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According to the Scriptures, the church is vital in training men for ministry. Below are some key aspects of the church’s role in preparing men for ministry.

Spiritual moulding of men for ministry is one of the essential functions of the local church. This process encompasses discipleship and character formation. Through the faithful preaching of the Word, fervent prayer gatherings, and the fellowship of the saints, the church serves as a divine instrument for shaping and nourishing believers’ lives, especially those whom God calls to the ministry (Ephesians 4:11–13; cf. 1 Timothy 4:6-13; 1 Tim 5:22). Men for the ministry ought to be spiritually shaped within the church, with the help of Biblical teaching and example of godly leaders. Regular evaluations and spiritual “check-ins” ensure accountability and a strong foundation for a faithful ministry.

Recognising and developing spiritual gifts suitable for ministry are done within the context of the church. The Holy Spirit works through the church so that the spiritual gifts of His chosen men for ministry are identified, cultivated, and deployed for the glory of God, and the building up of the body of Christ (Acts 13:2; cf. 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6). Pastors and elders should assess spiritual gifts, character, and a genuine desire to serve.

Biblical instruction and theological training have been through the sound teaching of godly men within the church, helping prospective ministers understand Scripture deeply and apply it effectively in their lives (2 Timothy 1:13; 2:2; 3:14–17). Sunday schools, Bible studies, and dedicated ministry training programmes of the church can serve as platforms to equip men for the ministry.

Practical ministry experience should be intentionally provided by experienced pastors and preachers of the church through one-on-one discipleship and pastoral care. It enables aspiring ministers to model themselves after godly examples, equipping themselves to effectively apply sound doctrine to the lives of God’s people, thereby fostering spiritual growth. The mentoring process allows young leaders to learn through example, receiving correction and encouragement. Furthermore, churches should provide opportunities for hands-on ministry, such as preaching, teaching, evangelism, pastoral care, and administration. Real-life involvement helps refine skills and build godly courage under the guidance of seasoned leaders (Luke 10:1–11; 2 Timothy 1:7-14).

Ordaining and sending out of men who are called to the ministry are done by the godly pastors of the church. They lay hands on those called, prepared and equipped to be ordained to the ministry, commissioning them with prayer and affirmation, as seen in the early church (Acts 6:6; 13:3). Prayer and encouragement strengthen men for the challenges of the ministry (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The church’s support must continue even after sending, through ongoing relationships and resources. By faithfully carrying out these roles, the church ensures that men entering the ministry are well-prepared to lead, serve, and shepherd God’s people according to His will. 

Testimonies of Pastoral Biblical Studies (PBS)

Pastor Michael Zhu

I am deeply grateful to the Lord for the precious opportunity to study and be equipped further in my pastoral ministry. The recent course on Eschatology has profoundly enriched my understanding of Biblical truths on this subject, and brought significant blessings to my personal spiritual growth, family life, and church ministry.

Through the study of Eschatology, I gained a deeper appreciation of God’s sovereignty over history and His ultimate plan of redemption. This unwavering hope in God’s promises has strengthened my patience and confidence in shepherding the flock, especially during challenging times. It has equipped me to guide the congregation to fix their eyes on God’s eternal kingdom and live faithfully in the light of Christ’s return. The course also helped me teach the congregation how to embody an eschatological faith—serving diligently in the present while eagerly anticipating the glory of Christ’s second coming.

In my family life, the hope of eternity has encouraged me to cherish relationships more deeply. It has inspired me to nurture my children with a focus on eternal values, and to pray and serve together with my spouse in unity. Within the church, this course has motivated me to prioritise the spiritual growth of my brethren, helping them face today’s challenges with their hearts anchored in the unshakable hope of God’s kingdom.

I sincerely thank Rev. Koshy for his dedication and the immense wisdom he imparted to us through this course. May the Lord continue to bless this programme, using it to strengthen more servants of God and bless His church for His glory. Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Donald Dela Cruz

If one reads the newspaper, he will be aware of the events of the world; but if one reads the Bible, he will understand why those events are happening. The world’s current events make sense after learning about end-time events. Biblical prophecy asserts that plagues and wars will intensify as the second coming of the Lord Jesus draws nearer. Thus, COVID-19 and the wars around the world happening today are confirmations of God’s infallible Word. Even God’s beloved Israel is in the midst of war and conflict, as declared in His Word.

In the church setting, I praise the Lord for giving me a clearer understanding of the end times. This more precise understanding will translate into profound teachings / doctrines which the congregation will receive from teachers, who have been PBS students. After all, God’s teaching must reach His people with all purity. I am praying that I can clearly impart and explain the lessons that I have learned to the brethren.

Personally, I see God’s sovereignty and faithfulness amid these events. It is true that the world will not get better; nevertheless, it brings comfort to me because all events have been ordained by God even before they happen. This simply means that my Heavenly Father is in full control. Praise the Lord that He is in control to preserve and protect His people for Himself. 

