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Judges 2:1—“And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.”

This solemn yet comforting declaration was spoken during a time of spiritual decline in Israel. After entering the Promised Land, the people failed to fully obey the LORD. They compromised with the heathen nations around them and neglected God’s commands. Into this atmosphere of disobedience came “an angel of the LORD” from Gilgal to Bochim. This brief geographical note carries profound theological weight. Gilgal was the place associated with Israel’s early obedience, covenant remembrance, and victorious beginnings in Canaan. “Bochim”, meaning “weepers”, became a place of sorrow and rebuke. How tragic that God’s people had moved from victory to weeping because of compromise.

Yet amid His rebuke, the LORD reminded them of His covenant faithfulness: “I will never break my covenant with you”. Though Israel had failed repeatedly, God remained steadfast.  Men are often unfaithful, but the LORD remains true to His Word. God’s covenant is not contingent upon Israel’s perfection, but upon His own unchanging holiness. As Paul the Apostle later wrote, “if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

We often find ourselves travelling the road from Gilgal to Bochim, moving from the vibrant joy of first faith and commitment to God into the tearful consequences of spiritual compromise. What a comfort this is to believers who mourn over weakness and failure. While our sin brings discipline, His covenant love remains unbroken.

God’s covenant mercy in Christ does not rest upon human perfection, but upon His own faithfulness. Yet, His steadfast love should never encourage complacency. Rather, it should move us to repentance, renewed obedience, and grateful devotion. The God who faithfully keeps covenant deserves wholehearted trust and submission.

Philemon 1:6—“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

These words express Paul the Apostle’s joyful thanksgiving to God for Philemon’s genuine faith and the gracious influence it had on the lives of others. The word “communication” carries the idea of fellowship, sharing, or participation. Biblical faith is never intended to remain private or inactive. True faith manifests itself through deeds of love, encouragement, hospitality, forgiveness, and spiritual usefulness within the body of Christ.

Paul prays that Philemon’s faith would “become effectual”, that is, powerful, active, and fruitful. Faith becomes spiritually effective when believers increasingly recognise and embrace “every good thing” God has graciously worked within them through union with Christ. Many Christians remain spiritually weak because they fail to appreciate the riches of grace already bestowed upon them in Christ Jesus. A deeper acknowledgement of God’s work produces greater usefulness in God’s service.

This verse reminds us that every spiritual virtue originates “in Christ Jesus”. Apart from Him, there is no true goodness in us. Through Christ’s saving work, believers are renewed, equipped, and enabled to bless others. As Jesus taught, “For without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Pastorally, this verse challenges believers to ask: Is my faith strengthening others? Does my life communicate Christ’s grace? Living faith is not merely confessed with the lips but demonstrated through active fellowship, loving service, and spiritual encouragement that refreshes the saints and glorifies Christ.

Philemon 1:4—“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers”.

This brief statement reveals the tender pastoral heart of the Apostle Paul. Though writing concerning the delicate matter of Onesimus, who fled from Philemon’s household, Paul does not begin with rebuke or demand, but with thanksgiving and prayer. Before addressing what is required of Philemon, Paul acknowledges God’s grace already at work in him. Such a beginning reflects the spirit of Christlike ministry.

The words “I thank my God” show that Paul viewed every evidence of spiritual maturity in believers as the work of divine grace. He did not flatter men; he glorified God for what God had accomplished in them. True Christian gratitude recognises that faith, love, hospitality, and steadfastness are fruits of God’s merciful operation in the soul. As Paul says in Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Paul also says, “making mention of thee always in my prayers.” Philemon continually occupied a place in Paul’s thankful prayers before God. Genuine pastoral affection expresses itself in persevering intercession. Prayer is one of the greatest acts of Christian love. Many speak about others, but few consistently speak to God on behalf of others.

This verse challenges believers to cultivate thankful hearts toward fellow saints instead of critical spirits. Do we rejoice in God’s grace seen in others? Do we regularly pray for brethren by name? We honour the grace of God by acknowledging the faith and virtues of His people, thanking Him for the unique ways His providence and peace are channelled through their hands to the rest of the Body. A praying church becomes a loving, unified, and spiritually strengthened church, where thanksgiving replaces envy and intercession overcomes selfishness.

GBI, Alem Gena, Ethiopia

Pastor Ephrem Chiracho

Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

“Thou therefore, my son, 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).

We are pleased to inform you that 13 trainees will graduate from GBI Ethiopia on 31 May 2026, the day we commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Gethsemane BPC, Ethiopia. God willing, we will have three membership transfers and one infant baptism on the same occasion. 

We praise the LORD for His unfailing love, mercy, goodness and faithfulness in providing for all His works in Ethiopia through the sacrificial giving of Gethsemaneans in Singapore. We praise God for using your wisdom, prayer, labour and support to accomplish the work of the Gospel in Ethiopia, through unworthy and weak vessels who are working in God’s vineyards in this land.

