This afternoon I would like to give a short testimony before I preach. My subject for tonight is reason why I love the doctrine of grace. But before that I want to share my short testimony before I came to the primitive baptists. 1981, I was a devoted Catholic. And then my friend invites me to a small Bible study group. And I heard, first time I heard John 3.16 in my life. When I heard that, I feel, you know, hungry with the Word of God. I asked myself, Lord, is this true? You love me?" That time, I feel there's something within. I don't know why. And I asked my friend, friend, would you like... I like a Bible, which is New Testament, in our own native language, which is Tagalog. So he gave me a Tagalog version Bible. Then when I received that, I read it morning and evening, almost all the day. And I feel satisfied that time when I read the Bible. Every week I finish New Testament. Then most of them I memorized. Then I started to see the true church. And I asked my friend, is there any church here? Yes, there is an evangelical church. And I joined to that evangelical church. That is my first time. He immersed me before in the Catholic, you know, printing. Pastor, you mean you immersed me? Yes, that's a symbol of death and burial and resurrection. So he baptized me that time. And then from 1981 to 1983, because I'm more eager to know the truth, and I was hungered for the truth. Then the pastor said, Radhi, they called me Radhi. not Conrado, Rabbi, do you want to preach?" I said, yes, pastor, I want it. The first message I remember, I delivered the curse of the hidden sin. So after that, I prayed to the Lord, please, I beg your power, I beg your mercy. From 1983 to 1986, my pastor, he showed me a gift of preaching. He said, Rabbi, would you like to be my assistant pastor? That time he was already graduated in Doctor of Theology. I said, yes, sir. And I preached regularly. I prepared message every Sunday. Then one time, I read Isaiah chapter 40. It says, Come forth ye, come forth ye, my people, saith the Lord. Behold the voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord. I asked myself, who is this man that prepares the way of the Lord? After 400 years, Prophet Malachi prophesies about the coming of this forerunner. He says, Behold, the boys in the wilderness, crying in the wilderness, saying, Prepare thee the way of the Lord. Who is this man? I know this. I don't know this man. Who is this man? I ask myself. And after 300 years, Apostle Matthew says in Matthew chapter 3, in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This is he which was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. When I see that, oh no. Christ, forerunner, was told by his father to baptize. In John chapter 1 verse 6, there was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Christ walked 60 miles to get baptized, baptizing. One thing that struck me most is father says, this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Lord, do you have any baptisters here?" That's my question before. Then I asked my pastor, Do you believe that the Baptist is the true church? No. He said that. No. Pastor, we have a problem. What's that, Rabbi? Christ, the head of the church, was baptized by a Baptist preacher. Since baptizing is following the footsteps of our Lord, How about our baptism? Where do you get your authority to baptize? Ah, Radhe, that's not important. My authority is from God. Where is that in scripture? He said, open your Bible in Matthew, chapter 28. Go ye therefore and fix all nations baptizing them, then on the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always. But I have a problem. I don't see your name. I don't see your name here. Where, Rādhī? Sir, I told you, we need to be baptized by the Bhagavad-gītā. We need to sit and Who is the true Baptist minister? I believe that Baptist church is still existing in our days. Because he said in Matthew 16 verse 18, upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Still, Pastor, that church is still existing. We need to connect to that church. Do you know about Baptist pastor? I know. He studied that in your seminary. Yeah. But Baptist is, you know, they are busy people. I don't care pastor as long as they are Baptist. I was hungry for the truth. I was, I'm seeking the true church that time. And my pastor said, we have a neighbor. They are Baptist. He must go. Then I joined in an international Baptist church. They baptized me once again. Okay. When I saw their doctrine, I was unsatisfied. I go to their seminary and I enrolled. I asked my professor, Professor, what is our difference to any other denomination? Well, as Baptists, we believe that the Bible is the Word of God. It is our rule of faith and practice. So since before I am an evangelical, we believe that also. But we are not Baptists. He stopped. And then Radhe, I think that's another story. I think Radhe, we need to have other times. I'm not satisfied with this explanation. Then I talked to my friend, do you know some Baptists who know how to explain what is their difference? My friend said, why don't you go to Southern Baptists? Okay, where's that?" He go there. And I go there and saw them Baptist. Then we talk a lot of things. It seems to me that they are true Baptist. Then he re-baptized me again. Oh. But when I saw, when I heard, When I learn that doctrine, I'm not satisfied. I'm just praying, Lord, guide me, please. Where is that root source? My other friend said, Radhe, this is it. If you want to know that root, I know one Baptist who are very extreme in their doctrine. And maybe they will explain to you why are you Baptist. Where's that? Go to Bible Baptist. What? Bible Baptist. Then I go to Bible Baptist, then they require me to go to their seminary. I studied