Calvin Synod Herald, 2003 (104. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)

2003-05-01 / 5-6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

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demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant my supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

After the Pledge of Allegiance by all, the hymn “Guide, 0 Lord, Thy chariot now” was sung by all, written by the great Reformer, the Rev. Ulrich Zwingli:

“Guide, 0 Lord, Thy chariot now,

Or our cause unit surely fail And our enemies prevail,

To blaspheme Thy holy Name. ”

The opening words of America’s “Declaration of Independence” were read by the pastor, noting the similarities for the occasion of Hungary’s revolt on March 15,1848, against the Habsburg dynasty’s Austrian rule:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;

that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its power in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”

The new flag’s design called for it to be hung as a banner, with the Hungarian crest lengthwise, and it was hung alongside the exit to the sanctuary. The congregation was reassembled at the back of the church for the dedication, and led by the pastor in the “Dedication Prayer.”

“Almighty God, as we stand before this flag of the Hungarian people, we are reminded that You are the Creator from whom alone all life derives, and that You have given our bodies birth in diverse homes and numerous homelands, which we cherish as our special inheritance throughout our lives. Even as our church is rooted in its founder Jesus Christ, we ask that this flag may remind us of our congregation’s roots in greater Hungary, where many Reformed and Christian kindred still reside, and of the debt we owe to our good founders and members for their loyal devotion, faith and sacrifices, that their holy faith and values should be established in their families’ hearts and homes here in America, and the same revered Gospel find proclamation and offer guidance to the people of this community, the nation and our world.

We pray for Your blessing in consecrating this flag to this purpose as we dedicate it now to Your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

The Service was concluded with the singing of the “Himnusz”, Hungary’s National Anthem, and the blessing of God’s people with the pastoral Benediction. The eighty in attendance shared in a delicious dinner emphasizing the Hungarian cuisine, with chicken paprikas, fasir, stuffed cabbage and strudel. In attendance also were area ministers Rev. Csilla Lucskay, Rev. August Molnár, and Rev. Dr. Attila Kocsis. A special guest was Ms. Priscilla Hunyady, whose father was the pastor sixty-five years before.

In the Sunday morning service to follow, the congregation was greeted by a Rooster, presented by a member, recalling the crowing cock found on many Hungarian churches’ steeples, as a visible reminder of the evangelical task of the church to awaken the people of God that Christ has ushered in the brand new day, the kingdom of God is at hand, and that this - not later - is the hour of salvation! Already atop the church’s steeple is the star, calling all to see in Christ the Morning Star of God’s new day, the firstborn of heaven, that all may follow Him.

Rev. Albert W. Kovács

JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE

Since, then, by the righteous judgement of God we have deserved temporal and eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment, come again to grace, and be reconciled to God? God wills that His righteousness be satisfied; therefore, payment in full must be made to His righteousness, either by ourselves or by another.

Can we make this payment ourselves?

By no means. On the contrary, we increase our debt each day.

Can any mere creature make the payment for us? No one. First of all, God does not want to punish any other creature for man’s debt. Moreover, no mere creature can bear the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin and redeem others from it.

Then, what kind of mediator and redeemer must we seek? One who is a true and righteous man and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is at the same time true God.

I. God Won’t Write off Debts

A. In stark contrast to modern America, God refuses to ignore evil. Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. (Exodus 23:7)

1. God deals specifically with the deception, evasion, and (continued on page k)