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Before His death, our Lord had on several occasions prophesied of His resurrection (cf. Matthew 16:21; 17:22–23; 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19–22). He specifically foretold that He would rise from the grave on “the third day”. He assured His hearers that His death would be speedily followed by His return to life from the grave.

Even though Jesus had plainly spoken about His resurrection, it was not fully understood by His disciples. Such a prediction of one’s own resurrection was so unprecedented and unheardof that His disciples could not comprehend it. However, His enemies did take note of His prediction. Though they did not believe Him, they nonetheless had thought to themselves concerning the possibility of His disciples stealing His body after His death, so as to make it look like He was resurrected! So, they went so far as to have His grave watched by Roman soldiers.

After all the repeated emphases by Christ on His resurrection, when it finally happened, His disciples could not believe it without tangible proof. We read that the resurrected Christ rebuked their dullness and unbelief – “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen” (Mark 16:14). The gospelwriter Luke says, “And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken” (Luke 18:34). Are you like the disciples, who listened to all that Christ had said about His death and resurrection, and yet remained dazed and confused? Why was it that they could not take in Jesus’ predictions about His death and resurrection? Though the truths of His death and resurrection were plainly revealed, so deep-seated were their prejudices and their unwillingness to believe them that they did not understand them. We must learn to place our confidence in Christ’s words before we can understand them. We should learn to trust in His Word, and believe everything He has spoken. Jesus’ gentle rebuke to Thomas, who resisted the truth of His resurrection by asking for tangible proof of His appearance, is instructive: “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Only those who believe in Christ’s resurrection shall partake in the blessedness of the power and glory of His resurrection. If there remains any doubt within you, then humbly plead, “Lord, … help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24b).

Jesus repeatedly insisted during His public ministry that He must suffer and die. He pre-announced His death as “a must”. Jesus never spoke of His sufferings and impending death in a doubtful or reluctant manner, but in the most express and clear terms. Consider the following portions of the Scriptures that record His statements about His death:

• Matthew 16:21 – “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”
• Mark 8:31 – “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”
• Luke 9:22 – “Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.”
• Luke 17:25 – “But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.”
• Luke 24:7 – “Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
• Luke 24:26 – “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?”
• John 3:14 – “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”

Christ’s intimation of His sufferings and death was not a subject that even His disciples could fathom. They were very uneasy and discomfited when He started to give prominence to the topic of His sufferings and death. They would rather hear from Him about the majesty of His deity than the ignominy of His sufferings and death. So, when Jesus “began … to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (Matthew 16:21), “Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” (Matthew 16:22). Peter’s failure to accept Christ’s insistence on the inevitability and exigency of His sufferings and death drew for himself a sharp condemnation from the Lord.

The term “must” in the above statements of Christ emphasises His death as a necessary part of God’s plan of salvation. First of all, it denotes that Christ’s death was the predetermined counsel of God. His sufferings, death and resurrection must all come to pass because of the immutable decree of God, and in line with the covenant of grace. It is the “must” of God’s master plan for our redemption. In addition, it also denotes the certainty of the prediction that Jesus made about His death. His death was not only predicted by Himself, but also by the ancient prophets of Israel. It is thus, secondly, the “must” of prediction. Moreover, it denotes the appropriateness and suitability of Christ’s death for our salvation. If His death was not offered for the forgiveness of our sins, there will never be any other suited means to provide for our forgiveness. Hence it is, thirdly, the “must” of moral suitableness of His suffering and death for our atonement.

Let us worship and sing unto Christ our Saviour, who came and lived on earth willingly and readily to secure our redemption by His sufferings, death and resurrection.

The church is also called unto His fellowship

As much as the church of God is called to be saints, it is also “called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). Likewise, the apostle John wrote: “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). Our fellowship (or partnership) with Christ, the Son of God, must determine every fellowship we have with people or organisations.

Our fellowship within the church must also be based upon Christ. In other words, we should not enter into a relationship or fellowship that would dishonour or hinder our fellowship with the Son of God. John warned us, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6). Paul also reminded us in Ephesians 5:10-11, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

Every church member ought to examine himself to see whether his fellowship with Christ is growing more affectionate and profound, or whether it is hindered by sins and worldly friendships and activities. The effectiveness of a church is very much dependent on the strength of its members’ fellowship with Christ. If church members abide in Christ, the church will be a fruitful one. The stronger its relationship with Christ, the greater is the impact of the church as a witness to the world!

The church is called to be one united people

In 1 Corinthians 1:24, we read: “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” God has called both Jews and Greeks alike, that they may have Christ as their power and wisdom. In the church, everyone, regardless of ethnic or national diversity, has the same spiritual inheritance. In Christ, every man, whether Jew or Greek, is called to partake of the divine provision of power and wisdom.

All believers share in the same spiritual inheritance. Therefore, there is no reason why any true believer should feel that he is less privileged or more privileged than others. We are all joint-heirs with Christ. In Romans 8:17, Paul wrote: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”.

