When one becomes a Christian, one is called to be a student of the Bible (2 Tim 2:15). A Christian, whether he likes it or not, is automatically enrolled in God’s Bible school. He is called upon to feed on the milk and meat of God’s Word not only for his own spiritual nourishment and growth but also for the sake of bringing others to the saving knowledge of the Truth (1 Tim 4:16). Every Christian embarks on a lifelong programme of theological learning that will never end.

Institutions of Biblical learning and theological training are not without Scriptural precedents. The family unit for instance may be considered a Bible institute where parents are teachers and children students (Deut 6:4-9). The church, too, may be seen as a Bible institute where pastors and elders are responsible for teaching the whole counsel of God to God’s people both young and old be it over the pulpit, in the Sunday school, in Bible studies, in fellowship groups, in neighbourhood Bible communities, in vacation Bible schools, or in church camps and retreats (Matt 28:20, Acts 20:26-28).

Formal theological training for those called to full-time ministry is not foreign to the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, we find Bible colleges in the days of Samuel (1 Sam 19:20) and of Elijah (2 Kgs 2:3,5; 4:38). Samuel was principal of a school of prophets in Naioth (1 Sam 19:19-20), Elijah founded one in Bethel and another in Jericho (2 Kings 2:3-5), and Elisha had one in Gilgal (2 Kings 4:38). In the New Testament, we see Jesus Himself forming His college of 12 disciples. The 12 underwent nearly four years of full-time theological training under the Master so that they might become Apostles of His church. We also have the Apostle Paul starting a Bible institute in a lecture hall owned by a man named Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). Paul’s work in this Bible institute led to the Gospel of Christ being preached throughout Asia Minor, and churches being founded in Ephesus, Colosse, Hierapolis and the seven cities of Revelation 2-3.

The vital need for a fundamentally trained clergy and the evangelistic vision for world missions led the founding pastor of the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore—Rev Dr Timothy Tow—to found the Far Eastern Bible College in 1962. It is without doubt that the Far Eastern Bible College is one of the key reasons for the steady growth of the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore. Keith Hinton in his book—Growing Churches Singapore Style—has documented that between 1971-83, the Bible-Presbyterian Church was the third fasting growing church (242% per decade) among Protestant denominations in Singapore. Now in 2003, there are no less that 60 congregations in the Singapore Bible-Presbyterian movement, and the growth has in no wise abated especially in the church planting missions of the various Bible-Presbyterian churches not only in East Asia, but also in Australia, Canada, England and now even Africa (see The Singapore B-P Church Story by Timothy Tow).

Since 1962, the Far Eastern Bible College has geared itself primarily to the training of pastors and missionaries in its undergraduate and graduate courses. At the outset, FEBC offered Bible-centred theological training leading to the Diploma in Theology and Bachelor of Theology degree. In 1991, the college introduced the Master of Religious Education and Master of Divinity programmes for those who already have university degrees. In 1995, the Bachelor of Religious Education degree was added, and in 1997, the Master of Theology for the equipping of those specifically called to the teaching ministry.

FEBC is very much a part of the Bible college movement. The Bible college movement began with the great preacher Dwight L Moody who strongly opposed the modernism found in the universities and seminaries of his day. Moody Bible Institute was thus founded and soon became known as "the West Point of Fundamentalism." Sadly, Moody Bible Institute is no longer the fundamentalist institution it was founded to be. Not just Moody, but many a Bible college and theological seminary today have shunted from their original fundamentalist moorings.

Nevertheless, the Lord has preserved some old institutions and raised up new ones to meet the challenges of these apostate times. He has not left Himself without a remnant and a witness. Insofar as Far Eastern Bible College is concerned, we have not wavered from the original fundamentalist purpose and stance. It is equally heartening to note that a number of our graduates are actively involved in the Bible college movement. In Myanmar, we have Rev Robert Thawm Luai who though theologically trained, studied with us for a semester at Dr Carl McIntire’s recommendation, and returned to found the Far Eastern Fundamental School of Theology with the support of Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore. In Indonesia, we have two Bible institutes—in Batam, there is Calvary Bible Training Centre, headed by Rev Kiantoro Lie with his team of lecturers, all FEBC graduates, namely, Samson Hutagalung, Phoa Ang Liang, Roska Sihombing, and Johnyanto. And in Medan, there is the Indonesia Bible Institute started by Rev Haposan Siregar. In Kenya, we have Rev Dr Mark Kim, principal of the Bible College of East Africa (a missions work of the Independent Board of Presbyterian Foreign Missions, USA) in Nairobi with his faculty of mostly FEBC-trained lecturers, namely, Rev Stephen Masila, Rev Geoffrey Lidodo, Francis Onyango, June Tan, Ephrem Chiracho, Gete Sisay, and Violet Malongo. In Kenya, we also have Rev Michael Koech who is principal of Bomet Bible Institute. Jonathan Langat, a graduate of Bomet, has just completed his MDiv studies at FEBC and is returning to teach at his alma mater. In Cambodia, we have two Bible schools started by our Korean alumni—Rev Moses Hahn and Rev David Koo with Surish from Singapore. A number of our Cambodian graduates—John Saray, An Sitha and Kin Bopha—are assisting Rev Hahn. The Bible college ministry of our graduates will no doubt accelerate the growth of God’s kingdom as more faithful men are being trained to evangelise the world and edify the church.

