Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 15 October, 2006
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises
unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in
the morning, and thy faithfulness every night" (Psalm 92:1-2)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Lawful Oaths and Vows
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 37; II Corinthians 1:23
I. The Assertory Oath
II. The Promissory Vow
Psalms: 100:1-5; 66:1-9; 15:1-5; 119:121-128
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
Reformed Courtship (3)
Sexual Temptation
I Thessalonians 4
I. Abstaining from all Fornication
II. Possessing One’s Vessel in Honour
Psalms: 62:7-12; 66:10-20; 24:1-6; 119:9-16
For audio cassettes of the worship services, contact Sean Courtney (cprcaudiostore@yahoo.co.uk)
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
Quotes to Consider:
G. I. Williamson: "Perjury is the act of wilfully making a false oath. It is a serious crime. The Bible calls it swearing deceitfully (Ps. 24:4). The taking of an oath with secret intention of double meaning, not disclosed to others, or with mental reservations, whereby the mind silently voices dissent from part or all of what is being sworn, is a sin of enormity. And yet this sin is common today even within churches that officially claim this Confession of Faith! When a Presbyterian minister is ordained and installed he is required to make certain oaths. He is required, in this oath of office, to affirm that the Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and practice. He then is required to solemnly swear that he receives and adopts the Confession of Faith and Catechisms as agreeable to and founded on the Word of God, and that he personally accepts the system of doctrine taught in them. To take such an oath of office and at the same time not to believe that the Bible is infallible, or to disagree with the doctrines of the Confession of Faith, (such as, for example, the virgin birth of Christ, and bodily resurrection, or the doctrine of election) is to be guilty of perjury. It is little wonder that the spiritual condition of the churches is low, when it has become accepted practice to swear deceitfully, and that on the part of the shepherds of Israel."
A. A. Hodge: "When the matter of the vow is not unlawful, but morally indifferent, the vow is binding; but experience abundantly proves that to accumulate such obligations is very injurious. The Word of God in the Scriptures imposes upon us by his authority all that it is his will or for our interest for us to observe. The multiplication of self-imposed duties dishonours him, and greatly harasses us and endangers our safety" (The Confession of Faith, p. 291).
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
Standard Bearers and the new British Reformed Journals are on the back table for those who subscribe. The October issue of the Covenant Reformed News is also available as is the new CPRC book, pamphlet, and tape series catalogue.
Catechism: Monday, 7 PM with the Campbells at the manse. Tuesday, 7 PM at the Murrays. Thursday, 7 PM at the Hamills.
Our Mid-Week Bible Study is Wednesday at 7:45 PM at the manse. We will continue studying our baptismal form in connection with the Unconditional Covenant.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day, 22 October (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW) is entitled "Remember Our Persecuted Brethren" (Heb. 13:3).
Upcoming Lectures: Tuesday, 31 Oct., Limerick, "God’s Unconditional Covenant" Friday, 17 Nov., S. Wales, "God’s Unconditional Covenant" Friday, 12 Jan., S. Wales, subject to be decided.
Last Week’s Offerings: General Fund - £1011.66. Donations: £20 (CR News).
PRC News: Doon PRC has formed a new trio for foreign missionary: Rev. Dick (Grace, MI), R. Kleyn (Trinity, MI), and VanderWal (Redlands, CA).