30 th Year

BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF W.A. For the Testimony and Glory of Jesus Christ

October 30th, 2016

SUNDAY COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE 1 Gloria Patri

Preparatory Hymn Jason Tey Prelude Winnie Lim Call to Worship Elder James Wong/Kong Vui Yip *Hymn HOP 41 Crown Him with Many Crowns *Invocation/Gloria Patri 1 Responsive Reading Psalm 117 & 118:1-14

2 Doxology

Baptism Jay-Son Lim, Vincent Naing, Mable Soon Transfer of Membership Benjamin Kan, Cheryl Lin, Ilhoa Ramachandran, Douglas Th’ng, Ming Ming Th’ng



Glory be to the Father And to the Son And to the Holy Ghost, As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, World without end. Amen. Amen. Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen.

3 The Lord Bless You and

Keep You The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace, And give you peace, The Lord make His face to shine upon you, And be gracious unto you, be gracious, the Lord be gracious, gracious unto you. Amen.

Hymn HOP 379 Sweeter as the Years Go By Presentation of Tithes & Offerings *Doxology 2/Offertory Prayer Choir Presentation HOP 212 How Firm A Foundation Scripture Reading John 14:6 Hymn HOP 144 In Times Like These Pastoral Prayer/Message Pastor Joseph Poon/Sonny Lim

Solus Christus *Hymn *Benediction/Threefold Amen Announcements *The Lord Bless You and Keep You 3

HOP 152 Jesus Saves!

*Congregation Standing

Theme for 2016: “Sanctified, and Meet for the Master’s Use” (2 Timothy 2:21) Pastor: Rev Joseph Poon Elder: James Wong Deacon: Adrian Cheng Deacon: Michael Lee P: (08) 9364 9898 W: http://www.bpcwa.org.au Deacon: Stephen Chia E: [email protected] Deacon: Joel Wong 27 Ullapool Road Mt Pleasant, WA 6153

M: 0406 241 032 M: 0438 392 242 M: 0402 036 430 M: 0403 002 368 M: 0433 502 981 M: 0423 862 392

E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

PASTORAL LETTER Dear BPCWAians, You have witnessed both water baptisms and transfer of memberships during our worship service today. What if someone asked you what do all these mean? Well you might utter that it is “outward sign of an inward faith”. But what does that really mean? Some of you have gone through baptism yourself in the past. What was going through your mind when you were baptised? Did you truly understand what does it signify and what are the implications of this sacrament? We can understand more about water baptism from what Col 2:11-12 teaches. “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” What does baptism signify? Firstly, the water reminds you of washing. Water baptism does not save or wash your sins away at that point of baptism. Rather, it symbolises to men that your sins have been, washed away (putting off) by the Blood of Jesus Christ. It is an outward expression of what has already happened to you because you have asked Christ to forgive you and wash away your sins. Hence, by obeying water baptism, it is your public declaration that you have turned to Christ alone as your personal Saviour. And this water baptism is called “circumcision made without hands” in the Colossians. It means physical circumcision is replaced by water baptism. Secondly, it is about being a new regenerated life, where you are “buried” and “risen” with Christ through faith in Him alone. Hence, baptism is your public renunciation of your old sinful ways, and now, being a born again

believer, you are risen with Christ to walk in newness of life (Rom 6:3,4). So, the first point is about what has happened to you when Christ saved you, and the second is about the new life in Christ thereafter. These two points together represents the outward sign of your inward faith. What are the implications of baptism? Baptism is a command for believers to obey (Acts 2:38) and to confess Him as your personal Saviour. Firstly, the implication is that if you are a born again believer, it is disobedience if you avoid water baptism. Christ also commanded the church to baptise those who have been washed in His Blood (Matt 28:19). Secondly, there are implications to the church too. So should we baptise whoever puts up his hands and says he is a believer? Surely not. Because having known what baptism signifies, it is the duty of the church to ensure that it is done only after due diligence to ensure that the candidate understands what he is entering into. Hence the church must do their utmost to ensure the person is indeed a saved believer. This is a key reason why we have to conduct BBK, our catechism class, very thoroughly. That is why we ask the set of questions at baptism concerning salvation. But does it then mean that every person baptized is truly saved before that? Not necessarily too. No one can see the heart except God. But yet it is still the duty of the church to ensure that true Christianity and saving faith is clearly taught and explained through BBK. The question to the reader is - are you truly saved? Also, do not assume your children are saved because they went through BBK and were baptized. Thirdly, water baptism about the commitment of the new regenerated life. At baptism, the believer is asked a set of questions to which he vows his lifelong commitment to walk in newness of life. There must be

