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Super-Preacher
In our Times
The Old Path Magazine | Vol. 1 No. 3 | 2005 |
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 reaching
has been taken quite lightly by some, especially
those in for “filthy lucre.” To find out if
preaching is for real, it may be examined using
instructional principles. It is basically teaching
and so should fulfill the requirements for teaching
if ever made an embellished form of whatever art. A
true preacher would know that preaching too is
science, and then some. Especially for the word of
God, preaching should be clear, accurate, and
understandable - and then should be able to fulfill
its end of saving souls.
Today what we actually observe is an evolved form of
inane art or a ritual of sorts with money as bottom
line. That’s the sorry end: money. There is not even
a dint of teaching there, but only types allowing
superficial release of psychological burdens from
worldly problems and then the whole thing is over.
In places where this happens, no learning of God’s
word is done, if ever.
Instead of teaching in these church groups, you hear
of priests in some sing-song gibberish in Latin,
some other language, or the dialect. Then comes the
bowing, the genuflecting, the rising, the raising of
hands, and the ringing of bells. Or the shouting of
empty phrases and cries about love and Jesus, and
some perceived healing complete with collapsing and
some shaking. Nowhere do you hear of bible verses
being expounded in these rituals, worlds apart from
studying the Word of God. But you hear of stories
with a sprinkling of chosen few verses to boot – to
fit only an unwarranted belief. And then the
collection comes. How these types of “teaching”
could ever save souls is greatly mystifying.
Philippians 1:15 says some indeed preach Christ even
of envy and strife. Without the necessary know-how,
they too indulge in what they think is preaching –
for filthy lucre’s sake, damning themselves in the
process.
1Tim 6:10 says –
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which
while some coveted after, they have erred from the
faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.
Bro. Eli Soriano, presiding minister of the Church
of God, International, has shown over the years his
teaching the Word of God which is a different,
incomparable type. While some use only bits and
pieces of the Bible, he uses it whole. While some do
not bother to teach the commandments in the Bible,
he teaches these commandments in whole. He risks
life and limb to teach the Word of God, to defend
its truth, and to fight those who corrupt it like a
true preacher would. As an expert on the Bible, he
teaches for understanding and for learning - toward
the salvation of souls. Different from others in
caring, he is like Paul as described in Phil 2:20-21
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For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally
care for your state. For all seek their own, not the
things which are Jesus Christ's.
But why are thousands attracted to Bro. Eli’s
preaching or teaching the Word of God despite claims
that he curses?
The Basics First
Wherever he is preaching - in the television, in the
radio, in bible expositions, before the
congregation, Bro. Eli does not expect a so-called
innate intelligence among his listeners when it
comes to the Word of God. There could only be the
willingness to respond to truth, or the denial of
it. This world had offered more than a share of
false teachings so long, they have to be corrected.
For this, some work has to be done. Rom 10:14-15
says -
How then shall they call on him in whom they have
not believed? And how shall they believe in him of
whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear
without a preacher? And how shall they preach,
except they be sent?
Bro. Eli doesn’t make assumptions about what his
listeners know. Point Zero to him would begin with
illustrating what happens in these church groups. In
here, he would be as candid as he can, calling idols
as they are: wood, cement, stone, and yet one bows
before them, touching them as though they had some
life in them. He is trying to open his listeners’
eyes to the folly foisted on them by false teachers.
Then to him, there would be no breakdown points of
performance with every one wanting to be a
Christian. It is hard to do what’s right, he says,
but with guidance, there would be no learner left
behind.
Skills, techniques and strategies are modeled
successfully in Bro. Eli as a teacher. There is no
emphasis of specific memory strategies and study
skills. He would encourage frequent study however,
and by this, shows that learning is not limited to
just memorization, but with the involvement of God’s
spirit. For those tending to critical thinking, they
can have their day with Bro. Eli whose prowess in
this aspect is easily explained from the Bible. Luke
21:14 -15 states –
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate
before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a
mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall
not be able to gainsay nor resist.
But he’s not the kind to push around. He knows if
someone is asking with a desire to know, or asking
in order to impose a mistaken belief. The teacher in
Bro. Eli doesn’t give up easily, especially if one
shows he is interested in truth. He knows one can
improve, even in areas of weaknesses. Those already
deceived can be taught not with sarcasm, shame, and
humiliation and he shows that in his dealings with
them. However, he too knows how to cut clean from
hardened fools trying to waste time.
Cursing as his enemies would charge connotes
irresponsible desire to have the other afflicted.
But that is not what Bro. Eli would want. There is
just his duty to expose with vehemence the deception
being done by false preachers who may drag others to
damnation with them. And as he can say things to the
face of these false preachers with anger and in full
force, it is illogical that he would curse and so
spoil his labor in the process. For one who fully
trusts in God to take charge, he could only do his
part in rebuking. So when he shouts “Pwe” with full
force, it means it is sickening to the stomach – the
gall of pretenders who do things abominable to the
eyes of God. When he shouts then, he is protesting
like others in the Bible did their own protest, as
he cares about what God would think of the way he
interprets his own work. Who knows if from Bro.
Eli’s rebuking them, these people may one day wake
up to see their own folly? 2 Tim 3:16 says –
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness.
In exposing deception then, there is no need to take
steps gingerly. This is why Bro. Eli doesn’t try to
be diplomatic with fools; he simply says things as
they are. He shouts if needed. What is foolish is
foolish; what is sin is sin, no matter how one tries
to dress it up. He calls a spade, a spade - no
excuses. That is his work as far as he is concerned.
He has to reprove, rebuke, and reproach no matter
who gets hurt. He is not beholden to anyone but to
God and in a way, this has been his strength through
the years, he needed not preach for vested
interests.
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Doctrines of
Christ
