Bulletin for June 28, 2026

On the Doxology of the Lord’s Prayer

As I mentioned on Sunday, there’s an open question on about the doxology of the Lord’s Prayer: “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen.” The vast majority of modern translations have in some way removed the phrase from the main text of the Bible, either by bracketing it or moving it to the footnotes. Older translations, like the King James Version, leave it in the text. Briefly, I want to explain why, and where I land on the question.

Those who argue that the doxology is not original generally point to the fact that it is not included in the earliest New Testament manuscripts available. Most scholars believe that the phrase, while not in the text of Matthew, was first added in the public worship of the early church. In fact, in other early church documents outside of the Bible, we can find several different versions of the doxology. They believe that early Bible copyists, who certainly knew the Lord’s Prayer by heart, erroneously added that liturgical ending. It was not a malicious attempt to change the Bible, but merely an honest mistake. It’s also worth noting that Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer does not include the doxology.

I personally take the other position, that the phrase does belong in the Bible. I am not convinced that the earliest New Testament manuscripts are always the best manuscripts, and I would see the examples of alternative endings as evidence that Matthew’s gospel originally contained it. It is also the case that the church, in all ages, has included some form of the doxology in the Lord’s Prayer as it was recited in worship. Furthermore, our own Westminster Catechisms assume that the doxology belongs in the Bible (see Shorter Catechism 107 and Larger Catechism 196).

At the end of the day, it seems to me that including the doxology is the safer position. The doctrine it contains is true. In fact, it is quite clearly a reference to a text no one disputes, 1 Chronicles 29:11:

“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.”

I am happy to affirm that the doxology belongs on these bases, but I would also suggest, given that the words are true, there is no issue with praying the words even if you disagree. As with most textual issues, this is not something that should shake your faith.

Updates

1. The Lord’s Supper will be served next week. Please prepare yourselves.
2. Wednesday night studies continue. Feel free to join us at any time.

Your friend in Christ,
Reid

Bulletin for June 21, 2026

Bulletin for June 14, 2026

Debts or Trespasses?

If you’ve ever been at a funeral or wedding where the Lord’s Prayer was used, there’s often an awkward moment in the fifth petition where half the congregation prays that God would forgive our “debts” while the other half says “trespasses.” And often, in response to this, people ask, “Who’s right?” There’s actually a very simple answer to this.

The Greek word in question is ofeilēma, and there is no question that it means “debts.” So that was the word the King James translators used when they got to Matthew 6. Presbyterian and Baptist churches have never had formal liturgies, so when they prayed the Lord’s Prayer, they pulled it straight from the Bible. Hence, we say debts.

However, the King James was not the first English translation of the Bible. When William Tyndale first translated the New Testament, he used the word “trespasses.” Now, while “debts” is technically more accurate, Tyndale’s translation is perfectly reasonable–Jesus is clearly referring to sin in either case. But in 1549 (over 50 years before the King James translation existed), the Church of England put Tyndale’s translation in their new service book, the Book of Common Prayer. In America today, both Episcopalians and Methodists, being the theological descendants of the Church of England, use the word trespasses. Roman Catholic Church has also adopted this language.

So at the end of day, we have two English traditions. Ours comes from the King James Bible, and the other comes from the Tyndale Bible. Though “debts” is a slightly more accurate translation, there are no major theological motivations for choosing one or the other. Just be sure to pay attention next time you’re at a wedding or funeral in another church!

Updates

1. Be sure to grab a PROMISS bottle to turn in by Father’s Day.
2. Our mid-week studies continue to meet at 5:30 on Wednesday. Feel free to join us even if you can only jump in for a week.

Your friend in Christ,
Reid

Bulletin for June 7, 2026

Updates

1. We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper this Sunday. Please be in preparation.
2. PROMISS bottles are available to pick up. They are due back on Father’s Day.

