Profitable for Doctrine
(Testimonies of Students of the Westminster Standards Class at Far Eastern Bible College, July-November 2008)
With trepidation I signed up for my first FEBC night classes this year. Though I was excited about studying the Book of Romans, I was less enthusiastic with the subject of “The Westminster Standards,” as the subject sounded extremely dry and difficult. Having now attended all the classes, I would be the first to admit how wrong I was and I thank the Holy Spirit for steering me towards these classes, and showing me how important it is to get the fundamental doctrines right in our study of the Christian Faith, and to ensure that these doctrines are based on God’s Word as revealed in the Holy Bible. CL
The Night Classes started discussing the Word, which sets the boundary for where all the doctrines of Covenant Theology are derived from. I think the 8 principles of determining God’s Word were particularly interesting, which defended the doctrine of Verbal Plenary Preservation and formed the basis for why we use the Textus Receptus and the KJV. Previously I was trying to find out the basis for using the Textus Receptus, which is only one of many apographs available now. Though I did know some of the differences between the KJV and other Modern Versions, I did not understand why the texts behind the modern translations were corrupted.
Furthermore, previously it was difficult to understand the many diagrams in various texts such as books and church bulletins. However, with this Night Class, I thank the Lord that various issues regarding the Textus Receptus, the KJV and other Modern English Versions have been cleared up using the authoritative Word of God. JQ
Knowing who God is, who we are, how we are saved, what’s going to happen and what the church should be, helps to put things into perspective. The current turmoil due to strong opposition on the perfection of the Word of God, the global economic crisis and rebellion against the morals set by God, the acceptance of homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle, the discussion on euthanasia, only tells us that the Lord is coming back very soon.
It is imperative that we, especially as parents, be grounded in the Word of God, in His teachings, so that we may be able to comfort ourselves and our children. This world will perish one day and all that is within, but those who trust in Christ, will live forever in Him and glorify Him forever. That is a great comfort and brings meaning to an otherwise meaningless and chaotic life. LBH
During the course of studying the Westminster Standards, I learnt many a great lesson. I am once again reminded that all things in my life have been ordered by the Lord Himself and nothing can or will happen by chance. This course came as usual at the most appropriate time, when I am asking the Lord what I ought to do in my life. He has answered my prayer and saved my mother and shown His marvellous work in the life of my beloved mother. I believe with all my heart that God’s timing is immaculate, even though mother suffered so much, it is like what the Bible says, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16). It is true that through sufferings we learn the best lessons in life. Jesus Christ our Saviour suffered throughout His life and showed us how we ought to live our lives, not depending on what the circumstances are but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Therefore I learn not to fear or worry too much but to trust Him each step of the way. JL
I would just like to say that the course has presented a clear and logical overview of these subjects (Christology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology), highlighting the main points of each subject. In particular, under Ecclesiology, the doctrine of separation is seldom mentioned in churches today. Contrary to what I have been taught in the past, 2 Corinthians 6:14— “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers”—does not only apply to marriage, but is correctly applied to separating ourselves from false teachers and teachings. We should make every effort to separate ourselves from worldly philosophies and sinful activities (personal separation), as well as from doctrinal impurities (ecclesiastical separation). Revelation 17 and 18 presents the false church as a whore that will be eventually destroyed when the Lord Jesus returns. May we separate ourselves from this false church, lest we destroyed along with it. CT
In this course of study, I clearly understood that without the work of the Holy Spirit, the Bible is a closed book! The natural man is dead in trespasses and sins. He cannot truly understand the things of God unless the Holy Spirit convicts the heart of the sinner to believe in Christ and enables the sinner to understand the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit who enlightens the mind and enables the sinner to see the true meaning of the Scriptures. How true are the words, “the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.” KA
While doing the reading assignment, I was very much blessed by the way Dr Lynn Gray Gordon presented his book— The World’s Greatest Truths. He writes in a very clear and direct manner, making it easy to read and understand. Moreover, his book requires me to fill in the blanks. By writing down the verses and answers to the questions, I found that I was able to remember lessons taught more effectively. I also came to know the following verse a little better—“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph 2:20). This verse was apparently the favourite of Dr Gordon as he often quoted it in his exposition on what the Bible is. As this verse has strengthened the faith of Dr Gordon on the Bible, so it has strengthened my faith too!
I just find it a pity that Dr Gordon had only written one volume of his book and had not gone on to produce other volumes. Perhaps the Lord will raise another man to continue his work in his stead so that others may be blessed by the world’s greatest truths! CC
As I was reading the recommended text—The World’s Greatest Truths—I was comforted and thrilled to find out that the author—Dr Lynn Gray Gordon—believed in the preservation of Scriptures. On page 25 of his book published in 1999, he stated, “The Holy Scriptures have been miraculously preserved down through the ages.” This statement led me back to those times when I was still struggling and searching to know the truth about the Perfect Bible issue and how I was almost misled and convinced to think that VPP (Verbal Plenary Preservation) is a “new” doctrine and a personal conviction or belief. This is one proof that this doctrine is not new and is not believed by just a group or an individual. EM
As a young Christian, I grew up on the NIV in church and was fed with it. I never could understand verses which have footnotes that state “the earliest and oldest manuscripts do not have that particular portion of Scripture” (1 John 5:7) or where entire portions of verses are missing (Mark 15:28, Matt 18:11). These footnotes are scattered throughout the NIV and are impossible to miss. I also noticed that there were variant readings between versions such as the NIV and KJV. When I read the footnotes, I was doubtful of how credible or trustworthy the Bible was and did not know how to reconcile and explain the reasons for these missing or variant readings.
In Sunday school, my teachers taught that while God had inspired His Word, due to the fallibility of the copiers and translators of the original manuscripts, there were minor mistakes in the Bible. But they always assured us that these have no impact on doctrine. I was confused and did not understand why God could not just preserve His original inspired words for us today. It seemed to be in conflict with the nature of God as all-powerful and the Word of God as infallible and inerrant. However, I accepted what my Sunday school teachers taught and even started teaching it in my own classes later as there seemed to be no other alternative. But this explanation never sat well with me because it implied that God was unable to preserve all of His words perfectly—and how could that be?
God turned my doubt and confusion to joy and assurance. The teaching of the twin doctrines of Verbal Plenary Inspiration and Preservation affirm and uphold God’s omnipotence and special care for His people through the ages by His promise that they will always have His Words. Indeed my soul was able to rest from the previous uneasiness. In particular, the expounding of Psalm 12:6- 7 and Matthew 5:18 have also opened my eyes to these two great promises of God. Attending the FEBC night classes for the past six years, God has been gracious to patiently guide me into all truth. The past few months studying the Westminster Confession, in particular the studies about the Bible, have been especially timely to renew my commitment to convictions about God’s Word and equip me with the logical reasoning of Biblical promises and faith. TJW
Having learned to see the sevenfold will of God, I am able to better understand why things happen the way they do, and in which direction I should be channelling my actions and thoughts. On hindsight, I am better able to see how God has been working in my life and how gracious and merciful God is. Over the couple of years that I have been at FEBC, many times I felt that I could do nothing but give up. But truly it is only when you are walking spiritually according to His will that He grants you grace to continue even though all seems lost. With these thoughts about the Will of God in mind, I think about FEBC and her current situation and realise that no matter what happens, as long as she remains faithful to the Word of God, in the end she will be blessed just like Job remained faithful through all his trials and tribulations. DC
This course shows that the Westminster Confession of Faith is a very systematic way of presenting the truths of the Bible. I signed up for the course to organise my own thoughts, that I might be sound whenever I do Bible Studies with my church’s Young Adults’ Fellowship. I do feel I have a more global and consistent view of the doctrines of the Bible through this system. This has been my weakness also in the past, for though I have been a Christian for many years, it has been a mountainous task to attempt to have a comprehensive overview of the Bible. It still is impossible to say I have comprehended the Bible, but I can say the journey now has a new but sure direction. FW
[FEBC’s “Basic Theology for Everyone” courses on Deuteronomy (Monday nights) and Biblical Covenants (Thursday nights) will commence on 5 January 2009. All are welcome. Registration forms are available at the reception table or from www.febc.edu.sg.
