A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

II Timothy 6:20

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE VII The Sufficiency Of The Holy Scriptures, To Be The Only Rule of Faith.

“We believe that these Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe, unto salvation, is sufficiently taught therein. For, since the whole manner of worship, which God requires of us, is written in them at large, it is unlawful for any one, though an apostle, to teach otherwise than we are now taught in the Holy Scriptures: nay, though it were an angel from heaven, as the apostle Paul saith. For, since it is forbidden to add unto or take away anything from the Word of God, it doth thereby evidently appear that the doctrine thereof is most perfect and complete in all respects. Neither do we consider of equal value any writing of men, however holy these men may have been, with these divine Scriptures, nor ought we to consider custom, or the great multitude, or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees or statutes, as of equal value with the truth of God, for the truth is above all; for all men are of themselves liars, and more vain than vanity itself. Therefore we reject with all our hearts whatsoever doth not agree with this infallible rule, which the apostles have taught us, saying, “Try the spirits whether they are of God. Likewise, if there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house.”

The previous article of our confession (Article VI) spoke about the apocryphal books, and those we really cannot trust. There are so many statements in them which are against God’s Word, that we must reject them. It was for this reason that the Synod of Dort placed them in the back of the Bible and added a warning in the use of them. But now in Article VII there is again spoken of God’s Word, and the authority of it is acknowledged as a rule for life and faith. We can say it in few words: God’s Word is perfect. This was and is the starting point of the churches of the Reformation, namely: We believe that those holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe, unto salvation, is sufficiently taught therein.

We know that there are so called “holy” books of other religions, such as the Koran of the Moslems, the book of Mormon, and the Talmud of the Jews. There are many who, in comparing these books with the Bible, say that there is probably a difference to some degree, but no essential difference. These people claim that each religion will of course believe their book to be the best - asking a Moslem about it, he will affirm that the Koran is by far the best; asking a Christian about it, he will consider the Bible far superior. Therefore they say that there really is no difference between these books. What must our answer be to this?

We should suggest that they read all those books and the problem will be solved. It will be clearly proved that those so called “holy” books of other religions are products of men and not of the living God. In them there are so many shortcomings that it is impossible that they were written by a holy God; the leading of the Holy Spirit is completely missing in them. And when you read the Bible? Then we must say, not because we are Christians, but in truth and uprightness, “It is perfect from the beginning to the end, and the leading of the Spirit is in it.” We must acknowledge that the Bible is God’s Word and bow to His authority. That which is written at the beginning of this article is a testimony of the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures. It is good and necessary that we believe this, but it would be a greater blessing if the Holy Spirit convinced us of this; then there is no doubt about the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word.

The sufficiency of God’s Word is one of the great points of difference between the church of Rome and the Reformers. The Reformers taught in the confession of faith that God’s Word is clear in all things unto salvation. This does not mean that we immediately understand everything which is written in the Bible; no, not at all. But the will of God is clear therein; and for a hungry and thirsty soul there is to be found in it the bread and water of life and everything necessary to salvation. This virtue of the Bible was denied by Rome, and they went so far as to take it away from the layman, saying that God’s Word is a danger in their hands. To avoid errors entering into the church, they felt that God’s Word needed an explanation, and when necessary, something must be added to it. Only the church could do this, and give proper food to its members. According to Rome their church is infallible, and has a higher authority than God’s Word, standing between God and the believer. Thus they claim that only through the church can God have communion with the believer.

This is contrary to the view of the Reformers and of the Bible, as it is stated time and again that we must search the Scriptures. For the Reformers it was so important and so necessary that each hand and each family have the Bible, and they defended this right against all opposition. However, this made them independent from the church, the priests, and the tradition, which was a danger for Rome. The Reformers did not deny that it was not enough to have the Bible and that an explanation was necessary. For, with the Bible in our hands, we still need the leading of the Holy Spirit for head and heart, for confession and conduct, for conscience and affection. In Psalm 119:105 is written, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” And Peter says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.” This is also written in our confession: “For, since the whole manner of worship, which God requires of us, is written in them at large, it is unlawful for any one, though an apostle, to teach otherwise than we are now taught in the Holy Scriptures: nay, though it were an angel from heaven, as the apostle Paul saith.” And this based upon God’s Word, (Deuteronomy 12:32) “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” This, of course, goes against the doctrine of Rome when they say that the infallible church stands above God’s Word. We hope, the Lord willing, to discuss this article further next month.

Rev. A.M. Den Boer

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

Since school has again begun, we are thinking of all our young friends busily studying their books and lessons. Many of you are able to attend a school where you may hear the Word of God from day to day, but others do not have this privilege. Especially when we must go to school where the teachers do not believe in God or in His Word, we may sometimes hear wrong instructions. How may we know if it is right or wrong? We can bring our questions to our fathers and mothers, and that certainly is a good place to go when we have questions. But there is another place we may go. That is to the Word of God. The Bible is the Book above all books, for the Lord Himself has given it. However, we need something more besides the Bible. We need the same thing that Solomon asked of the Lord when he was young. That was - “Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart”. Today there are many who hear and read God’s Word, but who do not understand what they read. The apostle Peter speaks of them in II Peter 3:16. They use God’s Word in a wrong way. Therefore it is so necessary that the Lord give us an understanding heart also. May the request of Solomon also become our prayer - “Give therefore an understanding heart”.

I’ve already given you the words which will be spelled out by the first letters of our answers. Here are the questions —

Who was threshing wheat when an angel appeared unto him, saying, “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour”?

We read of Apollos that he was an eloquent man, mighty in the scriptures, and he “was _______ in the way of the Lord”.

The Lord told Ananias that Saul was a chosen _______ unto Him.

To whom was it said, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this”?

Who gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field?

Who prayed to the Lord as he stood before the king Artaxerxes as his cupbearer?

To the Ethiopian eunuch Philip said, “ _______ thou what thou readest?”

When God saw the wickedness of man and determined to destroy them, what man was it who found grace in the eyes of the Lord?

What woman, a prophetess, judged Israel, and also went up to battle with them?

In Genesis 5 we find quite a few names, but of which one is it said that he “walked with God”?

To whom did Boaz say, “It hath fully been shewed me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law”?

Of what young man do we read that he “grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground”?

In Psalm 25 David prayed, “Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; _______ me Thy paths.”

When, at twelve years of age, Jesus was in the temple, all that heard him were _______at his understanding and answers.

The Lord Jesus said to Martha, “But one thing is___________, and Mary hath chosen that good part”.

Of Cornelius the centurion we read that he was “a _______ man, and one that feared God with all his house.”

Of whom do we read that he went out to meditate in the field at eventide?

Peter said to the rulers and elders, “This is the stone which was set at_____________of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”

In what place was it that the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night?

In the early church they chose deacons, among whom was Stephan, a man full of faith and of the _______ _______.

In each of his seven letters the apostle John was to write, “He that hath an _______, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

When the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, He said, “ _______what I shall give thee..’

In Hebrews 11 we read, “By faith, Moses, when he was come to years,___________to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter”.

Moses esteemed “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the _______in Egypt”.

(Answers should be sent to Garret J. Moerdyk, 5211 Woodmont Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.)

The answers to the quiz of last month are as follows -

“Six Days Shalt Thou Labour” Exodus 20:9

Sower - Luke 8:5

Instructor - Genesis 4:22

X (No text for X)

Diana - Acts 19:24

Astrologers - Daniel 1:20

Yarn - II Chronicles 1:16

Simon - Acts 10:4-6

Sheep - Genesis 4:2

Herod - Matthew 2:1

Apothecaries - Nehemiah 3:8

Luke - Colossians 4:14

Tentmakers - Acts 18:3

Tiller - Genesis 4:2

Husbandman - Genesis 9:20

Obadiah -I Kings 18:3

Uzziel - Nehemiah 3:8

Labourers - Matthew 20:1

Armourbearer -I Samuel 16:21

Bakers - Genesis 40:2

Oxen -I Kings 19:19

Urijah - II Kings 16:10

Ruler - John 3:1

Answers have again been received from the following boys and girls -

Margot Mast

John R. Blok

Rick Rosendall

John Rosendall

Kristi Rosendall

Joan Lugthart

Carol Jean Boluyt

Linda Bazen

Jim Bazen

JoAnn VanRavenswaay

Esther VanRavenswaay

Norman VanRavenswaay

Nancy Hoogmoed

Joanne Hoogmoed

Steve Bazen

Peter Bazen

Jeanette Slingerland (2)

Kevin Verbeke (2)

Loretta Faye Olivier

Tim Westrate

Mary VanOostenbrugge

Karl VanOostenbrugge

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Shirley Slotsema

Larry Slotsema

Sue Schelling

Elaine Frens

Sharon Frens

Mary Frens

Leonard Frens

Ella Kieboom

Andrew Kieboom

Arline Kieboom

Janet VanZweden (3)

Roy VanZweden (3)

Mark VanZweden (3)

Ralph VanZweden (3)

Joel VanRavenswaay (2)

