation of brother Rodney Kleyn from the ministry in the PRCA.
Grace PRC asked for and received permission from classis to distribute a clarification of language used in a handout that was previously distributed to the denomination.
First PRC of Holland’s request for “a special day of prayer in response both to recent and past cases of abuse in our denomination” was approved. Classis designated January 31, 2023 as the special day of prayer.
Elected as primi synodical delegates: Revs. Decker, Eriks, Langerak, Mahtani, Spronk, and elders Randy Dykstra, Joel Minderhoud, Tim Pipe Jr., John Van Baren, Dan VanUffelen. And as secundi synodical delegates: Revs. Bruinsma, Dykstra, McGeown, Noorman, Smidstra and elders Andy Bylsma, Josh Hoekstra, Steve Kuiper, Peter VanderSchaaf, Dirk Westra.
Classis also treated an overture from Providence PRC “to be forwarded to Synod 2023 to commission G.R.A.C.E (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) to perform a full, independent, third-party investigation or assessment of the Protestant Reformed Churches.” Classis decided to appoint a committee to study the overture further and to recess until March 15, 2023. Therefore, on March 15, 2023 classis will reconvene at 8:00 am at Grandville PRC to treat the committee’s recommendations regarding the overture.
May God use the decisions of classis for the welfare of His church, and may He guide the study committee in its work for the benefit of our churches in responding properly to the grievous sin of sexual abuse. (summary from Rev. C. Spronk, stated clerk)

Report of Continuing Session on March 15, 2023

Classis East reconvened at 8:00am on Wednesday morning. The main business of the day involved the treatment of an overture from Providence PRC to hire a third party to investigate sexual abuse in the PRCA. A committee of seven men submitted a majority report signed by four men, opposed to the overture, and a minority report signed by three men, in favor of passing the overture on to synod with the approval of Classis East. Both committees read their reports.

After lengthy deliberation, Classis East voted to approve the majority report. By adopting the majority report Classis East declared it did “not approve of the overture of Providence PRC that the PRCA commission a full, independent, third party investigation and assessment of sexual abuse in the PRCA” on the basis of four grounds. Adopting the majority report means that classis did not treat the minority report.

Classis approved two weeks of supply for five churches in Classis West. Classis approved a recommendation from a special committee to continue its work with a consistory on an abuse case.

Expenses of the meeting totaled $2,549.47.

Classis adjourned around 2:30pm.

Below are three (3) downloads with pertinent documents:

1. Special CE Committtee Majority Report

2. Special CE Committee Minority Report

3. Minutes of both sessions of Classis East, Jan.11-12 and March 15, 2023

12 Mar

PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 12, 2023 *(Updated)

Published in News

Psalms 91 2 Today, March 12, is the eleventh Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.

If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. ~ Psalm 91:1-4