VOLUME 64 Number 2 February 2017 EDITION

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FREE REFORMED CHURCHES OF NORTH AMERICA THE MESSENGER February 2017 • VOLUME 64 NUMBER 2 EDITOR: Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes 2692 Bridge Place NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 USA • T: 616.977.0599 ext.121 E: [email protected] ASSISTANT EDITOR: Rev. David H. Kranendonk E: [email protected] • T: 226-980-9607 The Editors report to the Synodical Publications Committee. COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Hans VanDoodewaard, Secretary P. O. Box 534, St. George, ON N0E 1N0 T: 519.414.0090 • E: [email protected] • Dr. Lawrence W. Bilkes • Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes • Rev. Joel Overduin • Rev. Jerrold Lewis • Rev. Robert VanDoodewaard • Mr. Herman DenHollander “It is of the LORD’S • Mr. John DenDekker, Treasurer • Rev. John Procee mercies that we are not SUBSCRIPTION RATE consumed, because his Canada & U.S.A. - $31.50 annually per subscription. The Messenger is published 11 times per year (July & compassions fail not. August issues are combined). They are new every SUBSCRIPTIONS/REMITTANCES Subscription requests, invoices, and payments should morning: great is thy be addressed to: Janey Slingerland (Publications Administrator) faithfulness” 18 Chapala Cres. S.E., Calgary, AB T2X 3M4 CANADA T: 403-254-6591 • E: [email protected] (Lamentations 3:22-23) SUBMISSIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/NOTICES All articles, notices for family announcements, MEDITATION obituaries, anniversaries, and non-commercial advertisements for the March 2017 issue should reach the editor no later than Thursday, February 2, 2017 and should be sent to: Mrs. Rhonda Kroesbergen aving entered the new year, do you feel hopeful? No? Did you say that you (Messenger Administrator). e: [email protected] feel hopeless? Studies show that in the months of January and February many THE YOUTH MESSENGER This semi-annual publication for youth is under the struggle with a feeling of sadness, while some even slip into depression. In direction of the Free Reformed Youth & Education H the general population, this may be partly due to the circumstances that come in these Committee. Editors: Rev. Timothy Bergsma: T: 519.354.3100; E: tim. months. New Year’s resolutions have already been broken. Credit card bills have come to [email protected] Rev. Joel Overduin: T: 905-327-3844; E: joel. alarm them about their excessive holiday spending. Young adults are immersed in their [email protected] college assignments. So many days are just dark and dreary. With its clouds, snow, slush Open Windows This bi-monthly publication for children is under and slippery roads winter has lost its attraction. General discontentment is setting in. the direction of the Free Reformed Publications For some of us, there may be other physical or spiritual factors. Your sadness this year Committee: Rev. Jerrold Lewis, General Editor may have an added spiritual dimension to it. You approached Thanksgiving, Christmas, 160 West Parkway, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 E: [email protected] and New Year holidays with a certain expectation that they would be means of spiritual FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MISSIONS AND enrichment. A spark of hope was kindled when special worship services or concerts OUTREACH CAUSES SHOULD BE DIRECTED AS FOLLOWS: began to lift your spirits – at least, for a while. How painful those times are to remember FOREIGN MISSIONS now! There was a true desire and even serious longing in your heart that the season’s joy, Peter Luth, Financial Administrator R.R.7, Dresden, ON N0P 1M0 CANADA fellowship, music, and good news of the Saviour’s birth would be used by the Lord as a T: 519.397.4988 • E: [email protected] means of personal spiritual revival. But now … the spark is gone and you have been left Keep in contact with your missionaries online: www. frcmissions.org with an empty, hopeless feeling. RADIO EVANGELISM What is the solution for a heavy heart? Where can we go for encouragement? How Banner of Truth Radio Broadcast Mr. John denDekker, Treasurer can we wake up hopeful in the morning? The answer is in the Lord and His faithful 16726 – 80th Avenue, Surrey, BC V4N 0G8 CANADA mercy. Mercy can be defined as favour or compassion toward a needy person and more T: 604.576.8935 • E: [email protected] HOME MISSIONS specifically as undeserved favour. If we consider the essence of mercy as God’s attitude Mr. Bert Marskamp, Treasurer 78 Windsor Dr., P.O. Box 126, St. George, ON N0E of favour, then the acts of kindness and benefits which flow from His favour toward 1N0 sinners are His “mercies.” Since God is holy and just, these mercies can come to us only T: 519.448.1763 • E: [email protected] REFUGEE FUND as a result of the cross of Christ. James Van der Zwan, Treasurer 26829 – 33B Ave., Aldergrove, BC V4W 3G8 Jeremiah teaches us in Lamentations 3 that looking back at past mercies encourages T: 604.818.3423 • E: [email protected] us to look forward in hope. Thankful for mercies past, we learn how to trust the Lord for CHRISTIAN MINISTRY TO ISRAEL Mr. John Wilbrink, Treasurer mercies in the future. This helps to give hope to the hopeless. 8 Weneil Drive, Freelton, ON L8B 0Z6 T: 905.659.7413; E: [email protected] Read The Messenger on the Free Reformed website: Preserving Past Mercies www.frcna.org On New Year’s Eve were you not reminded that you have many reasons to be thankful? In

2 FEBRuaFebruaryry 2017 CONTENTS

02 Meditation: Encouraged by the Lord’s Faithful Mercies 05 Church News encouraged by the 06 EDITORIAL: Lord’s Faithful Mercies The Favourite Psalm of the

By Rev. P. VanderMeyden 10 A GOODLY HERITAGE (31): Dutch Secession Theology the past year we were favoured (above so many millions in this world) with food, drink, clothing, After 1892 (2) shelter, conveniences, luxuries, and so many days of gospel opportunities and covenant privileges. Why? Not because we are any better than others. They are all undeserved kindnesses – mercies. As we think of the gift of time, let us not forget our God-given days are opportunities to obey 13 Book review: the gospel. We are called to redeem the time (Eph. 5:14). We were given those 366 days in 2016, The Reformed not because we deserved them. Each day was a new mercy. Believer, each day of last year was Baptism Form an opportunity to “show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Pet. 2:9). But how has that gone? What were your thoughts as the last hours of 2016 slipped away? Were you not humbled with conviction and regret? 16 STUDY (21): How we have failed! We received so much from the Lord, but how have we responded to His It Is the Lord kindness? Instead of praising Him we have wasted so many opportunities on sinful pleasures or meaningless vanities. Even as we tried to do our duty, it was often stained with self-centered motives. We lived for the praises of men, and robbed the Lord of His glory. 19 interview: With Yet, we have entered a new year. The new year represents new mercy from the Lord. Student Young Jae Lee Friend, if you are still not at peace with God – if you have no sorrow for sin, no trust in Christ, no longing for holiness – have you thought about the seriousness of your state? All last year the Lord was calling: “Today … harden not your heart” (Heb. 3:15). The call to repent and believe 21 in the Saviour has come to you in so many ways, for so many days. Have you thought about conference this? What if the Lord, on any one of those days, had dealt with you according to what your sins In South Korea deserve? We may all be thankful that the Lord “hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Ps. 103:10). What would have happened if He had dealt according 23 to what his justice demands? We would have been consumed by His holy wrath. Yet, that has not report on the naparc 2016 annual meeting happened. Why? The answer is: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.” Now, what about the question we mentioned earlier: how do we face the future? Especially those who feel hopeless are wondering: how do I go on with my life each day? That brings us to 24 the way this text gives hope for the future. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Faithful Mercies The book is called “Lamentations” because, as Jeremiah says, he is “a man that has seen

