After finishing the report last night, Ron Halbrook and Phil Martin returned from their day of preaching in Digos where Julie Notarte labors. It was wonderful to hear that 13 souls were baptized into Christ as a result of the work done there. We pray God will bless them as they continue to grow and study with Julie and other brethren in that area.
At supper last night, the jet lag hit me and I retired early. After getting back to my room last night, I started to do some work, but fell asleep instead. However, when I got up about 5:30am, I felt rested and went to the exercise area to work out. I am thankful that I now feel rested and refreshed for the work to be done today.
Our lectures started at about 9am with about 60 to 70 in attendance. Phil Martin gave the first lesson on “Is This Not the Carpenter’s Son?” It was a lesson to introduce salvation in Christ. I followed with a lesson on “Holy Living in Christ.” We noted various passages about the totally transformed and pure life demanded by the gospel and then made specific application to various topics like the use of intoxicants, dress, dancing, speech and sexual immorality. Phil followed that with a brief lesson on the pattern of conversion as seen in the NT. This was Phil’s last lesson here in the Philippines as he flew from Davao to Manila today and back to the U.S. tomorrow, the Lord willing. Please keep him in your prayers. Ron followed with the start of his material on “Establishing Authority.” This lesson took us to the lunch break.
In the afternoon, I began with a lesson on the “Salvation of Saul.” This lesson gave more detail to the point at which one is saved. Using the accounts of Paul’s conversion (Acts 9, 22 & 26) as well as teaching from his epistles, we noted that Paul was saved at the point he was baptized into Christ for remission of sins, putting to death the old man of sin and being raised from baptism to a new life in Christ. Ron then followed with the remainder of his material on “Establishing Authority.” This material is essential to give denominational people a foundation upon which they can properly understand God’s word and what He expects of us. Next, I preached a shortened version of “Why We Do Not Burn Incense in Worship to God.” The real point of that lesson is not actually to counteract burning incense, but to draw a parallel as to why we do not use instrumental music in worship today. Ron closed the lecture part of the day with the third part of his material on “Establishing Authority.”
A question and answer session was offered at the close of the day’s study. The questions dealt with various topics:
- Can we be saved by grace through faith without water baptism?
- Should we baptize in the name of Christ or in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
- How about the thief on the cross? Can we be saved like him without baptism?
- How many times can a person be baptized? If baptized once, why be baptized again?
- If one sins after baptism, is the person to be baptized again?
- How can we celebrate Christmas and Easter today if they started as steps of apostasy?
- What was the original name of God and Jesus?
- What time of day must we eat the Lord’s supper?
- Several questions were also asked about instrumental music
To each of these questions, and others, we simply give one or more passages of Scripture to show God’s will regarding that matter and make application of the principles taught. As that is done over and over, people come to see we are serious about looking for the Bible answer to any question.
Most of those attending the lectures today (about 60%) were new faces to us as well as our Filipino brethren. We are glad to have a hearing for the gospel with those who have not previously heard it. Less than 20% were brethren who have previously been baptized into Christ. A few of that number were brethren I had known in past years as faithful Christians, but who have fallen away in recent years. We are also happy to have them present and hope that they will renew their faith and change their life to once again serve the Lord.
Ben Cañada was one of the main helpers in arranging for this lectureship. I first met Ben when he was a chaplain under the mayor’s office. Through his help with the mayor, a place was provided for us to teach in the city chapel. At that time, Ben had a high and monetarily lucrative position, but left it to obey and proclaim the truth. I greatly admire and appreciate his faith and dedication.
