FCM Newsletter 2007_V2 (Apr-Jun 07)

8/8/2019 FCM Newsletter 2007_V2 (Apr-Jun 07)

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Christians greatest comfort in their difficultpilgrim journey comes from the knowledgethat they can trust in Gods providence tosee them through all their needs anddifficulties. Knowing that God controls allthings and that He will make a way for Hischildren is a great consolation as well as

motivation to fight their battles of faith. Theprovidence of God guarantees the fulladministration of His divine attributes for thefood of His children.

What is the doctrine of providence all about?

Firstly , this doctrine teaches us that Godpreserves and governs all things byupholding them in existence.

Westminster Confession of Faith hasdevoted a chapter on the providence of God. Chapter 5, section 1 of WCFexplains the providence of God as, "God

the great Creator of all things does uphold,dispose, and govern all creatures, actions,and things, from the greatest even to theleast, by His most wise and holyprovidence, according to His infallibleforeknowledge, and the free and immutablecounsel of His own will, to the praise of theglory of His wisdom, power, justice,goodness, and mercy."The Scripture asserts this truth - "Heupholding all thing by the word of his

power," and that "by him all things consist" (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17). God governs all things bydirecting and disposingthem to the end for which He designedthem. "Our God is in the heavens: hehath done whatsoever He hath pleased" (Psalm 115:3). "He doeth according to Hiswill in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none canslay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?" (Daniel 4:35).

The fatalists and others maintain that Godgave to the material creation physical laws,and to the intelligent creation moral laws,by which they might be sustained andgoverned, independently of His continualinfluence. However, the Scripture clearlyteaches us that nothing worksindependently of God's government andplan. The great Creator of all things upholdsand governs them all.

Living in theKnowledge of

Gods Providence(Part I)

By Rev. (Dr)Prabhudas Koshy


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Secondly , God's providence isspecific and is found in the details of all things that exist and occur. Hisprovidence extends to all creatures,actions and things, from the greatest eventto the least. The providence of God extendsto individuals, and to their minuteconcerns. The birth of each individual, thelength of his days, and all the events of hislife, are regulated and superintended bythe most wise and holy providence of God. "For in him we live, and move, and haveour being" (Acts 17:28).In the Bible, the providence of God isaffirmed as managing all things everywhere.His kingdom ruleth over all," and He"worketh all things after the counsel of His

own will (Psalm 103:19; Ephesians 1:11).

God controls the wind and lightning (Psalm135:7), the snow and the rain (Job 3,:6-13),and directs the stars in their courses (Job38:32). Forest fires, hail, and storms are allunder His command: "Fire, and hail; snow,and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling hisword" (Psalm148:8). The sundoes not simply rise

on its own eachday, rather God "maketh His sunto rise on the evil and on the good,and sendeth rainon the just and on the unjust" (Matthew5:45). Neither does the grass grow on itsown, but "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that He may bring forth food out of

the earth" (Psalm 104:14). God feeds theanimals (Matthew 6:26; Psalm 104:27-29;104:27-29) and indeed controls even themost seemingly insignificant death of asparrow (Matthew 10:29). God sends rain andwithholds rain (Amos 4:7-10). There isnothing in the universe left to chance.Nothing in all creation - the stars, theplants, the animals, the weather, theaffairs of nations, the presence of evil, and

the specific details of our lives - is outsideof the sovereign control of God.

Thirdly , God's providence permitstroubles and wickedness, though He

is not the author of evil. Physical infirmity anddisease are not outside of God's plan: "And the LORDsaid unto him, Who hathmade man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or theblind? have not I the LORD?" (Exodus 4:11).

Every single blind person is blindbecause God's providential decree has

permitted it. Every deaf person is deaf only because God has permitted itaccording to His decrees. If we do notbelieve that, we will be compelled tothink of God as One who cannot controlthis universe. The truth is that our Lordis still in control of all things in thisuniverse. Consider the followingexamples of divine providence permittingevil. The evil spirit that tormented Saulwas said to be 'from the Lord' (1 Samuel

16:14). In punishing David's sin, "theLORD struck the child that Uriah's wifebare unto David, and it was very sick." (2Samuel 12:15-18). If natural or man-madedisaster occurs, it is ultimately becauseGod's providence had permitted it. SoAmos 3:6 asks rhetorically, "Shall there beevil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?" When all his children were killed, Jobacknowledged that God is still sovereign

in all that happens in his life. Job didnot say that "The Lord gave, and Satantook away." Instead he said, "The LORDgave, and the LORD hath taken away;blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job1:21).How about sins that man commits? TheScripture is clear that God does notinitiate sin. He neither puts evil into thehearts of men, nor stirs them up to it.James 1:13 says, "God cannot be tempted


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with evil, neither tempteth He any man." And therefore, He is not the author of sin However, we understand from theScripture that God's sovereign will permitssin to occur. Acts 14:16 records that "God in times past suffered all nationsto walk in their ownways." We alsoknow that the acts of Herod, Pontius Pilate,the Romans and theJews in crucifyingChrist were sin. Yetthe Scripture says that "both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with

the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, weregathered together, ... to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done" (Acts 4:27-28).The fact that God's providence includesthe permission to do evil raises manyquestions in our minds. One questionthat we often ask is "How can a holy,good God ordain or permit sin?" ThomasBoston provides a helpful answer: "God's

providence is most holy, Psalm 145:17 - 'The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.' Even thoughprovidence reaches to and beconversant in sinful actions, yet it ispure; as the sun contracts nodefilement, though it shine on a dunghill.For God is neither the physical nor moralcause of the evil of any action, more thanhe who rides on a lame horse is thecause of his halting. All the evil that is

in sinful actions proceeds and flowsfrom the wicked agent (Satan and thecorrupt heart of man), as the stench of the dunghill does not proceed from theheat of the sun, but from the corruptmatter contained in the dunghill."Another important fact that we mustremember is that God does not permit sinfor its own sake, but in order to bringabout a greater good. For example, Godpermitted the wicked acts of Herod, Pilate,

the Romans and the Jews in crucifyingChrist that it will ultimately work out theprovision of salvation in His Son's death.Another example is the case of Joseph'sbrothers selling him into slavery. It wasa sin on the part of Joseph's brothers.But many years later when Josephfinally encountered his brothers again,he said "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold mehither: for God did send me before you to preserve life... So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God. and hehath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt" (Genesis45:5,8). Joseph being sold into Egypt

was not simply allowed by God, but wasactually brought about by God as partof His plan. This does not make Godsadistic nor does it excuse Joseph'sbrothers of their sin. Why? BecauseGod's intentions were for good, butJoseph's brother's intentions were for evil. 'A s 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" (Genesis 50:20). This is a

necessary truth inorder to properlyunderstand God'sprovidence. WhenGod ordains badthings to occur, it isnot because Hedelights in sufferingand evil in itself, but itis because He isworking to bring

about a greater good. People may lifttheir hand to rebel against the MostHigh and to trouble His children, but weall will find out that their rebellion andviolence are nothing but unwitting detailsof the wonderful designs of God'sprovidence.

Fourthly , the doctrine of providenceteaches that God's plans cannot bethwarted. As WCF says, all things work


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"according to His infallible foreknowledge,and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the gloryof His wisdom, power, justice, goodness,and mercy."None of His purposes can fail: "I amGod, and there is none else; I am God,and there is none likeme, Declaring the end from the beginning,and from ancient times the things that are not yet done,saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure" (Isaiah 46:9-10). It is

absolutely certain thatGod will achieveeverything that Hewants in His creation.Nothing that Godwants accomplished will be left unfulfilled -that is what God means when He saysHe will accomplish all of His "pleasure."This truth is a great consolation becauseit assures us that nothing can ever happen which would ultimately prevent

God from fulfilling all His good purposesconcerning our lives.While the plans of human beings fail,God's purposes cannot fail because they"stand forever." Since God's plans are

always accomplished, He never changesthem - they endure "from generation togeneration." There is no plan B with Go d. "The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh thedevices of the people of none effect. Thecounsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the

thoughts of his heart to all generations" (Psalm 33:10-11).Proverbs 19:21 further confirms that while theplans of human beings arenot always accomplished,God's plans will alwayssucceed: "There are many devices in a man's heart;

nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." (Cf. Proverbs21:30). The great biblicalcharacter Job, after his

extreme trials and great suffering, learnedthe great lesson that God's will cannotbe thwarted. He said, "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee" (Job 42:2).Similarly, the apostle Paul asks

rhetorically in Romans 9:19, "For who hathresisted his will?" The answer, of course, isno one. Our God reigns! Praise the Lord!

Rev Koshy is the Pastor of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Churchand Lecturer in Hebrew and Biblical Studies at Far Eastern Bible


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KNOWLEGDE IS POWER

(John Calvins Introduction to the highest knowledge in the first three chapters of An Abridgement of Calvins Institutes of the Christian Religion )

Chapter IV- This KnowledgeExtinguished or Corrupted, Partly byIgnorance, Partly by Wickedness

1. Although the seeds of the knowledge of God are sown in every heart, we scarcelyfind one man in a hundred who cherisheswhat he has received, and none in whomthey grow to maturity. Much less, bear fruit indue season! In other words, this knowledgeis extinguished or corrupted, partly by

ignorance, partly by wickedness. Those whofall from the knowledge of God intosuperstition through ignorance are asinexcusable as the wicked. For, we see thattheir ignorance is connected with pride andvanity. Pride and vanity are seen inmiserable men who, while seeking after God,rise not above their own level, but regardHim according to their own stupidity, and bythe inventions of their own imaginations. TheGod they seek to worship is but a figment of their own brains. Thus, Paul has said of them, Professing . . . to be wise, theybecome fools. Before this, he says, They . .. became vain in their imaginations. (Rom1:22, 21).

By Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow

2. There is another class of people whoextinguish the knowledge of God. These doso in willful foolishness. This fact is attestedby David in Psalm 14:1, The fool hath saidin his heart, There is no God. These whodeny the existence of God, willfully suppressthe light of nature within their hearts, and tryto banish every remembrance of Godbecause of their own transgressions. Now,when they say, There is no God, they arenot so much depriving God of His existenceas defying His government. They would liketo shut God up as an idler in heaven, inorder that they might give free rein to their sins. Such wicked people who wilfullyrejected God receive Gods punishment, inrighteously darkeningtheir understandings.Thus, God told Isaiah,Go, and tell thispeople, Hear ye

indeed, but understandnot; and see ye indeed,but perceive not. Makethe heart of this peoplefat, and make their earsheavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see withtheir eyes, and hear with their ears, andunderstand with their heart, and convert, andbe healed (Isa 6:9, 10). Those who rejectGod are rejected by God! And, beingrejected by God, they continue in rejectingGod!

3. Coming back to those who extinguish theknowledge of God by their own ignorance,which results in superstition, we notice thatthey substitute for a legitimate religion,which, Lactantius says, must be connectedwith Truth, with many methods of worshipping God. These are hypocriticalservices because, while superstitionattempts to please God, it is worshipping andadoring gods of its foolish imaginations. That


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superstition worships God in so many falseways, and not according to Gods Will, whichis one and unchangeable, proves itself wrong. Hence, the Apostle declares anyvague notion of God as ignorance of God,and those without a right knowledge of the

only true God, to be without God. Anydeviation from the knowledge of the one trueGod results in an execrable idol of mansown making.

4. With regard to the wicked, these will never come to God, until they are forced to do so.And when they come to Him, they do so not

willingly, in reverence to theDivine Majesty, but from acringing fear, born of necessity. They dread the

judgment of God, which theyknow is inevitable, but at thesame time they hate it. Tosuch a situation is applicablethe saying of Statius, thatfear first made gods in theworld. The wicked havealways fought against the

Lord as Judge, One with whom they have toreckon, until His irresistible arm of judgmentfinally reached them. Unable to escape His

justice, they tremble with fear. In order toappease Him, they also practise some formof religion, with a few paltry sacrifices; whilethey cease not to pollute themselves withvices of every kind. While pretending toserve Him, they violate every part of Godsholy law, and are not prevented by that fear of God from indulging themselves in all sortsof sinful pleasures. Instead of turning to Himin repentance to a life of obedience to HisWill, they make no scruple of rebellingagainst Him in almost all their actions.Beguiling themselves to have done their dutyto God by some ridiculous expiations, theyabandon themselves to their wickednesswith greater licentiousness. Involved in agreater and greater accumulation of errors,the sparks which should enable them todiscover the glory of God are smothered,and at last extinguished by the darkness of their sin. However, the seeds of theknowledge of God remain imbedded in them.But, being greatly corrupted, they can

produce only the worst of fruits. Thus, intimes of peace, they simply take God for granted. In times of distress, they seek Himeven with prayers. This proves that they arenot altogether ignorant of God, which all themore shows them up as reprobates.

Chapter V- The Knowledge of GodConspicuous in the Creation andContinual Government of the World

1. Although the essence of God isincomprehensible, He has made Himself known to us, as previously mentioned, by theseed of religion sown in our hearts. Hefurther manifests Himself through theCreation, and by His continual governmentof it. The universe, with all its symmetry, is amirror in which we may see the otherwiseinvisible God (Heb 11:3; Ps 19:1, 3; Rom1:20).

2. The wonderful wisdom of God ismanifested in innumerable proofs, both inheaven and on earth. While students of astronomy, medicine and physics, who applyto their subjects of study skill, exactness andindustry, discover the wonderful operationsof the providence of God; the non-scientific

and illiterate, who are furnished with no other assistance than their own eyes, can neither be ignorant of the excellence of the Divineskill. With his natural eyes, the latter, lookingmerely at the regular movement of the stars,should know their Lord. The symmetry,beauty, and the ingenious use of the variousparts of the human body, are a further manifestation of the wisdom of its Maker.

3. As to thewonders of Godshandiwork in thestructure of thehuman body, some

ancientphilosophers have

justly called man amicrocosm, or world in miniature. Man is aneminent specimen of the power, goodnessand wisdom of God; and contains in himself wonders enough to occupy the attention of his mind. To attain some ideas of God, it is


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therefore not necessary to go beyondourselves. By looking into ourselves we mayfind God! The human race is a clear mirror of the works of God, for even infants are able topraise Him (Ps 8:2). Paul quotes fromAratus, that we are the offspring of God

(Acts 17:29), in the sense that Godsadorning us with such great excellence hasproven Himself to be our Father.

4. Despite the aforesaid manifestations of Gods wonderful workmanship, there arethose who, being blinded by ingratitude andpride, suppress the light of this knowledge intheir hearts. While man should discover inthe body and soul a hundred vestiges of God, he still denies His being. In Godsplace, they conveniently put nature as theauthor of allthings.

5. One way of denying Godis, to employthe dogma of Aristotle, todeny theimmortality of the soul. Because, as it isobserved, that the organs of the body are

directed by the faculties of the soul, theypretend the soul to be so united to the bodyas to be incapable of subsisting without it.Such a notion is to be refuted! The soul canfunction without the action of the body insuch measures as calculation of themovement of the stars, in bringing tomemory things past and present, inimaginations and inventions, which areproofs of divinity in man. Even in sleep, thesoul has freedom of action. Useful ideasspring into being, while future events mayfind divination. If we can make judgmentsbetween right and wrong, and, even in sleep,our souls remain intelligent, how can it bethat there is no God to govern the world?Then, there are those who talk of a secretinspiration animating the whole world, just asif the world, which is a theatre erected for displaying the glory of God, were its owncreator! Such talk is to set up a shadowydeity, and to banish all ideas of the true God.

6. We see then that there is a God whogoverns with almighty power over the wholecreation. Thunder, lightning, tempest andevery other phenomenon of Gods work of government in nature, which are particularlymentioned in Job and Isaiah, should lead us

from acknowledging His power toconsidering His eternity, self-existence andgoodness. The mighty acts of His continualgovernment of Creation should lead us toshow Him as the sole Cause to the Creation.

7. Having considered Gods manifestation of Himself in His works of creation andprovidence in the physical realm, we mustenter into a second species of His works,viz., His providence in the government of human society. As a general rule, Heexhibits His kindness and beneficence to all.However, events that transpire daily showHim to be merciful to the pious, and severeto the wicked. His perpetual rule of righteousness in governing over humanaffairs is neither altered when it is seen. Hefrequently permits the wicked to exult inimpunity for a time and, on the contrary,allows good men to be harassed withadversity, and even to be oppressed by theungodly. This leads us to Gods judgment

hereafter. Till then, certain punishments aredeferred. And, when God shows mercy andunwearied benignity, it is with a view toovercoming mans depravity.

8. In His government over human affairs,God shows not only His goodness, justiceand mercy but also His power and wisdom.The Psalmist sings of such power andwisdom (Ps 107): when, in desperate casesof His children perishing in deserts or shipwrecks, or suffering from imprisonmentor hunger, God comes to their deliverance.Such are His actsof paternalclemency, far from beingchancehappenings, asthe majority of men blindlysuppose. Hispower is equally


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manifested when, on the other hand, Hetakes the wise in their own craftiness (1 Cor 3:19) by subduing the arrogance of theimpious, demolishing their fortresses,confounding their machinations, and causingthem to fall by their own exertions.

9. Our knowledge of God through suchworks of providence, with many moreexamples which we could easily adduce,should lead us to deep-rooted heartknowledge, and not merely some floatingmental speculation. Thus, the best way of seeking God is not with that presumptuouscuriosity attempting an examination of Hisessence, but rather to contemplate Him andHis goodness in His works. Indeed, throughHis works, He familiarises with, andcommunicates Himself to us. Thus, theApostle declares, that He is not to be soughtafar off since He dwells in every one of us(Acts 17:27). Augustine reverently teachesthat, being incapable of comprehending Him,and fainting, as it were, under Hisimmensity, we must take a view of Hisworks, that we may be refreshed with Hisgoodness.

10. Such knowledge of God should inspire

us not only to worship Him, but also arousewithin us the hope of a future life. His judgments upon men in this life beingincomplete, we should conclude these arepreludes to greater things, to be fullymanifested in the life beyond. When we seethe pious afflicted by the impious and thewicked, on the contrary, flourish and prosper with impunity, weare led toconclude thatthere is another life, to which isreservedpunishment to thebad and rewardto the good.

11.Notwithstanding this knowledge of God andHis everlasting dominion so abundantlyreflected in the mirror of His works inprovidence, there are so few who see it! How

many of us, when we lift up our eyes toheaven or upon the various regions of theearth, think of the Creator? We see theworks, but not the Author. Similarly, in regardto the things that daily happen in the ordinarycourse of nature, is it not the general opinion

that they take place by the workings of ablind fortune? This is the erroneous view, notonly of the common, ignorant people, but of the learned, and of philosophers too. Plato,the most religious of them all, loses himself in his round globe. These believe that menare rolled and whirled about by the blindtemerity or caprice of fortune.

12. Now, if men takethe wise and mightyacts of God inprovidence to bemerely blindoccurrences of fortune, howerroneous they mustbe when theycontemplate on the Deity. Every individualforms his own idea of Him, in wanderingsthrough his labyrinths of dark understanding.The result is a multitude of gods, and thatnot only among the ignorant, but

philosophers as well. For example, Stoicssaid that from all the parts of nature might becollected the various names of God, whileEpicureans rejected the idea of Godaltogether. There is no subject productive of so many dissensions among both learnedand unlearned as the subject of God. Thestory is told of one Simonides, who, whenasked by King Hiero what God was,requested a day to consider it. When theKing asked for an answer the next day,Simonides begged to be allowed two dayslonger. And, having successfully doubled thenumber of days to ponder the matter, he atlength answered, The longer I consider thesubject, the more obscure it appears to me.Does it not show that men, who are taughtonly by nature, have no certain knowledge,but are so confused that finally they worshipan unknown God?

13. Now, it must be maintained, thatwhoever adulterates the pure religion is


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guilty of a departure from the one true God.This is declared in Holy Scripture to beapostasyeven the substitute of demons inthe place of God. Thus, Paul declares theEphesians to be without God (Eph 2:12),though they had many, till they found the

true One. Even the Samaritans, who seemedto approach very nearly to true worship,were declared by our Lord to worship [they]knew not what (John 4:22). Every form of worship by human contrivance, including thebest of legislation, which is founded onhuman consent, is rejected as spurious. Itremains for God to give a revelationconcerning Himself from Heaven.

14. We conclude, therefore, that the light of nature is insufficient to conduct us into theright way, unless our hearts are further illuminated through faith by an internalrevelation of God, as the Apostle declares,Through faith we understand that the worldswere framed by the word of God (Heb 11:3).

15. Now, it is to be noted that whatever deficiency of natural ability prevents us froma pure knowledge of God, yet, since thedeficiency arises from our own fault, we areleft without excuse. And this

inexcusableness is all the more accentuatedby the fact that God has fully manifestedHimself in His works around us, and shownus the right way. Indeed, the seeds of Divineknowledge, by the wonderful operation of nature, are sown in our hearts, but these,being sinfully corrupted, produce no fair crop. We conclude, indeed, that fallenmankind cannot sufficiently find God merelythrough the light of Gods creation andprovidence.

Amazing Grace:The Story of John Newton

John Newton 1725-1807

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...So begins one of the most belovedhymns of all times, a staple in thehymnals of many denominations, NewBritain or 45 on the top in Sacred Harp.

The author of the words was JohnNewton, the self-proclaimed wretch whoonce was lost but then was found, savedby amazing grace.

Newton was born in London July 24,1725, the son of a commander of amerchant ship which sailed theMediterranean. When John was eleven,he went to sea with his father and madesix voyages with him before the elder

Newton retired. In 1744 John wasimpressed into service on a man-of-war,the H. M. S. Harwich. Finding conditionson board intolerable, he deserted butwas soon recaptured and publiclyflogged and demoted from midshipmanto common seaman.

Finally at his own request he wasexchanged into service on a slave ship,which took him to the coast of Sierra

Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow is pastor of True Life Bible-PresbyterianChurch and principal of theFar Eastern Bible College

Get a copy of An Abridgement of Calvins Institutes of the

Christian Religion by RevTimothy Tow at the FEBC Bookroom in FEBC, 9A,Gilstead Road


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Leone. He then became the servant of aslave trader and was brutally abused.Early in 1748 he was rescued by a seacaptain who had known John's father.John Newton ultimately became captainof his own ship, one which plied the slavetrade.

Although he had had some earlyreligious instruction from his mother, whohad died when he was a child, he hadlong since given up any religiousconvictions. However, on a homewardvoyage, while he was attempting to steer the ship through a violent storm, heexperienced what he was to refer to later as his great

deliverance.He recorded inhis journal thatwhen allseemed lostand the shipwould surelysink, heexclaimed,Lord, have mercy upon us. Later in hiscabin he reflected on what he had said

and began to believe that God hadaddressed him through the storm andthat grace had begun to work for him.

For the rest of his life he observed theanniversary of May 10, 1748 as the dayof his conversion, a day of humiliation inwhich he subjected his will to a higher power. Thro many dangers, toils andsnares, I have already come; tis gracehas brot me safe thus far, and grace will

lead me home. He continued in theslave trade for a time after hisconversion; however, he saw to it that theslaves under his care were treatedhumanely.

