LEARNING FROM FIRST CORINTHIANS

Testimony of an FEBC Student

First Corinthians has opened my eyes to many things which I thought I knew all along as a believer all these years. Well, I have been proven wrong. Those that I had learnt in the past in my previous charismatic church, I realised, were mostly out of context. As a young believer, the so-called “milk” and “food” which I was fed with then, was what I had held on closely to my heart for many years. Even after leaving the charismatic church, I continued to struggle with many doubts about what I am learning in the Bible-Presbyterian environment. However, this course, which is my first at Far Eastern Bible College, has finally helped to clarify some of the questions that I was struggling with all these years.

I was initially quite surprised at the extent of discussion on the background of this book, for example, the background of the city of Corinth, the founding of the Corinthian church, Paul’s conversion, the authentication of his apostleship etc. However, it was only after the first lecture that I knew for the first time as a Christian that there were a total of three visits and four letters written to the Corinthian church by Paul. Without knowing the background, I would not have appreciated and understood what Paul had to painstakingly go through with that first century church. Paul had illustrated what a true follower of Christ should be through his manner of humility yet with authority to ensure church purity. I have also learnt that I should always see to the end when I share the gospel with someone. Conversion is only the beginning, not the end.

There are many lessons to be learnt from chapter one. What struck me the most was the meaning of apostleship and the stand of separation. The non-existence of “Apostles” like Paul in today’s context caught my attention. I have come to the understanding that the title should not be used on believers flippantly. There were only 12 of them, nothing more, nothing less. The notion of separation was something that I had trouble swallowing when I first left the charismatic church. I was under the impression that all professing Christians (of course, not including the cults) should be united instead of taking the separation stand. I was wrong; being likeminded to that of Christ, not of man, is the key.

Chapters three and four are very reflective and thought provoking chapters. They make me ask myself—Do I share the gospel in simplicity? What kind of person am I? What kind of faith do I have? What will happen to me at the Bema of Christ? Being brought up in a cell group church in the past, I was taught to bring the gospel to the unbelievers after building a relationship with them through common interests. This is the way of the world, not the way of God. There were many difficulties in my Christian walk but these have helped me tremendously in strengthening my faith in God by His grace. It is my prayer that while I am still alive, God will help me to build up my treasures in heaven, not on earth.

Once saved, always saved, how wonderful are the promises of God! This is the assurance that I have received again through chapter four. However, our Christian conduct, our reactions to anger and humiliation should be in line with our belief. I used to be easily angered and all defensive when I was judged and accused falsely by others, though I knew all along what the Bible teaches about such situations. Through this lecture, I was further convicted to sin no more in this but to cling onto the promises of God to see me through. God is my final judge.

Chapters five through seven seem to touch more on the legalistic aspects of things going on in the church. Lessons learnt through what happened in the first century church are very applicable in our current context. Disputes and sins are inevitable as we are all sinners but saved by grace. God’s agape love and longsuffering with us is the anchor point in the way the church should handle such situations. Whether it is a sinning brother or two disagreeable fellow believers, God’s ultimate desire is to see all believers brought to repentance, that all should be done in the right spirit, out of a pure love.

Fornication and breakdown of marriages are rampant in our society today. Chapter seven taught me much about sexual sins like fornication and the marriage ordinance. As a mother of two myself, I am convicted of my role as a wife and a mother concurrently. On the one hand I need to submit to my husband’s leadership, and on the other hand I also need to teach and guide my children in the fear and the ways of the Lord. God has blessed me richly with a wonderful godly family but it does not mean that it is an easy path to tread. However, whether married or single, the basic guiding principle is to glorify and enjoy God in all that we do.

Chapter eight touches on the doctrinal issues like the Trinity and the controversy concerning eating food offered to idols. Firstly, though I do understand the doctrine of the Trinity by the grace of God, I personally still find much difficulty in explaining it to unbelievers. Unless the Holy Spirit enables, I find that humanly it is difficult for one to envisage. Secondly, concerning food offered to idols, I do take a strong stand not to partake of it at all since my younger days. Having come from a Taoist family, God has helped me to overcome the fear of offending my unbelieving mother, who eventually, put aside my portion automatically before her rituals. It is a testimony on its own as she sees the power of God in transforming my life.

