By Andrei Nicholas S. Bonete
There are 4,200 religious groups in the world today, according to Dr. Michael J. Vlach of the Southeast Community College in Nebraska, United States of America. According to him, it is difficult to state the exact number of groups since there are religious organizations not registered within their governments. Within this figure, there are groups whose beliefs and doctrines are supposedly based on the Holy Scriptures. However, digging deeper reveals that there is only one which God guides, protects, gives a daily dose of bread to feed – His own church.
The Bible teaches man to be cautious with religious organizations since their leaders have different reasons for preaching. There are preachers today that teach because of physical, emotional, and security benefits, which pronouncements are obviously true. One way of determining whether the organization that he is in is erroneous is through comparing the leaders
How should a person concerned of salvation know which leader speaks the truth? Which leader is fearless enough to stand up and defend his beliefs? Which one is a cowardly leader?
Not one leader of any biblically-based group will dare announce in public that they are the false prophets or false Christs that is forewarned by the Holy Scriptures. Each of them will claim that they are God’s messenger and that they preach the truth, like what fish vendors do when they say that their products are fresh from the sea. One way of distinguishing the real one from another is to test it. Observe the group, compare different doctrines taught by these groups, listen to their religious programs and public debates, and ultimately, asking questions to the leader of the organization.
Unfortunately, there are leaders who refuse to be asked of faith-related questions. The so-called Reverend Apollo C. Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ: The Name Above Every Name refuses to be asked. He said that those who question him are “truly a child of the devil”. This statement is directly in contravention with the duty of the leader to answer the questions that are asked of him.
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) or Church of Christ, headed by Mr. Eraño Manalo also couldn’t be asked. He doesn’t show himself to his members. His ministers do the responsibilities that a religious leader should carry out in defense. The Church of God International offered a public debate with the INC but answered that the former debate first with the Pope in Rome who was physically ill at that time. One of their doctrines teaches that those outside of their religion are already “sentenced to the fire.”
The Bible has forewarned humanity to beware of false Christs because they will mislead many. Again, Rev. Quiboloy claims that he is the Son of God. Another example is Dr. Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda of Creciendo en Gracia or Growing in Grace who also claims that he is the Lord Jesus Christ. So now there are two who claim that they are Christ. It is possible that more claim the same. They bring along with them erroneous doctrines that unfortunately have mislead many. Dr. Jose Miranda teaches that there is no such thing as sin and that prayer is only a waste of time which are also against the Bible’s teachings.
Religious leaders who don’t engage in question and answer activities are considered as cowards since they could not defend their beliefs. A coward is defined as one who lacks courage, or has behavior that is cowardly. He doesn’t have the guts to defend his beliefs especially if that leader knows that much is at stake. He either feels threatened or is worried of something that will happen if he loses, or that something underneath might be discovered in the process of inquiry. Many church leaders are like this.
Fearless leaders on the other hand are not afraid of performing their duties as preachers. They don’t fear physical death. Oral defamations, character assassinations, cases filed against them won’t be enough to hinder them from preaching. They preach not because of the material benefits that are to be gained unlike others who live a comfortable life while their members suffer from hunger or poverty. They preach because they have a mission to spread the word of God, just as what the early Christians did, just as what the apostles did, just like what Apostle Paul did.
Among the Bible-based organizations, there is one who stands up to the challenge and goes through many things for the sake of salvation. And the leader is one for whom many cases had been filed against – with malice that is. He is being hounded so that his mouth may be stopped at all costs. He is the fearless one – the one who can answer all questions related to salvation. In the entire world, he alone has a program where questions regarding biblical matters could be fired. Tried and tested, no one can equal his understanding. That program is titled Ask Bro. Eli.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The Matters that People Need to Hear
By The Double-Edged Sword Staff
Ask Bro. Eli, 9/10/2007 Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines from U.S. via Satellite
The Old Path Trailed
In this Bible Exposition, a vital issue was raised regarding the origin of Ang Dating Daan (the Old Path) where an inquirer mistakenly assumed that it is also the name of the congregation that Eliseo Soriano is leading. Soriano took the opportunity to clarify matters. Ang Dating Daan, he said, is the name of the program he is hosting that bears the interactive program Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Bro. Eli). However, the public commonly refers to the congregation as Ang Dating Daan.
As explained by Soriano, the words, “the old path” comes from the biblical verse, Jeremiah 6: 16, where a commandment says something about seeking the former way which is the Lord’s. As is known to all, at present, people are walking in their own lifestyle. These are new paths that are mostly invented in accordance with people’s own preference – which are not the Lord’s. The program’s name, therefore, is an initiative suggesting compliance with the verse cited.
Identifying Each Power
In Soriano’s broadcast programs, he is often asked the delicate topic about the trinity concept being of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In this event an inquirer asked about the distinction of the three entities.
Complicated and deep this issue seemed to be, Soriano answered this in a very simple manner yet biblically-based. The Father is the Creator, he said. He is the greatest among them. The Son is the appointed preacher of Christianity. He is the savior of the believers. The Holy Spirit is the comforter. As the spiritual comforter of the Christians during persecutions, it is the help to Christian’s personal infirmities in order to obey fully the doctrines.
Who Created you?
A very bold atheist identified himself, marched to the front and before the audience asked Soriano this question, “Who created you?” Bro. Eli answered patiently that it is God who created every living creature. Logically he is included in the creation.
The atheist followed up with another question. He challenged Soriano to prove that it is God who created him. He asked, “Have you seen Him while creating you?” Soriano shot back at the atheist, “How can you tell yourself that an open wire has current? Do you need to get electrocuted first in order to believe?”
“How about your mind? Do you believe you have a mind in your head? If you do believe you have, are you literally seeing it?”
The atheist did not utter a word in response to those questions. Instead, he argued that if there is a God why are there flaws or handicaps among His creation, like the blind, the deaf and mentally-challenged people?
Soriano replied that flaws are with people because God wills it to be. It is His way of showing that human beings are powerless over Him. In this manner of teaching humans to be humble, people may learn to give way to reality despite their own preferences.
News that People Need
The host of the program, Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Bro. Eli), said that people wouldn’t get anything productive in what people in the country are talking about: showbiz, politics, money-making operations, fake government contracts, and who’s who are involved in rampant corruption, as these are the content in the news today.
He said these talks that people are hearing about never please God, but actually are repugnant to him. He said that what would please God are the talks that matter to Him, as these also benefit people. The importance of talking about God is that it leads us not to be victimized by false beliefs and practices, he said.
Soriano pointed out that major television channels in the Philippines are preventing the more pressing and more significant news from being known by public viewers. There are news from abroad that should be exploited but were never given emphasis by responsible networks. The important of this kind of information is that they are food for social inquiry, and more importantly, for the salvation of souls.
News like Catholic Pope Benedict’s saying that there is no limbo after hundreds of years in this belief is indeed news. The Catholics had imposed this belief to their members, Soriano noted. Accordingly, limbo is a concept arising from the Catholic Church accounting for those dead who cannot clearly be assigned to heaven or hell. Just imagine, how long people with this belief were being fooled, and many continuously are being fooled, he said.
Soriano's programs on television may go down in history as the most suspended by a censor's board, particularly the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) upon the influence of some groups who do not want to listen to him.
Ask Bro. Eli, 9/10/2007 Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines from U.S. via Satellite
The Old Path Trailed
In this Bible Exposition, a vital issue was raised regarding the origin of Ang Dating Daan (the Old Path) where an inquirer mistakenly assumed that it is also the name of the congregation that Eliseo Soriano is leading. Soriano took the opportunity to clarify matters. Ang Dating Daan, he said, is the name of the program he is hosting that bears the interactive program Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Bro. Eli). However, the public commonly refers to the congregation as Ang Dating Daan.
As explained by Soriano, the words, “the old path” comes from the biblical verse, Jeremiah 6: 16, where a commandment says something about seeking the former way which is the Lord’s. As is known to all, at present, people are walking in their own lifestyle. These are new paths that are mostly invented in accordance with people’s own preference – which are not the Lord’s. The program’s name, therefore, is an initiative suggesting compliance with the verse cited.
Identifying Each Power
In Soriano’s broadcast programs, he is often asked the delicate topic about the trinity concept being of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In this event an inquirer asked about the distinction of the three entities.
Complicated and deep this issue seemed to be, Soriano answered this in a very simple manner yet biblically-based. The Father is the Creator, he said. He is the greatest among them. The Son is the appointed preacher of Christianity. He is the savior of the believers. The Holy Spirit is the comforter. As the spiritual comforter of the Christians during persecutions, it is the help to Christian’s personal infirmities in order to obey fully the doctrines.
