Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13-20)

Sometimes the location of an event in the Bible is as important as the occurrence itself. There is no more outstanding example of this than the city of Caesarea Philippi, considered the Roman empire's epicenter for worshipping pagan gods. Here, the scene is set for Peter’s great confession of who Christ is. Jesus and his disciples had just traveled 30 miles north, a two-day journey from the Sea of Galilee to Caesarea Philippi. Jesus led them here for an important reason. Before heading south on the final trip to Jerusalem, Jesus had one last test for the disciples.

Joanna: A Life of Service

Who is your favorite female character in the Bible? How many of you would choose someone who was only mentioned a couple of times in the Bible by name, but who dedicated her time to serving her Lord? Let's meet Joanna, one such woman who offers a great example of a life of service.

Book Review - "The Gospel Can Change Your Life"

Kashvi meets the Christian owners of the orphanage and begins to have a relationship with the one true God. The contrast between the "religion" of her childhood and the true godly faith of her new life at Karunai House really shows how the gospel can change your life.

Caesarea Maritima: A Harbor for God’s Purpose

This city is quite the man-made accomplishment, especially considering that the town didn’t even exist in the Old Testament. Herod built this city to celebrate humanism: the glory of Caesar Augustus, the Roman Empire, and Herod's own worldly achievements. Herod established this city to celebrate man forever and built the harbor to show he could “conquer nature” himself. Caesarea Maritima certainly boasted all the worldly pleasures man could ever hope for. But God had other plans. 

Cappadocia

You might think of the creeds of Nicea and Constantinople as your personal connection to Cappadocia...our spiritual bond to this place is vital. Next time you or your minister reads from the Nicene Creed, think of Cappadocia and the three church fathers from there that God sent at just the right time in church history to defend those truths we hold so dear.

Archelaus

King Herod didn't want anyone to forget his funeral. He ensured it had the same decadence and self-aggrandizement that he had displayed in life, so his subjects would remember it forever. The procession began at Herod's summer palace in Jericho. With all the pomp and circumstance of a military parade, it headed 23 miles west to the Herodium, Herod's pleasure palace and final resting place south of Jerusalem. Herod himself led the way, embalmed and carried on a golden bier.

But the Jews were left to wonder: Who would be their next king? Would it be Antipas, son of Herod’s Samaritan wife Malthake? Or possibly Philip, Herod’s son with a Jewish wife named Cleopatra? What would Herod’s last testament reveal? 

Book Review - "A Good Refresher on the Beauty of the Reformed View of the Covenant"

I found this book an enjoyable read. It served as a good refresher on the beauty of the Protestant Reformed view of the covenant. It's that beauty, when truly grasped and appreciated, that should motivate us all to confess Jesus before men. While reading this I couldn't help but feel that I often don't appreciate that enough.

RFPA Annual Meeting 2025

This year's RFPA Annual Meeting drew an excellent turnout of young and old readers and RFPA supporters. Many of the 171 active Association members attended with friends and family members to listen to Dr. Brendan Looyenga and Mr. Ben Rau give a presentation titled "Intelligence or Illusion? Christian Perspectives on AI."

But…Together…Grace: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the PRCA (and the RFPA)

The following blog post is taken from the opening devotions of the PRCA100 event which...

Book Review - "A Fantastic Way to Refresh and Sharpen Our Minds"

Reading this book is a fantastic way to refresh and sharpen our minds on what we believe, and why we actually believe it. Rev. Hoeksema really emphasizes the importance of knowing what is right and wrong on topics like church order and governance, common and particular grace, and being spiritually resilient and steadfast in our faith through controversy and schism. Knowledge of how men handled these things in the past and where they went wrong is a very valuable tool for us today as we strive to uphold God's truth in the church.

Book Review - "Ancient History Both Accessible and Spiritually Enriching"

The following is a review by Marc Daniel Rivera of Herman Hanko and Dan Van...

Book Review - "The Protestant Reformed Churches in America" (Part Two)

It is helpful to keep in mind, when reading this section, that defending the truth of God against errors that are maintained about Him has never been something optional for God’s church, or merely an academic exercise. The Lord has willed that false doctrine always threatens the church. One of His purposes in this is to spur the church to uncover and develop more of the truth about Him. So, a generation or two removed from this history, we can recognize that what we are learning, He specifically brought to pass for our growth in knowing and loving Him.  

Book Review - "The Protestant Reformed Churches in America" (Part One)

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the PRC, the Reformed Free Publishing Association has published the 3rd edition of this book, first published in 1936. This has given opportunity for me, a Protestant Reformed believer, to once again read about the events that directly effected the lives of my grandparents, parents, my wife and I, and our children. What were the issues from Rev. Hoeksema’s perspective? In what ways does Herman Hoeksema speak to me who was born 4 years after Hoeksema had already been brought to heaven? Are there things I can learn from this that are relevant today?

Book Review - "A Breath of Fresh Air"

Bavinck’s work on psychology is a breath of fresh air in a day and age when God is often ignored, and man is often considered to be the center of this subject. These articles not only serve the church in their understanding of psychology, but they also contain a missionary emphasis for the lost world that shows them their great need to be made whole in Jesus Christ as they come to a true understanding of themselves. Bavinck recaptures the psychological wealth within the Scriptures, writing in an interesting, concise, and readable manner.

Book Review - "A Forgotten Treasure of Reformed Faith"

In a world where many are drawn to quick fixes and shallow spirituality, Ursinus’ Commentary calls us back to deep, thoughtful engagement with God’s Word. It’s a theologically rich and pastorally wise book that helps us understand the foundations of the Christian faith.  Through this Commentary, we’re invited to rediscover the joy of the five solas of the Reformation: sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, sola Scriptura, and soli Deo gloria. These truths are as relevant today as they were in the 16th century, and they continue to point us to the grace and truth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Book Review - "Pastoral and Relevant"

The sermons are pastoral, and they pull the reader into the basics of what a person should believe if they are a Christian. He quotes relevant scripture, and his love of the Creed, the Bible, and the people of God is apparent. This title is relevant for anyone wanting to study the Apostles’ Creed in particular, or for any believer who wants to better understand what they believe.

SB July Sneak Peek - The Proper Method of Biblical Interpretation

If the Bible were merely a literary document, we could observe its grammar and historical context and do no more. But the Bible is not merely a literary document; it is God’s Word to His church, inspired by the Holy Spirit. When reading the Bible, the main question that we must ask is, “What is God telling us? What does the Holy Spirit mean by this?”

Summer Reads for Kids and Teens

Book Review - "An Essential Catechism Resource"

This new edition from the Reformed Free Publishing Association is a welcome sight, especially since the commentary has been out of print for a few years...this edition is freshly formatted for easier reading. It contains numerous footnotes indicating original sources. It has corrected the translator’s mistakes. It has translated all foreign language quotations. This edition also includes Scripture and name indexes. If you have the older reprint, it will be well worth your money to buy this improved edition. 

RFPA Update - Winter 2025

IN THIS ISSUE: —Feature article: Coming soon: Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism—New (and Re-) Releases...