Last Report for This Trip

 

Our final day of work in Bacolod City was on Tuesday morning. Though the venue was full the previous day, we had about 10 in attendance at time the time to begin. Later, a few more came, but I do not think the number got to more than 15-20 at most. It seems someone tried to sabotage the lectures by getting many of the visitors not to return. This has happened to me before in Bacolod, usually by one or more of the Baptist groups. Almost all of those in attendance were faithful preachers in the area.

 

Since the attendees were mostly brethren, we took the opportunity to give lessons of exhortation that we thought might benefit them. The first lesson was “If Anyone Desires to Come after Me” from Luke 9:23-26. Jack gave a very short lesson on why the thief on the cross could not have been baptized in the name of Christ because he was dead before that baptism was ever taught. That was a question the previous day and he wanted to make sure the points made then were reinforced in their dialect. The last lesson was “Today, If You Will Hear His Voice” taken from Hebrews 3:7-15 and Psalm 95:6-11, the passage quoted by the Hebrew writer. I took the lesson in a different direction than when I preached it in the morning service of the congregation in Victorias City given the difference in the audience.

 

A question and answer session followed where the main focus was on whether or not there is a “baptismal formula” of words to be said when baptizing. Many of the preachers had come out of denominations that taught the one baptizing must say, “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” for the baptism to be valid, while other denominational groups insist the baptism is not valid unless the one baptizing says, “in the name of Jesus” only. We answered by showing from Acts 4:5-12 that the phrase “in the name of” refers to the “authority,” “power” or “means,” not a formula to be stated. 

 

After the lectures ended on Tuesday, Jack and Adel Jaco took me to the airport where I caught a flight to Manila and got to the hotel a little after 8pm. My flight back home was rescheduled to Friday because of change made by the airlines, so I will be staying here an extra day. Though I would like to be home earlier, I am absolutely exhausted and my voice is almost gone. I am hopeful the extra day of rest will help me recover a bit. 

Thank you again for your interest in this work. Without the financial help and physical assistance of many I could not possibly be involved in this work that I love so much! Thank you again to all of you who have help make these efforts possible over the past 22 years. Words simply cannot express the gratitude I feel in my heart for your participation. God bless!

Work Begins in Negros Occidental

 

After eating lunch on Saturday with Jonathan and Nanette Carino as well as Rody and Tessie Gumpad, they took me to the airport. There I caught an 8pm flight on a small propeller driven aircraft to Bacolod City. Jack Jaco and his son, Jireh, met me upon arrival and took me to the hotel. By the time we all got into our rooms, it was well after 10pm.Though I was very tired, I had a hard time getting to sleep because there was a karaoke bar across the street from my window in the hotel. The later it became in the night and into the wee hours of the morning, the louder and more atrocious the “singing” became.

 

On Sunday morning, we traveled north of Bacolod City for about 45 minutes to Victorias City where Jack and Adel Jaco live and work. The congregation meets in a large room of their house. Though I do not know of any count that was taken, I would guess that there were probably about 60-70 pressed into that room. Though there was an air conditioner, it did little to reduce the tropical heat. Not only was I sweating profusely, but even the native Filipinos were also sweating and fanning themselves! Nevertheless, they were very attentive to the lessons preached throughout the day.

 

The assembly of the congregation occurred first and I was asked to preach in that period. The lesson was on “The Proper Use of the Old Testament” from Romans 15:4. After that period of worship was completed, we took a very short break and came together again for the Bible class period. In that time, we studied from Hebrews 3:7-15 and Psalm 95:6-11 on the principle taught in both passages, “Today, It You Will Hear His Voice.” We emphasized the fact that we must not put off or procrastinate obedience of God’s will, but obey it “Today” as tomorrow is not assured. After Jack followed the lesson with words of admonition and offered the invitation, one man (the husband of a woman who is a member of the congregation) responded seeking to be baptized into Christ. He was then taken to a place where they could baptize him. The man baptized is the one in a white shirt at the far right of the picture.