Chapters nine and ten talk about the Christian race that all believers should run, one whereby God’s desire is for all to be winners of an incorruptible crown. I have also learnt that truly the Bible is its own best commentary, infallible and inerrant. With God’s Word as the basis of our belief, all our decisions should be based on our love for God and our fellow brethren.

I have also learnt about doctrinal issues and their significance, like head covering for the woman and the role of the husband and his wife in a family. Doctrines are important without which, we will not know how to live rightly that pleases Him. Take for instance, God is very clear on the specific roles of both genders but many women today refuse to acknowledge that but want to “usurp” the role of the man. It is no wonder that this world is so full of sin and strife. Besides, Paul had also explained the Lord’s Supper very clearly here in 1 Corinthians 11. It is an ordinance that should not be done flippantly but with repentance and in remembrance.

Chapters 12-14 on spiritual gifts and charity, are very significant to me. The teachings that I had received for many years while I was in a charismatic church were completely refuted by what I have learnt in this course here. I realise how wrong I had been in the past as I learnt here to interpret within the context. We must never read the Bible and interpret it out of context and I believe this is what the charismatics today have failed to see. They are eager to go into action but do not take time to fully comprehend the truth in depth first. It is just like a kid who is all excited when he sees the pool and jumps into it straightaway without learning how to swim beforehand. How dangerous and suicidal it can be when love is not based and founded on truth!

Last but not least, I am truly thankful for this course of studies, though tedious, as I juggle between the demands of family commitments and this. I must say that it is worth it all. Studies on doctrines are vital in our Christian living if we truly want to be set free by His truth. I was blind but now I see!

A BIBLICAL HERITAGE

FEBC Exam Encouragement

Dear Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Khoo (Principal), Rev. Dr. Quek Suan Yew (Academic Dean), Board Members, Mrs Tow (Matron), Lecturers, Administration Staff and Students of F.E.B.C. and families,

Greetings in the blessed name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

As the FEBC exams commence, our prayers are with you all and we need to be a people that give thanks to the Lord for such a faithful heritage as our Bible College. FEBC stands faithfully upon God’s Word (Ps. 12:6-7, Matt. 5:18, 2 Tim. 3:16-17) and seeing His preservation and blessing upon the Bible College, despite vicious and malicious repeated attacks from the Adversary shows His Sovereignty towards the faithful.

Being one of the oldest Bible Colleges (institutions of higher learning and spiritual training) in Singapore is significant, but still remaining faithful after half a century is even more significant. God granted the late Rev. Dr. Timothy Tow the privilege as the founder of FEBC in 1962 and the founder of the Bible-Presbyterian Church movement in Southeast Asia, which has spread throughout the world. To those who had such faith, morals and ethics and courage to stand for God’s Word without fear or favour, we ought to be thankful as those characteristics are lacking in many newly formed colleges today.

As students and alumni of FEBC we ought to be thankful to God, for the Bible College provides a comprehensive biblical-theological education, as the Apostle Paul said, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27).

We also need to be thankful for the “Great Reformation” Oct. 31st 1517 and for the Reformers and FEBC standing in the defence of the Reformed Faith (Phil. 2:16, Titus 1:9, Jude 3).

Preparing for your exams is a spiritual exercise to equip for ministerial service, therefore may you “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

May the many doing the FEBC online courses be granted much wisdom and may we appreciate our faithful Biblical Heritage.

Looking forward to fellowship.

In His Service,

Rev. Errol D. Stone.
Pastor: Faith Presbyterian Church-Perth
Chairman: Faith & Freedom Ministries
(Rom. 8:28)

Ed: Pray for FEBC students taking exams this week. Thank you.