February 2017 3 MEDITATION affliction” (Jer. 3:11). He describes his severe affliction as Secondly, know this: that the Lord is your only hope. You “wormwood and gall” (v.19). The memory still humbles him cannot find it in anything or anyone else. Our faith and hope (v.20). Yet, while he remembers it, he says, “therefore I have cannot rest in our circumstances, feelings, or anything else. hope.” Amazing! While Jeremiah predicts the destruction of Faith does not depend on what we perceive with our physical Jerusalem and captivity of Judah, he rejoices that he and the senses (Heb. 11:1). It rests in something even more reliable. Lord’s covenant people are not utterly consumed by God’s Jeremiah says in the next verse: “The Lord is my portion, wrath. That gives him hope. saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him” (v. 24). Is that Why could Jeremiah still have hope? Because the Lord’s not also the confession of your soul? To whom else can you dealings show that His mercy toward His people is faithful. go? Who else can truly give hope to the hopeless. He is your Their salvation does not rest in themselves. It rests and stands only hope! secure in HIM! In the Lord’s faithfulness in Christ Jesus! Thirdly, seek the Lord and wait on Him. Go to Him in Because the Lord laid on His Son, as the Lamb, the sins of prayer and cast yourself before Him pleading for His mercy. His people, therefore He is faithful to the Gospel promise of Cast yourself upon His mercy. “God, be merciful to me, the forgiveness. Because God’s just and consuming wrath came sinner.” upon Jesus, therefore the Lord’s “compassions fail not” toward “But how do I know that the Lord will answer?” Because He His own. is faithful. His faithfulness is great. If He gives a promise in “But how do I personally experience that sense of hope? His Word, then trust Him. He is true to His word. Jeremiah How does this encourage me?” encourages you with God’s promise: “The Lord is good unto First, this encourages you to believe that it is possible – yes, them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him” (v.25). also for you. Listen, friend, if Jeremiah could have hope in the Jesus confirms it: “Seek and ye shall find” (Luke 11:9). midst of “wormwood and gall,” then it is possible for you to find hope in Lord’s mercy in your circumstances. Daily Mercies How is it possible for hope to be kindled in a sinner’s heart? What gives us the ability to have hope each day? It is the Lord, who delights to show mercy to those who seek Him. He delights to apply the effectual grace of His Holy Spirit to those who ask. That is why Jesus encourages us to pray for the grace of His soul-changing Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13). As we turn to Him each day, humbled by our trials, repentant for our sins, we will not be turned away disappointed. The Lord in mercy works even this repentant prayer for His mercy. He will be as true to His work as He is true to His word. We will not plead His promise in vain. On what basis can a holy God give mercies to sinners? By His perfect obedience and all-sufficient sacrifice, the Lord Word & deed Ministries Jesus has paid the price for God’s unfailing compassion and seeks to help needy people in the developing world enduring mercies. Now every promise of mercy is sealed by by bringing aid in the name of Jesus Christ. His blood. In Christ they are “Yea, and Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20). projects focus on... sponsor a child, As we awake each day this year, confessing our sin and > the Gospel joIn a Business Group, turning to Him, we will surely find that “His compassions fail > Indigenous partnerships Learn More by Visiting... not” and that His mercies are “new every morning.” As we do, > self-sufficiency >www.wordanddeed.org we will want to join Jeremiah in his doxology, “Great is thy faithfulness!” What a wonderful encouragement to get up and live each contact us: day for the glory of God! Delighting in new mercies will assure can: 877.375.9673 usa: 866.391.5728 us that we are experiencing a “small beginning” and foretaste e: [email protected] of the eternal doxology of heaven. Serving God, Bridging Communities, Renewing Lives Rev. Pieter VanderMeyden is emeritus pastor of the Free Reformed Church of Vineland, Ontario.

4 February 2017 20th Church News annual February 2017 CAMBRIDGE REFORMED BIBLE CONFERENCE Held at the Calvary Pentecostal Church • 127 Hespeler Road (Hwy 24), Cambridge, ON Call to the Ministry Is the Lord calling you to the ministry in the Free Reformed Churches of North America? the If you sense He is, the Free Reformed Theological Education Committee wishes to receive your church application by March 1, 2017. Please contact the secretary and her of the committee for the most recent edition of the Handbook for Theological Education, splendor which contains the application prerequisites and requirements. march 24 at 8pm - 25 at 9:30am, 2017 Rev. D. H. Kranendonk, Secretary 593089 Oxford Road 13, RR#1, Conference Speaker Norwich, ON N0J 1P0 P: 226-960-9807 Rev. Mark Johnston E: [email protected] Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cardiff, UK florida reformed fellowship visit cambridgerbc.ca for more information Florida Reformed Fellowship services are being held in the First Baptist Church of Bradenton’s Memorial Chapel located at 1305 Manatee Ave.

and will continue through March. Service times Cambridge Conf 2017.indd 1 2017-01-11 10:06 AM are at 9:30 am and 2:00 pm. Ministers have been scheduled for each Lord’s Day. Entrance is on the 13th St. side of the building. Questions? Contact 2017 Marty Staal ([email protected], 941-751-9970). DUTCH DAY Tuesday, May 2, 2017

SPEAKER: REV. W.E. KLAVER, Pastor, Maranatha Free Reformed Church LOCATION: Dundas Free Reformed Church, do you want 253 Weir’s lane, Dundas, ON to help? This is intended for those who would like to assist in the work of the supplementary Psalter committee. We are hoping to form a review team whose main task is to examine both the text (lyrics) and the score (music) for the various Psalters selected, recording results in an on-line spreadsheet. If you are interested and would like to know more, Lunch will be provided! please contact Pastor All who understand the are warmly invited to join us! Rob Vandoodewaard at Coffee 9:45AM • Morning Session: 10:30AM • Afternoon Session: 1:00PM [email protected]

2017DutchDay.indd 1 2017-01-16 2:28 PM

February 2017 5 The Favourite Psalm of the Huguenots

EDITORIAL

apologized on behalf of the French government and people for Note from the Editor: This year we may celebrate the the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which provoked heavy 500th anniversary of the Protestant . On persecution of the Huguenots in 1598. A commemorative stamp October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the notable 95 was issued, which read: “France is the home of the Huguenots.” theses to the church door at Wittenberg, which stirred up a work of church reformation throughout Europe Sober Lives – Joyful Praise and beyond. Throughout this year 2017, we will bring Many Huguenots were skilled craftsmen or professionals, and you articles commemorating noteworthy aspects of the known throughout Europe as hard-working people, and were Reformation of the 16th century. eagerly welcomed by the countries to which they fled. Their lives conformed to the call of Scripture to “gird up the loins of he Huguenots were French Protestants of the 16th your minds, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is century, followers of (himself a Frenchman), to be brought to you” (1 Pet. 1:13). Telling is the commentary Tand fiercely persecuted by the political and religious by Florimond de Raemond, a Roman Catholic historian in the powers in France in the late 16th century. At their peak, they late 16th century. He characterized the lives of the Huguenots numbered about two million or ten percent of the population of as follows: France in the second half of the sixteenth century. Throughout They comported themselves as the pronounced enemies of the period, seasons of persecution heated and cooled, under the luxury, of public festivities, and of the follies of the world, influence of political struggles and edicts passed and revoked. which were all too prevalent among the Catholics. In their Many, however, paid the ultimate price, including the many societies and at their banquets, one found neither music thousands brutally slaughtered on St. Bartholomew’s Day alone nor dancing, but discourses from the Bible, which lay upon (August 24,1572). the table, and spiritual songs, especially the Psalms as Their fortunes in France never really stabilized. Many of them soon as they were brought into rhyme. The women, with sought refuge in countries throughout the world where they their modest apparel and bearing, seemed like sorrowing were tolerated, such as the , England, Scotland, Eves or penitent Magdalens, repeating in their lives the Brazil, South Africa, the East Indies, and also North America. description which Tertullian gave of the (Christian) women Many became prominent in both church and state. Some have of his age. The men appeared dead to the world, and filled claimed that twenty-one of the US presidents have Huguenot with the Holy Spirit. Each was a John the Baptist preaching blood, though eight certainly did (including George Washington, in the wilderness. The outward demeanor expressed only the two Roosevelts, Harry Truman, and Gerald Ford). Other humility and obedience. They sought to gain a place for prominent descendents include William Byrd, Samuel de themselves, not by cruelty but by patience, not by killing Champlain, Winston Churchill, and more recently, Al Gore, and but by dying, so that in them in its primitive Sarah Palin. In 1985, then French president Francois Mitterand innocence seemed to be restored.1

6 FEBRuary 2017 Intriguing is especially Raemond’s remark of their love for triumphs for and among His people. Specifically, the Psalm looks the Psalms, by which he means the Genevan Psalms, the use of back and shows how God came as a great warrior to redeem His which John Calvin and his successor so eagerly people from bondage in Egypt. As they lay in miserable, squalid promoted. The Psalms were not only sung in worship, but also conditions, oppressed and afflicted, sighing and groaning, He in the homes of the Huguenots, and even on the battlefields as delivered them (v.13), led them through the wilderness, and well. brought them to the land He had promised to them. This spectacular use of the Psalms is not often considered The poetry of this Psalm lines up many sad pictures next to by our generation in the West, largely unfamiliar with severe happy ones. For example, it pictures solitary ones brought into religious conflict. However, the 16th century battlefields of families and people bound in chains set free (v.6). There is a France often witnessed the armies of the Huguenots singing as picture of dirt-covered people lying among pots, but by God’s they looked to God to vindicate their cause. Among the Psalms glorious power, they fly free like a dove in the sunlight with cherished by the Huguenots were Psalms 118 and 124, but none feathers of gold and wings of silver (v.13). At each turning point was more loved than the 68th: “Let God arise, and by His might, from sadness to gladness is the Lord Himself, the only Deliverer. put all His enemies to flight, in shame and consternation” This Psalm so appropriately represented the cause of the (French: “Que Dieu se montre seulement”). Reformation for three reasons. On one occasion near the present French city of Dieppe, a 1. The Psalm celebrates the power and grace of God alone to Huguenot army defeated a much larger army in the middle deliver from death and woe (vv. 1-8), or in the words of the of an ominous fog, while waiting for reinforcements that common Reformation slogan: Sola gratia (Grace Alone). never came. At a critical point in the battle, the captain 2. The Psalm magnifies the glory of the Word of God, asit called to his troops, sunken down in weariness, “Lift up is preached by the servants of Christ (vv. 9-23), or as the the Psalm. It is full time.” We read in the record of this slogan says it: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone). event: 3. It seeks the glory of God alone in all things (vv. 24-35), or Above the din of the marching armies, rose the austere in the familiar Latin words: Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God melody of the 68th Psalm, and the swinging march of Alone). the Huguenot companies. They forced themselves like an iron wedge into the armies of their enemies and split These truths are still so very relevant to the churches of the them asunder. The sea fog cleared away; the Huguenot Reformation today. Not a year goes by without old and new artillerymen shot their cannons in the time of the Psalm attacks on these very truths of the gospel and the glory of God in and their enemies were scattered.2 salvation and the church.

