News bits from around the Philippines

SOUTHERN MINDANAO BIBLE COLLEGE GRADUATION
Brother Dencio Solis (PBC ATh graduate) reports that the Southern Mindanao Bible College alumni will have a homecoming on April 3-4 at the college campus which adjoins the Le Reve Resort in Makilala, Cotabato.

Brother Ferdinand Guillermo (PBC ATh graduate), currently Director of the Southern Mindanao Bible College, reports that 14 students will be certified as graduates in the April 5 graduation program in Makilala. Coinciding with the graduation program, congregations in Cotabato and Davao come together for joint worship and fellowship to witness the graduation and certification of young people who come from nearby local churches.

PHILIPPINE BIBLE COLLEGE
In Baguio City, 10 young people were awarded the Associate in Theology certificate at Philippine Bible College. Brother Eliseo Tangunan (ATh ‘82) was after-dinner speaker in the graduation banquet at the Hotel Veniz in the downtown area.

PHILIPPINE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
Brethren Rogelio Bernardo and Ruben Mendoza (PBC BTh graduates) teach at the Philippine Theological College now operating in its new campus at Bugallon, Pangasinan. Graduation day is April 4. Carl Walker, president of the college is currently visitng in Pangasinan.

EASTERN PANGASINAN CHURCHES FELLOWSHIP
Twelve congregations in Eastern Pangasinan sent representatives to the 2009 first quarter fellowship held last March 29th at the Sobol Elementary School auditorium in Sobol, Asingan, Pangasinan. Brethren Solomon Devera and Eusebio Tanicala were the guests speakers (PBC ATh & BTh graduates respectively) . Jhun Libag (PBC ATh graduate) helps minister in this congregation in Sobol.

ILOCANDIA CHURCHES FELLOWSHIP
Congregations in Northern Luzon will send representatives on April 8-10 to participate in the “Panagkakadua 2009″ (Fellowship 2009) in Baguio City. Speakers and lecturers include several PBC alumni like Ephraim de Castro, Sammy Nisperos, Jun Patricio, Roger Nonog, John Quiniones, Teofilo Alcayde, and Eusebio Tanicala.

Ken Wilkey, Bob Buchanan and Felix Bravo, all former directors of PBC are also assigned topics to discuss.

ILOCO MAGAZINE ‘SADIRI’ STAFF MEETING
Staff members of the Iloco magazine “Sadiri” will meet in the afternoon of April 8 in Baguio City to map out strategies for the paper to continue on serving the Ilocandia congregations. Staff members are mostly PBC alumni like Roger Nonog, Nic Graneta, Jovencio Gundayao, Rolly Nonog, Adolfo Braga, Samson Nisperos, and Eusebio Tanicala among others.

MANNA CORPORATION
Investors and incorporators of the Manna Company will meet in the afternoon of April 10th. The assembly will determine whether to continue operation or not.

PBCAA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Philippine Bible College Alumni Association (PBCAA) members will hold the annual general assembly in the morning of April 11th, Saturday, in Baguio. Alumni and immediate family members are encourage to enrol and be covered by the group insurance arranged for with the Malayan Insurance Company.

“Form of God” — “Form of a Servant” (Phil. 2:6-7)

By Eusebio Tanicala

There’s a faulty premising done by some preachers in analyzing Christ’s deity in Philippians 2:6-7. This faulty line of reasoning goes like this in a mock interpellation:

1. When Christ was in the form of a servant, was He truly a servant? (The expected answer is “Yes, He was a servant)
2. When Christ was in the form of God, was He truly God? (The expected answer is “Yes.” Of course the one who doesn’t believe in the deity of Christ will quibble at this point).
3. Conclusion: If Christ was truly a servant when he was in the form of a servant, then he was truly God when he was in the form of God.

But if I were asked the first question above, I would answer: “Form of a servant is not the same as servant.” This answer would block the progression of the interpellation. And I would add that the “form of God” is not the same as “God.”

