5 Reasons Why We Prefer Not to Have Godparents for Our Children
- Feb
- 18
Some people noted that our infant baptisms do not include godparents. Because ninongs and ninangs are so entrenched in Philippine culture, we do not prohibit parents from asking their relatives or friends to be godparents. But we also instruct the parents about the reasons why we prefer not to have godparents for their children. […]
How Leviticus 9 Informs Our Worship Service
- Aug
- 27
Our current sermon series is Leviticus 9 in which we study and meditate on the offerings described in this chapter and elsewhere. These offerings were performed right after the ordination of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood of the tabernacle in the wilderness. This was Israel’s first worship service after the tabernacle was […]
Why We Sing “Gloria Patri” and Other Doxologies
- Oct
- 29
So why do we sing these songs? Let us look at what they mean from Scripture, where they are found, and how they have been used in the Old Testament, New Testament, and in the early church.
Why Do You Spend So Much Time Preparing the Liturgy?
- Jan
- 10
Why prepare liturgy? Why not just “let the Spirit lead†—which actually means, “Just wing it,†or in Nike parlance, “Just do it�
Why Does Your Church Have Catholic Rituals? Part 3
- Oct
- 15
Communion Communion, or Holy Communion, is another one of evangelicalism’s most dreaded words. Again, however, this is another biblical word, from the Greek koinonia, which means “close association involving mutual interests and sharing,” and commonly translated as “communion,” “fellowship,” or “participation.”[ref]Walter Bauer, Frederick Danker, William Arndt, William, F. Wilbur Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the […]
Why Does Your Church Have Catholic Rituals? Part 2
- Oct
- 15
Absolution After confession, God declares us pardoned through Christ who made satisfaction for our sins. The minister has authority in Christ to declare forgiveness (Matt 18:18; John 20:23). He may also read 1 John 1:8-9. This is commonly known as absolution, from the Latin word, absolutio, which means “acquittal, pardon.†Zacharias Ursinus, the Heidelberg Reformer, […]
Why Does Your Church Have Catholic Rituals? Part 1
- Oct
- 15
Confession For evangelicals, these three words conjure up a nightmare of a confessional, adoration of the host, and other forms of Roman Catholic sacerdotalism. James asked me about these things: Please tell me what your church’s position is (in practice) on the following issues: 1. Confession and absolution. 2. The nature of communion, or […]
A Brief Walk-Through Our Worship Liturgy
- Sep
- 09
Because of Christ’s work in offering himself as a sacrifice to cleanse us of our sin, we are fit to enter the heavenly Holy of Holies to worship the Triune God.
Rev. Terry Johnson on Reformed Worship
- Sep
- 23
Professor Scott Clark of Office Hours of Westminster Seminary in California talks to Rev. Terry Johnson. Rev. Johnson is Senior Minister of Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Georgia. In this episode, Rev. Johnson talks about worship. Why is a center pulpit important? Why does a minister wear a robe? Is there a Biblical pattern of worship? […]