Since July, 35 students of theology have been meeting on Wednesday nights to study “Soteriology” as part of the Gethsemane Bible Institute Online classes. (By the way, this is the 3rd in the series of GBI’s Systematic Theology classes). I am happy to report that all the students come with tremendous enthusiasm and give themselves to learning.

Soteriology is the study of the Scriptural doctrine of salvation. This division of theology deals with a keen study of God’s provision of salvation for sinners through Jesus Christ and all salvific blessings He offers to those who trust in Christ. Topics, such as Election, Atonement, Substitution, Propitiation, Expiation, Satisfaction, Forgiveness, Limited Atonement, Effective Call / Irresistible Grace, External Call, Internal Call, Regeneration, Repentance and Saving Faith, Justification, Reconciliation, Adoption, Sanctification, Glorification, are studied.

It is really thankworthy that as the students grow in the knowledge of the biblical doctrines, not only their doubts, questions, lack of clarity and misunderstandings are driven away, but their spiritual fervour and devotion to the Lord have also increased enormously.

During last Wednesday’s class, the students responded with much delight to the Scriptural truths they learned thus far. The topic of study was God’s effectual calling of a sinner to Himself through the general Gospel call via Christians’ presentation of the Gospel (cf. Romans 10:14- 15). They were asked how they would pray for the effectiveness of their personal and collective evangelistic efforts. They were encouraged to think of the truths that they have learned and make them their prayers. Remarkably, the students (one after another) shared about 20 or more prayer points that they would include in their prayers for evangelism. At the end of the class, some testified that they had never realised how profound and solemn their prayers for evangelism can be when they pray with clear and sound knowledge of divine truths.

Certainly, the deeper knowledge of God’s Word enables God’s people to pray with understanding of His Will and with earnestness. I would like to share some of the prayer points that we have discussed in GBI so that you can be strengthened in your prayers for the work of the Gospel.

Praise God for:

1. Praise God for His rich grace towards sinners, and provision of Jesus Christ as our great Saviour.
2. Thank God for the wonderful Gospel and the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Praise God for:

3. Take and use me as a Gospel channel each day.
4. Lead me to (or send to me) Thy elect people who have not yet known the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may be led to the knowledge and belief of the Gospel.
5. Grant me open doors to declare the truths of Christ.
6. Grant me the Spirit’s empowerment to do the work of evangelism.
7. Remove all fear and anxiety and grant me boldness to present the Gospel.
8. Grant me courage and an unashamed spirit when I will be scorned at or opposed or even persecuted for witnessing for Christ.
9. Soften (or open) the hearts that are hardened (or blinded) by sin and Satan.
10. Fill me with wisdom to answer questions and doubts of those whom I reach out to.
11. Fill my mouth with proper words to declare the Gospel truths faithfully and effectively.
12. Grant me humility in my conduct and preaching.
13. Endue me with perseverance in my efforts to bring the Gospel to others.
14. Grant me a fearless spirit to rebuke sin and unbelief.
15. Grant me patience to explain the truths of the Gospel to those who ask about them.
16. Grant me compassion and love for sinners, that I may be ever willing to preach the Gospel.
17. Keep me from pride and self-dependence as I go about witnessing.
18. Prevent me from perverting the Gospel.
19. Protect and guide me away from sinful temptations, that I may be a holy and clean vessel for the Lord.
20. Deliver me from Satan’s hindrances.
21. Remove all obstacles, interruptions, interferences, and other problems that could prevent evangelistic efforts.
22. Provide safe journey, good weather, good atmosphere, etc.
23. Pray for evangelistic materials, like good tracts.
24. Bestow upon the listener the Holy Spirit’s (not man’s) working and conviction.
25. Grant understanding of the Gospel, repentance and true faith.
26. Grant new believers illumination to behold the Glory of Christ and His Salvific Work.
27. Grant readiness and power to those who repent and believe to turn away from sinful lifestyles.
28. Grant new converts the joy of salvation.
29. Pray that more labourers may be called, equipped and sent to the harvest field near home and far away.
30. Pray that in all our Gospel attempts, Christ’s Name may be exalted.

God’s people are not expected to live an isolated life. They are expected to live in mutual fellowship. The Word of God encourages them not to shun one another, but to readily and regularly communicate with one another. Being stirred in the heart by the Holy Spirit, they crave for mutual society. Furthermore, they don’t hanker after the company of ungodly people with whom they have little in common.

In Psalm 66:16, a child of God says to his fellow saints, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” The audience that a child of God would seek are those who fear God. What would be the subject of conversation when God’s people meet? The social talk of His people should always focus on the goodness, mercies, righteousness and truth of God that they have come to know and experience. It is the solemn duty of God’s people to communicate to one another the blessings which God has conferred upon them.

They call out to others, saying, “Come and hear… I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” Lovers of God are willing witnesses of God’s greatness and graciousness. There is no need to coerce them to tell of His wonderful works. They volunteer their confession of God. Out of the abundance of the heart, their mouth declares His goodness towards them.

The godly ones are anxious to convey their spiritual experiences to others. They are eager to rehearse the Lord’s goodness and truth to all those who are desirous to hear them. They are least interested in frivolous conversations of fiction, scandals, gossips, etc. They take notice of God’s wondrous truths and deeds, and relate them carefully and joyfully to their fellow believers.

We must be not only ready witnesses but also ready hearers of the testimonies of God’s people. When others tell us of what the Lord has done for them, we must hear and give glory to God. Listening to accounts of grateful children of God will increase our faith and devotion. Such testimonies are also worthy of imitation. We should never conceal from other brethren the goodness and truth of the Lord that have been manifested to us. Let no shyness or timidity hinder us. If you cannot delightfully talk of God’s saving grace and His bountiful mercies, how can you hope to enjoy them all through hereafter?

Has God done something good to your soul? Then give thanks to God. Come prepared to give a short testimony (of no more than 3-5 minutes) at the Tuesday night prayer meeting. Let me know by noon on Tuesday (by email or SMS or WhatsApp) if you would like to testify of His goodness, so that an opportunity may be arranged that night when we gather for prayer.

Testimony of Trials

Nguyen Trang Thanh (Misty)

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Lord has graciously saved me and brought me to Gethsemane to worship and serve Him in Feb 2012. I would like to share the following testimony in the wake of my recent trials of life:

We all have different tolerance levels to pain and suffering. What is most uncomfortable or intolerable to one, may be ‘just a cup of tea’ to another or vice versa.

For the last two months, the Lord sent two “visitors”. The first one came in the form of a series of physical sicknesses. One after another came vomiting, high fever, infection, constant fatigue day and night (both at home and at work), whether awake or asleep. I dread to be so tired and sick all day, so I prayed that they would all go away soon, but they didn’t. Nevertheless, I thank God for being given several days of MC, which not only helped me to have physical rest, but also time for reading. Through this experience, I have also learned to be more appreciative of His goodness when my health was restored. Like David’s testimony in Psalm 41:3, “The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness”, I also became confident that God will heal me.

The reason why those physical sicknesses so severely impacted me is because for the last 8 years of my stay in Singapore, I never became so sick until the point I needed assistance and visit from my friends. I even cried out loud like a child in front of the doctor. Nonetheless, the Lord has taught me many things, including certain impressive insights about the hospital system here in Singapore.

The second “visitor” whom the Lord sent was my emotional sickness. I must say that this was not a new “visitor” - rather it has been “overstaying” for a few years and would not leave me alone. Though I prayed daily for it to go away, it wouldn’t. Soon I learned that my prayer was wrong. Such trials and temptations are not always meant to vanish quickly. Instead of it going away, I must flee from it to the Lord. Now I understand David’s prayer in Psalm 143:9, “Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.”

Those two “visitors” conspired to produce “tears”! In the past, tears were only shed on my bed, in the quietness of the night. Nowadays, they can come even early in the morning. Tears roll down my face when I am typing emails, when I am on the move (in bus, MRT, car), when I talk to friends, etc. This made me all the more cherish the promise of Revelation 21:4 - “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” I used to focus on the words “no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither … pain”, and frequently prayed for my departure from this miserable world, the earlier the better. That prayer was out of a selfish heart, and not because I loved to be in Christ’s presence. However, this present experience of “tears” taught me to pray with a new desire for His eternally joyful presence in heaven. So, I have learned to value the tears, for they caused me to yearn for the presence of Christ and heaven.

Please do not find it strange and laughable that I say that I treasure tears, sorrows, sufferings, and pain. Haven’t we Christians all known this truth in the Word of God? Consider the following verses:

“How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8:2).

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

“Beloved, think it is not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange things happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

I believe that though Christians should not be actively seeking for troubles and pain, neither should they, like the rest of the world, deliberately avoid tears and sorrows. “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth”, so says wise Solomon in Ecclesiastes 7:3-4. Of course, we should not focus on tears and sorrows, in contradiction to the divine command to “Rejoice in the Lord alway” (Philippians 4:4a).

During my sickness, brothers and sisters in Christ and my close friends visited to encourage me, and I feel thankful and unworthy of such care and love. I consider friends and fellow Christians as channels of blessings and means of God’s love towards me. However, unless and until my God has privately, personally, secretly and uniquely visited me, I will not feel satisfied “even if the person I like most in this world visits me”.

One sentence from Spurgeon that I remember always is: “God created trials so that we may feel them. Unfelt trials are not trials after all.” Therefore, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I beseech you not to be embarrassed or troubled about your tears, sorrows and pain. Cry when your trials are felt, but do not forget God’s statutes. Smile and praise Him as soon His comfort and presence is experienced. God be with all of us as we go through all the trials of our lives.

No matter where Christian youths live, they face immense challenges to their faith and holiness. No one can concisely describe those odds stacked against them. The challenges they encounter are no more just matters arising from their own fleshly lusts and enticements of friends, but also from the internet social media that (directly or indirectly, openly or subtly) seek to undermine their faith and Christian values.

Another dreadful influence on Christian youths come from certain youths who profess to be saved but live a worldly life. There is enormous pressure on Christian youths – even from within the church – to act like the world. Be it in the area of their beliefs, speech, conduct, entertainment, activities or dressing, Christian youths are pressurized to follow the worldly trends.

I believe that young people ought to be the “frontline” of our churches’ spiritual army. For they are, to a great extent, the “face” of our churches. Young people make a statement about their churches, just as they do about their families. The churches and families with godly and well-mannered, strong and enterprising children have much to rejoice, while ungodly and ill-mannered, lazy and lethargic young people bring disgrace to their churches and families.

In Psalm 127:4-5, we are told of the blessedness of well-guided youths - “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”

We do know of certain young men of biblical times who have been endued with great measure of divine strength and wisdom to win their spiritual battles. Do we not remember youthful Joseph, Samuel, David, Josiah, Daniel, Timothy and many more standing up for the LORD in their times? May our youths today be like them in displaying unusual maturity and ability.

