It was suggested by several brothers and sisters that we should constantly reminisce and reiterate our church’s conviction, revelation and vision in a yearly exercise, just as the purpose of the book “Deuteronomy”, in order that old members do not forget God’s calling and mission for us, and new members may jointly build up the church and keep watch in one accord. Most importantly, to hand on the baton of faith to the next generation. A “deuteronomy” had been scheduled for our church’s anniversary in March this year, but it is now postponed due to the pandemic. We have briefly shared it during the Life Bible Study on 30 September and is now sharing it in writing. We hope that members of the body of Christ may take a read and we seek all members of the body to intercede for the church to remain faithful to God’s entrustment and commission in this time and age.
The reformers have derived from the New Testament three fundamental marks and four main functions of the church. The three marks are: preaching of the Word of God, the keeping of Lord’s Supper and Baptism, discipline of the saints. The four functions are: worship, nurturing, evangelism and social support for the weak (otherwise termed as social care, social service, social compassion). We thank God that our church has set out soundly till this day under the guidance of the late Reverend Lai Zhunduo.
Our Conviction
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18
Even before we found a venue for gathering, we had established a clear conviction for the church, that is,
- Faithful to the Bible. To diligently preach and teach the Bible.
- Baptist principles. According to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.
- Strict refusal of charismatics. Do not participate in the charismatic movement.
- Leadership of the church. The church is to be led by a group of elders, who is led by the minister, who is also a full-time elder.
Our Vision
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17
In March 2007, God clearly gave Reverend Lai a vision of the church we are going to build togetehr. Reverend Lai then led a few brothers and sisters, and me in several rounds of prayer and discussion on this vision. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit for placing the same vision in our hearts till today.
- A foretaste of heaven
“It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133:3
Every person to be diligent in the work of sanctification according to the teachings in the Bible, so that the church becomes a place where believers enjoy a foretaste of heaven.
- Sola Scriptura
“and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” Ephesians 2:16
Believers are not to in any way segregate themselves by nationality, ethnicity or spoken language, but to serve, learn and grow mature together within the church.
- Intergenerational
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Acts 16:31
We truly believe that it is God’s will for the entire family of a believer to serve one God. A family filled with the Word and love is a strong testament of the Gospel.
- Bilingual
At the same time, we behold the marvellous heavenly sight where grandparents and their offspring worship God, praise Him and pray to Him together. We hope to support believers in their evangelism to their family members who have yet to believe through worship.
Therefore, the church in our vision is a bilingual gathering, not separated by language.
Our Aspiration
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18
An aspiration is a workplan set in accordance to the vision given by God. It is long-term and we need to wait for God to make a way for us. Therefore, we often pray for our aspiration, and if God is willing, the work shall be done.
- Bible School
The concept of a Bible school is not new but is an evergreen aspiration of the church. When a church has reached a certain stage of maturity, it needs to provide theological education for brothers and sisters and to prepare workers for God’s ministries. Not every place has a suitable seminary in every age. Similarly, not every believer is ready to advance according to the curriculum of a seminary.
We hope to organise the current theological courses conducted within the church according to a curriculum. If the Lord is willing, we hope to operate our Bible School in 2022.
- Pre-school education
Our church bears a burden for the next generation, both in the church and in the society we live. As pre-school education has a direct impact on the faith of our children, our common conviction is that offspring of Christians should receive pre-school education in Christian kindergartens. The present trial is that the societal conditions do not favour the operations of Christian kindergartens, hence resulting in a sharp decline in the numbers of Christian Kindergarten. Nonetheless, God inspired us to reclaim this lost land. Therefore, we are willing to step up for the offspring of Christians in Singapore, may the Lord use us.
Our Mission
“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” Ephesians 2:17
We cannot leave out the mission work, as this is one of the main purposes for the church to be in the world. Since our beginning, our mission is guided by “mission in writing, teaching and preaching”. Our literature ministry is one strong arm of our mission. Although we are deeply concerned about the salvation of our Chinese counterparts, we did not predestine a particular mission field for ourselves. Instead, we submit to God’s sovereign will and await His calling for us, to go to the threshing floor that God sends us to.
Thanks be to God, He opened the door to the backyard of China through Penang Northern Thailand Mission Fellowship. At the end of our first year, our first batch of brothers and sisters entered the gospel threshing floor of God in Northern Thailand for the Chinese minority group. Concurrently, God brought a batch after another Chinese nursing students to Singapore and distinctly presented before us the way for local mission. In our obedience to God, we started our mission in the villages in northern Thailand and our evangelism with the nursing student ministry.
Closing: The threshing floor of Araunah
God did not promise us a smooth sailing journey. On the contrary, the bible warns us that the enemies of God will constantly spring up to attack the body of Christ and seek to defile Christ’s bride in many aspects. Dear brothers and sisters, the church belongs to Christ. Christ saved us and placed us in Truth Baptist Church as a member of His body, so that we may build her up, keep watch of her and love her. This is how we are to remain faithful.
God instructed prophet Gad to say to David,
“‘Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.’… Araunah said to David, ‘O king, Araunah gives all this to the king.’ But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.” 2 Samuel 24:18-25
Dear saints of Truth Baptist Church, personal sacrifices is required to build up the church of God. Let us labour diligently, cling on to the Word of God and walk according to the will of God, so that Truth Baptist Church may become a church that glorifies the Lord, just like the threshing floor of Araunah offered by David, which was pleasing in God’s eyes and became where Solomon built the temple of the Lord!
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