There is thus a vital need today not only to train a new generation of faithful pastors to serve in churches, but also faithful lecturers to teach in Bible colleges and seminaries. For this reason, the college offers a postgraduate programme leading to the Doctor of Theology (ThD) degree. FEBC’s ThD programme seeks to produce highly qualified leaders for the Bible college movement who will boldly teach and defend the Holy Scriptures within the whole spectrum of Biblical and Systematic Theology.

FEBC’s ThD programme has the endorsement of the following world-renowned scholars. Dr John Whitcomb, former professor of OT and director of doctoral studies at Grace Seminary, wrote these encouraging words: "Thank you for the good news! As our Lord may bless and provide, men will be coming from many lands to study God’s Word with you there.  No real need to come to America anymore for Th.D. studies." Dr D A Waite, president of the Dean Burgon Society, likewise wrote: "Your Th.D. program sounds great indeed, and we’ll be praying that the Lord will give you many students that will stand strong for God’s preserved Hebrew and Greek Words, the English King James Bible, and accurate and faithful translations in all the languages of the world. I am happy that you have a vision of training others in fulfillment of 2 Timothy 2:2 ‘And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.’" Dr Paul Lee Tan, author of the monumental homiletic tool Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations, wrote: "I am delighted with the news that FEBC is offering the Th.D. degree program. I know that the students will be blessed with good, solid Bible training and teaching. Usually, seminaries offering such high-level degrees tend to be ‘broad’ in their doctrinal stance, but I know FEBC will prove that it is possible to be firm and fundamental in doctrine, and yet offer post-graduate level training."

We must not forget another important role of the Bible college—the training of the laity. The biblical and theological grounding of the laity is crucial for the health and growth of any church. All Christian men and women ought to know their doctrines well. To study the Bible and to know theology is not just the responsibility of the clergy but also of the laity. I am sure every child of God desires to please his Father in heaven. How to live a victorious Christian life? There is no short cut. Every Christian needs to engage in an intensive, systematic study of God’s Word (2 Tim 2:15). Fathers need to know the Scriptures in order that they might make wise decisions that would protect their family, to lead their wife and children in the right paths (Ps 19:7-11). Mothers need to know the Scriptures so that they might nurture their children in the grace and knowledge of God (2 Tim 1:5, 2 Tim 3:15). Young people today need to know the Scriptures so that they might overcome the many temptations that entice them daily at every corner. Whether we are a Christian employer or employee, we need to know the Scriptures so that we might employ biblical ethics in our business or profession that will glorify God in the midst of a corrupt and perverse society.

It is thus vital that all Christians know well the divinely inspired Manual of life which is the Holy Bible. For this reason, the Far Eastern Bible College since the beginning has offered evening classes for the laity. Those who successfully complete 10 courses (chalking up 20 credits) will earn the Certificate of Religious Knowledge (CertRK). There is also the off-campus certificate for those who are stationed overseas or cannot attend the classes at night. FEBC seeks in every way possible to promote biblical literacy in the church. Elders and deacons of the church, Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders in the fellowship groups or neighbourhood Bible communities should spare no effort to get themselves well-grounded and prepared to serve as leaders. A church that studies together stays together. Truth unites!

When the lay members of the church are adequately equipped with the Word of God, they become a mighty force in missions and evangelism. Armed with sound biblical knowledge, they would be able to impart God’s truth correctly and confidently. Souls would be converted and lives changed, and God would be pleased to add to the church such as should be saved (Acts 2:47). This applies to those involved in short-term missions as well.