For the empowering of her youths to stand for Christ, the church is provided with the best spiritual resources. We are not without aid in guiding our youths to victory in the spiritual battles waged against them. Christian parents, church leaders and youths themselves need to avail themselves of those divine provisions for the equipping and empowering of Christian youths.

The Word of God – the Bible – is the youths’ first and foremost resource. The apostle John says in 1 John 2:13-14, “I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one… I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” John here speaks of strong and triumphant youths of the church. He is not referring to their physical strength, but their spiritual strength which comes through spiritual resources that God provides.

Many physically strong young men are being taken captive by the devil. They are “wrestled to the ground” and chained by worldliness in the pit of sin. As enlisted soldiers of Christ’s army, they need something far greater than natural vigour to fight their spiritual battles. As Scripture exhorts, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10); and “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1). Christian youths must be exhorted to yield to God in devotion and ceaseless prayer so that they may be empowered in the might of God.

Their spiritual strength, as 1 John 2:14 says, comes from the Word of God that abides in them. The Word is not kept out of their lives, but always embraced, studied, believed and obeyed. When the Word is kept within them, they shall be always empowered and equipped to fight and win their battles. The Word of God makes the youths pure. Psalm 119:9, 11 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word… Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” It establishes them in their spiritual walk and keeps them from faltering – “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (Psalm 37:31). When His Word remains in His people, it makes them followers of Christ, for Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Jesus also promised that the Word-abiding Christians will achieve great things for the Lord through prayer – “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).

The victory of spiritually empowered Christian youths is guaranteed – “I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:13, 14). With the strength and wisdom of the most Holy God, they shall have victory over the wicked one, even the devil.

All the young men (and women) of Christ must fight against the devil. They cannot make peace with him. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). All those who are saved have already tasted the victory – “ye have overcome the wicked one.” In Christ we have victory. He has defeated the devil on the cross. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). They who have found their strength in the Lord and His Word will overcome all the ploys of the wicked one.

Final conquest is sure!
They have strength of the Lord in them.
They have God’s Word within them;
They have the devil under them.

Dear Pastor,

We as a family, have been greatly blessed by your preaching for the past twelve years. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has given us salvation, peace, obedience to God and hope in our life. We thank God for the timely instructions received from the Word of God through your preaching. At the same time, God has also blessed us with good health and a job. We would like to share our blessings with you. Please use this token of our love for the purchase of insulin pump or for your medical use.

May our God keep you and sustain you for many more fruitful years in His service. We rejoice with you in Christ Jesus.

Truly, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)

A Gethsemane family.

Today, 25 adults and 6 young children will be received into Gethsemane’s membership. This is one of the largest intakes that we have in Gethsemane. As we witness this joyful event of 31 new additions to our church, it is most appropriate and necessary that we remember that church membership is a commitment which we make in response to the biblical instruction that believers be joined to a local church as her responsible members.

Believers are exhorted to function like the members of the same body. Each believer ought to be a member of a local congregation and be committed to serving one another. In Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul gives specific and practical instructions to the church that all members should minister to one another, just as the members of one’s body would function. It is to equip believers for mutual service that God has given each and every believer certain spiritual gifts.

Romans 12:5-8 exhorts us, “5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

In the light of the above Scriptural teaching, every Gethsemanean is asked during the pledge of commitment by the new members: “Will you promise to be regular in reading the Bible and in prayer, in the worship service and in the support of this church through your service and giving?” Dear members, have you been sincerely and faithfully fulfilling the pledge you have made before the Lord and this church? If you are a new member, please be sincerely resolved to serve the Lord and His people as God has taught His people in His Word.

Though in our church there are plenty of people serving on Sundays and throughout the week, every member must humbly and prayerfully offer himself or herself to areas where he or she can best exercise his or her God-given abilities. As our church grows in number, there will be more spiritual and physical needs of our members and worshippers to be met. There will be more young believers to be nurtured, more hurting ones to be comforted, weak ones to be strengthened, sick ones to be visited and attended to. If our church would run like a “well-oiled machine”, it is important that each and every member of the church be involved in serving one another.

The very purpose for which God has brought us together as a church – the body of Christ – is “that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:25-27). If there is even one member of the church who is not giving himself or herself to the care and service of the church, the church will be less than what God has designed her to be.

Brethren, let us be committed to fulfil the biblical mandate to serve one another. Being a formal member of our church, let every one of you be resolved in your heart and vow before the Lord – “I will love the people the Lord has added to this church. I will do whatever the Lord will enable me to do for the care and edification of my fellow Gethsemaneans.” Let love and care flow to one another on a daily basis. It is our special privilege as Christians to serve the Lord Jesus Christ by serving His body. Even a small service, such as giving a drink to a thirsty brother, is regarded by the Lord Jesus Christ as a service to Him and will be rewarded by the Lord Himself (cf. Matthew 10:42; 25:40). What a wonderful thought that whenever we serve the members of His church, we are serving the King Himself!

