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Texts such as the following indicate that the laying on of hands is much more than symbolism.

Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. off.

1 Timothy 4:14   Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Acts 8:14-17 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

In some congregations, anyone is invited to lay on hands. What I read in Scripture is the Apostles and Elders exercising the laying on of hands. This signifies "Apostolic succession" and the receiving of God,s gifts to adiquately accomplish the calling of God Himself. I believe that ministers and elders are those who should participate in this function which visibly conveys being set aside by God to minister the Word and sacraments.

 

Jerry Van Oyen on March 26, 2013

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

Thank you for that information. I will investigate that. I thought this would be a simple question since the Scripture says "the promise is to you and your children" not to your grandchildren. There should be some reference in the CO I am guessing.

I am aware of the "Halfway Covenant" history and error. It appears to be resurfacing. I sense the heart break of believing

grand parents whose unbelieving son or daughter produces a grandchild from a "shack-up" scenario. Should we uphold

the principle or make grandparents happy. Church discipline requires withholding the sacraments from those who are

practicing a contra Biblical life-style. Will appeasing the grand parents help a sinful couple come to repentance?

Jerry Van Oyen on April 24, 2013

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

Dear Henry, I have been absent for several weeks because of illness, not lack of interest. Thank you for directing me to your book. I do not know any one who owns that book so I have not been able to consult those pages. Please give me your take on this subject. Jerry

My wife Ellen and I play weekly in our "Grace Gospel Band". We play in a different Senior facility each week combining worship, instrumentals and group singing. I have all our music scores and lyrics on my tablet and placing it on a music stand, I can swipe to the next song easily. Since  these facilities are kept quite warm there are fans blowing. Having our music on a tablet avoids paper sheet music from blowing away.

You raised the possibility of controling sound and lighting from a tablet. That is already being done from anywhere in church. I heard of one sound person controling the sound from a seat well forward in the sanctuary. After the  service as he was walking down the isle to exit with the rest of the visitors, an elderly lady chastised him loudly for playing games on his game pad during a church worship service. His explanation did not "fly" with her!

I would like to comment on our ethnic congregations needs for a pastor. Years ago (1955),  I was assigned to minister to the congregations of Haney and Chilliwack, British Columbia. These congregations were fresh immigrants from the Netherlands. They could speak very little English but wanted to learn. So they requested that the Scripture be read in Dutch and that the outline of the message be spoken in Dutch, but that the sermon be presented in English. Why then can our American candidates not serve more ethnic churches. These churches should be encouraged to learn the language of the land they now live in. When we send missionaries we give them language training. Certainly some candidates are able to become bilingual which would be an asset to the congregation and pastor both. I believe that we should make every effort to utilize our seminary graduates before we invite ministers from other backgrounds to minister to our churches. The seminary should educate pastors who are able to minister the Word and Sacraments. We provide Classical assistance for those who need financial assistance; we suppliment seminarian's education by quota support to our seminary. I believe it is the CRC's responsibility to help every church have a minister of the Word and Sacraments and help every candidate obtain a congregation in which to minister. In one of my charges there was a candidate that had not received a call in three years. It was well known that churches did not appreciate his sermons. He did not seem to fit anywhere. People asked why the Sem and Synod even approved him for candidacy. He asked if I would help him, ( I had just become the new minister). He told me that he had applied to be a military chaplain and needed a church to call him. It was a struggle to get our consistory to call and endorse him. Some might have deemed that a mistake. However, he not only became a chaplain but rose to high ranks and served the Lord and our soldiers well for over 35 years

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