Magyar Egyház, 1959 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1959-01-01 / 1. szám
10 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH New Year's Greetings From The Bishop At the beginning of this new year I wish the Lord’s blessing upon the service of all our Churches and beloved brethren. During last year we have experienced the greatness of God’s mercy. Last year has been our most significant year in the history of our denomination, since it was founded. May the name of the Lord be praised! After the changes in our Constitution we have to turn with renewed attention and interest to the future service of our Lord. I am convinced His guidance and Spirit will be with us in this coming year. For the congregational meetings of our Churches I wish to you all His help and His wisdom. I ask you to remember the unity of all Hungarian Reformed Churches in your prayers. Some very significant decisions will be made during this month. We pray that in the near future we should be able to tell you great and joyful news about the prospects of our denomination. Bishop Zoltán Béky INSEPARABLES: Reformed—Catholic—Cross An elderly gentleman in a Magyar Reformed Church happened to notice in a picture of his church’s communion table, with the communion set on it, that a small cross topped the trays of wine glasses. He promptly called the minister, teling him that he was going to the church to saw the cross off with a hacksaw. Needless to say, the minister forbade it. Meanwhile, in other churches, the use of the word “catholic” is studiously avoided, in such places as the prayers and the Apostle’s Creed. The reason for these actions are obvious. The word “catholic” and the use of the cross are associated immediately with the Roman churches. So, also, in some churches are candles, choir robes, and windows with symbols. We may recall that the Reformers in Switzerland, Calvin and Zwingli, also banned organs and all musical instruments. The organ has been brought back into the Reformation churches, and it raises the question as to whether some of the others might not reasonably be returned to Protestant use. Their absence in itself has been a symbol of Reformed tradition, but cannot a more valid and positive expression of Reformation faith be found without denying Reformed Christians of their use? Should a member of the Reformed Church avoid the use of the word “catholic”? A catholic Christian is one who holds to such beliefs as are in accord with all true members of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word has two implications. First, what he believes is true according to the Gospel given by God to man in the Saviour. Secondly, this belief is universal, being the same as the apostles, martyrs, Reformers, and the faithful servants of Christ today. If there is anyone who is truly catholic, it is the Reformed churchman. And, it may be that the churches ought to be called the “Reformed Catholic Church”. No church nor people have a better right to the use of the word. The Reformers did not start a new church, they reformed the old. There is only one Church, and to cleanse it the Reformation returned it to the ideals and ways of the New Testament Church. As Christ alone makes all men, sinful though they may be, to be new creatures, so was the erring Church regenerated. As always, the Church is catholic. It must be if it is true to the apostolic confession. However, there are two branches, the reformed churches and the un-reformed churches. By the grace of God through His living Word, the reformed churches have returned to a catholic confession. The cross, also, generally associated with Romanism, ought to be viewed again from the proper angle. As God’s love is most perfectly shown in the sacrifice of His only Son on the cross, it is the symbol of His incomprehensible love for man. But it is even more than that. As the elements of the Communion are not the body of Christ, yet for man’s spiritual improvement are provided as a sign, pledge, and seal, so it is with the cross. The cross is a sign, or symbol, of the redeeming love of Christ. It is a pledge of his faithfulness toward those who believe in Him and accept his grace. And it seals eternally the fate of those for whom the Cross has become the central act of their lives.
