WHY FROM THE PHILIPPINES?

WHY FROM THE PHILIPPINES?

I READ IN your magazine, God’s Message, that you claim to be the true Church in these last days.  As I continued reading your articles, I was surprised to learn that your Church started in the Philippines.  How can your Church be the true Church if it started in a small and poor country like the Philippines?  Why would God choose the Philippines out of all nations in the world to be the place from where the true Church would emerge?

Robert Lewis

Seattle, Washington

Editor’s reply:

We should not be surprised if the true Church in these last days would emerge in what you call a “small and poor country like the Philippines.”  God does not take a country’s size or economic status as His basis in choosing the place from where His chosen people would emerge.  In fact, God chose the nation of Israel not because of its size or power:

““For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples.” (Dt. 7:6-7, New King James Version)

Even the Savior Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, was born in the small town of Bethlehem.  Prophet Micah recorded:

 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.” (Mic. 5:2, Ibid.)

Christ was born in Bethlehem (Mt. 2:1) in fulfillment of biblical prophecies:

“The scripture says that the Messiah will be a descendant of King David and will be born in Bethlehem, the town where David lived.” (Jn. 7:42, Today’s English Version)

Likewise, the emergence of God’s chosen people in these last days from a small and poor country in the Far East (Is. 43:5-6, Moffat), “in the islands of the sea” (Is. 24:15, New International Version) is the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.  As was prophesied, the Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ emerged in the Philippines, a nation composed of islands which are almost at the geographical center of the Far East (Asia and the Philippines, p. 169).

When God chooses things considered insignificant by men, it is because He would want to put to shame those considered wise and mighty:

“ For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;  and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,  that no flesh should glory in His presence.” (I Cor. 1:26-29, NKJV) *

LETTERS/PASUGO GOD’S MESSAGE/AUGUST 2002/PAGE 2/VOLUME 54/NUMBER 8/ISSN 0116-1636

THE TRUE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST

THE TRUE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST

I WAS RAISED in a Christian family which reads the Bible and prays daily.  My mother died believing with all her heart in the words written in John 3:16.  When my father died, inscribed on his gravestone are the words “I am only a sinner—saved by grace.”

What have you to say about my parents’ salvation, and the salvation of the thousands of believers who lived and died without knowing of your particular Church?  The very Scriptures that you use was made available to you by the blood of martyrs such as William Tyndale and others who were executed because of their efforts to bring God’s word to the people.  Does God have a place for them?

When I see Christians who denounce their fellow Christians and who point to the Scriptures to show the “purity” of their beliefs, in or contrast to those of others which are “impure” or “misled,” I am reminded of the Pharisees and Scribes who searched the Scriptures in order to condemn Jesus.

There is enough hatred and bigotry in the world today with Christians teaching doctrines that will only lead to more trouble with each other.  I am sure you are going to point again and again to the Scriptures (just as they did with Jesus) and show me that those words you believe in identify your Church as the one true Church today.  But I pray that you will look again at the Great Commandment and let us all who profess Jesus as our Saviour and Lord work together in a spirit of love.

Clarence A. Sears

Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Editor’s reply

As one who has been raised in a Bible-reading family, you have indeed valued God’s words written in the Bible.  This has particularly shaped your beliefs, most especially with regard to salvation.  However, being a Bible reader does not guarantee that a person will attain salvation come Judgment Day.  Perhaps you are familiar with the particular incident between Philip and the eunuch wherein the eunuch , in spite of his wisdom, still had to be guided by Philip in his study of the Scriptures (cf. Acts 8:26-40).  This only shows that on one’s own, man will not be able to reach understanding of the Scriptures, particularly about the path to salvation.

The Iglesia ni Cristo firmly upholds the belief that the Holy Scriptures must be the sole basis of man’s faith.  It teaches that belief or faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is important (cf. John 3:16).  However, this belief is not the only requirement for salvation.  In fact, the Bible proves that believing in Christ alone is insufficient.  In John 8:31, this is recorded:

“So Jesus said to those who believed in him, ‘If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples.”

Note that the people whom Christ was addressing already believed in Him.  Yet, He did not tell them that believing in Him is enough.  Instead, He told them that if they obey His teachings, they are indeed His disciples.  The real disciples of Christ, then, are those who do not just believe in Him, but who likewise follow His teachings.

Our Lord Jesus Christ particularly taught how man can attain salvation.  In John 10:9, this is stated:

“I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe.” (Revised English Bible)

The fold or flock being referred to by our Lord is the Church of Christ (cf. Acts 20:28, Lamsa).

Those that have obeyed Christ are in the Church of Christ.  Christ’s pronouncement has made it clear that those who have entered the flock, or His Church, will be saved.  This teaching is biblical and not a man-made doctrine.

You mentioned that your parents died without coming to know about the Iglesia ni Cristo.  You asked if they, along with other people who lived and died without gaining knowledge about the true Church, will be saved too.  God has a basis for judging people who lived before the reemergence of the Iglesia ni Cristo.  Apostle Paul teaches, thus:

“All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.  (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)” (Rom. 2:12, 14-15, New International Version)

God will judge those who lived apart from the law by the law written in their hearts with their consciences bearing witness.

However, in our time, this no longer applies.  In these last days, God has entrusted His words to His messengers who have been tasked with reconciling man to Him (cf. II Cor. 5:18-20).  Consequently, if men have already known God’s law as taught by His messengers, yet disregard it, they will no longer be judged by the law written in their hearts and consciences but by the law written in the Scriptures.

You are right in pointing out that there is enough hatred and bigotry in the world today.  But must the truth be sacrificed so that peace will prevail?

You call for all believers of Christ to work hand in hand in a spirit of love would materialize if only all religions have followed Christ’s teachings.  Yet in reality, what prevails today is a morass of conflicting doctrines upheld by various religions that promise salvation the easy way.  The Bible clearly emphasizes that Christian unity is only possible within one body, as Apostle Paul states, thus:

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:4-6, New King James Version)*

Copied from LETTERS/PASUGO GOD’S MESSAGE/JULY 1996/PAGE 2-3/VOLUME 48/NUMBER 7/ISSN 0116-1636

At Papasok At Lalabas, At Makasusumpong Ng Pastulan

‘AT PAPASOK AT LALABAS, AT MAKASUSUMPONG NG PASTULAN’

Isang pagtalakay sa nilalaman ng ikalawang bahagi ng Juan 10:9

Sinulat ni MARLEX C. CANTOR

ANG ISA SA MGA TALATA ng Biblia na nagpapatotoo na mahalaga at kailangan ang pagpasok sa Iglesia upang matamo ng tao ang pagliligtas ng Panginoong Jesucristo ay ang nasusulat sa Juan 10:9.  Sa unang bahagi ng talata—kung saan sinabi ng Panginoon na, “Ako ang pintuan; ang sinomang taong pumasok sa akin, ay siya’y maliligtas …”—ay isinasaad ang pangako ni Cristo na ang maliligtas ay yaong mga nagsipasok sa Kaniya, samakatuwid baga’y, ang mga napaloob sa kawan, na walang iba kundi ang Iglesia ni Cristo (Juan 10:7; 10:9, Revised English Bible; Gawa 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

Gayunman, hindi malinaw sa iba ang kahulugan ng karugtong na bahagi ng talatang Juan 10:9—“… at papasok at lalabas, at makasusumpong ng pastulan.”  Mayroong iba na ang pakahulugan ay may halong pamimilosopo:  kaya raw sinabing “papasok at lalabas at makasusumpong ng pastulan” ay dahil nasa loob ng kulungan ang mga nagsipasok kay Cristo at kinakailangang ilabas upang mapastulan, kagaya raw ng ginagawa sa mga literal na kawan ng tupa.  Sinasabi naman ng ibang mga manunuligsa sa Iglesia ni Cristo:  kung ang pagpasok daw na tinutukoy sa bahaging iyon ng talata ay ang pagpasok sa Iglesia ni Cristo, kung gayon, ang paglabas daw na tinutukoy ay ang paglabas din ng Iglesia ni Cristo para makasumpong ng pastulan.  Ang konklusyon nila:  ang mga pumasok sa Iglesia ni Cristo ay dapat daw lumabas para maligtas.

Ano ang kamalian ng ganitong pakahulugan?  Lilitaw na sinasalungat ng Panginoong Jesucristo ang mismong ipinahayag Niya.  Sa isang banda’y sinasabi Niyang ang pumasok sa Kaniya’y maliligtas; at sa kabilang dako naman, ay pinalilitaw na sinasabi Niyang ang kailangan ay pumasok at pagkatapos ay lumabas?  Imposible!  Si Cristo ay hindi kailanman magsasalita ng daya o ng kasinungalingan (I Ped. 2:21).  Wala rin Siyang itinuro na dapat lumabas sa Iglesia upang maligtas.  Bagkus sinabi pa nga Niya na ang mahiwalay sa Kaniya ay gaya ng sanga na nahiwalay sa puno—matutuyo, titipunin at ihahagis sa apoy o sa kaparusahang walang hanggan (Juan 15:5-6; Apoc. 21:8).

Ano, kung gayon, ang kahulugan ng sinabing iyon ng Panginoong Jesucristo sa Juan 10:9?  Ayon sa Panginoong Jesucristo, ang mga taong nagsipasok sa Kaniya na pinangakuan Niyang maliligtas ay mayroong papasukan at paglabas nila roon ay makasusumpong sila ng pastulan.

Saan ba nakatakdang pumasok hindi lamang ang mga umanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo kundi maging ang lahat ng tao?  Sa Isaias 38:10 ay ganito ang sinasabi:

“Aking sinabi:  Sa kasibulan ng aking mga kaarawan ay papasok ako sa pintuan ng libingan:  Ako’y nabawahan sa nalalabi ng aking mga taon.” (Ang Biblia, 1909 edition)

Lahat ng tao ay nakatakdang pumasok sa libingan o mamatay bilang kabayaran ng kasalanan (Roma 5:12; 6:23).  At kung paanong itinakda ng Diyos sa mga tao ang kamatayan, “pagkatapos nito ay ang paghuhukom” (Heb. 9:27).  Gayunman, ang kahigitan ng mga nagsipasok kay Cristo o umanib sa Kaniyang Iglesia ay tiyak na lalabas sila sa libingan at makasusumpong ng pastulan sapagkat tiniyak ni Cristo na ang Kaniyang Iglesia ay hindi pananaigan ng kapangyarihan ng kamatayan.  Sa Mateo 16:18 ay sinasabi Niya:

“At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking iglesya, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit ang kapangyarihan ng kamatayan.” (Magandang Balita Biblia)

Ito ang kahulugan ng sinabi ng Panginoong Jesucristo sa Juan 10:9:  Sapagkat ang mga nagsipasok sa Kaniya o ang mga kaanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo ang pinangakuan Niya ng kaligtasan, “papasok” man sila sa libingan ay “lalabas” din sila roon o muling mabubuhay.  Magaganap ito sa Kaniyang ikalawang pagparito:

“Sapagka’t ang Panginoon din ang bababang mula sa langit, na may isang sigaw, may tinig ng arkanghel, at may pakakak ng Dios:  at ang nangamatay kay Cristo ay unang mangabubuhay na maguli.” (I Tes. 4:16)

Bakit naman sinabi na ang mga nasa kawan o Iglesia ni Cristo na papasok at lalabas sa libingan ay “makasusumpong ng pastulan”?

Dalawa ang uri ng pagkabuhay na muli—ang una’y sa buhay na walang hanggan at ang isa pa ay sa paghatol o walang hanggang kaparusan:   “… sapagka’t dumarating ang oras na ang lahat ng nangasa libingan ay makaririnig ng kaniyang tinig, At magsisilabas; ang mga nagsigawa ng mabuti, ay sa pagkabuhay na maguli sa buhay; at ang mga nagsigawa ng masama, ay sa pagkabuhay na maguli sa paghatol” (Juan 5:28-29).  Ang mga kay Cristo ay kasama sa unang pagkabuhay na muli at sila ang dadalhin Niya upang manirahan sa Bayang Banal, sa bagong langit at lupa (I Tes. 4:16-17; Apoc. 21:1-4).  Kaya, sa muling pagkabuhay ay hindi na sila magugutom o mauuhaw o mamamatay man sapagkat si Cristo, na magiging pastor nila, ay papatnugutan o papastulan sila sa mga bukal ng tubig ng buhay (Apoc. 7:16-17).  Ito ang pastulang masusumpungan nila sa Bayang Banal na ipinangako ng Diyos sa Kaniyang mga hinirang.

Samakatuwid, malinaw na sa Juan 10:9 ay nakasaad ang pangakong kaligtasan ni Cristo sa mga nagsipasok sa Kaniya o umanib sa Kaniyang Iglesia at kung ano ang nakatakda nilang pagdaraanan upang  makamit ito.  Papasok sila at lalabas sa libingan—mamamatay ngunit muling mabubuhay—at maninirahan sa Bayang Banal na pinapatnugutan ng tubig ng buhay—ang “sariwang pastulan” (Awit 23:2) na kanilang pinakaaasam. *

Kinopya mula sa PASUGO GOD’S MESSAGE/JANUARY 2009/PAGES 24-25/VOLUME 61/NUMBER 1/ISSN 0116-1636

‘FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL’

‘FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL’

William T. Denham

MANY TIMES the Church of Christ have engaged itself in debates as you may have read several news stories featured in this magazine (PASUGO).  However, other religions criticize these debates as unchristian and against the teaching of the Bible.  They cite biblical verses to support their criticisms, as stated below:

“  For I fear , lest , when I come , I shall not find you such as I would , and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults …” (II Cor. 12:20, KJV)

“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers….” (Rom. 1:29, Ibid.)

In addition, they say that debating about religious themes violates Christ’s admonition to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mk. 12:31, Ibid.), for arguing with one’s neighbor, especially in public, as they believe, is not a manifestation of love, but rather of hate.

