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Genesis 15:6—“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

This verse stands as one of the clearest declarations of the gospel in the Old Testament. Abram, still childless and surrounded by uncertainty, is given a promise from God that his descendants will be as countless as the stars. Humanly speaking, the promise seemed impossible. Yet Abram’s response was not doubt, but faith: “he believed in the LORD".

This belief was not mere intellectual agreement, but a wholehearted trust in God’s word and character. Abram rested not in what he could see, but in what God had spoken. In that moment, God “counted it to him for righteousness”. This is the doctrine of justification. God declaring a sinner righteous, not because of works, but through faith.

God’s promise was not just that Abraham would have descendants, but one that would find its ultimate fulfilment in Christ, through whom all nations are blessed. (Genesis 12:3; 22:18; Galatians 3:8, 16). Abraham believed all the promised salvific blessings in Christ. The New Testament confirms this truth (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6). 

Abram was not accepted because of his obedience, but because he trusted in God’s promise. Righteousness was credited to him, not earned by him.

 We, like Abram, often face situations that seem beyond hope. Yet God does not call us to rely on our strength, but to trust His Word. Salvation is not achieved by effort, but is received by faith. Today, we are invited to the same posture: to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all righteousness for us. When we trust Him, His righteousness is counted as ours.

Let us, therefore, rest in God’s promise, walk by faith, and rejoice that righteousness comes not by works, but by believing.

Matthew 28:6—“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

These words, spoken by the angel at Christ’s empty tomb to the mourning women who had come to His grave, proclaim the most glorious reality in history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The declaration, “He is not here: for he is risen”, transforms a place of sorrow into a testimony of triumph.

The women came expecting to find Christ’s body still in the tomb. They brought spices to anoint Him in death. Yet the angel’s invitation, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay”, emphasises the physical reality of the resurrection while also underscoring the grave's temporary nature. The tomb was not merely empty; it had been vacated.

In the middle of the angel’s proclamation is a reminder: “as he said”. It was a declaration that what has now occurred stands firmly upon what Christ has previously told. These words anchor the resurrection in the faithfulness of Christ Himself. Jesus had repeatedly foretold His suffering, death, and resurrection (cf. Matthew 16:21; 20:19), and now His promise stands fulfilled. The empty tomb is a promise kept.

This is the theological heartbeat of the passage. The resurrection of Jesus was not a fortunate accident. It was the fulfilment of His own word and of divine prophecy. By rising from the dead, Christ confirmed His identity as the Son of God and demonstrated that His sacrifice for sin was accepted by the Father. In God’s redemptive plan, the resurrection is the receipt of our redemption. His resurrection was the declaration that the debt has been paid in full.

It speaks directly to our deepest fears, like death, the grave, and judgment. Praise be to God, death does not have the final word.

Because the angel’s message remains true, we now serve a living Saviour, who is not defined by where He was, but by who He is. Even today, we are invited to “come and see” that Christ has kept His word in conquering the grave. And just as surely, He will keep His promise to raise all who believe in Him.

Let us, therefore, trust His word, rejoice in His victory, and live in the power of His resurrection.

(Taken from today’s devotion from Pastor’s “Precious Thought for Today” on BWTV) 

Matthew 28:6—“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

These words, spoken by the angel at Christ’s empty tomb to the mourning women who had come to His grave, proclaim the most glorious reality in history–the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The declaration, “He is not here: for he is risen”, transforms a place of sorrow into a testimony of triumph.

The women came expecting to find Christ’s body still in the tomb. They had brought spices to anoint Him in death. Yet the angel’s invitation, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay”, emphasises the physical reality of the resurrection while also underscoring the grave’s temporary nature. The tomb was not merely empty; it had been vacated.

In the middle of the angel’s proclamation is a reminder: “as he said”. It was an affirmation that what has now occurred stands firmly upon what Christ had previously predicted. These words anchor the resurrection in the faithfulness of Christ Himself. Jesus had repeatedly foretold His suffering, death, and resurrection (cf. Matthew 16:21; 20:19), and now His promise stands fulfilled. The empty tomb is a promise kept.

This is the theological heartbeat of the passage. The resurrection of Jesus was not an unfortunate accident. It was the fulfilment of His own word and of divine prophecy. By rising from the dead, Christ confirmed His identity as the Son of God and demonstrated that His sacrifice for sin was accepted by the Father. In God’s redemptive plan, the resurrection is the receipt of our redemption. His resurrection was the declaration that the debt has been paid in full.

It speaks directly to our deepest fears, like death, the grave, and judgment. Praise be to God, death does not have the final victory!

Because the angel’s message remains true, we now serve a living Saviour, who is not defined by where He was, but by who He is. Even today, we are invited to “come and see” that Christ has kept His Word in conquering the grave. And just as surely, He will keep His promise to raise all who believe in Him.

Let us, therefore, trust His Word, rejoice in His victory, and live in the power of His resurrection.

Testimonies of New Members

Reuel Resuma

I thank God for the blessing of being raised in a Christian family and a Bible-believing church, where I have been instructed in the Word of God from a young age. By His grace and mercy, He convicted me of my sins and of my need for a Saviour, and enabled me to turn to Him in repentance and to believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

I praise God for Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, where, even from young, I have been grounded in the sure foundation of God’s Word. It is certainly a blessing to have many opportunities throughout the week to study and meditate on God’s Word. I also thank the Lord for giving me many areas in which I can serve Him with my best. These include the Youth Choir, the slide-clicking ministry, the ushering and greeting ministry, and even helping to set up for worship services.

I thank God for our church leaders—Pastor, the elders, preachers, and deacons—who lead our church to be more conformed to His Word and who are examples for us to follow. I also thank God that I am surrounded by mature believers and godly friends who encourage and edify me in my spiritual walk.

I pray that, as I continue my pilgrim journey on this earth, I will persevere in the battle against sin, grow spiritually, and live according to His will. I pray that God will mould me to be more like Christ, enable me to serve Him better, and use me for His glory.

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand” (Isaiah 64:8).

All glory and praise be to God.

Lim Joses

I thank God for granting me the privilege of growing up in a Christian household where from a young age, my parents would bring me to church every week. I attended Junior Worship classes and the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry, which allowed me to learn many biblical truths, and taught me the importance of putting my trust in God. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” For all have sinned, and deserve to suffer the penalty of sin, which is death; yet God, in His unconditional love, sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins, that we may believe on Him, and have everlasting life.

Lamentations 3:22 reminds us, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” I thank God for saving me and keeping me steadfast in my faith, as well as helping me to continually grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Bible. I also thank God for allowing me to attend Sunday services where Pastor and other preachers faithfully and diligently preach from the Bible. Praise God too for the privilege to attend the Gethsemane Youth Fellowship, and to serve in the Youth Choir – to sing praises and glorify God with my voice. I was happy to join the Catechism Class, taught by Elder Francis and Elder Choy, which has enabled me to learn more of the wondrous truths in the Bible.

As I grow in faith, I pray that I will continue to love and fear God and be a God-honouring Christian in all that I say or do. May I learn to share the Gospel with those around me, that they may also come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. All praise and glory be unto God!

Eden Lee

I was brought to Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church from a young age, but I did not fully understand the purpose of attending church. Life was plain sailing until I faced my first major trial during my O-Level examinations, where I struggled with anxiety and low confidence. Thank God for my sister who encouraged me with God’s Word and reminded me to do my best for His glory and leave the results to the Lord.

Although God helped me through that period, I often forgot His blessings and only prayed in times of need. Through my sister’s constant reminders about my salvation, I realised during a family devotion that I was not truly saved. I repented of my sins and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour.

During the COVID pandemic, I listened to sermons from various BP churches, including Gethsemane BPC. By God’s leading, I began attending worship services here in Gethsemane. The church’s emphasis on prayer and godly living has encouraged me greatly, and I thank God for the opportunity to serve in the Lions Home ministry. I pray that the Lord will help me serve Him faithfully and be a blessing to the brethren in Gethsemane.

Mr & Mrs Soh Chai Seng

When my son was studying in ACJC more than forty years ago, he had to attend chapel devotion as a requirement. It was then that he first heard the Gospel, which touched his heart. When he returned home from school, he would speak to his mum about the Lord Jesus Christ. He encouraged us all in the family to make an attempt to attend church service each Lord’s Day. My son then took his mother and two sisters to church each Lord’s Day for service. My wife, upon her return from church, would speak to me about the Gospel every Sunday night to encourage me to attend church. At that time, I was still an idol worshipper, praying to the Chinese god of heaven, but I was ready to attend church together with my whole family. An elder of the church (Dr Cheng Wei Nien) was very helpful, for he sat with me and flip the pages of the Bible for me during Scripture reading. Dr Tow Siang Hwa preached on that Lord’s Day and indeed, the message touched my heart. After attending church services on a few more occasions, I decided to give up my idol-worshipping. The idol was finally removed from my home, as I had decided to become a believer. In December 1984, my whole family was baptised at Calvary Pandan BPC.

