Truth Magazine

By Jim McDonald

The Philippine Islands are a chain of 7,000 islands stretching about 1,000 miles in the south China Sea. 60,000,000 people live in this third world country whose economy for a time was second only to Japan among Asian nations. Such is true no more. For several years its economy has been in shambles, although there is evidence that improvements are being made and that some of the major ills of the nation are being attended to.

The gospel was introduced to the Philippines 70-80 years ago, and brethren can be found on most of the larger islands. The largest concentrations of Christians are found either in Mindanao (Davao City and Zambonga del sur for instance) and Luzon from Manila northward. There are perhaps 500-600 preachers and upwards of 900-1,000 congregations. Some of these churches number 100 or more and occasionally exceed that number (Escoda in Marcos, Ilocos Norte sometimes reaching 150-175 in attendance) but for the greater part, congregations will number from 35-80.

Rural churches often have their own buildings to worship in. In such instances that building will either be a “Nipa hut” (a bamboo structure with a thatched roof) or perhaps a very crude cinder block building. We saw a few of the latter, but when such are found they are as likely as not to have neither doors nor windows. In some areas the building may simply be a shed-type structure with corner posts and either a thatched or iron roof. In many instances there will be no floor but dirt (this is especially true with the “Nipa huts”). Pews will be a board (no back). Air conditioning is non-existent. The congregation might sing from an English hymnbook (discarded books sent from American churches) but the Bible class and sermon will likely be in the dialect spoken in that region. (Contrary to a seemingly general opinion, Spanish is not the national tongue although the Spanish occupation greatly influenced the people as well as the tongue.) There are 50-60 different dialects spoken among these people (one brother jokingly said that men from the Tower of Babel had settled the country), and there are some three to four major dialects. “Tagalog” is the national tongue but English is widely spoken and tourist advertisements style the Philippines as “the second largest English speaking country in the world.”

The communion service will be unlike that brethren here are familiar with. After one prayer (sometimes two in succession) in which thanks is given both for the loaf and the cup, both elements will be served to the congregation but great care is extended to see that the bread is served first. An offering will be taken and the collection may be 60-100 pesos ($2.50 – $4.00 is the equivalent in U.S. currency). Some congregations do have larger offerings (the Angeles City church may range from 900-1,200 pesos, $35-$60) but such is a rare exception. There are few accumulations in the treasuries. As often as not, the offering will immediately be divided among deserving widows in the congregation of which there is usually a great number.

Almost inevitably there will be the blackboard and accompanying chalk. Overhead projectors are almost unknown and American preachers going there might as well leave sermons of such nature at home, dust off their sermons from the 1950s, and plan (or learn) to use the blackboard for their points of illustration. The “white board” is a novelty that I saw in one or two places.

Metropolitan churches, unlike rural brethren, generally do not have their own meeting house. Metro-Manila has perhaps 15-20 congregations, all of which meet either in homes or rented halls. This makes building the work difficult. There is the possibility that the Santa Mesa church in Tondo (downtown Manila) may be able shortly to havetheir property. Fred Agulto (their preacher) tells that land is available, and he has estimated a cost of 80,000 pesos (about $3,700) to build. Such would be a great blessings Should any individual wish to help in such a worthy project. I will be glad to provide further details.

Churches seldom meet more frequently than once each week, although a few do have a mid-week evening service. Such does not indicate disinterest but simply is the result of two primary factors: transportation problems and unavailable preachers to help conduct services. Since few Filipino Christians own their own car or even a motorcycle, they must either walk to worship or pay to ride a jeepney or tricycle. The impoverished status of the ordinary Filipino family makes fares for the family to more than one service a great strain on their budget. Since there are more congregations than there are preachers, many preachers will be busy preaching for two or sometimes three different congregations each Sunday, making it virtually impossible to shuffle back and forth for two services for two different congregations. Despite such a problem with meeting, coupled with the rival attractions of the handsome cathedrals that exist among Catholics, Mormons and Iglesia Ni Christo (a sect that began in the islands that denies the deity of Christ), as well as the comfortable “chapels” that de-nominations have, brethren steadily make converts and the church is growing. The gospel is still a precious thing among many Filipinos and many hundreds are being baptized each year. American dollars spent in evangelism will result in as rich a harvest of souls as can be found anywhere on this globe for truly there “the fields are white unto harvest.” Open doors do not have a history of always staying “open.” In our Savior’s words: “I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day for the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4).

NEXT ARTICLE: The Filipino Preacher.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 19, p. 10-11
October 5, 1995

By Doug Kirk

In January of this year I was baptized here at the Manslick Road Church of Christ. If you would allow me to, I would like to tell you just what that has meant to me in the past few months. As a former Baptist, I had some-what of a religious background in that I attended church each Sunday and was a member of several committees. But something was missing. Something just didn’t seem right. It was almost a chore to get out of bed on Sunday morning to get ready for church.

One of the reasons for my dissatisfaction I believe was the fact that I had been listening to a radio program called “Bible Talk” which was sponsored by another Church of Christ in this area, The answers given to the callers peaked my interest and challenged my preconceived beliefs. After much study I attended several services and finally took the necessary steps to become a true Christian.

I have found a new joy and a new peace since making that decision (Rom 15:13). Someone once said that they would like to attend church every time the doors were open. That is certainly the way I feel now. I can’t get enough of it. Not only do I feel the joy, apparently others can see the change in me. Now if I can just tell them why there is such joy without their having to ask, I believe I will have begun to accomplish something for Christ (1 Pet. 3:15). I need to learn to take advantage of the opportunities to teach others when they come my way. I know that it is a matter of time and experience and the willingness to speak up which will help me in my walk.

Having studied various cults prior to being saved, I knew the many ways in which “religion” has perverted the Scriptures. After studying with the Christians here, I have an even deeper understanding of the subtle differences that denominational churches teach and how many people are turned away from the truth by their teaching. This is some-thing that troubles me and helps me to do my best to pass along the truth of the gospel of Christ when confronted with wrong teaching.

I do know that I can never return to what I once was. Even though the same old temptations are there, I know that I can turn to the Lord for help (1 Cor. 10:13). I must admit that once in a while I miss instrumental music, but each time I return to a service and listen to the beautiful voices that desire seems to fade more and more. I also know that I can turn to the people in this congregation for spiritual help or any other kind of help, and they will do everything they can to provide whatever is necessary.

My greatest wish is that others will find the true happiness that I have found. I intend to study and learn as much as possible so that I may be equipped to do as much as possible to show others what they may obtain through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 19, p. 4
October 5, 1995

By Sherman Wilson

In the June 24,1995, issue of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, our local daily newspaper, the entertainment section contained a capsule review of the movies currently showing in our city. I quote from the review of The Bridges Of Madison County: “From Clint Eastwood comes a wholesome romance about adultery.”

Now, I ask, “How can adultery ever be `wholesome’?” For those who believe in the Bible, please read Galatians 5:19-21. There are 17 specific sins listed, one of which is adultery. While the sins are not listed alphabetically, adultery is the very first one mentioned. It is listed right along with murder among the 17 and Paul ends by saying, “They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Can murder ever be described as “wholesome”? God appears to feel that adultery is just as bad as murder!

This appears to be unreasonable in the eyes of most humans, including this writer, frankly, as it seems to me that taking someone’s life would have to be the most vile sin of all. After all, the murdered person may not have obeyed the gospel and, if he had lived, there was always the chance that he would have eventually obeyed and had a promise of eternal life. While the sin of murder can be forgiven if the murderer truly repents, it is the only one of the 17 sins listed that is permanent as restitution for the life of the murder victim is, of course, impossible.

However, even though it is hard to accept that adultery is just as bad as murder, we must never lose sight of the fact that God does not view things as we humans view them, according to Isaiah 55:8-9, which says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” This is a truth that most people have never learned (or accepted).

To those who have committed adultery or are thinking about it, what about the “Golden Rule” as set forth by Jesus? It says we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us (paraphrased). Would you want your spouse to commit adultery against you?

I have heard people justify adultery by saying, “But am I not entitled to happiness?” How about your spouse? Isn’t he/she entitled to happiness? Will your adultery make him/ her happy? Remember your wedding vows  “As long as we both shall live” not “as long as we both shall love as the T.V. character Rhoda was asked by the preacher to vow in her famous wedding scene several years ago.

The recent T.V. movie of Elizabeth Taylor’s life pointed out that she had been married eight times, including twice to Richard Burton. In one scene she is depicted as saying, “Don’t I have a right to be happy?” To that I ask, what about the husbands she left for another man over the years? Weren’t they entitled to happiness? What about Eddie Fisher’s wife and Richard Burton’s wife? Didn’t Debbie Reynolds Fisher and Sybil Burton have a right to happiness? Didn’t their children have a right to be raised by both of their natural parents?

