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The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is a story of great wonder – not only because it is a story of God’s redemptive love towards a defiant and sinful people (cf. Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 3:1), but also because it is a story of the One who was born as fully God and fully human (Jn 1:1-2, 14). The Person of Christ, a great mystery and wonder, has been a subject of much controversy in church history because of the efforts of some in explaining the biblical portrayal of Jesus Christ philosophically and academically. Below are some of the prominent controversies on the Person of Christ that had arisen in the past:

• In the fourth century, Arianism denied Christ’s deity, and claimed that He was created before all other creatures and that He had an exalted status as the agent through whom everything else was made. It was denounced in the Council of Nicea (AD 325), which affirmed that Christ is fully God, not a creature as the Arians erroneously taught. (Incidentally, Jehovah’s Witnesses of modern days propagate this ancient Arianism.)
• In the fifth century, two heresies concerning Christ’s Person started to spread: (1) Nestorianism, which taught that there were two separate persons, one human and one divine, in the incarnate Christ; (2) Monophysitism, which taught that in the Person of Christ there was only one nature, and it was His divine nature. These two teachings were rejected as heresies in the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). 

Those heresies were dealt with decisively in the Council of Chalcedon, where the Council affirmed, concerning Christ, that Christ is one Person with two natures. The truth that it declared was that Christ is truly Man and truly God (vera homo, vera Deus). Christ has a true human nature and a true divine nature, and these two natures are perfectly united in one Person. The Council also insisted that each nature retains its own attributes. Christ did not lay aside any of His divine attributes. The divine nature of Christ is eternal and immutable. Christ did not set aside any of His divine attributes when He came to this earth. His human nature also retains the attributes of humanity; it is finite and restricted by space and time. The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) stated: “Christ is one person with a fully divine nature and a fully human nature, and His natures are without mixture, without change, without division, without separation.”

Rev. Thomas Jones: The Pioneer of the Welsh Presbyterian Mission in Khasi Hills

Written by Rev. Sujith Samuel

Khasi Hills is an area in the state of Meghalaya in India. Shillong (capital city of Meghalaya), and Cherrapunji (also known as Sohra, one of the wettest places in the world) are important towns in Khasi Hills. Khasi people are the native inhabitants of this area and they speak the Khasi language. According to the census data of the govt. of India (2011), 70 percent of Khasi people follow the Christian religion. Presbyterian Church of India is one of the largest Christian denominations among the Khasi people group. Presbyterian missionaries from Wales and England played important roles in spreading the Christian faith among the Khasi people, and also in other parts of North East India. Rev. Thomas Jones is the pioneer missionary who arrived in Khasi Hills and spearheaded the Gospel proclamation among the inhabitants.

His Early Life and Call to Missions

Thomas Jones was born on 24th January 1810 in a Welsh family. His father, Edward Jones, was a carpenter. From his childhood, he took keen interest in carpentry, farming, coal mining, etc. As part of a Christian family, he also took great interest in attending church. He started preaching the Gospel at the age of 25. He also developed a growing desire to serve the Lord as a full-time minister. He was admitted as a ministerial student in a Calvinistic Methodist college, namely College of Presbyterian Church of Wales. (This denomination traces its roots to the Welsh Methodist Revival; it was also known as Calvinistic Methodist Church). After the completion of his studies, he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church of Wales in 1840. His desire was to serve in a foreign country, and India was the place of his interest. The church and college advised him to apply to London Missionary Society (LMS), as they were also supporting LMS in its mission works in various places, including India. He applied to LMS, with mention of his health concerns about serving in a hot and humid climate. They further recommended the mission agency to send him to places where the temperature was moderate. Upon LMS appointing doctors to examine his health, the mission society concluded that South Africa would be a suitable place for him to start the mission work. Initially, Rev. Jones agreed to their decision. Later, he regretted that he gave his consent. His desire to serve in India grew day by day, and later he wrote to the mission board requesting them to send him as a missionary to India. He consulted three famous doctors and got medical reports confirming that he was fit to serve in Indian climate. But the board refused to change their decision. He refused to change his decision, and informed the board that he was not willing to go to any other place than India.