there for two years. And I'm not satisfied with their explanation again about Baptist history and distinctly. And I started to stay in our library during that time. I gathered all the books about Baptists. And I found out, the first time I found out, the word primitive Baptist in that book, written by some Armenians. You know Armenians, right? He said, the primitive baptist is a hard shell, a straight jacket, anti-evangelism, anti-mission. I was shocked. Who is this primitive baptist? Ah, there is another denomination again. I said to myself, one time, I saw one pastor and one worker of the church discussing about the doctrine of Christ. They are called bishops. Then I saw that worker is depicting the pastor about discussing some theological issues about election. And I said to the pastor, pastor please, I'm the one who will depict this. And I am very bold and fearless. I did think, brother, how about John 3.16? For God so loved the world. The world, there's no elect. He said with humble spirit, he said, Pastor, the world there in John 3.16 is the world of the elect. I was shocked. I feel defeated that time. I think, brother, I have a lot of things to do. Well, maybe see you tomorrow. Let us continue this discussion. But God knows I have no answer for His premise about that. And I started and I kneeled down before the Lord that night. I opened my Bible. from the Old up to New Testament. There's a plenty of verses about the Doctrine of Election. It is highly celebrated from the Scripture, the Doctrine of Election. Oh, Lord, mercy! I have two problems now. I'm seeking for the true Church and a right doctrine. Then I started seeking the church. Then, that time, I had no computer. I had no access to any computer. I asked my friend, Radhe, there is one church I believe will satisfy you. What is that? Go to a landmark missionary baptist. I go there. They re-baptized me again. Another baptism. So, I find myself satisfied with their doctrine about election. But during that time, my position is calvinism. I preach a lot about election. And I don't know about spirit regeneration. But Elder Manuel Briba, Mani Briba, I think he was here, class 2004 in America. He said to me, Brother Radhe, there is one man from America. He is a primitive Baptist. What? Primitive Baptist, you know? He has a small hammer, and then he has a rug. Is that a primitive Baptist? No, no, no. No, no, no, no. He's a primitive Baptist minister in America. Okay. That time is, I think, Wednesday. Midweek service in our church. And I said, okay. Please tell him that he will preach in our church tonight. Then he came in our church. And he walked like Hitler. He said, Hello, Brother Clinton. My name is Boss Horner. Yeah, my name is Muradov. Please be seated, sir. Thank you. Then we stand up and praise. chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. He preached boldly, without fear. He exalted God. That's the first time we heard that pure message of the Gospel of Christ. When I saw my members, they are crying, When I saw my wife, she's crying too. I saw her embracing her Bible. She cried. And I'm really blessed. But, one thing that struck me most is, one Yishunabe preacher, sitting at the back, he's listening eagerly, and he wants to make sure that he will report to the missionary, Denmark missionary, that event that night. When I saw him, oh, he will report me to our missionary. Then, when Brother Gus finished his preaching, shake my hand. Thank you, Brother Kimpo. Would you like to say something? Ah, no, sir. I don't know, sir. What's that? I don't know, sir, if you are a blessing in our church or a curse. Well, I will pray for you, brother. And after that, tomorrow morning, the visionary He said me, a missionary, non-Buddhist missionary. He asked me, is it true, Brother Kinto, that you invited a preacher? Yes, sir. Is he a primitive Baptist? Yes, sir. What? Did you invite him? Yes, sir. He is the same doctrine. He believed in election. He believed about race. Oh brother, he preaches about grace. Oh, how he exalts God. Oh, no brother Kinto, brother Radi. You know, listen to me brother Radi. Don't join in the Primitive Baptist. Do you know why? When you go to America, the Primitive Baptist there is dying. dying church. They are hard-shelled. Anti-evangelism, anti-soul-winning, straight-jacket. They are all dying in America. What? And I said to him, Sir, I think it is not true. Why? Because Elder Gaspar Tatu started the work there in Dabao. Every week, I saw with my two eyes, he baptized three, he baptized four, sometimes seven. Is that anti-evangelism? Rādhī, you are a primitive Baptist. No, sir, I am a landmark Baptist. No, you are a primitive Baptist. He keep on insisting that I am a primitive Baptist. One time, when I read I think Brother just left Michael Goen's little booklet about perpetual calling. When I see that, I read that, I copy. This is good. Oh, wow. Oh. Then I preach it. The following Sunday, with boldness, I rejoice. Then the missionary came. He sat at the back. He listened carefully about what I am preaching. And I saw his head, wagging his head. And after service, he said, Pradyumna, may I have your pulpit? Yes, sir. He stand up in the pulpit and said, I heard from the beginning up to end the sermon of your pastor. That sermon is a primitive Baptist sermon. This church, even your pastor commit heresy. He is a heretic. He believe what primitive Baptist believe. I stand up and said, no pastor, no sir, I am a landmark Baptist. No, you are a primitive Baptist. No, sir. Rādhī, listen. I would like to test you for the last time. In Romans 1, verse 16, Paul said, for I am not ashamed to preach the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation. Do you hear that, Rādhī? This Bible is the power of God