As someone once said, “My right to swing my arm ends at the point of your nose!”

Without extending the length of this article suffice it to say that if the Bible teaches there will be degrees of punishment (and I am persuaded it does), surely one of the hottest places will be reserved for the person who comes between a husband/wife and his/her spouse and commits adultery.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 19, p. 5
October 5, 1995

By Lewis Willis

I find it a frightening thought when I contemplate the world in which our children and grandchildren will live. I heard on a news broadcast this morning that television sitcoms are simply mirroring the way things are in our country today. If that is so, I have witnessed the change which has occurred from Ozzie and Harriet to The Simpsons. I rather suspect that many, if not most, American homes have experienced this evolution. In the first instance, the parents were in charge and the children respected and obeyed them. In the latter, a big-mouthed kid is in charge, and the parents are depicted as dumb. Have we really allowed this to happen to the American home? I realize that both views of the family in these sitcoms have been somewhat extreme. However, there is more fact than fiction in the way the family is portrayed in them. It is with this in mind that I write this article. I would like to address it to our young people, whom I consider to be the best in the land. Young people, I would like to ask that you make every choice and decision you must make with the utmost care. Having been taught the Scriptures from childhood, you have a good understanding of the difference between right and wrong. You are blessed in this because not all young people know the difference. Let me suggest that you go to your parents, give them a big hug, and thank them for raising you in the way you should be raised. It is a shame that modern youth have not had the advantage which you enjoy.

Because they have not been raised properly, most young people do pretty much as they wish to do, without regard to the question of right or wrong. Not only do they live that way, they try to get you to do the same. That is why you must make difficult choices. The message I want to put in your mind is one of caution concerning those choices. You must realize that those choices and decisions you make now will affect your present happiness and well-being, as well as your eternal destiny. That is why they must be made so carefully. Let me focus your attention on what the Scripture says.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus saying, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first cornmandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:1-3). Let’s note and discuss the things Paul said here.

1. Children are to obey their parents. This is one of the most reasonable things that could possibly occur. The parents bring the children into the world. They care for and sustain the children, providing them the things they need for life. Children should be grateful for this. We must be aware that God has always required that children obey their parents. There is a fearful statement made about a rebellious son who lived under the Mosaic Law. If he was stubborn and rebellious, he was to be taken by his parents to the men of the city and they were to stone him to death (Deut. 21:18-21). Though Christ does not require that rebellious children be stoned to death today, it must be known that He will eternally punish those who do not obey their parents.

2. This obedience is to be “in the Lord.” This puts a limit on the obedience of children to their parents. This means that if you can obey your parents and God, you are to do so. If they require that you disobey God in obeying them, you must obey God first. If a child obeys his parents rather than God, he shows that he loves them more than he loves God. Of course, you know that this is not right. Our young people are fortunate because they have Christian parents who want them to obey God first. Count your blessings, young people!

3. When children obey their parents in the Lord, Paul says, “this is right.” This is a requirement of God, so in obeying your parents, you obey God. Because this is “right,” it is understood that you could do “wrong” regarding this. Why should you obey your parents? The answer is, because it is right for you to do so. How do you know that? God said so!

4. Children were told to honor their father and mother. To honor your parents means that you are to faith-fully discharge the duties you owe them. You are to obey them in childhood, respect them throughout life, tenderly care for and support them in old age, with love and kindness at all times. Paul puts this responsibility on you today, just as Moses did when it was included in the Ten Commandments, written on tables of stone, at Sinai.

5. This commandment carries with it a promise. The promise is that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. These promised blessings come as a result of the character the child has who loves and honors his parents and God. He is preserved from the fatal ruin which befalls a stubborn and rebellious child. His obedience forms in him the habit of self-control, self-respect, diligence, faithfulness and kindness of heart, which guarantee happiness and success in life.

Conclusion

As I said earlier, the choices and decisions you make now will affect you in this life and in the one to come. If you choose to do what is “right,” you will make the choices which will bring you happiness and success, and length of days on the earth. By doing “right,” you will also assure a happy eternity in Heaven after this life is over. On the other hand, if you choose to do “wrong,” you will forfeit both present and eternal happiness and well-being. Look about you at those who do wrong and you will discover that they do not have peace and contentment as you have it when you obey the Word of God. So, make your decisions, as you must. We will be praying for you, that you will make the right ones and live a long and useful life, and go to Heaven when it is time for you to die.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 19, p. 9-10
October 5, 1995