Rev. Thomas Jones returned to his home parish in Liverpool and explained his situation. (His parents were settled in Liverpool at this time). His denomination decided to severe the ties with LMS, due to their unwillingness to send him to India. A new mission society was incorporated on 31st January 1840 by the denomination, called “Welsh Presbyterian Calvinistic Mission Methodist Foreign Missionary Society”. Rev. Jacob Tomlin, who was a former missionary of LMS in Malacca, suggested Khasi Hills as a mission field for Rev. Jones. Rev. Tomlin had stayed in Cherrapunji for some time before his return to England, and saw it as a suitable place for Rev. Jones to start the work. The society approved of his suggestion, and Rev. Jones agreed to go to Khasi Hills as a missionary. At the age of 30, together with his pregnant wife (Anne Jones), he took a ship to Kolkata, India. The journey took several months, and on 23rd April 1840, they reached Kolkata. He was given a warm welcome by Scottish Presbyterian missionaries (like Dr Alexander Duff) upon his arrival. But on the second day of his arrival, his wife Anne Jones had delivery, and the baby did not survive. Dr Duff and other Christian families became an encouragement to Rev. Jones and his family in this time of affliction and trial. He drew comfort from Scripture, in particular 2 Samuel 12:23. When King David lost his child, he said, “But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” Like David, Rev. Jones and his wife put their hope in the promises of God. They continued their missionary journey to Cherrapunji by taking a boat to reach Sylhet, a city in Bangladesh. They had to climb steep hills to reach Cherrapunji. They travelled on horse, and at times men had to carry Mrs Jones in a basket. Finally, they reached Cherrapunji on 22nd June 1841. (Incidentally, June 22 is designated as Thomas Jones day in Meghalaya, and is a public holiday to commemorate the contributions of Rev. Jones.)

His Life in Khasi Hills and Mission Work

Rev. Jones and family was well received by Lieut. Lewin, a British government official. He desired to be in a place which was not hot and humid. The Lord guided him to a place where there was rain every day, even in the summer season. In a letter written to the mission society to inform about his arrival in Cherrapunji, he wrote that he had to spend a lot of time drying his clothes, books and other items which were even inside boxes. Rain, though unstoppable, didn’t deter him from pursuing his calling and work. He immediately started to learn the Khasi language to speak with the local people. Within eight months, he became fluent in the Khasi language. The Khasi language at that time didn’t have a script. Rev. Jones developed a script for the language using the Roman alphabet. He first translated the Lord’s prayer into Khasi and later, the Gospel of Matthew, a catechism about the basics of the Christian faith and many other works, including hymns. For his contributions to the Khasi language, he was regarded as the “father of Khasi alphabet” and the “founder of modern Khasi literature”. He saw language not only as a tool for him to communicate with the people, but also to enable people to learn more about God by reading God’s Word and to communicate to God through prayers and hymns.

Villagers were eager to learn new things from him. He started to teach them new ways to do carpentry, agriculture, etc. He encouraged them to read and write in the Khasi language. Seeing his contributions to the village in various fields, the chief of the village gave a piece of land for the mission work in Nongsawlia in Cherrapunji. The first Presbyterian church (Nongsawlia Presbyterian Church), a school, a theological college, and two mission houses were established in the land given. He gave much importance to educating children as he understood that was the way forward to educate them on the Christian faith. In a letter written to the mission board, he wrote: “The only plan which appears to me likely to answer a good purpose is to establish schools in the various languages and to instruct them the principles of Christian religion… and when we shall have translated and printed the Holy Scripture, we shall have some at least, in every family to read them…and I would regard this as an important step towards their evangelisation.”  He used to give money to children as a reward for learning some pages in a selected work in Khasi. He also procured resources from Wales to teach them English, and started taking English classes for children. Students who studied well were appointed as local teachers to teach in new places. In 1846, two natives, u Amor and u Rujon, got converted as a result of his mission efforts and were baptized. He saw drunkenness among the Khasi locals, and encouraged them to repent and believe in Jesus. He said, “I spoke to them on the evils of drunkenness, and urge them to repent and seek forgiveness. They assented to the truth of my remarks, and I succeeded in drawing a large number away from the old women who sold the drink.” 

