The Berean Christian

The Son of God Became the Son of Man that the Sons of Men Might Become the Sons of God-Calvin

2007-12-30T23:39:00.000+08:00

By Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow
(Preached at Life Church Christmas Eve Service, Dec 24, 2000, 8.00 pm )

Text: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (Jn 1:14 ).

The religions that have dominated China are three, viz. Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism (though Christianity is now coming up). Does any of these three religions seek to know the God of the universe? Of the three it is Taoism that tries to seek the deepest truth.

The founder of Taoism is Lao Zi. He was born about 600 BC. He wrote the famous Tao Teh Ching, a small book of 5,000 words, but most profound. Lao Zi said:

Something mysteriously already made,
Existing before heaven and earth
In the silence and the void,
Standing alone and unchanging
Ever present in constant motion

Perhaps he is the source of myriads of things
I do not know his name
Call him Tao,
For lack of a better word,
I call Him "the Almighty".

Tao is the word that translates the Biblical word "Logos" which the Greeks thought is the mediator, the Word, from which the world has come about. Tao means "the Way." Lao Zi amazingly gave to the Creator the name of Tao (which, as noted, is also called the Word by the Greeks).

Lao Zi believed the universe was created ex nihilo , out of nothing, from something. "Heaven and earth have been created from something. Something has come from nothing."

Such profound statements about the Tao attracted the attention of Confucius, born 551 BC. Confucius visited Lao Zi in his old age and learned the mystery of the Tao . Confucius being a philosopher of ethics and not of metaphysics, nevertheless, bowed to the teachings of Lao Zi. He humbly declared, "If I should know of the Tao in the morning, I am prepared to die in the evening".

Canst thou by searching find out God?
Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do?
Deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
(Job 11:7-9)

Though Lao Zi has touched upon the mystery of the Tao he is like building a ladder to reach heaven. He has such knowledge of God as derived from the cosmological or teleological argument. But this knowledge cannot lead him unto salvation.

The saving knowledge must come from God, by special revelation. By God sending His Son, born of the Virgin, that He might live among us. Thus, "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (Jn 1:14 ).

The fact that Christ took on himself the form of flesh, He did so that He might live a human life from babyhood to manhood. He went through all our human experiences, of sorrow and suffering, yet without sin. Thus, he is able to sympathise with us. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb 4:15).

Without our Lord, the Son of God becoming Man to save us, by paying the penalty of our sins on the cross and rising again the third day, we would forever be lost. But with His full revelation to us He is able to take us with Him to Heaven.

The Word, Tao , by the incarnation of the Son of God, is fully revealed. He, the Son of God has become the Son of Man that the sons of men might become the sons of God. This is the wonderful Christmas message that we preach to you.

Too many people are trying to work their way to Heaven. By doing good according to the precepts of their religion they think they can gain entrance. But God declares all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isa 64:6). "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (Jas 2:10 ).

The only way to being saved is to come humbly to Him and ask Him to come into your heart. And He will save you, that the sons of men will become the sons of God.

The Tao of Lao Zi is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not . . . He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." (Jn 1:4-5, 11-16). Amen.

Technorati Tags: Christianity,Christmas,Jesus Christ,Gospel,John Calvin

Jesus Came to Save Sinners

2007-12-27T23:39:00.000+08:00

(Message delivered by Rev Hien Nguyen at the Sunday Worship Service, 2 pm, Dec 16, 07)

Text: 1 Tim 1:15

We must thank God and praise Him for giving and sending His holy, glorious and dearly beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to this cursed world of darkness and sin to save sinners like you and me! Although the 25^th of December is not the exact Birthday of Jesus Christ, His first coming (incarnation) is a true event recorded in the Holy Scriptures (Matt 2, Luke 2) and in human history, dividing the world timeline: BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini: in the year of the Lord). Then, what did Jesus Christ come into this world for? Satan is using worldliness, materialism and pleasures to lure many away from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Centre of Christmas. Many just celebrate Christmas without any concern for who Jesus Christ is or what He came for. They enjoy themselves and indulge themselves in worldly gatherings, parties, pleasures and entertainments instead of coming to worship Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Saviour of the world. How about you and me?

The apostle Paul shared his testimony, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Tim 1:15). How about your and my testimony?

The Word of God: True, Sure, Faithful, Trustworthy

“The word of God is quick (living) and powerful” (Heb 4:12) and effectually works in those who reverently accept it and believe it, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess 2:13). Therefore, Paul tried his best to persuade readers to receive God’s Word with faith and without any doubts or questions in order to get all the blessings from the Lord. Sadly, many so-called “Christian leaders” nowadays are spending their time and efforts in questioning, criticizing, and casting doubt on God’s Word! Their conscience is so dull that they do not see that doing such wicked thing is really damaging God’s Word, shaking the faith of young believers, and confusing many!

Here we see, to confirm God’s trustworthy Word, Paul used the phrase “This is a faithful saying” five times in his pastoral epistles (I Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; II Tim 2:11, Titus 3:8). The term faithful is from the Greek word pistós, which means faithful, trustworthy, true, sure, believable; and the term saying is from the Greek word logos, which John used to refer to the living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1), and to the written Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17; cf. 10:35). Then, “let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom 3:4) because “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven…Thy word is true from the beginning” (Ps 119:89, 160), and “the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23), and “We have also a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19), etc. Dear friends, would we not rather listen to God’s sure, true, faithful and trustworthy Word than human words?

