Missions of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America

PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 29, 2023

Psalms 119 103Today, October 29, is the forty-fourth 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.

 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. ~ Psalm 119:41-45

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

  • Today Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC-Byron Center, MI) declined the call from Georgetown PRC.

  • From Hope PRC Redlands: "The Council presents the following trio to the congregation from which to call our next pastor. Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), Rev. J. Mahtani (Hope PRC – Walker, MI), Rev J. Smidstra (First PRC – Holland MI). A congregational meeting will be held after the morning worship service on Sunday, November 12."

  • Last Sunday Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC) declined the call to Lynden (WA) PRC.

  • Last Sunday Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) declined the call from Hudsonville PRC.

  • Last Sunday Loveland PRC voted to call Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC).

  • On October 15 Rev. R. Smit accepted the call to Randolph PRC (WI). In her bulletin the Council noted the tentative plans: "All dates are subject to change but currently this is the plan. They plan to move here on December 22. This date works well for the children’s break from school, as well as the current employment of the older children. Reverend and Trisha Smit will be moving here with at least five children. Installation is set for January 7. Until then, Reverend Smit has agreed to fill our pulpit as needed as much as he is able. For this we are very thankful."

  • Rev. M. Kortus, who has accepted the call to Zion PRC (Jenison, MI), plans to preach his farewell in Hope PRC (Redlands, CA) on November 12.  That week he and his family plan to move to west Michigan.

  • Pastor-elect M. Koerner and his wife Sharon arrived safely in Edmonton this past week. Plans are for him to be ordained and installed as Hosanna PRC's pastor on Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 PM at St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Special Congregational Notices:

  • Hope PRC-Redlands, CA: "The congregation is invited to attend an evangelism lecture entitled "Fleeing from Cultural Conformity and Seeking Biblical Transformation" by Brendan Looyenga. This lecture is this Friday, November 3, at 7 p.m. at church. Please join us for fellowship and refreshments afterwards."

  • Pittsburgh PRC (PA): "Don't forget to reserve Friday, November 3 at 7 PM for our annual Reformation Day lecture. Pastor Bruinsma will speak on the subject 'Was the Reformation Necessary?'"

  • Faith PRC Evangelism Committee: Financial Stewardship Seminar: Saturday morning (9-11:30), January 27, 2024 - Married couples, single members, young (teens and up!) and old, plan to attend Faith PRC Evangelism Committee's financial stewardship seminar! There will be keynote presentations as well as breakout sessions for various age groups on biblical money management and stewardship principles. Look for more information, including registration, soon!

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Rev. J. Slopsema and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Sem. A. Van Dyke and Rev. J. Maatman in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper in Loveland PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Prof. B. Huizinga in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Prof. R. Dykstra in Zion 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

    • Synod 2023 appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to hire a third-party organization for a denomination-wide investigation of sexual abuse. The committee reports that it has been laboring since the meeting of Synod to come to a mutual understanding and agreement with Guidepost Solutions regarding the work. On October 5 the committee signed a contract with Guidepost Solutions and expects that the investigation will begin in the near future with the publishing of a survey.

    • Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates reconvened this past Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page. For the public minutes, click on this link.
      Report of Oct.25 session: Classis East reconvened last Wednesday with the 38 delegates meeting at Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Classis East reconvened last Wednesday with the 38 delegates meeting at Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Rev. Noorman continued to lead the meeting as chairman. Classis heard reports from two committees (a special committee to help a consistory with an abuse case, and the Classical Committee). The main work of the classis was to treat an appeal that contended that a consistory erred in judgments made about the writings of one of our ministers. One of the decisions of classis requires that the consistory involved give information to its congregation. To give the consistory some time to receive and respond to the decisions of Classis East, the Stated Clerk of Classis East plans to wait awhile before publishing the information publicly. When it is time to make the information available, it will be published at prca.org. The expenses of the meeting totaled $4,891.36. Classis plans to reconvene January 10, 2024 at Hope PRC in Walker, MI. At around 2:00pm classisadjourned and Rev. Noorman closed the meeting with prayer.

    • PRC 100th Anniversary: 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. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!

front Oct 2023 sun
On Tuesday of this past week the PRC Seminary enjoyed an afternoon of bright sunshine and 76 degrees - one of the last really nice fall days here in West Michigan.

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The PR Theological Seminary will enter its tenth week of the first semester 2023-24 tomorrow. This past Thursday and Friday (Oct. 26,27) PRTS had its annual "reading recess" break, which allows students 'extra' time to work on their special assignments and faculty an opportunity to travel for special lectures (Reformation). Four of our professors had out-of-town engagements, while the fifth had a close-to-home speaking event.
  • The Theological School Committee had its monthly visits to classes this past Tuesday, and on Thursday held her regular monthly meeting.
  • This week Bruce Feenstra will lead the daily devotions. Rev. D. Noorman will lead the Wednesday chapel.
  • Senior Sem. Arend Haveman is doing his internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry, and is regularly preaching new sermons. This week he will travel to Hudsonville for the Classis East meeting at Trinity PRC. After the internship is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing.
  • Prof. C. Griess gave a speech at the pre-Classis West Officebearers' Conference on sexual abuse on Sept.26 in Crete PRC (IL). Prof. Griess' speech may be found here and on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • This Fall, in connection with a special conference held online for interested people in Mexico, Prof. R. Cammenga prepared three lectures on the errors of the well-meant offer of the gospel and the truth of the Reformed-biblical call of the gospel. You may find these lectures on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • Seminary Convocation was held on Wednesday Sept.6 in Hope PRC in Walker, MI.  The video of the convocation program is now available on the PRTS' YouTube channel.
  • The Fall 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal was sent to the printer this week. This latest issue features three articles related to the Reformed controversy with the Remonstrants (Arminians) and a reprint of a special Reformation feature from an early issue of the PRTJ. To read the last one (Spring 2023), visit the link provided here. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Valerie Kleyn, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 
  • During normal school sessions the seminary is open daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (holidays excepted), 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!

Reformation conference flyer Nov 2023 2
Learn more about this Reformation Day conference at Berean PRC-Philippines below

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. "We welcome Pastor Steven Key to our pulpit to preach for us twice this Lord’s day. May we be deeply refreshed by the preaching of the Word from AM to PM. We give thanks to God for the RDC [Reformation Day Conference] that we could have yesterday and that excellent presentation by our missionary Pastor Singh on the mission work there! CERC family, let us shower all our guests with Christian love and hospitality." And this too: "This week also upon our council’s request, the church visitors will be conducting Church visitation to CERC on 2 Nov 2023, 8pm in church. Pray for Pastor Key and Elder Kregel, the officially appointed church visitors and your council for this important meeting."
    • The CERC held her Reformation Day Conference this past weekend (Oct.27-28), with Pastors. S. Key and Tan speaking. The theme was "Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria - The Heart of the Reformation Gospel."
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC. "Rev. Stewart will be speaking at a conference in Budapest, Hungary. He and Mary will be in Hungary from Monday through Friday (6-10 November)."
    • The September 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News was published earlier this month. Visit the link to read the articles on "Nehemiah's Godly Enquiry Concerning Jerusalem" and Rev. R. Hanko's answers to questions about the covenant of redemption.
    • 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 worship services today. And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE will join us in our worship services via Livestreamed at our Facebook account." And this special Reformation event Wednesday, Nov.1: "The Conference on Reformed Theology: “The Reformed Understanding of the Christian Life,” a commemoration of the 16th-century reformation is scheduled on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. @ our church building worship hall." (see flyer above)
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Ruel Dela Fuente led her worship services today.

REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM

RWH Logo 2019
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

W Bruinsma RWH

  • This month (October 2023) the RWH continues the series on the return of Jesus Christ by Rev. W. Bruinsma, along with other special messages. Today's message is titled "To a Thousand Generations" based on Psalm 105:6-8. For the October RWH Newsletter, visit this page. 
  • 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.).

heidelbergcatechismpreaching
Did you know that the great Reformation of the 16th century revived the ancient church practice of catechism instruction? The Heidelberg Catechism is such a marvelous instruction tool for the church today. Find out more about this catechism here.

  • In need of sound biblical and Reformed catechism materials for children and young people? Check out the PRC's full curriculum of materials here. Call the PRC Seminary for help with any of these materials (616-531-1490).

  • 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.

RBO Aug 2023 2

  • The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is now operating out of its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Visit the store and browse the variety of resources for your Reformed-Christian faith and walk, including many children's titles. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday 10-1.

 

Calvin justif 1This Week's Thought for Contemplation

John Calvin, Father of Calvinism

"Calvin was above all a preacher and expositor of Holy Scripture. His preaching was his strength, and it remains of unparalleled influence to the present. His theology was rooted in exegesis, because God's Word was the standard for him of all truth and right. His commentaries are still the very best available, and modern "scholarly" commentaries, so many of which are really sellouts to higher criticism, seem scarcely worthy of notice in comparison. 

"Calvin's influence spread throughout Europe and ultimately throughout the world. That influence was not only his theology, but also his liturgy, his church polity, and his piety. The heritage of Calvin is also, let it never be forgotten, the heritage of genuinely Reformed piety. It would be well if a book were written only on that aspect of Calvin's life. 

"Calvin was not the dramatic personality which was Luther. Nor did Calvin "wear his heart on his sleeve," as Luther did. Especially in his old age, Luther became something of a crab and spoke far too vehemently in his opposition to those who did not agree with him on the doctrine of the Lord's Supper. But Calvin always respected Luther for the great work Luther did in the work of reformation. He told others, not so generous towards Luther, that even if Luther would call him a devil, he would still honor him as God's chosen vessel. 

"Calvin could appreciate Luther for what Luther did because Calvin's life was consumed by the glory of God. His enemies called him a God-intoxicated man - drunk with God! What more wonderful thing could be said of a man? The deepest principle of his theology was God's glory, and the real essence of all he wrote was this great truth. But it was also Calvin's life. He lived and died with God's glory his deepest desire. He is one in this cloud of witnesses whose voice shouts to us down the corridors of time.

~ Found in the article John Calvin: Father of Calvinism by Prof. H. Hanko

Read more...

The Swan’s Triumphant Song: From Worms to the Wartburg

This Reformation article on Martin Luther's stand at the Diet of Worms (1521) first appeared in the November 1, 2021 issue of the Standard Bearer (Vol.98, No.3) and was written by Karl Dykstra, a teacher at Covenant Christian High in Grand Rapids, MI.

The Swan’s Triumphant Song: From Worms to the Wartburg

Martin Luther was not the first ‘heretic’ to stand before the collective might of church and state. He was just one of the few who lived to tell the tale.

Already some one hundred years earlier, the Bohemian pre-reformer Jan Hus, who endearingly referred to himself as “the goose” (the meaning of “Hus” in Czech), was similarly summoned to the Council of Constance in Germany and condemned. Just before his burning on July 6, 1415, Hus made a stirring declaration: “Today you cook a goose, but in one hundred years you will hear a swan sing—and him you will have to hear!” 1

Though he could not have known it, Hus was nearly a prophet. A century after the goose was cooked, a swan began to sing in the German town of Wittenberg.  That swan’s name was Martin Luther.

In Luther’s day, the cooking of “the goose” Hus was well remembered. By it, the Holy Roman Church had set the precedent for what she did with heretics. In early 1521, and in Hus-like fashion, the excommunicated heretic Luther had been summoned to the imperial Diet of Worms.

Now it was the swan’s turn to sing.

Already at the Leipzig Disputation in 1519, Luther had publicly identified himself with the Bohemian hero, Jan Hus. There at Leipzig the God of the Reformation used the skilled Catholic orator, John Eck, to back Luther into the corner of sola Scriptura. “A simple laymen armed with Scripture is to be believed above a pope or a council without it,” argued Luther. “For the sake of Scripture we should reject pope and councils!” 2

But exactly that was the “Bohemian virus,” maintained Eck, and he charged Luther with “espousing the pestilent errors” of Hus.3 Initially, Luther vehemently denied the charge. But having studied the works of Hus during a break in the afternoon session of the eighteen-day long debate, he came back and shocked all in attendance by boldly proclaiming: Ich bin ein Hussite! 4

With that proclamation in 1519, Luther stood exactly where God wanted him to stand: on the firm foundation of Scripture alone.

Next would come his stand at Worms.

The swan is summoned to Worms 

Pope Leo X had officially excommunicated the swan of Wittenberg on January 3, 1521, declaring him to be a heretic outside of the “one holy, catholic and apostolic church.” With that the “German problem” became the prerogative of the young, new emperor Charles V, who was under oath to remove all heresy from his vast realm.

The grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain was all too eager to deal with the heretic in Wittenberg.  On March 26, 1521, a letter from Charles V arrived in Wittenberg announcing the imperial diet, including an invitation to Luther that was all too similar to what Hus had received. “Come to Worms under safe conduct to answer with regard to your books and teaching,” the summoning read. And should Luther try to turn down the imperial invitation, Charles added the thinly veiled threat, “You have twenty-one days in which to arrive.”5

The situation for Luther was heating up, condemnation and death the inevitable outcome. Yet none of these things moved Luther. He had set his face toward Worms, willing to offer himself in defense of the gospel before some of the most powerful men on earth.

On April 3, 1521, Luther, accompanied by several friends and imperial dignitaries, began the three-hundred- mile journey to the Diet of Worms confessing that “He who saved the three men in the furnace of the Babylonian king still lives and rules.”6 Luther knew his outcome might mirror the fate of his fiery forerunner Hus.

Perhaps then Luther was spurred on by the confession  of Hus: “It is better to die well than live badly.”7

The swan’s triumphant entry

Luther’s travel to Worms was not without high drama.  Everywhere Luther stopped on his way to the diet  he was greeted by throngs of people who wanted to  see the monk who defied the pope and would stand  before the emperor. Luther had become the German  hero. Not only had his writings “spread as on angel’s  wings” throughout Europe, but his portrait did too,  thanks to illustrations created by Lucas Cranach, the  artist of Wittenberg. Luther’s face was as recognizable  as his writings. The nation wanted to see their  hero in the flesh. As Luther entered German towns  and villages, he found the streets packed with admirers,  many even scampering up on rooftops to get a  look at their hero.

But Luther became convinced that his ancient foe  was attempting to hinder him from reaching Worms.  When Luther preached in Erfurt—the place where he  had studied to become a monk—the church was so  packed with throngs of people that the balcony creaked,  threatening to collapse. Farther along, when Luther  preached again, massive stones crumbled off the church  tower crashing to the ground. Luther chalked these up  as the devil’s attempt to hinder the gospel.

In Eisenach, Luther became so ill that his travel companions  were concerned for his life. This too Luther credited  to Satan: “I know your tricks, you bitter enemy!”  Then adding, “But Christ lives and we shall enter Worms  in spite of all the gates of hell and the powers of the air!”8

Luther was a man on a mission. And he was going  to Worms, even if he were threatened by as many devils  as shingles on a roof.9

Luther rode into Worms on the morning of April  16, 1521. If Luther received a hero’s welcome in the  various German cities along the way, his entrance into  Worms became a spectacle for the ages. Trumpets  blared from the cathedral top as two thousand people  thronged to greet Luther with praise and singing.  Their hero had arrived. Luther, descending from his  carriage, triumphantly assured the throng, “God will  be with me!”

The reception Worms gave Luther dwarfed what she  had given the emperor. The Roman curia were more  than a little annoyed; it seemed the whole world had gone after Luther. “I suspect he will soon be said to  work miracles,” crankily commented one cardinal.10

The swan goes missing 

By the time Luther stood before the Diet of Worms, the  hype surrounding his triumphant entry had quieted. Just  as the Council of Constance had ordered Hus to recant,  the dignitaries of both church and state assembled at  the Diet now demanded that Luther retract his writings.  But with God’s help the swan of whom Hus prophesied  boldly took his stand and could do no other.

Charles V was not impressed with Luther’s stand. As  Luther was escorted out of the chamber, the emperor’s  Spanish guards audibly chanted what everyone, including  Luther, expected to be his imminent fate: “To the  flames, to the flames.”11 Later, one cardinal spitefully  sneered, “When [Luther] left, he no longer seemed so  cheerful.”12 It seemed the swan would soon be cooked.

With Luther out of the diet’s chamber, Charles V declared  Luther a heretic and outlaw in every corner of  his empire. Luther was granted 21 days of safe passage  back to Wittenberg before the sentence fell. “When the  time is up,” Charles declared, “no one is to harbor him.  His followers also are to be condemned. His books are  to be eradicated from the memory of man.”13 The hope  was that Luther would soon be eradicated as well.

Luther left Worms as a man with a price on his head.  As an enemy of the empire, many suspected he would  never make it back to Wittenberg. The route was long  and winding, and it would not take much for an assassin  lying in wait to put an end to Luther. Several  days into his journey, as Luther’s party passed through  a ravine, an eerily stillness settled over the dark forest.  Without warning, horsemen armed with fearsome  crossbows surrounded Luther’s wagon. The horsemen  dragged Luther to the ground, tied a sack over his head,  and then hoisted him on to a horse. While Luther’s  companions ran for their lives, Luther’s captors whisked  him away—but not before he had grabbed his New Testament  and Hebrew Bible.

News of Luther’s disappearance made waves  throughout Europe. The anguished artist Albrecht Durer  lamented, “I know not whether Luther lives or is  murdered…. If Luther is dead, who will henceforth explain  to us the gospel? What might have he written for us in the next ten or twenty  years?”14

Luther, renegade monk,  the “wild boar” of Wittenberg,  the hero of the gospel,  the so-called swan, was  missing. And as much as  anyone knew, the swan was  dead.

The swan sings from the  mountaintop 

But Luther was not dead.  Perched high above a sea  of sprawling German forest  rests a mighty fortress  known as the Wartburg Castle.  This would be the hiding  place of Luther, after the  “kidnapping” orchestrated  by Frederick the Wise and  friends who feared for Luther’s  life. In the Wartburg, Luther  took on a new look and new  identity, “Knight George.” No one must know he was  the Reformer of Wittenberg. His very life depended on it.

In the “realm of the birds,” however, the swan was  restless. Luther was a man of action, and being holed  up in the Wartburg was maddening. Longing to be  down in the heat of battle, he regarded the island in the  sky as his “Patmos.” And had he even done the right  thing, he wondered? “I have withdrawn from the public  and thus obeyed the advice of friends,” he lamented.  “I am uncertain whether with this action I have done  something which is pleasing to God.”15

Though above the fray, Luther was not necessarily  out of the thick of it. Writing to a friend, Luther admitted,  “I am both very idle and very busy here; I am  studying Hebrew and Greek and writing without interruption.”  16 For the first seven months, Luther busied  his quill hurling ink at the attacks of the devil on the  Reformation. Assaults against the Reformation came  from both without and within, and Luther determined  to save the church from Catholicism on the one hand,  and radicalism on the other.

But in December of 1521, the swan’s song rose to a  crescendo as Luther took up a mighty work that symbolizes  his work and stay at the Wartburg refuge. Luther released the New Testament from its Latin prison.  Though Luther himself was locked up behind a fortress,  it did not mean the Word of God had to be. Opening  his Greek New Testament that he had snatched from the  wagon before being “kidnapped,” Luther translated all  twenty-seven books of the New Testament into German  in a shockingly short eleven weeks.17 Luther’s superb  translation, simple and powerful in its literary style, still  today is regarded as the principal German translation.https://cdn.rfpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/27145356/map-768x525.jpg 768w, https://cdn.rfpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/27145356/map.bmp

Taken from Martin Luther by Simonetta Carr (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2016), 4. Used by permission

From the mountaintop, the swan trumpeted God’s  Word to the hearts of God’s people, arming simple laymen  with the triumphant song of the Reformation, sola  Scriptura. 

Ten years after he descended from his mountaintop  fortress, Luther reflected on the work of the Reformation.  He saw himself as fulfillment of his fiery forerunner’s  prophecy. “Jan Hus prophesied of me when  he wrote from his prison in Bohemia: They will now  roast a goose…but after a hundred years they will hear  a swan sing; him they will have to tolerate.

And so it  shall continue, if it please God.”18  And so the swan’s triumphant song does continue  500 years after Worms and the Wartburg. For it pleases  God that His Word stands forever.

_______________

1 Stephen Nichols, “The Goose and the Swan” in 5 Minutes in Church History (October 4, 2017). Ligonier Ministries: https://
www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/the-goose-and-the-swan.
2 Roland Bainton, Here I Stand (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2009), 103.
3 Bainton, 102. 4 Herman Hanko, Portraits of Faithful Saints (Grandville, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 1999), 112.
5 Bainton, Here I Stand, 201. Emphasis added.
6 Eric Metaxas, Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World (New York: Viking, 2017), 201. 
7 Steven Lawson, Pillars of Grace (Orlando: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2011), 380.
8 Metaxas, Martin Luther, 206.
9 Metaxas, 206. 
10 Metaxas, 207.
11 W. Robert Godfrey, A Survey of Church History, DVD, episode 3, "Martin Luther and the German Reformation" (Ligonier
Ministries, 2012).
12 Metaxas, 212.
13 Metaxas, 230. 
14 Bainton, Here I Stand, 188.
15 Metaxas, Martin Luther, 251.
16 Metaxas, 247 
17 Upon his return to Wittenberg, Luther took up the sizable task of translating the Old Testament, completing the work in 1534.
18 Quoted in John Piper, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy (Wheaton,
IL: Crossway Books, 2000), 11.
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Here I Stand

This Reformation article on Martin Luther's stand at the Diet of Worms (1521) first appeared in the November 1, 2021 issue of the Standard Bearer (Vol.98, No.3) and was written by Rev. Jacob Maatman, pastor of Southeast PRC in Grand Raids, MI.

Here I Stand [Luther at the Diet of Worms]

What happened at Worms in April of 1521 was decisive in the history of the Reformation, yea, in the history of  God’s church, the fruit of which reaches to the present  and, by God’s grace, will reach to the end of the world.  Martin Luther risked his life and dared an appearance before the emperor that we might have the gospel that  sets us free, the heavenly word that God kindled to light  afresh through the labors of a monk who said, “Here  I stand.” This sacred, precious, life-giving deposit  has been passed down to us, and we revisit Worms,  not as disinterested historians, but as children of the  Reformation.

This article intends to relate briefly the history of Luther’s  stand,1 but with particular focus on aspects that,  although perhaps lesser known, are no less significant  in discovering to us not only the heart of the man, but  deeper, the power of God who had this man in His grip.  As the psalmist says, “Come, ye children, hearken unto  me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Ps. 34:11).

Emperor Charles V cited Martin Luther to appear at  the Diet of Worms within twenty-one days, promising  safe conduct. But another emperor, about a hundred  years before, had promised the same to Jan Hus, man  of God, whose teachings Luther espoused. Hus was arrested  and burned alive at the stake. This history Luther  well knew. Nevertheless, the doctor headed to the  old city many miles away. After an eventful journey, he  entered Worms April 16, a hero in the eyes of many, a  heretic in the eyes of others. His presence electrified the  city to the chagrin of the papists. He was conducted to  his lodging.

The next day he was summoned to appear at the diet.  So great was the press of the crowd that the escort was  compelled to take the back alleys. At last they arrived,  and Luther stood before the council. “Never had man appeared before so imposing an assembly,” says one,2  at the head of which was the young emperor himself,  whose eyes met those of the monk from Wittenberg.  The spokesman on behalf of the emperor, John von Eck,  asked him two questions: first, whether these books  stacked on a nearby table were his; second, whether  he wished to retract them. In a letter written after his  departure from Worms, Luther summarizes the matter  thus:

 I thought His Imperial Majesty would have assembled  one or fifty scholars and overcome this monk in a  straightforward manner. But nothing else was done  there than this: Are these your books? Yes. Do you  want to renounce them or not? No. Then go away!3

Well, at this first appearing, Luther answered the first  question by affirming the books were his. He asked for  time to think and prepare an answer to the second. He  had not known in advance how the proceedings were  going to go; he wanted to make sure he answered rightly.  The request was granted, and Luther was given one  day. A letter he wrote shortly after he returned to his  lodging tells us the course upon which he was already  resolved: “With Christ’s help…I shall not in all eternity  recant the least particle.”4

Between his first and final appearing, an event of  great moment occurred, overheard and scribbled down  by someone in the right place at the right time: Martin  Luther prayed to His God and Father at a time that  one author says “was to him a little garden of Gethsemane.”  5 “This prayer,” says the same, “explains Luther  and the Reformation.” And, “In our opinion, it is one  of the most precious documents in all history.” In it, we  see a Jacob wrestling with God—“I will not let thee go,  except thou bless me” (Gen. 32:26); in it, we hear the  effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man that avails  much (James 5:16)—“O almighty and everlasting God,  how terrible is this world! Behold, it openeth its mouth  to swallow me up, and I have so little trust in thee.”  Further on: “O my God, where art thou?… Come,  come; I am ready…I am ready to lay down my life for  thy truth…. For it is the cause of justice—it is thine.”  And finally: “My soul belongs to thee. It shall abide for  ever with thee…. Amen…. O God, help me!… Amen.”

And help him God did. When the time was up, Luther arrived at the appointed time for his second appearing.  It was April 18. After a long wait in the foyer, the  evening drawing on and the candles flickering, he was  admitted into the packed hall. The same spokesmen  who had addressed him the day before got right down  to business, and put the second question to him again:  “Do you wish to defend all your acknowledged books,  or to retract some?”6

In his answer, Luther distinguished his books into  three kinds. In some of them, he said, “I have discussed  religious faith and morals simply and evangelically, so  that even my enemies themselves are compelled to admit  that these are useful, harmless, and clearly worthy  to read by Christians.” How should he disavow these!  “Another group of my books attacks the papacy and the  affairs of the papists as those who both by their doctrines  and very wicked examples have laid waste the Christian  world with evil.” If he should retract these, it would add  further fuel to the evil, and he would open “not only  windows but doors to such great godlessness.” As for  the third kind, written against individuals, Luther said,  “I confess I have been more violent than my religion or  profession demands,” but again, “It is not proper for me  to retract these works, because by this retraction it would  again happen that tyranny and godlessness would, with  my patronage, rule and rage among the people of God  more violently than ever before.”

He appealed to the example of the Lord: “If I have  spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong” (John  18:23), and pleaded with the emperor or anyone to  “bear witness, expose my errors, overthrowing them by  the writings of the prophets and the evangelists. Once  I have been taught I shall be quite ready to renounce  every error, and I shall be the first to cast my books  into the fire.” As for the “dissensions aroused in the  world as a result of my teachings…this is the way, the  opportunity, and the result of the Word of God, just as  He said, ‘I have not come to bring peace, but a sword’”  (Matt. 10:34). He concluded by warning the council  against condemning God’s Word for the sake of “settling  strifes,” for “it is he who takes the wise in their  craftiness” (Job 5:13).

The spokesman was not interested in an answer like  this. All he wanted to hear was, “revoco.”7 Yes or no,  Martin Luther? Do you, or do you not, retract? And then  the monk, before emperor, electors, lords, princes, and bishops, a silence filling the hall, breathless anticipation,  the eyes of all fixed upon him—then the monk spake those  words that reverberated through that assembly, and have  reverberated through the hundreds of years since:

Since then your serene majesty and your lordships seek  a simple answer, I will give it in this manner…. Unless  I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or  by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or  in councils alone, since it is well known that they have  often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound  by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is  captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not  retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go  against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand,  may God help me, Amen.8

Again an attempt was made to get him to budge, but  Luther remained firm. The diet recessed, and he returned  to his lodging.

Scripture—that was the refrain that continued to be  heard the days following, when various persons and delegations  tried to negotiate with him. “Then began the  attempt to break Luther down through a committee.”9  But he was resolute: he could only agree to submit his  case to the judgment of another, including a council’s, if  Scripture would be the standard of judgment and the final  authority. The negotiations fell flat. April 26, several  days after his second appearing, Luther departed for  home, the emperor honoring the promised safe conduct.

This history exemplifies that great Reformation principle—  and one that grated upon the ears of Rome during  Luther’s time at Worms—of sola Scriptura, of which the  Belgic Confession speaks in the seventh article:

Neither do we consider of equal value any writing of  men, however holy these men may have been, with those  divine Scriptures, nor ought we to consider custom, or  the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times  and persons, or councils, decrees, or statutes, as of equal  value with the truth of God, for the truth is above all.

Which is to say, God is above all.

Martin Luther stood in the fear of the Lord. Already  at his first appearing, we see it. Why did he  ask for time to prepare an answer? In his own words:  “Because this is a question of faith and the salvation  of souls, and because it concerns the divine Word…it would be rash and at the same time dangerous for me  to put forth anything without proper consideration.”10  He went on to quote Matthew 10:33, words that stood  large before him. Here is a man neither headstrong nor  cocksure, but one who feared God. He was confident,  but not self-confident. Listen to his prayer; he felt his  own weakness, but upon the Lord he relied. At the  diet, many and great were the faces and the power they  wielded, and what was he? But there was a witness that  day (though you would not have seen him with your  eyes), someone watching and listening who had more  hold on Luther than anyone else: the living God, to  whose Word Luther’s conscience was captive. “The fear  of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in  the Lord shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25).

God was at work that day. His power brought  forth Luther’s “I cannot.” Not, “I will not,” though  true enough, but even more significantly, “I cannot,”  because God would not let him do otherwise. In the  words of Merle d’Aubigne:

Luther, constrained to obey his faith, led by his  conscience to death, impelled by noblest necessity, the  slave of his belief, and under this slavery still supremely  free, like the ship tossed by a violent tempest, and which,  to save that which is more precious than itself, runs and  is dashed upon the rocks, thus uttered these sublime  words, which still thrill our hearts at an interval of  three [now five] centuries: thus spoke a monk before  the emperor and the mighty ones of the nation; and this  feeble and despised man, alone, but relying on the grace  of the Most High, appeared greater and mightier than  them all. His words contain a power against which  all these mighty rulers can do nothing. This is the  weakness of God, which is stronger than man. The  empire and the church on the one hand, this obscure  man on the other, had met. God had brought together  these kings and these prelates publicly to confound their  wisdom. The battle is lost, and the consequence of this  defeat of the great ones of the earth will be felt among  every nation and in every age to the end of time.11

What was loss and defeat for “the great ones of the  earth” was for the church of God, the cause of truth,  the gospel of Christ, victory, the blessed consequence of which has since been so greatly felt, and continues to be  felt, even by us.

Soli Deo gloria, “for of him, and through him, and  to him, are all things” (Rom. 11:36).

___________________

1 For a fuller treatment of this history, see Merle d’Aubigne, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, vol. 2. Grand
Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1926. (Also available online at www.gutenberg.org). And, Roland Bainton, Here I Stand. New
York and Nashville: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1950. And, Eric Metaxas, Martin Luther. New York: Viking, 2017.
2 D’Aubigne, History of the Reformation, 253.
3 Martin Luther, “Letter 73 to Lucas Cranach,” Luther’s Works, vol. 48 (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1999), 201-202.
4 Martin Luther, “Letter 72 to John Cuspinian,” Luther’s Works, vol. 48, p. 200.
5 D’Aubigne, 258. The quotations of the author’s words, and the portions from the prayer are taken from pages 258-260.
6 “Luther at the Diet of Worms,” Luther’s Works, vol. 32, pp.
101ff. The document contains two accounts, one “prepared by the friends of the Reformation,” the other “the report of the papal
nuncio Aleander” (103). The quotations that follow are taken from the former.
7 Latin for “I recall” or “I recant.”
8 Regarding the last line there has been debate about both the order of words and whether or not Luther said more than “God help
me.” For an analysis, see Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1980), 309-10.
9 Bainton, Here I Stand, 188.
10 Luther, Luther’s Works, vol. 32, 107.
11 D’Aubigne, History of the Reformation, 265-266.
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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 22, 2023 *(Updated)

Psalm 119 18Today, October 22, is the forty-third 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.

