All for God's Glory - What the Church of Christ is Thankful for

mula sa itaas
Rome, Italy; Battersea, England; San Jose, CA
Waipahu, Hawaii
W.Sydney, Australia
Dallas, Texas, Forest Hills, New York
King William's Town, South Africa; Virginia Beach, Virginia
Montclair, California
Central Temple, Quezon City, Philippines


All for God’s glory
What the Church of Christ is Thankful for

KING DAVID SAID, “Give thanks to the LORD, proclaim his greatness; tell the nations what he has done. Sing praise to the LORD; tell the wonderful things he has done” (I Chr. 16:8-9, Today’s English Version)

Sustained and accelerated growth and astounding success – these have punctuated the history of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) in the last four scores and eleven years, even in the eyes of nonmembers. That God has made it so is the conviction of its members throughout the world, for which they continuously thank and wholeheartedly praise Him, fully believing that the continued success of His nation depends on His power:

“Nations are in uproar, kingdom fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (Ps. 46:6-7, 5, New International Version)

From July 1914 to the present, the world has witnessed the collapse of regimes, redrawing of national boundaries, and changes in governments and ideologies brought about by wars, revolutions, and political upheavals. Still, “model” societies as envisaged by revolutionaries have not emerged. There have even been catastrophes.

As for God’s faithful nation, the Bible has declared, it “will not fall” because the Lord Almighty is its “strength and ever-present help”:

“God is our refuge and our strength, and ever-present help in distress. Thus, we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea, Though its waters rage …” (Ps. 46:2-4, New American Bible)

Looking back
On July 27, 1914, the First World War, a ‘death machine’ that would wreak unprecedented havoc and destruction and would decimate about ten million people, broke out in Western Europe. In contrast, a work for the salvation of man’s soul began on the other side of the globe – in the Far East – for God foretold:

“Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country … I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.” (Isa. 46:11, 13, New King James Version)

This is not the Israel of old, God’s first nation, because the time element is when salvation is near. The day of salvation referred to in the verse is the day when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. Ancient Israel had already turned away from God hundreds of years before (Dan. 9:11). Furthermore, God foretold in a related prophecy, “Bring my sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth” (Isa. 43:6, NKJV). According to Christ, His coming, or the end of the world, is very near, “at the very doors”, the equivalent of the time “ends of the earth” (Matt. 24:3, 33, Ibid.). “Wars an rumors of wars” (Matt. 24:6, Ibid.) would signify that the end is very near. The Iglesia ni Cristo was registered with the Philippine government on July 27, 1914, concurrent with the outbreak of World War I, at the time prophesied in the Bible as the “ends of the earth.”

Furthermore, the man sent to preach God’s righteousness or words would come “from a far country” in “the east”, which, in related prophecies, is “the islands of the sea” (Isa. 24:15, NIV) in the “far east” (Isa. 53:5-6,Moffatt Translation). As fulfillment, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, who preached God’s righteousness or pristine words, came from the Philippines, a country of 7,100 islands in the Far East. His God-given task resulted in the emergence of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Even the sending of successful missions of this Church in the Far West was foretold by God in Isaiah 43:5: “from the far west I will gather you” (Moffatt Translation) and in Isaiah 59:19: “in the far west men have awe of the eternal” (Ibid.).
These prophecies were fulfilled. From a single local congregation in Ewa, Hawaii, on July 27, 1968, there are now hundreds of local congregations, extensions, and group worship services in the West.

The testimony for the true messenger of God
One would truly appreciate the utmost importance of the result of the work God entrusted to Brother Felix Y. Manalo if he understands and believes that one of the proofs that a messenger is God-sent is, he does what God has intended Him to do, just as what our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out when He presented a testimony to or proof of His being commissioned by God:

“But my testimony is greater than John’s: the deeds my Father has given me to perform, those same deeds of mine testify that the Father has sent me.” (John 5:36, New Jerusalem Bible)

Likewise, God, through His prophecies, outlined the works of His messenger and the Church in these last days. Even the glory that would be achieved by this Church was foretold:

“Once you were forsaken, hated and unvisited, Now I will make you the pride of the ages, a joy to generation after generation.” (Isa. 60:15, NAB)

“… I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isa. 41:10, NKJV)

“For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isa. 60:2, Ibid.)

That God fulfilled His prophecies to uphold the messenger and this work of salvation is evident in the recent testimonies and acclamations of nonmembers that speak eloquently of the Church’s triumphs and accomplishments:

“Iglesia ni Cristo has been distinguished by its phenomenal growth here and in many other countries … Its law-abiding, disciplined leadership and members have made INC a role model for other religious organizations …” (Manila Bulletin, July 27, 2004)

“When Minister Felix Manalo died on April 12, 1963, the Iglesia ni Cristo was already a well-established religious organization with millions of members in the Philippines and in many countries all over the world. Minister Felix Manalo’s labors have borne fruit a hundredfold …” (Ibid., May 10, 2005)

In a resolution, the Philippine Lower House of Congress acclaims:

“… the Iglesia Ni Cristo has grown at a phenomenal rate from a handful of local adherents to what is today, a congregation of millions scattered in almost all the continents of the world … [It] has remained at the forefront of spiritual evangelism, good will and honorable peace, thus enriching countless Filipino lives, leaving an indelible imprint in Filipino society and bestowing upon our country a lasting legacy.” (July 27, 2004)

“The story of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) … is one of the most remarkable sagas in the annals of religious movements. …” (Panorama, July 25, 2004)

Dr. Joaquin L. Gonzales III, Golden Gate University (San Francisco, CA) and University of San Francisco professor, says:

“From the date of their establishment, it took the American Protestant Churches more than a hundred years to cross the Pacific Ocean and establish themselves in the Philippines. Comparatively, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) only needed approximately half this time to set-up formal missions in the United States and then proclaim the Bible to the rest of the world …” (February, 2002)

U.S. President George W. Bush says:
“… Churches like yours put hope in people’s hearts and a sense of purpose in their lives.” (July 15, 2004)

Philippine President Macapagal-Arroyo marvels:

“The Church has been a part of the country’s history and each chapter of that saga reveals pages that chronicle the triumph of the church… Even war and devastation did not hinder its march. We marvel at the administration’s dynamic and ardent leadership … the Church grows and becomes stronger each day. Truly, the mighty hand of God is at work …” (July 27, 2004)

The INC in the present religious landscapeToday, other religions an churches continue to experience a steep decline in religious observance.

