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In Second Corinthians, Paul records for our learning how the brethren in Macedonia were motivated by love to spend and be spent. This record has an interesting background. While Paul was making his way through Europe, he made some effort to collect money for the hurting believers in Jerusalem. When he reached Macedonia, he announced the need of the fellow Christians in Jerusalem. What adds to the significance of this whole episode is that Macedonia was already an economically depressed area. It would be like encouraging some of the mission churches in poorer areas of the Philippines to support those in Ethiopia. This would be a strange appeal today! (Please read slowly and carefully the following words of Paul. Don’t skip even a word!)

“Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

From the above report of Paul about the Macedonian believers, we can learn some important lessons about how we should practise giving:

Sacrificially: Macedonians gave sacrificially because they were giving out of their own poverty and not out of wealth. Take note of Paul’s report of their financial state when they gave towards the need in Jerusalem – “in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” The Macedonian Christians did not even have enough to feed themselves, when they decided to put together whatever they could find in order to support the needy Jerusalem Church.

According to Paul, “beyond their power they were willing of themselves” to support the brethren. What else could this be but their sacrificial love for the need of the Jerusalem Church?

Generously: Have you noticed Paul’s words about the Macedonians that they “abounded unto the riches of their liberality”? The word, “abound” means “overflow”, and thus a reference to their availability to help and bless the needy. Theirs was not a stingy giving. They were not calculating, to say “Look, we are already poor, and moreover we have to give to our own church. So don’t expect us to make another big gift to Jerusalem.” There was not a penny-pinching man among them. On the contrary, they were liberal in their giving. How amazing!

Voluntarily: Though Paul announced the need of the Jerusalemites, he did not twist their arms behind their backs. Paul wrote: “I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” It seems that Paul was so stunned by their liberality that he was unwilling to take their exceedingly generous gift. So they resolved to persuade Paul to accept their gift. They were very happy that they could minister to the need of the saints.

A little later in the same letter, Paul encouraged this spirit of voluntary spontaneity in our giving: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Selflessly: When they gave, they were not giving to make a name for themselves. In fact, no name is mentioned in this passage. Paul did not even mention which of the Macedonian churches contributed to the need. A great proof of Christian giving is anonymity. Unselfish giving does not seek publicity, but prefer to remain anonymous. Jesus said, “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matthew 6:3).

Obediently: The final lesson we learn through the Macedonian churches is that giving is a matter of knowing God’s will and obeying it – “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” According to the Apostle Paul, such an unexpected contribution was the result of the Macedonians’ sensitivity and obedience towards God’s will. The reason why some people groan and moan when it comes to giving is that they are not keeping close to the Lord to know His will. When a need in the Lord’s work is announced, they argue against it and express their unhappiness over such a call even before they take time to consider the matter and pray about it. On the other hand, those who keep close to the Lord and constantly seek to know and do His will, will joyfully make contributions to God’s work. This is not only true in monetary gifts but also giving oneself in service.

We have much to thank God for – especially for the manifold blessings that we received during last week’s church camp (5-9 June 2023). The LORD’s goodness was abundantly evident in all aspects of the camp. We remember everyone who have laboured with sincerity and love for the smooth running of the camp (organising, logistics, music, chairing, preaching, etc.), for the safety and health of all the participants, and for the encouragement and edification of all through fellowship and acts of kindness. Above all, thank God for enabling His servants to teach God’s Word, so that our hearts may be renewed and revived to live a spiritually-minded, prayerful life of love and service in these end times – as we look forward to the coming of our Lord and Saviour.

Be Spiritually-Minded (A summary of the Camp 2023 theme messages)

While “the carnal mind is enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7a) and amounts to “death” (Rom. 8:6a), “to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6b). Those who live unashamedly according to their unregenerated, carnal self are in a state of spiritual death, which will culminate in eternal death or “second death” (Rev 21:8). All those who have sincerely turned to Christ in repentance and faith are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, that they may live as spiritually-minded people. 

Spiritual-mindedness comes through Spirit-given beliefs from the Bible. A spiritually-minded person acts on spiritual convictions that the Spirit gives according to His truths, which He has revealed in God’s Word. Such spiritual convictions stem not from personal feelings, thoughts, preferences, or opinions. Neither are they natural convictions resulting from external sources of people, occasions, or experiences. The source of our spiritual-mindedness is the Holy Spirit. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). 