By God’s enabling grace, we have been proclaiming the Reformed biblical truths taught by our spiritual fathers, so that we may commit the same to the next generation (2 Timothy 2:2). God has been our present Help in all the trials of life and ministry thus far. And He has graciously provided for all the needs of the church ministries, including GBI, Ethiopia. We join the psalmist to acknowledge and publish God’s goodness: “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul… Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me” (Psalm 66:16–20). All glory and praise to the living and true God. 

Pastor, during your recent visit to Ethiopia, we discussed the desire to start a degree programme at GBI in Ethiopia to thoroughly equip former GBI graduates who are in the ministry and to reach more evangelical churches with the sound doctrine of the Reformed faith. By God’s grace, you had promised that you would help us offer the degree programme in cooperation with FEBC… If it be God’s will, we are planning to start the programme at the beginning of October 2026…

Please continue to pray for us, that God may help us hold the fort faithfully and valiantly until Christ our King comes. 

Please convey our heartiest greetings and gratitude to Gethsemane B-P Church’s leaders and the whole congregation.

GBI, Vizag, India

Pastor Sujith Samuel

We thank God for the conclusion of yet another academic year in GBI, India. Two students (Bro. Kynsai and Bro. Khraw from Shillong, Meghalaya) finished their studies and graduated last week. Bro. Khraw is preparing to continue his studies at Far Eastern Bible College in Singapore. He is now working on his application form and supporting documents. Please pray that he can enrol for studies in FEBC in the upcoming semester. 

We are much encouraged by Pastor Koshy’s visit and his ministering of God’s Word at the graduation service held on Wednesday, 6th May 2026. Likewise, we are grateful for the labour of Pastor Koshy and Pr Cornelius in teaching online over the last semester. The subjects offered from Singapore through GBI International cater to our GBI students here in Vizag. We look forward to the teaching of new subjects from both of you next semester. 

One of our teachers, Bro. Seraph, is preparing to move back to his home in Dehradun next month. He is called to serve in the Presbyterian Seminary, Dehradun. After Seraph’s departure this June, Pr Jonathan Hendricks and I will have to labour more to teach in the upcoming semester. Please pray for our preparation of the lectures for the next semester. In addition to the courses we offer, our students will continue to register for some selected online courses offered by FEBC.

Please continue to pray for permission to build our new campus. We had submitted the required documents and are awaiting a response from the city authorities. As for the land, we have already filled it with soil to level it. We also plan to put a fence around the land soon.

We are regularly praying for Gethsemane BPC and mission stations around the world. We are praying especially for Pr Ho Kee How and Rev. Reggor Galarpe. May the Lord strengthen His servants and family in this time of affliction.

Sermon Text: Psalm 134 & 135
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 17th May 2026

Acts 4:31—“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

The context of this passage was a time of mounting persecution against the early church. Peter and John had been threatened by the Jewish rulers for preaching Christ crucified and risen. Yet instead of retreating in fear, the believers gathered together in prayer. They did not pray first for safety, comfort, or escape from suffering. Rather, they prayed, “Lord… grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29). Their great concern was the faithful proclamation of Christ.

The Lord answered immediately and powerfully. “The place was shaken where they were assembled together”. This shaking was not mere emotional excitement but a divine testimony that God had heard and approved their prayer. Throughout Scripture, physical shaking often accompanied manifestations of God’s glorious presence and power (Exodus 19:18). More importantly, “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost”. This does not refer to a new indwelling of the Spirit, for these believers already belonged to Christ. Rather, it speaks of a fresh empowering and strengthening for holy service and courageous witness.

The result was unmistakable: “they spake the word of God with boldness”. True spiritual fullness does not lead to self-exaltation or disorder but to fearless proclamation of divine truth. The Spirit magnifies Christ and emboldens His servants.

We are reminded that spiritual courage and bold witness are the fruit of prayer. Weak prayer meetings often produce weak witness. But when believers unite in earnest dependence upon God, He strengthens hearts for faithful testimony. In an age of compromise and fear, the church must again seek the Spirit’s enabling through prayer, that the Word of God may be spoken with holy boldness and unwavering conviction. If the early church prayed until they were filled with holy boldness, should we not ask whether our lack of courage in witnessing reveals a lack of earnest, Spirit-dependent prayer?

Acts 4:12—“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”.

These words were boldly proclaimed by the Apostle Peter before the Jewish rulers shortly after the healing of the lame man at the temple gate. The religious leaders sought to silence the apostles, yet Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 4:8), fearlessly testified that the miracle was accomplished through “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead” (Acts 4:10). In a hostile setting, Peter declared the absolute exclusivity of salvation through Christ alone.

This verse is one of the clearest statements in all Scripture concerning the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other”. Salvation from sin, guilt, condemnation, and eternal judgment cannot be found in religion, morality, ceremonies, philosophy, or human effort. 

If there is “none other name”, then the name of Jesus is entirely enough. No church, preacher, saint, or earthly mediator can save the soul. Christ alone is the divinely appointed Saviour. As Jesus Himself declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

The phrase “whereby we must be saved” reveals both divine necessity and human urgency. Man is not merely spiritually weak but spiritually lost and condemned apart from Christ. Salvation is not optional advice but an absolute necessity for every sinner.