In contrast, the Iglesia ni Cristo, depending solely on God’s power, continues its “triumphal procession” (II Cor. 2:14, NIV).

In the last two years alone, from July 2003 to July 2005, these are some highlights of the achievements of the Church:

In the Philippines alone, a total of 122 houses of worship were constructed.

Outside the Philippines, the new houses of worship of the local congregations of Forest Hills, New York an Montclair, California were dedicated to God. Today, the Church has thousands of concrete houses of worship worldwide.

The ordination of 122 ministers of the gospel last March 14, 2003 and May 4, 2005 through the laying on of hands by Executive Minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, added to the list of thousands of ministers and Church workers sent all over the world.

Last year, in the calamity-devastated provinces of Q uezon and Aurora an in other areas in the Philippines, the Church’s concern for the indigents was again deeply felt. From its incipience up to the present, Lingap sa Mamamayan had reached more than three million people by providing free medicines, relief goods, and medical and dental services.

The sleek three five-storey condominiums (serving as parsonages or ministers’ residences) along F. Manalo St., San Juan, Metro Manila, with a total of 110 units, are the newest addition to the residential communities constructed by the Church. Today, there are thousands of housing units of the Church in the Philippines and hundreds of pastoral houses for ministers and evangelical workers in congregations outside the country.

Tens of thousands were baptized in 2003 to 2005, as local congregations and districts worldwide intensified their missionary efforts.

111 new local congregations, (including extensions and new group worship services) were established in different parts of the world.

Reflections of God’s people in these last days
The Iglesia ni Cristo might be enigmatic to many nonmembers, but to the faithful, God’s power has sustained it and made it prosper. And so, to them, the works foretold by God for His messenger in these last days to carry out were performed by Brother Felix Y. Manalo, proving that he was indeed sent by God to begin His last work of salvation, the Iglesia ni Cristo. It is in this Church where people today can truly magnify and glorify God (Isa. 43:21) by rendering the true worship of Him. Brother Eraño G. Manalo, the Executive Minister since 1963, has unceasingly led the Church worldwide with undiminished dynamism. And he humbly attributes all of the success of the Church to God. During his watch, the number of local congregations has reached thousands across the vast tapestry of races, nationalities, and cultures in six continents, pulsating with vibrancy as one body of Christ.

Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo are awed as they reminisce the grandness of God’s blessings upon the Church. To them, these words of the Psalmist are as profoundly true as when they were first expressed:

“You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.” (Ps. 40:5, New Revised Standard Version)

Indeed, numbers and words alone can never fully catalog all that God has done for this Church: all the triumphal strides of each faithful member, of each Christian family, of each local congregation, of each ecclesiastical district, or of the entire global Church. Conversion to the true faith is in itself a great triumph – and millions have renewed their lives after truly believing in the Church’s biblical teachings.

The true members of this Church draw their strength and inspiration for the journey that lies ahead from the fact that God has faithfully fulfilled His promises to the Church and continues to do so. Through His inspiring words forever etched in their minds and hearts, they are strengthened by God’s Spirit and by constantly obeying His commandments, especially the rendering of wholehearted worship to Him even in the worst of times. With the loving Almighty Father’s help, the Iglesia ni Cristo continues to soar to greater heights like an eagle with wings that never weary – all for God’s glory as its members cling to His promise:

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.” (Isa. 51:6, NIV)

But, the present glory and successes of the Church, though important, are not ends in themselves – salvation and eternal life are. This is why God capped His promises with the most important success and glory of all, salvation.

Hence, the 91st anniversary of this Church, as its members throughout the globe praise and glorify God with utmost devotion, they remind themselves: “put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore!” (Ps. 131:3, Ibid.)

Homeward Bound

“HOME, SWEET HOME,” “There is no place like home,” “Home is where the heart is,” “A house is not a home, when there’s no one there,” – old clichés they may be, but they all capture the essence and importance of a home, of a dwelling place where one can find peace and tranquility, genuine rest and relaxation – commodities that are hard to come by nowadays, given the many concerns, worries, and problems that adversely affect life’s condition in this world we live in. Indeed, we all long to be home after an arduous day of work, after being away for a long vacation or for some business trip, or simply after a long day of grappling with life’s problems – to have some rest and a cozy place to retire for the night in order to recharge and prepare ourselves for another bout with tomorrow. And what better place to satisfy such a longing but one’s own home? However, the Bible speaks of homes that are by far better and greater than the home we ordinarily go into and which serves as our dwelling place. And these homes, as far as God’s people are concerned, have a great deal to do with their spiritual welfare. That is why, these are the homes they all the more long to be in and stay all the days of their lives.

Home to the servants of God
The temple or the house of worship is home to the faithful servants of God. King David describes how he longed to dwell in the temple, the house of the Lord, in this manner:

“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.” (Ps. 27:4-5, New American Standard Bible)

The servant of God long so much to be in His house because it is here where they can meditate and find solace for their weary souls. Here, they can seek refuge from all their troubles and they can open up their hearts to God for their litany of woes with the firm hope that He will listen to their cries. The Psalmist, waxing poetic, recites:

“In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.” (Ps. 18:6,Revised Standard Version)

And above all, it is the temple where they render worship to our Lord God, as King David emphatically states:

“But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.” (Ps. 5:7, New King James Version)

Undoubtedly, the temple or the house of God is very valuable to the lives of His people. The place is the center of their religious activities and it is where they commune with the Almighty. It is also where God promised to receive their offerings and to give them joy in their worship and prayers to Him:

“Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isa. 56:7, Ibid.)