And Paul continues, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.” The term acceptation (apodochē) has only two occurrences (the other is the same statement in 1 Tim 4:9), denoting acceptation with ready or willing acknowledgment and approval. Then, if a person receives God’s Word with “all acceptation,” there will be no room in his heart for any doubts. How about you and me? Do we have any doubts when reading, preaching, or accepting God’s faithful, true, sure, and trustworthy Word? Let us remember that doubt is not of faith, and “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom 14:23).

The Purpose of Jesus Christ’s Coming: To Save Sinners

To Save Sinners: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Our Lord Jesus Christ came into this world with His purpose of saving sinners; and to fulfill this purpose, He finished His Father’s work, glorified His Father, and obeyed His Father’s will unto death (John 17:4; Phil 2:8). To save sinners, our Lord had to keep His life holy and righteous in order to die for sinners as a perfect Substitute. He overcame Satan’s temptations luring Him away from this purpose with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (Matt 4:1-11; 1 John 2:15-17). He even ignored the challenges of religious leaders asking Him to come down from the cross (Matt 27:41-42). Dear friends, if we have been saved by God’s grace, we should have the same purpose as our Lord’s. May God use our lives to continue fulfilling His purpose of saving sinners. And to be used by God, we are to submit to Him and His Word. There is no other way!

To Save Repentant Sinners: Our Lord Jesus came to save sinners, but not all sinners will be saved, only those who acknowledge their sins and return to Him from sins in repentance, but the corrupt texts omit the word “repentance” in Jesus’ statements, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matt 9:13), and “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17), and even omit this whole sentence, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost” (Matt 18:11). A patient who refuses or does not submit to the instructions and treatments of a doctor cannot be cured. It is worse if he does not believe in the doctor’s diagnosis or warnings, assuming that he is healthy without any illness or disease! Likewise, God loved mankind and sent His dearly beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners, but many do not come to Him nor submit to Him and His Word, thinking that they have no serious sins or that there is no Hell. Then they can never blame God if they perish and are condemned to Hell! God’s Word confirms, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23) and, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). How about you and me? Have we acknowledged our sins and our hopeless condemnation to Hell and then come to the Lord Jesus Christ in sincere repentance and full submission?

To Save Repentant Sinners to the Uttermost: Our Lord Jesus Christ came to save repentant sinners perfectly to the uttermost as He is ever living, making intercession for them, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25). The term to the uttermost (pantelēs) means completely, wholly, always, forever. Then, by His death, resurrection and intercession, the Lord Jesus Christ has power not only to forgive our sins but also to deliver us from the power of sin and the power of darkness of Satan (Acts 26:18; Rom 7:24-25; Col 1:13) and to keep us secure unto the end (John 10:28-29). Then, a believer who is once saved by the Lord will be forever saved by Him. Praise the Lord! Do you and I have this assurance of our “eternal salvation” in the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb 5:9)?

Moreover, as Paul is “a pattern” or an example (1 Tim 1:13-16) of God’s love, grace, longsuffering and power to save and to transform him from a sinner, a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent man unto a humble, gentle, godly and faithful servant of God, let us commit our lives totally to the Lord as the clay in the Potter’s hands so that God may mould, refine, sanctify and use our lives for His purpose and glory.

The Proper Attitude toward God’s Grace: Humble Submission, Thanksgiving, Praise

By God’s Grace Alone: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” and it is by God’s grace through faith alone that we are saved with our sincere repentance and humble submission to the Lord and His Word. Paul said, “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (v 14). That is God’s irresistible grace (Calvin’s TULIP) that, by His great love and His election of grace, He has drawn us to Himself (John 6:44, 65), quickened us together with Christ (Eph 2:1, 5), delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us His kingdom (Col 1:13), even granted us faith to believe and to be saved (Eph 2:8) and be justified and sanctified (Acts 26:18; Rom 3:24). Dear friends, it is by God’s grace alone, so we have nothing to boast of ourselves except to humbly give all thanks, glory and praise to the Lord.

Humble Submission: As “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6), the proper attitude to receive God’s grace is humility and submission. When meeting the Lord Jesus Christ on his way to Damascus and realising that he was persecuting the Lord, Paul “trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6) This shows his fully humble submission. Paul also gave his testimony, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” (Gal 1:15-16). Paul did not confer or consult with flesh and blood (human beings). Sadly, many professing Christians, even leaders, nowadays let themselves be influenced and misled by human ideas or unbiblical doctrines from ungodly “scholars” who arrogantly preach or write against God’s perfect Word without any submission to the Lord and His Word at all! How about you and me? Shall we say to Jesus Christ, “Lord,” not just on our lips but from a fully submissive heart, “what wilt thou have me to do?” without any consultation with human ideas, mindset, or thinking except God’s will and Word alone?

Moreover, after many years of faithful and fruitful service to the Lord, Paul confessed, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” before he was about to be executed (2 Tim 4:6-8). Truly, the more we know God and the more we know ourselves, the more we shall humble ourselves. This is true. Let us have a look at the life of the apostle Paul. In his first epistle to the Corinthians written about A.D. 56, Paul compared himself with other apostles and confessed, “I am the least of the apostles, that I am not meet to be called an apostle” (1 Cor 15:9). Then in his epistle to the Ephesians written about A.D. 60, he compared himself with other believers and said, “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints,” (Eph 3:8). And here in his first epistle to Timothy written about A.D. 65, he compared himself with sinners and confessed, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Tim 1:15). Paul used the simple present tense “am” to denote his humble every-moment need of the Lord Jesus Christ and His grace. It is safe and wise for you and me to have the same humble attitude, always realising our need of the Lord and His grace, His life, His Word, His wisdom, His guidance, His holiness, His righteousness, His protection, His strength, His love, His mercy, His peace, His joy, His comfort, etc. This will help us look unto the Lord, our All and in All, with our full trust, dependence and submission.