In every regenerated person, the Holy Spirit works to exert His spiritual principles. He instructs the saints and leads them according to His Word. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).

Because all the regenerated people now still live in their sin-marred bodies, they will encounter “fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Paul spoke of this great conflict he had within him in Romans 7:23 – “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Here, “the law of my mind” that Paul mentioned is the spiritual or biblical principles of his mind as a Christian. But in the members of his body, he experienced a “law of sin”, or the carnal principle of the flesh that exerts its enslaving control. However, he says, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” Like Paul, all genuine Christians can thank God for the enabling (and experience) of the Holy Spirit’s help to serve the Lord with spiritual-mindedness – though “the law of sin” works continually through our “flesh” or body.

Cultivating Spiritual-Mindedness

Our minds must therefore be carefully guarded against carnal influences and be guided according to biblical truths, in order to live a life pleasing to God as His spiritual people. Scripture cautions us in Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Scripture instructs us to diligently keep and guard our heart / mind because “the issues of life” come out of it.

The following 15 biblical exhortations must be carefully observed so as to keep ourselves spiritually-minded:

1. Watch your mind and stop unscriptural activities of the mind [Prov. 22:5; 23:19; 28:26; Deut. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:6; Mk. 14:38; Heb. 13:17], and call to mind God’s Word to repent of our sins [Mk. 14:72]; 
2. Depart from the vanity of mind and ways of the unregenerate people [Eph. 2:3; 4:17; Php. 3:18-19]; 
3. Avoid a doubtful mind [Lk. 12:29]; 
4. Have a ready mind to receive God’s Word [Acts 17:11]; 
5. Fill your mind with love for God [Matt. 22:37; Mk. 12:30; Lk 10:27]; 
6. Embrace humility of mind in service to the Lord [Acts 20:19]; 
7. Adopt lowliness of mind in co-labouring for the Lord [Rom. 12:16; Php. 2:3; Col. 3:12-13]; 
8. Fight in your mind against the law of sin in you [Rom. 7:23-25; 8:5–7]; 
9. Yield your mind to the Holy Spirit [Rom 8:5-7]; 
10. Renew your minds according to His Word [Romans 12:2; Eph 4:23; Hebrews 8:10]; 
11. Have a biblically persuaded mind [Rom. 14:5]; 
12. Have oneness of mind (being same-minded, like-minded) with fellow believers in glorifying God and serving Him [Rom. 15:5-6; 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Php. 1:27; 2:2; 4:2; Philem. 14); 
13. Have the mind of the Lord [1 Cor 2:16; 1 Pet. 4:1; Php. 2:5]; 
14. Have a willing and ready mind to give / serve [2 Cor 8:9-12, 19; 9:2; 1 Pet. 5:2]; 
15. Hold fast to unshaken mind looking for Christ’s coming [2 Th 2:1-3; 1 Peter 1:13].

A Time to Give Thanks and Consecrate to Serve

Gethsemane B-P Church’s Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM) is required by the law of Singapore and our church constitution to “report on the spiritual and temporal conditions of the congregation and announce plans for the coming year” (Gethsemane B-P Church Constitution, 19.8). Though it is a business meeting, we must be mindful that we are essentially meeting to recollect and evaluate the business of the Lord’s church. As such, the ACM of the church must be conducted in a manner that is worthy of the Lord’s glory. The church leaders and members must participate in the meeting with love, humility, faithfulness and prayerfulness, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We praise God for the unity and comradeship in Gethsemane, which has helped us to hold trouble-free congregational meetings over the past years. Let us once again prayerfully take heed to Paul’s admonition that we should be “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). “A house divided cannot stand.”

I would like to share two important biblical principles which Christians must maintain in their meetings. Please heed those essential principles, and let them guide our conduct in today’s ACM so that we may glorify Christ, the Head of the Church. 

Recollect & Give Thanks

The ACM should never be a platform for singing our own praise. “That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29). Instead, it should be a time of much thanksgiving to the Lord, who has done great things for and through us. So, let us all gather together with boundless praise for the Lord. “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). May our thoughts be about His goodness. Let every heart rejoice and give thanks unto the Lord. 