Bulletin for May 31, 2026

Updates

1. This Sunday, we’ll be celebrating our graduating seniors! A reception will follow the worship service.
2. Kyle Palmer is preaching for us this week. He is a licentiate in the PCA and serves at First Presbyterian Biloxi. He previously served at First Presbyterian Ocean Springs.
3. The Lord’s Supper will be served next week (June 7).

Bulletin for May 24, 2026

Bulletin for May 17, 2026

Bulletin for May 10, 2026

Bulletin for May 3, 2026

The Lord’s Prayer

This week, I’m going to begin preaching through the Lord’s Prayer. I’m thinking of it as a kind of mini-series within our exposition of the whole Gospel of Matthew. We’re going to spend a few weeks going line-by-line through the prayer as it is recorded in Matthew. As part of that, I want to encourage you to take a look at Shorter Catechism 98-107. These are the last ten questions of the catechism. There’s also a slightly simplified version of these questions in the Children’s Catechism questions 105-121.

The Lord’s Prayer is Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ request: “Teach us to pray.” So if you’ve ever struggled with prayer, then studying the Lord’s Prayer is an opportunity to learn from Jesus himself how to do it!

Thomas Watson on the Lord’s Supper

Thomas Watson was a Puritan preacher in 17th century England. Though he can sound a a bit archaic now, he is known as one of the most simple and helpful Puritans. Below is a quote from his work on the Lord’s Supper. It comes from a chapter where he deals with several objections a believer might have to coming to the Lord’s Table. I pray this is helpful to some of you as we prepare for the Lord’s Supper this Sunday.

Object. 2. But I have sinned presumptuously against mercy? I have contracted guilt after I have been at the Lord’s Table, and sure Christ’s Blood is not for me?

Resp. It is indeed grievous to abuse mercy. It was the aggravation of Solomon’s sin; his heart was turned from the Lord, which had appeared unto him twice (1 Kings 11:9). Presumptuous sins open the mouth of Conscience to accuse, and shut the mouth of God’s Spirit, which should speak Peace: yet cast not away your Anchor, look up to the blood of Christ; it can forgive sins against mercy.

Did not Noah sin against mercy? who, though he had been so miraculously preserved in the Flood, yet soon after he came out of the Ark, he was drunk. Did not David sin against mercy, when after God had made him King, he stained his soul with lust, and his robe with blood? Yet both these sins were washed away in that Fountain which is set open for Judah to wash in (Zech. 12:4).

Did not the Disciples deal unkindly with Christ in the time of his suffering? Peter denied him, and all the rest fled from his colours (Matt. 26:56): Then all the Disciples forsook him, and fled. Yet Christ did not take advantage of their weakness, nor did he cast them off, but sends the joyful news of his Resurrection to them (Matt. 27:7) and of his Ascension (John 20:17): Go to my Brethren, and say unto them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father. And lest Peter should think, he was none of the number that should be interested in Christ’s love, therefore Christ dispatches away a special Message to Peter to comfort him (Mark 16:7): Go tell the Disciples and Peter, that he goes before you into Galilee — there shall you see him.

So that where our hearts are sincere, and our turnings aside are rather from a defect in our power, than our will, the Lord Jesus will not take advantage of every failing, but will drop his blood upon us, which hath a voice in it, which speaks better things than the blood of Abel (Heb. 12:14).

You can read the whole book for free here. And if you’re interested in a print copy, this is probably the best one.

Updates

1. We are having the Lord’s Supper this week, so please be in preparation.
2. Midweek studies continue on Wednesday at 5:30.

Your friend in Christ,
Reid

Bulletin for April 26, 2026

Updates

1. Remember the Ladies’ Tea is this Sunday from 3 to 5!
2. Next week, we’ll be celebrating the Lord’s Supper. Please be in spiritual preparation as we come to the Lord’s Table together.
3. Please be in prayer as presbytery meets today and tomorrow in Diamondhead.

Your friend in Christ,
Reid

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