How Find Comfort after Infant's Death? (1 Cor. 7:14; 2 Sam 12:23; COD 1:17)

As human beings we have a tendency to be sentimental and make our judgements based upon our own bias. We can think that cute infants are unstained from sin because they are too adorable to be sinful. The harsh truth is that we are all sinners from conception. We are all estranged from God because of Adam's rebellion in Eden. If this is true, then how can we take comfort in the tragedy of infant death or a miscarriage? If infants are sinners before the Lord does that mean they are condemned to hell if they die in infancy? How does the covenant of grace give us rich comfort to console us in the midst of infant death?

Heeding the Gospel Ministry (Hebrews 13:17)

The book of Hebrews teaches us that Christ truly is central and essential. The Old Testament models point to Christ and show the necessity of his work. Hebrews celebrates the truth that Christ is the greater priest who enters into the heavenly places once for all. How does this testify to the faith that we have? What is the ultimate comfort that we have in the Lord?

Mark of a False Church (Acts 4:1-22)

The true church desires to bend its neck under Christ's yoke. The true church desires to conform to Christ and build Christ's kingdom rather than its own kingdom. The false church desires to build a kingdom unto itself. The false church claims its own authority and might even claim to uphold the Bible. We know that there is no such thing as a perfect church in this age, but at what point is a false church a false church?

One or Two Baptisms? (Acts 19:1-7; BC 29)

We believe that Baptism is a sign of the covenant and not a sign or our faith. In Acts 19 it appears that the Apostle Paul sees baptism as a sign of faith and the Spirit. In fact, Paul mentions that there are two baptisms. Paul also seems to be saying that we can have faith without the Holy Spirit. What is Paul teaching?

No Salvation Outside the Church? (Ephesians 1; 5:10, BC 28)

Article 28 in the Belgic Confessions says two things that some people find troubling. First, it states that there is no salvation outside the church. What about the thief on the cross? What about deathbed confessions? What about children who die in infancy? Does this mean that the Reformed believed that the church tells the Lord who is in the kingdom and who is outside the kingdom?

The second thing that this article states is that people read that we are not to have fellowship with non Christians. Is the Belgic Confession really teaching that we cannot interact with non Christian people?

Christ's Easy Yoke (Matthew 11:28; BC 28)

Christ is our gracious Lord who takes away the heavy burden. Christ's righteousness goes beyond that of the scribes and the pharisees. Does this mean that we just have to work harder to attain the Lord's favor? Does this mean that we live as we want? How can Christ take away the heavy burden, but still we are called to conform to the Lord?

One Holy Catholic Church (1 Kings 19; BC 28)

The prophet Elijah is very discouraged. It is strange that he would be discouraged. He has won the battle of the gods and rain has been sent in the land. It would seem that these are good things, and why the discouragement? The rain is not good enough for Jezebel because the Baal prophets have been executed. She vows to kill Elijah. Elijah runs to the wilderness to die, and then to a cave at Horeb. The Lord is going to speak, but what is he going to say? How is the Lord going to sustain his servant through this event? How does the Lord give assurance that his church will be preserved until the end?

One Catholic Church (Psalm 89:36; BC 27)

It is strange for protestants to profess that we are "One Catholic Church" or that there is "One Holy Catholic Church." How can protestants deny being Roman Catholic, but still be a member of the one Catholic Church?

Our One Advocate (I John 2:1; BC 26)

Christ has ascended into heaven. Scripture implies that heaven is above the sky. Heaven is far away, and so is our Lord. This is what we are tempted to think and we can be tempted to think that our Lord is too busy to keep track of us. Is this the case? Should we find others to pray on our behalf because our Lord is too busy? How do we know that Christ has done enough and continues to intercede for us?

Why Study the Old Testament? (2 Peter 3; BC 25)

Peter is the spokesmen for the apostles. In fact, we would expect Peter to silence critics by making an apostolic decree to silence any skepticism of the gospel. Peter does not do this at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 and he does not do this when he writes his second letter to the church. How does Peter prove that Christ is coming again if he does not just make an apostolic decree? How does the Old Testament prove Peter's point?

Living as a New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The Corinthian church appears to doubt Paul's apostolic credentials because he does not seem spiritual enough or like the guru they have come to expect. Paul encourages the church to shift and reorient their focus. Where is the church called to orient its focus? How does this shift in focus change our priorities? How does this shift in focus conform us to Christ?

Righteous by Faith? (Romans 4:6)

We might want to think that God had two plans for his people. There was a way to heaven for the Israelites and then there is a way to heaven for the Gentiles. However, this is not what the apostle Paul teaches. What does the apostle Paul teach regarding the way of salvation? How do we know that the Lord is consistent in his redemption?

The Power of Faith (Ephesians 1:15-23)

“First, we must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us.” - Calvin.

So, are we saved by our faith or by Christ? What is the power of faith?

One or Two Redeemed People? (Acts 13:16-43)

Belgic Confession Article 17 teaches us that it is God who reaches down to pull man up. It is by God's gracious mercy that he seeks us out, gathers us together, and brings us to glory. So, is our God have one plan for Israel and another plan for the gentile Christians? How does one enter into heaven?

Does God Hate? (Romans 9:13)

It is common for us to think that God is love. Love is certainly one of God's many attributes. However, our Lord says, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." How can the Lord say such a thing? What does it mean that the Lord hates?

No One is Righteous?

The apostle Paul states that no one is righteous. How can Paul say such a dreary statement? How can man be in such a negative predicament? We can work our way out of this right? If we cannot work our way out of this mess then is there any hope? Is this something that is unique to Paul's skewed perspective or is Paul merely the messenger of this scriptural truth?

Are Angels Real? (Jude 6)

Jude warns the church that judgment is coming. He appeals to Israel being brought out of Egypt, he appeals to Sodom and Gomorrah, and sandwiched between these events he reminds us that the Lord is judging the angels. What does it means that God holds these angels in chains? Are these angels who are part of a super race?

Christ’s Helper (John 14:25-28)

Christ promises that he will send his helper. It is encouraging to know that Christ's return to heaven does not leave us as orphans. How can we be sure that Christ's teaching will resonate within us if Christ is in heaven? Why does Christ have to go away? How can we be sure that Christ’s work will accomplish its redemptive goal when he says the father is greater than I?

Celebrating God’s Steadfast Love (Psalm 136)

The Lord tells us to be thankful. There is no doubt that we should be thankful. God is God, he is the king who rules over all. We should desire to be thankful to God just because He is God, but what reasons does the Psalmist give for us to be thankful to God?

Born in the Fullness of Time (Galatians 4:4)

The promise that Jesus will enter history is not just a New Testament promise.  The Lord promises at the exit of Eden that Christ will enter into history taking on the flesh.  God binds himself in a covenant to Abraham that Christ will enter into history.  This is a wonderful promise, but why is this promise necessary?