Victory through perfect unity

Letter From J. Brittany Coneley

I MET A member of your Church whom I worked with in a systems project in Singapore last month.  She was in a hurry to get back to Manila to catch up with your national elections.

Though not very familiar with  Philippine politics, I asked her whom she's favoring for the presidential post. But, I was surprised when she said the Church would have to decide on that.

What exactly is your Church's basis in implementing this rule on your members?  If the candidates you support do not make it to public office, wouldn't that mean that your goal was defeated?

Editor's reply:

It is true that the Iglesia ni Cristo practices unity at the polls. In fact, it is united in all endeavors.

This unity is based on God’s commandment written in the Bible:

 “BEHOLD, HOW good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1, Amplified Bible)

God is the author of the unity of His people. Even the Lord Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of the members of His Church:

 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours…. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” (Jn. 17:9, 11, (NKJV)

The Church of Christ as one new man was structured by God as such so that there would be no division or schism among its members (cf. Eph. 2:15; I Cor. 12:18, 25-26).

¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandmentscontained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thusmaking peace, (Eph. 2:15, NKJV)

^18-19 If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But as it is, God put the parts in the body as he wanted them. He made a place for each one. ²⁰ So there are many parts, but only one body. 

²⁵ God did this so that our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other. ²⁶ If one part of the body suffers, then all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part is honored, then all the other parts share its honor.
(I Cor. 12:18-20, 25-26, Easy to Read Version)

Hence, the apostles warned against any division in the Church and enjoined the members to have the same mind and judgment (cf. I Cor. 1:10).

¹⁰ Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (I Cor. 1:10, NKJV)

So, unity is observed by the Church in all undertakings (cf. Eph. 4:4-6; Phil. 2:2-3) including the exercise of the right of suffrage.

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you^[a] all. (cf. Eph. 4:4-6, NKJV)

² fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Phil. 2:2-3, NKJV)

Apostle Paul urged the Christians to be perfectly united in one mind and judgment:

“But I urge you all, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree in what you say, and not to allow factions among you, but to be perfectly united in mind and judgment.” (I Cor. 1:10, Goodspeed Translation)

Since voting is an expression of the judgment, the Church is united in voting those who are to lead the nation.

In the early Church, the Administrator was the one who gave the final judgment when controversy arose. Apostle James the Less, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, handed down the decision (cf. Acts 15:1-2, 13, 19, 28). The entire Church then rejoiced and obeyed his decision (cf. Acts 15:30-31).

The same is observed in the Church of Christ today. However, a consultation among Church members is made prior to the decision making. The decision on whom the Church will vote is then confirmed by the overall Administrator.

Finally, the Church’s success is not measured by the victory or defeat of any candidate it supported. The goal is to keep the Church united. Thus, whether the candidates win or lose, the Church emerges victorious by practicing perfect unity in all endeavors. 

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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com