no question in the baptismal candidates’ mind. This is another reason for detailed teaching of BBK - to ensure that the believer has sound Biblical doctrines. Sound doctrines are the foundation of sound living and practices. So does it mean that the person will lead live a life that is obedient to God and glorifies Him? Not necessarily so. But it is still the duty of the church to ensure we teach and emphasise what the Christian walk entails before we baptise the person To summarise, water baptism is firstly your outward confession that you believe that only Jesus can wash away your sins and that you have gone to Him for forgiveness. It is secondly your public declaration and vow of repentance to live a new life that is governed by God’s Word. So take your mind back to the day you were baptized once again. Did you know it’s meaning? Baptism is not simply just to tick the box of things to do as a Christian. You too took a vow to walk in newness of life. Has it been so since then? It is not too late. But it is definitely time to start. May today’s baptismal service bring renewed joy and revive our commitment to Christ. God willing, we will see more of this what this newness of life and church membership are about next week. Yours in our Lord’s Service Pastor

ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRAISE & PETITION 1. Holy Communion: Will be observed next Sunday. Please prepare your hearts to partake in the Sacrament. 2. Lunch Fellowship: After the Worship Service today. Everyone is warmly welcome to join in the lunch fellowship so as to get to know each other better. It is an opportunity for you to welcome and get to know the brethren who have just gotten baptised or transferred their memberships to BPCWA today as well. 3. Seniors’ Fellowship: Our upcoming meeting on the 12th Nov (Saturday) will be our last for the year 2016. The meeting will begin at 10.30 am, followed by lunch together. Other details will follow next week. All are warmly welcome. 4. Young Adults Summer Camp Young Adults’ Summer Camp: Thank God for 60 full-time participants who have registered for this year’s camp. If you have outstanding camp fees, please pay by EFT (details provided below), or in person at the registration table in the fellowship hall. Please also be advised that camp briefing will be held in 2 weeks time.

Pay by EFT Account Name: Bible-Presbyterian Church WA BSB Number: 016-268 Account Number: 478438319 Ref/Description: “Camp fees (your name)”

5. Church works at rear of Jeremiah: The asbestos fence next to Jeremiah house was removed and the new fence should be installed by Friday, 4 November. This area has been taped off due to the trench and equipment. We request all to be careful and parents to supervise children as this area is dangerous. 6. Programs planned for November DATE

TIME

PROGRAM

12/11

Saturday

10:30 am

Seniors’ Fellowship

27/11

Sunday

6:00 pm

Mandarin Family Care Group Meeting

27/11 to 1/12

Young Adults’ Summer Camp

7. Thanksgiving and Prayer Items: • Thank God for those who have taken their baptismal and membership vows today. Pray that they will be steadfast and kept strong in faith and earnest in zeal for our Lord. • Thank God for the remembrance of the Reformation through which He raised godly men to contend earnestly for His truth and preserve a faithful light for us today. • Thank God for the opportunity to be built up in truth at the Mandarin Family Care group. • Pray for Session meeting on 5th Nov. Pray for God’s wisdom and the fear of God to be upon Pastor and Session in all its decisions concerning church and its administration. • Pray for the editorial and design team of BPCWA’s 30th Anniversary Thanksgiving magazine as they compile it for publication. • Pray for the planning of the Young Adults’ Summer Camp and the speakers Pr Joshua Yong and Pastor to be guided to God’s message for the attendees. Pray that this will be used to build godly friendships among the young people. • Pray for the students who are preparing for their examinations to stay close to the Lord as they study. • Pray for the spiritual growth of all worshipers, that each will conform more to the image of Christ daily in walk at home, at work, and in schools. • Pray for the spiritually discouraged to find grace and joy in our Lord. Pray also for the physically unwell to find comfort in the Word and prayer. • Pray for the FEBC online students at BPCWA as they prepare for their examinations. May they grow in truth and godliness as they study God’s Word. • Pray for brother Yew Jinn as he completes his assignments and prepares for his upcoming FEBC examinations. • Pray for continued unity of BPCWA as we move forward. Pray that God will call a full time resident Chinese Minister to BPCWA according His will and timing.

