Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things"
2Ti 2:7.

Monday, March 21, 2011

A testimony of the Lord's goodness

Brother Steve is 6th from the left standing at the back row.
His wife Sophia sits in front of him.
Seth and Sarah, their children, are in the front row.


After our Wednesday (March 16) evening Bible study, the church gave me a surprise! They remembered my 50th birthday, and showed their love for me. The brothers took turn to share their thanksgiving. One of the brother actually wrote out his short sharing, and read it to the congregation. Brother Steve Chong uprooted himself from Sabah and moved to Penang with his family and united with the church because of the truth Sungai Dua Church holds to.

He said these in his sharing:

· For those of us who have been to or are familiar with what's happening in other churches, we would be aware that this church is different - different in terms of the preaching and form of worship … different in terms of what is done.

· What is done in this church is quite uncommon when we consider the changes, inventions, compromise, etc. around us ... and the departure from Scriptures among many Christians and churches.

· In view of such things, we thank God for providing this church with a pastor who seeks and holds on to Biblical truths … and who has neither adopted nor taken a soft stance on un-Scriptural practices or contemporary worship … to put it simply, a pastor who has chosen the old paths (which is the good way)

· We are also thankful that we have a pastor who'll only teach and preach the Word and from the Word, week after week ... a pastor who'll not make Scriptures more palatable to the hearers, who'll not entice or seduce or flatter the hearers … a pastor who’ll not handle the Scriptures carelessly

· When we think of the past many years that pastor has ministered to this church, we will appreciate the work and energy that had to be put in to ensure that the little flock here is well tended to.

· Lastly, when I first corresponded with pastor in 2006, one thing I noticed is that the KJB is the translation that pastor uses. [Incidentally, the KJB is 400 years old this year]. It was indeed heartening for me then … just as it is now, that pastor preaches from this faithful translation.

· May God continue to bless pastor and his family and may pastor soldier on in his preaching for many more years to come
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Brother Steve and family's presence with us give us great joy and encouragement.

Alice wrote this observation:
My dear beloved husband turns 50 today... After bible study, we had a surprise thanksgiving... where all the brothers took turn to express their appreciation for the blessing of a faithful pastor who patiently preaches week in week out; precept upon precept, line upon line. Then we enjoyed a delicious supper prepared by the ladies.