As my wife was educated in Mandarin, she found it difficult to understand what was being preached. Each time when we got home, I had to explain to her the whole Gospel that was preached. After a period of discussion, we made the choice to worship at the Chinese Service of Life BPC. We were initially comfortable attending the service. However, after some time, a misunderstanding arose with a staff member who spoke rudely to my wife regarding a close friend of ours. This incident left us deeply unsettled, and since then, we increasingly felt unwelcome on each Lord’s Day we attended. It was then that we decided to look for another church to worship. Having participated in the Gethsemane Chinese Retreat in Malacca last year through the help of sisters Beng Yan and Beng Hwee, and also having met Pastor Koshy, we gave it a thought – why not attend Gethsemane BPC since many of our friends from BPCs are worshipping here. Besides, we have also been welcomed by Pastor Koshy. After worshipping here for more than six months, we have decided to transfer our membership to Gethsemane BPC. We are looking forward to being received by the Pastor, the Elders, Preachers and also the Deacons in Gethsemane BPC.

Sermon Text: Romans 6:5–11
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 5th April 2026

Matthew 27:65–66—“Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”

These verses describe what happened after Christ was buried. They reveal a striking contrast between human fear and divine authority.

The religious leaders were anxious. They feared that Christ’s disciples might steal His body and claim He had risen. To prevent this, they went to Pilate. He granted their request, saying, “Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.” So they sealed the stone and posted guards at the tomb.

Here we see a powerful irony—man trying to “contain” God.

In their effort to secure the grave, Christ’s enemies actually became witnesses to the miracle they hoped to prevent. They did everything possible to secure the tomb so that Christ’s body would not leave it. Yet their actions only highlight the power of God in Christ’s resurrection. No stone, no seal, and no soldiers can stop His purposes.

Their precautions ensured that when the tomb was found empty, there could be no natural explanation, for there was no theft, no confusion, no mistake. What was meant to prevent deception ended up confirming the truth. The resurrection of Christ was not fabricated; it was divinely accomplished.

What they intended as a barrier became, in God’s providence, evidence.

How futile is the human seal! There are times when God’s work seems hidden, sealed away and guarded by impossibility. Yet even then, He is at work. The silence of the tomb was not defeat, but preparation for victory.

When circumstances seem final and unchangeable, we are called to trust the God who raises the dead.

Not all the schemes of men, nor the combined authority of rulers, could hinder or overturn God’s eternal purpose, namely, to secure and seal the salvation of His people through the death and triumphant resurrection of His Son.

Isaiah 53:5—“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53 stands at the heart of prophetic revelation, unveiling the suffering Servant of the Lord. Written centuries before the cross, it speaks with astonishing clarity of a substitutionary sacrifice. In this chapter, Isaiah portrays a despised and rejected Servant who bears not His own sorrows, but ours. Verse 5 then leads us to the very heart of redemption: the Servant’s suffering was neither accidental nor undeserved, but intentional, for He bore our transgressions and our iniquities.

This verse clearly sets forth Christ as our substitute, bearing on Himself what rightfully belongs to us. Its language is rich with grace: though He endured piercing wounds and crushing blows, such suffering was not for His own sake, but on behalf of sinners.

Our sins deserve judgment, yet Christ bore it.The phrase, “the chastisement of our peace was upon him”, reveals that the punishment required to reconcile us to God fell entirely upon the Servant, even the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace with God is not achieved by human effort, but purchased through divine sacrifice. So by believing in Christ’s sacrifice, our sins are removed, and we are justified.  Echoing this truth, Paul wrote in Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

“And with his stripes we are healed”. That phrase speaks not merely of physical healing, but of the deeper restoration of the soul. Sin has wounded us; Christ’s suffering restores us.

This verse calls us to humility and faith. It confronts us with the seriousness of sin, for it requires nothing less than the suffering of the Son of God. Yet it also assures us of the sufficiency of His work. For the burdened conscience, here is peace. For the broken soul, here is healing. Let us look to Christ crucified, and rest in the grace that was accomplished for us.

Luke 22:19—“This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

In the upper room, on the eve of His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus institutes what we now call the Lord’s Supper. The context is deeply significant: the Passover meal, which commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, is now fulfilled and transformed in Christ. He takes the simple, unleavened bread of the Passover meal—plain, unadorned, and free from leaven—and gives it new meaning. It is no longer merely a reminder of past deliverance from Egypt’s tyranny, but a sign of His impending sacrifice.