 

After a break for lunch, we met for another opportunity of further study. “Living a Godly Life in an Ungodly World” was the topic for the study taken from 1 Peter 2:11-12. There was good attention by all as we looked in some depth at the various evidence of the ungodly actions of the world that surrounds us and our need to be different and give examples of holiness to a world living in much immorality. Towards the end of that lesson, my voice started to give out, so we ended the afternoon session at that point.

 

After getting back to my room at the hotel, I found out that one man was also baptized into Christ as he responded to the gospel teaching in Cebu where we were working last Sunday through Friday. We rejoiced with the angels in heaven at the obedience of these two new brothers in Christ!

 

This morning (Monday), we began the lectures in Bacolod City at a venue within a short walk of our hotel which made travel very easy. I started the time of study by giving a lesson on ”Learning to Respect God’s Word” from Isaiah 55:6-13. Jack followed with a lesson distinguishing between different periods of Bible history and especially emphasizing the difference between the two covenant – the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ. I then brought a lesson on “The Work of the Devil Today” from 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 showing the contrast between the nature of God’s work and Satan’s work and how the people who submit to the work of each differ. After that lesson we broke for lunch.

 

The afternoon session began with a lesson on “Salvation and Saul” which showed from the Scripture that Saul (later the Apostle Paul) was not saved by faith only along the road to Damascus as many denominational preachers claim, but that he was still in his sins three days after believing in Christ on that Damascus road (Acts 22:16). I went on to establish that water baptism in the name of Christ is essential for our salvation (as the chart on the blog shows). Jack followed with a lesson on “Baptisms in the Scripture.” He noted that there are a number of different baptisms spoken about in the Bible and he distinguished the “one baptism” of Ephesians 4:5 as water baptism in the name of Christ for the remission of sins. I followed with a final lesson for the day, “Dead Being Alone” from James 2:14-26. We noted from those verses that faith without works “is dead being alone” (James 2:17). We then noted the same of “repentance” without works is dead being alone (Acts 26:19-20; Luke 19:5-9; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11). We also saw that “love” of God without works is dead being alone (Ezekiel 33:31; Matthew 7:21; Titus 1:16) and so is “love” of others without works also dead being alone (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:18; Matthew 25:41-46). Though most denominational would agree that repentance and love must have works to accompany them, they deny the same principle regarding faith. After a short “question and answer” session, today’s study concluded a little after 4pm. The Lord willing, we will finish these lectures with a half-day session tomorrow morning before I fly back to Manila in the afternoon.

 

Thank you again for your interest in this work. Please pray that all things done might be to the glory of God as His truth is proclaimed. God bless!

 

Classes End in Cebu

 

On Friday morning, we ended our classes on “Church History” by covering the English Reformation Movement and efforts in history to go back to the original gospel.

 

Our Thursday classes had ended with an overview of the background to the English Reformation Movement, so we started Friday by going into some detail of the work done by John Wycliffe in his early efforts to translate the NT into English and how he was limited by the a lack of access to much manuscript evidence so as to depend on the Latin Vulgate. We then covered the work by William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale and others who also produced English translation and then noted the work of those translating the King James version and the publication of that work. These were aided by a greater access to manuscripts of the NT in the original Greek. Our point was to show how the major power behind the English Reformation was distinct from the efforts at Reformation from the European mainland. The major force behind the English Reformation was the fact that the English Bible was available for the multitudes to read.

 

We also noted the political factors giving rise to the English Reformation. We noticed the refusal of the pope to give an annulment to King Henry VIII to dissolve the union between him and Catherine of Aragon, the daughter of the King and Queen of Spain who were ardent supporters of the Catholic Church and very close to the pope. So, Henry VIII declared the Catholic Church had no control of matters in England, confiscated its property (about 25% of the total land in England) and proclaimed the creation of the Church of England. We then noted the parts played by following monarchs of the English throne (James, Mary, Elizabeth I and James) had in efforts to defend, destroy and finally confirm the power of the Church of England (also called the Anglican or Episcopal Church).