Not All Debate

These people have a very shallow understanding of love.  Why should they ever think that arguing manifests hate and not love when, in fact, the debates we engage in intent to love the very people we are debating with, and others who would benefit from them?  But then, before we move on our discussion of this matter let us know first the meaning of the word “debate”:

“debate, n. a contention in words:  argument.” (Webster’s English Dictionary, p. 143)

It is clear that debate involves no physical violence.  It is a purely verbal exercise.  Let us see whether the Bible prohibits such kind of debate:

“Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another.” (Prov. 25:9, KJV)

This seems to be a dilemma – the books of I Corinthians and Romans put debate in the same class as strife, deceit, and murder, while the book of Proverbs commands us to debate our cause with our neighbor.  Does the Bible contradict itself?  Of course not.  There is a kind of debate or controversy which is not right for the Lord’s servants:

“Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness.  God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth.” (II Tim. 2:23-25, RSV)

Paul taught Timothy, a young Church of Christ minister, not to involve himself in stupid and senseless controversies; however, he recognized the fact that Timothy had opponents who should be corrected.  Naturally, if one is going to argue or debate about something senseless or stupid, one might as well not argue – this would be a waste of time.  However, if the subject is important and relevant, there is nothing wrong with debates.  In like manner, the Church of Christ is not debating about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin or about the pros and cons of curled hair, but rather on valuable, pivotal religious issues such as salvation, the nature of Christ, and the true Church.  Is it not important to find out and to disprove through debate the Protestants’ claim that faith is enough to receive salvation?  Is it not vital to know whether Christ is God or man?  Is it not imperative to be sure that one is a member of the true Church established by Christ?

Proper Debate Is Scriptural

Remember, according to the dictionary, debate is a contention in words or an argument.  Keeping this in mind, we cannot but accept the fact that Apostle Paul was a debater:

“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.  And Paul went in, as was his custom, and for three weeks he argued with them from the scriptures ….” (Acts 17:1-2, Ibid.)

There are three salient points we should notice about this passage:  first, Paul argued – therefore he debated;  second, being a Christian argued or debated with the Jews who belonged to a religion different from his own;  lastly, the argument or debate centered on the Scriptures or the Bible.

Before people start criticizing the Church of Christ for engaging in debates, they should criticize Apostle Paul.  It was not only in Thessalonica that Paul argued:

“After this he left Athens and went to Corinth… And he argued in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. (Acts 18:1, 4, ibid.)

Christ’s Debate

Debate is not unchristian.  It is not against Christ, as Christ Himself debated or argued.  The entire eight chapters of John is an argumentative discussion between Jesus and the Jews who opposed Him.  Consider their exchange:

JESUS:  “I am the light of the world …” (v. 12)

JEWS:  “You are bearing witness to yourself; your testimony is not true.” (v. 13)

JESUS:  “I bear witness to myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness to me.” (v. 18)

JEWS:  “Where is your Father?” (v. 19)

JESUS:  “You know neither me nor may Father, if know me, you would know my Father also.” (v. 19)

JEWS:  “Abraham is our father.” (v. 39)

JESUS:  “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do what Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me … this is not what Abraham did.” (v. 39-40)

JEWS:  “We have one Father, even God.” (v. 41)

JESUS:  “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God… you are of your father the devil …” (v. 42, 44)

JEWS:  “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (v. 48)

JESUS:  “I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.” (v. 49 – all verses in RSV)

Christ didn’t run away when the Jews attacked His teachings.  He answered them with words no one could deny.  On another occasion, Mark the evangelist said:  “… after that no one dared ask him any question.” (Mk. 12:31, Ibid.)  He was not of the same spirit as the people in our time who, as soon as someone opens up a Bible to show them that their belief is false, immediately pack up their books and walk out the door, pompously declaring:  “I don’t want to argue!”

There is a reason why Christ did not run away from an argument, and that Apostle Paul did not shrink from standing up for his beliefs:

“The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel …” (Phil. 1:16, Ibid.)

It was Paul’s obligation to defend the Gospel.  If someone were to say that the Gospel, which is truth (Col. 1:5), was not truth, he had a duty and a responsibility to defend it.

Until The Ends Of The Earth

It is also not surprising that God’s Last Messenger, Brother Felix Manalo, as well as the present-day ministers of the Church of Christ, took exactly the same position that our Lord Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul had:

“ Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away .

“ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed ; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

“Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded : they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish .

“Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.” (Is. 41:9-12, KJV)

God’s predictive will about His Messenger could not but be fulfilled.  The mouths of those who mocked the doctrines of God were stopped.  They were ashamed.  They were confounded.  Now, even if we seek them, we cannot find them.  The reason for this, however, was not the Messenger’s own ability: he lacked wealth, earthly power, and human wisdom.  He triumphed because of God’s promises:  “I will strengthen thee … I will help thee … I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

The Purpose

There was only one purpose behind the argumentation of Apostle Paul, the debate Christ had with the Jews, and the Las Messenger’s contention with those who opposed him.  It was not done out of hatred.  Its purpose was not to harm or attack anyone.

According to Paul’s letter to Timothy, the purpose of correcting opponents is for them to repent and come to know the truth (II Tim. 2:23-25).  The truth referred to is the words of God, which sanctify or make man holy (Jn. 17:17) Paul’s purpose in bringing the truth into view through debate was to bring people unto sanctification.

Christ was trying to convince the Jews to know and love Him and the Father (Jn. 8:19, 42).  To know and love God and Christ is by following their commandments (I Jn. 2:3, 5:3; Jn. 14:21).  If the Jews had done this, they would have abided in the love of God and Christ:

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (Jn. 15:10, Ibid.)

Brother Felix Manalo was upheld by the right hand of God’s righteousness, which is the Gospel, and the power of God for salvation:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

“  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written , The just shall live by faith …” (Rom. 1:16-17, Ibid.)

The only aim of Church of Christ ministers in preaching and defending the Gospel is to bring people unto sanctification, unto the love of God, and, most importantly, unto salvation.  As we want to sanctified, to abide in God’s love, and to be saved, we also desire these things for other people.  This shows the true love the Church of Christ has for others.*

Copied from PASUGO GOD’S MESSAGE/MAY-JUNE 1983/PAGES 15-17/VOLUME 35/NUMBER 3

SI PEDRO AY HINDI NAGING PAPA KAILANMAN SA IGLESIA KATOLIKA AT LALONG HINDI NAGING PAPA SA IGLESIANG ITINAYO NI CRISTO SA JERUSALEM

.SI PEDRO AY HINDI NAGING PAPA KAILANMAN SA IGLESIA KATOLIKA AT LALONG HINDI NAGING PAPA SA IGLESIANG

 ITINAYO NI CRISTO SA JERUSALEM

KAYA MALAKAS ang loob ng mga pare na sabihing ang Iglesia Katolika ang tunay na iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo sa Jerusalem noong unang siglo, ay sa dahilang paniwalang-paniwala sila at pinapaniwala rin nila ang marami na si Pedrong apostol ni Cristo ang kanilang unang papa.  Kung mapapatunayan nga naman nila na si Pedro nga ang unang papa, lalabas na sila’y may kaugnayan kay Cristo at sa mga Apostol.  Ito nga ba ang kanilang itinuturo?  Sa Commentary on the Official Catechism of the Philippines pahina 134, ay ganito ang nasusulat:

      “Where Peter is, there is the Church.  Jesus appointed St. Peter as head of  His Church… The successor of St. Peter  is the bishop ofRome, and is usually called the Pope.”

 Sa Pilipino:

      “Kung saan naroon si Pedro, naroon ang Iglesia.  Hinirang ni Jesus si Pedro na ulo ng Kaniyang Iglesia… Ang kahalili ni San Pedro ay ang Obispo ng Roma, at karaniwang tinatawag na Papa.”

     Ginawa ba ni Jesus na Papa si Apostol Pedro?  Sa aklat ng mga“Caballeros de Colon,” (aklat Katoliko) na pinamagatang Why Millions Call Him Holy Father, pahina 1, ay sinasabi ang ganito:

     “Christ Never Called Peter Pope.”

Sa Pilipino:

     “Hindi Kailanman Tinawag Ni Cristo Si Pedro Na Papa.”

     Bakit kailanma’y hindi maaring tawagin at lalong hindi maaring gawin ni Cristo na Papa si Pedro?  Ano ba ang kahulugan ng salitang Papa?  Sa aklat ng pareng si Juan Trinidad na pinamagatang   Ang Iglesia ni Kristo at iba’t ibang Sektang Protestante, pahina 26, ay ganito ang nasusulat:

     “At ang Santo Papa (Ama) ay ang pinakamataas na ama ng ating kaluluwa dito sa lupa, dahil sa siya ang kahalili n gating Panginoon.” 

     Ama ang kahulugan ng salitang Papa.  Ito raw ang pinakamataas na ama ng kaluluwa dito sa lupa.  Sang-ayon ba ito sa aral ni Cristo?  Sa Mat. 23:9, ay sinabi ni Cristo:

     “At huwag ninyong tawaging inyong ama ang sinomang tao sa lupa: sapagka't iisa ang inyong ama, sa makatuwid baga'y siya na nasa langit.”

     Nasasaklaw kaya ng pagbabawal na ito ang ating ama na asawa ng ating ina o ang ating ama sa laman?  Hindi, sapagka’t sinabi rin Niya:

     “Sapagka't sinabi ng Dios, Igalang mo ang iyong ama at ang iyong ina:…” (Mat. 15:4)

     Kung gayo’y anong uring ama ang ipinagbabawal ni Cristo na itawag sa kaninomang tao sa lupa?  Ang katulad ng pagiging Ama ng ating Ama sa langit, na ito ang Diyos.  Anong uring Ama ang Diyos?  Ang Diyos ay Ama ng kaluluwa (Ezek. 18:4).  Sa makatuwid, nagkakasala ang mga papa sa pagpapatawag nila ng “Banal na Ama”, sa kanilang sarili sapagka’t iisa lamang ang Ama ng kaluluwa, ang Diyos.  Kaya ito ang dahilan kung bakit hindi maaaring gawin ni Cristo na Papa si Pedro, sapagka’t ito’y labag sa aral na Kaniyang itinuro.

     Bakit naman sa talaan ng mga papa ng Iglesia Katolika ay nangunguna si Pedro?  Inilagay nga nilang una si Pedro sa talaan ng mga naging papa sa Iglesia Katolika, subali’t ang mga nagtala ay may alinlangan, kaya sa dulo ng pangalan ni Pedro ay naglagay sila ng tandang pananong (?-question mark). (Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 12, p. 272).  Ang sagot nila ukol dito ay hindi raw ang pagiging papa ni Pedro ang pinag-aalinlanganan kundi ang petsa.  Ito’y pangangatwiran lamang!  Ang totoo’y hindi hindi lamang ang pagiging papa ni Pedro ang pinag-aalinlanganan kundi ang sa marami pa, gaya ng mababasa saCatholic Dictionary, pahina 389:

     “The number of popes since St. Peter is not certain; there are 262 commonly enumerated…Some of these are uncertain, and dozen aredefinitely unknown.” 

Sa Pilipino:

     “Ang bilang ng mga papa mula kay San Pedro ay hindi tiyak; may 262 na karaniwang binabanggit…Ang ilan sa mga ito ay hindi tiyak, at may isang dosena ang tiyak na hindi kilala.”

     Bakit nag-alinlangan ang mga nagsisulat ng Catholic Encyclopedia sa pagiging papa ni Pedro?  Kailan ba nagsimula ang tungkuling papa?  Sa “Catholic Encyclopedia,” vol. 12, pahina 270, sinasabing noongikaapat na siglo o ikaapat na raang taon, ito ay pinasimulang maging katangi-tanging katawagan ng Pontipise Romano.  Kailan naman namatay si Apostol Pedro?  Ayon din sa “Catholic Encyclopedia,” vol. 11, pahina 750, si Pedro ay namatay noong taong 67-68, unang siglo.  Paano magiging papa si Pedro na namatay noong 67, unang isang daang taon, samantalang ang tungkuling papa ay nagsimula noong ikaapat na raang taon?  Mahigit nang tatlong daang taong patay si Pedro nang magkaroon ng tungkuling papa, kaya may katuwiran ang mga nagsisulat ng “Catholic Encyclopedia” na magalinlangan sa pagiging papa ni Pedro.

     Maging ang kasaysayan ay nagsasabing napakalabo at walang katiyakan ang umano’y pagiging papa ni Pedro.  Ganito ang sinasabi ng“World’s Great Events,” vol. 2, pahina 163:

     “Our knowledge of the Papacy in its earliest days is very dim and uncertain.  Peter, the fishermen of Galilee, who as tradition relates, was crucified with his head downward about 66, is claimed by the advocates of the Papal system, but without a shadow of historical proof, as first Bishop of Rome.”

Sa Pilipino:

     “Ang ating kaalaman tungkol sa kapapahan sa mga unang araw nito ay napakalabo at walang katiyakan.  Si Pedro, ang mangingisda ng Galilea, na ayon sa isinasaysay ng sali’t-saling sabi na ipinako sa krus nang patiwarik humigit-kumulang noong ika-66, ay ipinahahayag ng mga tagapagtanggol ng pamahalaan ng Kapapahan, ngunit walang anino ng patunay ng kasaysayan, bilang unang Obispo ng Roma.”

     Maging sa Biblia at maging sa kasaysayan ay napatunayan natin na si Pedro kailanman ay hindi naging papa sa Iglesia Katolika at lalong hindi naging papa sa Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo saJerusalem.  Kaya walang kaugnayan sa karapatan kay Cristo at sa mga apostol ang mga papa at mga pare ng Iglesia Katolika.*****

Pasugo God’s Message, Mayo 1978, pahina 28, 33.

HINDI SI CIRO ANG IBONG MANDARAGIT SA ISAIAS 46:11

HINDI SI CIRO ANG IBONG MANDARAGIT

SA ISAIAS 46:11

Gregorio F. Nonato

ANG ILAN SA mga komentarista ng Biblia ay nagsasabing si Ciro (Cyrus the Great) ang diumano’y “ibong mandaragit” na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 46:11.  Ang isa rito ay si Charles John Ellicott na nagpaliwanag sa nabanggit na talata sa kaniyang Bible Commentary:

“Calling a ravenous bird, - Cyrus is thus described as Nebuchadnezzar in Jer. 49:22; Ezek. 17:3.  The image derives a special significance from the fact that the standard borne by Cyrus and his successors was a golden eagle (Xen., Cyrop, 7:11, 4; Anab. 1:10, 12), (Comp. also Matt. 24:28; Luke 17:37.)  The “sun-rising” is Persia; the “far country” probably represents Media.” [Charles John Ellicott, Ellicott’s Bible Commentary, Donald N. Boedle, Ph. D., Th. D., ed. (Michigan, USA:  Zondervan Publishing House, c. 1971), p. 525.]

Sa Pilipino:

“Tumatawag ng ibong mandaragit – Si Ciro ay inilarawan bilang si Nabucodonosor sa Jer. 49:22; Ezek. 17:3.  Ang ganitong paglalarawan ay bunga ng katotohanang ang sagisag na ginamit ni Ciro at ng kaniyang mga kahalili ay isang gintong agila (Xen., Cyrop. 7:1, 4; Anab. 1:10, 12). (Ihambing din sa Mat. 24:28; Lucas 17:37.)  Ang “sikatan ng araw” ay kumakatawan sa Persia; ang “malayong lupain” ay kumakatawan marahil sa Media.”

Ang mga saksi ni Jehovah ay napapaliwanag din ng halos katulad ng paliwanag ni Ellicott sa Isaias 46:11.  Ganito ang ating matutunghayan:

“… He has called Cyrus – from the “sun-rising” from Persia (to the E of Babylon), and Cyrus’ favorite capital of Pasargadae was built, and Cyrus was to be like a “bird of prey” in swiftly pouncing down upon Babylon. (Isa. 46:10, 11)  It is of note that, according to Encyclopedia Britanica (1911, vol. 10, p. 454b, “the Persians bore an eagle fixed to the end of a lance, and the sun, as their divinity, was also represented upon their standards which … were guarded with the greatest jealousy by the bravest men of the army.”” [Aid To Bible Understanding. (USA:  Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1971), p. 409.]

Sa Pilipino

“ …Tinawag Niya si Ciro – mula sa “sikatan ng araw” sa Persia (hanggang sa silangan ng Babilonia), at itinayo ang punong-lunsod na paborito ni Ciro:  ang Pasargadae, at si Ciro ay magiging tulad ng “ibong mandaragit” sa mabilis na pagsakop niya sa Babilonia (Isa. 46:10, 11.  Mapapansin na, ayon sa Encyclopedia Britanica (1911, tomo 10, p. 454b), “ang hukbong Persiano ay may taglay na agila sa dulo ng kanilang mga sibat, at ang araw, na kanilang sinasamba, ay naroon din sa kanilang mga bandila … na mahigpit na binabantayan ng mga matatapang na kawal.”

Ayon sa ilang mga komentarista ng Biblia ang “ibong mandaragit” na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 46:11 ay si Ciro ng Persia.  Ang Persia diumano ang tinutukoy na “sikatan ng araw o silangan” at ang Media naman ang tinutukoy na “malayong lupain.”

Ang lalong malala ay ang paglalagay ng pangalan ni Ciro sa Isaias 46:11 sa The Living Bible na paraphrased ni Kenneth Taylor.  Ang paglalagay na ito ay tahasang pagsalungat sa Diyos na nagsabing, “huwag ninyong daragdagan ni babawasan ang salita na aking iniutos sa inyo, …” (Deut. 4:2).  Ganito ang pagkakasalin ng Isaias 46:11 sa The Living Bible:

“I will call that swift bird of prey from the east—that man Cyrus from far away.  And he will come and do my bidding, I have said I would do it and I will.”

Hindi namin tinututulan na si Ciro ng Persia ay isa sa mga sinugo ng Diyos upang isagawa niya ang gawaing iniatas sa kaniya ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng hula.  Subalit, hindi ang hula sa pagkasugo ni Ciro ang isinasaad sa Isaias 46:11.  Dapat nating bigyang pansin na katulad din ng ibang mga sugo ng Diyos ay alam nila kung aling hula ang tumutukoy sa kanilang pagkasugo.  Halimbawa, ay si Juan Bautista.  Nalalaman ni Juan Bautista na siya ang “tinig na humihiyaw sa ilang” na hinulaan sa Isaias 40:3.  Tunghayan natin ang pahayag ni Juan Bautista:

“Sinabi nga nila sa kaniya, Sino ka baga? Upang ibigay namin ang kasagutan sa nangagsugo sa amin. Ano ang sinasabi mo tungkol sa iyong sarili?

“Sinabi niya, Ako ang tinig ng isang humihiyaw sa ilang, Tuwirin ninyo ang daan ng Panginoon, gaya ng sinabi ng propeta Isaias.” (Juan 1:22-23)

Maliwanag sa talatang ito na nalalaman ni Juan Bautista na siya “ang tinig ng isang humihiyaw sa ilang” yayamang siya ang tinutukoy sa hula na nasa Isaias 40:3)  Ganoon din naman si Apostol Pablo.  Alam din ni Apostol Pablo na siya ang hinuhulaan na “ilaw sa dako ng mga Gentil,” na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 49:6.  Tunghayan natin ang pahayag ni Apostol Pablo:

“Sapagka't ganito ang ipinagutos sa amin ng Panginoon, na sinasabi, Inilagay kitang isang ilaw ng mga Gentil, Upang ikaw ay maging sa ikaliligtas hanggang sa kahulihulihang hangganan ng lupa.” (Gawa 13:47)

Sa maraming pagkakataon ay makikita natin sa pagtuturo ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo na alam Niya ang mga hula na tumutukoy sa Kaniya.  Ang isang katunayan ay matutunghayan natin sa Lukas 4:17-21:

“At ibinigay sa kaniya ang aklat ng propeta Isaias. At binuklat niya ang aklat, na nasumpungan niya ang dakong kinasusulatan,

“Sumasa akin ang Espiritu ng Panginoon, Sapagka't ako'y pinahiran niya upang ipangaral ang mabubuting balita sa mga dukha: Ako'y sinugo niya upang itanyag sa mga bihag ang pagkaligtas, At sa mga bulag ang pagkakita, Upang bigyan ng kalayaan ang nangaaapi,

“Upang itanyag ang kaayaayang taon ng Panginoon.

“At binalumbon niya ang aklat, at isinauli sa naglilingkod, at naupo: at ang mga mata ng lahat ng nangasa sinagoga ay nangakatitig sa kaniya.

“At siya'y nagpasimulang magsabi sa kanila, Ngayo'y naganap ang kasulatang ito sa inyong mga pakinig.”

Maliwanag na ang hula na nasa Isaias 61:1 ay tumutukoy kay Cristo.  Mapapansin na ang Panginoong Jesucristo mismo ang nagpaliwanag na Siya ang tinutukoy ng hula sa pagsasabing, “ngayo’y naganap ang kasulatang ito sa inyong mga pakinig.”

