Reformed Forum

The first paragraph of chapter twenty-nine in the Westminster Confession of Faith sets forth the institution of Lord's Supper and the uses and ends for which it is designed: Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord's Supper, to be observed in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body. In this episode, we discuss the five purposes of the Lord's Supper detailed in the confession: Christ instituted the Lord's Supper as a commemorative ordinance for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death. The Lord's Supper is a confirmatory sign (cf. Rom. 4:11) for the purpose of sealing all the benefits procured by Christ's death unto true believers. Christ instituted the Lord's Supper for the spiritual nourishment and growth of believers in him. Christ instituted the Lord's Supper for believers for their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him. Finally, Christ instituted the Lord's Supper to be a bond and pledge of believers' communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.

As the Abrahamic Covenant is expanded, it builds upon the revelation given in chapters 12 and 15. Through this everlasting covenant God will bring life to those who are dead in their sins.

This week's Theology Simply Profound provides another reading from the works of J. Gresham Machen. Since we've begun a series on the Biblical teaching of the atonement, Bob is reading Machen's, "The Active Obedience of Christ." This was delivered on December 20, 1936 as part of a series of radio addresses given shortly before Machen's death on January 1, 1937.

We continue our #VosGroup series in pages 175–182 of Vos' book Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments to consider ancestor worship and animism before moving to a summary of Part I of the entire book and specifically, revelation during the period of M

Our situation calls for serious self-discipline because the days are evil, and joyful celebration because God has rescued us from that evil in Jesus Christ.

This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue their new series of discussions on the doctrine of the atonement. In this episode we talk about the concept of redemption. What is redemption? What is the relationship between redemption and the wrath of God? What is the cost of redemption? How does redemption relate to the atonement?

In this episode, we speak to David Woollin of Reformation Heritage Books about several new and exciting projects from the publisher.

We speak with Dr. Stephen G. Myers about Ebenezer Erskine and the important events of Presbyterian history with which he was involved.

Israel was called God's son—a status under threat here in Hosea—as graphically demonstrated in the naming of Hosea's children. God's pending divorce of Israel points to the only way for God's elect to be saved. The warnings in Hosea are for God's people today that we may examine ourselves to be sure we are in the faith.

William Vandoodewaard speaks to us about Martin Bucer, John Knox, and the development of pastoral care during the Reformation.