Let us, therefore, regard one another in the church with mutual respect and love. Let us not despise but esteem one another, and thus keep our unity in Christ for God’s glory. Paul dealt with members of the church who were from different classes of society, and taught them how they should live as Christians though God’s providential appointments for them in society vary. He wrote: “But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God” (1 Corinthians 7:17-24).

Even though Christians are all one in Christ, each believer should remain in the same calling which the Lord has providentially allotted to him. Jewish believers should not try to become Gentiles, and Gentile believers should not try to become Jews. A Christian’s racial or social background and his present vocation are of little consequence in his spiritual relationship with Christ. If the vocational status of a Christian can improve, well and good; if it does not, it is not a matter of concern. What matters is that every Christian should realise that he is Christ’s slave and needs to render obedience to Him. Every vocation then becomes Christian service performed for the Master (Ephesians 6:5-8).

A Christian then can live in peace (1 Corinthians 7:15b) in his calling to whatever earthly vocation, and carry it out as one being responsible to God. In the church, members must hold one another in high esteem (Philippians 2:3; cf. Romans 12:10). No church can prosper if it is not united by mutual love and respect. Selfishness and pride will ruin the church, but humility and a sacrificial spirit will promote its unity and strength. So, may all church members take heed of Paul’s advice in Ephesians 4:3, 4 – “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling”. This advice is further emphasised by Paul in Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

Heartfelt greetings to the Pastor, the Session, and the members of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore! We praise the covenant-keeping God of Israel for His faithfulness in nurturing, equipping, multiplying, empowering and blessing Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church for the past thirty years. The LORD has indeed preserved Gethsemane in His truth and has made her thrive in His work all these years.

As we look back, we can see the providing and guiding hands of the Almighty God upon Gethsemane both in her home and foreign missions. The Lord has fought her battles and strengthened her hands to accomplish His purpose, in season and out of season. Therefore, may we all rejoice in His goodness and give hearty praise to the living and true God

In these perilous days of apostasy and compromise, it is our prayer that the leaders and members of Gethsemane will remain united as they “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). And as we look forward to another year of service, let us “Expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God.” And may each passing moment of the future years be dedicated to the fulfilling of your higher calling in Christ Jesus (cf. 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 28:18-20)!

All the brethren in Ethiopia wish you all a joyful and fruitful 30th anniversary commemoration.

Yours in Christ’s service,
Rev Ephrem Chiracho
[on behalf of Gethsemane BPC Ethiopia and Gethsemane Bible Institute (Ethiopia)]

Dear Pastor, the Church Session and our beloved brethren at Gethsemane B-P Church (Singapore), On behalf of the brethren here in Gethsemane BPC-Cebu, please receive our warm greetings on the occasion of your 30th Anniversary!Three decades of service in the Gospel ministry is a milestone. It is one special occasion that we all can rejoice for all that the Lord has done in and through the church. At a time when people are into celebrating “month-saries” or “week-saries” (giving the impression of passing and fleeting endeavours/undertakings), we rejoice indeed in the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in keeping you through these past 30 years.By the grace of God, I have been with the church since the year 2000 and have seen how the Lord prospered the work in various aspects of the ministry. In addition to the regular ministries of the church, we praise the Lord for the Bible Witness magazine and the Web Radio, The Gethsemane Care Ministry, Gethsemane Bible Institute, as well as your active missions involvement through the setting up and support of mission churches in different parts of the world. As one of your mission churches, we have been greatly blessed by your zeal, enthusiasm and support for the Lord’s work.One thing that I must mention here is the church’s sound and solid Biblical teaching and preaching, which the Lord has been pleased to use to “add to the church such as should be saved” all these years. I would take this opportunity to appreciate Pastor Koshy for all his labours and love for the Lord’s work and the Lord’s people. Pastor, thank you so much for “your work and labour of love, which (you) have shewed toward his name…” (Heb. 6:10). Praise God also for the Church Session for their commitment to serve the Lord with gladness and in much humility. Lastly, to my fellow Gethsemaneans: “be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

May the Lord richly bless you, and continue to prosper your labours, and enable you to do even greater things for His glory.

Yours in Christ,
Reggor B. Galarpe
Gethsemane B-P Church, Cebu City, Philippines

In commemoration of Gethsemane B-P Church’s 30th Anniversary

Dear Gethsemaneans,

Thirty years have passed since our church was established. Only a handful in our present congregation were there when it was started. Most of us were added to the church along the way. Now, it is an appropriate time for every member to ponder over some pertinent questions, like: Why am I part of this church? Do I regard the church as God’s Word teaches us about it? Have I been conducting myself as a genuine member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ?

We must reckon our church just as our Great Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, instructs us in His Word. If we neglect His counsels concerning the church, we will certainly incur His wrath. His warnings and condemnation against every form of foolish, irreverential misconduct within the church are fiercely vivid and ominous. For His avowed exhortation has constantly been: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Revelation 2:16; see also 2:5; 3:3). Christ also declared rewards and honour to those who persevere joyfully to do His will in the church. His promise to His faithful people in the church is: “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10b; see also 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21).

As we prepare for the 30th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service (on the Lord’s Day, 25th March 2018), I am moved in my spirit to contemplate and write on the biblical doctrine of the church.

What is the “Church”?
The biblical definition of “church” is that it is a group of people whom God has called and assembled as His people through Jesus Christ. Hence, the church consists of the people whom God saves through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and who have been incorporated into His body through baptism with the Holy Spirit.

The church is a “called out” people of God.
The New Testament Greek word for church (ekklesia) means the “called-out ones”. It refers specifically to the assembly of a people whom God has called out of sin, falsehood and the world for Himself. This truth is best expressed by the apostle Paul when he wrote to the church in Corinth – “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2; cf. Romans 1:6-7).

As a church, we are a separated entity of God’s people for God’s own purpose and glory. Only when all of us in the church joyfully and passionately respond to the call of God can our church be truly a faithful and fruitful church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The church is called to belong to God.
The frequently used New Testament description, “church of God” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 11:22; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 3:5), indicates that the local churches like those in Corinth belong to God. God owns the church, having purchased it for Himself with the blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 20:28).

Because the church belongs to the Lord God, it is also depicted as “the house of God” in 1 Timothy 3:15. The church is God’s household. It is not an institution or organisation that should be controlled and directed by human ideologies and fancies which are contrary to God’s revealed purposes in His Word. No man should assume absolute authority over the church. God has made His Son, Jesus Christ, the Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). So, no one should ever lord over the church.

The church is called to be an assembly of saints.
The church is made up of those whom God has called out of the darkness of sin and the world to be an assembly of holy people. Hence, Paul explicitly speaks about the members of the church as those who “are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2b; cf. Roman 1:7). The word “sanctified” (hagiazo) means “to be separated from profane things and be dedicated to God for His use”.

It is through Christ that God sanctifies us from our sins for His holy purposes. Christ cleanses our sins by His blood and imputes His righteousness to us, that we may be separated from sin unto God for His service. Scripture says, “we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). In Ephesians 5:25-26, Paul said, “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word”.

Note also what Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:2 concerning the church: the members of the church were “called to be saints”. The calling of the church is to function as a congregation of saints. All members of the church are summoned by God to live a life of holiness in this wicked world. Every member of the church who lives in worldliness and sin without genuine repentance defies God’s call and corrupts His purpose for His church. So, let us cease from every sin and live a holy life that pleases our blessed Master, who loved us and gave His life for our sanctification. Nothing weakens the church as much as the sins of its people! Thus, we must separate ourselves from sin and falsehood.

Scripture reminds us again in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 – “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” Indeed, the Lord has “saved us, and called us with an holy calling” (2 Timothy 1:9a). So dear church, let us walk in holiness, in obedience to the calling we have received from the Lord.

In a world of terrible moral corruption and religious deterioration, having daily family worship is the best protection against the sins that are rampant in our society. It is also the best aid in nurturing the fear of God in our children’s hearts. May our families seek the Lord that we may escape the corruption and tragedies that are predicted concerning those who do not seek the Lord – “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name” (Jeremiah 10:25). Oh, may we not be weary of calling upon the Lord!

Preparation for Family Worship

Family worship requires some planning and preparation.

• Decide on the best time that your family can come together to worship the Lord. It will require some effort and even sacrifice during certain periods. (Plan to meet at least once a day. Certainly, it is most desirable to have it in the morning and in the evening. It can be just before your breakfast or evening meal – whatever time that is most appropriate for your family.)
• Be prepared to spend about 20 minutes for family worship.
• Have your hymnals or songbooks ready. (It is good to have a copy for everyone.)
• Have your Bibles ready, and if necessary, a devotional book too. (Devotions can be found at www. gethsemanebpc.com/resources/daily-devotion)
• Wake up early and refresh yourselves so that you can call everyone to gather for worship. If you are unwell and therefore unable to lead in the family worship, assign your wife or one of your older children to take the lead
• If an unpleasant situation has occurred or if you have lost your temper before your family worship time, make every effort to quickly resolve the matter in your own heart. Pray in your heart for peace, gentleness and the right spirit to sit with all in the family and worship the Lord. In such circumstances, if you acknowledge your sins and seek peace, family worship will become a very meaningful spiritual exercise.

Programme for Family Worship

Determine what you should do when your family meets for worship. Once decided, as much as possible, keep to your plan. In this way, you can avoid disorderliness and wasting of time.

I would suggest “an order of family worship” below, but you may have a different order that suits your situation.

Be alert and watchful so that whatever you plan to do, it would be God-honouring and biblical.

• Sing a psalm or hymn. Choose one that all can sing together. If you have young children, you may choose children’s songs or short choruses or Scripture in song. If time permits, you can even teach a new hymn or song. (Allocate about 3-5 minutes.)
• Read a portion of the Scriptures, give a brief exposition and then apply it for the benefit of your family. You may choose to read through the entire Bible or certain books of the Bible by apportioning a section of few verses each day. Or you may choose to follow the portion of the Scriptures suggested in a devotional resource that you are using. (Allocate about 10-15 minutes.) When you have more time during weekends or holidays, you can even have a serious Bible Study on a topic or a portion of the Scriptures.
• Offer prayer to praise God for His salvation and goodness, and to pray for His forgiveness, sanctification, guidance, provision and protection. Apart from praying on behalf of the family, prayers must also be offered for your church, missionaries and others whom you know. The head of the family may ask other members of the family to pray on certain occasions. (Allocate 5-10 minutes.)

Protect Family Worship

There are many hindrances that are perilous to family worship. We must always be alert to avoid them. It is impossible to discuss all possible problems and obstacles in this article. I would just discuss a few of these possible hindrances here. Let us be watchful so that we will not succumb to these perils. Take whatever precautions needed to prevent the failure of family worship in your homes.

• Don’t make excuses to avoid family worship. We must fight off tiredness and sleepiness. Lethargy and indifference are common enemies of family worship.
• Lead with a firm, fatherly hand and yet be gracious and tender-hearted. Require everyone to pay attention. As loving as you are, never give allowance for bad attitude and misbehaviour.
• Don’t allow interruptions. TV shows, phone calls and all such distractions must be avoided. The worship of God requires wholeheartedness and solemnity.
• Be careful to teach the Word accurately, aptly and affectionately. Don’t be vague when you explain the Word. It is very important that your instruction is doctrinally pure and relevant in application. Explain how a text has affected you, or your family life, or church, or other great men of God in history. This would help the family members to see the relevance of the Bible. Prepare early to teach. If you are incapable of expounding, obtain a good devotional guide with the help of your church leaders.
• When the children are young, let your teaching be within their grasp. Your prayers must be simple without being shallow. Keep the length of your teaching and prayer according to the abilities of your children.
• Inconsiderate leading of family worship can be detrimental to family worship. Don’t let family worship drag on. Be mindful of the capabilities of your young children.
• Be mindful during worship that your attitude and words will not frustrate and provoke other family members. Even though we must rebuke and correct while applying the Word of God, we must take heed not to turn the times of worship into occasions to lash out at others and to nag at them for their mistakes. I have heard of family worship turning into a time of arguments and quarrels so much so that family members refuse to gather together.
• From time to time, remind the family members of the significance of good attitude in family worship. Tell them that all must participate reverentially and joyfully. Remind them that your family owes God gratitude and allegiance for His mercies and faithfulness.
• If you have lost your temper, and find yourself having no mood to participate, do not abandon worship altogether. If you have made a mistake, apologise and move on in worship. If others have made a mistake, correct them with love, and quickly move on in worship
• If you ever become weary of leading the family worship, encourage yourselves by recollecting the blessings of family worship. Caution yourselves against the spiritual maladies that can trouble your family if you fail in providing spiritual leadership to the family.
• Remember to pray on your own for the protection and blessing of your family worship.

Report from Rev Reggor Galarpe

Bro Edsel and I have returned safely from our short visit to Gethsemane (Pangasinan), bringing with us much blessings for a fruitful time spent with Pr Donald and family and our brethren there.

We had a well-attended worship service last Lord’s Day as most of the members, worshippers and contacts came, including Bro Ariel’s (also Sis Ara’s) family who drove for two-and-a-half hours from their hometown in La Union. The Gospel meeting we had in their house last Thursday was also well attended. Praise God!

I am sharing with you some photos taken during our visit. I’m sure our Pr Donald will write a detailed report and share more photos with you.

“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).

Respectfully,
Reggor

Report from Pr Donald dela Cruz

Ipraise the Lord for the blessed and fruitful visit of Pastor Reggor and Preacher Edsel in our mission station (21-26 February). Thank God for their joint ministry with me in preaching the Word in our 4 gospel outreaches in Binloc, Binday, Tebag and San Fernando. Praise God for bringing people to hear and learn from the Bible. Pastor Reggor, Pr Edsel and I took turns to preach.

Praise God for the safety and strength throughout that week. We were travelling every day, leaving immediately after breakfast and returning only in the night. Thank God for giving us strength. On the Lord’s Day, our brethren from San Fernando also came to worship with us, where Pastor Reggor also administered the Holy Communion. Thank God for a well-attended worship service of 51 adults / youths and 18 children. Incidentally, Bro Ariel (from San Fernando) stayed on for the night in the mission station to have fellowship with us.

I thank the Lord for giving me wisdom on how to lead the brethren in many practical aspects of their growing relationship with Christ, especially in the area of prayer. I am very happy that I can see improvement in the response of the brethren towards praying after a few weeks. In fact, last Lord’s Day, we started the worship service by dividing into groups and praying for one another.

Se Jin and Jesher will be away in Korea until 5 April. Please pray that the Lord will grant them safety and enable them to be a good testimony for Christ.

