Is Church Membership Necessary? | Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxytIUk35ZU
3:06 Why is church membership so important for members in this Church?
4:43 Is there an official name of that particular one that was built by our Lord Jesus Christ, founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that was received by the Lord’s promise or his assurance that not even death would be able to prevail against it?
10:00 Did the people really need the Church Of Christ in order to be saved and enter that holy city?
19:20 What kind of Church is to be presented to the Lord when He does return?
20:00 How can the Church and its members reach that kind of radiant or glorious state so as to be worthy of being granted salvation on the Day of Judgment?
21:25 Who is that instrument that God would use to get the Church and her members to that condition that you mentioned is spiritual maturity and ready for salvation?\
23:15 What should the Church members do to reciprocate the labor, the concern and the great love that the Church Administration has for the whole Church?
26:28 Because maybe some of our viewers, they might be visiting our worship services, our Bible studies, and they may have heard members of the Church leading prayers for the Executive Minister, what’s the biblical basis for that?
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News: While more and more young adults are dropping out of church, according to a recent study, 66% have stopped attending
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Brother Bob Pellien: In a world marked by profound changes and shifting values, a growing trend is reshaping the landscape of faith and spirituality.
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Today’s topic: IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP NECESSARY?
Brother Bob Pellien: More and more people are bidding farewell to the pews, stepping out of the church doors and embarking on a journey of their own. But there is a community that stands as an unwavering testament to the enduring power of faith and unity.
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Bob Pellien
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob Pellien: While churches closed their doors, especially during the pandemic, why are Iglesia Ni Cristo members even more committed to their membership? After all, is church membership necessary or even biblical? I’m Bob Pellien. That’s what we’ll talk about today right here at the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. And joining us once again in this week’s discussion, is Brother Donald Pinnock in Toronto, Canada. Welcome to the discussion, Brother Donald.
Brother Donald Pinnock: Thank you for having me, Brother Bob.
Brother Bob Pellien: Sure enough. We also have with us today from Washington, D.C., Brother Dexter Manglicmot. Brother Dexter, thanks for joining the discussion as well.
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: Thanks, and we’re so happy to be here once again.
Brother Bob Pellien: We are as well. Brother Dexter, thank you. And from the land down under, we have also joining with us today from Melbourne, Australia. Brother Andrew Fisher, Brother Andrew, thanks for giving your time and joining the discussion.
Brother Andrew Fisher: Thanks Brother Bob and hello, Brothers.
Brother Bob Pellien: Brothers, before we open this discussion, it’s a very important discussion. Once again this week, we’d like to ask you to take a look at this short clip first.
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Priest: Even before the pandemic, we knew the millennials and younger than that, are kind of leaving the church, are drifting away.
Man: A lot of guys still have a big question mark, and the biggest question mark is who’s coming back?
VO: Recent Gallup research found church membership is at an all time low in the US, with 47% of people saying they belong to a place of worship. It reflects a continuing decline in church membership across the country for more than two decades now. It’s a trend happening across all age groups.
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Brother Bob Pellien: So Brothers, you know, we know the statistics, especially since the pandemic, as we said. The numbers of churches were forced to close their doors, and the decline of church membership worldwide, in fact. But what sets this Church, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ and her members, apart from the others? What drives members of the Church Of Christ to remain so dedicated in an era where so many are drifting away from organized religion? Why is church membership so important for members in this Church? Let’s begin right there, Brother Donald.
Brother Donald Pinnock: Well, thank you, Brother Bob, for allowing me to begin our discussion today. And of course, we will not give our own opinion, but rather, we will read what the Bible teaches, specifically this proclamation of our Lord, Jesus Christ, recorded here in Matthew 16, verse is 18:
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Donald Pinnock
Toronto, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
[Matthew 16:18 Revised Standard Version]
Brother Donald Pinnock: So very clearly here, dear viewers, our Lord Jesus Christ promises to build His Church. So the Church was important enough to our Lord Jesus Christ that He built it. So it means to say it is also important for His true followers. Those who say that Church membership is not important, they’re making a great mistake. One has to be a member of the Church built by our Lord Jesus Christ. Please also note that when it comes to the Church built by our Lord Jesus Christ, Christ declares that not even the powers of death would prevail or overcome His Church.
