THE JOURNEY OF THE COURSE

            This course is very interesting; it helps me to understand Christianity more. Before I enroll in this course I have many questions in my mind and I just know a little background of the History of the Church.  Honestly I don’t know the history of the Church before, and I really want to know that history because it is very useful for me personally in the ministry. We cannot stop or ignore someone who will ask about the history of the Church. I experienced this when I am in my internship someone asks me about it and I don’t know the answer. And from that time I realized that it is very important to know the history so that I can also share to the people I am ministering with.  I was impressed by the people who fought for Christianity. But the most impressive act than will never be copied by someone is the act of God who preserve everything he does things according to his power and plan he allow things to happen and he direct things to happen. I do believe that God is at work before the beginning of the world and until now he is at work. It is so amazing when we look at the history God directed all the things and made bad happenings to be good for his people.

            For me the most challenging in this course is the names of the people who made and impact to Christianity. Sometimes I don’t remember the person who are making special task and contribute to the history of the church. It challenges me so much because I am not so good in memorizing the names of the people in the history. But I enjoy knowing that they have contribution in the history of the church.  Knowing that God is in control of everything I will always trust him whatever happen. The people who contributed for the history of the church inspire me to do something that I can leave behind to those generations behind me and can make our God says this is my son I am very please through his life. to God be the Glory forever.

MUSIC IN THE MIDST OF PERSECUTION

             Listening to the hymns of Mr. Charles Wesley I was touched by his wording that he used.  I love the way he composed a song he composed it with all of his heart, he wrote all his songs from his heart. He wrote what he really feels and I like also his attitude. I chosen one from all his wonderful song that he composted and the title of that song is “Jesus lover of my soul” I like it because it is very good to hear and it is very inspiring to me and to all the people who will listen to it. This song was composted by Wesley when he preached to the people of their parish and he was attacked by the man who does not like and approved the doctrine that he preached to the people of Parish. People got mad at him and attack him while he was hiding he wrote this beautiful and touching song. I like the way he wrote it even in the midst of danger he acknowledges that Jesus is lover of our soul.  Jesus our loving God and savior of our soul, even in the midst of difficulties Wesley honor and worship God. He chose to hide even if he can choose to fight for himself he shown humbleness. Wesley finds comfort to the Lord Jesus. In his song in Jesus Lover of my soul he asked for help to the Lord Jesus. He asks refuge from the Lord Jesus Christ to protect him from the enemies. I like his attitude he humble himself that he can’t do something about it but he trust the Lord for that situation.  

            For me I should also do the same as Wesley does, he really humbles himself and he trusts the Lord. In every situation that I might face I should always trust the Lord and acknowledge him always. This song reminded me also in our situation in Dumanjug. When we became Christian many people persecuted us and talk bad things about us. But for sure God is always there for us he will never leave us. I will trust the Lord even facing persecution.   

THE CHRISTIAN DUTY

            Meeting together with the other believer is essential for us as a Christians. Not only to meet together but also to have fellowship to each other. In the New Testament especially in the time of the apostles, Christians meet together to encourage one another and to share what they have. As they encourage together they did not meet once but everyday they meet together Acts 2:46 “Everyday they continue to meet together” they meet together with gladness. It is very good to hear that they make their co-Christians encouraged. For me it is very valuable and important to practice and to have time to study the word of God together with the other believers so that they can upgrade their knowledge about the Word of God.  Also it is very helpful to meet together with the other Christians to pray together because it is very important to talk to God everyday even if they are paring to God together or in a group. Even me personally I can’t be sure that I am always encourage in a good situation, there are times that we will felt discourage and weak spiritually. One way to strengthen our spirit is more prayer and always clings to God. There is a saying that says “No man is an island” and for me it is true. I felt that personally that I became weak personally; the reason for that is no one helps me and encourages me to push forward. Meeting together is good for every Christians so that we will be able to tell people what we feel and share to them about our situation. I agree that the church members should meet and study scripture and to pray also. There are many benefits that we can get in meeting believers; one of those many benefits is to strengthens each other whenever he/she feels weaken.  And for me the members of the church will also benefit through this practices.  

