The start of a church

Having been asked by my father to write a covenant-like or a commitment form for the Apalan-Guesset believers, I sought to search and look for examples of such in the internet. And lo, I found some great examples. But more than a church covenant, included were churches’ bylaws or constitution. And it hit me; mostly we are not reminded of our church’s bylaws or constitution. I remember too, my father spoke of this thing before which is one of the important matters especially within a local church. For bylaws and church constitution is one of which a local church could be guided accordingly or to set things in order within the local church. I believe, for so many years the Baptist denomination has been practicing this kind of procedures for the sake of order and direction (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). Whereas some denomination, simply depend on God’s Word. True that God’s Word contains God’s laws and precepts, but there are certain gray area that needs to be attended (e.g. drinking of wine or eating of meat with blood) or when believers does not agree on certain actions or circumstances, as well as the procedures of what we call “Church Discipline”. And these and more other reasons are why Church bylaws or constitution is needed within a local church. Anyway even inside a family such understandable, explicit and clear rules should be set to make things in order or else chaos will rule over it. But of course such constitution should still be based and founded in the Word of God.

Other than the church’s bylaws and constitution, I have been able to have some additional researches too on the church through the net. I tried to know more and as it may be good or bad, the internet is a risky place to acquire knowledge about the church. Why did I say that? Because every others or even scholar’s perspective, opinions, interpretaions and teachings about the church can be viewed / read just typing in the “church” word in the internet browser, which makes me very confused on understanding more of the church. I’m not a bible scholar but I’m a Christian who needs to learn more about the foundations of the Christian faith. But since I was more confused reading from internet websites and their definitions and everything, I think it would be best to stick to the Word of God, the Bible.

But perhaps I ought to explain further on why I’m a bit confused. I remember my father spoke about the church in Apalan & Guesset. The Church he explained was taken from the Greek word “Kuriakos”, which means, “The Lord’s” whereas others would define church from the Greek word “ecclesia” (or actually originated from Latin), which means “called out ones.” Whereas, others say the word “ecclesia” cannot be interpreted as “church” but should be interpreted as “assembly” or “congregation.” Totally confusing indeed for one has to go back to the original languages from which the Bible or the Word of God was written, to really know which is which. But nevertheless I do not desire to confuse you. For whether the church, assembly or congregation word is used, I think how it is defined or what does the Word of God really says about it is much more important.

So many years have passed already, and I don’t think I could have an easy access on the original manuscript of the Bible, the Scripture, or the Word of God and even if I had an access, interpreting it would be very difficult. But having Faith on the Lord Jesus Christ and with faith on the teaching of the Holy Spirit and holding unto Christ’ promise in Matthew 24:35 that His word shall not pass away, we know, Christ is the Head of the church, and the church is the body of Christ (I Cor. 12). The church is not the building but the people who have the same Faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, and of whom the Holy Spirit indwells. We assemble ourselves and fellowship amongst ourselves to edify (build) and exhort one another (Heb. 10:25). And fulfill two ordinances taught by Christ, which is Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Communion. But far more than these is the Great Commission given to us, which is to preach and teach the gospel of Christ, that men may repent and know Christ as the Only Way of Salvation (Matthew28:19-20).

The Book of Acts is a great book where we could find a great picture of what the church or assembly or congregation of Christians were before and what they were doing in the Name of Jesus Christ. And in those days were the days of the Roman Empire. Christians were oppressed, tried, ridiculed and mocked. The disciples put to death or hanged whereas believers were also tortured, burned and fed to lions for the sake of Christ. But these days? We rarely see that. In the Philippines, we are free to gather ourselves and worship our God and sing praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. The only problem though is that we are confused with so many tactics the enemy throws at us. Many teachings or philosophies of man have infiltrated the Christian Faith and beliefs that many are so deceived and confused to which is true. Even Christ Himself declared such things could happen, that even professing Christians could actually be false Christians (Matthew 7:21-23). And how do we know who are the true Christians? You know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:20)!

Christ declared Himself as Truth, as Life, and as the Way (John 14:6)! He is to be our Goal, our Price, therefore we ought to set our focus only on Him (Phil. 3:14). He is to be our Lord, our Master and Our Savior. Christ gives a definite answer, that those who does the will of the Father is an evidence of the true and genuine Christian (Matthew 7). Which even James explains further that “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). But take note, these verses doesn’t imply that in order to get saved means to do good works. It simply implies that a true Christian, who is saved by grace through faith, has a life which gives an evidence or proof of his faith. Your changed life is the evidence! And this is how you test and know who are truly Christians and even know the true Servants and Laborers of the Lord.

