Chip and I began our day very tired, but ready to get started for the lectures in Tabuk. It is normally a drive of about 2 to 3 hours from Tuguegarao over very mountainous and rough roads to get to Tabuk, a city in the Kalinga province. Just before we went into the mountains, we met several vans filled with preachers (about 15-20) from throughout Cagayan province who were also coming to attend the lectures in Tabuk. When we arrived at the venue, we had a crowd of about 120 who were gathered to study with us.
Since we were running very late due to travel delays from numerous wash-outs in the road, we had time for only one speaker. I started with a lesson on “Salvation, the Word & the Seed” dealing with the fact that salvation comes by the message of the gospel. With those introductory points, I presented a study on “How God Used Prophets to Speak His Word” emphasizing the fact that God controlled the very words used by the prophets so that God gave us exactly what He wanted us to know through the gospel. We then had the lunch break.
The afternoon session began with Chip giving a lesson on the “Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch” in Acts 8. I followed with “Salvation & Saul,” a study examining when Saul was saved and contrasting what the Scripture teaches with various popular doctrines of men. Chip then led a brief study of the New Testament church. At that point, Ben Vistro extended the invitation for those who desired to obey the gospel. Four souls responded to obey the Lord in baptism for the remission of sins.
As the last study for the day, the brethren in the area around Tabuk asked that I preach on the subject of “Unity.” Due to the division caused by some factious individuals in the area, there has been reproach brought on the cause of Christ. These individuals have made it more difficult to spread the gospel by their claims to be members of the “church of Christ,” but displaying attitudes and actions totally contrary to Christ. I preached on “Factors of a United Work,” noting the need for a common opposition, a common work and a common change of action as essential elements of developing a growing unity. Two of these individuals came to the venue, but refused to come hear the lessons (being held on the 2nd floor) unless we would cease the lectures, come down to personally invite them up and publicly present them before the audience. I did not even hear about their demands until after the lectures. Those present to study God’s word were a true encouragement as they were so eager to hear and learn!
It was a good day of studies. Ben Vistro, who preaches in Tabuk, along with brother Sagrado were the ones mainly responsible for arranging these studies in Kalinga. This day of studies in a venue that serves as a business training center was very useful in reaching outsiders with an introduction to the true gospel. The Lord willing, we will continue the work in this area tomorrow at a different venue.
Brotherly, Harry O.