When we thank God, we can neither ignore nor neglect those who sacrificially and joyfully serve the Lord in the different ministries of Gethsemane according to God’s will. We should commend them and thank God for them. Nonetheless, let no man seek his own glory but the glory of God. Let us humble ourselves before our great Saviour, as Paul did. “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of” (1 Corinthians 9:16a). “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

The annual reports on the church’s activities, achievements and financial accounts should direct our hearts to praise His name. Let us “forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2b). Let us recall God’s protection, deliverance and provisions for every ministry and church member. Would God lament over us for our ungratefulness as He cried over the Israelites? “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number” (Jeremiah 2:32). So, let our minds recollect the many helps and blessings that God has bestowed upon each one of us and upon the ministries of the church. 

Let there be no unthankful heart in the ACM! 

Renew & Consecrate

The ACM documents (minutes, reports, audited accounts, etc.) have been made available to all church members for their evaluation. The Board of Elders has advised the church members to read the ACM documents and submit their questions to the office holders early. If members have submitted questions, they would be answered during the ACM. 

We thank God that He has enabled the office bearers of the church to manage the church funds well for the glory of Christ and for the furtherance of the Gospel. By God’s grace, the BOE has faithfully managed the church funds for the worldwide Gospel dissemination and His servants’ support. 

Our recollection and evaluation of the past year’s ministries (local and overseas) must not cause us to be prideful or slothful. Instead, we must humbly renew our commitment and consecrate ourselves to serve the Lord faithfully and fervently in the coming year. 

We must render more labour to harvest souls here in Singapore and overseas. More consecration and generosity are needed to support all the existing and new ministries. We must not become weary or hesitant. Let us ask the Lord to increase our faith, resolve, courage and zeal for His work. As a congregation, let us arise in faith and consecrate ourselves to do His work according to His will. The Lord promises, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).

What should be our response to the Lord’s call, guidance and promises as we evaluate the enormous work before us and the substantial financial provision our church would need?

Consecration! 

We should not be like the Israelites, who murmured against Moses, Joshua and Caleb upon hearing from the ten faithless spies who discouraged them from going into the Promised Land because of the giants who lived there. Though God’s providence brought them to the border of the Promised Land, and God’s servants relentlessly cheered them on to courageously go over the river Jordan to conquer the good land, they allowed their hearts to faint and fear. May none of God’s people in Gethsemane become a faithless coward in the face of this enormous challenge. 

What we need today is not fear but faith, not cowardice but consecration!

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope
And my will be lost in Thine.

Bible Witness TV, a web-TV ministry, is the latest effort of the Bible Witness Media Ministry of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore. God willing, this humble yet bold project will be available soon to all on the internet.

The idea of such a ministry was in our prayers and planning for almost two decades. The first step, which the Lord has enabled us to take, was the Bible Witness Literature Ministry in the year 2000, with the publishing of Bible Witness magazine. As we slowly built up our publications, we also endeavoured to make biblical resources available through various digital media (such as CDs and DVDs) and the internet (websites); hence we renamed the ministry as Bible Witness Media Ministry. In 2007, the Lord enabled us to begin Bible Witness Web Radio (BWWR), a 24/7 internet broadcast, which continues to this day. Realising the tremendous effectiveness of the internet, we exerted ourselves, with God’s grace empowering us, to build up our facilities. With the acquisition of Gethsemane Media Centre in 2019, a much-needed Audio-Video studio became a reality, and the work for BWTV began. Though many of our plans and efforts were severely disrupted by the COVID pandemic since March 2020, the Lord has enabled our church preachers, media staff, church choirs, and many of our congregants and friends to labour tirelessly to develop the content for BWTV. All glory be to God. 

Purposes of BWTV

The launching of BWTV is, firstly, for the spreading of the Gospel and sound biblical resources to all corners of the world. Indeed, our gracious Lord has opened another door before us to reach the world with His Word. May this effort help us to fulfil the honourable duty that the Lord has entrusted us in Romans 10:14-15 – “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Secondly, BWTV provides an avenue for many from the congregation of GBPC and like-minded churches to offer their services for the proclamation of Christ and His blessed truths. Through this ministry, our people render their God-given skills and abilities for sinners’ salvation and saints’ edification. Indeed, “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it” (Psalm 68:11)!

