Reviewing Dr. James R. White’s Debate with INC Minister Jose Ventilacion

Even if an incident I had with some arrogant Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) ministers was already more than a decade ago, there are times I wish I threw my fist. I was rebuked by a Baptist pastor not to stoop down to their level. Funny enough, those arrogant INC ministers thought I was a Baptist pastor a that time. I watched the three-hour formal debate between Reformed Baptist preacher James R. White (who I admired even while I was a KJV Only) and INC minister Jose Ventilacion.

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God’s Providence in Artaxerxes I Longimaus’ Decree

I’d like to say I’m glad I left the KJV-only movement. Sadly, the KJV tends to lack sub-headings which makes it difficult to do some pausing. I decided to use the NIV with its sub-headings to focus on topics. This time, the lesson is on Artaxerxes I Longimanus’ decree, a decree given by providence. The first permission was by Cyrus the Great. Now, it was given by Darius the Great. Now, we have another one namely Artaxerxes I Longimanus, son of Xerxes. I might have to reread Providence is Enough by Pastor Mel Caparros of Living Word Christian Church when I study Esther. This letter was written sometime after the events in Esther. Some believe that Esther was the mother of Artaxerxes I Longimanus. If so, this Artaxerxes I Longimanus may have become a believer in Yahweh. I can’t be certain enough though.

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The Account of Jesus’ Graveclothes Defend the Resurrection

I don’t care if people refuse to believe the evidence. The important thing is I believe the evidence. This Easter Sunday, a good reading would be from John 20:1-18. We have redemption given such as how Mary Magdalene, a woman formerly of ill repute, was given not just a chance but a change. Mary Magdalene wanted to anoint the body (Luke 24:1). However, they didn’t anticipate the resurrection of the Savior. One thing that may be easily dismissed is the strips of linen lying there in the tomb. That’s a crucial detail to provide evidence that the robbery theory is false. It’s not just soldiers who were made to guard the tomb and termination meant their lives. It’s stricter than security guards being dismissed from their work. It meant the loss of lives as well!

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Jesus and Doubting Thomas

A good Easter Sunday study would on doubting Thomas. Thomas himself was the skeptic. It’s only natural for Thomas to have his doubts. A good question to ask anyone is, “Would you believe me if I told you, that someone who died three days ago, just rose again?” Let’s say that person was a very close friend. I don’t think any normal person would believe it. That’s what we read in John 20:24-29. In verses 24-25, Thomas declares his skepticism as a loyal but pessimistic follower of Jesus. I believe that Thomas was exhausted for the past few days. Thomas may not be able to think properly at even the slightest bit.

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Isaiah 53 Fulfilled in the Lord Jesus’ Penal Substitution

It’s easy for me to mention Isaiah 7:14 on Christmas. There’s the statement “This the season, this the reason!” The picture has a wreath on one side and a crown of thorns on the other. One way for me to keep calm during the worldliness of Christmas is to think that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. The purpose of Jesus’ birth was so He could also die for sin. Isaiah 7:14 prophecies the virgin birth. Isaiah 53 highlights the suffering of Christ, prophesied, 700 years (most likely an estimate) before Jesus was born. Isaiah prophesied not only the birth but also the redemptive death of Jesus. Psalm 22 also has David seeing the crucifixion of Jesus. David was in a very bad situation and he saw that the greater David would suffer even worse.

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Jesus Refused the Sour Wine Mixed with Myrrh, Before His Crucifixion, for OUR Sake

Matthew 27:34 and Mark 15:23 talk of Jesus’ account that He was offered mixed with myrrh to deaden the pain. The response of Jesus was not to receive it. Why did Jesus not receive it? The event fulfilled Psalm 69:21, in which the ESV uses poison instead of gall in the KJV. I was looking at what this gall was. It would be important to look into the commentaries and other sources to find out what it was. That’s why trying to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a whole year, is a terrible idea.

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Psalm 22 Pointing to Christ’s Crucifixion

The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus is something not to be viewed for one’s amusement. I confess that I seldom use images (under fair use) from the movie The Passion of the Christ to grab one’s attention. This Good Friday, one should also look at Psalm 22 which was probably written by David under the most distressful situation. Was this when Saul was after his life? Was it when Absalom rebelled against him? Psalm 22 brilliantly shows the redemptive work of the Messiah. Since the Messiah was to come from the line of David, it’s only normal that David should have a glimpse of the sufferings of the Messiah.

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