One Little Act of One Little Boy Made The Difference!

It was one miserable rainy night, perhaps the most miserable of all nights in all of his fifty years of existence. He was dripping wet, the rains on this 25th of December soaking both his flesh and his bones. He could even feel the coldness and sogginess in the depths of his soul. His name was Paul, and he thought his name did not matter. He thought his life did not even matter to many. He had always done things solo– walking the streets, sleeping on pavements. Unmarried, he had never experienced the joy of cupping with both hands the face of an innocent child, much less creating one for the joy of it. Relatives? Both his parents were dead, and the only sister he had also had become an unknown data in his memory, forty years with no contact, address lost, relationship lost, face lost. He had lived on menial jobs, and the last one in the series of never ending menial jobs he had left yesterday because like other never ending menial jobs it had left him unfulfilled.

On this miserable rainy night, he tried knocking at the door of a home in a rural community. This very minute, feeling cold, wet and lonely, he had only one focus: A knife. Perhaps they could lend him a knife. He wouldn’t tell them what he would do with it. He wanted to end his life. Read more…

How To Establish Scriptural Authority (3)

Implication. In our early days in the Bible college, we used to call this “Necessary Inferences.” The use of the qualifying adjective “necessary,” as in “necessary implication” or “necessary inference,” is of course redundant, but on the other hand I guess that is needed in order to guard us from making “unnecessary implications” of anything! By nature, all inferences are necessary, and what is not necessary to conclude from a group of facts is not an implication of it.To say that an act, fact or principle is inferred from a group of facts, data or statements is to say that that act, fact, or principle is demanded or required by the available evidence resulting from our analysis of those evidences. Implication or inference is the result of our sifting and analyzing the evidences by the use of human logic. Implication or inference is not necessarily the Bible’s conclusion, and we have to guard ourselves from being too dogmatic in our conclusions.

For example, based on his conclusions on the teachings of 1 Corinthians 1:17, a minister taught that gospel preaching alone is necessary but baptism is not. But that is not necessarily the implication of Paul’s statement: “For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel.” To say that baptism is no longer necessary contradicts Christ’s statement in Mark 16:16 and Matthew 28:18-20. To say so also contradicts Paul’s history because he himself was baptized (Acts 9:18; 22:16), and did baptize some (1 Corinthians 1:14-16).

Let me cite some example how inference or implication works. Matthew 3:16 says that after he was baptized by John, Jesus “went up straightway out of the water.” It never mentions that He went down into the water, but this is basically what we must infer although the text does not say so. To be baptized He had to get into the water. One can’t go up straightway out of the water unless he has got down into it, or has been it…

Expedient Matters. The word “expedient” is found seven times in the King James Version, and three times in the Revised Standard. In the first instance of its use, Caiaphas prophesied that it would be expedient for one man to die that the whole nation may not perish (John 11:50-51). Jesus also says it would be “expedient” for Him to go to heaven, because if He would not, the Holy Spirit would not come (John 16:7). An “expedient” is something that is appropriate for the purpose, or one that serves the purpose. What expedites, what works, what is advantageous, is the idea behind the word “expedient.”

Therefore, by expedient actions we mean that these are actions that expedite the fulfillment or carrying out of any divinely authorized obligation or option. Expedient actions are those that are deemed advantageous in the fulfillment of God’s will in the world. Read more…

How To Establish Scriptural Authority (2)

Explicit teachings. There are two ways by which the Bible communicates God’s will to man: explicitly and implicitly. An explicit teaching is a teaching that is directly expressed, or directly stated. Many statements or propositions of the Bible are explicit statements—statements that are directly expressed— and as such they set forth the teachings of God in the clearest and most forthright manner.Mark 16:16 is most forthright in saying that “he who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” We often wonder why many still fail to understand it. It does not say, “He who believes is saved and shall be baptized.”…

Implicit teachings. An implicit teaching is a teaching that is not stated in a direct manner, but the meaning of the teaching is understood from what is stated directly. An implicit teaching is embodied, is found, is contained, in what is concluded from the direct statements. It is also known as implied teaching. An implicit teaching is derived from the implication of direct statements.

Mark 16:16 again. If he who believes and is baptized shall be saved, anyone who does not do either of these actions shall not be saved; that is implied in the passage. Jesus saves only those who believe and are baptized. Furthermore the passage says, “He who does not believe shall be condemned.” The Baptist comes back and says, “You see? Baptism is not really necessary. Having no faith alone will condemn you.” My answer: It takes two (faith and baptism) to be saved; it takes just one to be condemned. An unbeliever does not need to be baptized; his unbelief alone damns him to hell. Read more….

How To Establish Scriptural Authority (1)

When the Lord, through His Bible, demands that a believer take a certain course of action, He also authorizes that man to undertake that action. Not only is the divine command an authorized matter, man’s action to fulfill that command is also an authorized matter.

When an action falls short of fulfilling the divine command, that action is a form of disobedience; it is therefore an unauthorized action. For example. God commanded Saul to destroy all Amalekites, both men and women, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass (1 Samuel 15:3). What did Saul do? “But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and of the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly” (1 Samuel 15:9). Saul’s failure to do what God had commanded cost him his crown and his soul.

God’s command is ALWAYS an authorized matter, from eternity to eternity, and man’s fulfillment of that divine command is always an authorized matter also. He had spoken to the patriarchs in old times, in which case what He commanded them was an authorized matter to them (Example: God’s command to Abraham to offer his son, Genesis 22:2). He had spoken to the people of Israel through Moses, their prophet and law-giver, in which case everything God commanded in the old covenant books was an authorized matter to these people (We have many examples of this beginning from the book of Exodus).

In the same way, what He has commanded to us through His Son is an authorized matter for us (from the four Gospels to the book of Revelation). For example, the command of baptism, together with faith, is an authorized matter, for Jesus says, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Based on our Greek studies, to baptize does not mean to sprinkle, or to pour, but to immerse. Thus, to sprinkle infants is wrong on two counts: (1) An infant is not a believer, and has no capacity to express his faith, and (2) he is just sprinkled, not immersed. Read more…

You Cannot Just Ignore What Should Not Be Ignored!

As a former college instructor at Baguio Colleges Foundation and high school teacher at Trinity Christian, I had thought how terrible it would be to stand up in front of a classroom of students and lecture on the intricacies of structural grammar and have no one pay attention to me, to talk about dangling participles and have no one think it’s important, to give instructions in the exams and have students ignore them.

None of us likes to be ignored.

But over the years I have acquired too some traits and some strengths. And since I have developed this capacity to endure what I dislike and to bear with what I cannot in my human frailties and limitations change, your ignoring me does not hurt me at all. You do your thing, I do mine. And this works to my advantage, since I am the teacher and they are are, uh, my students. In the final analysis, it was they who suffered—-failing grades, and the like. By the end of the semester, a number of them were making a bee-line for BCF’s Education Dept office, seeking an audience with me. It was my turn “to exact revenge.” Sometimes I would vanish to the lunch counter, or exile myself to Burnham Park, and would appear a week later. It did them good. It shook them to their senses.

I met one of them in Cavite years ago, and he profusely thanked me for giving him a “failing grade,” but “passing” him after he had fulfilled my requirements.

I was not the terror of the Philippine Bible College dormitory, where I was then the dorm surpervisor. I think I just did my job trying to put some teeth to our college regulations, especially one that prohibits drinking alcohol. It was pure discipline that brother Felix Bravo, college president, wanted to impose, and that may include the threat to suspend recalcitrant students. But two of those we had disciplined are now well-known preachers in the brotherhood. Discipline did them good. (Posted by Ed Maquiling). Read more…

Tarlac City Evangelism Revitalized

Seven men of Tarlac City congregation attended a series of lectures on “Personal Evangelism” lessons which I conducted.   The lectures which began in September 2007 and lasted for a period of 6 weeks.

The lessons taught in the lectures include the following: “The Bible,” “Authority on Religion,” “The Two Covenants,” “Sin – The Greatest Problem of Man,” “The Great Commission of Jesus Christ,” “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”  “The New Testament Church,” and “What Is Baptism?”

The 2 weeks that followed were done for the purpose of the members demonstrating or presenting the same lessons to each member.  This was their on-hand training after listening to the lectures. I listened to their suggestions and I also made some suggestions on how they could further improved their presentation.  If I think they are ready, then, they are paired with someone they like in the group.  I also see if their desired groupings will promote our goal of preaching and teaching the Word of God. 

Then, they go into the homes members of the local church who have relatives, friends or neighbors who are non-members.  The purpose here is for them to practice these lessons to someone who is friendly to us members of the church.

The evangelists are also given names of other friends, relatives or neighbors of these people whom they have taught. We call these friends, relatives or neighbors referrals.  These evangelists are advised to always conduct their home Bible study lessons in a friendly way.  We  refrain from going to people who like to debate and/or argue with us. 

What are the results? In the month of November, 2007 the groups had baptized 8 precious souls. In addition to that, we have befriended many people within 3 communities near us, or within walking distance to our chapel. We have also made friends with those who frequent our Sunday Bible study classes and worship services. The evangelists are presently setting up home Bible study classes with each one of these visitors.

