A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

THE CONFESSION OF FAITH ARTICLE XXIII

Of Justification

In our previous article we spoke about faith in Jesus Christ, and there we found that only by faith, a true saving faith, are we able to embrace Christ and His benefits. Article 23, which we now hope to discuss, is very closely related with this.

In attempting to say something about justification, it is necessary that we know what is meant by the word justification; it is to be acquitted from guilt and punishment and to be entitled to eternal life. This article then speaks of the nature and the essence of justification of the sinner before God, which is a judicial act. In some of the English writers we do not find this description in the same way as we do in the Dutch writers of the past. However, the most important is, of course, what God’s Word says of it.

It is unbelievable that God, Who is the Builder of His church, would only lay the foundation, and that He would not finish it. There is no doubt that, from beginning to end, God does everything to the salvation of the church, just as the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.” This is the experience of all God’s children; if the Lord was not the first and the last, then for them it would be lost.

Let us imagine that God’s child was called from death to life, but never would or could receive an assurance regarding the forgiveness of sin by faith, always being persecuted by enemies who never give up. God’s child would become desperate. Happily he or she may know that it is not this way, since God’s Word speaks in many places of forgiveness. David gave a testimony of that great blessing in Psalm 32, saying, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is convered.” Paul wrote to the Romans, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Justification, which is a judicial act, can be found in many places in God’s Word just as it is described in this article, “We believe that our salvation consists in the remission of our sins for Jesus Christ’s sake, and that therein our righteousness before God is implied: as David and Paul teach us, declaring this to be the happiness of man, that God imputes righteousness to him without works. And the same apostle saith, that we are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” The author of the confession is very careful to stay close to God’s Word, as no part of doctrine is more attacked and opposed than is justification without works.

Men want to do something themselves, but in changing this doctrine they take away the honor of God and the comfort of the church. The church confesses the truth of that which is taught in the catechism, that they have only a small beginning of obedience. Although they would like to live differently, it is impossible. How then can a holy and righteous God acquit such sinful men and forgive them their sins? We know this is only possible for Christ’s sake by His active and passive obedience! Was this doctrine accepted? No. Think only how the apostle Paul had to fight against the Jews, who were satisfied with their self-righteousness and their being the children of Abraham. This same attitude is repeated in the history of the church throughout the ages, because man wants to maintain himself.

Augustine strongly defended the doctrine of justification against the Pelagians. The church of Rome followed in the same error of Pelagius, since they acknowledge Christ as Mediator, but not as a complete and perfect Mediator. Since the days of the Reformation the scriptural doctrine of justification is again brought on many pulpits; however, in our days there is much backsliding.

Justification is not for those who work, but for those who believe on Him. This is difficult for the Jews who are children of the covenant; it is difficult for the Roman Catholics who rest on their sacraments and good works. It is incomprehensible for the Greek who builds on his own wisdom, and it is contemptible for the Gentiles who rest on their qualities. How opposed they all are to this doctrine of justification, wherein God justifies the ungodly! Who is meant by this? Not a person who was ungodly before, but is now doing good works, so that he is pleasing God. No, not at all! It is a person who is in a state of ungodliness, who because of sin is without God. Such an ungodly one is justified by the Lord, without looking upon anything of or in that person himself — no works, no tears, nothing will give deliverance. Not one sacrifice on our side has any value before God. It is free grace from the beginning to the end, just as Paul says in Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

When God justifies the ungodly, then we may not explain it as if the Lord merely forgets their sins. No, it is an honest justification which is not contrary to God’s attributes. Christ has taken the place of the elect, and has given perfect satisfaction for them. Thus God is satisfied by God. Christ has borne the curse of the law, but He has also fulfilled the law by always living to the honor of the Father. These merits of Christ are imputed to the ungodly but elect sinner immediately at the moment of regeneration.