Natunghayan natin na ang hinuhulaan na “isang tinig na humihiyaw sa ilang” ay tumutukoy kay Juan Bautista.  Alam ni Juan Bautista, at siya mismo ang nagpahayag, na siya ang “tinig na humihiyaw sa ilang.”  Natunghayan din natin na ang hinuhulaan na “ilaw sa dako ng mga Gentil” ay tumutukoy kay Apostol Pablo.  Alam din ni Apostol Pablo na siya ang tinutukoy ng hula na ilalagay na ilaw sa dako ng mga Gentil.  Natunghayan din natin na ang ating Panginoong Jesucristo ang hinuhulaan na pinahiran at sinugo upang ipangaral ang mabuting balita sa mga dukha.  Alam din ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo na Siya ang hinuhulaan nito.  Dahil dito kung ang “ibong mandaragit” na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 46:11 ay si Ciro ng Persia, dapat na si Ciro mismo ang magpahayag na siya ang tinutukoy ng hula.

Hindi Itinuro Ni Ciro Na Siya Ang Ibong

Mandaragit

Walang mababasa sa Biblia na itinuro ni Ciro na siya ang “ibong mandaragit.”  Aling hula ang sinabi ni Ciro na natupad sa kaniya?  Tunghayan natin ang sinasabi ng Biblia:

“Ganito ang sabi ni Ciro na hari sa Persia: Lahat ng kaharian sa lupa ay ibinigay sa akin ng Panginoon, ng Dios ng langit; at kaniyang binilinan ako na ipagtayo siya ng isang bahay sa Jerusalem, na nasa Juda. Sinomang mayroon sa inyo sa buong kaniyang bayan, sumakaniya nawa ang Panginoon niyang Dios, at umahon siya.” (II Cron. 36:23)

Sa talatang ito ay walang sinabi si Ciro na siya ang “ibong mandaragit.”  Ang sabi ni Ciro, “ang lahat ng kaharian ay ibinigay sa akin ng Panginoon.”  Ito ang katuparan ng hula ng Diyos kay Ciro.  Hinuhulaan ng Diyos na si Ciro ay magpapasuko ng mga bansa.  Tunghayan natin ang hula kay Ciro:

“Ganito ang sabi ng Panginoon sa kaniyang pinahiran ng langis, kay Ciro, na ang kanang kamay ay aking hinawakan, upang magpasuko ng mga bansa sa harap niya; at aking kakalagan ang mga balakang ng mga hari; upang magbukas ng mga pintuan sa unahan niya, at ang mga pintuang-bayan ay hindi masasarhan;

“Ako'y magpapauna sa iyo, at, papatagin ko ang mga bakobakong dako: aking pagwawaraywarayin ang mga pintuang tanso, at aking puputulin ang mga halang na bakal:

“At ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga kayamanang nasa kadiliman, at ang mga natatagong kayamanan sa mga lihim na dako, upang inyong maalaman na ako ang Panginoon na tumatawag sa iyo sa inyong pangalan, sa makatuwid baga'y ang Dios ng Israel.” (Isa. 45:1-3)

Ito ang hula kay Ciro.  Siya ay magpapasuko ng mga bansa,  kung kaya’t sinabi ni Ciro na ang lahat ng kaharian ay ibinigay sa kaniya ng Panginoon.  Ang isa pang hula ng Diyos na ang katupara’y si Ciro ay ang pagtatayong muli ng Templo sa Jerusalem.  Sinabi ni Ciro, “kaniyang binilinan ako na ipagtayo siya ng bahay sa Jerusalem …”  Mayroon nga bang hula kay Ciro ukol sa pagtatayong muli ng templo sa Jerusalem?  Mayroon!  Ang nasa Isaias 44:28:

“Na nagsasabi tungkol kay Ciro, Siya'y aking pastor, at isasagawa ang lahat kong kaligayahan: na nagsasabi nga rin tungkol sa Jerusalem, Siya'y matatayo; at sa templo, Ang iyong patibayan ay malalagay.”

Natunghayan natin ang mga hula na tumutukoy kay Ciro ay ang nasa Isa. 45:1-3 na siya ay magpapasuko ng mga bansa at ang nasa Isa. 44:28 na kaniyang itatayong muli ang templo sa Jerusalem.  Ang mga hulang ito ay natupad kay Ciro nang kaniyang sakupin ang Babilonia at payapang makabalik ang mga Israelita upang itayong muli ang templo sa Jerusalem.  Ngunit walang binabanggit si Ciro kahit ang boong Biblia na siya ang tinutukoy na ibong mandaragit na hinuhulaan sa Isa. 46:11.

Ang Sikatan Ng Araw O Silangan

Ayon sa Ellicott’s Bible Commentary ang Persia diumano ang tinutukoy na “sikatan ng araw” na panggagalingan ng ibong mandaragit na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 46:11.  Ngunit batay sa Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries, ang salitang “silangan” na ginamit sa Isaias 46:11 ay katumbas ng “mizrach” sa wikang Hebreo.  Sa Hebreo kapag ginamit ang salitang “mizrach” ang tinutukoy ay “malayong silangan.”  Tunghayan natin ang pahayag ng Smith’s Bible Dictionary ni William Smith:

“… Again, kedem is used in a strictly geographical sense to describe a spot or country immediately before another in an easterly direction;  hence it occurs in such passages as Gen. ii:8, 11:24, xi:2, xiii.11, xxv:6 and hence the subsequent application of the term, as a proper name (Gen. xxv. 6, eastward, unto the land of kedem), to the lands lying immediately eastward of Palestine, viz. Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Babylonia; on the other hand mizrach is used of the far east with a less definite signification (Is. Xli:2, 25, xliii, 5, xlvi, 11).” [William Smith, LL. D., Smith Bible Dictionary. (N.J.:  Fleming A. Ravell, 1976, p. 153.]

Sa Pilipino:

“… Gaya ng dati ang salitand kedem ay ginamit upang maglarawan lamang sa isang dako o bansa na karatig sa gawing silangan ng isa pang dako; kaya nga, ang salitang ito ay ginamit sa mga talatang Gen. ii:8, ii:24. Xi:2, xiii:11, xxv:6 at kaya rin nga ginamit ito bilang isang panggalang pantangi (Gen. xxv:6, pasilangan patungo sa lupain ng kedem), na tumutukoy sa lupaing karatig sa silangan ng Palestina, gaya ng Arabia, Mesopotamia, at Babilonia, sa kabilang dako, ang salitang mizrach ay ginamit para sa malayong silangan ngunit hindi tiyak ang tinutukoy (Isa. Xli:2, xliii:5, slvi:11).”

