A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE X

That Jesus Christ is True and Eternal God.

Last month in discussing this article we made a few remarks about the Jehovah Witnesses, who, among others, deny the eternal Sonship of the Lord Jesus. The doctrine of the eternal Sonship of the Lord Jesus is of the greatest importance because of its relationship with the salvation of the church. Although we all believe that the Lord Jesus is eternal God with the Father and the Holy Ghost, we will nevertheless give a number of proofs from God’s Word.

First, a proof is in His Names. The Lord Jesus is called Jehovah or Lord, as we can read in Jeremiah 23:6, “And this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” This is speaking of the Messiah, Who will execute judgment and justice in the earth. One of the great objections which the Jehovah Witnesses use is that the Lord Jesus is not called Jehovah. The name Lord is a word of authority, signifying a ruler or governor, and is applied to all three Divine Persons - to the Father in Genesis 2:4, etc.; to the Son in Psalm 110:1 and Jeremiah 23:6; and to the Holy Spirit in II Thessalonians 3:5. These are just a few places which are mentioned.

In regard to the Son, we have mentioned two texts in the Old Testament. Do we find it also in the New Testament? We must not forget the Old Testament was written in the Hebrew language, and this is also true of the word Jehovah. The New Testament was written in Greek. When the name Kurios is used in Greek, it has the same meaning as the name Jehovah in Hebrew. Thus the Lord Jesus is called the Lord Christ in Colossians 3:24. In John 1:1 He is also called God: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This speaks of the second Person in the Divine Being. Thomas said, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28), and Paul testified, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.” (I Timothy 3:16). In Romans 9:5 the same apostle said, “And of Whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, Who is over all, God blessed for ever.” Some of these texts we have mentioned before, but they are all proof of the Godhead of Christ in His Names.

Secondly, the Godhead of Christ can also be proved from His Divine Attributes. He is eternal. The prophet Micah, mentioned in our article, writes, “Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 2:5). The apostle in Hebrews 7:3 says, “Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” The Lord Jesus Himself said, “Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58).

He is omniscient. John 16:30, “Thou knowest all things.” He is unchangeable. Malachi 3:6, “For I am the Lord, I change not.” He is independent. John 5:26, “For as the Father has life in Himself: so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself.” He is omnipotent. Matthew 28:18, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” He is omnipresent. Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Thirdly, we can prove Christ’s Divinity from His Works. We think first of the creation, as we find it expressed in Psalm 33:6, “By the Word of the Lord were heavens made.” Consider also the work of upholding and governing, as stated in John 5:17, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” Think of how many miracles the Lord Jesus did during His stay on earth. He healed the blind, the lame, the leper, the deaf, and He raised the dead. He had power to lay down His life and to take it again.

These are things in nature, but there are also the works of grace, when He applies His merits to His church. He calls sinners, who are dead in sin and trespasses, to life, because He bought them with His own blood. He forgives them their sin, leads them on the way of sanctification, and at His time He brings them in eternal glory. At the last day He will call the quick and the dead before His judgment seat. All these works cannot be done by men, and are proof of Christ’s Godhead.

Fourthly, the Honor which is given to Him is another proof. Baptism is administered in the Name of the Triune God, and the Lord does not give His honor to another. To believe in Him is necessary to salvation, “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent.” (John 17:3). The Lord Jesus is also worshipped by angels and saints. Stephen prayed to Him, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59). This article of our confession ends with, “He therefore is that true, eternal, and almighty God, Whom we invoke, worship and serve.”

In our days there is much spoken about Jesus and taught that we must go to Him. This is good advice if it is brought in the right way. But what can we do with Jesus if we have never become a sinner before God? We must see that we are a sinner, which we will only see by the administration of the Holy Spirit. God requires satisfaction of His justice by keeping the Law and by payment of our debt. In this way we become worthy of condemnation and unworthy of the least of His blessings. When we can no longer help ourselves, then we may see by Word and Spirit that the Son of God exists, and in Him there is a way to be saved. The Jehovah Witnesses may say that Christ’s ransom does not guarantee everlasting life, but at that time it becomes reality for such a poor sinner, that which God’s Word teaches in John 1:12, John 3:16, and Acts 16:31: those who believe in the Lord Jesus will be saved.

Blessed is the boy or girl who becomes unhappy by the sin which is committed, but who may also learn that for Christ’s sake we can be saved. They may then learn with the spouse, “He is altogether lovely.” (Song of Solomon 5:16). Norwich

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

Today we see our government often busy making laws. I am sure we all know that laws are rules to be obeyed. We also read of laws in the Bible. Many years ago a law was spoken by the Lord Himself from Mount Sinai so that it could be heard by all of the Children of Israel. It was also written by God upon two tables of stone and these were given to Moses. In writing them upon stone, the Lord showed that these were laws which should continue throughout the ages, and were not just for those days. I am certain that many of you can recite that law word for word. This law, known as the Ten Commandments, is divided into two parts, the first table having four commandments which teach us how we must behave towards God, and the second table having six commandments which teach us our duties to our neighbor.

Many of the laws made today would not be necessary if the Law of God were respected and obeyed. The Ten Commandments have been put to one side, as being old-fashioned and not suitable or necessary for today. However, the Lord is still speaking to us today with the words of His Law, as we find them in Exodus 20. In Matthew 25 the Lord Jesus told briefly what the commandments required. The first letters of our answers this month will spell out the requirement of the second part of the Law.

In Proverbs 6 there are mentioned seven things which the Lord doth hate. One of them is “A proud_____”.

The Pharisee in the temple stood and prayed thus, “God, I thank Thee that I am not as_______ men are.”

The wicked queen Jezebel said to her husband, “I will give thee the______of Naboth.”

In the sermon on the mount the Lord Jesus said, “I say unto you, Love your_____, bless them that curse you.”

In the first epistle of John, he wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in ______.”

When Joseph’s brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they ______him.

The Lord Jesus also said, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to______, do ye even so to them.”

Whom does Peter in his second epistle refer to as a “preacher of righteousness”?

When Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel ______her sister.

The book of Numbers tells us how Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses, saying, “Hath the Lord______spoken only by Moses?”

Later we read that Korah, Dathan and Abiram______ themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.

They said to Moses and Aaron, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are _____.”

Cain said to the Lord, “Am I my ______’s keeper?”

Peter also wrote, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons______ye to be.”

Peter wrote of Lot that he “vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their_____ deeds”.

In Luke 9 we read of the disciples that “there arose a______ among them, which of them should be the greatest.’

When Jonah saw that God did not destroy Nineveh, it displeased him and he was very______.

When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” the Lord Jesus told the parable of a certain ______ who helped a man in trouble.

When the man gave the correct answer as to who the true neighbour was, the Lord Jesus said to him, “Go______ and do likewise.”

Who sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus?

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Let no man despise thy______, but be thou an example of the believers.”

He also wrote, “I exhort therefore that______, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”

Joseph said to his brothers, “Ye thought______against me, but God meant it unto good.”

Joseph also said, “Therefore fear ye not; I will nourish you and your______ones.”

Jacob said to Rachel and Leah, “Your______hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, but God suffered him not to hurt me.”

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

Answers to the quiz of last month are —

“Sirs, What Must I Do To Be Saved?” -Acts 16:30

Shall -Acts 2:37

Isaac - Genesis 22:7

Rebekah - Genesis 24:58

Sin -Exodus 32:21

Where - Genesis 3:9

Hebrew -Exodus 2:7

Abel - Genesis 4:9

Tree - Genesis 3:1

Manoah -Judges 13:12

Uncircumcised -Judges 14:3

Said -I Samuel 3:17

Thou -I Kings 21:20

Incredible - Acts 26:8

Drunken - I Samuel 1:14

Obadiah -1 Kings 18:13

Take - Psalm 50:16

One - Genesis 42:1

Befallen - Judges 6:13

Esau - Genesis 25:32

Servest - Daniel 6:20

Abram - Genesis 12:18

Very - Genesis 27:24

Eatest -I Kings 21:5

Doest - Jonah 4:9

Answers to the quiz have again been received from the following boys and girls:

Dick Spaans

Rebecca Spaans

John Spaans

Karl VanOostenbrugge

Steven John VanOostenbrugge

Judy denHoed

Gail denHoed

Joan Hults

Benny VandenBeukel

Audrey Kievit

Mary L. Kievit

John VanBeek

Kathy VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

John Heystek

Joel VanRavenswaay (2)

Minda VanRavenswaay (2)

Norman VanRavenswaay

Esther VanRavenswaay

Ellen Vroegindewey

Kathy Vroegindewey

Gail Vroegindewey

Joy Vroegindewey

Jim Rosendall

Laura Rosendall

Mary Lou Rosendall

Richard Grisnich

Mariene Grisnich

Steve Bleeker

Laurie Bleeker

Martin Schouten

Anita Schouten

Angela Schipper

Tunis Sweetman, Jr. (2)

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Danny Sweetman (2)

Janet Sweetman

Mary VanTilburg (2)

