We had a much shorter travel to our venue today since it was only a few hundred yards from our hotel. We were able to start earlier as well, so we had more time for teaching than in previous days. The crowd of 70 was again comprised mostly of common people who did not understand English well. Over the past several years, we designed lectures to reach denominational preachers who were able to understand English well, so there was no need for translation or summary into the dialect. While those lectures were very effective, we believe they have served their purpose for this time and we are designing our present lectures for the common people who are invited by members of the church. So, Jonathan Carino needed to summarize each lesson into the dialect.
I again started with the lesson on “Salvation, the Gospel & the Seed” from 1 Peter 1:21-25 followed by the study of “How God Used the Prophets to Speak His Will.” As Jonathan was summarizing both lessons, one man among a group of attendees began to interrupt John and challenge his statements. He came from the “Instrumental Church of Christ” which is also premillennial. These men had been associated with Cyrus Gesulga, formerly the leading preacher among premillennial churches of Christ in the Philippines who recently renounced that doctrine and began working with faithful brethren. So, I inserted a lesson on “The Distinction between the Covenants.” Jonathan summarized that sermon also before we took the lunch.
The afternoon studies began with the sermon on “Salvation & Saul,” dealing with issues about the plan of salvation. We showed that Saul was not saved at the point of faith only, repentance & prayer, a personal appearance of Jesus or a miracle. Rather, the Bible clearly shows Paul was saved at the point of baptism because it is in baptism that we contact the saving blood of Christ. John again gave a detailed summary of the lesson into the dialect. We then considered a lesson on “Identifying the New Testament Church.” The preachers from the instrumental group became very uncomfortable when I dealt with the worship of the church and even more so when John covered the points in the dialect. One of them was trying to argue the point, but John dealt with him very well and the crowd could see the point. In the end, this man helped the crowd recognize the truth as it was apparent in contrast to his error.
The last lesson covered was a very short version of “Counting the Cost.” Jonathan summarized the main points and extended the invitation of Christ. Two young men came to obey the Lord, being baptized for the remission of sins. Since we were very hurried at the end of the service, I did not get to find out the background of those baptized, but I understand they are both from Ormoc.
We had no time left for a long question/answer session, but offered to answer any questions for a short time. The main two men from the instrumental group asked for time to discuss the use of instruments in worship. We did not have that time today, but offered to discuss further at a future time. Though their attitude had not appeared good early in the day, they seemed to manifest a good attitude at the end and we are trying to arrange a time for more study in the future with about 12 or more preachers from this group. I promised that I would make every effort to be there for such a study. Please keep this opportunity in your prayers.
Brother Wilfredo (Willie) Pelino is the local preacher here in Ormoc and has done much to help in this effort as well as other studies. He is a faithful man who has shown years of service to the Lord and dependability in his work. For several years, the church in Centerville, Texas supported Willie. Brother Richard King and other brethren there at that time kept in contact with me about the men they were helping and the work being done in the Philippines. When brother King and some other brethren who knew of the work being done here were no longer present in Centerville, they decided to use their funds in other directions. This has left Willie and several other very deserving Filipino preachers in great need as that was their only support. Willie has taken a teaching job to provide support for his family, but it will take 6 months before he receives his first salary for that job! (Yes, things are done very different here in the Philippines where the number of available workers far exceeds the available jobs!) In the meantime, he is in great need. His talents are needed in the kingdom and he will continue to preach the gospel even without any support, but he could do so with less distraction if he were able to receive some support again.
Thank you again for following the work that is being done in this effort. May the Lord bless each of you as you strive to follow Him and spread His truth to souls in desperate need of salvation!
Brotherly, Harry O.
