Volume 24, Issue 8 24th April 2011

The resurrection of Christ is foundational to the Christian faith. It is perfectly right to say that if there was no resurrection of Christ, Christianity is yet another spurious religion. Consider the following biblical reasons why Christ’s resurrection is very essential to the Christian faith.

No salvation to those who reject Christ’s resurrectionIn fact, the New Testament insists that belief in the bodily resurrection of Christ is a necessary condition of the Christian faith - no one who rejects the resurrection of Christ is a regenerated person. This insistence is found in verses such as Romans 10:9 – “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.”

If we reject Christ’s resurrection:1. Old Testament prophecies about His resurrection must also be rejected. For example, in Psalm 16:10, it was predicted that Jesus’ body will not decay – “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (cf. Acts 13:34, 35). The Apostle Paul wrote that Christ resurrected according to the Scriptures – “he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4; cf. Luke 24:45, 46). Rejecting Christ’s resurrection would mean rejecting the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible.

2. It would amount to calling Him a liar. Christ Himself predicted before His death that He will be resurrected. In Matthew 20:19, we have one of His predictions about His resurrection - “And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again” (cf. Mark 9:9; 14:28; John 2:19-22).

3. It would mean we reject His deity. Christ’s resurrection is a proof of His deity. In Romans 1:4, we read, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness,

Our Pastor: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy (M: 9001 1119, H: 6788 1721, Email: gethsemane@pacific.net.sg)Our Office: 510 Geylang Road, #02-06, Singapore 389466. Tel: 6741 1910, Fax: 6741 1016

•Comeearlyandbeseated10minutesbeforeworship.

•Prepareyourselvesinsilentmeditation,prayerandself-examination.

•Switchoffyourmobilephoneandotherelectronicdevices,thatthesolemnityoftheservicemaynotbedisrupted.

•Refrainfromunnecessaryconversationandmovementduringtheservice.

•Donotleavetheworshiptilltheend(onlyafterthebenedictionandannouncements).

G e T H S e M A N eBible-Presbyterian Church

‘Not my will, but Thine, be done’ (Luke 22:42)

Pastoral Exhortation

Christ’s resurreCtion Foundational to the Christian Faith

Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

Call to Worship Elder Mah Chin Kwang

*Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (211)* Invocation & Gloria Patri

* Responsive Scripture Reading (Matthew 28:1-20)Children's Choir

Because He Lives (209)Collection of Offerings

Doxology & PrayerHe Lives (203)

Baptism & Transfer of MembershipPastoral Prayer & Sermon

Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy “The Stone Rolled Away"

(Matthew 28:1-7)Holy Communion

The Old Rugged Cross (199) Blessed Redeemer (196)

*Christ Arose (206)* Benediction & Threefold Amen

* Congregation Standing

EtiquetteWorship

Easter Sunday Service

Scripture MemorizationBody of Christ

Ephesians 1:22-2322 And hath put all things under his feet,

and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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by the resurrection from the dead” (cf. Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33).

4. We will have no forgiveness of sins. His resurrection confirms our forgiveness. “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

5. We will remain accused, guilty and under God’s condemnation. His resurrection is the ground for our justification. Romans 8:34 says, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (cf. Romans 4:25).

6. We will have vain faith or no faith. His resurrection guarantees the efficacy of our faith. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).

7. We will have no blessed hope (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:19). His resurrection ministers hope to believers, even in their death. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”

8. We will have nothing glorious to preach or our preaching will be in vain. His resurrection provides meaning and purpose to the preaching of the Gospel. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).

9. It would mean all those testimonies of men and women are lies. His resurrection has been believed and testified by innumerable people. The Bible records the names of many who have seen the resurrected Lord. For example, Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; John 20:18); the women (Matt 28:9); Simon Peter (Luke 24:34); two disciples (Luke 24:13-31); apostles except Thomas (John 20:19, 24); apostles, Thomas being present (John 20:26);

apostles at the sea of Tiberias (John 21:1); apostles in Galilee (Matt 28:16,17); about five hundred brethren (1 Cor 15:6); James (1 Cor 15:7); all the apostles (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9; 1 Cor 15:7); Paul (1 Cor 15:8).

10. It would mean worship on the first day of the week or the Lord’s Day is unbiblical. His resurrection is the reason for Christians worshipping on the first day of the week. He was resurrected on “the first day of the week” (Mark 16:9; John 20:19; Acts 20:27; 1 Cor 16:1-2).

Much more can be written on why it is a serious error and even blasphemous to reject Christ’s resurrection. Nonetheless, the above facts adequately show the importance of believing in His resurrection.

We are not only to believe but also to preach boldly about Christ’s resurrection. This is demonstrated in the frequency and enthusiasm with which it is preached by the apostles and the preachers of the early church (e.g. Acts 2:31; 4:33; 17:18; 26:23). In the preaching of the Gospel, the resurrection of Christ is the key to bringing hope for all who desire salvation.

Our Church Session: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy (9001 1119), Elder Mah Chin Kwang (9675 4031),Elder Alan Choy (9853 9556), Dn Arvind Pawa (9642 8954), Dn Daniel Lim (9385 0371),

Dn Lok Kwok Wah (9022 5508) & Dn Kelvin Lim (8268 2828).

Pastoral Exhortation

N

Greetings from Rev Paul ChengDear Pastor Koshy and church session,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord!

Firstly, I want to thank Pastor Koshy for availing himself to attend, officiate and preach at my ordination. My heart is really touched by the message and I pray that I will remember to take heed and to put the message into rightful application, and always to remain faithful to the Lord in my personal walk and service for Him (Psalm 27:4).

Secondly, I want to thank Gethsemane B-P Church for the love gift and the letter of encouragement. I have learned much during my days of labouring with all of you. I have and will always cherish the time spent in Gethsemane B-P Church. Only God knows how much I missed the Gethsemaneans and may the Lord bless all the ministries that you are labouring in His name.

I will continue to uphold the church and the Session in prayer. Till we meet again, take care and God bless.

In Christ,

Paul Cheng

Our Staff: The Gethsemane Care Ministry Bro Jerah 9337 2337, Chinese Service Dn Daniel Lim 9385 0371,Filipino Service Pr Dennis Kabingue 9648 0004, Children’s Ministry Pr Kelvin Lim 8268 2828, Seniors' Ministry Pr Jeremiah Sim 8333 9483

Church Office Diana Koh, Bible Witness Dn Kwok Wah, Kenneth, John, Melissa Mah, Eric & Ruth

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Dear children, the word “persecution” has the idea of being harassed by people who oppose (you). Persecution includes verbal and physical assaults and even death. The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples that they would be persecuted because of their love for Him and His Word. The main reason why Christians will face persecutions is because the world cannot accept their teachings of Jesus.

Jesus told His disciples, “If they (the Jews) have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” The Jews persecuted Jesus because of His claim as the Christ of God, and His teachings. They did not believe Him as the Messiah.

Jesus taught them that He is the true Bread from heaven sent by the Father to give life to the world (cf. John 6:32-33), and they must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life (cf. John 6:53-54). These teachings of Jesus were not accepted by many of the Jews! They did not understand that Jesus was teaching them that He is the Christ, and they must believe in Him to have the gift of life. Not only

did they reject His teaching, they even sought to kill Him (cf. John 7:1). All these things happened in fulfilment of the Scriptures: “They hated me without a cause” (John 15:25).

Christians will be persecuted because of their love for Jesus and His Word. This fact can be seen during evangelism. Most of the time, when a person is told of his sins, he will not be happy, and will oppose the truth of God’s Word that has been presented to him. People of the world cannot accept the truth of God’s Word because the light of the Gospel shows how sinful they are. They will oppose God’s people, and even persecute them.

Sometimes persecution may lead to death. This is true in the lives of many Christians; one such man would be Stephen. He was stoned to death for preaching Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 7). The Bible has so many accounts of the people of God suffering persecutions, both in the Old and New Testament, and how they lived through those difficult times.

Dear child, do not be afraid if people do not like you because you are a Christian. You must

remain steadfast in the Lord Jesus Christ who loves you and died for your sins.

Jesus’ Teachings About Persecutionby Pr Kelvin Lim

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. John 15:20-21

Junior Worshipper’s Devotion

7th ComBINED Youth CoNfErENCE

2011Date: 23-25 June (Thu-Sat)

Speaker: Rev (Dr) Quek Suan YewTheme: I’m pure. Am I?

Venue: Calvary Pandan B-P Churchregistration Closing Date: 4th June

Registration Forms are available from the website

Please go to www.truthbpc.com/cyc for more details

For further information, please see Jasmine Low

EaStEr & BaPtISmal SErVICEThis will be held today. There will be Infant & Adult Baptism and Transfer of Membership. The candidates are: Infant Baptism: Wong Hoi Git, Zechariah (s/o Mr & Mrs Wong Chong Foo); Lim Fang Ning Danielle (d/o Mr & Mrs Lim Zhi Hao Adrian). adult Baptism: Davina Xin Yi Lim; Kim Young; Ng Aik Thong David; Goh Lay Yong, Pansy; Dale Huang Zhijian; Pincye Wijaya; Aida Widjaja. transfer of membership: Lynn Teo Jianwen; Huang Huiyun Lynn; Joseph Poon Chew Khim; Sharon Poon; Lolita Valdez Tanguilig.

DaIlY VaCatIoN BIBlE SChool 2011Date: June 1 to 4 Venue: City Beach Resort (Function Room)address: 8 Port Road fee: $12 per child (4-12yrs old)

Please sign up at the reception table and make payments to Sis Karen Quek

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Our Place of Worship: SingPost Auditorium (Level 5), 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600Our Websites: www.gethsemanebpc.com; www.biblewitness.com

2010 Ethiopian AssignmentNew Building Fund Target: $500,000.00total (as of 17 Apr 2011): $483,840.44

Non-Sunday CollectionGeneral Fund 400.00, 270.00,

500.00Ethiopia Bldg Fund 250.00, 500.00,

A$1,000.00Pastor Koshy 250.00, 500.00

Sunday Activities April 24 May 1(9.15am) Adults' Bible Study & Children's Choir

Adults' Bible Study & Sunday School

Get

hsem

ane

Chi

nese

Ser

vice

(1

0.00

am)

Worship Leader: Kelvin Lim Pr Daniel Lim

Preacher: Pr Daniel Lim Pr Daniel Lim

Pianist: Jollyn Low Sarah Yap

Ushers: Cayson Chok & John Peh Johnny Lim & Samuel Ng

Flowers: Lee Kim Lei Ivy Seah

Refreshment: Ivy Seah Jenn Lee

Get

hsem

ane

Engl

ish

Serv

ice

(10.

30am

)

Worship Leader: Elder Mah Chin Kwang Eld Alan Choy

Preacher: Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy

Pianists: Sarah Lee & Eunice Choy Jasmine Low & Chloe Pawa

Ushers:Chip Hung, Kee How, Donald,

Beng Wee, Randy, Benny, Winnie Yap (Greeter)

Jerah, Edwin, Francis Lee, Jeremy Poh, David, Jason,Mah Lean Choo (Greeter)

Junior Worship:Kamala (Eunice Choy),

Kian Seng (Meilanie), Dn Lok Kwok Wah

Kim Lei (Meilanie), Stefanie (Cecilia Siah),

Samuel Yong

AV Ministry: Crew 3 Crew 1

Flowers: Diana Koh Gina Sim

Refreshment Duty:

Aileen Tan, Violet Quek & Fidelia Tan

Cecilia Siah, Stella Tan & Serene Chua

Get

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Filip

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(1.0

0pm

)

Worship Leader: Eric Delina Donald dela Cruz

Preacher: Pr Dennis Kabingue Pr Dennis Kabingue

Usher: Henry Maranan Norefel Resuma

Pianist: Josias Pawa Chu Seong Yeng

Refreshment: Rhodora Resuma Roscelle Lim

Malayalam Fellowship (1.00pm) Venue: SingPost Seminar Room Annexe

Lion

s H

ome

Min

istr

y (3

.00p

m) Venue: 41 Toa Payoh Rise 487 Bedok South Avenue 2

English: Pr Kelvin Lim Elder Alan Choy

Chinese/Dialect: Pr Jeremiah Sim Bro Stephen Yap

Combined Yaf Gethsemane, Berean & Calvary tengah

Date: 30th April 2011time: 6pm - dinner; 7.30pm - message

Venue: SingPost Seminar Room (L2)Speaker: Dr Paul Ferguson

Chairman: Bro Donald dela CruzDinner is catered at $3/set. Please sign up at the reception table after the service.

mission trip to CebuIn view of the anniversaries of our mission churches and inauguration of Gethsemane Bible Institute, a mission trip to Cebu is being planned (July 14-18). A group fare is secured on SilkAir at S$357.60/seat. Those keen to join, please see Sis Diana Koh.

BWmm Thanksgiving testimoniesIn conjunction with the preparations for the 10th Anniversary Thanksgiving of Bible Witness Media Ministry on 17th May, we request that brethren write to share how this ministry (print and/or Internet) has been a blessing to them. Your testimonies will encourage those who serve in and support BWMM. Please send your short testimonies to editor@biblewitness.com by Sunday, 1st May 2011.

Sports Day This will be held in Pulau Ubin on Monday, 2 May (Public Holiday). Time: 8am to 3.30pm. Please sign up with Bro Aron Ong. There will be briefing after today's Worship Service. All participants must attend. For further information, please see Dn Arvind Pawa.

Sunday Collection(april 17 - English Service)

Tithes 5,350.00

Offerings 9,065.55

Ethiopia Bldg Fund 50.00

Gifts: Cebu Mission (100.00);Bogo Mission (100.00); Bohol Mission (100.00)

Gifts: Imane (US$50.00); Maria Luz (Php 1,000);Pastor Koshy (450.00; 30.00)

$10 Gift Voucher each: Kelvin, Kenneth & Ruth

GYBh/af/GCm outingDate/time: Sat, 30 April 2011, 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Venue: Pasir Ris Park (either Carpark ‘e’ or ‘F’)Please sign up at the reception table.

Mon - Sat Activities  April 25 - April 30Tuesday Prayer Gathering (8.00pm) 

Venue: SingPost Auditorium Level 5 (effective 26 April)

Wednesday Lunch Hour Bible Study (1.15pm) Venue: Bible Witness Media Ministry Bookroom (Tel: 6438 0578), Hong Lim Complex

Thursday Seniors’ Ministry (11.00am) Venue: Please contact Pr Jeremiah Sim for more information at 8333 9483.

Friday Morning Prayer (6.45am - 7.30am) Cancelled

Young Adults’ Fellowship (Every 2nd and 4th Friday, 8.00pm)Please contact Sis Kamala for more information at 9026 0401

Satu

rday

Church Choir Time: 1.00pm Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31

Adults’ Fellowship

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 4pm.Venue: SingPost Seminar Room #02-31 Annexe

Gethsemane Children’s Ministry

Time: 3.30pm Venue: Pasir Ris Park

Song Leader Nursery-P2 P3-P6Samuel Yong Annie Ho Low Boon Siang

GYBH Time: 4.00pm Outing: Pasir Ris Park