Thanksgiving and Praise: Paul said, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry… Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (vv 12, 17). Truly enjoying God’s eternal salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone while we only deserve condemnation to Hell, we shall humbly give thanks, honour, glory and praise to the Lord alone; and by God’s sufficient grace we may press on and persevere even in difficulties, temptations, trials, persecutions, giving thanks to Him in all things with a submissive heart to God’s sovereignty and His will, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess 5:18).

Conclusion

Dear friends, Jesus Christ came into this world to save repentant sinners. That is the good news for all mankind. By His death, resurrection, and intercession, He is able to save you and me completely and forever by His grace alone. May God help us humbly receive His faithful, true, sure and trustworthy Word without any doubts or questions no matter what sinful human beings may say, and then submit to Him and His Word with our full trust and submission, giving thanks, glory and praise to Him in all things, and sharing this good news to others until our Lord comes back again. Amen.

Technorati Tags: Gospel,Jesus,Christianity,Christmas

God Sent Forth His Son

2007-12-25T02:34:00.000+08:00

by Rev. Tan Kian Sing, Pastor of Berean Bible-Presbyterian Church

“When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal 4:4-5).

At every Christmas we spend time to rejoice in and to reflect on the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God. We marvel at how He became flesh taking up the form of a human body in order that the loving God may carry out His great plan of salvation to save mankind from sin. This is a very important and significant event in the Christian religion. Truly the incarnation of the only begotten Son of God is the grandest and most marvelous fact that ever was or ever will be. For this is the initiation of God’s great salvation plan for sinful mankind.

For years the promise of the virgin birth of the Son of God had long been expected to take place since the Fall of Man when God gave His promise in the Garden of Eden. Mankind since the Fall has been in bondage under sin in this world. But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, born of the virgin, to redeem us, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Yes, we all can become sons of God. And this is possible because Jesus the Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons of men might become the sons of God. And this event took place because “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16).

Do you believe that God loves you? That he gave His only begotten Son for you? That if you believe in Him you should not perish but have everlasting life? Do you believe? Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? The Bible says, “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” (1 Jn 4:15). Confess that Jesus is the Son of God and God lives in you.

Are you struggling with sin in your life? Do you want to overcome the world of sin? The Bible tells us, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 Jn 5:5). Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and you will overcome worldly lust and sin. Come, come and believe in the Son of God who became flesh to save us from our sins. Believe in Him, and thou shalt be saved.

How did Jesus the Son of God save us from our sins? He saves us from our sins by dying for us on the cross shedding His precious blood to redeem us. He took our place on the cross for our sins. “He was manifested in the flesh to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). Yes, He who was without sin but took upon Himself our sins and went to the cross to die for us in our place. And in order to die, He must first become flesh. And so the Son of God in His humiliating condescension became the Son of man, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil 2:6-8). By dying on the cross, the Righteous and sinless Son of man died for the unrighteous and sinful sons of men such as you and me.

We are therefore justified by this sacrificial love of God in not sparing His only begotten Son. To be justified is to be declared righteous before the thrice-holy God. It is to be declared just as if you have not sinned. The Bible says, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Pet 3:18). And this is precisely why the Son of God became the Son of man, so that he might suffer death in the flesh for us, the just dying for the unjust. Yes, the Lord took upon Himself flesh and blood so that He could suffer and die, “that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb 2:14-15). Christ was born in the flesh to die for us and by His dying He destroyed the devil who has power over death and deliver us from the fear of death. Christ was born to die to conquer death for us. He was made like unto us to make reconciliation for our sins. Though He was the Son, He was obedient to the Father and suffered for our sins through death, offered as a Lamb of God without spot and blemish to bring justification to our souls. God had prepared a body for our Lord, for it is His will that “we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb 10:10). Christ had consecrated for us His flesh by being born and than died to save us.

Do you believe these sayings? The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Do you recognise that you are a sinner and fallen short of God’s standard of righteousness? Believe in Jesus who alone is able to make us just before God, that is, just as if we have not sinned. Come unto Him and ask Him to wash you in His blood and to clothe you with the righteousness of Jesus Christ that you may be just and righteous before God.

The Son of God condescended to earth to become the Son of man. But God later exalted Him. He ascended back to heaven to His Father having accomplished the Father’s will to be born and to die to save sinful men. The Lord Jesus after His bodily resurrection was seen of many, and after 40 days, He was taken up into heaven, and is now sitting on the right hand of Almighty God. It was a bodily ascension for the disciples beheld Him when He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Again here we see the importance and significance of the incarnation of the Son of man that it precedes His bodily ascension back to heaven.

And even so as the Lord was received into heaven bodily, He will also return in the clouds bodily. When Jesus ascended back to heaven, the Bible says, “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11). O what a glorious day it will be when the Lord returns.

But are you ready for His return? Let us realise for sure that He will return not as an infant in the manger. The Bible says, the Son of man first came “not to judge the world, but to save the world” (Jn 12:47). But He will return as a Judge to judge the world. The Bible says, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (Jn 12:48). Those who reject Him and receive Him not, Jesus will judge them when He comes again. The same Lord Jesus, who came to save the world through His incarnation, will come again to judge the world. The Bible firmly says that the Son of man is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead (Acts 10:42). The Almighty God “now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained” even His Son Jesus Christ (Acts 17:31). Have you repented of your sins? Are you ready to face Jesus as Judge?