            

WORSHIP GOD ONLY

This article is very interesting and can really stir up our minds and can make as think about it over and over again. We cannot let it pass in our mind but all need to be willing to know and learn if this is true or not. I was reminded by this article when my neighbors and friends ask me about this issue also. I didn't have an answer of this in that day, but now I already knew the answer that will not offend people who believe in Mary as there mediator to God. As a Roman Catholic before, I already experienced worshiping that image and even ask for blessings through her. I was reminded when I was a devoted Catholic, I really hated people who opposed that we can’t worship and ask Mary for something. But when I knew that it does not please to worship idols like Mary I turned my back from it and asked God to forgive me and my family by doing it. And right now, many people ask me about Mary and try to prove that they are right through the passages of the scripture. But I just let them express what they feel and after that I shared to them the truth. As the article present the idea it seems like it is really true if we don’t have knowledge from the word of God.  But I know the truth that Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Tim.2:5). I should share this to other people especially to those people who don’t know about this truth. I know that RC believes that Mary for them is next to God and Mary can ask whatever we ask from them. When we read the scripture about the Wedding of Canan it is true that Mary noticed that there was no more wine. But I do believe that Jesus Knew it already before Mary knew about it. I think they just misinterpreted the scripture that they read. As an answer of many questions that has been thrown to us is in the passage itself. When Mary said to the servants to do whatever Jesus would ask them to. Now Jesus teaches us that we should worship God with all our heart, soul, and spirit. So therefore Jesus alone should be worshiped and worthy of our prayers. I know that Mary is in heaven right now and she can’t hear us because she is not all powerful like the Lord Jesus Christ. 

THEREFORMERS

            In this chapter I learned something that makes me feel good and realized also something about the Anabaptist and the radical reformers.  I heard something about the Anabaptist but I don’t really know that real meaning about this. As I listened to the reporter and by reading it myself, I now know the meaning of Anabaptist and how they persevered in any situation that they were facing.  As the Anabaptist prospered there were also some of the reformers who also rose. I learned that there are four groups of radicals, first is the radical Biblicist, the radical kingdom builders, the radical mystics, the radical free thinkers. The focus and purpose of these groups is to fight for Christ, but some of their practices were not good enough. These four had different sets of  principles. Some of them did things to reform by force, but I know that God is always having a good purpose for all of this. It happened because God allowed it to happen. I look at the church in those days as something that caused troubles and source of influences. But now I think that the church or building is now growing and became more passionate to spread the good news.

              As I learned and realized that the church is always facing the trials and struggles. I will always trust the Lord in all situations that I may face in the church. Because I know that the Lord has purpose for it. Knowing all these things I will always look at troubles and hard situation in how God looks at it. As an application for this, in the church we cannot not deny the fact that we will always face trials, but I will always remember that God has purpose for all of this. I must trust God’s plan for my life.

THE PAPAL POWER

 The Chapter that we discussed last meeting is all about the rise of papal power. This discussion made me exited on how they rise and how they got that power to have authority and I learned two things from this study. I learned that RC Christians in that century began to find a way in order that they can be more close to God. They go to monastery and that monasteries provide the needy with refuge. As I look at this they are very successful and that success began to ruin them little by little. It began to ruin them because that gift if from the feudal lord and they were string attached by the lord who gave to them this big wealth. When the feudal lord wants to be appointed to be the head of the monastery they accepted it. And the second lesson that I learned in this chapter is also very interesting. The papal became superior because of wrong decision and began to control the Christians and even control everything that they want to control. They began a reform and that’s the reason why much reformation happened in those days. They began to break the ties of favors and gift from the rulers. And I think it is very good decision that they made. Those experiences made them very strong and have the power to rule and change everything they want to change.