Thus we have seen that the ungodly become righteous before God. There is more included in this article, which we will try, D.V., to explain in a following article. Already we may feel how great the blessing is of which David spoke and which is necessary for all of us, namely, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

Rev. A.M. DenBoer Norwich, Ontario

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

This month a crossword puzzle was submitted, based upon the birds, fish, animals and insects spoken of in the Bible. We might sometimes wonder why there are so many different kinds of them, but they were all created by the Lord, and we must believe that there was a purpose and a reason for each one. If we read the book of Leviticus, then we find the clean and the unclean carefully described, and they served as lessons and instructions for the children of Israel. Elsewhere throughout the Bible the animals, birds, fish and insects are mentioned often, and usually as simple examples of good and bad. How necessary it is that we also study them to better understand God’s Word.

In answering this quiz you may list your answers the same as you have always done, first showing the answers under “Across — 1, 8, 9, etc.” and then the answers under “Down — 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.” I hope you will not find it too difficult.

ACROSS:

1. The kind of birds used as a sacrifice of the poor (mentioned when the Lord Jesus was presented to the Lord in Jerusalem).

8. Swarms of these insects were sent upon Egypt in the fourth plague.

9. The form of this animal was taken by the devil to deceive Eve.

11. Solomon’s provision at his table every day included fallow ________.

13. The animal upon which the Lord Jesus rode as He entered Jerusalem.

16. When Jacob died, he prophe-

sied that Dan would be “an __________in the path.”

17. The hair of what animal was used by Michal to deceive the messengers of Saul when they came for David.

20. One of four birds mentioned

in Isaiah 34:11.

21. In Matthew 7 we read, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and________you.”

24. The voice of this creature is heard in the spring. (Song of Solomon)

27. What animals ate the flesh of the wicked Jezebel?

28. What young animal was slain at the time of Passover?

30. The children mocking Elisha were attacked by bears as they were calling, “Go ________, thou bald head.”

32. These dead animals caused the land of the Egyptians to stink. (the second plague)

34. What animal was in the den where Daniel was thrown because he prayed to his God?

35. In the last chapter of the Song of Solomon, we read, “My beloved, be thou like to a________or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.”

36. A feeble animal which makes its house in the rocks. (Proverbs)

DOWN:

1. How many of each unclean animal was Noah commanded to bring with him into the ark?

2. What birds fed Elijah at the brook Cherith?

3. Jeremiah asked the people, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the________his spots.”

4. What animal was Elisha plowing v/ith when Elijah first came to him?

5. What animals was the prodigal son sent into the field to feed?

6. What great creature did the Lord prepare to swallow up Jonah?

7. To what insect does Solomon send the sluggard to consider her ways? 10. In Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple, he mentioned, “IF there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be ___________.”

12. In Exodus 19 the Lord speaks of bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt upon the wings of what bird?

14. What young animal was used by riders to bring the message of Mordecai to the people?

15. In Psalm 80 the psalmist spoke of the miseries of the church, saying, “The boar out of the wood doth waste ________, and the wild beast of the field doth devour ___________.”

18. In Isaiah 22 he spoke of the day when “the sucking child shall play on the hole of the _____________.”

19. In the book of Proverbs,

what is the first thing mentioned as being little upon the earth, but exceeding wise?

22. In the second epistle of Peter, he wrote of Balaam and “the________ass speaking with man’s voice”.

23. We read in Numbers that Balaam said, “There shall come a ________out of Jacob.”

25. “________the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God”, were the words of the psalmist.

26. Among the fowls which the children of Israel should have in abomination listed in Leviticus 11 are the ossifrage and the________.

29. What animal was Absalom riding upon when caught in the oak tree?

31. What animal did Solomon use to set fire to the Philistine’s corn?

33. After destroying the golden calf, Moses said unto Aaron, “What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a________upon them?