After having read all these truths concerning the Son of man, is there anything that is hindering you from coming to Him and to receive Him as your personal Saviour? Would you believe in Him and be saved? The Bible says, “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).

Dear friend, be it known unto you, that there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved but only by the name of Jesus Christ, who was born to be crucified, but God raised Him from the dead, and He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. The day will come when the fullness of God’s salvation plan for sinful mankind shall be revealed when all will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven, not as a Baby sleeping in the manger and as a Saviour to save mankind, but as King ruling from His throne and as a Judge to judge the world.

Dear Reader, if you have not yet received the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you will also not be ready to receive Him as your Judge. Confess and repent of your sins. Ask Him to come into your heart now and to save you for eternity.

Technorati Tags: Jesus Christ,Christianity,Gospel,Salvation,Soteriology

Riches or Righteousness?

2007-12-14T12:41:00.000+08:00

Read 1 KINGS 21:1-3 and NUMBERS 36:7-9

Have you ever wondered why Naboth refused to sell his vineyard to King Ahab? Did not the king promise to give him a better vineyard? In the eyes of the world, Naboth might be foolish not to accept the offer. But Naboth was a godly man. He remembered God’s command not to sell any portion of his own inheritance (Numbers 36:7-9). The reason: Naboth’s inheritance actually belongs to God. God has given the land for Naboth to look after it. It is Naboth’s duty to be a good steward and make it bear fruit. Hence, Naboth was righteous to reject Ahab. Resisting the temptation of riches and the fear of man, he chose to obey God’s Word. This is what it means to be a faithful servant of God.

It is no different in the world today. The world’s philosophy is “Might is Right”. Hence, the rich and powerful often use the lure of riches to threaten or bait the poor into submission. Because of the lure of riches and the fear of man, people are often bribed or cajoled into doing unjust acts. Some even betray the faith for the sake of riches. How sad!

On the other had, the Bible tells us that “Right is Might”! Psalm 1 tells us how blessed it is for a man to delight himself in the law of God. He will surely prosper like a tree planed beside the rivers of water. On the other hand, the ungodly are like chaff that is easily blown away by the wind. They shall surely perish.

Dear teen, are you tempted by the attractions of the world? Do so-called friends and authority tempt you to disobey God’s Word by baiting you with temporal gains? If such a situation, take heed of God’s Word – “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” (Proverbs 1:10). “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” (Psalm 37:16).

Alas, there are Christians who sell their faith for money. One such example are the many Bible versions out there in the market who seeks to fleece Christians out of their money by corrupting the Word of God and yet claiming to be the most accurate and readable. They have chosen to serve mammon than God.

May you will stand firm when your faith is under fire. Do not bow down to riches or peer pressure.

The love of riches lead to a hopeless end. The love of Jesus leads to an endless hope.

“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” (Psalm 37:16)

Technorati Tags: Christian Living,Bible Study,1 Kings

What is God?

2007-12-10T12:04:00.000+08:00

Read 1 KINGS 20:22-29 and ISAIAH 42:8, 48:11

If someone asks you what is God, are you able to answer him? A most fitting answer is given in the Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 4. “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness justice, goodness and truth.”

The Syrians did not have such knowledge about God. To them, the God of the Israelites was the “gods of the hills” (v.23). The blasphemy of the Syrians occur the wrath of God (v.28). They deny the following:

1. God is omnipresent (i.e. God’s presence is everywhere). Proof – Psalm 139:7-12. By equating the living and true God as the “gods of the hills”, they are saying that the God of Israel is a localised God that is presnt in the hills and not anywhere else.

2. God is omniscient (i.e. God knows all things). Proof – Psalm 147:4-5, 1 John 3:20. By making plans in secret, the Syrians were acting as if God did not know their wicked plans.

3. God is omnipotent (i.e. God is all powerful). Proof – Gen 18:14, Rev 19:6. By claiming that God can only give Israelites victory in the hills and not in the plains (v.23-25), the Syrians were in denial of God’s power.

These denials steal the glory from God. Needless to say, judgement was swift on the Syrians (v.29).

Alas, Christians can sometimes live as if in denial of all these three attributes of God. When troubles come our way, instead of turning to God for help, we either despair and go into depression or seek help from other sources. Theology and doctrine must not only be in our heads. It must fill our hearts and souls.

“For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.” (Isaiah 48:11)

LiveJournal Tags: God Theology Religion Westminster Shorter Catechism

Are You a Discerning Christian?

2007-12-07T18:33:00.000+08:00

Read COLOSSIANS 2:18-19 and 2 JOHN 7-11

The church in Colosse was beset by many false doctrines, one of which is the worship of angels instead of God. Because of this, Paul has to warn the members of the Colossian church to be discerning and not be beguiled by the false teachers. Christianity today is no different. We are beset with many false teachings and temptations that seek to take us away from the pure gospel that is found in Jesus Christ. If we are not careful, we will fall.

How can one learn to be discerning? He must firstly be engaged in the study of God’s Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 commands – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The Bible will give us more understanding than our teachers (Psalm 119:99). Do you spend time in the study of God’s Word? Let us learn to be like the Berean Christians, who searched the scriptures diligently to determine the truth (Acts 17:10-11).

We have to be well grounded and settled in the faith if we are to be discerning Christians (Colossians 1:23). All too often, complaints are made concerning the study of doctrine. Those who complain that the study of theology is “boring”, “mundane” and "irrelevant" fail to see the importance of studying theology and the rich heritage which God has left for His own children. “A tree that is well settled, must be well rooted; so, if you would be well settled in religion, you must be rooted in its principles… Knowledge of principles is to the soul as the anchor to the ship, that holds it steady in the midst of the rolling waves of error, or the violent winds of persecution.” (Thomas Watson). How well grounded are you in the fundamentals of the faith?

