Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 25 October, 2009
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and
things wherewith one may edify another" (Rom 14:19)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
God's Purposes With Israel in the New Testament Age (6)
The Greater Riches of Israel’s Reception [download]
Scripture Reading: Romans 11:1-27
Text: Romans 11:12-15
I. The Fulness of the Jews
II. The Life From the Dead
III. The Way of Its Realization
Psalms: 98:1-9; 39:7-13; 49:14-20; 16:6-11
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
The Church’s Like-Mindedness [download]
Scripture Reading: Romans 15:1-33
Text: Romans 15:5-6
I. The Meaning of It
II. The Exercise of It
III. The Gift of It
Psalms: 96:1-8; 40:1-5; 18:43-50; 105:1-7
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
CPRC YouTube Site: www.youtube.com/cprcni
Quotes to Consider:
Herman Hoeksema: "Now, then, our text speaks of 'their fulness', that is, of the fulness of the Jews. the meaning is, therefore, that by which the number of the Jews is filled, that by which their number is fully completed. And the question arises: what number constitutes the measure that must be filled? Does the text refer to the Jewish nation as a whole as the measure that must be filled? This is the view of some. A time will come when all the then living Jews will be saved, and every last one of them will be converted and drawn into the kingdom of God. But this interpretation meets with too many and weighty objections. First of all, it may be said that this view rather arbitrarily limits the complete number of the Jews that must be filled to those Jews that shall live at a certain period. if the 'fulness' of them means all the Jews there is no valid reason thus to limit their number. Besides, this interpretation is quite contrary to all that was taught us in this section of the epistle to the Romans. Emphatically we were taught that not all are Israel that are of Israel. Only the children of the promise are counted for the seed. This truth stands. It was true in the old dispensation, it is true today, and it will be true to the end of time. In the light of this emphasis on the children of the promise as the only true seed, it would be very strange if the apostle here by 'the fulness' of them would refer to all the Jews living at a given time. And, finally, in the twenty-sixth verse we read of the 'fulness of the Gentiles'. And the meaning is, evidently, that by which the number of the Gentiles is filled. But does this mean all the Gentiles then living? Does it mean that every last one of those Gentiles must be saved before 'the fulness of the Gentiles' is come in? You know better. Scripture too plainly teaches that this will never be the case. The 'fulness of the Gentiles' signifies that which fills the number of Gentiles that must be saved. And the measure of this number, according to all Scripture, is God's own election. But if this be true of the 'fulness of the Gentiles', the same truth must be applied to the expression 'their fulness', that is, the fulness of the Jews. The very last Jew that must be saved according to God's election will fill their number. And it is of this fulness that the apostle is speaking in our text. And the meaning of our text, therefore, is that the receiving of the very last of the Jews that must be saved according to God's election will be life from the dead" (God's Eternal Good Pleasure, pp. 396-397).
O. Palmer Robertson: "The 'full number' in Israel will be realized by the same process in which Jews are currently being received and added to the number. For the 'remnant according to the election of grace' encompasses the same individuals as the 'fullness' (i.e., full number) of Israel" (The Israel of God, p. 175).
Geerhardus Vos: "The climacteric nature of the event to be expected as the issue of the unfolding ways of God forbids to tone down this phrase to the purely-metaphorical, making it fall within the terms of mere spiritual revival. 'Life from dead' must refer to the resurrection specifically so named, and so understood it presupposes the beginning of the closing act of the eschatological drama" (The Pauline Eschatology, pp. 87-88).
Herman Hoeksema: "The glory of Israel's reception is life from the dead, that is, the resurrection life. That will be more glorious. There is one thing that is greater than the reconciliation. It is greater because life out of the dead is the ultimate fruit of the reconciliation. The objection has been made that then the apostle would have said 'the resurrection.' The reason why he does not use the word resurrection is that the apostle does not have in mind the moment of the resurrection, but the glorious state into which the church is to be resurrected" (Righteous By Faith Alone, p. 538).
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
We welcome Stephanie Adams from First PRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to our worship services today. She returns to the US on Saturday
The October C. R. News and an RFPA Update are available on the back table.
A sample PRC missions calendar is on the back table for you to look at. If you would like to order one, please add your name to the sign-up sheet.
Catechism:
Monday, 7 PM - Zoe, Amy & Lea Campbell at the manse
Tuesday, 7 PM - Jacob & Nathan at the Buchanans
Tuesday, 8 PM - Mark & Lauren at the Hamills
Wednesday, 1 PM - Beginners OT Class at the manse
Midweek Bible study meets on Wednesday at 7:45 PM at the manse. We will consider I Peter 3:8-9., the spiritual graces and activities of those who are of "one mind."
On Friday, Rev. Stewart will give a Reformation Day Lecture in Portadown on "Calvin’s Doctrine of Justification: Considering the Judgment Day with Singular Delight." The Stewarts have 3 places in their car for any who would like a lift to the lecture.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is entitled "In Praise of Sovereign Grace: Unconditional Election" (John 6:37).
The Council meets next Monday, 2 November, at 7:30 PM at the manse.
Prof. & Mrs. Hanko are coming to N. Ireland from Friday, 6 November until Monday, 30 November. Prof. Hanko will be preaching for us the four Lord’s Days he is here. Rev. & Mary Stewart will be staying in Limerick from 8-21 November to help the Limerick Reformed Fellowship and to enable the Council to make recommendations regarding the LRF to the PRC Synod of 2010.
Don’t forget the lecture on "Calvin vs. Darwin: Anniversaries, Origins and Worldviews" in Ballymena Protestant Hall next week Friday, 6 November, at 7:30 PM. Come and bring a friend.
Other Upcoming Lectures:
Limerick, Friday, 13 November - The Last Days
South Wales, Thurs., 26 November - Corporate Responsibility (Prof. Hanko)
Offerings: General Fund: £462.42. Philippines: £1,296.15. Donations: £50 (CR News).
Website additions: 1 German and 2 Italian translations were added.
PRC News: Cory Griess was approved at Classis West and ordained as minister of Calvary PRC (Hull, IA) on Thursday. Rev. Slopsema (First, MI) declined the call to Trinity PRC. Rev. Spronk (Peace, IL) declined the call to Byron Center PRC. Rev. Haak declined his calls to Holland and Cornerstone PRC.
The duties and sins of church members by John Flavel (English Puritan, 1628-1691).