time

recently I picked history books in the library and got a better picture of the world… it was a good read…. It gives a better sense that the time is passing and history is being made, how the events flows and how almost incomparable the recent events in history compared to hundreds even thousands of years that was recorded… in the last century how drastic the events were, how first world war came about, the events that triggered it, where nations intertwined to an inevitable drastic event, even second world war because of retaliation and building of empires… how the traces of the war is still here…we can still hear the recent fighting in Europe.. Serbia…, and does the fact sink in that only in our parents generation where many of the nations were born, the map was redrawn? We were given independence just 1946 right?

and the technology…superb… it speeds up.. super! We have action king and comedy king, (the comedy king is still alive and the action king just recently died) come to think of it… almost during their generation T.V was starting its use, yes I remember I even watched black and white T.V. in my younger days… with gloria romero, dolphy and the likes while drinking buko with my lola! And now, whoa! I can even make my own movies if I want to using a cellphone! How this blog can be viewed around the world. Hu! We ourselves is a witness of the black and white tv and how the big difference is to the present time…. I just want to add the fact is that history fulfills the Bible’s prophecies… the wars… the technology and the present condition of man… nation is suffering, beside the technology is the plight of the suffering man… man toils, his body decay even when alive he wrinkled and get sick, he get old… and he inevitably loose his life…

Serious? But it is true isn’t it? I’m sure you can feel the time is so fast… how the hours flies… Ahhh time flies.

Kuto at dugo

Last Saturday ay nagkaroon ng blood donation dito sa amin kasama ang iba pang lokal,
At this time di ako nakasama sa nakapagdonate even if I want to, kulang kasi ako sa timbang sa mga pwedeng kunan ng dugo, ang sarap din sanang makapagdonate.

Nung bata kami sabi sa amin ng matatanda para magpakuto ay liliparin daw kami at dadalhin duon sa tuktok ng tore ng kapilya pag di kami nagpakuto, syempre sabi lang nila iyon para magpakuto nga kami. Ngayon every now and then kinukutuhan ang mga pamangkin ko, nakakarelax sa kanila at para sa akin din na nagkukuto lalu na pag tinitiris iyong kuto at lisa at tumutunog. : )

Pero matalino rin iyang kuto kahit tinitiris tiris lang iyan, sabi nga ng lolo Daniel ko pag inilagay mo iyong kuto sa rebulto aalis sya ron kasi wala iyong dugo e, walang buhay, mamamatay sya ron pag nanatili sya ron.

The Stronghold: Refuge for the Weary

Published in God's Message (Pasugo) Nov 2007

“I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” – John 16:33, Today’s English Version

LIFE IS DIFFICULT. There is no doubt about it. At times, it, too, is perplexing. As such, it does not come as a surprise to hear a person, wedged in a tight situation, say, “Please, bail me out.” Such a plea concedes self-limitation – a reliance upon somebody else, perhaps on loved ones whose concern is beyond question.

On the other hand, there are those who are too proud to seek any form of assistance, despite their inability to cope or deal with a pressing problem on their own, thus: “I don’t need anybody’s help. I can stand on my own.” But can the former who finds a benefactor and the latter who is so sure of himself be assured of making it through life? Of having a secured future? The fact is, both have equal chances of ending up a mess or a wreck, rather than succeeding.

Who knows what?
What must man understand concerning life then? What should he realize about his future? The wise king in the book of Ecclesiastes reflects, thus:

“How can anyone know what is best for man in this short, useless life of his – a life that passes like a shadow? How can anyone know what will happen in the world after he dies?” (Eccles. 6:12, Today’s English Version)

No man on earth knows what’s best for him. Not even the noblest of heart knows what’s good for another. What man is certain of though is that his existence on earth is short and that life passes like a shadow. Many die young. And those who reach a truly ripe age will, at some appointed time, inevitably die, too.

Whom to trust
As to what man can do, there is no guarantee for success. In the face of uncertainty, whom should man trust then? In whom should he seek refuge? The book of Proverbs says:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the LORD in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” (Prov. 3:5-a6, Ibid.)

It is easy to recognize those who trust God – who make Him their stronghold. They are those who do not brag about or rely solely on their own understanding, or will not consent to do wrong, thus:

“Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the LORD and refuse to do wrong. If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.” (Prov. 3:7-8, Ibid.)