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. ...Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. ~ Psalm 119:18-20, 23-24

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

  • Today Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC) declined the call to Lynden (WA) PRC.

  • Today Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) declined the call from Hudsonville PRC.

  • *Last evening Loveland PRC voted to call Rev. G. Eriks from the Council's new trio that included Revs. Allen Brummel (Calvary PRC, IA) and Jacob Maatman (Southeast PRC, MI).

  • Last month Rev. D. Kleyn marked 25 years in the ministry in the PRC (September 1998), which was also noted and celebrated last Sunday in Doon PRC at his installation. We thank the Lord for the faithful ministry of this servant and pray for continued grace for him and his wife Sharon as they serve Christ's church in Doon and the PRC. Today he preached his inaugural sermon in his new congregation.

  • Last Sunday Rev. R. Smit accepted the call to Randolph PRC (WI). In her bulletin today we find this note re tentative plans: "All dates are subject to change but currently this is the plan. They plan to move here on December 22. This date works well for the children’s break from school, as well as the current employment of the older children. Reverend and Trisha Smit will be moving here with at least five children. Installation is set for January 7. Until then, Reverend Smit has agreed to fill our pulpit as needed as much as he is able. For this we are very thankful."

  • Last Sunday Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) accepted the call to Zion PRC (Jenison, MI).

  • Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC-Byron Center, MI) is considering the call from Georgetown PRC (received Oct.8). He plans to answer next Sunday (Oct.29).

  • Last Sunday Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC) declined the call from Loveland (CO) PRC.

  • Pastor-elect M. Koerner and his wife Sharon plan to move to Edmonton this week. Plans are for him to be ordained and installed as Hosanna PRC's pastor on Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 PM at St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Special Congregational Notices:

  • Loveland PRC (CO): "Covenant of Grace Fellowship Fund: [This] Sunday, October 22, we will be taking a collection for the Covenant of Grace Fellowship in Spokane. This will be the first of three collections we will be taking for the remainder of the year, the second collection scheduled for November 26 and the third for December 17, Lord willing. The funds collected will be used for the support of our council's and consistory's work and oversight of the fellowship that remains in Spokane, who now have their membership papers in the care of Loveland PRC. This would include funding our delegation visits to Spokane, pulpit supply, and any general expenses that the Covenant of Grace fellowship will need assistance covering. Please consider giving for this cause of assisting our fellow saints in Spokane. Our Council and the Covenant of Grace Fellowship covet your prayers as we continue the Lord's work in Spokane. To God be the glory!"

  • Faith PRC-Jenison, MI: "Reformed Doctrines Class meets this Wednesday, October 25 at Faith Church at 7:30 PM, God willing. The vitally important subject is “The Fall of Man,” in Adam’s disobedience, as taught in Genesis 3 and in Romans 5. All are welcome to attend."

  • Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD): "Heritage PRC will be hosting the fall Reformation lecture on October 27, 7:00 p.m. Prof. C. Griess will deliver a speech entitled "Sexual Abuse in Calvin's Geneva." Refreshments will follow. All are encouraged to attend!"
  • Randolph (WI) PRC: " Please join us next week Friday, October 27 at 7:30 PM at the Randolph Protestant Reformed Church for the fall evangelism lecture. Prof B. Huizinga will be speaking on 'Holiness in a World Filled with Violence.'”

  • Pittsburgh PRC (PA): "Don't forget to reserve Friday, November 3 at 7 PM for our annual Reformation Day lecture. Pastor Bruinsma will speak on the subject 'Was the Reformation Necessary?'"

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. C. Griess and Rev. M. McGeown in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. R. Cammenga in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Loveland PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg in Lynden PRC; Rev. S. Regnerus in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev.  in Zion 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

    • Synod 2023 appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to hire a third-party organization for a denomination-wide investigation of sexual abuse. The committee reports that it has been laboring since the meeting of Synod to come to a mutual understanding and agreement with Guidepost Solutions regarding the work. On October 5 the committee signed a contract with Guidepost Solutions and expects that the investigation will begin in the near future with the publishing of a survey.

    • Home missionary speech: October 27 Rev. James Lanning will speak on the work of evangelism in the local congregations. Title: “The Church’s Calling in Evangelism.” To be held at SW PRC (Wyoming, MI) at 7:30 P.M.

    • Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates are scheduled to reconvene this week Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page.

    • PRC 100th Anniversary: 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. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!

Rev Haak chapel Oct
Rev. C. Haak led the chapels on the last two Wednesdays at the PRTS

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The PR Theological Seminary will enter its ninth week - a partial week - of the first semester 2023-24 tomorrow. Thursday and Friday (Oct. 26,27) are days 'off' for the "reading recess" break, which allows students 'extra' time to work on their special assignments and faculty an opportunity to travel for special lectures (Reformation). May the Lord bless the labors - and travels - of the week.
  • This week Aaron Van Dyke will lead the daily devotions.
  • Senior Sem. Arend Haveman is doing his internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry, and is regularly preaching new sermons. This week he will travel to Hudsonville for the Classis East meeting at Trinity PRC. After the internship is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing.
  • Prof. C. Griess gave a speech at the pre-Classis West Officebearers' Conference on sexual abuse on Sept.26 in Crete PRC (IL). Prof. Griess' speech may be found here and on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • In connection with a special conference held online for interested people in Mexico, Prof. R. Cammenga recently prepared three lectures on the errors of the well-meant offer of the gospel and the truth of the Reformed-biblical call of the gospel. You may find these lectures on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • Seminary Convocation was held on Wednesday Sept.6 in Hope PRC in Walker, MI.  The video of the convocation program is now available on the PRTS' YouTube channel.
  • The Fall 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal is currently being worked on and should go to the printer this week. To read the last one (Spring 2023), visit the link provided here. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Valerie Kleyn, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 
  • During normal school sessions the seminary is open daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (holidays excepted), 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 3

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. Pastor Tan preached twice as Pastor Wee has some planned 'leave' time this past week.
    • The CERC is planning a Reformation Day Conference for this weekend (Oct.27-28), with Pastors. S. Key and Tan speaking. The theme is "Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria - The Heart of the Reformation Gospel."
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC.
    • The September 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News was published earlier this month. Visit the link to read the articles on "Nehemiah's Godly Enquiry Concerning Jerusalem" and Rev. R. Hanko's answers to questions about the covenant of redemption.
    • 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 worship services today. And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE will join us in our worship services via Livestreamed at our Facebook account."
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Ruel Dela Fuente led her worship services today.

REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM

RWH Logo 2019
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

W Bruinsma RWH

  • This month (October 2023) the RWH continues the series on the return of Jesus Christ by Rev. W. Bruinsma, along with other special messages. Today's message is a special Reformation one and titled "The Scripture, God's Word" based on 2 Peter 1:20-21. For the October RWH Newsletter, visit this page. 
  • 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.).

Public worship refd faith BG 2
Did you know that the great Reformation of the 16th century was a return to biblical worship? Find out how and why in this resource!

  • In need of sound biblical and Reformed catechism materials for children and young people? Check out the PRC's full curriculum of materials here. Call the PRC Seminary for help with any of these materials (616-531-1490).

  • 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.

RBO Aug 2023 2

  • The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is now operating out of its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Visit the store and browse the variety of resources for your Reformed-Christian faith and walk, including many children's titles. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday 10-1.

 

Martin Luther Here I Stand4This Week's Thought for Contemplation

Luther’s "Here I Stand" Moment

"The spokesman was not interested in an answer like  this. All he wanted to hear was, “revoco.”7 Yes or no,  Martin Luther? Do you, or do you not, retract? And then  the monk, before emperor, electors, lords, princes, and bishops, a silence filling the hall, breathless anticipation,  the eyes of all fixed upon him—then the monk spake those  words that reverberated through that assembly, and have  reverberated through the hundreds of years since:

"Since then your serene majesty and your lordships seek  a simple answer, I will give it in this manner…. Unless  I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or  by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or  in councils alone, since it is well known that they have  often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound  by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is  captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not  retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go  against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand,  may God help me, Amen.

"Again an attempt was made to get him to budge, but  Luther remained firm. The diet recessed, and he returned  to his lodging.

"Scripture—that was the refrain that continued to be  heard the days following, when various persons and delegations  tried to negotiate with him. “Then began the  attempt to break Luther down through a committee.”9  But he was resolute: he could only agree to submit his  case to the judgment of another, including a council’s, if  Scripture would be the standard of judgment and the final  authority. The negotiations fell flat. April 26, several  days after his second appearing, Luther departed for  home, the emperor honoring the promised safe conduct.

"This history exemplifies that great Reformation principle—  and one that grated upon the ears of Rome during  Luther’s time at Worms—of sola Scriptura...."

~ Found in the article "Here I Stand" by Rev. J. Maatman

Read more...

PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 15, 2023

Psalm 119 1Today, October 15, is the forty-second 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.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! ~ Psalm 119:1-5

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

  • Rev. D. Kleyn was installed as pastor of Doon (IA) PRC this evening, with Prof. B. Gritters leading the service. May the Lord grant him a faithful and fruitful ministry in that congregation. From Doon's bulletin today: "Today we celebrate the installation of Rev. Daniel Kleyn as our pastor! Rev. Kleyn has been our missionary in the Philippines for the past 14 years, and today will take up his calling as our pastor. We give thanks to God for providing a pastor for us! Installation is scheduled for the evening service. Coffee and cookies will be served in the basement following the service. At 7:00 P.M. in the basement, the council will make a few remarks as we welcome Rev. and Sharon to our congregation. 'How beautiful are of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!' Romans 10:15"

  • Today Rev. R. Smit accepted the call to Randolph PRC (WI).

  • Today Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) accepted the call to Zion PRC (Jenison, MI).

  • Last Sunday Georgetown PRC voted to call Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC-Byron Center, MI). 

  • Last Sunday Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC) declined the call from Loveland (CO) PRC.

  • Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC) is considering the call to Lynden (WA) PRC  (received Oct.1). He plans to answer next week.

  • On Sept.24 Hudsonville PRC extended a call to Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC). He plans to answer next week.

  • On Sept.3 Cand. M. Koerner accepted the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB). On Sept.27 he was examined by Classis West, which met in Crete PRC (IL). He successfully sustained this examination and Hosanna PRC was advised to proceed to his ordination and installation. His application to the Canadian government for a work permit was recently approved, and he and his wife Sharon plan to move to Edmonton the week of Oct.23. We thank the Lord for this progress and pray for them as they prepare for life and ministry there. "The Ordination Service for Pastor-Elect Koerner will be held on Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 PM at St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC)." (Hosanna's bulletin today)

Special Congregational Notices:

  • Loveland PRC (CO): "Covenant of Grace Fellowship Fund: Next week Sunday, October 22, we will be taking a collection for the Covenant of Grace Fellowship in Spokane. This will be the first of three collections we will be taking for the remainder of the year, the second collection scheduled for November 26 and the third for December 17, Lord willing. The funds collected will be used for the support of our council's and consistory's work and oversight of the fellowship that remains in Spokane, who now have their membership papers in the care of Loveland PRC. This would include funding our delegation visits to Spokane, pulpit supply, and any general expenses that the Covenant of Grace fellowship will need assistance covering. Please consider giving for this cause of assisting our fellow saints in Spokane. Our Council and the Covenant of Grace Fellowship covet your prayers as we continue the Lord's work in Spokane. To God be the glory!"

  • Grace PRC (Standale, MI): "Grace PRC is hosting a speech, presented by the Trinitarian Bible Society on October 19 at 7 p.m. [This Thursday night] The topic of this speech is comparing the KJV translation of Scripture with other popular translations, and why a proper translation is needed. This presentation will be livesteamed but not recorded. We look forward to seeing you there!"

  • Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD): "Heritage PRC will be hosting the fall Reformation lecture on October 27, 7:00 p.m. Prof. C. Griess will deliver a speech entitled "Sexual Abuse in Calvin's Geneva." Refreshments will follow. All are encouraged to attend!"

  • Randolph (WI) PRC: " Please join us next week Friday, October 27 at 7:30 PM at the Randolph Protestant Reformed Church for the fall evangelism lecture. Prof B. Huizinga will be speaking on 'Holiness in a World Filled with Violence.'”

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. B. Gritters in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Smidstra in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. D. Lee in Hudsonville PRC; Sem. A. Haveman in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. R. Smit in Randolph PRC; Sem. A. Van Dyke and Prof. D. Kuiper in Zion 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

  • Synod 2023 appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to hire a third-party organization for a denomination-wide investigation of sexual abuse. The committee reports that it has been laboring since the meeting of Synod to come to a mutual understanding and agreement with Guidepost Solutions regarding the work. On October 5 the committee signed a contract with Guidepost Solutions and expects that the investigation will begin in the near future with the publishing of a survey.

  • Home missionary speech: October 27 Rev. James Lanning will speak on the work of evangelism in the local congregations. Title: “The Church’s Calling in Evangelism.” To be held at SW PRC (Wyoming, MI) at 7:30 P.M.

  • Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates are scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page.

  • Classis West: Classis West held its regular meeting in Crete PRC (IL) on September 27. For more on this meeting, including the stated clerk's public report, visit this page.

  • PRC 100th Anniversary: 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. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!

sem front Oct 2020 2

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The PR Theological Seminary will enter its eighth week of the first semester 2023-24 tomorrow - just over the mid-point. Things continue to go well, for which we thank our gracious Father. The schedule and calendar have been posted here. ​The faculty, students, and staff covet your prayers as we continue our various labors this new school year.
  • This week Joe Ophoff will lead the daily devotions. Rev. C. Haak will again lead the Wednesday chapel.
  • This being Reformation remembrance month, the professors will be busy giving Reformation-themed speeches in various places in the PRC later this month. The professors and some of the students also keep busy teaching catechism and leading varous Bible studies during the week.
  • Senior Sem. Arend Haveman is doing his internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry, and is preaching a new sermon this evening in the congregation. Today he is leading both services in Loveland PRC-Colorado. After the internship is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing.
  • Prof. C. Griess gave a speech at the pre-Classis West Officebearers' Conference on sexual abuse on Sept.26 in Crete PRC (IL). Prof. Griess' speech may be found here and on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • In connection with a special conference held online for interested people in Mexico, Prof. R. Cammenga recently prepared three lectures on the errors of the well-meant offer of the gospel and the truth of the Reformed-biblical call of the gospel. You may find these lectures on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • Seminary Convocation was held on Wednesday Sept.6 in Hope PRC in Walker, MI.  The video of the convocation program is now available on the PRTS' YouTube channel.
  • The Fall 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal is currently being worked on. To read the last one (Spring 2023), visit the link provided here. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Valerie Kleyn, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 
  • During normal school sessions the seminary is open daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (holidays excepted), 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!

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SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. Pastor Tan preached twice as Pastor Wee has some planned 'leave' time this past week.
    • The CERC is planning a Reformation Day Conference for Oct.27-28, with Pastors. S. Key and Tan speaking. The theme is "Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria - The Heart of the Reformation Gospel."

  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC.
    • The September 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News was published this past week. Visit the link to read the articles on "Nehemiah's Godly Enquiry Concerning Jerusalem" and Rev. R. Hanko's answers to questions about the covenant of redemption.
    • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
    • Berean PRC bulletin: Elders Umali and Penaverde led her worship services today. And, "Rev. Ibe and Elder Penaverde's travel and visit with the pastors in SNO [Southern Negros Occidental] went very well by the grace of God. Ptr. Ibe lectured on “The Necessity of Federation” based on John 17:21-23. In the evening on Thursday [Oct. 12], pastor and elder Alann met with Ptr. Elvis Olivares [Bata Community Christian Church] and two of their deacons. We have discussed the possibility of giving a lecture on the Reformed Distinctives. The initial plan is to give that lecture on our next visit to SNO in November, Lord willing." And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE. will join us in our worship services via Livestreamed at our Facebook account."
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Mitch Suarez led her worship services today.

REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM

RWH Logo 2019
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

W Bruinsma RWH

  • This month (October 2023) the RWH continues the series on the return of Jesus Christ by Rev. W. Bruinsma, along with other special messages. Today's message is titled "The Final Sign of Christ's Return" based on Luke 21:25-28. For the October RWH Newsletter, visit this page. 
  • 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 church today DJE
What does - and what should - the Reformation of the 16th century mean to the church today? Read this resource to find out! 

  • In need of sound biblical and Reformed catechism materials for children and young people? Check out the PRC's full curriculum of materials here. Call the PRC Seminary for help with any of these materials (616-531-1490).

  • 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.

RBO Aug 2023 2

  • The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is now operating out of its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Visit the store and browse the variety of resources for your Reformed-Christian faith and walk, including many children's titles. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday 10-1.

 

Martin Luther Here I Stand4

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

Luther’s Hammer

"If anyone in church history could swing a hammer it was Martin Luther. His primary hammer was not what he may have used to post his theses to Wittenberg’s church door on October 31, 1517. His hammer was Scripture: “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29). Because his voluminous writings were faithful explanations of the truth of divine Scripture, the powerful Word of God was communicated through those writings, making them many hammers to break in pieces the rock of Roman Catholic false doctrine lodged in the hearts of men. Luther’s writings were not like the fluff of many Christian publishing houses today. His writings infuriated the pope, served as kindling for the enemies’ fires, and continually jeopardized his safety. But the Reformer kept taking the hammer of God’s Word, swinging away in the service of the truth that salvation is of grace alone and, therefore, through faith alone in Christ alone.

"With his Ninety-five Theses of 1517 Luther smashed into pieces the lie of papal authority and the efficacy of indulgences captured in Tetzel’s famed jingle, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” This was only the beginning.

"With his “Address to the Christian Nobility” of 1520 Luther hammered away at the Romish doctrine of papal authority and infallibility, the sole authority of the Romish church to interpret Scripture, and the corruption of the distinction between clergy and laity. With the heavy “Babylonian Captivity of the Church” written also in 1520, Luther pounded away at the entire system of works-righteousness by smashing to pieces the Roman Catholic idea of the sacerdotal system and the sacraments—in particular the accursed idolatry that is the mass, so central to the life and work of the priests and of all the people. It is said that even Erasmus read this tract and declared that the breach with Rome was irreparable. Luther’s commentary on Galatians, published in 1535, was another heavy-hitting piece of writing."

~ Found in the article "Luther and Scripture" by Prof. B. Huizinga

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Domestic Missions Newsletter - Fall 2023

Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord, 

My wife and I have been warmly welcomed at  Zion PRC and are very blessed to be among the  saints there. I am very thankful for the men on  Zion’s council and the DMC and for the friendship and good working relationship we have  together. Things are going quite well and I am much enjoying the work. 

What follows is a brief summary of what  has taken place thus far and some things  regarding what is planned going forward. 

ThM classes 

I am currently taking classes at Calvin Theo logical Seminary toward a Master of Theology  degree (ThM) with emphasis on Missions/ Evangelism. In each class I am conducting  research and writing papers from a missions  perspective.

One of my classes last semester was on I & II Thessalonians. In that class we studied Paul’s mission work in Thessalonica and the subjects brought up in I and II Thessalonians, which he wrote early on in his mission labors. My second class was on the history of worship. My paper in that class was on how mission work was conducted in the days of Augus tine, considering specifically what Augustine’s experience was like as a convert/catechumen going through the catechumenate and being baptized while receiving instruction from Ambrose.

From now on I plan to take no more than one  class at a time, so that I have sufficient time to devote myself to other labors. In this fall  semester I am enrolled in just one class. It is  called ThM Research Methodology, and is on how to conduct the research and write my  Master’s thesis. At the present time my inten tion is to write on the subject of eschatology and missions. Paul frequently talked about the return of Christ when conducting his mission  work. The thought would be to conduct research on the specific points he mentioned  and how this can be applied today in the work  of missions. 

Speeches/lectures 

I have been and will be continuing to conduct research on what God teaches us in Scripture  on the principles and methods of missions. The subject of the history of missions is quite  important as well, and I am doing research on this also.

In May, I led a presentation/discussion entitled  “Fishers of Men” in one of the breakout/discus sion sectionals during the Missions Conference  put on by Trinity PRC and the DMC. Later this  month (September) I am scheduled to give an  evangelism lecture at Hope PRC (Redlands),  followed by another one in October at SW PRC. 

Working with Evangelism Committees With the help of our evangelism committees, I  am beginning to put together a list of contacts.  So far we have communicated with contacts  in Texas, Minnesota (north of Minneapolis),  North Dakota, Alabama, and Hungary. I have  travelled quite a bit this summer, assisting our  churches and our sister church in Northern  Ireland with pulpit supply. As this begins to  wind down a bit this fall, my wife and I plan  to travel to visit with some of the contacts we  have and to witness to others in their area. We are working on coming up with more ways  to start communicating with those who are  making use of our sermons and written material  online. Some of these people who are visiting  our websites are leaving comments. If they  leave their name along with their comment, it  may be possible to locate them. For example,  a man left a comment regarding a sermon  preached at one of our churches. My wife is on FaceBook and she looked up his name on  FaceBook, found him and sent him a FaceBook  message letting him know that I would like to  talk with him on the phone. He very quickly  provided his phone number and I called him  and we talked for awhile. This is just one way that we can work together to start communi cating with those who are watching sermons, listening to podcasts, or reading our material online.

We are also analyzing website stats. I have  asked all of our evangelism committees to  provide us with any stats they have concerning  the location of the hits they are getting on  either SermonAudio, their own website, their  FaceBook page, etc. I also had very helpful  conversations with Jordan Van Baren about  the RFPA stats, and with Brian Key about the  Reformed Witness Hour stats.

Hungary

A thirty-six your old man named Adam has  emailed us. Hungary, being a country in  Europe, falls under the work of domestic  missions. He has translated a number of works  for the website of Covenant PRC in Northern  Ireland and has also learned much by listening  to the sermons there and reading material that  they have posted.

After talking about his own spiritual history  and the current ecclesiastical situation in  Hungary, he writes:

The reason why I am writing you (is) that I  would like to kindly ask about your opinion  about the following thing: 

What are the circumstances where PRCA  would take into consideration one church  planting in Hungary? I know the workers are few and by the Grace of God the doors  are open by the Holy Spirit in Asia, thus  the harvest might be bigger there, but is there anything that could help to raise the chances (at least) that a good Reformed  Church with Dutch Heritage would consider  Hungary as a target for a church planting mission? Or at least providing a little help  in that? 

He goes on to say that he knows one family of  five that he expects will likely be interested, and also a number of others. He expressed  agreement with us on the doctrine of the life long marriage bond and said that this was one of the main reasons he was contacting us specifically.

He went on to say that he was willing to open  his house in the airport area of Budapest for all  gatherings and Sunday worship in the begin ning.

Using Technology

We intend to use both audio and visual means  to find contacts and begin working with them,  with a view to hopefully gathering together  groups of contacts. I am working on a series  of messages/podcasts and plan to add intros/outros encouraging people to contact us. After  completing a podcast series, the plan would be  to make a series of YouTube video shorts (i.e. 1  minute), perhaps 20 or 30 of them for starters. 

Closing

There is much work to be done, and as time  goes on the number of those to whom our  Lord will lead us will likely continue to grow.  Should our Lord lead you to anyone desiring to  receive instruction, please direct them to me  at the contact info listed above. May our heav enly Father continue to bless us as we labor  together in this important work. 

In the service of our Lord, 

Rev. J. Laning

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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 8, 2023

Psalm 118 24Today, October 8, is the forty-first 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.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. ...Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:1,2; 19-24

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

  • Today Georgetown PRC voted to call Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC-Byron Center, MI). 

  • Today Rev. D. Noorman declined the call from Loveland (CO) PRC.

  • Last Sunday Lynden PRC (WA) voted to call Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC).

  • Rev. R. Smit is considering the call from Randolph PRC (received Sept.24).

  • On Sept.24 Hudsonville PRC extended a call to Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC).

  • On Sept.24 Zion PRC voted to call Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA). He plans to answer by next Sunday, Oct.15.

  • On Sept.3 Cand. M. Koerner accepted the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB). On Sept.27 he was examined by Classis West, which met in Crete PRC (IL). He successfully sustained this examination and Hosanna PRC was advised to proceed to his ordination and installation. His application to the Canadian government for a work permit was approved this past week, and he and his wife Sharon plan to move to Edmonton on Oct.25. We thank the Lord for this progress and pray for them as they prepare for life and ministry there.

  • Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon moved to Doon, Iowa this past week, and plans are for him to be installed as Doon PRC's pastor next Sunday,Oct.15. May the Lord grant them grace as they prepare to take up their life and labors there.

Special Congregational Notices:

Our Canadian congregations (Hosanna, Immanuel, and Wingham PRCs) will be having their Thanksgiving service tomorrow morning, as Canada's Thanksgiving Day is October 9.

Crete PRC (IL): "The Safeguarding Committee of Crete PRC would like to invite you to this presentation on October 13 at 7:00 PM at Crete PRC in Crete, IL. The topic of this presentation is “Grooming” with an introduction of who HAVEN of MERCY is, the process of grooming, preventions, possible red flags, and personal experiences shared by members of HAVEN. All are encouraged to attend in person as this will not be livestreamed."

Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB): "We have been granted a lease with St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church, 11 Glenview Crescent, St. Albert. Our first services will be on October 1st. Service times will remain at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. We give thanks to the Lord for the continued provision of a building. Psalm 34:10 - “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” And also this: "The parsonage property in Akinsdale (St. Albert) has been purchased. The new possession date is Monday, October 30th. We give thanks to our denomination for their generous donations, which have allowed us to purchase this property with cash. 'Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.' II Corinthians 9:11"

Grace PRC (Standale, MI): "Grace PRC is hosting a speech, presented by the Trinitarian Bible Society on October 19 at 7 p.m. The topic of this speech is comparing the KJV translation of scripture with other popular translations, and why a proper translation is needed. This presentation will be live steamed but not recorded. We look forward to seeing you there!

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Rev. K. Koole in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. C. Spronk in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. W. Langerak in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Hanko in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. C. Haak in Randolph PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker in Zion 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Synod 2023 appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to hire a third-party organization for a denomination-wide investigation of sexual abuse. The committee reports that it has been laboring since the meeting of Synod to come to a mutual understanding and agreement with Guidepost Solutions regarding the work. On October 5 the committee signed a contract with Guidepost Solutions and expects that the investigation will begin in the near future with the publishing of a survey.

Home missionary speech: October 27 Rev. James Lanning will speak on the work of evangelism in the local congregations. Title: “The Church’s Calling in Evangelism.” To be held at SW PRC (Wyoming, MI) at 7:30 P.M.

Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates are scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page.

Classis West: Classis West held its regular meeting in Crete PRC (IL) on September 27. For more on this meeting, including the stated clerk's public report, visit this page.

PRC 100th Anniversary: 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. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!

Sem sign Oct 2022

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The PR Theological Seminary will enter its seventh week of the first semester of the 2023-24 term tomorrow. Things continue to go well, for which we thank our gracious Father. The schedule and calendar have been posted here. ​The faculty, students, and staff covet your prayers as we continue our various labors this new school year.
  • This week Isaac Van Baren will lead the daily devotions. Rev. C. Haak will lead the Wednesday chapel.
  • This past Monday the first round of Practice Preaching was held for students Aaron Van Dyke and Bruce Feenstra. The second round is scheduled for Nov.13.
  • Senior Sem. Arend Haveman is doing his internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry, and is preaching a new sermon this evening in the congregation. After the internship is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing.
  • Prof. C. Griess gave a speech at the pre-Classis West Officebearers' Conference on sexual abuse on Sept.26 in Crete PRC (IL). Prof. Griess' speech may be found here and on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • In connection with a special conference held online for interested people in Mexico, Prof. R. Cammenga recently prepared three lectures on the errors of the well-meant offer of the gospel and the truth of the Reformed-biblical call of the gospel. You may find these lectures on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • Seminary Convocation was held on Wednesday Sept.6 in Hope PRC in Walker, MI.  The video of the convocation program is now available on the PRTS' YouTube channel.
  • The Spring 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal was published in April. Work continues on the Fall 2023 issue. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Valerie Kleyn, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 
  • During normal school sessions the seminary is open daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (holidays excepted), 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!

CPRC News Header

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. Today the "pastoral note" focused on the recent delegation to her Kolkata mission in India. Here is a brief part of their report:
      "[We give] thanks to God for the opportunity to witness first-hand the spiritual maturity of the saints in Kolkata India. The mission work there is unlike many other missions from the perspective of the tremendous persecution and loss these saints face. That those who join the church, have to give up father and mother, brothers and sisters to follow Christ. Those who join the church have been cut off from all the privileges of society and are treated as pariahs and outcasts.

  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:

    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC.
    • The September 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News was published this past week. Visit the link to read the articles on "Nehemiah's Godly Enquiry Concerning Jerusalem" and Rev. R. Hanko's answers to questions about the covenant of redemption.
    • 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 worship services today. 
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Mitch Suarez led her worship services today.

REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM

RWH Logo 2019
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

W Bruinsma RWH

  • This month (October 2023) the RWH continues the series on the return of Jesus Christ by Rev. W. Bruinsma, along with other special messages. Today's message is titled "Gathered unto Armageddon" based on Revelation 16:10-16. For the October RWH Newsletter, visit this page. 
  • 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.).

Sb new cover 2017 1
Are you a Standard Bearer reader? If not, become one by subscribing here! The SB also publishes a special Reformation issue each November. If you would like to receive a past issue on a subject, contac the RFPA office. 

  • In need of sound biblical and Reformed catechism materials for children and young people? Check out the PRC's full curriculum of materials here. Call the PRC Seminary for help with any of these materials (616-531-1490).

  • 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.

RBO Aug 2023 2

  • The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is now operating in its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Visit the store and browse the variety of resources for your Reformed-Christian faith and walk, including many children's titles. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday 10-1.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

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“Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience. I could not believe that he was placated by my satisfaction. I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners, and secretly, if not blasphemously, certainly murmuring greatly, I was angry with God, and said, ‘As if, indeed, it is not enough, that miserable sinners, eternally lost through original sin, are crushed by every kind of calamity by the law of the decalogue, without having God add pain to pain by the gospel and also by the gospel threatening us with his righteousness and wrath!’ Thus I raged with a fierce and troubled conscience. Nevertheless, I beat importunately upon Paul at that place, most ardently desiring to know what St. Paul wanted.

