Diaconal work is always associated with caring for the poor. This article argues that this should not be so. The author give suggestions and practical ways in which care by deacons can be extend to the non-poor. This ministry is crucial to them as a manifestation of Christ’s compassion and mercy for his church.
What happens between death and the resurrection? What happens when a Christian or an unbeliever dies? This article looks at the false teachings of naturalism, modernism, and soul sleep.
This article explains how Scripture often treats contentment along with its opposite, covetousness. Whether we covet or are content, we are revealing our answer to the question, whom do we serve?
Baptism is the visible word of God’s grace to his church. In it God speaks and points his church to his promises. However, there are different views on the meaning of baptism. In this article the views of the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches are examined.
Every Christian has a desire to share the gospel with unbelievers. Often the challenge is how to do it. This article shares the method of evangelism. Some different methods are considered and evaluated, with the preference for the seed-planting method.
The order of worship is something whose meaning and significance can be lost on worshippers. By focusing on the meaning of the votum at the beginning of a worship service, the author shows that understanding the meaning of this can keep worshippers humble and grateful for God’s grace.
Diaconal work is always associated with caring for the poor. This article argues that this should not be the case. After giving some examples of diaconal work in Calvin's Geneva in the form of hospitals and a funding organization, the author gives an evaluation of this work, with lessons for today’s deacons and the ministry of mercy.
The art of redeeming the time seems to be vanishing in this busy and fast age. In this article the author shares some ways to redeem the time, and make the best of your work, family, and recreation time.
Apostasy is always a struggle within the church. In this exposition of Galatians 1:8-9, the author looks at the cause of apostasy among the Galatians, with application to today’s church.
When can someone say he is called to the ministry? This article addresses this question, explaining that calling is the work of God the Holy Spirit.
The order of worship is something whose meaning and significance can be lost on worshippers. By focusing on the meaning of the salutation at the beginning of a worship service, the author shows that understanding the meaning of this can keep worshipers humble and grateful for God’s grace.
This article focuses on Malachi 2:4-9, with relevant application for today’s church.
Every Christian has a desire to share the gospel with unbelievers. Often the challenge is how one does it. In this article the goal of evangelism is shared: we want to see the sinner’s salvation in a way that glorifies God for his work.
This article focuses on Malachi 2:1-7, with relevant application for today’s church.
Diaconal work is always associated with caring for the poor. This article argues that this should not be the case. Deacons are called to care for the non-poor also. If diaconal work is seen as Christ’s way of administering mercy, then the work should go beyond the poor. In this article the author looks at the example of John Calvin in Geneva, where there was the fund to care for other needs or people.
Is it really true that there will be a resurrection of the dead? In this devotion, the author shows how Christ’s resurrection is a guarantee of believers’ resurrection. This is what God said in 1 Corinthians 15:20.
This article exposits Malachi 1:11-14, with relevant application for today’s church.
Apostasy is always a struggle within the church. In this exposition of Galatians 1:6-7, the author looks at the cause of apostasy amongthe Galatians, with application to today’s church.
Every Christian has a desire to share the gospel with unbelievers. Often the challenge is how one does it. In this article the content of evangelism is shared: where to start and what to say is when personally evangelizing someone.
What does it mean to be saved? In this exposition of Galatians 1:4-5, the author answers this crucial question. He expounds on the work of Christ in saving us.
Christian parents are called to raise their children within the covenant calling God gave them. Part of this is that they are called to apply discipline to the children. How do parents do this? What is the purpose of this discipline? This article shows the biblical roots for discipline and the way it can be applied positively and negatively, then looks at the purpose of discipline.
What happens between death and the resurrection? What happens when a Christian or an unbeliever dies? This article answers those questions by looking at Scripture's teaching on the intermediate state. Exploring the meaning of death for a Christian and the separation of body and soul, the author gives hope to those who rest in Christ. Judgment day is a day they can look towards with courage.
Though a true believer knows that God’s Word should stir up rejoicing from within him, he also knows that this is not always the case. This article shows that sin can take away the joy of reading the Bible. It also shows how our attitude is crucial to reading the Bible. By rediscovering this joy, devotion time, Bible study and preaching will always be a delight.