 

Our final session before the classes ended at noon was spent in examining efforts in history of going back to the original gospel. We noted some in England that preceded the American “Restoration Movement.” Then we looked at the work in American where different men (like James O’Kelly, Abner Jones, Barton W. Stone, Thomas Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, Jacob Creath Sr, John O’Kane, “Racoon” John Smith, etc.) came to the same principles by simply going back to the Scriptures. We also examined some of their failures when they returned to denominational thinking and practices like the centralization in societies and various human organizations, instrumental music in worship, doctrinal errors, factionalism and other mistakes.

Lastly, we covered efforts in the Philippines by a number of men who left denomination organizations and doctrines to simply go back to the teachings of the gospel.

 

I believe that the classes have done much good as the students actively participated throughout the five days and were very open in expressing their thanks to all in the U.S. who had helped make the classes possible, as I do as well. (The last picture on the blog page shows them all giving a “thumbs up” as a sign of their thanks!) Throughout the classes, we made every effort to tie both the progress towards truth and departures from truth to specific passages in the NT teaching on that principle. This was the first opportunity that many of them have had to engage in such studies and they repeatedly expressed that it will be very helpful in their efforts to spread the gospel here in the Philippines.

 

After the classes, I returned to the hotel and was ready for some much needed sleep. After eating supper, I laid down on the bed a little before 8pm to relax a few moments before writing the report and posting it to my blog. The next thing I knew, I woke up at 4:30am this morning. After getting back to bed and under the covers, I slept until 9:30am. As I get older, the long nights of preparation (sometimes until 1 or 2am) are getting harder to do. Even so, the enthusiasm of the students to learn and seeing their growth invigorates me beyond words! Thanks again to all who made these efforts possible. The costs keep rising, but I believe the benefits are worth it!

 

Tonight, the Lord willing, I fly to Bacolod on the island of Negros for three days of preaching there. Jack Jaco and his wife, Adel, will be working with me during those efforts. Please keep us in your prayers. God bless!

 

Classes in Cebu Continue

 

The students were even more enthusiastic and attentive in our Thursday classes than they were previously. That is not a criticism of the attention in the previous days, but an appreciation for the way in which they seem to be growing in their effort and perception of the subject matter. History is often thought to be dull and boring by some, though it is a great help to those who learn from it and grow as a result. That is especially so with Religious History.

 

Our classes started with a quick review of the atrocities committed by the Catholic Church in the Inquisition as well as the slaughter of many in Europe who opposed the papacy and the Roman Catholic hierarchy, especially in southern France where an estimated two-thirds of the population was wiped out by the forces sent from the pope. We also noted other factors that led towards the Reformation Movement like the teaching of celibacy and its effect of rampant immorality among the priests, simony (the sale of offices and services by the Catholic Church and its official), the sale of indulgences, and hagiolatry (the worship of departed saints).

 

We then examined the preparatory work of John Wycliffe (often called “The Morning Star of the Reformation) in set the stage for the Reformation Movement. We also briefly noted the work of John Huss, Savonarola, Erasmus and others who played a preparatory role as well.

 

We then turned our focus for the bulk of the morning session of the German Reformation and the leading work of Martin Luther. We examined the sale of indulgence by John Tetzel and Pope Leo X’s selling of the archbishopric of Mainz to Prince Albert for about $ 500,000 (in present terms) as events that triggered Martin Luther’s opposition. We noted many of the 95 theses nailed to the door of the Wittenburg cathedral and the battle between Luther and the Catholic powers that opposed his teaching. We examined both the good points of Martin Luther’s work and the bad points where his teaching was not in agreement with Scripture.

