Jonathan Carino came to breakfast with us this morning so that we 
could talk about what might be expected concerning the lectures that began today. When my trip was first being planned, a man “converted” about a year ago was to make the arrangements. As the responsibility was given, his true colors became apparent. He was asking for support, but was told that we offered no support. He then said he would not arrange for the lectures. That was not a problem, but a help as far as I was concerned. However, it left Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco with the added task of making special trips in order to arrange logistics with less than 2 weeks to go. Since provisions for the lectures were made with less than two weeks notice, we all agreed to seek a venue that was available in the center of Bacolod (because those would be the only venues with availability) that could easily accommodate the 50 people we thought 
would attend. At breakfast, John told us that word of the lectures had spread among several denominational groups that had not previously come to hear past lectures. He and Jack both expected the crowd to be closer to 100 than to the 50 anticipated in our planning.
When we showed up at the venue this morning, there were 120 already registered in attendance. Since we had to set up and start teaching, we had no further update until the noon break. By that time, we had about 200 registered attendees. This is by far the largest crowd I have ever seen come for our lectures in Bacolod. When we went through the registration sheets, we found out that the great majority are denominational preachers or teachers. The
crowd was very attentive, well-ordered and respectful throughout the day’s study. After the noon hour, a Reformed Baptist preacher, who had debated Cipriano Carpentero several years ago, came to see what was happening. We have seen him before as he has tried to stir a disturbance, but he was very respectful and listened well throughout the time he was present. After the day’s lectures, I met a number of denominational preachers who told me it was their first time to attend the lectures. In the end, I think the short advance notice for the lectures ended up boosting our attendance significantly. In previous years, the local ministerial alliance actively worked to discourage attendance to the lectures. It may be that the short time did not allow those opposing the lectures to get out their forces to discourage attendance.
Ron spoke in the first lesson of the morning on “The Message of the Bible.” I followed with the study on “The Inspiration of the Scripture.” In the afternoon, Ron delivered his material on distinguishing between the two covenants to start the session. I preached next on “Holy Living in Christ.” Ron then got started with his material on “Authority” then answered questions which took the remainder of the time.
The Q&A session included questions on several subjects: (1) those obligated to keep the old covenant law of Moses, (2) whether the
Lord’s Supper is a continuous sacrifice of Christ, (3) whether infants are born in sin, (5) whether baptism is necessary for salvation, (6) if baptism is a burial of the dead, is one dead in Christ, (7) whether baptism is the fruit of grace or the root of grace, (8) whether 1 Cor. 15:52 allows us to use the instrument of music (trumpet) in worship, (9) whether the use of instruments by angels allows us to use the instruments in worship, (10) whether there is a verse to forbid instruments of music in worship, (11) whether churches using instruments of music in worship will all go to hell, (12) whether Ephesians 2:8 excludes the need for baptism, (13) whether one needs to be “baptized again” if baptized with denominational baptism, and a few more of similar content. This is a fairly typical mix of questions focusing on instrumental music and the necessity of baptism in salvation of the sinner.
While we are very encouraged by the large number that has come to hear, there is a cost associated with it. The venues we can use
for such studies charge per capita of attendance. We do not get discounts for greater numbers, but must pay the same for each one attending plus any costs associated with the increased number. The increased printing cost for outlines is also a significant amount as copying is more expensive here than in the US. In short, the repeated cases we have had of larger than expected numbers of attendees have hit the pocketbook very hard. It is fortunate that I received more than was requested in my letter seeking support because my part of the trip is likely to exceed the estimate by at least $2000 to $3000 – entirely due to the greater attendance. I am cutting costs where possible, but cannot cut enough to make up for these unexpected expenses.
The Lord willing, we will conclude these studies tomorrow and travel
tomorrow night to Cebu. If at all possible, I will send a report concerning the results of this lectureship before we travel to Cebu. During today’s lectures, I posted pictures on FaceBook for those on that forum and will do so tomorrow if a connection to the internet is again available.
Thanks again for your encouragement, prayers and support for this effort. This is the 2-week point of my trip and I have only one week remaining. Though I am tired and look forward to returning home, I am enjoying the work very much and look forward to the opportunities yet ahead. Please continue to pray for us that we may speak the truth with proper attitudes, wisdom and boldness. May God bless you all.
