LEST WE FORGET
“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ son” (Deut 4:9).
True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church began as the FEBC Lord’s Day Service on 5 October 2003. Why the FEBC Lord’s Day Service? How did it become True Life BPC? The story has to be told.
From Life BPC to FEBC Lord’s Day Service
The late Rev Dr Timothy Tow was founding pastor of Life Bible-Presbyterian Church and principal of the Far Eastern Bible College. He believed in the verbal and plenary inspiration and preservation of the Holy Scriptures. By the logic of faith, he identified the divinely inspired and preserved Scriptures to be the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures underlying the Authorised King James Bible. He defended the Reformation Text and Bible without compromise over against the new and corrupt text of Westcott and Hort and the modern versions. For this he was lambasted by his assistants, some elders and most of the deacons in the years 2002 and 2003. These men later sued to evict the Bible College from her birthplace and home.
Know that Life BPC was a church the Lord had used His anointed servant—the Rev Dr Timothy Tow— to found and establish in 1950, and he was a faithful pastor-teacher of that church for well over five decades. Since his young assistants who opposed his belief in a “100% perfect Bible without any mistake” would not leave to start a new church patterned after their own doctrinal and administrative convictions, nor leave him in peace to preach and teach what he held to be the truth according to the Holy Scriptures and the Westminster Confession, he resigned as their pastor to start a new service at the RELC. It was a godly step of humility and of faith on the part of our elderly founding pastor who followed the example of the Lord Jesus who, when rejected by his unbelieving hometown Nazareth, left to do His work in Capernaum. As Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.” (Luke 4:24). There is a similar Cantonese proverb often quoted by Pastor Tow, “Local ginger is not hot”. So Jesus “leaving Nazareth, … came and dwelt in Capernaum, … The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:13, 15, 17).
We preach the Gospel and we preach repentance. By the grace of God many have found life in True Life. The Lord has marvellously protected FEBC as well. What can we say to those who did us harm? As Joseph said to his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Gen 50:20). How true these words! Let us not forget God’s forever infallible and inerrant words of everlasting life that led to the founding of True Life and the vindication of FEBC.
From FEBC Lord’s Day Service to True Life BPC
How did FEBC Lord’s Day Service become True Life BPC? On 11 March 2004, the pro tem committee under Pastor Timothy Tow as Chairman, Elder Eric Mahadevan as Secretary, and Dr Jeffrey Khoo as Treasurer submitted an application to the Registrar of Societies to be registered as a church. We needed at least 10 names for this and they were (1) Tow Siang Hui, (2) Elaguppillay Mahadevan, (3) Khoo Eng Teck Jeffrey, (4) Tan Ivy, (5) Tow Li Mi Jemima, (6) Han Mei Lan, (7) Teng Siew Lay, (8) Choi Kyoung Ae Deborah, (9) Chng Chee Yeong, (10) Kee Luan Keow. We applied to be named “Word of Life Bible-Presbyterian Church” as first choice, and as second choice “True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church”.
On 21 June 2004, the Registrar approved our registration and named us “True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church”. Despite our appeal to be named “Word of Life” which was our first choice and preference, the Registrar remained firm in his decision. We humbly accepted his decision and took it as God’s will. We believe the Lord wants us to be known by this name—“True Life”. Come to think of it, the name is both biblically and historically significant. This is another fact we should not forget.
We started out with 170, but today, by the grace of God, we are 400. God has given the increase. On this occasion of our 9th Anniversary Thanksgiving, let none of us claim any glory for ourselves; all glory must go to God, and to Him alone. We are just grateful to our Lord who has saved us, and must not forget to thank Him for all that He has done for us. “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
… That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Cor 3:7, 31). JK
LOOKING AHEAD
Reformation Sunday
There are several important events this year for us to take note of. On the Lord’s Day, 28 October 2012, we will commemorate the 16th Century Protestant Reformation. This is our traditional observance. We must not forget our Reformed Faith and the Reformation saints—many of whom died for the Faith, tortured and burned at the stake by the Roman Catholic Church simply because they believed and confessed that salvation is by “Grace Alone” (Sola Gratia), through “Faith Alone” (Sola Fide), in “Christ Alone” (Solus Christus), based on “Scripture Alone” (Sola Scriptura) and “To the Glory of God Alone” (Soli Deo Gloria). We believe the same today. Will persecution come again? “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt 5:10-12).
2nd Bible Lands Pilgrimage
FEBC will conduct her 2nd Bible Lands Pilgrimage in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, 10-20 December 2012. A total of 46 pilgrims from 8 churches (Berean, Bethel, Calvary Pandan, Gospel Light, Sharon, True Life, Truth BPCs and Wesley Methodist Church) have signed up. We will be studying the Book of Acts (chapters 13-16) as we visit the places in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) evangelised by the Apostle Paul in his 1st and 2nd missionary journeys. We will also see and learn from the Seven Churches of Asia to whom Jesus sent letters of warning for the end-times as recorded in the Book of Revelation. The journey will take us from Antioch to Troas. Two credits will be awarded to pilgrims who complete a research project after the trip.
Christmas Gospel Rally
Our Christmas Gospel Rally will be held on Saturday, 22 December 2012. Pastor will be the speaker. Please plan to invite your loved ones, relatives, colleagues, classmates, neighbours, and friends to this Gospel meeting so that they can hear and know for themselves what Christmas is all about. There is also the Christmas Eve Service which is a special and happy time of praise and thanksgiving none should miss. The choirs and the children will be singing, like the angels 2000 years ago.
YPF Camp in Mersing
The annual camp of the Young Peoples’ Fellowship is something to look forward to. This year it will be held at the Resort Lautan Biru, Mersing, 25-29 December 2012. Pastor will speak on the theme “Faithful to the End: A Devotional Study of 2 Timothy.” ALL—the young and not so young—are welcome. Camp fees are subsidised by the Church. Please register early to facilitate planning.
Watchnight Service
The year 2012 will end soon, and as usual we shall have our Watchnight Service on New Year’s Eve, December 31st. The world will be drinking and partying away the night, but let us as Christians be watchful, waiting on the Lord in holy worship to seek His grace and favour for the new year 2013. We are a year nearer our Lord’s return.
10th Anniversary
What’s in store in 2013? 2013 will be the 10th year of True Life BPC. What can we do for the Lord in our 10th Anniversary Thanksgiving? Please pray for an eventful and meaningful programme to be planned for 2013. How about a Festival of Praise, or a Good News night?
2013 Church Camp in Khao Lak
One important event for the new year must surely be the Annual Church Camp. God willing, we will camp in Khao Lak, a scenic and serene seaside town one hour north of Phuket. “Faith Alive” will be the camp theme. We will study the Epistle of James together. Please set aside these dates: 10-14 June 2013. Don’t miss it! Camp details to be announced soon. Campmaster: Dn Tan Beng Lee.
Do pray for God’s blessings to be upon us in all the events above, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Heb 12:2). JK
“The Bible Stands”: True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Choir @ FEBC’s 50th Anniversary Alumni Thanksgiving Service 21 September 2012, Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Sanctuary
