Network of Filipino Christians

22/10/2024

Protestantism was introduced in the Philippines after the United States of America defeated Spain in 1898. The United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain with the Treaty of Paris. American rule allowed more opportunity for missionaries to enter the Philippines than under Spanish rule. In addition, there was hostility against the Catholic Christianity of the Spanish and a greater acceptance of Protestant Christianity represented by the Americans.

In 1898 the Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist leaders met together in New York to discuss how to bring the Protestant message to the Filipinos. The result was a comity agreement of the missionary enterprises, dividing up places of ministry to avoid future conflicts among themselves and their converts. This meant that only one Protestant church would be started in each area. The comity agreement, which led to the territorial division of the Philippines, was one of the accomplishments of mission enterprises in the Philippines. The meeting was followed by another gathering in 1901 by the early missionaries in Manila to further discuss the comity agreement with three specific major agenda items: (1) to organize the Evangelical Union, (2) to choose a common name for all Protestant churches, (3) to delineate the geographical work allotments for each church.

From 1898 to 1905 there were different Protestant mission agencies that arrived in the Philippines, namely: Methodists (1898), Presbyterians (1899), Baptists (1900), United Brethren (1901), Disciples of Christ (1901), Protestant Episcopal (1901), Congregationalists (1902), Christian and Missionary Alliance (1902), and Seventh-day Adventists (1905). More Protestant missionaries came later -– Assemblies of God (1926), Salvation Army (1937), Lutherans (1946), Foursquare (1949), Evangelical Free (1951), Christian Reformed (1961), Wesleyans (1968) and many others.

The first Protestant service held in the Philippines was on Sunday, August 28, 1898. Chaplain George Stull, a member of The Methodist Episcopal Church, came with the occupying forces. Although his primary duty was to minister to the American soldiers, he recorded in his diary that that first service, held in an old Spanish dungeon facing the bay, was attended not only by his own men but by some Filipinos as well.

15/09/2024

When it comes to the church, there is no us and them. There is only us. We ought not to count as enemies people with whom we will spend eternity.

This is the vision that Jesus cast for his followers from the very beginning—a vision for unity. A vision for a “big tent.”

Christian theologians would put it this way: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.”

The goal has always been a big tent. As in, the biggest tent you can think of—every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. All of them with a million different views on a million different things, but all of them made one, just as Jesus and the Father are one.

Regardless of your political affiliation, or your views on Calvinism, mode of baptism, the nature of communion, the age of the earth, spiritual gifts, eschatology, or any other secondary issue on which we can disagree, we are still on the same team.

Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that we all must occupy the same pews. When it comes to certain convictions, such as the role of women in church leadership, mode of baptism, or even perhaps the exercise of the charismatic gifts of the Spirit, it is simply impossible from an organizational standpoint to “both sides” every theological debate.

But the fact that we don’t all occupy the same pews does not mean that we have ceased to be on the same mission.

This also isn’t to say that secondary issues are unimportant. Indeed, how you land on any number of these issues has deeply practical implications for how you live out your faith on a daily basis, what your church teaches from the pulpit, and even how your congregation structures itself.

Further, there are certain theological stances and practices to which other Christians hold that I believe are not only wrong but also problematic and, at times, harmful. And most certainly, we should never stand for the systemic sins that exist within the evangelical movement.

Our goal isn’t a fragile coalition that can only continue to exist so long as we keep most of our actual thoughts and convictions to ourselves. Instead, the goal is an unwavering commitment to love one another, even and especially in the places where we have the sharpest disagreements.

Extending the right hand of fellowship to another believer isn’t a tacit endorsement of every detail of their theology or conduct. It’s just basic Christian behavior.

This kind of love doesn’t make any sense to the world. But it should make all the sense in the world to us. It is this kind of love that defines us. It’s how the world will know that we are disciples of Jesus. So instead of engaging in an endless battle for doctrinal purity, may we embrace the mess of a big tent, striving to love one another and to bring that love to the world.

Jesus apparently had very little compunction about emphasizing a “big tent” movement rather than prioritizing "doctrinal purity."

05/09/2024

Did God provide the means of salvation for all people, or only for a preselected few? Are the redemptive benefits of Christ’s death on the cross available to all, or only given to some? What does being saved by grace alone mean? How does belief in Jesus save a person? What is the difference between salvation by faith and salvation by works?

✅ Join us for an Online Webinar entitled "Conversations on Salvation, Grace, & Faith" | LIVE VIA ZOOM

✅ October 26, 2024 | SATURDAY | 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM | Manila Time Zone

✅ OPEN FOR ALL. FREE ADMISSION.

✅ SIGN UP now to get the ZOOM link by scanning the QR CODE or by clicking this link: www.gsot.edu/conversations-on-salvation-grace-faith

✅ BONUS: Free e-book entitled "Grace For All: Understanding God's Plan of Salvation" to all who signs up and attends the webinar.