His Latter Years and Call to Home

On 22nd April 1846, while delivering their second child, Anne Jones, his dear wife, died. Rev. Jones decided to marry Emma Cattell, who was a minor. The mission society didn’t approve of his remarriage and they stopped officially endorsing his work as a representative of the society. He used to teach natives how to do coal mining on their own. This caused opposition for his work from industrialist Harry Inglis, who was exploiting locals by taking land from locals for lease. He was forced to leave Khasi Hills in 1849. By the time he left, the church he planted had 21 baptised communicant members. The natives continued the mission work he started, and more churches were planted in many parts of Meghalaya. Rev. Jones went to Kolkata and he was diagnosed with malaria. As he was preparing for return to his home country, God called him to his eternal home, to be safe in the arms of His Saviour and Lord Jesus, on 16th September 1849, at the age of 38.

(This article is written based on two books written by Rev. Dr J F Jyrwa—“The Wondrous Works of God” and “A Brief Life Sketch on the Life and Works of Rev. Thomas Jones”.)

Sermon Text: Psalm 29
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 18th December 2022

Raymond Lee

I was born in an idol-worshipping family. Since young, I had believed in idols to protect and prosper me.  When I was in Secondary 3, a classmate shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with me during Christmas period.  But I got a bad impression about Christians because of his overbearing manner in convincing me to accept Christ and his over-aggressive condemning of all other faiths. 

When I went for NS pre-enlistment medical check-up in 1979, I found out I had kidney problems. The doctor warned me that it could lead to kidney failure and death even at a young age. I was fearful and began actively worshipping idols to seek health and peace. However, I did not find peace and the fear of death still plagued me for many years, even after my marriage with Carrie. 

Thank God for His mercy for not forsaking me. My sister-in-law Peggy and her husband Stephen had been bringing our two older kids to attend Sunday School in Calvary Tengah in the late 1990s. This had led me to learn more about Christ when we occasionally visited the church. Gradually, I found peace in Christ through reading of His Word and I began attending worship/fellowship meetings regularly. During one of their family worship meetings, I uttered the sinner’s prayer in acknowledging Jesus Christ as my Saviour who died on the cross and shed His blood to wash away all my sins. I found peace and cast all my burdens unto Him as He has answered my prayers to heal my second daughter Sheryl from urinal tract infection. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11: 28-30). Our family was baptised in 2001 during Calvary Tengah’s church anniversary worship service. Though we left Calvary Tengah subsequently and joined Calvary Pandan to worship God in 2015, we still continued prayerfully seeking for a church to settle in.

By God’s providence, I had first joined GBPC activities when I started to attend the Wednesday lunch time Bible Study at Hong Lim Complex in 2017. My wife Carrie and I participated in GBPC’s Bible Study Tour to Turkey/Israel in 2018, and we also attended GBPC worship services from time to time. Starting this year, we have been attending GBPC worship services regularly. We were blessed both from the faithful preaching of God’s Word by Pastor Koshy and the preachers, as well as the warm fellowship extended to us by the brethren. We are also encouraged by the Gethsemaneans’ giving and support to the many mission churches overseas.  I look forward to joining GBPC with my wife; my prayer is that we can grow and serve the Lord together with fellow brethren in the church. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:10-11). All honour and glory unto our living God! 

Carrie Lim

I came from an idol-worshipping family. My dad was a medium and the altar table was filled with idols. Those idols made me fearful. 

When I was in secondary school, I was invited by my classmates to join them in their Christian youth fellowship. But I was not comfortable when they started to speak in tongues, so I stopped attending. My eldest sister is the first Christian in my family. On my 18th birthday, she presented me a Bible. I tried reading it, but found it dry and uninteresting. So, I chucked it aside and never touched it anymore. 

It was not until I got married and have children that I started to visit church again. Every Sunday, my elder sister would bring my two older kids to Calvary Tengah for Sunday School, and my husband and I would visit the church occasionally. I have heard the Gospel numerous times. During a church family worship in 2000, I was touched by the Holy Spirit and uttered the sinner’s prayer. My family got baptised in 2001 in Calvary Tengah. When Tengah started a Chinese service, my husband and I served there as we were more comfortable and fluent in Mandarin. I also served as a part-time church administrator, editing articles and translating them into Chinese. 

By God’s divine will and purpose, in 2015, my husband and I, together with our 2 daughters, were led to Calvary Pandan, where my youngest daughter became a member subsequently. Meanwhile, my son, Sean, came to Gethsemane BP church and became a member here. My husband and I have also started visiting Gethsemane occasionally and taking part in its activities (like church camp, fellowship meetings and Bible Land trip). I realised this is the church that God has led me to serve – I pray that God will mould me to be a vessel fit for the Master’s use. All glory to God!

Rance Laurencio

From young, I have been actively following my parents to church, and would think carefully over the messages for my understanding. Despite all the preaching I’ve received and trying to follow my parents’ instructions, I have always been rebellious in my heart. It only became worse with my constant use of the internet. Over the years, I found myself clinging unto the devices and listening to worldly teachings. Gradually, I grew attuned to the worldly ways, and neglected my spiritual growth, even finding myself rejecting the Lord! However, I praise the Lord for His continuing and loving rebuking of me through His Word. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I began questioning my ways in the eyes of the Lord. Realising how sinful I am, I asked the Lord to forgive me and to help me not to sin again, and I accepted Jesus Christ as my only Lord and Saviour, knowing how He suffered on the cross and died a painful death to cleanse me from all my sins. 

With the help of Preacher Cornelius (during youth visitations), with spiritual guidance by Elder Choy and Elder Francis (in catechism class), and of course our Pastor Koshy (in his sermons), I pray that I may continue to grow spiritually towards maturity in Christ. I also pray that I will continue to read God’s Word, as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. Praise be unto God.

Elaine Laurencio

Last year, after attending my first youth fellowship, I realised that, according to Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23, we are all sinners. So, I repented and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Once I received Christ, I finally understood what it means to be a Christian. A Christian is someone whose behaviour and heart reflect Jesus Christ. I began to learn to obey my parents, to dress modestly (according to the biblical standard), to have patience, and so much more. I thank God for giving me the wisdom to read and understand His Word, so that I could apply it in my daily life.

Report from Gethsemane BPC, Pangasinan

Pastor Donald dela Cruz of Gethsemane B-P Church, Pangasinan, the Philippines, reports on the joyful news of 13 new believers being prepared for baptism.

Dear Pastor Koshy,

I praise the Lord for helping the catechumens to finish their catechism class last Lord’s day. Next week, an interview will be held to examine whether they have repented of their sins and trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. I also gave them the assignment to memorise the five points of Calvinism (“TULIP”) and to give a brief explanation of each point. Out of the 15 catechumens (2 catechumens could not complete their catechism classes), 13 will be baptised during the Christmas service. Besides, there will also be an infant baptism and an addition of 4 brethren to the church through membership transfers.

 I praise the Lord for bringing people to worship the Lord every Lord’s day. Currently, we are learning about the parables of Jesus Christ. Though the messages encourage the brethren who follow the Lord faithfully, they are a rebuke to the rebellious ones. Sadly, several brethren had stopped coming to church, offended by the messages, for they’d rather choose the path of unrighteousness instead of laying aside their sinful habits. Certain others rather work on Sundays, instead of worshipping the Lord. May the Lord touch their hearts to return to His fold.

Praise the Lord for bringing back Sis Cecile on vacation. She attended the worship service and prayer meeting here, and had fellowship together with the brethren. The husband of Sis Margie is also here on vacation from Taiwan. Thank God for granting them the opportunity to visit their homes and share God’s Word.

Beloved brethren,

Once again, as Christmas draws near, we have yet another occasion to declare the Gospel of salvation. This season should not be wasted on just worldly fun and enjoyment. Christmas offers a unique opportunity to share the Good News with those who are still lost in their sins.

