Reflection 12

We are so grateful as Filipinos that Christianity had reach here in the Philippines. It is really a privilege for us that we came to know Jesus as our Personal Lord and Savior. Thanks to those who worked hard for this. The Bible to came to us here in the Philippines with our own native language. This was very hard because the Philippines during that time was under the Spanish Oppression.

            This came to my mind that what if that we should desire to go to the land in which it is still unreach and preach the gospel. There are lots of people groups that are unreach according to the Joshua Project. We should feel passion for them too because God also loves them as how He loves the Filipinos.

            I would encourage some of the youth to think what can they do for those people groups who are still unreach. I will deliver a message about God’s heartbeat for missions. We should challenge others to accept the challenge to lead other people to know Jesus Christ and His Word. 

Reflection 11

I will just focus on the life of John Wesley for this reflection. He was one of the revivalist in the Church History. I really appreciate because of their work in spreading the Christianity to the masses, not only those who members of the Church. Not only John Wesley had this work, but also some who are other preachers who touch the lives of the people.

            I was really blessed by one of his quote that he learned from Spener: “the tongue and mind are to be offered in prayer and meditation on the Scriptural text. If this is done, the Holy Spirit will illumine the mind of each committed believer.” Indeed it is the Holy Spirit’s work to touch the hearts of the people for them to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. But there are lots of Christians who easily got discouraged when a person ignores the message of salvation. I can understand them because I’ve been also that.

            I would explain to my disciples that we should continue to do our work but it is the Holy Spirit’s work for them to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It is not our job. Our job is only to tell the message of salvation. We should never get discourage when people ignore the message of salvation. 

Reflection 10

Still part of the reformation period that would be reflected this week. Another group that came about during the reformation period was the Puritans. One of their jobs they did was the translation of the Bibles to the King James Version that was sponsored by King James 1. The Puritans is a group that they worked hard just for the Word of God that is true to be based on a Christian life.

            One of their core beliefs is about the grace of God. They wrote their core belief of grace in this way: “The miracle in which God grants some people the ability to love truly.” For me, the Church should have this way to deal with other people especially to those are unbelievers. We should show their love to them because we know that they are also receivers of grace in which God gives. The more the Church should reach them out.

            It is a positive outlook of the Church having the purpose to evangelize and disciple others. This is one of the missions of the Church where the activities should be based. I will really emphasize to the members of the Church on how it is important to evangelize others in order for them to experience grace that God gives us. 

Reflection 9

The period came in the Church History that the Anabaptists group was established. They were divided into four radicals having their specific beliefs and practices that made a great influence of the Christianity, that were developed by their radical leaders who had the desire to also had the reformation of the Church but in a different way unlike what Luther and other reformers did.

            The good thing about the Anabaptists is that there had no really bad effects with the State. All they did is just to throw out the Old Testament practices and other traditional practices that the New Testament did not teach or support them. This is a good idea that there had been no conflicts between the Church and State that happened. But for me as long the State did not decide that contradicts the teaching of the Scriptures, but as long as the Church would also contradict it.

            For me I have to make a movement that the Church can benefit the State, not making activities that would make a fight against the State or the citizens of the State. In our Church, we practiced having community holistic activities that have been benefiting the community like Medical Missions, Street Cleanings, Feedings, and other activities that would benefit the Community. Churches also should make an impact to the community, not to make fight against them. 

Reflection 8

The period of reformation went on. It was not only Martin Luther who worked on it but also some Church Fathers who did a great contribution for the Church Reformation. John Calvin was one of the reformers who worked hard during this period that would refute also the Roman Catholic Teachings. He worked hard with the help of the little council to handle the Church Disciplines.

            One thing that Calvin did that greatly impressed my heart was his desire that the Church carry out her own discipline apart from the state authorities. It came to my mind what I believe that the Church and State should be separated. I believe that the State should not rule the Church since has designed the State to rule over the land, not the Church because it is God who ruled the Church. But throughout the Church History, a lot of times that the State has ruled over the Church and this should not be.

            I had experienced one time that the Church was ruled by the State. It was then that one employee had filed a case against the Church. It was then that happened that the court has decided the Church has to pay for him. I was so disappointed during that time the court has overruled our local Church. But for me, I should work hard that whatever problems in the church will have, it should not reach to the state that the state has to decide.

Reflection 7

Now has come the time of period of the reformation of the Church. One familiar person of the reformation and commonly known by a lot of Christians was Martin Luther. He was the one founded the reformation in Germany then followed by a lot of persons who were also popular who developed the Reformation. Martin Luther started the reformation in a means of posting his 95 thesis for debate on the door of the Church in Wittenburg, Germany, consisting the opposition of the common doctrines in the Catholic Church.

            I was really amazed by how Martin Luther started the reformation. He was brave enough to correct the wrong teachings founded by the Roman Catholics in which he also came from but then he realized that it was wrong. I think Christians should have the same courage that Martin Luther in refuting the false teaching. It was commanded in the Scripture that we are to defend the truth. This should be done in today’s generation because a lot of false teachings already occur that the enemy has used so that many people will be deceived. Christians should stand strong for the truth and nothing but the truth so the Word of God will be spread throughout to the lives of all the people around the world.

            I have to stand strong for the truth. I need to refute false teachings that are common now in today’s generation. I have to review what I have been learning since from our class in Comparative Religions. I need carefully refute the wrong teaching that my friends have believed and led them to salvation through the leading of the Holy Spirit and preach to them the gospel in which Jesus Christ had also died for them. 