Speakers:

👉 On Salvation | Dr. Ken Wilson | Author, “The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism”

👉 On Grace | Dr. David Anderson | Author, “Free Grace Soteriology”

👉 On Faith | Dr. Fred Chay | Author, “The Faith That Saves: The Nature of Faith in the New Testament”

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GRACE for ALL Coalition is a cross-denominational collaboration of various Non-Calvinist Evangelical Christians. We desire to be a theological voice against teachings that limit the saving grace of God only to a chosen few, against theologies that teach that Christ did not die for all of humanity, and against doctrines that say that the Gospel is actually good news only to preselected individuals, not for every person. https://www.facebook.com/GraceForALLCoalitionPH

Grace School of Theology is committed to develop spiritual leaders in every nation who can teach others about the love of Christ, a love that cannot be earned and cannot be lost. It is a ministry committed to enriching students spiritually, intellectually, and professionally so they are prepared to serve God in a global and culturally diverse society. https://www.gsot.edu/

02/09/2024

So here I bow to lift You high. Jesus be glorified. In all things, for all my life. I am Yours, forever Yours. | See all you next Sunday!

27/08/2024

How could God make something beautiful out of this? What good could come of this pain, this past, this sin, this disaster?

As Joseph sat in his prison cell, betrayed yet again by a person close to him, he must have wondered about God’s purposes for his pain. Yet God was at work. Joseph was exactly where he needed to be in God’s plan for him to save many lives.

Starting September 12, 2024 the Agape Life Group will begin a new study series. We will unpack the incredible story of Joseph’s rise from tending livestock as one of twelve sons to ruling as the second most powerful man in Egypt that would change the course of history. Experience God at work in Genesis 37-50 to bring redemption to the most hopeless situations.

👉 Where is God When Life Hurts?: A Study Series on the Life of Joseph

👉 Agape Life Group | Thursdays | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

👉 Makers Café #60 Eugenio Lopez Drive, Corner Samar Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City PH

👉 Requirements: Come with an open mind, humble heart, friendly attitude, and gracious spirit willing to learn and grow with us.

👉 Open for all. Free admission. Limited seats. SIGN UP NOW to reserve your seat here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3AqtjCBbDaxJp6MRxd6utTzbqnb00FwSNiLPkyBVzKKGraA/viewform

Invite your employees, workmates, schoolmates, friends, and family.

25/08/2024

Thank you Ptr Allan for the beautiful preaching today. Thank you Ptr July & Eden and the team for the meaningful worship singing today. Praise God.

20/08/2024

Did God provide the means of salvation for all people, or only for a preselected few? Are the redemptive benefits of Christ’s death on the cross available to all, or only given to some? What does being saved by grace alone mean? How does belief in Jesus save a person? What is the difference between salvation by faith and salvation by works?

✅ Join us for an Online Webinar entitled "Conversations on Salvation, Grace, & Faith" | LIVE VIA ZOOM

✅ October 26, 2024 | SATURDAY | 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM | Manila Time Zone

✅ OPEN FOR ALL. In celebration of the Reformation Month.

✅ SIGN UP now to get the ZOOM link by scanning the QR CODE or by clicking this link: www.gsot.edu/conversations-on-salvation-grace-faith

✅ BONUS: Free e-book entitled "Grace For All: Understanding God's Plan of Salvation" to all who signs up and attends the webinar.

Speakers:

👉 On Salvation | Dr. Ken Wilson | Author, “The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism”

👉 On Grace | Dr. David Anderson | Author, “Free Grace Soteriology”

👉 On Faith | Dr. Fred Chay | Author, “The Faith That Saves: The Nature of Faith in the New Testament”

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

GRACE for ALL Coalition is a cross-denominational collaboration of various Non-Calvinist Evangelical Christians. We desire to be a theological voice against teachings that limit the saving grace of God only to a chosen few, against theologies that teach that Christ did not die for all of humanity, and against doctrines that say that the Gospel is actually good news only to preselected individuals, not for every person. https://www.facebook.com/GraceForALLCoalitionPH

Grace School of Theology is committed to develop spiritual leaders in every nation who can teach others about the love of Christ, a love that cannot be earned and cannot be lost. It is a ministry committed to enriching students spiritually, intellectually, and professionally so they are prepared to serve God in a global and culturally diverse society. https://www.gsot.edu/

30/07/2024

"Do not be surprised at the painful things you are now suffering. These things are testing your faith. So do not think that something strange is happening to you. But you should be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings... When people insult you because you follow Christ, then you are blessed. You are blessed because the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is with you... if you suffer because you are a Christian, then do not be ashamed. You should praise God because you wear that name". (1 Peter 4:12-16, ICB)

30/07/2024

John Stott has pointed out that “persecution is simply the clash between two irreconcilable value-systems.” That clash is what we are seeing now, and it is ultimately between those who believe, trust, and love the God of the Bible and those who do not. The changes afoot today represent a sea-change from the past; the wind is no longer on our back but in our face. This is creating a cultural climate in the West in which persecution of Jesus’s followers, simply for their allegiance to Him, is no longer unthinkable, whether in family, community, or workplace.

This is confusing to some and frightening to others, but, as Gene Edward Veith points out: "One of the greatest paradoxes in Christian history is that the church is most pure in times of cultural hostility. When things are easy and good, that is when the church most often goes astray. When Christianity seems identical with the culture and even when the church seems to be enjoying its greatest earthly success, then it is weakest. Conversely, when the church encounters hardship, persecution, and suffering… then it is closest to its crucified Lord, then there are fewer hypocrites and nominal believers among its members, and then the faith of Christians burns most intensely."

Tom Tarrants raises the important, albeit disturbing, topic of persecution for the sake of the gospel during the process of discipleship.

29/07/2024

"For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations." (Psalms 100:5; HCSB: Holman Christian Standard Bible)

25/07/2024

"Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalms 27:1, Word English Bible)

23/07/2024