No matter how burdened a person ay be, bruised and sorely aching from the constant battering of life’s problems, he ought to obey the Almighty God and must refuse to do wrong or evil. If he does that, he shall be healed of his physical and emotional malady.

Leave it to God. Take to Him you load. If one does that, he will see for himself: life is after all not threatening. Whereas, relying on one’s own capability will only lead to destruction, for “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Prov.. 14-12, New King James Version).

Holding on to instruction
What lies ahead, no man knows by himself alone. For this reason, man needs God’s guidance, thus:

“Listen to me, my son. Take seriously what I am telling you, and you will live a long life. I have taught you wisdom and the right way to live. Nothing will stand in your way if you walk wisely, and you will not stumble when you run.” (Prov. 4:10-12, TEV)

What could be more fitting an advice! One that everybody ought to give a serious thought. Much is at stake that we cannot afford to lose. Long life! Wisdom! The right way to live!

It is easy to recognize those who take seriously God’s instructions. They follow the divine admonition, thus: “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life” (Prov. 4:13, New International Version).

God’s people cannot risk losing life, hence, they recognize the value of holding on to or guarding well God’s instructions like those received in the house of God when they gather to worship Him (Isa. 2:3, NKJV).

Through the Church
God proclaimed His instructions in different dispensations of time (Heb. 1:1-2). In the Christian Era, God revealed His wisdom through the Churchof Christ, thus:

“… To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. (Eph. 3:10, NKJV)

When Israel turned its back, God, through His Son or our Lord Jesus Christ established a group of people who would be recipient of His instructions, hence, the founding of the Church of Christ in the first century. Through the stewardship or the administration that God set in the Church, His teachings were made available to His people, that is, to the members of His Church, thus:

“Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God.” (Col. 1:25, Ibid.)

God has not been remiss to His people in all dispensation. He has not forsaken His people from the ends of the earth (Isa. 62:11-12, NIV).

The value of true faith
Sad to say, there are those who do not stand to benefit from the gospel taught to them. The author of the epistle to the Hebrews said: “… But the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Heb. 4:2, NKJV). True faith then is needed. Apostle James vividly portrayed this in his epistle to the members of the true Church of Christ, thus:

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7, Ibid.)

From a distance, waves look foreboding – but only to be shattered to foaming brine! Never should God’s people, members of the true Church, waver in their faith in what God can do. The Bible defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, Ibid.)

The Holy City is yet to come. Life eternal remains to be a promise for now. But the hope of God’s people must never wane.

Not move away from the gospel
Easier said than done, so the learned Apostle Paul admonished the true Christians, thus:

“If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” (Col. 1:23, Ibid.)

Apostle Paul reminded the members of the true Church of Christ to remain grounded and steadfast in their calling by continuing in the faith and not letting themselves to be moved away from the words taught to them.

In another epistle to the Christians, Apostle Paul gave as a lesson in and proof of true faith in God that of Abraham the patriarch, thus:

“Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken. ‘So shall your descendants be’. And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” (Rom. 4:18-21, Ibid.)

Nature’s course does not warrant an old man married to an equally old and at the same time barren spouse to bear children. Yet, Abraham “did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God … being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Indeed, an object lesson in faith!

Be brave!
Current world events are enough to send chills to the spine. Terrorism. Poverty. Skyrocketing prices of commodities. Calamities, both natural and man-made. All contribute to a truly depressing existence. The Lord Jesus Christ said, thus:

“I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” (John 16:33, TEV)

We know what our Lord Jesus Christ went through. The sufferings He bore for the sake of those whom He will save was just too much for Him to bear. Uncomplainingly and triumphantly, Christ went about fulfilling His God-given task. Having defeated the world Himself, He had all the authority to say: Be brave! With it comes the invitation for us to be united to Him.

The protection of Christ’s power
Like Apostle Paul, members of the Church of Christ in these last days need the protection of Christ’s power over them, thus:

“But his answer was: ‘My grace is all you need, for my power is strongest when you are weak’. I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Cor. 12:9-10, Ibid.)

Human as he was Apostle Paul acknowledged his frailties or weaknesses. He was likewise cognizant of the onslaught of trials and tribulations on account of his being united to Christ. Nonetheless, he was confident of Christ’s assurance and protective power.

