Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Many denominational preachers were invited to join us for three days of study at a hotel function room in Iloilo City beginning Wednesday.  Before the first morning ended, 76 of us were gathered to cover the workbook entitled How to Study the Bible, the same series presented in Victorias City on Negros.  By adding the additional day, I will be able to teach a series also on “The Authority of Christ” while the other speakers deal with various first principles of the gospel.

After each of my first two lessons today on how to study the Bible, I opened the floor for questions, but everyone agreed the teaching was clear, so there were none.  They are hearing new things and need time to digest what they are learning.  Kevin followed with “Reasons for Bible Study” before lunch.  There was a lunch break for an hour, and then Jonathan, Jack, and Kevin completed the next five chapters of the workbook.

As the series continued on Thursday, a large audience gathered earlier than yesterday, indicating their interest.  Kevin stayed at our hotel to rest today because he had an upset stomach overnight, but he is recovering by God’s grace.  Jonathan, Jack, and I completed the remaining lessons on how to study the Bible, and Jonathan preached an additional lesson on the necessity of baptism as a condition of pardon by God’s grace.  I also began a series of studies on “The Authority of Christ” using my booklet by that title published by Truth Publications as a guide – each participant received a copy.

The first session addressed “The Authority of Christ Expressed in Scripture” and the next one dealt with “The Authority of Christ as Savior and Head of the Local Church.”  That second topic will be completed tomorrow because we ran short on our allotted time in the function room.  A few minutes were devoted to questions.  Rather than asking questions designed to avoid the truth, one man asked, “If a person has been baptized in a denomination, are you willing to receive him for baptism?”  I pointed out we are very willing to help people whose baptism was not scriptural to submit to Christ in water baptism for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38).  Questions, comments, and body language show that our participants are learning the truth rather than resisting it.

We noticed some things on Friday which indicate the growing interest of our audience.  They are arriving early again, some even ahead of the teachers.  Next, when we have open forum time, there are only few questions – they prefer us to teach more lessons.  This morning I immediately resumed teaching “The Authority of Christ as Savior and Head of His Church.”  This was followed by “Gradual Departures Leading to Catholicism.”  Jonathan Carino presented another basic sermon before lunch, and after lunch Kevin preached on “Counting the Cost.”

My last two sessions covered “A Gradual Return – The Reformation” and “A Gradual Return – Restoring New Testament Christianity.”  We traced the history of how denominations broke away from Catholicism but made many of the same mistakes by creating their own doctrines, forms of worship, and organizations beginning in the 1400’s.  By the 1700’s many people were disillusioned with denominational doctrines and divisions, and they made an earnest search for the path and principles leading to a restoration of New Testament Christianity.  In the second study I showed that many are still searching today around the world including people in the Philippines.  Jonathan then gave a short lesson on the one true church, and Jack extended the Lord’s invitation.

Five precious souls announced their decisions to obey the gospel of Christ by submitting to him in baptism.  To help them get started, Jack will return Monday and then will come on Sundays to further guide them in how to conduct worship according the New Testament pattern.  We are reminded that God’s Word does not return to Him void, but it accomplishes His purpose (Isa. 55:11).

In the open forum there were a few questions about the canon of Scripture and about baptism, but it was clear most of the audience were well satisfied they had heard the truth.  Among other materials we distributed for them to take home and continue to study was Roy E. Cogdill’s New Testament Church.

While we were driving to the airport Saturday to fly to Manila, we learned that several more people want to be baptized when Jack returns Monday.  We are hopeful this signifies the beginning of a new and stable congregation in Iloilo City.

Jonathan and Nanette flew back to Cebu City shortly after Kevin and I boarded our plane for Manila.  Our flight was safe and uneventful, except that we landed 25 minutes early – no small feat in the Philippines.  For lunch Kevin and I visited the Pancake House in the Manila airport to enjoy blueberry pancakes.  We got to the hotel at 2:00 P.M.  Both of us crashed in our beds and caught up on some much needed rest.  Then we studied our lessons for Sunday.

May God bless and reward all the saints who make this work possible by your prayers and financial support!  Won’t it be wonderful to meet the souls you have helped to save when we gather around God’s throne in heaven to glorify Him forever!

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
https://www.hebronlane.com
https://biblework.congregateclients.com
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com