The office of teaching elder can be used to describe a theological professor. However, what is the task of a professor? To whom is he accountable? This article deals with these questions. Starting from the church order, the author works out the position and task of the professor.
Who should be responsible for theological training? Should the seminary be under the church or independent? This article lays the biblical grounds for a church-controlled seminary, while highlighting the dangers of an independent theological training.
What are students for the ministry being taught at seminary? This article looks at two subjects that students must study: Practical theology, with its division into preaching, liturgics, missions, world religions, and catechetics.
What are students for the ministry being taught at seminary? This article looks at two subjects that students must study: Dogmatics, and Old Testament.
What are students for the ministry being taught at seminary? This article looks at two subjects that students must study: the New Testament, and church history.
The church has the responsibility to guard the gospel. How can she do that? Theological training is one way. This article explains the basis for such training and the benefits it brings.
When should the church decide to send someone for theological training? While the student, church, and elders each have a responsibility in the matter of judging seminary applicants, the elders have another responsibility: seeking out and encouring promising young men in their congregation.
The training of faithful men who will carry the gospel to the next generation cannot be tampered with. It is crucial for the life of the church. In this exposition of 2 Timothy 2:2, the author shows why this training is crucial. It is on this ground that seminaries were established.
Mercy, grace, and peace are words used often by Paul in the opening of his letters. In this article the meaning of these words is studied as they are announced in Galatians 1:3.
This article focuses on Malachi 3:1-2, which points to the promise of the Messenger. The article discusses further how this promise is fulfilled in the New Testament through the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
How do you know if you have a genuine fear of God? How can you tell that your religion is real? The way you use your tongue, treat the needy, and relate to the world says it all. This is what James 1:26-27 says, and the author unfolds this instruction.
Every Christian is involved in Bible reading, Bible study and listening to the Word preached. How should we approach God’s Word? What attitude should we have? This article shows that if one believes that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it will create an attitude whereby God’s Word governs all of your life.
What does Paul's defence of his calling has to do with the gospel? In this exposition of Galatians 1:1-2, the author answers this crucial question.
Deacons are called to care for the poor and the needy in the church. How do they do this for the needy who are kept in institutions? How do they co-ordinate the work with the directors of those institutions? This article gives ways to handle the work, with a brief history of diaconal work in the Christian church and how can deacons be actively involved with institutions that care for the needy and poor.
What happens between death and the resurrection? This article answers this by looking at the intermediate state. In exploring the meaning of death for a Christian and the separation of body and soul, the author points us to the hope that belongs to those who rest in Christ.
This article is a Bible study on Matthew 5:38-42.
What is the role of man’s will in salvation? The will of man is dead by nature; therefore, it cannot respond to the call of the gospel. Only the will that is brought to life by God is able to respond. This article shows how this is crucial to understanding salvation to be by grace alone.
This article discusses the role of the congregation in the election of the deacons. It discusses the process of suggesting names, approving them, and the act of electing deacons.
The suffering of Christ is essential to the comfort of the believer in his suffering. This article examines the nature of Christ's suffering, the reason for it, and how it relates to the believer’s suffering.
For Christians to understand the times they live in, it is important to understand the history of ideas that shapes their culture. Here focus is given to humanism. The author explains the nature of its worldview, the intolerance it displays, and how Christians should respond to it.
Contentment is the cure to covetousness. From 1 Timothy 6:6-10 this article discusses Christian contentment in relation to earthly possessions and personal circumstances.
This article discusses three biblical principles that must govern the election and installation of deacons.
This article is a Bible study on Matthew 5:33-37.
There are two elements of saving faith: certain knowledge and assured confidence. This article discusses the assurance of faith. It points out why assured confidence is an essential part of true faith, and that this confidence can only be given by God.
For Christians to understand their times, it is important to understand the history of ideas that shapes their culture. This article looks at premodernism, modernism, postmodernism.
Eschatology is the study of Scripture's teaching concerning the last days. This article shows the prominence of the teaching in Scripture.
There are two elements of saving faith: certain knowledge and a sure confidence. This article discusses the knowledge of saving faith. It points out the nature of it, the need of it, and fruits of it.
