Friday, February 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
The ERCS (Evangelical Reformed Churches in Singapore) will be taking a vote concerning the matter of the dissolution of the ERCS. This will take place in the Class is of 3 March 2007. I would like to offer my personal reflections on how this state of affairs came to the ERCS after bring existence since 1982.
1. The teaching of Divorce and Remarriage were not clearly and explicitly preached and taught. This is evident when the older members cannot recall a single sermon devoted to such a topic. This teaching was neglected, perhaps, they did not see a real need for preaching on a topic or a scenario that did not exist in that time.
2. There was a growing group of people that preferred the theology of the Westminster Confession of Faith rather than the 3 Forms of Unity, as represented by the Protestant Reformed Churches. So, naturally, when the issue came up many opted with the viewpoint of the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Lessons learnt from this controversy
1. The whole counsel of God must be taught, even though there was no current case. In fact, through our controversy we have learnt that it is much too late to wait for an existing case to happen to begin preaching. When this controversy came about, the ERCS classis forbid preaching on this matter.
2. Churches must preach the Word of God concerning D & R, and not be silent on this matter. Furthermore, the life of the churches ought to reflect the new distinctive and not deny this truth.
3. There is a need to separate from the other church that takes another view, that is, Remarriage of the Innocent party.
What are the reasons?
a. The issue is a matter of sin, and not an indifferent matter or a matter of opinions but a strong conviction of God's Word
b. A continance in this denomination or association will cause us to deny the truth of No - Remarriage. This is the case bacause whenever there are combined meetings there is an unwritten rule of understanding that we are not to speak of things that divide but speak of things that unite.
c. Such an association will hamper the growth of the Church so that she will not be able to grow as she ought to
c. If we ever have joint activities, we must go there with the aim to call them to repentance. Fellowship is out of the question as they have committed an error and such an error will lead to sin.
1. The teaching of Divorce and Remarriage were not clearly and explicitly preached and taught. This is evident when the older members cannot recall a single sermon devoted to such a topic. This teaching was neglected, perhaps, they did not see a real need for preaching on a topic or a scenario that did not exist in that time.
2. There was a growing group of people that preferred the theology of the Westminster Confession of Faith rather than the 3 Forms of Unity, as represented by the Protestant Reformed Churches. So, naturally, when the issue came up many opted with the viewpoint of the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Lessons learnt from this controversy
1. The whole counsel of God must be taught, even though there was no current case. In fact, through our controversy we have learnt that it is much too late to wait for an existing case to happen to begin preaching. When this controversy came about, the ERCS classis forbid preaching on this matter.
2. Churches must preach the Word of God concerning D & R, and not be silent on this matter. Furthermore, the life of the churches ought to reflect the new distinctive and not deny this truth.
3. There is a need to separate from the other church that takes another view, that is, Remarriage of the Innocent party.
What are the reasons?
a. The issue is a matter of sin, and not an indifferent matter or a matter of opinions but a strong conviction of God's Word
b. A continance in this denomination or association will cause us to deny the truth of No - Remarriage. This is the case bacause whenever there are combined meetings there is an unwritten rule of understanding that we are not to speak of things that divide but speak of things that unite.
c. Such an association will hamper the growth of the Church so that she will not be able to grow as she ought to
c. If we ever have joint activities, we must go there with the aim to call them to repentance. Fellowship is out of the question as they have committed an error and such an error will lead to sin.
Monday, February 19, 2007
A book, "Christianity and Neo-Liberalism" by Paul M. Elliot
This is an excellent read. If you are a pastor, elder and deacon you ought to get a copy to read it. It is a very tragic account of a reputable theological seminary and groups of churches denying the fundamentals of the Christian Faith. This is a sad account where a reputable reformed seminary and group of churches succumbing to false doctrine. That this was deliberately kept from the people for about 30 years. And the tragic consequence is that this institution has produced ministers, missionaries that has infiltrated the Reformed churches with their errors. Now, the error is not a minor error but concerns the way of salvation. This is a worthy saying, "The church that does not learn from its errors are condemned to repeat its errors"
I have learnt the various lessons:
1. Do not condone false doctrine by our silence, connivance and accommodation.
2. False doctrine, if left alone will grown an affect the entire church, even entire denomination
3. False doctrine must be dealt with swiftly by disciplining those who teaches false doctrine
4. There must be a antithetical preaching and teaching to expose false doctrine so that God's people know errors from truth
5. Elders and Pastors must be vigilant in upholding the truth and not for the sake of friendship sell the truth for the pottage of popularity, reputation and what not.
I have learnt the various lessons:
1. Do not condone false doctrine by our silence, connivance and accommodation.
2. False doctrine, if left alone will grown an affect the entire church, even entire denomination
3. False doctrine must be dealt with swiftly by disciplining those who teaches false doctrine
4. There must be a antithetical preaching and teaching to expose false doctrine so that God's people know errors from truth
5. Elders and Pastors must be vigilant in upholding the truth and not for the sake of friendship sell the truth for the pottage of popularity, reputation and what not.
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