So important is the temple of house of worship also to the Lord God that He commands His people to “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified …” (Hag. 1:8,Ibid.). Furthermore, the Lord declares, “…and there I will give my people prosperity and peace…” (Hag. 2:9, Today’s English Version).

In God’s chosen home
Our Lord Jesus Christ has pointed out that God seeks the true worshipers to worship Him (John 4:23-24). Worship of God is valuable to Him, but He doesn’t want such to be rendered just in any place one chooses or pleases. God Himself emphasized, as early as the time of His early servants, that the worship and the giving of offering to Him must be done in the place He designated as His home:

“You must not make sacrifices to your God just anywhere, as the heathen sacrifice to their gods. Rather, you must build a sanctuary for him at a place he himself will select as his home. There you shall bring to the Lord your burnt offerings and other sacrifices – your tithes, your offerings presented by the gesture of wavering before the altar, your offerings to fulfill your vows, your free-will offerings, and your offerings of the firstborn animals of your flocks and herds.” (Deut. 12:4-6, Living Bible)

As the temple or house of prayer is home to God’s people, so also is it to Him. And as His early people were commanded to offer sacrifices in His home, God’s servants in the Christian era are also commanded to offer the sacrifice of praise – the fruit of their lips such as their singing of hymns and prayers – and sacrifices that are pleasing to God such as their voluntary offerings (Heb. 13:15-26) whenever they congregate to worship Him (I Cor. 14:26, 15). The Book of Acts records that the early Christians “…worshiped together regularly at the Temple…” (Acts 2:46, LB).

Indeed, the importance of the temple or house of worship as God’s home can never be overemphasized. Then, as now, His people loved to be in this place. As the Psalmist longingly puts it:

“Lord, I love your home, this shrine where the brilliant, dazzling splendor of your presence lives.” (Ps. 26:8, Ibid.)

God’s habitation in the Spirit
However, in order to commune with God and render proper worship to Him inside the house of prayer, one must first possess the right and the privilege to do so. Without this right and privilege, one cannot render valid and acceptable worship to Him. Only those to whom God granted such a right can offer sacrifices that are pleasing to Him in His house. Apostle Peter clarifies:

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (I Pet. 2:5, New International Version)

Those built into a spiritual house have the exclusive right to offer unto God spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to Him. They are in the Church which is of God and of Christ:

“But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (I Tim. 3:15, NKJV)

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18,Ibid.)

The Church owned and established by Christ is “the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). This Church is also of God – Church of the living God as Apostle Paul puts it, because Christ said: “… all things which You have given Me are from You. …And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, …” (John 17:7, 10, NKJV).

The Church of Christ, therefore, is the house of God made up of “living stones” that are “built into a spiritual house” having the rights and the privilege to offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.” Man needs to be in the Church of Christ because it is where God deems his sacrifices and worship of Him worthy. That is why Christ says:

“I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe. …” (John, 10:9, Revised English Bible)

The fold or flock is no other than the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). Hence, those who have entered the Church of Christ are certain that their offering of spiritual sacrifices and services to God is not in vain and will result in their salvation. Being built into a spiritual house, they are also members of God’s household and are His habitation in the Spirit as taught by Apostle Paul:

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:19-22,NKJV)

As God’s habitation in the Spirit, it is not only God who dwells in them; our Lord Jesus Christ assures that He also will dwell in them if they remain faithful in keeping His commands:

“…If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23,Ibid.)

Homeward bound
Inasmuch as they belong to the household of God, members of the Church of Christ also possess the firm belief and conviction of God’s early servants, who “agreed that this earth was not their real home but they were just strangers visiting down here. … And … that, they were looking forward to their real home in heaven” (Heb. 11:13-14, LB).

The conviction of the faithful Christians concerning this matter is firm because it was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who promised them this place, which they can rightfully call their home where they will dwell forever and ever:

“There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly.” (John 14:2-3,Ibid.)

The members of the Church of Christ will have their final homecoming when Christ returns and brings them to their true home in heaven. Although their sojourn in this world is filled with worries, problems, and difficulties, they are steadfastly unfazed in their faith, for they are homeward bound to that glorious dwelling place prepared for them by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible describes what kind of life they will enjoy in their eternal home called the holy city:

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there were no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”’.” (Rev. 21:1-4, NKJV)

The Holy City is the final and glorious home of the members of the Church of Christ. The Savior will take them there, their true and permanent home, as a reward for their being faithful in serving and worshiping God inside the true Church, God’s habitation in the Spirit.

Ang Nakatakdang Kapahamakan

Ang Nakatakdang Kapahamakan
Kung Alam Lamang ng Tao…

-Ika-6:10 ng umaga, Agosto 29, 2005, isang malakas na bagyo na pinangalanang Katrina at sinasabing pinakamapaminsala, ang humagupit sa New Orleans, Lousiana sa Estados Unidos. Pitong daan at higit pa ang namatay at tinatayang $200 bilyon ang kapinsalaang dulot nito…
-Ika-8:50 ng umaga, Huwebes, Hulyo 7, 2005, magkakasunod na pambobomba ang naganap sa London, England; 56 ang namatay at mahigit na 700 ang nasugatan…
-Ika-7:58 ng umaga, Linggo, Disyembre 26, 2004, sinalanta ng tsunami ang mga bansa sa Southeast Asia; tinatayang mahigit sa 250,000 ang binawian ng buhay…
-Ika-7:39 ng umaga, Marso 11, 2004, halos sabay-sabay na mga pagsabog ang yumanig sa mga pampasaherong tren sa Madrid, Spain; mahigit sa 200 ang namatay at 1,500 ang nasugatan…
-Ika-9:03 ng umaga, Martes, Setyembre 11, 2001, inatake ng mga terorista ang World Trade Center sa siyudad ng New York kaya gumuho ang Twin Towers; humigit-kumulang ay 3,000 ang nasawi…


ILAN LAMANG ANG mga ito sa mga pangyayaring nakaukit na sa gunita ng marami sa dahilang lubhang napakarami ang napinsala. Sino ang makalilimot sa larawan ng mga taong nasawi at binawian ng buhay, maging ng mga ari-ariang nasalanta dahil sa malagim na mga pangyayaring ito?

