In an effort to reach out to other sister churches of God, a cordial meeting between the United Church of God (UCG) and the Jerusalem Church of God (JCG) had its initial takeoff on March 16, 2006 when UCG Elder Raul Villacote of Tacloban City met with the JCG National Elder in Pagadian City. It was a meeting mutually conceived by Mindanao UCG Pastor Edmond D. Macaraeg, in coordination with Mr. Villacote who incidentally was a former JCG pastor.

That initial meeting was reinforced on April 25-27, 2006 when Mr. Macaraeg sent back to Pagadian City Mr. Villacote with Mr. Paul M. Cebrian, Elder of Butuan City to attend the funeral of a JCG minister who recently died there (due to his busy schedule with the upcoming summer camp, Mr. Macaraeg was not able to go). After the funeral, a dinner with our two UCG Elders was warmly hosted by the Pagadian JCG Elder in his home, where tentative proposals were ironed out paving the way for a June 2006 meeting with Mr. Macaraeg.

The initially agreed upon proposals and standards of conduct was confirmed by phone calls between the Mindanao UCG Pastor and the Pagadian-based JCG leadership. As their standard procedure, JCG requested that they be allowed to conduct their own Sabbath service format with no participation from any outside group. Our role will only be to do a lecture in the afternoon Bible study as their duly invited guest. There was also to be an expected openness, cordiality, and mutual respect for each other’s doctrinal positions, and hopefully viewed without bias or prejudice.

Since there was also a need to study and understand each other’s doctrinal position and differences, a Bible Study Forum was scheduled on the Sabbath afternoon. The JCG panel of pastors were scheduled to present their side first, followed by that of UCG. This was to be followed by a question and answer session.

Then came that big day on June 17, 2006! During this Sabbath service, we witnessed the zeal of both children and adults. We highly appreciated their children and youth choirs, plus most adults participating during their interactive Bible study.

Unexpectedly, just prior to the start of their morning service, the host JCG pastor asked if anyone of us could give an “Exhortation Message” [equivalent to the UCG sermonette]. We were all caught unaware due to the previous agreement! But being a good soldier of Christ, in an impromptu way, Mr. Macaraeg gave the message. After the basic greetings and introduction, he started with Christ’s words: “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold…” (John 10:16). Then he introduced UCG, and the international scope of its work and activities, showing even samples of literature published. He ended with the final prayer of Christ in Gethsemane, wherein He asked the Father, “That they all may be one…” (John 17:20-23). As a concluding statement he asked, “Will this prayer of Jesus Christ be fulfilled in our day? …Each one of us will have to answer that question!”

After that came the congregational singing and other parts of the morning service. Then just prior to the main sermon, the host JCG pastor turned to us again and asked if anyone of us can give the main message? We looked at each other in another surprise and bewilderment. And so Mr. Macaraeg stood up again for the sermon. He spoke about the deceptions spoken about in the Bible especially as we approach the end times. Current and hot topics then were deceptions like: “The Da Vinci Code” and “The Gospel of Judas.” He also touched on major deceptions which has engulfed popular Christianity, like the false teachings on the December 25 birth of Jesus, His long hair appearance, whether He had brothers and sisters, and misrepresentations about His teachings saying He came to abolish His Father’s laws. This is apart from deceptions about His death and resurrection which does not square with the “three days and three nights” as stated by Him as recorded in Matthew 12:40. He warned that greater deceptions are to engulf humanity as we relentlessly move on to the end times, to the point that “if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matt. 24:24)! Mr. Macaraeg concluded by asking, “Are we making sure we are prepared to escape those great deceptions?” Both messages in the morning were highly appreciated.

Panel presentations were scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. that day. The host JCG pastor did the first one-hour presentation. From his personal beliefs and study, he showed why they have not been celebrating the Feasts of God. This was followed by another one-hour talk by their JCG National Elder, who also cited Scriptures strongly supporting the views of the previous speaker, opposing such festival celebrations.
After the two-hour oral presentations by the JCG elders, Mr. Macaraeg went in front and gave his PowerPoint presentation showing “God’s Holy Day Plan” which outlines the master plan by which God plans to save most of humanity. Along the way he was intermittently bombarded with questions. However, he reminded them to reserve and even write down their questions until he has finished the presentation. He later ably answered all questions and objections. Messrs. Villacote and Cebrian also assisted in answering some of the questions, giving some rest to Mr. Macaraeg during that six-hour marathon session with questions and answers which ended at about 7:30 pm.

After we adjourned, the JCG National Elder inquired whether UCG requires rebaptism for those who plan to join us. A possible final meeting to iron out possible agreements is scheduled for July 22, 2006. The host JCG Pastor offered another dinner for us before we left for the night.
As we parted, we were all grateful to each other for having had such a rare opportunity to share views, beliefs, and fellowship with one another. Their National JCG Elder was especially grateful for having heard firsthand the biblical basis, explanation, and understanding about the exigency of commemorating God’s Festivals directly from UCG—not from some obscure groups only trying to imitate us.

May the seeds of truth grow to produce peace and understanding among God’s people which hopefully results to unity and thus greater spiritual power among His chosen. May that day come soon!

Editor’s Note: Paul Cebrian, Sr. is an elder of the United Church of God serving the brethren in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines