WE HONOUR GOD WHEN WE HONOUR OUR FOREBEARS

The Fifth Commandment commands us to honour our parents: “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee” (Exod 20:12). Likewise, Ephesians 6:1–3 teaches: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise).” This commandment belongs to the first table of the Law, which concerns honouring God. When we honour our parents, we also honour God.

The Westminster Larger Catechism Q124 explains: “Who are meant by ‘father’ and ‘mother’ in the fifth commandment? By ‘father’ and ‘mother’ in the fifth commandment are meant not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.”

Thus, we are commanded to honour not only our biological or natural parents, but also the government: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” (Rom 13:1-2); as well as pastors and church elders: “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. … Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb 13:7, 17).

The cantata on the life and songs of our beloved founding pastor—the Rev Dr Timothy Tow—is presented in obedience to the Fifth Commandment, as we remember God’s providence in his life and how he was called and used by God to found the Bible-Presbyterian Church movement in South-East Asia and the Far Eastern Bible College “for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1:9). To hold this on the Lord’s Day, on the anniversary of the church’s founding, is a double blessing—fulfilling a double command to honour the Lord and to honour our spiritual father.

This also reflects obedience to the charge: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2). The cantata is therefore not only an act of commemoration but also of instruction. It passes down the good word taught to us by our forefathers. We teach forward by teaching backward. We pass on doctrine to the future generation by reminding them to look back at history—learning from the past!

We gladly announce in advance this edifying programme of worship, thanksgiving, exhortation, and remembrance:

Call to Worship: Pastor Jeffrey Khoo
Opening Hymn: Command Thy Blessing from Above
Invocation/Gloria Patri
Responsive Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8
Hymn: Faith of Our Fathers
Announcements
Offerings/Hymn: We Plough the Fields
Doxology/Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Text: Hebrews 13:7-8
Sermon: Remembering the Faithful
Closing Hymn: Heavenly Melodies
Benediction
Cantata: Timothy Tow—His Life and Songs

May the Lord bless our hearts as we hear His story through the life of one of His faithful servants, our founding pastor, the Rev Dr Timothy Tow. JK

LEARNING FROM HISTORY
THROUGH SONG

Judith d’Silva

I thank God that a cantata celebrating the legacy of Rev Timothy Tow will be presented on 5 October, after our 22^nd Anniversary Thanksgiving Service. Instead of presenting their praise items individually during the service, the choirs from the English, Chinese and Filipino services as well as the children’s choir and FEBC students will combine their voices in this one big praise item, the cantata. The lyrics of many of the songs in the cantata were written by Rev Tow in praise and remembrance of God.

Indeed, there is no better time than this to honour God for leading us to True Life BPC through the steps of His faithful servant Rev Tow. By reflecting on His goodness in the history of the founding pastor, the cantata is True Life’s expression of praise and thanksgiving to God.

In the church weekly on 7 September, Pastor quoted from Hebrews 13:7 and explained very clearly why we are remembering our founding pastor. That same Lord’s Day, we learnt from Jeremiah 6:16 why it is important to “Learn From History”. I thank God for this message.

We learned that there are many lessons history can teach us. Even the Scriptures, in Romans 15:4, teach us that there is great value in the study of history. We must seek out our history sincerely so that today we may walk in wisdom. May we learn from the history of early church witness in the Book of Acts, the 16^th Century Reformation and, for us in particular, the history of Bible-Presbyterianism including the BP movement in Singapore and the life of Rev Timothy Tow, founder of the BP Church in Singapore and FEBC. 

I believe that it is important for True Lifers, especially the younger generation, to know why the BP movement was formed and what its distinctive features are. Very few were there when Rev Tow built Life BPC and FEBC in Gilstead Road. This is why the cantata is not only a timely offering of praise, but also a wonderful history lesson in song.

Rev Tow often quoted Martin Luther, who said “Music is next to theology”. I look forward to a second cantata to recall the truths that define our Bible-Presbyterian Faith. This is not just the story of a man or a movement, but a testimony to the faithfulness of our God, and a call to hold fast to His truth.

I pray that we will all learn something from the life and songs of Rev Timothy Tow. And in doing so, may God’s name be honoured.

All glory be to God.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHURCH HISTORY

Rev Dr Timothy Tow

The importance of Church history is stressed by none other than Moses in his farewell to Israel before they entered the Promised Land. He says, “Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days” (Deut 31:28-29).

There’s a saying, “History repeats itself.” Why? When we have not learnt the lessons of history! In military science, the history of wars must be studied. In theological science, the study of Church history is an integral part. In this regard, any Bible study course will help strengthen our faith. Why miss Sunday School or the Monday and Thursday evening lectures at FEBC? (Life B-P Weekly, 1 October 1989)

Why Reformation Sunday?

Protestant Churches have of recent date added to their church calendar such days as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Children’s Day. But they have neglected, to their great loss, to remember the day of their liberation from the bondage of the Roman Catholic Church.

How is it that we can sing hallelujah, praising God for our free salvation, in contrast with the mournful chants of the Roman priests, not knowing even whether their souls are saved or not? Is not this all due to Luther, who made the rediscovery for us, who nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg on the eve of All Saints’ Day—that from Mary and images, from prayers to saints and for the dead, to purgatory and priestcraft, from transubstantiation to Popish infallibility—has set us free once for all?

As the years roll by, Protestants forget to commemorate that great event of liberation, commonly known as the Reformation. This is all to our undoing. The sons of faith today have forgotten what price was paid by their fathers to give them this faith. (Protestants were massacred by the tens of thousands, such as those on St Bartholomew’s Eve.)

To return Protestant sons to the faith of their fathers, Dr Ray Martin has done a great service by putting out an excellent brochure reprinted in the Far Eastern Beacon, with a call from the ICCC to commemorate the Reformation. The last Sunday of October, which falls nearest to the day Luther protested with his 95 Theses nailed to the Wittenberg Church, is chosen for solemn commemoration of the Reformation. Without the Reformation, we would still be shackled to the dark chains of Rome. Celebrate Reformation Sunday with renewed zeal and the Spirit’s power! God bless Reformation Sunday! (Life B-P Weekly, 26 October 1980)