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83 Clarence Street, Ballymena, N. Ireland BT43 5DR

83 Clarence Street, Ballymena, N. Ireland BT43 5DR

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  • CPRC Bulletin – November 15, 2020

CPRC Bulletin – November 15, 2020

 

Covenant Protestant Reformed Church

83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart

Lord’s Day, 15 November, 2020

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering …” (Col. 3:12)

Morning Service – 11:00 AM

Baptized Into One Body  [youtube]

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 12:1-20
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 26

I. The Powerful Agent
II. The Resulting Union
III. The Implied Calling

Psalms: 63:1-8; 143:5-11


Evening Service – 6:00 PM

The Departure of Jehovah’s Glory (4)
The Caldron and the Flesh  [youtube]

Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 11
Text: Ezekiel 11:1-13

I. The Necessary Background
II. The Wicked Counsel
III. The Divine Judgment

Psalms: 90:1-7; 94:1-8

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: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC

Quote to Consider

John Calvin on Ezekiel 11:3: “But the Prophet here cuts away their pretenses, because, in truth, their impiety was more than sufficiently evident, since they boast that the time is not yet at hand, and, therefore, that they might build houses at Jerusalem as in a time of ease and peace. As we saw in Jeremiah, the time of the last destruction was approaching; everything remaining in the city had now been destined to final ruin: and for this reason Jeremiah advised houses to be built in Chaldea and in foreign lands, since the captives must spend a long period there, even seventy years (Jer. 29:5). Since then the predicted time was now drawing on, it became extreme folly in the people to oppose themselves, and to treat God’s threats as a laughing-stock, and to boast that it was a time for building. Now, therefore, we see what the Prophet blames and condemns in the five and twenty men who were princes of the people, namely, that they hardened the people in obstinate wickedness, and encouraged torpor, so that the Prophet’s threats were unheeded. Since, therefore, they so stupified the people by their enticements, and took away all sense of repentance, they also set aside all fear of God’s wrath which had been denounced against them. The Prophet condemns this depravity in their counsels.”

Announcements (subject to God’s will)

If you struggle with the step at the door near the pulpit when exiting the church building, you may leave by the main door.

We have enlisted an electrician to fit a light outside the door near the pulpit.

Catechism classes:
Monday, 5:45 PM: Eleanora, Hannah, Jorja, Penelope & Somaya (Beginners OT)
Monday, 6:30 PM: Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Seniors OT)
Monday, 7:15 PM: Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Essentials)
Tuesday, 12:30 PM: James, Jason & Sebastian (Juniors OT)

Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet at church to study I John in our consideration of regeneration in connection with assurance.

Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday at 7:45 PM to continue with Article 37 looking at Scripture’s references to the two ages.

The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “Thanksgiving Unto God’s Glory” (I Cor. 4:15).

Offerings: General Fund: £1,369.20.

Translation Addition: 1 Hungarian.

PRC News: Wingham PRC’s new trio is Revs. J. Engelsma, J. Laning and N. Langerak. Rev. Spronk received the call to Hudsonville PRC. Kalamazoo PRC has formed a trio of Revs. D. Holstege, D. Kleyn and J. Laning. The faculty of the Seminary has licensed student Marcus Wee from the CERC in Singapore to speak a word of edification.

Affirmations Regarding Marriage, Sexuality and Gender Identity

Basis

The doctrinal basis of the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church (CPRC) in N. Ireland is the inspired and infallible Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as summarized and systematized in the Three Forms of Unity: the Belgic Confession (1561), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563) and the Canons of Dordt (1618-1619). The Holy Bible’s teaching in specific areas is also officially set forth in our eleven historic Reformed forms (Form for the Administration of Baptism, Form for Public Confession of Faith, Form for the Administration of the Lord’s Supper, Form of Excommunication, Form of Readmitting Excommunicated Persons, Form of Ordination of Ministers of God’s Word, Form of Ordination of Elders and Deacons, Form of Installation of Professors of Theology, Form of Ordination of Missionaries, Form for the Confirmation of Marriage Before the Church, Formula of Subscription) and our Church Order of Dordt.

