MCGI YouTube Channel Bible Exposition// The Bible Speaks// Sunday 11th June// The Lessons I Learnt.
You can check through this link for a visual review of the program.
Greetings Brethren, today marked another great day as I was fortunate in joining the MCGI Bible Exposition program conducted by Pastor Eli Soriano and Brother Daniel Razon.
I really learnt a lot as people from different parts of the world came with their respective issues regarding the Church of God and biblical observations in general while Pastor Eli clarified all doubts through different scriptural citations as we will be perusing below.
The first question was asked by sister Nida from Negross Occidental
Her 1st question was about Titles in the Church
Her 2nd question was about speaking in tongues.
Pastor Eli answered her first question regarding being called names like Pastor, Reverend, Apostle etc
So I quote "what Jesus gave to the Church are the functions not the title"- pastor Eli Soriano.
Pastor Eli expressed that one can function as a Pastor but he must not be called a Pastor probably as a title. For instance, people called Jesus Rabbi in the bible but contemporarily, many preachers are answering most Reverend and lordship which means they are now higher than Christ who only goes with the name Sheppard or Rabbi.
In this regard, he cited these scriptures below: Heb 3:1, John 10:11, 1 Pet 23:25, Eph 4:8, 11, 12, Matt 23:8.
Pastor Eli corrected the impression of speaking in tongues as the first sign of being baptized. Through the scriptures below:
1 Cor 12:13, 28-30, 1 Cor 14:9,27-28, Gal 5:22-23, 1 Cor 13:1
Now Pastor Eli expressed through the scripture specifically in 1 Corinthians 12 that although Christ has given diverse gifts to the church but everyone does not have the same gift, rather we are all gifted with our respective gifts for the edification of the Church.
These scriptures show that speaking in tongues is not the basis for being baptized because everyone has their gift which speaking in tongues was one of them and not all of them.
There was yet another question about rapture and Pastor Eli answered this through the scriptures in 1 Thess 4:16-17, Rev 5:8-10. He expressed that the world will not be destroyed until after the millennium year of Christ's reign as many has speculated that the world will soon be destroyed.
In 1 thessalonians chapter 4:16-17, we were told that we will be raptured in the air with the Lord together with the saints who died in Christ already, and then will be with the Lord forever in paradise after ruling for a thousand years with the Lord according to Revelation chapter 20:6.
So in this regard, scientists are making a blunder to predict the destruction of the earth because the earth will remain untill after the thousand years of Christ and the saints reign were over.
Next question was asked by brother Fredrick from Jean Nueva Ecija.
He questions were on the signs of the coming of our great redeemer, signs before the destruction of the world, and how long we will remain in the world.
Pastor Eli cited through the scriptures in: Rev 20:4, Rev 5:9-10, Matt 24:6-8, Matt 24:24
Bro Frederick and everyone was clarified when Pastor Eli was done expantiating these scriptures which all pointed to the end time.
Pastor Eli was also quoted to have said that "what is near is the return of Christ". We know that the signs of Christ coming were written in Matt chapter 24 but the world wouldn't be destroyed until Christ and the saints had ruled for a thousand years as referenced by revelation chapter 20:6.
Next question was from brother Sidro who joined the meeting from the church of Christ.
His question was if the teachings or doctrines of the old past were connected to the Church built by Christ.
Pastor Eli cited the following scriptures in response to the question posed by brother Sidro: 2 Cor 1:1, 2 Thess 1:14, 1 Tim 3:15
In Pastor Eli's answer, he said yes that they are connected because the church preached by the apostles was the Church of God, and the church of God is the body of Christ and prio to this teaching, Pastor Eli said that the Church is the eternal purpose of God.
I also add that the teachings are connected because in John 1:1, talked about the word that was made flesh which is Christ Jesus, and this is the person whom the apostles preached.
Next question was from Sister Rubi from Lisa City.
Her question was about the right way to forgive so that the anger in her heart will be removed.
Pastor Eli responded by quoting the following scriptures in: Heb 8:12, Act 2:36-38, Psalm 130:3, 1 Cor 15:33, 1 Cor 5:11.
Forgiveness happen when we forget the sin of the person who sinned against us.- Pastor Eli
This is true he further backed this hold by also saying that; God does not sin but he forgives.
We who sin have the obligation to forgive those that sin against us also.
Now concerning sexually unsatisfied husbands who are infidel to their spouses, Pastor said that it is better to leave a man who is a womanizer and this is to mitigate against contracting STDs from the husband.
Next question was from brother Denise from Zamboanga Del Norte
He asked two questions which are:
Qstn 1. Which prophet or Apostle prohibited his companions from accepting donations from non members of the Church?
Qstn 2. Which prophet or Apostle said that the bible is the basis of the truth.
Regarding the first question, Pastor Eli quoted from the books of 3 John 1:7 and Prov 15:8.
The money that should be given should be given should come from the right way cause what you might be giving came from gambling or from lottery- Pastor Eli Soriano
Well I learnt that the reason why the church doesn't collect offerings from non members of the Church is to avoid receiving a knoch from God because of contaminated money.
Regarding the second question, Pastor Eli cited the books of 1 Cor 2:4-5, Rom 1:16, John 17:17, Heb 9:27, Deut 32:39, Matt 1:1.
The truth is the word of God and the word of god is the bible.
There is no book on earth that is more true than the bible- Pastor Eli
Yeah, I agree with Pastor Eli aligning with the scripture even in John 1:1 which said that ……the word was made flesh. So the basis of the truth is the bible and the Bible is the word of God and the word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us according to the testimony of John.
The next question was from sister Elizabeth from Surigao Del Sur.
Her first question was on the prohibition and eating of fish that has no scale by the Seventh day Adventist church.
Qstn 2. Is it okay for women to wear pants outside the Church?
Regarding the first question, Pastor Eli said that "food prohibition was a law in the time of Moses" as he cited the books of: Heb 9:10, Heb 7:12, Mark 7:19, 1 Tim 4:4-5.
I learnt here that eating fish or other related animals isn't a sin because what takes into our bodies goes to the drought at the end of the day and has no tangible effect on our spiritual man.
Regarding the second question, Pastor Eli cited the following scriptures in: 2 Tim 2:14, Isaiah 3:12, 1 Kings 9:4.
Pastor Eli said that the heartbeat of God is for men to lead God's people. He also answered that it is okay for a woman to put on pants or trousers if they are modest, and this is if the pants or trousers do not expose the shape and figure of their body.
I learnt that putting on trousers by women is not bad although there was nothing like trousers in the bible days but it is during our time that we now have discrepancy in wears. But what the Bible is pointing out is about being modest in our dressings because there is no way a woman would put on a man's clothes and wouldn't look like a man and vice versa.
The last question was asked by sister Sherill in Banbwng Manila who is from the Catholic faith.
First, she asked about the reality of hexes.
Secondly, she asked why women are prohibited from wearing jewelry and cutting their hair.
Regay the first question, Pastor Eli cited the following scriptures in: 1 John 5:18, 1 John 4:4.
Nonetheless Pastor answered that hexes or spells are real but one that is born of God can never be touched or harmed by witchcraft or those using magical powers because we have overcome the world by the blood of Jesus and his word in us, and this is according to Revelation 12:11.
Regarding the second question which is about putting on jewelry, Pastor Eli cited the following scriptures in response: 1 Tim 2:9-10, 1 Cor 11:14-15.
I learnt from pastor's response to this question and in line with the scriptures above that the long hair of a woman is naturally or divinely given her for a covering and not to be cut.
Also in 1 Tim chapter 2, Pastor Eli explained in line with the scripture that women should look modest and not adorn themselves with jewels.
I would also add as I learnt that a woman who is given to costly apparel and jewelry may not know how to take care of her home as her concern is given more to her beauty and clothes than taking proper care of her home.
I was highly elated by the way and manner Pastor Eli responded in accuracy while answering these questions to the satisfaction of everyone.
Moreover, I wish to appreciate everyone for going through and would also urge us to join in these wonderful teachings of the MCGI community as I'm certain that we will stand to lose nothing in the end. God bless MCGI bye and 💗
We must be very careful with the name we get baptised at times
Yeah Brother, that is the issue as according to act 4:12 there is no other name given among men through which we must be saved. And I add that that name is Jesus. So it is imperative that we must be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. Thanks for going through Brother bye.
absolutely true bro, Speaking in tongues is not the basis for baptism at all.. the bible said they that gladly received the word were baptized. It is not about the new or unknown tongue first of all, it is about receiving the word of God. There are people speaking in tongues and yet sining. The most important thing is having Christ formed in us.
The issue of titles is a very crucial matter plaguing the church today, people want to be honored more than even the primary thing that called them to the service.. I pray our eyes will all be opened soon.
Yeah brother, you're right because Apostles Paul asked regarding if everyone speaks in tongues and the answer is no. So the basis or evidence of being baptized is not just speaking in unknown tongues, although it is important but if anyone has such gift which I'm among those God has visited with such gift, we are to use it in line with the scriptures and not to intimidate other as if it is the core or only gift of the holy spirit.
On the other hand, I believe that it's not everyone that is called probably as a pastor, Apostle etc and when you see those that are called,they need not to tell you the mandate of their calling but you will be compelled to even give them names yourself. So we Christians has to eliminate this burden of titleship that is eating up the church malignantly. Thank you for your noble perusal bye.