Fellowship and Seminar set for September in Pangasinan

The Mangaldan church of Christ wishes to announce that the coming 50th Pangasinan-speaking churches of Christ Fellowship and Seminar will be held on September 29, 2007 at the Mangaldan church of Christ chapel along J.L. De Guzman St. Mangaldan, Pangasinan.

The theme of the occasion is “The Pangasinan churches of Christ, yesterday, today and through eternity”. Brothers John Quiniones Sr., David Quidem, and Arnold Zambrano would be the designated speakers to discuss the theme. Everybody is welcome to attend, as it is the tradition among Pangasinan churches of Christ that there will be no registration fees.

Church Planting in Ilocos Sur

Brother Roger Nonog, evangelist based in Ilocos Sur, is coordinating a church planting campaign on September 5-8 in the town of Santa Maria. Church leaders and preachers in Ilocos Sur will be joined by Dick Baguioen and Eusebio Tanicala in this program. The aim is to plant a congregation in the poblacion of Santa Maria town.

Two added to the Church in Loakan

After several months of study, Solomon Gonzales and Dexter Aquino were baptized into the body of Christ last August 26 in Baguio City.  Robin and Marissa Baquiran  of the Loakan church of Christ shared the gospel to these two truth seekers.

Church in Ganas gains more adherents

A new congregation was started in Ganas, Mabinay, Negros Oriental last April. On August 27 in a follow up campaign, six more souls accepted Jesus the Christ and were baptized.  Reuben Emperado and Santiago Sameon II led  the gospel campaigners.

New Congregation Planted in Bayawan City

The first worship service in Baican, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental was conducted August 26, 2007. Forty five were in attendance. During the gospel campaign in the last week of August. Forty believers were immersed into the name of Jesus Christ in Baican according to a text message from brother Santiago Sameon II. With brother Sameon was brother Reuben Emperado together with a group of Christians from various congregations in Negros Oriental .

HISTORY OF THE SANTIAGO CITY CHURCH OF CHRIST

by Rogelio Barroga, Sr. and Eusebio Tanicala

The late brother Gervacio Sison, contacted and initially taught through a radio program aired in Cauayan, Isabela became the first convert in this city in 1970. During the first worslhip service in 1970, only four people were present. Two months later there were eight in the group.

Rogelio Barroga, evanelist and his wife Surlita, volunteered to work in Santiago moving from Pangasinan in 1970.

In 1976 a church lot was purchased. A modest chapel was built in 1979. By this time membership increased to 45.

Key families that wee added to the congregation which gave the Santiago City group stable leadership starting in the middle of the 1980s are the Danilo Quibral family and the Matias Balcita family. By 1990 membership went up to 80. This year of 1990 saw the appointment of elders (Danilo Quibral, Matias Balcita and Rogelio Barroga). Deacons were Pacifico Bartido, Juanito Castillo, Juanito Gasuga and Orvin Arago.

A second floor of the church building was planned in 1990. Today the second level of the chapel has become functional.

As of August 2007, the elders are Danilo Quibral, Matias Balcita and Rogelio Barroga, Sr. The deacons are Juanito Casuga, Juanito Castillo. Perlito Palac, Diosdado Somera, Peter Baliwang, Roberto Barroga and Roland Javonillo.

The young evangelists of the congregation are Jessie Palac, Joel Somera, Nathaniel Somera, Robert Nachuman and Arnold Vera Cruz.

Works and ministries of the congregation are the following: Administration, Budget & Finance, Church Properties, Praise & Worship, Audit & Inventory, Visitation & Counseling, Membership & Communcation, Outreach & MIssions.

Evangelism and outreach methods include the following: Series of lesson in Home Bible Studies, Personal Evangelism, World Bible School lessons, Sunday School, Pulpit Preaching, and Leadership Training by Extension.

The Santiago City congregation through brother Rogelio and other church leaders, outreach programs were accomplished. They were involved in the establishinment or nurture of churches in the towns of Ramon, Ilagan, San Agustin, Angngadanan, Alfonso Lista, Diffun, and Saguday. A new congregation has been planted in Rosario District of the city and the church leaders help conduct services in the afternoon.

In spite of the many problems and trials encountered through the years, evangelist Rogelio Barroga and the church leadership remained steadfast through the help of the Almighty God.

Life and Preaching Work of Rogelio O. Barroga, Sr.

by Eusebio Tanicala

He has served the Lord Jesus Christ for forty five years now and he prays that his life be extended so that he may give more years of service to his Savior and Master.

Brother Rogelio O. Barroga, Sr. and his faithful wife and helpmate, Surlita Cabais who hails lfrom Asingan, Pangasinan, have four children: Ronnie married to Marlyn, Robert married to Glenda, Rogelio “Randy” married to Jovy and Liezl married to Roland. They now have nine grandchildren and more are coming. All the four children are active members of the church. Robert and Roland are, in fact, deacons in the Santiago City congregation.

Rogelio is the second child of spouses Jose B. Barroga and Isabel Ordinario. He was born in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya and attended both elementary and secondary schools in this town. He became a member of the church in 1962; attended Philippine Bible College and finished his Bachelor of Theology in 1969 graduating as third honors.

As a student preacher he served local churches in Natividad, Tayug, Asingan and Pozorrubio all in the province of Pangasinan. While serving the local church in Pozorrubio he was instrumental in encouraging Candido Libag, John Quiniones and Mar Bernardo to attend Philippine Bible College.

Brother Rogelio gives credit to Ken Wilkey in sourcing his preaching support. The Church of Christ at Midwest City, Oklahoma served for many years as his sponsoring congregation. In 1970 Rogelio and his wife Surlita moved to Santiago City, Isabela primarily to follow up more than 200 letter writers who were regular listeners of a religious broadcast aired in Cauayan, Isabela. He was based in Santiago town but he helped establish and/or nurture congregations in the towns of Tumauini, Saguday, Ilagan, San Agustin, Ramon, Cabatuan, Aurora and Diffun.

For his outstanding and dedicated preaching work, he was conferred the Outstanding Alumnus Award by Philippine Bible College in 1984.

Presently, in addition to his evangelistic and local church work, Rogelio serves as teacher in the Leadership Training by Extension class in San Mateo, Isabela every last Saturday of the month.

PBC ALUMNI & CHURCH LEADERS FORUM

1. Date: 24-26 October 2007
2. Venue: PBC Library, Rimando Road
3. Theme: Understanding Islam
4. Purpose: To provide alumni and church leaders better understanding of the beginning, major teachings and the upsurge of Islam .
5. Host: PBC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.
6. Food Fee: Php40/meal for those who register and make food reservation (one half shouldered by PBCAA officers); officers provide the snacks. Catered.
7. Special Lecturer: Brother Tony Balagot of Makilala, Cotabato

• Understanding the Upsurge of Islamic Fundamentalism

• Muslims’ Perception of American and Western Modern Civilization

• Reaching Out to Muslim Friends and Communities

8. Lecturer: Santiago Sameon II, Ed.D.

• The Life of Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn Abd al Muttalib

9. Lecturer: Eusebio Tanicala, Ph.D.

• Islam & Christianity: Comparison & Contrast

10. Sleeping Quarters Available, please bring beddings
11. Those who update membership fees: Php50 per month.

Alumni and church leaders are invited. Please spread out invitation. We hope to see you at the forum!

BREAD AND FRUIT OF THE VINE

by Eusebio Tanicala, Ph.D.

The religious group with the radio-tv program called “Ang Dating Daan” claims that there’s no church material elements in the ceremony which we call “Lord’s Supper.” This group claims that the Lord’s Supper is breaking the bread of life which is the word that Jesus Christ taught. Basis for this argument is John 6:63, “…the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” According to this group, the bread/flesh of Jesus in the traditional church Lord’s Supper profits nothing. They say that it is the teaching of Jesus that profits. That when it is preached and absorbed it is the Lord’s Supper.

KNOW YOUR CHRONOLOGY
In a paper based edition of the WORDMINISTRY Baguio, I explained this issue which primarily focused on giving the geogragphical and historical background of John 6. In that study of John 6, we began with Christian chronology. Since our Lord Jesus Christ’s birth is dated as 1 A.D. (anno domini, in the year of our Lord) and Jesus’ life on earth ended in the year 33 A.D., Bible scholars place the date of John chapter 6 at 32 A.D.

