“The words of God are for any season.”
These were the opening words of Brother Eli Soriano that kicked off the Worldwide Bible Exposition on the evening of March 10 this year.
The televangelist said that people now live in the light of the prophecy in Isaiah 43:9, realized through the advent of the Internet and sophisticated teleconferencing platforms that allow for people to freely discuss matters of religion.
On Prayer and Congregating
A guest in Saipan asked why it was necessary to go to Church to tell God what He already knows, and if it is alright to just pray privately at home.
Bro. Eli explained that it is God’s will for people to congregate, praise and worship Him, which in the same way the Apostle Paul, in Hebrews 10:25, reminds the Christians. “We congregate because it is together that the work of the ministry is fulfilled. “[No man] wasn’t created to be alone. No man is an island,” Bro. Eli said, emphasizing the verses in Ephesians 4:11-12 which states:
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
The International Televangelist also expounded on Christ’s prayer written in Matthew 6:9, referring to the Father being in heaven and not omnipresent like what many believe. “It is the eyes of the Lord that are in every place, meaning He can see everything. Omnipresence is not in the Bible.” This was to refute the idea that it is sufficient to pray to and worship God at home.
Leaving the Past Behind
A former pastor based in Dubai raised his feelings of guilt leaving his followers whose souls he had won, thinking his old belief as true.
Bro. Eli’s answer was taken from Acts 22:4, stating that St. Paul’s past as a zealous defender of the law of his ancestors led to his persecution of the Jews. “He used to have members of the Church of God killed.” [But] Paul was called by God unto the Church that he once persecuted,” Bro Eli said, citing I Corinthians 1:2.
A female guest from Negros Oriental asked if she can attain salvation doing good though remaining in her current religion.
The televangelist who is known for his frankness responded, “Your religion practices idolatry, and idolatry is an abomination unto the Lord.” He cited Psalms 115:4-8 to support his answer.
Holy Week, Food for Christians, True Church and Others
An inquirer from Nueva Ecija asked on the true Church, to which Bro. Eli related the characteristics of the real Church preached in the Bible.
Bro. Eli again spoke regarding the true religion and what it means to be part of it. He explained that both Acts 10:28 and Revelations 5:9 tell that those who are in the Church are those whose sins Christ had been redeemed. It is the Church called in God’s Name, as described in Daniel 9:19.
Other topics raised during the Bible Exposition involved an examination into the various non-biblical doctrines of self-proclaimed preachers. These include the practice and observance of ‘holy week’ and foods that are legit for Christians.
A total of eight questions were answered, seven from different sites in the Philippines and one from Dubai. Eight questions were answered from Dubai, Nueva Ecija, Negros Oriental, Butuan City, Antipolo City, and Makati City.
The hashtag #ADDBibleExposition started making trends at 7:47 pm (PHT) on the same day the Bible Exposition was held and reached the No. 2 spot by 8 pm.
Written by: Ma. Therese Quita