It’s clear that in the days of the apostles, it was the universal practice to receive believers into the visible church. It’s possible that a true believer, because of some unusual circumstances, may fail to unite with the church. One may, for instance, believe in Christ and die before receiving baptism, or joining a local church. But such instances are exceptional. The Scriptural rule is that while membership is not a prerequisite for salvation, it is a necessary consequence of salvation.
— R.B. Kuiper (1886–1966), Theologe
Topics: Church & Congregation, Grace & Redemption
Occasions: For Reflection
R.B. Kuiper
Rienk Bouke Kuiper (1886–1966) war ein niederländisch-US-amerikanischer reformierter Pastor und Theologieprofessor, der unter anderem am Westminster Theological Seminary sowie am Calvin Theological Seminary wirkte. Er stand für einen konservativen, bekenntnistreuen Calvinismus und betonte die Vereinbarkeit von reformierter Erwählungslehre mit engagierter Evangelisation. Heutigen Bibellesern vermitteln seine Schriften ein Verständnis für textzentrierte Schriftauslegung und eine klassische reformierte Ekklesiologie.
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller
The Church is not a cultural club, but the family of Jesus.
Pope Francis
The Bible in the pulpit must never supersede the Bible at home.
John Charles Ryle
In essential unity; in nonessentials liberty; in all this charity.
Rupertus Meldenius
Henry Ward Beecher
Philip Yancey
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
In a congregation, every person must be able to be as their heart truly is.
Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf