Publication
CHURCH WEEKLY
BORN AGAIN, BAPTISM, TRANSFER AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Board of Elders
Dear Members in Christ,
Born again, Baptism, Transfer and Church Membership
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
We rejoice this morning with the angels in Heaven, as we witness the public confession of faith through the sacrament of Baptism by our brothers and sisters who had received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Baptism is the public confession of an inner faith. Their respective testimonies are also published herewith for the encouragement of many who are still outside the kingdom of God.
Herewith is a short revision of what is “Born again, Baptism, Transfer and Church Membership”.
What is “born again”?
The Bible tells us that Adam, the first man created by God, sinned against God, became the first sinner. Since then, all men born after Adam, inherit Adam’s original sin, are sinners. Sin sets men against God. Thus, sinful men are separated from God and, as the Bible says, enemies of God (cf. Romans 5:10).
The Bible teaches that God is holy. He is in Heaven and the holiness of God cannot allow sinful man to enter into Heaven. In order to do so, sinful man must be forgiven by God and cleansed from his sin, that is born again, otherwise he will be heading to hell, a place of eternal damnation, after his time spent on earth is done.
Born again is a spiritual process. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5. Born of water is the cleansing of a sinner by the Word of God. The sinner acknowledges, confesses his sin, believes and accepts the salvation grace through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. He is now forgiven, cleansed and reconciled with God. He is no more an enemy of God. He is now sealed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He is “born again” also known as “a new man in Christ”. This is spiritual re-birth. He has an inheritance in God’s everlasting kingdom and belongs to the family of God with new hope (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5; Eph 2:19).
Baptism:
The first act of obedience of a “born again” child of God must be to seek water baptism. This is his first duty as a Christian. He submits and obeys God’s commandment which is to publicly declare his new found faith. He is to be identified with God and confessing a lifelong relationship with God. He is to make known his faith to all his family members, neighbours, friends in the workplace and everywhere else. He should not be a secret believer! He must be a visible and active disciple and go about living and doing the Lord’s work. He bears good testimony for Christ and to bring glory to Him (cf. 1 Peter 4:16).
Adult and Child Baptism:
For the adult, baptism is a public confession of his inner faith. He makes a conscious effort to publicly proclaim his faith. As for the child baptism, the parents make a public confession that the child belongs to the kingdom of God. The parents promise before God and Congregation to raise the child up in the fear and admonition of God. In the OT days, the people of God also claimed God’s promise for the child to be in God’s kingdom through the rite of circumcision. Today, in the NT age, the sacrament of baptism has replaced the rite of circumcision. So, parents today, having young infants, should follow accordingly. It is for the wholesome blessing of the family.
Affirmation of Faith:
It is a blessing to be born into a Christian family and the child had been baptised i.e. child baptism. Thus, the child has the blessing and privilege to receive and grow in the Word of God at a very young age.
When the baptised child attains the mature age of understanding and accountability, the child will now come forward, on his own free will, to affirm his faith. By this, the child comes freely and willingly before God and Congregation to affirm or confirm his Christian faith. All praise and glory to God.
Method of Baptism:
The method of baptism is not important, that is, whether by sprinkling or water immersion. CJBPF practices sprinkling. The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself after His baptism by John the Baptist “went up straightway out of the water:” Matthew 3:16 and in Mark 1:10 “straightway coming up out of the water”. Thus, the Bible is not explicit on whether baptism should be sprinkling or immersion. Jesus stepped out of the water does not mean that he was immersed. He could have been sprinkled with water in the river Jordan and then he stepped out of the water.
Further, how could a warded patient in the ICU of the hospital or a person in the middle of the jungle or in the middle of the desert be baptised if he is required to be immersed in water? Thus, we believe that baptism is not about sprinkling or immersion but the act of cleansing with water is essential. The late John Sung used to say “more faith less water, more water less faith”.
Transfer of Membership:Membership of CJBPF is open to believers from other like-minded fundamental churches. They have to undergo the Basic Bible Knowledge class, agree to the Statement of Faith, the Church Constitution and the submission to the leadership of the Church before they are accepted into membership.
Membership of the Church:
Baptised candidates and transferred members having agreed to be subjected to the leadership of the Church, the doctrines and practices of the Church are now admitted as members of the Church. With the membership, they enjoy full rights, fellowship and discipline of the Church.
Let us welcome our “new” brethren to CJBPF. Let us provoke one another unto love and good works, care and to bear one another’s burden. May we serve God together in the unity of faith with one heart, mind and spirit, to glorify and bear good testimony for Him and for the salvation of souls. Amen.
In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng
Testimony
1. ADULT BAPTISM
Ashton Tam Howe Yi
I have two siblings and my parents. My elder sister is in college, my younger sister is in primary school and I am in secondary school. I got to know about Christ through my Grandma. She introduced Calvary Jaya to me when I was 6. I understood that it is crucial to have God in our lives and He is the one and only Saviour. I want to continue to praise and worship God.
Chai Poh Leng
When I was young, I don’t have much knowledge about God and even other religious beliefs. My parents and family are all Buddhists. I have attended some churches during that time but without much conviction.
Then I was introduced to Jesus and God himself and this current church by my husband. Over the years I have come to know Jesus and his Words more and more. I acknowledge before God that I am a sinner and a lost soul. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins.
I thank God for his salvation and for blessing my life spiritually. I also want to thank all the church pastor and elders for their encouragement all these years. I hope to continue to learn more about God for my spiritual growth.
Foong Weng Yee
I am born in a Christian family. We are faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. I learn the word of God from my parents and aunty since young. I came to know Christ from my parents. I came to the knowledge of my sin and the need for salvation since 12 years old. We used to go to a corrupted church but now we attend Word of Life BPC and I have started to take up courses offered by FEBC. In order to help me grow spiritually, I need to study the Word of God diligently and further the cause of God’s kingdom.
Law Mun Hin
My parents are unbelievers. They don’t hold on to any religious beliefs, but their family background is Buddhist. Therefore, they are influenced by Buddhist friends and family members, but we do not worship.
There was a time when I was searching for the purpose of living, wondering why we exist. Thankfully, I got to know Christ from Cara Loo. She told me a lot about Christianity that I never heard before. She encouraged me to join Calvary Pandan Chinese worship service through YouTube. I have decided to know more about Christ and I understand we are born in sin. This sin can only be washed away through the blood of Jesus Christ.
After I believed in Christ, I see a change in my life. When faced with problems which I don’t know how to solve, I will pray to God to seek His help. Before my conversion, I would never do that. I used to believe in myself.
I feel I become more hardworking and responsible. I also feel more assured and know the purpose of living.
I attend Basic Bible Knowledge class and read more Bible. Shaun shared with me last time that it is very important to read the Bible more.
I have also registered for the FEBC courses to increase my knowledge about God.
Loo Sheen Yee
I would refer to myself as a typical example of a professing Christian that grew up in a Christian family but without a conversion of heart. My parents are both first generation Christians and attending church has become a habit throughout my life. I always thought that it was just a matter of time that I will be converted one day. All I did was just waiting for that day to come instead of initiating it. Outwardly I was convinced by myself that I am a true Christian for I was very active in church activities. When I was 18 years old my previous church told me that it was time for me to be baptised. However, by God’s grace He illumined me that baptism is a serious decision. Therefore, I felt that I wasn’t ready and was not baptised.
Later on in life God graciously saved me from a deadly car crash and I was convinced that I must have been born again for God will only protect His child. Many of my successful experiences in church activities and God’s mercy and love upon me for protecting me throughout my life became evidences that I’m a born again Christian. However, I was never carefully and deeply taught about the God that had been so merciful upon me. I knew that I do not know much about Him and did not took the initiative of doing so. Pondering about my past witness as a Christian made me realise that I have been a terrible witness for Christ. It was only after God opened my spiritual eyes that I realised how blinded I used to be. I used to love almost everything about the world such as fashion, fame, and money.
During the MCO, I got to spend more time with my family and my mother started to share with me the Word of God on what she had learned from FEBC classes. Even though I wasn’t really paying attention, the power of God’s word is definitely a powerful weapon. These sharing moved my heart without me realising it. It was a very wonderful experience. My life started to turn around from sinful and awful to become holy and holier. God guided me little by little, getting rid of some of my past sinful behaviour, changing my attitude towards my family, opening my eyes on why and what spiritual things are actually happening around me and giving me the true purpose of life. God was merciful and really loved me much more than I deserve throughout my whole life. I am very grateful that it is God’s plan to save me. This has given me the correct purpose of living and at this young age I have a lot more opportunity and years to serve Him. God’s word came alive to me when I learned it more and more. Calvary Jaya was the church that sincerely and truthfully taught me God’s word and I believe it is the plan of God that led me to this church. Baptism would give me the chance to proclaim to others that I am a Christian and at the same time giving myself a second chance to be a witness that is pleasing to God.
2. REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Isaac Wong Jun Hay
I am born in a Christian family and follow my family to church every Sunday. Since young, I have been taught about God from Sunday School. I admit I am a sinner and admit Jesus is my Saviour. I will ask God to guide and help me in my spiritual growth so that I can become a good Christian and share the gospel. I thank God for his love for me and my family.
Daniel Yip Kong Jun
I come from a Christian family and my parents bring me to church to learn about Jesus Christ when I was small. I attended Sunday school weekly and as the time goes by, I learnt more about Christianity that is taught in the Bible. I realised that I am a sinner and need salvation through Jesus Christ only. And I start to change my sinful lifestyle to please God.
May God help me to grow to know Jesus better by reading His Word regularly, pray, and obeying Him. May I love Him more each day.
Daniel Tam Zhong Yi
My name is Daniel Tam Zhong Yi and I come from a family of Christians. Since young I was raised to believe in Christ and all his wonderful doings. I came to know Christ through the teachings of our church’s Sunday School. Through that we learnt a lot about the stories of Jesus Christ, his disciples, and the amazing works of God. Around the age of 13, was when I really immersed myself in God’s word. It was at that age I started reading the Bible independently and tried to make it routine to apply the word of God in my daily life. I learnt that I needed God to put me on the right path and guide me on my spiritual walk with him and my physical life on Earth. After conversion, I experienced great changes in my life. I learnt that I need to abide by the rules of God and through that revolution, my life improved. I then started making an effort to resist any kind of evil temptations such as lying, cursing, jealousy/envy, and etc. I also learned to resist what was wrong and fear God. To continue my journey in bettering my life through God and furthering the cause of God’s kingdom, I plan to continue reading my Bible daily and trying to set a good example to other Christians in order to inspire them as others have done for me.