by Pastor Baltazar A. Niangar, Pastor Emeritus, Th.B., A.B., D.D. “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36 On what authority does the Church stand, and how is a sinner made right with God? Martin Luther faced those questions in 1517, and every
by Pastor Baltazar A. Niangar, Pastor Emeritus, Th.B., A.B., D.D. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” — Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 21 Luther’s great principle — ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est, the Reformed church must always be reforming — is one of the most misunderstood
by Ds. Baltazar A. Niangar, Pastor Emeritus, Th.B., A.B., D.D. “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” — John 10:16 The church of Jesus Christ is one. It is also, visibly, divided. These
by Ds. Baltazar A. Niangar, Pastor Emeritus, Th.B., A.B., D.D. “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.” — Jude 24 Few doctrines carry more pastoral anxiety than this one. Some hear “once saved, always saved” as a
by Ds. Baltazar A. Niangar, Pastor Emeritus, Th.B., A.B., D.D. “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” — Matthew 16:18 Why do some churches feel like museums, others like sects, and others like little more than a
by Ds. Baltazar A. Niangar, Pastor Emeritus, Th.B., A.B., D.D. “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” — 1 Timothy 6:17 Every pastor eventually meets the same collision: