Iglesia Ni Cristo

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This is a discussion about a Philippine sect, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Literally, the name is in Filipino which simply means Church of Christ. This sect should not be confused with some sects of the same name; the similarity ends there. The sect was founded in 1914 by Felix Manalo. Manalo claims he is the last messenger for the End Times. In 1922, he further claimed that he is the angel in Revelation 7:2. They claim that they are the church of the New Testament, through a verse in Romans 16:16.
 
Cont’d.

As posted in another board by an INC member-- forums.abs-cbn.com/index.php?showtopic=30144 , here are the basic beliefs of this sect:

**One God, the Father **

We believe that the one and only true God is the Father, the Creator. We hold this belief because it is the doctrine taught by our Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles (John 17:3, 1: I Corinthians 8:6). God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and, therefore, He has no flesh and bones (Luke 24:39).

There is no trinity of persons in God. Though the Bible speaks of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, never does it refer to all of them as gods nor as three persons in one God; rather, it points to the Father alone as the true God. The Son Himself emphasized that only the Father is the true God (John 17:3, 1) and that He himself is a man telling the truth which He received from God (John 8:40). The prophets also teach that we have only one Father who created us (Malachi 2:10); Isaiah 64:4, 8). He alone is God, there is no other God and no one is like Him (Isaiah 46:9)

God is from everlasting to everlasting, with no beginning or end (Psalms 90:2), immortal (I Timothy 1:17), and does not tire or become weary (Isaiah 40:28).

He alone is the creator of heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things therein, and the seas and all that is in them (Nehemiah 9:6)

**The Lord Jesus Christ **

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 3:17), is the one and only Savior given by God (Acts 13:23). Christ is the sole mediator between God and men (I Timothy 2:5) and the only way to God (John 14:6).

But we do not subscribe to the belief that Christ is God-Man. He is man in nature according to His own testimony (John 8:40) and the teachings of His Apostles (I Timothy 2:5; Matthew 1:18).

The attributes of a human being were found in Christ. He hungered (Matthew 4:2), thirsted (John 19:28), became weary or tired (John 4:6), slept (Matthew 8:24), and died (Matthew 27:50; I Corinthians 15:3). However, Christ as distinct from all men, is the only one who did not sin (I Peter 2:21-22; Hebrews 4:15).

He has been exalted by God and given a name above all other names, that at the name of Christ every knee should bow, those in heaven, and those on earth (Philippians 2:9-11). He has been placed by God far above all principality, power, might and dominion, and every name that is named, and all things have been put under His feet (Ephesians 1:21-22). Christ will eventually subject all His power and authority to the true God (I Corinthians 15:27-28). He had in so many instances introduced Himself as the Son of God but never did He appropriate the title “God?nor “God the Son?for Himself because He is not God but man.

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the power (Acts 1:8) sent by the Father in the name of Christ, to teach and remind His messengers of all the things that Christ said (John 14:26).

Christ also sends the Holy Spirit to help us in our weaknesses and infirmities (John 15:26; Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit strengthens, edifies, and comforts the Church of Christ (Ephesians 3:16-17); John 14:26). And although the Holy Spirit is a spirit, never do the Scriptures refer to Him as “God the Holy Spirit?because He is not God but one of the spirits being sent by God.

**The Holy Scriptures **

We believe that the Bible is the sole basis of faith and service to God. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe, for in it the righteousness of God is revealed (Romans 1:16-17). The Holy Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works (II Timothy 3:15-17).

God has purposely hidden His words in mystery (Romans 16:25), so that men who strive to understand the Scripture through their own worldly knowledge can never come to know the truth (II Timothy 3:7). The Gospel preached by those who are not sent by God is called by the Apostles “another gospel?(Galatians 1:6-7). And the use of the Gospel which deviates from the truth or from its true meaning will ineluctably lead to perdition (II Peter 3:15-16).http://www.catholic.com/library/Iglesia_Ni_Cristo.asp
 
The Messengers of God

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that the task of understanding God’s words in the Bible, and teaching them without alteration, without adding or diminishing, are given exclusively to the messengers of God (Mark 4:11-12; Romans 10:15; Deuteronomy 12:32).

We believe that the late Brother Felix Y. Manalo was God’s last messenger; he was the fulfillment of the Biblical prophecies concerning the messenger from the Far East (Revelation 7:2-3) who would preach to God’s sons and daughters in these last days (Isaiah 43:5-6; 46:11; 41:9-11). God reveals the meaning of His words to His messengers by means of the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:20-21), and the proof that the messengers were taught by the Holy Spirit of God is that their teachings never contradict one another (I Corinthians 2:13).