 

In the afternoon session, we covered the works of Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin in the Swiss Reformation Movement. We noted that Zwingli’s views were much closer to the truth of the Scriptures, but his influence was muted due to the brevity of his life which was the result of his fighting in carnal warfare to advance the cause of Reform.

 

We took the bulk of the afternoon session on the history, work and teaching of John Calvin. The root of his systematic theology was his mistaken concept of God’s sovereignty which allowed no place for freewill. We noted the conflict between John Calvin and the teaching in rebuttal to his teaching done by Jacob Arminius who defended the Bible teaching of the freewill of the individual. We also covered the major tenets of Calvinism and how they conflict with the Scriptures.

 

We ended with setting up the political and religious conflict that led to the English Reformation Movement which we will cover tomorrow morning, the Lord willing. We will leave that to the next report. God bless!

Classes on "Church History" in Cebu City

 

Please excuse my lack of daily reports, but I am having a hard time keeping up for the classes this week on “Church History.” My days are starting very early and ending very late as I am trying to study, edit and update charts, and do all necessary to be prepared for each class. As the week has gone on, I think I am getting further and further behind in keeping up with the schedule demanded. But I am also invigorated every day by students wanting to listen and learn more about the pattern of God’s truth and the destructive results of apostasy.

 

Monday began with a half-day study as the students were traveling to get here, whether by plane or ferry boat. We started the classes at 1:00pm and went until about 4:30pm with only a sort break. We began by showing the New Testament pattern for the church in purpose, work and organization. We studied how the NT church dealt with problems by holding to that pattern and refusing any change in doctrine or practice that conflicted with the pattern of inspired teaching. We then noted how quickly apostasy began in the second and third centuries as men turn away from the pattern of truth and accepted human traditions and doctrines. That took us to the close of the day where we discussed the persecution brought on Christians of the first two centuries and its effect.

 

Tuesday we finished our discussion on the blessings and curses brought by persecution. On the one hand, it took the lives of many strong brethren and deprived the cause of Christ from the benefit of their ongoing faith. On the other hand, that persecution weeded out the weak brethren from harming the cause and caused all to scrutinize more careful the books claiming inspiration to be certain they were authentic. We also discussed how the New Testament canon was determined. We noted the fact that God had promised to make the same

truth of the gospel received by those in the first century to abide or endure forever (1 Peter 1:22-25). We then turned to investigate the gradual apostasy of the second, third and fourth centuries and the influence that Constantine had in accelerating that apostasy.

 

Wednesday, we took up where we left off with the apostasy that ultimately led to the development of the Roman Catholic Church. We overviewed the Councils of “bishops” from the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 to the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 787. As each council issued their edicts, the confusion, doctrinal error and sophistry had their mounting effect on the growing apostasy. We then turned to an examination of what life was like under the domination of Roman Catholicism.

The Catholic Church and its emissaries from the parish priest to the pope imposed an oppressive weight on the people from birth to death while they enriched themselves in lavish splendor. We then turned to the rise of Islam to note its origin as well as its fundamental teachings. That led to an investigation of the Crusades and the horrible costs paid for absolutely nothing gained in the end! We also noted the difference between the way both Islam and Catholicism tried to expand their power and control by carnal warfare versus the kingdom of Christ wherein He forbade such carnal actions.

 

Well, I think that catches you up on our weeklong studies on “Church History” to this point. I will leave it there, get back to studying, and continue these reports in coming days, the Lord willing. God bless!

 

Finishing in Ilo-Ilo and Starting in Cebu

Our Saturday began in Ilo-Ilo City with a half-day study that completed the lectures begun on Friday. The number was slightly down from the previous day, but the interest seemed to intensify. The first lesson was “Approved to God,” a lesson taken from 2 Timothy 2:15. The second lesson was on “Breaking Temptation’s Hold” from Romans 6:12-14 and James 1:12-18. There was a short question and answer session that followed the lessons. The questions were excellent showing some that were coming “near the kingdom of God.” 