SERVICE DUTY

30/10 COMBINED - Lunch Fellowship

6/11 COMBINED - Holy Communion

Speaker/Interpreter

Pastor Joseph Poon/Sonny Lim

Pastor Joseph Poon/Kong Vui Yip

Worship Leader/Interpreter

Elder James Wong/Kong Vui Yip

Dn Joel Wong/Sonny Lim

Prep Hymns

Jason Tey

Allan Ang

Musician(s)

Winnie Lim

Ruth Wong

Welcomers (Foyer)

Alex Luu, Grace Luu, Mark Heath

Claude Yiu, Esther Yiu, Mark Heath

*Alex Luu, *Jason Tey, Mark Heath

*Jonathan Woo, *Claude Yiu

Ushers (Sanctuary)

Claude Yiu, Esther Yiu, Lee Lee Yong

Kenny Chia, Julia Chia, Lilian Cheo

P.A. System

Yi Choong Liew

Caleb Cheng

Kitchen Duties

Yi San Chieng, Margaret Ng Christine Chia, Ming Ming Th’ng Mable Soon

Lee Lian Yong, Victoria Lew Mew Yung Tsing, Julia Sun Ilhoa Ramachandran

Transport

Eugene Leong (0401 155 386) / Allan Ang (0433 032 709)

Offering Stewards *To Help Count Offering

Eugene Leong, Claude Yiu Dn Stephen Chia

Eugene Leong, Yan Wei, Mark Heath Edward Ee

Old Folks’ Home Ministry Subiaco

Edward Ee (Hannah Th’ng)

Mark Heath (Ruth Wong)

South Perth

Hall A: Caleb Cheng Hall B: Allan Ang

Hall A: Caleb Cheng Hall B: Pastor Joseph Poon

Berrington

Edward Ee

Mark Heath

Bull Creek

Mark Heath

Pastor Joseph Poon

APPOINTMENTS OF THE WEEK Tuesday Friday

Sunday

1/11 4/11

6/11

10:00 am

Mandarin Bible study

7:30 pm

Prayer Meeting: Pastor Joseph Poon/Kong Vui Yip, Dn Adrian Cheng, Sharon Poon

10:00 am

Mother’s Fellowship Group

7:30 pm

Fellowship Meeting: Regen/Youth 180°/CYAF/CYPG

8:30 am

Pre-Service Prayer Meeting

9:00 am

English & Mandarin Sunday School/English Basic Bible Knowledge Class

10:00 am

Sunday Combined Worship Service

12:00 pm

Mandarin Choir

12:15 pm

Church Van Depart

2:00 pm

Nursing Home: Concorde – 25 Anstey Street, South Perth Onslow Gardens – 39 Hamersley Road, Subiaco

3:00 pm

Mandarin Basic Bible Knowledge Class

3:30 pm

Nursing Home: Berrington, Subiaco – 45 Bishop St, Jolimont Bull Creek – RAAFA Memorial Estate, 2 Bull Creek Drive, Bull Creek WA 6149

ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS (23/10) Attendance: 209 (Combined-180; JSS-29); Prayer Meeting: 59 Offerings in Total: $6776.95; General Fund: $6776.95 (#4124-$400.40; #4125-$102.00; #4126-$33.90; #4127-$135.00) SHORTER CATECHISM: What is the sum of the ten commandments? The sum of the ten commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-40)

BPCWA For the Testimony and Glory of Jesus Christ

BAPTISM AND

TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP TESTIMONIES

Jay-Son Lim BAPTISM

I had thrice rejected the Gospel from BPCWA; twice in the city during street evangelism and once during orientation week at UWA. Each time I had been struck by haunting feeling of despair and depraved spiritually upon reading the “this is your life” tract. Fast forward a few years I had freshly graduated from UWA and followed a friend to BPCWA unknowingly. Over the next few days I began to read canonical gospels, I began to believe (Rom 1:16-17) . It wasn’t until God was revealed to me through his special revelation by his word (John 1:1) did I manage to glimpse at the greatness and Goodness of God to which I am truly in awe of. The Goodness of God thereof: His mercy (Eph 2:45) and grace (Eph 2:8-9) are truly humbling in the knowledge that our “righteous” works cannot save us (Isa 64:6), but by faith alone (Eph 2:8-9) and the righteousness (Rom 1:17) of Christ imputed we can be saved. I testify that I have come to acknowledge myself as a sinner (Psa 51:3) and that I have repented and confessed my sins (Jer 14:20). I have earnestly asked the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of my sins (1 John 1:9). I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16) and have received him as my personal Saviour.

Vincent Naing BAPTISM

Born in Burma, the only religion I was exposed to as a toddler was Buddhism. As everyone in the household were Buddhists, I felt that it was the natural inclination for me too. At age 7, I was brought over to Singapore to be schooled and attended several tuition classes at a local church. The church however, only preached about how much God loves us so I had the idea that Christianity was solely a religion of love. Growing up in Singapore, I was a very anti-social person who had hardly any friends. I would seclude myself in my room at every chance I get to play video games. Gaming was a big part of my teenage years and I was addicted to it. Needless to say, I was severely lacking in social skills which I only started to truly acquire during National Service (NS) when I was 18. Along with these, I also picked up profanities which I used diligently. It was during the Basic Military Training (BMT) phase of NS where following a silly incident and a series of seemingly coincidental events that I was led to a church. I later learned that this church was a Charismatic church. Despite the absence of God’s word, this exposure kindled a small part of me that wanted to know more about this Jesus who saved me. However, the church only preached about the great harvest; about earning rewards in heaven by sharing the gospel. Within roughly 1 month of my return to Australia, God led me to meet Preacher Joseph at the Murdoch O’ Day Outreach. I had initially wanted to steer clear of Christianity due to my previous church experience but reading the Bible verses on the Gospel tract gave me a glimmer of hope that maybe I could learn more through this church. I

was convicted of my sins and asked the Lord to be my Saviour; that through His grace and shed blood on the cross, I might be justified before God. Despite being exposed to sound doctrine and Scripture; I could not understand God’s Word initially. It was only after I humbled myself and prayed for the understanding of Scripture through the Holy Spirit that God revealed His Word to my understanding. Baptism is the obedience of God’s command, not the means to salvation; I would like to obey His command.

Mable Soon BAPTISM

I was born into a non-Christian family. When I was 4 years old, my parents sent me to the childcare of a charismatic church and I attended that church as I grew up to be a teenager. I came to Perth when I was 18 years old to further my studies and I stayed with my aunt, Shelly and she invited me to BPCWA. For the first few months in BPCWA, I could not understand the sermons that were preached and there was a time when I felt like I wanted to leave to find another charismatic church. I could not understand because I was not saved at that time. Thank God a sister kept encouraging me to stay and to continue to learn God’s Word. And by God’s grace, through attending BBK, I understood that the Charismatic movement is false and at that time I understood that we could only be saved when we acknowledge that we are sinners and repent of our sins, and it is only through Jesus Christ’s blood atonement and resurrection that we may be saved from eternal hell. I then turned to God in repentance for forgiveness and thanked Him for saving me. And now I obey Him in water baptism

to testify of Him before man. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death is the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18. I want to thank God that even though I was not born in a Christian family, by His providence, He has brought me here to know the Truth so that I may glorify Him in my life.

Benjamin Kan TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

I thank God for the privilege of being born into a Christian family on the 20th March 1983. By God’s grace, He led my parents out of a cult church to Life Bible‐Presbyterian Church in Gilstead Road when I was about a year old. My earliest memories as a toddler were that of Sunday‐school classes where stories of Jesus and other Bible characters were told. I remembered always singing songs about God. Throughout the day at home and every night before bedtime, Dad and Mom would like wise tell us about God and Jesus, and other Bible stories. I still vividly remembered the day I received Jesus into my heart. It was when I was about 6 years old when my mother brought me into my room and sat me down to tell me about how I was a sinner and how I needed to believe in Jesus to be saved. All I remembered was that I understood death and the existence of hell, and how I wanted to be saved! I can still remember the peace and comfort that I felt, as I prayed along with mum with tears rolling down my cheeks, confessing my sins and asking Jesus to come into my heart.

I grew up in the church having many friends who have been with me since Junior Worship and before long, I had grown into a teenager serving in various ministries with much love and dedication for Christ. It was then that pride entered into my heart and despite growing up with good doctrine, my own wilful and rebellious heart led me to fall into the deadly trap of dating evangelism at the age of 17. Despite godly counsel from my parents, coupled with tears of desperation caused by the brokenness of their hearts, I chose to harden my heart to the Word of God. This was the beginning of my plunge into a life of wordliness and backsliding in my heart, which only resulted with much turmoil and unrest not only in my life but also at home. Although I was aware of my sins, I was unwilling to completely forsake the world and to follow Christ wholeheartedly. I thought that by going to church and serving the Lord would “make up” for my sinful and compromising behaviour. Little did I know that I was grieving the Holy Spirit and shaming the name of Him whom I called my Father in Heaven. In 2005, by the grace of God, He used my younger brother and my paternal grandmother (who was not a believer yet at that point in time), on two separate occasions, to rebuke me of the both errors of my way and the life of sin that I was leading. Some of the things they said really pierced right through my heart and it was the first time that I felt really ashamed that I had the audacity to call myself a child of God. It was then that I started questioning my salvation and when I realised the mess that my arrogance and rebellion had led me to, I went on my knees to beg God for forgiveness and by God’s tender mercies and grace, this was the beginning of my sanctification. It was then that the Lord opened my spiritual eyes to desire after

His Word and the more I studied God’s Word, the sins which once held my soul captive, no longer could enslave me nor did it bring me any more joy. I thank God for His timely intervention; at times I felt as though I was like Lot, being dragged out of sinful pit. Although my love for Christ grew deeper, I was still struggling with some of my sins. However, God in His infinite wisdom had a plan for me to know Him in the most intimate way and this was fulfilled by Him in leading me to Perth, Australia in 2008. In 2011, the Lord began a mighty work in my heart and he stripped me of everything that I had, and took away people and things which I had loved and held on so dearly to. It was only then when I realised that I truly had nothing in this life to live for but for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who had saved me at a young and tender age. That was the lowest point in my life and the only comfort that I could find was through the study of God’s Word through FEBC on‐line courses. These studies sparked the biggest growth in my spiritual walk with my Saviour, and especially in helping me realise that the things of this world is nothing but vanity and the only thing that mattered in life was for me to “…Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of men. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b – 14). I am truly so grateful to God for preserving me and bringing me to the realisation of my purpose of life here on earth, which is to be a witness for Christ to those who have been placed around me. Thinking about how the Lord has delivered me, reminds me of the lessons I have learnt from the life of David and how the Lord took away everything and everyone that he trusted and had, that he would

come to the realisation of his need to look only to God. Indeed the Lord is good. I am so grateful to Lord who is my Good Shepherd, for answering my prayer by making a way and leading me to BPCWA where I can find green pastures and safe waters to feed and to drink from. Looking back at this last year, no words can describe how privileged and thankful I am to the Lord for answering my prayers to satisfy my hunger for His Word, and also for teaching me so many precious lessons that I can apply them to my life, that I may be an effective witness for my God and King. Truly, all praise and thanks to God for being true to His covenant and for being a faithful God (Deut 7:9). “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1Pet 1:13‐21 Soli Deo Gloria

Cheryl Lin TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

By the grace of God, I was born into a Christian family. I was baptised as an infant and reaffirmed my faith in 2002 at Calvary BP Church (Jurong) in Singapore, where I attended until the Lord led me to Perth in 2013. Although I came to Perth with the main purpose of pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy, the Lord had a much higher purpose for me – to wake me up from my spiritual slumber and draw me closer to Him, so that I can be a sanctified vessel for His use. I praise and thank God for His sovereign will that is always perfect. The way of the Lord is indeed higher than my ways, and His thoughts higher than mine. I thank God for His grace and mercies through each and every trial and testing over the years, which He has allowed, to strengthen my faith in Him. And I thank God for leading me to worship at BPCWA, where I can continue to grow spiritually through the faithful teaching of the infallible and inerrant Word of God, which has been so perfectly preserved.

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” - Psalm 27:4

Ilhoa Ramachandran TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

I was born in a non-Christian family, but was raised by my Christian grandmother until the age of 6. She used to take me to church. She often sang Christian hymns at home and this was her habit until she passed away. But as I moved back to my parents’ house, I gradually stopped going to church. Later, I went to boarding school and didn’t go to church at all. When I went to university, I was enjoying my life as a young girl and had no time for God at all. One day, a man approached me in the campus and started talking to me about the Gospel. I was so annoyed that I told him that he was wasting his time and my time. But no amount of rejection would stop him. He kept on talking about God, and also about how that all sinners who did not believe in God would go to hell. My unbelieving heart turned into a strong dislike of Christians, especially those who imposed their ideas on me. But at the end of the same year, I was given a Bible as a Christmas present by a friend. I started to question God and what I felt was His unfairness. But to my surprise, He answered all my questions through the Bible. As I read out loud, I felt as if God was speaking to me and such fear came upon me that I dared not reject him out loud. In the Bible, He was the most holy God and I was a terrible sinner. He also showed me from Bible that God is gracious and forgiving to those who repented of their sins. That same day I went home, and kept thinking about what happened, which I could not explain well. I decided to read from Genesis, because I did not believe God created man from the dust and breathed into his nostrils. I felt that anyone who has common sense could not believe this. As I read through Genesis, I had the awesome feeling of how God created all things day by day

and I started thinking “what if he is a real God?” With this in mind, if God can create all things in 6 days just at His command, He can create Adam and Eve in the same manner. As I went to the New Testament and started reading about sin, I knew that I had many of the problems He had described in the Bible. That night, I simply admitted there was no fault with God, and asked Him to come into my life, and forgive me of my sins. 15 years passed and by God’s grace, He is ever true and close to me. I came to BPCWA in 2014 and felt that this church was different from the other churches that I had attended. The difference was that people put God’s word first in their lives, and governed their lives according to His Word so that they could attend church on Sunday, and other activities such as prayer meeting, bible study and many others. When I heard their testimonies, I was very encouraged by it and started to understand what it meant to follow Him. As I studied God’s Word, my questions were answered. God was working in me. At times, it was hard to submit to His will, but His word kept reminding me that I must obey my Father to prove my love to Him. And knowing that He died for my sins, I learned to mortify my fleshly mind. Difficulties in life were gradually smaller and smaller and joy, peace and contentment filled my heart instead. When I was still struggling with life’s problems, God’s Word lifted me. I now realise that it will be a lifelong struggle with sin, but Jesus gives us enabling grace so that I can overcome sin. Thank God for His Word and the faithful preaching of it. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6, 7).

Douglas Th’ng TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

This is my testimony of how God has drawn me out of unbelief and reconciled me to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord, and His continuous faithfulness in preserving me. Many years ago on my first flight to Australia to pursue my degree, God providentially seated me next to a student who was a Christian. My acquaintance with him subsequently led me to attend Bible studies and Christian camps. Through God’s Word, I came to understand more about Him and the Son whom He sacrificed on the cross to reconcile sinners to Himself, against whom I have sinned through conscious ignorance and disapproval. I believe (by God’s enabling) in Jesus Christ as none other than the Son of God sent by the Heavenly Father who purposefully (and not by mishap), died to take the penalty of my sin and believe He miraculously and gloriously rose again on the third day, overcoming the power of death and did so on my behalf and Who also bestowed upon me life everlasting. He continues to show His unfailing faithfulness by leading me and my family to BPCWA. In this day and age where mainstream churches, by embracing practices, doctrines, and compromises, have relegated God, the Bible and Christianity into a worldly, pathetic and perilous state. It is at BPCWA that I witnessed a church which understood these dangers and where the truth of God is being actively taught and obediently lived out. Indeed praise be to our God for keeping and preserving the few bastion of faithful churches. May God keep and preserve us and BPCWA faithful till He returns.