In Christ,
Donald

Patience is one of God’s perfections. In the Christian, patience is a grace wrought by the work of the Holy Spirit; and it is cultivated and perfected through suffering and sorrow. But in God, patience is an essential attribute of His being, a part of His nature, so perfect that He needs no nurturing of it through some disciplinary process. God is never without patience. He is infinitely patient.

In Exodus 34:6, the LORD Himself proclaimed, “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” Numbers 14:18 says, “The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.” In Nehemiah 9:17, we read, “thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not” (cf. Psalms 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3).

How can we define God’s patience? It can be described as God’s restraint of His wrath and power against man’s sins. In other words, it is descriptive of His forbearance of the wicked. As the prophet Nahum wrote, “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power” (Nahum 1:3). Patience denotes the moderation of His provoked justice; His forbearance to revenge immediately the injuries He meets with daily in such a rebellious world.

While explaining the patience of God, Stephen Charnock, the “prince of puritans”, wrote, “Men that are great in the world are quick in passion, and are not so ready to forgive an injury, or bear with an offender, as one of a meaner rank. It is a want of power over that man’s self that makes him do unbecoming things upon a provocation. A prince that can bridle his passions is a king over himself as well as over his subjects. God is slow to anger because He is great in power. He has no less power over Himself than over His creatures.” Puritan writers like Charnock have explained the patience of God as His power over His own passions when dealing with man.

When a person does not have the power to resent an offence or to punish defiance, though he would very much desire to do so, his forbearing is not patience, but simply weakness. That person is merely bound by his frailty. But it is not the case with God’s patience. God is all-powerful; He is always capable of bringing His righteous wrath upon transgressors at any time at His will. He could damn all His enemies in one breath. Yet, He arrests His wrath from instantly destroying men, and that is because He is patient. So, patience is not a weakness in God, but His perfect and powerful virtue. Octavius Winslow, a preacher-friend of Charles Spurgeon, wrote, “The power of God is more manifest in His patience to a multitude of sinners than it could be in creating millions of worlds out of nothing; this was a power over Himself.”

God’s Patience Towards a Provocative Human Race

If we think about the immensity of mankind’s innumerable and despicable sins that provoke God every single moment, we would then have a glimpse of the limitless nature of God’s patience. Man’s provocation of God is great, universal and constant. Every second, billions of people cast themselves into every kind of wicked imaginations, having no reverence for the holy and just God. The more we realize the enormity of humanity’s rebellion, the more we wonder at the immeasurably vast patience of God that restrains His just vengeance against their sins. If not for His patience, the earth would be filled with ruined cities and slain bodies of rebellious people. Psalm 78:38 reminds us, “But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.”

Man should be careful not to think of God’s patience that restrains the quick execution of the divine wrath against all his sins as God’s condoning of sins. God hates all sins though He is long-suffering with the sinner. Sooner or later, God’s wrath would fall upon the sinner. So, let the sinner repent while His patience provides him another occasion by the restraining of His holy wrath against his sins.

God’s early warnings of the coming judgment against men’s sins are also a manifestation of His patience. Instead of immediately punishing sinners, God is seen sending a warning to them. The warning is gone forth, but the execution lingers. In this regard, God’s dealing with the city of Nineveh is a good example of His patience. God said about Nineveh that “their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2b). So God sent Jonah to that city and told them, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4b). Instead of sending instant punishment for their sins, God set a forty-day period before He would execute His threat. This was certainly a sign of God’s patience and mercy towards that city. This expression of His patience, through threat or warning of judgment after a period of time, provided Nineveh with an opportunity to repent from its sins. Impenitent sinner! God is giving you space and time to repent, and He expects you to repent lest you perish!

So often, God’s patience also makes His punishment of sinners lighter than His threatening against them. The stroke is made lighter than what the crime deserves by His patience. If God would exhaust the vials of His displeasure upon sinful man, who can bear? His patience towards us has made His punishment less severe than our provocations warrant. The sword of His vengeance is dipped in heaven’s tender mercies and patience, so that we might not quickly be consumed by His wrath.

It is even more wondrous that His patience is still awaiting the repentance of many more gruesome sinners. But for the infinite restraint God puts upon Himself, this fallen world could not exist a moment. Thus the patience of God works for the salvation of man. “...God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory” (Romans 9:22-23).

Peter spoke of God’s amazing patience towards the transgressors of Noah’s time – “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing” (1 Peter 3:20). It is also the case today. Like Noah and his family who embraced the Lord’s enormous patience that manifested in their days, we should also quickly turn away from our sins to the Lord for redemption and sanctification. We will do well if we remember Peter’s words that “the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (2 Peter 3:15).

Even though He is aware of all the innumerable provocations of all men, He has been patient with them. Oh, what patience and mercy has He been showing to sinful men! So, sinner, rejoice in His patience and quickly turn from your sin to Christ for forgiveness. Delay no longer!

