pdf - Protestant Reformed Churches in America

Book Reviewsa true Reformedchurch becausesuch a church is lacking, Calvinnow says in plain English, "Emigrateto anothercountry, regardlessofthe costr' To ReformedChristians who remain in apostatizingchurchesbecause oftheinfluence of their wife, orchildren,or parents, o~ grandparents,or because leaving for thetrue church will mean ridiculeand the loss of friends, Calvinnow says in plain English,"Leave that church and its Goddishonoringworship for achurch that worships Godrightly."To participate in corruptworship, regardless that one inwardlydissents, is forbidden:I answe.r that part ofthe yokeof Jesus Christ is to confesshis name, and to declare thatwe desire to purely worshipGod alone..I say that faith isnot buried 'in the heart, butproduces fruits outwardly.From this it is clear that thosewho dissemble in order toplease idolaters, signifyingthat they are of their band.have neither faith nor zeal toobey God. Rather they arelike lost beasts, taking cheerin a wicked and perverse license(p. 283).The believermust be mem-November, 2001ber ofa true, instituted congregation,where the gospel ispurely preached, the truth isconfessed, and God is worshipedas He requires in His Word. Thefundamental trouble with theNicodemites is that they do notappreciatewhat a treasure it is to havefreedom. not only to serveGod purely and to make publicconfession of one's faith.but also to be in a well orderedand governed church,where the word of God ispreached, and where the sac-',raments are properly administered.since these are themeans by which God's childrenmay be confirmed in thefaith and are stirred up to liveand die in his obedience.Calvin added: "Now, it seemedto me that this point was veryneedful in ourday, because thereare many fanciful Christianswho mock those who take painsto getto foreign and faroffcountriesin order to enjoy such freedom"(pp. 130, 131).So much is it the duty ofevery believer to be an activemember of a true church that"they are without excuse, whoare in a far-offland and are keptby the world from every meansofrelocating to a country where61