Epistle to Bethany PC – the introduction

If there is a church call Bethany PC during the first century, how would an Epistle to Bethany PC read like?

For the past 3 weeks I have been studying and comparing many of the Epistles in the Bible, in particular the Epistles written by Apostle Paul. It is interesting to learn his style of writing. Each of us has a way of writing our thoughts. I am sure you are quite familiar with my style after reading this blog for some time. Many of his letters deal with church problems – false teaching, money problems, leaders quarreling, immorality, and sometimes his leadership is been questioned. Problem doesn’t mean dead church. The issue is how you deal with problems in the church and grow stronger as you solve them. Problems and tensions are part of church growth. It stretches the church.

2 things you need to know before you attempt to write an Epistle. First, you need to know letter structure in Ancient time. Second, you have something to write. Maybe it is an encouragement or information to share, but mostly Christian advices on how to deal with problems.

Let’s start with Ancient letter structure. It looks something like this:

1. Name of writer (e.g. Paul)
2. Name of recipient (e.g. to the church of Rome, to Titus)
3. Greeting (e.g. grace and peace to you from God our Father)
4. Prayer wish or thanksgiving (e.g. I always thank God for you …)
5. Body
6. Final greeting and farewell (e.g. the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you)

Next, are you aware of Bethany PC problems? How would you response to these problems?

There are a few that I can think of. We have a shortage of leaders. We need worship leaders, BSG leaders, committee members, Sunday school teachers, Youth leaders. How do you encourage people to grow up spiritually and take the lead? Also, there are some leaders for no apparent reasons just vanish, never to be seen in church. Then, there is this tension with money issues. The church building is going through many changes. It starts with church extension and building of more rooms. Then, it is church renovation. Soon it will be church upgrading, then more facilities, more music instruments, more IT gadgets, more this, more that and it is going to be never ending. But not more people. In fact we see some 40 to 60 people leaving the Chinese congregation. Also, you may have your view about different form of church worship. Some prefer the reform way, which the English service is following. Others think being Charismatic is more spiritual and will attract more people to the church. How would you give Christian counsel in your epistle?

Do you have some advice for Bethany PC that you want to add in your epistle? Maybe, you can advice the church to have more faith in God, since we are studying the Book of Hebrews. Remember a few years back we see pamphlets written in Chinese all over church claiming that the church will have 1000 worshippers by the year 2008? Well, year 2008 is coming to an end and we should have 1000 worshippers. What is your take on this?

For the closing of your epistle, you might like to include greetings to people in the church, especially those who work very hard. Let encourage them. Tell those who talk too much or write too much like Mark Lim to shut up may be another good advice.

Ready to try writing the Epistle to Bethany PC?

I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1Tim 3:14,15)

Mark Lim