The lectures at Ilo-Ilo ended today with very good response from the audience, but no baptisms. Five of the denominational preachers told us they would go to our next stop at Bacolod on the island of Negros, a very short boat ride from here. Jack Jaco has been working with them for some time and believes two of them were ready to be baptized today, but decided to wait for one more time of hearing in Bacolod.Ron and I both got a bit sick last night, but I was feeling back to normal by time to go this morning. I think it was just something that I ate yesterday. Ron stayed behind at the hotel for a while since I was first to speak this morning. I preached on “The Nature and Identity of the NT Church.” I dealt with the beginning, doctrine, mission, organization,
worship and name of the church. It was well received, even when I got to the points on worship. Several went from expressions of doubt to reserved nods in the affirmative as we studied. Two came up afterwards and said they now understood why we cannot use instruments of music in worship to God. Others expressed agreement with various parts of the lesson.The conclusion to the series on “Authority” was next and took about two hours. When Ron finished, it was time for lunch. He went back to the hotel to rest and try to recover some more.
I took the first lesson after lunch on “Salvation and Saul,” my standard lesson to deal with the plan of salvation in detail. Ron followed with a lesson on “Reformation and Restoration” that took the bulk of the time remaining in the afternoon. I took about 30 minutes at the end to speak on
“Faith, Grace and Obedience” showing how they fit together in the salvation of man.There was excellent reaction by those attending afterward. They were very open about saying they appreciated the teaching and were in agreement with it, because it was proven by the Bible, but they wanted to think more before they would be ready to be baptized. Every person with whom I spoke said they hoped I would keep coming and not give up on them, several adding that they were getting closer with each hearing.
The Lord willing, we will leave for Bacolod tomorrow morning by ship and arrive in the afternoon. It is a very short ride, so we
should be to Bacolod early in the afternoon. Since it is Saturday afternoon and we cannot start a study then, we will rest for the remainder of the day. I think it will do us a lot of good and prepare us to start with a heavy schedule again on Sunday.Regarding my previous post on the edict by the government for oil companies to lower the price of gasoline, it seems their posturing has had the predictable result. Yesterday's headline was that there were shortages of gasoline in various parts of the country and rationing would soon be instituted. Today's headline was that the government may "adjust" the price to avoid the shortages. It seems they learned in short order that government cannot over rule the law of supply and demand.
Must get to packing and then to bed. Thanks again for your prayers. Please know you are also in my prayers each day. May God care for you and bring you ever closer to Him.
Brotherly, Harry O.