God’s Election

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that since ancient times, God has set apart His people to serve Him. Outside this election, man cannot render services acceptable to God (Psalms 4:3; Proverbs 1:28)

Those whom God has chosen in the patriarchal times were Seth, Noah, and Abraham. Then He set apart the Israelites. But the Israelites did not remain faithful to the covenant of God (Genesis 17: Daniel 9:11). After the fall of Israel, she was replaced by the Church of Christ (I Peter 2:9, 3-5; Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16; Acts 20:28, Lamsa). Eventually, after the death of the Apostles, the Church which was established by Christ in the first century departed from the true faith. It was apostatized (Matthew 24:3, 11: Acts 20:29-30; I Timothy 4:1-3).

In these last days, God sent His messenger to administer man’s return to the true teachings of the Church. And it is in the Philippines (in the Far East) where God sent an angel or messenger to preach the true and pure Gospel of Christ to the people in order to bring them back to the true Church (Revelation 7:2-3; Isaiah 43:5-7).

The Church of Christ and Salvation

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that it is the only means of man’s salvation in the Christian era. All men need salvation, for all men have sinned, hence, all of mankind should die in the lake of fire, the wages of sin (Romans 5:12; 6:23; Revelation 20:14). For man to be saved, he should enter in by Christ, by becoming a member of His Body or Church (John 10:9; I Corinthians 12:27, Colossians 1:18) because it is His Church that Christ will save (Ephesians 5:23).

Christ will not save anyone outside the Church of Christ because it would be against the law of God. His law requires that sinners should pay for their own sin (Deuteronomy 24:16; Revelation 20:14).

On Baptism

We believe that the baptism commanded by Christ (Matthew 28:19) and preached by the Apostles is done by means of immersion in water (Romans 6:4; John 3:23; Acts 8:36-38).

To qualify for baptism, one should be taught the words of God, believe in them, repent, and renew his life (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). Since an infant cannot do these things, infant baptism is not practiced in the Church of Christ. Infants or little children should be offered to God for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such of these (Matthew 19:13-15). Their baptism comes only after they shall have qualified for it.
 
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Milliardo:
He had in so many instances introduced Himself as the Son of God but never did He appropriate the title “God?nor “God the Son?for Himself because He is not God but man.
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I heard a similar argument from a Muslim once.
 
Thanks Milliardo, we really do need to know about these guys with as many good FilAms that are in the U.S. who might have been exposed to their teachings.

Who is running things now?

Do they use any of the trappings of Catholicism or are they anti-Catholic?

What Canon of the Bible do they use?

So far as I can tell, their teachings about God are very close to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They seem to reject the diety of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
 
Church Militant:
Thanks Milliardo, we really do need to know about these guys with as many good FilAms that are in the U.S. who might have been exposed to their teachings.

Who is running things now?

Do they use any of the trappings of Catholicism or are they anti-Catholic?

What Canon of the Bible do they use?

So far as I can tell, their teachings about God are very close to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They seem to reject the diety of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
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The one running the INC now is Eliseo Manalo. I think he is the son or grandson of Felix Manalo.

They’re very much anti-Catholic.

The canon they use is Protestant.

Yes, they’re actually quite close to both the JWs and Mormons in teaching, with a twist all their own. Their denial of Christ’s divinity is very much Arian in nature. They reject the Catholic Church–and even Protestantism for that matter–as true Christianity, saying that the Church apostasized after the Apostles died, and that the INC is the fulflillment of the early Church.
 
They sound like nothing more than the olde “christian connection” movement that infected earily seventh day adventism. They are homean arians.

These two articles tie together the so-called restoration movement with the boston unitarians which basically became part of the campbell, church of christ movement.

Christian Connexion and Unitarian Relations 1800-1844
Thomas H. Olbricht
restorationquarterly.org/Volume_009/rq00903olbricht.htm

Barton Stone was from the christian connextion movement.
mun.ca/rels/restmov/who.html

sda edition smyrna.org/Books/100_and_More/100%20and%20More%20Mysteries%20of%20the%20Trinity.htm
 
Well, moving this thread along, here is the rest of what the INC believe in:

**On The Church Administration **

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that every member of the Church is duty-bound to submit himself to the Church Administration because it is God’s commandment (Hebrews 13:17). This is so because God entrusted to the Administration the message and the ministry of reconciliation (I Corinthians 5:18-20). To submit to the administration is to be bound by its commandments and instructions (Matthew 18:18). To abide by the decision laid down by the Administration is to abide by the words of Christ (Acts 16:4; Luke 10:16).

