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Christian life and ministry is a call to sacrificial service to God. Our pattern is the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ! “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2).

During His public ministry, Jesus specifically pointed out to His disciples “how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (Matt 16:21). Jesus willingly endured His afflictions and death for our salvation, in accordance with His Father’s will. So, shouldn’t we, His followers, be ready for suffering and even death in service to God? Paul, the prisoner for the Gospel, urged Timothy, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8). Are you willing and ready to endure afflictions for Christ? We only achieve great things for Christ’s kingdom if we serve Him by willingly enduring afflictions, and even death!

During World War II, eleven missionaries were martyred on the Island of Panay in the Philippines. One of these was Dr. Francis Rose – who had penned the following poem that is commonly called “The Martyr’s Hymn”:

All human progress up to God
Has stained the stairs of time with blood;
For every gain for Christendom
Is bought by someone’s martyrdom.
For us he poured the crimson cup,
And bade us take and drink it up.
Himself he poured to set us free.
Help us, O Christ, to drink with thee.
Ten thousand saints come thronging home,
From lion’s den and catacomb.
The fire and sword and beasts defied;
For Christ, their King, they gladly died.
With eye of faith we see today
That cross-led column wind its way
Up life’s repeated Calvary.
We rise, O Christ, to follow Thee!

Letter from Elder Eliezer Ortega

Dear Pastor Koshy,

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise the Lord for His goodness upon the churches here in Bogo and San Antonio. The Lord has been gracious and merciful to keep and preserve the two churches. The Lord be praised for the loving support of Gethsemane BPC, Singapore to the missionary-in-charge.

We recently had our 1st Annual Congregational Meeting on 17 September 2023. We thank God for all that the Lord has done in and through the church, looking forward to God’s blessings upon the plans of the two churches. Praise the Lord for His gracious provision through the loving support of the church in Singapore and the faithful giving of the brethren. Through these, our two churches’ expenses for the past fiscal year have been met and sustained. All glory be to God!

Praise the Lord for opening doors of opportunity for us to teach the senior high school students in Binabag National High School. Initially, we were given a one-hour slot (8.00am–9.00am) every Friday to teach the Word of God to the students. After the teaching session last Friday, we were asked if we could teach other students at another time slot (10.00am–11.00am). The Lord has graciously granted us opportunities to teach the Word of God and preach the Gospel. God willing, we will be teaching in two separate time slots this coming Friday (6 October). For the first time slot (8.00am–9.00am), the number of students is 32, and we expect the same number for the 2nd time slot (10.00am–11.00am). Praise the Lord for such a blessed opportunity!

By the grace of God, the brethren in Bogo and San Antonio are doing well. Though some are sick and have not been attending church, some newcomers have come and worshipped with us. Thank God for the planned Christmas meeting in Bogo on 20 December 2023. We look forward to attending such meetings and fellowshipping with the brethren.

Once again, thank you very much, Pastor Koshy and the Board of Elders, for your loving support to us. Praise the Lord for His goodness.

Sincerely in Christ,
Elder Eliezer

David wrote in Psalm 23:6, “…and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” David was a man who always desired to be “in the house of the LORD”. There, he rejoiced in the goodness and mercies of the LORD. Worship, singing, rendering of testimonies, meditation of His Word, prayers, and all such activities in the LORD’s house granted him the greatest joy he had ever experienced in this world. In Psalm 5:7, he uttered, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.”

David often spoke in his psalms about his desire for the LORD’s house. He prayed in Psalm 26:8, “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” In Psalm 27:4, he wrote, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” His pious heart could not find a greater, nobler, sweeter experience than hearing the praise, honour and glory of God in the place of worship. No wonder the psalmist exclaimed, “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God” (Psalm 84:1-2).

Furthermore, the psalmist said in Psalm 84:4, “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.” He also declared in the same psalm: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (v. 10). In the same vein, David counted being “in the house of the LORD” as the most blessed experience of a man’s life. So, he wrote in Psalm 65:4, “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” 

It was David’s irrepressible desire to rejoice in all the activities conducted in the LORD’s house in worship of His name. His heart’s most cherished ambition was to be with God’s people in His house, thinking of the LORD’s goodness and mercy and serving Him. The desire for the LORD’s house was so great that he wanted to dwell there for ever. Obviously, nothing would fully satisfy his longing heart except heaven, where he shall dwell forever with the LORD!

Dear brethren, thank God that He does not refuse to let us in when we come to His house to seek His blessings and protection over us. He welcomes us to be like David, that we make His house our “dwelling place”. The LORD’s house is a place of asylum in times of our troubles, and also our happy dwelling place when our lives are joyous and blessed. 

Let us never forsake our assembling together in His house. Do not miss any opportunity that we have to come into His house. May the church be your “home, sweet home”.  Let us always say, “God’s house, My house!” Then, we too can say like David, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:1-2).

Photo News From Cherrapunji, Northeast India

Pastor Jied has reported that the construction of the Church and Bible Academy building has restarted after two months of delay caused by the rainy season. The concrete for the first level has been completed, and the construction of the second level of the building is about to begin. Pray that the construction will progress smoothly and be completed by early next year, as they desire it to be ready for use by February 2024.