Praise the Lord for sustaining GBI Online, and giving Pastor Koshy the strength to take up the tedious task of teaching theology to all of us every Monday morning. 

Pastor Jied

I would like to express my appreciation for Pastor Koshy’s service in the Lord’s vineyard, especially regarding the Pastoral Biblical Studies that we had with him. It has been a very encouraging and blessed time to learn from God’s Word. I appreciated the divine promise of things to come and how we, as a church, should be prepared and long to meet the Lord. The lessons we learned help us to serve the Lord more fervently, knowing that our labour will not be in vain in Him. Praying for the ministry and all the brethren – to Christ be the glory. Amen.

Pr Seraph McGregor

In His providence, the Lord brought me to Gethsemane Bible Institute in Vizag in 2021. I consider it a great blessing to be part of a ministry such as this, which strives to be faithful to the Word of God in every way. One of the areas in which this can be seen is in the fact that pastors, preachers and missionaries alike, who already are Bible college graduates, continue learning God’s Word with an objective to sharpen and deepen their understanding of Scripture in order to preach it effectively and with clarity for the benefit of the church. Therefore, I am very grateful to God for the Pastoral Biblical Studies (PBS) classes.

Over the past three and a half years, I have studied three topics in the PBS classes: Doctrine of Revelation and Scriptures, Covenant Theology, and Eschatology. The first course was helpful because it brought to my remembrance the very important doctrines of the inspiration, infallibility, inerrancy and preservation of Holy Scripture. It is inspired or God-breathed, and therefore, it is trustworthy and life-giving.

Studying Covenant Theology was another interesting part of PBS. It helped me not only better understand the covenants by studying each one in detail, but also to study and understand them from a premillennial standpoint, which I had not studied before.

The current topic which we are studying in the PBS class is Eschatology. The study of this topic has particularly helped me as I have gained a better and clearer understanding of Premillennial Eschatology, and I have come to respect this position. It also helped me better understand passages in the Book of Revelation and elsewhere in the prophets with a more literal approach to interpreting the text. This will also help me share what I have learnt with others more clearly. Furthermore, I initially leaned more towards the amillennial view of Eschatology, but that is now changing, and PBS classes have contributed to it. I sincerely seek to explore and learn more about this subject before arriving at a particular conclusion that is aligned to being taught and informed by the Word of God. May the Lord help me and guide me.

Sermon Text: Judges 8:22–32
Speaker: Pr Ho Kee How
Date: 12th January 2025

READ:

Psalm 32:1

¹ Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

EXHORTATION:

Only God can forgive sin. “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses” (Daniel 9:9). In Isaiah 43:25, the Lord declares, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Psalm 130:4 says, “But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”

The reason why only God can forgive sins is that all our sins ultimately defy God’s holiness and truth. Our sins violate His holy commandments. So, every sin offends God! David said in Psalm 51:4, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight”. The words of the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable best convey this fact – “Father, I have sinned against heaven (God), and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (Luke 15:21). Our greatest crime when we sin is that our sin offends the holiness and truth of God.

Also, our sins, which violate God’s holiness and truth, provoke God. He is angry with every sinner. Psalm 7:11 says, “God is angry with the wicked every day.” Isaiah said to Israel which had sinned, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward” (Isaiah 1:4).

Thus, to be forgiven by God is a very great blessing that calls for much rejoicing. To be forgiven is to live without the terror of God’s fierce wrath bearing down on our sins. It is to live in peace with God and to have a heart full of peace ensuing from God’s favour and forgiveness.

David was a man rescued from God’s wrath against his sin, and his heart was full of relief, quiet joy and thanksgiving. Every forgiven sinner, being rescued from God’s wrath that would have fiercely raged against him, would certainly exclaim, “Oh, how fortunate I am to have this great escape! How thankful I am that my sins are forgiven and my soul delivered from utter condemnation!” It is such a feeling that finds expression in Psalm 32. He is glad that as a pardoned man, his transgressions are now “forgiven” (nasa’), i.e. all lifted and carried away, and “covered” (kasah), i.e. concealed. All his sins were blotted out, never again to be called into account! The sinner, being forgiven, is now accounted like one who has never sinned. Oh, how blessed it is to be a forgiven sinner!

READ:

Romans 8:4

⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

EXHORTATION:

Who can fulfil the righteousness of the law? No one can, except Christ, the Son of God who became the Son of man, that He might fulfil the righteousness of the law on our behalf. Everyone has sinned and offended the law of God, and has become unrighteous. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). So, the law of God cannot make the sinner righteous. As Paul said in an earlier verse, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). Christ became our perfect Sacrifice, by living a perfectly righteous life in obedience to the law, to take our condemnation of sin in His flesh.

