Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew

 

More Questions from CPBPC's Family Camp 2016

1) When does feeling fearful become sinful? Rev 21:8

Answer -- Revelation 21:8 (KJV) "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." The fearful ones here do not include those who sin against God by not speaking up or are afraid in a moment of fearfulness. They will truly repent and turn back to the LORD and stand up for Christ again. The fearful ones in this verse are those who continuously do not defend the Name of Christ or the Word of God when it comes under attack. They keep silent for fear of losing property, job, health, loved ones and their lives. They will deny Christ by their silence or compromises. They do not feel bad about the fact that they have hidden their "faith" in Christ because of their cowardice.

 

2) Is lack of faith a sin?

Answer – Lack of faith is definitely a sin. There are those who lack faith at the point of salvation resulting in no salvation at all. They are not born again for they only gave to God lip service without a genuine conversion. The other group who lacks faith have a little faith. Their little faith will cause them to sin in times of severe trials because they did not exercise their weak faith. Both of these groups are found throughout the Old and New Testaments as a warning to us. Two verses from the Bible that teach the importance of faith in the believer's life are: Romans 14:23 (KJV) ". . . for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." and Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

 

3) Which of the 7 churches describes Pandan right now?

Answer – The church is not a building but the people who call themselves Christians. The seven churches in the Book of Revelation describe the people in these churches. Many churches will go through phases where the majority of their members might resemble the characteristics of the seven churches throughout their existence. A church could have begun small and poor and suffered persecution in her early days. Some of the members endured even unto death. Then the church grew and her numbers increased over time. Then they ended up like the church of Ephesus which was strong in doctrine and left her first love. They might have progressed further to be like the church of Laodicea whereby they became rich in material things but they did not know that they are poor and bankrupt in spiritual things.

 

CPBPC is a church that has all the symptoms of the seven churches because these describe the many different kinds of people who attend the church. There are those who are strong in doctrine but have become legalistic and left their first love for Christ and for God's people. There are those like the churches in Smyrna and Philadelphia who when tested pass the test by holding on to their faith in obeying the Scriptures at all costs. Some are like the church of Pergamos who are strong in faith but they are carnal and commit the sins of the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. Others are like the church in Thyatira who are serving in many areas but they allow certain influential individuals who sin to get away with it. The church in Sardis might describe some who bank on past glories and think that as long as they are in CPBPC they are right with God. They are blind to their present life of waywardness. The worst are those in CPBPC who have much material things and they equate their material possessions with God's blessings. They love mammon and their confidence is in their mammon rather than in Christ. They are not aware that they are miserable, naked and poor!

 

CPBPC has all of them. The question is not what CPBPC is like but rather which of these seven churches best reflects US individually!

 

4) Why do discussion groups seem to be age based, rather than a mixture of young & old?

Answer – One of the main reasons for age based discussion groups is that it encourages more to share as they are among their peers. Also, they are probably going through the same challenges of life. A more spiritually mature moderator is always assigned to all groups regardless of age. Hopefully this will facilitate a more biblical discussion and conclusion.

 

5) CPBPC is like the Ephesus church: strong in doctrine but not compassionate/caring to own members, let alone visitors. Apart from inviting people to CGs and fellowship groups, how else can members improve in caring for members?

Answer – CPBPC has a benevolent committee that is doing a wonderful ministry in helping a fair number of individuals and families behind the scene. This ministry has been going on for some years by the grace of God. As mentioned earlier, CPBPC is a mixture of all the seven churches because the characteristics of these seven churches are found in all the members. It may appear that CPBPC is like the church in Ephesus because of the emphasis on the Bible. The emphasis on the Bible is right and was not condemned by Christ.

 

What is first love? First love is to love everyone alike according to Holy Scriptures. It means to balance holiness with compassion when sinners repent. It means to love in truth and to help everyone in the church to become better believers in Christ. The care for members begins by coming to church to pray for one another. When believers share their lives together before God's throne in prayer, then they will surely be moved to do the right thing. They will be burdened by the Holy Spirit to help the ones whom God wants them to help. Many have been providing in this way. More can be done when more come to prayer meetings to pray for one another.

 

6) CPBPC emphasizes on Bible study and less on evangelism. True or false?