A Psalm of Divine Deliverance A Weary Inheritance Psalm 68 was written as a song of praise celebrating God’s A central verse in the whole Psalm is verse 9: “Thou, O God,

FEBRuary 2017 7 EDITORIAL didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine saints, lean on the hierarchy of the pope. All this brought such inheritance, when it was weary.” The Reformation was a profound spiritual weariness. In the church of Rome, people time of awakening and revival, as the undiluted truth of God like John Huss, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Martin descended in abundance to refresh people who had become Luther were toiling, slaving under the bondage of rites and weary through the false doctrine, vain rituals, and corrupt works, praying, and confessing, as they tried to find a God, systems of religion at the time. who wouldn’t simply demand more, expect more, and punish Sometimes the Bible speaks of the Lord’s people receiving more. an inheritance from God (e.g. 1 Pet. 1:3-4). However, the Scriptures also speak of the Lord’s people as “His inheritance” A Plentiful Rain (see Ps. 28:9). They belong to Him, by right, for He has As Psalm 68 makes clear, God had not forgotten His inheritance. purchased them to Himself. He owns them, and they will be Their weariness didn’t escape Him. He sent a plentiful rain His forever. He rejoices in them, as one rejoices in whatever he (v.9). Rain in the Bible is a picture of the abundance of God’s or she possesses by lawful right, and God will take care of them blessings. As rain brings blessings in physical life, water to forever as His own. Once, like the children of Israel in Egypt, drink, fruitfulness in crops and vegetation, and so on, so too they were enslaved solitary ones in bondage (see vv. 4-6), but God rains down spiritual blessings on His needy people. Think God redeemed them unto Himself with the precious blood of only of Ezekiel 34:26: “There shall be showers of blessing.” His own dear Son. They are His now, and that forever. Think of the following spiritual blessings rained down during Before the rediscovery of the gospel by Luther and others, the Reformation: these truths were supplanted through official Roman Catholic 1. The ministry of the Word. Often the Lord compares the doctrine. The system of works-righteousness made clear to ministry of His truth to rain: “As the rain cometh down, and the people that they had value only if they could do things such as snow from heaven and returneth not thither, but watereth the pay for indulgences, perform rituals, receive the mass, look to earth…so shall my word be that goeth forth from my mouth” (Isa. 55:10-11). Especially verse 18 of Psalm 68 highlights this: “Thou hast ascended up on high; thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men, for the rebellious also.” In 1559 wrote that the cause of the Reformation in Scotland was so quickly progressing that it “seemed as if it had rained down ministers from the clouds.”

2. The Ministry of the Spirit. Isaiah 44:3 promises: “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour out my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine offspring.” What a blessing the Lord poured down when He gave His Spirit, blessing the Word preached by the Reformers to the hearts of common people everywhere, giving a knowledge of the gospel to them. Like rain, the Spirit came down so plentifully then, bringing spiritual life in abundance.

3. Jesus Christ and blessings in Him. Psalm 72 prophesies that Christ’s coming shall be “like rain upon the mown grass” (Ps. 72:6). Ultimately, every blessing that God sends down is for the sake of Christ and concentrated in Him. The Reformation understood this in a magnificent way. Christ is such aplentiful rain. Literally the word means “a rain of freenesses.” It is free and full, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3-12: “Blessed be the Lord God, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus …, wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence….” God’s way of giving is not like ours. We are often stingy and reluctant. God’s giving is free, deep, wide, and plentiful. He gives at the best time and in the best

8 FEBRuary 2017 way, revealing Christ to His inheritance in commemoration stir us up to seek the God of Psalm 68, the favourite Psalm of a way that is most suitable to their growth the Huguenots. and strengthening. Endnotes: A Strengthening God 1 Quoted in Henry C. Sheldon, History of the Christian Church: Vol. 3: The Modern Church, Part 1 (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1895), 185. God has a purpose in all His works. The Reformation, and the Huguenots in 2 Rowland E. Prothero, The Psalms in Human Life (London: John Murray, 1907), 200. particular, are a good example of the truth of Psalm 68:9: “Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.” To confirm means to strengthen, to prop up, or to make steady and secure. This was evident among the Huguenots not only in how they fared in battle at Dieppe and elsewhere in their struggle for the freedom to worship God as He had commanded, but also in far deeper and broader ways. The Lord not only gives strength to win, but strength to suffer and endure. The Huguenots did plenty of that as well. What emboldened them against the persecutors was the clear light of God’s law and gospel that radiated from Scripture. With a sense of their own weakness, they sang the robust language of the Psalms to find divine strength flowing through them. Their lives centered on God. God’s self-revelation in the gospel, in Christ, and in their lives personally was the secret source of their strong witness not only in France, but throughout the world, as they infiltrated societies, churches, and all sorts of arenas with the strength that only truth can give. We live in days that call for a robust Christianity, where young and old will stand for truth no matter what the cost. Whether we descend from the Huguenots or not, our spiritual family is a fighting family the world over. Many of our grandfathers and grandmothers, Huguenot or not, loved Psalm 68 and the refreshing and invigorating grace it proclaims amid their struggles. Our age- old enemies are still the same. Many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world know the cost first-hand. True strength will come only from the God who sends plentiful rain. May this year of

FEBRuary 2017 9 A GOODLY HERITAGE (31 ) Dutch Secession Theology After 1892 (2)

CHURCH HISTORY By Rev. C. Pronk

he union of the vast majority of the this book, Bavinck dealt with themes such Secession and the Doleantie Churches as immediate and mediate regeneration, Tin 1892 brought great joy to both presumptive regeneration and the biblical participants in the merger. Yet, the new basis for baptism. Throughout he explores the denomination continued to be divided over historical background of various positions and doctrinal issues, which reached such intensity lets the light of God’s Word shine on the issues that many feared that unless someone with great under discussion. authority and wisdom would come forward to bring the warring parties together, a split was MAN of the HOUR Immediate or Mediate Regeneration imminent. That man was Herman Bavinck. At the centre of the debate was Kuyper’s teaching Herman Bavinck (1854-1921) was a son of the Secession and of immediate regeneration by which he meant regeneration became its leading spokesman. A graduate of Leiden University, effected apart from the preached Word of God. The Secession he was ordained to the ministry in the Secession Church. He leaders held to mediate regeneration, meaning they believed taught at the Kampen Theological School and later at the that the new birth is brought about through or by means of the Free University. He was a prolific writer and his major work, preaching of God’s Word Reformed Dogmatics, recently translated into English, remains Kuyper based his argument for immediate regeneration on a standard work on systematic theology. Although he did join the biblical doctrine of man’s total inability. Since spiritually the merger with the Doleantie churches in 1892 and adopted dead sinners can neither hear nor respond to the Gospel, many of Abraham Kuyper’s Neo-Calvinist views, particularly he maintained that the Holy Spirit regenerates without the regarding social and cultural issues, he remained for the most medium of the Word. The Spirit implants the seed or kernel part loyal to Secession principles regarding soteriology (the of the new life in the elect sinner which seed is later brought doctrine of salvation). to fruition by the Word preached. All God’s elect receive this Although Bavinck was a close friend and colleague of Kuyper, seed at birth. They are baptized on the assumption that they are he did not agree with the latter’s views on baptism and the ordo already regenerated, so that by the time they can hear the Word salutis (order of salvation), especially when these teachings they are able to understand and receive it by faith, which along began to cause divisions within the churches. In the early with repentance, is the fruit of regeneration. Thus, regeneration 1900s, many in the (united) Gereformeerde Kerken (GKN) were precedes calling in Kuyper’s order of salvation. The far-reaching wondering whether being baptized as an infant meant that the implications of this teaching caused a lot of tension in the newly recipient was de facto saved. In other words, did presumptive instituted federation. regeneration somehow lead to baptismal regeneration? Some Against this background of controversy, Bavinck wrote his believed that it did; others insisted that it did not. This growing book on Calling and Regeneration. uncertainty deeply troubled Bavinck and he decided to write a series of articles dealing with the order of salvation, which he Immediate Regeneration According to Dort saw under attack. He introduces this topic by conceding to Kuyper that the His articles later appeared in book form under the title, Holy Spirit can and does at times work apart from the Word. Calling and Regeneration (Roeping en Wedergeboorte). In Although Bavinck’s main thesis defends the doctrine of mediate

10 FEBRuary 2017 By Rev. C. Pronk regeneration, he acknowledges that in regeneration the Spirit treatment of the order of salvation, without exception, they sometimes works cum verbo rather than per verbum (with the placed calling before regeneration. Word, not through the Word). He explains that many Dutch Reformed theologians since the time of the Synod of Dort Immediate Regeneration According to Kuyper (1618-19) insisted on the immediate operation of the Holy While it cannot be denied that Kuyper could appeal to some Spirit because they were afraid of Arminianism which puts the orthodox divines for support of his teaching on immediate emphasis more on man’s role in salvation (e.g., his supposed regeneration, we need to realize that he used this concept for ability to believe the Word) than on the sovereignty of God the different reasons than did the fathers of Dort. Kuyper needed this Holy Spirit. According to Bavinck, the fathers of Dort and their concept as a necessary element in his supralapsarian theological successors did speak of regeneration as an immediate operation system. If, as he taught, the covenant of grace is made with the of the Holy Spirit, but they did so in an effort to refute the errors elect only and if they are justified from eternity, it follows that of Pelagians and Arminians who claimed that regeneration was they are also regenerated from eternity and enter life as such. contingent on man’s decision. The danger in this view is that all covenant children are viewed As strange as it may sound, the Remonstrants or Arminians as regenerated from birth without ever being confronted with at the Synod of Dort were the ones who insisted that the Word their lost state and condition and the consequent need to be of God is the means God uses to regenerate sinners. However, born again. Bavinck issues a strong warning against this danger what they meant by this was that the preaching of the Gospel when he writes, serves only as a means to persuade sinners to accept the offer This teaching [of presumed regeneration] can provide of salvation. In other words, the efficacy of the Word depends ready occasion for many to be lost who imagine they are ultimately on man’s ability and willingness to comply with its headed for heaven. When the emphasis is shifted from demands. As Bavinck explains, faith to regeneration, one can quickly console oneself with With the Remonstrants, regeneration, faith, and the thought that one is regenerated in youth and that the conversion thus became dependent upon and tied to a new life will sooner or later manifest itself in faith and condition that had to be fulfilled by man. They denied, conversion. And even if it does not manifest itself, that is therefore, that along with the Word, a special effectual not decisive, for regeneration [one may think] is sufficient operation of the Holy Spirit had to occur within the and leads infallibly unto eternal salvation. sinner’s heart; they denied any operation of the Holy Spirit alongside the Word; and they insisted that the Infant Salvation moral operation of the Spirit in and by the Word was Bavinck deals extensively with the question regarding the sufficient to convert and renew a person who wanted to salvation of infants. Surely, his opponents argued, in their be converted and renewed. case regeneration precedes calling and thus must be viewed as immediate in the sense that it takes place without the To combat this serious error, the Reformed occasionally instrumentality of the Word. For Bavinck this reasoning is false. made use of the term “immediate regeneration”; but as Bavinck “If without their knowledge little children are received by God in emphasizes, they never intended to exclude the Word as a grace and are regenerated,” he argues, means of grace from the Spirit’s work of regeneration. In their then this always presupposes that the covenant of grace

FEBRuary 2017 11 CHURCH HISTORY

together with the gospel wherein it is proclaimed had (Art. 24), he cautions against restricting regeneration to its very already existed objectively and historically…[hence] they onset. Rather, he considers regeneration “to be a ministry of the could not partake of regeneration unless they were born as Spirit under and through the proclamation of the Word,” and covenant children. Precisely as covenant children they are sees Bavinck’s “linking up with Kuyper’s view as a step backward called by God… To them as children of believers together rather than keeping pace with Calvin.” The reference here is to with their parents comes the promise…made known and Calvin’s statement in his Institutes (III.24.10): “For those who offered only in the gospel. As the seed of Christian parents, imagine that some sort of seed of election was soon in them from not detached from the dispensing of the Word but in birth itself, and that by its power they have always been inclined connection with it, they are internally called by the Holy to piety and the fear of God, are not supported by Scriptural Spirit and thus engrafted into the regeneration of Christ… authority and are refuted by experience.” Although Bavinck clearly favoured the classic Secession In this way Bavinck makes a strong case that, certainly within position on the order of salvation over the one taught by Kuyper, the boundaries of the covenant of grace, regeneration always he was nevertheless willing to give both views legitimate status involves calling by, through or in the context of the Word of within the new federation. This is clear from the Conclusions of God. Moreover, since regeneration cannot be separated from the the Synod of Utrecht in 1905, which reflect Bavinck’s influence. Word and its promises, covenant children are to be baptized, The key passage in that synodical document reads as follows: not based on their real or presumed regeneration, but based According to the Confessions of our church the seed of the on those promises. In Bavinck’s words, “The sacraments mean covenant by virtue of the promise of God is to be regarded nothing and are not sacraments if they are isolated from the as regenerated and sanctified in Christ, until the contrary Word. Sacraments are seals of the Word, follow upon the Word is shown in their confession and conduct when they reach and are connected indissolubly to the Word.” years of discretion; but it is less correct to say that baptism Concerning the salvation of infants dying in infancy, is administered to the children of believers on the ground Bavinck holds unequivocally to the Synod of Dort’s comforting of supposed regeneration, since the ground for baptism is pronouncement in the Canons of Dort (I.17), although he adds the command and the promise of God. the caution that the Synod did not extend this comfort to parents in general but to godly parents. His explanation is that “parents Clearly, this was a deliberate compromise. This 1905 decision, who themselves have no interest in their own election and which was adopted also by the American Christian Reformed salvation cannot be genuinely concerned about the destiny of Church in 1908, was a compromise, “cobbled together [as] a their children, and neither need nor can enjoy such comfort.” kind of pacification formula – abortively - to appease both sides of the theological aisle present at the Synod and in the Reformed Evaluation church.” As the late Professor J. Faber said in an address to a Bavinck deserves a great deal of respect for his efforts to United Reformed audience in 1998: mediate between the Secession and Doleantie factions within The Synod of 1905 accepted a Pacification Formula of the Gereformeerde Kerken. Nevertheless, the question remains which Herman Bavinck was the spiritual father. It basically whether he probed deeply enough to get to the essence of placed the two different approaches of former Secession Kuyper’s errors. Although he rightly rejects Kuyper’s notion of theologians and former Doleantie theologians beside one “dormant” regeneration, according to which a person can have another. It was a compromise, but 1905 brought peace. It the seed of the new birth in him but continue living in sin for saved and consolidated the Union of 1892. years before coming to repentance and faith. Yet, Bavinck does maintain the notion of regeneration as an implantation of a seed But did it bring peace? Not really. True, it “worked” for a while. that waits to be activated by the Word rather than a divine act The two views managed to live side by side, but considerable resulting directly from the Word applied by the Holy Spirit. strife continued between the two factions until the Gordian Dr. J. van Genderen writes in his Concise Reformed knot was cut in 1942 and the Synod of Sneek-Utrecht of the Dogmatics, co-authored by Dr. W.H. Velema, that Bavinck Reformed Churches in the Netherlands met (in the midst of the agrees in principle with Kuyper’s view that regeneration is to be Second World War!) to pronounce in effect that the Kuyperian interpreted as “the granting of the ability to believe and that the views regarding covenant, baptism and related matters were Word is required to activate this ability.” While Van Genderen henceforth the only official and legitimate position to which agrees with the distinction between regeneration as the beginning all office bearers and members had to subscribe. Thus the “less of life (as taught in Canons III/IV, 11-12) and the subsequent correct” view prevailed. As Dr. Faber indicated, the Synod of development of that life as defined in the 1942 adopted only the Kuyperian part of 1905 and left out the

12 February 2017 doctrinal concerns and emphases of the Secession. “Who would errors that are nowhere to be found in Scripture or the Reformed have anticipated or predicted such an outcome,” Dr. Ron Gleason confessions,” the continuing Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken asks. “Yet it was precisely that kind of incorrect toleration felt vindicated and confirmed in their opposition to these same that sounded the death knell to what began as a union of two errors. “Let children thus learn from history’s light!” Reformed churches. The future was bright, but somewhere along the line the requisite watchfulness over sound doctrine Sources: was relaxed, and eventually the two churches terminated their Herman Bavinck, Saved by Grace: The Holy Spirit’s Work in Calling and relationship.” Regeneration (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2008). This is what always happens when denominations merge Ron Gleason, Herman Bavinck (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, too quickly without resolving their doctrinal and other major 2010). differences. The Free Reformed Fathers of 1892 knew this and J. van Genderen and W. H. Velema, Concise Reformed Dogmatics acted accordingly. They were convinced that the differences (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2008). were major and therefore non-negotiable. When the GKN Synod of 1905 sanctioned the teachings Rev. C. Pronk is emeritus of the Free Reformed of Kuyper despite a well-documented protest that had been Churches residing in Brantford, Ontario, and former editor of submitted which spoke of his “deadly teachings and sophist-like The Messenger.