Who Created you?
A very bold atheist identified himself, marched to the front and before the audience asked Soriano this question, “Who created you?” Bro. Eli answered patiently that it is God who created every living creature. Logically he is included in the creation.
The atheist followed up with another question. He challenged Soriano to prove that it is God who created him. He asked, “Have you seen Him while creating you?” Soriano shot back at the atheist, “How can you tell yourself that an open wire has current? Do you need to get electrocuted first in order to believe?”
“How about your mind? Do you believe you have a mind in your head? If you do believe you have, are you literally seeing it?”
The atheist did not utter a word in response to those questions. Instead, he argued that if there is a God why are there flaws or handicaps among His creation, like the blind, the deaf and mentally-challenged people?
Soriano replied that flaws are with people because God wills it to be. It is His way of showing that human beings are powerless over Him. In this manner of teaching humans to be humble, people may learn to give way to reality despite their own preferences.
News that People Need
The host of the program, Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Bro. Eli), said that people wouldn’t get anything productive in what people in the country are talking about: showbiz, politics, money-making operations, fake government contracts, and who’s who are involved in rampant corruption, as these are the content in the news today.
He said these talks that people are hearing about never please God, but actually are repugnant to him. He said that what would please God are the talks that matter to Him, as these also benefit people. The importance of talking about God is that it leads us not to be victimized by false beliefs and practices, he said.
Soriano pointed out that major television channels in the Philippines are preventing the more pressing and more significant news from being known by public viewers. There are news from abroad that should be exploited but were never given emphasis by responsible networks. The important of this kind of information is that they are food for social inquiry, and more importantly, for the salvation of souls.
News like Catholic Pope Benedict’s saying that there is no limbo after hundreds of years in this belief is indeed news. The Catholics had imposed this belief to their members, Soriano noted. Accordingly, limbo is a concept arising from the Catholic Church accounting for those dead who cannot clearly be assigned to heaven or hell. Just imagine, how long people with this belief were being fooled, and many continuously are being fooled, he said.
Soriano's programs on television may go down in history as the most suspended by a censor's board, particularly the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) upon the influence of some groups who do not want to listen to him.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Preacher Uncovers December 25th as Christ’s Birthday a Roman Catholic Lie
By Robert Clarita
Roman Catholic teachings and traditions were derived from pagans in Rome and not from Christianity, as what they usually suppose, including Christmas. This was the answer of Preacher Eliseo Soriano, famous for the name Bro. Eli, who holds the long standing program “Ask Bro. Eli” that started as a radio program of the evangelist.
In a live interactive program held recently (9/10/2007, Vigan Ilocos Sur, Philippines) via satellite from the United States, an inquirer asked Soriano if December 25 is Jesus Christ’s birthdate. Bro. Eli then answered consulting the Catholic Encyclopedia since the tradition came from the Roman Catholic belief.
In that Encyclopedia, it is stated that original pagans of Rome celebrated December 25 as the birth of their sun god, Ra. When Catholicism begun, the Catholic officials adopted the pagan tradition as Jesus Christ’s birthdate, due to their lack of understanding about the time from the Bible.
Dr. Samuel Bayo Arowolaju, a history scholar and author of Nigeria World Online, in his statements supported the answer of Soriano. He said, “We have said earlier that the pagan city of Ancient Rome was the first place that Christmas was celebrated and on December 25. This day, historically, was the climax for the celebration of the festival marking the rebirth of the Unconquerable Sun god or what was called "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti" or simply "Solis Invictus.” The festival that usually started on December 22 was later concluded to be celebrated on December 25 instead. Accordingly, it was the celebration of the time or day when the daylight began to be longer than nighttime in winter, the so-called the rebirth of the sun.
Soriano also emphasized that in Bethlehem, during December, the place is covered with snow, making it impossible for any manger to accommodate a baby or give space for Joseph and Mary for delivery that time. A manger is a small place where sheep and other cattle are kept until the end of the winter season.