unto salvation. God used this Bible to save men from hell going to heaven. I said, sir, I'm sorry, you need to continue reading that verses to them that believe it. Sir, he's already a child of God. That's the reason why the gospel has a power. The gospel, the reason why he believes, because he is already a child of God. Oh, you are primitive. You confirm that you are primitive. No, sir, I am a learned Baptist. In Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8, for by grace are we saved. Through faith it is the gift of God, not of works. It is the gift of God. Sir, our salvation is by grace. No means or instrument. Radio Europe, Liberty Baptist. From now on, I will declare in front of your congregation. I will cut, I will cut your support. Then he leave me. And then, before he leave, he said, Rabbi, go to my office tomorrow. You and sister Yolanda, your wife. When we go there, in his office, all the landmark ministers are present. And they declare non-fellowship. Because of what? I believe. Rādhī," he said, one of the ministers said, "'Rādhī, would you like to explain to us here what's your stand?' I said, "'This is what I believe. God the Father elect without any means. He is independent. When He elect, they elect God the Son died on the cross independently. God the Holy Spirit quickens. He alone, and no instrument or means, and no preachers can quicken. It's only the Holy Spirit. What? God is a stand of the primitive baptists. Then he shouted, what is the use of this if God will not use this for eternal salvation? I said, sir, God used that book for the comfort of His people. God used this for the salvation of His people from their ignorance. said, that is a primitive Baptist belief. You are a primitive Baptist. No. I am not primitive Baptist. I am a landmark Baptist. No. And when I saw my wife, she is crying bitterly about what happened. Then she said, honey, let us Leave this place. They are not our true brothers and sisters. Let us leave this place. They are not true brethren." We come out. We walk. And the missionary said, Sister Yolanda, ready? Please wait. He wants to embrace me and my wife. My wife said, sir, we feel betrayed tonight. You humiliate us in front of these people. While we are walking, we cry. We cry bitterly. And I said to my Lord while we were walking, Lord, is this the price of my journey? And my wife heard that, she wept bitterly. while we are in the street. Then tomorrow morning, then lunch time, I saw my three little children eating in the dining table. I saw them eating one cup of noodles. And my eldest son said, Daddy, is this the price of your journey? Is this the price of the truth that you search? Yes, sir. And I saw the fears in their eyes. And I said, son, God will take care of you. Don't worry. When my wife heard that, she ran in her room. She wept. And she knelt down before her God. He begged. He begged the mercy of God. God, we beg your mercy. Please, God, we beg your mercy. Mercy, God. don't know where we go. Guide, God, God, guide my husband." Then when we got to bed, I saw her kneeling down in front of my children who were sleeping. She lay her hands on our children. She prayed one by one. I saw her pretending to sleep. Then she knelt down before Me and then she lay her hands to My head and said, Lord, I beg Your mercy for my husband. Give him grace of his own searching. What's the fruitless and it's nothing. I beg Your power to this man. Please give him grace, mercy, while he is churning and find the fruit." thy holy word." When I heard that, I cried. Sunday morning, all my congregation was present that time. They filled an empty chairs, overloaded, but we are sad because our offering was decreased that time, four dollars every Sunday. We rented a place of worship In other words, we are deficit. And then one old member said, Pastor, we stand up without fear. Pastor, if they will accuse us that we are primitive Baptists, why not we join in our primitive Baptist brethren? They shout, Amen, Pastor, Amen! Why not amen?" They shouted. OK. I will call Brother Gus. He is now in America. And I give him a call and he responds. He said, Hello, Raddy. What's going on? I said, Sir, can I ask one favor? Sure. What's that, Raddy? I said, Sir, would you like to baptize us?" He said, Rādhī, I'm coming. That day He baptized seventy members. They are crying, weeping and embracing each other. That time Elder Gāsātā retreats about the grace of God for almost 2 hours. And that year is 2002. I am 9, I think almost 12 years old as a primitive Baptist now. We are satisfied, we are happy in this doctrine. And our church members, Every time whether rainy season or we call it summer season in the Philippines. There are only seasons in the Philippines. Summer or rainy season. Then I saw my members. They want to attend church. If there is a flood, I saw them walking. The flood is here. Then they wear their clothes. And then when they come to the church, they take their bath and then they change their clothes. And after that, they change again. They need to wear their wet clothes. Then they start walking again in the flood. In order for them to attend, we have the doctrine of grace. I love you. Now, reason why I love the doctrine of grace. When did grace start? When? When was the origin, origin of grace? I believe the answer is, it originates in the eternal heart, mind, and will of God before the foundation of the world. Since eternity past, it was the closest and dearest things in the heart of God. Grace is God's eternal heartbeat. You know when we speak about grace, we speak about the love of God, the mercy of God, how He loved His people. Now I love this doctrine because the very character of God is the origin and the foundation of grace. The living God is a gracious God. God the Father was a gracious Father. God the Son was a gracious Son. God the Holy Spirit is a gracious Spirit. Our grace came from the greatness of God Himself. His majestic, His holy, His gracious and loving character. The supreme and all compelling reason why I love this doctrine lie in the glory and greatness of God Himself." Psalms 96 verses 2 and 4. It says, Sing unto the Lord a new song. Bless His name. Report His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the hidden. His wonders among all people. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods. Church, this is the God of the Bible. A sovereign who truly reigns. A savior who truly saves. A shepherd who truly cares for the sheep. and the All-Sufficient, One who truly supplies the needs of His people. Oh, may God raise new ministers who will proclaim the majesty of God and the glory of His grace among the heathen. For the God of grace is that the God who is helpless and impotent, But a God who is able to do exceedingly, exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to Ephesians chapter 3 verses 14 to 29. Think of eternal love of God. Jeremiah chapter 31 verse 3 says, I have loved thee with an everlasting love. Therefore with loving kindness have I thrown thee." This everlasting love is the bond of union, a perfect, a permanent, a powerful bond that joins all His elect eternally to Jesus Christ. The love, this love is infinite. This love is indissoluble. This love is inseparable. This love is invincible. The salvation of the elect is deeply rooted in the heart of the elector. The root and explanation of salvation is not in the elect, but in the heart, mind, and will, which is irresistible will of the elector. according to Romans chapter 9 verses 10 to 24 and chapter 11 verses 5 up to 10. Brethren, it is the profound truth that God has His elect and has redeemed Himself out of every tribe, every nation, every people, and nation and time as it says in Revelation chapter 5 verse 9 and chapter 7 verse 9. That should excite, that should energize, that should energize worship and give thanks God's people to praise the Sovereign God. This then is the meaning of God's soul of the world. Whole world for His love covers all continents, all colors, all countries, all classes of people, all communities of man. Since the author of the book of Revelation is John, and the epistle of John, the beloved. John 3 verse 16 should be interpreted by Revelation chapter 5 verse 9 and Revelation chapter 7 verse 9. It cannot mean all without exception, for certainly there were already people in hell. When Christ came to die at Calvary, And Christ did not elect all without exception. Romans chapter 8 verses 35 to 39 makes it clear that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nothing. And if there are people whom Christ loved with an everlasting love that went to hell, Then Romans chapter 8 verses 35 to 39 is the truth. And all the verses in the Bible that speak about the drawing, the awakening power, regenerating and saving power of God's love are nullified and rendered meaningless. Oh, my brethren, I dare you to make a diligent study, careful study of God's Word, and you will be convinced that God did not love all without exception, with an everlasting love, but only the elect. Second reason why I love the doctrine of Christ, because the very council of eternity is the origin of grace. In Acts chapter 15 verse 8 it says, known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. In Hebrews chapter 4 verse 3 says, the work were finished from the foundation of the world. Please study the interrelatedness of these verses in Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4. It is clear from these verses that the perfect blueprint of grace was finished before the foundations of the world. The wonderful result of the Council of the Trinity is the Council of God. The Orion God, the Trinity designed, determined and decreed all things that would take place in its creation for the good of His people. I love the Doctrine of Grace. Number three reason, the very covenant of God is essential to our understanding of Christ. Covenant, eternal covenant. The Trinity jointly planned and purposed to give this all elect to God, the Son, God the Father promised to give all his elect to God the Son according to 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 1 Titus chapter 1 verses 1 to 3 and God the Son promised to die for all the elect and God the Spirit promised to quicken all that Christ died for It is very essential that we see the interrelatedness of the work of the Trinity in salvation of His people. We have reduced the work of redemption into an anomalous and disorganized work of the Trinity. If the Father is pictured as a God, who does not know who will be saved and God the Son as one who died for no one in particular to secure nothing for sure and God the Holy Spirit as one who does not know whom to regenerate and that Trinity is pictured as a prostrated God who is helpless and powerless to save. Surely." My friend, such is not the God of grace, not God of the Bible. Away with such a disgusting theology. Let the Armenians bow down to the God they have made. We will bow down, but as for us believers of grace, we will bow down to the God who made us the creator of all things. He is sovereign, He is supreme, and supernaturally at work in the lives of all His elect. We will boldly proclaim everywhere that God's grace we love is invincible. irresistible and very powerful. As the great hymn writer said, we will sing of His power to save. For the blood of Jesus Christ will never lose its power. Till all ransom, Church of God, be saved to sin no more. May the Lord bless you and keep you. God bless us all. Thank you so much.