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pdf - Protestant Reformed Churches in America

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Serious Call of the Gospeltially is that it does not affect evangelism at all, as evangelism isa matter ofthe church obey<strong>in</strong>g the command of Christ, her Head,and consider<strong>in</strong>g it a privilege on herpart to be <strong>in</strong>volved. I We agreewith him and here <strong>in</strong> this paper we would ask how the doctr<strong>in</strong>e ofgrace affects the form ofgospel presentation to the lost.That there are serious errors <strong>in</strong> present<strong>in</strong>g the gospel as a'"well-meant offer" can be discerned <strong>in</strong> the follow<strong>in</strong>g words ofthelate Dr. John H. Gerstner:I had the <strong>in</strong>comparable privilege of be<strong>in</strong>g a student of ProfessorsMurray and Stonehouse. With tears <strong>in</strong> my heart. I neverthelessconfidently assert that they erred profoundly <strong>in</strong> The Free Offer ofthe Gospel and died before they seem to have realized their errorwhich, because of their justifiedly high reputations for <strong>Reformed</strong>excellence generally. still does <strong>in</strong>calculable damage to the cause ofJesus Christ and the proclamation of His gospel.~Chapter IWhat Is the Call of the Gospel?Before His ascension, Christ commanded His church to br<strong>in</strong>gthe gospel to the ends ofthe earth and make disciples ofall nations.None should doubt the importance ofthe accuracy ofthe messagewhich we must br<strong>in</strong>g and of the knowledge of its effect <strong>in</strong> thisworld. Heppe tells us of the three important <strong>in</strong>gredients of thegospel:This word is ofthree k<strong>in</strong>ds: (1) witness or proclamation, that God<strong>in</strong> Christ has given the world new salvation and life; (2) thecommand that those who hear this proclamation believe it withremorseful and penitent hearts; and (3) the promise that those whoI. R. C. Sproul, Chosen By God (Wheaton, Ill<strong>in</strong>oi~: Tyndale HousePublishers, Inc.), pp. 208-212.2. David J. Engelsma, Hyper-calv<strong>in</strong>ism & The Call ofThe Gospel(<strong>Reformed</strong> Free Publish<strong>in</strong>g Association, Grand Rapids. Michigan: 1994),pp. viii-ix.November, 200 1 33

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