I look at the church as strong, they even do things that they want to do. As a follower of Christ I should always be watchful for the people who want to ruin my life. Just like the feudal lord does in the monasteries in those days. I should always pray to God that God will give me discernment so that I can discern easily to the people who want to ruin my Christian life. Pastoral ministry is not that easy, because we will face people we don’t know but one thing that I should always remember that I should be strong enough to face them and teach them about our savior Jesus Christ.

LUTHER’S ENCOURAGEMENT

The lyric of this song was written by Luther who led the reformation. This time he wrote this as an encouragement to himself and to his co-reformers. I like also the message of the song as I listen to it, and read it. This song really relates to what Luther felt in the situation that he was facing and also his co-reformers. He did not lose his hope for fighting for reform for he knows that he is in the truth and that God is with him.

The song touched my heart because it encourages me to be strong and to be firm in my faith. As I look at the world today, we cannot deny the fact that we will be persecuted. Knowing this fact we can also sing this song as Luther did.Also the lyrics of this song mentions that no other God than Jesus Christ alone, he is our protector and provider. I can also relate to the life of Martin Luther because as a Christian in our place many people persecuted us. But I must also be encouraged with the life of Martin Luther. He faced this persecution through his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of persecution he praises the Lord with all his heart.

I will not lose hope even in the midst of persecution because I know that I am standing in the truth and in the hands of God. Even trials come I will be willing to face it because I have a big God Who loves me and  is willing to help me in every situation that I might be facing. This song really encouraged me and whenever problems comes I will praise the Lord through singing specially this song.

THE FIRST VISIT OF THE POPE

            The visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines has made an impact to our fellow Filipinos especially to the Roman Catholics. They seem to be happy and blessed of the coming of the Pope. I use to be a Roman catholic before and I also feel what they feel when Pope John Paul visited in the Philippines before. Before I was converted or became a Christian I thought the Pope has the power and even worthy to be worshiped. As we all know before that the people want to get closer to the pope in order to kiss his hand, and they think they are being blessed by that Pope. I cannot refrain myself in thinking critical in this visit because I am thinking of the purpose why this pope came in the Philippines. I heard from the people that one of the reason why Pope Francis will come and visit Philippines because he wants to visit the victims of the super typhoon in eastern Visayas. Also I heard that he want to encourage the people to go to church, because I heard that the member of the Roman Catholic were decreasing. I don’t know if it is true but I think it is one of the reasons why he will visit here in our country. I appreciated the dedication of Pope Francis in coming here; I know how hard it is to visit in other places because it has many things to prepare but one thing that I dislike is that they are not honest they are not telling the truth, what they are teaching is not biblical. They are teaching something that is not found in the word of God. Also I don’t like they way they act as if they are the king and as if they have the power to control everything. I will be appreciating the pope if he will not let the people kiss his hand when he comes here in our country this week. If I were the pope I will tell the people to respect the Lord more than me, because I observe from the Roman Catholic leaders that they want to be served not to serve people.  For me right now is not to follow what they are showing to us.

GROWING IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGES

            In our discussion last meeting I have many things that I understood, but there are some that I need to emphasize.  In Roman Catholic expansion and growth of the church, there is always opposition and challenges always existed. It is because they claim that they should be the one who rule over all the Christians. This claim made them very weak, when we will look at the historical development. I learned that the book of Romans does not support the idea that Peter is the first pope. Because of this I understand more about the history of the Catholic Church. I also found new idea how to refute the catholic leaders who claim that Peter is the first pope of the Catholic Church. 