Kung nalaman lamang ng mga taong binawian ng buhay na sa oras, araw, at lugar na yaon ay magwawakas ang kanilang buhay, disin sana’y umiwas sila upang hindi mapahamak kundi maingatan ang kanilang buhay. Hindi sana sila pumayag na naroon sila sa ganoong lugar nang oras na yaon. Kung alam lamang ng tao…

Walang tao na pinapanginoon ng kamatayan
Likas sa tao na ingatan at ipagsanggalang ang kaniyang buhay, gawin ang lahat ng makabubuti rito, at hanapin ang mga bagay na makatutulong upang ito ay mapanatili. Ang totoo, maraming malalagim na pangyayari sa mundo ang naiwasan sana ng tao kung nalaman lamang niya ang mangyayari sa kinabukasan o sa hinaharap. Subalit gaya ng ipinahayag sa mga Banal na Kasulatan, hindi ito alam ng tao:

“Kayo ngang hindi nakaaalam ng mangyayari bukas. Ano ang inyong buhay? Kayo nga’y isang singaw na sa sangdaling panahon ay lumilitaw, at pagdaka’y napapawi.” (Sant. 4:14)

Napakarupok ng buhay ng tao. Anuman ang kaniyang kalagayan sa buhay ay hindi siya sisinuhin ng kamatayan; mamamatay siya pagdating ng kaniyang takdang oras. Tiniyak ni Apostol Pablo na oras-oras at araw-araw ay nanganganib sa kamatayan ang tao:

“Bakit baga naman tayo’y nanganganib bawa’t oras? Ipinahahayag ko alangalang sa ikaluluwalhati ninyo, mga kapatid, na taglay ko kay Cristo Jesus na Panginoon natin na araw-araw ay nasa panganib ng kamatayan ako.” (I Cor. 15:30-31)
Sapagkat ang kamatayan ay itinakda ng Diyos, hindi ito maiiwasan ng tao. Ganito ang isinasaad sa Hebreo 9:27:

“At kung paanong itinakda sa mga tao ang mamatay na minsan, at pagkatapos nito ay ang paghuhukom.”

Inilarawan din ng Biblia ang abang kalagayan ng tao sa harap ng kamatayan nang ganito:

“Walang tao na may kapangyarihan sa diwa upang pumigil ng diwa; ni walang kapangyarihan siya sa kaarawan ng kamatayan…” (Ecles. 8:8)

“Abang tao ako! Sino ang magliligtas sa akin sa katawan nitong kamatayan?” (Roma 7:24)

Ang lalong malaking kapahamakanTangi sa kamatayan, hindi rin alam ng tao ang araw at oras ng ikalawang pagparito ni Cristo o ang Araw ng Paghuhukom:

“Nguni’t tungkol sa araw at oras na yaon walang makakaalam, kahit ang mga anghel sa langit, kahit ang Anak, kundi ang Ama lamang… Kaya nga kayo’y magsihanda naman; sapagka’t paririto ang Anak ng tao sa oras na hindi ninyo iniisip.” (Mat. 24:36, 44)

Nagbigay ng palatandaan ang ating Panginoong Jesucristo upang ating malaman kapag ang Araw ng Paghuhukom ay malapit nang mangyari o “nasa mga pintuan nga.” At sapagkat ang mga palatandaang Kaniyang ibinigay ay natupad na, katulad ng mga digmaang aalingawngaw o mababalita, na susundan ng digmaan ng bansa laban sa bansa, na ang kinatuparan ay ang dalawang digmaang pandaigdig na naganap noong nakaraang siglo, at ang iba pa (ang kagutom, lindol at kahirapan) ay patuloy pang natutupad (Mat. 24:3, 33, 6-8), natitiyak nating ang wakas ay totoong malapit na.

Ayon din sa Biblia, sa Araw ng Paghuhukom, “bawat isa ay haharap sa hukuman ni Cristo” (II Cor. 5:10, Magandang Balita Biblia) at magbibigay sulit sa Diyos (Roma 14:12). Ang masasama ay pahihirapan sa “dagatdagatang nagniningas sa apoy at asupre,” at “sila’y walang kapahingahan araw at gabi” (Apoc. 21:8; 14:10-11; II Ped. 3:10,7). Ganito naman ang pahayag ni Propeta Zefanias ukol sa katapusan ng mundo:

“Kahit ang kanilang pilak o ang kanilang ginto man ay hindi makapagliligtas sa kanila sa kaarawan ng kapootan ng Panginoon; kundi ang buong lupain ay masusupok sa pamamagitan ng apoy ng kaniyang paninibugho: sapagka’t wawakasan niya, oo, isang kakilakilabot na wakas, nilang lahat na nagsisitahan sa lupain.” (Zef. 1:18)

Palibhasa’y hindi alam ng tao ang tiyak na araw at oras ng Paghuhukom, hindi ba makatuwiran lamang na ito ay kaniyang paghandaan? Hindi ba marapat lamang na paunlarin niya ang kaniyang buhay espirituwal at huwag gugulin ang kaniyang buhay sa mga bagay na walang kabuluhan, ni ubusin ang kaniyang panahon, salapi, at lakas sa mga material na bagay lamang? Hindi ba matuwid lamang na gugulin niya ang nalalabing panahon upang tiyakin na siya ay makakasama sa pagtahan sa Bayang Banal o makakabilang sa mga maliligtas at magmamana ng buhay na walang hanggan?