Brother Bob Pellien: Brother Donald, Brothers, is there any official name, because there’s so many Christian professing Churches with so many different names? Is there an official name of that particular one that was built by our Lord Jesus Christ, founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that was received by the Lord’s promise or his assurance that not even death would be able to prevail against it?
Brother Andrew Fisher: You know, Brother Bob, if we go back to the Bible and read in the book of Acts, chapter 20 and the verse is 28 it’s actually in that verse that the apostles mentioned the official name of the Church, which was established by Christ. Let me read what it says there in Acts 20 verse 28:
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Andrew Fisher
Melbourne, Australia
Minister of the Gospel
Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.
[Acts 20:28 George Lamsa’s Translation]
Brother Andrew Fisher: Dear viewers, for us, it’s without a shadow of doubt that Church Of Christ is the official name of the Church established or built by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brother Bob Pellien: That may be so for us Brother Andrew, but maybe some of our viewers would want more proof than that. So are there any others that also give testimony that the Lord Jesus Christ not only founded a Church, but that it was called after Him as the Church Of Christ?
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: Well, yes, Brother Bob, there are others who say this. And in order for us to prove this, let’s read from this book entitled Religion, Doctrine and Practice. This is written by a Catholic priest by the name of Francis Cassilly. We’ll read from pages 442 and 443 this is what it says.
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Brother Dexter Maglicmot
Washington, D.C.
Minister of the Gospel
[Religion, Doctrine and Practice, Francis Cassilly, Pages 442 and 443]
Did Jesus Christ establish a Church? Yes, from all history, both secular and profane, as well as from the Bible, considered as a human document, we learn that Jesus Christ established a Church, which from the earliest times has been called after Him the Christian church, or the Church Of Christ.
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: Now what we read is written by a Catholic priest, and this Catholic priest testified that the Lord Jesus Christ did indeed build or found a church, and that it was called after Him the Christian Church or the Church Of Christ. And why do we accept this? Not because he’s a Catholic priest, but because in this instance, what he says is in accord with what was just read by Brother Andrew, that the official name of the Church is none other than the Church Of Christ. So there you have it, dear viewers, according to the Bible, and those who have studied the Bible. Christ indeed did build a church, and that church bears His name, none other than the name Church Of Christ.
Brother Bob Pellien: Hold on just a minute. Brother Dexter, Brothers, hold on just a minute. I noticed that what you read there from when you read, I think it was, did you read that Brother Donald, I think I noticed that you read there in Matthew 16:18, the statement of our Lord Jesus Christ that “not even the powers of death would overcome His Church.” Our viewers may be led to think then that while being a member of the Church, you’ll no longer die. Does he mean then that those who become members of the Church Of Christ will not physically die anymore?
Brother Donald Pinnock: No, he does not, Brother Bob and dear viewers, and again, we’re not going to give our own opinion or hearsay, but let’s read what the Bible teaches. Specifically here in First Thessalonians 4 and verses are 16 to 17:
For the Lord Himself would descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
[I Thessalonians 4:16-17 New King James Version]
Brother Donald Pinnock: So those who remain as faithful members of the true Church Of Christ, the Church that was built by our Lord Jesus Christ, when they remain as members until death, they will be raised to life in what is called the First Resurrection. And please note, dear viewers, that the faithful Church members who are still alive, on that day, they are going to join with their fellow members who were resurrected, and together, they will meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air and to be with Him always in our true home, which is called the Holy City.
Brother Bob Pellien: But again, our viewers may want to know, why are we so sure that it’s the members of the Church Of Christ that are being referred to there as the ones who can really expect to receive salvation, expecting to receive that eternal life on the return of our Lord Jesus Christ? And it brings us then, Brothers, back to our original question:. do people really need the Church Of Christ in order to be saved and enter that Holy City? Because, look, aren’t there a lot of people that we know and meet along our journey in life that would say, probably, come on, it’s just enough to accept Jesus Christto receive that heavenly reward that you just read about there,. Brother Donald., There’s a lot of people who would say “all I need to do is to believe in Christ.” So many people say that’s what so many other people believe, right?
Brother Andrew Fisher: Well, Brother Bob, even here in Australia, there’s many who also believe that. It may be the popular belief, but what’s most important is what’s written in the Holy Scriptures. So if we ask the apostles then and read here in the book of Ephesians 5:25 and verse 23 this is the answer of the Apostle Paul. He said this:
Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.
[Ephesians 5:25, 23 Today’s English Version]
Brother Andrew Fisher: Dear viewers, please take careful note that the Church that Christ loved and died on the cross for is the Church that He will save on His return, and that church bears an official name. And what is it? The Church Of Christ?
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: That’s right, Brother Andrew, and let’s just summarize some of the key points that we’ve discussed so far, dear viewers., The Bible has shown us that the Church Of Christ is indeed very important to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He founded the Church. He loves the Church. He sacrificed His precious life for the Church. And He will bring salvation for His Church on His return. This is why, dear friends, we believe how very necessary membership in the true Church truly is.
Brother Donald Pinnock: And in our past episodes of this program, dear viewers, which you can view on our website, Incmedia.org, it has been proven time and time again that this Church, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ is the fulfillment of biblical prophecies concerning the emergence of the third and last group of people who would make up the true Church Of Christ in its totality. That’s why we invite you to avail of our website.
Brother Andrew Fisher: That’s right, Brother Donald and because members of the Church Of Christ understand and believe even those biblical truths, but we take it seriously and consider as precious our membership inside the true Church Of Christ. That’s why we love our membership in the Church. And that’s why we also invite our friends and our viewers, even today, to be with us and to also do the same.
Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you very much for that, Brothers. You know, dear viewers, you know, what is it that God is expecting, though, of His Church and her members? That’s what we’ll be discussing right after the break. Stay with us right here at the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition.
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INC International Edition
Brother Bob Pellien: Welcome back everyone as we continue with our important discussion on: is Church membership necessary? We’ve been talking about the importance of the Church Of Christ based upon the Scriptures, the Holy Bible, and the reason why we members of the Church Of Christ hold our membership in the Church with such high regard. We take it so seriously. Before we continue with this important discussion,. let’s take a moment to meet James Johnson, who met the Church and the most unique of circumstances decades ago, when he was but only 22 years old, he was on a naval ship. Take a look.
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James Johnson: I heard one shipmate say to another, “You are crazy. This is not the only Church that’s going to be saved. There’s lots of them out there. Why is this one?” The shipmate being bullied responded, “Well, why don’t you join me in Bible study?” And He further explained Matthew 16:18, and questioned them by asking, “Why would Jesus Christ save any other body of believers or Church besides the one he built and died for?” Initially, I kept walking, but I had to step back to see who was speaking. Three days later, I saw him in the hallway on the ship. This time I stopped. I stopped to ask him about this Church and why he was making such a bold statement. I was 20 years old then, about the same age as some of you watching and listening today. I started my prayer journey at the tender age of 12 years old. I would pray for guidance, help and support with graduation, but most of all, I prayed that God allowed me to know the truth. Remember how I said I heard and said a shipmate speaking about his Church so passionately. Well, that man was Brother Pauline Jolly Sr., a member of the Church Of Christ. He invited me to Bible study and Church, but due to my ship’s schedule, I could not attend. After hearing Brother Pauline speak about his faith, I was introduced to seven other religions. I practiced Catholicism. I have attended holiness and Pentecostal services. I even studied with a Mormon shipmate and a few others. While trying these other other religions, I kept praying that God leads me to where I need to be and strengthen my faith. One by one, God Almighty allowed me to cancel those other religions out. During this time, Brother Pauline persistently invited me to worship service in Church. And finally, after three months, I gave in, and I attended worship service. I started my 28 lessons and was baptized in the Church Of Christ at the age of 22. I had prayed for so long, it took seven years to get that answer. Every success and every failure led me to that moment in that breezeway. I’m forever grateful and thankful to God Almighty for leading me to where I needed to be to hear His words.
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Brother Bob Pellien: It’s really really nice, isn’t it, Brothers to hear how Brother James really came to learn about the Church Of Christ when he heard somebody talking about how important the Church is, just like our discussion today, right? How important the Church Of Christ really is in his life.
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Bob Pellien
San Francisco, California
Minister of the Gospel
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Today’s topic: IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP NECESSARY?
Brother Andrew Fisher: You know, Brother Bob, one thing that I noticed from Brother James is his raw passion and emotion that when a person really opens their heart to understand what’s written in the Bible and the word of God, they can really feel how valuable being inside the true Church Of Christ is. And then that’s what we could see from our Brother James there, he’s just so grateful to have found the true Church.