Without fail, we desire and pray for God’s provision for our daily needs. We pray for jobs that we may earn a living. When our business fails, we pray for His help to meet our financial needs. When we face emergencies, we cry out for God’s quick provisions. We do these because God’s Word teaches us that “this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5:14). But our desires and prayers are not always in line with God’s will and His ways. There is nothing wrong with asking for God’s direction, but it is wrong to go our own way without waiting for God’s answer. So, when we turn our finances over to God, we must also be willing to accept His direction. Too often, we impatiently seek our own way without any clear direction from Him, sometimes even borrowing money to do His work. Christians have forgotten that God says He will not allow His work to be frustrated for the lack of money. A discourse between our Lord and His disciples confirms this truth – “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing” (Luke 22:35). “God’s work done in God’s way shall lack no supply.”

If we understand God’s view on money and how He uses the need for money and its provision to enhance our relationship with Him, we will be able to recognise God’s directives better.

Purposes for which God uses our need for money and its provision

It is our wrong response to money that causes the problems. To manifest the right response in times of need or provision of finance, we must know God’s plan for allowing such situations. Because God is in control of all things, we believe that He uses such situations for our benefit in several different ways (Romans 8:28).

God uses the need for money to strengthen our trust in Him. Jesus said, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33). God permits needs in our lives to test and to renew our trust and commitment to Him. “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing” (Psalm 34:9-10).

God uses the lack of money to chastise us for not honouring Him or for not giving unto His work. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me” (Malachi 3:8-9; see also Haggai 1:2-12).

God uses the provision of money to prove His tender mercies, goodness and faithfulness. The Scriptures tell us that it is the goodness and mercies of the Lord that bless us with all good things. “Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:25). “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Moses reminded Israel that it was God who would give them the power to acquire wealth – “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18). Our security is in God, not our bank accounts. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Discovering the Lord’s faithfulness as He provides for our financial need is a wonderful faith-building experience (see Nehemiah 9:15; Psalm 112:5-9; Malachi 3:10).

God uses the provision of money to build brotherhood and unity among Christians. “But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality” (2 Corinthians 8:14). God will use the abundance of one Christian to supply the needs of another (see Acts 11:28-30; Romans 15:26; Acts 4:34). Surplus money in our lives has been given by God for the purpose of helping those who are in need (Philippians 4:14- 18; Galatians 6:10).

God uses both the need and provision of money to provide direction. There is probably no way God can direct our lives more meticulously than through the abundance or lack of money. Too often, we believe God directs our lives through the abundance of money, but He also leads us down His directed path by withholding money. This truth can be found in the Lord’s parable of the “Prodigal Son”, whose poverty providentially worked against his backsliding to bring him back to his home.

God uses money to clarify spiritual maturity. Many temptations clamour for the Christian’s attention. A great deal can be learned about our personal character and spiritual maturity by noticing how we handle money and determine financial priorities. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

God uses the provision of money to develop our trustworthiness. This principle is important because our lives generally revolve around making, spending, saving and using money. If He can trust us with money, then He can trust us with greater responsibilities and His true riches. This is what Christ has taught when He said, “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (riches), who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:11).

The Question & Its Circumstance

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30b). That question was not asked as a response to a stirring sermon. Rather, it was a cry of anguish that ensued a terrifying event. A prison guard in the city of Philippi uttered that question after a great earthquake had shaken the foundations of the prison under his watch, in which the prison doors were flung open and every prisoner’s chain unfastened. As soon as he realised what had happened, he panicked, thinking that the prisoners had all escaped in the midst of the pandemonium that followed the earthquake. His heart so feared the severe punishment that would be meted out to him due to the escape of the prisoners that he attempted to kill himself with the sword. (It was rather common among the Greeks and Romans in those days to commit suicide when a man was faced with inescapable dangers. History attests to the tragic reality of many who ended their lives by falling on their own swords!)

But his prisoners, the apostle Paul and Silas, did not flee from the prison. When they saw that the jailer was about to kill himself, Paul shouted out with a loud voice, saying, “Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” At this juncture, the jailer cried out, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Though the jailer knew that his prisoners, Paul and Silas, had been preaching the Gospel of salvation, he did not bother at all to enquire about salvation until great trouble befell him. He had seen their scourging and wounds, and had even heard them singing the songs of salvation and praise all through the night in the prison. Yet, he paid no attention to them. But as soon as he realised what great deliverance he had from his life-and-death circumstance, his soul was awakened to seek salvation.

Like the jailer, many have been spiritually awakened by troubles befalling them and have asked questions that matter the most. Much as God would persuade men of His love for them with gracious and merciful things and experiences, He can also see fit to compel them through fearful events in life. “By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation” (Psalm 65:5a). God could shake the very ground under a man’s feet, or He could send great loss or terrible events into his life so as to drive him out of all his confidence to be led to Christ.

The Question & Its Significance

A simple study of the words that constitute the question will help us to see the importance of the question.