Maliwanag na ang salitang Hebreo na “mizrach” ay tumutukoy sa “malayong silangan.”  Ang salitang Hebreong “mizrach” ang ginamit sa Isaias 46:11 kaya ang tinutukoy dito na “silangan o sikatan ng araw” ay ang “malayong silangan.”  Hindi maaaring ang Persia ang tinutukoy sa Isaias 46:11 sapagkat ang ginamit na salitang Hebreo na katumbas ng silangan “ay mizrach” samantalang ayon sa Aid To Bible Understanding ang salitang Hebreo na “kedem” (qedhem) katumbas ng “silangan” ang ginagamit kapag ang tinutukoy ay ang Persia (Iran).  Ganito ang ating mababasa:

“Sometimes qe’dhem was used to mean a generally eastward direction, as at Genesis 11:2.  At other times it meant the “east” in relation to something else, as at Number 34:11, where the expression “East of Ain” is used.  At still other times it referred to the area that lay E and NE of Israel.  This included the lands of Moab and Amon, the Arabian Desert.  Babylonia, Persia, Assyria and Armenia.” [Aid to Bible Understanding. P. 478.)

Sa Pilipino:

“Kung magkaminsan ang salitang “qe’dhem” ay ginamit upang karaniwang tumukoy sa gawing silangan, gaya ng pagkagamit sa Genesis 11:2.  Sa ibang pagkakataon ito ay nangangahulugang “silangan”  kaugnay ng kinalalagyan ng iba pang bagay gaya naman ng pagkagamit nito sa Bilang 34:11, kung saan ang ekspresyong “east of Ain” ay ginamit.  At sa iba pang pagkakataon ito ay tumutukoy sa kalaparan ng lupa na nasa silangan at hilagang-silangan ng Israel.  Dito ay kasama ang mga lupain ng Moab at Amon, ang Disyerto ng Arabia, Babilonia, Persia, Asiria, at Armenia.”

Natitiyak natin na hindi si Ciro ang hinuhulaan na ibong mandaragit sa Isaias 46:11 sapagkat ang ibong mandaragit ay mula sa malayong silangan na ang katumbas sa Hebreo ay “mizrach”, samantalang “kedem” ang katumbas ng silangan kapag ang tinutukoy ay ang Persia na siyang pinanggalingan ni Ciro.

Ang Gawain Ng Ibong Mandaragit

Sa ikatitiyak kung sino ang ibong mandaragit na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 46:11, mahalagang malaman din natin ang dahilan ng pagsusugo sa ibong mandaragit.  Ang hula at ang mga kasunod na talata ang nagpapaliwanag nito:

“ Na tumatawag ng ibong mangdadagit mula sa silanganan, ng taong gumagawa ng aking payo mula sa malayong lupain; oo, aking sinalita, akin namang papangyayarihin; aking, pinanukala, akin namang gagawin.

“Inyong dinggin ako, ninyong may mapagmatigas na loob; na malayo sa katuwiran:

“Aking inilalapit ang aking katuwiran, hindi maglalaon at ang aking pagliligtas ay hindi magluluwat: at aking ilalagay ang kaligtasan sa Sion na ukol sa Israel na aking kaluwalhatian.” (Isa. 46:11-13)

Sinabi ng Diyos, “aking inilapit ang aking katwiran, hindi maglalaon at ang aking pagliligtas ay hindi magluluwat: …” Upang mailapit “ang katwiran sa may mapagmatigas na loob at malayo sa katwiran,” kailangang magsugo.  Ang isusugong ito ay itinulad sa ibong mandaragit.  Ayon din sa hula, kawakasan at kagibaan ang sasapit sa mga taong mapagmatigas na loob at malayo sa katwiran:

“Tinatakbo ng kanilang mga paa ang kasamaan, at sila'y nangagmamadaling magbubo ng walang salang dugo: ang kanilang mga pagiisip ay mga pagiisip ng kasamaan; kawasakan at kagibaan ay nasa kanilang mga landas.

“Ang daan ng kapayapaan ay hindi nila nalalaman: at walang kahatulan sa kanilang mga lakad: sila'y nagsigawa para sa kanila ng mga likong landas; sinomang lumalakad doon ay hindi nakakaalam ng kapayapaan.

“Kaya't ang kahatulan ay malayo sa amin, o umaabot man sa amin ang katuwiran: kami'y nagsisihanap ng liwanag, nguni't narito, kadiliman; ng kaliwanagan, nguni't nagsisilakad kami sa kadiliman.” (Isa. 59:7-9)

Ang gawain ng ibong mandaragit ay ito:  ilapit ang katuwiran sa ikaliligtas sa kawakasan at kagibaan ng mga may mapagmatigas na loob at malayo sa katuwiran.  Ang katuwiran ng Diyos sa ikaliligtas ay ang ebanghelyo.  Ito ay pinatunayan ni Apostol Pablo:

“Sapagka't hindi ko ikinahihiya ang evangelio: sapagka't siyang kapangyarihan ng Dios sa ikaliligtas ng bawa't sumasampalataya; una'y sa Judio, at gayon din sa Griego.

“Sapagka't dito ang katuwiran ng Dios ay nahahayag mula sa pananampalataya hanggang sa pananampalataya: gaya ng nasusulat, Nguni't ang ganap ay mabubuhay sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya.” (Roma 1:16-17)

Upang ang ebanghelyo na siyang katuwiran ng Diyos sa ikaliligtas ay mailapit sa mga taong malayo sa katuwiran, ipinag-utos ni Jesus na ipangaral ito:

“At sinabi niya sa kanila, Magsiyaon kayo sa buong sanglibutan, at inyong ipangaral ang evangelio sa lahat ng kinapal.

“Ang sumasampalataya at mabautismuhan ay maliligtas; datapuwa't ang hindi sumasampalataya ay parurusahan.” (Mar. 16:15-16)

Samakatuwid ang gawain ng ibong mandaragit na hinuhulaan sa Isa. 46:11 ay ang pangangaral ng ebanghelyo na siyang katwiran ng Diyos na dapat ilapit sa mga tao upang sila ay magtamo ng kaligtasan.

Ang gawain ng ibong mandaragit na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 46:11 ay iba sa gawain ni Ciro ng Persia.  Ang gawain ng ibong mandaragit ay dalhin ang katwiran ng Diyos sa mga tao upang maligtas samantalang ang gawain ni Ciro ay ang magpasuko ng mga bansa.  Maliwanag na magkaiba ang gawain ni Ciro at ng ibong mandaragit kaya hindi si Ciro ang hinuhulaan na ibong mandaragit sa Isaias 46:11.

Ang gawain ng ibong mandaragit na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 46:11 ay pangangaral ng ebanghelyo.  Tinitiyak din ng hula na ang silangan na panggagalingan ng ibong mandaragit ay malayong silangan.  Ang pangangaral ni Kapatid na Manalo ang katuparan ng hula sa Isaias 46:11.  Ang Kapatid na Manalo ang tinutukoy na ibong mandaragit at ang Pilipinas ang malayong silangan.  Ito ay natalakay na sa mga naunang lathala dito sa PASUGO. *

Hango sa PASUGO GOD’S MESSAGE/MAY-JUNE 1983/VOLUME 35/NUMBER 3/PAHINA 45-48, 52

SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS

SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS

By ERANO G. QUINITIO

THE WORLD ENTERED the 21^st century encountering an onslaught of extremely bad news.  Some of the most notable events made headlines during the last ten years were:  the hijacking of two commercial jets from Boston, on September 11, 2001, and crashing them into the World Trade Center towers in New York City;  outbreak of severe respiratory syndrome (SARS) in April of 2003, a deadly form of pneumonia; a 9.0-magnitude earthquake on December 26, 2004, causing a powerful tsunami in the Indian Ocean that hit 12 countries; a school shooting incident on April 16, 2007 that took place on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, considered as the deadliest shooting rampage by a single gunman in US history; a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastating Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010; and a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggering a deadly 23-foot tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, 2011 and caused a nuclear threat when cooling systems in one of the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station failed shortly after the earthquake.

