Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC): Division or Unity?

Aug 8, 2025

Division or Unity?

In Luke 12:49-56, Jesus's call for division is a theological and spiritual one, not a call for social discord or a break-up of the church. He was referring to the division between believers and non-believers, and the division within families that would inevitably occur when some members chose to follow him and others did not. This is a crucial distinction. The unity Jesus speaks of elsewhere is the spiritual unity of all believers in him, a unity that transcends worldly divisions and is based on a shared faith.

Division in Luke 12:49-56

In Luke 12, Jesus's words are a metaphor for the radical nature of the gospel. He states, "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" and "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." The "fire" represents the judgment and purification that his coming would bring. The "division" he refers to is the consequence of people's response to him. It's a stark choice: either you are with him or against him. This decision would naturally create a rift between those who accept him and those who reject him, even within the same family. He goes on to say, "From now on, there will be five in one family divided against each other," emphasizing that the choice to follow him is so profound that it would sever even the closest human bonds. This division isn't something Jesus desires for its own sake, but rather an unavoidable outcome of the world's resistance to his truth.

Unity in Other Scriptures

In contrast, the unity Jesus advocates for is an internal, spiritual unity of believers. A prime example is his prayer in John 17, where he prays "that they may all be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."

This unity is modeled after the relationship within the Trinity itself. It's a call for the church to be united in purpose, love, and doctrine. This unity is not a worldly peace that avoids conflict, but a profound spiritual bond that exists among those who have been reconciled to God through Christ. The purpose of this unity is to serve as a testimony to the world of the power of the gospel.

The Difference in Context and Group

The key difference lies in the context and the groups of people Jesus is addressing.

Luke 12:49-56: Jesus is speaking to the crowds and his disciples about the implications of his ministry for the world at large. The division he's talking about is the natural consequence of the gospel's impact on a world that is not yet ready to fully embrace it. The groups are believers versus non-believers.
John 17 and other passages on unity: Jesus is praying specifically for his disciples and all future believers. The unity he desires is an internal reality within the body of Christ. The group is all those who have been redeemed by him. This is an exclusive unity for those within the faith, whereas the division he describes is an inclusive reality that applies to everyone in the world.

In short, the division is an external reality that separates the world, while the unity is an internal reality that binds the church.

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The Purpose in writing this blog

The authors are full-time ordained ministers and preachers in the Bible Presbyterian Church in Singapore. The goal of this blog is to encourage all Bible Presbyterian pastors, elders, and leaders, as well as the flocks they serve, to turn to the Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ. To unite under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the Bible. Accepting our minor differences while focusing on the cross. Being described as one family under God the Father. We are called to be together in our diversity. Pride is the fault of all Bible Presbyterian Churches worldwide. Lust has blinded theologians at Far Eastern Bible College. It is at this heavy, serious, and gloomy moment in our Christian walk, rebuking these pastors and theologians, the remarks in this blog are heavy and severe in order to prompt them to repentance. May God help and bless us.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead; I believe in the Holy Ghost; I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

LUTHER'S MORNING PRAYER

Errors in King James Version

Read Romans 8:26...the KJV has "the Spirit itself..." This is an error; the Holy Spirit is our God, and we must address Him correctly! How may "itself" be used to approach God, the Holy Spirit? "It" is used to address an item or an animal, not a person or God! The KJV translators had insulted the Holy Spirit! However, in another verse, the KJV translators used the term "him" to designate Satan. What an insult to KJV readers! Read Luke 11:18: "...if Satan also be divided against himself..." The KJV uses the phrase "himself..." when addressing Satan! The KJV translator used "it" for the Holy Spirit, but "him" for Satan!!! Mark 3:28 "Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"

One Another

Unity In Diversity for Bible Presbyterian Churches in Singapore

Like a peal of bells the word allelon-'one another'-rings through the pages of the New Testament.

'Accept one another' allelon

'Serve one another' allelon

'Wash one another's feet'

'Confess your sins one to another'

'Pray one for another'

'Forbearing one another and forgiving each other'

'Teaching and admonishing one another'

'Comfort one another and build each other up'

'Bear one another's burdens'

'Love one another as I have loved you'

Those who have the flow of mutuality in their relationship with each other need not be vocal or exuberant in expressing it.

John Calvin's consent

To new readers, I greet you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, may God grant us good theologians, humble servants of the Lord, and faithful believers in these last days, may God use this blog to call some one for self searching and repentance, and here we are blogging in theological debates. In 1547, Jacques Gruet, he was arrested by Calvin, tortured for a month and beheaded on July 26, 1547.. The civil court condemned him to death and, with Calvin's consent, he was beheaded. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Calvin) John Calvin consented to kill a man for his theological stand, but I rather use strong words to achieve that!

Statement

1. The authors of this blog do not believe that the KJV Bible is the perfect Bible. The KJV has problems and inaccuracies because it is a man-made translation. 2. The inerrant Bible is in the autograph. All subsequent copies of Hebrew and Greek manuscripts have God's Written Word. We have God's written Word preserved in the NIV, KJV, and ESV. 3. There is no such notion as Verbal Plenary Preservation on a single TR Greek Text underlying the KJV, and the authors do not believe that the entire Greek text underlying the KJV Bible, or the TR, is error-free. 4. The authors believe that the Bible was inspired verbally and plenarily preserved in NIV, KJV, ESV, NESB….other faithful Bible versions. 5. The authors recommend NKJV, NIV, ESV, and NLT New Living Translation. 6. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the living Word.

Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC)