Super-Preacher In our Times

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Guys. I would like to share this article to everybody. I hope you appreciate this. IT's hard to type this article... --- The Old Path Magazine | Vol. 1 No. 3 | 2005 http://www.angdatingdaan.org Preaching 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 - 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. Sending a Clear Message For a clear message, Bro. Eli would look at his hearers in the eye as he talked. He pronounces words clearly and with sufficient volume. Speaking at an unrushed pace, he would pause now and then, dividing his material into logical chunks. Now and then, he would speak in English, in the Pampanga dialect, in other languages of the country and in Spanish. The teacher in Bro. Eli is clear and direct, but not simplistic. He doesn’t "talk down" to his listeners especially when he is doing Bible expositions. There are people yet babes in Christ, but he would not "water down" the Bible. He supports what he is saying with proofs, with the screen in full color, or with demonstrations by himself. In between preaching, Bro. Eli takes a breather - like give out news on current world and national events, or talk about medicinal food. Then he would go back to his topic. He doesn’t present material too rapidly or too slowly as to drone people to sleep. He uses repetition, paraphrases the verses, explains in more detail, and provides a written reference [the book, chapter, and verse] for what he says. Other preachers would say, don’t ask for verses or you are of the devil. Also, Bro. Eli would take time to summarize. He keeps looking for other avenues of stating information, and that’s why he sings. Now and then, he would ask if his listeners understood. Teaching information in the Bible has genuine importance to Bro. Eli that he makes sure his listeners understand why. So he makes connections between day-to-day experiences and truth, and conveys the importance and usefulness of what he’s teaching. He would help his learners see rules, structure and patterns in the Bible with whatever they are learning. He would emphasize the "whys" and the "hows" to let them see embedded facts and details. In fact, most of the time his topics would begin with "Why" or "How." He knows well to use the words of God to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. [1Cor 14:3]. There is no secret in the Bro. Eli’s being unique, singular, and distinctive. The Bible gives its’ own explanation in John 3:34 as him being sent, therefore speaks the words of God, who gave him unlimited spirit - For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. Teaching Strategies To clarify and reinforce concepts, he would use analogies and personal experiences to promote understanding. This preacher would capitalize on the church background of those aspiring to be members - most of which are what their false preachers do. For example, the confusing sign of the cross which is explained in the Catholic books as "pag-adya s