The fulfillment of biblical prophecies

THE PROPHET ISAIAH gave the standard by which we can determine whether a religion belongs to God or not. He said: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Is. 8:20, New King James Version)

The law is the word of God written in His inspired book and the testimony is the spirit of prophecy as is written in the book of Revelation, thus:

“And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’.” (Rev.19:10, Ibid.)

Hence, for a religion or church to be the true one and its preachers true messengers of God, it must pass this yardstick. Otherwise, such church is in the dark and cannot enlighten and lead its members to salvation.

The Iglesia ni Cristo satisfies these scriptural requirements. It upholds the laws and commandments of God written in the Bible. In fact, it is this very adherence to biblical teachings that sets it apart from other churches.

The testimony of prophecy and the other sheep of Christ

There is more to the Iglesia ni Cristo than its strict adherence to God’s laws written in the Bible: it has the testimony of the prophecy.

Though it may be easy for any church to claim that it adheres to God’s words written in the Bible, it may not be as easy to prove this in the light of biblical truth. But granting that a church appears to be upholding the teachings of the Bible, the one thing it cannot feign is the testimony of the prophecy. The Iglesia ni Cristo can show numerous prophecies testifying that it indeed belongs to God.

It was our Lord Jesus Christ Himself who testified to the truth of the Iglesia ni Cristo that reemerges in the Far East in these last days. In the gospel according to John, the Lord prophesied about His other sheep, thus:

“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (Jn. 10:16, Ibid.)

The Lord said that the other sheep who were not yet in the fold at the time of His public ministry and even of His apostles would hear His voice and He would bring them to become one flock. What He meant was that His other sheep would also become members of His Church inasmuch as the flock or fold is the Church of Christ. Apostle Peter clarified this, thus:

“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, Lamsa Version)

Who, then, are the other sheep of Christ which did not belong to the first-century Church of Christ? In a related prophecy, Apostle Peter mentioned of the three groups of people who have been promised to receive the Holy Spirit:

“For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:39, NKJV)

Each of the phrases “to you,” “to your children,” and “to all who are afar off,” corresponds to a particular group of people. “To you” refers to “all the house of Israel” (cf. Acts 2:36-39) and “to your children” refers to the Gentile converts whom the Israelites have begotten through the gospel (cf. I Cor. 4:15, NKJV), particularly the fruits of Apostle Paul’s preaching. These first two groups, the Jews and the Gentiles, received the promised Holy Spirit and were called in the Church of Christ in the first century (cf. Rom. 9:24). They were the sheep of Christ who were in the fold then.

The third group which would constitute the other sheep of Christ were yet to be called: “as many as the Lord our God will call.” That is why Christ said of this group, “which are not of this fold.” They “are afar off” or they are in “distant times and places” (cf. Rieu Version).

As it was prophesied, and so it was fulfilled: the Church of Christ emerged at the designated place on God’s own appointed time.

From the Far East

The history of the Iglesia ni Cristo, from the time of its inception and place of origin to its growth and march to progress until it has reached its present glorious stature, is clearly delineated in biblical prophecies. As the prophesied events in the Church unfold one after the other, we could clearly see God’s hand at work, proving that this Church came about through His will and not by any human plan or design.

Prophet Isaiah recorded many of these prophecies that have found fulfillment in this Church, one of which is this:

“Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” (Is. 43:5-6, King James Version)

According to Isaiah, there would emerge God’s sons and daughters at the ends of the earth. The ends of the earth is the time when the end of the world or the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is near, “even at the doors” (cf. Mt. 24:3, 33, Ibid.). One of the signs given by our Lord Jesus that we are already “at the doors” or “at the ends of the earth” is the war that broke out on July 27, 1914, known in history as the First World War (cf. Mt. 24:6-8; World History, pp. 478-479; The Nations at War: A Current History, p. 8; The Story of the Great War, vol. 3, p. 923).

As to the place, it was specifically mentioned that this work of salvation to which God’s children belong would arise from the Far East. The same verse is rendered by James Moffatt this way:

“From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you.” (Is. 43:5, Moffatt Version)

It was God’s design that this work concerning God’s children would come from the Far East, the same “afar off” place mentioned by the apostles when they prophesied about the third group of people who would constitute the Church of Christ. There is no denying that the Philippines where this prophecy found fulfillment is in the Far East. Jesuit scholar Horacio dela Costa says of the Philippines:

“It cannot be without significance that the country which stands almost at the geographical center of the Far East, the Philippines, should also be that in which Christianity has taken the deepest root.” (Asia and the Philippines, p. 169)

Hence, on God’s appointed time, the Church of Christ was registered with the government of the Philippines on July 27, 1914 in fulfillment of this prophecy.

Moreover, Isaiah’s prophecy mentions of events which were undoubtedly fulfilled in the Iglesia ni Cristo. According to the prophecy, the north and the south were holding back God’s servants: “I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” God’s children must be released from the bondage of the north and the south. North and south represent Protestantism and Catholicism, respectively.

The book, The Reformation, by Owen Chadwick affirms this:

“… In the north the Protestants were in control – Lutheran churches in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the northern and central states of Germany; Calvinist or Reformed churches in Scotland, the Netherlands, Hesse, the Palatinate, and a few of the western German states. In the south the Catholics were in control – Spain, Italy, Austria, Bavaria, and elsewhere in southern Germany.” (p. 366)

Therefore, God’s children would be taken out from these two major religions. No wonder, most members of the Church of Christ were former Catholics and Protestants. And to symbolize the exodus of God’s people from the apostate church, on July 27, 1994, the Iglesia ni Cristo officially established its congregation in Rome, Italy, the center of Catholicism.

