 Okay, welcome once again. This is going to be a great time of reconnecting. I know it's been a while since we've had the mentoring hour. This is the first mentoring hour of this semester. So we'd like to begin with a word of prayer. I want to request anyone on the call to please lead us in a time of prayer, and then we will get started. Okay, Avni, would you be able to lead us? Good morning, ma'am. Yes, sure. Good morning. Father God, we are so thankful to you for this beautiful morning. We are so thankful to you for bringing us back again to this time, Lord Father. When we all together, Father, to learn about you more, and Lord, as we surrender ourselves, as we surrender this mentoring hour, Father, we ask you to come and take over our Father and help us to all go deeper into your Word, understand things in the right context and right perspective, and Father, glorify your name through everything that we learn about Father. Help each of us, anoint each of us. Bless each of us, Father, so that we can glorify you through our lives as we apply the word, as we learn the word, as we grow with each other and be equipped for your ministry in the way you want us to be, Father. Let all the distractions go, Father. Let all things be done according to thine will, and let your name be glorified through each of our lives. We bless once again everyone, all our teachers, all the students, Father, let all things be done according to your will. We give you glory, honor and praise because you deserve all the glory, honor and praise, and ask this prayer in the precious and matchless name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, Amen. Amen. Thank you Avni. Thank you so much for leading us in prayer. So for those of us who may be new on the call for the semester, just to explain to us what this call is all about. It's a time when we have students as well as faculty connecting on the same call and any form of questions, questions pertaining to Christian life, questions pertaining to Christian ministry, or maybe there are questions that we may have, you know, that have been discussed in class or we've, we've picked it up elsewhere, but we want to clarify, we want to find answers to those questions. So this is a great time when we can bring up those questions and our faculties here, each one, you know, deal with different streams here at the Bible College. So they'll be able to answer, if not all, most of the questions we do are best to, you know, give us the answers. So we can get started. If there are any questions that, you know, you would like to bring up, then please do. You could either post it on the chat or you could just unmute your mic and ask, please. So I'll leave this time open to questions that you may have. Apart from questions, we can also share our learning. So what we can do while we wait for questions on this call is we could, you know, all just share our learning. It's been a while, you know, between the two semesters. So if there's anything new you've learned, you could please share it with the rest of the group. Students are welcome to do that, faculty as well. So please feel free to share your learning. Okay. So just for us to get things moving here, you know, I think I'll ask a different ones of us. Whatever learning you've had, please feel free to share that one. So maybe we can begin with John. John, would you like to share with us? I was just typing a question. Oh, okay. You already have a question. Okay. Okay. Okay. So if you have a question, then the question is it okay? Yeah, that's fine. That's fine. Yeah. So at APC, we don't keep it as a requirement to be water baptized to take part of the Lord's table. So if when people ask certain questions, maybe some of them come from different just background. If some of them ask, why do you allow that? Do we have a scripture evidence or can we share from the Bible? Why it is, you know, it is not a requirement, requirement. Although we know the importance of water baptism, how do we put it forward to them? Okay. Thank you, John, for that question. So what John wants to know is, even though we are aware that water baptism is not, sorry, come again, John, communion for communion. Yeah, to take part of the communion, yes, water baptism. Baptism is a requirement. So some people ask, isn't it required? So at APC, we don't keep it as a requirement or a law to be water baptized to take part of the Lord's table. So how do we communicate that to them? Okay. Sure, sure. Thank you. Thank you, John. Here at APC, we don't say that what about baptism is a requirement for communion. How do we clarify this to people who may have questions? So I want to leave this question open for any of our faculty to please pick it up. Yeah. I just like to share a bit. So we can begin by sharing what it represents, the sacraments of the New Testament church. We have two, that is the Lord's table, I mean communion, and what a baptism. So these are the two sacraments that we have. So we can begin by sharing what it represents. That it's a proclamation of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord and how we identify with it. Every time we do it, we proclaim that. So that is what it is. Now what qualifies us for each of these sacraments is that we receive Him as Lord and Savior. That's the only thing. Like in the Book of Acts, when it comes to water baptism, right from chapter 2, we see Peter talking about it, and then we see Philip talking to the Ethiopian eunuch about water baptism. Well, the only thing that we see is that for each of these, that a person has received Christ, a person has invited Jesus and believed in Jesus and is a follower of the Lord. That's the only requirement. So which is why in church also before communion, before ministering in communion, we say if you're a follower of the Lord Jesus, if you have received the Lord Jesus, you're Lord and Savior, you are welcome to take part. So that is the only, or we can even lead people in prayer. So we don't see anywhere in scripture that one has to be water baptized in order to take part. So first thing, we can share what it represents. And we can also share that the qualifier is that a person receives Jesus as the Lord and Savior. A person is born again in order to do this. And I think that would be helpful for that person. Anyone else can add on to it, please. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor Jay Kumar. There are any more insights that other faculty would like to add to this? Yeah, Pastor Selina, you want to share something? I think that is in scripture, there is no explicit instruction in scripture that one must be water baptized before partaking in the Lord's table. So that is why, you know, at all people's church, we keep the participation in the Lord's table open to all who are born again believers. And also, again, there is no explicit age restriction in scripture on when a person should be baptized in water. Like Pastor Jake said, that the only requirement is that the person has to be born again to their person faith in Jesus Christ. And, you know, like he said, you know, when we are baptized in water, we are actually partaking in the death, the burial, the resurrection, the ascension of Jesus Christ. And the same way when we partake in the Lord's table, we are actually partaking in what the Lord has done for us on the cross. And, you know, that we can receive the full blessings of what he has done on the cross for our lives. So since there is no explicit instruction in scripture, we can't say that one has to be, you know, water baptized to take part in the Lord's table. It's the same as, you know, for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You know, that we can't say that one has to be baptized in water and then receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We see this in Acts chapter 10 when, you know, Paul goes and ministers in Cornelius house. You know, before even he gave the altar call, the people were cut to their heart and, you know, they started speaking in tongues and then they were water baptized. Same with Saul after his encounter, you know, before he was water baptized, he, you know, when Ananias laid hands on him and prayed, you know, he received the gift of the Holy Spirit and then he was water baptized. So there we can say that, you know, we have specific narratives or incidents in the Bible, but there is nothing that explicitly says that we need to be water baptized. So, and I think in both of these things, the requirement is that, you know, one has to put their personal faith in Jesus Christ. Be born again believers so that they can partake in both. Yeah, that's it. Thank you. Thank you, John, for your question. Good question. Thank you, Pastor Nancy. Yeah. Thank you, Pastor Selena. I want to ask John if this is all right, or if you have any follow up questions. Yes, Pastor. Yes. And follow up, Kristen. I had one regarding the serving of communion. So, go ahead, John. Should the people, yeah, so the people who help us in serving the community, the ushers. So do we look for people who are baptized or at least, you know, who are taking part of the communion already or because we have students and all coming here for the church. And most of them are very willing to serve in any area. So especially at this part should be keep an eye on who we choose to serve the community. Okay. Nice question, John. So who do we choose among volunteers to serve the communion? Our pastors, would you have any inputs? Just to add one more sentence to that, because in acts, we also see that, you know, people with fuller spirit and wisdom it chosen to serve the food ministry, right? So I'm just wondering if that applies even now. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, John. So, first of all, would you be able to share some insights? I'll just share my thoughts. This is my thoughts, right? I feel that for in terms of serving the Lord's table and I mean, it's just a volunteering thing that and it's a practical need. So we need volunteers to serve. So there's nothing wrong to have those who are, you know, not water baptized or not taking part in the Lord's table. If they are willing to serve, definitely we give them an opportunity and let them serve. And it's a good thing in one way because they may ask questions. So they may say, you know, they may come up to you and ask, like, what is all this? What is it about? What is, you know, so it opens up for discussion. It opens up for questions. And so I feel that practically they want to serve God and they feel that ushering is something that they'd like to do. So give them an opportunity. We don't stop them from serving God. So practically, I feel it's all right. So they don't have to be, you know, water baptized or they don't have to be people who are partaking in the Lord's table. And only then they can serve, you know, in the communion. So that's what I personally feel. And so in the book of Acts, when John, you mentioned that, you know, the choosing of the seven and acts, act up is seven, who, you know, sorry, act six. And it says there, yes, they will follow wisdom. But I believe that, you know, even now, even as we, like, you know, choose people, we look at their heart, their desire to serve. And wisdom is something that comes over time as well. And so I feel that, you know, we give them time, give them, give people the time to grow and wisdom and power is not something that comes overnight. So even as we give them opportunities to volunteer, serve. And in whatever they're doing, I'm sure that the Lord will grant them the wisdom and be as leaders can always be there to help them to grow in their calling. So I hope that, you know, brings a little bit of clarity to thank you. Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Pastor Paul for sharing your view. Any of the other pastors, would you also like to share your insights, please? Good question, John. If I'm just looking at what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 11, there we see that, you know, the Lord's table was celebrated more like a feast where they used to bring, you know, their own food and bread. And then we had two groups, you know, one the rich and one the poor and, you know, and then he's addressing the whole issue of, you know, behavior there, addressing the behavior of people at the Corinthian church. And, you know, they were partaking of the Lord's table in not a worthy manner. So he addresses that, and he says, you know, we must prepare our hearts, examining our lives and renouncing sin and taking the elements, understanding and believing what they represent that represents the death and the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. So there we see it was like, you know, they just distributing the elements or whatever they bought, it was more like a feast, but he was talking more to them about their behavior and the significance of doing what they were doing. So I think this whole ritual of us, you know, passing it out in the sun is just for convenience sake. And it was, I think, done the same way. I think, you know, I'm not too sure, but I think reading from scripture that this is what they did in the early churches as well. And they were all just, you know, growing believers, but we know the church at Corinth, they were very zealous in their faith and, you know, they were flowing mightily in the gifts. So, yeah, like Pastor Paul said, just, you know, it was a given opportunity for those who are serving to, we can train them, you know, to examine their lives to, you know, to renounce any sin and also would help them to grow in their walk with God and personal holiness. We also don't know, you know, those who are partaking in the Lord's table, they might be seated, they might not be necessarily serving, but, you know, we're all, you know, we all are sinful people, we indulge in, we have our own weaknesses. So none of us are perfect and God knows that. And so it's also a good opportunity for people who are serving to grow in the things of God, to grow in personal holiness and intimacy with God and just seeing from the early church, you know, this is what they did. So, you know, and Paul does not address that, but just helps them to see, help them to take part in a worthy man, all of them together. Thank you, Pastor Nancy. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor Selina. Thank you, Pastor Paul, for sharing your views. I just thought I'd add my two cents. As we look at Acts chapter six, you know, we see that even the men who were chosen as volunteers, where, like, there was a requirement, you know, that they must be full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, have good testimony. So this is the ideal scenario, John. So the task which was given to the seven volunteers wasn't more of an administrative task, but there was still a spiritual requirement from them. Now, when we look at works in the house of God, which are spiritual in nature, you know, the later on we will read when Paul writes to Timothy about who should be a bishop, who should be or in other words, what qualifies an individual to be a pastor, that is raising the bar to a whole new level. But as it is, I think, even for the administrative task in Acts chapter six, there is a requirement, spiritual requirement, as well as, you know, their skills and all of those things are concerned. This is the ideal. But then when it comes to practicality, let's say there is a church, a small church, a growing church, and you don't have volunteers at all. And as Pastor Paul pointed out, when there are people, I think it's okay to prayerfully decide who can be in various tasks. And a pastor can decide. And of course, it's understandable why you would ask that question, because sometimes certain roles, let's say somebody is leading from the front. So when people observe, there is a test, they think of their testimony, and all that comes to a growing believer's mind. So if you feel that, okay, those who are serving communion or even administrative tasks, but somewhat in the forefront, should be somewhat mature in Christ, that's all right. But in a growing church, when you don't even have people of that caliber, I think it's okay if you have like sincere believers who are seeking God, who love God, and they are growing. I think it's okay if we hand them the responsibility of maybe even serving communion. So my opinion there. And anything else, John, or are you okay with that answer? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you everyone for sharing. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, John. All right, we'll proceed. If there are any more questions, other questions, comments, please feel free. You can share. So while we wait for questions, if, okay, Amni, I see you're unmuted your mic. Yes ma'am. So I'm listening to the answers. Yes ma'am, can you hear me? Yes, I was just on the answers given to Brother John Paul regarding the requirements. So coming from a mainline church, we do not see any of these requirements being asserted or being followed up in those churches by the people who are taking sacraments, as well as water baptism is nowhere in the scene there. There's infant baptism and then there's a confirmation ceremony where there is no requirement of being born again. And they do not have any such concept in their minds. So when they are partaking of it, is it something, you know, I don't know how to put up the question, is it the right thing to do or is it okay for them to do like that? Or, you know, how do we understand that part of following up the process in the church? So what should be understood out of that? Like, is it right thing or they should be alerted or told about it? Okay, so Agni, I just want to understand your question. Are you asking if it is okay to partake of the communion if you're not baptized? Ma'am, is it okay to serve? No, no, not serving. It's like taking the communion because there is a testimony of being born again, not there is a testimony of water baptism, but they come to a certain age and parents make a decision that now they are willing and ready to take the Holy Communion. So the children just go and take a one month class or maybe sometimes once a day class and they start the Holy Communion. So why am I asking this is because if you read 1 Corinthians 11, it is written there like it is important for us to take the partake of the table in a worthy manner. So my question is doing that, is it something that comes under that kind of category where we are partaking it, not exactly believing in knowing it, but because it is a tradition, they start taking it and without making a decision to follow Christ or receive Christ. They just sometimes, I had taken that in my age when I had just given a small exam or a thing and from the Bible they had like 10 questions, I passed the questions after and then I was given my first Holy Communion, but I had no understanding of it, neither I had any experience of being born again. So this is happening till date, it is the same. So does it come into the category of partaking it in an unworthy manner or without discerning the body, they are taking it. So I want to understand is that the right thing to do and if not then what is the implication of it in your spiritual life or that's what my question is. I hope I'm clear man. Yes, yes, thank you. So what you're wanting out is in some churches as a tradition, as a ritual when you are a certain age or if you are able to answer some questions, they qualify you for communion. Now that person may or may not be born again, is it okay to let them have communion? If they're not born again and they have communion, what are the implications of that? Right, okay, so yeah, sure. So the question is open to our pastors, would appreciate it if someone could throw some light on this. Yeah, I just wanted to share that I also went through the same path that Avni was mentioning, you know, infant baptism, confirmation, etc. and after confirmation taking part in communion, but with no knowledge of salvation or experience of salvation. So a lot of things are done in ignorance. And so I was just thinking about, you know, one thing 11 where Paul refers, you know, lays down that whole thing about how to do it in a worthy manner and what is unworthy manner, etc. So he's addressing a body of believers who have, you know, experienced Christ, they are carnal, there are divisions, there's strife, everything, but he's definitely addressing a body of believers who've come to the saving knowledge of Christ. And then he's saying, you know, you, since they know the truth, he's talking to them, and this is one of the things that he's addressing, just like, you know, food offered to idols and everything. So we can say that, you know, having come to know the truth, and if you're, you know, not really discerning the Lord's body and you're doing it as a ritual, then it would definitely amount to not discerning the Lord's body and then eating in an unworthy manner and the consequence of it follows, of course. But to do it out of ignorance, well, the Lord would certainly lead them to the light as he's working on, you know, all others that he left. Definitely provide opportunities for them to know the truth, provide orchestrate things for them to come to know the truth about it. He'd definitely do that. So my opinion is this, that it's not the same thing, you know, when you do it out of ignorance, when you do it, when you, with the knowledge and the understanding and then having experienced Christ, you know, you being carnal and doing it. So I think there's a difference. So yeah, I would just share that. Thank you, Pastor. Amni, is that okay? Yes. So now I'm just thinking they have the word with them. They are reading the Bible. They are being, you know, taught the Bible in the church. So they themselves read from the scriptures, like the requirements for this. So will they still be considered ignorant? That's my question. Is it okay if I can add something? Yes, please. Go ahead. So yes, Amni. So I totally agree with what Pastor Jake was saying, that it's done and making events. Now, if you look at, I've just reminded of this in, you know, in the Old Testament when God, you know, instituted all of these laws and sacrifices and all of it. But eventually over the years, after Malachi, there was like 400 years of, you know, silence and 400 years of no prophetic word. And it just became a ritual, right? So people kept doing those offerings and sacrifices just because their forefathers did it. And most of them didn't really know why they were doing it. And Isaiah says also, Isaiah says, you know, you honor me, you honor me with your lips, but your hearts are far away. So the same thing, like even if we look now, maybe there are many of them who are just doing certain things because their parents have told them to do it. And even like, even for me, coming from a mainline church, it was just like, okay, you have to have be confirmed in the church and all of that. But I didn't really understand it. I didn't try to understand it as well. So, but then we see that in the book of, when the Lord Jesus came, and then in the book of Acts, we see that the same people who were living that kind of religious life and following this ritual is not understanding anything, but just doing things out of, you know, just as a ritual. But we see that their hearts were changed, right? And God was able to change their hearts. So if we look at the bigger picture here, a lot of people may be partaking in the Lord's table or doing things in church out of just, okay, because people have told me to do what I'm doing it. But like what Pastor Jake's ended by saying that God is able to speak into their hearts. So the same way how he did in the book of Acts, where a lot of them were Jews and Gentiles, and I'm sure the Jews were all partaking in all of those rituals and offerings and sacrifice. But when the gospel was preached at that time, the message of the cross, it just penetrated and their lives were changed. So they were willing to give up everything. So basically what I'm trying to get at is that God can break through all of those religious things that we try to follow. They do have the word, but it's important to put context to the word and ask the Holy Spirit for divine revelation. And God can do that. So we continue to trust God and I'm sure there are many of them in the main line church who desire to know more of the word and they need good teachers and good learning, good teaching to understand the word. So I will just leave it at that. I believe that God can penetrate their hearts and if they're doing it out of ignorance, it's not going to affect them much because they don't really know what it is. But if they know it and then do it just so that out of convenience or anything else, then it could have repercussions. But out of ignorance, it will not affect, is what I would say. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor Paul. And I see Avni's comment. She says, yes, amen. Thank you, pastors. So I think you're okay with the answer Avni. We'll move forward. We'll move forward if there are any other questions. Yes, Sister Rupa, I see you raising your hand. Please go ahead, Sister. Good morning to all. I just wanted to add to Avni's question. I felt that knowing the truth when we are enlightened and see the people who are still in darkness and not able to understand even in Christianity, I think it is our responsibility to plead on their behalf. When we pray, that would make a great difference and God will work out in their lives. That's how God works, wants to work and uses us as channels so that His revelation is manifested in their lives and they would come closer to God. I felt that just wanted to share. Ma'am, thank you. Thank you so much for sharing. Definitely, when people are in ignorance, we need to continue to pray for them and we know that God will enlighten them, even those who may know and who are on the wrong track. We need to pray. Let's move further ahead. If there are questions pertaining to any other subject, please feel free. You can ask. At this point, John, do you want to come in and share any of your learnings the last couple of months? Then others can follow John. Hi, everyone. Second year now, second year is a little more, as expected, a little more in depth than first year. We've got a lot of learning. Especially, we have this topic of marriage and family. It's really eye-opener in many areas, even though we have gone through that course. But still, when we go back and learn from those concepts again, it's really insightful and a lot of things to be practically applicable in daily life. There's a good reminder in many areas. Having said that, all subjects are important. I'm just pointing out because it's really ministering to me personally these days. It's quite interesting to... We have this homiletics also, where we talk about biblical preaching. When we have this assignment, it's quite helpful to... Rather than first year, where we had assessment towards the end of a month or so, when we have an ongoing thing, let's say you start with a topic and you finish that topic throughout one or two weeks, it's quite helpful just to be in that area, be in that topic and understand more. You're able to study more, which is really, really helpful. Thank you for that. Yes, thank you. Thank you, John. Yeah, it's really nice to hear what has been touching your heart and making an impact for you and all the new things that you're picking up in the second year. So that's a blessing. I want to continue asking students as well as faculty to please share from your own lives any learnings. We'll ask Sister Rupa now that you're in the third year. Is there anything sister that you feel, you know, it's new, different? Thank you, Ma'am. Third year, I'll tell you that we're really enjoying the learning. Learning so many new things, which we have left out. Going through the same scriptures, but then same time, God is blessing us with me, especially with new insights and learning the heart of God. And it's really a blessing. Thank you Ma'am for asking. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Sister Rupa. Great to hear that new insights, new learnings. Avni, would you also like to share? Sure, Ma'am. So for me this year, I mean, it has been a great journey. Last two years, we've learned so much in every area. Most important thing is that it has broadened my perspective towards people. I've understood that, you know, the end of everything is like being faithful to Christ. You can be from any place, any denomination, any, you know, but ultimately it is about Jesus being built up in us and through us. That is something which has broadened my perspective towards, you know, looking at people who are part of the body of Christ. And secondly, I was very afraid of the administrative part, which, you know, I always thought it's not like something that I can. But learning about church and ministry administration this year. I'm enjoying that class and the kind of detailing being taught like how one should, you know, think about beginning a church and what things to be taken care of. You know, being equipped with that is something very, very essential as well as very interesting and very needed. Because many churches, they start and they close and, you know, people look at them and they feel like they couldn't manage through. But it is such a beautiful course where we are learning church planting and ministry administration and learning how to, you know, plan it out in such a way. Because Bible says, count the cost before you. So we have to plan it out in such a way. So learning that has, you know, I has broken my stronghold where I felt I could never, you know, ever be able to do that because. But yes, now I feel excited about the calling God has given and being equipped to learn how to manage it is a real blessing. And online course having everything like we can go back to the lectures. We can go back to the videos and, you know, get get patient back if you missed out something being at home. Sometimes, you know, we are in the classroom, but we are not exactly sometimes we occupied with things. But then thankfully we have the videos around and we can go back and listen to them and, you know, reaffirm things and revise things. So that is such a blessing. So I thank God for all the things that we have been learning every every subject, you know, has been a blessing. And they're very beautifully designed in such a way that more than everything else we are being blessed and built up for the ministry as well as as a believer in Christ. So thank you so much. I take this opportunity to thank everyone for teaching us with so much love, patience and depth. So I thank you all. Thank you for sharing Omni and so encouraging to see that your perspective is changing with all that you're learning. So we have about five minutes left. If there are if there is another question, you know, we can accommodate that. If not, I think we will pray and wrap up the session for today. But I'm still open in case you wanted to discuss regarding anything. All right, so we will have this mentoring hour on Google, Google Classroom once a month every Wednesday. So every Wednesday, 8am to 8.50am Indian time. And just want to encourage those of us who have joined to please continue to join every month. And also if you could let your classmates know it'll be nice to have more students connecting on the mentoring hour and for us to explore, you know, different different aspects of what we have been studying here at Bible College and even outside. So let's close off for now. I want to request be one of the faculty to please pray. And then we wrap up. First of all, could you please lead us in a word of prayer. Let's pray. Father, we want to thank you for this beautiful day ago. We thank you for your word. So powerful. We thank you for the wisdom. I pray God that you will continue to anoint each one of us fill us with your wisdom, the understanding of God, even as we continue to learn from your word. And Lord, I pray that you will bring in clarity will bring in deeper revelations of your word of God. And I pray God that your word will be sown in our hearts about to bear fruit in our lives. Father, we thank you. As we know, your word says that it is light unto our part of God. And I just pray for each one of us, the students, faculty, all of us ago that we will continue to look to your word and walk in your ways ago. We ask God that you will stand on your word. Thank you for this beautiful time. And I pray God that you will continue to teach us, help us to learn and grow and fulfill every purpose that you have for us. Lord, we submit this time into your hands and Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. And thank you, Pastor Paul. Thank you everyone for connecting on the call today. God bless you. Have a blessed day.