By Ernani Zapanta
Eagle News Service correspondent
(San Diego, California) — In the District of Southern California, people gathered at Lincoln High School in San Diego, California to attend the much anticipated religious debate between the Iglesia ni Cristo and the Casa De Oro Baptist Church.
The venue was filled to capacity with members of the INC, congregants of Casa de Oro as well as seminary and theological students of neither religion.
The topic of the debate was the Deity of Christ. One side of the argument was led by the Professor and Pastor, Dr. Ron Barnes. On the other side, representing the INC, was Brother Rommel San Pedro.
After observing and attending the debate, Robert White, a visitor from Los Angeles said: “ It made me look at things from another perspective and also using the Bible and breaking it down it was very, very, very impressive.”
Attendees of the event listened carefully to the words of God written in the Bible. Members of the Church of Christ were once more strengthened in their faith.
“When I was with the Protestant religion, we believed that Jesus Christ was God. While the other side really says that Jesus Christ is God, it’s not definitive in the Bible – where it says that Jesus was introduced as ‘God the Son’. The Trinity really doesn’t exist,” said Jesan Carcallar, a former Protestant & Baptist, and presently a member of the INC in Palm Springs.
Knowing is different from understanding, and that’s a big thing. That’s why we had this debate. People would just insist on things that they know, things that they read, but yet they don’t understand,” said Harley Pascua, an INC member from Anaheim, California. “I will do my best to propagate in any way that I can.”
After studying God’s words, the brethren vowed to remain united. With God as their guide, Church of Christ members said they would continue to defend their faith and shine as lights of this world.
“I know that we support our doctrines very well; but seeing it against another belief makes my faith even stronger and the Bible is clear. This is history for us, and it’s very good,” said Michael Salas, an INC member from Temecula Valley.
As for the guests, many said they were impressed with what they had witnessed.
“I was really impressed with what I learned by coming here today. It made me see the light in it a little bit more, just about how he broke it down from the Bible to let you know that things may be a little different from what I was taught. I’m being won over I think, I’m being won over,” said Robert White, one of the guests.