Report by Pr Samson Hutagalung

Introduction

Recollecting God’s blessings and giving thanks for all His benefits reflect our humble desire and gratitude to honour and praise God. Scripture admonishes us in Deuteronomy 26:11, “And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house…” We take this opportunity to consider God’s abundant goodness and blessings in leading His servants to do what He has laid on their hearts in bringing God’s truths all over the world through a systematic and in-depth study of the Word made available online. The Lord has graciously used Gethsemane BPC in various ways to carry out Christ’s Commission to His church in Matthew 28:18-20. The task given to the church involves preaching the Gospel to the unsaved, and teaching and equipping those whom the Lord has redeemed to serve Him faithfully and effectively. GBI-Online, as a ministry of our church, is tasked with equipping Christian men and women globally through the expository study of God’s Word.

Background

The inception of GBI-Online came about because of the burden that the Lord has laid on Pastor Koshy to provide free online learning of God’s Word for God’s people globally. By setting up GBI online, and slowly and steadily enhancing it over the past 9 years, the Lord has enabled us to grant hundreds of people worldwide access to serious, systematic study of God’s Word. 

When I first came to Gethsemane BPC in 2013, Pastor Koshy shared with me with great enthusiasm about his desire to start an online Bible Institute to offer Biblical courses that would help the students of Gethsemane Bible Institutes in Ethiopia and the Philippines (now also in India). Having heard from Pastor his desire and plan, I felt stirred in my heart to offer my service. With God’s continued help, I laboured to learn the Learning Management System (LMS). At that time, we learned that the Moodle platform was most helpful to set up online distance learning. After much hard work, we introduced the GBI-Online Website (www.gbi-online.com) and its platform for learning God’s Word during the 4th Missionary Conference (2014) held in Singapore. For a start, two courses were offered: First, The Names of God; and second, Jonah: Divine Conquest of a Defiant Heart. They were Pastor’s messages preached during the Bible Witness Retreats.

Inception of Night Classes

GBI-Online started night classes on Wednesday, 21st January 2015, at TGCM premises. This night class was started with a twofold purpose. The first aim was to record the videos of courses on theology and expositions of Bible books by Pastor Koshy. The second was to allow Gethsemaneans and friends keen to learn those Biblical subjects to attend Pastor’s lectures that were being recorded. The first lecture, Systematic Theology 1: Theism, had 34 students who cheered one another in studying God’s precious truths. The video lectures were recorded and edited, and subsequently made available on the GBI-Online website.

GBI-Online Courses

For a period of time, the TGCM premises had been a venue for night classes (2015-2017). By the end of 2017, Pastor had completed teaching six courses on Systematic Theologies: Theism, Bibliology, Anthropology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology. All these classes were attended by members of Gethsemane BPC, and there was not a time we were lacking students. The classroom was full to the brim. Some students who could not attend the night classes could follow the lessons online through the GBI-Online website.

In order to accommodate a bigger number of students, starting in 2018, the GBI-Online class was moved to SingPost Auditorium every Sunday at 9.00am. Pastor Koshy taught the Book of Revelation, attended by nearly 100 brethren. Subsequently, he taught the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the same venue till the end of 2019.

January 2020 was the beginning of a new phase for GBI-Online. This was due to God’s gracious provision of the Gethsemane Media Centre (GMC) to our church. Truly, it was a great blessing from God as it was so well-timed to meet our desperate need for a place for administrative matters of the ministry. Because of the availability of the new place, the GBI-Online class held on Sunday morning was shifted to 6.00pm on every Lord’s Day, under the new name: “Evening Teaching Service”. 

In addition, the Wednesday Night Class, which had been stopped for a while, was resumed. Praise be to the Lord for all His lovingkindness. With the addition of Wednesday Night Class, GBI-Online courses have entered yet another progressive phase. Now, we have been enabled to provide more recorded courses for those who desire to learn God’s Word.

26th July 2023 is another milestone date in GBI-Online. The Lord has so graciously strengthened Pastor and Pr Cornelius Koshy to teach courses on Biblical Language Familiarisation (BLF: Hebrew & Greek). We see how the Lord has moved the hearts of our church members and their friends to join these night classes. 53 students attend BLF: Hebrews, and 62 enrol for BLF: Greek. For the Wednesday night classes on 1 Corinthians taught by Pastor, 112 students have registered. Praise be to the Lord! 

In addition to the above classes, Pastor Koshy leads a group of preachers from different Asian countries for in-depth study of various theological topics. This programme is called “Pastoral Biblical Studies” (PBS). The participants of this course are preachers and missionaries serving the Lord in various mission fields of Gethsemane BPC. This semester, Biblical Covenant Theology (Part 3), is the topic of study. On Monday, after PBS classes, Pastor also teaches – online – the students from GBI-India (Vizag) and Soli Deo Gloria Academy (Cherrapunji, NE India). The Lord has opened all these doors for the GBI-Online ministry to equip many (locally and overseas) with His blessed truths. 

Shall we not praise God for all His bountiful blessings to our church for using GBI-Online to equip God’s servants? Truly, the Lord is good. Next year will be the tenth year of the GBI-Online ministry. Our hearts are thrilled to see how the Lord has used GBI-Online to educate and edify God’s people everywhere. 

