May 8, 2015

MCGI ARTICLE

Newly Baptized Testimonials: April 24, 2015


Read short testimonials of faith from some of MCGI’s youngest brethren baptized on April 24, 2015 at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.

Bro. Hernani Fedelino, 15, Former KNC, Bulacan Province

On Joining the Church of God

It has been my [desire to join] ever since. This has been really what my parents have [wanted] for me.

I grew up here in the Church of God, so this is really where I would be. It’s my dream to be a member here. My parents have been members since I was just a year old.

On Being Baptized

I felt light, and I feel that my sins have been forgiven.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I thank them and I hope that their lives will be longer that they may be able to save many other souls.

~o~

Bro. Wilson Escalora, 58, Former Baptist, Cavite Province

On Joining the Church of God

I’ve long been idle in religion. After I became a Baptist, I stopped and didn’t attend anymore in the Baptist church. I was idle for ten years or so, as I was searching [for the truth]. Then, I realized that The Old Path [the Church of God International] was better, based on the [teachings] that I was hearing on television.

It was in about the Year 2000 [when I heard Bro. Eli] on television. When I left the Baptist church, that was when I started watching Bro. Eli. Actually, The Old Path was sometimes criticized in the Baptist Church.

I had neighbors who listened to The Old Path, and they told me that it was good, so I listened as well. That’s when it started. When he [preaches] on TV, it’s the verses of the Bible that he reads in answering all the questions that people ask him. He answers from the Bible, so I saw that the teaching was right.

On Being Baptized

I felt very light, like I was relieved of the burden, the extra baggage that I had. In life, we have many things that burden us. So when I was baptized, and even during the indoctrination, I learned a lot that made me feel very light inside.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

My only message for Bro. Eli is that he may be in good health, that his life may be longer, that he may not be sick that he may be able to lead many more people in service to the Lord.

~o~

Bro. John Kennedy Lopez, 16, Former KNC, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

My parents have [long] wanted me to become a member, only there was a hindrance. But I forgot and fought that hindrance that I may be a member of the Church of God.

The doctrines I heard have nothing lacking, no deceit; [they’re] in the Bible. All the answers [to people’s questions] are in the Bible.

On Being Baptized

I felt light.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I hope that the Lord above may keep them, and for Him to lengthen their lives that they may be able to help many more people.

~o~

Bro. Fidel Felipe, 40, Former Catholic, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

I joined the Church of God because I learned the teachings of Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel. Also, with other religions, I didn’t see these kinds of activities and brotherly concern, lifting [each other’s] heavy loads, only with Bro. Eli’s.

I’ve long been listening to Bro. Eli, since 1994… I even saw his live debates; Kuya was still in Channel 2 then.

It was only recently that I took this opportunity. I told myself that I don’t want it to be too late for me [to join]. So here I am, and I have a new life.

On Being Baptized

When I got baptized, I felt really light, like everything – my errors, my sins – have all been buried. So this is me now.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

I hope that he will be given a very long life, and may he just disregard whatever bad thing that people throw at him. Thanks be to God

~o~

Bro. Alfejan Bayo, 29 Former Born Again, Cavite Province
On Joining the Church of God

When I was still in the Born Again, there were unexpected events that happened in my life: Problems piled up; I got into an accident at work; but firstly, my parents got hit by Typhoon Yolanda.

After that, less than a month in my new job and I had an accident wherein I broke a bone. But the heaviest to bear was when my baby was born prematurely, just 6.5 months old. That’s when I decided to seek the true righteousness of the Lord.

—-

When I was in the Born Again I liked [attending] Bible studies, and it just so happened that one of my workmates aboard our ship is a member of the Church of God.

One time, he invited me to watch a Bible Exposition. “Brother, just try and see this. You won’t lose anything should you listen to it,” he said. That was the first time I saw Bro. Eli on a Bible Exposition on TV, as I didn’t watch programs like it before.

My shipmate brought Bible Exposition episodes with him on his hard drive. We just watched it together one time, and that’s when the Word got through to me. Of course, when you read the Bible, you already have a background of the words there.

