My soon Alma Mater

This week, teacher Angel taught us about the history of the Baptists in the Philippines including how Baptist Theological College, the school  I am about to graduate started. BTC will soon to be my Alma Mater few days from now :)

Baptist Theological College was named Baptist Bible School before. It was first located in San Remegio Cebu then transferred on 1984 in Mandaue City. Before that, the Baptist Conference of the Philippines which was called Baptist General Conference before was first did the effort after the end of World War II. Agnes Erickson served to help organize the FEBIAS and Ramon Cenit, a UCCP Pastor of Bradford directed to BGC missionaries to go and minister on his hometown in 1950. Then Mrs. Aurelia Lepiten, a resident of Bogo Cebu have known about the missionary and so she went to their house pretending to sell vegetables yet her motive was to be connected with the missionary to spread out the Gospel in the said town. It's Cresenciano Batuto who was the first ordained pastor. Jacinta Batuto married Eliseo Sarcos, the first president of BTC. Andres Pepito and his wife on the other hand, has a great impact in the school's history as well. They served as pastor and for many years and began teaching in BTC in the year 1981. Later on, BBS was then transferred first in First Baptist Church then to the Banilad and was called BTC already. Today, the acting President is Ricky Recodo and my batch is the 56th batch to graduate. 

It is such a privilege and a blessing to graduate from BTC. The staffs and faculties really portray godly characters. Teachers are mentors and do best to help the students not just academically but also outside the school setting. Few days from now I will graduate from BTC but I'm sure that the school, students, places, faculties and everything that I experienced in BTC will always be in my heart. I've learned a lot there. Not just how to value my academic life but also in the Dormitory, Kitchen and my Social-Emotional Life. It's in this school that I've learned to cook and got to realized that I love cooking. I learned to clean and be organize as well. I also learn how to deal with different people, having different background, culture, personalities and upbringing. It is all by God's grace that I surpass everything. Every year, different challenges that the Lord let me experienced yet I overcome all of those by God's sustaining grace and His faithfulness. Indeed, the Lord is to be glorified and magnified and honored. To God be all the glories and praises!

Roman Catholic vs Protestantism

Roman Catholics do not believe that the Bible alone is enough. They believe that both the Bible and Sacred Roman Catholic tradition are necessary for salvation. Protestants believe that in the faith of Christ alone, believers are vindicated of all their sins. Catholicism is a denomination, and is, therefore, a subset of Christianity. All Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics. A Christian refers to a follower of Jesus Christ who may be a Catholic, Protestant, Gnostic, Mormon, Evangelical, Anglican or Orthodox, or follower of another branch of religion. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church while Protestantism is a general term that refers to Christianity that is not subject to papal authority. Catholic used statues and pictures, permitted as means of inspiration while protestants do not used any of those. They both worship in church, chapel and in cathedral.

This week, I've learned that Roman Catholics and Protestants differ most profoundly over institutional authority. They compete and don't accept each other's authority.  Roman Catholics are governed by one centralized, hierarchical authority structure. This authority covers both governance and teachings. Rank-and-file individuals may debate but they do not make authoritative interpretations. Protestants have many different confessions or denominations. Even within a denomination, institutional authority might not be centralized. Many Protestants allow decisions and teachings to be made by congregations or even by individual believers such as interpretation of a verse, election of deacons and there are more. Thus, every single Protestant church rejects the Pope's authority. Likewise, the Roman Catholics rejects the authority of all Protestant clergy and none are allowed into their hierarchy.
Moreover, both differ as well in beliefs and practices. The deepest doctrinal differences probably concern the role of scripture and church interpretations. Sola scriptura was the most important protest against the Catholic approach to authoritative teachings. It's hard to generalize about Protestants, their beliefs and practices vary. Catholics have some distinctive approaches, for example ideas and devotion towards Mary. Key rituals also differ just like the sacraments. Protestants tend to believe that they differ with Catholics over beliefs about salvation and works.

READering

Reading for me is fun. Usually, I read to entertain myself and in order for me to be refreshed with the stresses surrounding me. Moreover, reading is beneficial, just like reading the church history book. It made me realize many things and learn new things that can contribute to my gained knowledge based on our discussion. There are many benefits when we read and one of those is you'll be able to learn.