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Andrew Fisher
Melbourne, Australia
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: And I’d like to add, first of all, it was very inspiring to see the video. And what stuck out to me was when he said he was on his journey, or he was on a journey, not just a journey of praying, but seeking the truth. And we are confident in saying that many of our viewers who are tuning in, you might be on that same journey right now, that you’re praying and you’re seeking the truth, you’re trying to find the true Church. That’s why we appreciate that you’re tuning in to our program, this program of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, and we believe what we are saying is based on the teachings of the Bible.
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Brother Dexter Maglicmot
Washington, D.C.
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Donald Pinnock: If I can add, Brother Bob and dear viewers, when it comes to the insights given by Brother Dexter and Brother Andrew, very important. When it comes to the true Church Of Christ, please also note this. There is no impartiality, there’s no discrimination. As long as one believes in the true gospel taught in the true Church, and become baptized members thereof, regardless of their cultural or ethnic background, they become recognized as true followers of Christ or true Christians. That’s why, when it comes to the misunderstanding of others that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is just a Filipino Church, why don’t you have your discussion? Why don’t you examine the doctrines and even the prophecies that pertain to this Church in order for you to understand why people of varied ethnic backgrounds are becoming baptized members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ.
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Donald Pinnock
Toronto, Canada
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob Pellien: Brothers, let’s get back to the discussion at hand for today. Though it was a nice video of Brother James, you know, but because the Church truly is important in the eyes of God, and then of our in our Lord Jesus Christ as well. What is it that God wants to happen to the Church and its members so that it will be ready and worthy of being granted the reward of salvation and eternal life upon the return of our Lord Jesus Christ? And let’s ask this, what kind of Church is to be presented to the Lord when He does return?
Brother Andrew Fisher: Well, Brother Bob, Apostle Paul, actually taught about that here in Ephesians. We’ll read from Chapter 5 again, but I’ll read this time in verse 27:
and to present himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
[Ephesians 5:27 New International Version]
Brother Andrew Fisher: The Lord Jesus Christ, He wants His Church to reach a state of radiancy on his return, and that radiancy will be one of having no stain or blemish.
Brother Bob Pellien: Brethren, how can the Church and its members reach that kind of radiant or glorious state so as to be worthy of being granted salvation on the Day of Judgment?
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: We’ll go to the teaching of the apostle Paul, this time in Colossians 1:28 to 29 this is what he says,
So we preach Christ to everyone. With all possible wisdom we warn and teach them in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature individual in union with Christ. To get this done, I toil and struggle using the mighty strength which Christ supplies and which is at work in me.
[Colossians 1:28 – 29 Today’s English Version]
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: According to the teaching of the apostle Paul, God uses an instrument so that the Church that was built by our Lord Jesus Christ can reach that radiant condition. And the members of that Church can be presented as spiritually mature individuals before the Lord Jesus Christ on the Day of Judgment.
Brother Donald Pinnock: And we should also note, dear viewers, that God’s instrument mentioned here toils or works hard in teaching the Church members so that they can become and then remain radiant and spiritually mature.
Brother Bob Pellien: Wait a minute there, Brother Donald, you mentioned an instrument that God uses to get the Church and her members ready? Who is that instrument that God would use to get the Church and her members to that condition that you mentioned is spiritual maturity and ready for salvation? What kind of instrument are you referring to? Who’s that?
Brother Donald Pinnock: Well, we can read the answer here, Brother Bob here in Colossians 1 and verse is 25:
I have become its minister, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known.
[Colossians 1: 25 Holman Christian Standard Bible]
Brother Donald Pinnock: Therefore, God’s instrument who labors and toils for the sake of the spiritual maturity of the Church Of Christ members all over the world is the minister who has been bestowed or given the administrative authority from God, and that minister is none other than the Executive Minister. Thus, the members of the Church Of Christ firmly believe that in our time, the Lord God makes His will known to us through the Church Administration, as led by the Church Administrator, or Executive Minister, who at this present time is none other than Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
Brother Bob Pellien: So dear friends, inside the true Church Of Christ, there has to be a minister who has been entrusted with the administration. Who has been appointed by the Lord God to proclaim His message to its members and to provide them with the spiritual care they need in order for them to remain members, to reach spiritual maturity and to be ready for the day of judgment so as to receive salvation. You know, the Church Administrator is also the one who leads us to value and to take seriously our membership inside the Church Of Christ. So what should the Church members do to reciprocate the labor, the concern and the great love that the Church Administration has for the whole Church? What’s to be done, Brother Andrew, let’s go down to you again there in Australia.
Brother Andrew Fisher: Brother Bob, Apostle Paul, actually gave an instruction to the Church members in his time, which true Church Of Christ members today also follow, and it’s written here in the book of First Thessalonians, chapter 5, in the verses are 12 and 13:
We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.
[I Thessalonians 5:12 and 13 Today’s English Version]
Brother Andrew Fisher: You know, considering the immensity of the God given responsibility placed on the shoulders of the Executive Minister, well, it’s only right and proper that the members of the Church Of Christ extend to Brother Eduardo Manalo, the greatest respect and love.
Brother Bob Pellien: Is there anything else Brothers that the members of the Church Of Christ should be prepared to do with regards to the Church Administrator, considering, you know, like we said earlier, how hard he labors and how diligently he guards our souls in order so that all of us will be ready to be ready and in a condition worthy of the reward of salvation on the Day of Judgment, anything else?
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: Yes, Brother Bob, there is something else that should be done, and it is very important. Let us read here in Hebrews 13:17 according to the apostles:
Listen to your spiritual leaders and obey them; for they are watchful guardians of your souls, as one who must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.
[Hebrews 13:17 Lamsa’s Translation]
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: Something else that Church members must do is what was mentioned here by the apostles. The members of the Church Of Christ are not only expected by God to respect and to love the administrator who God placed in the Church, but also to obey the Bible’s teachings and the Church regulations promulgated by the Church Administration.
Brother Donald Pinnock: Thus, what is plain to see is our complete unity and eager response to the Church Administration’s call with regards to activities and endeavors of the Church Of Christ. For example, the participation of Church members in support of the intensive propagation of God’s words.
Brother Andrew Fisher: That’s right Brother Donald, and that’s also why members of the Church greatly respect and love the Executive Minister, because he’s the one who teaches members of the Church the will of our Lord God that we must obey in order for us to be worthy of salvation on the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And this is all based on the Bible.
Brother Bob Pellien: Brothers, here’s another thing, we often hear members of the Church praying for the Executive Minister. Is there a biblical basis for that? Because maybe some of our viewers, they might be visiting our worship services, our Bible studies, and they may have heard members of the Church leading prayers for the Executive Minister, what’s the biblical basis for that?
Brother Donald Pinnock: That’s a really good question, Brother Bob, and perhaps that is an observation of those who have attended our worship services and other activities. There is a biblical basis, and a proof is written here in second Thessalonians 3 and the verses are 1 to 2:
Finally, our friends, pray for us that the Lord’s message may continue to spread rapidly and be received with honor, just as it was among you. Pray also that God will rescue us from wicked and evil people; for not everyone believes the message.
[II Thessalonians 3: 1-2 Today’s English Version]
Brother Donald Pinnock: We pray that through the Church and the Church Administration, the Lord’s message of salvation would continue to spread rapidly all over the world and to be received by those who hear it and believe in it. We also pray that the Church Administration be kept safe from wicked and evil people, so that he can continue to lead the Church Of Christ onwards to further victories in all of its works for the greater glory of the Lord our God.
Brother Andrew Fisher: That’s also why, on the part of our viewers, who are already members of the Church Of Christ. We encourage you to continue to remain united or one with the Church Administration and take seriously our membership inside the Church Of Christ.
Brother Dexter Manglicmot: And on the part of our viewers who are not yet members of the Church Of Christ. Dear friends, we invite you to be a part of the Church that our Lord Jesus Christ built, that He loves, that He sacrificed His life for and cares for. Be in the Church that the Savior Jesus will save. Be a part of the Church that is administered by a truly loving and caring administrator or leader. Be a part of the true Church Of Christ.
Brother Bob Pellien: Well, dear friends, we’d like to thank Brother Donald Pinnock in Toronto, Canada, Brother Andrew Fisher in Melbourne, Australia, as well as Brother Dexter Manglicmot in Washington, DC, for giving to us Bible-based answers so that, as the Apostle Peter said,
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
[I Peter 3:15 New International Version]
Brother Bob Pellien: Well, that does it for us here on the Iglesia Ni Cristo International Edition. We hope you’ll join us again next time. I’m Bob Pellien and thanks for watching.
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INC International Edition
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