2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 1

Rev (Dr) Jeffrey Khoo

The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) states very clearly that

the inspired Scriptures in the original languages are by God’s
“singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages” (WCF I:8). The
Westminster divines used Matthew 5:18 as a proof text for this
affirmation of the verbal plenary preservation (VPP) of the Scriptures.
This proves that the doctrine of the VPP of Scripture is not just
creedal, but more importantly Biblical.

Definition of Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP)

What does VPP mean? “Verbal” means “every word to the jot and
tittle” (Ps 12:6-7, Matt 5:18). “Plenary” means “the Scripture as a
whole with all the words intact” (Matt 24:35, 1 Pet 1:25). So VPP
means the whole of Scripture with all its words even to the jot and tittle
is perfectly preserved by God without any loss of the original words,
prophecies, promises, commandments, doctrines, and truths, not only
in the words of salvation, but also the words of history, geography and science. Every
book, every chapter, every verse, every word, every syllable, every letter is infallibly
preserved by the Lord Himself to the last iota.
What and where are the preserved words of God today? They are the inspired OT
Hebrew words and NT Greek words the prophets, the apostles, the church fathers, the
reformers used which are today found in the long and continuously abiding and
preserved words underlying the Reformation Bibles best represented by the time-tested
and time-honoured KJV, and NOT in the corrupted Alexandrian manuscripts and critical
Westcott-Hort texts underlying the liberal, ecumenical, and neo-evangelical modern
English versions.
Basically, those who hold to the VPP of Scripture believe and embrace the following
tenets:
(1) God has supernaturally preserved each and every one
of His inspired Hebrew/Aramaic OT words and Greek
NT words to the last jot and tittle, so that in every age,
God’s people will always have in their possession His
infallible and inerrant Word kept intact without the loss of
any word (Ps 12:6-7, Matt 5:18, 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke
21:33, John 10:35, 1 Pet 1:23-25).
 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 2

(2) The “providential” preservation of Scriptures is understood as God’s special and

not general providence. Special providence or providentia extraordinaria speaks
of God’s miraculous intervention in the events of history and in the affairs of
mankind in fulfilment of His sovereign will for the sake of His elect and to the
glory of His Name. The divine preservation of the Canon (books) and Text
(words) of Scripture comes under God’s special providence.
(3) The Bible is not only infallible and inerrant in the past (in the
Autographs), but also infallible and inerrant today (in the
Apographs).

(4) The infallible and inerrant words of Scripture are found in the faithfully preserved
Traditional/Byzantine/Majority manuscripts, and fully represented in the Printed
and Received Text (or Textus Receptus) that underlie the Reformation Bibles
best represented by the KJV, and NOT in the corrupted and rejected texts of
Westcott and Hort that underlie the many modern versions of the English Bible
like the NIV, NASV, ESV, RSV, TEV, CEV, etc.
(5) There are no mistakes in the Bible, period. There are no mistakes
or errors (scribal or otherwise) in such OT passages as Judges
18:30, 1 Samuel 13:1, 1 Kings 4:26, 1 Chronicles 18:3, 2
Chronicles 22:2 etc. If there are “discrepancies” in the Bible, the
“discrepancies” are only seeming or apparent, NOT real or actual.
Any inability to understand or explain such difficult passages in no
way negates the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures,
applying the faithful Pauline principle of biblical interpretation: “let
God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom 3:4).
(6) Knowing where the perfect Bible is is a matter of textual recognition and NOT
textual criticism. In the field of textual recognition, Burgon is good, Hills is better,
Waite is best.
(7) The Chinese Union Version (CUV) is the “Word of God” for the
Chinese people today since it is the best, most faithful, most reliable,
and most accurate version among the Chinese versions presently
available. Great care ought to be taken not to undermine our
Chinese brethren’s confidence in the CUV. Nevertheless, versions
or translations are never superior to the inspired and
preserved Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek Scriptures; thus
there is a need to consult these original language
Scriptures for clarity and fullness of meaning, and to
compare Scripture with Scripture.

The VPP of Scripture is a position of faith that is based solely on the Word of God.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”
(Heb 11:1). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”
(Rom 10:17). “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh
to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him” (Heb 11:6). It is a position that we must take if we are to weather and survive
 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 3

the onslaughts of postmodernism, pop-modernism, open-theism and neo-deism that

seek to destroy the church today.

