Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-01-01 / 1. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA 3 THE RIGHT REVEREND BISHOP ÁRPÁD L. BERETZ 7520 Woodmar Avenue Hammond, Ind. 46323 Tel.: 219-844-8622 A NEW YEAR COMMISSION The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans writes that he received his commission from Jesus Christ to “lead to faith and obedience men in all nations.” (Romans 1:5) This is still the commission of the church. Our Reformed faith calls us to total obedience and sets before us the example of Jesus Christ who was obedient even unto he Cross. For us Jesus Christ is the Evangel! The faith crisis of our day involves ultimately the acceptance or rejection of Christ. Evangelism is primarily concerned with the soul of the individual and not the soul of the nation. Jesus Christ teaches that the believer has the power of life in the Evangel. To be part of the fellowship of believers means to witness for the Evangel of Jesus Christ in season and out of season. In our day the prophetic ministry of the church has been mistaken by many for evangelism. The church must be most circumspect that it truly proclaims the will of God as it speaks to the manifold social, economic and political ills of the world. It must never succumb to the temptations of sociology, psychology, philosophy, economics, etc. While it is true that the church seeks to influence all aspects of human affairs, it must never forget its primary function of proclaiming the Word of God. Certainly it must never be the spokesman for pressure groups within or without the church. If the church becomes captive to pseudo-prophetic forces it ceases to be prophetic. Confusing the prophetic ministry of the church with evangelism is reducing the church to a humanistic cult which sets up man as the object of worship and adoration. This is classic paganism. It negates the very nature and essence of the church. We view with alarm the “evangelism” program of agencies and instrumentalities within the United Church of Christ. According to all indications some seem to be only one step away, if that, from becoming a socio-political entity. Many within the corporate body call prophetic witness evangelism. In reality this so called prophetic witness oft-times has no scriptural support. Oft-times it is hardly anything more than secular humanism. Oft-times making man his own idol. Evangelism, on the other hand, has the primary task of proclaiming the Evangel and the calling of His disciples to “lead to faith and obedience men in all nations.” The task of Calvin Synod is to make clear to our churches the true meaning of faith and obedience. We need to proclaim that the best social action is the living of a Christian life according to the gospel. The best church polity is the ordered life of each member in harmony with the scriptures. The best prophetic ministry of the church is the inter-personal relationship of the believer as he lives out his faith in the community and in his chosen vocation; as he struggles for daily bread, life and existence. The New Year is both a challenge and an opportunity for faith and obedience. It is my hope and prayer that the pastors and people of Calvin Synod will witness to the faith in Jesus Christ and in true obedience proclaim His gospel to all the world. Bishop Arpad L. Beretz Devotion for the Executive Council, Oct. 15, 1972 “HE HAS BEEN TEMPTED AS WE ARE .. .” In our three meditations I wish to call your attention to the temptation story of our Lord, because I am convinced that it is of crucial importance to us in these days. “For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16). First we intend to face some exegetical problems of the story itself; then we shall try to understand the scriptural meaning of the three temptations; and finally an attempt will be made to draw some practical-theological conclusions.