Minda VanRavenswaay (2)

Leah Talbot

Mark Heystek (2)

Julie VanGemert

Amy Mieras

Arthur Kroes

Gail denHoed

Rick VanEss

Sue VanEss

Mark Meeuwse

Franklin VanHoepen (2)

Jacqueline VanHoepen (2)

Marianne VanHoepen

Marcia Spaans

Laurie Bleeker

Linda Talbot

Laura Talbot

Karl VanderMeulen

Ann Mariene VanderMeulen

Herman John VanderMeulen

John Timmer

Arlen Klarenbeek (2)

David Klarenbeek (2)

Darwyn Klarenbeek (2)

Kathy VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

Jonathon Kamp

Robert Kamp

Rich Kamp

Nicholas J. Bush

Adrian Bush

Kathleen denHoed

Joleen denHoed

Timothy Nieuwenhuis

Bill VanWingerden

Ken VanWingerden

Bill Kroesbergen

Hendrika Kroesbergen

Marguerite Kroesbergen

Tim VanStelle

Andy VanStelle

Kathleen Hamstra

Alice Hamstra

James Kraayeveld

Harmen VanderMeulen

Sidney VanderMeulen

Joyce VanderMeulen

Frances VanderMeulen

Terry VanBeek (2)

Joann VanBeek (2)

Anden VanBeek (2)

Alma VanBeek (2)

Tom Kwekel

Dan Kwekel

David Kwekel

Bill Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Debbie Kamp

Thomas Berkenbush

Cathy Kroesbergen

Jane Kroesbergen

Ken Kroesbergen

John Kroesbergen

Mary VanManen

Ricky VanManen

Carrie Jane Blok

Liz VanGiessen

Joan VanGiessen

Kathy VanGiessen

Mary L. Kievit

Joan Hults

Audrey Kievit

John Verhey

Carolyn VanKoeveringe

Jake VanKoeveringe

James Peter Sweetman

Lynn Kamp

John Stapel

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Todd VandeStouwe

Melanie VanBrugge

Neal Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Judy VanVoorst

Rhonda VanVoorst

John Martin VanderWeile

Jane Ellen VanderWeile

Judy Lynn VanderWeile

Rita Neels

John Bosch

Ruth Bouma

Albert Bouma

Ellen Kros

Jim Neels (2)

David Neels (2)

Gladys VanBochove

Rhonda VanBochove

Ingrid Sommer

Nicholas Koppelaar

Joyce Koppelaar

Joel VanderKooi

Ray VanderKooi

Lisa Kay Markus

Cindy Markus

Becky Jane Markus

Tonia VanderWaal

Betty Anne VanderWaal

Maynard DeGraaf

Kevin Zomer

Brenda Zomer

Vonda Zomer

Mariene Grisnich

Cheryl Grisnich

Richard Grisnich

Daniel J. Sweetman

Janet Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

Laurie Sweetman

Jenny Lee Sweetman

John Bezooyen

Gerrit Bezooyen

Henry Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

John Vandenberg

Jeanette Vandenberg

Jane Korevaar

Martin Schouten

Anita Schouten

Kristi Boluyt

Steve Boluyt

Elizabeth Sisco

David Kaat

Paul VanGrouw

Lisa Neels

Jennie Sue Easterhoff

Marion Blom

Connie Blom

Leroy Blom

Angela Schipper (2)

MaryLynn Fluit

Annette Koppelaar

Walter Koppelaar

Julie DeBruine

John VanBeek

David VanBeek

Paul Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

David Greendyk

Bill Greendyk

Alan Greendyk

Richard DeBat

Gary Blok

Christine Bylsma

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Howard Hubers

Julie Boon

Carla Boon

Jerry Boon

Elizabeth Sisco

Betty VanDerWeile

Steven Kuiper

Donna Kuiper

And now to reply to the letters received—

BRUCE VERBLAAUW - How glad we were to hear that you are improving steadily after your operation, Bruce. The Lord has answered the prayers on your behalf. No matter how dark it looks, how impossible it seems, He has said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble”. If we make a trip to New Jersey, we will certainly try to see you.

TAMMY VAN BEEK - How is your cousin Glen, Tammy? That must have been a serious accident. How old is he? It is a blessing that his life was spared. I do not think that we have had any 100 degree temperatures here in Michigan this summer.

JEANETTE SLINGERLAND - Warm weather comes in the summer time, Jeanette. And it all has its purpose, for we could not grow the crops which we do without the warm weather. We read of someone in the Bible who sat in his tent door in the heat of the day. Do you know who it was?

ARLINE KIEBOOM - As I am writing this, your trip to the west is not yet finished, Arline. I suppose you had a nice time. Do you know how many miles you travelled? Now it is back to school and school books. Do you have some nice teachers?

MARTIN SCHOUTEN – You found quite a few valleys in the Bible, Martin. While we are talking about the warm weather, you are in the winter months. Do you manage to ride your bike all winter? Your school is certainly not a small school.

KATHLEEN DEN HOED - What type of volunteer work do you do at the hospital, Kathleen? I know there are quite a few different jobs in a hospital. Would you like to take up nursing, or do you have something else in mind? Sometimes things work out much differently than we plan.

CAROLYN VAN KOEVERINGE - We missed you when we were in Vineland, Carolyn. It was nice to visit there again, although the time is usually too short. We were glad that you enjoyed your visit to Kalamazoo for the Youth Conference, and hope that you will be able to come again.

JOHN BOSCH - We would think it most unusual to have no snow during the winter, John. I suppose you have quite a bit of rain during the winter months. You must have worked right along on the Church History books in order to have them all finished.

KATHLEEN HAMSTRA - It is real nice to hear from you, Kathleen, and also to receive your answers to the Bible quiz. We must live about 300 miles from Dundas, I would guess. How do you like school this year? What are you studying about?

JOLEEN DEN HOED - Is Cannon Beach far from where you live, Joleen? I know you are quite a ways from the ocean. There is lots of travelling done during the summer months, and with our modern transportation one hundred miles isn’t so far.

ARTHUR KROES - Did you have a good trip to Iowa, Arthur? You don’t have an opportunity to visit your relatives too often when it is so far away. We do hope we may hear from you again. It is so necessary to study God’s Word, and God’s Word says to us, “Hear ye the word of the Lord.”

JACQUELINE VAN HOEPEN - I notice there are two letters from you, Jacqueline. How many miles is it to Sunnyside? Do you like to travel? It is nice to visit other places, but it always seems real nice to be back home again after a trip. Or don’t you agree?

JOHN STAPEL - We are all quite well, John. Did your sisters arrive home safely after their trip? I suppose you are helping your father during the summer months. How are the crops? Did you have extremely dry weather this summer?

GAIL DEN HOED - Did you check out the answer to the second question, Gail? I don’t think the quizzes are getting harder, but probably a difficult question is included now and then. Did your cousins enjoy their stay in Iowa?

LAURIE SWEETMAN - Your letter is the last one this time, Laurie. Where did you go on your trip? In order to hear the word of the Lord in the right way, we must indeed be given ears to hear. Do you think this is something other than our natural ears?

Many thanks to all the boys and girls for their replies. Other books will be in use in the months ahead, such as math, geography, science, etc., but we hope that God’s Word may also be used daily by all of you, and that we will hear from all of you regularly, D.V.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

A SAFE ARRIVAL?

In January of 1952 the attempt to resuce the American freighter, the Flying enterprise, stirred the public imagination to a considerable extent. The spectacle of this vessel, damaged by the storm, and with a severe list to port, being buffeted by powerful westerly gales and deep sea swells while her captain still remained aboard, could not but engage the feeling interest of all. After a great deal of anxiety and trouble, the rescue tug Turmoil succeeded in getting a tow line aboard and set out for Falmouth harbor in England in an endeavor to bring the stricken vessel into the calm and peace afforded by its shelter.

For a time hopes were high that this would prove successful, and steady progress was made towards the desired haven. Crowds of people began gathering in Falmouth in expectation of seeing the vessel enter into calmer waters. But as far as seeing the Flying Enterprise was concerned, all these hopes were doomed to disappointment. The tow line parted and the disabled vessel lay at the mercy of wind and sea. Every effort was made to get a new tow line aboard; other tugs rushed to the scene; even helicopters were called into service; but all to no avail as far as the ship was concerned. Fresh gales made it impossible to get the now sinking ship in tow.

Captain Carlsen and his companion were taken on board the tug, and shortly after four o’clock in the afternoon of January 10 the Flying Enterprise sunk beneath the waves and, instead of the peace of the harbor, plunged into the depths of the Atlantic.

No doubt many in all parts of the world followed each event in this episode with the keenest interest. But how many saw any resemblance between a battered ship caught in an Atlantic storm and their own souls on the great journey to eternity? Let us notice some points of resemblance. The first is that there were only two possible destinations for this ship. One was the harbor - the other was the depths of the sea, without hope of ever rising again. The same is true of each of us. We must either enter heaven at last, the haven of true rest, or sink eternally under the waves of Divine wrath, due to our sins, in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. The sad thing is that we, by nature, refuse to believe that these are the only alternatives, or buoy ourselves up with a false hope that in some way or another, we shall eventually reach heaven at last, even though the storm clouds which sometimes affect our consciences make us feel uncomfortable.

Again, the Flying Enterprise had a list to port. In other words, she was not upright as she was when she left the maker’s hands. The effect of the storm had given her a leaning to one side. The Bible tells us that “God made man upright” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). As he came from the hands of his Maker, Adam was upright or holy; but when the storm of temptation overtook him in the garden of Eden and overcame him, he became unholy and had a leaning towards sin, and that continually. As we come into this world as the children of Adam, we too have this leaning to sin. Thus David said he “was born in sin and shapen in iniquity”, and of the sons of men we are told, “There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:3). The uprightness and the holiness is gone and, in their place, sin reigns.

The engines of the Flying Enterprise were of no use to her. In their broken-down condition they could not supply her with any power. Not only was she disabled by her list, but her lack of power left her at the mercy of the elements and with no hope of reaching a place of safety, as the sailors say, “under her own steam”. Not only did we lose our uprightness by the fall, but we also lost all power of spiritual life. Thus the scripture tells us that we are “dead in trespasses and sins”. We lack the spiritual energy to battle against evil and temptation, and our condition is sad indeed.

The ship was exposed to the elements. Whichever way the wind and tide went, the helpless ship had to follow. How true this is of many young people! With them it is not what is right or what is God’s will that is the great question to be answered; but what is popular, what will not give offence to worldly companions, what is satisfying to the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye, and what is the mind of the world. We are exposed to temptations by the fact that we have a leaning to sin. But we must also remember that we are exposed to the most terrible gale that any human being can meet with. “All mankind by their fall, lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever” (Shorter Catechism). It also occured to us when thinking about the gale, that this was westerly in the case of this ship. That is to say, it appeared to be carrying the ship towards the port, but actually it was carrying it past the shelter of the harbor and eventually was the means of sealing her doom. Such is the way with false religion. While professing to carry the soul to heaven, it eventually seals its doom.

The Flying Enterprise needed help. Help was sought and help was brought, and all that the ingenuity of man could devise was done to bring her home safely. But it was not enough. The elements were too powerful for the skill, the seamanship, the daring and the experience even of those who go down to the sea in ships. Even though help came, that did not secure the safety of the now sinking ship, and when the time came, she was enveloped in the depths. This is verily true in the spiritual sense. The means of grace are to be employed in connection with the rescue of souls. Yet the great fact remains that neither the suitability of the means nor the zeal, earnestness and skill of the preachers can avail without the power of Him Who, on a former occasion, rebuked the winds and the sea; “and there was a great calm”. Divine power is needed before the frail vessel of a sinner’s soul can enter the heavenly harbor. If we felt the danger of our position, we would be sending out our S.O.S. to the Captain of Salvation, using the language of the disciples, “Lord, save us; we perish” (Matthew 8:25). It was in answer to this cry that He rebuked the wind and the waves.

May the Holy Spirit give to each one of us that sense of the need of Christ that would keep us daily dependent upon Him. If, united to Him by a living faith, we have Him as our hope and our help, then we shall safely come to port. “Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:30).

(Young People’s Magazine)

“ASK WHAT I SHALL GIVE THEE”

If Solomon for wisdom prayed,

The Lord before had made him wise,

Else he another choice had made,

And asked for what the worldlings prize.

Thus He invites His people still;

He first instructs them how to choose,

Then bids them ask whatever they will,

Assured that He will not refuse.

Our wishes would our ruin prove,

Could we our wretched choice obtain,

Before we feel the Saviour’s love

Kindle our love to Him again.

But when our hearts perceive His worth,

Desire, till then unknown, takes place;

Our spirits cleave no more to earth,

But pant for holiness and grace.

And dost Thou say, “Ask what thou wilt?”

Lord, I would seize the golden hour;

I pray to be released from guilt,

And freed from sin and Satan’s power.

More of Thy presence, Lord, impart,

More of Thine image let me bear;

Erect Thy throne within my heart,

And reign without a rival there.

Give me to read my pardon sealed,

And from Thy joy to draw my strength;

To have Thy boundless love revealed,

In all its height, and breadth, and length.

Grant these requests, I ask no more,

But to Thy care the rest resign;

Sick, or in health, or rich, or poor,

All shall be well if Thou art mine.

John Newton

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever; with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: Thy faithfulness shalt Thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations.

Psalm 89:1–4

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