GBI-Online now offers several courses that you can take at your own pace: (1) Systematic Theology 1: Theism; (2) Systematic Theology 2: Bibliology; (3) Systematic Theology 3: Anthropology; (4) Systematic Theology 4: Soteriology; (5) Systematic Theology 5: Ecclesiology; (6) Systematic Theology 6: Eschatology; (7) The Book of Jonah: Divine Conquest of a Defiant Heart; (8) The Names of God; (9) Theology of Prayer; (10) Divine Adoption; (11) The Book of Revelation; (12) The Book of Ezra; (13) The Book of Nehemiah; (14) The Books of Haggai and Zechariah; (15) The Book of Ezekiel (Part 1); (16) The Book of Ezekiel (Part 2); (17) Pneumatology: Doctrine of Holy Spirit (Part 1); (18) Doctrine of Holy Spirit (Part 2); (19) The Kings of Judah and Israel; and (20) 1 Corinthians.

May the Lord continue to bless GBI-Online. As of today, 250 students have registered on the GBI-Online Website, learning God’s Word from different countries. As the Lord commands us to grow in the knowledge of His Word, let us take advantage of the opportunity provided through GBI-Online, to nourish ourselves in God’s Word. Please pray for all who labour (our GBWL staff, Pastor Koshy, Pr Cornelius, and myself), and support this ministry generously. To God be the glory! 

Dns Diana Chan

Glory be to the Holy One of Israel, our Redeemer! I thank God for His grace, mercy and strength in enabling me to join the Bible Witness Israel Bible Study Tour 2023. The main reason for me joining the tour is that I would like to visit Gethsemane BPC, Ethiopia, which was our transit point on our way to Israel.

When we were in Ethiopia, it was a joy to meet Rev Ephrem, Pr Engida, and the other preachers and their family members, as well as several of the church brethren! It was so heart-warming to see how the brethren were so formally attired, so cheerful and ready to receive us in the church in Alem Gena. I praise God that both the brethren from Ethiopia and Singapore could congregate for fellowship and worship led by Pastor Ephrem. Pastor Koshy preached the Word of God in that meeting. Pr Cornelius led our Church Choir members in the team to give a song presentation. 

Thank God also for the Christian hospitality of the Ethiopian brethren who hosted us to a lovely lunch.

I thank God for Pastor and Dn Lok for their labour in planning and organising the tour, even having to make ad-hoc changes during our journey. Thank God for His grace, good health and protection throughout the trip. Praise God for the unity, encouragement and care for one another. It was encouraging to see the stronger adults helping and supporting our senior brethren, especially in manoeuvring difficult terrain and steps. Special mention must be made of the young adults who constantly availed themselves, ever ready to provide additional help. 

Praise the Lord for the lessons learnt from GBI on the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, Haggai and Zechariah, as well as 1 Samuel. Biblical history was brought to life as we journeyed through the land of the Old and New Testaments. The various sites, such as the wilderness of Judea, Ziph, and Gibeah, brought to mind how David and his six hundred men had to flee from King Saul and his three thousand soldiers in the wilderness, desert, hills and caves. Praise God for preserving His servant, David, and his loyal men. Indeed, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Almost every morning, before embarking on the journey, we would assemble in quietude in a room. Pastor would lead us in singing, devotion and prayer, and remind us to focus our minds on God in the Bible Study tour. I also thank God for the culminating point at the end of our tour, which was our worship in the chapel at the Garden Tomb. We had Holy Communion, in remembrance of God’s plan of salvation for mankind through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, for our sins. May the remembrance of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to spur us to love the Lord, trust in Him and serve Him.

To God be the glory, great things He had done!

Abigail Koshy

I really thank God for a wonderful time in Israel as part of the Bible Witness Israel Bible Study Tour 2023. It was a blessed eight days in the Promised Land, tracing biblical events in God’s promised land for Israel. Visiting the Promised Land has always been my earnest desire, and I am thankful to the Lord for the answered prayer to go as a family this year. God has provided for all our needs along the way, and given us the strength to carry the little ones in all our travels. Praise the Lord for endurance, safety and good health. Each day was fast-paced and filled with many places to see – from Joppa (near Tel Aviv) to the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding towns where Jesus had ministered. Enroute to Jerusalem, we crossed through the Judean wilderness (present-day West Bank), walked through the old city and the city of David, and visited significant sites around the Dead Sea. 

The Bible indeed comes alive! Most places we visited were archaeological excavations of biblical cities, and various locations of biblical events. I was struck by the beauty of the land: the olive trees and palm dates, vast lakes and bountiful springs, as well as the rolling wilderness and arid weather. I loved its topography: vast hills and valleys, deserts, plains, lakes and seas – places which our Saviour trod and travelled across during His earthly ministry. Above all the sights, most of which are overrun by sheer idolatry and vendors seeking the tourist dollar, one thing stands out clear to all who believe in the Truth: “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

Finally, I thank God for our very knowledgeable Jewish tour guide who, along with Pastor’s daily devotions, made the trip an in-depth Bible Study in a moving “classroom”. May our continual prayer be: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces” (Psalm 122:6-7).