Christ’s declaration is rich with substitutionary grace for He said, “…my body which is given for you.” Christ speaks of a personal, voluntary giving of His body. Here is the heart of the gospel. He stands in the place of sinners. The language anticipates the cross, where His body would indeed be broken under divine judgment, securing redemption for His people, as Isaiah 53:5 predicted—“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” 

The Lord’s Supper, therefore, is not a repetition of sacrifice, but a remembrance grounded in a finished work. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” He was calling the church into continual, conscious reflection. This remembrance is not mere mental recall, but a faith-filled participation, an act of worship that proclaims His death (1 Corinthians 11:26), nourishes the soul, and strengthens assurance.

Believers are urged to come humbly and gratefully to the Lord’s table. We do not come because we are worthy, but because He was given for us. It confronts our forgetfulness and rekindles our love for Him. At the Table, we are reminded: Christ has given Himself fully. Therefore, we are called to give ourselves wholly to Him.

Matthew 21:13—“It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

As Jesus enters Jerusalem during the final week of His earthly ministry, He goes directly to the temple, the very heart of Israel’s worship. There He finds not reverence, but corruption. The outer court, meant to be a place where even the Gentiles might seek God (cf. Isaiah 56:7), had been overtaken by commercial activity and exploitation. By quoting Isaiah and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:11), Jesus exposes a tragic distortion: what God designed for prayer had been turned into a place of profit and pretence.

This moment reveals Christ’s authority as the Lord of the temple. He does not merely reform worship; He judges it. His words lay bare the true issue—not simply the corruption of outward practice, but the concealed hypocrisy of the inner life. The phrase “den of thieves” suggests not only dishonest gain but a false sense of security in those who used religious activity to mask their unrepentant hearts. True worship cannot coexist with unclean motives.

“My house shall be called the house of prayer”, reminds us that the essence of worship is communion with God. Prayer expresses a heart that is dependent, lowly, and genuine, yet these very marks were missing in what Jesus encountered. What was meant to be a sacred meeting place between God and His people had been overtaken by sin, leaving little room for God Himself.

Do we approach God with reverence or routine? Have we allowed distractions, self-interest, or hypocrisy to replace genuine devotion? Christ still calls His people to purity in worship. Let us come as those who truly seek God, making our lives and His church a house of prayer.

Mark 10:45—“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

The disciples of Christ were concerned about who would hold places of honour and greatness. They imagined prominence and authority in the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed. In response, Jesus corrected their understanding of greatness. He pointed them to a very different pattern, one that stood in contrast to the ambitions often found among earthly leaders. The explanation reaches its highest point when He said “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Jesus describes His mission in two remarkable ways. First, He came to serve. Though He possessed divine authority, He did not demand status or privilege. Instead, His life was marked by compassion, love for the lost, care for the needy, and attention to those often overlooked. The One who held all authority chose the path of humble service.

Second, He came to give His life as a ransom. The word “ransom” points to a price paid to secure freedom. Humanity stood in bondage under sin and was unable to rescue itself. Christ willingly offered His life so that others might be released.

This statement reveals the heart of the gospel of Christ. Salvation was not achieved through human effort but through the self-giving sacrifice of Christ.

For those who follow Him, this verse reshapes the meaning of greatness. True greatness is not found in seeking recognition but in serving others. The life of Christ calls believers to walk in humility, gratitude, and sacrificial love toward those around them.

Mark 10:21—“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

A wealthy young man approached Jesus with an earnest question about eternal life. He had lived a morally disciplined life and claimed to have kept the commandments from his youth. From the outside, his life appeared admirable and devout. Yet Jesus looked deeper than outward behaviour.

The verse begins with a striking phrase: “Then Jesus beholding him loved him”. Before speaking words of correction, Jesus showed genuine compassion. His response did not arise from harsh judgment but from loving concern for the man’s soul.

Jesus then exposed the true issue: “One thing thou lackest”. Though the man had many virtues, something essential was missing. His possessions had taken hold of his heart. His riches had quietly taken God’s rightful place in his heart. Wealth had become a barrier that prevented full devotion to God.

Jesus called him to sell what he had, give to the poor, and follow Him. The invitation was not merely about giving away money. It was a call to place Jesus above every earthly attachment. The promise that followed was remarkable: “thou shalt have treasure in heaven”. What seemed like a loss would lead to far greater gain.

The call to give up what he loved for Christ’s sake pointed to a life of surrender and costly discipleship. Following Christ requires more than outward morality; it requires wholehearted commitment.

This encounter invites every reader to examine the heart. Many things may appear commendable in life, yet one hidden attachment can hinder full devotion to the Lord. The gracious call of Christ still stands: release whatever competes with Him and follow Him with an undivided heart.