Another result is that our attendance in our midweek worship services and Sunday worship services has doubled.  We now have at least 10 to 12 non-members who are our visitors in Bible classes and worship services.

Lastly, as Christians we have become closer to one another.  We have felt that we need the support of each other not only in our prayers but in the actual work of evangelism. 

We pray that God Almighty will continue to bless us with greater opportunities to do His well among men who are lost in sin. (Felix A. Bravo, December 12, 2007, Tarlac City).

Q & A Forum

“If a sister congregation appointed elders and deacons who are not qualified according to the Scriptures, do we have the right to object or to oppose the appointments? What if we objected, and the appointing congregation justified its decision (appointing elders and deacons) citing the principle of “local autonomy,” what is to be done? We are now taking the flak for not doing something decisive about it, so we desperately need the advice of brethren” (Name withheld).

_________________

In answering this question, I am not taking the sides of anyone. I don’t know the background of this problem, but I know that the problem involves the proper understanding and use of the Scriptures as regards the quality of men to be appointed as elders and deacons.

Note that I used the word “quality of men” instead of “qualification of the men” to be appointed to the above -mentioned work, task, position, or office. These qualities are laid out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Was Paul speaking here by his authority as Christ’s ambassador or apostle? Yes.

Does this ambassadorship or apostleship of his carry some authority? We affirm that it does. In fact it carries MUCH authority. His authority is rooted on the authority of the One who sent him. Respect for the Word Paul preached (meaning the Bible) means respect for the authority of God who sent the Word (or Bible) into the world.

Need we to differ from Paul as regards the qualities of men we as preachers appoint to the offices of elders and deacons? No. That is disrespect for the Word of God which Paul preached.

What if we do? What if differ from Paul?

You mean what if we differ from the Word that Paul said?  Read more…

A Letter from brother Charles T. Smith

Dear brother Ed,
Thank you for sending me the history of our faithful brother Erasto M. Fuentes Sr. I would like to share some observations that I have about this long-time friend and beloved brother.

I first met bro. Fuentes, when he was a student at PBC in 1954-55. I was in the US Air Force, flying with the 31st Air Rescue Squadron,stationed at Clark AFB. I was invited to come to the First Graduation of the PBC by bro. Ralph Brashears in 1954, and I was able to spend some time with all of the students and Faculty. I remember that bro. Fuentes impressed me very much, and we worked together again in 1961. Read more…

Erasto Fuentes and the Lord’s Work in Naga City, Camarines Sur

Brother Erasto Marisga Fuentes’s walk of faith began in the 1950’s. His parents having died, he and his young siblings tried to make it in the world of the adults. He was then a young member of the Lord’s church in San Jose, Oriental Mindoro. Having finished the sixth grade, he got a job as sanitary inspector of the province through the help of the president of their school, who became governor of the province. In a few years he could be promoted to chief sanitary inspector. Politics too beckoned to him. But he had other things in mind.

He had just received a copy of “New Testament Christianity” magazine. That small literature interested him. He wrote the editor, expressing his desire to study at Philippine Bible College. Ralph Brashears wrote back and told him he could come and study for free. That elated him.

That was 1954 when he came to Baguio City. Having been a government employee, he went to a garage near Burnham Park where he saw government vehicles being parked and asked one of the drivers to take him to Philippine Bible College. It was a ride so short; he did not know that PBC was just nearby, along Carantes Street. He thought it was a big school, with a big campus; he saw that it was housed in a small edifice which it also rented. He thought Ralph Brashears, president of the college, would meet him; it was Adriano Limbawan (deceased), one of the students, who showed him around. Brashears was in the States campaigning for more support for the school.

Looking back at it now, brother Erasto said he had no regrets, only a deeper love and appreciation to the Lord who made use of him in His vineyard. His journey of faith, which began with small steps back in Mindoro, now taught him here is the life he should be looking for: The life of one who would be a minister of God. Read more…

Seaside Church of Christ, in Gindi, Bacacay, Albay

THE MISSION’S BEGINNING. The work of the Lord in Gindi began almost simultaneously with the work in Bayandong, with the same persons and the same ministry groups involved–that of brother Salvador Cariaga’s “Body and Soul” and brother Chito Cusi’s “March for Christ.” Both churches in Bayandong and Gindi are newly planted. Both Gindi and Bayandong are villages of Bacacay. The distance between both places is more or less six kilometers.

These mercy groups came to help the needy victims of Bicol region, and to point them to the only Savior through whose name all blessings flow. With the distributing of benevolent aids also came the teaching. Teachers included Bonifacio Patricio, Bert Patricio, Buddy Buo, and a host of others…Read more…