THE ORDINATION OF JOHN DEN HOED

On Wednesday evening, September 18, many were gathered in the church of Rock Valley to witness the service in which John Den Hoed would be ordained as minister. Rev. Den Boer pronounced the blessing and requested the congregation to sing Psalter 128:1 & 2. He then read the 31st article of the Confession of Faith entitled, “Of Ministers, Elders and Deacons,” and Matthew 10:5-15. In prayer Rev. Den Boer implored a blessing upon the service and upon him who would commence the difficult and responsible task as minister for the first time, as well as for those present as travellers to eternity. Psalter 381 was then sung, and Rev. Den Boer’s key thoughts were as follows:

It is a happy occasion to have a minister accept a call to a congregation, a serious moment for himself when accepting, but an unforgettable moment when he may be bound to his congregation. “Faithful is He that calleth you.” With the help of the Lord you will begin the work in Rock Valley. Who is able to do this work? No one can do so in his own strength. But the Lord has said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble.” We are unworthy, but the Lord will use sinful men to the extension of His kingdom, so that His Name may be glorified in the hearts of His elect people. He has said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Too often we go forth in our own strength, but we hope that the Lord may be needed by you and your wife together in all your circumstances. Congregation, again you may receive your own minister. He is not to be carried on your hands, but carried upon the wings of prayer. God does not give His honor to another.

The text we have chosen for this occasion is I Kings 19:19 & 20a, where Cod’s Word reads: “So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah.” Here we have the calling of Elisha, and will consider the following three points:

1. A divine election,

2. A divine calling,

3. A divine sending.

The history of this text is well known. We see Elijah the prophet, who has performed many miracles in the midst of his people. On Mount Carmel he expected a great reformation, but it did not happen. The opposite took place, and he came to sit under a juniper tree in the wilderness. But the Lord has yet work for him to do. He was to anoint Jehu and to anoint Elisha. It was not Elijah’s choice; it was the Lord’s choice. This is also true of all who are to labor in His vineyard. Joshua was called to succeed Moses, Elisha to succeed Elijah. “Thou shalt anoint.” Elisha was to be anointed as prophet in his place.

Anointing signified ordination and qualification. The Lord is free; He calls one and passes by another. We see this in the example of Samuel when he was to anoint David. Ordination and qualification are not man’s work, but must be of the Lord. It is the greatest work upon earth to proclaim His Word, but may there also be more labor regarding it in the midst of the church.

“So he departed thence.” It was a long journey since Elisha lived in the northern part of the country. Elijah was to win him for the service of the Lord —to be his successor. Elijah would soon die, but the Lord’s work must continue. The hand of death comes upon one or another of Cod’s servants, as we have seen in recent years. However, God assures that His church continues even unto the end. These offices will remain, even though men pass away. The word is brought as a seed, also here in the congregation, classis, and denomination.

Elijah is an example of the Savior. He, too, often had to go a great distance — go through Samaria for a certain woman, through Jericho for a Zacchaeus, elsewhere for a Levi and for the thief on the cross. The work of the exalted Mediator will continue, and for this He will use His servants. Have we heard the Word of the Lord? A personal answer is needed. Under the operation of the Holy Spirit there can be a blessing. The cry is then heard, “O Cod be merciful to me a sinner.” It is not to honor man, but the Lord uses His servants.

Elisha was found plowing. A dry period had preceded this, but rain had come. His father Shaphat was a wealthy farmer, having eleven servants. Elisha was also industrious, and not a lazy person. No doubt Elisha was one of the 7000. He was plowing —a type of the work soon to be done. The ground must be prepared. The Lord by Word and Spirit teaches the wretchedness of the sinner, the greatness of sin, breaking the heart. The law of God brings forth the cry, “O Lord, have mercy.” Law and gospel will be heard.

“Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.” Elisha may have been very busy with the needs of his people. But it was as if Elijah said, “Thou art called by the Lord to the service in His vineyard.” He didn’t wait for an answer, but left it to the Lord. Each Sunday you are also called — not to be a minister or an elder, but to the service of God. It is the outward calling, but God can bring it further.

Elisha was a busy man; to forsake his calling behind the oxen was not an easy situation. The Lord inclined his heart and then there is only one way, that is, to follow — willingly. It is grace if we may do it. Perhaps a great future was before him in what he was doing, but he had to leave it behind, just as Moses, as Ruth, as Levi the publican. The Lord makes a person loose of the ties which bind him to the world or to a business. He said farewell. The tools were surrendered to the Lord; they were no longer needed. A separation had come—a breaking with the past. By the grace of God it is possible. There was a meal, a rejoicing in the Lord, and he departed.