Ang wastong pag-iingat ng buhay 
Gaano man ang paghahangad ng tao sa ganang sarili lamang niya na mapabuti at maingatan ang kaniyang buhay, nakikita natin na siya ay nabibigo sapagkat hindi niya hawak ang kaniyang buhay at hindi niya tiyak ang kaniyang sasapitin:

“Nalalaman ko po, Yahweh, na walang taong may hawak ng sarili niyang buhay; at walang makatitiyak ng kanyang sasapitin.” (Jer. 10:23, MB)

Wala ring sapat na kaalaman o kakayahan ang tao upang maiseguro ang kaligtasan ng kaniyang buhay. Napakaikli at may hangganan ang kaniyang natatanaw, na maaaring sa kaniyang panukat ay tama ngunit magbubunga pala ng kaniyang kasawian at kapahamakan (Kaw. 14:12, Ibid.) At kahit na sa bawat sandali ay mabalisa ang tao sa pag-iisip tungkol sa mga pangangailangan niya sa buhay na ito ay hindi niya madaragdagan ang haba ng kaniyang buhay. Ganito ang tanong ng Panginoong Jesucristo:

“At sino sa inyo ang a pagkabalisa ay makapagdaragdag ng isang siko sa sukat ng kaniyang buhay?” (Lucas 12:25)

Paano matututuhan ng tao ang wasto at karapatdapat na pag-iingat ng kaniyang buhay? Napakahalaga na kilalanin ng tao ang Diyos sa lahat ng kaniyang lakad sapagkat ang Diyos ang Siyang nagtuturo ng landas na dapat lakaran ng tao. Isinasaad ito sa Kawikaan 3:6 at 5:

“Kilalanin mo siya sa lahat ng iyong mga lakad, At kaniyang ituturo ang iyong mga landas.

“Tumiwala ka sa Panginoon ng buong puso mo, At huwag kang manalig sa iyong sariling kaunawaan.”

Ano pa ang kahalagahan ng pagkilala ng tao sa Diyos? Siya ang tanging nakaaalam ng mabuti para sa ating buhay:

“Ito pa ang sabi ni Yahweh: … ‘Ako lamang ang nakaaalam ng mga panukalang inihahanda ko para sa ikabubuti ninyo, at para dulutan kayo ng pag-asa sa hinaharap’.” (Jer. 29:10-11, MB)

Ang tunay na kumikilala sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagtalima sa Kaniyang mga utos (I Juan 2:3, Ibid.) ang siyang tunay na nag-iingat ng kaniyang buhay. Marapat lamang, kung gayon, na sangguniin ng tao ang Diyos sa kaniyang mga mithiin o plano sa buhay, at patuloy na sumunod sa Kaniyang mga utos upang mapanuto ang kaniyang buhay.

Napakalaki ng kinalaman ng relihiyon sa pag-iingat ng buhay ng tao. Ano ang utos o kalooban ng Diyos tungkol ditto?

“Sinabi ni Yahweh sa kanyang bayan: ‘Tumayo kayo sa panulukang-daan at magmasid; hanapin ninyo ang dating landas, alamin kung saan ang pinakamabuting daan. Doon kayo lumakad, at magtatamo kayo ng kapayapaan’. Subalit ang sabi nila, ‘Ayaw naming dumaan doon’.” (Jer. 6:16, Ibid.)

Utos ng Diyos na hanapin ng tao ang pinakamabuting daan at pagkatapos ay lakaran niya ito. Hindi Niya sinabi na sapat nang hanapin at sampalatayanan ang mabuting daan – ang kailangan ay lumakad doon. Ang daang tinutukoy na dapat lakaran ng tao ay ang Panginoong Jesucristo. Ayon sa ating Tagapagligtas, “Ako ang pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa” (Juan 10:7, Ibid.). Ang pagdaan kay Cristo ay ang pagpasok sa Kaniya sa paraang pumaloob sa kawan o sa Iglesia ni Cristo:

“I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe.” [Ako ang pintuan; sinumang pumasok sa loob ng kawan sa pamamagitan ko ay magiging ligtas] (John 10:9, Revised English Bible)

Ang kawang binabanggit ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo:

“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.” [Ingatan ninyo kung gayon ang inyong mga sarili at ang buong kawan na rito’y hinirang kayo ng Espiritu Santo na mga katiwala, upang pakanin ang iglesia ni Cristo na binili niya ng kaniyang dugo.] (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Kaya, kapag ang tao ay pumaloob sa Iglesia ni Cristo at pinapangyari ang gusto o kalooban ng Diyos, nagawa niya ang tunay na pag-iingat ng kaniyang buhay. Sa katunayan, tiniyak ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo na hindi makapananaig ang kamatayan sa Iglesiang itinayo Niya. Ganito ang Kaniyang pahayag:

“At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking iglesya, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit ang kapangyarihan ng kamatayan.” (Mat. 16:18, MB)

Ang kamatayan, na kaibayo ng buhay at hindi nalalaman ng tao kung kailan darating, ay hindi makapananaig sa kaniya kung siya’y kaanib sa Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo. Aagawin siya ng Diyos sa kamay ng kamatayan. Ganito ang isinasaad ng Biblia:

“Ang lahat ay mamamatay … Dumakila man ang tao, di niya maiiwasan, Tulad din ng mga hayop, tiyak siyang mamamatay …Ngunit ako’y ililigtas, hindi ako babayaan, Aagawin ako ng Diyos sa kamay ng kamatayan.” (Awit 49:10, 12, 15, Ibid.)

Katulad ng Panginoong Jesucristo, ang mga taong Kaniya o nasa Iglesia Niya na malalagutan ng hininga ay bubuhaying mag-uli. Sila ang maliligtas. At dahil sa mapagtatagumpayan nila ang kamatayan, sila ang tunay na nakapag-ingat ng kanilang buhay.

Ang wastong paghahandaAng Panginoong Jesucristo mismo ang nagpaalala na dapat paghandaan ang pagparito Niya sa Araw ng Paghuhukom:

“Kaya nga kayo’y magsihanda naman; sapagka’t paririto ang Anak ng tao sa oras na hindi ninyo iniisip.” (Mat. 24:44)

Kaya, kung iniingatan man ng tao ang kaniyang kasalukuyang buhay o ginagawa niya ang lahat upang huwag itong mapahamak, lalong dapat niyang paghandaan ang Araw ng Paghuhukom sapagkat ang nakasalalay rito ay ang kaligtasan ng kaniyang kaluluwa.