Pr Cornelius Koshy

I thank God for the grand opportunity to go through Ethiopia and visit the brethren who serve in the Gethsemane Church and GBI campus in Alem Gena. Ethiopian Airlines’ resumption of the route from Singapore to Tel Aviv (through Addis Ababa) was just in time for the BW Study Tour to Israel – praise the LORD! As Paul says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10). We seized this opportunity to show our love to our fellow Ethiopian brethren (cf. Rom 12:9a – “Let love be without dissimulation”), and to spend time in worship and thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness through the past 17 years! I also thank God for nine GCC singers who cheerfully sang the encouraging hymn, “He Leadeth Me”, bringing a part of Singapore-style singing to brethren in Ethiopia. The whole team was treated to a sumptuous spread of authentic Ethiopian cuisine, which was concluded with live-roasted, ground and brewed Ethiopian coffee! 

The bus ride back to Bole International Airport for our connecting flight to Israel was a test of faith! We did not anticipate an afternoon traffic congestion, and many of us were anxious because we had only about two hours to travel back to the capital (Addis Ababa), get our luggage and check in to the next flight. Some urged the driver to “go fast!”; others tried to contact the airline. Everyone prayed earnestly, and when we finally reached the airport, Pastor led us in a prayer of thanksgiving, and the team moved quickly as one unit to the gate. We praise the Lord for truly, “He leadeth me, O blessed thought … By his own hand, he leadeth me!”

On a personal note, I thank God for this third visit to the Holy Land, which strengthened my geographical knowledge of the biblical accounts. At each site, I was transported back to its biblical narratives, and my heart was encouraged by the spiritual lessons and promises attached to each location. There was also a renewal of eschatological anticipation for Christ’s return during this trip. Apart from visiting Megiddo, where the nations’ armies would gather to battle Christ (Rev 16:16), we spent an hour in a private garden in Gethsemane, on the western slope of Mt Olive. This was a special booking made possible by the tour agent. Gethsemane (church) was in Gethsemane (cf. Luke 22:42)! Pastor exhorted from Zechariah 12-14 and we contemplated Christ’s second coming, which would unfold in the very space and land where we were. Such contemplations, made in meaningful places, tend to be etched deeply and enduringly in one’s mind. 

May the joys of living in Christ and our love for Him endure all the way till He calls us home, or when He returns! All glory be to God! 

Are you surprised by the title of this article? Corrupt communication is one of the maladies that wreck the peace and progress of many biblical churches in recent days. However, it is not a new phenomenon. It is an age-old problem. The apostle Paul was subjected to awful defamation by several unprincipled groups in the early churches (cf. 2 Cor. 10:10). Even our Lord Jesus Christ was not spared by the evilness of vile men who presented themselves as pious.

These days, our church has been the target of vile, flagrant accusations. These accusers, who generally magnify themselves as pious men with special knowledge of “GBPC’s sin”, have been whispering here and there! They are looking for partners for their gossip mill within our church, so they can cause division within us. May God protect us from their venomous words! 

Let us heed the divine counsel and refuse to be corrupt communicators. “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another… Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:25, 29).

No Corrupt Communication!

Ephesians 4:29a – “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth”.

This is a prohibition against bad speech. The Greek word for “corrupt” denotes that which is putrid, rotten, and hence corrupting, defiling and injurious. Jesus said in Matthew 15:18, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”

Corrupt communication includes many kinds of bad speech, such as bad language, vulgar and profane exclamations, foolish talking, filthy conversation, unprofitable remarks, profane oaths, lies, false witnessing, angry utterances, provocative words, demeaning statements, hurtful words, curses, threatening, abusive language, ridicule, gossips, slandering, false accusations, proud and arrogant expressions, boasting, flattery, misleading advice, false teaching, unwholesome and filthy songs, etc.

Corrupt communication can easily occur; it is a common malady, even in churches and among Christians. Not only do new Christians fall prey to it, even believers who are well advanced in sanctification have been overtaken by the sin of evil communication. We must always be watchful against falling into this unsavoury conduct. Since our bad speech is an expression of our defiled thoughts and feelings, we must strive to cleanse our hearts and minds constantly, and to keep them from being defiled again.

It is also important that we avoid the company of men and women who engage in evil communication. Those who spend time communing with people who are unguarded in their speech will soon be like them. Those who read unwholesome material or entertain themselves with profane shows will easily learn their bad language and mannerisms. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns us, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

Godly men will be cautious of what they say. They will pray to God to help them guard their speech. If we learn to control our tongue, we can avoid many embarrassing situations. We can also avoid many quarrels, as well as the poisoning and even severing of friendships. Let us make David’s prayer in Psalm 19:14 ours as well: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Only That Which is Good for Edification!

Ephesians 4:29b - “but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Immediately after prohibiting corrupt communication, Paul encourages good speech. He advises Christians to see that their words are well-chosen, to the extent that they edify others. The conversation of Christians should be honourable and beneficial, so that it edifies, rather than harms or destroys others.

Speech is a special gift from God. We must use it as His Word directs us. Here, we are exhorted to use it for edifying one another. The Greek word that Paul used for “edifying” (oikodómēsis) denotes the act of building a house. In Paul’s epistles, it is used to indicate spiritual nurture or advancement.

We must, through our speech, seek to build one another up. We must speak so as to do good to others. By relating our testimony of salvation and sharing the Gospel of Christ with the unsaved, we can point some souls to Christ our Saviour. Through friendly discussions, we can impart God’s truths to the young or less mature in faith, that they may grow in the knowledge of God’s Word. We can comfort those who are weary and sad with God’s promises. We can prevent some from going astray by providing timely and wise advice. We can correct and restore those who have erred in their ways by admonishing them in love.

There is a great need for us to engage in godly conversation that will bring edification to one another. Merely refraining from corrupt speech is not good enough. Great spiritual disaster will come upon our church, friends and family members, if we choose not to speak when there is a need to do so. Where there is a lack of godly conversation, the unhindered growth of spiritual maladies will take root and fester.

We must speak with wisdom and grace to impart spiritual blessings and protection to others. May our words provide spiritual benefits. As Paul said, we must strive to “minister grace unto the hearers”. Proverbs 25:11 tells us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Appropriate words spoken at the right time in the best manner are beautiful and precious, indeed. Let us remember that our words have power, either for good or evil. Let us, therefore, speak in such a way that will build up our hearers, and not tear them down.

The authoritative Word of God in Deut 15:11 commands, “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.” 

The gracious Lord has provided for and sustained our church, Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore (GBPC) throughout our existence over the past 35 years. He has, in different ways, blessed and increased our resources progressively. GBPC has always expended these resources judiciously, especially in extending ad-hoc financial support over the years to brethren (both in Singapore and in our mission churches) in times of their great personal need. These critical needs have resulted from different exigencies, for example, untimely hardships from sicknesses, afflictions or natural calamities. 

Right across all the mission churches that GBPC supports presently – namely the two churches in Ethiopia (located in Addis Ababa and Alem Gena), the five churches in the Philippines (located in Cebu City, Bohol, Bogo, San Antonio and Pangasinan) and the church in Vizag, India – there are some extremely poor and needy brethren. Owing to their extreme poverty and other family circumstances, the leaders and their mission churches extend small but meaningful financial gifts and support to these brethren from time to time. These gifts would typically help towards providing for food, medicine, transportation and children’s schooling needs (for families with young children).

We praise the Lord for moving the hearts of our Pastor and all in the Board of Elders, with the conviction that it is now expedient for our church to step up the effort to financially support more of such needy and deserving brethren in these mission churches. In the BOE meeting held on Monday 28 August, the BOE unanimously approved a proposal to implement a Charity Programme in the various mission churches listed above.

It is envisioned and hoped that this initiative would not be a one-off event, as the matter of poor and needy brethren “shall never cease” (Deut 15:11a). To ensure sustainability of the Charity Programme, several elements of administration will be instituted. These relate to the matters of Programme ownership, support by the mission churches’ leaders, ease of administration, and accountability. The administrative efforts associated with the Programme will be structured with these factors in mind. 

The Lord commands, as we read in the latter part of Deut 15:11, “I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”  May we all render our support in giving, and in praying fervently for the poor and needy in our mission churches.

Elder Mah Chin Kwang
(On behalf of the Gethsemane Mercy Ministry)

BW Israel Study Tour Group @ Alem Gena, Ethiopia

It was indeed with joy and gratefulness to the LORD that we took this opportunity to visit our mission station in Ethiopia. Nobody from our church has visited Ethiopia since 2018, mainly due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, we managed to have Rev. Ephrem and Pr Engida come to Singapore to attend our various meetings. When we were organising the BW Israel Study Tour, we looked at the possibility of going through Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to visit our mission station. We then planned to use the 11 hours of transit at Addis Ababa to meet with Rev. Ephrem and his team at Gethsemane B-P Church, Ethiopia, in Alem Gena, about 20 km from the airport. We were joyfully received by all the full-time workers, their families, and some of GBI’s present and past students. After a walkabout in the premises, we met in the church building for worship and fellowship, followed by a sumptuous Ethiopian Lunch.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Sobriety and vigilance are crucial to living a victorious Christian life. The Greek word for “sober” (nēphō) means being temperate or abstinent, especially with respect to wine. It is an antonym for the state of mind caused by drunkenness and is used more broadly to refer to spiritual and moral sobriety, a clear-thinking and self-controlled mental state that is free from confusion and unbridled passions. The Greek word for “vigilance” (grēgoreō) refers to alertness and watchfulness. When used together, these words exhort Christians to live with self-control and constant awareness against snares and temptations of sin.

At no time should we be heedless or unguarded. Our minds must always stand on guard against the most minute and unobservable encroachment of sin. Even that which appears to be harmless can lead us to great spiritual and moral perils. Not surprisingly, it has been said that “the enemy that is least feared is usually the soonest felt.”

How often we have heard Christian men regretfully say,  “Oh,  I fell  in an unguarded moment; the temptation came so suddenly!” But why were they off their guard? Is it not because they had lived carelessly and wantonly? We  must not indiscriminately accept every invitation given  to us. We must carefully analyse every overture made to us, whether it would undermine our commitment to our Saviour and  Lord.