Thirdly, BWTV offers a godly alternative at a time when secular media drowns the minds of our children and youths with ungodly and worldly content. BWTV programmes include special content for kids (songs, Bible lessons, Bible activities, etc.), as well as for youths and adults (doctrinal and practical lessons through discussions, Q&A segments, sermon snippets, devotions, prayer, singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, etc.).

Programming of BWTV

God willing, come 1st September 2022, BWTV will start on a small scale. There will be two channels – one for the kids, and another for youths and adults. These channels will provide new content every week. We hope to make most (if not all) of the content available on demand for repeated and delayed viewing. We hope in the Lord to increase the variety of categories as well as content in the coming months and years.

Viewing of BWTV

How can you access BWTV and benefit from its content? You can view BWTV either by accessing biblewitnesstv.com or on our church app, which can be downloaded from your app store (just search for “Gethsemane BPC”). You can watch BWTV daily as long as you can access internet via WiFi or mobile data services through your computers or internet TV, tablets, or mobile phones.

Letter from Bogo & San Antonio

Dear Pastor Koshy, elders, deacons, preachers and brethren of Gethsemane B-P Church,

All glory and honour be unto the Lord our God and our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ! 

Truly, the Lord has been faithful and good to the two mission churches in Bogo and San Antonio. His grace and mercy have sustained the two churches for 14 years and 13 years respectively. All praise and glory be unto our ever gracious and merciful Saviour for His goodness and faithfulness upon the two mission churches. Since the founding of these two churches by our late brother, Pr Dominino, the Lord has done wondrous works and the truth of the Gospel has been preached. God’s works and words are indeed great blessings to His church and His people.

The Lord has hitherto sustained the church, that the brethren would be preserved. Although it is sad that there were some who had backslidden (whom we had not seen for quite some time already), nonetheless there are those whom the Lord preserves, and who have been joyfully worshipping with us and co-labouring in the work of the Lord. We have our own weaknesses, but God’s grace has strengthened us, that we may be overcomers. Praise be unto the Lord for His preachers and for His Word giving us instruction and reproof, that His people be preserved in the faith (cf. Psalm 124). The Lord be praised for the addition of new members to the two churches. Through the preaching of the Gospel and by His grace, these brethren have been brought to salvation, and have desired to be baptised and be members of the church. All glory be unto the Lord for His working in the hearts of these new brethren (1 affirmation of faith, 1 infant baptism, and 3 adult baptism). We thank God that one of the new members has manifested great desire to study God’s Word, and right now he is taking all the subjects offered by GBI Cebu.

Nevertheless, we had not been spared from difficulties and trials, especially in this time of crisis, but through them all, the Lord has sustained us. Through God’s Word, His people have been guided to continually trust and hope in Him. And the Lord has not failed, for He has provided jobs and work for some of the brethren. Likewise, we thank the Lord for having used you, our brethren from Gethsemane Church in Singapore, to show His love, care and provision for the brethren here in Bogo and San Antonio. Praise be unto the Lord for your untiring love, care and support for our brethren in both churches here. 

Thank you very much, Pastor Koshy, leaders and brethren of Gethsemane Church, for remembering us and for your support to us. Your prayers and generosity are very much appreciated, for which we constantly give thanks and praises unto the Lord. 

“Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth” (Psalm 105:3-5).

Sincerely in Christ,
Elder Eliezer Ortega

The first day of the week, Sunday, was the typical day of gathering and worship of the early Christians (Jn. 20:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2); and it is referred to as “the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10). The phrase “the Lord’s day” is best understood as a reference to Sunday. It became customary to refer to Sunday because Christ rose from the grave on Sunday. The apostle John was met by the risen, ascended, and exalted Christ on the first day of the week to reveal the prophecy of the Book of Revelation. When early Christians gathered for their worship on the first day of the week, they would spend a lot of time together in worship, studying God’s Word, praying, fellowshipping, breaking bread, etc. (Acts 20:7, 11). Listening to the exposition of the Scriptures was their delight, and hence a whole-day affair (Acts 28:23).  

The church historians record that in the first four centuries after the Reformation, most Protestant churches met for worship on the Lord’s Day in the morning and evening; the believers considered both services necessary for their spiritual rejoicing and edification. In the last six decades, the evening service has been frowned at and has become so uncommon. This abandoning of the evening (or afternoon) service in Protestant churches is a sign of the growing spiritual apathy and worldliness of the Christians of our time, who spend much of the Lord’s Day for secular purposes rather than spiritual. 