In 1750 he married Mary Catlett, withwhom he had been in love for manyyears. By 1755, after a serious illness, hehad given up seafaring forever. Duringhis days as a sailor he had begun to

educate himself, teaching himself Latin,among other subjects. From 1755 to1760 Newton was surveyor of tides atLiverpool, where he came to knowGeorge Whitefield, deacon in the Churchof England, evangelistic preacher, andleader of the Calvinistic MethodistChurch. Newton became Whitefieldsenthusiastic disciple. During this periodNewton also met and came to admireJohn Wesley, founder of Methodism.Newtons self-education continued, andhe learned Greek and Hebrew.

He decided to become a minister andapplied to the Archbishop of York for ordination. The Archbishop refused his

request, but Newton persisted in his goal,and he was subsequently ordained bythe Bishop of Lincoln and accepted thecuracy of Olney, Buckinghamshire.Newtons church became so crowdedduring services that it had to be enlarged.He preached not only in Olney but inother parts of the country. In 1767 thepoet William Cowper settled at Olney,and he and Newton became friends.

Cowper helped Newton with his religiousservices and on his tours to other places.They held not only a regular weeklychurch service but also began a series of weekly prayer meetings, for which their goal was to write a new hymn for eachone. They collaborated on severaleditions of Olney Hymns, which achievedlasting popularity. The first edition,published in 1779, contained 68 piecesby Cowper and 280 by Newton.

Among Newtons contributions which arestill loved and sung today are HowSweet the Name of Jesus Sounds andGlorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,as well as Amazing Grace. Composedprobably between 1760 and 1770 inOlney, Amazing Grace was possiblyone of the hymns written for a weeklyservice. Through the years other writershave composed additional verses to the


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hymn which came to be known asAmazing Grace (it was not thus entitledin Olney Hymns), and possibly versesfrom other Newton hymns have beenadded. However, these are the sixstanzas that appeared, with minor spelling variations, in both the first editionin 1779 and the 1808 edition, the onenearest the date of Newtons death. Itappeared under the heading FaithsReview and Expectation, along with areference to First Chronicles, chapter 17,verses 16 and 17.

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)That savd a wretch like me!I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,And grace my fears relievd;How precious did that grace appear,The hour I first believd!

Thro many dangers, toils and snares,I have already come;Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promisd good to me,His word my hope secures;He will my shield and portion be,As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heartshall fail,And mortal life shall cease;I shall possess, within the veil,A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve likesnow,The sun forbear to shine;But God, who calld me herebelow,Will be forever mine.

The origin of the melody is unknown.Most hymnals attribute it to an earlyAmerican folk melody. The Bill Moyersspecial on Amazing Grace speculatedthat it may have originated as the tune of a song the slaves sang.

Newton was not only a prolific hymnwriter but also kept extensive journalsand wrote many letters. Historiansaccredit his journals and letters for muchof what is known today about theeighteenth century slave trade. InCardiphonia, or the Utterance of theHeart, a series of devotional letters, healigned himself with the Evangelicalrevival, reflecting the sentiments of his

friend John Wesley and Methodism.

In 1780 Newton left Olney to becomerector of St. Mary Woolnoth, St. MaryWoolchurch, in London. There he drewlarge congregations and influenced many,among them William Wilberforce, whowould one day become a leader in thecampaign for the abolition of slavery.Newton continued to preach until the lastyear of life, although he was blind by that

time. He died in London December 21,1807. Infidel and libertine turned minister inthe Church of England, he was secure inhis faith that amazing grace would leadhim home.

Bible Baffle !! 1. How old were the full-grown trees that God

created on the third day?2. What are the 4 riverheads from Eden?3. Which verse says .for dust thou art, and

unto dust shalt thou return.?4. What were the appointments of Abel and Cain?5. What were the dimensions of Noahs ark?6. How old was Noah when the flood of water

was upon the Earth?7. How long did the flood water prevail?8. What were the birds and sequence that

Noah sent forth out of the ark?9. How old was Abram when Hagar bare

Ishmael to him?10. Where was the place that God commandedAbraham to sacrifice Isaac?