Our vigilance must be comprehensive. Let none be too cocksure that he will not be overtaken by certain kinds of temptation. While we resist one form of evil, let us not forget that there are other subtle temptations in the world. While we watch against external forces that are bent on destroying our walk with God, let us also be on guard against internal passions that are equally perilous. If we are not vigilant, though we may watch against fleshly lusts, we may still give room (knowingly or unwittingly) in our hearts for pride, self-righteousness, and the like.

All such allurements of sin originate in our chief adversary, Satan. He is like a mighty, ferocious lion at our door, waiting to pounce on us and devour us. Let us not carelessly open the door of our heart. Satan, like a lion, would pounce on his prey, unseen and unsuspected. He is not only powerful and ferocious, he is also very crafty. So, be on your guard!

Testimony of Abishek, a GBI (India) Student

My name is Kambam Abhishek Raju. I was born into a Hindu family in Andhra Pradesh. My parents did not have children for the first seven years of their marriage. So, they frequently visited Hindu temples and prayed to many gods and goddesses for children. They also sought medical help, but to no avail. They lost hope of having children. Relatives of my father looked down on my mom. It was rather common in our society that childless women were insulted by people. My parents were very troubled. A pastor who visited them shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and also assured my parents that the Lord will hear their prayer. Then onwards, they started attending church regularly. They trusted the Lord Jesus, and eventually took an oath in prayer to dedicate the first son to the full-time ministry if God would give them children. Soon after, my mother conceived and gave birth to me. The Lord also blessed my parents with three more baby girls. These gracious blessings strengthened their faith. A few years later, several relatives from both sides of my parents came to believe in Christ. I underwent baptism while I was studying in 10th standard. However, we were part of the ‘Oneness Pentecostal’ denomination, which denied the Trinity.

Upon completion of my studies, due to family financial problems, I went to work for two years as a Sales Executive in Maruti Suzuki (an automobile company). My parents started to strongly urge me to go for theological studies and prepare for the ministry. After much prayer and consideration, I became convinced that the Lord wanted me to resign from my job to go for theological studies. With the guidance and help of my friend Teja, who was already part of a Presbyterian church, I joined the Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS) in Dehradun, India. There, I started to gain a proper understanding of the biblical truths, which strengthened my faith. When I was in my 2nd year of studies in PTS, I was convicted of the truth of the Trinity. I talked to the faculty about my conviction, and I asked them to baptise me in the name of the Triune God – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While I was in my final seminary year, I was ‘finally’ baptised in the name of the Triune God in Good Shepherd Church, which is closely affiliated with the seminary and where I had been worshipping for three years.

After completing my theological studies, I went to the pastor of my home church to explain to him the doctrine of the Trinity. But he didn’t listen to me, so I stopped attending that church. Now, I am working to plant a Reformed church in my hometown Kakinada to share the biblical Gospel with my own people. I have a heavy burden towards my hometown people, so I am currently working among them.

I didn’t receive any personal call through dreams or prophecies to be a pastor, but by reading the Bible regularly and spending much time in prayer, I recognised God’s calling in my life. God also kept the burden in my heart to share the Gospel with people who don’t know Christ, and to take care of the souls of those who believe in Him. Some of my friends and faculty members of PTS recognised my gifts, and encouraged me to work towards being a pastor. In this way, I have confirmed my calling as a pastor.

In the process, one of my faculty members, Dr Vijay Tagore (who works as a New Testament professor in PTS), gave me the contact number of Rev. Sujith Samuel to work along with the Bible-Presbyterian Church. And after talking with Rev. Sujith, I felt it is a good opportunity to work with this church to be involved in God’s ministry. So I have, as a first step, committed myself to learning in GBI. I thank God for this opportunity.

Revelation 12:11a—“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony”.

Satan and his hosts of demons have, according to previous verses of this chapter, been trying to destroy Israel and Christ and all the believers on earth. Satanic destruction has been unleashed against believers throughout the ages and will reach its climax against the saints of the Great Tribulation. He will try to destroy and slaughter all of the believing people.

However, Satan will be defeated. Notice what our text says: “they overcame him”. Believers will overcome all satanic opposition and persecution. How would they overcome Satan and his demonic hosts? According to our text, their overcoming of Satan and his demons was not by rebuke, incantations, bindings of demons or exorcism.

They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14 describes the Tribulation saints as “they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. Because of Christ’s blood shed for their redemption, no accusation would stand. No accusation against the suffering saints of the Great Tribulation would stand before the throne of God. In fact,  no accusation against any believer of any age would stand. It is not that they possess some personal power of their own, but rather that “God hath set forth (Christ) to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:25). As Paul said, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:6-7; cf. Colossians 1:14). All of the accusations against us fall on deaf ears because we have been saved by the blood of the Lamb, even our Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12, 14).

What’s more, the believers also overcame Satan “by the word of their testimony”. In a world filled with demonic treachery and opposition, their testimony never wavered. They remained faithful regardless of all the threatening situations brought against them by the fury of Satan. They were unflinching and unwavering in the face of hostility. Their witness was clear and steadfast. Truly, Christians do not surrender. As “overcomers”, they go forth bearing Christ’s testimony, even in times of satanic hostility.

Testimony of a New GBI (India) Student

Kynsai Kupar Thabah (from Meghalaya)

I was born and brought up in a Christian family. At the age of 12, I went to study in Sohra, and after two months of my stay there, my father passed away. I studied in Sohra up to my 10th standard. But when I was in my 9th standard, I started to have a taste of alcohol. This venture was more of an experience of fun with my friends. After I completed my studies in Sohra, I went to Shillong to continue with my higher secondary education. It was during those years that I started getting into substance abuse and all sorts of intoxication. 

At that point in life, I just had a mere understanding of the Christian faith. I would pray, and I would read the Bible at times, but I did all of these because I was taught to do so as a so-called Christian. Also, I was never a regular churchgoer. In the year 2017, I was living a life of an atheist. I would be absent from tuition and use the tuition fees to buy alcohol, ganja, tobacco and the like. I would lie to my mother, telling her that I needed money for school projects, but I used the money she gave me to buy these substances. I lived life to my own wishes and walked in my own freedom. I lived a wayward life, and I could never truly obey my mother. Because I stayed with my relatives, I came home late at night. The nights were spent drinking alcohol with my friends, going to bars and parties. I would go to festivals where DJs would be performing, so that I could drink alcohol and enjoy partying. 

It was on a particular Sunday (5th August 2018) when a friend called me up to invite me to attend a church service with him. But I declined his invitation, postponing that to the following Sunday. When the 12th of August arrived, we went to a fellowship meeting. It was a church service organised out of a request by the youths. It was on that particular day that I heard the preaching of the Gospel. At that very moment, there was a strong conviction of the Holy Spirit which made me understand that I am a sinner, condemned and guilty, and a hopeless person without Christ.

I turned away from my sins and repented, trusting in Christ and His finished work. There was a transformation in my life. I saw that God enabled me to leave my old life. I started staying away from my friends whom I was close to all along. I used to love dancing to the DJ’s beats, but after God saved me on the 12th of August 2018, all of those old desires and habits died. On 15th August 2018, there were several DJs performing at nearby Ward’s Lake, and though I went there (still with some intention of enjoying and dancing), all of the music played became bland to me. There was no love for such things anymore. 

I started reading the Bible and started to love going to church. There was also a desire to grow in the Word of God. When I look back at my life and the years which have passed, I see the mercy of God. If it was not for His mercy, I would have died in my sins and would be damned for eternity. I realise that God has sought and found me, even if I had run away from Him. God, by His grace, saved a sinner like me, and I have hope in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

We commemorate the 21st Anniversary of our Chinese Service today. A combined Thanksgiving Service is held together with the 8:30am English Service for the praise of Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Shepherd of the church. 

What a joy it is to witness three elderly folks joining our church today, through the ministry of Gethsemane Chinese Service! They have come to know the Lord and find fellowship in the Chinese Service and the Seniors’ Ministry. 

Mdm Mak Yock Theng (82 yrs), to be baptised today, has been coming to our church and ministries with her husband, Mr Ng Weng San (member of our Chinese Service), for several years. They are the parents of Bro. David Ng (TGCM staff), who has been praying for their salvation and encouraging them to turn to Christ in faith. Likewise, Mr Tay Nga Nga (72 yrs) was brought to our church by his daughter (a non-Gethsemanean) who joins our church services occasionally. He has been regularly worshipping in the Chinese Service in recent years. Mr Yap Yam Hua (88 yrs), a Christian living alone, was introduced to us by his nephew. Having attended our church services for a few years, he has decided to transfer his membership to our church. 

Let us continue to pray for the Chinese Service and the labour of Pr Daniel Lim in preaching the Word for the spiritual nurture of all who attend this church ministry. We also pray for Elder Alan Choy, Dn Gan Chin Hwi and others who serve along with Pr Daniel. May the Lord purify and preserve all the brethren for His coming and for His eternal kingdom.

Testimonies of Candidates of Transfer of Membership

Ho Xiu Ling

I’m a first-generation Christian. The Gospel seed had been sown in my heart since childhood when I attended a Methodist primary school. I heard the Gospel through the school’s chapel services and Christian fellowship in school. 

I started to attend church together with my siblings when my sister’s church friends reached out to us after my mother passed away when I was at the age of 12. Not too long after that, I accepted Christ in my life.

God has always been wonderful in my life. He is my comfort, strength and provider. I received baptism by faith when I was 15 years old. The Word of God has helped me to stay faithful and not stray away from it into worldly things.

Since I met my fiancé James 2 years ago, I started to attend the same church as him at Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church. I have grown more in faith over this period of time. Thank God for all the blessings in my life. To God be the glory!

James Voon

Though I was born into a non-Christian family, my parents decided to enrol me in mission schools since kindergarten. This was because of my quiet and reserved nature. My parents were hopeful that this would help me to open up to others. Thus, from kindergarten all the way to my secondary school, I was exposed to the Gospel. It was during one of the Bible study sessions in my primary school, that I was convicted of my sins, and I accepted Christ as my Saviour.

That was some 30 years ago. Through many years of ups and downs in my spiritual life, the Lord remains compassionate and faithful to me. I am now a regular worshipper at Gethsemane B-P Church, having started worshipping there almost 9 years ago. Because of the sound preaching at Gethsemane and the fellowship I received, I have decided to become a member of Gethsemane B-P Church.