            I look at the church in those times as a materialistic; it is because they just fight against teach other to determine who will be the one to lead the whole Christians. As I observe the history, most of the leaders of the Catholic Church want to lead. As I learned in our class one thing that I should always remember that I should focus on sharing the Gospel of Christ not on any of my vested interest.  Christians also should defend the truth not making ourselves great but it should be for the glory of our God. For me I should always be vigilant because sometimes as a leader many people will idolize us instead of becoming loyal to the Lord. As minister of Christ I will always focus on what is ahead that is Christ not on our own good and glory. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC GROWTH

I grew up as a Catholic; my parents are very devoted as Catholics. Because of that I somehow know things about the Catholic Church. But as what I observed and learned in the discussions I realized that I don’t know anything about that church. I don’t even know the history of it. The only thing I know is that I am a catholic and I have the responsibility to go to church. I learned in the discussion and as I read the book of D. Leslie Hill. The growth of the Catholic Church has many factors one of that is the invasion of the German tribes. One thing that I was really amazed was that even they were being invaded by the German tribes; they were still very strong in their religion. Even those Germans who invaded them were influenced by their religion. I can see how powerful and strong they are. Also I learned that they can manipulate people to join them. I think also that they have very good leader that’s why they can stand against any opposition. Also I learned that images in those days are just an illustration, but they made it now to be worshiped. I am happy to know it because I will share it to my parents and church members. Right now I describe the catholic as decreasing because even though many of the Filipinos are members of the Catholic Church, but now it is decreasing because most of the people in the Philippines already know the truth and follow the true God.

            For me personally I am very blessed to know these things, it is because I can share this to the people who is being blinded by those leaders who do not teach the truth. Also in this chapter I really understood the things that I always want to learn and as an application I must also be very strong when it comes to leadership. I will always practice to be firm and to influence others and to really show that I am a good follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like the leader of that religion, even if they are invaded they shown to them that they are more than strong to the one who invaded.  I myself should influence others.

THE GREAT CONSTANTINE

            History makes Christianity move across the different areas of the world and now we experience it. For me there are many things that I learned in the life of Constantine, especially in the history of the church and how Christianity became known to all. But right now I will just choose two things that I had learned. First is about the works of Constantine, I learned from the study that he is one of the reasons why Christianity spread and stood against the oppositions. I did not really study and read the history of Constantine but now I realized and learned about him when we study it very closely. I describe him as a strong man, willing to listen and learned from others.  He is a strong-willed man in such a way that he really stood for what he believed.

Secondly, I now know the names of some of the emperors who opposed Christianity; honestly before this study I did not know the names of these emperors who opposed Christianity. But now I can name it one by one according to the history learned, also I learned that history is really in the hands of God. In him nothing is an accident.

            For me personally I was encouraged by the life of Constantine to really stand in the midst of oppositions. As a Christian we will face much opposition whether in our community or even in our own household, but I must be willing to risk my life if it is so. Right now we experience it but I must stand firm with what I believe. I cannot strengthen my own but only God can make it possible. One thing that I must do is to pray hard to God that he will strengthen me to stand and really fight for what is right. Finally if someone will teach anything unbiblical I must confront him or her right away to correct him/her but in a gentle way to show what is the truth and lead that person to the truth.

THE BEGINNING

THE BEGINNING

This week we discussed the beginning of historical Christianity. I had a little background of beginning of history from our class in New Testament survey on how this started and how it grows until now. There are many factors that influence the early church and as I look at it, God is in control of everything. He places everything with reasons and purposes. He has perfect timing for everything that is happening in the past and even in future, He is at work. Also I learned two things in the History of the church and those who influence it. The first is that opposition is always part of life, especially to the life of the Christian before and even until now. But I think it is also very helpful for the Christian to be persecuted because they scattered all over the places and that is also one of the reasons why the gospel spread. Secondly, as Christian I must learn to praise God in whatever situation I am facing in the present, just like the Christians who struggle before but God had a purpose for all of their situations. Right now I describe the church as unstoppable because right now it continues to grow and grow and I know that God is in control of everything including the church.

For me personally I will always pray to God that he will always strengthen me in facing trials and persecution. Next is that I will share with others especially my Christian friends and church mates, how God worked in the past in preserving the church and made it to exist until now. Lastly I will always trust God even if I face hardship in my journey in life.