Baptism & Transfer of Membership

Infant Baptism:

1. Seth Ong Yi Kai s/0 Mr & Mrs Ong Wai Meng, Aron
2. Lim En Zhe, Phineas s/o Mr & Mrs Lim Tiong Nam, Marcus
3. George Lijoy, Johan s/o Mr & Mrs Kunnathu George, Lijoy
4. George Lijoy, Hannah d/o Mr & Mrs Kunnathu George, Lijoy

Baptism:
1. Chan Hor Ying Cathrine
2. Lim Wan Hoe

Transfer of Membership:

The Lord has furnished our church with many fellowship and ministry groups so that members and friends may have opportunities to grow and serve the Lord. We thank God that all of them are well-organised and wellmanaged for the spiritual benefit of His people. Apart from the regular meetings, they also arrange special events like seminars, retreats, fellowship-outings, prayer meetings, evangelistic programmes, etc. Our preachers and Session members regularly give leadership and teach God’s Word in their activities.

What benefits will you receive?

• Increase in the knowledge of God’s Word through Bible studies and sermons.
• Get to know more brethren in the church, and thus forge closer fellowship and friendship with other believers.
• Exercise your spiritual gifts and grow in the service of the Lord and His people.
• Become a channel of encouragement and edification to others in their spiritual walk.
• Pray together for one another and the Lord’s work.
• Introduce your friends and relatives to Christ and the church by inviting them to the fellowship.

What can you offer?

• Make it a point to regularly attend one or more fellowship/ministry groups and their activities.
• Open your homes or help to book places for meetings.
• Offer food and drinks, if there are post-fellowship refreshments.
• Help to fetch participants in your vehicle.
• Talk to worshippers and friends to encourage them to regularly attend meetings and special events.
• Offer your service wherever help is needed, to the best of your ability.
• When leaders of the church approach you to serve in responsible areas (such as in committees, or chairing the meetings), avail yourself as the Lord enables you.

So brethren, make every effort to participate in the fellowship/ministry groups of the church. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Testimonies of Young Adults

Bro Aron Ong
The GYAF is an avenue which God uses to minister to His children, particularly the young adults of Gethsemane.

For me, the GYAF message on 20 May 2016 was an especially timely one. The exhortation taken from Hebrews 10:25 on “and so much the more” - as regards to the assembling of ourselves together and the exhorting of one another in Christ - was a reassuring and encouraging message for me. It exhorted me not to give up but keep pressing forward in Christian life and service. At that point, I was just a month into parenthood - a “newbie” dad still settling into the new reality, trying to integrate my newest responsibility with my existing ones. My wife Shan was in her post-pregnancy confinement (though nearing the end of it then), and so I had been going to church alone without my immediate family for that past month. This had been an emotional struggle within me - part of me wanted to attend church, yet another part of me wanted to stay home together with my recuperating wife and newborn baby.

The temptation to slow down in the things of God is always there, all the more so when burdens of life increase. It is very easy to just give up, if we become transfixed by our own circumstances and some others around. However, to do that would be unfaithful to Him who has called and saved us.

Amidst life’s struggles, busyness, frustrations and troubles, we are still to be growing, fruitful Christians. As the palm trees that flourish in hostile desert conditions to produce sweet dates, and like the strong cedar trees that grow in favourable fertile conditions, may our Christian lives be ever flourishing and strong throughout all of life’s changing scenes, that we may show forth the glory of our Lord who has planted us and will make us flourish in Him (cf. Psalm 92:12-15).

That message was an apt reminder, for which I praise God!

Sis Low Hui Lin
The Gethsemane Young Adults’ Fellowship (GYAF) has been a blessing to me in the years that I have been in this church. I praise the Lord for using the GYAF to minister to me in several ways.

It was through the GYAF that I was assimilated into the church. During the months before my husband and I got married, I started attending the GYAF meetings. Through this, I was able to get to know more members of the church. I am thankful for several sisters who put in the effort to talk to me and make me feel welcome at each meeting.

Through the past 7 years, the GYAF has continued to be a source of blessing for me. I especially am thankful for the faithful preaching of God’s Word during each meeting, through which I have learnt much and grown in the Lord. How I sometimes wish that the preaching would not end, so that I can hear more of God’s Word!

The GYAF has also provided me with the opportunity to be in closer fellowship with some brothers and sisters-in-Christ as we get to know one other better. God has used the brethren from the GYAF to encourage me at different points in my life, for which I am thankful.

I praise the Lord for His goodness to me through the GYAF. May the Lord continue to use the GYAF mightily to do His work.

Introduction

The spiritual frontline is not one to be trifled with. It is where spiritual warfare occurs almost all the time, and throughout the life of a genuine believer in Christ. The outcome thus hinges on how a Christian fights these battles. Just as any physical warfare is of a matter of life and death, where great amounts of resources, thoughts and efforts are being put into fighting it, a Christian must also fight his spiritual battles valiantly with the help of God. If a Christian slackens in spiritual warfare, the adversary, who pounces at any given opportunity, will easily catch him or her unawares.

One of the many spiritual battles that a Christian has to fight is the battle against “spiritual sleepiness and drunkenness”. It is the attitude of being insensitive towards godliness and not living a life that is all-pleasing to God. Spiritual sleepiness and drunkenness is the behaviour of unbelievers who are not at all ready for the imminent coming of Christ. It could also refer to living an active life of revelry and unrestrained enjoyment of sins. But a Christian fights against all such dispositions towards sins. Christians ought to be watchful and to be battle-ready. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 tells us that the means to be sober is to put on “the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation”. It is unthinkable for any soldier to go to war without his gears. So, let no Christian go to his spiritual battles without putting on the armour that God has provided. What then is this Christian armour that God has provided for the Christian soldier?

Breastplate of Faith and Love

A breastplate is an important piece of ancient military armour. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary provides the following information about this ancient piece of armament:

With the rise in popularity of the arrow and with its speed of flight and imperceptible approach on its victim, the mail came to be more and more necessary to cover the torso. Fish scale-like construction of small metal plates sewn to cloth or leather was the breastplate for the ancient soldier. These scales could number as high as 700 to 1000 per “coat.” Each coat obviously could be quite heavy and expensive to produce in volume.

This piece of breastplate was a central piece of a Roman soldier’s armour. It protected the torso, which contained vital organs like the heart and lungs. The breastplate was used as the main piece of defence in war.

A Christian soldier must put on this breastplate at all times. Arrows fly in all directions in a battlefield. It is impossible to predict from where and when the arrows would fly towards the soldiers. This often leaves soldiers helpless and defenceless. However, as long as this breastplate is put on, a soldier will have the best form of defence he needs. Likewise, Christians cannot predict when the enemies of Christ will attack him. Yet when they put on this “breastplate of faith and love”, they are able to withstand spiritual attacks. Christians are also exhorted to put this on continuously as the tense for “putting on” in verse 8 is in the continuous. This continuity also connotes that Christians are in constant spiritual warfare. Unlike ancient soldiers who could put down the heavy breastplate once they left their battlefields, Christians must always have their spiritual breastplate on them.

The first element of this breastplate is faith. A Christian must always act in the faith that God has granted him for his salvation and Christian life. He will remember his Christian position and will only do things that are in accordance with his faith. This is how a Christian ought to defend himself against spiritual attacks at all times. A Christian who is not sober and watchful forgets that he ought to act as a follower of Christ. When the fiery arrows of temptation are shot in his direction, the “sleepy” and “drunken” Christian is caught off-guard. Being unguarded, the poor Christian will be pierced by the arrows without mercy and be defeated. On the contrary, a watchful and sober Christian will always be prepared for any spiritual attack because he is aware of the dangers lurking around him.

The second element of the breastplate is love. A Christian soldier who wears this breastplate has an unwavering love for God. His love for God never diminishes. A constant love for God guards against all fiery arrows of temptations that are being shot at Christians. It provides a strong motivation for resistance against temptations. This is because a Christian who loves God cares most about his relationship with God. He does not seek to gratify himself. His love for God will rouse him to resist temptations. In the face of temptations, a Christian who bears in mind his love for God will ask: “How can I do this wickedness against my Lord whom I love? Will what I do grieve His heart or disappoint Him?”

Helmet

The next piece of defence armour is the “helmet, the hope of salvation”. It is a vital piece worn by soldiers for the protection of the head. Blows aimed at the head could be fatal. Thus, helmets were made of metallic material, like bronze and brass lined with leather, to take these blows. Usually, the helmet is the last piece of armour a soldier will put on before he heads out to war. A meticulous and prudent soldier will not forget his helmet even when he rushes out to war. Even though he has made all other preparations and worn all other parts of the armour, he will not go to war without his helmet.

The helmet of a Christian is his hope of salvation. Christians who wear this helmet are assured that the Lord has saved them and that they will have the final victory. Soldiers must have the hope of victory in any battle that they fight. Having done all the preparations for war, a soldier must go with the hope of victory, and not with an attitude of fear and defeat. A Christian also cannot afford to be a sceptic, filled with doubt and fear. He is called to be an overcomer. This is echoed in 1 John 5:5 – “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” All Christians are called to be victorious in their battles. No matter what the devil does, he will not prevail against Christians in their full battle order. Christians must fight their spiritual battles with the mindset to win. Christians must gird their armour on and sound the battle cry as they fight their spiritual battles confidently

Conclusion

With God as the Captain of the Christian army, let all Christian soldiers go forward and face their spiritual battles readily and steadily, as declared by the hymn, “Sound the Battle Cry”:

“Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud, “Hosanna!”
Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.”

Greetings to you all in the blessed Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Lord’s Name be praised in all His marvellous works which He has done in our midst. By the grace and mercies of the Lord, the Gethsemane B-P mission churches in Bogo and San Antonio have been hitherto sustained by the Lord. Recently, we just had the 8th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the Gethsemane B-P Mission Church, Bogo (which was held on 24 July 2016). We praise the Lord for preserving the church. The church had undergone some difficulties whereby some ended up leaving the church, but the Lord has been faithful in even adding regular worshippers into our midst. Praise the Lord for the preaching of God’s Word from Pastor Reggor that challenged the church towards revival. May God’s people respond rightly as the Lord does a great revival in our midst.

About a month later, the Gethsemane B-P Mission Church, San Antonio, held her 7th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service on 21 August 2016. The Lord has been gracious to send into our midst brethren from the Cebu church to rejoice together with us, granting us a blessed time of mutual encouragement. Thank God for the many children who came – these children are from the children’s outreach of the San Antonio church. The brethren were exhorted from God’s Word by Pastor Reggor on maintaining the right perspective in service. Praise the Lord for brethren who continue to be stedfast and joyful in their service to the Lord. The Lord is merciful and gracious in adding to the church two new members, Zoey Jimenez and John Paul Narandan. May they grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ unto maturity.

All glory and praise be to the Lord for using our late Preacher Dominino some years back to start these two mission churches. Praise the Lord for his faithful service to these churches until he was taken home. Praise be unto the Lord for His continuing grace in nurturing these two mission churches. Indeed, “His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth forever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion” (Psalm 111:3-4).

