On November 21, 2006, Dr. Francisco Gilardoni was baptised into Christ in Córdoba, Argentina. Our new brother is now a part of the small ecclesia in Córdoba who witnessed his baptism and received him into fellowship on behalf of their brethren throughout the world.
Bro. Francisco’s baptism is a “witness” to the power of God’s word to change lives at any stage. At 88 years of age, after a life as a judge in the Argentine judiciary, a teacher of law, and a regular reader of the Bible, he was “arrested” by the clarity of the Truth as presented to him through a series of correspondence courses, and he was“convicted” by its message with the help of regular classes with Bro. Hugo Petrilli. His public “testimony” was frank and firm, leading to the “sentence”: “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life though Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The baptism served as a further witness to the small group of friends in Córdoba who came along to the appropriately named King David Hotel in the city centre to hear talks based on “The Hope of Israel”.
Robert Alderson
“Witness”, “arrested”, “convicted”, “testimony”, “sentenced”! Powerful, evocative language of the courtroom — echoed more than once in the New Testament.
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [Or, ‘Is it God — the One who declares righteous?’]… Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died… was raised to life… and intercedes for us [Or, again, ‘Is it Christ Jesus the one who died, was raised, and intercedes… for us?’]” (Rom. 8:33,34).
The last two sentences, translated as questions, beg for answers in the negative, and emphasize the passage’s main point.
To read the verses this way is to make a wonderful discovery: in the passage that seemingly pictures the judgment as a courtroom scene, the “accused” finds, to his eternal joy, that “there is no condemnation” for those who are truly in Christ (vv. 1,4). Rather, the Ones who might be expected to act as“judge”and “prosecuting attorney”are in fact on his side! Christ is the “Advocate” (1 John 2:1) — the “Counselor”, the one who “stands alongside” him, the defense attorney who has in fact done all that can possibly be done to effect his acquittal and release. And the Father, who might be expected to “condemn” the admitted sinner, is — amazingly — the One who has arranged all things (including the death of His beloved Son) so as to bring about the “not guilty” verdict. “Not guilty”, by reason of the mercy of God Himself, demonstrated in His Son. “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31,32).
Though we will all stand before that bench in that courtroom one day, the question must be asked: who will “condemn”us?Will there be a “prosecutingattorney”ready to produce evidence to condemn us? No! Instead, Christ, who might have filled that role, will be “interceding” for them. There is no prosecuting attorney; look, that seat is empty! And the one who might have sat there has instead taken over the role of defense attorney. Now he is pleading, to a sympathetic Judge (his own Father!) — the mitigating circumstances that negate the sins of the “defendant”. Let’s read the transcript of that trial; here’s his final appeal:
“Your Honor, whatever these men or women did or did not do that fell short of Your glory, they believed in You through Me. In that faith they cast themselves upon Your mercy, and trusted in Your promises. They followed my example, and they did what they could, given the limitations of the nature they possessed, and the body of weakness in which they lived. Now, Father, they lean upon me for what they could not do. I personally vouch for their love, and their sincerity. They are part of our family too! For my sake, O LORD, and for the glory of Your Holy Name, in Your great mercy and Your everlasting love, declare these — my brothers and sisters — to be, ever and always, Your sons and daughters! And, dear Father, declare them ‘righteous’for my sake!”
George
Bolivia
The four-member ecclesia in La Paz, Bolivia, was established in February 2006. The two sisters have moved to other countries for various reasons, but do plan on returning to Bolivia. After the departure of the resident missionaries, Bro. Steve and Sis. Sally Jefferies, in August, the two brethren (Martin Mostacedo and Freddie Monrroy) have continued to hold weekly studies and breaking of bread services. They have received study material and exhortations from the Jefferies and Bro. Frank Woodcock (of Canada), on a weekly basis.
One of the many encouraging features is that about eight friends, who began attending during 2005, continue to support most ecclesial activities, even though there is no missionary presence in Bolivia at this present time. The impact of the Truth on these brothers’ lives resulted in the baptism of Victor Hugo Fernandez Montaño on Sunday, November 12. Victor has been preparing for his interview for some time, and he gave a good confession of his faith. All of his family, several close friends, and his brothers in Christ were present to witness his baptism — 16 in total.
During the weekend of the baptism, several special lectures were given which received good support by the regular attendees and a couple of new contacts. The talks were about the hope of Israel, the hope of the Resurrection, and Jerusalem as the burdensome stone. We emphasized that we must be “in Christ” in order to share in God’s promises.
God continues to open “the door of faith unto the Gentiles” in many parts of the world in these last days.
Robert Alderson and Don Luff
Chile
For the third time in 2006, approximately 800 contacts were invited to special lectures in Santiago, Chile. About 25 contacts attended the five talks given on Saturday, November 18, and about 15 attended the two lectures on the Sunday afternoon. The general themes were related to the hope of Israel, the divine solution to the problems in the Middle East, God’s Name, the Spirit of God, and the importance of baptism.
A number of the visitors have been attending these weekend lecture series for a few years and provide a “lively” atmosphere during the course of the day. A few of these visitors have been asking us when we are going to have a meeting place in Santiago, so that they can attend regular studies.
Bre. Robert Alderson (New Zealand) and Don Luff (Canada), with the support of Bro. Hugo Petrilli (Argentina), gave the weekend series of lectures. They also enjoyed a breaking of bread service with Sis. Gisella Pintado and Bre. Bernardo Soto and Richard Castillo.
We pray that God will bless these efforts with the workers and the funding in order to maintain a consistent presence in this capital city of Chile.
Robert Alderson and Don Luff
“www.thisisyourbible.com” is looking for help
The CBM and CBMA preaching website is generating a lot of interest. The site has been “live” for just under a year now and has attracted over 720 students located in many different countries.
We have tutors in 12 countries but are receiving communications from countries where we do not have tutors. We feel it is good for students to have a tutor who lives in the same country, or is of the same nationality as the student. This appeal is for brethren and sisters to sign up as tutors on the site. In particular we are looking for tutors in South Africa.
Potential tutors can register online by visiting the website and clicking on [tutors] in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, or simply by sending an e-mail to Bro. Mike LeDuke at mduke@gto.net or Bro. Peter Forbes at peter@forbes31.freeserve.co.uk
These brothers will be able to answer any questions you might have about the website or becoming a tutor.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One