Our Perfect Lord and His Perfect Word are the Foundation of Our Faith
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps 11:3).
It is only when we have a 100% perfect, infallible and inerrant
Bible can we say the Bible is our only and final authority, and
foundation of faith. If there is no such an infallible and inerrant
Bible today, then the so-called “scholar” becomes the supreme
authority, and we have to kowtow to his subjective and
speculative judgements on and corrections of the Bible. Some
may want to trust the words of men, but we trust only the
words of our Lord who “died for our sins according to the
Scriptures … was buried … [and] rose again the third day
according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4).
The Bible itself which is our supreme and final authority of faith and practice clearly
teaches its plenary inspiration, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” and its
verbal preservation, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot
or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt 5:18),
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt
24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33). The doctrine of the 100% inspiration (VPI) and 100%
preservation (VPP) of each and every word of the Bible is as old as the Bible itself. It is
certainly NOT a new teaching or theory, and definitely NOT a false doctrine.
The twin doctrines of VPI and VPP must be received by faith (Rom 10:17, Heb 11:6).
Our faith must be “according to the Scriptures,” and NOT “according to the scholars.”
“Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom 3:4). “For we can do nothing against
the truth, but for the truth” (2 Cor 13:8). Soli Deo Gloria!

Rev (Dr) Jeffrey Khoo is academic dean of Far Eastern Bible College and Elder of True Life
Bible Presbyterian Church.
 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 4

I grew up in the church and in a Christian home. However, the thought of

entering into the full-time service had never once entered my mind. As a
teen, I used to sit around talking with others about our ambitions and
aspirations. I remember clearly one incident where a few youths from
church were resting after a jog. One of them brought up the topic of
answering God’s call to the ministry. I was about secondary four then,
and that discussion made me actually realize that pastors, missionaries
and other full time workers are actually ‘normal’ people like me. However
as any normal Singaporean student, I continued on with the flow of
academics and CCA, aspiring for the distinctions and medals, and soon
forgot about that incident.

It wasn’t until the second year of my national service, during the annual Church family
camp in Kuala Lumpur, that I first felt the call to take up the cross and serve God full-
time. It was during one of the night messages by Dr Tow, where he once again pleaded
to the congregation for a few young men to stand up and bear the cross for Jesus, to
repay our Gospel debt. I did not know why but it felt that he was speaking directly to me!
“Ridiculous!” I thought to myself. How could one like me whose testimony is so
blemished with sin, whose knowledge of God’s word is woefully lacking, ever be able to
preach to others? What more, I had yet to pursue my degree! Scholarships and
overseas education still await me. There was still much in life I have yet to experience.
True, I love God, and I want to be as faithful as possible, but full-time ministry? It
seemed such a huge step to take, and too much of a change in mindset for me.

However, this burden was not so easily pushed aside. It stayed on my mind throughout
the camp and also on the bus ride home. Multiple excuses came up in my mind as to
why I was unsuitable to serve the Lord in such a high calling. But God in His
graciousness and patience answered each one of them in a most loving manner.

I did not feel apt to teach. Often in front of a crowd, when talking or
praying, I would stumble over my words, or lose my train of thought
in mid-sentence and thereafter give a paltry conclusion to what I
had in my mind. During a daily devotion some weeks later, I read
the account in Exodus of Moses’ calling, and he had the very same
excuses! God’s answer came directly to me, “And the LORD said
unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb,
or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will
be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” (Exo 4:11-12). There and then,
the first excuse was answered.
 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 5

Another major hindrance I had in my life was the

numerous sins that I was indulging in. I felt my testimony
was far too blemished to be of any use to God. While God
definitely was working in my life to change me day by day,
I felt there was still a long way to go before I could say I
was ready. However, this too was answered during my
reading of Isaiah’s calling in Isaiah 6, where he too felt so
inadequate to face God, saying “Woe is me! for I am
undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of
unclean lips” (Isa 6:5). However, seraphim descended upon him, and cleansed his lips,
instantly purging his sin. And his response to God’s call: “Here am I; send me.” (Isa 6:8).
I did not, at that point of time, echo the same words as Isaiah, but the phrase still hung
very heavy in my heart. I still felt very inadequate.

