Reflection #12

Though i never got interested in roman Catholic, but because of this lesson I was attract by the idea that they are the first church in the history. If I knew it before I maybe proud that I belong to that very first establish church. As of now, question in my head arises as we go deeper in the lesson and lot of things that confused me so much. I just don't get it why Catholic is the first establish church since christian already exist on those time. Also the two men who brought the Bible in the Philippine,s Manrique Lallave and F De L. Castells who was converted into christianity.

Though christian in those time are under persecution because of the Spanish and Americans who want to conquered them, God never fail to proved to them that He is more powerful than those Spanish and Americans. We might be always in the bottom but God never fail to satisfy us his great love, so no matter what happen continue run the race and you will receive the full reward in heaven.

Let us continue that race that our ancestors had started, let us run with endurance because the Lord is waiting in the finish line. Don't give up, never, never, never give up of what is truth for you are rest assured that the God you are worshiping today will still be the God that we will worship in heaven. Stand and be firm of what you believe do not be shaken by the persecution for Christ receive more than what we supposed to received.

Reflection #2

Ignatius who is he reputed student of John the Baptist and also wrote a series of letters as an example of christian theology. When he died people was given feast in different churches and before he died Ignatius taught the deity of Christ. Also Polycarp was the last survivor to have known last apostle, and strongly refused to denied Jesus Christ. He was also responsible for converting many Gnostic and also the disciple of John the Apostle.

What Polycarp says made me pause for the whole class because I am ashamed, for no reason. I don't know if I'm guilty or what I don't understand. But those words are so strong that I cannot neglect "86 years I have served Him and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior". It was an amazing statement I ever heard, so far I did not heard Christian saying those words. What does it feels that you are under persecution and yet this what you said, it seems like a hypocrite but if you are experiencing the love of God nothing is more than that can force you to denied.

When I died I hope until the end of my life I can stand bearing the faithfulness of God, that fear and doubt cannot win over me. I hope I have the courage to say the same thing when persecution come and worse death. I don't know what lays ahead but I hope that as day goes by He will strengthen me all the way.

Reflection #11

Jacobus Arminus a founder of anti-Calvinist reformed, theology who strictly opposed the teaching of predestination. he is also known for developing Arminianism, who believe that Jesus died for all men contrast of what Calvinist believed. Jonathan Edward who is known as the great awakening, the most important and original philosophical theologian rooted in reformed theology. He was also the fore runners of the age of protestant missionary expansion in the 19th century. He also wrote  books: the End for which God created the word that inspired many missionaries.

I could agree of what Arminus believe that Christ died for all men, because we cannot tell what is truth because both are biblical. We are told to preach the gospel all around the world, in that case why do we have to do that if people saved by the election of God and how about the mercy and love of God. Even how many times people argued this belief we cannot give the right answer because we cannot comprehend everything that it says. All we have to do is to share that they may know that Jesus Christ is Lord and savior.

What you believe is nor right or wrong, what is more important  is to knowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. It is the choice of people if they accept of reject the salvation that Jesus Christ has offered. Your job as a christian is only to share the gospel and not to judge if he is save or not nor chosen or what because only God knows.

Rreflection #9

I enjoy hearing different life story and now I heard new story of a men name Saint Gregory the great and Augustine Redivivus. Gregory being a son of senator followed his father's footstep in politics. A noble family who has heart to help the poor and later own decided to entered monastery. Augustine and Gregory have some similarity because they both love to help needy people at the same time a monk.

I was amazed by the reality that no matter how are ancestors discovered something that made it known today, still there are things that we really cant understand nor answered. Just like the question of Gregory about the purgatory. Until now I kept on asking what is in the purgatory that people believe about it. They said that it is where people go when their soul are not uncertain or go to  heaven directly. But the Lord affirmed it in the scripture that those who believe and accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior he will be saved. People thought that when there family died they assumed that they could still pray for them that their soul may go to heaven. It should be clarified and teach in the church to understand that purgatory does not exist.

Teachers and Pastor, it is an alarmed that we must be alert to response before people will be totally blinded of what is truth. We have the opportunity to teach them and correct their belief that will be proven in the Bible. It's time to go and do the work of God.

Reflection #8

Another reporter another contributor I have discovered. Now we are going to talk about Martin of tours

and St. Ambrose of Milan. These two men might be in different place and life but they have one thing in

common and to the other contributor. But before that we should remember some of their

autobiography. Martin one of his remarkable deeds was when he cut the half of his clothed and give it

to the beggar and His mother was converted through him. Ambrose on the other hand was very

distinguished young gentle man, and what made him unique was that he was baptized and ordain in the

same day. He also introduced new Eastern melodies by composing new hymns.

I observed how talented and intellectual they are, some are writer, composer and preacher. They are

very educated and we could say influential people too. I like to quote what Martin says "I have served

you as a soldier; allow me henceforth to serve Christ". It was simple yet very astonishing statement,

someday I want to make a remarkable statement for Christ too. It is just like what teacher Ethel say that

"enough of me, its time for you", its seems like they are surrendering their whole life for Jesus. I want to

do the same thing, I want to serve Him fully because I already consumed more than half of my time for

worldly thing. Now it is enough, it is time for Christ.

Its time to start the true fight and as I go out I hope my perspective in life will increase into more

matured thinker. Not as intellectual as they are but enough to glorify God. I cannot do the same thing

but it is by God's grace that I will be able to do extraordinary as the Lord works in me.

Reflection #7

         Ate Sarah report St. Basil the great of Cappadacia he studied literature at home and his sister Macrina

influence him the monastic life. He visited and founded the monasteries, he also become an assistant of

Eusebius. In his achievement he was able to founded monasteries, help the poor during famine, and

wrote the longer rules and shorter rules that made him known. The main idea about the crusades is that

they attempt to gain christian control of the holy land they also have some goals.