Sharing in Christ’s glory
God’s children should not be daunted. The words of Apostle Paul should inspire them, thus:

“Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ’s suffering, we will also share his glory.

“I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us … For we know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth. But it is not just creation alone which groans; we who have the Spirit as the first of God’s gifts also groan within ourselves as we wait for God to make us his sons and set our whole being free. For it was by hope that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. For who hopes for something he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Rom. 8:17-18, 22-25, Ibid.)

The wait may no longer be that long, but weariness might just creep in at any point to the finish line. Anticipating such an eventuality, Apostle Paul declared, thus:

“In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express.” (Rom. 8:26, Ibid.)

Tired and weary? No reason to lose hope. Pray. God is our stronghold.

Si Cristo ba ang Diyos na Lumikha ng Buhay?

Published in God's Message (Pasugo) Nov 2007

SUSURIIN NATIN SA lathalaing ito ang isa sa mga talata ng Biblia na binibigyan ng maling interpretasyon upang magamit na batayan sa paniniwalang si Cristo ang tunay na Diyos. Ang tinutukoy dito ay ang nakasulat sa Gawa 3:15.

Ang kamalian ng pakahulugan na ibinibigay sa talatang ito ng mga naniniwalang si Cristo ay Diyos ay madaling makita dahil malayung-malayo iyon sa tunay na kahulugan ng nilalalaman ng talata.

Cristo: Manlilikha?
Ganito ang isinasaad sa Gawa 3:15:

“At inyong pinatay ang Lumikha ng buhay: na binuhay ng Dios na maguli sa mga patay; mga saksi kami ng mga bagay na ito.”

Sa talatang ito ay binigayang-diin ng mga nagtuturong si Cristo ay Diyos ang pariralang “Lumikha ng buhay.” Sinasabi nila na yayamang ang Diyos ang lumikha ng buhay, at si Cristo ang tinutukoy sa talata, kung gayon, si Cristo raw ay Diyos.

Hindi natin tinututulan na si Cristo nga ang tinutukoy sa talata na “Lumikha ng buhay.” Subalit ibig bang sabihin nito ay Diyos na Siya? Paano naman ang sinasabi sa talata na, “At inyong pinatay ang Lumikha ng buhay: na binuhay ng Dios na mag-uli sa mga patay”? Alam natin na ang tunay na Diyos na lumikha ng buhay ay hindi maaaring mamatay. Ganito ang pinatutunayan ni Apostol Pablo:

“Dakilain at purihin magpakailan man ang walang hanggan at walang kamatayang Hari - ang di-nakikita at kaisa-isang Dios! Amen.” (I Tim. 1:17, Salita ng Buhay)

Samakatuwid, kung sinasabi man na si Cristo ang binabanggit sa Gawa 3:15 na “Lumikha ng buhay,” hindi pa rin ito maaaring gamiting katunayan na Siya ay Diyos dahil sinasabi rin sa talata na Siya ay namatay, kaya nga binuhay na muli – taliwas sa katangian ng tunay na Diyos na walang kamatayan. Dahil dito, natitiyak natin na binigyan lamang ng maling pakahulugan ang nabanggit na talata kaya nagagamit ito bilang batayan daw sa pagtuturo ng aral na si Cristo ay Diyos.

Ang kahulugan ng ‘Lumikha ng buhay’
Bakit, kung gayon, tinawag ang Panginoong Jesucristo na “Lumikha ng buhay” sa Gawa 3:15? Ganito ang paliwanag ni Apostol Juan kaugnay nito:

“Yamang binigyan mo siya ng awtoridad sa lahat ng laman upang bigyan niya ng buhay na walang hanggan ang lahat ng ibinigay mo sa kanya.” (Juan 17:2, Ang Bagong Ang Biblia)

Ang buhay na walang hanggan na kailangan ng tao ay ibibigay ng Diyos sa atin sa pamamagitan ni Cristo. Sa kahulugang ito, si Cristo ay sinasabing Siyang “Lumikha ng buhay” hindi dahil sa si Cristo ang Diyos na Manlilikha ng lahat, kundi dahil si Cristo’y binigyan ng Diyos ng kapamahalaan na bigyan ng buhay na walang hanggan ang lahat ng ibinigay ng Ama sa Kaniya.

Kaya sa Biblia na isinalin ng isang Lupong Tagapagsalin na binubuo ng mga Katoliko at Protestante ay ganito ang pagkakasalin ng Gawa 3:15:

“Pinatay ninyo ang Pinagmumulan ng buhay, ngunit siya’y muling binuhay ng Diyos, at saksi kami sa bagay na ito.” (Magandang Balita Biblia)

Siya ang Pinagmumulan ng buhay, sapagkat sa bisa ng awtoridad na kaloob ng Diyos sa Kaniya ay bibigyan Niya ng buhay na walang hanggan ang mga ibinigay ng Diyos sa Kaniya.

Isa pa, na kay Cristo ang batas o kautusan ng espiritu ng buhay:

“Ngayon nga’y wala nang anomang hatol sa mga na kay Cristo Jesus. Sapagka’t ang kautusan ng Espiritu ng buhay na na kay Cristo Jesus ay pinalaya ako sa kautusan ng kasalanan at ng kamatayan.” (Roma 8:1-2)

Kaya, ang mga kay Cristo ay hindi na hahatulan at sa kanila rin ipinangako ang buhay na walang hanggan na nasa Kaniya. Subalit sino ang makikinabang sa buhay na walang hanggan na na kay Cristo?

“Sapagkat kung paanong mamamatay ang lahat dahil sa kanilang kaugnayan kay Adan, gayon din naman, mabubuhay ang lahat dahil sa kanilang kaugnayan kay Cristo.” (I Cor. 15:22, MB)

Ang buhay na walang hanggan na na kay Cristo ay ibibigay sa mga may kaugnayan sa Kaniya. Hindi sapat na maniwala o sumampalataya lamang kay Cristo upang matamo ang kaligtasan at ang buhay na walang hanggan.

Ang mga pagkakalooban ng buhay na na kay Cristo
Mahalagang maugnay kay Cristo ang tao upang magtamo siya ng buhay na walang hanggan. Narito ang dapat na sundin ng tao:

“Ako ang pintuan; ang sinomang taong pumasok sa akin, ay siya’y maliligtas.” (Juan 10:9)

Ang pagpasok kay Cristo ay hindi sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaphayag lamang ng pagsampalataya sa Kaniya. Kailangan din ng tao na maging sangkap ng katawan ni Cristo o maging kaanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo:

“Kayo nga ang katawan ni Cristo, at mga kaanib ang bawat isa.” (I Cor. 12:27, King James Version, isinalin mula sa Ingles)

“At siya ang ulo ng katawan, sa makatuwid baga’y ng iglesia.” (Col. 1:18)

“Mangagbatian kayo ng banal na halik. Binabati kayo ng lahat ng mga iglesia ni Cristo.” (Roma 16:16)

Samakatuwid, alinsunod sa Biblia, ang may kaugnayan kay Cristo ay ang mga kaanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo. Sila ay nakatitiyak na wasto ang kanilang pagkilala sa Diyos at kay Cristo at dahil dito ay makaaasa sila sa buhay na walang hanggan na ibibigay ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Cristo.

Ang Likas na Kalagayan ni Cristo (Ikawalong Bahagi)

Ang Likas na Kalagayan ni Cristo
Ang pinagmulan ng aral na si Cristo ay Diyos
(Ikawalong Bahagi)
Published in God's Message (Pasugo) Nov 2007

SA NAKARAANG LATHALA ay inilahad dito ang mga patotoo na ang orihinal na paniniwala ng mga unang Cristiano tungkol kay Cristo ay Siya’y tao at hindi Diyos. Ngayon naman ay mahalagang maliwanagan kung paano nabuo ang lumaganap na aral na si Cristo ay Diyos.

Ayon sa paring Jesuita na si Pedro Sevilla, utay-utay na binalangkas ng Iglesia Katolika ang paniniwalang si Cristo Jesus ay Diyos:

“Ipinahayag ng ilang dalubhasa na utay-utay na binalangkas ng Simbahan ang pananampalataya sa pagka-Diyos ni Jesus sa impluho ng mga ibang relihiyon.” (At Nagsalita ang Diyos sa Pamamagitan ng Kanyang Anak, p. 18)¹

Maliwanag sa mga kaanib ng unang Iglesia na iisa lamang ang tunay na Diyos at si Cristo ay ang Kaniyang Anak. Sa paglaganap ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa dako ng mga Gentil o mga pagano – mga taong nasanay sa pagsamba sa diyus-diyusan - may mga nag-akala sa kanila na Diyos si Cristo (The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls, p. 90)² dahil sa nabalitaan nila ang mga himala at kababalaghang ginawa Niya noong Siya ay narito pa sa lupa. Hindi ito kataka-taka dahil nang makita nilang pinagaling nina Apostol Pablo at Bernabe ang isang lalaking pilay ay napagkamalan din nila na ang mga ito’y diyos na nagkatawang-tao. Tinawag nilang Jupiter si Bernabe at Mercurio si Apostol Pablo (Gawa 14:11-12).

