San Quentin’s Reformed Services hosted a two-day conference on a critical and exegetical study of the Armor of God, from the book of Ephesians in the Christian Bible.
Resident Dave Richard and Reformed Services Pastor Aldo Yannon hoped to inspire residents to answer a call to put on the Armor of God. A few outside guests and two residents preached how there are seven elements crucial for Christians to defend evil attacks.
“A conference like this is essential for us as believers. We must walk out our faith, knowing that God is the centerpiece of what sustains us. When the flesh gets weak we can be rejuvenated by reading the word of God,” resident Paul Flores said.
According to the New American Standard Bible, gospel writer Paul wrote Ephesians to help his readers better understand the dimensions of God’s eternal peace and grace. This includes instruction and guidance on how to be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might that comes with bearing the Armor of God.
“The battle was won by the blood of the lamb, he is over every principality. Salvation begins with the Lord and of the Lord,” Pleasant Valley Prison Minister Tim McKraken said. He told attendees there is a spiritual battle, but the power that raised Jesus Christ is the same power believers possess. “The enemy is real and does not want you to be reconciled to God.”
Outside preachers Bill Adkins, Micah Jarvis, Dean Davis, Hugh McCann and Yannon discussed Chapter six, verses 10-18 in Ephesians. They spoke about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the footwear, which is the Gospel of Peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. Each acknowledged how putting on the Armor of God requires active engagement and is donned piece by piece.
“The enemy does not want you reconciled to God, but victory comes through our Lord Jesus Christ. When he attacks we go to the gospel,” McKraken said.
Resident Brian Monge expounded on the sword of truth and how it is the spirit of God who teaches us to use the word of God. He said to skillfully wield the sword, also known as the “Machida,” requires training. Monge said a well-trained soldier is dangerous to approach. “To act, think, and defend like Christ requires a skill of precision and practice.”
Monge said the sword is both defensive and offensive. “Understanding scripture is not about a general knowledge, but an underlying skill of precision and truths in the Word. Store-up the Word in your mind and heart. Read and read, meditate, and study to show thyself proved, it is about context,” Monge said.
Wrapping up the conference, Richard presented prayer as the seventh element, reciting verse 18 “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” He reminded everyone these are important aspects of a righteous walk gained through prayer.
“Do not forget you are a sinner. God came and saved you, and He adopted you into the Kingdom,” Richard said. He said the gospel never says you are strengthened by yourself, but through Christ. He encouraged residents to pray for enlightenment, pray less about human aspects, pray for God’s glory, and pray to better understand the truth.
“The powers of these elements are in the gospel. It [The Bible] is God’s truth, his righteousness, his shield, his defense, and his sword that protect us. To pray effectively, rightly, and effectively is to pray in the Spirit,” Richard said.
“The speakers were guiding me to read the Bible and hear the voice of God,” resident Steve Fink said. “There was clarity of the truth being spoken about Jesus and the speakers all brought it back to the Bible.”
