Magyar Egyház, 1985 (64. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1985-09-01 / 5. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 7. oldal REFORMATION DAY, OCTOBER 31st, 1985 October ends with a remembrance of the REFORMATION, that 16th century event, that rediscovered the centrality of the Holy Scripture and grace. Reformation ushered in a new era of determination to hold the faith steadfastly and to propagate it vigorously. Why was reformation necessary? Why did so many risk their lives to purify the church? Because as they read and studied the Bible, they realized, that the teachings of the Medieval church were contrary to what the Bible says. The task of the church of God is and ever shall be to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and to bear witness to the truth revealed to us in the Holy Bible. All leaders of the reformation in Germany, France, Holland, Switzerland, Hungary and everywhere placed in the center of the interest of the church the BIBLE as the most important book concerning our faith. Contrary to the teachings of the Holy Scripture false doctrines and superstitions crept into the church, relics were placed upon the altars of the temples, while the word of God states clearly, that we are saved by faith alone, through the grace of our God. The reformation leaders emphasized, that the church must be purified from all abominations and practices contrary to the Bible. The cry of the reformers in every country was: PURIFY THE CHURCH! The Bible must be the most important guide for clergy and laity alike. The unnumbered heroic leaders of the reformation changed the course of the Christian church declaring: it was not the outward ceremonies, not the pomp and glory, neither the pope or ecclesiastical councils, but the teaching of the Bible, the most important guide and rule for the church. Furthermore, reformation was essential, because the divine worship service during the centuries was filled with all kinds of innovations; the original simple service, as practiced by the apostles had to be restored. This was not an easy task. The singing of hymns, especially the p alms, was reinstated, praising the Lord filled the temples in small villages and large cities everywhere. The fervent prayers, and the dynamic preaching of the word of God with zeal and enthusiasm swept the masses in every land into the fold of the reformation. Monks and priests began to read and study the Bible; with the arrival of the printing press the Bible became the most widely read and circulated book in the world. The people rediscovered the Holy Communion service as it was recorded on the pages of the gospels, how the Lord said, when He broke the bread: take eat this is my body, which is broken for you; and as He took the cup saying: this cup is the new covenant in my blood, this do ye as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. The sacramental service so overwhelmed the children of reformation, that even today our Hungarian Reformed people all around the world look upon the holy communion service with deep reverence and treasure the heritage and symbols of the broken bread and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The great effort to purify the divine worship service was not in vain and where clergy and laity take their traditions seriously the divine worship services are filled with enthusiastic zeal, glorious hymn-singing and spirited moving prayers as well as challenging sermons. Then reformation was essential, because the church developed a very intricate hierarchical ecclesiastical system of church government. There were many ranks among the clergy. The reformation leaders pointed out, that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We know from the Bible, that there were no differences among the disciples, they prayed together, worked together and shared all the responsibilities together. A democratic form of church government evolved and more and more responsibilities were placed upon the shoulders of the elders and church members. A new way of life in the field of economics, politics, education and social issues marked the advance of the people, where reformation became dominant in the western nations of the world. Reformation is a never ending process, we need today more of the zeal and enthusiasm of the reformation movement. Wherever people and churches neglect the Bible, or try to misinterpret its teachings, wherever the purity of the divine worship service is challenged and the democratic way of church government is threatened, the call for reformation should sound anew: “SEMPER REFORMARI!” Constant reformation is necessary in the church of God! D. A. REPRESSION OF THE REFORMED CHURCH OF TRANSYLVANIA The Geneva, Switzerland based Reformed Press Service (RPS), the official news service of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, reported from Cluj Napoca, Romania, that “only ten students were allowed by the state to enroll at the Reformed Theological Seminary at Cluj. The Reformed bishops had requested the enrollment of 36 students; there had been almost double that number of candidates. The number accepted by the state is, therefore, extraordinarily low and manifestly insufficient to fill the churches’ need for future pastors. Besides, the churches are not allowed to provide theological instruction to the youth outside the theological faculties, which means that they have no other means or palliating the insufficient number of students enrolled. This same policy has been practiced for years, which seems to indicate a deliberate wish to slowly stifle the Reformed church. a <t » Readers familiar with the East Central European situation know that the church referred to in the above report is the Hungarian Reformed Church in Transylvania (Erdély), the theological seminary at Cluj Napoca is the Hungarian Reformed Theological Faculty of Kolozsvár (now called ‘United’ because it is training students of other denominations also). We have read with satisfaction this outspoken report. tWWWWMWWMWVWWWWWWVWVWHV HUNGARIAN COOK BOOK PUBLISHED BY The Dorcas Guild HUNGARIAN REFORMED CHURCH 9901 ALLEN RD„ ALLEN PARK, MI 48101 $5.00 Plus Postage $1.50 iWWWWWVWWVWWWWWWWVWWWWV
