HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS

A Report on the Philippines Bible Conference 2015 by Dr Jose Lagapa

 

All praise and glory be to the Lord our God for His abiding and abounding blessings upon this 3rd Bible Conference in the Philippines held from November 23 to 25, 2015. It was held in the Farmers Training Center of Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon. The subject—“Harmony of the Gospels” —was taught by the Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo. He delivered six lectures with a Q&A at the end. The Rev Reggor Galarpe, an FEBC alumnus and pastor of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Mission Church (Cebu), preached in the two morning devotions. This year’s attendance drew 95 participants, most of them pastors from various fundamental Bible-believing churches, mostly of Baptist background in Mindanao and a few in the Visayas region. More than 30 university students from the Christian Students Fellowship, a fundamental campus ministry, attended the night lectures.

This conference involved “a study of select portions of the four Gospels which had been interwoven into a single harmony.” The emphasis was placed on “(1) having the correct biblical presuppositions in studying the Gospels, (2) harmonising the differences and reconciling apparent discrepancies in select parallel and difficult texts, and (3) critiquing certain modern translations which introduce theological errors into the text.” The study was based on the premise that the Four Gospels were written for this reason, “that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31).

We thank the Lord for the members of the organising committee (Dn Jonas Ba-a, Engr Deneb Ganancial, and Prof Patria Solidum, all three are FEBC online students), for their labour of love for the Lord and for their burden and zeal for the Word of God. We praise the Lord for the support of True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore, both in spiritual and financial matters. We are particularly thankful to the Church for providing the travelling expenses of the working committee of this conference. We thank God for the Church and all members who had contributed much to the success of this endeavour. We praise God also for FEBC which gave to all participants The Burning Bush theological journal and the book Meditations from Psalms authored by the Rev Timothy Tow. We appreciate the Lord’s lovingkindness for the bonus of new children’s clothes donated by reputable textile company.

We give thanks to God for the encouragement and help of like-minded Bible-Presbyterian Churches in Singapore, Australia and the Philippines. We praise God for the support in prayer and logistics from Gingoog Fundamental Baptist Church, Philippines. We especially give thanks to God for the prayers and substantial financial support from the brethren in Japan, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea whose great love for the Word of God has sown the seed of encouragement to organise these Bible conferences. Also, we thank the Lord for all those who in one way or another contributed to this conference. Most of all, we give all glory and honour to our Triune God who had ordered and provided for this Bible conference.

Testimonies

How the conference went shall be left to the few of the many written testimonies of the participants who shared their thoughts:

“I have learned in the Bible Conference that the wisdom of God is better and higher than the wisdom of man. Let God be true and man is a liar. That opened my eyes in the seeming discrepancies in the Gospels to be without error. Such presuppositions had increased my faith and fear in God and His Words. That helped me grow in knowledge and grace about my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as recorded in the Four Gospels. And that transformed my study and ministry of the word of God.” Jared Adad, Pastor, Kalilangan Fundamental Baptist Church, Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

“I thank God for the lectures that enhanced my knowledge in God’s Word, helping and challenging my study habit to handle the Word of God seriously and to answer some difficulties in understanding the Four Gospels. I’m so blessed by all the lectures. And we pray that the merciful God will continue to bless this ministry. Thank you very much.” Frank A Flores, Pastor, Fundamental Baptist Church, Capitan Bayong, Impasugong, Bukidnon.

“Being a pastor of the church of God, the Bible Conference topics helped a lot in strengthening my faith in God and in His Word. The books and other hand-outs were very much useful in teaching the church members especially those that were discussed by the lecturer. I thank the Lord for the wonderful days and for allowing me to attend this conference. To God be all the glory and honour.” Clementino G Esto, Pastor, Lumbayao Fundamental Baptist Church, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

“What a blessing to be a part of this Bible Conference! What an eye-opener. As a pastor, I am humbled by the fact that there is so much to know, learn and acquire still. The conference challenged and inspired me to seek and crave for God’s pure, uncorrupted spiritual milk, to strive by the grace of God to be approved ‘a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’ As a pastor, I see an emerging generation of Christians who are in need of godly and impassioned Bible teachers. This is the call of our times, to raise up a generation of Bible teachers. Thank you for this spirit-filled and wonderful experience studying God’s Word. Soli Deo Gloria!” Zoe Lou Guasa, Pastor, Grace Gospel Church of Christ, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

“This conference really is a blessing for me. At this time when the Bible is greatly attack by the enemy it is very important that we Christians strengthen our view and stand about His Word through constant study of the Bible. Truly God has shown the uniqueness of His Word by the Harmony and Unity of His Word. The Bible, in no doubt is a profitable book for everyone. Thank God for His wisdom which transcends every human wisdom.” Jason Salcedo, Pastor, Pagalongan Fundamental Baptist Church, Pagalongan, Wao, Lanao del Sur.

“I thank God that in this conference the inspiration and preservation of the Holy Scriptures is thoroughly and rightly defended. I thank God that in this conference the Name of Jesus is highly magnified and exalted. To God be the Glory!” Romeo F Laraño, Pastor, Fundamental Baptist Church, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

“Planning to attend this Bible Conference was not really in my heart. I just wanted to send my pastoral staff and missionaries, but God has His own plan and purpose for allowing me to come through His wonderful guidance. Really, I do not regret attending this conference, it has been a challenge to seriously and faithfully study His Word, and give more boldness to keep preaching and standing for the truth. The learning has been great. The conference was properly organized in time, venue, food, plans, and program, according to my assessment. Praise God! Thanks so much for the burden and vision God has given you. Looking for another opportunity. God bless and more power.” Roy Travilla, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

“Listening to Rev Jeffrey Khoo made me realize how much more I have to learn to really understand the Bible. I have been teaching Sunday school for 43 years without any formal biblical training. The lecture sessions made me feel like I was in seminary learning from a great theologian, digging deeper into Scripture, looking for deeper meanings.

“This is one seminar so unlike the others in the sense that behaviour of participants is exemplary—no loitering, no loud talking, no whispering during lecture time—just rapt attention, focus and intense absorption. And no “Filipino Time” either. Everyone was time-conscious. I wish all Baptist conferences are like this. Participants would go home truly blessed and loaded with new knowledge, wisdom, and perspectives, better equipped for the teaching and preaching ministry! I’m glad I came! And to think that I almost missed it (initially, I offered excuses) but eventually, I realized that if Singapore is coming to the Philippines, there must be something big and important about it. And I am not disappointed.” Estefania Danico, Sunday School Teacher, Valencia Baptist Church, Valencia City, Bukidnon.