This article explains the phrase “form of a servant” and “form of God.”

Firstly, in talking about Christ being God or deity, we mean possession of the essence or substance of deity or God. But the phrase “form of God” is different from “essence of God. “Form” refers to detachable or emptiable characteristics while “essence” or “substance” refer to undetachable attributes.From Phil. 2, we understand that Christ emptied Himself of that “form of God” which means that it is not talking about the “essence of God.”

“Form” in the context of Phil. 2:6-7 points to the honor, majesty and glittering splendor of the King of Kings in his royal palace. But a king could suspend or detach from himself the pomp and glitter of royalty and put on the humble appearance and clothing of an ordinary subject. Such is the story of Oedipus Rex in Greek mythology. Oedipus as an infant was abandoned by King Laius and Queen Jocasta of the city state of Thebes. Oedipus was picked up and raised by the king of Corinth. Many years passed and King Laius took off his crown and royal garment. He went hunting without his bodyguards. Now a young man, Oedipus was determined to search for his parents. Along a narrow path Laius and Oedipus met. Each felt royal blood running in his veins. Each presumed the other party to be an ordinary subject.

A duel ensued and the older one lost his life. Oedipus journeyed on and reached Thebes. Not knowing each other, Oedipus became greatly attracted to the widow Queen Jocasta and the two married. Years passed. Eventually the puzzle on the disappearance of King Laius led Oedipus to conclude that the man he killed on the narrow path was his own father. Filled with remorse that he killed his own father and married his own mother, Oedipus blinded himself and went into exile.

The point of the story here is that the glitter and majesty of royalty as in the case of King Laius and King Oedipus, could be set aside. But the essence of their humanity could not be discarded. King or beggar or greasy man, a human being remains human. Humanity is his essence. Once human, always a human.

Christ did an emptying act. He put aside the glitter of the King of Kings and became an ordinary, drab, rural Galilean. He had no photogenic features nor macho appeal. He was despised and rejected. See Isaiah 53:1-3. But Christ didn’t stop being God. He couldn’t discard his deity. Deity is His essence.

Secondly, “form of a servant” tells of appearances to or reputation in the estimation of others. It doesn’t point to essence of humanity. Servanthood is service and humility. Service and humility don’t empty a man of his humanity. Being a king, becoming a general or a manager, a driver, carpenter, farmer, carwasher, janitor, waiter, slave, prostitute – everyone remains equally human. A king could abdicate or be deposed. A general would eventually retire and become an ordinary citizen. But each remains human.

Servanthood was taken up by Christ. Servant of God in the salvation of mankind from the ruin of sin. Servant of humanity in suffering and dying in behalf of humanity. Servanthood was not inherent in the person and existence of Christ. It is not His essence. Christ, in the likeness of man, suffered and died to pay the penalty of sin. He fulfilled the demands of divine justice. The first Adam rebelled while the second Adam suffered the penalty. That was Christ’s servanthood.

After accomplishing His mission of paying the penalty for human rebellion, Christ emptied Himself of the form of a servant. Christ ascended back to heaven and took back upon Himself the privileges, splendor, and glitter of royalty. He sat at the right hand of God in the heavens. See. John 17:5; Rev. 1:9-20; 7:9-17.

Thirdly, since the first premise is based on the phrase “form of a servant” the focus is on the term form; consequently the second premise uses the term “form” in the phrase “form of God.” If the meaning of the first premise is admitted (that is “form of servant” means essence of a servant), then it follows that “form of God” means the essence of God. But the argument in the first premise is denied, hence the argument on the second premise is also denied.

Conclusion: Since “form of a servant” does not mean “essence of a servant” it follows that “form of God” doesn’t mean “essence of God.” Which means that Philippians 2:6-7 is not a direct proof that Christ possesses the essence of deity. Rather it is an indirect evidence of His deity.

