Today’s Readings Podcast Description

No one may presume to take up the public ministry of the Church without a lawful call. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he carefully explains the four heads of a true calling: who is to be appointed, in what manner, by whom, and with what rite. The ordinary path is election by the people under the guidance of existing pastors, confirmed by the laying on of hands. This order guards the Church against ambition and preserves the dignity of the ministry as a work of God.

Readings:

John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 3, Sections 10–16

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Today’s Readings Podcast Description

The ordinary offices of the Church—pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons—are of perpetual duration. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he carefully distinguishes the temporary offices of apostles, prophets, and evangelists from the lasting ministry that builds up the body of Christ. Pastors are called to preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments, and exercise discipline; elders assist in governance; and deacons care for the poor. These offices are not human inventions but the Lord’s appointed means for the edification of his people.

Readings:

John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 3, Sections 5–9

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Today’s Readings Podcast Description

The Lord rules his Church by his word, yet he has chosen to use the ministry of men. In these opening sections of Chapter 3 from John Calvin’s Institutes, he shows why God employs pastors and teachers: to humble us, to bind us together in love, and to build up the body of Christ. The ordinary offices of pastor and teacher are essential and perpetual; without them the Church cannot be preserved.

Readings:

John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 3, Sections 1–4

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Today’s Readings Podcast Description

The true Church stands or falls by the pure preaching of the word and the right administration of the sacraments. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he shows why the Church of Rome cannot claim to be the true Church despite its outward forms and claims of succession. Where the gospel is corrupted and idolatry reigns, the Church ceases to exist. Calvin calls us to hold fast to Christ and his word rather than empty masks.

Readings:

John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 2, Sections 9–12

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Today’s Readings Podcast Description

The true Church is built on the word of God, not on external forms or human succession. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he contrasts the true Church with the false claims of Rome. Calvin shows that where the gospel is corrupted and the sacraments perverted, the Church ceases to exist, no matter how loudly succession or ancient titles are claimed. We must hold fast to Christ and his word rather than empty masks.

Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 2, Sections 4–8

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Today’s Readings Podcast Description

How do we distinguish the true Church from the false? In this chapter from John Calvin’s Institutes, he shows that the true Church is marked by the pure ministry of the word and the right administration of the sacraments. Even where there are faults and imperfections, as long as the foundation remains, we must not lightly abandon it. But when the gospel is overthrown and the sacraments corrupted, the Church ceases to exist. Calvin warns against false claims of succession and external forms while calling us to hold fast to the truth.

Readings:

John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 2, Sections 1–3

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Today’s Readings Podcast Description

Even after entering the Church, believers still carry the remains of sin and stand in daily need of forgiveness. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he shows that God’s mercy is not a one-time act but a continual reality that sustains us in the communion of the Church. The keys of the kingdom are given so that pardon is daily offered through the ministry of the word and sacraments. This truth comforts the godly and calls us to persevere in humility and repentance.

Readings:

John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 1, Sections 26–29

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Today’s Readings Podcast Description

Even after entering the Church through forgiveness of sins, believers still carry the remains of sin throughout their lives. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he explains how God’s mercy is not a one-time event but a daily reality that sustains us in the communion of the Church. The keys of the kingdom are given so that pardon is continually offered through the ministry of the word and sacraments. True holiness in the Church is real yet imperfect in this life — it grows daily as we press on toward the goal.

Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 1, Sections 21–25

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