On my reading in the church history book, I've learned that Ignatius of Loyola's personal experiences and his reading influenced him to see his services for God like that of a soldier since he was a soldier before  he pursued his study in theology. Through this, I came to think of how important reading is. We can travel anywhere by just reading a book. We'll be able to be updated if we read news and other things. In fact, reading a book is more detailed than watching movie. Also, it enhances communication skills and thinking. In addition, you able to interact with great minds such as the author. I believe that each person has different favorite genre depending of what interests him/her. However, the BIBLE is a Word of God in which for me is very important to read, learn and share with others. Most of the young people today loved to read books such as novels and romantic and/or erotic genre not knowing that it influenced one's thinking and thus affect one's behavior and decision making as well. Believers ought to be very careful of what book to read because it corrupts our mind yet it will be good as well if we are a wide reader for we have different ideas and perspectives. Yet, we just have to be very careful not to be tempted to visit sites, blogs, books, magazines and other things that can fall us out into not glorifying God causing others to be stumbled due to our behavior. The church history book is beneficial. It only not made us trace Christianity, it made us knowledgeable of what happened in the past. Hence, reading is the key to learning so I encourage everyone to read the Bible first of all, and the books that helps you grow as a person and lead you to bring praises to God.

Christianity Faithfully Endured

Reading through the church history books and learning from church history discussions, one thing that I am sure of, there is a God. There is a God who made all things, create all things and planned things to happen. Even before the creation of the world, there is God I believe. Even if we don't view it spiritually or biblical, we can prove it historically. Why do I say so? Even beforehand, religious issue and/or Christianity issue was there. I've just realized that it never come to an end. Though many religious groups came up but it is in the Bible that many will claim that what they believe is true and that they are the true church.

We need not to dwell in the change but with the bigger picture which is the endurance spirit. This proved that Christianity is true because it never died. Hence, this proves that there is God and we didn't just came from a tiny atom and then bang! We were created. No. It is not that. We are created fearfully and wonderfully by God (Psalms 139:14). Each person is unique. Our every details can be seen as a miracle and it declares the wonders of God's creation; the systems in our body and the way it functions. Just mentioning those, made me in awe of God causing me to praise His name and humbly ask myself who am I that He, the creator of the universe is mindful of me.

Shame on us who do not believe that there is God. That Christianity isn't true. No matter what the pope did, to unite the church and state just to gain the power and authority. I've just realized that even until now, the politicians, the priest, popes and I bet there are other Christian leaders as well who are after power, compromising what the Scripture says in order to be followed and not persecuted. I salute those people who suffer for Christ. Who sacrificially denied themselves just to do the will of God and embrace the pain that the world is injecting. That in spite of the persecution, they faithfully endured.

It made me question myself if I can endure for the sake of Christ. Of course my answer would be yes BUT this is just easy to say and write on because severe persecution has not come my way yet. Yet I believe that the Lord is able and He won't allow me to suffer beyond what I cannot bear. If it takes my life for His name's sake then I commit to Him my life. Well, He is the owner of this life and I was born and created for HIM ALONE. Not for anyone or anything else.

To God be all the glory.

Superstar Preacher

This week, our classmate reported about Billy Graham. Let's take a look of who he is.

Billy (at the center) when he was still young

Billy was born on November 7, 1918 in a small town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. He grew up on the family dairy farm. He grew up instilled a strong work ethic by their parents. The time of his conversion was when he attended an evangelistic meeting of Dr. Ham. He came to understand his need for a personal relationship with Jesus. Graham studied in Bob Jones College on September 1936. Yet transferred to Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College), where he was exposed to many different denominations through the people who rented rooms in the hotel on their campus.

What I admired most of Billy was his passion in serving God through Crusades, preaching, evangelism who often appeared in television and can be heard in radio. He was a man to look up with. Knowing how he practiced his sermon was inspirational because it shows humility whenever you do best for the Lord through practicing it first rather than do the sermon the day you will preach. It is obvious that Graham studied well the Scripture. In fact, he made a legacy and made an impact to lives of many people because he was used by God in order for the thousands of people to encounter Christ and have relationship with Him including the one who got saved by the time he was practicing preaching in front of trees and/or stones. That man even became his organizer in his crusades. Amazing God for He knows what to do in every circumstance and situation because it's seems unusual testimony yet a unique story to tell to people. Indeed, the Lord can use ordinary people for His great plan and marvelous purpose.

Billy had a great impact in this world. Though he was not physically present and hands-on with his task before anymore due to his age but I believe that he is always praying. He made a legacy and was passed on to his sons, and grandchildren and to other people. In reflection with myself, I believe as well that the Lord has His own way of using my life for His glory. I may not like be as Graham's but as long as I am checking from time to time my relationship with him and is obeying His will then I know the Lord is greatly pleased with that. I have my own strength, talent and skills that the Lord gave and surely I will be using that in the ministry for the Lord and not for men. Whatever what it takes, the Lord has to be greatly praised!

Billy on his 93rd birthday :)