JUL 6

Titus 1:5
Memorise Acts 5:29
“We ought to obey God rather than men”

Our second root is the English root, which can be traced to the English Presbyterian Mission who witnessed to our ancestors in South China. They heard, believed and became active in the work of the Lord. Their descendants migrated to Singapore and started or became active in God’s Work here. Many of them worshipped in the Presbyterian Church at Prinsep Street.

The special characteristic of the English Presbyterians is their Non-conformist stance compared to the established Church, i.e. the Church of England or Anglican Church with her bishops and Archbishop. Many English Puritan ministers did not want to conform to the conditions laid out in the Act of Uniformity of 1662. This Act sought to enforce uniformity to the state religion i.e. the Church of England which previously had shown tolerance. These ministers could not agree to all that was prescribed in the new Book of Common Prayer. Thus 2000 English ministers were expelled, losing their position and pension.

The Church should be ruled by a plurality of elders or presbyters according to the Scriptures, and not be controlled by the state. Titus 1:5-7 is one of several Bible passages which teach this. The Apostle Paul instructed Titus to “ordain elders in every city” for Crete had many cities. The churches in the various cities were to have elders to oversee the preaching of the Gospel, administer the Sacraments and see to the spiritual welfare of the flock.

The Act of Uniformity brought about some of the darkest days that the Church of Christ has ever known, yet God brought good out of the evil. The expelled ministers went to the hills and fields of England and preached to thousands that they could never have in the confines of a church. Today too we look back at admiration at the courage and sacrifice of these godly Puritans who stood for the truth of God. May we follow in their train.

Thought: Are we willing to suffer poverty and humiliation in order to honour God?
Prayer: Gracious heavenly Father, grant me the courage to take the persecution that comes from taking a stand for Thy Truth