Itinuro ni Apostol Pedro kung paano magagawa ng tao ang wastong paghahanda sa Araw ng Paghuhukom:

“Kaya nga, mga minamahal, yamang kayo’y nagsisipaghintay ng mga bagay na ito, ay pagsikapan ninyong masumpungan kayo sa kapayapaan, na walang dungis at walang kapintasan…” (II Ped. 3:14)

Samakatuwid, anumang oras at araw dumating ang Araw ng Paghuhukom, ang tao ay dapat na nasa kapayapaan. Ipinaliwanag ni Apostol Pablo ang kahulugan nito:

“At maghari sa inyong puso ang kapayapaan ni Cristo, na diya’y tinawag din naman kayo sa isang katawan; at kayo’y maging mapagpasalamat.” (Col. 3:15)

Ayon kay Apostol Pablo, ang katawan ang kinaroroonan ng kapayapaan, at ang katawan na tinutukoy ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo (Col. 1:18; Roma 16:16). Kaya, ang wastong paghahanda sa pagdating ng Araw ng Paghuhukom ay ang maratnan ang tao ng araw na iyon sa loob ng tunay na Iglesia na tumutupad sa mga utos ng Diyos nang walang dungis at walang kapintasan.

Dakilang biyaya ang dulot ng pag-anib sa Iglesia ni Cristo sapagkat sa pamamagitan nito ay mapagtatagumpayan ng tao ang kamatayan at maliligtas siya sa kaparusahan sa Araw ng Paghuhukom.

Is Christ Coequal And Coeternal With God The Father?

DURING THE FOURTH century A.D., the question on whether Christ is coequal
and coeternal with the Father found a prominent place among the clergy
foremost of whom were Arius the presbyter and Athanasius the bishop. It had
been the same question that greatly influenced the formulation of the
doctrines on Christ’s alleged Deity and the so-called Trinity. Religious
history particularly on Christology would not be perfectly choate without
mentioning the influence of this controversy to “Christianity.”

Throughout the centuries down to the twentieth century, this has remained a
controversial issue 0 baffling the minds of learned theologians, Bible
scholars, ministers, and laity as well.

On matters of faith, particularly on the truth behind this question, any
belief which contradicts, denies, or which is out of one’s ignorance of the
truth, would mean as Apostle Paul implied in his letter to Timothy – no
salvation! (I Tim. 2:3-4)

This necessitates, therefore, an answer, for us to know whether or not we
possess the genuine belief on the relation of our Lord Jesus Christ to His
Father, and, consequently, to be certain of salvation.

To help the confused know the truth by putting him in the proper
perspective, here is a brief comparative study between God the Father and
His Son Christ Jesus. Two vital points would serve as our basis of
comparison, to wit:
A. In point of Power and Wisdom, and
B. In point of Beginning or Existence.
After subdividing the principal question into two aspects in question
Form for a detailed study (such as: 1. Is Christ coequal with God the
Father? And 2. Is Christ coeternal with God?), each of the two points
presented above would provide answers to these questions.


Of Power And Wisdom

“Omnipotence” and “omniscience” are attributes inalienable and belonging
only to the true God. The first means His unlimited power – the power to do
whatever He chooses to do, whereas the latter denotes the infinite wisdom of
God – His knowledge and understanding of all things.

God the Father possesses both of these attributes as recorded in the Holy
Scriptures:

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of
many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluiah: for
the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Rev. 1:6, King James Version)

“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
(Pl. 147:5, Ibid.)

How about Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father? Does He also possess such
unlimited power and infinite wisdom? In point of power, let me quote Origen,
a polemicist and theologian adjudged by Jerome as the greatest teacher of
Early Church after the Apostles, thus:

“For we plainly teach that the Son of the Creator who formed this sensible
world is not mightier than the Father; but inferior. This we affirm, on the
authority of the Son himself, who says: ‘The Father who sent me is greater
than I’.” (William G.T.Shedd, D.D., History of Christian Doctrine, 9th ed.,
Vol. I, p. 295)

Likewise, since we believe that Christ the Son had been sent by God the
Father, we must then believe in what the Son says as recorded in John 13:16:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord;
neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (KJV)
This does not exclude Christ for He emphatically declared (upon which
Oregen based his belief and teaching that Christ is not mightier than the
Father) the fact that He is sent by the Father:

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If
ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my
Father is greater than I.” (Jn. 14:28, Ibid.)

Baptist writers Alex Wilson and Christine Tetley in their book, Witnessing
to the Cults are frank in saying that –

“(By ‘subordinate’ we mean; one who is placed in a lower position.)
Indication of Christ’s subordinate position are illustrated in the names
‘Father and Son’.” (p. 102)

In point of wisdom, Michael Schmaus, author of Dogma 3: God and His Christ,
admits that,

“Even though no one knows the Father but the Son, Jesus’ knowledge as man
has limitations: he does not know the hour of the parousia, this is known
only to the Father (Mk. 13:32). …” (p. 193

Do the statement and the cited verse mean that Christ the Son is coequal
with God the Father in terms of wisdom? Obviously they don’t.


Of Beginning Or Existence

God’s messenger, Moses, tells us that God is eternal:

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:
and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy
them.” (Dt. 33:27, KJV)

The word “eternal” here shows that God does exist from eternity and has
neither beginning nor ending. This is clearly defined by the Psalmist when
he declared that:

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the
earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
(Ps. 90:2, Ibid.)

God does exist from the infinite past to the infinite future. And for God,
nothing existed before Him. But, to whom does the expression “eternal God’
refer? The Book of Psalms unveils His real identity, thus:

“He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my
salvation.” (Ps. 89:26, Ibid.)

The God who is eternal is none other than the Father. This plain and simple
truth does not qualify or designate the Son as God nor as coeternal with God
the Father. To assert then that Christ the Son does exist in eternity with
God the Father would vilify the Father. And it would mean also that the
Father shares His attribute of eternity with another. But, would God the
Father allow anybody to be likened to Him? Would He share His attribute or
glory with anybody?

