FEBC Under Siege by Life BPC:
Pray for Peace and Unity Based on Truth and Charity

THE LIFE BP CHURCH-FEBC MATTER

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor, Calvary Pandan BP Church

1.  I call to attention the serious error and injustice contained in a letter dated 5 January 2008 from the Board of Elders, Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (LBPC), signed by the Rev Charles Seet, addressed to Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow, Principal, Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) .

Quote:

“Unless expressed permission is granted by LBPC, any unauthorized use of our Sanctuary would be a trespass on our property and we would not hesitate to take necessary actions against trespassers.”

2.  This was sent in reply to a letter from Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow, Principal of Far Eastern Bible College, dated 4 January 2008, asserting the right of FEBC to use the Sanctuary, a right upheld by an AGREEMENT between the LIFE BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH and the FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE on the 4^th day of March 1970, and signed by Elder Joshua Lim and Elder Seow Chong Pin, representing Life Church, and Rev Quek Kiok Chiang and Deacon Patrick Tan representing FEBC, with Elder Tow Siang Hwa as Chairman.

3.  This sacred and solemn AGREEMENT has been in force and never violated since the date of signing 4 March 1970 until the uncharitable breach by BOE, Life Church on 5 January 2008.

4.  I write as Chairman of the Joint Life Church-FEBC Committee which drew up the AGREEMENT; also as one of the founders of Life Church (1950) and FEBC (1962), and President of FEBC (1976 – 1988).  I had intended to hold my peace, in the FEBC-Life Church matter.  But when this latest eruption came to light, I am moved to speak up, for if I should hold my peace, “The stones would immediately cry out” (Lk 19:40).

5.  Since the Life Church Board of Elders “deems” VPP as “… erroneous and a heresy” I would point out that the opinion is unproven.  A difference of perception does not make a godly and Biblical Statement a “heresy.”  My book “Beyond Versions” (1998) totally and unequivocably supports the “Verbal, Plenary, Preservation” of the texts underlying the KJB (namely the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Textus Receptus).

6.  For your further reading I append the following:

a)  Letter of 4 January 2008 from Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow to Elder Tan Yew Chong, Estate Management Committee, Life Church;

b)  Reply of 5 January 2008 from BOE Life Church (signed by Rev Charles Seet) to Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow.

c)   AGREEMENT between Life Bible-Presbyterian Church and FEBC dated 4 March 1970.

7.   Some thoughts for consideration

I refer to our BP Constitution 4.2.1 which speaks of our belief.

Q.  What do we believe?

A.  Constitution Article 4.2.1 says:

• “We believe in the divine, verbal and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures in the original languages …”

              This first part of the Article refers to the “inspiration” of the Autographs (which ONLY were INSPIRED)

• “… their consequent inerrancy and infallibility …”

This second part of the Article refers to both the original AUTOGRAPHS (no more in existence), and their copies or APOGRAPHS (MANUSCRIPTS or TEXTS).  From these came the translated Bibles. 

• Between the INERRANT and INFALLIBLE APOGRAPHS and the TRANSLATION into “BIBLES / VERSIONS” thousands of years have elapsed, exposing the MANUSCRIPTS to various corrupting / destructive forces.  How then can we have a BIBLE / VERSION  which may be held up as “GOD’S WORD, INERRANT and INFALLIBLE?”
   

• Answer:  God has, over thousands of years, PERFECTLY PRESERVED A BODY OF MANUSCIPTS, “KEPT PURE” (WCF) INERRANT AND INFALLIBLE.  These we believe, are in the Hebrew Masoretic Texts and the Greek Textus Receptus.

• God’s providential and singular care and protection of His own WORD through thousands of years is thus expressed:  VPP

VERBAL                               meaning          “WORDS”

PLENARY                             meaning          “COMPLETE”                     

PRESERVATION                 meaning          “KEPT PURE” 

• VPP is the vital LINK between the INSPIRED WORD (AUTOGRAPHS) and our BIBLE, the KJV.  Without VPP we have no INERRANT and INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD, the KJV.

• VPP is God’s gift:  it is not heresy.

b)  The AGREEMENT between Life Church and FEBC of 1970 has not lost its value.  It is binding on both parties.  We are morally and loyally bound to honour what has been handed down by our Elders.

c)   FEBC therefore has every right of access and usage of COLLEGE ANNEX, CHURCH AND COLLEGE EXTENSION, CHURCH AUDITORIUM (SANCTUARY) and all other rooms named in the AGREEMENT.  To consent to this is charitable: it honours our Lord, Head of Church and College.

8.   Finally, to the Brethren at Life BPC and FEBC, allow me to say a fraternal word:  the day of filial charity is not over.  A looking back, recalling the God-given 50 golden years, a melting of hearts, by a kind word, retrieve lost ground, and reconcile before our Founding Father goes to his well earned rest.  In the Redeemer’s love, let’s do it, to His glory. Let us take the Calvary road of forgiveness and peace.

20 January 2008

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