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li0scc0 said:
"The preaching of the gospel is the most important part of the worship of God. God's people are saved by its power and also constantly strengthened and encouraged in their faith. The preaching at our church is based on clear and careful exposition of the scripture."
First, let me say that I am NOT happy the way this discussion is going and I do hope that ALL parties will consider abstaining from furthering the direction it has taken.

Secondly... you may have "attended" a number of PRC congregations, but so have I. Even more salient is the fact that I have studied at the PRC Seminary and therefore have a little different insight into what the PRC is and what they believe.

Thirdly, the statement you quoted from Hope PRC I find in error.


The preaching of the gospel is the most important part of the worship of God.



This topic has been discussed on the Board several times in the past, i.e., what should the focus be in a Christian worship service? Most of the Reformed persuasion, who do not embrace the "seeker friendly" model, are agreed that corporate worship is a time when professing believers come together to offer praise to God, confess their sins, hear the Word of God preached and then leave as changed individuals whose primary desire is to live holy lives before the Lord. This is not to say that the Gospel message isn't ever to be preached in a corporate worship setting. But again, it is clearly NOT to be the focus nor is it the "most important part" of the worship of God.

Lastly, from what I heard taught at the Seminary and what I heard at the various PRC congregations I visited (yes, there were exceptions and those churches were not well looked upon) the "gospel" was discernible different than that which Reformed churches historically preached. And this was due to their distorted doctrines concerning the "free offer" and how they viewed covenant children. According them, one must first come to know that he/she is one of the elect in order to have the right to believe upon Christ.

Now, if you would like to discuss any of this further, then I would suggest that a new thread be started so that the subject of this thread, "Solo Scripture" may continue on track.

In His Grace,


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simul iustus et peccator

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