Reflection 6

Now the period came in the Church History that there is a rise of papal power. This happened before the reformation. We know the papal power has given no benefit for the Church. The Papal power of the Roman Catholic Church still existing today, having Pope Francis as the present pope today who succeeded Pope Benedict 16^th.

I agree with what Dr. Ernest Manges has mentioned that papacy is useless. They are not really the vicars of Christ. There is no need for vicar anymore because the Word of God which is the Bible is already available. People should not worship the pope as if they worshipped Jesus.

I really feel burdened seeing people who very proud that the pope had reach here in the Philippines. I would rather be more exerting effort to evangelize them in order not to continue their practice of believing the papacy. They should realize how false the papacy is for them to believe. 

Reflection 5 (December 9 & 11, 2015 Sessions)

THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

Since before, during the period of the development of Christianity, it is really a fact that missions is God's heartbeat. It was proven even during the time of the apostles. Even still it is evident during the period of the Roman Catholic Church. The Gospel through the power of God and God's presence even reaching wider for its spread so that more numbers of people in different races will be saved. This is through the hardwork of the Missionaries who answered the call of God for their lives. 

I believe that this evangelism is really one of the functions of the Church that God has designed the it should be. God's heartbeat is not only for the people in the nearby. God also cares for the people who are not even related to us. So the Church should give emphasis and importance for the Cross-Cultural Missions especially to the unreach people. God designed the local Church to be senders, not just to for the members to stay but to go to preach the gospel for the salvation of the unreach peoples.

I will continue to support some missionaries I started to support as a sender. I know that God called me to be a sender. I know that my job is also very important as same as a goer. Even I would really encourage the goers who are already in the Mission field. If there is also a chance to go on missions, I will invest for the opportunities to be in a Short-Missionaries for me to be exposed and even to sympathize with the goers and even to be updated of what is already happening in the Mission Field. 

Reflection 3 (Dec. 2 & 4 2015)

Council and Creeds

It is really true that even though that we already know and live the truth, there are still arising threat of heresies that will affect the body of Christ. Even during the development of Christianity, a lot of heresies that happened. But the Christians before, are still strong to counter such heresies and that will even be defended based on the Bible and the right doctrine. It is also even more better that they are united in dealing with such heresies by gathering as a council by the Bishops and other leaders. This emphasizes unity among the leaders and believers to stand together for the truth.

This is still true today and even still happening that not only that it leads to heresies but the worst comes to worst, it even resulted to being a cult and deceive a lot of people and that even caused them to be blinded and reject the truth. But as Christians, we should be able to defend the truth that we even witnessed in our own personal lives. This is part of the task that is entrust for us believers which is to contend for the faith that is entrusted to us (Jude 3). Christians should be united in dealing with this kind of problems that affects the Church just like what happened during the time of our Church fathers. 

In this, I would really review and study again what I've tackled when I was still first year here in BTC that I learn about different cults and even how to refute them. I really helps me a lot in order for me to defend for my faith. I will really stand for the Doctrine that I believe that is based on the Bible. As a Church, we need to develop the kind of unity that our Church fathers emphasized in dealing with heresies. Part of this is teaching the Congregation the right doctrine, feeding them with the Word of God and equip them for the work for the ministry. In this we can be united for the truth and nothing but the truth alone. 

Reflection 4 (Dec. 16 and 18 Sessions)

The Dark Ages

Even though of the growth of Christianity that even cause the Roman Empire to be Christianized, still there is a period of time of the Church History that emphasized more of cruelty and violence for the sake of  Christianity. This was the period that was called "the Dark Ages." Even though of such violence that happened, Christianity even grew more that even lead to mass conversion of armies and even lots of people became Christians. 

In reflecting my life after we discussed this during the sessions, I remember in mind that Christian is not an easy life. There are lots of struggles. I remember one preacher said that we are not exempted from struggles and we should even face it with boldness. But I reflect those times of life, that even though how great the struggle is, it still lead to victory that even it caused good even though how bad the situation will be. I remember that time that even in our Church Building that was attacked by fire on Sunday midnight, especially on the Pastor's Parsonage. No matter how it was difficult that time, a lot of Christians helped for the Church to rise up from that situation and to continue in the ministry.

In the times of hardship,  I should be reminded always that I should always cling to God. I will believe that in spite of situations, I know that there is something good that will come. I will trust in God's Word that "Everything works for good to those who love God."

Reflection 2: Age of Catholic Christianity (Nov. 17 & 19 Sessions)

The Age of Christianity

I learn that the early happenings of the Christian History was to too for the early Christians that were belonged in the Roman Empire State that causes them to undergo such great persecution. But even though of such persecution, still, as what the saying stated, " The Blood of the Martyr is the seed of the Church," really caused a great impact of the development of the Christianity that even caused the Gospel to spread more because of the persecutions that are displayed in the Roman Empire. 

In reflecting my life as I learn this, I realize that I need to stand in the midst of challenges in the ministry. I already learn this before from the Father who has bee in the ministry for almost 25 years, that his life is not so easy and and even there are times that it lead him even to the point of death. But still he did not gave up even though a lot of people not only will refuse him as he preached the gospel, but also make fun of him as he preaches the gospel. But still he did not gave up. This is what I need develop in myself that I need to stay strong and and even accept challenges in life as the declare the gospel of God to the people.

Even that life is hard in the ministry, no matter of bad criticisms of other people, I should not give up but the more that I will pray for them and even show goodness. I should not reject them but even I should be more challenged to show my love for them just as Christ love them even He is rejected by them. I need to show my unconditional love even though I am not obliged to do it.