Preaching in the Philippines August 15-18, 2023
Dear family, brethren, and friends,
On Tuesday, the 15th, we began a service about 9:30 A.M. at the Glamang church in Polomolok, the Province of South Cotabato where Toto Samson preaches. About 35 people heard sermons this A.M. on “The Resurrection of Christ” and also “Finish the Race,” translated by Joy Julom and Billy Gripo. Four people confessed Christ and were baptized into his church. Toto fell back to the world about 20 years ago, but he never forgot the truth and this led him finally to repent and to renew his service to Christ a couple of years ago. He is doing a good work in this community.
In the afternoon we traveled to the Purok Tribal church in Maasim, Sarangani Province where Romel Dazon labors and a new building is under construction. It was filled with about 80 people and they were very attentive to the studies about “The Resurrection of Christ” and “When Peter Confessed Christ” as translated by Salvador Parbo and Joy Julom.
There was time for an open forum. One of the questions concerned the condition of people who are baptized but found to be continuing in sin. I explained that in some cases this is the result of a person not obeying “from the heart” (Rom. 6:17), in which case the baptism was invalid. In other cases, people like Simon in Acts 8 obey from the heart but fall back to their old sins. Their baptism is valid, but they must repent and pray God’s pardon from their new sins (Acts 8:22-24).
Another question by a denominational “pastor” was why do we teach people who have been baptized into a denomination to be baptized again. I explained that Christ did not establish these denominations and, therefore, such baptism does not bring forgiveness of sin or unite us to Christ.
When the invitation song was sung, three people came forward to exercise their faith in Christ by submitting to him in water baptism for the remission of their sins – including the denominational preacher. He said he understood the lessons and wanted to escape the errors of denominational doctrine and obey the original gospel of Christ. We rejoice with these three souls who are now united with Christ in his church. This has been another very profitable day by the grace and providence of God!
An all-day lectureship was held at the Lanton church in Apopong, General Santos City on Wednesday where Jolly Julom labors as an evangelist. Their large building overflowed with an attendance of 127. This morning’s session focused on two closely related subjects: “Marriage: God’s Gift to Man and Woman” and “Marriage: Joined by God.” Jonathan Carino gave a short summary of the second lesson in their dialect. Our lunch break came at 12:30 P.M. and then we continued with the afternoon session with two lessons on “The Threat of Pornography: Making Sex an Idol.” I did my best to stir the hearts of brethren to fight this evil force which is spreading so rapidly and affecting so many people including Christians because of easy access through the internet and social media.
Last, the floor was opened for questions, most of which reflected the difficulties regarding divorce and remarriage in a legal system which enshrines the Catholic doctrine forbidding divorce in all cases. One question even involved triable customs regarding the subject. I emphasized that man cannot cancel God’s law on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, but we must do our best to comply with legal standards as much as possible. Some of these issues must b worked out by Filipinos themselves within the context of their own culture and civil government but always putting God’s law above human standards.
Nestor Francisco missed the service because he had a high blood pressure attack and was hospitalized. We visited him about 9:30 P.M. and prayed for him – he was improving by the grace of God.
On Thursday Connie Balbin and Salvador Parbo brought us to a hotel in Davao City. After I exercised, we met Juanito Balbin and his family for supper and a good visit at a nearby restaurant. He is 80 and still preachers, though his health is declining.
The gospel meeting at Magpet, North Cotabato on Friday where Joel Neniel preaches was most encouraging and rewarding. We left Davao City at 7:30 A.M. and traveled over 2½ hours to get there, and returned at 8:30 P.M. This is the first time I have preached at Magpet and the first time since covid they have conducted such a meeting. 310 souls attended including dozens of gospel preachers and brethren from other congregations.
In addition to the lessons, these brethren all rejoiced for the opportunity to renew friendships and associations they have missed for several years. A large tent covered the area approaching the door of the church building – the seats were filled and people were standing at the windows to listen. One man stood the whole time at an open door tot he right of the pulpit taking as many notes as he could.
The first lesson was entitled “From Wretched Man to More Than Conquerors.” Since we have to translate (Eliezer Ninel translated), it was almost lunch time when we finished, so we took the lunch break. After lunch I proclaimed “The Resurrection of Christ,” and Julie Notarte translated. Next, the open forum was conducted, followed by the invitation song, and two souls came forward to obey the gospel. We went to the river and baptized them to wash away their sins in the blood of the Lamb. There was rejoicing in heaven and on earth!
Another great blessing was having Glenn Fiesta and his wife Glenn (Neniel) all the way from Luzon there to help us in the meeting.
I want to thank everyone for your prayers. We have done a lot of night travel, which can be treacherous in the Philippines. Because of poverty, many vehicles on the road have inadequate lights or no lights at all. We have seen several wrecks, including one where a victim lay dead in the middle of the highway.
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook
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