Praise the Lord for the loving and unfailing support of the Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore, to our two mission churches. Thank God for the love and support of the church and brethren in Singapore. We know that the Singapore church has her own burdens, yet your liberality abounds! It is also heart-warming to know that your church remembers us in your Tuesday night prayer meetings. Praise the Lord for helping us carry the burdens of the two mission churches and cast them upon the Lord.

Please do continue to pray for us as we look forward to another blessed year ahead of us. May the Lord be pleased to continue to use these two mission churches to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the saving of souls and for the glory of His Name. May the Lord grant us His grace, that the brethren will continue to abide and grow thereby in Jesus Christ and His Word.

Lovingly in Christ,
Eld Eliezer Ortega

“O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2).

Greetings in the blessed Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

I praise God for keeping His church, my co-labourers, my family and me in faith and good health to continue His work. The Lord of the harvest has been very gracious in sustaining us and providing the direly-needed resources for the work He has entrusted us. Moreover, I thank God for your labours of love, constant prayer and support for God’s work in Ethiopia whereby the Almighty is fulfilling His purpose in our land.

Spiritually speaking, the Evangelical Churches in Ethiopia are passing through great tides of apostasy, charismatic delusion and moral declension. While we do not expect things to get better in these last days, we are called to hold forth the Word of Life, live blamelessly and shine as Christ’s lights “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation” (cf. Philippians 2:15-16). Despite some “dropouts” from God’s army in our church, I praise God for upholding us to stand against all these unbiblical tides, and also for all the brethren who stood by us in prayer and selfless giving.

Following is a brief update on God’s work in Ethiopia:

Work at Alemgena

  i.  Church

By God’s enabling grace, Gethsemane has been shining forth the gospel light of Jesus Christ over the town and its environs. In our weekly evangelism work, we usually do a person-to-person evangelism whenever conducive. We also give out tracts (especially “An Appointment to Keep”, translated into Amharic and Oromo). God rewarded our efforts by a few who have professed faith in Christ. As we press on in the days ahead, may God bring in greater harvest.

Besides, Bro Bayera (a graduate of GBI) has begun a mission work in Sebata Awas, Gora Kebele. Some people have shown interest in the Gospel. But due to the recurring uprisings in Oromia region, he could not fully carry out house-to-house evangelism as planned. We are prayerfully doing all we can to get the breakthrough. Once we get a number of converts, he will settle there and continue the work. Please pray for this work.

 ii.  Gethsemane Children’s Ministry

This ministry provides an opportunity for the poor and disadvantaged children in our community to learn to read, write and understand basic arithmetic. This year, 29 children completed their education, which is provided free. Next academic year, we will have 3 classes: Nursery, KG1 and KG2, with about 45 poor children benefiting from this gratis service. 3 of our church members (1 volunteer and 2 paid staff) are serving in this ministry. This ministry has allowed us to give the Good News both to the children and their parents. It is our prayer that God’s special favour be on this work to yield rich spiritual fruits in days to come. May God use the seed sown in their hearts to bring them to salvation.

iii.  GBI, Ethiopia

“Thou … be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

GBI exists to train and prepare faithful Christian leaders, preachers and teachers for the Church of Jesus Christ. It strives to achieve this by equipping them with sound biblical and theological instruction, training the heart to develop biblical virtues, and providing vital skills needed for effective preaching and teaching of God’s Word and biblical leadership of the church. Thus, GBI is a firm ground which the Lord has given to Gethsemane to disseminate the Reformed and Bible-Presbyterian Faith, to counteract the apostasy in our land, and to prepare faithful, devoted, skilful ministers for the work of the Gospel.

After 4 years of training, 2 have graduated with Diploma in Theology on 29th November 2015. One of the graduates, Pr Dejene Daka, went back to the rural church and is now serving as a pastor in a local church in Wolayta Zone. The other is our church member, currently serving the Lord fulltime in Alemgena. Praise God for His unspeakable gifts. In GBI, Ethiopia, we have 3 programmes:

1. The Full-time Programme: has 3 terms of study annually, covering 7 courses each term. Dn Imane, Pr Engida and I take the teaching duty. This term, we had 12 trainees in this programme. (3 others withdrew because of family problems, and hopefully, they will be back next year).
2. The Evening Programme: for those who cannot come for full-time study. This year, we have 6 students in this class, where they take 2 to 3 courses each term. Currently, I am the sole instructor because of Dn Imane’s part-time study at Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology.
3. The Distance Programme: for those who come from far. They come on alternate Saturdays for a full-day training. Each term, they take 4 courses; Dn Imane and I give 2 courses each. Although 11 trainees began this year, only 7 completed the 3rd quarter while 4 dropped out because of personal problems.

May the Lord bless these efforts for the glory of His Name, the edification of His people and the salvation of sinners. I truly thank God for all the brethren who earnestly pray for and sacrificially give towards this work.

Work at Addis Ababa

Pr Engida is in charge of the work in Addis. He takes all the duties related to the spiritual care of the flock there. Dn Imane and I will go there monthly to help the work on alternate Sundays. We use a rented house for our services and for Pr Engida’s family’s residence. Finding a willing property owner with an affordable rental, has been our problem these past 2 years. The current owner, under pressure from pagan neighbours, had told us to leave as we just completed a 1-year term of leasing this month.

Each move brings its own difficulty. In any case, this time we almost could not get a proprietor who is willing to lease property for church service. After a month of desperate search, we found a property which is leased out on a 6-month term of payment. Though the owner is a member of an evangelical church, he is not willing to let us use it on a 3-month term of payment. This puts us in a most difficult situation. Yet, we have no option but to take it. This shows us that the time ahead is more difficult than we imagine. We need prayers of God’s people, that God may intervene in all our difficulties to sustain the ministry in Addis Ababa – for God alone has the solution to this problem.

Our Encouragement, Challenges and Prayers

• We praise God for the fellowship of Gethsemane B-P Churches in Singapore and the Philippines, and other like-minded brethren who stood with us thus far in carrying out God’s work.
• We need more faithful and able workers in GBI and more called ones to come in for training.
• We need God’s grace and wisdom to watchfully guard against the influx of unbiblical doctrines and practices in these last days.
• We need God’s providence towards the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry as it is serving the poor children in our community, gratis (and yet, we need to pay the teachers).
• We need God’s mighty work in the hearts of our members to engage themselves in witnessing to their friends, neighbours and family members, to promote church growth.
• We need God’s Hand to intervene in the problem of finding an affordable rental for the use of our Addis congregation. The extra 3 months’ payment that we have made for the premises, put us in a situation whereby we will not be able to pay our workers. We can do nothing but cry to the Almighty God to intervene!
• More than anything, we need God to revive His work in the hearts of the full-time workers, that we may exert ourselves wholly to fulfil our most holy calling!

The Excellencies of Christ’ is the topic of the upcoming Bible Witness Retreat (7-9 Sept). As it has been with every previous BW Retreat, the lectures in the coming retreat would also be the culmination of a series of study on a theme which I have undertaken. In the last BW retreat, the study and the lectures were focused on the Doctrine of Christ. It has whipped up a greater desire to learn of the excellencies of Christ as revealed in His Word. So I have been prayerfully learning and preparing to share with you in the upcoming retreat on the remarkable truths of Christ’s glory. As I look forward to the retreat, I pray that God will bless us with richer knowledge of His glorious Son.

The excellencies of Christ afford an inexhaustible and soul-satisfying study. To the apostle Paul, the knowledge of Christ was a cause that he would undertake at the expense of all things in life - “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Nothing in the world is of any comparison to His infinite glory!

The excellencies of Christ arise from the fact that in Him dwelleth all divine and human excellencies. The beauty of the divine attributes is found in Him in all fullness - “in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). He is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Also, whatever perfection of human virtues is also found in Him, for He was “holy, harmless, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26), “without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet 1:19). He is the transcendent God, yet He condescends to reach us. In Christ our Lord, we find the beauties of divine majesty and meekness of a perfect man, for He is the Lion and also the Lamb (Revelation 5:1-10).

The knowledge of Christ’s superlative excellence is sure to evoke within us an all-consuming passion for Him and His glory. The meditation of His excellencies would make all the glittering luxuries and glamour of this world grow pale and dim, while stirring our souls to crave for richer knowledge and experiences of His glories. However high we may rise in the knowledge of Christ, still there will be the inexhaustible riches of His excellence.

So, let us therefore eagerly come to His presence to learn of Him.

Brotherly Conduct of Christians

Prabhudas Koshy

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

This verse begins with the connective particle “wherefore”, which refers us to James’ discussion in the preceding verse that God begat Christians according to His will by the truth of His Word. All genuine Christians are the children of His family. In this regard, James addressed fellow believers as “my beloved brethren”. Then he exhorted them as to how they should conduct themselves as children of God’s family.

The first conduct of a child of God that James teaches, is that he ought to “be swift to hear”. The primary emphasis of this advice is that every Christian ought to be eager and ready to hear God’s Word. Listening attentively to the instructions of the divine truth, by which every Christian is begotten, is crucial in the life of God’s child. His foremost calling is to be a student, rather than a teacher, of God’s Word. He must be teachable and have a great appetite to feed on God’s truth. A holy curiosity and a receptive spirit are paramount if he is to grow in the knowledge of God.

is certainly not an advice to promote some kind of unsociable reserve. There is no virtue in being uncommunicative. We are not forbidden from speaking altogether. We are not taught to abstain from speaking entirely, but to be slow to speak. The admonition is against talkativeness and hastiness to be a teacher. Such restraint in speech has been taught in the wisdom books of the Bible. Proverbs 10:19 reminds us, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 17:27 says, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words”. In Ecclesiastes 5:2, we are warned: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God.”

The third conduct of a child of God that James teaches, is that he ought to be “slow to wrath”. Quick-temperedness and fiery outbursts will lead to many great and heinous offences and sins. So we are to control our temper. Moreover, to be a good learner of God’s Word, one needs to be patient in spirit. Let us not be angry, especially when we are rebuked and corrected by His Word. Proverbs 14:29 reminds us, “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding”. He who is slow to anger shall attain wisdom and honour, but the wrathful man, only foolishness and shame.

Whether it be a custom, habit or game, Christians must “not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12b). We should be cautious to avoid being enslaved by anything, even if it seems lawful. As Christians, we must ask ourselves: “Will this enslave me? Will this hinder or profit my spiritual life?”