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My first FCM meeting was not when Ientered NUS! I actually crashed into thethen NIE/NTU/Poly FCM when I was turning17 years old. I got to know this campus biblestudy through the testimonies and sharingsof ex-FCMers (eg Zuyi, Phoebe) in myprevious church. They were always sayinghow special the fellowship was among theFCMers and how much they had learnt fromevery bible study. I was infected by their passion and was beginning towonder (read: gian) when I couldgo and experience FCM for myself.After my O levels, Ithought I wanted to

study Early ChildhoodEducation in NgeeAnn Polytechnic.Since it was thatcase, I thought Ihad better just tryout Poly FCMsince I have thetime. So that wasmy first encounter withFCM and the topic of the

bible study then was onthe book of Revelation bythe very cheerful and kindbible study leader Rev Wee Eng Moh.I went for a few times always as a visitorstatus before God intervened to turn meaway from poly and directed me to junior college. As there was not any FCM group for

junior college, I stopped attending it but itwas also during this time I began to takenight classes at FEBC. I guessed FCM

helped me to realise the blessing of studyingGods word during the school week so totake night class was a natural progressioneven though I had to stop visiting FCM.Hence, when I admitted into NUS Faculty of Arts, which once again was another one of Gods providence in my life as I initially couldnot enter at all, I knew that I could not leaveGod out of the picture. Somehow, I gotroped in to serve in the FCM campcommittee before I had any official FCM

group to go to!! However, it did not reallymatter because in the committee and duringthe camp, everyone could get along wellwith each other. I never felt like an odd oneout. J When school began, I joined the SMU/ArtsFCM (the SMU group was about to formtheir own independent bible study in their own campus). As we all know, Arts FCMprides itself as a very gluttony group to havecompulsory supper after bible study.

Hmm I think I only managed to jointhem for supper two times as I

could not return home toolate. However, I was onlywith them for about 1 year

before I transferred myself to Science FCM due to

my timetable whichwas getting heavy.So which FCMgroup am I really

from? Do I state theone I first experienced,

or when I first enteredUni or the one I am going toexit from? :P The answer is,

I am just from FCM (larrrr).Though there were different

people in each group and differentbible study topics, the quality of each

FCM (by Gods supervision over all thegroups) was just top-notch, whether it be thefellowship or the feeding on Gods word. Iam also really blessed by the many peopleGod has brought into my life to know and toshare with (who know who you are!!). Evenmore comforting to know is that our

fellowship is builtupon thefoundation of Gods word andwith the sameunderstanding of the truth. I havehad Christianfriends in NUS butit is just not thesame. Having like-minded brethren is a

GraduatingTestimonies!


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blessing from God and not to be taken for granted.Here I am standing at the threshold of thenext phase of my life with a heart full of thanksgiving and gratefulness to God, for His leading, for His presence, for His patientmoulding of this lump of clay. I am glad thatFCM is one of the avenues He uses to do allthese.

A very friendly reminder before I end thistestimony- send me your weddinginvitational cards and announce the arrivalsof your new-born babes to me. Thank you!

Eileen Chee (aka 107)FCM Science (NUS)Truth BP Church

By Gods grace, in His time, God directedme to Calvary Pandan BP Church, FCMand FEBC night class. These I recognize

as Gods tabernacles of grace at that timewhere I was fed and nourished, sanctifiedand illumined by Gods Holy words. It wasalso at that time I diligently repented of mypast fashions and philosophies of the worldand sought to align my ways in the light of Gods words, to do my Fathers will, for Hisglory. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and allthese things shall be added unto you. Below is my testimony of how a wife was

beautifully added unto me in His time,upon obedience to Gods words.

Prov 18:22 Whoso findeth a wifefindeth a good thing, and obtainethfavour of the LORD.

During an FEBC night class on the bookstudy of 1&2Peter, I learnt of the biblicalinstructions for wives in 1Peter3:1-6. Butlet it be the hidden man of the heart, in

that which is not corruptible, even theornament of a meek and quiet spirit,which is in the sight of God of greatprice. Because it was stated to be inGods sight of great price, I took specialnotice of it and meditated upon it much inmy heart. Never understood how thesewords of life could lead me further until

One evening, while I was waiting in theCalvary Pandan BP Church Office for achurch friend to go to FEBC night classtogether, a young lady entered into thesame office with a dazed look andfeverishly trying to borrow a heavy dutystapler for some preparatory work for her Chinese Youth Retreat. This young ladywas Huibing. Somehow my friend for someunknown reasons gave her a coldshoulder. When I perceived that theunusual prolonged rudeness shown hadgone overboard, I chided my friend for fear that it might stumble this young lady, whosoon left the office (and wept).

Testimony

of Patrickand Huibing

Matrimony of FCM Alumni,Patrick and Huibing

NUS Arts

1999-2004

NUS Science

2000-2004


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Though my friend might have thought evilagainst her, God meant it for good - Gen50:20. Mans adversity is Godsopportunity! Through this strangeencounter, both Huibing and I wereimpressed with one another. I wasimpressed with Huibing when I saw howshe endured the cold treatment meeklyand quietly, which resonated with thewords of God regarding the meek andquiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Peter 3:6). Huibing on theother hand was impressed when Godvindicated her through my speaking out for her. Actually, Huibing had been provokedto anger, and her sinful heart had thoughtupon retaliation. But she refrained from

yielding to her carnal self when sheremembered Gods words Vengeancebelongeth unto me, I will recompense,saith the Lord Heb 10:30. It was rightat that moment when God directed myintervention, and Huibing did not need towait too long for God to recompense.Though our 1 st encounter was so brief thatwe parted without knowing how each other looked like, God had an amazing plan tobring us together again

