Author: Eden Liew

[信函的中文翻译]

Dear Members and Friends of NCCS,

We have just begun 2026 and some of us have set certain goals we hope to achieve in this new year. Many have important dreams and desires to fulfil this year and before going further, may I suggest that we prepare ourselves with a life of Consecration.

After 40 years of living in the desert, the Israelites arrived at an important crossroads—the next phase of their lives—individually, as couples, as families, and as a nation. They came to the “customs checkpoint” that separated them between the Jordan River and the Promised Land.

The first thing their leader called them to do was to consecrate themselves.  A life of consecration unto the Lord allowed the Israelites to be successful in all their endeavours in taking over the land: At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again”.  So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath-haaraloth (Joshua 5:2–3).

It was a most dangerous thing to do when the enemy was right before them, for they could have been attacked. Yet, this act was an act of total dependence on God. Through circumcision, the new generation entered into a covenant with God—to be God’s people, set apart for Him, belonging to Him.

Consecration, in simple terms, means “set apart” or set aside—set apart for a purpose.

In fact, we practise the principle of “setting apart” in our lives all the time. Without setting things apart, our lives and everything in them become chaotic and unfruitful, and we may even hurt ourselves. Similarly, when a couple gets married, they must set themselves apart for each other in order to build a successful marriage and healthy family life.

God set apart His people as His very own—a new breed of humanity called God’s Kingdom people.   Today, we become God’s children through baptism. We die to our old self, are buried with Christ, and are given a new life and a new identity.  Following the act of consecration, the first major victory was given to them through the famous account of the fall of the walls of Jericho. The fortified walls collapsed after seven days of marching around them, followed by a mighty shout.

How about us today? A life of consecration unto the Lord is a life of obedience unto the Lord. We must pay serious attention to living a life of consecration (a life of obedience) before the Lord. If we do not set ourselves apart for Him, our enemy will always tell us that we can continue to worship and walk with God—but remain worldly.

Remember that Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron. “All right! Go ahead and offer sacrifices to your God,” he said. “But do it here in this land.” (Exodus 8:25). And note he also said

“All right, go ahead,” Pharaoh replied. “I will let you go into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God. But don’t go too far away.” (Exodus 8:28)

The same voice speaks to us today:

• Don’t go too far. Stay moderate. Don’t go too deep in your walk with Jesus.
• Don’t be overly committed. Don’t rely too much on the Holy Spirit.
• Don’t even try or attempt to reach out to our loved ones or bring friends, because it costs time and money.

Yes, the Jordan River was “torn apart” when the priests stepped into the water. Without stepping into the water—without going all out and trusting Him—we may still remain at the Jordan. Some of us may still be in the desert at the Jordan because we have never stepped into the water—or crossed the Jordan River yet.  Without consecration, we become spiritually stagnant.   Without consecration, we cannot be effective vessels for God’s use.  We become ineffective in living our Christian lives. Yes, God consecrates (sets apart) His leaders and His people for His work—to be His vessels for His mission, for a year of harvest, and to be God’s people.

May 2026 be an extraordinary year, as God uses us to be blessings to our families, friends, neighbours, and our community.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Anthony Loh | Vice-President
National Council of Churches of Singapore 

[English version]

亲爱的新加坡教会理事会会友与弟兄姊妹们，

2026年已然开启，相信许多人已为新的一年设定了目标与期许。在大家怀揣重要梦想踏上新征程之际，我想邀请各位以”分别为圣”的生命姿态预备自己。

当以色列民经历四十年旷野历程，他们站在了人生、家庭与民族命运的十字路口——眼前横亘着约旦河与应许之地之间的”海关检查站”。领袖约书亚发出的首要呼召正是”自洁”。这种全然归主的生活，使他们得享攻取迦南地的诸般胜利：那时，上帝对约书亚说：“你造燧石刀，再次给以色列人行割礼。” 于是，约书亚在基比亚哈拉洛为以色列人行了割礼（约书亚记 5:2-3）。

当时敌人就在眼前，这样做极其危险，因为他们随时可能遭到攻击。然而，这却是完全倚靠上帝的举动。通过割礼，新一代与上帝立约——成为上帝的子民，分别为圣归于祂，属于祂。

