As we noted last week, baptism is a means God uses to bring about the salvation of his church (1 Pet. 3:21), even though regeneration and the benefits of salvation are not necessarily tied to the moment of baptism. But how is baptism to be done? Is there a specific formula that must be followed …
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The Sacraments, part 5
Posted Oct 20th, 2011 By Brian in Pastor Brian's Blog, Why We Do What We Do With | No Comments
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The Sacraments, part 4
Posted Oct 14th, 2011 By Brian in Pastor Brian's Blog, Why We Believe What We Believe With | No Comments
Those who have come out the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican communions are sometimes caught off guard when they read the language used by the Reformed church to describe holy Baptism. In fact, it is not a stretch to say that many—even ministers—in the Reformed church are not really reformed in their theology of …
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The Sacraments, part 3
Posted Oct 8th, 2011 By Brian in Pastor Brian's Blog, Why We Do What We Do With | No Comments
In 1643, prior to the drafting of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Shorter and Larger Catechisms the Westminster Divines (theologians/students of divinity) penned a Directory for Public Worship. It would be completed in early 1645. The principal reason for it was to “find a mean between a completely fixed liturgy and a form of …
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The Sacraments, part 2
Posted Oct 6th, 2011 By Brian in Pastor Brian's Blog, Why We Do What We Do With | No Comments
Following the practice of the early church who devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers (Acts 2.42), the reformers likewise insisted on the necessity of the church to be based on a ministry of Word and Sacrament. If the church’s vocation is making …
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The Sacraments, part 1
Posted Sep 23rd, 2011 By Brian in Pastor Brian's Blog, Why We Believe What We Believe With | No Comments
In the September 25 morning worship we will witness the baptism of a covenant child and of one who comes to profess faith in Jesus; and when we gather in the evening together we will take our place around the table of the Lord to share in his body and blood. These two practices of the …
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Sacraments
Posted Feb 21st, 2010 By Brian in Pastor Brian's Blog, Why We Believe What We Believe With | No CommentsThus far we have been thinking about covenant theology and have covered the three major covenants of this system: covenant of redemption made with the members of the Trinity before creation; the covenant of works made with Adam and subsequently with the second Adam, Christ, wherein perfect and perpetual obedience was required; and the covenant …
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Children and the Lord’s Supper
Posted Oct 16th, 2009 By Brian in Pastor Brian's Blog, Why We Do What We Do With | No Comments
hroughout history all theological traditions of the church have been unanimous in affirming that communion is for those who are baptized. The reasoning is simple: To be baptized is to be a Christian and communion is for Christians. Baptism is the initiatory rite into the body of Christ—therefore it is only done once—and the Lord’s …
