[Exhortation given to Shalom Bible College, Nias, Sumatra, Indonesia on 30 January 2021, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of a new building.]
Shalom! Yahowu! I bring you greetings from the Damansara Reformed Baptist Church in Kuala Lumpur. On this special occasion of laying the foundation stone of a new building for Shalom Bible College, let us direct our attention to two matters — firstly lets us remember with thanksgiving the founding of the college, and secondly, let us remember the word of God concerning the training of preachers.
The founding of the college is related to the tsunami of 26 December 2004 and the earthquake tha occurred three months later in March 2005. As part of the relief effort, this college was founded. The names of some prime movers must not be forgotten. Apart from local men like Pak Yohanes Liem, God used the late Pak Hanafi Yahya, and overseas friends such as Pak Suh Sung Min of South Korea to build up the college. We are thankful to God that the vision for the college has not died down. Instead, it continues to grow.
Then, let us remember a passage of Scripture, namely 2 Timothy 2:2 which says, “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Three points must be noted. Firstly, there is continuity in the passing on of biblical truth. The system of truth taught in the Bible was passed from Paul to Timothy, from Timothy to others, and from them to others. Four generations of preachers are in view. We must not dwell on the past and stop there. We must not think only of the present. But we must think of passing on the truth to the next generation and the generation after that. If all of us think like that, the truth will be passed on until Christ returns to judge the world.
Secondly, faithful men and women are involved in this wok Paul had received revelation from the Lord. He passed on the revelation by word to Timothy among many witnesses. Timothy was to pass the truth to the next generation who would pass it on to the following generation. The truth must not be changed as it is passed on. It application of the truth may vary according to the circumstances, but the truth itself must not be changed. Truth encompasses the doctrine, the method, and the motive which all must be correct. Only faithful men will be able to pass on the truth faithfully.
Thirdly, the truth is passed on by faithful men in the context of the local church. Paul was a member of the church at Antioch. Timothy was placed by Paul to be the pastor of the church in Ephesus. The Great Commission is about the founding of faithful churches. The training of preachers must never be detached from the local church. The preachers who are trained should not be detached from local churches. The preachers must pass on the truth by founding local churches.
In summary, the truth must be passed on from generation to generation, by faithful men, who are based in faithful churches, and who found faithful churches. May God help us to fulfil our responsibility faithfully. Let us be thankful to be involved in this great work of God. To God be all the glory!