BOOK REVIEW By Rev. C.A. Schouls

THE REFORMED BAPTISM FORM – A Commentary by B. Wielenga 448 pages hardcover (Published in 2016 by Reformed Free Publishing Association, Jenison, Michigan. Translated by Annemie Godbehere. Edited by David J. Engelsma)

he Reformed Free Publishing Association is the voice of very much like the form used in the PCUSA. It may be a version Tthe Protestant Reformed Churches in print. This makes of the high liturgical form used in the French Reformed churches the appearance of The Reformed Baptism Form by Bastiaan of Calvin’s time. Wielenga even more striking. We congratulate the RFPA on this In this book, the Reformed churches have received a precious book: it has a pleasant appearance and format as well as clear (i.e. and timely gift. The book itself is a pleasure to read, if you have black on white!) pages. the time and the interest to tunnel through some theological This work is not of Protestant Reformed origin. Dr. Bastiaan issues which, regrettably, may be mysterious to many people Wielenga ( 1869-1949) was pastor of the Gereformeerde Kerken today. The book is divided into six chapters, beginning with (1) a in Nederland. This is a translation of the second edition (1920, review of the nature and history of the Form, then dealing with the with footnotes) and I have access only to the 1st edition (1906, no parts of the Form as they express (2) the doctrine of baptism in footnotes), but there is no reason to doubt the accuracy of this general (longest section), then (3) of infant baptism in particular, translation. The editor, Rev. D. J. Engelsma, is Professor emeritus followed with (4) comments on the prayer before the actual of Dogmatics and Old Testament (1988-2008) at the Protestant administration of baptism, while (5) the rather brief admonition Reformed Theological Seminary. to parents between that and (6) the thanksgiving prayer receives The original was entitled (in translation) “Our Baptism Form,” almost as much attention as the first main section. whereas the translated version is entitled “The Reformed Baptism The tone of the book is set already in the first doctrinal section. Form.” In the Dutch Reformed “market” of one hundred years It is warm, pastoral, clear in opposing error, and winsome. For ago, “Our Baptism Form” made sense. All Reformed churches, example, his later dealing with the phrase, “not out of custom” of whatever denomination (and there were only 3 or 4 then), (pp. 280ff) bespeaks an irenic spirit even though he is hard hitting used this Form. Now, in the English-speaking world, it would be at this point. This gentle approach is not surprising, considering foolish to use the same title. While the CRC still had an updated he was a protégé of Herman Bavinck, the great contemporary of version of this form as recently as 1976, it has since produced a Abraham Kuyper, who quietly worked in the “great” Abraham’s new form which appears to be identical to that of the RCA and shadow but went his own way, developing his theological

FEBRuary 2017 13 BOOK REVIEW Continued... inheritance from the “Afscheiding” (Secession) of 1834. If there was a need for some commentary on the Baptism form, The book is worth reading especially by the younger generation why not just translate it, as is? If here was the need to make some of elders and ministers who are not versed in some aspects of indications that major elements do not accord with views held by our Reformed history. The first version appeared at the time the publisher/editor or his church, why not add a few footnotes, of animated discussions about the Covenant of Grace. Wielenga or even a separate chapter to explain these issues? I have not kept might have thought “1905” was the end of the period of upheaval count of the number of footnotes critiquing the covenant view not about , but the struggle was not over. Shortly only of Wielenga but of all other Reformed (and Presbyterian) after World War II, Dr. E. Smilde came out with his review of teachers who do not hold to the views of Herman Hoeksema the struggles of that era in “Een Eeuw van Strijd over Verbond en and his followers. Of course, Engelsma has every right to issue Doop” (“A Century of Struggle About Covenant and Baptism”). such critique and he may believe that extremism in defence of The publication of the current volume, with its extensive editorial orthodoxy is a virtue, but also in such defence there is a time, place footnotes, proclaims that struggle is still not over. and method which can be correct, incisive and still gentle and As far as his covenant views go, Wielenga, not surprisingly, generous. The two page footnote (pp. 56-58) severely exposing was Kuyperian, albeit not stridently. He stresses that the prayer Wielinga’s “grave error. . . of forgetting the Canons of Dordt and before baptism asks God “graciously to look upon this Thy child.” their doctrine of particular, irresistible (sovereign) grace” takes a He points out that this prayer originates in a certain covenant different approach. concept. But he also states: “Concerning the children of believers Engelsma and Wielenga are both correct in pointing out in general, the congregation knows and believes, indeed thanks the inconsistency of church members who have their children God, that he has accepted them as living members of Christ. But baptised but do not partake of the Lord’s Supper. But compare the congregation may not and cannot say of a specific child, ‘This Wielenga’s treatment of an old saint who had never yet embraced one is elected’. After all, he may still be an Esau.” the full meaning of the riches of his baptism (p.120; cf. the much The translated material may be a gift but many of the footnotes broader description on p.111 of the 1st edition) with Engelsma’s added to this translation left me bewildered and at times dismayed. statement (p.277, note 8) that “unbelieving parents” (he does not allow for the possibility of doubt, struggles of faith, or fear) partake of a “sore evil,” infused through the Puritan-influenced BOOKS TO FEED teaching that a mystical “experience” is required as a seal on God’s grace. Engelsma misrepresents both many of these people and YOUR MIND AND SOUL the source of this expectation. There may have been (and Reformed) who have wrongly stressed the “mystical experience” For Catechism Material, Bible Study Guides, Daily Devotions to expose dead orthodoxy or presumption and they may still exist. for Adults and Children, Children’s Bible Lessons, and much more,request an Order Form or visit: www.frcna.org However, the pietistic stream in Dutch long predates (click on RESOURCES) Puritanism and can be traced back to the early Middle Ages. Wielenga’s classic has been used to piggy back a covenant FREE REFORMED PUBLICATIONS view which is controlled by election in such a way that the 18 Chapala Cresc. S.E., Calgary, AB T2X 3M4 CANADA well-meant offer of the gospel is heresy. This may be the only Email: [email protected]; doctrinal statement in this review with which Engelsma will Tel./Fax: 403.254.6591 • frcna.org readily agree. The old and now little known controversy of Supra- versus Infralapsarianism is still alive. Should this invite further Churches and bookstores can be invoiced at discussion? I prefer not. I prefer to live peaceably as much as reduced prices for bulk quantities of 10 or more. possible in this sin crazed, violent, and mad world. (I hear howls of protest!) For the record, my (and Pastor P. vanderMeyden’s) theological education was at the Protestant Reformed seminary in the mid 1970’s. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there (as much as the heavy workload can be enjoyed by any student). We were treated cordially. We still have occasional good contacts with those with whom we spent three fruitful years. We were not convinced of these particular views, but they taught us how to preach!

Rev. C. A. Schouls is emeritus pastor of the Free Reformed Church of Brantford, Ontario.

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FEBRuary 2017 15 scripture READing: John 21 STUDIES IN JOHN (21) It Is the Lord

BIBLE STUDY

o we ever grow beyond the need for the Lord Jesus Christ someone on the shore. They didn’t recognize the person or the to reveal Himself to us? To that question, John would have voice of the person when He asked: “Children, have ye any meat?” Danswered a resounding “No.” After the gospel of John (verse 5). seems to be completed in chapter 20, we have another chapter in The disciples were forced to answer in the negative. They had which Christ is still at the center, revealing Himself in all His glory nothing to show for their toil. They had come up empty-handed. and splendour. The Stranger did not leave it with a simple “No.” He said: “Cast the John 21 records an event that took place between Christ’s net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find” (verse 6). They resurrection and the ascension. Christ would soon leave the then followed His instructions and cast the net on the right side of disciples physically, but before He did, He trained them to live for the ship, and indeed, there was such a great catch, that they were and serve Him as an unseen Lord. He gave them tools to be His unable to draw in all the fish. At this point John recognized Christ disciples even when He would not be physically present. In John 21 and said to Peter: “It is the Lord.” They knew that no one less than we see that He kept revealing Himself to the disciples, instructing the Savior could provide like this. He had filled their empty hands them and caring for them until He would depart to His Father in so often and was doing it again. heaven. In typical fashion, Peter grabbed his coat, cast himself into the John is actually very explicit about His purpose. He focuses on water, and hurried to shore. On the shore, he noticed a fire of coals how Christ revealed Himself to His people in their needs. Verse 1 and breakfast already in the making – fish and bread. The Lord says: “After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples could supply without them,. The other disciples soon followed with at the sea of Tiberius; and on this wise showed he himself.” Verse the fish, and Peter helped bring the 153 fish to shore. The kind and 14 makes a similar statement: “This is now the third time that Jesus caring Jesus invited His disciples to eat what He had prepared. showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the «Come and dine» He said to them. He had come to feed his weary, dead.” The ways in which Christ revealed Himself are so significant worn-out, and empty-handed disciples. This event reminds us of and telling. Let us consider in turn the three basic ways in which He what He showed amid the lack at the wedding in Cana (2:1-10) and showed Himself. amid the hungry multitudes for whom he broke the loaves and the fish (6:1-10). This Savior certainly is the same yesterday, today, and A Tender Provider (verses 1-14) forever (Heb. 13:8). On or near the sea of Galilee (also known as the sea of Tiberias), See how Christ revealed Himself in the every-day life of His Christ had done most of his teaching and miracles. So, some spring disciples. Sometimes we think that unless we are doing something morning after the resurrection, seven of the disciples were there great for the Lord, He does not care about our daily needs and again. Simon Peter and Thomas were present, as well as Nathanael, struggles. But here is His care in black on white. The Lord’s people James, John, and two others. We don’t know where the other four might be doing something as simple as trying to provide for their were, but these seven were together. material needs, when He gently comes alongside them and reminds What a wearisome and frustrating night this was for the disciples. them of His calm and characteristic way. Though He honors what These disciples had been up all night, laboring, but in the end they they do, He also provides for them and calls them into fellowship caught nothing. As the disciples were rowing to shore, they spotted with Him. He reminds us of the old ways in which He dealt with us