Soriano informed the viewers that it is impossible for the sheep to lie in fields outside, as the fields are covered with thick snow, or the sheep will surely freeze and die. Around the time of Jesus’ birth too, the Roman government under Caesar Augustus required a census. The Roman government would not be that foolish to be requiring its own people to travel at a most vicious time if December 25 which falls at winter time is Jesus’ birthday, he said. Soriano didn’t cite any exact birth date of Jesus Christ as the bible did not mention any, but he said he is certain that the December 25 belief of the Catholics is a lie.
Soriano even noted before the viewers the dishonest lyrics of a Christmas song, The First Noel, in relation to the topic. The line goes…
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Catholicism is claiming this stand of Christianity as stated in the Catholic Online Encyclopedia: New Advent (2007). Stated is their claim that “the Christianity of which we speak is that which we find realized in the Catholic Church alone.” However, facts and documentary evidences deny this claim.
Of the same topic, Soriano also said that Christmas, the most celebrated tradition in many parts of the globe, is only of commerce. No one can refute this thought. In terms of simple business talk, Christmas season is the time in the whole year round that business establishments are in at high sales. From Christmas decors to the expensive Christmas feast, people are willing to spend even beyond their budget just to trail along with the wrong tradition of which origin they are unaware of. In the poor countries like in the Philippines, crimes like hold up and robbery are in their peak during this season, based on news reports.
Thea Alberto and Alcuin Papa of Philippine Daily Inquirer.Net reported about the recent warning of Chief Superintendent Eric Javier of the National Capital Region Police Office. In the article titled, Brace for rise in crimes during ‘ber’ months, cops warn (16/10/2007), Javier was saying that crime rate rises when Christmas season is approaching. Previous reports also showed that when culprits were asked about their motives, they pointed to the need to catch up with their families with the traditional Noche Buena, which many in the upper social strata enjoy every year.
A tradition then that is founded upon lies and false beliefs results in serious mishaps to society, as well as create a disastrous effect on the character of many. The Christmas the way the Catholic world celebrates it is quite different from the spirit of Christ’s birth, according to Soriano. Supposedly a peaceful one as Christ’s birth was, it is too noisy. “I am sorry,” Soriano said, “I am just telling you the truth. Your pasko is different from the pasko in the Bible.”
Other Catholic Issues Discussed
Salvation in Priesthood?
Someone asked regarding the condition in salvation of his relative who is in a Catholic priesthood. Soriano answered straightforward “I am sad to say that he, as well as those in the same position, is identified in the Bible as false preacher.”
An Issue of Good Relations
An inquirer who happened to be a Catholic mother of one of the member of Bro. Eli’s congregation asked why it is forbidden for the members to go to family affairs like church weddings and child baptisms.
Soriano corrected her that the question might lead to misconceptions about relating to one’s family. He said that in the congregation he is leading, he is imposing and encouraging the members to have good relations with their own families, regardless of their religious beliefs and differences. In order to have good relations with the people around us, good manners are required. Thus this is encouraged and imposed by the TOP preacher among the members in the congregation. However, to acknowledge or to follow the doctrines of other religions is a different thing. Soriano explained, “Ask your son (a member of the congregation) to do some errand’ he should obey you; but ask him to acknowledge false gods, that is forbidden!”
Sinning through idolatries
Another Catholic inquirer asked if what other Catholic folks are saying that people are sinning when they were not going to church for their traditional mass is true. Bro. Eli answered that people are actually sinning when they are attending the mass services of the Catholic Church where idolatry is practiced and known for.
Roman Catholic teachings and traditions were derived from pagans in Rome and not from Christianity, as what they usually suppose, including Christmas. This was the answer of Preacher Eliseo Soriano, famous for the name Bro. Eli, who holds the long standing program “Ask Bro. Eli” that started as a radio program of the evangelist.
In a live interactive program held recently (9/10/2007, Vigan Ilocos Sur, Philippines) via satellite from the United States, an inquirer asked Soriano if December 25 is Jesus Christ’s birthdate. Bro. Eli then answered consulting the Catholic Encyclopedia since the tradition came from the Roman Catholic belief.
In that Encyclopedia, it is stated that original pagans of Rome celebrated December 25 as the birth of their sun god, Ra. When Catholicism begun, the Catholic officials adopted the pagan tradition as Jesus Christ’s birthdate, due to their lack of understanding about the time from the Bible.
