Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 9 January, 2005
“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye
of all his wondrous works”
(Psalm 105:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Apostolic Office (6)
II Corinthians 11:13
I. Arguments Used by the False Apostles
II. Arguments Not Used by Paul
Psalms: 111:1-5; 119:153-160; 109:6-12; 98:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
The Apostolic Office (7)
II Corinthians 11:13
III. Arguments Used by Paul
Psalms: 34:14-20; 119:161-168; 44:15-23; 31:15-19
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart or the elders
CPRC Website: www.cprc.co.uk • Live Webcast: https://cprc.co.uk/live-streaming/
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider:
P. W. Barnett: “Within no more than one or two years [after writing I Corinthians], however, questioning of Paul’s apostleship by some of the Corinthians had hardened into widespread opposition. This dramatic development is attributable to the recent arrival of a number of self-professed ‘ministers’ or ‘apostles’ (II Cor. 11:13, 23), who had launched a counter mission against Paul and his version of Christianity (II Cor. 2:17-3:1; 11:4, 12). The vocabulary of their ministry emerges from II Corinthians and includes such terms as ‘the word of God,’ ‘gospel,’ ‘Jesus,’ ‘Spirit’ and ‘righteousness’ (II Cor. 2:17; 4:1; 11: 4, 15). This was now a far-reaching assault on Paul’s apostleship by newly arrived persons who sought to oust Paul from his place at Corinth. They were superior, Paul inferior (II Cor. 11:5, 23), whom Paul mocks as ‘superlative apostles’ (II Cor. 11:5; 12:11). If he has come to them, they have come further (II Cor. 10:12-14—Jerusalem compared to Antioch?). If he is an apostle, where are his ‘signs, wonders and mighty works’ (II Cor. 12:12)? If he claimed to have ‘seen’ the ‘Lord’ (I Cor. 9:1; 15:8), they boast of an abundance of ‘visions and revelations of the Lord’ (II Cor 12:1, 7), the evidence of which is their ecstatic speech (II Cor. 5:12-13; cf. II Cor. 12:2-4). Their credentials as ‘Hebrews … Israelites … the seed of Abraham’ are impeccable, making them superior in every way. For his part Paul is denigrated as inadequate, powerless, worldly and a ‘fool’ to be ‘tolerated’ (II Cor. 2:17; 3:5; 10:1-6). Paul is a ‘crafty’ (II Cor. 4:23; 12:16), sorry figure as he limps from defeat to defeat (II Cor. 2:14-16; 4:1, 7-8, 16; 6:3-10; 11:23-12:10). What is the proof that ‘Christ is speaking through’ this man (II Cor. 13:3; 10:7; cf. I Cor. 2:13; 14:36)?”
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
The Standard Bearer and Beacon Lights are available today.
Catechism classes: Monday at the manse at 7 PM with the Campbells. The Thursday class with the Hamills is cancelled.
There will be no Midweek Bible Study this week.
The debate on psalm-singing is planned for this Friday, 7:15 PM, at the Ballymena Leisure Centre multi-use hall.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 16 January (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is “He is Altogether Lovely to Me” (Song of Solomon 5:16).
The Steering Committee will meet on Tuesday, 18 Jan., 7:30 PM, at the manse.
Reserve Friday, 11 February for the congregational dinner at The Ramble Inn at 7:30 PM. Look for more details next week.
Last Week’s Offerings: £513.95. Donations: £120 (tapes), £10 (CR News), £5 (pamphlets).
PRC News: Doon PRC called Rev. Kuiper (Randolph, WI). Bethel PRC called Rev. denHartog (Singapore). Hudsonville PRC has a new trio consisting of Rev. A. Brummel (S. Holland, IL), Rev. denHartog, and Prof. Engelsma.