16 FEBRuary 2017 DR. G.M. BILKES and reminds us of our calling. In this way He makes us admire and 2. The restoring Shepherd. Christ searched and probed Peter’s love Him all the more. That’s the first lesson of this chapter. heart with these three questions: Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me? We only love because He first loved, and A Restoring Shepherd (verses 15-17) here the Shepherd was shedding abroad His love in Peter’s heart After the meal, Jesus continued revealing Himself, this time so that Peter could not deny it any more: “Thou knowest….” He specifically to Simon Peter. Of course, He had a reason for doing cast himself upon the Lord’s omniscience: “Thou knowest….” this with Simon Peter now and a reason for doing it publicly. Peter Peter’s estimation of his own knowledge had diminished and had publicly denied Jesus with an oath, three times. Now Christ his confidence in his own brave words was gone. But he also desired to draw forth a public confession from Peter that would knew that Christ knew His heart, and that even though words prove Christ’s forgiving and restoring love to Peter. He does this would fail, the Savior knew that Peter truly loved Him. by asking a simple question: “Simon, son of Jonas, Lovest thou me 3. The commissioning Shepherd. Once He had awakened love more than these?” Just a few weeks earlier, Peter had said, “Though again in Peter, Christ gave a renewed task to Peter. It would all deny thee, yet will not I.” He had put himself above all the other be a labor of love: “Feed my sheep. Feed my lambs.” The great disciples, as if he loved Christ the most. As we say, pride usually Shepherd of the sheep entrusted even His little lambs to Peter. goes before the fall and fall Peter did. So now Jesus asked: Simon, Without love for Christ, Christ cannot use you; but with love for do you love me more than the others? Christ, Christ can use you, and will use you, whoever you are You know the story – how the Savior asked this searching and whatever calling you have. question three times, in slightly different ways, and how Peter gave his answer, three times, hesitatingly, but affirmingly. Each time, Christ’s way of dealing with Simon Peter reminds us of how the Lord gave him a task: “Feed my lambs,” “feed my sheep,” and He dealt with the Samaritan woman: gently, perceptively, and again, “Feed my sheep” (verses 15-17). Christ didn’t even rebuke winningly. He had not come to judge and destroy, but to lead and Peter for denying Him. He didn’t put him to shame in front of the care for His sheep. He knows them and makes them know Him so other disciples. But Christ did want Peter to reaffirm his love for that they hear His voice and follow Him. He ensures they will never and devotion to Him. perish (see John 10:27-28). Though some have focused on the nuances of meaning in the Which of God’s children do not need Christ’s restoring grace in words “love,” “feed,” and “sheep,” far more important is how Christ their lives? We all sin and slide back. We all deny our Lord and revealed Himself. Notice the following: our calling, even despite our best intentions and resolutions. No 1. The seeking Shepherd. Peter had wandered like a lost sheep. sin is greater than His sacrifice, and no sin will stand in the way of But the seeking Shepherd found him and put the finger on the His plan to bring His Kingdom close. He uses His broken-hearted root problem in Simon’s life. “Lovest thou me?” He asked. In sheep, as they have learned to find forgiveness and purpose in Him. the hall of Caiaphas, Peter had not been constrained by the love of Christ. He had not kept himself in the love of Christ (see A Sovereign Pilot (18-23) Jude 21). Instead of arming himself with the love of the Savior, In the third section of this chapter, the Lord showed Himself as he had feared man and fallen. the Guide or Pilot of His people. He prophesied concerning Peter:

FEBRuary 2017 17 TEACHING POSITIONS Bible Study Continued... Rehoboth Christian School, Copetown, Ontario Invites applications for possible Elementary Teacher, Secondary Teacher, and Educational “When thou wast young, thou girdest Support openings for the 2017/18 school year thyself, and walkedst whither thou We are looking for qualified individuals with a vision for Christian education to join our committed, wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, vibrant community of learners. We are a K-12 Questions thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and parent-run school serving the families of four local another shall gird thee, and carry thee Compare how Psalm 23 pictures the Lord Free Reformed Churches and beyond. Located 1. and how we see Him in this chapter. Note on a beautiful rural setting between Hamilton and whither thou wouldest not. This spake at least 5 similarities. Brantford, RCS has been blessed with a strongly he signifying by what death he should supportive community, and since our inception in Some think that it was wrong for Peter to glorify God” (verses 18-19). In following 1978, have grown to an enrollment of 380 students. 2. go fishing without the Lord’s direction; Please send a cover letter, resume, statement of the Savior, Peter would sacrifice his others don’t find any fault with Peter for faith, and references (teacher applicants are also life, like Christ had sacrificed Himself doing so. What is more important in this asked to include a philosophy of education) to the attention of: Brian Kemper, Principal for Peter. Both died to glorify God, passage than the rightness or wrongness 198 Inksetter Rd P.O. Box 70, Copetown, ON L0R 1J0 though only Christ’s sacrifice merited of Peter fishing? T: 905.627.5977 • E: [email protected] The last words of Christ in this gospel w: www.rehoboth.on.ca grace, including the grace for Peter to be sacrificed. 3. are: “Follow me.” In Revelation 14:4 John writes about “following the Lamb.” How is The Board of OXFORD REFORMED CHRISTIAN The Savior compared Peter’s “following the Lord” so basic, so difficult, SCHOOL invites applications for high-school independence and self-will when he and yet so blessed? teaching position(s) and elementary teaching position(s) for the 2017/2018 school year. was young with how things would be If you look back over this chapter, you see Oxford Reformed Christian school is a parent-run when he would be led to his death 4. how Christ asks three questions (verses school serving the needs of several local Reformed about thirty years later. We know from 5, 15, 23). Reflect on how these questions communities and has been operating for over show the heart of Christ. eleven years. We have been blessed with a new church history that Peter would die as a facility located in Mount Elgin, a rural village in martyr in Rome, crucified upside down, Peter was not allowed to be concerned south-western Ontario. Our present enrolment is since he refused to be crucified like his 5. about God’s plan with John. What can we over 300 students and we offer a Kindergarten to learn from this? Is this hard for us? grade 12 program. Lord had been. Peter testified for his We have a need for qualified, passionate elementary Savior. This time, his love for Christ Peter is to glorify God in his death (verse 19). What does it mean to glorify God in and high-school teacher(s) to join our staff team. was stronger than his fear of man. This 6. Teachers committed to the Reformed faith and to both life and death? Christian education are encouraged to apply before time, he didn’t deny Christ, but testified March 1, 2017. until the end. Applications must include a resume, statement Yet Christ was doing more here than simply telling Peter how he would die. He was of faith, philosophy of Christian education, and references. Promptly send to: teaching Peter that He would not be an independent agent in charge of his own life. This Oxford Reformed Christian School, lesson is never easy, but especially for someone like Peter. Christ’s final words in this c/o Mr. W. Van Brugge (principal), gospel cut deeply into Peter’s soul: “Follow me.” When you follow Him, He leads the way. 333182 Plank Line, PO Box 87, Mount Elgin, ON, N0J 1N0. He goes before you. He clears the path. He shows the way to green pastures. He brings E: [email protected] • T: 519-485-1142. to Himself. When Peter heard this command, Peter couldn’t resist looking over his shoulder at HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL invites John: “Lord and what shall this man do?” In other words: What does the future hold applications for the following teaching positions for for John? How often we compare ourselves to others! Christ instructed Peter and us, the 2017/2018 academic year: Secondary French/Math Teacher saying as it were: “Don’t go there - comparing yourself to John. I will do whatever I will Part-time Elementary Teacher. with him, just as I will do what I will with you. Your duty is not to ‘figure’ but to ‘follow.’” We seek Christ is the Sovereign of life and death. He leads each one personally, bringing glory to • Qualified applicants who seek to serve Jesus Christ in the area of Christian education and who Himself through them. submit to Holy Scripture as confessed in the Reformed creeds Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes is Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Puritan • Committed professionals who positively lead Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor of the Free Reformed Church of Grand students to a life of dedicated service to our Lord • Enthusiastic, dedicated rookies or seasoned Rapids, Michigan veterans looking for a positive change How to join us • submit a résumé, with a statement of your philosophy of education, a statement of faith, and RECYCLE YOUR GOOD USED BOOKS references, including one from your current pastor Please forward inquiries and/or applications to: REFORMED BOOK SERVICES Mr. Brian C Bosch, Principal, 2850 Fourth Avenue, will thankfully receive your good used books, specifically books by Reformed authors. Box 400, Jordan Station, ON, Canada L0R 1S0 Contact Susan Keuning at 905.627.3910; Fax 905.628.2896; Email: [email protected] T: (905) 562-7303 • E: [email protected] Thank you very much for the books that were donated!