We believe that all matters of faith and conduct must be governed by the Word of God, which is our inerrant guide (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:19-21; Belgic Confession 7). The sacred Scriptures record that God created human beings as male and female, and deal with human sexuality and the regulation of marriage. Therefore, it is imperative that we correctly understand and articulate what the Holy Bible teaches on these matters. Based on God’s Word, we believe the following regarding marriage, sexuality and gender identity:

Marriage

  • The holy bond of marriage was instituted by God at the very beginning of history (Gen. 2:18-24; Matt. 19:4-5; Mark 10:6-8; Form for the Confirmation of Marriage).

  • Marriage is a lifelong, one-flesh, covenant union of one man and one woman, which pictures the relationship of Christ and His bride, the church (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; Rom. 7:1-3; I Cor. 7:39; Eph. 5:22-33).

  • God has ordained marriage for these three main purposes: “The first reason is that each faithfully assist the other in all things that belong to this life and a better. Secondly, that they bring up the children which the Lord may be pleased to give them, in the true knowledge and fear of God, to His glory, and their salvation. Thirdly, that each of them, avoiding all uncleanness and evil lusts, may live with a good and quiet conscience” (Form for the Confirmation of Marriage; Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18; Ps. 128:3-6; I Cor. 7:1-5).

  • Believers in Jesus Christ ought to marry “only in the Lord”—those orthodox in confession and godly in walk (Mal. 2:11-12; I Cor. 7:39; II Cor. 6:14-18; Church Order 70).

  • Because marriage is a lifelong, exclusive “one flesh” union of one man and one woman, this bond cannot be broken by man. Therefore, divorce is a sin except in the case of adultery (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). Divorce, even in the instance of adultery, does not break the lifelong “one flesh” bond (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-12; Mark 10:5-9; Rom. 7:1-3; I Cor. 7:10-11, 39).

  • Because marriage is a lifelong, exclusive “one flesh” union of one man and one woman, and because this bond cannot be broken by man, God forbids the remarriage of divorced persons as long as one’s original spouse is still living (Matt. 5:32; 19:8-9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:3; I Cor. 7:11).

Sexuality

Gender Identity

  • God fearfully, wonderfully and immutably creates each person biologically as male or female before birth (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:18-25; 5:2; Matt. 19:4; Mark 10:6). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the rule and wisdom of God the Creator.

  • Every individual must affirm his/her biological sex, and refrain from all attempts to change, alter or disagree with his/her biological sex and biological gender (Gen. 1:26-28; Rom. 1:24-32; I Cor. 6:9-11).

Conclusions

  • All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and must seek forgiveness through confession, repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus. The good news of the gospel is that Christ died and rose again from the dead so that all who believe in Him have eternal life. God calls men and women to repent of every deviation from the biblical standard of marriage, sexuality and gender identity.

  • We must treat with love and respect all who experience temptation, and fall into and/or confess sexually immoral acts. We do so by calling all people, by the grace of God, to confess their sins to the Lord, flee from and resist sexual temptation, refrain from sexual immorality and conform their behaviour to the Bible’s plain teaching regarding marriage, sexuality and gender (Joel 2:13; Matt. 11:28-30; John 8:11; Rom. 3:23; 8:13; I Cor. 10:13; Eph. 2:1-10; Heb. 2:17-18; 4:14-16).

  • The CPRC Council shall instruct and admonish those under its spiritual care to live in harmony with these affirmations.

  • Christian discipline will be administered to those members who will not confess and repent of sexual immorality, as outlined in our Church Order 71-78.

  • All activities conducted by the CPRC and all use of its facilities shall be in conformity with this document, “Affirmations Regarding Marriage, Sexuality and Gender Identity.” No activities or use of the church’s facilities shall be allowed that are inconsistent with these affirmations. No office-bearer, member or employee shall be engaged in behaviour or speech contrary to these affirmations.

  • Members of Christ’s church must remain faithful to Him and His Word above all other authorities regarding God’s design for marriage, sexuality and gender identity.

  • Civil magistrates exceed their God-given authority when they attempt to bind a Christian’s conscience contrary to these affirmations (Acts 4:19; 5:29; Rom. 13:3-4; Belgic Confession 36).

(based on a document adopted by the 2020 Synod of the Protestant Reformed Churches, our sister churches in N. America)

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