Sermon Text: Galatians 5:26–6:5
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 14th November 2021
Sermon Text: Galatians 5:26–6:5
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 14th November 2021
The BOE has nominated 6 brethren to be appointed as deacons, having prayed and deliberated for more than a year. They will join Dn Lok Kwok Wah, who has been serving as a deacon since 2007. They have been interviewed by the BOE before confirming their nomination. Let us remember them in our prayers as they prepare themselves to serve the Lord in our midst upon their appointment.
Benny Skariah
While I was growing up as a young boy, my parents’ love for the Lord Jesus Christ deeply affected me. They were humble and genuine in their practice of their faith. Though they were very busy in bringing up their 7 children, they found time to pray unto the Lord every morning and evening. From a very young age, I have trusted the Lord for the forgiveness of my sins and desired to live a life pleasing to God. From my childhood, my heart was taught to live a life in faith and obedience to God’s Word, the Bible. This kept me from living a rebellious life of sin. In this regard, I want to particularly thank God for the faith of my parents, their prayers for me, and a blessed Christian upbringing.
After my studies in India in 2002, the Lord graciously gave me an opportunity to come to Singapore to work, and He led me to Gethsemane B-P Church. It was a turning point, both in my life, and later in my family’s. I was delighted to meet Pastor Koshy here, who also came from the same denomination of my home church in Kerala, India.
For the last 18 over years, I have been part of Gethsemane B-P Church, for which there are so many things I am thankful to the Lord for. Through the faithful preaching and teaching of God’s Word during worship services and other meetings, our lives have been spiritually restored. Personal holiness became a chief passion of our lives. Our family life was greatly blessed as we have been taught to live under God’s rule as a covenant Christian family. The story of my life is that of God’s providential guidance and mercy. Many times, I had wondered: How could my family and I, coming from a small village in Kerala, India, end up in Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore? There is only one answer – God’s good providence has led us all the way. God, in His great mercy and faithfulness, has led me throughout these 45 years of my journey on earth.
In Gethsemane B-P Church, I was given opportunities to serve in the Malayalam Fellowship, the Adults’ and Men’s Fellowships’ committees, the Usher Ministry, the Church Camp planning committee, etc. When Pastor Koshy asked me to serve as a deacon in GBPC, even though I feel myself not worthy, the Lord nevertheless strengthened me with His Word, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22). I count it as a great privilege to serve my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in your midst. It is my prayer that I will be faithful and diligent in serving Him.
God is good, and His mercy endures forever. Indeed, I testify without any shame or doubt that the Lord has remembered me in my lowly state, rescued me from the hands of my enemies – even from the greatest enemies, Satan and death – and blessed me with everlasting life through the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He has also provided for all my needs, both physical and spiritual. Because of God’s grace, I experience every day in my life the real joy of eternal life. Therefore, I gladly utter what the psalmist says, “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:26).
All glory be to God through Christ, my Saviour!
Norefel Resuma
“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24).
Redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by God’s providential arrangement, I have been brought to a faithful and thriving church, where the Word of God is preached faithfully. Surely, there is no better response other than praising the Lord and serving Him wholeheartedly, according to the biblical counsels. And this has been my burden since I joined Gethsemane B-P Church in 2009. In God’s perfect timing and providence, the Lord granted me the privilege to serve Him full-time. Thank God for the opportunity to serve Him unreservedly, with the undergirding conviction: “…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 Corinthians 15:58).