**The Christian Way Of Life **

We believe that all those baptized in Christ should put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). It is Christ who should live in them and no longer they themselves (Galatians 2:20).

Those who truly in Christ should lead a righteous life based on the moral teachings of the Bible (II Corinthians 5:17; II Timothy 3:15-17).

Members of the Church of Christ are prohibited from eating blood under pain of expulsion (Acts 15:28-29; Leviticus 17:10).

Mixed marriage is strictly prohibited in the Church of Christ because since the very beginning, God has been against marriage between those who are His people and those who are not. In the sight of God, mixed marriage is a great evil and an act of treachery (Deuteronomy 7:3-4; Nehemiah 13:27). It was the major cause of the great deluge that destroyed the ancient world (Genesis 6:1-2, 5, 7).

Worship of God

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that it is the whole duty of man to worship God and keep His commandments. Worship of God is man’s inherent obligation because He created us; hence, we do not belong to ourselves but to God (Psalms 95:6-7, 100:3).

Worship of God should be done in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). God’s name should be worshipped—this is worship in spirit; and His will should be done obeying His words—this is worship in truth (Matthew 6:9-10; John 17:17).

The Church of Christ in these last days, or the Iglesia ni Cristo, in Pilipino, (like the first-century Church of Christ) observes the worship service which is characterized by psalms and hymn singing, prayers, studying the words of God, and offerings (I Corinthians 14:26, 15; 16:2).

The Iglesia ni Cristo performs offerings and contributions as God’s commandment that must not be forgotten and with which God is well pleased (Hebrews 13:16). Every member of the Church of Christ should give according to the dictates of the heart, for God loves a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9:7). The contributions must be prepared beforehand so that they may be voluntary and not compulsory. The faithful set aside and keep a certain sum proportionate to their gain or the blessings that God bestows upon them (I Corinthians 16:1-2; Deuteronomy 16:16-17).

Christ Himself highly regards the assembling together of the Church of Christ members in congregational worship services, because every time His Church congregates, He is there in their midst by means of His Spirit (Matthew 18:20; Galatians 4:6).

Congregational worship service is of extreme value in the Church of Christ; that is why, members are strictly forbidden to forsake it. To willfully forsake it is a grave sin (Hebrews 10:25-27).

The Brotherhood

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that members of the true Church of Christ should observe the brotherhood. Christ established a brotherhood inside the Church of Christ (Matthew 23:8). That is why members of the Church address one another as brother and sister.

Iglesia ni Cristo members should love one another as commanded by Christ and as taught by the Apostles. This shows that they are the true disciples of Christ (John 13:34-35; Peter 2:17).

It is evil to hate any brother in the Church. Whoever hates his brother in the faith is considered a murderer and shall not attain everlasting life (John 3:15).

To maintain the love for the brotherhood in the Church, members who have misunderstandings or disputes are commanded to reconcile (Matthew 5:23-25; Ephesians 4:32).
 
The Christian Unity

The Iglesia ni Cristo subscribes to sacred unity. This is absolute unity, for in this unity, God , Christ, and the Church are joined together or united (John 17:23, 21).

We observe this unity in the name of Christ, to the glory of God (I Corinthians 1:10; 10:31). Division or schism is strictly forbidden because Christ is not divided. Divisions and strife are earthly, sensual, and devilish (I Corinthians 1:10, 13; James 3:14-15).

The Iglesia ni Cristo observes unity even in electing public officials (Philippians 2:2-3; I Corinthians 1:10). This is not interference in politics, but in obedience to God’s commandment. This unity is never betrayed by a true member of the Church, even if some would be displeased.

**The Resurrection of the Dead **

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that the dead will be resurrected. Christ would not have been resurrected if there is no resurrection of the dead (I Corinthians 15:12-13).

There are two kinds of resurrection: those who have done good will rise and live, and those who have done evil will rise and be condemned (John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:14).

The dead members of the Church of Christ will be resurrected at Christ’s second coming (I Corinthians 15:23) and those faithful members who are alive when He returns shall meet Christ in the air to be with Him in the dwelling that He has prepared for them (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

**The Second Coming of Christ and Judgment Day **

We believe that Christ will come again. Christ Himself promised that He will return (John 14:1-3), a promise echoed by the Apostles (I Thessalonians 4:15-16).

Members of the Church are commanded to prepare for the second advent of Christ for no one knows the exact day and hour of His coming, except God, the Father (Matthew 24:36, 42, 44).

Christ, however, knows and He told us the signs which indicate that His second coming is already near. These are wars, famines, earthquakes in different places, as well as increasing hardships and wickedness which shall cause the love for God of many to wax cold (Matthew 24:6-8, 12).

The second coming is the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. On this day, the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire and be burned (II Peter 3:7, 10). The sound of the day of the Lord is bitter, the mighty man cries aloud there. Neither silver nor gold shall be able to deliver man on the day of the wrath of the Lord (Zephaniah 1:14, 18).

**The Holy City, The New Jerusalem **

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that there is a holy city being prepared by Christ and promised to His disciples to which He will bring them on His return (John 14:2-3). The Holy City is glorious, having the glory of God (Revelation 21:10-19, 21). This is the future home of the members of the Church of Christ who stay faithful up to the end. Life in the Holy City is perfect—no need for sun and moon and no night (Revelation 21:23-25; 22:5), no food and water shortage (Revelation 22:1-2), no more curse (Revelation 22:3), no hunger, thirst, sorrow, pain, death, evil (Revelation 7:15-17; 21:4).

Only those given by the Father to Christ can enter the New Jerusalem (John 17:12). And those given to Christ are called by God into fellowship with Christ (I Corinthians 1:9) and this call is done by means of the Gospel as preached by God’s messengers (II Thessalonians 2:14; II Corinthians 5:19-20). Those who are called are gathered in one body (Colossians 3:15) which is the Church (Colossians 1:18) called the Church of Christ, Iglesia ni Cristo in Pilipino (Romans 16:16; Acts 20:28, Lamsa)
 
In putting this thread, I hope to facilitate a discussion of INC teachings, and how they run counter to what the Church teaches. Regarding Matthew 16:17-19 (specifically verse 18 here), here is how the INC sees it:

WHAT WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST THE CHURCH?
What is Christ referring to which will not prevail against His Church?
In Matthew 16:18 this is stated:
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.?(Revised Standard Version)
What is mentioned in Matthew 16:18 which will not prevail against the Church is death,?and not the kind of hell?envisioned by the Catholic Church as quoted from above.
What does it mean that the powers of death will not prevail against the Church built by Christ?
In John 11:25, this is the declaration of our Lord Jesus: Jesus said to her, I am the
resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live??
(New King James Version)
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. So even though a member of His Church would die, he will live again. Jesus promised this to the Church that He built. Whenwill the people who died as members of the Church of Christ be brought back to life? In I Thessalonians 4:16-17, this is stated:
“For the Lord Himself will 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.?(NKJV)
The resurrection of the people who died in Christ will be at the second coming of Christ or on the day of Judgment. The people who died as members of the Church of Christ will be the first ones brought back to life to meet the Lord. The people in Christ who will still be alive when Judgment day comes will no longer die. Instead, they will meet the Lord together with those who were resurrected first. Therefore, Catholic defenders are mistaken in saying that in Matthew 16:18 Christ promises the Church would not be apostatized.

Interesting that they came up with that. How do we Catholics then respond to such explanation?
 
Milliardo said:
The one running the INC now is Eliseo Manalo. I think he is the son or grandson of Felix Manalo.

They’re very much anti-Catholic.

The canon they use is Protestant.

Yes, they’re actually quite close to both the JWs and Mormons in teaching, with a twist all their own. Their denial of Christ’s divinity is very much Arian in nature. They reject the Catholic Church–and even Protestantism for that matter–as true Christianity, saying that the Church apostasized after the Apostles died, and that the INC is the fulflillment of the early Church.
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Actually it’s Erano Manalo. Not Eliseo. Eliseo Soriano BTW is a leader of their rival: The Church of God in Christ Jesus (or Dating Daan, “The Way Before” movement). Though competting, both discredit the Catholic church as the true church that was established by Jesus.
 
ssejllenrad said:
Actually it’s Erano Manalo. Not Eliseo. Eliseo Soriano BTW is a leader of their rival: The Church of God in Christ Jesus (or Dating Daan, “The Way Before” movement). Though competting, both discredit the Catholic church as the true church that was established by Jesus.
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Oh yeah…thanks for the correction. I think I got the two mixed up somehow. Funny thing is that both these groups are also at each other, with their shows devoted totally in discrediting each other.
 
