The Prologue to the Nine Points Synod affirms that the Scriptures and confessions teach the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone and that nothing that is taught under the rubric of covenant theology in our churches may contradict this fundamental doctrine. Therefore Synod rejects the errors of those: This preface to the […]
“There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death” (Luke 23:32) A Meditation on Luke 23:32-43 Drama has never had a more momentous stage than Calvary; and never a weightier speaker than Jesus Christ. Luke 23:32-43 records three speeches from that great stage; one by that great Speaker, and two […]
Exodus 12:1–20; 13:1–16 The tenth plague, the Passover, and the feast of Unleavened Bread are related events, but they are also events that are distinguished from each other. The Passover, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are liturgical ordinances tied to the tenth plague. Both ordinances are commanded by God, but both ordinances are distinguishable […]
“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. And there I will meet with you.” (Exodus 25:8, 22a) The question was asked: “What must I do to be saved?” That question coming from the jailer in Philippi was not a new one. From the very beginning it has risen from […]
Read Genesis 44:18–34 Introduction During the first visit Joseph’s ten brothers to Egypt, they claimed that they were “honest men” (Gen. 42:11). Joseph recognized them and remembered the dreams of his youth. He then proceeds to test them to see whether their claim to be honest men was true (Gen. 42:15,16). But Joseph’s interest is […]
Read Genesis 45:1–15 Introduction The speech of Judah put in front of Joseph a picture of a family going through misery and distress. Joseph has been testing his brothers, but the dramatic and moving speech of Judah is the “final exam” in this test. Joseph now knows that his brothers (at least Judah, but surely […]
The Word of God did not just fall from the sky. It was progressively revealed through the ages from Genesis to Malachi. This means that the Old Testament is like a child while the New Testament is like an adult. We see this in Scripture when the writer to the Hebrews exhorts Jewish believers to […]
After the sounding forth of the first six trumpets in Revelation 8-9, we have an interlude before the sounding forth of the seventh and final trumpet in Revelation 11:15ff. The interlude is found in Revelation 10:1-11:14, and it concerns the nature of the church, even as she finds herself in the midst of the mighty […]