It comforts us because the saving name of Jesus is sufficient for the vilest sinner who comes in repentance and faith. Though we can contribute nothing to our salvation, this truth both humbles and comforts us. Moreover, in a world filled with confusion and religious pluralism, the church must lovingly but firmly proclaim Christ alone as the only Saviour. Let us therefore trust wholly in Him and unashamedly make known His saving name to others.

Hebrews 1:8—“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

Hebrews 1 was written to exalt the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ above all created beings, especially the angels.  The author counters the distorted thinking that Jesus Christ is merely a high-ranking angel or a created being. Using the Old Testament as a divine legal brief, the author reaches a Christological crescendo in verse 8: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

This passage is a quotation of Psalm 45:6–7. Theologically, it offers one of the most explicit declarations of Christ's Deity in the New Testament. Note that it is the Father speaking to the Son, addressing Him as “O God” (Greek, Ho Theos). This isn't a title of honour given to a man; it is an acknowledgement of His divine nature.

It is one of the clearest testimonies in Scripture to the deity of Christ. Jesus is not merely a teacher, prophet, or exalted servant. He is the eternal King whose throne can never be shaken, diminished, or overthrown.

The throne speaks of sovereign authority, while the sceptre signifies royal rule. Yet the distinguishing mark of Christ’s kingdom is this: “a sceptre of righteousness”. Earthly kingdoms are often stained by corruption, injustice, oppression, and human pride. But Christ reigns in perfect holiness, truth, justice, and purity. Psalm 45:6–7, from which Hebrews quotes, reminds us that the Messiah “lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness”. His reign is morally perfect because His nature is perfectly holy.

What comfort this gives to believers living in a confused and sinful world! Governments change, societies decay, and human leaders fail, but Christ’s throne is “for ever and ever”. His righteous rule shall never end. Therefore, Christians need not despair when evil appears strong. The King upon the eternal throne governs all things wisely and righteously.

Hebrews 1:3—“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

In this soaring Christological declaration, the writer of Hebrews presents Jesus not merely as a messenger but as the ultimate revelation of God. Contextually, this was written to Jewish believers tempted to retreat into the shadows of the Old Covenant. The author counters this by showing that Christ is the substance that the shadows prefigured.

Two phrases of this verse define Christ’s nature. First, He is “the brightness of His glory”. He is the radiant outshining of God’s own glory, not a reflection but the very effulgence of the divine nature. Christ is the out-raying (brightness: apaugasma) of the Father's essence. To see Jesus is to see God in His full radiance. Second, He is the express image of His Person”. The Greek charaktēr refers to an exact imprint, like a seal pressed into wax. Jesus is the precise representation of God’s invisible being.

Furthermore, Christ’s Sovereignty and Sufficiency are defined. He “upholds all things”. He sustains all things. The universe is not a runaway clock but is sustained by His “word of power”. It is not self-sustaining; it is upheld, moment by moment, by Christ.

Yet, this cosmic Ruler is also our Priest. Having “by himself purged our sins”, He has accomplished the work that animal sacrifices could never fully accomplish. This points to the sufficiency and finality of His atoning sacrifice. He needed no assistance; He accomplished redemption alone (Isaiah 63:3).

Finally, “he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”, signifying the completion of His work and His exaltation in supreme authority.  In the ancient Tabernacle, there were no chairs because a priest’s work was never done. But Jesus sat down because the debt was paid. Are you weary from trying to “cleanse” yourself? Look to the One who has already purged your sins. Your salvation rests on the finished work of the One who holds the stars in place. Amen.

Hebrews 1:1–2—“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.”

The Epistle to the Hebrews opens not with a greeting, but with a grand theological declaration. The author addresses a community tempted to retreat into the familiar ceremonies of the Old Covenant. By contrasting “time past” with “these last days”, the text establishes a timeline of progressive revelation. While the “sundry times” (various periods) and “divers manners” (visions, voices, types, symbols, etc.) were indeed true and divinely given, they were nevertheless partial and incomplete in their revelation. They were but preparatory and shadows of the fullness that has now been revealed.

These verses present the Supremacy of Christ as the definitive, perfect Word of God. The shift is from “the prophets” to “the Son”. Christ is no mere addition to the prophetic line, but the definitive and crowning disclosure of God Himself. Christ is both the Messenger and the Message: the perfect expression of God’s mind (John 1:18). He is “appointed heir of all things,” affirming His sovereign authority, and “by whom also he made the worlds”, declaring His eternal deity and creative power.

The prophets spoke God’s word; Christ is the Word (John 1:1). There is no higher voice, no further revelation beyond Him. People often search for “sundry” signs or “divers” feelings to confirm God’s presence. Many look for new revelations or mystical experiences to steady their faith. However, Hebrews anchors us in the finished work of the Son. If you want to know what God is saying, look at Jesus.

Listen to Christ with reverence and obedience. In a world of many voices, God has spoken decisively through His Son. The question is not whether God has spoken, but whether we trust and follow Christ and His Word. To neglect His Son is to reject God’s final word. Therefore, let us receive, trust, and submit to Christ, in whom God has fully and graciously revealed Himself.