In addition to being well grounded in the faith, it is also necessary to pray for discernment. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we will not be able to see through the deception that occurs so often in this world.

This world is full of deception. May the Lord will help us to be strong in His grace so that we will not be easily beguiled by false teachings. Amen.

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:14)

Postmodernism and the Emergent Church

2007-12-05T18:55:00.000+08:00

(A message delivered by Dr Jeffrey Khoo on Nov 29, 07 at the 2nd Gethsemane Missionary Conference,
in Cebu, the Philippines)

Poison

The Bible tells us, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt 24:14). The signs of the times tell us that we are living in the last days, and that Jesus Christ is coming back very soon. Satan knows his time is about up, and so he spares no effort to destroy the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. The gospel today is attacked like never before. As believers, we should not be surprised at this. The Lord had already warned us, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, … Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: … Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; … these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. … But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim 3:1-13). The more Satan attacks the gospel, the more we must defend it. One way of defending the gospel is to expose error. One such error that must be exposed today is postmodernism.

Postmodernism

Postmodernism is a philosophy or worldview that is difficult to define. Postmodernism grew out of modernism or rationalism (human intelligence and science is God). But modernism did not work; it did not make the world a morally better place. The modern world is certainly a more sophisticated world—a space-age world but plagued with the same natural disasters and human cruelty. Some have described postmodernism as an attitude—an attitude of pessimism. Self-confidence has been replaced by self-doubt. Such pessimism can be a good point of contact for Christians to reach out to the postmodern man. The Scriptures speak of man’s total depravity and hopelessness, and the only way for man to rise up to the spiritual standard God has set for him is to believe in the Divine Intelligence/Reason which is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself (John 1:1) who died for our sins, and rose from the dead according to the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:1-4).

Without Christ and His Word, the postmodernist will become a relativist. Where is Truth? What is Truth? Jesus Christ tells us His Word is Truth (John 17:17). But the postmodernist in his pessimism will conclude that truth is relative and subjective. There is no such thing as absolute or objective Truth. Truth can be anything and anywhere. Whatever claims to be true or truth is met with scepticism. Pragmatism takes over. Whatever works must be right and good. The end justifies the means even though the means to getting there is morally wrong.

The Emergent Church

Postmodernism has crept into Christianity through the Emergent Church. The methodology of the Emergent Church feeds on the philosophy of Postmodernism. They feed on each other. The Emergent Church methodology is perhaps best expressed in Brian McLaren’s book called A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I Am a Missional, Evangelical, Post/Protestant, Liberal/Conservative, Mystical/Poetic, Biblical, Charismatic/Contemplative, Fundamentalist/ Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Green, Incarnational, Depressed-yet-Hopeful, Emergent, Unfinished CHRISTIAN. Clearly, McLaren’s “Generous Orthodoxy” is a mixed-up and messed up orthodoxy which is no orthodoxy at all. It sidelines God and His Truth, and uplifts the man and his feelings. It is “the more we get together, the merrier we’ll be” kind of a thinking and practice.

Jason Carlson, Vice President of Christian Ministries International, in his testimony—“My Journey In and Out of the Emergent Church”—reveals that the Emergent Church is (1) ambiguous in doctrinal definitions, (2) inclusive and ecumenical, (3) tolerant of sin and error, (4) open to pagan forms of religious worship, (5) critical of biblical or conservative fundamentalism, and (6) low on evangelism but high on social action or interaction. Postmodernism is thus a part of the New Age, ecumenical, pluralistic worldview of contemporary society which has infiltrated the Church and cause her to lose her biblical and Christlike identity and remake her into something that will fit the One-World system of the Antichrist.

Biblical Theological Seminary (Hatfield, PA) is now an emergent seminary seeking to produce emergent pastors who will plant Emergent churches. In 2003, Biblical Seminary decided to embark on a new course to become an emergent seminary for the emergent church with a new statement of vision, “To be the ongoing choice for training missional leaders for the emerging church of the 21st century and to be a catalyst for engaging evangelical Christians in dialog with postmodern culture” (A New Reality, p5).

The buzzword of Biblical Seminary and the Emergent Church is “missional.” There is nothing wrong with the word “missional.” In fact it is a good word for the Church for the Church is commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to evangelise the lost, to baptise those who believe, and to indoctrinate them with the whole counsel of God (Matt 28:18-20). But it is not enough today to know what an institution says; there is a crucial need to know what it means by what it says. More often than not, an institution is particularly vague and ambiguous on what it really is and what it truly believes. But there are tell-tale signs if one were to read their writings carefully and discerningly. As I see it, the whole Emergent Church philosophy and methodology is all about “accommodation” or “compromise.” It is precisely what Emergent Church guru, Brian McLaren, himself describes it—a “generous orthodoxy.” In other words, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” “Be user-friendly.” “Be seeker-sensitive.” “Be broad and accepting.” “Don’t criticise but syncretise.” “Don’t separate but cooperate.” “Love unites, doctrine divides.” In other words, the Church needs an extreme makeover. The ugly, narrow, out-of-date biblical fundamentalism must be replaced by the new, hip and in-fashion postmodern worldliness.

Ecumenism

The up and coming Emergent Church is actually the old Ecumenical Movement and the Neo-evangelical spirit but in a different guise or name. The Emergent Church, Neo-evangelicalism and Ecumenism despise these two things: (1) The Perfect Word of God, its present infallibility and inerrancy, and hence the sole, supreme, and final authority on all faith and life, and (2) the biblical doctrine and practice of separation which rejects the world and its ungodliness, and exposes all forms of apostasy and compromise in the church today. To the emergent churchman, the biblical doctrine of separation is a “sour doctrine.” The mission of the church according to the Emergent Church is thus not the original mission of Christ which is to get sinners to be reconciled to the thrice holy God through the Gospel, but to help people to get along with each other and enjoy one another’s company in the context of a “generous orthodoxy”—truth is subjective, uncertain, broad, and varied.

Many local churches are wittingly or unwittingly pursuing the emergent way with “let’s get warm and cosy” programmes. The church is transformed into a club with “members-only” privileges. Sermons rebuking sin and error are deemed “unedifying.” An edifying sermon is one that makes the church feel nice and comfy. Without a Perfect Bible, “I feel good!” is the new standard of ascertaining truth from error, right from wrong. Emergent churches seek pastors of the “please-all, nice guy” type or the effeminate “soft and mushy” type that fit the postmodern congregation. The Emergent church has no place for the “fire and brimstone” ministry of the prophets as found in the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul had already warned, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Tim 4:3).

Antidote

In light of this new danger, what must we do? We must go back to the basics—return to the fundamentals of the Christian Faith! The Apostle Paul commands, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine (ie, the fundamentals of the Christian Faith); continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim 4:16). That is why the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) spares no effort to teach “the doctrine” not only to its students training for full-time ministry, but also the lay people taking its “Basic Theology for Everyone” (BTFE) night classes. The more than 200 believers from different churches who attend the FEBC night classes, many of whom are working towards their Certificate of Religious Knowledge or Certificate of Biblical Studies, have no doubt benefited spiritually from knowing deeply and surely God and His Word. Good and sound theology is the only antidote against postmodernism, and every Christian must be a theologian if he wants to keep himself faithful and true to the Lord Jesus Christ. But Satan wants Christians to be weak in doctrine and worthless in service. Pray for FEBC’s BTFE night classes which are making inroads into Satan’s world by strengthening the faith of the saints through an intensive, systematic study of God’s Perfect Word without any mistake, impacting many lives to the glory of God. One lay student who studied Calvin’s Institutes last semester testified, “The antidote against erroneous beliefs and practices that are prevalent these days is a proper teaching and understanding of the Word of God. This is so rare in churches and Bible seminaries today. May God help us to be faithful to His Word.” Do sign up for the BTFE night classes next semester—the Book of Job on Monday by Dr Das Koshy, and Biblical Hermeneutics on Thursday by Dr Quek Suan Yew.

Christians must also strive to walk in the strait and narrow way and practise separation if they want to combat postmodernism. Hear the words of our Lord, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt 7:13-14). “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? … Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor 6:14-18).

God Created the World Through Evolution?

2007-12-04T23:59:00.000+08:00

A talk with one of my students brought me to attention that many Christians today believe that God created the world today by evolution. Some propose that a gap of millions and perhaps billions of years exists between Genesis 1:1-2. Evolution is taking place during this time until a Satan rebelled against God and fell to earth together with his other minions. This resulted in a great cataclysm which left the earth dark and covered with water. This "gap theory" is often used to back the so-called geological ages and the destruction of dinosaurs as proposed by most modern evoluntionists. This process of creation by evolution is often called "theistic evolution".

On the other hand, there are also a group of so-called conservative Christians who propose that the word "day" in Genesis 1 do not mean a literal day but rather indefinite periods of time that are perhaps millions of years. During these millions of years, proponents suggest that God left the world to run by evolution. This process is termed "Process Creation" or "Progressive Creation".

Can all these views about creation be true? An examination of God's Word using proper hermeneutics (i.e. a proper method of Bible interpretation) reveals otherwise. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness". Since God's Word is inerrant to the jot and tittle, we conclude the following about Bible interpretation:

The Bible is the perfect interpretator of itself. See 1 Corinthians 2:13.
The Bible cannot contradict itself, neither should our interpretation contradict with the Bible. Yea, let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4)!

Next, we must understand that death is a necessary ingredient in evolution. But we read in Romans 5:12 says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned". This means that death CANNOT occur before Adam sinned. How then can evolution occur even before Adam sinned? Hence, we must reject both theistic evolution and progressive creation!

The weakness of these two false theories lie in the fact that they elevate science and archaeology to be in equal authority with the Word of God. However, science and archaeology are based on the ideas and opinions of men. Where science and archaeology appears to contradict the Bible, then we must uphold the Word of God and examine our own failings to understand the works of God. The Word of God must correct science and not the other way round.

"The doctrine of Creation is NOT a minor doctrine. It is a major doctrine which, if compromised, will undermine the very foundations of the gospel message" (Dr. Quek Suan Yew, emphasis mine). So let us learn to be discerning Christians, rooting ourselves to the Word of God and not be swayed by every wind of doctrine that blows. Amen.

Testimony of John Sung

2007-12-04T01:35:00.000+08:00

The following testimony of John Sung is taken from"Theology for Every Christian" by Timothy Tow and John Sung.

TESTIMONY OF JOHN SUNG

The first lesson I've learned is how to become an obedient servant. God has thoroughly moulded my character and temperament. The day of my complete capitulation and surrender to Him was the day of my graduation from God's seminary!

The second lesson was my understanding of Holy Scripture. So I have declared the Mental Hospital my Seminary from which I have graduated. The Holy Spirit was my Teacher, teaching me the deep things of Truth. The day of my leaving the Hospital was the day I received my diploma.

