Covenant Protestant Reformed Fellowship
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 21 May, 2006
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:
to show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning and thy faithfulness every night
(Psalm 92:1-2)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Christ’s Melchizedekian Priesthood (1)
This Melchizedek
Hebrews 7:1-3
I. A Biblical Type
II. His Priestly Office
Psalms: 36:5-11; 45:1-6; 76:1-9; 110:1-6
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
The Church God Blesses
Psalm
102:13-17
I. Its Characteristics
II. Its Blessedness
Psalms:
87:1-7; 45:7-12; 74:1-6; 102:13-18
For audio cassettes of the worship services, contact the bookstore.
CPRF website: www.cprf.co.uk
Quotes to Consider:
O. Palmer Robinson: "Israel was unique among people of the world in that God himself appointed a priesthood for the nation—with accompanying laws of sacrifice and ritual—which carefully defined the right way to approach God. The laws of the Levitical priesthood, along with its festival days and sacrifices, contained touches of glamour and glory. Colorful robes, impressive ceremonies, feasts, washings, the waving of recently harvested grain, and the chanting of divine benedictions all contributed to the allurement of the priestly order of the old covenant. So it should not be surprising that throughout the centuries the Jewish people have had difficulty relinquishing these treasured ceremonies. They all contributed to making them feel right and good in the presence of God. Furthermore, when the new covenant came along with its minimal ritual, it seemed as though something significant had been lost" (The Israel of God, pp. 53-54).
John Calvin on Hebrews 7:3: "... Melchisedec is not to be considered here, as they say, in his private capacity, but as a sacred type of Christ; nor ought we to think that it was accidentally or inadvertently omitted that no kindred is ascribed to him, and that nothing is said of his death; but on the contrary, that this was done designedly by the Spirit, in order to give us an idea of one above the common order of men. There seems therefore to be no probability in the conjecture of those who say that Melchisedec was Shem the son of Noah; for if we make him to be some known individual, we destroy this third likeness between Melchisedec and Christ ... It seems not to be worth one’s while to refute the delirious notions of those who dream that Christ himself, or the Holy Spirit, or an angel, appeared at that time ..."
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
The Standard Bearers are available on the back table.
Bob Wendrich finished radiotherapy this past week and tests show that there is no cancerous tissue remaining in his bladder.
Membership Class meets this Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the Murrays.
Bible Study is finished for the season and will resume in September.
Ballymena Agricultural Show, is this week Saturday, 27 May. William Armstrong will set up and run the stall for us. Please remember this witness in your prayers.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 28 May (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is entitled "When I Heard, I Wept & Prayed" (Nehemiah 1).
Upcoming Lectures: "Miracles & the End of the World," Omagh, 7:30 PM, Fri., 2 June. "The 2 Witnesses of Revelation 11," S. Wales, Fri., 23 June.
Last Week’s Offerings: General Fund - £421.37. Donations: £140 (tapes).
PRC News: Rev. R. Kleyn declined the call from Covenant PRC in New Jersey.