Journal: Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal
Volume: RPTJ 08:1 (Fall 2021)
Article: Proclaiming The Word Of The Triune God
Author: Jeffrey A. Stivason

RPTJ 8:1 (Fall 2021) p. 11

Proclaiming The Word Of The Triune God

Jeffrey A. Stivason

Professor of New Testament Studies Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

¹ Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. ² But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:1–6, ESV)

What does our world need? The Christian will likely and hopefully respond with the gospel. Indeed, the gospel is the cold cup of water that the world requires. Yet, what more could be said by way of clarification? We might explain what we mean by the gospel itself. In other words, are we speaking of the historia salutis or the ordo salutis? Or does the question have to do with communication? These and other questions are legitimate and should be discussed. However, I want us to think about the means that God uses to reach a world in need. What are those means? How might a confessional church address that question?

The Westminster standards are certainly an aid to the church. Think of question 155 of the Larger Catechism. It asks, “How is the Word made effectual to salvation?” The answer speaks to our question when it addresses the means used by God to make the Word effectual unto salvation:

The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the hearing of the Word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners: of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.1

Think about that answer. The reading of the Word, but especially the hearing of the preached Word, is made by the Spirit of God an effectual means of drawing men to salvati...