Various questions about religion and spirituality were answered during the November 3 Worldwide Bible Exposition hosted by Bro Eli Soriano and Bro Daniel Razon, conducted by the Members Church of God International (MCGI).
With the start of November and the fast-approaching year-end, some questions posed by the guests centered on the events that conventionally come with these months.
A question about the traditions for the dead
From Hong Kong, a guest inquired about the authenticity of certain Taoist beliefs of burning paper money and offering food and fruits to commemorate the dead.
With candor, Bro Eli straightforwardly said that these beliefs are not true. Citing Deuteronomy 28:10-12, he explained that communicating with the dead is an abomination to God. He remarked that it is nonsense to burn money and give food to the deceased as these obviously mean nothing to lifeless.
Bro Eli further explained that the burning of money is just for the sake of following a tradition. If the dead were to speak, he said on a lighter note, they will be the first ones to reasonably forbid doing such practice.
The MCGI Overall Servant then reiterated that these kinds of beliefs about the dead are beliefs of those who do not believe in Christ and in the Almighty God. It is written in the Holy Scriptures in Ecclesiastes 9:10:
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (King James Version)
If one believes in God, he will not follow these traditions but instead understand that there is a time for His judgement and for resurrection, Bro Eli emphasized.
A question about Christmas
Meanwhile, a question from Brazil was about what Christmas represents.
Firstly, Bro Eli said that the Bible does not mention of Christmas. He then elaborated that different from what most people know and believe, Christ was not born in December – a topic he already discussed in a previous Bible Exposition.
Bro Eli pointed out that Christians should instead observe Christ’s death as it is written in I Corinthians 11:26:
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (King James Version)
And in Ecclesiastes 9:10:
“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” (King James Version)
It was told to the Christians before that they should remember the passing of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Holy Scriptures, the day of death is more important than the day of birth.
If you are a Christian who follows the Gospel, the death of Christ should be significant to you and should be the one you remember and commemorate as it gives hope of His coming and His salvation.
Eight local points across the globe were able to inquire during the Bible Exposition. Simultaneously, on social media, the biblical symposium was streamed through Facebook Live and Youtube.
The hashtag #UndeniableBiblicalTruth also trended for more than five hours in the Philippines trends list.
Written by: Elizabeth Borromeo