Consider also that the year when our Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper during or after the last Passover Supper. Jesus ate His last Passover Supper on 13 Nisan 33 A.D. And Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 56-57 A.D.

If one uses John 6:63 which was given in the year 32 A.D. to negate or destroy the instituted Lord’s Supper commanded by Christ which was given on 13 Nisan 33 A.D. one makes Jesus Christ the Son of God a confused teacher. Meaning, the”Ang Dating Daan” people make Jesus deny what He will teach and command to His disciples one year after. These people make Jesus deny what He teaches. That’s not a good way of teaching the Bible. I’d rather believe that the “Ang Dating Daan” people are the confused teachers and not my Lord Jesus.

If one uses John 6:63 which was given in the year 32 A.D. to negate or destroy what Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians in 56-57 A.D., it means that the Apostle Paul and the Holy Spirit that inspired the apostles to write were confused teachers. But I’d rather believe that the “Ang Dating Daan” people are the confused students. Si Eleazar Soriano at mga kasama niya ang mga hilong maestro. They are the blind teachers who lead blind followers into the pit.

IT’S CALLED SUPPER
Why call the ordinance “supper”? It is called supper because it was instituted at supper time. It was first done at evening time. It was started by our Lord at the end of his last Passover Supper or AFTER the Passover Supper. Many things are named after or based on TIME. For example the plant/flower we call “dama de noche.” Dama means “lady” and noche means “night.” Is the flower literally a lady, a woman person? No. Does the plant/flower “dama de noche” remain dama de noche even at morning time? Yes. It is “dama de noche” because the flower brings out its aroma at evening (noche) time. Consider also the flowering plant called “morning glory.” Its flowers bloom best at morning time. But we still call the plant “morning glory” when we see it at evening time. Dapat kantiyawan natin ang mga ADD people that at evening time the “morning glory flower” becomes “evening glory flower” at everning time. Consider also “Sunday dress.” People usually put on their best attire on Sunday for church or for social gatherings. But the Sunday dress remains Sunday dress even if worn on Tuesday. Dapat kantiyawan natin si Mr. Soriano na ang baro nila na maganda ay “Tuesday dress” kapag isuot nila ng Martes.

Ang kantiyaw ng “Ang Dating Daan” is based on crude literalism. They take everyhting literal. But the above examples put them to shame. Also consider the term “hot dog.” Literally, “hot” is “mainit” and “dog” is aso, a canine. Does Mr. Soriano and his followers take “hotdog” literally? If they go to the grocery store, kantiyawan ba nila ang tindera ng ganito? “Miss, bili ako ng hotdog. Ang hot ay mainit, at ang dog ay aso. Kaya bigyan mo ako ng literal na mainit at literal na aso.” In Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguet we have the literal hot dog. We have eateries that sell hot, smoking dog. Hotdog pa rin ang hotdog kahit malamig.

So “Lord’s Supper” means the Supper belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a memorial in honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. A simple breaking of bread and simple drinking of wine to remember Him who died for our sins.

When Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 56-57 A.D. he called the church ordinance of breaking bread and drinking of the cup as Lord’s Supper. See 1 Cor. 11:20. Pero sabi ng ADD na ipinagbawal daw ni Apostol Pablo na gawin ng mga taga-Corinto itong ordinansa. Maling turo na naman itong posisyon nila. Sa kabanatang ito ng Corinto, hindi pagbabawal kundi pagtutuwid ang ginawa ni Apostol Pablo.

HAPUNAN BA O MERIENDA?
Because some oberve this ordinance at about 9 or 10 o’clock in the morning of Sunday, the ADD people would like to sneer and say “merienda na yan.”
Gusto rin ba nila na kantiyawan natin sila kung sabihin nila na ang isang tanim ay “dama de noche” kahit alas dos ng hapon? “Ay, dama de tardes yan,” sasabihin natin.

Ayon sa Lucas 22:20 and 1 Cor. 11:25, pagkatapos ng hapunang Passover noong isagawa ni Cristo ang drinking of the cup. Ano ang tawag sa inumin pagkatapos ng hapunan? Meryenda ba? Bakit tinawag pa rin ni Apostol Pablo na bahagi ng Lord’s Supper ang saro, eh, pagkatapos naman ng hapunan ginawa? Hindi naman sinabi ni Pablo na “meryenda” yong inumin na ininum pagkatapos ng hapunan. Bakit hindi kantiyawan ni Soriano si Apostol Pablo? Pero si Pablo ay tama at si Soriano ang mali.

If you have any reaction or interaction regarding this discussion, please write someting an email to us.

PBC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESUME MEETINGS

    The eleven member board of trustees of the PBC Alumni Association has resumed its regular monthly  meeting. In its July 21 session, the board discussed the following: (a) Improvement of the management/instructional standards at the Bible College, (b) Start a masters degree program in missions, (c)  Hold an October  semestral break seminar on the theme, “Understanding Islam.”

The board of trustees raise funds to the tune of six thousand pesos each month  to support three full-time students at the Bible College.

To free the full-time students from kitchen chores, the College administration made arrangement with Rose Fernandez’ cafeteria to prepare the meals for these students.

SOUTHERN MINDANAO BIBLE COLLEGE BUILDS NEW LIBRARY

by Gabriel Valdez

A much improved library is the current big project being undertaken by the board of directors of the Southern Mindanao Bible College in Makilala, Cotabato.

There’s an existing chapel on the more than 700 square meter campus. Part of this building has been set aside and is undergoing renovation that will house the library of the Bible school. The campus of the Bible College is donated by the Antonio Balagot family. It is located along the national highway and sits beside the Le Reve Resort that has swimming pools and conference halls.

Southern Mindanao Bible college is administered by the Kabacan Church of Christ. Food and kitchen provisions of the 26 current enrollees are fully provided by parents and relatives of the students.  Teachers for the current semester are Ariel Acha, Ferdinand Guillermo, Joel Carpio and Gabriel Valdez.

FULL-TIME PREACHER NEEDED

“A preacher who speaks the local Iloco dialect is needed to continue nurturing the young church in this town,” is the appeal of Ed Tangunan and Rostum Ortiguero. Anyone who is interested to work with the Quezon brethren will please contact cp#09202529756.

DOMINADOR BELO RECOVERING

Brother Dominador “Jack” Belo suffered another hypertension attack on the eve of June 24th while listening to a sermon in Tacloban City, Leyte. The family requests prayers for the recovery of brother Jack.

CHAPEL STARTED IN TUAO, CAGAYAN

Jhun Ma and Oscar Manangan are working very hard in nurturing the young church in Tuao, and they continue to  bring the gospel of Jesus the Christ to many people. Recently, the Tuao brethren extended their evangelistic activities to the province of Kalinga among the relatives of some brethren in Tuao.

BAGGAO PLANS TO BUILD CHAPEL

Brethren in Agaman, Baggao, Cagayan have plans to put up their own chapel very soon. This is a text message of Den Gannaban.

ILAGAN, ISABELA TO IMPROVE ASSEMBLY HALL

Brethren Adolfo Braga II, Dino Roldan and Eusebio Tanicala conferred  with  Bal Lagua, Sr. in June  on how to improve the assembly place of the congregation that meets at Bliss Village in this town. Brother Jabe Pratt and the 11th & Willis congregation in Texas are partners in the nurturing of the church in downtown Ilagan.

THE BUCHANANS TAKE A FURLOUGH

Bob & Barbara Buchanan who are based in Davao City are currently on furlough for several months. They will visit with their children and grandchildren in the States and also churches that help support their ministries in the Philippines. They are expected to be back in Davao sometime in September. #

16th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAS PINAS CHURCH

Brethren in the Las Pinas, Metro Manila congregation have lined up activities in celebration of the 16th founding anniversary of the church in this city. Those who have been associated with the congregation who now live in other localities are invited to this celebration. For more information please contact Vhon Olibay in this cp# 09109631705.

WEST VISAYAS BIBLE FORUM

by Sammy Sinco

Theme for the July 25-27 West Visayas Bible Forum is “Contending for the Faith Against Human System of Values.” Lecturers are the following: Fred Arellano, Merare Garovillo, Johnny Eastep, Wilbert Tupas, Bonifacio Patricio, Jr., and Charlie Sabado. This is being held in Kalibo, Aklan. #