FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE

After a two-month break, FEBC started its new term on 21 July 2014 with a day of prayer and registration. The principal reminded faculty and students that the call of Christ is a call not only to salvation and service, but also to suffering. 2 Timothy 3:12-15 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The residential courses this semester are taught by the Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo (Systematic Theology III, Greek Exegesis I, Life of Christ II), the Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew (Old Testament History I, Homiletics, Contemporary Theology I, Hebrew Reading I), the Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy (Biblical Covenants, Ezekiel II, Hebrew Elementary I), Mrs Ivy Tow (Greek Elementary I), the Rev Stephen Khoo (Church History II), the Rev Dr Koa Keng Woo (Bible Geography IV, Hymn Leading III), the Rev Tan Kian Sing (Philippians), Mrs Jemima Khoo (Teaching Methods, Beginner Pianoforte), Miss Carol Lee (Youth Christian Education), Mr Dennis Kabingue (Greek Reading I), Mrs Anne Lim (English Intensive I), Mrs Irene Lim (English Intermediate I), Elder Han Soon Juan (English Advanced I).

We thank the Lord for sending us seven new students from four countries: (1) Tan Bun Kuoy from Cambodia whose brother Tann Heng graduated from FEBC last year; (2) Leonard Ngui Chong Teck from Calvary BPC, Sibu, and (3) Elaine Low from Calvary Jaya BPC, both Malaysians; (4) Ezekiel Maung from New Life Orphan Centre, Yangon; (5) Khoo Peng Keong from Calvary Tengah BPC; (6) Leanne Joy Wong and (7) Tai Cae Ryn, both from True Life BPC, Singapore. Cae Ryn is taking a full-time load this semester while waiting to enter the university. It goes without saying that the study of the Holy Scriptures is an excellent way of preparing for university studies.

What a privilege it is to teach and to study God’s forever infallible and inerrant Words. FEBC is one of the very few institutions in these last days of rampant apostasy and unbelief which upholds the Verbal Plenary Inspiration (VPI) and the Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) of the Holy Scriptures, and defend the full authenticity and absolute authority of the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Textus Receptus underlying the good and faithful King James Version of the Holy Scriptures.

For our faith in VPI and VPP, FEBC was taken to court by Life Bible-Presbyterian Church not once but twice. We cannot thank God enough for delivering us from their first suit which sought to evict us from our birthplace and home at 9, 9A and 10 Gilstead Road (Prov 22:28). Now we pray the scheme to be drawn up by the High Court with regard to the sharing and use of the premises would be effective to prevent future disputes.

However, it is sad that Life BPC, in the meanwhile, has filed another suit against FEBC despite 1 Corinthians 6. This second suit is about money ($250,000). The trial over this matter was held in the State Court last Thursday and Friday (24 and 25 July). Dr SH Tow and Dr Jeffrey Khoo were FEBC’s witnesses. Mr Ng Beng Kiong, an Elder of LBPC, was Life BPC’s sole witness.

Please pray for the Lord to deliver us once more. The Lord has magnified His Word above all His Name (Ps 138:2) when the Court of Appeal in their landmark judgement in 2011 ruled in favour of FEBC, declaring that the VPP doctrine is in no wise inconsistent with the Westminster Confession of Faith to which FEBC subscribes. We pray the Lord to glorify Himself and magnify His Word once more.

On the opening day of prayer, we sang a Punjabi hymn called “Saranam” (pronounced “Shae-re-num”) to encourage ourselves that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Ps 46:1). “Saranam” means refuge. Mrs Ivy Tow, our Matron, in her testimony shared two encouraging verses: Isaiah 41:13, “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee”, and Deuteronomy 3:22, “Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.” FEBC covet your prayers. JK

FILIPINO BIBLE STUDY

A Report by Dr Jose Lagapa

“And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God” (Rom 9:26). We give praises and thanks to the Lord our God whose grace and mercy have abounded even to the Filipinos. It is by His amazing love that we are saved through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Indeed, great is His work of salvation that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). We acknowledge how unworthy we are of the Lord’s favour.

The Filipino Bible Study serves not only as a Sunday school for Filipinos, but also as a fellowship meeting to encourage and comfort one another in the Lord. The meeting is at 9.15 to 10.15 am every Lord’s day in Room 601 (RELC). Currently, majority of those who are attending the study are household helpers of members of True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (TLBPC). We have 7 to 12 people attending. Some, whose employers are not from TLBPC, can only come once a month during their day off. However, we are praying that this ministry can also reach out to other Filipino migrant workers here in Singapore. Please pray with us that the Lord will continue to bless this ministry for the salvation of souls and for the edification of believers.

In our Bible Study, we have covered several books of the Bible, and there are special topics on prayer which are expounded every first Lord’s day of the month. The Book of Acts was covered last year which grounded us in our understanding of what the biblical characteristics of a local church are. The Philippines, being dominated by charismatic churches next to the idolatrous Roman Catholic Church, is a place where it is very difficult to find a sound, fundamental and conservative Bible-believing church. We trust that the Lord, through the lessons learned, will give us discernment in choosing a church to fellowship with in the Philippines. We also understood, from the Book of Acts, the Biblical pattern for church growth and missions which is contrary to the prevailing social gospel and commercially driven patterns among churches in our country. It is our prayer that we will be used by God as His missionaries to our own country, especially to our own families and friends.

This year we embarked on a study of the book of Genesis. We are currently studying the first few chapters, and understanding God’s marvellous work of creation, salvation and preservation. We pray the Lord to provide us with a good grasp of the foundational understanding of the Bible to shield us from the many attacks on the inerrancy, infallibility and authority of the Word of God today.

As we go through this study, we expect from the Lord more comprehension about His sovereignty over our lives and His great faithfulness to fulfil every promise. We acknowledge that it is not by chance that we are given this opportunity to be here in Singapore. May we be able to accomplish the Lord’s will in our lives.

In order to reach out to other Filipinos in other parts of Singapore, we have an outreach at Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church (CPBPC) called Filipino Fellowship. This meeting is held at 1.30 to 3.00 pm every 1st and 3rd Lord’s Day in CPBPC Room 04-05. Most of those who join are domestic helpers of CPBPC members and Filipinas working in nearby residences. Currently, we are studying the basics of Christian doctrines through Dr Jeffrey Khoo’s book on “Fundamentals of the Christian Faith.”

We also thank the Lord for giving us the opportunity to reach out to some Filipina domestic helpers in the Aljunied area. A member of TLBPC, Mr Roland Tay, has allowed us to conduct Bible study to his father’s caregiver every 4th Lord’s day of the month at 2.30-3.30 pm. There were times when friends and relatives of the caregiver joined us for Bible study.

Every 2nd Lord’s day afternoon, an evangelism session is conducted at Orchard Road. Tracts and invitation leaflets are distributed to Filipinos, praying that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts, especially to those whom we have witnessed. Please pray that the Lord will be gracious and merciful to save some of those who availed the tracts and invitations and those who have heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We have started early this year a monthly bulletin to update our group with current concerns and prayer items. We pray not only for our personal concerns but also for the activities of TLBPC and for our employers. We also pray for missions, especially in the Philippines.

Please invite your Filipino friends and acquaintances to join us for Bible study. May this ministry bring more souls into the Kingdom of God and nurture believers under the pure and faithful teaching of God’s Word. May God raise up more mature believers to serve in this ministry. “Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thess 5:25).

“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” (Ps 34:10)