• “What”: An earnest enquiry about a matter of great significance.
• “Must”: A thing that is most necessary.
• “I”: A great personal concern of every individual. It is not about what others must do, but what I myself must do.
• “Do”: A single-minded commitment to inherit salvation.
• “To be”: A certainty that one should possess about one’s salvation.
• “Saved”: The pardon of all sins and adoption into the household of God through Christ that grants the hope of life everlasting and the bliss of eternity and heaven in the presence of God.

The Question & Its Answer

The answer given to the jailer was: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). There is only one way of salvation, and that is by faith in Jesus Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Christ alone acted to deliver us from the curse of our sins. He died on the cross bearing our condemnation, that by His death the wrath of God against our sins may be removed forever. Salvation is found in Christ alone, and not in any other name.

Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation? Romans 10:9 tells us that “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Come and humbly trust the Lord Jesus, and joyfully confess your faith in Him.

Dear friend, make no delay in putting your trust in Jesus Christ. While Scripture assures us that “He that hath the Son hath life”, it also warns us that “he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12)! Heed the loving voice of the Lord to all: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22).

The Question & Its “Answer-Bearer”

My final word in this pastoral exhortation is to those who have found Christ as their Saviour - Be ever ready to tell the troubled souls whom you meet about Christ and His salvation. Do not hesitate to proclaim Christ to souls who are weary and troubled. Our Lord Jesus Christ is most wonderful and precious to sinners who are confused and troubled. Christ is the only consolation and salvation for weary men everywhere.

Dear Pastor Koshy,

Greetings to you in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

The LORD has sustained and preserved the Bohol mission church, and we thank the Lord for His abundant mercies. We also praise the Lord for bringing back members of two families who left the church several years ago but had recently begun to come for Sunday worship services. The present members of the mission church are persevering in their service to the Lord in spite of the many trials and difficulties they face. Praise the Lord!

A special thanksgiving to God is the new Bible-study outreach in Anda. The town of Anda is situated about 100 km east of the mission church. Anda is the hometown of Sis Roscelle Lim’s mother. The majority of those who joined the Bible study are cousins and relatives of Sis Roscelle. One of her cousins, Hansel Timaan, was a member of Cebu Church while he lived in Cebu. He went back 5 years ago from Cebu to Anda for good. Though he made constant effort to come to our mission church for worship on Sundays, it was difficult for him to travel 100km due to lack of funds to make that long journey. He needed 600 pesos every Sunday for him and his wife to travel for worship.

Pastor Reggor encouraged Bro Hansel to prayerfully consider having a Bible study every Saturday in Anda, so that Hansel could continue to worship the LORD and learn from the Scriptures. Above all, it would provide an opportunity to reach out and share the Gospel with his cousins and neighbours. Hansel shared the burden with his wife, mother and cousins in Anda. All of them expressed interest. So, on the fourth Saturday of July 2017, I went to Anda and conducted the Bible study at Bro Hansel’s house. Since then, the Bible study has a regular participation of 15 persons, though since Christmas, the number has reduced as some had gone away for vacation.

For our Bible study, we use the book “Westminster Standards” as a guide. Those who attend are very attentive and cooperative. They ask many questions. All of them testify that this Bible study is the only opportunity they have to open the Bible to read and hear its words. They have been Roman Catholics. Now having heard and understood the truth of the Bible, their eyes are being opened to see and understand Christ and His Word. It is my prayer that the Lord will continue to work in these people as they hear the Word and learn precious doctrines, so that they will forsake their sins, unbiblical beliefs and traditions, and truly stand for the truth. May the LORD enable me to travel the long distance and to teach them the Word of God.

Pastor, I have also distributed your book, “365 Daily Exhortations”, as well as many issues of Bible Witness magazines, to each of them. They are very happy and have received them with eagerness. Furthermore, the people in Anda were all very happy and excited when I told them that God willing, on April 7, Elder Mah and a group of brethren from Singapore will visit them and join the Bible study.

Thank you very much for your encouragement and prayers!

In His service,
Edsel Locot

Serve the LORD with Gladness
(Matthew Peh’s testimony of his call to full-time service in BWMM)

Iwrite this testimony not only to ascertain my calling, but also to give thanks to God for His goodness in my life. I have grown up with sound preaching in Gethsemane, yet I have oft times been distracted by the allure of the world. Indeed, “[t]he backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways” (Pro. 14:14a). For a long time, every waking thought was focused on the things of this earth instead of my blessed Redeemer. While I was frequent in attending church, there was a certain spiritual lethargy. But God is faithful and healed me from my backslidings (cf. Jer. 3:22).

The greatest sin that plagues me is pride — a struggle I continue to face every day. The first sin that disrupted peace in heaven and on this earth was pride. Satan’s pride led to his banishment (Isa. 14), while man’s pride to be like gods (Gen. 3:5) brought death into this world. Alas, while oft reminded of its dangers, I allowed it to fester in my teenage years. A prayerless spirit ensued: ‘Why pray when everything is going well? Why pray when I’m doing well? Why bother with devotion? I’m alright.’ Like the wicked who seek not after God, God was not at all in my thoughts (Psa. 10:4) as I entertained my pride.