Answer – This is not true. When the Word of God is emphasized, evangelism is the fruit. After knowing more of the Word of God, one cannot help but have a burden for lost souls. The study of God’s Word comes first and evangelism follows closely behind in the believer’s life. The reason is that when a genuine believer studies the Word of God, he obeys the Word. The more he obeys the Word, his mind and heart will become more like God's. The more his mind and heart are like God's, the more he will evangelise. Evangelism is more than just giving out tracts. It is to invite family and friends from home, school and work to come to church and to gospel meetings. It is to live a life of holiness before loved ones and friends so that they will not despise Christ because of the sinful testimony of professing Christians. The right emphasis is important as we do not wish to put the cart in front of the horse!

 

7) What are CPBPC’s "past glories"? What does the leadership think about the status of the church in terms of whether we are pleasing God?

Answer – There is the individual witness and the church witness. As a church witness, the Bible Presbyterian (B-P) movement in Singapore has a reputation for being strict on compromise and strong on the doctrine of biblical separation. The B-P movement had in the past made it public that they were against the Billy Graham Crusade that was held in Singapore in the 1970's. B-P church members went to the National Stadium where the crusade was held and handed out pamphlets to warn of the compromises of Billy Graham. They did so even when the majority of churches in Singapore supported the crusade. CPBPC was one of the B-P churches in the forefront of this spiritual effort.

 

As long as all things are done according to Holy Scriptures, any church can have the confidence that what they are doing is pleasing in the sight of God. As a church witness, all churches are supposed to have these key elements in order to be pleasing in the sight of God. These elements are found in the first local church in Jerusalem. Acts 2:41-47 (KJV) "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." [emphasis added] The list includes: water baptism; obedience to God's Word, i.e. the Word of God must be preached and taught; Christian fellowship; breaking of bread, i.e. Lord's Supper; prayer; and tithe and offering. These are important, for through these ministries a believer must enter into the church and grow in grace and in the Lord Jesus Christ in his Christian walk. A sinner who comes in to our church must see how genuine believers live and find salvation in Christ through the faithful preaching of the gospel, preached according to Scriptures.

Thank God that these are found in CPBPC by the grace and mercy of God.

 

8) What safeguards has CPBPC made to ensure that our future leaders stay true to the Word of God and the church remains fundamental in doctrine and practice?

Answer – The safeguard is in the Lord. Also, pray for and support FEBC because that is where the all faithful churches get their future generation of faithful servants of God. If there is no FEBC we are in serious trouble. If a member of CPBPC is truly called to the full-time ministry, there is no better place on earth other than FEBC where he can be trained to become a faithful B-P pastor knowledgeable in the doctrines of the B-P faith. That is why Satan keeps attacking FEBC. After the called ones are trained, their calling will be assessed. Then they will be tested and examined carefully through years of observation as they serve in and outside the church. Their faithfulness will be most important. Their gifts will also be assessed, for a pastor must be able to preach and teach the Word of God if he is truly called to be a pastor. God will enable him.

 

Most important of all, we must pray and plead with God for mercy to keep the church faithful. He alone is able to do it. Man can do his small part but God is the One who actually keeps a church faithful and good. Psalm 127:1-2 (KJV) "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."

 

9) Can there be a platform for dialogue between the leadership and members whereby we can clarify any issues or discuss problems which the members may have? This may help alleviate the incidence of members who leave the church with unresolved issues.

Answer – The platform is always there. The door is always open. All members and friends can approach any of the leaders at any time to clarify any issue or doctrine that they might have.

 

10) There are many B-P Churches in Singapore. Which ones would the church view/recommend as fundamental? Besides the ‘usual’ ones mentioned – Gethsemane, Truth, New Life?

Answer – A church is a home on earth away from the believer's eternal home in glory. It is a place where he comes home to every Lord's Day and worships his heavenly Father together with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ. It is the best day of his week. Look for a church that is sound and good. As mentioned in the answer to question 7 above, a biblical church must have all the said elements. The believer needs to go to a church that has all these elements in order to help him grow in the Lord so that his witness for Christ can improve.

 

Listing the names of the churches would not be prudent and wise as churches change and it takes time to evaluate carefully which church is suitable for the believer to attend. Some might mistakenly misunderstand that those that are not listed are "bad" and those that are included are "good." What is required of every believer is not to attend any church blindly. Do your due diligence and scrutinize very carefully whether a church is sound and biblical and whether it is suitable for your spiritual growth.

 

If you need help to evaluate a particular church, do not hesitate to ask the leaders who will be more than happy to help you find a suitable church to help you grow spiritually. The most important concern of every leader in a biblical church is every worshipper's spiritual well being in Christ. If you find that your spiritual life is not growing in a particular church, look for another sound and biblical church to help you grow spiritually. You must grow spiritually to be a stronger and more effective witness for Christ. This is what a church must be able to provide in your spiritual life!