Zion Serangoon Bible-Presbyterian Church

Church 58th Anniversary Celebration

Today we celebrated our Church 58th Anniversary. I have been worshipping in this church since 1997. Praise and thank God for providing us in the past 58 years. May He continue to bless us in the years to come.

This morning after service, we gathered and had a great time over a simple and yummy brunch.

As we look forward, let us take a moment to look back into history…
1955

  • January: The Bible-Presbyterian Church (BPC) in Singapore was born.
  • A property was acquired in Serangoon Gardens by the Christian Stewardship Foundation for the building of a kindergarten.

1956

  • Zion Kindergarten building was completed.
  • Zion Sunday School was launched.
  • Quek Kiok Chiang ordained in August 1956.
  • Zion Kindergarten classes began in October.

1957

  • June 23: Zion Bible-Presbyterian was inaugurated. Rev. K.C. Quek became the first pastor.

1958

  • June: Chinese service started at Zion.

1966

  • Redevelopment of Zion BPC.

1967

  • The new extension to Zion BPC was completed and inaugurated on 30 December.

1986

  • Zion Bible-Presbyterian started a new church in Bishan.

2004

  • Redevelopment of Zion Serangoon BPC.

Amen!

The Difference Between Two Burdens (Galatians 6:2,5)

Every Sunday morning is special for me. Last Sunday, I was in Zion Serangoon Bible-Presbyterian Church listening to the sermon “Our Mutual Duty to One Another in Christ” by Pastor Yap. This sermon was based on Galatian 6:1-5 (KJV).

Pastor drew my attention to Verse 2 and Verse 5 which are reproduced below.

2. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

5. For every man shall bear his own burden.

Before Pastor explained these two verses, do you know what I was thinking in my mind? These two verses contradict each other. On one hand, Paul was telling the Galatians in Verse 2 to carry one another’s burdens and in this way we will fulfil the law of Christ. On the other hand, in Verse 5 he was saying that every person has to carry his own burden.

So is there and what is the difference between the two “burdens” in these verses?

Pastor used soldiers to explain the difference. Every soldier has a rifle and full pack. When these soldiers go out for training, every solder has to carry his own rifle and full pack. A soldier cannot desire another soldier to carry his rifle and full pack even when he is tired because every soldier will be equally tired. It is the responsibility of a soldier to care for his rifle and carry his own load. This is the “burden” in Verse 5.

However, if one soldier is injured during training, the other soldiers come forward to help their injured comrade. They lifts him on a stretcher and carry his weapon and full pack. These solders are bearing the “burdens” of the injured buddy in Verse 2.

NKJV version of these verses is:

2. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

5. For each one shall bear his own load.

It is now clear that the “burdens” in Verse 2 refers to a weight that is so heavy and probably crushing that if a person is not helped in carrying it, he or she will be overwhelmed.

In Verse 5, the “burden” in fact refers to loads that a person must shoulder on his or her own and cannot be shared.

Paul was therefore consistent when he reminded the Galatians to bear the burdens of others while they carry their own loads.