Wrong Interpretation of Philippians 2:6-7 Analyzed

By Eusebio Tanicala

Some Bible students, including several from Churches of Christ, interpret the phrase “form of God” to mean one and the same thing as “essence of God.” This is a wrong interpretation. I appeal that you rethink your position on this matter.

These same students further believe that the phrase “but emptied himself” to mean that Christ emptied himself of his “essence of God” or laid aside his Deity. This interpretation is wrong. I appeal that this position should be re-evaluated.

The above ideas are promoted by said Bible students and yet they believe at the same time that Christ possessed the essence of deity or was true God while He was on earth from his birth in Bethlehem until his death at the cross. In effect they are saying that Christ emptied himself of his deity but at the same time argue that Christ is full of deity. Such statement is simply contradictory. And some don’t see nor feel their obvious contradiction.

The right interpretation is to believe in the following items:

1. “Form of God” is not the same as the “essence of God” as much as a billowing smoke is not the same as the “flame of fire.” But the billowing smoke is a proof or effect of a big flame of fire. Only a person who has the essence of God can be in the form of God.
2. God cannot stop being God because God cannot cease to exist. He is eternal.
3. “Form of God” therefore refers to attributes of deity that are detachable or  characteristics that could be suspended or switched off, diminished or intensified.  God used to walk with Adam and Eve at the Garden of Eden which suggest that God could associate with humans in a pleasant, mellow presence as if walking in the park. God  appeared to Abraham as an ordinary human in Genesis 18-19. God appeared to Moses  in a burning bush and later as a thundering flame of fire in the giving of the Ten Commandments. And as a consuming fire in the case of Nadab and Abihu and in the  contest on Mt. Carmel. As a rock in the wilderness according to 1 Cor. 10:4.
4. Don’t stick to the phrase “but emptied himself” of the American Standard Version but  compare the rendition of the King James Version or New King James Version which reads “but he made himself of no reputation.” It is reputation, esteem, respect, and glorious appearance in the eyes of mankind. This idea agrees with John 17:5 and  Philippians 2:9-11 – speaking of glorious presence and elevated honor before as well as after tabernacling with humankind on earth for 33 years.

Metrowide Youth Camping

The Kalookan City congregation that meets at the Morning Breeze Subdivision is hosting the Youth Camping for the National Capital Region young people of the church. This will be held at the Falcon Resort in Norzagaray, Bulacan during the so-called Holy Week in April. The camping theme is “Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders.” #

Eastern Pangasinan churches fellowship

March 29th is the first quarter fellowship of Churches of Christ congregations in the eastern part of Pangasinan province. This will be hosted by the congregation that meets in Barangay Sobol, Asingan town. A delegation from various congregations usually attend. Sometimes the whole congregation agree to attend this fellowship when held in another locality. Brother Jun Libag ministers to this church in Sobol. Invited speakers in this particular affair are brethren Mon Devera and Eusebio Tanicala. #

Prison Ministry is alive

Churches in Metro Manila and Cavite have worked together in the jail ministry at the National Bilibid Prisons since 1988. Brother Anthony Mejia of the Salawag church was recently added as a volunteer religious worker in this ministry. He is now officially recognized and certified by the prisons authorities to minister to the inmates’ religious welfare. #

Iloco magazine staffers to meet in April

Staff members and writers of the Iloco magazine “Sadiri” will meet in the afternoon of April 8 to evaluate plans and strategies on how to continue with this quarterly paper. It serves the edification needs of Iloco speaking congregations in Northern Luzon. Eusebio Tanicala and Roger Nonog serve as editor and managing editor respectively. Joven Gundayao is the finance officer. #

PBC Graduates 2009

To: PBC alumni
From: Eusebio Tanicala, PBCAA president

As president of the Philippine Bible College Association, I shall have the privilege to induct the following candidates for the certificate of Associate in Theology into our association in the evening of March 27th during the graduation rites at 18 Rimando Road, Baguio:

1. Romiel M. Bernardo of Pozorrubio, Pangasinan
2. Edith B. Cristal of Lalanera, Nueva Ecija
3. Mamberto R. Duque of Borongan, Eastern Samar
4. Kimberly Ann L. de Guzman of San Jose City, Nue va Ecija
5. Herald H. Fuentes of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
6. Floren Joy V. Guira of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat
7. Geoffrey F. Lopez of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
8. Rey Allan B. Magpantay of San Emilio, Ilocos Sur
9. Seth A. Octobre of Bontoc, Southern Leyte
10. Samuel B. Pan-oy of Tabuk City, Kalinga

Brother Felix Bravo will the commencement exercises while brother Eliseo A. Tangunan will serve as after-dinner speaker at the graduation banquet.

Leadership Extension class at SMBC in June

In the first week of June, the Leadership Extension class which usually is organized by Bob Buchanan will be conducted at the facilities of the Southern Mindanao Bible College in Makilala, Cotabato. This forthcoming event will be held the first week of June. #

Monthly evangelistic campaign in Cotabato

Preachers and church leaders in Cotabato have agreed to saturate at least one Barangay or one locality one Saturday each month. In March the locality identified for “gospel saturation” is Barangay Bagong Tapay in M’lang town of Cotabato. Brother Ferdz Guillermo of Kidapawan City, Cotabato further informs us that the Mindanao Wide Youth Fellowship that usually brings together no less than 500 young people every year will be held from April 9 to the 12th. #

14 to graduate from SMBC

A report from brother Ferdinand Guillermo, current director of the Southern Mindanao Bible College which is located in Makilala, Cotabato,, says that 14 are expected to be certified and to receive the certificate Associate in Theology. Date of graduation is April 5. This graduation affair serves as a reason for members of several congregations to gather together at the Le Reve Resort which adjoins the SMBC compound. Students come from congregations in the Davao and Cotabato provinces. This preacher training school is directed by the church that meets at downtown Kabacan, Cotabato. #

Monthly scheduled door knocking continues

Several preachers in the Metropolitan Manila area keep alive the monthly door knocking activity in sharing the gospel of Christ in neighborhoods near existing congregations. Last February 14th, this was done in the Payatas district of Quezon City which area is served by brother Conrado Mapalo.

During the second Saturday schedule, the preachers knock at doors at morning time to pick up prospects for Bible Study. They have lunch together. In the afternoon, they share their door knocking experiences, talk about the radio program, jail ministry and other church projects like youth camping. #

Radio broadcasting goes on

“Si Jesus ang Daan” is aired every Sunday 3-4pm over DWSS, 1494 khz. Brethren Erwin Ocampo and Jun Patricio are the regular speakers. Some preachers from MetroManila and Cavite also prepare some lessons. Local churches contribute to the funding of this radio program. There are listeners who are interested in the lessons. Please tell your relatives to listen to this program which could reach even some towns outside of the metropolis. #

Philippine International Bible Institute—Batangas

There are ten students currently enrolled in this preacher training school in Batangas. It is affiliated with the Sunset International Bible Institute in Texas. Brother Moises Gonzales supervises the weekend preaching of the students in five churches nearby. Three of these churches have been planted in the past several years according to a report given to us by Jun Patricio. #

Conversions in the Cagayan Valley

Preachers and church leaders continue to share the gospel to our people. On March 4 three inmates in the Quirino provincial jail in Cabarroguis town surrendered their lives after several weeks of gospel lessons with brethren Banaga, Tangunan and Mercado. Baptized were R. Sumalbag, J. Rivera and R. Ignacio who are serving terms in the provincial prison house. Brother Rudy Mercado and Edward Tangunan conduct classes every Wednesday in this provincial jail.

In the third week of February Mario Bolesa and Ed Tangunan fully taught Mr/Mrs. Pepito Bolesa. Wife and husband decided to obey Christ in water baptism on Febuary 24th.