The Bible was my textbook. ... The Bible comprises 1189 chapters. By the Lord's instruction, I've derived 40 methods of study, reading the Bible 40 times. Of course I did not read the Bible crudely word by word. When I read the Bible I was so carried away by it that I kept on and on, like enjoying a delicious meal.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by the moving of the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore, the Bible reader, unless it is revealed to him by God at the instruction of the Holy Spirit, how can he understand it? I thank God that He has shown me the mysteries of the Bible. I know that every chapter, every verse, every word has something good for my spiritual life.

How We Should Not Pray

2007-11-24T15:27:00.000+08:00

HOW WE SHOULD NOT PRAY

Prayer is an integral part of a Christian’s life. It is one of the marks of a believer. When Paul was converted, God described him as a man who prays (Acts 9:11). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself was also a man of prayer. Knowing the importance of prayer, it is of little wonder that the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1). The same applies for us today. This is because we can pray amiss (James 1:3). Hence, it is important for us to know from the Word of God what are the wrong attitudes or behaviour the Bible warns against in our prayer life.

Today, we shall examine five wrong attitudes we should not have in prayer.

Do not pray with an unrepentant spirit
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). Any prayer with sin in the heart is like an abominable sacrifice before the Lord. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that a man’s heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Hence, it is important for us to search our hearts and confess every sin before the Lord. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). I fear that many of us do not spend enough time and effort in confessing our sins before the Lord. This causes our prayers to be hindered severely.

There is a church in Singapore which tells its congregation that there is no need to confess our sins and pray for repentance because our sins are already forgiven when Christ died on the cross. This is a false and dangerous doctrine in the light of Psalm 66:18 and 1 John 1:9. Luke 9:23 also tells us that all disciples of Christ must deny themselves daily and follow Him. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Do not pray with a wavering spirit
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (James 1:5-6). How often we treat prayer as a mere routine. We forget that prayer is communication with God. We fail to hold on to the promise that God will give whatever we ask in His name if it is in His will. A wavering spirit does not please God (Hebrews 11:6). If we want to please God, we must come to Him with full belief and confidence in Him. This will bring us the peace that passes all understanding through Jesus Christ our Lord (Philippians 4:6-7).

I recall my now-departed grandmother being in great pain one day in hospital. Instead of complaining, she turned to me and asked me to pray for her. After prayer, I could see the peace that spread across my grandmother’s face. It is her faith that God hears prayer that brought peace to her. On the other hand, many Christians still remain despondent despite repeated prayer. One reason could be the fact that they have prayed with a wavering spirit, never believing that their prayers will be heard and answered by God. How about you?

Do not pray with a proud and hypocritical spirit
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus denounces some who loved praying in prominent places just to be seen by men (Matthew 6:5). Luke 18:9-14 also records for us the prayer of a Pharisee who attempted to use his prayer to justify his righteousness over that of the publican, failing to see that he was also a sinner just like the publican. Such prayers give glory to man and not to God. This angers God who will not allow His glory to be given to another (Isaiah 42:8).

During a prayer meeting, a member was asked to pray for the sick. He started off first by praying for forgiveness of sins. Then he went on to praise God for the sun, moon and stars before proceeding on a 15 minute long exposition of Ephesians 1 in his prayer. He finally ended the prayer with a short petition for the sick. Prayer to God has become a platform for him to display his eloquence and intelligence. It would have been more appropriate to pray simply so that all in the prayer meeting could follow in the petition to God for the sick. God honours faithfulness, not eloquence.

Do not pray with an unforgiving spirit
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that we must ask for forgiveness of sins even as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. The implication is that we should forgive others even before we pray. Jesus proceeds to warn that the Lord will not forgive those who refuse to forgive others (Matthew 6:9-15). Alas, many of us bear a vengeful and unforgiving spirit towards others as we pray. This is not pleasing to the Lord. Similarly, the Lord also teaches us that if we have offended any brother, we should go and resolve our offence with our brother before coming before Him (Matthew 5:23-24). Any prayer offered in such circumstances is not pleasing to the Lord.

Examine ourselves. Have we been careless with our attitudes towards others before coming to the Lord in prayer?

Do not pray with a fainting spirit
Jesus tells us in Luke 18:1 that men always ought to pray and not to faint. Sadly, we often turn to other sources of help before seeking the Lord. When things go well, we forget all about the Lord and do things by our own strength. How little we pray!

Rev. (Dr) Timothy Tow often exhorts his congregation with this song:

Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ, our Saviour, Did you ask for loving favour, As a shield today?
O how praying rests the weary! Pray’r will change the night to day;
So when life seems dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.

Conclusion
Now that we have examined five wrong attitudes of prayer – praying with (a) an unrepentant spirit, (b) a wavering spirit, (c) a proud and hypocritical spirit, (d) an unforgiving spirit and (e) a fainting spirit, we must apply them into our lives. Let us all examine our prayer life. Have we been adopting such attitudes in our prayer? If we have done so, we must repent and stop immediately.

May the Lord continue to teach us to pray. Amen.

How Should We Study Prophecy?

2007-11-24T13:57:00.000+08:00

Read ZECHARIAH 9:9,10 and MARK 11:7-11

HOW SHOULD WE STUDY PROPHECY?

Many people shun away from the study of prophecy as they do not know how to proceed. Others view prophecy as obscure and mysterious. This should not be the case. There are already 4,200 verses in the Bible concerning Jesus’ Second Coming. That amounts to the whole New Testament minus the four gospels (Dr. Jeffrey Khoo). By neglecting the study of prophecy, we are denying ourselves blessings from a large portion of scripture!