We had signed up for an FCM retreatwhere we learned Gods word and hadsweet fellowship with likemindedbrethrens. At the end of the 1 st day, a

young lady approached me and asked meif I had seen her before. I replied cheekilythat I did that same day, I meant. Sheasked again if I had seen her in church.Again, I replied I might have since thepeople from the Chinese congregationlooked quite alike to me. When she askedthe third time, Have you seen me in thechurch office. Memories of our 1 st

encounter thunder bolted into my mind andI realised she was the meek and quiet girlI saw, and that I was her hero I askedHuibing how she guessed I was the oneshe saw. She replied that though she hadnot registered how I looked like, sheremembered my unique croaky voice whenI spoke out for her. Seemed like Love at

first Sound

Though we have little faith, our good Lordremains faithful, and is pleased to honour them that honour Him. May the Lord begracious to all His children who waitpatiently upon him and hope in his word. Psalm119:49 Remember the wordunto thy servant, upon which thou hastcaused me to hope.Matthew4:4 Man shall not live by bread

alone, but by every word that proceedethout of the mouth of God.

Bible Baffle Answers!! 1. 1 day old.2. Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel, Euphrates.

(Genesis 2:11-14)3. Genesis 3:194. Keeper of the sheep and Tiller of the ground

respectively. (Genesis 4:2)5. 300 x 50 x 30 cubits6. 600 years old. (Genesis 7:5)7. 150 days. (Genesis 7:24)8. 1) raven, 2)dove, 3)dove, 4)dove.

(Genesis 8: 7-12)9. 86 years old. (Genesis 16:16)10. Moriah. (Genesis 22:2)


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Overall FCM Coordinator :Elder Boaz Boon (Calvary Tengah BP Church)Tel: 9824 7681 (HP)E-mail: [email protected]

Nanyang Technological University/ National Institute of Education

1. NTU/NIE GroupComprising students in all the faculties of NTU & NIE

Bible Study Leader : Rev Wee Eng Moh (Pastor of Berith B-P Church)E-mail: [email protected] Coordinator : Low Boon Siang [9183 1750 (HP)]

E-mail: [email protected] Place : Hall 13, Blk 63, #03-1255 (Elder & Mrs. Sims home)Meeting Time : Every Wednesday, 6.30pmDinner : Canteen 13, 5.30pm

National University of Singapore

2. Science GroupComprising students of the Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Information& Computer Science Faculties

Bible Study Leader : Bro. Ko Lingkang (Calvary Pandan BP Church)Email: [email protected]

Student Coordinator : Lee Yujie [9107 7470 (HP)]E-mail: [email protected]

Meeting Place : Science Blk 13, 5 th Floor, one of the Tutorial Rooms,NUS Science Faculty

Meeting Time : Every Wednesday, 5.15pm

3. Arts/ Engineering GroupComprising students from the Arts, Engineering, Architecture, Building & RealEstate, Law & Business Administration Faculties

Bible Study Leader : Rev Ronny Khoo [9411 1120 (PG)]Student Coordinator : Joseph Ng [9661 1548 (HP)]

E-mail: [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]://sg.f526.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=yujie05%40gmail.commailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Meeting Place : Engineering Block E1, Level 6 th , NUS Eng. Faculty(E1-06 tutorial room)

Meeting Time : Every Friday, 6.15pm

Polytechnics

4. Comprising students from Ngee Ann, Singapore, Nanyang and TemasekPolytechnics

Bible Study Leaders : Pr. Ho Chee Lai (Gospel Light BP Church)E-mail: [email protected]

Dn Peter Phoa (Calvary Tengah BP Church)E-mail: [email protected]

Student Coordinator : Clarice Lim [9363 6276 (HP)]E-mail: [email protected] Place : Life B-P Church (Alternate Friday) or

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Alternate Thursday)Meeting Time : 6.30pm (Dinner), 7.20pm (Bible Study)

Singapore Management University

5. Comprising students from Accounting, Business Administration & ArtsFaculties

Bible Study Leaders : Bro. Wee Hian Kok (Berean BP Church)E-mail: [email protected]

Student Coordinator : Esther Huang [92383015 (HP)]E-mail: [email protected]

Meeting Place : School of Economic and Social Sciences, Group StudyRoom to be confirmed though Email or SMS

Meeting Time : Every Tuesday 5.00pm

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to theGreek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://sg.f526.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Peter_PHOA%40NYP.gov.sg&YY=56322&order=down&sort=date&pos=0mailto:[email protected]

FCM Newsletter 2007_V2 (Apr-Jun 07)

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