When the perfection of Christ is credited to us, or when we are justified by the imputation of His righteousness, it will be evidenced by our righteous walk. When His righteousness becomes ours, we walk according to His righteousness through the enabling of His Spirit. Before, we could not fulfil the commandments of the law. Now in Christ, having His righteousness imputed to us and His Spirit to guide and strengthen us, we cease to walk after the flesh and its lusts, and begin to walk after the Spirit. Day by day, as we live in Christ, a new kind of life begins to emerge which is obedient to His righteous law.

Now, what we could not do in obedience to God, Christ not only has done for us, but also enables us to do by His Spirit. Is not that a most wonderful thing? What God demands, He also supplies! Because we cannot fulfil on our own what He demands of us, He gives it to us. Notice that Paul did not say “we fulfil the righteousness of the law”, but that “the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us”, while pointing to the Holy Spirit who is in us to lead us.

Having come to Christ, we can now overcome our sins that once defeated us. Now with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can live the kind of life that God requires of us. We once could not attain it on our own strength, but now in Christ, by His Spirit’s power, we can fulfil His righteous will. Praise the LORD!

READ:

Colossians 3:2

² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

EXHORTATION:

Those who are risen with Christ have not only a new spiritual pursuit (Colossians 3:1), but also a new passion, which Paul describes in our text for today.

The verb “set your affection” (phroneo) means “direct your mind to something”. A Christian’s thoughts should be directed to Christ and the things associated with where He now dwells. That is our ultimate destination; hence it must be our preoccupation while we live on this earth. We are to be heavenly-minded (“on things above”) because, as Paul says in Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation (or citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ”.

What are your great interests? The great object of our contemplation should be the celestial city that Jesus is preparing for us. Readiness for that final home must be our greatest passion on earth.

While we are exhorted to be heavenly-minded, we are also cautioned not to be earthly-minded – “not on things on the earth”. Our affections should not be placed on wealth and health, houses and lands, honour and pleasure, etc. Neither should our passions be the worldly fashions and corrupting entertainments of this world. Worldly lusts must be denied. The deeds of the flesh, which are sinful, must be mortified. No provision should be made for the encroachment of worldly allurements.

While Christ and heaven draw us upwards, the world and its charms draw us downwards. Let us not yield to the pull of earthly things, but earnestly pursue heavenly things. Let us not love things that are earthly and perishing, but those that are heavenly and everlasting. The apostle John admonishes us in 1 John 2:15-16, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Christians must always be conscious and deliberate to prefer and pursue heavenly and eternal matters above earthly and carnal matters. Unless our affections are set on the heavenly matters, we will never seek after them in a proper manner. Let Christ and heavenly things be our greatest concern, passion and pursuit. Let us be desirous of everything that fixes us to heaven and its eternal glory.

READ:

Colossians 3:1

¹ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

EXHORTATION:

The opening words of the verse, “If ye then be risen with Christ”, assume that the readers are those who have experienced the new life in Christ (i.e. those who are born again). The word “if” is used logically, as a means of argument, and not as a means of doubt.

Representatively, all the elect of God died with Christ unto sin and resurrected with Him unto newness of life. Dying and rising with Christ is a spiritual reality that they also personally experience. In an earlier chapter, Paul told the believers that “you, being dead in your sins… hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Colossians 2:13). So those who are “risen with Christ” are no more dead in their sins, but they “are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12b). Our faith in Christ, the joy of forgiveness, sanctification and all other spiritual realities which we enjoy are abundant evidence of the power of His resurrection that is at work in our lives (cf. Ephesians 1:19-20).

In our text, Paul speaks of the new spiritual pursuit of those who are risen with Christ, as they “seek” (zēteite) or strive earnestly for those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. The phrase, “those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God”, points us to all things with reference to Christ’s present exalted state.

Since He is interceding for us as our Advocate at His Father’s side, we must seek His forgiveness and sanctification (cf. 1 John 2:1).

Since Christ reigns in heaven as the Head of the church, we must submit to His headship (Ephesians 1:20-22; 5:23-24); we must give Him pre-eminence in all the affairs of our life (Colossians 1:18); we must seek to be nourished up in the fullness that He grants us as our Head (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 2:10, 19); we must seek to grow unto the Head, even our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:15); and we must seek to be knitted together as His body (Colossians 2:19).

Since He is preparing a place for us in heaven, let us be ready for His coming, and for the heaven and the rewards which He is preparing for us (John 14:1-3; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 10:35).

READ:

Acts 19:20

²⁰ So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

EXHORTATION:

When the apostle Paul and his team arrived in the city of Ephesus, they preached the Gospel to the Jews first. Paul went into the Jewish synagogue and “spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). But some of the hearers “were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude” (v. 9). He was forced to move out of the synagogue, and thereafter taught in the school of Tyrannus. The hostility notwithstanding, Paul undauntedly preached the Word, influencing the Jews as well as the Greeks in that city and its surrounding region (v. 10).