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

Answers to the quiz of last month are:

“With Thee Is The Fountain Of Life” Psalm 36:9

Wilderness - Genesis 16:7

Indeed - Mark 1:7-8

Tears - Jeremiah 9:1

Hiddekel - Genesis 2:14

Thirsteth - Isaiah 55:1

Hinder - Acts 8:35-36

Earth - Psalm 147:7-8

Elijah - I Kings 17:3

Impotent - John 4:7

Salt - II Kings 2:18-22

Three - Exodus 15:22

Hart - Psalm 42:1

Encamped - Exodus 15:27

Freely - Revelation 21:6

Obadiah - I Kings 18:4

Uncleanness - Zechariah 13:1

Nicodemus - John 3:4-5

Thirst - John 4:14

Achsah - Judges 1:14-15

Is - Psalm 63:1

Naaman - II Kings 5:9-10

One - II Samuel 23:15

Fresh - James 3:12

Living - Jeremiah 2:13

Ishmael - Genesis 21:19

Forth - Joel 3:18

Esek - Genesis 26:20

Answers were received from the

following boys and girls:

Ray VanderKooi Margaret Dekker

Kristi Boluyt Kelly Vogt

Steve Boluyt Peter Dekker

Rick Rosendall Diane Guliker

John Rosendall Frances Guliker

Kristi Rosendall Roger Vanderzwan

Jeff Rosendall Audrey ?

Rachel Rosendall

David VanderMeulen (2)

Benjamin VanderMeulen (2)

Karl VanderMeulen (2)

Ann VanderMeulen (2)

Herman J. VanderMeulen (2)

Ken DenDekker Ron Sterkenburg

Jackie DenDekker Hilda denHertog

Maria Stoutjesdyk Martin Zwartbol

Les Lagemaat (2) Jeffrey VanWyk

Tim Lagemaat (2) Martin VanWyk

Nita Lagemaat (2)

Robert Lagemaat (2)

Leonard DenBoer

Andy DenBoer

Sharon VanderWaal

Virginia VanderWaal

Tonia VanderWaal

John Heystek (2)

Larry Slotsema

John Spaans

Reineke Bertram

Ronald Bertram

Tammy VandenToorn

Ed Bazen

Steve Bazen

Peter Bazen

Sharon Bazen

Dan Bazen

Linda Sue Bazen

James Adrian Bazen

Karen Bazen

Douglas John Mol

Robert Nieuwenhuis

Alyce Nieuwenhuis

Tim Nieuwenhuis

Susan VanRavenswaay

Minda VanRavenswaay

Darryl Slingerland

Glenda Slingerland

Marjan VanHierden

Debbie VanBemden

Sally VanBemden

Mike VanBemden

Kathy VanBemden

Steven Bleeker

Mary VanGieesen (2)

Sharon Kae denHoed

Sheryl Renae denHoed

James VandenBrink

Julie DeBruine

Randy DeBruine

Gail denHoed

Artis denHoed

Judy denHoed

May van Brugge (2)

Nellie VanBrugge (2)

Helen VanBrugge

Billy Dendekker

Margot Mast

Henry Vandenberg

Elizabeth Vandenberg

John Vandenberg

Karol Spaans

Karen Spaans

Karla Spaans

Corry VanBrugge

David Vandenberg

Joy Mast

Carl Mast

Peter DeJong (2)

Nancy deJong (2)

Jacqueline deJong (2)

Judith Maljaars

Don VanderBoon (2)