These and many others, with all certainty, brought immense fear and indescribable grief not only to those who survived the tragedies but also to those who, through mass media, kept their eyes open as these dreadful events were unfolded.

Long long time ago, in the history of God’s early servants, it was bad news that 10 men brought back as they reported to the Prophet Moses, after they, along with two others, were sent to explore the land of Canaan—the land the Lord God had promised the ancient Israelites to be their dwelling place (Num. 14:36, Contemporary English Version).

The ten bearers of bad news said that, although the land they explored was rich with milk and honey, the people who lived in Canaan were much too strong and like giants that they felt as small as grasshoppers (Num. 13:28-29, 31-33, Ibid).

Upon hearing such a truly disturbing report, the Israelites cried all night, complained to Moses and Aaron and said to them, thus:  “We wish we had died in Egypt or somewhere out here in the desert!  Is the LORD leading us into Canaan, just to have us killed and our women and children captured?  We’d be better off in Egypt” (Num. 14:2-3, Ibid.).

Similarly, a series of tragic news dealt a heavy blow to Job, a righteous servant of God, as his sons and daughters were dining at their eldest brother’s house.  His four servants who arrived in close succession brought these bad news:  “A messenger rushed to Job’s home with this news:  ‘Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us, drove away the animals, and killed all the farmhands except me.  I am the only one left.’  While this messenger was still speaking, another arrived with more bad news:  ‘The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the herdsmen, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’  Before this man finished, still another messenger rushed in:  ‘Tree bands of Chaldeans have driven off your camels and killed your servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’  As he was still speaking, another arrived to say, ‘Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and engulfed the house so that the roof fell in on them and all are dead; and I alone escaped to tell you’” (Job 1:14-19, Living Bible).

Yet, no matter how depressing and heartbreaking the accounts of the loss of his cherished children and all his hard-earned properties, Job did not point a blaming finger on God.  Instead, he knelt on the ground, then worshiped and praised the name of the Lord—“The LORD alone gives and takes,” he said (Job 1:20-21, CEV).

In this time of the impending Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible forewarned about a steady stream of bad news that will pour in—one disaster will follow another—fighting in the streets, sickness, hunger, confusion, violence—inevitable consequences of man’s disgusting conduct that caused God’s anger (Ezek. 7:26, 2-4, 15, 17, 23, 25, Today’s English Version).  Without wonder, these as well as many others like earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, cold spell, heat wave, volcanic eruptions alternately fill the headlines almost on a daily basis.

The good news

However, in spite of all these appalling news which, observably, have increased in frequency by the turn of the 21^st century, the Scriptures gave this reassuring announcement, although declared more than two millennia earlier yet still rings truly significant in our time:  “But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid!  I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.  This very day in David’s town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord’!” (Luke 2:10-11, Ibid.)

This indeed is the best news that man has ever heard—“the most joyful news ever announced” (LB), offering the most valuable salvation to all men brought by God’s love who gave His only Son so that everyone who believes or keeps faith in him will not die but have eternal life (John 3:16-17, TEV).

For man to receive the full advantage of salvation through the Lord Jesus, he must comply with the first requirement—to be put right with god through Christ’s blood.  Apostle Paul declares, thus:  “But here is how God has shown his love for us.  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  The blood of Christ has made us right with God.  So we are even more sure that Jesus will save us from God’s anger”  (Rom. 5:8-9, New International Revised Version).  That which the Savior died for is His body or Church—the Church of Christ He redeemed or purchased with His own blood (Eph. 5:25, 23, New King James Version; Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).  Hence, through the Church of Christ, man will be counted righteous in the sight of God.

Undeniably, nothing compares to “the most joyful news ever announced”—the birth of the Savior and that by His sacrificial death, man will attain salvation by virtue of membership in His Church, the Church Of Christ.  For this reason, Apostle’s Paul’s encouragement then to the Jews and Gentiles of his time equally applies to all who long to be saved in this time when the end fast approaches.  He said, thus:  “And this is the secret:  that the Gentiles will have their full share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God’s sons; both are invited to belong to his church, and all of God’s promises of mighty blessings through Christ apply to them both when they accept the Good News about Christ and what he has done for them” (Eph. 3:6, LB).

Sharing the Good News

To belong to Christ’s Church is the apostle’s invitation to all who yearn to be saved.  It is in this same vein the Church Of Christ continues to share its faith to others.  Effectively led by the Church Administration, the Iglesia Ni Cristo ceaselessly strives to reach more and more people, even through mass media, to have them receive the Good News of salvation.  Ministers and evangelical workers are being sent to various parts of the globe to propagate the truth that guarantees salvation.  Without letup, the Church’s Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, constantly takes hold of every opportune time, especially through worship services, to exhort Church members to win over converts—a sacred call that Church officers and brethren have been gaining steam adhering to, following the biblical example of a servant of God who said, thus:  “… LORD, I told the good news that you save us.  You know that I will never stop telling it.  I have not keep the news of salvation to myself; I have always spoken of your faithfulness and help. …” (Ps. 40:9-10, TEV).

Active and faithful members of the Church Of Christ continue to disseminate the truth they firmly believe in, minding less of themselves yet caring more about God’s work of salvation, like Apostle Paul who said, thus:  “But I don’t care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to tell the good news about God’s great kindness” (Acts 20:24, CEV).

This, the Iglesia Ni Cristo members will patiently fulfill not only until the Church’s centennial anniversary but also until the day the Lord Jesus Christ returns, remaining as diligent partners in spreading the Good News.  The same apostle made this appeal to the first Christians, thus:  “Because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.  And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again” (Phil. 1:5-6, New Living Translation).

Not in vain

To such servants of God who remain one in mind and in spirit with the Church Administration in spreading the Good News, the Scriptures gave this guarantee, thus:  “And, my true partner, I ask you to help them.  These women have worked together with me and with Clement and with the others in spreading the good news.  Their names are now written in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3, CEV).

Hence, what every Church Of Christ member does in service not only in terms of spreading God’s words but also in their works for the Lord will not be counted as fruitless endeavors.  All these will attest to their salvation.  Though they too go through difficult times in their life, hear depressing news like calamities, wickedness, or dreadful diseases, their hearts remain secure, full of confidence in the Lord, as what the Bible clearly attests, thus:  “He is not afraid of receiving bad news; his faith is strong, and he trusts in the Lord” (Ps. 112:7, TEV).

Copied from PASUGO GOD’S MESSAGE/SEPTEMBER 2012/PAGES 22-24/VOLUME 64/NUMBER 9/ISSN 0116-1636

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