Ministry Updates from Cebu, the Philippines 

Pastor Reggor Galarpe (Gethsemane B-P Church, Cebu) has reported about the church and its related ministries. Here’s an excerpt from Pastor Reggor’s email. 

“We thank you and the Board of Elders for the half-month financial support received. It’s a big help for our families, which is especially timely since it’s school opening also for our children. Praise God! ... Praise God that GBI-Cebu’s new semester has begun on 7th August 2023, with the Day of Prayer and Registration. Thank God for the enrolment of 18 students – with 4 of them studying full time, namely Johnny Rey Ebin, Dave Taburada, Synoname Estacion and our dear brother, Julius del Rosario… Regarding our search for a prospective church building, we have scheduled a meeting and ocular survey (11th August) of a property introduced to us. It is situated some 19 km away from Cebu City… We will keep you posted on this. Please pray for God’s help and guidance… Lastly, our greetings to TGCM and the Gethsemane Chinese Service on their respective anniversaries!”

Reports on Christian persecution around the world have been on the rise. Burning of church buildings, beating and killing of Christian missionaries, pastors and believers are increasingly heard in more countries worldwide. Not only in traditionally hostile societies, but also in places where religious diversity and tolerance have previously existed, indescribable violence is now committed against Christians. 

On 22nd June 2023, Christianity Today reported, “At least 450 Christians have died in a series of attacks on Christian villages in three north-central Nigerian states since May, according to reports from religious freedom advocates.” Things are not getting any better for Christians, even in our continent, Asia. “An Evangelical group in India is calling for peace after 58 Christians were killed, dozens of churches were burned and tens of thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes due to ethnic violence in Manipur, a state in Northeast India that is home to more than 2.5 million people.”

Upon reading such reports of unrelenting persecutions and killings of Christians around the world, my mind was filled with the words of Paul in Romans 8:35-37, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

His Love Makes Persecuted Christians Conquerors

Indeed, Christians are conquerors. In fact, v. 37 declares that Christians are “more than conquerors”. This is truly a comforting message to Christians, for they live in a hostile world. Though they would face extreme hostilities, their faith shall not be quenched because the Word of God assures them that they shall be “more than conquerors”!

Paul has in vv. 35-36 written about the steadfastness of God’s love for believers in the face of hostility: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter”. Yet, Christians will be enabled to overcome sin, Satan, the world, temptations, reproaches, afflictions, persecutions, and thereby continue in their faith. The devil will trouble their souls with temptations and trials. Many Christians will suffer great afflictions. But they shall abide in their faith, love and service through thick and thin. In fact, they shall be “more than conquerors”.

Just what did the apostle mean when he referred to Christians as “more than conquerors”? He meant that they are winning a sweeping, overwhelming victory. The emphasis made here by the apostle is that in the midst of all the myriads of hostile experiences – yes, even by means of them and with their “help” – Christians shall show that they are more than conquerors!

They overcome their innumerable troubles, not by their own strength, but through the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves them. The ability to triumph over all adversity does not arise from any inherent superiority of believers, but rather, by the might of their loving Saviour, they will overcome their adversities. His love for them is the pledge of His help for them to be great overcomers.

Christ’s steadfast love will strengthen and enable us to endure affliction. Special favour of His love will strengthen us. We shall overcome all our afflictions, not by our natural powers, but by the special blessings of our Saviour’s love.

His Power Empowers His Afflicted

Yet another familiar verse comes to my mind that encourages every afflicted Christian: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).

Paul was buffeted by the messenger of Satan and afflicted with what he referred to as “a thorn in the flesh”. The Lord, who found it necessary that the trouble should remain in Paul’s life, assured him of His grace which was sufficient to strengthen and equip him to serve the Lord effectively. The Lord’s assurance that His grace was sufficient to support and strengthen Paul in his trial, made him a happy minister of the Gospel. So, he joyfully confessed, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Because of the glorious promise of the Lord’s sufficient and strengthening grace, Paul refused to be perturbed by his trial. Instead of being preoccupied with the trial, he committed himself to delight in the grace of the Lord that was made available to him. He was, in effect, saying, “I count it my joy to be afflicted if my trial will be the means to know the power of my great Redeemer.” Paul rejoiced that his weakness became the vehicle by which the Lord’s grace and power were most fully manifested to himself and to others. When the devil inflicted him with weakness and pain, the Lord “perfected his strength” in the midst of his weakness. It seems that Paul was saying that his weakness plus Christ’s power equal perfect power. Paul was not relying on his own strength, for he was full of weakness. He was most powerful, when he was least reliant on his own resources and most reliant on the Lord’s grace and power.

Self-reliance, which results from pride, is detrimental to our spiritual joy. So, it is to prevent the possibility of pride in Paul that the Lord permitted his trial. We should not, therefore, be bitter when afflictions are permitted in our lives. Only when we are emptied of ourselves, will our strength be perfected with Christ’s glorious power. Very often, the continuing weakness in Christians is necessary so that they might not confuse the power of God with their own power and lose God’s power by attempting to rely on themselves.

Like Paul, in order that you may be vessels of Christ’s glorious power, be glad to suffer the trials He would permit. If you are in the midst of trials, rejoice that His power shall rest (pitch a tent) in you. His power will keep your faith intact, and let you magnify Him against Satan’s evil devices.