During the last week of February while brethren Mercado, Concepcion, Lumandaz, Bagachon, Bolesa, Tangunan and others were repairing the chapel in Potia during day time, they preached at night time. After several nights of teaching, four young people were baptized. In the first Sunday of February, brother Eusebio Tanicala visited and preached at Potia, Ifugao. #

PBC Alumni General Assembly

April 11, Saturday (8am to 12noon) is the annual General Assembly of the Philippine Bible College alumni association general assembly. It will be held at the PBC library. There will be a brief devotional service which will be followed by the alumni president’s report, the treasurer’s report and a business meeting.

Emptying in Philippians 2: 5-11 Is Illustrated in Daniel 4:1-37

By Eusebio Tanicala

In my reflection of King Nebuchadnezzar’s story in Daniel 4, I find the section as an excellent illustration of the emptying which was done by Christ in the epic of redemption. A study of Daniel 4 will increase one’s deeper analysis of Philippians 2:1-11 about Christ having emptied himself of His “form of God” yet he remained fully God.

Some explain “”who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equalaity with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men,” (6-7, KJV) to mean that Christ emptied or discarded Himself of the essence of deity. Some take this position and yet they are very aggressive in their affirmation that Christ was God during the 33 years he was on earth. The two positions would be contradictory.

In a previous article, we explained that “form of God” does not mean “essence of God.” We have explained that “form of God” are the detachable-restorable characteristics; while the phrase “essence of God” compose the inherent attributes of deity that could not be emptied of. Humanity is the essence of being man. A man could not stop being human. Deity is the essence of God. God could not stop being God.

King Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest and most splendored king of the powerful Babylonian Empire. The king had a splendid palace (v.30), a tall, towering dominion (vs. 10-12), he was a powerful despot (vs. 20-22), with honor, splendor and majesty (vs. 30,36); surrounded and adored by a fawning retinue of counselors and nobles. But Yahweh humbled this King-god Nebuchadnezzar From a pedestal that was attended by royal splendor, despotic power, and honor, the king was brought down to a level below the normal human subsistence. Down to the level of beast: human reason lost (v. 36), possessed heart of a beast, ate grass like a beast, naked as a beast, tied down as a ferocious beast, hair unwashed/untrimmed that hardened like eagle’s feathers and nails that grew and sharpened like bird’s claws (vs. 23, 25, 32, 33).

From the form of a clean, glittering, majestic, godlike, powerful, adorable, royal personality, King Nebuchadnezzar took another form: he became a dirty, greasy, dull, lowly, beastly, powerless, demented person. His characteristics are that which are lower than the normal beast. He was a demonized-beast. But he remained human. The essence of humanity remained intact in him. The externals of royalty were, however, discarded or emptied of for a season (possibly 7 years). Then after a given period of time, the detachable attributes of kingship were restored back to him (v. 36).

A similar story is found in the case of our Lord Jesus Christ. From the unfathomable eternal past, long before the invisible powers, thrones, authorities and dominions of angelic hosts were created (Col. 1:15-17) Christ has existed as a spirit persona. He has been existing as the Second Person in the Godhead Trinity. Christ created the angelic hosts. He was worshipped by angels. See Deut. 32:43; Psalm 97:7. Brightness and intense light surrounded the dwelling of the Godhead. It is suggestive of celestial royalty. God shines brighter than the intensity of one thousand exploding atomic bombs which the naked eye could not behold onto. See Daniel 2:22; Psalms 4:6; 44:3; Hab. 3:4; Matt. 17:2; Rev. 1:16.

Before the creation of the visible universe, Christ had heavenly glory says John 17:5. Christ had riches far greater in value and volume than all the wealth of the whole world multiplied a hundredfold says 2 Cor. 8:9. Angels served Him says Psalms 91:11, 12; Matt. 4:6. But Christ emptied Himself of these detachable royal attributes of glory, honor, majesty, and splendor befitting a King. However, His essence, his reality as Deity was not detached from His person when he was commissioned to take the form of a servant as described in Phil. 2:5-8. It is therefore wrong to say that the meaning of “He emptied Himself” means He emptied Himself of the essential attributes of God.