John VanderBoon

Jacob Slingerland

Francina Slingerland

Bob Huisjen

Jay VanVoorst

Judy VanVoorst

Rachel VanVoorst

Jeff Boot

Jeremy Boot

Andrew Kieboom

Dan Kamp

Robert Kamp

Karl VanOostenbrugge

Steven VanOostenbrugge

Melanie VanBrugge

Michelle VanBrugge

Sherry Fluit

Shirley Fluit

Scott Van’tZelfde

David Klarenbeek

Arien J. Klarenbeek

Darwyn Klarenbeek

LeAnn Klarenbeek

Anita VanTilburg

Cheryl Groen

Jan Groen

Brian Kegel

Yvonne Kegel

Randy Carlson

Richard Carlson

Anton Slingerland

Jane Klazina Slingerland

Allan Post

Billy Dendekker

Helen VanBrugge

Maria Stoutjesdyk

Norm VanRavenswaay

Lyle VanRavenswaay

Matthew Bueschel

Sara Bueschel

Leonard Frens

Elaine Frens

Beth VanderKooi

Joan VanGiessen

Julie VanGemert

Glen VanderKooi

Liz VanGiessen

James Kraayveld

Jennifer Procee

Teresa Procee

Richard Procee

David Procee

David Laman

Edward Laman

Leah Talbot

Sharon Talbot

Linda Talbot

Laura Talbot

Ken Hamler (2)

Jeffrey Hamler

Mary Rosendall

Kevin Rosendall

Margaret Karelse

Shirley Karelse

Karen Karelse

Michelle Karelse

Tom Kwekel

Dan Kwekel

Dave Kwekel

Rick VanEss

Laurie VanEss

Cheryl VandeStouwe

Myra Beth VandeStouwe

Shelley Hoogendoorn

Lisa Ann Hoogendoorn

Caryn Dekker

Thomas VanWingerden

Kathy Vroegindewey

Gail Vroegindewey

Joy Vroegindewey

Martin Vroegindewey

Ruth Bouma

Audrey VanVeldhuizen

Rhonda VanVeldhuizen

Debra Witvoet

Sidney VanderMeulen

Elizabeth VanderMeulen

Harmen VanderMeulen

Dwaine Johnson

Steven Johnson

Peter VanderWal

Helen VanderWal

Michele Seabert

Mary Blom

Leroy Blom

Connie Blom

Ross Derksen

Lisa Stalker

Bob Boerkoel

John Boerkoel

Joanne Boerkoel

Joel VanderKooi

Bettina Slingerland

Joanne Slingerland

Laurie Bleeker

Cathy Kroesbergen

John Kroesbergen

Debbie Kamp

Marilyn Kamp

Doug Post

Vicki Post

Allan Jay Baum, Jr.

Ellen Marie Baum

Elwyn Hoogendoorn

Kevin Verbeke

Gary John Sommer

Robert Herf st

Yvonne Herfst

Jo-Ann Herfst

Eva Herfst

Christine Bylsma

Stan Bylsma

Linda Schelling

Beth Schelling

Mary Hubers

Duane Hubers

Howard Hubers

Harriet Hubers

Marcia Hubers

Carol Boluyt

Bill Kroesbergen

Henderika Kroesbergen

Martin Schouten

Anita Schouten

Lisa Neels

Cathy A. Neels

Daniel Markus

Cindy Markus

Becky Markus

Leslie VanWyk

Edward VanWyk

John denDekker

Anneke denDekker

Robert Glenn Southway

Marlene Vandenberg

Doreen Vanderberg

Edward Vandenberg

Martin Arends

Nancy vanKlei

Gary Dekker

Randy Lindhout (2)

Neal Lindhout

Wendy vanKlei

Marilyn Kooyman

Martin VanderZwan

Jim Luteyn

Campbell Goudzwaard

Joanne DenHertog

Marie Luteyn

Peter VanMaren

Cathy Neels

Leanne Van denDorpel

Lisa Kerkhoff

Gordon DenBoer

Doug Maljaars

Nadine Luteyn

Joyce vandenBrink

Janetta Stoutjesdyk

Richard DenHertog

Margaret Slootweg

Marieke VanRumpt

Marlene Les

Larry VanMiddendorp

Bob Maljaars

Ed Les

Florence Westeringh

Sheila VanDenBrink

Wendy Sterkenburg

Wilma Wilbrink

Jennifer Verbeek

Ken Luteyn

Anita denBoer

Bruce vandenBrink

Ron Terpstra

Annette Grisnich

Angela Stam

John Anker

And now to answer the letters which we have again received—

ANN MARLENE VANDER MEULEN - As long as you have a correct answer, Ann, we don’t consider it wrong if you have found it in a different place. You will see that Matthew 19:3 was where I took my question from the Bible. It is good to know that you are studying each question rather carefully.

