Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The message of the gospel is God’s infinite wisdom presented in an infinitely logically and simple way so that men can be saved from sin and misery and death. It is a message that has brought comfort, strength, joy and peace to the seeking soul, distraught and at its wit’s end. The power of God shown through in the heart of such bringing healing to the aching soul.
The gospel is the power and wisdom of God to save. Despise not the gospel for it is the only hope, the only cure for sin and death. The Apostle Paul is exhorting the church in Corinth to press on in sowing the seed of the gospel. He made a relative comparison driving home the point that even the least of God’s wisdom bordering upon “foolishness” as fallen man would interpret God’s ways, is still superior to man’s wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-3
1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
The Apostle Paul was quoting Scripture taken from Isaiah 29:14 “Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” He was alluding to the truth that God shall intervene by His power to save man by confounding their “wisdom”.
The Apostle Paul has personally experienced liberation from the bondage of sin when he received Jesus Christ at his Lord and Saviour. He was confronted by Jesus through a bright light from heaven on the road to Damascus for persecuting Christians. He was blinded for three days. He realised that the Jesus whom he was persecuting is the living and true God. He asked Jesus to forgive his sins. Jesus restored his sight. He was a changed man from that day onwards. He understood the power of the gospel, the preaching of the cross, indeed, saves!
The Apostle Paul’s focus is to preach the gospel in its simple entirety without garnishing it with any of man’s intellectual wrangling whom man calls “wisdom”. He sees it as a danger because it stands to twist and distort the gospel message. The gospel loses its power to save!
Acts 8:5-13 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
(1) Updated Church App
On 25 March 2015, BHBPC mobile app went ‘live’ in iTunes and in the Android store where members and friends can download the ‘app’ for free. As at 15 Sept 2016, there has been 145 downloads, with 79 using IOs and 66 from Androids phones. Search under “Blessed Hope Church” and you would be able to locate the icon for download.
“App” features include daily KJV Bible Text and Reading Plan, Devotions (currently we are on the book of 1 Corinthians), Weekly Newsletter, Sermons Podcast, Facebook, Website and an instant messaging system for real time communication with users.
He forbade that the Christians in Corinth have a wrong notion of the mission of the church. If it becomes a holding place for man’s ego, it will fail. Christ has not sent him to baptise although this is a part of the Great Commission. He was to make disciples so that God’s kingdom will be advanced. He is an instrument in God’s hand. The gospel work is not done in his name. He cannot save. Therefore, his preaching has always been to point men to Christ.
Jesus is Lord and Saviour. There is none else. The Apostle Paul by his apostolic authority rebuked the church at Corinth for idolizing men, albeit himself! He seeks to awaken their spirit to mind the things of the spirit and not be caught up with earthly position and empire-building. By using the Apostle Paul’s name, the members are gathering disciples for their carnal end. This is not acceptable, the Apostle Paul retorted!