Category: Netherlands Confession (Long Lessons)

Introduction: there have been various views of the Lord’s Supper. A. The Roman Catholic view: Transubstantiation. 1. This teaches that the bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ when the priest speaks the word of consecration. 2. It is based upon John 6 and the words of institution: “This is my…

I. The sacraments: A. As such. 1. These are “means of grace.” a. Means are things taken from the world about us and used to serve a definite end. b. Here: Physical things are appropriately chosen to reveal spiritual reality. 1) These physical means are necessary for the life of the Christian. 2) But: these…

I. Church Ordinances. A. Those given in Scripture. 1. These involve many spiritual relationships. a. Concerning the means of grace: preaching and sacranents. b. Concerning officebearers: who they can be; requirements for then. c. Concerning discipline: Matt. 16:19; 18:18. d. Concerning proper conversation and walk. 2. But Scripture does not present all the details of…

I. The officebearcrs chosen: A. How these are chosen. 1. The article implies opposition to the Hierarchical system of Rome. a. Romish church rules from top down with the pope as supreme authority. b. Then officebearers are appointed by higher authority and imposed upon congregations. 2. The Confession suggests what is the proper and Reformed…

I. Church government. A. As such. 1. The church is “governed by that spiritual polity” of Christ given in the Bible. a. The church is not an ungovernable and ungoverned body. b. But its government is based upon the Word of God. 2. Specifically, this spiritual polity includes: a. Christ as the King and Head…

I. The marks of the true church: A. What must be distinguished: 1. There are the “sects”. 2. Overagainst this stands the church–which also includes hypocrites. B. The marks of the true church: 1. The idea of “marks”. a. These are distinguishing characteristics. b. Thus: that which can clearly be basis for identification of an…

I. The calling to belong to the church. A. The relationship of the church to salvation: 1. The church represents the assembly of those saved. a. These are called out of the world. b. And in profession and walk seek as a body to praise the Name of God. 2. Out of that church there…

I. The Church A. The use of the term “church”. 1. The English term: church. a. Comes from a word indicating “house of the Lord.” b. This can be used in various ways: 1) In reference to the building. 2) Or: the total number of those comprising the organization. 3) Or: the elect of God…

I. The only Intercessor. A. Our Mediator and Advocate: 1. Access to God must be through a Mediator. a. For the sinner in himself has no right to stand before God. b. One must have the guilt of sin taken away–then only can God bless. 2. The only possible Mediator is Christ. a. He is…