MARTIN ARENDS - It is a good thing that weather is not under the control of people, Martin. I think there would be much arguing and fighting about what was best for us. The Lord in His wisdom provides in these things, and we may ask in prayer of Him according to our needs.

NANCY VAN KLEI - We had not gotten too much snow until this week, Nancy. Now we have about six inches of snow on the ground. Since it is almost the end of January, it has been an unusual winter for us. You have probably heard people say, ‘Proud as a peacock’. Since you have five of them, you can tell us if this is a correct statement.

CATHY A. NEELS - We are all quite well, Cathy. What subject did you have this past week in your catechism class? Do you have a large class? We hope you study your lessons in advance, because that makes it so much easier to understand them.

JACQUELINE DE JONG - We hope you had a happy birthday, Jacqueline, and that you may have many more of them. It is a greater blessing if we may know of a second birthday. Perhaps you wonder how that could be, but you will find that the Lord Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about it in John 3.

ANITA SCHOUTEN - It was good to hear that your request for a penpal brought results, Anita. Is your church and school located in the same place? Do you have paths for cycling in New Zealand or do you use the roads? It always seems strange that you are writing about swimming and cycling when it is mid-winter here.

RONALD BERTRAM - What kind of fish are you catching, Ronald? Are they large or small? We hope your mother has a good trip to the Netherlands. Since there is no school because of the holidays, it gives her a good opportunity to make the trip.

JOHN HEYSTEK - Thanks for the picture, John, and for your holiday wishes. We hope this year will also be a special year for you. We have many needs as human beings, but the Lord Jesus spoke about the “one thing needful”. Do you know what that is?

HELEN VAN BRUGGE - How far north do your aunt and uncle live, Helen? Yes, it is nice to have a vacation, but they always seem to go by so quickly. Do you do some reading while you are on vacation, or do you forget all about books?

DEBRA WITVOET - We heard yesterday that your grandmother was in the hospital, Debra. We hope that she is feeling somewhat better again. Be sure to say Hello to her from us, also to your parents and grandfather. Are you doing quite well in school?

NANCY DE JONG - I see there were two letters each from you, from Peter and from Jacqueline, Nancy. If you get a calculator for your birthday, you might forget how to add, subtract, multiply and divide without it. Or don’t you think that you will have that problem?

REINEKE BERTRAM - Are you able to speak and read Dutch, Reineke? Perhaps someday you will also be able to make a trip to Holland, and then it would be nice to speak the language. I can imagine you missed your mother while she was gone.

ANTON SLINGERLAND - Do you like to travel, Anton? There are a number of different ways to travel today, such as train, airplane, automobile, boat, etc. But we also read of some different means of transportation in the Bible times. Can you name some of them?

LISA NEELS - Which of your classes do you like the best, Lisa? Some might say that they like the easy subjects best—those that don’t require much work. But the easy things are not always the best things nor are they the best for us.

PETER DE JONG - Would you like to play the organ in church when you are older, Peter? I think your grandfather was playing when we visited there. Do you like to practice? It usually takes lots of practice in order to play well. JANE KLAZINA SLINGERLAND - What did you do during the Christmas holidays, Jane? When school begins in the fall, it seems like such a long time to the end of the year, but it is soon here. And each year the same thing takes place.

ANDREW KIEBOOM - Did you get the snow you were looking for, Andrew? It almost seemed we were going to have a winter without snow. Give our greetings to your parents and family. Your letter was the last one this time, so I can now put them in the mail.

