after mass, Christians were handing out leaflets & reading bills right at the mouth of the egress inviting devotees to their Bible Ministry and exposition. Often tolerant & even joining Born Again, Faith Only salvation groups, etc. so long as the agenda is praise and worship and never doctrinal.
Except, on this occasion, I admonished said brothers for religious fire exercised in poor taste, fishing among fellow Christians. albeit Catholics in their standard. The greater ministry for spreading the word of God and the salvation of mankind via Jesus Christ is challenged up the mountain ranges, the inner jungles, outer fringes of the country etc. where heathens and animists abide.
I celebrated Manny Pacquiao’s new fervor and hunger for the word of the Lord. He has added another title belt in the eyes of heaven as a Bible bearing padre de familia and reformed child of God. Unfortunately quite noticeably what was dispiriting in his new relation with his Maker, was the obvious absence of the Holy Rosary often seen by the public adorning the neck of the people’s champ before every title fight. And we are asking why? Who is responsible for the doctrinal change in what was Catholic Faith? Who was the dominant family member who contacted the Pastor who may be steering the new thinking in the Pacquiao couple? Is said Pastor also influencing a reformation or shift in the Virgin Mary views in the Pacquiao Family?
As a caveat to Manny & Jinky, majority of Born Again Churches & a few identified Catholic groups, is that, they strictly remind their followers of their ten percent Tithing and Offering regimes, by citing dated (Old Covenant) verses in the Bible. Imagine ten percent tithe of Pacquiao’s R500M or R1B boxing purse? Add to this, another ten percent tithing for Pacquiao’s endorsements, businesses, including the new hotel in General Santos for his total yearly ESPINAearning?
The abused justification is, Malachi 3:10-11. Note, that by simply reading further, any Christian may be enlightened that Malachi tithing was applicable only to Malachi 4:4 and for some Bibles Malachi 3:22 (The Law of Moses strictly for Israelites under the Old Covenant). This is supported by Hebrews 7:5; Numbers 18:25-26 with instructions to the Levites, ten percent of the ten percent of tithes must be offered to the Lord. So do present day Pastors do this? Where does the money go then?
Under Romans 7:12 in the advent of Jesus Christ’s birth, crucifixion, & resurrection, he changed the priesthood as well as the old law (Old Covenant) with the New Covenant, effecting a new test for tithing under Corinthians 9:6-7. With emphasis on the last verse… without sadness or compulsion, God loves a cheerful giver. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 as well.
Read Hebrews 8:1-5 Heavenly priesthood of Christ; Hebrews 8:8-13 Old & New Covenants. Finally Acts 13:38 is compelling on the laws of Moses as rendered obsolete by Jesus priesthood, You must know my brothers. That through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you (and) in regard to everything from which you could not be justified under the law of Moses.
