Dear Members and Friends of NCCS,
He grows His Church through us today!
“And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b)
August has been a very interesting month in our calendar. This sudden ‘awakening’ has triggered a number of meetings, and dialogues have been organised and articles circulated to address the findings of the General Household Survey (GHS) 2025, which is close to our hearts. While we are still reflecting and trying to interpret its meaning, let us continue to allow God and His Word to be our comfort and our compass today.
A well-known verse, Acts 2:47, is our meditation for September. It allows us to keep our eyes focused on Him while strengthening the foundation of the Christian life that God has called us to — and it allows God to surprise us in our walk with Him as He builds His church today: “And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b).
1) Living A Word-Centred Life.
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching”
The early church, in her infancy, lacked much compared with what we have today and battled many challenges. Nevertheless, the believers had God’s Word as their compass – for their physical and spiritual growth and nourishment. A Word-centred life was intentionally pursued by God’s people. It was the key foundation at the very beginning of the church, and it remains so for us today.
2) Living a God-Expectant Life.
“A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders”
When we live a life that allows God to stir our hearts through breakthroughs, small and large, we will be amazed at what He can do in our daily lives. The conversion of a loved one that once seemed impossible is a miracle. A moment of desperation and despair, broken by a sudden word of encouragement from someone, is a miracle that saves the day. Healing from sickness is a miracle that encourages the soul. We never run out of God’s miracles when we pay attention to Him. He is found in places where we do not expect Him at all.
3) Living a Generous Life
“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.”
A willingness to share resources and a readiness to bless others usually grow when we acknowledge God as Lord of ALL. All that we have comes from Him. As a result, learning to position ourselves as God’s stewards, managing all that we have been given, enables us to go the extra mile for one another. It is God, His Kingdom and His people that matter most.
4) Living in God’s Community
“They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
It is a challenge to keep our posture of worship alive in the midst of the storm, and to keep living in God’s community when we have been hurt. Yet we are called to live as God’s people together, whatever our circumstances. I believe this is the most visible and tangible expression of God’s love, experienced both inside and outside the church. Thus, our calling to be ‘salt and light’ will impact others, because it is shaped by the character of God in and through us.
God will continue to surprise us as He adds to His Church while we walk with Him daily. He grows His Church through us even today!
Sincerely in Christ,
Bishop Anthony Loh
Vice-President
National Council of Churches of Singapore
______
尊敬的新加坡基督教全国教会理事会成员与朋友，
祂今天依然借着我们来建立祂的教会！
“主将得救的人天天加给他们。”（使徒行传 2:47b）
这八月在我们的事工日历中是一个非常特别的月份。这一突然的“觉醒”引发了一连串会议、对话和文章，以回应与我们息息相关的《2025年全国家庭调查》的结果。当我们仍在反思并试图解读其含义的同时，让我们继续 让上帝和祂的话语成为我们今天的安慰与指南。
使徒行传 2:47 是我们九月份默想的经文。它帮助我们定睛仰望祂，同时坚固了上帝呼召我们活出的基督徒生命根基——并让我们在跟随祂的道路上，经历祂的惊喜，因祂今天仍在建立祂的教会：“主将得救的人天天加给他们。”（使徒行传 2:47b）
1）活出以上帝的话语为中心的生命
“他们都恒心遵守使徒的教训……”
与我们今天所拥有的相比，教会在初创时，缺乏许多资源，且面对诸多挑战。然而，信徒们以上帝的(道)/话语为指南——滋养他们肉体与灵命的成长。以上帝的道/话语为生活的中心，是初期教会成长最为关键的根基，至今仍然是这样。
2）活出对上帝有期待的生命
“众人都惧怕；使徒又行了许多奇事神迹……”
当我们的日常生活让上帝透过大大小小的突破事件激动我们心灵时，我们会惊讶于祂在我们日常生活中的作为。一个曾经看似不可能信主之亲人的皈依，就是一个神迹。一个在面对绝望与灰心的时刻，因某人一句突如其来鼓励的话改变，就是日子被扭转的奇迹。从疾病中得医治，是鼓舞心灵的神迹。当我们留心关注祂的作为时，我们将无时无处都可以看见上帝的神迹。祂出现在我们意想不到的地方。
3）活出慷慨的生命
“信的人都在一处，凡物公用……”
当我们承认上帝是万有之主时，(那么)愿意分享资源、乐意祝福他人的心志通常就会增长。我们一切所有的都是从祂而来。因此，学习将自己定位为上帝的管家，管理祂所赐予的一切，使我们能够为彼此走多一里路。而这最重要关乎的是上帝、祂的国度与祂的子民。
4）活在上帝的群体中
“他们天天同心合意恒切地在殿里，且在家中擘饼，存着欢喜、诚实的心用饭，赞美上帝，得众民的喜爱。主将得救的人天天加给他们。”
在风暴发生时 我们仍然敬拜祂，当我们被伤害时仍活在上帝的群体中，这确实是一项挑战。然而，无论环境如何，我们被呼召一同活出上帝子民的生命。我相信这是上帝的爱最明显、最具体的表达，人们无论在教会内在教会外都能感受到。这样，我们被上帝呼召作“盐和光”的身份必会影响他人，因为上帝塑造我们也藉着我们流露上帝的属性 。
当我们每天与主同行时，祂会继续让我们经验惊喜，因为祂不断将人加添给祂的教会。即使在今天，祂依然藉着我们建立祂的教会！
在主里诚心，
罗嘉俊会督
新加坡基督教全国教会理事会副主席
National Council of Churches Singapore – September 2026 NewsletterDownload