Another giant obstacle to the Gospel advancement in that city was its enchantment with sorcery and witchcraft. Ephesus was renowned for the statue of Artemis and her temple. The statue had mysterious engravings on the crown, girdle and feet. Those mystical writings, referred to as “Ephesian scripts”, were considered to have magical power. Sorcery was part of the Ephesian culture. Some of the Jews also practised wizardry, as revealed in Acts 19:13 – “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.” When seven sons of Sceva, the chief of the Jewish priests, tried to exorcise some demons in the name of Jesus, they were violently attacked by the demonic man. This incident brought much fear among the people.

Nonetheless, the preaching of the Word of God turned many away from their diabolical practices. “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Acts 19:18, 19). Mightily did the Word of God grow and prevail in that city, where unbelief and fierce demonic activities stood in its way.

In our own day, many dabble with horoscopes, tarot cards, crystal balls, Ouija boards, séances and other mystical and demonic activities, which are dangerous to their minds and emotions. If the church is preaching the Word faithfully and fervently, we will see some people being delivered from unbelief, and the enticement and enslavement of the devil. The preaching of the Word shall prevail over all demonic powers!

READ:

Luke 11:28

²⁸ But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

EXHORTATION:

Jesus spoke those words in response to a woman who loudly proclaimed the blessedness of Mary, His mother. Her words about Mary were: “Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked” (Luke 11:27). Jesus neither denied her words nor reproved her for what she said. In fact, His words “Yea rather” implied that He agreed to the woman’s declaration that Mary was blessed to bear and suckle such a child (cf. Luke 1:27-28, 42, 48), but He also wanted to pronounce something more joyous than the honour and privilege of bearing and suckling the Holy Child. Jesus wanted them to possess the greatest, noblest and purest joy that transcends all other rejoicings of man.

Have you realised that there is no greater blessedness than hearing and obeying God’s Word? Jesus said, “blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” True happiness belongs to those who hear and obey God’s Word. This is a greater blessedness than being physically related to Jesus. More than merely an earthly relationship with Him, He wanted all to seek a spiritual relationship with Him that leads to ultimate joy.

A true loving relationship with Christ entails one’s faithful allegiance to His words. Jesus had said on another occasion, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We must not only hear His words, but also obey them diligently. As James wrote in his epistle, “…not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25).

Where there is a high regard for His Word, there will His love, cheer and blessings flourish. His promises of blessedness to those who hear and obey are repeated in the Scriptures. Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 22:7 assures, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”

Even if you give assent to His Word with your nods, it would be of no avail unless you hear, believe and put it into practice. Blessedness belongs to those who hear and obey His Word. He who hears to believe, and believes to do His Word, shall be blessed.

READ:

Hebrews 4:12a

^4:12a For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.

EXHORTATION:

Three astounding properties of the Word of God are revealed in our reading from Hebrews 4:12. No other book wields such qualities as the Bible. This is because it is “the word of God”. It is divine. It is that which God has revealed through His selected servants (cf. 2 Peter 1:21). It is God’s revelation of His truth. All that it says is from God.

The first quality of the Bible mentioned here is “quick”. The word “quick” is the translation of a Greek word zon, which means “living”. Its original verbal form (present participle) in the Greek text suggests a constantly active kind of living. The Word of God is not lifeless, dormant or passive. As the living Word, it powerfully interacts with those who seek its counsels. In John 6:63, Jesus said, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The Christian martyr, Stephen, referred to God’s Word as “lively oracles” (Acts 7:38). Because God’s Word is quick, it can quicken our souls. It is not only living, but also life-giving.

The second quality of the Bible stated here is “powerful”. The word “powerful” is the translation of the Greek word energes (ἐνεργες), from which we get the English word “energy”. It indicates that the Word of God is active and energizing. It is able to act and produce all that God has purposed it to accomplish. The Lord said in Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, we read of “the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe”.

The third quality of the Bible identified here is that it is “sharper than any twoedged sword”. This depiction of the Word of God is found several times in the Bible (cf. Isaiah 49:2; Revelation 1:16; 2:12; 19:15). The metaphor of a double-edged sword is used to give us a graphic picture of the awesome work that the Word of God can accomplish. God’s Word can pierce or penetrate our thoughts. The Word of God can cut through our conscience to lay bare and confront all our wicked and defiant ways. It exhorts, rebukes, corrects and instructs all who hear.

The Bible is living because its Author lives for ever. It is powerful for its Author is omnipotent. It pierces our hearts for its Author is all-knowing.

Sermon Text: Psalm 98:1–9
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 5th January 2025