Introduction 2 Samuel 24 records David’s sin of numbering the people.  David’s act of numbering the people was a grievous sin.  The awful consequences of his sin certainly underscore how grievous a sin it was.  David’s sin was grievous because at bottom it was the sin than which there is none greater for the […]

The Ongoing Need First, some facts and figures.  Fifteen of the thirty-five active ministers—nearly one-half—are approaching or are older than sixty.  In the next ten years or so, these ministers will need to be replaced.  Of the thirty-five active ministers three are serving as missionaries, three are teaching in the denominational seminary, and one is […]

What kind of life are you living? Are you living the Christian life? Can you say that? Can you say that before the face of God? Can you say that in all honesty before your own conscience? Do you want to live the Christian life? Is that really the desire of your heart? Do you pray to […]

Reprinted from the Standard Bearer Vol. 63 pp. 413- 415.  In the past several articles we have discussed public confession of faith. We have used as our guide the three questions that are asked of those who make confession of faith. We want to conclude this discussion by calling attention to certain responsibilities which a […]

Reprinted from the Standard Bearer Vol. 63 pp. 372- 374.  “Will you submit to church government, and in case you should become delinquent (which may God graciously forbid) to church discipline?” This third question asked of those who make public confession of faith is closely related to the previous two questions. In the first question […]

Reprinted from the Standard Bearer Vol. 63 pp. 356- 357.  Last time we began our discussion of the second question asked of those who make public confession of faith: “Have you resolved by the grace of God to adhere to this doctrine; to reject all heresies repugnant thereto and to lead a new, godly life?” […]

Reprinted from the Standard Bearer Vol. 63 pp. 305-307 Have you resolved by the grace of God to adhere to this doctrine; to reject all heresies repugnant thereto and to lead a new, godly life?” Last time we dealt with the first question asked of those who make public confession of faith. We saw that […]

Reprinted from the Standard Bearer Vol. 63 pp. 256- 258.  “Do you acknowledge the doctrine contained in the Old and New Testaments and in the Articles of the Christian faith and taught here in this Christian Church to be the true and complete doctrine of salvation?” This is the first question asked of those who […]

Reprinted from the Standard Bearer Vol. 63 pp. 211-213 At the end of our last article, we were busy discussing the basis for public confession of faith. We saw that the responsibility to make public confession of faith is based, first of all, on the general calling of the believer to confess Christ’s Name in […]

Reprint from the January 15,1987 issue of the Standard Bearer  One of the most joyful occasions in the church is the public confession of faith of the young people. For the pastor and elders there is no more joyful occasion than when young people come to the consistory room to make confession of faith before […]