When Pastor Koshy spoke to me about being appointed as a deacon, my immediate answer was: “It is too high a calling because I know my inadequacies, and perhaps not necessary as I thought I can continue serving the Lord even without becoming a deacon.” But Pastor advised me that the office of a deacon would enable me to act as a delegate of the BOE in carrying out the duties assigned to me (cf. Acts 6:1-7). So, I was urged to pray about the matter, that I may discern God’s will. And in one of the Tuesday night prayer meetings, when Pastor preached (on Numbers 27) about God instructing Moses to take Joshua as his successor, he mentioned that if God’s appointed servants in the church, after much prayer and consideration, come to you, it’s not for your negotiation but for you to yield. I just felt the Lord speaking to me. That night, the Lord convicted me to obey Him through His appointed servants (namely Pastor and the elders), who had prayed and sought the Lord in the matter of church leadership. Yes, I may still be fearful, but I surrender all and humbly trust the Lord that His grace will see me through. I just prayed, “Lord, here I am, use me for Thy glory.”
I truly believe that God’s providence moulded and prepared me for a greater work ahead, and my earnest plea is for the Lord to equip and use me effectively for His glory. Brethren, I sincerely request for your prayers, that my family and I be sanctified and exemplary as we serve the Lord. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).
To God be the glory.
Gan Chin Hwi
I was fearful, when the Lord first called me to serve the Almighty, for I regarded myself as being not adequately equipped with the Word of God, nor ready to humble myself to do the service of the Lord and serve others. Notwithstanding, the Lord has been very patient and merciful with me, for He called me again to serve Him through Pastor Koshy.
The Lord caused me to quit my previous job, which had become my “comfort zone”, having been working there for the past 20+ years. The Lord had indeed blessed me much while I was there, but this had also caused me to be complacent. My new job pursuit, however, is not entirely plain sailing. On many occasions, I have to pray more fervently, with increased humility and patience, trusting and waiting for the Lord’s provisions each day. Though I am weary, I never will despair, for I know my Lord is leading me through this journey to teach me to trust Him more, and to cast my burden unto Him. When I remembered the Lord’s goodness and provisions in the past, I was very much comforted and encouraged that the Lord is still with me today. Thus, I must continue to trust and obey Him.
As I looked back, whilst I “shied away” from Him, the Lord did not forsake me. Instead, the Lord has been graciously preparing me and directing my paths for His use, in spite of myself. Through my changing of job, I learned to trust and lean unto the Lord with all my heart, exercise greater humility and patience, and work with increased submission and reliance on my Lord. These, I realise, are what I needed to be firmly grounded for my service unto the risen Saviour. During this time, the Lord had also freed up more of my time from my work. I am now blessed with more time pursuing the Word of God, and thus walking closer with the Lord. I am able to spend more time with my family and, as an added “bonus”, even improve my health through exercising. The Lord has indeed prepared me for this calling to deaconship.
My Lord, through His longsuffering and mercies, has yet again called me to serve Him – how can I continue to resist? I greatly rejoice, and humbly submit myself, as the clay in the potter’s hand, and let the Lord mould me to fit me for the Master’s use.
I am yet to know exactly what is ahead of me serving as a deacon. Notwithstanding, I am no longer fearful, for I know that “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” (Psalm 28:7). Amen!
Diana Chan
Since July 2020, Pastor Koshy had been preaching on the life of Moses in the Tuesday night prayer meetings. In one of the messages, Pastor shared, “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 34:5). I was challenged by the question of whether I would like to die as a “servant of the Lord” or to die as a servant of a mere human institution. Deep in my heart, I want to serve as a servant of the Lord till the end of my life.
A few days later, Pastor sent me a message to meet with him and Sis Carolyn for a chat. Pastor spoke with me that he, together with our elders (Eld Mah, Eld Choy, Eld Ng and Eld Francis), would like to appoint me to be a deaconess. One of the areas of service is to encourage and pray with our sisters in the church. Pastor added that one of the criteria for the appointment is that I am above threescore (i.e. sixty) years old (cf. 1 Timothy 5:9). He asked if I would consider accepting the appointment, to which I requested to be given some time to seek the Lord in prayer on the matter.
In my personal time with the Lord, I prayed to God for His grace and wisdom in helping me to understand the calling. Most of all, whether I am deserving of the appointment because of my weaknesses. I communed with the Lord on the following:
I have tasted and seen the goodness of God in my life. I am convicted of God’s calling, by the grace of God, to yield myself to serve “our Father which art in heaven”. Please pray for me, that I will be “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21b).
All glory and honour be to our Almighty God.
Sermon Text: Galatians 5:16–25
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 7th November 2021
The BOE has nominated 6 brethren to be appointed as deacons, having prayed and deliberated for more than a year. They will join Dn Lok Kwok Wah, who has been serving as a deacon since 2007. They have been interviewed by the BOE before confirming their nomination. Brief testimonies of their calling will be published in the bulletin this week and the next. Let us remember them in our prayers as they prepare themselves to serve the Lord in our midst upon their appointment.
Lok Kwok Wah
By God’s providence, the Lord has called me to serve Him as a deacon of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church since 2007. Two previous roles in the Session include being Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Clerk of Session. One other duty was leading the Ushers’ Ministry (2009-2016). Prior to that, I was led to co-labour with Pastor in the Bible Witness Media Ministry as a full-time worker in 2001, and this has remained so till today by His great mercy and strength. My main responsibilities are to supervise the printing and distribution of the Bible Witness magazine, as well as to assist Pastor in organising Bible Witness Retreat, Holy Land Bible Study Tour, etc.
Currently, I thank God for His grace to serve as GBWL’s Operations Manager. Now I re-dedicate myself to the Lord to persevere in serving Him as a deacon of the church. I covet your prayers, that the Lord will help me to discharge my duties faithfully and always for His glory.
Lim Ah Sang
When Pastor Koshy approached me, on behalf of the BOE, to consider taking up the office of deaconship, I was surprised and apprehensive – reasons being I am relatively new to the church, and I am also no longer young, as well as the medical conditions of my wife and son that I have to cater to.
As I seek the Lord’s confirmation of His calling, He brought the following to my mind:
From the above, I am convicted of His calling. The following lines of John E. Bode’s familiar hymn is my prayer:
“O Jesus, I have promised me to serve Thee to the end,
be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend.
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my guide.”
All praise be unto the LORD!
John Zhang
I give thanks to our good and faithful God for giving me the opportunity to serve in our church. By God’s grace, our church has grown abundantly through the sound and faithful preaching of God’s Word by our pastor and preachers. When Pastor Koshy mentioned on several occasions that our church needs more people to serve in its various ministries, it resonated strongly with me. Having been encouraged immensely by so many brethren in the church who have tirelessly given of themselves to God’s work despite their own health, work or family commitments, their faces naturally came to my mind when Pastor mentioned the need for more deacons and elders in our church.
Hence, imagine my sense of unworthiness when Pastor first asked me to pray about serving in the office of a deacon. I thought that I am not the right person, because of my awareness of my own imperfections and flaws. I assumed that others would take up that role, while I continue to help and serve in the background, without any formal appointment. Pastor astutely corrected my wrong thinking, and encouraged me to continue praying and seeking God’s will.
By God’s mercy and grace, I was led to reflect on Pastor’s assertion that many would dismiss God’s calling if they reckon that they should serve only if they are “perfect”. God forbid that any of us should continue to wilfully sin against our good God; yet to wait for a perfect life without any sin to serve God is not possible in this present evil world. I have learned that waiting for a day when we deem ourselves perfectly ready to take up any appointment to serve in a larger capacity in the church is not right.
By God’s grace, it is also during this time at our prayer meetings that Pastor preached on the life of Moses. While I cannot compare to a spiritual giant like Moses, many of his concerns at the burning bush closely reflected mine. With each reason or excuse that he gave, I identified more and more with him. And just as God patiently answered each of Moses’ reasoning, He has also been patient and gracious to guide me and give me the burden to serve.
