Forest Hill PCA Devotionals

Acts 15: Faith Alone and Godly Conflict

Explore the pivotal Jerusalem Council, where the early church officially affirmed that salvation is by grace through faith, not by keeping the law. We also see how God used a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas to multiply missionary efforts, proving that His sovereign plan works even through human conflict.

Title: Only Those Who Believe | Heidelberg Catechism #20

In today’s devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 20: Are all people saved through Christ in the same way they perished through Adam?

Through the lens of the New Testament—specifically the Gospel of John—we look at the necessity of "true faith." Just as a rescuer can only save those who trust them to lead them out of a burning building, Jesus provides the only way of escape for those who are grafted into Him by faith. Join us as we reflect on the narrow way to life and the gift of salvation found in our one true Mediator.

Key Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14, John 1:9-13, John 3:16-18, John 3:36.

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question 19 of the Heidelberg Catechism, tracing the "good news" of Jesus Christ from its first revelation in Paradise to its final fulfillment. Discover how the entire span of Scripture—from the patriarchs and prophets to the ancient ceremonies of the law—testifies to our need for a divine Mediator.

#HeidelbergCatechism #Gospel #BibleStudy #JesusChrist #ReformedTheology #OldTestamentProphecy

Journey through Acts | Acts 14: Miracles, Persecution, and Persistence

This study follows Paul and Barnabas through the challenges and triumphs of the first missionary journey recorded in the New Testament. In Acts 14, a dramatic sequence of events unfolds in Lystra—beginning with the miraculous healing of a man crippled from birth, leading to the apostles being mistaken for Greek gods, and culminating in Paul being stoned and left for dead.

The Only Solution: Jesus Our Mediator

In this seventh week of the Heidelberg Catechism study, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel reaches the core of the gospel in Question 18. After establishing our need for a mediator who is both fully God and a righteous man, the Catechism finally reveals the answer: Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

The Identity of the Mediator: Up to this point, the Catechism has focused on the requirements for a savior; Question 18 identifies Jesus Christ as the only one who qualifies as both true God and true man.

Wisdom from God: Jesus is described as our "wisdom from God," which is defined not as intellectual prowess, but as the solution that allows us to live as God intended.

A Three-Fold Treasure: Through Christ, believers receive three specific gifts:

Righteousness: The fulfillment of God’s law on our behalf.

Holiness: Being made clean and set apart by His blood.

Redemption: The price paid to buy us back from slavery and condemnation.

Scriptural Foundation: Drawing from Colossians 1 and 2, the study highlights that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, providing "gospel comfort" for both life and death.

Acts 13: The Mission BeginsIn this study of Acts 13 with Michael Taliercio, we witness a major turning point in the early church as the Holy Spirit sets apart Barnabas and Saul for their first missionary journey.Key Highlights:Power & Name Change: Paul confronts the magician Elymas in Cyprus, witnessing the conversion of Proconsul Sergius Paulus. Michael shares Augustine’s insight on why Saul began using the name Paul to commemorate this victory.The Message of Justification: In Antioch of Pisidia, Paul delivers a landmark sermon proving Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel’s history. He proclaims that through Jesus, we are justified from everything the Law of Moses could not provide.Light to the Gentiles: Faced with jealousy and rejection from religious leaders, the apostles boldly turn to the Gentiles, fulfilling the call to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.Despite persecution, the chapter ends with a powerful reminder: the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Summary: The Necessity of a God-Man MediatorIn this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question 17 of the Heidelberg Catechism, focusing on why our mediator must be true God. Building on the previous lessons that established the need for a mediator who is a true and righteous man, this session highlights the divine power required for our salvation.Key Takeaways:The Dual Nature of Christ: To be our deliverer, Jesus must be both fully human and fully divine.The Power to Endure: Only a mediator who is true God possesses the power to bear the infinite weight of God’s wrath in His human nature without being destroyed.Restoration of Life: Christ’s divine nature allows Him to not only pay for sin but to "obtain for us and restore to us righteousness and life".Scriptural Evidence: The devotional cites Isaiah 9:6, Nahum 1:6, John 3:16, and Hebrews 1:6 to demonstrate that the Bible identifies the Savior as both a "child born" and "Mighty God".Ultimately, the "God-man" is the heart of the gospel: only a man should pay for human sin, but only God could survive the payment.

Why the Mediator Must Be Human

Why was the incarnation necessary? Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 16, explaining why our Savior had to be a true and righteous man to satisfy divine justice.

Key Points:

• Justice Requires Humanity: The same human nature that sinned must pay for sin.

• Sinless Perfection: A sinner cannot pay for others; only a perfectly righteous man can bridge the gap to God.

• Victory Over Death: By becoming flesh and blood, Jesus destroyed death from the inside to set us free from fear.

"Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God." — 1 Peter 3:18

Title: Who Can Stand in God's Way?

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Journey through Acts

Date: February 10, 2026

Bible: Acts 11

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel in day 472 of a journey through God's Word as he explores Acts chapter 11. This chapter highlights a pivotal moment in the early church where God reveals that the Gospel is for all people, regardless of background.

Key Highlights:

Peter’s Vision: Learn how God used a vision in Joppa to show Peter that no person or food should be called "unclean," breaking down the barriers between Jews and Gentiles.

The Church at Antioch: Discover the growth of the first multi-ethnic church and the moment disciples were first called "Christians".

A Model for Today: Pastor Jason breaks down the four-fold mission of the church: evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and relief ministry.

Be encouraged by how Jesus is still building His church and advancing His kingdom today.

As we pivot from the reality of our guilt toward the hope of the gospel, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question 15 of the Heidelberg Catechism. Learn why our deliverer must be both a true, righteous man to represent us and true God to sustain the weight of divine justice.