He asked me, “What do you think of what you’ve heard here as compared to that of your previous religion? What is the difference?” I replied, “The difference is great because here, he explains what is really according to the Bible and not from his own thoughts.”

—-

Afterwards he told me, “Just continue listening; I have some more [Bible Expositions] here; you can copy them if you wish.” I said, “Sure, I’ll copy it.” And that’s how I began listening and watching Bro. Eli’s [program] daily. Even if it were just the questions of other people, I understood it more because he explains clearly.

My shipmate told me to try the indoctrination sessions when I get home, because he went home first. “Just continue with it and see if it will have a change [in you]. Should you see something wrong with it, then at least you tried,” he said. I agreed and told him that I would go to [the locale] when I disembark.

Coincidentally, the locale was just near our home, so that’s how it started. I said, “This is different. The doctrines that other religions preach is different from here, because they add and take away many things, unlike here wherein what is written in the Bible will be taught to you step-by-step; they [Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel] hide nothing. Whether you accept it or not, they will preach it.

On Being Baptized

Well, it felt light. It’s actually my first time to be baptized. When I was in the Born Again, my baptism would always be put off. Perhaps, the reason why that baptism didn’t push through was because I would really be here.

I started in 2006 [in the Born Again]. I got onboard our ship in 2006, so their schedule of baptism ended up having conflict [with my availability]. Their teaching is different from the truth.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

May they continue their preaching, that many more people will be enlightened. We will continue praying for them both, that their lives may be longer, that many more may know the doctrines, that the brotherhood which the Lord formed may be kept and increase the more, and that [the doctrines] won’t be replaced by those of men.

~o~

Bro. Leovir Rama, 31, Former Pentecostal Church Member, Davao City

On Joining the Church of God

Firstly, I thank the Lord because I became a member.

I was searching, I was assessing who [the preacher] is who bears the truth. Of course, it wasn’t going to be easy as there were many trials alongside it; not to mention, the persecution of different people.

Then, I was also being swayed by different vices. I tried hard to separate myself from such, but sometimes, I would still give in.

—-

Now as I was by my lonesome outside [our house], I told myself, “What will happen to me?” because I was feeling the signs that God said, that the end is near…

That’s why I always asked God, “Lord, if You will come, please take me with You; I might be left behind. I just want to know who bears the true doctrine.”

That was really the question that I always asked myself: Who bears the true teaching? It’s because almost everyone that I have heard [preaching] claim that they are such. At that point [of my searching], I heard Bro. Eli, and the difference is great.

Someone gave an invitation at our place [to the indoctrination sessions]. Though it wasn’t my first time [to hear Bro. Eliseo] as I heard him before on TV in Davao. Everything that he says is biblical. He doesn’t digress from it. I really don’t see anything that is against it [the Bible].

On Being Baptized

I felt like crying when I was asked, “Are you ready?” There were questions [by the baptizer] that really got through to me. I wanted to cry a while ago in the pool; I just contained it.

The questions [were poignant] for me as I have somehow a deep understanding about the doctrines, so I was happy because it’s a new life [for me].

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

My message for Bro. Eli is that may he continue preaching. He’s the one elected to preach; he cannot refrain from doing so. And it’s because it’s a good sign of salvation to all.

~o~

Bro. Adrian Tagle, 35, Former Catholic, Cavite Province

On Joining the Church of God

Before, when I was still a teenager… I felt that I had God in my life, like He was always there by my side. It’s like I got everything I asked for.

One time however, when my friends and I were going to Tagaytay, we were one man too many for the van [we rented]. Though I was already inside the vehicle, I decided not to join them as I also had an exam the next day.

I then called one of my friends who felt bad [that he was the one to not be able to go with us]. When he came, they were the ones who went to Tagaytay. The following day, I learned that they got into an accident; almost all of them were dead. So I said, “It’s like Someone saved me.”

—-

Time passed by. Then one time, my mother had stroke. I couldn’t do anything; I felt weak, as if I was losing hope.

I called [to God], and said, “Heal my mother and I will give my life to You. I will have faith in You.” My mother became better, but that time, I wasn’t able to fulfill my [promise] to Him.

