Religious Strongholds

82% of the population of the Philippines are professing Roman Catholics. This began in the 16th century when the Philippine Islands were a Spanish colony and therefore the religion was strongly engrained in the culture. Many of the indigenous tribal groups fought the colonization and infiltration of catholicism by fleeing to the mountains in order to maintain their own traditions and beliefs. Despite the spread of westernization, many of those tribal groups still reside in the mountainous regions and desperately need the gospel.

Catholicism errs in many ways and as a result is leading millions of its faithful adherents to hell. The root of their false doctrines come from the fact that their authority is not the Word of God only. The catholic church teaches that tradition and the teachings of the pope are equal in authority with scripture. Ps. 118:8 alone tells us that God's word only should be trusted, not mans. When we do not rely on the Bible as the final authority for all matters of faith and practice we are allowing man to alter and overrule the very truth God has given to us and the result is nothing more than men creating false gods that suit their own desires and lusts.

Many of the heretical teachings of the church are that Mary was sinless and is a co-redeemer with Christ, that the pope is infallible in his authoritative teachings, that works and participation in the sacraments are needed for salvation, that some sins do not bring eternal punishment where others do, that salvation can be lost, that the mass is a supernatural event in which the elements physically become the body and blood of Christ, that priests can forgive sin and act as mediators, that there is a state of purgatory for sinners prior to glory and that indulgences can be obtained to release those sinners from that state, that no one can know if he will inherit eternal life, that salvation can only come through the Roman Catholic Church and much more.

Every teaching in the above paragraph is clearly refuted in scripture. Catholics need to be shown how the word of God must stand alone as our infallible authority and doctrine must be established from the Bible alone - line upon line, precept upon precept. They must come humbly to the truth that salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, not of works.

Tribal beliefs are certainly much different and I readily admit that I have much to learn about the varied beliefs of these many groups. One thing is common and exists in many belief systems in the world (this is not coincidental) is that sacrifice is needed to appease the wrath of an angry God. These groups know that this sacrifice requires blood and so like many indigenous cultures, they have ritualistic ceremonies where they pray, chant, dance and yell to their gods prior to and during the sacrifice of an animal. In these tribes there is a powerful presence of demon possession and spirit worship. Many of the families keep the bones or ashes of ancestors in their huts, believing they will provide protection and blessing. They are taken cative by Satan at his will and can only be set free through the power of God unto salvation - the Gospel of Christ.

Amidst these groups there is also a series of other cults that have influence and are actively propagating their false messages - Mormons, Jehovah Witness, Iglesia Ni Kristo etc.

So many people have been blinded from the truth of God for generations. Their beliefs and traditions are so engrained that they will freely tell you that they are catholic before they are filipino. Because of the imporance of catholicism in the culture and family, there are significant implications when a person gets saved and leaves the catholic church. The individual must truly count the cost. Praise the Lord that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4). It is the light of the glorious gospel that can open their eyes and free them from this bondage. God forbid that Christians with the truth not be as fervent to spread the gospel as the many cults are with their messages. The eternal souls of men for the glory of God is at stake, He is not willing that any should perish and He has called us to get that very message to them. Let us be fervent and zealous for our worthy King!

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

There is much work to do and the time is short, will you pray for the Putney family and also pray with us for more laborers?