A few months after Church camp that year, having fallen back into the monotonous
routine of army life, I was listening to a tape of a YF message that I missed. Dn Lek was
speaking on Paul’s missionary journeys. The message that struck me at that point of
time was that of submitting to God’s will. He sang a song on asking God to have his
own way in our lives. At that point of listening, I could do nothing else but stop the tape
and sink into my pillow in tears. I remembered the calling, and God’s patient answers. I
wanted to serve the Lord! But I still had some doubts unanswered. Have I really been
called? Was I ready to submit my life fully for the Lord’s use? That Saturday afternoon I
went to church early to search for books to answer my questions.

The final proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back came
during the recent sharing of Rev. Quek’s testimony of his call to
the full-time ministry during the Sunset Gospel Bible Fellowship in
March this year. A song item by the FEBC choir before the
sermon was the hymn “Channel’s Only”. It was upon hearing the
lyrics of this song that stripped me of my pride, and made me
realize that it is not any of my own talents or abilities that God wants of me, but for me
to be a willing channel for Him, from which His blessings will pour forth. The third stanza
especially struck me deeply: “Emptied that Thou shouldst fill me, a clean vessel in Thy
hand. With no pow’r but as Thou givest, graciously with each command”. Many things
shared during the subsequent message also weighed down on me, prodding me closer
and closer to yielding my life to do His will. Finally, after the closing prayer, I bowed
down, and in silent prayer with tears in my eyes, I prayed for repentance, and promised
my life to service for the Lord.

A large burden immediately rolled off my back! I was now free to consecrate my life fully
to his service. Free once again to serve Him joyously. Through my study of God’s word
and service in various ministries I am more and more convinced each day of the
pressing need to fulfill his command to go out to preach the Gospel and save souls. I
thank God also for loving parents who encouraged me to be very sure of my calling, and
thereafter supported me wholeheartedly with their prayers. Constrained by the love of
 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 6

God, I pray that the Lord will use me till my life burns out for Him. For “The harvest truly
is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that
he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matt 9:37-38).

13 June 2005
Ko Ling Kang
FCM Science
Calvary Pandan BP Church

Quiz yourself!!

1. What was the sign of God’s covenant with Noah that He will not
use “a flood to destroy all flesh” again? (Gen 9:15)
2. What was Pharaoh’s response when he heard Joseph had invited his
family to Egypt?
3. Why did Joseph become displeased with his father, Israel, just prior to his (Israel’s)
death?
4. How old was Moses and Aaron when he was sent to confront Pharaoh?
5. Who is the grandfather of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar?
6. What is the name of John Mark’s mother?
7. Where did John the Baptist baptise those who are willing to confess their sins?
8. What did Jesus say to His disciples concerning the poor widow who had cast her two mites
into the treasury? (Mk 12:41 - 42)
9. How many pigs (swine) were drown when the Legion of demons possessed them? (Mk 5:13)
10. What was the last charge that Jesus gave Peter in John 21?

Ans on page 8..

 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 7

Testimonies

David

FCM is a place where like-minded Christians can come together

to worship God, study His word, share our academic
accomplishments and difficulties, and pray for one another. It
provides an environment where fellow brethren from various
churches sharing the same faith can help one another in their
daily walk, both as a student and as a child of God. We are able
to draw close to God even in school! It is also a place, where we
can bring our non-believing friends to know more about
Christianity and our beliefs. FCM has been a blessing to me as
the weekly interaction has allowed me to voice my queries and
opinions regarding certain issues. I am certain that everyone who
participates in the meetings is edified too. The experiences that I
have had in FCM provided me the ability to advise others on the
difficulties they face. It has also enabled me to tackle the issues
faced by my family members. I pray that as we continue to live in these last days, FCM
may remain untainted by the influences of the world, so that others may benefit from her
as well.

David Poon
FCM Science
Calvary Pandan BP Church (Chinese)

Wendy

FCM, to me is a time where I can be with my Christian friends

who share the same beliefs as me about Christianity. It is also a
time for me to listen and learn about God and His word from
Brother Nelson. My first impression of FCM was that it was unlike
the charismatic cell groups that I used to attend in the past, with
its noisy hand-clapping, loud prayers in “tongues”,
“commercialized” Gospel messages that have caused me many
 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 8

headaches and much confusion. I feel more at home here in FCM than at those cell
groups.

