READING MONTH NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

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1 MARANATHA MESSENGER Weekly Newsletter of Private Circulation Only MARANATHA BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 16 November 2003 Present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28). Address: 63 Cranwell Road, Singapore Tel: (65) Fax: (65) Website: * Sunday School: 9.45 am Worship Service: am Wednesday Prayer Meeting: 8.00 pm Pastor: Rev Jack Sin (Pager: ) READING MONTH NOVEMBER / DECEMBER After a phone call from a concerned mother requesting for a recommendation of Christian books for her daughter during the vacation, we have decided to designate November/December as reading months for Maranatha Bible Presbyterian Church. Paul in 1 Tim 4:13 says, Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine and 2 Tim 4:13 says, The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. The parchments would refer to the Holy Scriptures, (possibly Old Testament manuscripts) and these were what the Apostle Paul before his death wanted to read. With the help of Jerilyn and George, we have specially set aside some library books for youth and children and the synopsis done (from the back cover of these books) and printed out for our edifying perusal (see insert). We will like to encourage parents to join the children in reading edifying Christian literature and some of them are also available from the MRM at reasonable prices. See George, Lucy, Sally, Doris or Elias for titles like Pentecost Today, Wonder Book, Spiritual Depression and others. For example, the celebrated Pilgrim Progress by John Bunyan for children (animated with pictures) and VCDs on Biblical themes like Joshua and the Walls and Jericho, David & Goliath and Moses & the Red Sea can be borrowed or bought for your family s perusal. For parents, there is the latest resources on Building Up a Covenant Family, Steps to Sharing the Gospel Effectively and The Practice of Infant Baptism and a new resource on Family Worship devotions designed for family worship will be ready by next year. God willing, do let the MRM members know of books or resources that you are interested in and we will try to source (or develop) them for your edifying use. Rather than occupying our time in worldly pastime and leisure only, let us strive to grow in godliness and the knowledge of the truth by consciously reading the Bible and other good books. Reading the Word of God and Christian literature are an integral part of learning and growing in the knowledge of the Lord and His Word. Let us

2 discipline ourselves in this spiritual exercise and grow as a family and church together. Jack Sin Introduction Summary of the book PENTECOST - TODAY by Iain H. Murray The author Ian Murray begins by giving the correct understanding of the word revival since this term has invariably changed in meaning over the course of time. As a noun, the word revival has been commonly linked to a phenomenon while its verb form revive has taken the meaning of a resuscitation or a coming alive as it is used in the Bible. Three views on the concept of revival were discussed. One such view propounds that occasional revivals are not biblical because the Pentecost has already come once and for all and that any waiting of a revival as a result of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a serious mistake (7). This teaching virtually eliminates the possibility of post- Pentecost revivals. Another view holds that the occurrence of a revival is dependent upon the obedience of the church and the behaviour of Christians. It believes that revival can be secured either by a relentless evangelistic campaign or by a renewed commitment to repentance and sanctification. However, this view has the tendency for revival to become dependent on the acts of men rather than God. The old school view to which the writer subscribes is the closest to Scripture. It incorporates the good qualities of the two other views while avoiding the mistakes that they are bound to produce. While it accepts the permanency of the Spirit s presence, yet at the same time it also ascribes periodic revivals in church history to the mighty outpourings of the Holy Spirit according to the sovereign will of God. Theology can affect the way a person understands revival. One such example is the case of the 19 th century revivalist Charles Finney. He does not believe in the total depravity of man and that man, on his own, can come to Christ which can be manifested by an outward action such as responding to an altar call. Finney also claimed that revivals could be promoted by the right use of human means, in effect reducing the role of God. Most certainly, this could not be biblical revival as it undermines the sovereignty of God in the conversion of sinners. The next chapter gives a careful and balanced discussion about the responsibility of man and the sovereignty of God in relation to revival. There are three areas of responsibility that man must assume the pursuit of holiness in conduct, upholding the truth of God s word, and the exercise of faith. However, performing these Christian duties can only be deemed as instrumental means, not as causes, to any blessing of a revival. For it is still the grace of God working through these means that brings about the result that is according to His desired will.