Ang pagsisimula ng maling paniniwala
Nahihiwatigan na ng mga apostol ang pagbabago ng paniniwala tungkol kay Cristo kaya’t si Apostol Pablo ay nagbabala sa mga Cristianong Gentil na nasa Corinto:

“Nguni’t ako’y natatakot, baka sa anomang paraan, kung paanong si Eva ay nadaya ng ahas sa kaniyang katusuhan, ang inyong walang malay at malinis na mga pagiisip na kay Cristo ay pasamain. Sapagka’t kung yaong paririto ay mangaral ng ibang Jesus, na hindi namin ipinangaral, o kung kayo’y nagsisitanggap ng ibang espiritu na hindi ninyo tinaggap, o ibang evangelio na hindi ninyo tinanggap, ay mabuting pagtiisan ninyo.” (II Cor. 11:3-4)

Pinangambahan ni Apostol Pablo na ang mga Cristiano ay mahulog sa paniniwala sa ibang Jesus – o sa Jesus na iba sa ipinangaral niya at ng iba pang mga apostol. Ayon na rin sa mga nagsaliksik sa Biblia, makikita rin natin sa mga sulat ni Apostol Juan ang katulad ng ibinabala ni Apostol Pablo. Ayon daw kay Apostol Juan, may mga Cristianong tumanggi sa katotohanang si Cristo ay tunay na tao, na ito ay iba sa orihinal na paniniwala kay Cristo ng mga unang Cristiano:

“Ang unang sulat ni Juan ay nagpapahayag tungkol sa mga dating kabilang sa komunidad na Cristiano ngunit ngayon ay humiwalay na. Tinaggihan nila ang pagiging tunay na tao ni Cristo.” (The History of Christianity, p. 84)³

Pinatunayan din ni Dr. A. Powell Davies sa kaniyang akda na The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls na sa mga Gentil o pagano lumitaw ang isipang Diyos si Cristo:

“Sa panahong ang Cristianismo ay lumaganap sa daigdig ng mga Pagano lumitaw ang ideya na si Jesus ay Tagapagligtas na Diyos.” (p. 90)⁴

Sa kasaysayan, si Ignacio na naging Obispo ng Antioquia ang pinakaunang tumawag kay Cristo na Diyos sa kaniyang mga sinulat, noong ikalawang siglo:

“Ang mga pinakaunang manunulat pagkatapos ng mga sumulat ng Bagong Tipan, na tinatawag na mga Apostolic Fathers, ang nagpatuloy sa pagbabagong naganap sa huling panahon ng Bagong Tipan na pagtawag kay Cristo na Diyos. Ipinahayag ni Ignacio, na sumulat noong ikalawang siglo sa mga taga-Efeso na ‘si Jesucristong ating Diyos ay isinilang ni Maria’ (Efe 18:2) at ‘ang Diyos ay nagpapakita na ngayon sa anyong tao’ (Efe 19:3).” (Word Become Flesh: Dimensions of Christology, pp. 161-162)⁵

Ang pagbabago ng pananaw o pagkakilala ng mga Cristianong Gentil tungkol kay Cristo ay nagbunga ng mga pagtatalo na lumaganap hanggang sa siyudad ng Alejandria sa Ehipto. Ito’y pinatutunayan ng kasaysayan:

“Ilang taon bago ito, sa siyudad ng Alejandria sa Ehipto, bumangon ang isang pagtatalo kung si Jesucristo ba ay talagang Diyos o hindi.” (The Story of the Church, p. 30)⁶

Ang katanungan kung si Cristo ay Diyos o tao ay hindi nagkaroon ng katugunan, kung kaya’t ito ay namalaging katanungan sa loob halos ng tatlong daang taon:

“Ang malaking tanong na bumabagabag sa isipan ng Iglesia sa loob ng halos tatlong daang taon ay kung si Cristo, ang Anak, ay tunay at ganap na Diyos na gaya ng Ama.” (The Church in History, p. 30)⁷

Naging masalimuot ang pagkakabuo ng aral na si Cristo ay Diyos at hindi naging pinal kundi noon lamang ikaapat na siglo:

“Pagkatapos ng kaniyang pagkamatay, ipinasiya ng kaniyang mga alagad na si Jesus ay Diyos. Ito ay hindi kaagad nangyari; gaya ng makikita natin, ang doktrina na si Jesus ay Diyos na nag-anyong tao ay hindi ganap na nabuo hanggang noong ikaapat na siglo. Ang pagkakabuo ng paniniwalang Cristiano sa Inkarnasyon ay isang unti-unti at masalimuot na proseso. Si Jesus mismo ay tiyak na hindi kailanman nag-angkin ng pagiging Diyos …” (A History of God, p. 81)⁸

Ang paganong emperador na si Constantino ay nakaalam sa masalimuot na suliranin tungkol sa likas na kalagayan ni Cristo. Siya ang tumawag ng Konsilyo sa Nicea noong 325 A.D.:

“… Nagsimulang makialam si Constantino sa mga bagay ng Iglesia. Ang mga nauna sa kaniya ay nakapangibabaw sa mga relihiyong Romano; kaya sinusundan ni Constantino ang isang pamarisan sa paraang sinubukan niyang pamahalaan ang Iglesia. Isang taon makalipas na maging kaisa-isang pinuno, tinawag ni Constantino ang mga Obispo sa isang konsilyo upang pag-usapan ang isang suliraning humahati sa mga Cristiano na lalong lumigalig sa Silangan.” (The Cathoolic Church: Our Mission in History, p. 99)⁹

Si Cristo sa Kredo ng Nicea
Bagaman walang nalalaman sa mga aral tungkol kay Cristo, ginamit ni Constantino ang kaniyang kapangyarihan upang ipatawag ang mga obispo at magtipun-tipon sa Nicea. Ganito ang paglalahad ng paring Katoliko na si Mar D.J. Arenas:

“Nag-alala si Emperador Constantino sa maaaring maging bunga nito sa kaayusan at kalagayang politikal ng kaharian, kaya’t sa bisa ng kanyang kapangyarihan, ipinatawag niya ang mga obispo ng Simbahan. Iminungkahi niyang magtipon ang mga ito sa isang kapulungan na siyang babalangkas sa tunay na aral ng Simbahan tungkol dito. At ang piniling pook para sa kapulungang ito ay ang bayan ng Nicea, sa hilagang bahagi ng Asya Minor. Ito ay naganap noong 325 A.D. na kung saan ay nagkatipon ang humigit-kumulang na 300 obispo.” (Isang Pastol Isang Kawan, p. 17)¹⁰

Sinasabi rin ng kasaysayan na noong ipatawag ng paganong emperador ang mga Obispo na magtipon sa Nicea, ang kaniyang liham para sa kanila ay may kasamang regalo at mga pananakot. Ganito ang pahayag ng paring Jesuita na si Pedro Sevilla:

“Tinawag ang Konsilyong ito ni Emperador Constantino sa pamamagitan ng mga sulat na may kasamang regalo, ngunit mga sulat na naglalaman din ng pananakot. Nagkatipon sa Nicea ang mga Obispo, pari, diakono (kasama sa mga ito si Atanasio, mga mananalumpati (rhetoricians), at mga pilosopo (dialecticians: mga laiko na nagpapaupa ng kanilang paglilingkod). Dumating ang Emperador at siya ang namuno.” (Ang Kabanalbanalang Isangtatlo: Ang Diyos ng mga Kristiyano, p. 107)¹¹

Sa Konsilyo ng Nicea ay ipinag-utos ni Emperador Constantino na pagkasunduan ng mga obispong nagpulong na si Cristo ay Diyos:

“Ang Konsilyo ay hindi magkasundo at pagkalipas ng dalawang taon [sic], naiinip sa pagkabalam, lumabas ang Emperador Constantino at nagsalita sa kapulungan, na inutusan silang magkaisa sa pagka-Diyos ni Cristo (paanong maaangkin ng emperador para sa sarili ang pagka-diyos kung itanggi ang sa Tagapagligtas?).” (Challenge of a Liberal Faith, p. 60)¹²

Tinanggap ng mga obispo ang Kredo ng Nicea dahil na rin sa panggigipit ni Emperador Constantino:

“Sa tag-init ng 325, may tatlong daang delegadong obispo, karamihan ay mula sa Silangan, ang nagtagpo sa Nicea, makatawid ng Bosphorus mula sa Constantinopla, at gawin ang napatanyag na pormula ng Kredo ng Nicea. …

“Ang Kredong ito na nagpatibay dahil sa pamimilit ng emperador, na naghahangad ng kapayapaan, ay di kaagad nakalutas sa mga kaguluhan sa doktrina o nakapagsalba sa kapayapaan.” (Man’s Religions, p. 625)¹³

Nang mapagtibay ang Kredo, ang pagtanggi na si Cristo ay Diyos ay itinuring na isang krimen laban sa estado:

“Matapos na itong ‘Kredo ng Nicea’ ay hayagang malagdaan ng mga obispo at iproklama ni Constantino, ito ay naging opisyal na kredo para sa lahat ng Cristiano. Ang pagtanggi sa pagka-Diyos ni Cristo sa anumang paraan ay katumbas ng paglalagay ng sarili sa labas ng komunidad ng mga Cristiano at isang krimen sa estado.” (The Emerging Church, Part One, p. 110)¹⁴

Sa mga katotohanang ating natunghayan, lalong nagliwanag ang katotohanan na ang paniniwalang si Cristo ay tunay na Diyos ay hindi siyang orihinal na paniniwala ng mga unang Cristiano. Utay-utay na nabuo ang aral na ito noong nasa langit na si Cristo at patay na ang mga manunulat ng Bagong Tipan. Ang aral na ito ay dapat itakuwil at balikan ang orihinal na paniniwala ng mga unang Cristiano na si Cristo ay katangi-tanging tao ngunit hindi Diyos (Gawa 2:22-23, Easy-to-Read Version). (May Karugtong)

Sanggunian

¹ Sevilla, Pedro C., S.J. At Nagsalita ang Diyos sa Pamamagitan ng Kanyang Anak. Lunsod ng Quezon: Dalubhasang Panteyolohiya ng Loyola-Pamantasang Ateneo de Manila, 1981.

² Davies, A. Powell. The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls. USA: Mentor, 1956.

³ “The first letter of John speaks of those who once belonged to the Christian community but now departed. They denied the true humanity of Jesus Christ.” (Dowley, Tim. The History of Christianity. USA: Lion Publishing, 1990.)

⁴ “It was when Christianity spread out into the Pagan world that the idea of Jesus as a Savior God emerged …” (Davies, op, cit.)

⁵ “The earliest post-New Testament writers, known as the Apostolic Fathers, continued the development that had emerged in the later New Testament period of calling Jesus God. Ignatius of Antioch, writing in the second century to the Ephesians, declares, ‘Jesus Christ our God was conceived of Mary’ (Eph. 18:2) and, ‘God was now appearing in human form’ (Eph 19:3).” (McDermott, Brian O., S.J. Word Become Flesh: Dimensions of Christology. Makati City, Philippines: St. Pauls, 1997.)

⁶ “Several years before, in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, a dispute arose over whether or not Jesus Christ was really God.” (Anderson, H. George. The Story of the Church. Philadelphia. USA: Lutheran Church Press, 1966.)

⁷ “The great question which occupied the mind of the Church for some three hundred years was whether Christ, the Son, was as truly and fully God as the Father.” (Kuiper, B.K. The Church in History. n. p.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d.)

⁸ “After his death, his followers decided that Jesus had been divine. This did not happen immediately; as we shall see, the doctrine that Jesus had been God in human form was not finalized until the fourth century. The development of Christian belief in the Incarnation was a gradual, complex process. Jesus himself certainly never claimed to be God …” (Armstrong, Karen. A History of God. USA: Ballantine Books, 1993.)

⁹ “… Constantine began to interfere in Church matters. His predecessors had dominated the Roman religions; so Constantine was following a precedent by trying to run the Church. A year after he became sole ruler, Constantine called the bishops together in a council to discuss a problem that was dividing Christians and was especially troublesome in the East.” (Pluth, Alphonsus. The Catholic Church: Our Mission in History. Minnesota, USA: Saint Mary’s Press, 1985.)