Fast forward to university, where by the grace of God, I did well in my first semester. I still remember a lecturer suggesting to me: ‘Have you considered doing a PhD?’ Oh how that comment made me puffed up! While studying in university, I remained regular in church. A part of me was thinking: ‘I better do my church duties well or I’ll lose these blessings.’ Oh, what a Pharisaic view of things! But the LORD is gracious indeed. Because of His love for me, He has graciously chastised me for my pride and sins (Heb. 12:5-8). Looking back, I see how the many experiences I went through were the LORD’s chastising hand upon me. I want to highlight three such incidents.

First, failing to get a scholarship with MOE after my ‘A’ levels. Friends who did not do as well as me could get the scholarship, but I couldn’t. I was disheartened, but I ‘comforted’ myself by saying at least I wasn’t tied down to MOE. Second, not doing well for my honours thesis (HT). My HT was cross-disciplinary, combining insights from linguistics (my major), geography and sociology. I was so proud of it, for few undergraduates would attempt such an ambitious topic. I thought I’d do well, but alas, I didn’t! Third, the struggle with unemployment for half a year upon graduating in 2016. I was very sure that my good results would yield many job offers. Yet, I wasn’t even called up for interviews. Having no choice, I took on a job through someone’s recommendation, but I found little joy and quit in July 2017.

Yet as I reflect on these things, I see God’s providence at work. If I had a scholarship, I would be bonded and wouldn’t be able to serve God immediately at His call. If I had done well in my HT, I would have been overcome by pride and would have furthered my studies. If I was employed in a government agency, I would have been too comfortable earning thousands a month; I wouldn’t quit in eight months. I wouldn’t have had the time to learn the necessary skills and programmes for use in BWMM. As I sit to write and reflect on these experiences, truly, only God can make all things work in such a manner.

Since November 2017, due to the nature of my freelance work, I could help out in the church office. I offered to revamp the BW website, and had the opportunity to review some of the older issues of the magazine. Volume 15, Issue 5 (‘Redeeming the Time’) caught my attention. It contains sermons preached by Rev Reggor during the 2009 church camp, which I was unable to attend due to National Service. An article, ‘The Brevity of Time’, discussed Psalm 90. Verse 10 talks of the years of man being “threescore and ten”. It dawned upon me that should God grant me life till the age of 70 or even 80, I have already lived out about a third of my life. Oh, how the past 26 years of my life have been so poorly used! Oh, what a poor steward of God-given time I was!

The Lord then reminded me of Ecclesiastes 12:1, where Solomon tells the reader to “remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth”. What else can I do but to serve my Creator? If I do not use my time wisely for God, then what point is there in living? Indeed, “[w]hatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work… in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Perhaps then, I can freelance and help in the church office in my spare time? That was my train of thought for a while. But on a Tuesday prayer meeting, Pr Kee How reminded us through his message on Matthew 6:24 that we “cannot serve God and mammon”. Two weeks later, during the YF-YAF retreat, Pastor commented that the work of the LORD is labour and toil, and is ‘no place for volunteers’. Helping out in the office made me realise how time-consuming the Lord’s work is; there isn’t enough time for both my freelance work and the Lord’s work. What then?

The answer is clear: I have to serve God. In the short months helping out in the office, I experienced a joy unspeakable, a joy indescribable. This joy is different from other feelings of happiness. Recently, one of my evening devotions was from Psalm 100:2a — “serve the LORD with gladness”. Psalm 100 exhorts the congregation to praise the LORD for His goodness and everlasting mercies upon His people. After reading that evening’s devotion by Spurgeon, I read Matthew Henry’s commentary on the same psalm, which reflects God’s will “that we should serve the Lord, [that we] should devote ourselves to his service and employ ourselves in it”. I want to experience this great joy every day! Indeed, nothing else can be better than this! I know my own heart: if I continue outside the safety of God’s house, I will easily lose myself in the world. I will lose this joy that I have been so marvellously filled with. If that be so, I would rather die! “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).

Is there not fear for the future? Is there not fear about financial security? I would be lying if I deny having such fear within me. But in the last 26 years of my life, I see God’s hand at work. Even though I had failed to get a scholarship, the LORD provided for my education through various monetary awards and bursaries. I didn’t have to take any loans, and about three-quarters of my university fees were paid through the awards and bursaries. If the LORD takes care of the fowls and the lilies, what more His own child (cf. Matt. 6)?

What then of hard work? I know that there will be exacting labours, for Paul told Timothy to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3-4). I pray that the Lord will help me to keep my sights set on things above, and that my service to Him in BWMM would be reward enough for me. What a great privilege it is to serve the One who has created and redeemed me! As the hymn-writer put it, may I “give of [my] best to the Master” and “give of the strength of [my] youth”!