Prophet, Priest, and King!  Take a minute and think about the first thing that comes to your mind when you see those three words.  Begin with the prophet, maybe the words, old, wise, or someone who speaks with and on behalf of God.  However, what do the sacred writings say about prophets?  Words like warning, exhortation, conviction, prayers, sorrow, anger, ridicule, martyred/killed, prosecutors, and witnesses are among some of the descriptions the Bible uses to describe these men and women. (1)  In this article, we will explore and hope to gain insight into these men and women to see their amazing and impactful role in the lives of God’s people.  The Westminster Confession of Faith assembly met in 1643-1649 and in the shorter catechism asked and answered four questions on the three offices of mediator.

In spiritual matters, as opposed to issues connected to serving tables, what submission-requiring authority do deacons have, if any?

Acts 6 is an archetype, prototype, precursor, or early form of Diaconal ministry, then authority comes by way of delegation from the united move of the Apostles and congregation. Strictly speaking, the Apostles lead in solving the problem, include the congregation in the process, and then as a solution delegate the matter to the deacons (the 7) chosen for the work. In this matter, the issue was handed over to those deacons. Unless a new issue outside the boundaries of what the apostles and congregation had intended arose, the deacons were to handle the serving of the tables. 

All of human history centers on two climatic moments. The first of those moments has already come, the second of those moments is yet to come. The first climax of human history was in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. The second will be the return of this same Jesus to Judge the living and the dead.

Often the CREC wins adherents and attendees by being loud on social issues and horrendously ambiguous on basic gospel tenants. People see the CREC as happy to host families and encourage certain traditional conservative political agendas, and then....well that thin shell is used to cover the gaping holes of heretical doctrines. 

Every year, the question of whether or not to celebrate Halloween shows up on social media and in conversations among Christians. This topic appears as Christian parents struggle with determining whether they should or shouldn't celebrate Halloween. There is no straight answer according to some, while others believe there is an easy answer. No matter where you fall on this subject, I wanted to address what our choices about Halloween are teaching our children.

There are many questions surrounding the word Reformed. Come learn more about what it means to be Reformed.

2 John is often in direct contradiction to the theology of "invite everyone to church!" and "how will people hear about Jesus unless they hear my preacher on Sunday?" - well....while the gospel does go forth through Lord's Day sermons, far more often it is beyond the gathering of believers that the gospel goes forward to unbelievers. The gathering of God's people is not a "public" free-for-all all event despite what seeker-sensitive churches and what public government policies say. Church gatherings are for the building up of the saints in the ministry of Christ. It is not an open debate hall, or a town hall meeting of listening circles where "everyone can be heard, and everyone can feel accepted". The gathering of the saints is a very special time of meeting wherein God gathers his people and meets in Spiritual communion together.

One of the most recognized people of the reformation era is Martin Luther. Luther, more than any other individual is recognized as the catalyzing force which launched the reformation. When marking the period of the Reformation, October 31 is remembered as the day the Reformation began. On that day in 1517, Luther nailed a document containing 95 statements of question and critique of the Roman church.

Reformation day is a holiday that is celebrated by many reformed churches and Christians throughout the world. Reformation day dates back to 1517, when Martin Luther nailed 95 theses on the door of the church in Whitten burg, Germany. This act from Martin Luther, started the separation from the Catholic church, and the Biblical teaching that we are saved through faith not by works.

God’s word is Truth. If we are to follow Christ and become more like him, then we are to follow and obey the Truth of His Word. Within His Word, you will find many truths, one of which is a warning against false teaching. 1 John 4:1-6 is a dense portion of John's writing that details how the church was to identify and safeguard themselves from false teaching and false teachers. Today I'll give a brief history of some false teaching within the history of the Christian church and current iterations, beliefs, and statements that reflect contemporary false teaching. We will look at Antinomism, Adoptionism, and Marcionism, and see how these false teachings are relevant in today’s churches.

One of my favorite discussion points with unbelievers is the historical reliability of the Bible. This often comes up when discussing the reason for my faith (1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,). The Bible is frequently caricatured by unbelievers as a book full of myths, old wives tales, and is in general untrue. This position is most commonly parroted by militant atheists, many of whom I admire as they seem more evangelistic regarding their lack of faith than many inside the church regarding their presence of faith! 

Family Worship Westminster Question 41-45.

In our previous articles, we demonstrated how the author of Ecclesiastes, the preacher, is a TYPE (1) of Christ. This is significant because it explains our Triune God’s roles as Prophet, Priest, and King for the world at creation and our roles as the image bearers of God in reflecting Him as Prophet, Priest, and King to the world. 

Since we as authors are especially involved in Ecclesiastes, we would like to use the wise council of both the WLC and the historical redemptive reading of the Scriptures to guide us to our Great Redeemer, as mediator between His church and God, the One Good Shepherd in Ecclesiastes. First things first. How in the world can we make a connection between Christ Jesus, Ecclesiastes, and his church? Here are a couple of things to consider:

Humble suggestion and example for my brothers in the pulpit - I learned from another Pastor's dissertation (Rev. Andrew Vandermoss) about oral preparation for preaching. 

Last Sunday I had the honor to preach on Acts 10:34-43 which is one of the central pivotal moments in the book of Acts showcasing gospel faith extending from ethnic 1st century Jews to gentiles. The Holy Spirit moved in Peter (a Jewish blue-collar family man who was a disciple of Jesus) and in Cornelius (a God-fearing Roman Centurion from the Italian regiment). It was the Holy Spirit who brought this meeting between Peter and Cornelius about. It was the Holy Spirit who was poured out upon the Gentiles, the very same Holy Spirit whom Peter had witnessed at Pentecost. Today, believers are indwelled by the same Holy Spirit that worked in the life of Peter and Cornelius.

One of the unique aspects of John as a person was the period of time over which we see his faith lived out. While some New Testament writers were inspired by God to contribute a single letter to the New Testament (like James, Jude, Matthew, and Mark) John was inspired to contribute multiple writings over multiple decades. While the Apostle Paul was used by God to write the greatest number of New Testament letters, John was used by God to write over the longest period of time and a wide variety of genres.  Throughout church history the Apostle John is believed to have written: The Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

Family Worship can be a profound blessing for the Christian family. Children grow to anticipate and expect that Family Worship will be a part of their day. At least mine do. It’s a habit.

I’ve become a big believer in the transformational power of habits. From my own personal experience, as well as reading Duhigg’s “The Power of Habit” or Earley’s “Habits of the Household”, I’m convinced that continual, consistent small growth and small changes will lead to larger and longer-lasting outcomes than obsessive but fleeting “cramming”.

Stories have always played a large part in our family. From picture books to chapter books to comic books to the greatest story of all. We have read stories with our children their entire lives. The stories have changed as they have grown and our children have increased, but reading stories has stayed the same. Today, we want to share with you on of our family favorite stories, written by Jacob.

The Thessalonian church had experienced violence due to their faith in Christ (Acts 17:5). In writing to these dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the Apostle Paul and the team of Silvanus and Timothy, saw the coming day of the Lord Jesus as a source of encouragement and hope. If Christ’s return only brought the wrath of God, then all mankind should be terrified. But because Christ’s return brings salvation to those who belong to Christ, the day of Christ’s return is a day to long for, look for, and live for.

Many things will stay the same at Redeeming Family, but the location of our Free resources will change.