As I reflected on what He has done for me on the cross and how I have come to know Him as my Saviour and Lord, I became assured of His grace to help me serve Him. I am also reminded of His grace which He has bestowed on me every step of the way, whether in health, work or family. And it is with this growing conviction of mind that I yield myself to serve Him as a deacon and glorify Him. I put my confidence on His good promises to provide me with what I lack, to correct me if I err, and to strengthen me if I feel weak. As long as I allow myself to be used for Him and rely on Him, He is able to strengthen me beyond my own faults and weaknesses to use me according to His will.
I ask for the church’s prayer for myself and my family, that the Lord may grant me continual strength and wisdom, to serve Him with clean hands and a pure heart, according to His will and plan.
Sermon Text: Galatians 5:16–25
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 31st October 2021
Written by Ricky & Stella Yang
“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth” (Psalm 71:9).
On 19th September (Sunday), just before the Evening Service, we received news from the Nursing Home that Aunty Poh Eng tested positive for Covid-19, but was asymptomatic. There wasn’t much other info then, except to wait for further instructions from MOH. There were many questions running through our minds. Was she infectious? Would she be placed in isolation? Would there be other medical complications, knowing that she is of old age, and has some existing medical conditions? Would she be transferred to a hospital or other recovery facility?
We subsequently learned that she was placed in isolation at the Nursing Home. As the news sank in, we could only pray and requested prayer of brethren from the church, family and friends to plead for God’s mercy to sustain Aunty Poh Eng, as we awaited updates from the Nursing Home (on her condition) and instructions from MOH. Thank God for opportunity to have a video call with her to inform her of the situation and to explain to her why she was placed in isolation, knowing that she would usually feel uncomfortable to be alone. We thank God for opportunity to sing the chorus, ‘Chin Chia Ho’, to encourage her and also ourselves – a chorus that reminded us that God is good every day, and that we should praise Him even in such time of need, in time of old age and physical vulnerability, and when her bodily strength was showing signs of failing, when her voice became hoarse and her energy level was getting lower due to the virus. Like the psalmist, we interceded for Aunty Poh Eng that God would not cast her off.
“O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help…. Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth” (Psalm 71:12, 20).
On 21st September (Tuesday), we thanked God for answered prayers. God had heard our pleas and had “made haste” for our help, and opened up the space for Aunty Poh Eng to be transferred to NCID. Her initial days at NCID were concerning. Some days, her vital parameters were stable, and on other days, they were not so good. During those initial days, her Covid infection was worsening, and she also had bacterial infection. The initial medications were not producing the desired results and she needed supplementary oxygen support. How we thank God that He has opened the way for such a timely help and move to NCID to receive the much needed medical attention and care. We continued to have video calls with Aunty Poh Eng occasionally. Though lying on the bed of sickness, she showed no signs of despair but was at peace spiritually and mostly lucid, though physically weak and sometimes weary. Whenever we had the opportunity for video calls, we were always most encouraged to hear her affirming Jesus Christ as her Saviour, trusting in her Heavenly Father and thanking people who were praying for her. Indeed, the psalmist’s plea, “O God, be not far from me”, was our intercessory prayer for her, and we found comfort and rest in the knowledge that it is the Spirit of God that has drawn Aunty Poh Eng close to her blessed God.
On 25th September (Saturday), we got a call around noon from a doctor that Aunty Poh Eng’s infection level was getting higher and some of the parameters were becoming critical. She was going to be placed on the “Dangerously ill list” (DIL). We were told to be mentally prepared, and we were also told that for patients on DIL, one visitor was allowed. Suddenly, it looked like things have taken a very sharp downturn. Our hearts were heavy, and we started taking out our N95 masks to prepare to visit. Shortly after, we were told the doctor has assessed that they were not going to put her on DIL but would continue to monitor her. It indeed felt like the Lord has quickened Aunty Poh Eng again and brought her from the brink of being dangerously ill. Oh, what a relief and yet at the same time, it reminded us how variable and uncertain the next few days could be. We felt a mix of relief, thanksgiving and a need to continue to plead for Aunty Poh Eng to cling on to Jesus as she wasn’t completely out of the woods yet. The Hokkien chorus, “Kang Wa Eh Qiu” (“Hold My Hand”), played in our hearts. We continued to have video calls with Aunty Poh Eng and sang the chorus to her. On one rare occasion, she struggled to recognise us. We were concerned, but it was more important that Aunty Poh Eng would not forget Jesus Christ, her Saviour. Praise God, through the period of fluctuations in her condition, the Lord has kept her close to Him and enabled Aunty Poh Eng to remain steadfast in affirming her faith in Jesus Christ.
“Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come” (Psalm 71:18).
The next few days were days of slow but sure recovery. Aunty Poh Eng was slowly increasing her food and water intake and gaining strength slowly. After 2 weeks in NCID, she was discharged to Bright Vision Hospital. On one Saturday when we had a video call with her, she could even remember that next day (Sunday) was church day! Yes, it was the strength of the Lord God that has enabled her to stay the course in her battle with the Covid-19 virus, and to remain steadfast in her faith. Though Aunty Poh Eng was making good recovery, she was not shedding the viral fragments enough to be discharged from the hospital yet. It was a period of waiting upon the Lord, and again God was faithful and has not forsaken Aunty Poh Eng or us. It is the Lord’s mercy and strength that enabled her to have made the recovery thus far, and we simply had to wait for the Lord’s timing for her discharge from the hospital. All praise and thanks to God, last Monday (18 Oct), exactly a month after Aunty Poh Eng tested positive, the Lord has restored her to health. We rejoice to echo the psalmist’s declaration – “Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.”
We conclude with the psalmist’s praise: “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed” (Psalm 71:23). All praise and glory to God the Almighty, who is the God who heals both the body and soul.
Sermon Text: Galatians 5:13–15
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 24th October 2021
When a person is ordained as an elder of the church, he is being entrusted with God-given duties to fulfil. His ordination is a public acknowledgment of his calling and equipping by the Holy Spirit to carry out the God-given duties of an elder. Following is a brief discussion of some of the major biblical duties of an elder.
In conjunction with the pastor (the teaching elder), the elders take the oversight of the spiritual and administrative matters of the church. Elders are exhorted in 1 Peter 5:2 to “feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind”. The word “feed” translates a Greek word (poimaínō) which denotes the duties of a shepherd towards the flock. An elder is to be like a shepherd who cares for the flock of God in the local church where he is appointed to the office. His duty of shepherding means that he must willingly and readily “take the oversight” of the congregation. Exercising oversight – as denoted by the Greek word (episkopeo) – would mean that he cares for the nurture, protection and guidance of God’s people like a shepherd (Acts 20:28a).
Every elder must co-labour with the pastor and fellow elders to provide the necessary spiritual and administrative oversight. He must work with genuine pastoral concern for the flock of God. He must know the affairs of the flock and oversee their spiritual well-being. As part of the Board of Elders (or presbytery), he must personally and jointly labour to watch over the flock of God. The wise words of Solomon are applicable to every elder: “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds” (Proverbs 27:23).
The oversight of the flock would include visiting the poor, the sick and the afflicted. The elder must be willing and prepared to attend to the spiritual and temporal needs of the needy among the congregation. In fact, Scripture encourages the needy to call on elders – “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). As under-shepherds of Christ’s flock, every elder ought to manifest Christ’s compassion and care, with much love and tenderness to His suffering sheep. He may minister to the afflicted with an appropriate hymn, or the reading of a portion of Scripture, or a brief prayer.
That is not all. He must also attend to the backsliding members of the church in order to correct them and nurture them back. Every elder must prayerfully work to avoid the spiritual decline of the congregation. He should admonish members who neglect the fellowship gatherings and sacraments, which are means of grace that are essential to spiritual growth and health. Without proper supervision, the members of the church can slowly slip into spiritual lethargy and degeneration. Every elder must labour to avoid having members of the church degenerate and fall away unnoticed. Though the pastor bears much of the responsibility of the pastoral care, elders are also called to share with him the pastoral supervision of the church.
According to 1 Timothy 3:2, elders must be “apt to teach”. In Titus 1:9, elders are expected to be “holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” The Greek word (parakaleô) translated as “exhort” can also mean “encourage”, “comfort”. Thus, the ruling elder’s teaching – though not formal or on a full-time basis like that of the pastors who are teaching elders – includes informal counselling and words of encouragement. The elder should also be able to “convince the gainsayers” by sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). The Greek word (antilegô) translated as “gainsayers” refers to “those who speak against”. Hence, elders must acquaint themselves with the biblical doctrines and practices of the church, that they may give a sound response to those who object to the doctrines of the Word of God.
This, of course, does not mean that every elder must be equally knowledgeable and gifted to perform the task of teaching. It is abundantly clear that there are some elders (being pastors) who are specially tasked to “labour in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17), while others focus mainly on ruling the church. However, every elder must be able to communicate sound biblical knowledge. To fulfil such an important duty, elders must have a constant, prayerful commitment to equip themselves with sound theological knowledge. They must equip themselves to teach competently in Bible studies and to answer the inquirers wisely and adequately. They must labour to both propound sound doctrines and defend them for the purity of the church.
Elders are expected to rule well, and such are worthy of double honour (1 Timothy 5:17). As rulers, they are not to be “lords over God’s heritage” (1 Peter 5:3a), but rather as fathers who rule their household (1 Timothy 3:4). They teach the Word of God (Hebrews 13:7), and labour to admonish the church (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:12). They watch for the souls of God’s people (Hebrews 13:17b), and lead them by example (1 Peter 5:3b; cf. 1 Timothy 4:12). As men entrusted with responsibility for the well-being of the souls of the people, they will have to give an account to the Lord for them (Hebrews 13:17b).
Elders ought to be in charge of the admission, spiritual nurture and discipline of the members of the church. Their collective supervision as rulers of the church is crucial to maintaining the purity of the church. The special attention of the elders to catechise those who seek membership and to ascertain them to be credible followers of Christ is most needful. It is also their duty to admonish (with a loving and firm spirit) members of the church who walk disorderly. They are expected to carry out their roles as rulers with much diligence and labour (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:12).
In order to rule well, the elders also have important duties to perform in the meeting of the Board of Elders. In this meeting where the situation and needs of the church will be considered, the elders should confer together to find the best biblical way to manage matters at hand for the benefit of the church. Hence, elders must have a commitment to attend such a meeting and to participate in the discussions concerning the administration of the church with eagerness and patience. As the Board meeting cannot be held in a hurried or perfunctory manner, much forbearance, tolerance and endurance are expected. Elders must not think of themselves as mere advisers in the Board, but as co-labourers together with the pastor to shepherd the flock of God. In this respect, elders must also be careful to avoid any misunderstandings, quarrels or alienation among themselves.
The importance of godly, able and dutiful ruling elders in taking the oversight of the church cannot be overemphasised. The apostle Paul knew this full well, hence he was not at all apologetic to write: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour” (1 Timothy 5:17a). Indeed, such honour would be gladly rendered by the discerning church which recognises that only when the elders – who are the rulers of the church – endeavour to work together in sincerity and faithfulness, in harmony and love, and with zeal and patience can the church be effective in bearing a glorious testimony for the Lord.
Sermon Text: Galatians 5:7–12
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 17th October 2021
Our church constitution states, “The spiritual oversight of the Church in matters of doctrine, principles of government, church elections, admission and discipline of members and the administrative oversight of the Church shall be the specific responsibilities of the BOE” (12.2). “The BOE shall consist of the Pastor(s) and Elders, and Supervisory Pastor, if any” (13.1).
As we now look forward to the election of the BOE at the end of next month (Sun, 28th Nov 2021, 4pm), it is important that we understand the biblical necessity, nature and importance of the elders. To help us to be well-furnished with the biblical and constitutional requisites, an expanded version of an article that I previously wrote in 2017 is included below.
In the apostolic times, when the Gospel spread through Judea, Samaria, Asia Minor and in other regions, churches were formed. Their proper spiritual and administrative care became a great concern to the apostles. Paul then wrote to Titus what should be done for the proper management of the church – “thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5).
The apostolic instruction is that the appointment of elders as church officers is vital to an orderly, well-managed church. The ordaining of elders is an imperative. It is on no account to be omitted. Paul’s admonition was that Titus would go through city by city and ordain a body of elders in each congregation (cf. 1 Timothy 3, where Paul also mentioned the appointment of deacons, who are to be assistants to the elders). The elders, then, are to rule and organise the church.
The basic biblical pattern for the proper organisation of a local church is that elders (plural in number) ought to be ordained from within the congregation, in accordance with the biblical requirements of abilities and standards of behaviour. This is corroborated by Acts 14:23 – “And when they (Paul and Barnabas) had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
Elders ought to be men of sound moral and spiritual character. Their qualifications are plainly laid down in the Word of God, as attested to by Titus 1:6-9, “(being) blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
A similar requirement of conduct is also given in I Timothy 3:2-7. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
The passages quoted above lay special emphasis upon high morals and sound spiritual abilities and character. So, every man who is considered for the office of eldership ought to be blameless in life and steadfast in the faith. He should be a man of wisdom and discretion. Neither riches nor wealth nor social position can qualify a man to be a ruler in God’s house. Holiness must characterise his pursuit of life so that he may be an example to the flock. Devotion to God – piety – should characterise every ruling elder. He must be a godly, spiritually-minded man. His piety is the measure of his strength. All his duties require godliness, and without it, all his skills and capabilities are of little use in the government of the church. If he is truly godly, then he will truly influence the church for the glory of God. It is the godly influence of the elders that direct the proper conduct of the church.
Though piety is indispensable, it is not the only qualification. Not every church member who is devout is qualified to be an elder of the church. A candidate to the office of eldership must also be a man of intelligence, practical wisdom, experience, and administrative capacity. The best and wisest godly men in the congregation should be selected. From time to time, the board of elders will have to deal with matters of utmost gravity and also grapple with perplexing problems. In such situations, the ablest of minds and the most knowledgeable of men are to be found among the rulers of the church. Men who lack excellent mental capacity would not be able to handle such duties. While we thank God for capable men whom God has given to us, let us also pray for more competent men for the eldership.
The apostle also insisted that an elder should be “apt to teach”. This is not necessarily a reference to public and official instruction, for ruling elders are not those who are called to labour in the Word as teaching elders (cf. 1 Timothy 5:17). There must be, however, the ability to communicate and defend sound doctrines of the Bible. Elders must take every opportunity available to them to increase in the knowledge of God’s Word. They should be diligent and faithful students of God’s Word so that they may teach in the Bible class, and guide worshippers and inquirers in the wisdom of God’s Word. The role of elders is of vast importance in preventing the church from departing from the truth of God’s Word and defending the church against errors of all kinds that will creep in through false teachers. So, the apostle Paul instructed the Ephesian elders, “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” (Acts 20:28).
In order to implement the biblical requirements for elders, our church constitution states, “The office of Elders shall be borne by spiritually matured and God-fearing men (1 Timothy 3:1-7) and a nominee for election to the office of an Elder shall be a man of not less than six years’ Christian leadership service in the Church or like-minded Church, save that the BOE may in its absolute discretion, shorten the qualifying period.”
Thus, the candidates for election to the BOE must thereby be such spiritual men who “shall satisfy the requirements listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Peter 5:1-11. In addition, to ensure better objectivity in selection, they shall fulfil the following conditions:
God willing, I will address the topic of the ruling elders more next week.