Thanks to all the boys and girls for the replies to the quiz. As we start this year, may we be reminded of the answer given in our psalter to the question—’How shall the young direct their way? What light shall be their perfect guide?’ May the Lord Himself teach us this.

With love,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

(CONFESSION AND APOSTASY

(continued)

Voetius, in “The Excellence of the Doctrine of the Reformed Church”, says, “In order to clearly place a doctrine to the practical test, this difference between true and false grace must not be made greater. Also consideration must be given to the different conditions and states of a Christian, and according to these differences different dealings and applications must be made, just as is done in the practice of medicine. There is a state of first beginnings of conversion and the sorrow and travail in the new birth; there is a state of childhood; there is an adult age; there is the lovely summer of comfort, the abundant sweetness of grace and the peace of the Spirit; there is the night of temptations and trials, the winter of spiritual cold and unfeelingness in devotions, a sad barrenness of the soul; there is a valiant struggle and victory over sin; there is also a time of mournful fall and defect when a person lies wounded through certain sins. There is also a spiritual slumbering in one or another bosom sin. There is an hour and time of affliction of the flesh when the hand of the Lord strikes us, and especially an hour of death; there is again a time of new deliverance from such temptations.”

Do remember what we have been taught by our fathers, who today are praised more often than that they are read. In preaching which is only scriptural, the hypocrite can easily find himself, but the truly living cannot. Lifeless contemplations miss the practice of godliness, and do not teach the comfort of the truly sorrowful through trials.

Another cause of persons falling away from their confession is an undisciplined life. An unwillingness to live a restricted life is a characteristic of our time. It often becomes so evident when warnings must be made against a lifestyle which is contrary to confession. There are fortunately some who take to heart these admonishments and change the course of their lives. But for others a stubborn continuance in sin becomes more evident. When they finally become weary of being admonished, they break their ties with the church. And then they either become completely irreligious or end up in the roomminess of a more liberal church.

Young people and also older ones, that is the policy of the ostrich. When danger is near, the ostrich hides its head in the sand. Then it does not see its enemy and it thinks that the enemy also does not see it. We can in this way withdraw from the warnings, but nor from the divine judgments. No sinner shall escape the certain destruction. Therefore it is the greatest foolishness that one can do, for we can only increase our judgment by doing so. And then finally our consciences are seared shut.

In times when sin is greatly in evidence, we are so quickly carried along with the current of the times. Life looks so pleasant, especially in our youth, but we forget that everything of the world is only appearance. The presentations of Satan soon burst as a soap bubble.

(to be continued)

-Rev. A. Hoogerland

EVERY EYE!

The mayor of a small town, who seldom attended the church services, went one Sabbath day evening to hear a minister who had recently come to the town. The text for that evening was from Revelation 1:7, “Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him.” That evening he heard as never before, an arrow of conviction entering his heart.

Before that time he had always been ready to spend time with others in card-playing, singing, dancing, in those things which many would call “having a good time”. But a change was soon noticed.

When asked about this by his former friends, he replied, “If you will listen patiently, I will tell you why I go to church and do not attend your card tables. I went one Sunday evening to hear the new minister. He took for his text, “Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him.” Your eye, too, shall see Him. As he spoke, he pointed to each of them, saying, “Your eye,” and “Your eye,” so that they were convinced of his reasons, and never again asked him this question.

May each who read this come to believe the truth of those words while in this life. “And every eye shall see Him.” Your eye, also! (Adapted)

A NARROW WAY

There is a way that leads to death,
A way that many go,
In spite of all that Wisdom saith
Of sin and endless woe.

The way is smooth, and fair, and broad,
‘Tis pleasant to the sight;
But woe to those who take this road;
It leads to endless night.

A narrow way there likewise is,
That leads to joys above;
But few, alas! do travel this;
‘Tis not the way they love.

How blest are they whose feet are found
In wisdom’s sacred way!
They soon shall reach the happy ground,
And there for ever stay.

Gadsby Selection

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