In the Bible Exposition held on November 29, 2013, Bro. Eliseo Soriano, the Presiding Minister to the Members Church of God International (MCGI), imparted a message of hope to the detainees of Tarlac Provincial Jail.
Nine other venues from the Philippines and Asia were served during the live Bible Exposition, including another provincial jail in Pampanga and a mobile coordinating center in Batangas province.
“To all of you who are there in our provincial jail in Tarlac, I want to tell all of you that you are all part of why Christ came on earth,” expressed the Bible Exposition host and Presiding Minister to the Members Church of God International (MCGI).
The international evangelist said that he believes that not all imprisoned people are evil. Though most of them may have done wrong in their lives, he expressed hope for these individuals.
“We visit prisons because we believe not all prisoners are evil. Others were victims of a reversal of the real situation and perhaps your enemies are just influential so you are jailed,” said Bro. Soriano. “This doesn’t mean that all prisoners lead hopeless lives and let us read Luke 4:18.”
Meanwhile, Bible Exposition guests from the provincial jail in the province of Pampanga were also served. “Those who are imprisoned are part of the duty of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” Bro Eli said.
There is Hope
Speaking before guests in the Tarlac Provincial Jail, Bro. Eli said that not all those inside the prisons are evil. The preacher elaborated that in some instances there are others outside prisons that are more evil in comparison.
“It is often the poor but innocent people who are jailed [since] they don’t have a lawyer because they cannot pay, and they cannot pay bail,” stressed Bro. Soriano, adding. “There are those who are doing more evil – those who corrupt the nation’s money roam free because they have money and power. This is why not all those who are in the prisons of man are evil.”
In communicating the virtue of hope to those who were imprisoned due to past wrongdoings in their lives, Bro. Eli said that everyone commits mistakes and sins, indicating what is in the Bible that, (1 John 1:8) “All people sin. If we say that we do not, then we are fooling ourselves.”
Although the prisoners are found to have done wrong against God and our fellowmen, the chance of salvation is given to all, including those behind bars. “You are all given that opportunity,” Bro. Eli said through live video streaming.
The Truth Will Set You Free
Bro. Eli said learning Christ’s doctrines is essential to set the prisoners free in the spiritual sense. “It is God’s promise, He will set man free by means of the truth. And when you are free, you will be able to give thanks to God. And you will see how good God is.”
“When you understand God’s truth, Christ’s teachings, even if you are behind bars, you will feel as if you are set free – and that is such a wonderful feeling. That is my invitation to all of you,” said Bro. Eli.
Bro. Eli Soriano then invited the detainees of the Tarlac Provincial Jail to study the doctrines of Christ. He added that he would send forth a Church worker for the benefit of the prisoners who want to be indoctrinated in MCGI.
The MCGI’s Mass Indoctrination sessions began on Monday, December 2, 2013 in all Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Centers worldwide.
Written by: Pol Arellano