18 February 2017 Theological Education Committee

Interview with Student Young Jae Lee Q. 1. Young Jae Lee, can you tell us a little bit about your background believe (Rom. 1:16). In an amazing way, the Lord opened the door (where you were born, something about your parents, siblings, for me and my family to come and study at Puritan Reformed where you went to school, etc.)? Theological Seminary in July 2011. The more I studied the Bible A. I was born in Ulsan, Korea. My parents were diligent and hard at this seminary, the more I became convinced that there is no workers without knowing Christ. My father was a technician in a higher calling than to preach the gospel as a messenger. Second, harbor facility. I have only I could complete my first one younger sister. Most of theological degree (Master the time, we attended public of Divinity) at our seminary schools until we entered in May 2016. I believe that colleges. My conversion took I am lawfully given both the place while I was attending privilege and responsibility Ulsan Presbyterian Church of preaching the gospel to during my high school all. Though I am weak in period. I graduated with many ways, my sufficiency a B.A. from a Christian is of God. Third, I was University in Seoul that given some opportunities was established by the early in our federation to preach Presbyterian missionaries in and be engaged in church the late 1800s. ministries. Whether in Q. 2. Please introduce us to long or short term, I had your wife and children. privileges of being involved A. My wife’s name is Min in ministries at the Free Kyoung Lee (Kim) and I Reformed Church (FRC) received her as my helpmeet from the LORD in November 2004. of Calgary, Alberta, FRC of Oxford County, Ontario, and FRC of She was converted around 1994 in the same church as I was Grand Rapids, Michigan. These providential opportunities have increasingly confirmed my sense of calling. converted later and she was a youth member when I first met her. She became a registered social worker after her secondary education Q. 4. What led you to apply to become a student for the ministry in in Seoul and mostly worked with a social welfare centre and non- the Free Reformed churches? profit organization. In 2007, we went to South Africa as a married A. When we first arrived in America, we visited a few local churches couple with the desire to become missionaries. The LORD granted in Grand Rapids, and decided to worship at the Free Reformed us the first two children during our stay in Africa. Providentially, we Church of Grand Rapids. I was blessed to hear the clear gospel could travel back to Korea to deliver the children. Yuha was born preaching from our pulpit from various preachers, and my family in October 2008 and Doha was born in April 2011. After I initiated was becoming more and more part of the church in various ways, my theological studies at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, mainly due to her blessed gospel ministry. we received our third child, Joel, in November 2013. Our three sons Then, it is amazing how I became a Free Reformed student. I was are all healthy and very active and we thank the LORD for these praying for an internship opportunity in a local church. Then, I was precious gifts. Yuha wants to be a firefighter and Doha wants to be approached providentially by Rev. Hans Overduin in late 2013 for a a gospel minister. Joel, whose biblical name is after Dr. Joel Beeke, potential eight-week internship at Calgary FRC. What was notewor- is too young to express what he would like to be. I am blessed so thy was that a few Korean families had already been worshipping at much to be a husband and a father. It is a lot of fun to be a dad of this church at that time. Some of them were going through difficul- three boys! ties due to language barriers and cultural barriers though they were Q. 3. Explain how you believe the Lord is calling you into the so eager to be part of a Reformed Church. It was my joy to relate to ministry. them and serve them with the same desire to see a Reformed church A. First, the Lord gave me such desire to share the gospel when I growing across potential barriers. first came to know Jesus personally. Through my own conversion, After the most providential and necessary ministerial experience I was convinced that the gospel is the power of God to them that under the supervision of the Calgary consistory, I had to pray about

FEBRuary 2017 19 Theological Education Committee becoming a student under formal ecclesiastical oversight. I was led minister regarding sermon preparations, teaching, and leading the to pursue further confirmation of being called into the gospel min- worship services. In particular, I would like to grow in my love for istry. The LORD graciously confirmed my sense of calling by lead- the church as the bride of Christ and to grow in handling some prac- ing the churches to accept me as a student in the Free Reformed tical and spiritual matters that can arise in a local congregation. I churches. would also like to get to know the office-bearers and other FRC min- isters regarding their ministries in the Fraser Valley, and to learn Q. 5. What are some of the major cultural differences between from them. Ultimately, I pray that this would be mutually profitable Koreans and North Americans? Has it been difficult for you and your internship overall and God be glorified in every way. Surely this is wife to adjust to these differences? going to be a busy yet fruitful internship on a weekly basis. But, I A. Koreans emphasize strong family ties very much. Their culture is hope that the stress from moving to a new environment and from based on ancient Confucianism, along with the Chinese and Japa- the busy schedule would make us as a family more dependent on nese. North Americans vary but usually they are very independent the LORD. We pray that at the end of this internship we may know and sometimes viewed as individualistic. We are still learning these where to serve for our future ministry. cultural differences and we believe that this learning greatly en- hances our sanctification process. The differences of the cultures Q. 9. You hope to be presented for candidacy at this coming synod can reflect various blessings from the LORD. in June. Should synod declare you eligible for call, do you desire to minister in a Free Reformed congregation or are you open to other Q. 6. Describe church life in South Korea. How does it differ from ministry opportunities? church life in North America in general and in the Free Reformed A. Yes, I strongly desire to minister in a Free Reformed congrega- Churches in particular? tion in North America, if I am declared a candidate this year, the A. Korean churches went through a very rapid expansion within Lord willing (1 Tim. 3:1). It would be my greatest honour and privi- a very short period and they are very active in Christian missions. lege of being called to serve a local Free Reformed congregation (Ps. Only the United States of America sends more missionaries into 100:2a). It is my prayer that I remain faithful to the Lord’s calling the world than Korea. Though the Korean church history may be for His church (1 Cor. 4:2; Phi. 2:12). a lot shorter compared to the churches in North America, Korean churches have not neglected the imperative of passing on what Q. 10. Who is the Lord Jesus Christ for you? they received to other nations (Matthew 28:19-20). In addition, the A. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Saviour, my Redeemer, my Advocate, churches in Korea emphasize prayer so much that many of them still my Prophet, King and eternal High Priest, my closest Friend, and have early morning prayer meetings during week days. Many come my Beloved One. He came into the world to save sinners and I am to pray before they go to work in the early hours of the day. The Free one of them (1 Tim. 1:15). He redeemed me with His perfect Person Reformed Churches of North America are well-known for being es- and work on earth and in heaven therefore my body and soul belong tablished on a very strong doctrinal foundation inherited from the to Him alone. Jesus shines into my darkness as the light of life that Dutch Reformed tradition. These churches have grown steadily as He may rescue me out of the miserable pit and thereafter may guide the covenant generations grew. The FRC have never failed to em- me through this earthly pilgrimage. He is my Advocate in the sense phasize the purity of doctrines and centrality of preaching. that He keeps defending me against the accuser before the tribunal of God. He is my Righteousness because without His perfect righ- Q. 7. You are almost finished your formal theological training. teous garment I know that I can never stand before the most Holy Describe your experience at PRTS. God. As the Prophet, He speaks to me still through His written word A. I have been challenged by the academic rigors and workload at and His Spirit. He is my King whose mighty hand protects me from the seminary. But I had a very good environment where I could learn all harm. He is my eternal High Priest whose bodily sacrifice is the from brothers from all over the world. Furthermore, my view about everlasting theme of my death song and whose prayer is continually the church and about preaching in particular have been formed by offered for me. He is the anchor of my soul in that He already en- studying the Scriptures and by observing the way my professors tered eternity so that I may follow Him as one member of His body. deal with the Word of God both in classrooms and pulpits. I am I am never alone because of His friendship and I am never the same also most thankful for their exemplary family lives in their homes person because He gave Himself for me so that I may live in Him, because practices illustrate principles. with Him and for Him. Finally, He is my only comfort as no other Q. 8. At the time of this interview, you are preparing to move to comfort is like Him to me, Young Jae Lee, a sinner. British Columbia for a five-month internship in Langley under the supervision of emeritus pastor Rev. T. Aicken. What are you looking Rev. J. Schoeman is pastor of the Abbotsford Free Reformed forward to? What are you looking up against? Church and chairman of the Free Reformed Theological Education A. I express my gratitude to the Theological Education Commit- Committee. Student Young Jae Lee is a student for ministry in tee and the Consistory of Langley FRC for arranging this extended the Free Reformed Churches, studying at Puritan Reformed internship. I would love to learn from such an able and seasoned Theological Seminary.

20 FEBRuary 2017 A CANONS OF DORT CONFERENCE IN SOUTH KOREA Some Reflections on a Surprising Development

n June 21, 2016, I received an email from Daniel conferences. I was honoured to be invited to be the main speaker Chung, pastor of “The Church of One in Christ in South at the conference held in December, where I lectured on the OKorea,” inviting me to speak on the Canons of Dort at a Arminian Controversy and the response to it by the Synod of Dort ministers’ conference. The request was to give seven lectures on held in 1618-19, concluding with the impact made by Arminianism this subject during the week of December 12-15, as well as preach worldwide. in various churches on the Lord’s days and several week nights on related themes. The background to the request was my book of Sermons on the Canons of Dort, which had been translated into Korean and published a few years ago. Much to my surprise, the book had been widely read by many who were looking for the kind of doctrinal and experiential food the Canons supply. Among those who were edified by the book was Daniel Chung and members of his congregation. The Church of One in Christ is part of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, a conservative denomination which officially subscribes to the doctrines of the Reformation but seeks to become more solidly grounded in those doctrines, not only intellectually but also experientially. To assist church members in this endeavour, Rev. Chung and several other ministers established the Martus Ministry in 2012 to promote the doctrines of the Reformers and Puritans. A large part of this ministry consists of translating and publishing the writings of English Puritans such as Watson, Owen, and Sibbes, as well as modern authors in the Puritan tradition like Pink, Lloyd-Jones, and Beeke. The Martus Ministry also invites Puritan-minded speakers from other countries to give lectures at