The New King James Version renders v. 7 this way: “but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant and coming in the likeness of man.” At the margin it reads, “emptied himself of His privileges.” The translators of the NKJV understood that the “emptying” is not discarding his deity. Rather, the emptying refers to the suspension of privileges and glorious appearances. But when he ascended back to heaven all these were restored back says Phil. 2:11 and Rev. 1:9-20; Rev. 7:9-17.

This period of emptiednness for King Nebuchadnezzar of his royal splendor and privileges was possibly 7 years while that of Christ was 33 years. (Comments or critiques are welcome.)

Makati City church founding anniversary

Brother Chito Cusi of Cebu City was the guest speaker in the March 8 first anniversary celebration of the Makati City congregation (formally called Metro South Church of Christ). This new congregation is led by a group of young professionals and businessmen. An intern from the Church Planting Institute operating in Tagaytay City is currently serving this new congregation. Two interns from Philippine Bible College in Baguio and Sunrise Christian College are expected to augment the evangelistic thrust in this area of the big Metropolitan Manila area. #

Church Institute dedicates building

The Church Planting Institute building in Tagaytay City was inaugurated and dedicated last March 5. This new building was put up through the donation of a couple who loves the Lord. The two choose to remain anonymous. This institute is dedicated to the training of church planters.

Brother Jun Patricio, one of the instructors in this school, would like to encourage matured Christians to enroll in the training. Students will be encouraged to go into church planting campaigns. #

North Luzon Lectureship in Baguio

April 8-10 is the date for the fellowship-lectureship of northern Luzon congregations which will be held at the 18 Rimando Road compound. Hosting this affair is the Baguio Church. Expected attendance is may reach 1000. The theme is on the authority of Jesus Christ.

To speak on special topics are Bob Buchanan (The Doctrine of Fellowship & Disfellowship); Ken Wilkey (The Appointment of Elders & Deacons); Eusebio Tanicala (The Instrumental Music Issue).

Textual lessons will discussed by Felix Bravo (Mtt. 5:22 & 26); Jun Patricio (Mtt. 5:28 & 32; Roger Nonog (Mtt. 5:44); Arnold Zambrano & Em de Castro & Sam Nisperos (Mtt. 6:2,5,16 in separate classes); John Quiniones, Arnan Bayla, Sam Nisperos (Mtt. 6:25 & 29 in separate classes). #

Gospel campaigns scheduled in Isabela and Quirino

Brother Edward Tangunan says that gospel campaigns are scheduled in several localities in the Cagayan Valley: Potia, Ifugao on March 23-26; Aglipay, Quirino province on March 27; Leadership class in Saguday, Quirino province on March 28-29; Villacampo, Echague, Isabela on March 30-31; San Mateo, Isabela on April 1-3. Brethren Ken Wilkey, Eusebio Tanicala, and Dick Baguioen will join Isabela and Quirino preachers and church leaders in this ten-day evangelistic campaign. #

A Sinner’s Prayer

Several years ago, while I was waiting for my turn into the doctor’s office in Baguio City, a visiting medical intern sat by me and we talked about salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. This medical intern told me that it was easy to accept Jesus Christ into one’s life. She invited me to pray with her and she opened her notebook and read a paragraph of supplication for the forgiveness of sin and told me to believe in Jesus. Then she declared: “You are now saved.”

I told the young medical intern: “That’s not the process that our Bible tells us.” And she went away. My name was called and I went into the doctor’s office.