Today, we will learn three main principles in studying prophecy.

Firstly, we must study prophecy with the eyes of humility and faith. In today’s reading, the children of Israel recognised Jesus as the coming Messiah that is stated in Zechariah 9:9. However, they wanted a Messiah that will restore Israel as a political nation and not one who would deliver from their sins. This was born out of a carnal desire rather than of faith. Hence, they fail to see that the “salvation” in Zechariah 9:9 refers to both the salvation of the nation of Israel AND the salvation from their sins. When they realise that Jesus’ First coming was not to restore the nation of Israel, they promptly proceeded to promote his crucifixion. Similarly, if we do not study prophecy with the eyes of humility and faith, we will end up like them.

Secondly, prophecy must be interpreted literally. Notice that the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled literally. “Jerusalem” means Jerusalem. “Ass” means ass. Other prophecies concerning Jesus’ First Coming, such as Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2 were also fulfilled literally. Should not the prophecies concerning His Second Coming be fulfilled literally too? Hence, we should not try to “spiritualise” prophecy and say that Israel refers to the Church and the Jews refers to New Testament Christians! The Bible means what it says and says what it means.

Thirdly, there is only one fulfilment for any prophecy. Some claim that the virgin in Isaiah 7:14 refers both to a young woman in Isaiah’s time and the virgin Mary. But the Scriptures speak only about the fulfilment of Isaiah 7:14 in the virgin Mary and the birth of Jesus (see Luke 3 and Matthew 1:23). Nowhere in Scripture does it mention a double fulfilment. Do not add to Scripture!

Dear reader, armed with these principles, will you not start studying prophecy today?

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3)

Statement of Faith

2007-11-19T01:38:00.000+08:00

STATEMENT OF FAITH

The Statement of Faith of this blog shall be in accordance with that system commonly called "the Reformed Faith" as expressed in the Confession of Faith as set forth by the historic Westminster Assembly together with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.

I believe in the divine, Verbal Plenary Inspiration (Autographs) and Verbal Plenary Preservation (Apographs) of the Scriptures in the original languages, their consequent inerrancy and infallibility, and as the perfect Word of God, the supreme and final authority in faith and life (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:20-21, Ps 12:6-7, Matt 5:18, 24:35).

We believe the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament underlying the Authorised (King James) Version to be the very Word of God, infallible and inerrant.

I uphold the Authorised (King James) Version to be the Word of God—the best, most faithful, most accurate, most beautiful translation of the Bible in the English language.

I believe that the Bible is none other than the voice of Him that sitteth upon the throne. Every book of it, every chapter of it, every verse of it, every word of it, every syllable of it, every letter of it, is the direct utterance of the Most High. The Bible is none other than the Word of God, not some part of it more, some part of it less, but all alike the utterance of Him that sitteth upon the throne, faultless, unerring, supreme.

I believe in one God existing in three co-equal and co-eternal Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Deut 6:4, 1 John 5:7).

I believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and is true God and true man in complete and direct fulfilment of Isaiah 7:14 (Matt 1:20-23, John 1:1, 14, Col 2:9).

I believe God created the whole universe ex nihilo (out of nothing) by the Word of His mouth, and all very good, in the space of six literal or natural days (Gen 1:1, Exod 20:11, Ps 148:5, John 1:3, Col 1:16, Heb 11:3).

I believe that man was created in the image of God, but sinned through the fall of Adam, thereby incurring not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and become sinners in thought, word and deed (Gen 1:26-27, Rom 3:19-20, 5:12, 6:23).

I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died a propitiatory and expiatory death as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who repent of their sins and believe in Him are justified before God on the grounds of His shed blood (Rom 5:8-11, 1 John 2:2, 1 Pet 1:18-19).

I believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His ascension into Heaven, and in His exaltation at the right hand of God, where He intercedes for us as our High Priest and Advocate (1 Cor 15:1-4, 15-19, Phil 2:9-11, Heb 3:1, 4:14-16).

I believe in the personal, visible and premillennial return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to judge this world, restore His chosen nation Israel to greatness, and bring peace to the nations as King of kings and Lord of lords (Jer 3:17, Zech 14:9, Acts 1:6, Rom 11:26, Rev 20:1-7).

I believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone, not by works, and that all who repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour are born again by the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God (Rom 5:1, 8:14-16, Eph 2:8-10, 1 Tim 2:5, Tit 3:5).

I believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to convict and regenerate the sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service (John 16:7-14, Rom 8:1-2).

I believe that Christ instituted the Sacrament of Baptism for believers and their children and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which sacraments shall be observed by His Church till He comes (Matt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:23-26).

I believe in the eternal security, bodily resurrection and eternal blessedness of the saved, and in the bodily resurrection and eternal conscious punishment of the lost (John 10:27-29, 1 Cor 15:51-53, 1 Thess 4:13-18, Rev 20:11-15).

I believe in the real, spiritual unity in Christ of all redeemed by His precious blood and the necessity of faithfully maintaining the purity of the Church in doctrine and life according to the Word of God, and the principle and practice of biblical separation from the apostasy of the day being spearheaded by the ecumenical movement, charismatic movement and other false movements that contradict the Holy Scriptures and the Historic Christian Faith (2 Cor 6:14-7:1, Jude 3, Rev 18:4).

Welcome to My Blog!

2007-11-19T00:40:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone! The purpose of this blog is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ through the posting of articles to edify the saints.

Watch this space for more articles.