With Pokemon Go’s arrival in Singapore, I must warn our children, youths and adults against being brought under its spell. Pokemon (originated in Japan) was introduced to the rest of the world in the mid- 1990’s. Its new version, Pokemon Go is an “augmented reality” game. Players would chase Pokemon cartoon characters in real world environments using their smartphone camera and a phone app. Reports show that some churches in the US have become ‘Pokemon Go gym’ locations, where players (known as trainers in the game) gather to battle against one other. It would not be too long for such things to happen in Singapore churches too!

Why should we dissociate ourselves from this fantasy game? Firstly, it is not all that innocuous as it is made out to be. Christian writers have warned about its troubling similarities with some occult practices. (By the way, “Pokemon” is short for “pocket monster”!) Its hundreds of cartoon characters depict demonic creatures - including a fictitious creature (Gengar) displaying power to curse Pokemon players, thus teaching children that cursing through magic is OK. Though promoted as an amusement, in reality, it is a promoter of occultism - clairvoyance, summoning of spirits, practice of mind-control, dabbling in magical arts, etc. It also promotes ungodly activities like gambling. The more immersed you are in the game, the more severe the spiritual maladies! Secondly, though there is no official report of Pokemon players becoming demon-possessed or witchcraft practitioners, it is not a harmless game. There is much evidence that it affects the mood and behaviour of those given to it. Moreover, it can also cause not a few physical dangers! Just last week, media reports highlighted some bad, dangerous behaviour of these gamers.

There is nothing wrong with having some fun using our imagination. But when it involves characters and activities of occult themes, our minds will be gradually influenced to ignore Scripture’s prohibitions and be open to spiritual dangers. Due to its subtle power to negatively affect our behaviour and spiritual integrity, we must dissuade our children and youths from playing Pokemon Go. What we and our children need is not fun with the occult, but godly discipline that turns us from worldliness to Christ. Brethren, avoid all things that are not spiritually expedient.

The Gethsemane Care Ministry (TGCM) –
stark illustration of the power of the gospel

We are all sinners. The problem is that not all of us think so. Worse, some even think themselves to be less a sinner than others. Without the problem (i.e. sin), scarcely would the cure be appreciated.

TGCM is a ministry that preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ to ex-offenders. Upon their salvation, TGCM is the platform which nurtures these men in the knowledge of God’s will, and works out the transformation in their lives. The TGCM brothers were those with a bad past. Vice, wickedness and sin ruled their lives in a more manifested way than most of ours. Some bad things we thought of, these brothers did. Some evil things we cursed, these brothers performed. Some things so blatantly horrible that we shun, these brothers embraced. These are the men whose “sinsickness” had plagued them so sore that the efficacy of the cure is most appreciated.

Truly, the Bible did not make any unwarranted claim when it said that the Gospel of Jesus Christ – of His substitutionary, atoning work which He did by coming to be born a man, to live, die, and ultimately rise again – is the power of God to save all. There is no sinner whom the blood of Christ cannot cleanse if only the sinner genuinely repents. Believe in your heart what Christ has done to pay for the sins on your behalf, confess the Lord, and forsake your sins - that is the repentance of the Bible. TGCM brothers are testament of that promise.

There is nothing that can pick a poor lost sinner, change his heart, and turn his life around the way the Gospel of Jesus Christ can. Those tender words of Jesus, “Follow me” will resound into an irresistible call for sinners to forsake all the sins of the world and come to a Saviour. The call to leave sin and death, and to plead before a furious and all-righteous Judge is also an appeal before the most merciful and loving God. The ways of darkness that once gave joy now lose their glamour, relative to the joy of being reconciled with God! Oh, peace with God the Judge! Free from the guilt of sin, and free from its bondage! There is nothing other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ that may impart such elation to those who receive its cure. Upon salvation, living is now for Christ, according to the Bible. There is no stronger motivation.

Other modes of “restoration” or rehabilitation without the Gospel may change the manifestation of sin. One wrong is substituted with other less severe wrongs. Illegal wrongs are replaced with “legal” wrongs. Or perhaps wrong is momentarily avoided, in the light of punishment if committed. But the heart is not changed; the root issue is not addressed; there is still no purpose in life. Some may retort that many have since found families or businesses which now provide meaning and purpose to live changed lives. Yet, if these are removed (which are easily lost), the sinner is reverted to his former state. But the joys of salvation and peace with God, none shall ever take away! Even in death, nothing can change God’s love towards us, and His forgiveness of our sins. Truly, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power to change lives. God Himself works within the hearts of the TGCM brothers, sanctifying them day by day for His purpose.

There is no news as beautiful to great sinners than that there is a great Saviour. And who are great sinners? The TGCM brothers undoubtedly are. But so are we, and so am I. Just because we haven’t done what (or as blatantly as) they did, doesn’t make us any less a sinner in the sight of God. All have come short, as the allrighteous and holy Lord accepts nothing but perfection. We do right indeed to praise and glorify God for the greatness of His Gospel to change the lives of such great sinners as these ex-offenders. But equally praise God for the greatness of His Gospel to save us, who are just as great sinners too!

Sometimes, because we think of our sins as less severe than they are, we appreciate the cure less than we ought to. But by God’s grace, He sends a stark contrast for our contemplation. By almost all definitions, TGCM brothers have been great sinners in need of the powerful and most precious Gospel. This contrast allows us to fully appreciate the greatness of God’s gift of salvation, and the efficacy of His saving grace. But in God’s sight, we are as great sinners as they. So, this same Gospel saves us too, if only we believe.

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Sinner, repent and find mercy in the Lord!

(A youth who attended the TGCM 11th Thanksgiving Anniversary Service)