“At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, ‘In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”’ There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning: the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.’ Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. There a totally other face of the entire Scripture showed itself to me”

~ Martin Luther, in a preface to his writings, Luther’s Works, vol. 34 (found in Southeast PRC's bulletin today

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Covenant Reformed News - September 2023

Covenant Reformed News
September 2023  •  Volume XIX, Issue 17


 

Nehemiah’s Godly Enquiry Concerning Jerusalem

The Bible itself often identifies the spiritual significance of its major characters and it is also instructive who makes these identifications. Abraham is called “the father of all them that believe” by Paul, the great proponent of justification by faith alone (Rom. 4:11). David is spoken of as “the man after God’s own heart” by no less than Jehovah Himself, who saw and moulded David’s heart (Acts 13:22). John the Baptist is the one who would “make ready a people for the Lord,” as stated by the angel Gabriel, who was preparing Zacharias and Elizabeth for the birth of their son (Luke 1:17).

Nehemiah is a man who sought the welfare of Israel. This is what God’s enemies thought regarding him. This is a good testimony to have from the ungodly, and their fears regarding Nehemiah were accurate! “When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel” (Neh. 2:10).

Here are three well-known roles or works of Nehemiah. First, he was the cupbearer of Artaxerxes, the Medo-Persian Emperor. Second, he became the governor of Judah. Third, in this office, he was the moving force in the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s perimeter wall. In all these roles, whether as cupbearer, governor or wall builder, he was a man who sought the welfare of Israel. The church needs more men and women like him!

Two members of Nehemiah’s family are named. His father was called Hachaliah (1:1; 10:1) and he had a brother named Hanani (1:2; 7:2), as well as at least one other brother (1:2). If Nehemiah had sisters, they are not mentioned in this book.

Here are two good reasons to think that Hachaliah and his wife had a godly home. First, they had Nehemiah for a son. Second, they had Hanani for a son, whom faithful Nehemiah appointed one of the leaders in Jerusalem, the holy city (7:2).

The Lord especially uses homes like that of Mr. and Mrs. Hachaliah to produce men and women who seek the welfare of Israel, the elect, redeemed and gathered church of our Lord Jesus Christ. These are the sort of homes we need in our congregations!

What does Nehemiah ask at the very start of his book? He makes a double-barrelled enquiry about the people back in Judah and its capital city, Jerusalem (1:2).

The people about whom Nehemiah asks are those who had returned to Judah out of the Babylonian captivity in two main groups. First, there was the group under Zerubbabel the governor. They numbered about 50,000, including Jeshua the high priest, and they rebuilt the temple (Ezra 1-6). These people arrived in Judah over 80 years before the events of Nehemiah 1. Second, there was the much smaller group under Ezra the scribe. Ezra 7-10 deals with the arrival of this great priest and focuses on his leadership in promoting spiritual edification (rather than physical construction). Ezra and his group arrived just 13 years before Nehemiah 1.

How are these two groups doing? Are they amalgamating and uniting in the Lord’s service? Why did Nehemiah enquire about them? Because he cared about their welfare!

Why did he ask about the place, Jerusalem? Because he knew that there was rebuilding work that needed to be done. He hoped to hear that the city wall was progressing. After all, Ezra’s party was there to inject new energy into the people of God in Judah.

To whom did Nehemiah make these enquiries? Nehemiah asked Hanani, because his godly brother knew the issues and understood the importance of people’s spiritual morale. Nehemiah asked the “men of Judah” who were with Hanani because they had recently been there and so they had first-hand knowledge.

Do you see the significance of this? In general, you need to ask the right people in order to get accurate and helpful answers. This is perhaps especially true as regards the church. Ask people at the heart of the church, people who are spiritually attuned.

When did Nehemiah ask Hanani and these men of Judah these questions? When, after journeying from Jerusalem, they had arrived in Shushan the palace, also known as Susa the citadel, one of the places where the Medo-Persian emperor resided and where Nehemiah worked. In other words, these people had up-to-date information on the situation on the ground or, at least, information as current as possible in those days.

Let us follow the text in Nehemiah 1:1-2, which summarizes our exposition so far. “The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah” (1)—here is the book’s heading. Next the scene is set: “And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace” (1). Then comes the arrival of the party from the west: “Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah” (2), followed by Nehemiah’s enquiry about the people and the place, “I asked them [1] concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and [2] concerning Jerusalem” (2).

What was their reply? “And they said unto me, [1] The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: [2] the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire” (3).

How did Nehemiah respond? Not merely with pleasantries: “And how was the weather during your long journey?” Was he a little bit saddened or fairly upset? No! He was deeply troubled and you know why, reader! Because Nehemiah was a man who loved God’s church, her distress was his distress. Doubtless Nehemiah had sung Psalm 137 in the captivity many times and he had meant it! “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy” (5-6)! Rev. Angus Stewart
 

The Covenant of Redemption (1)

A reader writes, “I would like Rev. Hanko to discuss the traditional ‘covenant of redemption’ theory in a future News, particularly the various versions of it:

1) an agreement between the Father and the Son;
2) an agreement between the three divine Persons;
3) an agreement between the Triune God, as represented by the Father, and Christ.

Some say that the covenant of grace in time is a mirror image of this eternal contract; others say it is something separate and different. Various texts are used for this theory.”

The idea of a covenant of redemption (Latin: pactum salutis) or “counsel of peace” (Zech. 6:13) dates back to the seventeenth century, with the term “covenant of redemption” first appearing in 1638 in a speech by the Scottish theologian David Dickson. Men such as Herman Witsius, Patrick Gillespie and James Durham developed the idea in detail. Though many consider the notion of such a covenant as speculative and unbiblical, it continues to have its defenders.

There are different ideas about the parties in this covenant, nicely enumerated above by the friend who sent in the question. Most often, the covenant of redemption is considered to be an agreement between the Father and the Son, to bring about the redemption of the elect through the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ. Louis Berkhof, for example, defines the covenant of redemption as “the agreement between the Father, giving the Son as Head and Redeemer of the elect, and the Son, voluntarily taking the place of those whom the Father had given Him” (Systematic Theology, p. 271). 

Biblical basis for such a covenant of redemption is sought in the many scriptural passages that describe the salvation of the elect in terms of a purchase, implying, so it is said, a previous agreement, either between the Father and the Son or between the Triune God and Christ. Likewise, the word “propitiation” in Romans 3:25 and I John 2:2 is assumed to imply a transaction of some kind between the Father and Christ. All the references to Christ’s coming in obedience to the Father, fulfilling God’s will, doing His Father’s business and saving those whom the Father gave Him, are cited as proof of such an agreement or transaction between God and Christ.

An important text to those who teach a covenant of redemption is Zechariah 6:13, which speaks of “the counsel of peace” which “shall be between them both.” This passage, however, has nothing to do with any kind of pre-temporal inter-Trinitarian covenant or a covenant between God and Christ. It refers to the union of the priestly and kingly offices in Jesus who is “a priest upon his throne.” In other words, the text speaks of the reconciliation of justice and mercy in Christ who is both King and Priest, not a covenant of redemption.

We are among those who find the theology of a covenant of redemption to be speculative and unbiblical. Our objections to such a covenant, however, have to do not only with the interpretation of various passages but also with the fact that those who hold to a covenant of redemption begin with an unscriptural view of the nature of a covenant. They all define a covenant in terms of an agreement, a contract or a transaction, whether it be a covenant between all the Persons of the Trinity, between God and Christ, between God and Adam or between God and His elect people. This agreement, so it is said, has promises, conditions and stipulations, as any agreement would. After starting with that wrong idea that the covenant is an agreement, those who hold to a covenant of redemption find proof for such a notion in the passages mentioned above.

We have three objections to such a presentation of the covenant. First, such a view of the divine covenant is not to be found in the Bible. Scripture always presents the divine covenant as a relationship, not an agreement. The formula for the covenant between God and His people reveals the covenant to be a relationship. That formula, though expressed in different ways, is essentially, “I will be your God, and ye shall be my people” (Lev. 26:12). We will write more of the covenant as a relationship in another article.

Second, if the covenant is an agreement, then God and man, whether Adam, the elect or Christ as man, act on equal terms. That is a denial of God’s sovereignty. In His works and ways with man, God never acts as equal but as sovereign. Even in the incarnation, Christ as man is subject to the Father, sovereignly chosen, equipped, sent into the world and assigned the work of redemption (Act. 2:36). As the Servant of God (Isa. 49:6), His work was subject always to God’s judgment and approval (Matt. 3:17).

The covenant relationship between God and the elect never depends on the elect agreeing to be God’s people or even on Christ agreeing on their behalf. It is not a transaction or agreement. That would make God’s covenant dependent and conditional. God sovereignly chooses the elect to be His people, effectually redeems them in Christ and powerfully converts them by the Spirit. Thus the covenant between God and His people is never described in the Bible as an agreement, something dependent on the will and cooperation of the sinner, but as a relationship established and kept by God Himself. We call this a “unilateral” covenant, a covenant established and maintained by God alone. The covenant between God and His people, then, is not bilateral or two-sided but one-sided. It is, most emphatically, God’s covenant.

Third, if the covenant is an agreement, it is not “everlasting” (Gen. 17:7). An agreement is always temporary, ending when its terms and conditions have been met. God’s covenant does not cease when the redemption of His elect people has been accomplished, but reaches its highest glory and splendour in eternity. 

If we are going to speak, therefore, of a covenant of redemption, it is not an agreement between God and Christ, but the relationship between them, established through the incarnation, in which Christ, as God’s Son, becomes the One through whom and in whom God establishes His covenant with us. It is the relationship described in Psalm 89:26-28: “He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.”

More must be said, however, and we will continue this discussion in another article, Lord willing. Rev. Ronald 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  
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Reformed Witness Hour Newsletter - October 2023

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News from the Reformed Witness Hour

October 2023

 

Help Us Get the Word Out!

 

This month we have five Christ-centered, Gospel-themed messages to share!

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In October, we will continue with Rev. Bruinsma’s series on Christ’s return.

October 1
Satisfied with Marrow and Fatness 
Psalm 63:5


October 8
Gathered Unto Armageddon
Revelation 16:10-16


October 15
The Final Sign of Christ’s Return
Luke 21:25-28


October 22
The Scripture of God’s Word
2 Peter 1:20-21

October 29
To a Thousand Generations
Psalm 105:6-8

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New Radio Station Update

You may remember in March this year we announced that the Reformed Witness Hour would air on two new radio stations: WGTK in Greenville, South Carolina and WLQV in Detroit, Michigan. Since that time, we have also found a second station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to air our program, WJAS. We are extremely excited to see that in the first six months of broadcasting in South Carolina, the number of messages listened to in the state has doubled compared to the six months prior to broadcasting there.

 

In Case You Missed It!