Dr. Samuel Bayo Arowolaju, a history scholar and author of Nigeria World Online, in his statements supported the answer of Soriano. He said, “We have said earlier that the pagan city of Ancient Rome was the first place that Christmas was celebrated and on December 25. This day, historically, was the climax for the celebration of the festival marking the rebirth of the Unconquerable Sun god or what was called "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti" or simply "Solis Invictus.” The festival that usually started on December 22 was later concluded to be celebrated on December 25 instead. Accordingly, it was the celebration of the time or day when the daylight began to be longer than nighttime in winter, the so-called the rebirth of the sun.
Soriano also emphasized that in Bethlehem, during December, the place is covered with snow, making it impossible for any manger to accommodate a baby or give space for Joseph and Mary for delivery that time. A manger is a small place where sheep and other cattle are kept until the end of the winter season.
Soriano informed the viewers that it is impossible for the sheep to lie in fields outside, as the fields are covered with thick snow, or the sheep will surely freeze and die. Around the time of Jesus’ birth too, the Roman government under Caesar Augustus required a census. The Roman government would not be that foolish to be requiring its own people to travel at a most vicious time if December 25 which falls at winter time is Jesus’ birthday, he said. Soriano didn’t cite any exact birth date of Jesus Christ as the bible did not mention any, but he said he is certain that the December 25 belief of the Catholics is a lie.
Soriano even noted before the viewers the dishonest lyrics of a Christmas song, The First Noel, in relation to the topic. The line goes…
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Catholicism is claiming this stand of Christianity as stated in the Catholic Online Encyclopedia: New Advent (2007). Stated is their claim that “the Christianity of which we speak is that which we find realized in the Catholic Church alone.” However, facts and documentary evidences deny this claim.
Of the same topic, Soriano also said that Christmas, the most celebrated tradition in many parts of the globe, is only of commerce. No one can refute this thought. In terms of simple business talk, Christmas season is the time in the whole year round that business establishments are in at high sales. From Christmas decors to the expensive Christmas feast, people are willing to spend even beyond their budget just to trail along with the wrong tradition of which origin they are unaware of. In the poor countries like in the Philippines, crimes like hold up and robbery are in their peak during this season, based on news reports.
Thea Alberto and Alcuin Papa of Philippine Daily Inquirer.Net reported about the recent warning of Chief Superintendent Eric Javier of the National Capital Region Police Office. In the article titled, Brace for rise in crimes during ‘ber’ months, cops warn (16/10/2007), Javier was saying that crime rate rises when Christmas season is approaching. Previous reports also showed that when culprits were asked about their motives, they pointed to the need to catch up with their families with the traditional Noche Buena, which many in the upper social strata enjoy every year.
A tradition then that is founded upon lies and false beliefs results in serious mishaps to society, as well as create a disastrous effect on the character of many. The Christmas the way the Catholic world celebrates it is quite different from the spirit of Christ’s birth, according to Soriano. Supposedly a peaceful one as Christ’s birth was, it is too noisy. “I am sorry,” Soriano said, “I am just telling you the truth. Your pasko is different from the pasko in the Bible.”
Other Catholic Issues Discussed
Salvation in Priesthood?
Someone asked regarding the condition in salvation of his relative who is in a Catholic priesthood. Soriano answered straightforward “I am sad to say that he, as well as those in the same position, is identified in the Bible as false preacher.”
An Issue of Good Relations
An inquirer who happened to be a Catholic mother of one of the member of Bro. Eli’s congregation asked why it is forbidden for the members to go to family affairs like church weddings and child baptisms.
Soriano corrected her that the question might lead to misconceptions about relating to one’s family. He said that in the congregation he is leading, he is imposing and encouraging the members to have good relations with their own families, regardless of their religious beliefs and differences. In order to have good relations with the people around us, good manners are required. Thus this is encouraged and imposed by the TOP preacher among the members in the congregation. However, to acknowledge or to follow the doctrines of other religions is a different thing. Soriano explained, “Ask your son (a member of the congregation) to do some errand’ he should obey you; but ask him to acknowledge false gods, that is forbidden!”
Sinning through idolatries
Another Catholic inquirer asked if what other Catholic folks are saying that people are sinning when they were not going to church for their traditional mass is true. Bro. Eli answered that people are actually sinning when they are attending the mass services of the Catholic Church where idolatry is practiced and known for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)