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New GWS rises at the second largest city of Victoria, Australia
New GWS rises at the second largest city of Victoria, Australia
By JENNELIN GUANZON and RONNIE H. MUTYA
Date Posted: November 29, 2022
A group worship service of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) was recently established by the Ecclesiastical District of Australia West leadership in Geelong, the second largest city in Victoria, Australia.
To formally mark the establishment of the Geelong GWS, which is under the care of the Wyndham Congregation, an inaugural worship service was held on November 20, 2022 at the Newcomb Hall along Wilsons Road in Newcomb, a suburb of Geelong.
Brother Romeo Beltran officiated at the sacred gathering, to which the new GWS’s bona fide and prospective members also brought guests.
In his homily, the district supervising minister exhorted the brethren to completely obey the commandments of God taught to them and prioritize their services of Him because that is pleasing to Him. He reassured them through Bible verses that whatever their troubles were, they could expect God to help them.
Subsequent worship services of the new GWS would be conducted at a property by Brother Ronaldo Dela Rea along Princes Highway, Norlane, in northern Geelong.
“We are very thankful to God for guiding and helping us through the Church Administration [and for the approval of] our request to have a GWS here in Geelong,” Brother Ronaldo, a choir member, said. “This will help us to do more for our service to God, in the edification of the brethren, and participation in the work of propagation. We will strive to remain and progress in our services to God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Brother Romie Cartalaba, resident minister, found the location of the new GWS strategic for the propagation of the true gospel as “Geelong is a big city. It’s a place where people are considering to live because this place is developing and progressing.” He added, “the establishment of Geelong GWS is vital to the brethren as majority of them are residents of the various suburbs of the city; they can all the more fulfill their duties to God.” — With reports from INC News Section
For they are no longer two, but one
For they are no longer two, but one
We must not be misled by false beliefs concerning marriage. We must know whom the Bible identifies as truly married according to the will of God.
By NICANOR P. TIOSEN
THE MANY CHANGES in society and the various problems in life have resulted in the shifting outlook of many people regarding marriage. One need not be a keen observer to know that a lot of people today are making a mockery of this holy institution. Statistics shows high incidences of divorce or separation among married couples who find it convenient to dissolve their union and spare themselves (or so they think) of living a turbulent life for some perceived “irreconcilable differences”.
The utter disregard of many of the marital bond can also be seen in the growing incidence of infidelity or unfaithfulness among husbands and wives and their failure to keep their vow of love to each other. Nowadays, it is also a common practice for a man and a woman to live together as if they were husband and wife without the benefit of marriage. “What for? What is important is that you get along well with each other!” many argue.
As if the foregoing scenarios were not enough, there are countries today that allow same-sex marriages. Hence, it is no longer unusual to see two men or two women making a travesty of God’s purpose in creating man and woman as a man marries another man and a woman marrying one belonging to her own gender. That this is seen among celebrities truly aggravates the situation—sending wrong signals to the general public.
We, members of the Church Of Christ, God’s people in these last days, must not in any way be influenced or misled by these false beliefs concerning marriage. Thus, it is but proper and appropriate to know whom the Bible identifies as truly married according to the will of God, and in turn share this knowledge with loved ones who are not yet members of the Church.
Whom God has truly joined together
Who are truly married? Our Lord Jesus Christ answers:
“… Haven’t you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female? And God said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one.’ So they are no longer two, but one. Man must not separate, then, what God has joined together.” (Matt. 19:4–6 Good News Bible)
God joins together as husband and wife individuals coming from opposite sexes, that is, a man and a woman. Not a man and another man, or a woman and another woman! The Bible clearly disapproves same-sex marriages. Moreover, our Lord Jesus Christ is against a man and a woman living together without being united by God in marriage. Our Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, is strongly opposed to premarital and extra-marital affairs. Precisely, for such relationships run counter to or are a grave violation of God’s will.
A life-long commitment
How does God join together a man and a woman? Until when shall their union be? How long shall they be bound together as husband and wife? The learned Apostle Paul answers:
“For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.” (Rom. 7:2 New King James Version)
As divinely designed, Paul teaches clearly that only death can separate the couple who are bound by God’s laws. “Till death do us part!” goes their solemn vow. And the two ought to recognize the authority of God’s law over each other’s whims and wishes, thus:
“The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” (I Cor. 7:4 NKJV)
Again, this is for as long as each of them lives (Rom. 7:2 NKJV).
No to divorce
True Christians or members of the true Church Of Christ understand fully well that so long as a legislation does not run counter to a divine mandate, they are duty bound to obey them, thus:
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”
(I Pet. 2:13–14 New International Version)
Otherwise, God’s will prevails, as when our Lord Jesus Christ resolved the issue on divorce, thus:
“Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?’ ‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”’ ‘Why then,’ they asked, ‘did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?’ Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.’” (Matt. 19:3–8 NIV)
To close the issue, Christ declared with finality:
“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (Matt. 19:9 NKJV)
The adulterer’s lot
Adultery is not to be dismissed lightly. Addressing the Christians at Corinth, Apostle Paul strongly wrote:
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (I Cor. 6:9–10 NKJV)
Sad to say, but there are instances when even after all avenues have been exhaustively explored by a couple, they still end up in separation. Still, Apostle Paul admonishes the wife and the husband, thus:
“But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.” (I Cor. 7:11 NKJV)
The reward of the obedient
A lawyer may successfully argue his way and win a divorce case, but the biblical truth remains:
“Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord.” (Ps. 128:1–4 NKJV)
This reiterates what the Psalmist sang, thus:
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. … Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.” (Ps. 119:1–3, 6 NKJV)
This article was originally published in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine.
For more articles, visit www.pasugo.com.ph
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San Francisco-Concepcion house of worship dedicated to God
San Francisco-Concepcion house of worship dedicated to God
By ARGEL MAÑEBOG and MARK ANDRO MILAN
Date Posted: November 15, 2022
The new and bigger house of worship of the Local Congregation of San Francisco-Concepcion, Ecclesiastical District of Capas, Tarlac was recently dedicated to the Lord God.
The special worship service for the dedication held on October 28, 2022 was officiated at by Brother Rene J. Panoncillo, the Church’s General Secretary.
The sacred edifice which can seat 852 worshipers is situated along the Magalang-Concepcion Rd., in the town of Concepcion, Tarlac Province, Philippines. It replaced the former house of worship which could only accommodate 120 individuals.
In his homily during the worship service, Brother Panoncillo encouraged the brethren from the San Francisco-Concepcion Congregation to always pray and seek refuge in God, in their house of worship in which He promised to listen to the cries of His servants.
The new house of worship is equipped with a Johannus Organ and a LED wall. Within it are the Technical Support for Videostreaming (TSV) room, a baptismal pool, a conference room, and office spaces for the congregation’s various departments. Constructed as well were the parsonage, caretaker’s house, and the generator house.
“Having witnessed the inaugural worship service for our new and beautiful house of worship has edified me in the faith,” said Ermelita Soliman, choir member. “This is yet another source of inspiration as I continue devotedly fulfilling the Church duties entrusted to me. Praises be to God!”
Established on December 7, 1985, the local congregation’s membership has grown over the past decades as a result, among others, of their fervent efforts in sharing their faith to others. Domingo Castro, head deacon, attested, “It was a struggle to find a living back then but with God’s help, the brethren here were not hindered leading many people into the true Church.”
The local congregation is about nine kilometers away from the district office in Capas, Tarlac. Brother Nelson Pamintuan is the current resident minister. — With reports from INC News Section and Via Monica Vergara
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