In connection with the Baguio City Flower Festival, a religious worker during the first week of March this year distributed religious tracts along Session Road. I was given this small tract which contains the following:

“God is good. He loves you! Welcome to the Panagbenga City on its Centennial Year. The Love of God is so great that He gave Himself for us. He speaks to us in so many ways and everything that happens to us is known to Him. Make this event special for you and God by accepting this gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12) For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23). Do not miss this chance, Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart and He wants to come into your life. (Rev. 3:20)

SAMPLE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, forgive me for my sins and cleanse my heart from every sin. Come into my heart and take control of my life. Thank you.

Then believe God’s promise that He has cleansed your heart from all your sins and has given you Eternal Life. (Jn 1:12; 1 Jn. 5:11-13).”

The religious group in which the tract distributor belongs to has invented the “Sinner’s Prayer” process and it eliminates water baptism.  This religious group considers baptism a non-essential action.  But being baptized in water is a COMMAND AND REQUIREMENT given by Jesus Christ. Being baptized in water is a believing and repentant sinner’s physical drama of the gospel: Christ’s death, Christ’s burial, Christ’s resurrection. See 1 Cor. 15:1-5.

Being baptized is a believer’s drama; it is an act of incorporating oneself into the authority domain of the Godhead; the Apostle Peter says it is for the forgiveness of sins; it is an act that incorporates a repentant sinner into the death of Christ; it is an act that incorporates a repentant sinner into the resurrection of Christ; it is an act of the believing sinner as a means of putting on Christ giving the image of a white robe washed by the blood of Christ; it is an answer of a clear conscience. See Mark 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; 1 Peter 3:20-21.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned us of some blind teachers leading blind followers. A “Sample Prayer” is popularized by some religious teachers and yet they vehemently reject water baptism which is mentioned so many times in the New Testament. Let’s be careful on what we believe and follow.  – Eusebio Tanicala

The deity and humanity of Christ

If Jesus Christ were deity (God) why is it that …..

1. He didn’t know the day when the world would end as read in Matt. 24:36?
2. He was born of the Virgin Mary and wrapped in swaddling cloths?
3. He cried when He was brought to his friend Lazarus’s tomb?
4. He slept and became thirsty?
5. He bled and died at the cross on Calvary?
6. He said that the Father is greater than He is in John 10:28?
7. He increased in wisdom and physical size says Luke 2:51?

The above items belong to the humanity of Jesus Christ and not to His deity. But these don’t necessarily exclude another nature of our Lord.

To shift the burden of proof, on those who claim that the Lord Jesus is man (human) only there are also some questions they ought to answer.

If Jesus Christ were man (human) only why is it that :

1. He was at the Father’s side before the creation of the world as read in John 17:5?
2. By Him all things in heaven were created as read in Col. 1:16?
3. By Him all things on earth were created as read in Col. 1:16?
4. By Him all things invisible (thrones, dominions, principalities, powers) were created as read in Col. 1:16?
5. He existed before the world was created says Col. 1:17?
6. He existed before Adam the first man was created says Col.1:17?
7. According to John the Baptist who is older said that Jesus existed before John the Baptist was born says John 1:30?
8. According to John 3:13, Jesus while alive and talking to Nicodemus, He has ascended to heaven before He descended to earth?
9. According John 6:33, 38, 50, 51 & 58 He came down from heaven before He died and ascended back to heaven?
10. According to John 8:58 Jesus declared that He existed before Abraham was born?

The above items should point to the deity (God nature) of Jesus Christ.

In clarifying the meaning of Matt. 24:36, we should not think of the nature or essence of Christ as “either He is man only OR deity (God) only.” It’s like you asking me this question: “Is your brother in Honolulu a Filipino citizen OR an American citizen?” I would tell you that your question is wrong because my brother is BOTH a Filipino citizen and an American citizen. This is called “dual citizenship.”

In relation to citizenship we ask the question: “Can an American citizen privately own a pice of land in the Philippines?” No. But my brother owns a 150 square meter lot in Metro Manila. Who then owns that small piece of land? Is it my American citizen brother? No. It is my Filipno citizen brother who owns it.