Lord, help me as I sojourn in this world and be counted a worthy partaker of Your redeeming grace and mercy. Amen. John 3:36 KJV He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Ming Ming Th’ng TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

When I survey the wondrous cross. On which the Prince of glory died; My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. Such were the hymns which struck me as I came to a small Presbyterian church where I came to know Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Previous churches I had been to were charismatic ones, introduced to us by neighbours and friends. In fact until I had entered that small church, I never knew the richness of hymns and the value of sound Biblical teaching. It was God who had sovereignly by His Grace and Mercy led me there and now also here to BPCWA. Although the people were nice in the Charismatic churches, I found I could not speak in tongues like them, no matter how hard I tried, nor get into their trance-like worship state and I wondered why I couldn’t be so spiritual like them. I couldn’t really sing ‘I love you Lord, and I lift my voice’. The reality was I wasn’t a Christian because outside the church buildings, I didn’t love Him and I knew it. (For Jesus said; ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments.’ John 14:15)

But the hymns which were sung quietly and unobtrusively with an archaic organ were words which spoke truth to my innermost being. ‘All the vain things which charm me most’, what were these compared to the shed blood of Christ who paid the price for sinners. It was here for the first time that I learnt how God has revealed Himself only through Scripture (so by the study of His Word we may come to know Him and not through special revelation that I have to seek). That by Faith alone trusting not in my own righteousness, but now understanding the innate depravity that makes me unfit for Heaven, I undeservingly by Grace alone can receive the forgiveness of all my sins against my Holy Creator because of the perfect obedience and finished work of Christ alone, the sinless Son of God and all this was to the glory of God alone. Now ransomed by His precious blood, I must also do all things for His Glory alone. That God first loved us, and not because we loved Him, resonated the truth that it was only by His electing love, that I should even know Him as Lord and Saviour and explained why I could not conjure up a manufactured spirituality. The doctrine of total depravity liberated me from all my struggles because I finally understood the extent and source of my sinful condition. That no matter how ‘good’ I tried to be or thought I was, sin was ever with me because I was born in sin and had a depraved heart, so that I must never trust myself again, but look to the Lord Jesus, trusting and obeying Him to lead me, lest I should sin presumptuously. John 8:32 says ‘and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’.

So a church which preaches God’s Truth faithfully, with reverential fear, exactness, and boldness from above, is hard to come by and all the means of grace are not to be taken for granted. For I myself testify of the famine when longing for dew from Heaven to come down on the parched spiritual wasteland of this earthly pilgrimage since my conversion, and the confusion, deception and ignorance abounding before. I thank God that He has led me here to be a part of the Bible-believing covenant community of BPCWA and my spirit has been quickened through the constant spiritual feeding I have been blessed to receive to spur me on to a closer walk with Him. Many questions I have long had prior to coming here, have been answered through the study of His Word, one concerning the doubts placed there by footnotes in the NIV, which always unsettled me, but I couldn’t understand why at the time. And connected with this was the difficulty in proving to Jehovah Witnesses specifically that the Trinity is a biblical doctrine. In truth, I have since learnt that essential proof texts for the Trinity are missing in every one of the versions except the KJV. So I thank God especially for alerting me, and directing me to a church which will do its utmost for His Glory, and alert others also of the undermining influence of modern English versions in the erosion of essential doctrinal truths which make up the faith we hold dear. Glory be to God alone.

When I survey the wondrous cross. On which the Prince of glory died; My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.

27 Ullapool Road Mt Pleasant, WA 6153 P: (08) 9364 9898 W: http://www.bpcwa.org.au E: [email protected]