Leah VanTilburg (2)

Harmen VanderMeulen

Sidney VanderMeulen

Joyce VanderMeulen

Ronald Bertram

Tim Kaat

Amy Kaat

May DenDekker

Dick DenDekker

Teresa DenDekker

Rich Kamp

Robert Kamp

Jonathon Kamp

Andy VanStelle

Tim VanStelle

Gladys VanBochove

Rhonda VanBochove

John Bosch

John denDekker

Anneke denDekker

Steve Boluyt

Angela Stam (2)

Paul Laman

Suzy Kersbergen

Edward Laman

Mary Polderman

Maria Boonzaayer

Melanie Ann VanBrugge

Sonja Boonzaayer

Joan Lugthart

Nora VanDenTop

Ken VanWingerden

Bill VanWingerden

Marcia Spaans

Dave Neels

Jim Neels

Rick Rosendall

John Rosendall

Kristi Jane Rosendall

Jeff Rosendall

Jeanette Slingerland

Teresa Slingerland

David Kwekel

Dan Kwekel

Tom Kwekel

Laura Talbot

Leah Talbot

Linda Talbot

Paul VanGrouw

Arie VanVugt

John VanVugt

Jo-Ann VanVugt

Jacqueline denDekker

Kenny denDekker

Janet Sommer

Eric Sommer

Ingrid Sommer

Irene Sommer

Kristi Boluyt

Julie DeBruine

Randy DeBruine

Margot Mast

Ann-Marlene VanderMeulen

Karl VanderMeulen

Herman VanderMeulen

Nellie vanBrugge

May VanBrugge

Helen vanBrugge

Marty Vlietstra

David Vlietstra

Janice Vlietstra

Jon Vlietstra

Jeanette VandenBerg (2)

David Vandenberg (2)

Henry Vandenberg (2)

Paul Vandenberg (2)

John Vandenberg (2)

Elizabeth Schelling

Linda Schelling

Kent Schelling

Brenda Schelling

Lynn Kamp

Ella Kieboom

Andrew Kieboom

Barbara Southway

Robert G. Southway

Darwyn Klarenbeek

Arlen J. Klarenbeek

David Klarenbeek

Mike Fintelman

Mark Fintelman

Nicholas Bush

Adrian Bush

Tammy Renae VanBeek

Virginia VanderWaal

Stan VanderWaal

Edward Vandenberg

Margaret DenBoer

Janet Remus

Arlene Remus

Marie Remus

Steve Bazen

Dan Bazen

Peter Bazen

Elaine Frens

Leonard Frens

Sharon Frens

Mary Frens

John Stapel

Neal Boerkoel

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Ruth Boerkoel

Mary VanGiessen

Randy VanGiessen

Mary DeBat

Richard DeBat

Rhonda Van Voorst

Judy Van Voorst

Jay VanVoorst

Debbie Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Bill Kamp

Allan Baum, Jr.

Dave Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Paul Greendyk

Bill Greendyk

Timothy Nieuwenhuis

Doky Nwangele

John Verhey

Helen Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Howard E. Hubers

Duane Hubers

Debra Witvoet

Margaret Maassen (2)

Hendrika Kroesbergen

Bill Kroesbergen

Ken VanderHave

Kathryn Lynn Schelling

James Schelling

Annette Koppelaar

Walter Koppelaar

Joyce Koppelaar

Nicholas Andrew Koppelaar

Stanley Bylsma

Christine Bylsma

1 (no Name - with stamps)

Wendy Veldjesgraaf

Mariene Otten

Diane Otten

Henry Otten

David Kaat

Mark Bleeker

Steve Boonzaayer

John Boonzaayer

Edward Vandenberg

Lysbeth Kroesbergen

Glenda Slingerland

Margaret DenBoer

Ray VanderKooi

David VanDyke

Daniel VanDyke

John VanDyke

Richard Procee

David Procee

Sue VanEss

Rick VanEss

Mariene VanVeldhuizen

Audrey VanVeldhuizen

Kevin Verbeke

Johnny Jonkman

Willie Jonkman

Jim Jonkman

Yvonne Herfst

Robert Herfst

Mariene Herfst

Elise Polderman

Lisa Neels

Cathy Neels

Jim Bazen

Linda Bazen

Lisa Markus

Becky Markus

Cindy Markus

Thomas Berkenbush

Cathy Kroesbergen

Ken Kroesbergen

John Kroesbergen

Jane Kroesbergen

Tim VanRee

Bob VanRee

And now some answers to the letters which we have again received —

ELLA KIEBOOM - Since this letter will appear in the July issue, you will probably be home from your trip to the west, Ella. Did everything go well? No doubt you travelled many miles. We are all well, also our grandson. We don’t get to see him very often.

IRENE SOMMER - And you are probably in Holland when this arrives, Irene. You will have to write about your trip and what you did there. It is the time of the year when many people are making trips. We do plan to attend the Youth Day in Ontario, but otherwise have no plans for a trip.

JEANETTE SLINGERLAND - Your report card was good, Jeanette. Outdoor Education seems like an interesting class. Do you ever go camping? I don’t think there are many people who go camping and leave no trace. What do you plan to do during the summer?

VIRGINIA VANDER WAAL - Are you all settled in British Columbia, Virginia? Is it a bigger house that you are living in now? I am wating to hear more about it. Moving is a big chore; or didn’t you mind it too much? You will have to make some new friends now.

JOYCE KOPPELAAR - We need the same instruction that the Ethiopian received, Joyce. It was not only a man named Philip to explain it to him, but also the Holy Spirit to bring it into his heart. This we must ask the Lord for whenever we read His Word.

MARTIN SCHOUTEN - What are you making in metal, Martin? I notice you knew of a number of carpenters mentioned in the Bible. Do you also know of any workers in metal? That question might require a little more searching. How many insects do you have in your collection?

HERMAN VANDER MEULEN - I am looking forward to receiving your quiz, Herman. Do you think the quiz this month was quite easy? We are glad to see such a good response from the boys and girls in answering the quiz, and, of course, hope that it continues to grow.

ANGELA SCHIPPER - That was a nice long letter this time, Angela. I did not know that Caroline was your cousin. I don’t suppose you get together very often. Do you use both the Bible History and Church history books in your class at school?

GLENDA SLINGERLAND - We are happy to have you join in answering the quiz, Glenda. If you come through Kalamazoo on your trip, you will have to stop by and see us. We find it very nice to meet our friends from far away. Have you ever been in Michigan before?

KATHRYN LYNN SCHELLING - Do you know how to play the organ, Kathryn, or are you going to be taking lessons? It is nice to know how to play. Is there quite a large zoo in Sioux Falls? At a zoo we can see the wonders of creation - so many different animals in the world.

JOHN STAPEL - Have you had some rain again recently, John? It is a wonder that the Lord still gives us rain for the fields and crops, since we don’t deserve these blessings. Are you keeping busy on the farm this summer? I am sure there are lots of things for you to do.

CATHY NEELS - Did you pick lots of raspberries, Cathy? What else will you be doing during the summer months? This evening it looks like rain here in Kalamazoo, and we do need it quite badly. We need both the sun and the rain to make things grow.

DOKY NWANGELE - It was very nice to hear from you again, Doky. Do many boys and girls go to your school there? We certainly would like to pay you a visit in Nigeria, but it will probably never take place. We hope and pray that the Lord will bless your studies.

JANET REMUS - Did you finish reading your book, Janet? Maybe during the summer you have more time for reading. It is nice to be together on the holidays with your friends and relatives. Do you live far from Cory’s house?

BRENDA KAY SCHELLING - It sounds like you are a good salesman, Brenda. Are you selling lots of products? When I was a boy I sometimes sold celery and pansies from house to house. That is many years ago. The Bible says, “Buy the truth, and sell it not.” You will have to ask your father what that means.

ANDREW KIEBOOM - It was nice to hear from you, Andrew. Did you have a good trip in the west? Do you get tired of riding in the car all day? We hope you may also have a safe trip to Holland. It would be very tiring if you had to travel all that distance in an automobile.

LISA NEELS - That was a large amount earned for the school by the Bike-a-thon, Lisa. There must have been lots of bikes that day. I suppose you are already anxious for school to start again. Or do you have lots of things to do this summer?

DEBRA WITVOET - What grade are you going to be in next fall, Debra, if you are living and well? Do you miss your school friends during the summer months? I imagine you help take care of the baby ducks. How many do you have?

RONALD BERTRAM - I don’t imagine you go to the same school as Lane and John do, Ronald. Are there quite a few people in your area who have come from the Netherlands? I did hear that Rev. Kuyt was coming to the United States this summer, but we did not hear when this would be.

MAY VAN BRUGGE - It is nice that you can make a trip with your grandfather and grandmother, May. We hope to see you then, D.V. Do you live quite near to their house in Norwich? Some of the boys and girls have grandparents living far away.

MARLENE OTTEN - You didn’t tell me what you won your ribbons for, Mariene. What are you doing during the summer months? Those months will soon be gone, and it will be time for school again. We hope that all of our young friends may have a safe summer so that they can again be in school when that time comes.