I always look forward to the weekly FCM meetings. It’s the highlight of
my week as I feel that I can take comfort in God’s Word and the people
whom I love, away from the everyday stress that I am facing. The
messages refresh me so that I can continue with the “toils” that I have to
do for the rest of the week. Being with like-minded brethren compels me
to leave behind my old sinful self and be slowly transformed into the
person that God wants me to be. I do appreciate the prayers that we
utter for one another during the weekly meeting, especially when
everyone shares their burdens with one another and then pray for each other. I think
that God really is true to His Word when He said in the Bible that when two or three are
gathered in His name, He will be there in the midst of us (Matt 18:20). FCM has blessed
me in terms of its “meaty” messages as well as the fellowship among the brethren and I
strongly encourage everyone to attend it regularly.

It’s definitely not a waste of time.

Wendy Danubrata
FCM Science
Calvary Pandan BP Church

Answers:
1. The rainbow (Gen 9:11-16)
2. Pharaoh was pleased and he treated them very well (Gen 45:16-20)
3. Because his father, Israel blessed his younger son, Ephraim over the older one, Manasseh
(Gen 48:17 - 19).
4. Moses - 80 years old; Aaron - 83 years old (Ex 7:7)
5. Aaron, the brother of Moses (Ex 6:25)
6. Mary (Acts 12:12).
7. River Jordan (Mk 1:4 - 5)
8. “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast
into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all
that she had, even all her living.” (Mk 12:43 - 44). May we learn to give our all to the Lord
sincerely as well!
9. 2000 (Mk 5:13)
10. “Follow me” (Jn 21:19, 22))
 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 9

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Overall FCM Coordinator:

Elder Boaz Boon (Calvary Tengah BP Church)
Tel: 9824 7681 (HP)
E-mail: boazboon@mytengah.com

Nanyang Technological University/ National Institute of Education

1. NTU/NIE Group
Comprising students in all the faculties of NTU & NIE

Bible Study Leader : Rev Wee Eng Moh (Pastor of Berith B-P Church)
E-mail: emwee@pacific.net.sg
Student Coordinator : Liang Yao Lin [9117 2846 (HP)]
E-mail: liangyaolin@hotmail.com
Meeting Place : North Spine, N3, Level 5, TR 1-10 (any of the rooms)
Meeting Time : Every Wednesday, 6.30pm
Dinner : Canteen A, 5.30pm
 2005 FCM Newsletter, Oct – Dec 10

National University of Singapore

2. Science Group
Comprising students of the Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Information & Computer Science
Faculties

Bible Study Leader : Bro. Nelson (Gospel Light BP Church)

Student Coordinator : Lee Yujie [9107 7470 (HP)]
E-mail: ug@email.com
Meeting Place : Science Block 13, 5th Floor, Room 03/04, NUS Science Faculty
Meeting Time : Every Wednesday, 5.00pm

3. Arts/ Engineering Group

Comprising students from the Arts, Engineering, Architecture, Building & Real Estate, Law &
Business Administration Faculties

Bible Study Leader : Rev Ronny Khoo [9411 1120 (PG)]

Student Coordinator : Charmaine [9762 2735 (HP)]
E-mail: charwb@singnet.com.sg
Meeting Place : Engineering Block 1, 6th Floor, NUS Eng. Faculty (E1-06 tut room)
Meeting Time : Every Friday, 6.00pm – 9.00pm

Polytechnics

4. Comprising students from Ngee Ann, Singapore, Nanyang and Temasek Polytechnics

Bible Study Leaders : Pr. Ho Chee Lai (Gospel Light B-P Church)
E-mail: cheelai@starhub.net.sg
Dn Peter Phoa (Calvary Tengah B-P Church)
E-mail: Peter_PHOA@NYP.gov.sg
Student Coordinator : Clarice Lim [9363 6276 (HP)]
E-mail: mon_amie1986@hotmail.com
Meeting Place : Life B-P Church
Meeting Time : Every Thursday, 7.00pm
Dinner : 6.30pm

Singapore Management University

5. Comprising students from Accounting, Business Administration & Arts Faculties

Bible Study Leaders : Bro. Wee Hian Kok (Berean B-P Church)
E-mail: wee8k@yahoo.com.sg
Student Coordinator : Esther Huang [92383015 (HP)]
E-mail: esther.huang.2003@business.smu.edu.sg
Lee Yu Wei [98370607 (HP)]
E-mail: yuwei.lee.2003@acccountancy.smu.edu.sg
Meeting Place : Venue to be confirmed though Email

Meeting Time : Every Friday 6.45pm, Supper thereafter

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from
faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17