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.