¹⁰ Arenas, Mar D.J. Isang Pastol Isang Kawan. Bulacan, Philippines: Guiguinto Press Printing, 1987.

¹¹ Sevilla, Pedro C., S.J. Ang Kabanalbanalang Isangtatlo: Ang Diyos ng mga Kristiyano. Quezon City, Philippines: Loyola School of Theology-Ateneo De Manila University, 1988.

¹² “The Council could not agree and after two years [sic], impatient at the delay, the Emperor Constantine appeared and addressed the assembly, ordering them to agree on the divinity of Christ (how could the emperor claim divinity if the Savior’s was denied?)” (Marshall, George N. Challenge of a Liberal Faith. Connecticut. USA: Keats Publishing, Inc. 1980.)

¹³ “In the summer of 325 some three hundred delegate bishops, mostly from the East, met at Nicea, across the Boshorus from Constantinople, and produced the famous formula of the Creed of Nicaea. …

“This creed adopted under pressure from the emperor, who wanted peace, did not immediately solve the doctrinal difficulties or save the peace.” (Noss, John B. Man’s Religions. New York, USA: The Macmillan Company, 1954.)

¹⁴ “Once this ‘Nicene Creed’ had been publicly signed by all the bishops and promulgated by Constantine, it became the official creed for all Christians. To deny the divinity of Christ in any way was to put oneself outside of the Christian community and was a crime against the state.” (Wilkins, Ronald J. The Emerging Church. Part One. Iowa, USA: Wm. C. Brown Company Publishers, 1968.)

let my feet be wet

i once told to somebody "sagana po ang Ama" (God is bountiful) thinking at that

moment the vastness of the ocean and the creatures in it, how can i deny that

fact even at times of scarcity. in the stillness and nothingness it should be

remembered.

even a touch of the cold water gives gladness.... the ocean refreshes and gives

lightness and peace.... with a few minutes that moment fulfills what the occasion

promises even if i did not surf as what i would want, i am the only one who wet

my feet... and i did... i do not want to missed it...

a desire to bear fruit... but the fruit is not yet there... then in the stillness wait...

and believe...

itlog

minsan nabanggit ko kay axl habang kumakain ng
leche flan 'kaya may leche flan kasi may itlog, at iyong
itlog galing sa manok!' ahahahaha... iyong itlog nilalabas
ng manok! may shell pa heheheheheh.... tsk! tapos iyong
tao nanganganak ng tao! tapos iyong kabayo nanganganak
ng kabayo! nakakatayu na pagkapanganak! and the list is
endless... sabi nga ni ka totoy dahil sobrang fertile itong lupa
sa pilipinas pagsinabuyan mo ng butil ang lupa pagdaka ay
may sumibol na... : D

asking for gifts

Today is violeta's bday, a gift for a bday celebrant is the
usual but this time i am the one who asked for it.
I asked her to be an Iglesia ni Cristo member. That is the
only gift i consider and i also asked it from others. :D

sun this monday

this is how i saw the sun this morning.... a cloudy sky today... how about tomorrow?
later we will have a Bible Exposition all over Metro Manila 8pm, those who are not
yet a member of Iglesia ni Cristo i am inviting you to come to your nearest INC
chapel and listen to the words of God :D

my eldest nephew axl was baptised last saturday jan 12, and her mom was one of the
choir members that lead the hymn singing during the baptism ;D

unang tupad sa kasal

unang tupad ko sa kasal kanina bilang
mang-aawit, unang kasal this year at kasama
ako sa unang tumupad, ganda nung duet...
yung hipag ko naman kasama sa mga mang-aawit
na tutupad sa unang bautismo ng taon sa central...
sana sa susunod makasama ako sa makakatupad
sa bautismo...

kisses

i am smelling this 'kisses' i just picked up from the
floor, it is what we called to the round, colored,
small thing i don't really know what it is made of,
that we put in stationary for it to smell. it is still
smelling after 20 years... and my nieces just recently
looked at my small collection of stationary during my
elementary days.

clean-up drive

yesterday jan 2 we held a clean-up drive in
roxas blvd, how can i possibly clean that
street when i am alone? it is a good opportunity
and experience just like the other clean-up
drive in the past where we swept streets
for example espana street...