All these pictures what a church or congregation of Christ should be. The problem is “Are we doing what we are supposed to do as a church? Or, as a body of Christ?” I believe or most often, we Christians tend to forget our goal as a church. And so contented on the kind of church we are. The trend of professing Christians today is that they come to church, hoping to be blessed and receive God’s bountiful grace, mercy and love. Then, go home and do the usual life we live. Nay, that’s not the real reason why Christ died. He came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10) and gave to the church the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Christ did not save Christians just to be blessed but also to be made to be by His side, against the enemy within a spiritual battle (Eph. 6:12). We are saved to make war against the kingdom of Satan (Matthew 16:18) and to bring people to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These are the reasons why the church exists and Christ’s promises and blessings will follow.

As the Day of the Lord draweth nigh, genuine Christians ought to wake up! As God’s Word and the Book of Revelations, little by little being fulfilled, Christians ought to watch, pray and do the will of the Father. There are so many groaning individuals out there, crying and desiring to know the Only Way, Jesus Christ and we are His messengers sent by Christ (John 20:21). And, the question remains, “What are we doing?"

Wow! Something New to me =)

Here is a sample of a Church covenant Fundamental Baptist have. check out this link and read it's by laws: http://www.intercity.org/pdf/bylaws.pdf

Most often we are not educated nor have been reminded always of these things as part of the Church....

My Failure…

Surely I have lots of failures, but the most grieving failure I could probably think of, is letting opportunities of sharing the gospel to people pass bye. It grieves my heart having not been able to share the gospel of Christ clearly to those who surround me: to those I’ve been with as classmates, workmates or simply acquaintances. I’ve probably been able to share to a few, but those are numbered compared to those opportunities that I fail to grab and let it pass bye.

Being part of my Father in heaven and my father’s ministry, seeking the lost and leading them to Christ has truly made a big impact in my heart. My heart is stirred by the great need to share the gospel and to make clear of the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which nowadays are given much less meaning or importance. Although I still have the desire of discipling and teaching young people, I have failed to give notice that discipleship starts with bringing first one to Christ and making sure one have truly made a decision to fully surrender everything to Him, making Christ His Lord, His Master and His Savior. I have also failed to realize or to understand that discipleship is much effective when the Holy Spirit works in the life of the one who is truly saved and sanctified. Yes, teaching and discipling is one of the important issues on Christian life, but to fail to realize that God works and is the one who truly molds and completes one person through the working of the Holy Spirit, we are consumed by all effort we do just to disciple a single person (Philippians 1:6).

I’m not sure if I’m making my point here clearly understood, but the bottom line that I wish for Christian disciplers to understand is that, it is God Who completes the work of discipling and not us. God uses us as instruments to teach and make a big impact in the lives of men and women, but God is the one Who works in the heart of men, for in the heart dwells the will of man that no one can change but God alone. As for us Christians, we ought to preach and teach the Whole Principles of God, with the Word of God and earnestly praying for them whom we disciple that the Holy Spirit may work in their hearts. But the most important thing before these things happen is that we ought to make sure that the Holy Spirit indwells them whom we disciple, of course by leading them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. For its useless to disciple when we are discipling people not of God but still a children of the enemy, Satan.

Truly it is a great battle when it comes to the souls of men. Probably explains why it’s so hard to reach and share the gospel of Christ. But of course this shouldn’t be an excuse for us to retreat. It’s not an excuse for me to stop hoping, pursuing and desiring to share the gospel of Christ to all those that surrounds us. It won’t be truly easy as the Lord says in John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” But Christ’s words also promises that with our effort to share the gospel and His Word, there will be fruits and there will be those who will hear and keep Christ’s sayings.

Oh may it be that our failures not blind us nor bind us from pursuing what is most important we could ever pursue as Christians. That is seeking the lost and sharing to them the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Missin’ the Old Folks

At this time, I have some deliberations upon myself. But before my head grow mad, I think I'll just put it into my blogsite. Previously I have been to quite a lot of travels. One unforgettable was one I have shared previously. And most of my travels were ministry-related or church-related, especially my father’s ministry. Recently I had the opportunity to go with my father at Minac as they celebrate their 27th Church Anniversary. It was indeed quite a blessing seeing how the church in Minac is. Further than that, I saw my high school classmate, Ptr. Bill Canuto and yes he is now a pastor. Don’t know him that quite but I know he too is a quiet person as I am. I too know he is of the same faith as I have, but haven’t expected him to be a pastor. Hahaha! Not that I disqualify him as one, but perhaps his quietness and serious look never gave me an impression that he would become one. But nevertheless, I’m glad he became one. =) And I can’t seem to believe what I was seeing but indeed it’s all by God’s grace he is what he is now. But even though, there’s no match of the joy seeing people I’ve known from my high school days being in the ministry itself. It’s quite an amazing sight!