FEBRuary 2017 21 quite large church building located in a new area near the outskirts of Seoul. The meetings were held at 2:00 pm and 7:00pm with about 100 in attendance, mostly ministers and their wives, as well as some members of various congregations and denominations. Translation were provided by two seminary professors, Dr. Chin and Dr. Kim, both of whom had studied theology in the USA and England. As planned, I lectured on the Canons of Dort, first providing the background leading up to the Synod of Dort, after which I explained the doctrines at issue in the controversy with the Arminians. I was told that most people, including many ministers, were rather unfamiliar with the material presented. This unfamiliarity surprised me and made me wonder how Reformed these churches are, but those in attendance were interested and eager to learn. Many who had purchased and read my book on the Canons were challenged by the doctrines of sovereign election, total depravity and man’s absolute dependence on God’s grace for salvation. Some Accompanied by my wife, Ricky, without whom I would not have people we met questioned whether they were saved and wanted to gone, our journey began on December 8 and ended December 22. hear more about the Spirit’s work in regeneration and conversion. After a long flight of some fifteen hours via Vancouver, B.C., we Others were encouraged by the Canons’ emphasis on the love of arrived at Incheon airport near Seoul and were picked up by our God for lost sinners and the genuine invitations to come to Christ host, Daniel Chung and another Reformed evangelist stationed in for salvation. Cambodia, formerly working in China. They took us to a hotel for Another personal surprise was that after every lecture people a much-needed rest. The next day, Saturday, we were shown some came with the books they had purchased, including the one titled interesting sights in Seoul, a city of over 10 million inhabitants. No Other Foundation, which has also been translated into Korean, The following Sunday we were taken to a church on the second and requested my signature, indicating their interest in and floor in a city section, pastored by Rev. Chung. His well-stocked appreciation for what was new to them. I realize mere interest is library showed his interest in the Puritans and other Reformed no sure indication that a real change has occurred, but with God’s authors, some of which he has translated into Korean. I preached blessing it could lead to such a change. in his church in the morning. After a meal of very unfamiliar Our prayer is that this unexpected visit so late in my ministry food, with the whole congregation – a regular event – we went to may yield lasting fruits. After many discussions with Daniel Chung another Reformed church in another Seoul high-rise building to and other concerned pastors and church members (with Daniel conduct the afternoon service. All preaching services and lectures translating), we can come to no other conclusion than that the were conducted in English and translated into Korean, which Lord has His people in Korea and that there is a real hunger for a made the sermons and lectures last longer than usual. biblical, confessional and experiential presentation of the gospel. The conference began the following Monday, at a free-standing, May God bless the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Korea and the Martus Ministry to the growth and deepening of the faith of His people and the conversion of many who profess faith in Christ but still lack the evidence of a godly walk. May He send revival also in the larger Protestant denominations, many of which appear to have abandoned or compromised the very principles that characterized the Reformation. This year we will hear much about Martin Luther and the PEACEH AVEN 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. May the FREE REFORMED ASSOCIATION churches in Korea and all churches that trace their origin to that mighty movement of the Spirit never forget the five solas of the PEACE HAVEN Free Reformed Association in Brantford, Reformation: Sola Fide, by faith alone; Sola Scriptura, by Scripture Ontario operates two homes with assisted living in a Christian alone; Solus Christus, through Christ alone; Sola Gratia, by grace environment for persons with disabilities. For more information alone; Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone. about either full-time residential care or regular part-time respite care, please contact Peace Haven Director, Margaret Heemskerk, Rev. C. Pronk is emeritus minister of the Free Reformed email: [email protected] • cell: 519-770-8816 or Secretary, Jorina Bouman, [email protected] Churches residing in Brantford, Ontario, and former editor of The Messenger.

22 FEBRuary 2017 Report on the NAPARC 2016 Annual Meeting

Rev. Jerrold Lewis, Rev. Carl Schouls and I attended the annual meeting of Speeches the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC) held On Tuesday evening Rev. Schouls preached a sermon on Habakkuk 3:17- in Pompton Plains Free Reformed Church on November 8 and 9, 2016. 19. It was a comforting and suitable message in turbulent times, it being the day of the American presidential election. Rev. Schouls took the place Opening of Rev. Peter VanderMeyden who was unable to come due to sickness. The meeting unofficially started with a delicious lunch served by the The message was well received. ladies of the Pompton Plains FRC. The formal opening took place at On Wednesday evening Rev. Lewis read a paper on English Latent 2:00 pm with Rev. Bartel Elshout leading in prayer, Bible reading, and a Antinomianism dealing with the truncated Calvinism of men such as J.C. heart-warming meditation. He took the place of Dr. Lawrence W. Bilkes, Philpot and W. Gadsby. While praising their warm devotional style and NAPARC’s 2015 chairman, who was unable to come. Special mention and ability to explain the believer’s heart, Rev. Lewis warned for some serious prayer for recovery was made for Dr. Bilkes. All meetings were sprinkled doctrinal errors. These include: justification from eternity, denying the with robust Psalm singing, sounding much like a large male choir. The third use of the Law, viewing the elect as not under God’s wrath before meetings were ably chaired by Rev. Elshout. regeneration, and rejecting the free gospel offer. He showed how many Member Churches in experientially Reformed churches were raised on this somewhat The following churches were represented: questionable diet, leading to a false passivity, fogginess on justification • Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC) of the ungodly, and an undervaluing of man’s responsibility. The speech’s • Canadian Reformed Churches (CANRC) good reception was evidenced by the many interesting questions (and • Église Réformée du Québec (ERQ) answers!) that followed. • Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA) Fraternal Meetings • Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC) As usual our delegates met with brothers of other denominations. Rev. • Korean American Presbyterian Church (KAPC) Lewis and I had a two hour, informal, frank and helpful meeting with Rev. • Korean Presbyterian Church in America (Kosin) (KPAC) Elshout and elder Bill Tanis of the Heritage Reformed Congregations. We • Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) challenged one another, discussed obstacles and a possible ways forward • Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in our relationship as demoninations. • Presbyterian Reformed Church (PRC) We also had a two hour breakfast meeting with Rev. Michael Ives and • Reformed Church in the United States RCUS) elder Vince Gebhart of the Presbyterian Reformed Church. The PRC is a tiny • Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America (RPCNA) denomination with seven congregations, five ministers, and less than • United Reformed Churches of North America (URCNA) 300 members. Most of their ministers are “tentmakers.” They are actively The Bible Presbyterian Church and the Protestant Reformed Church pursuing union with the North American presbytery of the Free Church attended as visitors. of Scotland (Continuing), which we applaud. For the first time, I believe, we had a meeting at NAPARC with Business two ministers of the Protestant Reformed Church of America. We had The main business concerned the various reports of all the delegate interesting and cordial discussions about the covenant, the gospel offer, and visiting churches. They were enhanced by follow-up questions and baptism and preaching. They are contemplating joining NAPARC. answers. Each presentation was closed with prayer. Each denomination’s report had been previously circulated, allowing Conclusion the presentations to be extemporaneous. A brief but lively discussion It was good to be there. The Church of Christ in North America is larger took place regarding the desirability and need as churches to unite as than the FRCNA. During NAPARC’s 42 years of existence only one union per NAPARC’s goal. Some wanted to drop the word “need”. One of the of federations has taken place. It is painfully obvious that union with most delegates reflected the mood of the meeting, and no doubt the original NAPARC members is improbable and undesirable. Each denomination, intent of NAPARC, when he clarified that the word “need” means that however, needs to examine the legitimacy of continuing separately, every effort is to be expended to gain unity, where this is reasonably given Jesus’ desire expressed in John 17. attainable. Mr. Connor Keuning is chairman of the Interchurch Relations Committee and elder in the Free Reformed Church of Hamilton.

FEBRuary 2017 23 AnnouNcements

60th Anniversary Obituary February 22, 1957 - 2017 March 3, 1930 – December 25, 2016 (, the Netherlands – Zeeland, Michigan) “Happy is he In His sovereign love and mercy, the Lord took unto Himself, that hath the God of Jacob for his help, Geertruida Laura VanderGraaf Whose hope age 86 of Jenison, on the Lord’s day, Christmas, 2016. is in the LORD She leaves behind her devoted and faithful husband for almost 65 years, his God.” Teunis VanderGraaf Psalm 146:5 and children: Jack & Carol VanderGraaf of Wyoming, MI With Jim & Mary VanderGraaf of Grand Rapids, MI thankfulness Louise and Bob Schut of Jenison, MI to the Lord, Elsa VanderGraaf of Grand Rapids, MI we rejoice Yvonne & Herb Leegstra of Brantford, ON with our Juanita & Jeff DeJong of Saint George, ON parents: John and Brenda VanderGraaf of Jenison, MI She is also lovingly remembered by her 28 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren. Pastor Jerry Bilkes officiated at her internment and Pastor Ian Macleod at the funeral service on Friday, December 30, 2016, at the Grand Rapids Free Reformed Coe (Folkert) & Trudy Smid (Postma) Church. It was her deepest desire that family and friends be reminded of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A #1: “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” With much love from their children Phil and Sue Smid Mailing Address: Jackie and Gary Heikoop Teunis VanderGraaf, Tilly Roth (†Tony) 8504 Corsica Dr., Jenison, MI 49428 Margaret and Ed Brink Sharon and Ray Halma

22 Grandchildren • 14 Great Grandchildren SUBMITTING PICTURES ELECTRONICALLY Please note that to meet the standards of printing, any pictures sent electronically Home Address: have to be scanned in high resolution, at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) and should be 2079 Book Rd. W., RR1 Jerseyville, ON L0R 1R0 in jpg format. For questions, please contact [email protected]

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