More About Us
2 Timothy 3: 17
Welcome again to our site. Have a look at our Purpose to establish this seminary and our Statement of Faith. We are a accredited institution since 1990 and our history starts from way back 1982.
Our Faculty and Staff has been working hard to bring the seminary and facilities to what it is today. They make our Student Life a bit more easier . Lets not forget our Board of Management for their constant encouragement.
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The Seminary subscribes to the Statement of Faith adopted by the Singapore Baptist Convention. This Statement emphasises...
The Authority of Scripture as THE SUPREME STANDARD BY WHICH ALL HUMAN CONDUCT, CREEDS, AND RELIGIOUS OPINIONS SHOULD BE TRIED. Furthermore, THE CRITERION BY WHICH THE BIBLE IS TO BE INTERPRETED IS JESUS CHRIST.*
The Revelation of God to us AS FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, WITH DISTINCT PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES, BUT WITHOUT DIVISION OF NATURE, ESSENCE, OR BEING.
God the Father, who REIGNS WITH PROVIDENTIAL CARE OVER HIS UNIVERSE, HIS CREATURES, AND THE FLOW OF THE STREAM OF HUMAN HISTORY ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSES OF HIS GRACE.
Jesus Christ, THE ETERNAL SON OF GOD who PERFECTLY REVEALED AND DID THE WILL OF GOD, TAKING UPON HIMSELF THE DEMANDS AND NECESSITIES OF HUMAN NATURE. . . YET WITHOUT SIN. IN HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS HE MADE PROVISION FOR THE REDEMPTION OF MEN FROM SIN.
The Holy Spirit, who INSPIRED HOLY MEN OF OLD TO WRITE THE SCRIPTURES, . . . ENABLES MEN TO UNDERSTAND TRUTH,. . . EXALTS CHRIST, . . . CONVICTS OF SIN, . . . CALLS MEN TO THE SAVIOUR, EFFECTS REGENERATION, . . . DWELLS IN THE BELIEVER, . . . CULTIVATES CHRISTIAN CHARACTER, . . . COMFORTS BELIEVERS, AND BESTOWS SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
Man, who was created by God in His own image but who BY HIS FREE CHOICE, . . . SINNED AGAINST GOD. THEREFORE ALL MEN INHERIT A NATURE AND AN ENVIRONMENT INCLINED TOWARD SIN.
Furthermore, ONLY THE GRACE OF GOD CAN BRING MAN INTO HIS HOLY FELLOWSHIP. THE VALUE OF MAN IS EVIDENT IN THAT GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, AND IN THAT CHRIST DIED FOR MAN. THEREFORE EVERY MAN POSSESSES DIGNITY AND IS WORTHY OF RESPECT AND CHRISTIAN LOVE.
Salvation, which INVOLVES THE REDEMPTION OF THE WHOLE MAN, AND IS OFFERED FREELY TO ALL WHO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOUR, WHO BY HIS OWN BLOOD OBTAINED our ETERNAL REDEMPTION.
The Church, which is a BODY OF BAPTIZED BELIEVERS WHO ARE ASSOCIATED BY COVENANT IN THE FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP OF THE GOSPEL. The church IS AN AUTONOMOUS BODY, OPERATING THROUGH DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST.
Evangelism and Missions. IT IS THE DUTY AND PRIVILEGE OF EVERY FOLLOWER OF CHRIST AND OF EVERY CHURCH . . . TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS. IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY CHILD OF GOD TO SEEK CONSTANTLY TO WIN THE LOST TO CHRIST BY PERSONAL WITNESS AND BY ALL OTHER METHODS IN HARMONY WITH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
* Bold print and capitals indicate direct quote from the Singapore Baptist Convention's Statement of Faith.
The Baptist Theological Seminary began as a joint ministry of the Baptist Theological Seminary, Penang, Malaysia and the Singapore Baptist Convention. Prompted by concern over Malaysian Immigration restrictions against foreigners studying in Malaysia, including Singaporeans, the request for a teaching branch in Singapore was initiated in April 1982 by Singapore representatives Mr. Sim Miah Kian and Mrs. Kathy Frye. The request was entertained by the BTS, Penang, Malaysia Board of Management and supported by President Wayne Siao. At that time there were two Singapore Baptists needing to complete their theological training but unable to secure student visas to study at BTS, Penang. These two students were David Chua and Spencer Lee, both of Thomson Road Baptist Church.
On 3 May 1982, the Singapore Baptist Convention voted "To encourage the Baptist Theological Seminary to proceed to implement its plans for upgrading the Singapore TEE (Theological Education by Extension) programme to a Teaching Branch of the Baptist Theological Seminary." The BTS Branch commenced classes in the English stream in January 1983 with five students: George Kaan, Spencer Lee, Pang Sow Yoke, Vincent Wan, and Valerie Chan. (Since David Chua was in the Chinese stream, he continued his studies in Hong Kong, and received his degree from BTS, Penang.)
The Branch met for the first term in the facilities of the Baptist Centre for Urban Studies on Holland Road. In April 1983, Calvary Baptist Church invited the Branch to make use of space in the educational block of the church building at 48 Wan Tho Avenue. Thus began a cordial relationship that has continued even through the shift in December 1988 to current enlarged facilities at Singapore Baptist Church, 1 Cambridge Road.
In 1987, BTS, Penang and the Singapore Branch Advisory Committee proposed that the Branch become an autonomous seminary. This proposal followed the action of the Singapore Baptist Convention to amend its constitution in order to provide for the establishment of a seminary to train pastors and church workers and to equip church leaders for ministry and service in our churches.
The Branch Advisory Committee examined many options for facilities, including the possibility of purchasing or building, and the practicality of entering into a partnership with an expanding church. Singapore Baptist Church and the Branch began dialogue that resulted in an agreement for the school to occupy part of the new educational building. In March 1988, the Singapore Baptist Convention made application to the Ministry of Education for registration of the Baptist Theological Seminary as a strictly religious institution. The Seminary solicitors (Messrs. Wong, Yoong, Tan & Molly Lim) delivered word on 18 April 1989 that the Seminary had been duly registered by the Ministry of Education.
The Seminary is particularly indebted to BTS, Penang, which strongly advocated independence for the Branch once the situation advised autonomy. The mother institution also provided the Branch library with its first 1,000 books. With the encouragement of Dr. Amos Lee, the then president of BTS, Penang, the two institutions have continued to exchange professors on a regular basis and will enjoy a viable partnership in the years to come.
The Baptist Theological Seminary was established as an agency of the Singapore Baptist Convention. Under the direction of Rev. John Chang as Executive Director and with the encouragement of Mr. Sim Miah Kian, Rev. Khan Hui Neon, and Mr. Ng Seng Sum (the three Convention chairmen since the formation of the Branch), the Singapore Baptist Convention has been very supportive of BTS in every phase of its development.
The Baptist churches of Singapore and many individual Baptists have given exceptional support to the Seminary through their prayers, words of encouragement, and finances. The Lord is good and His people have been generous.
Mr. Richard Lee Leng Kwang Baptist Church
Rev. Russell Morris Jurong East Baptist Gospel Centre
Mr Alan Phua Singapore Baptist Convention
Mr Harry Chan International Baptist Church
Rev. Song Msang Seng Singapore Baptist Church
Mr Ng Swan Yew Singapore Baptist Church
(Past Board of Management Chairmen)
Mr. Sim Miah Kian
Rev. Khan Hui Neon
Mr. Richard Lee
Dr Chu Wood Ping
For six years the BTS, Singapore Branch was accredited with the Asia Theological Association through BTS, Penang. Now that the Seminary has been registered by the Ministry of Education and has become an autonomous institution, further recognition has been/is being sought through the appropriate accrediting institutions.
1. ASIA BAPTIST GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (ABGTS). The ABGTS was established in 1960 and is a consortium of eight Baptist Theological Seminaries in Asia. In August 1990, BTS became the ninth and latest sponsoring seminary of ABGTS as well one of its Teaching Branches at the Master of Theology (Th.M.) level.
2. ASIA THEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (ATA). ATA has been requested to examine the B.Th. and M.Div. programmes of BTS in 1992.
3. THE ASSOCIATION FOR THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN SOUTH EAST ASIA (ATESEA). ATESEA has also been requested to examine the B.Th. and M.Div. programmes of BTS in 1992.
BTS has recently increased its English library holdings from 8,000 to 13,000 titles as part of the requirements for qualification as a Teaching Branch of ABGTS, and also as preparation for examination by ATA and ATESEA. The facilities are ready and the faculty is prepared for accreditation examinations.