Likewise, the question about the nature of Jesus Christ our Lord should not be “Is He man only or deity (God) only?” He is both Man and deity. He has dual nature.

Who then didn’t know the end of the world? Obviously Christ’s was pointing to his humanity as the one not knowing the day and hour of the end of the world. Going back to Luke 2:51, who is the Jesus that increased in wisdom? It refers to Jesus’ humanity. Who increased in physical size? Obviously, it refers to Jesus’ humanity.
I hope that this article with the illustrations is of help to Bible students.

The Presence and Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

(Series #02-09)

By Eusebio Tanicala

This year, I’ve written one article about the presence of the Holy Spirit. I’ve suggest that dividing into segments or epochs the time span of human awareness and Bible history might help clarify the issues under study. By reflecting on the Godhead (the Holy Spirit included) within the separate spheres of the different epochs we would have a wider sphere of understanding beyond the syntax and grammar of New Testament passages.

The main proposition that some Bible students affirm in this study is: “That the Holy Spirit indwells (influences, guides) the Christian through the mediation of the word (Bible) only.”

In a question form these same group asks: “What can the Holy Spirit do that the word can’t do?”

The proposition above means that the Holy Spirit (in effect God or deity) influences or guides Christians (in effect the whole cosmos) through the word only. This idea I deny.

The question above means that what the Holy Spirit can do, the word of God in the Bible can also do. In view of this belief they hold, there’s no need to call for the personal influence or guidance of the Holy Spirit because the inspired word has been delivered to mankind. This idea I also deny.

In the first article I wrote this year, we limited our thoughts within the period when what was in existence was deity or God. This Epoch #A covers from the unfathomable eternal past up to the point when spiritual dominions and powers or angelic hosts were created.

Within this period, several questions come out which we must seriously consider:

1. During this period of Epoch #A, when what only existed is Deity or God, how big was God and what corner and point in cosmic space and in the heavens was God not found?
2. During this period of Epoch #A, did the three persons of the Godhead communicate through the words written in the Bible or through telepathy?
3. During this period of Epoch #A, the three persons of the Godhead were in complete harmony and complete unity, is it not true that where the Father was, the Second Person was also there and the Third Person was also there?
4. During this period of Epoch #A, did the Holy Spirit influence or guide without the word or the Bible?
5. The Holy Spirit existed during the period covered by Epoch #A and the Holy Spirit has mind today to go back into that epoch, did the Bible exist during that period of Epoch A and does the Bible possess mind that could go back and remember that period before the creation of the angelic hosts?

Your answers to the five questions above will make clear your position on the proposition and question submitted above.

It is clear that long before humanity was created and long before the Bible was written and long before God spoke anything in the physical universe as recorded in Genesis 1, God has acted and willed of His own. That means that God existed and willed of His own before anything was spoken in Genesis 1:1. Which means that Deity or God exists and wills beyond and outside of the oral or written word of the Bible. It means that God or the Godhead (Holy Spirit included) exists and wills beyond and outside the oral or written word of the Bible.#

(Note: A sequel to this article is forthcoming. ET)

Graduation in Bible Colleges

Philippine Bible College in Baguio expects to graduate ten students on March 27th according to brother Cristino Sacayanan; and according to brother Ferdinand Guillermo, the Southern Mindanao Bible College in Makilala, Cotabato will certify fourteen students on April 4th. We hope that these number will be added to the rank of preaching brethren.

Potia, Ifugao Chapel update

In the last week of February, the group of brethren Rudy Mercado, Mario Bolesa, Ruben Bangachon, Regie Valdez, Rey Banaga, Rex Concepcion, Rod Lumandaz, Mariano Ragus, Edward Tangunan, four newly baptized young people of Potia worked and finished rebuilding the chapel in Potia, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao.

Brethren Dick Baguioen and Eusebio Tanicala including those meeting in San Mateo, Isabela and Aguinldo, Ramon, Isabela contributed in purchasing materials.