Brethren, there is no good and acceptable reason why our generation of Christians will allow ourselves to be less passionate about spiritual things, and be unlike the godly Christians of yesteryears. Let us not waste our opportunity to serve the purposes of God devoutly. Let us consider our short time here on earth with utmost seriousness in using it for our spiritual nourishment and for God’s glory. Let us take heed of the Scriptural exhortation: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). 

There are amazing blessings in coming together and learning God’s Word from the teaching service on Sunday evenings. Come with your families to learn from God’s Word. We are now learning from the biblical history of “The Kings of Judah and Israel”. Let us gratefully come to hear His Word and save ourselves and our children from the evils of this generation. Make it our habit to be found in His house on the Lord’s Day.

Photo News

The 18th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of Gethsemane B-P Church, Cebu, the Philippines, was held last Sunday (17th July 2022).

Praising God for the Prayer Meeting!

Over the past two weeks, two sisters came forward to give their testimonies during our church’s Tuesday night prayer meetings. They are published below to encourage all Gethsemaneans to consider the prayer meetings.  

Judy Chan

I would like to testify of the Lord’s goodness in helping me overcome my struggle in attending prayer meetings. Coming for prayer meetings initially had been an intense spiritual battle. Before coming to Gethsemane, I thought prayer meetings were optional, on a need-to basis. Since coming here, I learned that the prayer meeting is crucial to our spiritual growth, as shown by the pattern of the early followers of Christ. They “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1: 14). Even though I became aware of the importance of the prayer meeting, because of the weakness of my flesh, I felt like my whole being was resistant to going for prayer meetings. I thank God for speaking to me continually through the messages preached. Yet, regular participation in prayer meetings was challenging for me. Sometimes I thought this struggle would never end, but God was gracious to see me through. Slowly, I experienced less resistance within me and even look forward to coming every Tuesday for the church prayer meeting. Praise the Lord for helping me overcome my struggle! Truly, as the hymn often sung by the children declares, “God is so good”!

Xin Hui

The hymn “Amazing Grace” truly testifies of God‘s goodness to me. The third stanza of this hymn spoke to me, especially when my parents were against my faith in Christ in its early stage. I went through a lot of stress and fear. Yet, God’s grace has seen me safely through all those testings of my faith. He has shown me how good He is, even in my bouts of depression and hopelessness. When we are weak, God’s strength is made perfect! I pray that we will constantly be reminded of God’s saving grace in our lives that saved us from eternal damnation and into the wonderful hands of Jesus Christ. Oh, how good our Saviour is! This comforting and assuring truth is also declared in Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

One of the greatest dangers that many Christian homes and churches are facing is disunity. This peril often ensues from indifference to the truths and counsels of God’s Word. Some of us confess sound doctrines, but do not appreciate and apply them in our personal and communal living. Such an attitude engenders spiritual apathy and self-promoting, materialistic, carnal lifestyles. In such an environment, the unity and co-existence of the family and church are disrupted and endangered.

Disharmony, conflict and division often stem from unbiblical living of even those who belong to churches with sound doctrines. Hesitation to align our thoughts and actions in submission to the counsels of God’s Word will disrupt, weaken and destroy Christian communities. Discord becomes a common problem in such an environment of disregard for God’s Word in pursuit of personal pleasure and pride.

When the apostle Paul concluded his last letter to the Corinthians, he expressed his fear of sins that destroy unity: “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults” (2 Cor. 12:20). These would not just end with only some discord, but will undermine the purity, testimony and existence of the family and the church. Paul feared such a situation in Corinth; that’s why he forewarned: “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 Cor. 12:21).

The Philippian church also faced the danger of discord and division because of the personal conflict between Euodias and Syntyche. So, Paul cautioned the two women, “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil. 4:2).

Such a situation existed in many of the early churches, including in Rome. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits” (Rom. 12:16; cf. 15:5-7). Conflict and dissent are likely to plague every family and church whose members fail to yield fully to the doctrines / principles of God’s Word, and to commit to biblical living.