“For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? Who among the sons of
the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?” (Ps. 89:6, Ibid.)

“ ‘I alone am the LORD your God. No other god may share my glory;’ …” (Is.
42:8, Today’s English Version)

On the other hand, our Lord Jesus Christ began to exist only when He was
conceived and born of a woman:

“But when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman,
born under the law,…” (Gal. 4:4, Douay Version)

The very fact that Christ was conceived and born shows that before His
conception and birth, He did not exist. The whole Bible does not speak of
Christ’s alleged pre-existence nor existence from eternity. Not even a
single verse from the Bible can be found to support the so-called “eternal
generation” (the theologian doctrine that the Son was begotten of the Father
from all eternity and is therefore coeternal with the Father) of the Son.

Dr. James D.G. Dunn of the University of Nottingham wrote on Christ’s
alleged pre-existence, thus:

“The fact that Paul can speak of ‘one Lord’ in such close association with
the ‘one God’ as he does in I Cor. 8:6 (just as elsewhere he speaks of God
as ‘God of our Lord Jesus Christ’) can only mean that he sees Jesus not as a
pre-existent divine being, but as a man, a Jew, whose God is the one God,…”
(Christology In The Making, p. 211)

Every bit of presentation unfolds the real identity of Christ the Son that
He is not coeternal with His Father who is the only true God. At the same
time, it nullifies the belief that Christ coexists with His Father from
eternity.

Having no equal

No equal in power and wisdom

"When Abraham was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abraham and
said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless'." (Gen
17:1, New King James Version)

God has no equal in His power for He is Almighty. Apostle Paul explains how
God reveals His being Almighty or having no equal:

"Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it
to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal
power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Rom. 1:19-20, Ibid.)

God's power is inherent and eternal. It is revealed in the things He
created - the heavens and the earth and all the things therein:

"O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your
mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything
like Your works and Your mighty deeds?" (Dt. 3:24), Ibid.)

No one on earth or in heaven can imitate God's works. Thus,not only is the
power of God without equal, but His works are also beyond compare. It only
follows that He has no co-maker nor helper in accomplishing His work:

"Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: 'I
am the Lord, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone,
who spreads abroad the earth by Myself'." (Is. 44:24, Ibid.)


Christ: the Creator?

The proponents of the Christ-is-God doctrine allege that Christ created all
things. They cite John 1:3 which states:

"All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that
was made." (Ibid.)

The verse does not say that Christ created all things. What is written is
"All things were made through Him." However, this doesn't imply that He is
the Almighty Creator since this would contradict what is written in Isaiah
44:24 that the Father alone is the Creator. Apostle Paul explains why all
things were made through Christ:

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities
or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (Col. 1:16,
Ibid.)

All things were created by God for Christ. As to why all things were
created for Him, Apostle Paul explains:

"God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had
already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan, which God will
complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together,
everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head." (Ephesians 1:9-10,
Today's English Version)

God, who will bring all creation together, is different from Christ to whom
all things will be brought together. Christ cannot be the Creator for He is
also one of those whom God created - "He is the first-born Son, superior to
all created thing." (col. 1:15, Ibid.) Thus, the term "created through Him"
only means that all creation, specifically man, would necessitate a Mediator
and Savior - the Lord Christ (I Tim. 2:5; Acts 5:31). So, when God laid the
plan for salvation, He created the Lord Jesus Christ for, without Him as the
Savior, God wouldn't have made anything that was made. Thus, the true
Creator is God:

"For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen
and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and
authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him." (Col.
1:16, TEV)

Hence, those who say that Christ is the Creator of all things have
misunderstood the verse of the Bible.


Christ's limited power

The limitation of Christ's power would prove further that He is not God.
This would likewise affirm that the Father alone is God from whom Christ
obtains the power that He has:

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power,
who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38, NKJV)

On the other hand, the true God has no equal in terms of wisdom. Nobody
taught or gave Him advice:

"Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught
Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him
knowledge, and showed Him the way or understanding?" (Is. 40:13-14,Ibid.)

God was with the Lord Jesus Christ as He performed miracles and wonders,
whereas God needs no helper when He performs His works. This truth is our
important guide in understanding the miracles manifested in Christ - that
the miracles were actually performed by God using Christ as the instrument:

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God
to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your
midst, as you yourselves also know." (Acts 2:22, Ibid.)

Thus, the power possessed by Christ is not inherent in Him, rather it was
only given to Him by God. This power was also revealed in some of Christ's
disciples like Stephen:

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among
the people." (Acts 6:8, Ibid.)

Also with the apostles:

"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done
among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch."
(Acts 5:12, Ibid.)

If the power manifested in Christ were proof that He is God, it would
appear that even Christ's disciples and His apostles were also gods because
they were also filled with power that enable them to perform wonders, signs,
and miracles. In fact, God "can give them to anyone He chooses - even to the
least important of men" (Dan. 4:17, TEV).

We should not be surprised if Christ was mistaken for God because of the
wonders and miracles that was manifested in Him. Even in the early times,
the apostles were mistaken as gods because of the miracles they performed:

"And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a
cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul
speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be
healed, said with a loud voice, 'Stand up straight on your feet!' And he
leaped and walked. Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised
their voices, saying in Lycaonian language, 'The gods have come down to us
in the likeness of men!' And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes,
because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was in
front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to
sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard
this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out And
saying, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same
nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless
things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all
things that are in them'." (Acts 14:8-15, NKJV)

The Gentiles thought that Apostles Paul and Barnabas were gods because of
the wonders and signs that they performed before them. They mistook them for
Zeus and Hermes, the gods of the Greeks and the Romans. The apostles
corrected them of such mistake. Preachers today as well as their followers
who uphold that Christ is God because of the power revealed in Him are no
different from those pagans.


