HOW BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN ARE WE?
The following are Rev. Timothy Tow’s points (founder of the Singapore BP Movement) taken from the weekly of Life Bible-Presbyterian Church dated 13 January 1980. I have adopted these points to fit our current situation here in Singapore.

  1. The reason we prefix Presbyterian with BIBLE is to witness an inerrant and infallible Bible which, sad to say, many Presbyterian churches today deny. Moreover, this also differentiates us from the Presbyterian Church in Singapore to which we once belong in view of our mother denomination being a part of the Ecumenical movement known as the World Council of Churches. “Ecumenical” means worldwide or universal. The WCC which aims to unite with Rome, has no scruples about purity of doctrine or fellowship. On the other hand, we stand firmly for a 21st Century Reformation Movement, true to our Protestant heritage, and importantly, true to the perfect Word of God.
  2. Bible-Presbyterians love the Bible. We urge you to obtain your own copy of the Bible, not only to be carried around to church for worship, or to Bible Class for study, but also for reading every day.
  3. Bible-Presbyterians read and meditate on the Bible. But many do not except on Sunday. How can one eat once a week? We also have the Read Pray Grow notes which serves to aid every Christian in their daily devotions. How is your Quiet Time with the Lord?
  4. Bible-Presbyterians should practice what the Bible teaches (James 1:22).
  5. Bible-Presbyterians should teach others, not only in Sunday School, but rather our children at home, the others in the Fellowship Groups and Bible Classes. But first we must know the Word of God well. Read Hebrews 5:12-14.
  6. Bible-Presbyterians love to extend their B-P witness. What can we do for the B-P witness as Tabernacle Bible-Presbyterian Church?
  7. Bible-Presbyterians must extend the Bible Message to the ends of the earth in obedience to our Lord’s commission. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt. 28:18-20)

Editor’s Note
We must be concerned that the generations to come must know why we are Bible-Presbyterians. “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast
with God.” (Ps. 78:1-8)

However, it has come to my attention that there are recent attempts to revise Bible-Presbyterian history. Old problems have also begun to resurface in new forms. If we are not careful, we will move away from the roots of the B-P faith. Are we concerned for the B-P witness? Are we concerned for the future generations? Then we must respond.

How then should we respond? Pray and ask the Lord to direct us regarding this matter.

Yours lovingly
Pastor Clement Chew