My wife is Filipina and I know many Filipinos, but, as far as I know, I’ve met only one INC. Near where her parents live, in Panorama City, CA, is a INC church which is built in an elaborate baroque style (i’ve never seen the inside, but I suspect the theme is similar). Very impressive, and built in a area with a large Filipino population (it is my understanding that the INC attracts almost no non-Filipinos).

I remember reading an article in the LA Times some years ago in which an INC spokesman said, all they need to do is build a big beautiful church building, and the Filipinos will flock there.

Aside from doctrinal issues, I see this as a response to the stripping down of Catholic churches in the last 40 years. People yearn for the beautiful and the transcendent, even if they have to embrace error to find it.
 
Milliardo said:
Oh yeah…thanks for the correction. I think I got the two mixed up somehow. Funny thing is that both these groups are also at each other, with their shows devoted totally in discrediting each other.
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Yeah. And each other unlike them. I don’t know if you have already mentioned it (I may have overlooked) but they(INC) say that Catholics and Protestans are of the devil (Sa Demonyo) in one of their Pasugos.
 
Fidelis said:
Aside from doctrinal issues, I see this as a response to the stripping down of Catholic churches in the last 40 years. People yearn for the beautiful and the transcendent, even if they have to embrace error to find it.
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Yeah. What a shameful fact. It’s a pity though, that many still don’t see the error in that faith.
 
ssejllenrad said:
Yeah. And each other unlike them. I don’t know if you have already mentioned it (I may have overlooked) but they(INC) say that Catholics and Protestans are of the devil (Sa Demonyo) in one of their Pasugos.
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Hhmm…but Manalo was baptized a Catholic, right? They still can’t answer that if Catholics and Protestants are of the devil, then why did Felix Manalo get baptized in Catholic and even Protestant churches.
 
I remember flipping around TV channels one day and coming across this Filipino guy in a white shirt and tie talking religion. Turns out, he was explaining why INC was the true church and all others were false. His reasoning went something like:
  • If Christ was going to found a Church, it would be called “Church of Christ”
  • Iglesia ni Cristo means "“Church of Christ”
  • Therefore, it is indisputable that Iglesia ni Cristo is the one, true Church.
I almost fell out of my chair with laughter! If this is the caliber of their reasoning on ANY of their beliefs, I don’t know whether to laugh at their inanity, or cry to think there are people who would actually find this a compelling argument!
 
Fidelis said:
I remember flipping around TV channels one day and coming across this Filipino guy in a white shirt and tie talking religion. Turns out, he was explaining why INC was the true church and all others were false. His reasoning went something like:
  • If Christ was going to found a Church, it would be called “Church of Christ”
  • Iglesia ni Cristo means "“Church of Christ”
  • Therefore, it is indisputable that Iglesia ni Cristo is the one, true Church.
I almost fell out of my chair with laughter! If this is the caliber of their reasoning on ANY of their beliefs, I don’t know whether to laugh at their inanity, or cry to think there are people who would actually find this a compelling argument!
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That’s exactly the Mormons’ logic: "How can it be My church unless is it called by my name? Therefore you shall call the church “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”.

You see? They have Jesus’ name in their name, so they must be the true church!

Hi ho,
Paul

P.S.: I am reminded of the commandment not to take the Lord’s name in vain.
 
Theiy aproach the bible like any literalists do. And their oversimplistic explanation of the bible can easily convince anyone who are not used to reading the bible. Once you become a member, it will be hard for you to get out, since your attendance is monitored. Most of those who are lucky to get out are disowned by their family and some are even harrassed.

I have an Iglesia friend who converted to “Ang Dating Daan” (ADD). He went to some provinces in the Philippines and debated his old church (INC). Two of his friend ended up salvaged and he is now hiding in the U.S. I don’t know about the “salvage” story, but he swear that it really happened and there is a police report on it. He said that now he believes the story that’s been going around that Iglesia salvage those whom they think is a threat to their church.

When he was still a member of Iglesia, we used to talk about religion and he used to boast that their church can not just be overun by other gangs, or anti-Iglesia group, since they have guns and they come back in group or they exact their revenge as a group. It is the same with muslims, that is why muslims and Iglesia do not attack each other because they know that they have the same methodology of exacting revenge, which means to say fight to the death. That is really scary.

I was laughing when I read Karl Keating’s story when he said something in effect that he was kind of uneasy debating Jose Ventillacion of INC. The place they debated was full of Iglesia member and their group was only a handful. Sounds like Iglesia in the Philippines, they come in full force to intimidate!!!😃
 
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