Christ's assertion

Christ never claimed that it was through His own power that He performed
miracles, signs, and wonders. He said, "I can of Myself do nothing" (Jn.
5:30, Ibid.).

He only receives authority from God:

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to
Me in heaven and on earth." (Mt. 28:18, Ibid.)

This seemingly encompassing authority given to Christ is misunderstood by
those who believe that He is God. They argue that this authority proves that
Christ is God. But who gave Christ His authority? Isn't it that the one who
gave the authority, no matter how great the authority is, is greater than
the one who merely received it? Christ could not have possessed power and
glory had not God given them unto Him:

"'You have put all things in subjection under his feet.' For in that He put
all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But
now we do not yet see all things put under him.

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the
suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of
God, might taste death for everyone." (Heb. 2:8-9, Ibid.)

What Christ did could not be done by any man - He died for us to live -
which is why God crowned Him with great glory and honor. Although is said
that there was nothing left that is not put under Him, it does not mean that
even God subjected Himself to Christ:

"For he 'has put everything under his feet'. Now when it says that
'everything' has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include
God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then
the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so
that God may be all in all." ( I Cor. 15:27-28, New International Version)

The distinction between Christ and God are clear. Despite the power, glory,
and honor given to Christ by God, He never introduced Himself as another God
nor did He exalt Himself equal to God as what those who believe in His deity
have done. The clear distinctions of God from Christ are solid proofs that
the only true God is the Father.

God: the Almighty Spirit

"Yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him."

Although serving and worshiping God is man's inherent obligation and the very reason religion exists, some people think it useless to debate who among the countless gods being revered today is the true God. In this day of political correctness, many actually believe that we are all worshiping the true God under different names. Even among those who have accepted the Bible as the basis of their faith, there is no consensus. In fact, many times,debates are held between different churches trying to resolve who the true God is. Is the true God a Trinity, composed of three persons - the Father,Son, and Holy Spirit, each being coequal with one another? Or is Jesus Christ God Himself?

God the Father

The problem lies with the refusal of the people to carefully consider the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who clearly taught who the true Godis:
"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (Jn. 17:3, New King James Version)

The only true God is the One Christ refers to in this verse by the pronoun"You." Christ, who never lied nor used words of deception, did not say "Me"or "Us." In fact, there is neither a single verse in the Bible in which Christ said that He is the true God nor is there a single verse that mentions the words or the concepts of the Trinity, "God the Son," or"God-man." These are but inventions that must be rejected (Dt. 12:32; I Cor.4:6; Rev. 22:18-19).

Furthermore, if we study the context of Christ's statement, "You" refers to the Father:

"Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said:"Father...."(Jn. 17:1, NKJV)

Therefore, according to the Son of God the only true God is the Father. Any god worshiped other that the Father is not the true God. The Father is only the true God taught by the disciples of Christ, the apostles:

"Yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him." (I Cor. 8:6, Ibid.)

The true God even of the prophets is also the Father:

"Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?" (Mal. 2:10,Ibid.)

While there is disunity among all Christian-professing churches, there is an amazing unity among the messengers of God who recorded God's words over a span of thousands of years that the Father is the only true God. Those who believe in the Trinity or the deity of Jesus Christ have to contend with Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the prophets.

The Almighty Spirit

When Jesus Christ taught about the true God. He said that "God is Spirit"(Jn. 4:24, Ibid.). In another instance shortly after His resurrection,Christ even explained what it means to be spirit in state of being:

"Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." (Lk.24:39, Ibid.)
Hence, God who is spirit does not have flesh and bones and is invisible:

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, behonor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (I Tim. 1:17, Ibid.)
God Himself, furthermore, revealed what king of spirit He is:

"Also God said to him: 'I am God Almighty'." (Gen. 35:11, Ibid.)

God, who is "omnipotent", has no equal. There is none greater than He for He is "above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:6, Ibid.). Thus,God is also "omnipresent"; His power is boundless and nothing is impossible for Him (Mk. 10:27). He is also "omniscient" or all-knowing; nothing can behidden from Him (I Jn. 3:20).

God's existence

In this age of unbelief and skepticism, it is refreshing that there are still many who believe in the existence of a Creator. For these people, the idea that all life spontaneously generated from a primordial soup of chemicals and amino acids and then evolved into more complex forms of life is simply untenable, defying all known scientific laws. Yet, the atheist sinsist that God does not exist, while the agnostics say the certainty of His existence cannot be definitively prove. What these people fail to realize isthat God is manifested and seen through His power:

"Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Rom. 1:19-20, NKJV)

God's creations

Although God is invisible, we are completely certain of His existence because He has revealed Himself through His creations, such as the heavens and everything in them:

"The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. They don't speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world." (Ps.19:1-4, Contemporary English Version)

All life came from God and is in God's hands:

"If you want to learn, then go and ask the wild animals and the birds, the flowers and the fish. Any of them can tell you what the Lord has done. Every living creature is in the hands of God." (Job. 12:7-10, Ibid.)

The earth in which we live was also created by God:

"The Lord alone is God! He created the heavens and made a world where people can live, instead of creating an empty desert. The Lord alone is God;there are no others." (Is. 45-18, Ibid.)

Man's obligation

In the face of so much evidence, what kind of person can declare with so much confidence that God does not exist or that we cannot know with certainty of His existence?

"Only a fool would say, 'There is no God!' People like that are worthless;they are heartless and cruel and never do right." (Ps. 14:1, Ibid.)

Those who don't believe in God have to realize that "...every house is built by someone, and God is really the one who built everything" (Heb. 3:4,Ibid.). In scientific jargon, this is called the law of cause and effect.Simply stated, there can be no effect without a cause. Those who are foolish enough to ask what caused God should realize that He is the exception:

"Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Ps. (0:1-2,NKJV)
God alone has neither a beginning nor end and since He is our Creator, what is our obligation to Him?

"Shout praises to the Lord, everyone on this earth. Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the Lord!

"You know the Lord is God! He created us, and we belong to Him; we are his people, the sheep in his pasture." (Ps. 100:1-3, CEV)