CHURCH HISTORY

Calvin had promised to help Farel in the work of the Lord which had to be performed in Geneva. From that moment on, Calvin felt bound to the people of that great city. He knew that God had called him to gather in that city a congregation which would serve God in truth, and accordingly he wished to follow this calling in the strength of the Lord. He was fully conscious of the difficulties which were connected with this important work. The citizens of Geneva ,it is true, had renounced the church of Rome; but that was not yet an evidence that their hearts had been changed or renewed to serve God in truth and in spirit. Many had only helped to introduce the Reformation in Geneva so that this city would be in a better position to maintain her independence. They wanted to listen to a preaching according to the Scriptures, but at the same time they wished to live according to the inclinations of their own sinful minds. Levity and sensuality prevailed amongst them. Opposition, therefore, was to be expected, but Calvin felt strong in his God. He was conscious of his weakness, but he also knew that God would give strength to the weak and feeble to perform their work. He did not desire any personal honor nor benefit, but only that the work of God would be advanced in the congregation which the Lord had entrusted to him.

Calvin immediately commenced to set order to ecclesiastical matters. With the consent of the Council and help of Farel he composed a confession of faith for the congregation. A council of elders was appointed to attend to the lives of the church members. Calvin was not satisfied with the people of Geneva being hearers only, he wanted them also to be doers of the Word. To this end he introduced very strict disciplinary measurers. Calvin clearly saw of what great importance it is for a congregation that discipline be exercised among its members. He therefore determined that anyone who would spread doctrines which were contrary to the confession of the congregation, or who would serve sin publicly, should be visited and admonished by the elders. If such a one would nevertheless continue in sin, then communion with him had to be severed and he was forbidden to partake of the Lord’s Supper. If he confessed his sin he would be’ restored again into the fellowship of the Church, but if he persevered in evil he could no longer be acknowledged as a member. He also urged the Council to mete out punishment according to the seriousness of the offense, that the government and the church might work together for the advancement of God’s kingdom.

For some time it seemed as though Calvin would succeed in gaining Geneva for the service of the Lord. Through his influence the dance halls were closed and wickedness was restrained. but after a while it appeared that the seed of the Word was choked by love to the world, making it unfruitful. Many people became angry that they could not serve sin unmolested any more. They showed their enmity by opposing Calvin and Farel; day by day these men were reproached with scorn and ridicule.

The Reformers had to endure much opposition from members of the Council also. The latter feared that the influence of the preachers would become too great, and therefore ruled that the ministers were allowed to introduce only those regulations which were dictated by the Council. But Calvin and Farel could not abide by this resolution. They knew that they were not called by men but by God to this holy office, and wished to obey God above all things. Consequently, the Council forbade them to enter the pulpit. These servants of God, however, did not heed this prohibition placed upon them, but prepared themselves as usual to preach the Word.

The Lord’s Day arrived, and the Lord’s Supper was to have been celebrated on that day. The people had already heard that the ministers would appear and preach notwithstanding the ruling of the Council. They gathered in the church and waited to see what would happen. Calvin mounted the pulpit of the church of St. Peter and forthwith delivered a very impressive discourse. He reproved the congregation for her sins and concluded by stating that he could not serve the Lord’s Supper in such a divided and licentious city. It seemed that they had waited for this; a revolt was stirred up amongst the multitude, and many already grasped for their sword. Calvin remained calm under this great trial. Farel likewise experienced the same in a different church. Under the protection of the Lord, both preachers reached their home in safety in spite of the fury of the people. The Libertines, the opposing party, had gained their victory. Finally they won the city council over to their views and their action ultimately caused Calvin, Farel, and Viret, a third minister of the Gospel, to be banished from Geneva. What a disappointment!

Farel was filled with deep sorrow. The city, for which he had done so much, had rewarded him with unthankfulness, but Calvin said; “It is well; had I served men, I would see myself now badly rewarded, but I serve a Lord Who rewards His subjects even above that which they deserve. It is better to obey God than man.”

The exiles both continued on their way. Farel decided to go to Neuchatel, a city in western Switzerland, where he had labored so blessedly in former days. Calvin left for Strassburg. In that city he soon succeeded in gathering together a French congregation, the greater part of which consisted of the French refugees who had gathered in that region. He labored in that congregation according to the desire of his heart; he not only preached the Gospel, but he also insisted that the congregation should bear fruits of sanctification.

Calvin’s labors were greatly blessed, and under his leadership the congregation at Strassburg began to manifest itself in walk and conversation as belonging unto the Lord. There he was richly compensated for all that he had suffered at Geneva.

In Geneva, however, they soon had reasons to lament the day that they had expelled these servants of God. It was not an easy task to keep order in such a divided congregation with such diverse opinions and interests. The successors of Calvin and Farel did not possess by far the energy and strength of their predecessors. In addition. the Roman Catholic Church attempted to take advantage of the discord to regain her influence and to win them back to the Roman Catholic faith. Calvin had not forgotten Geneva. He maintained his correspondence with his friends in that place and warned them about the deceitful voice of the Roman clergy. It was apparent that he still felt bound to this city and was concerned about their welfare. Also in Geneva they felt more and more that Calvin was the only man, who could in God’s strength restore order in the midst of such conflcting elements. They decided to call him back, and sent a messenger to Calvin urgently requesting him to return. This tiding was not welcomed by Calvin, however. He loved the congregation at Strassburg, and trembled at the thought of returning to Geneva, perhaps to suffer again all that he had previously endured. On the other hand, he feared to disobey God by not going, and prayed for light in this matter. Meanwhile, the Council of Geneva again and again sent urgent requests for his return to the city, and finally he was prevailed upon and decided, with a bleeding heart, to deny himself and to go. He was received in Geneva with great joy. A home had already been brought to readiness for him, and all competed to show him their friendship.

In 1511, the year of his return, Calvin immediately applied himself to his labors with the same earnestness as before his banishment. His task had not grown easier. The congregation had indeed promised him to be earnest in serving the Lord and to submit to the regulations of the Church, but Calvin knew how little he could depend upon the word of man. In former days he had been supported by his colleagues, but now he stood practically alone in the midst of a congregation which could not easily accustom herself to order and discipline. He did not allow himself to be restrained by anything, however, from preaching the Word of God and reproving the sins of the rich as well as of the poor. Many a hot conflict was the consequence of this. Opposition against Calvin’s measures of reform was again manifested by the party called the Libertines. They hated the Reformer because he rejected their incredible doctrines in which they renounced the authority of the Scriptures, and thereby failed to recognize the demand of sanctification. And while they knew that some members of the Council were of the same opinion, they resolved to bring him to ruin. They urged a certain man named Berthelier, who belonged to their party, to visit the Council and to complain about the decision of the Consistory forbidding him to partake of the Lord’s Supper for a long time on account of his disorderly life. The Council gave him a hearing and subsequently ordered the elders to allow him to partake of this holy sacrament. Calvin at once declared that he could not possibly submit to this decision of the Council, saying that he would rather die than act against the Word of God and his own conscience. He also informed Berthelier of his stand in the matter.

The congregation was again assembled in the church of St. Peter to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Again, as some years previously, Calvin mounted the pulpit; Berthelier was also present in the church. Calvin declared emphatically that only those who in uprightness confessed their sins and who wished to turn with their whole heart unto the Lord, were allowed to be seated at the Table of the Lord, and that he would not allow anyone to act contrariwise at the administration of that holy Sacrament. He asserted that in this matter he would not obey people, but only God. His word made a deep impression. Even the Libertines advised Berthelier not to approach the Lord’s Supper, and thus the religious service could proceed without disturbance.

The continual conflicts were too much for this true servant of God, and he became greatly discouraged. It was as though he had to wrestle through the same difficulties as in previous years. When he again appeared on the pulpit that evening to proclaim the Word of God to the congregation, he took for his text the valedictory address of the Apostle Paul to the congregation at Ephesus, in the firm conviction that this was the last time that he would preach the Word of God in Geneva. At the conclusion of the sermon he spread his hands over the congregation for the benediction, saying: “I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace.” Deeply affected the congregation went homeward.

Calvin’s work, however, was not yet finished in Geneva. The members of the Council had also felt the power of his words. They resolved to no longer oppose him, and Calvin thanked God that He had broken the opposition.

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