If you missed it, take time to listen to Rev. Bruinsma’s message on Christian Education called Craving Knowledge. As we continue this school year, this sermon gives a wonderful reminder of our calling as children of God to gain knowledge and wisdom in the Word of God. Rev. Bruinsma discusses Proverbs 1:7, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction” and expounds on the three important terms used:

  1. Knowledge: what we must attain or desire.
  2. Instruction: the way we are to attain such knowledge.
  3. Wisdom: the goal of our knowledge.

Do you crave knowledge? Fools despise instruction, remember.  At times children like to bemoan the fact that they must apply themselves to their studies. But the Word of God is plain; apply yourselves to your schoolwork, not simply because it is beneficial from an earthly point of view, but because it is beneficial from a spiritual point of view. All knowledge is a gift of God.  And the more we know of God and how He works in creation and history, the more we become wise.  Learn more by listening to the message at reformedwitnesshour.org, search for key words: Craving Knowledge.

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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 1, 2023 *(Updated)

Psalm 117Today, October 1, is the fortieth 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.

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. ~ Psalm 117:1,2

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

  • Lynden PRC (WA) was to vote after her morning service today from the Consistory's new trio: Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC), Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC), and Rev. R. Smit (PRC foreign missionary). *Rev. Noorman has received this call.

  • Rev. D. Noorman is considering the call from Loveland (CO) PRC (received Sept.10). He plans to answer by Oct.8.

  • Last Sunday Randolph PRC voted to call Rev. R. Smit (PRC foreign missionary, currently living in the States).

  • Last Sunday Hudsonville PRC extended a call to Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC).

  • Last Sunday Zion PRC voted to call Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA).

  • On Sept.3 Cand. M. Koerner accepted the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB). This past week he was examined by Classis West, which met in Crete PRC (IL). He successfully sustained this examination and Hosanna PRC was advised to proceed to his ordination and installation. He has filed paper with the Canadian government for a work permit, and when these are approved, he and his wife Sharon can move to Edmonton. "The immigration application for Pastor-Elect Koerner’s work permit has been submitted. An answer is expected from the U.S. government around October 11th, Lord willing." (Today's Hosanna bulletin)

  • Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon plan to move to Doon, Iowa this week, where he will be installed as Doon PRC's pastor on Oct.15. May the Lord grant them safe travels and a smooth transition into their life and labors there.

  • Georgetown PRC's Council has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC-Hull, IA), G. Eriks (Unity PRC-Byron Center, MI), and D. Noorman. The congregational meeting is set for Oct.8 after the morning service. 

Special Congregational Notices:

Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB): "We have been granted a lease with St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church, 11 Glenview Crescent, St. Albert. Our first services will be on October 1st. Service times will remain at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. We give thanks to the Lord for the continued provision of a building. Psalm 34:10 - “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” And also this: "The parsonage property in Akinsdale (St. Albert) has been purchased. The new possession date is Monday, October 30th. We give thanks to our denomination for their generous donations, which have allowed us to purchase this property with cash. 'Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.' II Corinthians 9:11"

Zion PRC (Jenison, MI): "Community Bible Study: Our first meeting will be this Wednesday [Oct.4] with Howard Pastoor as the leader. There are extra flyers placed in all the mailboxes in the back, please use them to personally invite neighbors, co-workers or anyone that may be interested." [held in the church's back building, sw side]

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Rev. R. Barnhill in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. G. Eriks in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. M. Kortus (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. M. McGeown in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. D. Noorman in Zion 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

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Pastor-elect Matt Koerner and his wife Sharon following his successful examination at Classis West this past week (see below)

Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates are scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page.

Classis West: Classis West held its regular meeting in Crete PRC (IL) this past Wednesday, September 27. At this meeting pastor-elect Matt Koerner was examined and approved for ordination as a minister of the Word and sacraments in the PRC. For more on this meeting, including the stated clerk's public report, visit this page.

Rev. J. Laning, PRC home missionary, is preaching for two Sunday's in Hope PRC-Redlands, CA while Rev. Kortus is in Loveland on classical supply.

PRC 100th Anniversary: 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. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!

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7th-grade students from Hope PRCS visited seminary this past Friday, taking part in devotions with faculty and students

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The PR Theological Seminary will enter its sixth week of the first semester of the 2023-24 term tomorrow. Things are going well so far, for which we thank our gracious Father. The schedule and calendar have been posted here. ​The faculty, students, and staff covet your prayers as we continue our various labors this new school year.
  • Faculty and students attended the pre-Classis West Officebearers' Conference on sexual abuse this past Tuesday in Crete PRC (IL). Prof. Dykstra and Prof. Griess gave speeches related to the subject, and faulty and students participated in the round-table discussion held afterward. Prof. Griess' speech may be found here.
  • The 7th-grade class of Ms. S. Smit from Hope PRCS (Walker, MI) visited the seminary Friday morning, Sept.29. They received an introduction to the seminary by Prof. Cammenga, took a tour of the building, participated in devotions and break with faculty and students, and then sat in on Prof. Huizinga's OT history class. 
  • This week Bruce Feenstra will lead the daily devotions.
  • Tomorrow, Monday, Oct.2, is the first round of Practice Preaching for students Aaron Van Dyke and Bruce Feenstra (1st time for him). Pray for them as they prepare and deliver their sermons and for the faculty as they provide constructive criticism for thei students growth in this crucial area of their training.
  • In connection with a special conference held online for interested people in Mexico, Prof. R. Cammenga recently prepared three lectures on the errors of the well-meant offer of the gospel and the truth of the Reformed-biblical call of the gospel. You may find these lectures on the seminary's YouTube channel.
  • Seminary Convocation was held on Wednesday Sept.6 in Hope PRC in Walker, MI.  The video of the convocation program is now available on the PRTS' YouTube channel.
  • Senior Sem. Arend Haveman is doing his internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry. After this is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing
  • The Spring 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal was published in April. Digital copies have been posted on the journal webpage (see link here). The Spring issue features articles on a distinctive feature of PRC teaching on the covenant of grace, on the image of God in man from a conference in Mexico, on R.L. Dabney's "proposals of mercy," and the first part of a history of Classis West of the PRC - and, of course, several significant book reviews.  If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Valerie Kleyn, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Look for the fall issue in a few months!
  • During normal school sessions the seminary is open daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (holidays excepted), 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!

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SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. Today these special notices were in her bulletin:
      "We thank God for the Mooncake Gospel Meeting yesterday, that we could hear a gospel message on Jesus as the Light of the world, who alone gives light and life, deliverance from the darkness of sin and death. May we be more faithful as we follow His light, believing and obeying His Word, and be equipped to shine as lights in the world, means used by God to bring others from the darkness of unbelief into the light of Christ.We thank God for the Mooncake Gospel Meeting yesterday, that we could hear a gospel message on Jesus as the Light of the world, who alone gives light and life, deliverance from the darkness of sin and death. May we be more faithful as we follow His light, believing and obeying His Word, and be equipped to shine as lights in the world, means used by God to bring others from the darkness of unbelief into the light of Christ.
      "Do continue to keep in prayer the delegates to Kolkata, Pastor Tan and Elder Wee, as well as Deacon Wee who is joining them. Pray for Pastor Tan who will also be preaching there today. They have sent over some highlights of their trip, much of it seeming to revolve around food. But certainly there is much more behind the scenes, sweet fellowship over meals and around the study of God’s Word. May the saints in Kolkata and the visitors from Singapore be refreshed and encouraged in communion with one another."
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC.
    • The August 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News was recently published. Visit the link to read the articles on being clothed with Christ (part 3) and on why baptize all infants of believers by Rev. R. Hanko.
    • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.

  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
    • Berean PRC bulletin: Elders Umali and Penaverde led her worship services today. And, "Rev. Ibe and family are visiting with the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service today at 9 AM and in their Bible study at 10:45 AM, God willing."
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Mitch Suarez led her worship services today.

REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM

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

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  • This month (October 2023) the RWH continues the series on the return of Jesus Christ by Rev. W. Bruinsma, along with other special messages. Today's message is titled "Satisfied with Marrow and Fatness" based on Psalm 63:5. For the October RWH Newsletter, visit this page. 
  • 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.).

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  • In need of sound biblical and Reformed catechism materials for children and young people? Check out the PRC's full curriculum of materials here. Call the PRC Seminary for help with any of these materials (616-531-1490).

  • 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.

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  • The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is now operating in its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Visit the store and browse the variety of resources for your Reformed-Christian faith and walk, including many children's titles. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday 10-1.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

Do You Know the True God? (2-3)

Do you know the true God? Not the god of man’s imagination, but the God of the Bible? This is an important question, because Jesus teaches us that eternal life is knowing God and His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3). If you are to live with God forever in heaven, you must know Him.

If you are interested in knowing the true God, please consider the following.

(4) God’s Salvation

1. God is also the Saviour who has sent Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners from their sin and the everlasting torments of hell (Isa. 43:11).

2. In His death, Christ suffered the torments of hell in the place of all those who believe in Him. By His death, He paid their debt and earned for them the forgiveness of their sins (I Peter 3:18).

3. Christ fulfilled God’s demand for believers by perfectly loving God and keeping God’s law. God considers them to be righteous in Christ (Rom. 5:19).

4. Christ gives spiritual life to those whom God saves so that they believe in Him. They know God and enjoy His fellowship. They will live with the true God in heaven forever (I John 5:20).

(5) True Faith

1. Do you seek the forgiveness of your sins, the righteousness of Christ, and eternal fellowship with the true God? God says to you,'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house' (Acts 16:31).

2. Believe that God is your Creator, Sustainer and Ruler, who is worthy of your love and worship. Realise that you are a sinner who has failed to fulfil your God-given duty and who needs salvation. Trust God to save you from your sins through the atoning death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3. True faith will cause you to repent of your sins. You will acknowledge that you are a sinner, sorrow over your sin and rebellion against God, and forsake your sin (Eze. 18:30).

4. True faith will make youobedient. It will cause you to seek to keep God’s commandments and live a life of thanksgiving to Him (James 2:17-19).

5. True faith believes that salvation is not the work of man but the gift of God. The believer is saved by the grace of God alone (Eph. 2:8-9).

(6) Do You Know?

Do you know the true God and His Son Jesus Christ?

If not, obey the command of God to trust Christ for salvation.

Without the knowledge of the true God, which comes through faith, you do not have eternal life but face the everlasting torments of hell.

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  • Reading Sermon Library
  • Taped Sermon Library

Synodical Officers

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Synodical Committees

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Contact/Missions

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Classical Officers

Classis East
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Classis West
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