Brotherly, Harry O.
could talk about what might be expected concerning the lectures that began today. When my trip was first being planned, a man “converted” about a year ago was to make the arrangements. As the responsibility was given, his true colors became apparent. He was asking for support, but was told that we offered no support. He then said he would not arrange for the lectures. That was not a problem, but a help as far as I was concerned. However, it left Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco with the added task of making special trips in order to arrange logistics with less than 2 weeks to go. Since provisions for the lectures were made with less than two weeks notice, we all agreed to seek a venue that was available in the center of Bacolod (because those would be the only venues with availability) that could easily accommodate the 50 people we thought 
would attend. At breakfast, John told us that word of the lectures had spread among several denominational groups that had not previously come to hear past lectures. He and Jack both expected the crowd to be closer to 100 than to the 50 anticipated in our planning.When we showed up at the venue this morning, there were 120 already registered in attendance. Since we had to set up and start teaching, we had no further update until the noon break. By that time, we had about 200 registered attendees. This is by far the largest crowd I have ever seen come for our lectures in Bacolod. When we went through the registration sheets, we found out that the great majority are denominational preachers or teachers. The
crowd was very attentive, well-ordered and respectful throughout the day’s study. After the noon hour, a Reformed Baptist preacher, who had debated Cipriano Carpentero several years ago, came to see what was happening. We have seen him before as he has tried to stir a disturbance, but he was very respectful and listened well throughout the time he was present. After the day’s lectures, I met a number of denominational preachers who told me it was their first time to attend the lectures. In the end, I think the short advance notice for the lectures ended up boosting our attendance significantly. In previous years, the local ministerial alliance actively worked to discourage attendance to the lectures. It may be that the short time did not allow those opposing the lectures to get out their forces to discourage attendance.
Ron spoke in the first lesson of the morning on “The Message of the Bible.” I followed with the study on “The Inspiration of the Scripture.” In the afternoon, Ron delivered his material on distinguishing between the two covenants to start the session. I preached next on “Holy Living in Christ.” Ron then got started with his material on “Authority” then answered questions which took the remainder of the time.
The Q&A session included questions on several subjects: (1) those obligated to keep the old covenant law of Moses, (2) whether the
Lord’s Supper is a continuous sacrifice of Christ, (3) whether infants are born in sin, (5) whether baptism is necessary for salvation, (6) if baptism is a burial of the dead, is one dead in Christ, (7) whether baptism is the fruit of grace or the root of grace, (8) whether 1 Cor. 15:52 allows us to use the instrument of music (trumpet) in worship, (9) whether the use of instruments by angels allows us to use the instruments in worship, (10) whether there is a verse to forbid instruments of music in worship, (11) whether churches using instruments of music in worship will all go to hell, (12) whether Ephesians 2:8 excludes the need for baptism, (13) whether one needs to be “baptized again” if baptized with denominational baptism, and a few more of similar content. This is a fairly typical mix of questions focusing on instrumental music and the necessity of baptism in salvation of the sinner.While we are very encouraged by the large number that has come to hear, there is a cost associated with it. The venues we can use
for such studies charge per capita of attendance. We do not get discounts for greater numbers, but must pay the same for each one attending plus any costs associated with the increased number. The increased printing cost for outlines is also a significant amount as copying is more expensive here than in the US. In short, the repeated cases we have had of larger than expected numbers of attendees have hit the pocketbook very hard. It is fortunate that I received more than was requested in my letter seeking support because my part of the trip is likely to exceed the estimate by at least $2000 to $3000 – entirely due to the greater attendance. I am cutting costs where possible, but cannot cut enough to make up for these unexpected expenses.The Lord willing, we will conclude these studies tomorrow and travel
tomorrow night to Cebu. If at all possible, I will send a report concerning the results of this lectureship before we travel to Cebu. During today’s lectures, I posted pictures on FaceBook for those on that forum and will do so tomorrow if a connection to the internet is again available.Thanks again for your encouragement, prayers and support for this effort. This is the 2-week point of my trip and I have only one week remaining. Though I am tired and look forward to returning home, I am enjoying the work very much and look forward to the opportunities yet ahead. Please continue to pray for us that we may speak the truth with proper attitudes, wisdom and boldness. May God bless you all.
Brotherly, Harry O.