      Literature became one in my list as my favorite habit and I enjoy doing it. Though it was a little bit

frustrating but I want to learn more about it. It is really good to hear that someone like Basil the great

was able to help the poor. Also I was curious of what are the rules that he had done that made it a

contribution to church history.  While I'm reading the crusades I appreciated how they valued the place

of Jerusalem and holy land where Jesus Christ was crucified that they are willing to take it away from

Muslim. I cant imagine how the Muslim persecuted the christian because how cruel they are when they

caught you are a christian.

        My supervisor last internship is a missionary in Muslim area and she told us a lot of story about the

Muslim and her life there. I heard about there marriage thingy that if the women is virgin they will show

the clothe they have used during honeymoon. Also the men has the privilege to have at least five wife or

more than that if you could afford to sustain them. I also heard that she was almost victim of raped, she

said that you have to wear long skirt that will cover your body to avoid the men to arouse. Muslim is the

second strongest religion I know and are very firm in their faith. But I hope I have the courage to share a

Muslim someday.

Reflection #6

        This week reports is about Origen and Cyprian. Origen being the oldest in the family has desired to die

as a martyr but his mother prevent him from leaving the house by hiding his cloths. While Cyprian is a

leading member of legal fraternity in Carthage but during these time he found completely release from

the sinful and useless life he believed he had before. They also had contribution in the church history

that develop more ideas to many. They also role one of the position in church, a being church father and

as a deacon.

       They have position that will protect them and even give them wealth or make them influential but then

these two men showed braveness in declaring themselves as a true believer of Christ. They are even

more willing to die as martyr or accept persecution.  I saluted those men who never denied their faith in

Jesus Christ because if I am in their place I might do the same thing with Peter. Indeed, God is so

graceful that He never put me there because He knew I cant stand the same. Even until today I still don't

have the courage to stand in front and declared my faith because I am afraid to die. I experienced being

persecuted with my own family and its not easy, how much more if other people persecute me.

         I might have fear but I think its not enough to denied my faith and it challenge me knowing that I will be

tested as I go out this place. Different persecution is now knocking in the door yet I still don't have the

courage to face them. I don't know my tomorrow but the one whom I believed does not only know

about it but also He planned for it. It is a comfort for me and encouraged me more to trust in Him over

and over again.

Reflection #5

        The significance of the council is that they made it clear the Church's understanding of who Jesus  Christ

is and also unified the church of faith. I appreciated there efforts in teaching about Jesus Christ, yet I

also disagreed some of there law especially forcing people to follow the council of Nicea.  Though there

are positive effects of the Christianized Roman Empire yet the opposite still remain because there are

negatives things happened.

        If we view our lives today compared to them we are more blessed to know Jesus Christ by our own

experience and not by force. We might neglect about Christ but still we have the chance to come in Him,

unlike before that death is the payment for those who refused to believe. I don't understand why people

refused to believed in God even if evidenced are strong, what else they want. The Lord offered his own

life for all of us and we have the nerve to denied it. Yes, I understand that to believe in Spirit thingy

sounds insane but what could we do for we are sinners and He is holy. No one can see Him not even

those people whom He have used to spread the gospel.

            One thing is for sure is that we are privilege to know Him and to share the gospel which is about Him to

other people. Now, we should start and stop behaving as if you dont understand because it is already

written and explain with His people.

Reflection # 4

             Just like other influential people Justin Martyr is also known as one of them. What common things I

observed is that they all have a higher position in Church. Justin being a commander of the army and

other position, he had sacrificed great cost for the sake of what is true. They give up their position, and

everything they have or even accept persecution because they have discovered about Jesus Christ.

           There lives become an inspiration to other people though it is still a big question if they are saved or

true Christian. But still they gave a big impact to the Church history and a history that is full of mystery.

Without these people our lesson might be boring and not interesting. What captured me must is that

how they stand in the persecution since they have different story and it is interesting how the Lord

work's in them in different way.

            Through their lives I was able to discover different area in knowing and growing in Christ. Like how

they spend there time just to seek what is true, by reading the Bible or research some books to get some

answers. As of me, I learned that not everything will you learn from other people because I have also the

capacity to discover in my own way of what is truth. So, as of now I started reading ang collecting some

ideas that will add my input.

Baptist Theological College                                                                           March 12, 2016

Church History                                                                                             Ella Mae Abala

Mrs. Angel Grace Bergado                                                                           Box # 1

Reflection #10                                                                                              Grade______

Somehow people choose to comprise because we thought it is the right thing to do. Zwingli who was

very strong with his conviction in applying the scripture, but a circumstances made him comprised in the

situation. On the other hand, Calvin who is also known of his stong belief that Christ died only for those

whom He choose to saved.  They are both educated and parents that are also under in religious activiies.

Zwingli believe that infant baptism cannot saved and so though I, but what made him comprise was

because he was afraid to lost support from the church. I remember last time that we talk about

comprimising and I said in their that compromising is a choice. I know I cannot judge him nor cannot say

that I will never comprise. But I just cant help it thingking that he is a prist and very strong in his

conviction to applied the Bible in the church. We really cannot say what tomorrow come so better to

have your strong relationship with Him who is able to make things possible for you. As we go back to

Calvin story I remember that we even had an argument about it in my pastor. He believe of what Calvin

says about salavation but there are many biblical verses that also talk that Christ died for all. We cannot

say which is which but what I believe is that God give grace for all of us.

This is a reminder for all Chrisian that we need to preach the gospel because it is what the scripture say.

Its time to go and preach the good news to everyone not only one. We must combine our force to be

strong in declaring the salvation that Christ Jesus has given us.