3 On the role of prayer in revival, the author points out the same problem of drawing the line between responsibility and sovereignty. The occurrence of revival does not depend on the quantity of prayer. Again, this may appear as if man (or his prayer) is the cause of revival. On the other hand, God can indeed use prayer as a means of blessing. But whatever the outcome, the sovereign God will still rules and overrules. The rediscovery of biblical doctrines is the key to revival. As long as man entertains the notion that his actions can bring about blessings of a revival, the church will remain spiritually weak. Human pre-occupation with revival is not the first need. To know and enjoy God is. Chapter four tackles the issue of preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit. Revivals are marked as times when the Spirit of God fills preachers in a conspicuous way. This was evident in the ministry of such great preachers as Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, and George Whitefield among others. The author categorizes the two main elements that constitute powerful preaching. The first element states that the power of the Holy Spirit makes the truth plain to both preacher and hearer (p. 87) and the second is that the power of the Holy Spirit is evident in the experience, which he gives of the love of God (90). Both elements are vital in any revival preaching. The confusion over the place of individual Christian experiences in revival was addressed in chapter five. Errors oftentimes stem out of drawing the wrong conclusions from human experience. Misinterpretations even of true experiences result in wrong teachings on the concept of revival. It was stressed by the author that the study of Christian experience should first be made in the light of Scripture, then in the light of the work of Christ. A view about the two-stage experience of the Holy Spirit s filling espoused that the Christian receives the Spirit in a limited manner at the time of conversion. After that, he must receive the baptism of the Spirit after conversion to experience the fullness of the Spirit. But the old school theology teaches that there is no one post-conversion experience of the filling of the Spirit to be sought by Christians because the work of the Spirit in a believer is progressive and on-going in nature and does not proceed from any single post-conversion experience. Older evangelicalism does believe in sudden and extraordinary manifestations of God s presence and power although these experiences must not be seen as a standard for all. The Spirit s work is varied according to the many differing conditions of Christians and according to the purposes of Christ (122). In all these, the author concluded that the special experiences brought about by the filling of the Spirit are to be greatly desired. However, they must not be sought at the expense of personal holiness, prayer, and Christian service and we are not in any way to prescribe the way and measure in which one may receive the Spirit s blessings. The perennial problem of fanaticism during revival was addressed in the penultimate chapter. Quoting Whitefield, fanaticism was described as mistaking the fancy for faith, and imagination for revelation (141). There is a real danger posed by fanaticism in that it is liable to reappear in orthodox and evangelical churches time and again. And ironically, it often occurs even among the earnest of Christians. Furthermore, fanaticism can easily discredit genuine revivals when it is being branded as a mere display of emotionalism. Fanaticism usually gains a strong following among younger

4 and immature Christians. It is characterized by its emphasis on phenomena, experiences, and emotions that is generally revealed by a spirit of pride. Consequentially, fanaticism creates unwanted schisms in the church and it allows for unregenerate men to enter the churches. There are six benefits that will result from a genuine revival as outlined in the last chapter of this book. Firstly, revival restores faith in the Bible and its doctrines. Secondly, revival restores the scriptural meaning to the word Christian. Another benefit of revival is that it provides a fast paced advance of the gospel. Revivals can also affect the society at large in a moral sense as the forsaking of sins and transformation takes place in the lives of regenerated men. Still another benefit is that it diverts the human tendencies into godly piety in preparing and training the ministers of God. Lastly, revival will bring about real admiration and true adoration of God in public worship. Conclusion The book closes out with three appended articles. Appendix 1 discusses the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit. Appendix 2 is an article by Hugh Martin which further explains the coordination of Divine and human agency already discussed in the earlier chapters. Appendix 3 is taken from an Act of the Virginia Synod and deals with the Presbyterian doctrine on Regeneration, Inability and Free-Agency. I encourage everyone to read the book to understand the importance and relevance of revival today. Richard M. Tiu (NB: The book is available from MRM). SERIES OF RELEVANT LECTURES BY DR RALPH COLAS By the higher hand of God, Dr Ralph Colas, Executive Director of the American Council of Christian Churches (founded by Dr Carl McIntire in 1941) will be here in Singapore ministering at Calvary Pandan BPC from November on a series of heart stirring and pertinent messages outlining the Biblical challenge in the urgent continuance of the 21 st Reformation Movement in these last perilous days. The programme is appended below pm at Calvary Pandan Bible Presbyterian Church, 201 Pandan Gardens Mon The Final Showdown Tue Separation God s Lifeline of Faith Wed Reformation Outdated, Protestants No Longer Protesting Thur Globalism One World Religion Fri Unbending 7,000 Who & Where? Sat 4-6 pm (Grand Finale Seminar) Will Our Sons Defend the Faith? Discussants: Dr Timothy Tow, Dr Peter Ng and Dr Paul Choo, chaired by Dr Tow Siang Hwa). Instead of having our normal Wednesday Prayer Meeting night and the Hougang NBC on Friday night, we urge everyone to make an appointment to attend these edifying

5 and uplifting messages for the five nights and Saturday afternoon as well. Pray for a profitable time of learning, fellowship and spiritual challenge as we seek to honour the Lord in the defence of the Faith and the propagation of the pure and unadulterated gospel of Christ in this decadent age of moral and spiritual decline. Jack Sin FROM A GRATEFUL HEART Enclosed is a cheque for the Church s Building Fund. I can see the need of a new church site. I am looking forward by faith to see the new Maranatha Church. Though the sum is insignificant, (bashful), I believe it is acceptable unto the Lord. By the strength of the Lord, I will continue to pledge this sun continuously to the Church. May our Gracious Heavenly Father bless His own church and all His truly beloved according to His own Riches in Jesus Christ our Lord and may His church grow spiritually, as well as numerously. Amen. In Christ MM avid reader At the Pulpit Theme for the Quarter: Cultivating Christian Disciplines Rev Jack Sin "The Discipline of Wholesome Communication (2 Sam 16:5-14; Col 3:8-13) *These hyperlinks work with Word 97 and later version. [End of MM, 16 November 2003]