With our visit at Minac, memories seem to be remembered. Not only mine but mostly of those who came and celebrated the anniversary of Minac Biblical Baptist Church. I have no real full recollection of the church there, but the people who helped, ministered, sacrificed and gave their life for that church to be established were remembered, honored as well as recognized. My father was one of them as well as Ma’am Rebecca and Ptr. Pat Eslao. There were others as well who helped, like Ma’am Jona Cosil (not sure the name spelling..=) ) but through their ups and downs, their hardships, their stories were told. One of those remembered were Ptr. Nick Cawaon and Auntie Anita, who are now with the Creator in heaven. Ptr. Dawal was also mentioned and many more… Most of them, my father worked with, hand-in-hand, especially with Ptr. Nick Cawaon, as where my father ministered to, his handiwork can also be seen. And most of them of whom my father worked with are now with the Lord. Definitely a time of remembering and missing them as well.


Just hearing their stories, as well as the stories of whom they ministered to, it was a blessing. It was heart-warming hearing ma’am beck share her story of going not only in Minac but also in Bisal with ma'am Jona, walking for hours on a steep and dangerous pathway, just to teach a lot of kids, eagerly waiting to hear stories of the Bible and get to know Christ. I've heard also the stories of my father, how he ministered in that place, at a young age (perhaps 20s), traveling along with other young people of Loakan, going through rocky and dusty road and going home late at night. It was indeed precious memories, for blood, tears, and sacrifices were made just for the sake of the gospel of Christ.

Sadly noted, that these days, the workers or laborers of Christ (not all of course), seem to seek more of convenience and comfort in the ministry of God; So few seem to lay their life just for the sake of preaching the gospel of Christ. I know at some point i feel awkward saying this for my father almost sacrificed us his family, forsaking us, just for the sake of the ministry. But I understand and know why. I understand that because of it, it was my mother who became the bread winner of our family and has been the bridge for us, their children, to finish our studies. I know, it may have made me bitter over my father, but nevertheless, I first have known Christ as my Lord and my Savior, the reason why I understand why things had to be done. But I'm probably sure that if I have not known Christ, it would be so different. And so having Christ as my Lord and Savior, even at our darkest moments, I had to trust in God no matter what. It may seem as foolishness to men, but trusting God is the only place where I could truly find rest, solace and peace; and doing the Will of God and obeying Him no matter the cost is the sole purpose of why we Christians are still here. And the greatest motivation why we do this, is because of the Love of God dwelling within us. (I John 4:7-8)

And now, as I help with the ministry my father has, a question troubles me. What is indeed the will of my Father in heaven for me? Seeing my father, growing old and that his strength no longer matches his strength when he was young, I look to myself and ask "Am I going to succeed my father?” All along I know my God has led me to be His servant, by means of helping in the ministry and not through being a pastor or full-time worker. People seem to expect that I would succeed him on what he does, as an evangelist. But surely I cannot see that in me. I see myself more of a discipler and a teacher of the Word of God. And that through my life, living as a true & genuine Christian, I can portray and declare the Word of God, not because of my own strength or my own will or anything that I possess, but through the grace of God, He has given upon me. All my life, I’m pointing to Christ (just ain't sure if it's working though). Showing that Christianity is about following Him and His will, truths that seem to be twisted or neglected. The Christian name seems to be only a name and not a life lived and declared. Christianity before is far from the Christianity now. As now, it has become only about rituals, habits, activities, methods, outward appearances and nothing involved about the life-changing, life-enabling, life-empowering, life-molding toward the Lord Jesus Christ. This has been my sole purpose of living, to declare Christ through my life and if it be, to bring back what Christianity is all about. But as far as being a full-time worker or pastorate is concerned, I don't know. But if God leads me, so shall I obey. All I know is God is at work in me. For the challenge for me to take is to disciple and teach young people in Apalan-Guesset. Leading them towards Christ. And not only about Spiritual matters but also physical matters must I face. Like learning the language which I should've learned from the very start, the Ibaloi tongue. As well as learning different skills, I must learn. There are a lot of things to face: things I need to learn, trust to earn, and lives to make an impact and to direct towards the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s all new for me and I know I’m no longer on my comfort zone. And surely, it will truly be a long spiritual struggle or battle but it will also be an avenue once again for God to work in me and my family. And for this may all glory be His!

Post-Cantata at DMMMSU, Bacnotan, La Union

The Loakan Baptist Church Choir presented the Easter Cantata Presentation entitled "One Life, One Truth, One Way" last May 16, 2011 at DMMMSU, Bacnotan, La Union.



Here are the videos taken. =)







































Only few listened to the songs and the preaching of the Word but hopefully God has indeed planted a seed that will make a great impact on those who has heard it. All Glory belongs to Him alone!