Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Travel days feel like lost time, but Thursday got off to a good start.  After exercising, eating supper, and doing a little work in the hotel at Naga, I was tired and went to bed early last night.  I slept over 7 hours and felt much better Thursday morning.  After breakfast at the hotel, I caught a plane to Manila where I had to change terminals.  Believe it or not, there is a Wendy’s Hamburgers in terminal 3 where I enjoyed for lunch a hamburger with fries and a Frosty (not as good as Blue Bell Ice Cream, but it will do in a squeeze).  The flight from Manila landed in Iloilo City on Panay Island about 5:30 P.M. where I was met by Jack Jaco and Bob Senining, a brother I had not seen for many years.  As we left the airport, a gorgeous lightly tanned moon was appearing on the horizon, reminding me again of all my loved ones at home – so maybe this was not a wasted day after all!

Our two days of Bible lectures began Friday at the function room of a hotel here in Iloilo City.  Jack Jaco came ahead to contact brethren and make arrangements.  The attendance today was 50 including denominational preachers, some of whom are leaders in their denominational organizations.  It is hard to realize we have not returned here for the past 6-7 years, but it seems the timing is right for this visit by God’s providence.

I presented two lessons this morning on “The Message of the Bible: Salvation in Jesus Christ,” summarizing the Old and the New Testaments.  Jonathan Carino addressed how to study the Bible, then how to apply the authority of Scripture.  My next lesson was a detailed study on “The Two Covenants,” explaining how the Law of Moses was a shadow of the blessings of the Gospel Age.  My final sermon was entitled “How Sinners Receive Salvation.”

Next the floor was opened for Q and A.  In past years this often led to hot challenges and protests from denominational preachers, but today all of the questions reflected that the men understood the lessons and just needed clarification of some points of application.  For instance, one man asked about people who already “accepted Jesus,” are they lost because they have not submitted to Christ in baptism?  I briefly explained it is good they believe Jesus is our Savior, but they cannot receive salvation on God’s terms until they submit in baptism.  He got the point and was satisfied.

Another asked about the thief on the cross, but he was satisfied when I pointed out Jesus saved the thief before the new covenant went into effect – no heated debate, no long discussion.  One leader from a denomination prefaced his good questions by saying he had graduated from their Bible school but felt like he got his master’s degree in one day in our classes!  When I answered his questions, he got the point immediately and indicated his appreciation.  It is rare to have this kind of positive reception from denominational preachers.  Usually they are very defensive of their denominational traditions, doctrines, and practices.

After exercising, studying for tomorrow, answering a few emails, and talking to Donna on the cell phone, I was ready for the bed at 12:45 A.M.  ZZZZZZ!

Our two days preaching continued and concluded on Saturday with 51 in attendance.  Jonathan started the day with a lesson on grace, faith, and obedience.  I devoted two sessions to study “The First Gospel Sermon” in Acts 2 verse by verse, contrasting the preaching of the Apostles with modern religions, theologies, and philosophies.  This afternoon Jonathan emphasized the one true church, followed by my lesson “Back to the Bible” as the source of the truth that saves our souls.

We detected yesterday typical denominational confusion about the church and the kingdom being separate because of premillennial errors.  I promised to address this issue, so I preached on the topic today “Thy Kingdom Come.”  The kingdom of God is a special New Testament expression for the church of Christ and salvation in Christ, which was established on Pentecost in Acts 2.  Matthew 24:1-35 gives detailed signs for the approaching fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, but the remainder of the chapter makes it clear there will be no signs for the approach of the end of time.  This chapter gives no aid and comfort to premillennial theories about end-time signs and events.

The book of Revelation is no premillennial document but rather it was written to prepare the early church to endure the growing persecution by the Roman Empire which demanded emperor worship of all citizens.  Revelation 20:1-4 pictures the total and complete victory of the martyred saints ruling with Christ, figuratively represented as 1,000 years.  Christ had been ruling in his kingdom since its inception in Acts 2, but now the martyred saints are pictured as sharing in his victory over Rome.

In the open forum there was not a single combative question but just questions for clarification.  For instance, one preacher asked how to proceed in organizing a local church which severs itself from denominational control.  We pointed out the men of the church make decisions necessary for the function of the church and while the preacher continues to edify them, they should prepare to select elders and deacons when there are qualified men.  He was very content with the answer.

Many of our participants made it a point to express their appreciation, or as Jonathan put it, “They are not requesting another meeting, they are demanding it!”  That may be hyperbole, but they are really insisting that we return to provide more teaching.  Three made their decision to submit to Christ in water baptism to enter the kingdom of God – we rejoice with the angels!

Knowing we had to make an early start tomorrow, I got to bed about midnight rather than working late.

The Lord’s Day was both long and rewarding.  I got up at 5:30 A.M. so that we could go to the wharf and catch a fast craft (a fast moving ferry) from Iloilo City on the island of Panay to Bacolod City on Negros Occidental.  This trip took about two hours and Jonathan, Nanette, Jack, and myself all napped in our seats on the boat even though we passed through some rough seas.  Bob Senining met us and drove about 30 minutes to bring us to the Talisay congregation where about 35-40 gathered for worship.

Acting in isolation for the past few years, this church had drifted into using musical instruments in worship and the building was decorated for Christmas.  My lesson was entitled “True VS False Worship,” which showed why we must follow the pattern taught by Jesus Christ through his Apostles and avoid such departures as instrumental music in worship and observing man-made holy days.  The brethren were very, very appreciative of the lesson and promised to abandon the unscriptural practices.  Bob publicly stated his repentance for drifting from the teaching of the New Testament, and I led a prayer on his behalf asking God’s forgiveness.

After lunch Bob brought us to the ferry and drove his vehicle onto the ferry so that he could take us to the next appointment on Panay.  When we reached Panay about 3:30 P.M., we went to the church meeting at Zarraga where Roger Ramirez labors at the edge of Iloilo City.  About 25 patient souls awaited our coming.  Our service began at 4:30 and my sermon discussed “The Prison of Sin.”  The brethren were ready for another lesson, but we had to leave in order to return to the hotel.

Even though it is winter, my clothes were wet with sweat.  I showered, changed into dry clothes, and then met Sel Lanceta for a late supper.  This Filipino man has lived in Louisville, KY for 47 years.  He has an Asian grocery store there and serves as the agent for Forex Cargo to ship boxes to the Philippines.  He has handled about 500 boxes for me through the years.  Iloilo City is his native home and he is building a house here in which he hopes to retire.  Since we were here at the same time, we wanted to have this opportunity to visit.  After returning from supper, I exercised, worked on email briefly, and fell into bed at 1:00 A.M.

There were no preaching schedules for Monday and Sel wanted to meet Jack, Jonathan and Nanette, and me for lunch, then drive us out of town about an hour to the site where he is building his new house.  He took us to an inauspicious sea food restaurant and ordered at least seven different fish dishes which made a superbly delicious meal.

He knew Jack’s and Jonathan’s names well because he had shipped several boxes to them through the years, but this was his first time to meet them.  Sel is building his house primarily from mahogany wood grown on his own property.  He planted the trees 20 years ago and is harvesting them now.  The carpenters were busily working when we arrived, and it will be a beautiful house.

I am trying to introduce Sel to the original gospel of Christ, but all he knows is Catholicism and this will be a slow process.  He has been most gracious and hospitable.

Our visit and work here on Panay Island have been very profitable by the grace of God.  We are mere servants and stewards.  “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Cor. 3:7).  God alone is glorified by the power of the gospel.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

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