Dear family, brethren, and friends around the world,

Willie Pastor did his work well as a host in preparing for these Bible lectures.  He secured the Disadeco Lodge at Diffun, Quirino where there is a large function room to gather participants with tables and a large screen for PowerPoint presentations.  Monday morning the series on “The Bible Is the Word of God” began with an excellent presentation by Jack Jaco on “The Theme of the Bible.”

I then engaged in a study of Psalm 19 entitled “The Glory of God” showing that God’s glory is proclaimed by both the creation and the Scriptures.  As is typical we had a late start to allow the arrival of participants coming from a great distance – and arrive they did.  We planned on a maximum attendance of 50 but 62 showed up.  Because of the late start we extended the lunch break and started again at 2:00 P.M. with Jack’s study of “Three Dispensations in God’s Plan.”  This was followed by my lessons on “The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture” and “The Writing and Canon of Scripture.”

Jack and I both noticed how intently the audience listened and we had excellent participation in calling on them to read passages.  It turned out that a “pastora” attended from a Pentecostal group and apparently she intends to return.  There were other visitors also.

During the open forum there was a question about why some people claim Mark 16:9-20 is not genuine Scripture.  This is because that last paragraph of Mark is missing from two Greek manuscripts , but many more manuscripts include it and early Christians quoted from it, which verifies that the copies they had included those verses.

After supper I walked again tonight under the beautiful moonlight.  Last night three Filipinos joined me and tonight there were five when we started out, but they have to run to keep up with my walking pace and stride.  Some of it is uphill, steep, so two dropped out and we were three again.  We enjoy some light conversation as we walk which helps to pass the time and mask the pain of the steep inclines.

The lectureship proceeded well again Tuesday – we are about to burst at the seams with 66 now attending.  Jack’s first lesson answered the question, “How Do We Receive Pardon of Our Sins?”  My lesson exposed the “Apocryphal Books & Other False Scriptures,” which included an explanation of how the nine apocrypha were added to the Roman Catholic Bible in 1546 by the Council of Trent.  We also discussed books called pseudepigrapha and the so-called “lost books of the Bible.”  Actually, nothing has been lost or added – the 66 books we have are the very ones God gave.

The open forum went well and pushed our lunch hour later than scheduled.  I had emphasized in the lesson that miraculous gifts of revelation and confirmation ended when the Scriptures were completed.  A good question was asked about the difference between miracles and God’s providence.  In a miracle God works outside the natural realm such as in the virgin birth of Jesus.  In providence God works through natural means which are always at His disposal because nature belongs to Him. When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we are not asking for a miracle such as Jesus performed in John 6 but for God to utilize the natural order to provide our needs.

In the afternoon Jack preached about “The One True Church” which was followed by my two-part study of evidences entitled “The Bible: God’s Only True Word.”

Our afternoon open forum covered a wide range of topics. For instance, should we baptize people living in fornication?  Quite a few Filipinos live together without marriage.  The answer depends on whether they are willing to repent and stop practicing their sin. Another question was if the person baptizing a penitent believer is living in hidden sin, does it affect the salvation of the person who is baptized?  No, Paul speaks of preachers who carried sins in their hearts and lives, and yet who preached the true gospel of Christ, and he said he rejoiced because they preached Christ (Phil. 1:14-18).  In other words, we are saved by the power of the gospel, not by the character of the preacher or person who does the baptizing.

Our visitors are receiving the lessons well and the brethren are already asking for additional lectureships as soon as possible.

We had our walkathon again tonight after supper, the best one yet!  It turns out there is a track nearby under repair for athletic contests, and we walked under a clear sky with the bright light of a full moon.

The last day of this series was Wednesday and we had to add chairs to accommodate 75 people!  This again included visitors who are not members of the church of Christ.  Jack presented a lesson on “Baptisms in the Bible,” followed by Rody on “Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage,” and then my last study entitled “Judgment by Christ: Jerusalem, and the Final Judgment” covering Matthew 24-25.  Once again everyone was noticeably attentive.

Since a “pastora” or female preacher was again present, during the open forum I was asked to clarify whether God permit women to lead in the assembly of the church.  I gave a brief exposition of 1 Timothy 2:8-15 showing that god ordained men rather than women to exercise leadership or authority in the church.

After the open forum, the hosts presented the teachers with a certificate of appreciation and then certificates of attendance were presented to our participants.  It is always bitter-sweet to end these gatherings because our love for each other grows as we share in songs of praise, in prayers, and in feeding our souls on the Word of God.

We left the venue at 3:00 P.M. to travel to Santiago City where Leah Jacob is staying with their son, Wendell, while recovering after her stay in the hospital.  We had prayers with her and then made a beeline for Tuguegarao City for the Wednesday evening service which starts at 6:00.  We barely arrived in time and I taught Genesis 12 as part of their ongoing study of the book of Genesis.  The attendance was 35-40 and we enjoyed the service.  It was a joy to see long time brethren and friends.

Our supper was taken at 8:00 at a Max’s Restaurant.  Rody and I then walked as the moon brightly beamed its light on us, after which I did some work and finally found the bed near midnight.

While traveling to Tuguegarao city I read a text from Lordy Salunga reporting that his severe infection has been difficult to battle.  It appears he will not be able to join me in teaching the book of Revelation to the deaf mute saints at the church in Sampoloc, Metro Manila.  On such short notice, I will not be able to replace him, but since the presentations will not require speaking, I will just teach each day and give short breaks when I feel tired.  I believe I can get through the material in that way, even though it will be a challenge.

Once again I covet the prayers of the saints who read these reports – you may have noticed I need them!

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com