What great salvation God has bestowed on us! He has lifted us out of the “miry clay” of sin and washed us with the blood of His Son, so that the right to be His children might be bestowed upon us, now and forever.

Scripture repeatedly urges us not to slacken in our efforts to bear witness to the Lord’s salvation. Just consider the following portions of Scripture that exhort us to declare His name joyfully, some of which are words of dedication from the thankful hearts of His redeemed:

• “My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; or I know not the numbers thereof” (Psalm 71:15).
• “Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (Psalm 96:2-3).
• “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).
• “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:14-15).

How can we be silent about the great salvation God has prepared for us in Christ Jesus, who was born as the Saviour of mankind? How can we refrain from exalting and declaring the saving name of our God? Communicating Christ’s saving name must be our passion always. We should not be hesitant to talk about our Saviour. Neither should we become weary of declaring His glorious salvation.

If you have received His salvation, should you not devote yourself to being a thankful and fervent witness for Christ? Will you not commit yourself to lift the name of Christ, who was born to give His life on the cross to save you? Will you not join the company of saints who are preparing themselves to win souls through the preaching of the Gospel?

When it comes to exalting Christ as the Saviour of sinners, do not be a disinterested Christian. Do not procrastinate telling others about Christ, for the night is coming when no man can work. Like all thankful, genuine Christians, let us also follow our Saviour, who manifested great readiness and urgency in reaching out to sinners to tell them the Good News. He said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Like the psalmist, each of us must be able to say, “I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation” (Psalm 40:10b). So should every Gethsemanean be a proclaimer of Christ, the Saviour.

You may plan a Christmas get-together and present the Gospel through Christmas songs and tracts, or have a short Gospel message shared by a preacher. You can also invite your friends to the Christmas caroling sessions (at three homes) organised by GAF (24th Dec), or the Christmas Day service (25th Dec), during which the Good News of Christ will be declared.

Remember, Christmas is not commemorated when Christ and His salvation are not proclaimed. All such celebrations are Christless Christmas!

Sermon Text: Psalm 28
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 11th December 2022

Sermon Text: Psalm 27:14
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 4th December 2022

Occasional visits to mission stations are essential for various reasons. The revisitation of newly-established churches by the apostles and their co-labourers was frequent, with several such instances recorded in the Book of Acts and the epistles. For example, in Acts 15:36, we read, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do” (cf. Phil. 2:24).

The Necessity for Revisits of Mission Stations

What motivated the apostles and their co-labourers to revisit brethren in every city where they had previously ministered God’s Word? Three major motivations for the apostolic revisiting of mission stations are briefly observed below:

Firstly, the apostles’ loving concern for the new churches compelled them to revisit the mission fields – “Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do” (Acts 15:36). We note that the apostle Paul told the Philippian church that he was stirred by the love of Christ to visit them - “For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ” (Phil.1:8). Likewise, he told the Thessalonians, “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire” (1 Thess. 2:17). Furthermore, in 2 Cor. 11:28, Paul wrote to the Corinthians about his deep concern for them – “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Biblical evangelistic work requires us to have a sense of responsibility for the Gospel missions we have begun. To be effective and faithful in our Gospel missions, we must be mindful of maintaining and expressing love and care for the churches in our mission fields.

Secondly, such apostolic revisits were also motivated by a desire to nurture the new churches by teaching sound doctrines of God’s Word. Like concerned parents for their children’s nurture, the apostles desired to provide sound teaching for young and immature believers in the mission churches through their revisits. Equipping the saints for the ministry was impossible without returning to the mission fields. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established” (Rom 1:11). He wanted to minister to the church in Rome with the spiritual gifts that he was divinely empowered with, such as preaching, teaching, correcting, exhorting, comforting, praying, guiding and so on. Paul wanted to impart his spiritual blessings to the Romans in order to establish and edify them. He wanted those spiritual brothers and sisters “to grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15).

Thirdly, the apostles were also committed to advising and warning the leaders and workers of the churches they revisited that they may diligently and faithfully oversee the churches. While passing through Miletus, Paul “sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house … For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:17-32).

Paul’s love and concern for the church in Ephesus compelled him to meet with and encourage its leaders. Those elders and their leadership duties were very dear to Paul’s heart. He gave them appropriate warnings and encouragement to guard the flock against evil men who infiltrated the church.

More reasons can be gleaned from the Scriptures concerning the necessity for revisiting the mission churches. Such other reasons include confirming the souls of the disciples (Acts 14:21-22), ordaining elders (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), putting things in order in the churches (Acts 14:23; 1 Cor. 11:34), correcting and chastising (1 Cor. 4:21; 3 Jn 10), bringing the collection to help those who need material or financial aid (1 Cor. 16:3-4), being a Gospel blessing among the believers (Rom. 15:29), etc.

Gethsemane BPC’s preachers and elders visit our mission fields (on occasion, they lead small-group mission trips and conduct short retreats, conferences, and children’s programmes) to encourage and strengthen our brethren. God willing, Eld Mah Chin Kwang will lead a Pangasinan-bound team to minister to the brethren in our mission church in February 2023. Let us pray that we will be a zealous church, establishing and nourishing Gospel missions globally.

Sermon Text: Psalm 27
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 27th November 2022

(In view of this week's DVBS for children)

Though most Christian parents understand that parental guidance and nurture are instrumental in shaping their children’s future, many fail to give their children’s spiritual nurture the predominant place Scripture demands. Generally, parents are distracted from that primary duty by their overriding anxiety concerning children’s secular education and material success. Hence, children’s spiritual education and success have often been set aside. This is a very lamentable situation.

The Holy Scriptures repeatedly insist on the importance of spiritual nurture by believing parents (cf. Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7; Psalm 78:3-6; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:15). The hopes of the present generation and the next hang upon this most important rule – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Charles Bridges (1794-1869), a great biblical scholar and churchman, commented thus on the importance of spiritual nurture of children: “… the religious training must not be the border of the garment, which might easily be cut off. It must be the pervading substance throughout. Begin, as Hannah did, with the dedication of the child to God (1 Samuel 1:28). This done – train him as God’s child, entrusted to your care. Ask guidance from day to day – ‘How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?’ (Judges 13:12). Train him, as a baptised child, in the principles of his baptismal engagements. Pray for him. Teach him to pray. Instruct him from a child in the Holy Scriptures, as the sole rule of faith, and directory of conduct.”

To this end, we regularly hold special Bible programmes for our children. Pray for the blessings of DVBS (30 Nov–2 Dec 2022) that the Word of God will effectively work in our children for their salvation and spiritual growth. May the entire church be in prayer for the DVBS. Please attend this week’s prayer meeting, which will be specially devoted to praying for the DVBS. May the Lord strengthen and bless all who serve in the DVBS with zeal and dedication.

A Biblical Advice to Parents

“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (Colossians 3:21).
The advice given here for “fathers” is also for “mothers”, as the Greek word patēr is also translated as “parents” elsewhere in our English Bible (Hebrews 11:23). What is said here should be received by all who are parents.

All parents are commanded not to provoke their children lest they be discouraged. They should immediately refrain from any attitude, word or action that would cause irritation and emotional outburst. They must also be careful not to cause discouragement in the children. Parents must spend time daily with their children, instructing, teaching, correcting, encouraging and even entertaining them. They must make every effort to point children to Christ and His will.

The following unwise actions, which can cause severe provocation in children, should be carefully avoided by parents:

• Too much prohibition or overprotection. This will show up their little trust in their children and deprive the latter of liberty. It can lead to frustration and rebellion. So, give them the necessary freedom and encourage them to be responsible.
• Favouritism and unreasonable comparisons with other children. This can lead to unhappiness and disappointment. Do not condemn the child for not being like other children. Parents must accept every child as he is, and instruct him accordingly.
• Belittling children for their weaknesses. This will dishearten them.
• Being too difficult to please and over-exacting. This will also lead to provocation and disappointment in children. Parents must be mindful to avoid being critical all the time. Instead, make every effort to create a positive, even an uplifting and encouraging, environment.
• Being too quick to judge. This can result in false accusation and produce much displeasure in children. So, do not be hasty in rebuking children.
• Being violent with words and actions. This will cause children to feel oppressed and distressed. Sure, when the children err, they must be rebuked and corrected. The rod of correction may at times be necessary, yet it must be used with discretion and love (cf. Proverbs 13:24; 23:13, 14; 17:10). The rod must not be used to ventilate anger or to exact revenge.

Christian youths – even young teens – have been following the worldly practice of dating, which is thoroughly unbiblical. Many seem to be totally unaware of the dangers of “dating”. Now, what is biblically wrong about modern “dating”?

Generally, what is called “dating” today refers to the maintaining of a romantic relationship with someone of the opposite sex. To an increasing number of youngsters in our society, dating is simply “having fun” with someone of the opposite sex, with no strings attached. In Singapore, dating is becoming common even among young teens in secondary schools. The dating activities of youths in tertiary educational institutions frequently involve booze, drugs, going on holidays together, sexual intercourse, etc.

Dating is largely patterned after the lifestyles portrayed by the entertainment world in movies and suchlike. It is a relationship based on sensual feelings and fantasies. In dating, friendships are struck up through fleshly attractions, such as good looks, a cute smile, an amorous voice, sensual appearance, flirtatious speech and behaviour, fashionable and trendy attire, a groovy car, etc.

Even Christian youths begin dating on the basis of such sensual appeal. Christian couples, who date much like the world, fall into many spiritual, moral, emotional and social problems. Dating opens the youths to temptations of sin. Improper sexual conduct, sin and a damaged testimony often plague such youths. That’s not all. More troubles and evils will ensue – disappointment, depression, guilt, shame, quarrels, resentment, vengeful spirit, etc. Furthermore, the relationships with parents and friends will likely also become tumultuous.

When a dating couple agree not to date others and stay together for an extended period of time, they are considered as “going steady”. They become attached romantically, emotionally, and often sexually. They often behave like a married couple. However, it does not have the commitment of a faithful marriage relationship. Their relationship is generally unstable and unpredictable. It is a phoney, sensual liaison – a counterfeit marriage relationship! Then when the boy or girl gets bored with the relationship, or becomes suspicious of the other, or catches the other cheating, or simply decides that someone else is more desirable, the relationship is ended.

Unsurprisingly, dating is so often a temporary, flirtatious rather than a permanent, godly relationship. Many of those dating relationships do not end up in marriage. The resultant break-up often involves heartache, anger and many negative emotional consequences. Although some “succeed” only after going through several dating experiences, they often manifest the distasteful experiences of distrust, suspicion, anxiety, etc. which have been engendered by their string of failed dating relationships. It is not uncommon that such marriages end up on the rocks.

Dating, which is founded on worldly principles, promotes fornication and destructive behaviour among young people. Hedonistic attitudes maintained in such relationships, which drive one to be obsessed with deriving as much pleasure out of life as possible, engender disrespect and ill-treatment, as well as desensitise moral discernment. The resultant marriages are much like houses built upon sand, ready to collapse.

The apostle Paul viewed very disapprovingly those who conducted themselves in an impure and sensual manner. He warned the Corinthian church, “And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed” (2 Corinthians 12:21). This shows that in the Corinthian church, some members had been living sensually. Paul was appalled and mindful that such members who conducted themselves in a sensual and worldly manner would bring shame to the Lord and His church. It is utterly humiliating to a godly congregation when some members live in worldliness and in fornication. Paul spared no effort in warning against the destructive effects of fornication: “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand” (1 Corinthians 10:8); “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Do realise that a life of fornication not only destroys relationships, but also one’s emotional, mental and physical health!

Dear youths, do not engage in the worldly kind of dating. Let every young Christian know that “this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). God’s Word clearly admonishes us in Colossians 3:5-6 to “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience”. Dearly beloved, keep yourselves unspotted from the world and worldly trends (cf. James 1:27) – especially regarding “fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Ephesians 5:3)!