Deacons who serve well are promised a reward, according to 1 Timothy 3:13. This article discusses the nature of this reward, the encouragement needed by deacons, and those deacons who will get the reward.
Eschatology is the study of Scripture's teaching concerning the last days. This article examines erroneous teachings about the last days: universalism, the denial of hell, and certain millennial views.
There is the Christian way to dating as well as the heathen way. From Proverbs 30:18-19, this article shows that in finding a marriage partner, the Christian starts from the conviction that God has given us guidance on this matter.
Eschatology is the study of the teaching of scripture concerning the last days. This article introduces this study and how it was considered in the early church, Middle Ages, and Reformation.
This article shows that the role of the law God gave to Israel was not to perfect them, but to point them to the reality that only God can save them.
This article is a Bible study on Matthew 5:27-32.
The Old Testament sacrifices functioned as God’s revelation to his people, but they also functioned as shadows or types. This article discusses how shadows functioned to lead people to Christ.
1 Timothy 3:10 notes that deacons must be proved in other to serve in the church. This article explains what it means to prove, and what standard should be used to prove deacons.
This article explains how the tongue can be used in only two possible ways: it can be a weapon of destruction or it can be used to build others up.
This article is an exposition of John 8:36-59.
This article is an exposition of John 8:30-36.
This article is an exposition of John 8:12-30.
This article is an exposition of John 8:1-11.
This article shows from the biblical account how sin develops. It also shows how God works in his sovereignty in relation to this development.
This article is an exposition of John 7:37-53.
Adam’s fall brought with it death and pollution of sin. Because we stand in a relationship with him as representative head of all humanity, we inherit the results of the fall, among which is total depravity.
From Revelation 13, this article shows that the antichrist will be characterized by a desire for universal power and attempts for world-dominion.
This article is a biography of Alexander Henderson, one of the early Scottish Presbyterians.
A proper reading of Revelation 20 does not support the view of postmillennialism. This article exegetes the passage and shows how it gives grounds for amillennialism.
This article is an exposition of John 4:27-42.
Ours is a yin-yang society. This article shows that just like the yin-yang our society has embraced relativism. The article shows what this means for religion, morality and sexuality and gender.
This article is an exposition of John 4:1-26.
From 1 Timothy 3:1-7, this article groups the qualifications of being an elder into three categories: character, call to rule, and call to teach.
From Philippians 4:6-7 this article offers some thoughts on prayer.
This article is an exposition of John 3:22-36.
The coming of the antichrist is a sign of the end of the world. This article shows that in Scripture the antichrist is referred to by different names, and that his main character is that of deception. However, the believer can identify the antichrist by knowing God’s truth.
This article is an exposition of John 3:1-21.
Strong faith is characterized by humility and meekness, repentance, obedience out of love for God, and love for God’s people. This faith acts like this because it is a gift from God.
This article is an exposition of John 2:12-25.
The hope of the Christian is on the second coming of Christ. This article looks at postmillennialism and the second coming of Christ. It argues that postmillennialism has no base in the Reformed confessions and Scripture.
This article is an exposition of John 2:1-11.
Heaven is not the final destiny of the believer. It is the intermediate state in which the soul of the believer will be with Christ in heaven before the bodily resurrection. How can the believer have this hope? This article shows how this hope is grounded in the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Sin grieves the Holy Spirit, for it works contrary to the work of the Spirit. This article shows you how this is so by looking at the sins that grieve the Holy Spirit, from Ephesians 4:30.
This article is an exposition of John 1:35-51.
The office of deacon should not be viewed as a stepping stone to the office of elder. Understanding the diaconal office is conditioned upon understanding the offices of Christ. The deacons function as a reflection of the priesthood of Christ. This article explains how.
Members of the congregation can be involved in mission work and evangelism in two ways: directly and indirectly. This article looks at both ways.
The Macedonian call as recorded in Acts 16:9-10 has three lessons for the church in relation to doing mission work.
This article is an exposition of 1 Timothy 4:12-13.
From Ephesians 4:26 this article shows the nature of holy anger over against sinful anger.