“分别为圣”即是为特定目的而被拣选、被分别。

事实上，我们在生活中时时刻刻都在实践“分别为圣”的原则。若不将事物分别出来，我们的生活与其中的一切都会变得混乱而徒劳，甚至可能伤害自己。同样，当两人结为夫妻时，他们也必须为彼此”分别”，方能建立美满的婚姻与健康的家庭生活。

上帝將祂的子民分別出来，使他們成為祂自己的子民——一种被称为上帝国度子民的新型人类。今天，我们藉着洗礼成为神的儿女。我们向旧我死去，与基督一同埋葬，并被赋予新的生命和新的身份。在奉献礼之后，以色列民迎来了第一个重大胜利，耶利哥城墙的倒塌便是著名的例证。在他们绕城行军七天后，坚固的城墙轰然倒塌，伴随着一声震耳欲聋的呐喊。

今日我们当如何？分别为圣的生命就是顺服主的生命。 如果我们不分别为圣归于祂，我们的仇敌就会不断告诉我们，我们可以继续敬拜神、与神同行——但仍然活在世俗之中。

请记住，法老召见摩西和亚伦，说：“你们去向你们的神献祭吧！但要在这地上献祭。”（出埃及记 8:25）请注意，他还说：”不要走得太远”（出埃及记8:28）。

今天，这同样的声音也在对我们说：

• 不要走得太远。保持适度。不要在与耶稣同行的路上太过投入。
• 不要过度委身。不要过分依赖圣灵。
•  不要试图联系我们的亲人或带朋友来，因为这会耗费时间和金钱。

是的，当祭司们踏入约旦河时，河水“裂开了”。如果我们不踏入水中——不全心全意地信靠祂——我们可能仍然停留在约旦河。我们中的一些人可能仍然在约旦河边的旷野里，因为我们从未踏入水中——或者，从未渡过约旦河。没有分别为圣，我们的灵性就会停滞不前。没有分别为圣，我们就无法成为神有效的器皿。我们在基督徒的生活中也会变得毫无功效。是的，上帝为着祂的圣工，把祂的领袖和祂的子民分别为圣，使他们成为祂的器皿，完成祂的使命，迎接丰收之年，并成为上帝的子民。

愿2026年成为非凡之年——求上帝使用我们，成为家庭、邻舍、社区的祝福。

主内同工，

罗嘉俊会督 | 副会长
新加坡教会理事会

L-R  Rev Dr Chiang Ming Shun NCCS, Dr Zhao Boyang (赵博阳) SASS, Dr Shi Li (石丽) SASS, Dr She Ling (佘凌) SASS, Abp Dr Titus Chung NCCS, Bp Philip Lim NCCS, Prof Yan Kejia (晏可佳) SASS, Dr Li Qiang (李强) SASS, Dr Bernard Low UBS, Rev Edwin Tan NCCS

[信函的中文翻译]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

In these post-pandemic days, still filled with unrest and conflict, we come to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ anew. Each year, as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we are reminded that true peace does not come from the deceitfulness and guile of sinners, but from the Savior who is willing to enter our world and our lives.

The prophet Isaiah said  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). Today the world remains full of turbulence: disease, war, economic pressure, family tension, spiritual weariness and more.  Yet Christmas reminds us that God has not abandoned us. He is not merely watching from afar; He personally became flesh and entered our chaos to bring rest to our souls and true peace.

The message of Christmas is that God is with us (Immanuel).  He is with the weak, with the lonely, with those seeking direction, with those walking in darkness. Whatever challenges, tears, or burdens you have gone through this year, the Lord speaks to you again at Christmas: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”

Therefore, this Christmas is not only a celebration, but also an invitation:

— An invitation to look to Christ again, that the weary may find strength;
— An invitation to return to God, that the lost may regain direction;
— An invitation to love one another, that Christ’s light may shine through our lives into our communities and our nation.

May we pause amidst the busyness of this season to hear the proclamation of the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!” (Luke 2:14)  True peace is not the absence of storms, but the presence of Jesus. True joy is not having everything go smoothly, but knowing that God will never forsake us.

May this Christmas fill your home with love, your heart with hope, and your life’s direction in the way of the Lord. Let us carry the light of Christ to become a blessing in our nation, messengers of peace in our communities, and voices of hope in our families.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, overflowing with grace, and may the peace of the Lord rest upon your household!

Rt Rev (Dr) Caleb Soo
Vice President
16 Dec 25

(L to R) Rev Edwin Tan (陈永强牧师) NCCS Associate General Secretary, Elder Kevin Lee (李振财长老) NCCS Honorary Treasurer,  Bishop Anthony Loh (罗嘉俊会督) NCCS Vice President,   Rt Rev Dr Caleb Soo (苏立忠会正[博士]）NCCS Vice President, Bishop Philip Lim (林建隆会督)  NCCS President,  Rev Wu Wei（吴巍牧师）President of the China Christian Council/NJUTS Principal, Mr Zhou Xuebin（周学斌先生）NJUTS Staff Member of Overseas Relations Desk, Rev Huang Jinbin（黄金斌牧师）NJUTS Director of Students’ Ministry Office/Associate Professor of Church History, Ms Zhao Jingwen （赵静文女士）NJUTS Director of Research and Publication, Rev Tang Yongquan (唐勇权牧师) NJUTS Administrative Director,   Dr Zhang Lixia（张丽霞博士）NJUTS Lecturer of Chinese Church History

[Show slideshow]

[English version]

《在争战的世界里迎接那真正的和平之光》

亲爱的主内弟兄姐妹：

在这后疫情又处处充满动乱、 争战的日子里，我们再次迎接庆祝主耶稣基督的降生。每一年，当我们记念和平之君耶稣基督的降生，这提醒我们：真正的和平或平安不是来自充塞心机的罪人，而是来自那位愿意进入我们世界、进入我们生命的救主。

先知在以赛亚书:9:6说：‘’ 因有一婴孩为我们而生，有一子赐给我们，政权必担在他的肩头上，他名称为奇妙，策士，全能的神，永在的父，和平的君‘’。如今，世界仍充满动荡：疾病、战争、经济压力、家庭张力、心灵疲惫……但圣诞提醒我们：神没有撇下我们。祂不是在远方观看，而是亲自道成肉身，进入我们的混乱之中， 给我们带来心灵的安稳与真正的和平。

圣诞的信息，就是 神与我们同在（Immanuel）。祂与软弱的人同在，与孤单的人同在，与寻求方向的人同在,与在黑暗中的人同在。无论你在今年经历了怎样的挑战、流泪或重担，主都愿意在圣诞再次向你说：“不要怕，我与你同在。”

因此，这个圣诞，不只是庆祝，更是一个邀请：

— 邀请我们重新仰望基督，使疲惫得力；
— 邀请我们重新回到神面前，使迷失得找回方向；
— 邀请我们彼此相爱，使基督的光透过我们的生命照进社群与国家。

愿我们在忙碌的节期中，停下来聆听天使的宣告：“在至高之处荣耀归与神！在地上平安归与祂所喜悦的人！”（路 2:14）真正的平安，不是环境无风无浪，而是有耶稣的同在。真正的喜乐，不是拥有一切顺利，而是知道神永不离弃。

愿今年的圣诞节，使你的家充满爱，你的心充满盼望，你的脚步再次走在主的呼召中。让我们带着基督的光，成为国家中的祝福，成为社区里的平安使者，成为家庭中的希望之声。

祝大家：
圣诞快乐，恩典满溢，愿主的平安临到每一个家庭！

苏立忠会正（博士） 
新加坡基督教会理事会副主席

[English version]

亲爱的弟兄姐妹们：

愿天父和主耶稣基督赐予您和您的家人恩典与平安！

我们将于2025年11月30日进入将临期。将临期指的是耶稣基督曾经在两千年前降临人间，藉着祂的生、死、复活和升天带来救恩。如今基督徒也期盼基督第二次将临，届时祂将以肉身重返人间，迎接教会并审判万国。

作为基督徒，在将临期，我们纪念基督的第一次降临，并满怀期待地迎接祂的第二次降/来临。从这个意义上说，诗篇90篇12节中摩西的话语，为我们提供了如何满怀期待地迎接祂第二次降/来临的重要提醒: “ 求你指教我们怎样数算自己的日子，好叫我们得着智慧的心。（诗篇 90:12）

“数算自己的日子”可以理解为认识到生命的短暂。第12节是对前5节（第7-11节）的回应。前面的经文强调了上帝的愤怒、人的罪恶以及生命的短暂。上帝向人发怒是罪的后果，而罪必带来报应。死亡导致的短暂人生正是罪的后果之一。然而，现代人常常难以理解死亡与罪之间的联系。这正是罪的诡诈。我们往往不会将死亡与罪联系起来。我们需要明白这一点才能活出正确的生命。我们之所以会死，是因为我们得罪了上帝，而罪只能通过献祭来赎罪。在旧约中，这指的是持续不断地献祭牲畜来赎罪。在新约中，我们藉着上帝羔羊耶稣基督完美的献祭，得享罪得赦免。

因此，在这将临期，愿我们时刻谨记与他人分享耶稣基督福音的紧迫感，愿我们对耶稣的渴慕与日俱增。

愿主赐福给你，保护你。
愿主向你微笑，恩待你。
愿主向你显出他的恩惠，赐给你平安。

章剑文大主教 ( 博士 )
新加坡基督教会理事会副主席

[信函的中文翻译]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Grace and peace to you and your family from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ!

We will be entering the season of Advent on 30 November 2025. The literal meaning of the word “advent” is “coming” or “arrival”. The season of Advent refers to the coming of Jesus Christ to earth to provide salvation through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Christians now anticipate a second advent when Christ will return to earth in bodily form to receive the church and to judge the nations.

As Christians, in the season of Advent, we commemorate Christ’s first coming to earth and live in anticipation of his second coming. In this light, the words of Moses in Psalm 90:12 offer an important reminder on how to live in anticipation of his second coming.

 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

“To number our days” can be interpreted as understanding the brevity of life. Verse 12 is a response to the 5 preceding verses (v 7 – 11). These earlier verses highlighted God’s anger, sin, and brevity of life. God’s anger towards man is the result of sin, and sin has consequences. The brevity of life, brought about by death, is one of the consequences of sin. However, the modern mind often struggles to comprehend the connection between mortality and sin. This is the deceitfulness of sin. We do not connect mortality with sin. We need to see that to live right. We die because we have sinned against God, and sin can only be dealt with through sacrifice. In the Old Testament, it is the ongoing sacrifice of animals for the atonement of sin. In the New Testament, it is through the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, that we receive full forgiveness of our sins.

So, in this season of Advent, may we be reminded of the urgency to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, and may our need for Jesus grow deeper day by day.

May the LORD bless you and protect you. 
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. 
May the LORD show you his favour and give you his peace.

Abp Dr Titus Chung
Vice President NCCS

Seated (R – L)   Bishop Philip Lim (President); Bishop Anthony Loh (Vice-president); Elder Kevin Lee (Treasurer)
Standing (R – L)  Sr Pastor Sampath Vincent; Mr Jason Wong; Elder Timothy Chew; Mr Kelvin Lee; Pastor Joshua Marip; Mr Jeremiah Goh; Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian (Gen Sec)

[信函的中文翻译]

Dear Members and Friends of NCCS,

 SG60 is also a time for us to reflect on our multicultural Singapore for God has given the Church a unique blessing: in the same city, we have congregations that worship primarily in English, and others in Chinese, Tamil and many more.

 On the surface, this may seem like a simple language difference, but spiritually, it is a beautiful picture of diversity within unity.  Yet, if we remain confined to our own language circles without interaction or collaboration, we risk missing the blessing of the Body of Christ living as one. Our different language churches may be distinct yet they are complementary.  Each community carries a divine calling and unique strengths that the other needs:  “For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:14).

 As a Chinese-speaking pastor, I believe that in God’s eyes, English and Chinese-speaking churches in Singapore are not two parallel worlds, but members of one Body, designed to complete each other. For instance, when English-speaking churches have fruitful experiences in marketplace ministry, youth work, or digital outreach, sharing these with Chinese-speaking congregations multiplies impact. Conversely, the cultural insights and family ministry strengths of Chinese churches can help English- speaking congregations serve locally with greater warmth and relevance.

 Thus when society sees the Church transcending language, culture, and generational divides, we embody Jesus’ prayer in John 17: “…that they may be one…so that the world may believe that you sent me.”

 Truly, the diversity of churches in Singapore is God’s gift. When we lay aside barriers, appreciate one another, and share our resources, we will fulfill the Great Commission more effectively and display the glory of Christ in our city.

 “May our Lord grant us humility and love, that all our churches may be one in Christ, so that the world will see God’s glory and give praise.”  Amen.

 Yours in Christ,

Rt Rev Dr Caleb Soo | Vice-President
National Council of Churches of Singapore

Aug 25 Newsletter