First Bible Exposition for 2008 Opened with the Holy Kiss

Parañaque, Philippines (January 8, 2008) – Bro. Eli Soriano, Presiding Minister of the Members Church of God International (MCGI), on a live video conference broadcast from abroad, opened his first Bible Exposition in the Philippines for the year 2008 with his stirring, in-depth biblical explanation about the holy kiss.

This question regarding the subject written in the book of Romans 16:16, of how it will be carried out, asked by one of the visitors or inquirer in the event, instantly drew people in awe as the phenomenal preacher’s answer became an enlightening opening salvo to greet the new year.

The Bible Exposition was held at the Olivares Sports Gymnasium in Sucat, Parañaque.

Bro. Eli, the phenomenal preacher known by people for his sensible and irrefutable answers to any questions asked, explained that the holy kiss cited by St. Paul in his letter for the Romans is peace.

He said that in the Christian era, the Church was being commanded to greet holy kiss to one another, regardless of the distance.

“One cannot put it literally, like what the ministers of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) are claiming that it is a ‘beso-beso’ (kiss on the cheeks) or a handshake, for how can you greet the chapter of the church that is overseas?” the phenomenal preacher argued.

With answers that are backed up by proofs or evidence to support his discussion, Bro. Eli even asked the production staff to play the VTR of the recorded clip of the Ang Tamang Daan (The Right Way) television program, where the INC ministers explained erroneously the holy kiss.

On the VTR played, the INC ministers read an explanation of the holy kiss using a journal of the Protestant group, emphasizing that kiss on the cheeks and handshaking is a social custom.

“See that, they don’t even have their own explanation (of the holy kiss) that they are citing the knowledge of the people they were claiming of the devil; they are not even consulting from the bible,” Bro. Eli added, and further explained that it should be understood that “St. Paul is not teaching social custom but words of God, so to put it literally, it will be erroneous and misleading.”

“Holy kiss is a doctrine for the whole Christian congregation, notwithstanding the distance of every country where the church could be located.

Bro. Eli explained with the guide of the passage in the I Corinthians 16:20 that: “A commandment of peace between brethren, of bindings in compassion, of mutual understanding to one another, and forgiveness of a brother to another if one sinned against another, that is the holy kiss.”

Convinced and with evident satisfaction, the inquirer acknowledged Bro. Eli’s sensible answer along with the rounds of applause from the audience, composed of people who came from different religion and lineage.  

Visitors who ask questions or inquirers were also given free bible that was also being acknowledged after their turn to inquire, along with the answers of Bro. Eli in each question that one after another continuously poured during the affair.

During other previous Expositions, inquirers were usually ranging from up to 40 and above. However, the number of inquirers has to be trimmed down to only 15 to 20 due to the time allotted for each person to ask question and for Bro. Eli to answer would sometimes take longer than anticipated.  

Bible Exposition hosted by Bro. Eli Soriano was launched in 1993, borne the interactive program Itanong Mo Kay Soriano to accommodate the audiences’ biblical queries,  and it is reaching its’ 15 years to date.