Paul’s Admonition of the Romans on Unity

Let us consider Paul’s words in Romans 12:16 that call the church to spiritual unity. The church in Rome was made up of people from diverse backgrounds of race, language, culture, etc. Maintaining unity in a church with such diversity requires much commitment to the sound principles given to them by the apostles.

At the beginning of Romans 12:16, Paul wrote, “Be of the same mind one toward another.” The original Greek words used by the apostle can also be translated as “thinking the same thing to one another”. It is not an exhortation to think about the same thing, but a call to think of everybody in the same way. We must treat everyone equally. In the church, we are not to show favouritism or prefer one group over another.

The church should not be divided along racial or cultural or economic or educational lines. The church must be united, irrespective of the differences in members’ backgrounds. The church is a place where people of diverse backgrounds ought to come together as God’s people united in truth and love. Every member of the church must sincerely endeavour to communicate with other members of the church with respect and love.

Paul exhorted the Philippian church, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Paul also instructed them, “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).

Major causes of disunity and conflict within a church (though she may be united in doctrine and purpose) can be traced to sin, pride, self-centredness, selfishness, anger, bitterness, jealousy, competitive spirit, power play, unforgiveness, vengeance, etc. We must guard our hearts against all these destructive feelings and conduct, lest we become vehicles of schism within the church.

Internal discord is shattering the church. Every church member must have a commitment to peace and unity within the church. Each of us must strive to be a peacemaker. We must pray that we will not be a troublemaker. A sincere commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation must characterise every Christian. The apostle Peter instructed in 1 Peter 3:11, “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” We must not let unhappiness and hurt caused by others grow into bitterness and vengeful behaviour. We must pursue the path of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. Likewise, we must cease being jealous of and hostile to those whom God has been using increasingly. Let us pray that God will make us promoters of godly unity in the church.

Paul also exhorted in Romans 12:16, “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Having commanded Christians to “Be of the same mind one toward another”, the apostle Paul then further advised them on how to maintain such a harmonious co-existence with fellow Christians. According to this apostolic advice, the Christian unity within the church is largely dependent on how each would think of himself in relation to others.

Hence Christians are told: “Mind not high things”. In other words, no Christian should be thinking of high things for himself. Seeking or aspiring for honour, rank, wealth, the company of wealthy men, etc. would lead to self-aggrandizement at the expense of others. Being too ambitious prevents one from accepting humble positions and tasks for the glory of God and for the betterment of others. Being high-minded or snobbish prevents one from stooping down to serve ordinary people or those who are of low degree. Thinking too highly of oneself can lead one to despise others and even to engage in “smear campaigns” to damage others’ reputations.

Every Christian ought to be humble and not try to grasp things which are out of his reach, or too high for him, or beyond his capacity. In order to serve everyone equally, he has to get off his “high horse” and get low to attend to their needs. We are also advised to “condescend to men of low estate”. We must not disdain to take notice of, or to greet, or to commune with men of lowly (temporal or spiritual) condition. We must make special efforts to humbly mingle with the lowly.

Moreover, we are also warned to “Be not wise in your own conceits”. No one should conduct himself as though he has all the wisdom while others have none. It is ungodly to think of oneself as socially and intellectually superior to others. Such a one is not so in the eyes of God and others. Self-conceit is often attended with bad consequences. It spoils a man’s usefulness and hinders his improvement in knowledge. It induces him to reject wise counsels given to him and to treat fellow Christians contemptuously, eventually bringing shame and pain upon himself! Proverbs 3:7 warns us, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Likewise, Isaiah 5:21 cautions, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” So, let us avoid being wise in our own minds.

Written by Pr Jeremiah Sim

It has been my great privilege that the Lord has called and directed me to serve in the Prison Ministry. The objective of the Prison Ministry is similar to any other ministries, that is, to bring honour and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. We, who serve in Gethsemane Prison Ministry, desire and endeavour to reach out to the inmates of Changi Prison with the Gospel message and thus to lead them to Jesus Christ, the only Saviour, for their salvation.

Nonetheless, we do face enormous challenges because quite a good number of them are physically, mentally and, most of all, spiritually impaired. Most of them struggle to deal with ‘the outcast’ stigma in the society, as well as to order their lives well. The circumstances of their lives have become so troubling that, from time to time, they think of their lives as futile and meaningless. Not only that, there are also many inmates who have long inculcated the ideology of gangsterism. They are behind bars due to various heinous crimes that they had committed.

Although the challenges of this ministry are numerous, we thank God that the preaching of the Gospel “… is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Therefore, I find great joy and comfort as I witness to even hard-core prisoners. This is especially the case, when they are ready to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and acknowledgment of Him as their Lord and personal Saviour. Those who have turned to Him, gather together once a week to be taught God’s Word by a group of zealous and dedicated preachers and brethren who persevere to regularly visit them in the prison. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, they minister the Word to the inmates with joy and love.

I covet your earnest prayers for our Prison Ministry, particularly, for those brethren who are entering the prison to minister the Gospel to the inmates. Pray for more labourers in this regard, that the Lord may impress upon their hearts to serve in this ministry. How wonderful is the encouragement in 1 Corinthians 15:58 given to us – “Therefore, my beloved brethren, 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”! May our Lord’s name be honoured and glorified. Amen.

A Report of Gethsemane Prison Ministry

Written by Pr Kelvin Lim

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Since 2011, our preachers and some members of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, together with other brethren from our affiliated churches, have been entering Changi Prison Complex (CPC) – under the umbrella of Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) – to conduct Bible study on weekdays for inmates. These inmates have been incarcerated because of drugs offences. Over the years, some former inmates have joined us on the Lord’s Day for worship occasionally, while a few have come to The Gethsemane Care Ministry (TGCM) for their rehabilitation programme. One or two have even become our church members. But none of them had ever applied for a prison pass to join our preachers and associates in the Prison Ministry thus far!

Thanks be unto God, on the 18th May 2022, Pang Yee Hong, aka Wayne, partnered Pr Kelvin Lim and joined him in our Prison Ministry. Bro. Wayne, as he is affectionately called, was one of those who had been incarcerated for drug offences in 2018. He had sat in Pr Kelvin’s weekday Bible study sessions for more than a year till his release in 2019. He was convinced through the teaching of God’s perfect Word that the tongues-speaking of today’s modernistic churches is not biblical! Upon release from CPC, he felt convicted to draw closer to Pr Kelvin.

Bro. Wayne is a member of Bethesda Hall (situated at Depot Walk) and worships there with his children and his sister’s family. But he is very supportive of TGCM, and joined our brethren for morning devotions on Mondays, from June 2020 till February 2022 (when we moved on from Ponggol 17th Avenue to our current location). Besides, he was instrumental in bringing two of his acquaintances to TGCM for rehabilitation during the pandemic. Furthermore, he would attend our evening teaching service occasionally, just so to introduce some of his friends to our church.

Since his release from CPC, he had started attending theological classes in the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC). He began with the course on “The History and Theology of the Bible-Presbyterian Church” in May 2019, and he has been growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Recently, he graduated with a Certificate of Biblical Studies from FEBC, and would be continuing in studying towards a Diploma in Theology. Please remember him in your prayers.

In this regard, pray also for Bro. Ong Kian Ming, Benjamin. He had been with TGCM for a very brief duration in 2007 when we were at 40 Jalan Malu Malu, but he left without completing his programme. During his latest incarceration in CPC, he had met Pr Kelvin at the weekly Bible study. After his release since September last year, he continued to meet with Pr Kelvin for personal Bible study and prayer. He was encouraged to learn more about the LORD through systematic study of the Bible, and subsequently has enrolled himself for some online FEBC courses. God willing, when FEBC reopens in the next semester, with the resumption of on-site classes in the evening, he and others would be able to attend so that they would be built up in their most holy faith. May our ministry to inmates in CPC continue to lead men to God and establish the faith of the saints, for the glory of the LORD our God!

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). This apostolic charge to Timothy has reverberated down the ages to us through the pages of the Holy Scriptures. This is the mandate to the church and her leaders to pass down the sound doctrines of the Scriptures to each coming generation.

From the time the Lord called me and appointed me as the pastor of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, it has been a passion in my heart to be obedient to the mandate of 2 Timothy 2:2. Having been in the ministry for about three decades, my prayer and passion to be an instrument in God’s hand to fulfil this biblical mandate has only increased. Hence, I am grateful to God for the opportunity to be part of the ministry of Far Eastern Bible College to this day – and in addition, for our church’s efforts to establish GBI ministries around the world in preparing a new generation to carry on the work of His Gospel kingdom.

During the past two and a half years of the pandemic, the Lord has continued to enable me to teach and guide online those who join GBI’s Pastoral Biblical Studies (PBS) in matters of theology. This course was conducted with the special intention to equip and strengthen those whom God has called to proclaim the Word and feed the flock. Six preachers (from Singapore, China, the Philippines and India) have been joining this weekly study. We pray that they will all be faithful expositors of God’s Word in their God-appointed places, and be instrumental in God’s hand to prepare another group of godly men for the ministry in the years to come.

Please find below the testimonies of two participants who had joined the Pastoral Biblical Studies. God willing, more testimonies will follow in the coming weeks’ bulletins.

—Pastor Prabhudas Koshy

Pr Kelvin Lim

Thanks be unto the LORD for the privilege to be part of Gethsemane Bible Institute’s Pastoral Biblical Studies (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

• It has been a blessed time of learning God’s Word together with fellow preachers from our mission churches.
• The lessons from Systematic Theology (e.g. Ecclesiology, Revelation and Inspiration of Scripture, Canon of Scripture, Preservation of Scripture), and the in-depth study of certain selected passages in the Bible, were indeed divine blessings unto me.
• The passionate discussions on various topics were as what Proverbs 27:17 describes: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
• At times, the truths taught were not easy to comprehend, yet are necessary so that we might grow together in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
• Furthermore, this class could also be a platform for us to build rapport with and update one another regarding our ministries for the Lord in His vineyard.
• May the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ be declared unto every sinner whom we shall come into contact with, and may the perfect Word of God be taught in many churches unto every saint, that they may be established in the faith according to the high calling of the LORD our God. To Him be glory for ever and ever, Amen!

Pr Donald dela Cruz

I praise the Lord for enabling me to join the Pastoral Biblical Studies of Gethsemane Bible Institute. I appreciate the many lessons I’ve picked up during the duration of the online course. Our current class is about the preservation of the Holy Scriptures. Generally speaking, nobody in the Christian realm questions the inspiration of the Holy Bible, except liberal scholars and their followers. However, it is not the case with the preservation of the Scriptures. The majority of Christians today do not believe that God has preserved the Bible in the original languages. The most striking lesson to me in the current course is that “God will preserve His inspired Words for the sake of His people.” The reason is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Herein we have the divine promise concerning not only the inspiration, but also the preservation of the Scriptures. If God would have allowed the perversion of His Word, then in the present times, we would not have His perfect Word to enable us to be “throughly furnished”!

Studying God’s Word in preparation for the ministry is very different from studying while you are in the ministry. The topic was already discussed when I was studying full-time at FEBC. While I am familiar with the topic, the re-learning of the doctrine of the Scriptures provided a wide perspective of its significance and benefits in the ministry. The topic becomes relevant to me because of my experiences while serving in the ministry. I have seen cultic churches, such as Mormons, deceiving people with their strange doctrines. Some people in my locality asked me about their claims on the Book of Mormon and others. I replied that God has only given us one Book for our instruction and that is the Holy Bible. I warned them that the Mormons exalt the work of a man (Joseph Smith’s book), rather than the work of God (the Bible). That alone should ring alarm bells in the hearts of true believers!

I had also encountered a Christian who has read the work of Peter Ruckman. He was so impressed by the writings of Ruckman that he adhered to his doctrine that the King James Bible (English Translation) is superior to the Scriptures in the original languages. Praise God that I was refreshed by the online classes on how we come to the position that the Hebrew and Greek Texts underlying the KJV Bible are the preserved texts of the inspired Scriptures. I highlighted to him that when Jesus and the apostles spoke about the Scriptures, they always referred to the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. Inspiration for Bible inscription (the Spirit-inspired writing of God’s revelation) ended with the Book of Revelation, and therefore the KJV Bible is a faithful English translation of the inspired original language texts.
I praise the Lord for the manifold blessings I have received from these studies. As an additional blessing, I am also strengthened by the testimonies of the other missionaries. I am full of joy when I see other preachers attending the classes, especially the Lord’s servant from China. There are many unique struggles in every mission station. Hence, to have this opportunity to hear about God’s work in other “corners” of His vineyard is very refreshing. Praise the Lord for sustaining His servants!