His instruction then commenced. He poured water upon the hands of Elijah. Elijah could speak about the Lord and His doings. It is a wonderful instruction — to hear what the Lord has been and is doing. Christ is then the center. He is to be known in His Names, in His offices, in His natures, in His states. It was a blessed time for Elisha. Instruction was necessary then, but also today. How long was he in school? That is unknown. But the time did come that he went forth. It is our wish and prayer, Brother Den Hoed, that the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon you, leading you more and more.

Psalter 345 was then sung, after which the form was read and the questions asked. The answer was given: “Yes, truly, with all my heart.” After directing a few words to him, his family and the congregation, Rev. Den Boer requested the newly ordained minister to kneel while the congregation sang Psalter 255:3. During the singing of Psalter 372 the Bible was held above him by Rev. A. Verhoef, Rev. J. Spaans, Elder J. Van Ginkel of Rock Valley, and Elder A. Den Hoed of Sunnyside.

Rev. Verhoef, who was unable to be present for the second evening, then spoke a few words, expressing the wish that the Lord might enable him to plow with the law and to sow the seed of the gospel, and that God might give the increase. After further addressing Mrs. Den Hoed and the family, as also the congregation and friends, the evening was closed with prayer, the singing of Psalter 368:4 & 5 and the Doxology.

Rev. Den Hoed’s inaugural sermon, September 19, 1985, will be summarized next month, D. V.

MINISTERIAL CALLS

Call Extended

To Rev. J.J. Van Eckeveld of Zeist, the Netherlands, by the Clifton, New Jersey Congregation.

Call Declined

By Rev. C. Harinck of Oostkapelle, the Netherlands, to the Grand Rapids, Michigan Congregation.

BIRTH-PANGS OF THE REFORMATION

Martin Luther’s poem following spiritual deliverance:

In devil’s dungeon chained I lay

The pangs of death swept o’er me.

My sin devoured me night and day

In which my mother bore me.

My anguish ever grew more rife,

I took no pleasure in my life

And sin had unsettled me.

Then was the Father troubled sore

To see me ever languish.

The Everlasting Pity swore

To save me from my anguish.

He turned to me His Father heart And chose Himself a bitter part,

His dearest did it cost Him.

Thus spoke the Son, “Hold thou to me,

From now on thou wilt make it.

I gave My very life for thee

And for thee I will stake it.

For I am thine and thou art Mine,

And where I am our lives entwine,

The Old Fiend cannot shake it.”

GOSPEL STANDARD: 150th ANNIVERSARY

We wish to extend our best wishes to the Gospel Standard and its current editor, Pastor BA Ramsbottom, on the 150th anniversary of their periodical (1835-1985). The August 1985 issue of the Gospel Standard is a “special anniversary issue,” containing much valuable historical and experiential material. Though we differ from this denomination (Gospel Standard Strict Baptist) in the areas of infant baptism, the offer of grace, and human responsibility, our commonalities far exceed our differences. In particular, we deeply value their adherence to the Reformed doctrines of grace and their insistence upon the vital necessity of personally experiencing these doctrines.

The Gospel Standard was commenced through the joint effort of the well-known William Gadsby and his son, John (a printer). Subsequent editors, among others, included John M’Kenzie, J.C. Philpot, and J.K. Popham.

Pastor Ramsbottom is also editor of their companion magazine for children and youth (Friendly Companion) which may be heartily recommended as well.

The two periodicals may be ordered in U.S. currency for $11.20 by surface mail and $13.20 by air mail through the North American contact address:

Pastor J.K. Stehouwer

1710 Richmond St., N.W.

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504.

May God continue to prosper their periodicals to His glory and the edification of His invisible church on earth.

WINTER SERVICES IN FLORIDA

In November, the Lord willing, reading services will commence again for the winter season in western Florida. Two services will be conducted on Sundays by visiting elders or Mr. William Noorduyn, who may be contacted as of November 1 at (813) 360-1440.

DENOMINATIONAL NOTES FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Gereformeerde Gemeenten

Rev. I. Koster accepted a call to Scher-penzeel.

Rev. I. Kleppe is presently serving a few congregations in North America for several weeks.

Rev. A Snoep’s health has improved remarkably; he is preaching once per Sunday.

Rev. A. Hoogerland’s recovery is slow but steady; nevertheless, he remains very sick.

Housekeeper needed for an elderly gentleman, member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids. For further details or to submit resume, write: Mrs. L.B. Dahnky, 18535 Nelson Road, St. Charles, Michigan 48655, (517) 642-8076.

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