ARLENE REMUS - We are glad that you liked the book, Arlene. I think that most boys and girls do like books, but we must always try to read good books. Just like wrong food for our bodies, wrong books are not good for our minds.

MARIE REMUS - And your letter is the last one this time, Marie. It seems there were more letters than usual this month, although I don’t very often count them. But it is nice to hear from the boys and girls and to learn to know more about them.

Thanks again to all of you for your replies to the quiz. May the Lord keep us all safely during the summer months, whether it is at home or travelling from one place to another. The Psalter verse speaks of “in the home and by the way”, and we must be spared and protected by the Lord wherever we are. We hope to hear from you again next month.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

A number of ministers were together discussing difficult questions, when one mentioned the text found in I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” It was asked how this could be and should be done. One of the number was appointed to prepare a meditation upon it for their next meeting. A maid servant overheard the discussion and remarked that she thought the explanation rather easy.

“Well, well,” said an old minister, “Mary, what can you say about it? Let us know how you understand it. Can you pray all the time?” “Oh, yes, sir,” replied the girl. “What, when you have so many things to do?” “Why, sir,” she said, “the more I have to do, the more I can pray.” “Indeed, Mary, do let us know how it is, for most people think otherwise.”

And the explanation she gave was this: “When I first open my eyes in the morning, I pray that the Lord will also open the eyes of my understanding; while I am dressing, I pray that I may be clothed with the robe of His righteousness; when I have washed myself, I pray for the washing of regeneration. As I begin to work, I pray that I may have strength equal to my day; when I begin to light the fire, I pray that God’s work may revive in my soul. As I sweep out the house, I pray that my heart may be cleansed from all its impurities; while preparing and eating breakfast, I desire to be fed with the hidden manna and the sincere milk of the Word; as I am busy with the little children, I look up to God and pray for the Spirit of adoption, that I may be His child; and so on all day. Everything I do furnishes me with a thought for prayer.”

After this explanation, the preparation of a meditation was no longer needed.

(Cheering Words)

CAIN AND ABEL

When Adam fell, he quickly lost
God’s image, which he once possessed;
See all our nature since could boast,
In Cain, his first-born son, expressed!

The sacrifice the Lord ordained,
A type of the Redeemer’s blood,
Self-righteous reasoning Cain disdained,
And thought his own firstfruits as good.

Yet rage and envy filled his mind,
When with a sullen downcast look,
He saw his brother favor find,
Who God’s appointed method took.

By Cain’s own hand good Abel died,
Because the Lord approved his faith;
And when his blood for vengeance cried,
Cain vainly thought to hide his death.

Such was the wicked murderer Cain,
And such by nature still are we,
Unless by grace we’re born again,
Malicious, blind, and proud as he.

Like him, the way of grace we slight,
And in our own devices trust;
Call evil good, and darkness light,
And hate and persecute the just.

The saints in every age and place,
Have found his history fulfilled;
The numbers all our thoughts surpass,
Of Abels, whom the Cains have killed.

Thus Jesus fell - but, oh! His blood
Far better things than Abel’s cries;
Obtains for murderers peace with God,
And gains them mansions in the skies.

ACTS OF KINDNESS

Have you ever thought of those words in that prayer the Lord taught His disciples — “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Many times have we perhaps said those words like a parrot; but, reader, have you ever thought about it? Suppose God took us at our word, what sort of forgiveness would it be? “As we forgive.” Think about it, dear young friends.

I remember an example of old Sam, a black man, in a village many years ago. He had been treated very badly by a former companion of prior years. They had since been parted for a long time. Years rolled on, and they were brought together again. Sam’s enemy had been injured, and was brought to live in a little hut in the village where Sam was living. He was almost helpless, and would soon have died.

Every day Sam was seen going to this poor man’s hut, to dress his wounds and bring him food and water. At length some one asked, “Is he your brother?” Sam replied, “No, he is not my brother.” They then asked, “Is he your father?” “O, no,” said Sam, “he is not my father.” “Who is he then? Surely he must be some relative that you show him such great kindness.”

Sam’s reply was, “He is an old enemy, and the Bible says that we shall love our enemies.” What a good example of kindness.

“If thine enemy be hungry, give him, bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.” [Proverbs 25:21–22]

GOOD ANSWER

A poor boy was invited by his companions to accompany them in doing wrong, but he refused. Later, when asked why he did not comply with the temptation, he replied, “Because I read in my Bible, ‘My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.’ “

(John Whitecross)

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