Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Two days of classes for preachers began Monday on the theme “United to Proclaim Christ” in Daet, Camarines Norte.  The series was introduced by a study of “Attitudes Essential in God’s Kingdom,” a textual examination of Matthew 5.  Christ introduced his new kingdom by contrasting the civil nature of the old Israel and the spiritual nature of the new kingdom.  Preachers must teach and exemplify the attitudes essential to citizenship in this new kingdom of God.  Sharing these attitudes unites us in Christ.

Next we studied “Preserving Unity in Christ” based on a shared commitment to God, to the truth, and to unselfish love for each other in Christ.  Attitudes and actions which destroy our unity must be avoided at all costs.  One example is being overly zealous for opinions and personal scruples, discussed in Romans 14.  If opinions and scruples are held as personal property, there will be no agenda to spread and enforce them upon other saints – as a consequence, there will be no division over them.

In the last couple of years many Filipino saints have experienced tension, controversy, and division over the opinion that only faithful Christian males can baptize people.  Therefore, baptism is invalid if performed by people outside the church, or by preachers with sin in their lives, or by women in unusual circumstances.

First, this opinion is not accurate.  The very first person who baptized a person into the church of Christ was someone who had not yet been baptized into the church himself!  So unwittingly the theory or opinion held by some brethren means this was not a valid baptism and therefore the baptisms of all who followed are also invalid, reaching right down to our own time.

Next, 1 Peter 3:21 says, “Baptism doth also now save us,” not, “The right baptizer doth also now save us.”  Also Philippians 1:14-18 shows that in the first century some preachers proclaiming Christ and baptizing sinners were themselves not in a right relationship with God because of sin in their own lives.  Yet, Paul rejoiced rather than pronouncing such work invalid.

Furthermore, though women may not usurp the authority of men to lead public assemblies for worship, Christ clearly authorized them to teach other people and to baptize them in the event no man is present to take the lead (Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Tim. 2:11-12).  Such occasions would be rare indeed and ought not be made the pretext for heated controversy.

And, finally, are brethren now stronger and more edified after the stirring of these side issues?  No.  Brethren who were united in spreading the gospel in the past are now alienated and are spending time debating each other rather than addressing the lost about God’s plan for their salvation.  Reconciliation will occur only when these opinions are withdrawn from the public arena such as the pulpit and social media.

Jonathan taught lessons on the qualifications of a preacher and on how to establish and apply the authority of Scripture.  My final study today was entitled “Christ Teaches Total Honesty,” stressing that every aspect of our work as evangelists must be characterized by honesty, openness, transparency, and integrity.  Dishonesty may bring temporary gain, but it corrupts our souls, our work, and our unity in Christ.

It has rained all day, so I waited until 9:15 tonight to walk for an hour.  Along the way a young man on a motorcycle stopped to ask where I was going – Filipinos are typically curious people.  I explained I am here teaching the Bible and was taking a break from my studies by walking.  He was amazed to see a 73 year old man out taking a brisk evening walk, so I used the opportunity to plant the seed of the kingdom in a brief way and also to invite him to join our studies.  As we talked, one of the brethren driving a tricycle stopped and participated in our conversation.  It turns out the young man is a neighbor of our brethren.

Jhun Layusa, our host, expected our attendance to be 30 – it was 50!  No church building owned by our brethren in the area can accommodate this number, so the classes are being held in a hotel function room.  The classes are going so well that brethren already are asking for more classes to be scheduled in the near future.

The second day in the series “United to Proclaim Christ” on Tuesday was attended by 52 very attentive souls.  “Helping Each Other” was my first topic, followed by “The Great Commission.”  Both lessons are designed to motivate us all to dedicate ourselves to serving God by serving our fellow men and therefore by focusing on the great work of the Great Commission.

Jonathan presented three lessons for preachers on “The Pulpit,” “Advice to Young Preachers,” and “Men Who Should Not Preach” (an outline borrowed from Donald Townsley), all of which were well received.  To encourage these men in their work I preached “Rejoice in the Lord Always.”  Then I introduced my last subject by pointing out we may unintentionally overlook needed topics, which in turn allows Satan to exploit the opportunity to influence brethren with the ways of the world – the subject was “Modest Dress through the Ages.”  The brethren paid close attention and I reminded them to give attention to this subject in their own families and in the local churches where they preach.  It is much needed everywhere.

At the conclusion of the day books including English Bibles were distributed to provide resource materials for further study.  This is my first visit to the Bicol Region and the men were greatly encouraged by our studies and insisted tonight that we plan another series and return as soon as possible.  I do hope to return, God willing.

Jhun’s family and several helpers provided another good supper at the end of the day.  Though tired when I returned to the hotel, I walked for over an hour, knowing it would boost my energy and stamina the next day.  It was good to see the moon beaming directly overhead almost in a full-moon phase.

This is the first night in several days there was a little time to check email, but, alas, since the typhoon such things as the internet and cell phone towers have been off and on – tonight was off.  Even my communication with Donna has been intermittent while I have been in the Bicol Region.  I worked on some other studies and went to sleep at 1:00 A.M. thankful for another productive day.

About 8:30 A.M. on Wednesday we left Daet and drove over two hours in a torrential downpour much of the time.  The clean-up efforts from the aftermath of the typhoon are evident everywhere, but much remains to be done.  At places large broken tree limbs hanging by a threat overhang the roads.  About 11:00 A.M. we reached the small congregation meeting in a home at Pasacao in Camarines Sur where Rock and Rico Ruado jointly labor with M.J. Dimaano.  The house overflowed with about 40 souls.  Jaime Bobis translated as I preached the sermon on “The Prison of Sin.”  The floor was opened for questions, but everyone said the lesson was very clear.  A visitor who was especially attentive later expressed her appreciation for the sermon.

After lunch we drove another couple of hours to reach Naga City, Camarines Sur where I am spending the night so as to catch a plane in the morning to Manila connecting to a flight to Iloilo City on Panay Island.  After dropping me off here, the brethren took Jonathan and Nanette Carino on to Legazpi City where they will catch a late afternoon flight to their home in Cebu City on Cebu Island.  They will get a direct flight from there to Iloilo City tomorrow and we will begin the next leg of our schedule working with Jack Jaco, God willing.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

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https://www.hebronlane.com
https://biblework.congregateclients.com
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com