 

Immediately following the studies, Jack and Adel Jaco took me to the airport to catch a 2pm flight to Cebu. We got there with plenty of time to check-in and go to the gate posted. However, a few minutes before we were to board the flight, they announced a gate change, so I got up to collect my bags and walk to the other gate. In the process, I dropped my ticket and passport. When I bent over to pick them up, I lost my balance and fell flat on the tile floor. Hitting first on my left knee, I rotated to protect my right hand and wrist broken earlier in the last trip to the Philippines. So, I hit my right forearm, right hip and right side of my head fairly hard. Fortunately, nothing was broken, but I am pretty bruised up.

Rather embarrassed, I got up and went to the new gate where we boarded the plane. The rest of the trip was without incident.

This morning, I joined the brethren of the Central Cebu congregation for the Lord’s Day worship. They asked me to speak in the assembly hour as well as the class hour. The first lesson was on “Learning to Respect God’s Word.” The class study was on “Being Approved to God” with (a) diligence, (b) hard work and (c) proper handling of God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

It is now past 10:30pm here and I have just finished preparations for the weeklong studies on “Church History.” So, I will close for now and continue these reports in the days, the Lord willing. God bless!

 

 

Bible Lectures in Ilo-Ilo City

11/7-8/24

Please excuse my delay in starting these daily reports. I intended to start with a report yesterday, but was so exhausted from heat of the venue and the travel experiences to get here that I ate a quick supper and went straight to bed. Many of you have likely seen my updates on the travails in travel from the posts on Facebook. To put it briefly, the delays and layovers caused me to miss sleep for almost 40 hours. I departed OKC on Sunday night about 6:30pm and finally arrived in Manila at 11:50 pm on Tuesday night. When I got to Manila, I was totally exhausted and starved. The one day I had before flying to Ilo-Ilo was spent sleeping and eating a breakfast and supper. Not yet being caught up in my level of energy, I was very tired as we started the work on Thursday afternoon after rising very early that morning for the flight to Ilo-Ilo and beginning the first lecture about 2 hours after arriving.

 

Our venue on Thursday afternoon was at a school run by a denominational group teaching a mix of Presbyterian and Pentecostal doctrine. The audience of 65 was mainly college-age young people who attend that school. (The school has a break from classes this week.) The first lesson was on “The Inspiration of Scripture” showing how God controlled the message taught by choosing the words used by the prophets or apostles who revealed God’s will. The second lesson was on “Salvation and Saul” showing that Paul was not saved by faith only on the road to Damascus, but three days later as he heard the gospel message preached to him and was obedient to it by being baptized to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16). We finished the time allotted and went about 20 minutes overtime with a question and answer period with most of the questions centering on whether baptism was essential to salvation.

 

Many of those present yesterday also attend today’s lectures held in a large room on the second floor of a hotel in the center of Ilo-Ilo City. About 50-60 were in attendance today. We began a little after 9am. I preached a little over an hour on “Learning to Respect God’s Word” from Isaiah 55. After a short break, I gave a second lesson on “Foundations of Faith” examining some of the evidence demonstrating the power and wisdom of God that was responsible for Creation and the Scripture. After a lunch break, Jack followed up with a lesson on the three dispensations of Bible history, making several points of application. I then gave a lesson on “Salvation and Cornelius” detailing the need for Cornelius to be saved, despite being a devout and prayerful man, and what was involved in his salvation. The following lesson was on “Counting the Cost” – a lesson focusing on the costs that will come to those who serve God and whether on is ready to obey Christ despite those costs. We then offered and invitation, but no one responded in obedience at that time. We then had another short question and answer period with most questions again focusing on baptism.

 

The Lord willing, we will finish our work here in Ilo-Ilo tomorrow morning at the same venue with the same audience returning for two more lessons. Please keep this effort in your prayers.

 

My thanks to all of you who have helped make this trip possible. God bless!

 

Brotherly, Harry Osborne