CEBU, Philippines - For governance wounded with animosity, corruption and strife, it was time for healing. For the first time in 56 years, the Bible Baptist Church Katipunan ministered to local chief executives with prayer, healing and encouragement in an event called, “Salute to the Republic Sunday.â€
Held last June 9 with a crowd of close to 5,000, it was yet the first of a kind event ever to have been done among Bible Baptist churches in the country. Bible Baptists are generally shy about politics. But Dr. Armie F. Jesalva, pastor of Bible Baptist Church Katipunan, said the holding of specially dedicated service for local chief executives was meant to give the church an opportunity to heal, pray and minister with encouragement and edification. Among the recently elected local officials who attended the event were Cebu Governor-elect Hilario Davide III, Cebu Vice-Governor-elect Agnes Magpale and Cebu City’s south district Congressman-elect Rodrigo “Bebot†Abellanosa. Cebu City Mayor-elect Michael Rama and Cebu City Vice-Mayor-elect Edgardo Labella were invited but failed to attend.
Pastor Jesalva edified and encouraged local chief executives drawing them to the life of Joseph, strongly suggesting a governance patterned after the unmatched governor of the Book of Genesis. Directing local executives to Genesis 42: 6 to 18, Pastor Jesalva showed how Joseph ruled the kingdom of Egypt with a servant-of-all heart, pristine integrity and the shrewdness of an economist filled only with the wisdom of God’s Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. A highlight of Governor Joseph’s administration was his having catapulted Egypt’s economy for decades and saved Egypt from famine for seven years.
In Scripture, Joseph is known to have been one of the 12 sons of Jacob, later called Israel, who was sold by his brothers only to end up a governor of Egypt several decades later. Joseph is the only official mentioned in the Bible who has an unblemished testimony of integrity, obedience and humility. Other God-ordained kings and leaders like David had the reputation of falling into sin when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. This has led to a business ethics issue called Bathsheba Syndrome or the ethical violations of upper level managers owing to success. David’s son, King Solomon, reputed for his prolific economic and fiscal management and architectural prowess, was also known for his weakness for women. Joseph was never known to have stained his walk with God even when he was seduced by Pharaoh’s wife. Neither did Joseph compromise his modesty when he forgave his brothers despite having been betrayed by them, almost killing him, when he was still a child.
“Christians today have a threefold responsibility to human government,†Pastor Jesalva said in his preaching. He said that first, it is the responsibility of Christians and especially Bible Baptists to recognize and accept those who hold positions in government because they are ordained by God. Second, it is the responsibility of Christians to pay taxes to human government and third, it is the responsibility of Christians to pray for leaders in human government.
Is it realistic and doable for leaders in today’s government to stay in public office without being smeared and blemished with systemic corruption in Philippine politics? Scripture says ‘yes’ in Romans 13: 3 to 5. It reads that “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil…..â€For he is the minister of God to thee for good…. a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil…Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.†Scripture says that no matter how great the animosity or stigma of corruption, a leader who calls himself a public servant will always do something good “for conscience sake.†The wounds of animosity and strife find healing for conscience sake.
Breaking the more than 50-year Baptist tradition of shying from politics, Pastor Jesalva brought The Joseph Syndrome close to those who vowed to become “Servants of All†if only for healing sake. (FREEMAN)