ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF CANDIDATE J. SPAANS — November 7, 1984

Elder J. Bijl opened the service in the Norwich, Ontario church, which was completely filled. Psalter 351 was sung, and scripture reading was Matthew 4:1–20. After pronouncing the blessing, Rev. Lamain led the congregation in prayer. Psalter 345 was then sung, after which he addressed the gathering. The minister related how that many times he had come to the Norwich area in the past, the first time being on October 18, 1948. In 1957 he installed Rev. Zwerus; later, Rev. Kieboom and Rev. Den Boer, but then again became moderator in Norwich. “Now you may again receive your own minister, who received in his heart that freedom to come and serve you as your shepherd and leader. What shall we render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards us? It has pleased the Lord to choose a church out of the human race and to send His servants to proclaim law and gospel over the whole world.”

The text for this special occasion was from Matthew 4, the 17th verse: “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The theme for this sermon was: “The beginning of the Preacher of Righteousness set as an example for all ministers that are truly called.” Three points were considered, namely: 1. When Christ’s preaching began; 2. What Christ placed on the foreground (not believe, but repent); and 3. What significant promise accompanied the preaching of Christ.

Christ’s preaching began after He was baptized by John in the river Jordan and was ordained by the Holy Spirit, Who came in the form of a dove. God the Father there spoke, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” In the desert the tempter came with heavy temptations to break the covenant between the Father and the Son, but Christ came out of that conflict. John the Baptist died in the prison. He was the forerunner of Christ, was a friend of the Bridegroom, but he was beheaded. It is a wonderful work to preach that only Name given under heaven whereby we must be saved.

Rev. Lamain said, “I would say to this brother what Boston once said, ‘ Stay a student.’ Joseph Irons said, ‘ If the Lord will use us in the church, then we shall have much tribulation.’ But Christ came into this world and said, ‘ It is written.’ “ The devil left for a while, but later came back powerfully, but on Calvary’ s cross his head was bruised and he never came back again to contend with Christ. “On this evening I commend your minister to the Lord, to His grace, to His love, to His favor, and hope that he be a blessing in the midst of the congregation for many years. It is a blessing that the Lord takes care of His church; if one dies, the Lord gives another.” To repent means to come back; the heart must be filled with sorrow and be led to Christ to be reconciled with God. We must learn how great our sins and miseries are. The Holy Spirit makes room for Christ. We are standing outside, and saved by grace only. Young and old, when the beginning is not right, the second step which we make cannot make it right.

The third point was: What significant promise accompanied the preaching of Christ? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Is that a promise? Yes, that is a promise. That salvation is closer to us than ever before. The kingdom is come near to us. What does that mean? As long as the world shall stand, the Lord shall build His church. Isaiah said, “Who has believed out report?” It is a serious task. In Acts 13 we read that Paul had preached to the Jewish people, but they walked away in bitter enmity. The Gentiles then came to ask him to preach the same sermon for them the next week. They liked the message; it was sweet to them to hear that they could be saved.

“The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We do not always see what the Lord is doing. What do I read about this in John 21? Peter said, “I go a fishing,” and the others went with him. What happened then? Have they seen the fish which came into the net? No, they counted them when they came upon the shore. That shore is heaven; there the fruits of our work shall be known. Oh, to be used as an instrument of God’s hand! The main thing in our preaching, however, is not how many people are converted. Rather, the major question must be: Is it to the honor of the Lord? Is it to the glorification of Christ? Is it to the honor of the Holy Spirit?

Christ shall never come on the clouds until the last one is added to that number that shall be saved. When that number is full, Christ shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

May the God of all grace remember you in Norwich. Brother Spaans, the Lord has worked in your heart in your youth and now for four years you have been instructed by various ministers. Always seek the honor of the Triune God, the welfare of Zion, for in this way the Lord shall build His church.

After the singing of Psalter 237:1, the form of ordination for the ministers of God’s Word was read. When asked to arise and answer the questions, Candidate Spaans answered: “Yes, truly, with all my heart.” He was then requested to kneel while the open Bible was held over him by Rev. Den Boer, Rev. Beeke, Elder J. Bijl of Norwich, and Elder D. Spaans of Grand Rapids (a brother of the candidate). Prayer was then offered according to the form, after which the congregation sang Psalter 436:2, 3. Each of those holding the Bible spoke a text, as follows:

Rev. A. Den Boer: “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel” (2 Tim. 2:8).

Rev. J. Beeke: “Take heed therefore unto yourself and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseer, to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Elder Bijl: “Blessed is that man whose strength is in Thee” (Ps. 84:5).

Elder D. Spaans: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16).

Rev. Lamain then added the text from Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.” After requesting the brother to arise, he said, “It is a more serious moment than I can tell you. We married you, were with you in days of sorrow, and now have been together for four years. The Lord has given you the desire of your heart, and we hope also of Mrs. Spaans. It is a heavy work. We are so poor and empty; may you together seek the Lord’ s face continually, seeking the welfare of Zion and the honor of God’s great and holy Name. We have a faithful God.”

Rev. Lamain also spoke briefly to Rev. Spaans’ s mother, who was privileged to be present, and then to the consistory. “Remember your minister; bear one another in love on your knees time and again. There can be a difference of opinion and thought, but not concerning the truth. Then we should be standing as one man for that which the Lord has delivered unto us. We have found out in our life that with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob we shall not be ashamed. May the Lord remember the catechism classes. Boys and girls, come faithfully; do not stay away. The kingdom of heaven is near. May the Lord remember in all the needs and wants, and bless us together.”

The service was concluded with the prayer contained in the form, after which the congregation sang Psalter 374:1. Rev. Lamain then closed this special service with the benediction.

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