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Maintaining Trust in God When Challenged
This is one of the weekly updates
that the President of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists sends
to the pastors and local leaders in the conference. Read it and be blessed.
- Editor
A Startling Statement
Many within Christendom will recall a startling statement published by the
Vatican on July 10, 2007 in a document titled, "Responses to Some Questions
Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church." It stated: "Christ
'established here on earth' only one Church and instituted it as a 'visible
and spiritual community,' that from its beginning and throughout the
centuries has always existed and will always exist. . . .
This Church,
constituted and organized in this world as a society, subsists in the
Catholic Church, governed by the successor of Peter."
Essentially, the document issued in the name of Pope Benedict XVI claims the
Roman Catholic Church to be the only true, genuine church of Jesus Christ
(Challenges to the Remnant, p. 13.).
Reaction to the Statement
As expected, "reactions by non-Catholic Christians to this document were
immediate and largely negative." However, as pointed out by prominent
Adventist Bible scholar, Marvin Moore, "why all the fuss?" Moore explains
that "the claim that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church goes
back hundreds of years." In fact, the Catholic Church provides the following
reasons why it is the only true church. These are:
a. Apostolic Succession --The claim that in Matthew 16:18, Jesus designated
Peter as the first pope and that since that time, the line of popes has
continued unbroken until the present day.
b. Eucharistic Mystery -the view that bread and wine during the Communion
Service are changed into the actual body and blood of Christ.
No Scriptural Support
In spite of the claims of the Roman Church, we know from scriptures that
Peter was not the first pope, and neither did Jesus build His church upon
Peter. According to the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, "Had Christ
made Peter chief among the disciples, they would not thereafter have been
involved in repeated arguments about which of them 'should be accounted the
greatest'" (Luke 22:24). In fact, the Christian church for the first four
hundred years failed to apply Christ's words in Matthew 16:18 to Peter. The
first pope to do so was Leo I, about A. D. 445 (Moore).
Application for Today's Members
Saints of God, it was two months ago that the Pope visited the United
States; and right away interpretations were made as to the meaning of Pope
Benedict's visit. In addition, with fuel cost ever increasing coupled with
crimes and disasters, some persons are inclined to panic. I caution that we
avoid the two extremes. One --placing a meaning on everything and
unnecessarily alarming one and others! Then there is the danger of ignoring
everythingand taking a callous and indifferent position. Either of these is
equally dangerous, and thus I encourage members to seek a close relationship
with Christ. It is imperative that we read His word and pray daily for
guidance. In fact, in the book, The Great Controversy, Ellen White assures
that "Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who
have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful
delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will
detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will
come"(p.625). Furthermore, we must be mindful that "it is easy to put a
false interpretation on Scripture, placing stress on passages, and assigning
to them a meaning, which, at the first investigation, may appear true, but
which by further search, will be seen to be false. This Day With God, p. 43.
Thought to Ponder
"We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way
the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history." Ellen White
Congratulations to the Adventist Men Chorale.
They came through in exciting
style this past Saturday night at the Presbyterian Kirk as they charmed the
audience with thier musical renditions. The items were well received and the
chants could be heard “more, more.” We are proud of you men. Continue to
Sing for Jesus.-Paul A Scavella Mens Ministry Coordinator
Weekend Stewardship Seminar a Success
Listen to the Presentations
From Friday evening, May 23, to Sunday evening, May 25, 2008 Adventists
participated in an informative stewardship seminar at the Grant's Town
Seventh-day Adventist Church, Wellington Street, Nassau. It was a weekend
filled with inspiration and motivation as the participants sat at the feet
of Dr. Gordon Botting, Stewardship Director of the Pacific Union Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists, for six (6) sessions of Bible-based financial
principles.
The presenter did not quote half of the 2500 texts in the Bible that relate
to money and its management, but he revealed the real message in the parable
of the Good Samaritan by using this story to emphasize that Christian
stewards should be "givers" and not "grabbers." Are you a giver or a
grabber?
Members and visiting friends came out by the hundreds to drink at this
fountain that flowed with knowledge, based on the word of God. We must now
apply the principles learned during the seminar to our daily lives. As a
result, we definitely will be better Christian Stewards. Thanks to all who
made the weekend a success ful, long to be remembered occasion. - Kenny V.
Deveaux, Stewardship Director, BC
Lowe Sound Church Commemorates Pastoral Tenure Today
Members of the Lowe Sound Seventh-day Adventist Church, North Andros,
Bahamas and residents of North Andros will celebrate and commemorate the
tenure of Pastor Mark Ewen and his family today in a service of Thanksgiving
for his stellar service to the church, as well as the comunity of North
Andros. Pastor Ewen is preparing to further his studies and will be leaving
the district shortly.
Good News Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Under the theme "Are you ready for Jesus to come?" the Good News Church
celebrated homecoming and 20 years of
Christian witness in their community, on Saturday, May 24, 2008. Beginning
with the Sabbath School, the celebrations continued during the Divine Hour
and throughout the day.
Among the special guests in attendance was the Hon. T. Desmond Bannister,
the Member of Parliament for the area. The guest Speaker for the Divine
Service was the president of Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,
Pastor Leonard A. Johnson. He delivered a powerful sermon, "Dispensing with
Doubt," based on Luke 5: 1-11. Pastor Johnson encouraged the members to
maintain their relationship with Jesus and to strengthen their ties with the
church. This is not the time to give up; rather they should become fishers
of men.
Following a tasty meal in the fellowship hall prepared by members of the
Good News Church family, everyone returned to the main sanctuary at 3:00
p.m. for the second part of the day's program. Every hour there was a
different speaker, and choirs and groups from the sister churches in Nassau
provided special music. The afternoon speakers included Elder Willard Barr,
Pastors Paul Scavella, Eric Dannie Clarke, and Elder C. Melvin Lewis. Their
messages brought hope and encouragement to the listeners.-Raquel Moore,
Communication Secretary
Noon Prayer Meeting At Philadelphia Church
The doors of Philadelphia will be opened for prayer on Tuesdays at noon for
one hour. You are invited to join in this time of special prayer and praise.
Come and be blessed.
Adventist Educators Association will conduct its monthly meeting on
June 7, 2008 at the Bahamas Academy Early Learning Centre. All members and
those who wish to become members are invited to attend.-Public Relation
Officer
Seminar for Colporteurs A training seminar for all categories of colporteurs (student, part-time,
full-time) will be conducted tomorrow, Sunday, June 1, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. –
11:00 a.m., at the Conference Office. Please come on time.
New Englerston Early Morning Prayer Meeting
New Englerston's Prayer Meeting presenter will be Pastor Wilfred T.
Adderley. June 1, 2008 at 6:00 a.m. at
The Eagle Music Ministry Choir
will meet on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 5:30 -
6:45 p.m. at the New Englerston Church. Please plan to be on time! Allison
M. Rolle
July 13 to 19, 2008 -The Eagle Music Ministry Network will launch its 3rd
Annual Music Conference/Workshop as an Outreach in our community. This
year's Conference will be held at The New Destiny Baptist Cathedral, Baillou
Hill Road. Registration Forms will become available on June 4, 2008 at the
Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and at the New Destiny
Cathedral. Persons may also register at bahamasconference.org We ask your
support and prayers as we strive to make a difference in this area of
Ministry! -Allison M. Rolle, EMMN
Lay Outreach at Good News The Lay Outreach - “The Family and the Word” revival continue tomorrow,
Sunday, June 1st and run nightly at 7:30 p.m., except on Thursday, at the
church on Great Britain Street, Flamingo Gardens Sub-division.
Music Workshop at Breath of Life
The BOL Adventist Church, Marshall Road, will host a MusicWorkshop with our
own Bahamian artists -Thursday to Sunday, June 5 to 8, 2008. Join us as we
celebrate our all-day Super Sabbath/Choir Day on June 7, at 9:00 a.m. The
weekend activities will conclude on Sunday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. with a grand
gospel Concert. All are welcome to join us. BOL Music Department
National Adventist Chorale to Perform Handel's Messiah in December. All
church choirs (youth and senior) and interested persons are invited to attend
the first rehearsal on Sunday, June 22, 2008, at 4:45 p.m. at Hillview
Church (for one hour), of the Handel's Messiah. This first rehearsal will be
a funtime singing and introduction. The Handel's Messiah (Part One and Two)
will be performed by the National Adventist Choir (All church choirs) on
Sunday, December 14, 2008 at a place to be announced. Joining the production
of the Messiah will be The Bahamas Concert Orchestra. Plan to get involved.
Proceeds will aid the new Bahamas Academy. -Pastor Barrington Brennen
Sabbath School Sabbath School Teacher Certification Seminar, June 23 and 24, 2008, 6:30 -
9:30 p.m. at the Hillview S.D.A. Church. All Sabbath School Superintendents,
Teachers and Assistants, and Personal Ministries Directors must plan to
attend.
For more information, contact Sister June Flowers.-Pastor Wilfred T.
Adderley, Assistant Sabbath
Youth Announcements Bahamas Conference Youth Choir practice continues today at 4:30 at the New
Providence Church. All young persons who are interested in being in the
Conference Youth Choir and singing during Mid-year convention are asked to
attend.
Next on the calendar of events are Basketball in June, Softball, and the
August Monday Family Sports Day. Churches interested in having teams for the
basketball season are asked to submit the registration forms and fees NOW.
-Pastor Andrew E. Burrows, Youth Director
The 21st Annual Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp will be held June 23 to July 18
at the H.D. Colburn Gym. Registration in progress.
Persons who would like to volunteer to work at Camp “Yes I Can” for
underprivileged children, ages 8 to 14, June 29 to July 6, 2008, at Camp
Bamivoca, South Beach are asked to contact Sis. Marilyn Bonamy at 393-8507
or 427-3476
The Hour of Gospel Music at the Mary Ingraham Home continues today from 6 to
7 p.m. with the Real Harvest church. Bahamas Academy School is scheduled for
next Sabbath, June 7, 2008.
Centreville Church to Host Vege Cooking Class
Vegetarian cooking and instruction class will commence this Sunday, June 1,
2008 at the Centerville Church house 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A small
Registration fee is required. All are invited, the classes will be held
every Sunday during the month of June. Registration is on site.-Health
Ministry Department CC
Community Services and Masterguides Uniform Material (green) is available at
the Conference Office.
Upcoming Events
June 21 Youth Issues
June 25 -29 Midyear Convention
July 26 Men’s Conference
Nov. 28 - 30 -Spirit of Prophecy Weekend
Dec. 13 Masterguide Investiture
Sun
Sets Today at 7:55 p.m.
Sun Sets next Sabbath at 7:58 p.m.