Days went by and I told myself that I need to [return unto God]. I converted to the INC [Iglesia ni Cristo]. So I remained there for almost three years; I got baptized there. But in the end, I felt that there was no change, especially in my being.

I became a Catholic again. Then as time progressed, I had vices; we drank, smoked, and gambled daily. My mother and wife were reprimanding me already, and I even lost my job. I was also feeling pity for my child.

—-

Thankfully, I have a friend who is a member here, and we were able to talk to each other. I felt that I had a place in my mind and heart again for Him. That’s when I decided to [return to Him].

Actually, there have been many times that I have somehow let Him down as I have started with the indoctrination before, but didn’t finish it. It seems like there were many hindrances.

But now, this is the opportunity [given to me] for me to finish it, so I strove to see it through. And that’s when I proved that the words of God that Bro. Eli preaches go straight into my heart.

When you hear it, you will really have fear of the Lord. Your mind will be enlightened. You will learn to [respect] the word of God, especially the Bible. That’s why I joined.

On Being Baptized

Truthfully, I felt afraid at first. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I didn’t know if I would be able to obey the [commandments].

However, since I have been baptized, and as I hear new doctrines, I feel I’m getting used to resisting [evil] and that I can be strong about it. That’s how I feel.

When the song, “Faithful Preachers”, was being sung, I cried because I felt God, like He’s just there, and His Spirit.

Actually, I can’t explain it; I really can’t. I don’t know what I’m feeling. But now, it’s like I’m peaceful inside and it’s only now that I felt light.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

Many thanks that you are there. You’ll be able to open many minds and hearts in believing in the word of God, and you’ll be able to teach many to have faith in it.

~o~

Sis. Leovigilda Cronico, 68, Former Catholic, Manila

On Joining the Church of God

I discovered many wrong doctrines with my former religion. I’ve been with this religion practically for 68 years, since birth.

And I went to Catholic school in Nueva Vizcaya from Grade 1, from kindergarten even until college. It’s a Catholic school so religion, everything is taught… religion is taught every grade, every year.

So when I heard over the radio the Bible Expositions, the questions and answers, I realized [many things]. Then one time, I heard “Thou shalt not bow down to [graven images]…”

—-

I have a grandfather during the 80s, about 1986, and he said, “You go to mass?” We replied, “Yes, grandfather.” [Speaks Ilocano] “Thou shalt not bow down to anything made by man, natikitikan [graven] by the hands of man,” he said. It was instilled in my mind. I asked, “Is it like that?”

When I was in school: College, high school, elementary, what was instilled in our minds was that we cannot take hold or read the Bible. The only ones who can read the Bible are those belonging to the religious orders like the priest, the nuns.

So I didn’t know that. And then, I gradually… I think it was only in the last week of February this year [that] I got to always listen to the questions and answers [in Bible Expositions]. Then, I would look [for the verses mentioned] in the Bible, and I would see them there.

—-

One of the activities we had in high school was confession. We would confess every Thursday afternoon, then go to mass every Friday. All schools had that as I went to a Catholic school. So I said, “Those were frequent.”

Another thing I disliked was the mass. I said, “It seems wrong.” Also, receiving the communion; I didn’t like that as well, even doing the sign of the cross. Then, there’s walking towards the altar on your knees, and kissing the idols. It seemed against my will. It’s against my conscience for me to do such.

I then told my housemate, “Look for Ang Dating Daan [The Old Path],” when there was a [TV invitation] for indoctrination: On March 13, we are inviting you to join the Mass Indoctrination. “Rose, let’s go there. Ask where it is,” I told her.

The first time she went out, she didn’t find the [locale] in Marulas. I told her, “You lack skills in searching.” So I went with her, and we found it…

On Being Baptized

It feels okay. I feel light now. I am in the right religion. I am on the right way to God. We’re on the right path already. That’s what I really feel.

On Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon

Bro. Eli, we are very thankful; I am very thankful that I heard His words. Maybe, it’s because God has given me the graces, and perhaps due also to the prayers of the members; they prayed that people may find their way to His heart, to God’s heart, to God’s Church. I hope that many more will come.

To God be the glory

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