To the Far West

Isaiah’s prophecy also ascertained where the Church would reach when it would embark on its foreign mission and the manner by which God would make this come to pass. It says in the prophecy:

“From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you.” (Is. 43:5, Moffatt Version)

The worldwide expansion of the Church of Christ will begin in the Far West. God would gather His servants in the Far West to form the nucleus of the Church in the West. Historically, when the Church of Christ spread in the West, it started with the gathering of God’s children in the Far West. What is referred to as the Far West? The World Almanac provides us this information:

“Far West: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii…” The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1976, p. 88)

The gathering of God’s people scattered in the West was fulfilled when the first locale of the Church was established by the executive minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, in a worship service he officiated in Hawaii on July 27, 1968. Brethren who migrated from the Philippines were gathered and this started the spread of the Church of Christ not only in the West but in other parts of the globe as well.

At present, the Church has already reached about 70 countries and territories worldwide and now counts among its members about 111 nationalities. Indeed, God’s kingdom which was likened to a mustard seed in the parable or our Lord Jesus Christ has grown – and great is its growth (cf.Mt. 13:31-32).

Back to its original home

God’s plan for the Church of Christ does not end with its successful mission in the West and in other parts of the world. There is more in the prophecy of Isaiah about this Church than meets the eye. To understand this important event designed by God to occur in this commissioning, it behooves us to take a second look at Isaiah’s prophecy:

“Do not be afraid - I am with you! ‘From the distant east to the farthest west I will bring your people home’.” (Is. 43:5, Today’s English Version)

God would bring His people home. The true Church of Christ is God’s habitation or home in the Spirit (cf. Eph. 2:20-22). But this Church built by our Lord Jesus Christ in the first century was overtaken by apostasy. After it had apostatized and transformed into the Catholic Church, it became the habitation or home of the devil. It is, therefore, necessary for God’s people to be brought back to the true Church. With the commissioning of Brother Felix Y. Manalo as the messenger in these last days, the work of restoring people back into the home of God in the Spirit or the true Church of Christ has been carried out.

But the true Church is not the only home where God’s people will be brought back. God’s plan for the Church goes beyond having people return to the true faith. The Bible clarifies which home this is, thus:

“O Lord, you have chosen Jerusalem as your home: ‘This is my permanent home where I shall live’, you said, ‘for I have always wanted it this way’.” (Ps. 132:13-14, Living Bible)

Jerusalem is a special place to God. This city of David is the original home of the Church built by our Lord Jesus Christ in the first century. God wanted His people not only to be brought back to the true Church but for this Church to be restored in the city which He calls, “my permanent home where I shall live.” Hence, with the official establishment of the Church’s congregation in Jerusalem last March 31, 1996 in a special worship service officiated by Brother Eraño G. Manalo, the true Church of Christ finally returned to its original place of origin.

Extension of the Gentile Mission

After the Church of Christ has returned to Jerusalem, another prophecy unfolded in her colorful history. It was also Isaiah who prophesied this event:

“and he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” (Is. 49:6, KJV)

The apostles of Christ, among them Peter, John, and James were commissioned by he Lord to preach the gospel to the Jews, while Apostle Paul and his companions were appointed the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles or the nations of the world. God wants this work of salvation to be extended to the end of the earth.

However, history attests that because of Apostle Paul’s limited time, he did not reach the ends of the earth, much less the world’s end. Thus, we can be certain that aside from the work of our Lord Jesus Christ and His 12 apostles, and that of Apostle Paul, God would commission another messenger who would continue the work of salvation until the world’s end. This came to pass with the commissioning of the messenger in these last days who had preached the Iglesia ni Cristo as the means to salvation. It is this Church which God has appointed to reach up to the end of the world and, therefore, to continue His work of salvation among the Gentiles.

The establishment of the Church’s congregation in Athens, Greece on May 10, 1997 symbolizes the extension of God’s mission of salvation among the Gentile nations. It was then that Isaiah’s prophecy concerning this mission had found further fulfillment.

The fulfillment of these prophecies proves that this is the true Church of Christ – God’s work of salvation until the end of the world.

Ang Pagtalikod Sa Iglesiang Itinayo Ni Cristo Noong Unang Siglo

Patotoo ng Biblia at ng Kasaysayan 

KINIKILALA AT TINATANGGAP ng mga relihiyong tinaguriang Cristiano, na ang Panginoong Jesucristo ay nagtayo ng Iglesia na tinawag ng Kaniyang mga Apostol na Iglesia ni Cristo (Mat. 16:18; Roma 16:16). Mula sa kalagayan nito sa pasimula na “munting kawan” (Luk. 12:32), sa dako ng mga Judio, ang Iglesiang ito, sa pamamagitan ng pangangaral ng mga Apostol, ay lumago at dumaming lubha sa kabila ng mga pag-uusig na kanilang nasagupa (Gawa 8:1; 6:7)

Subalit ano ang nangyari sa Iglesiang ito pagkatapos ng panahon ng mga Apostol? Nakapagpatuloy kaya ito sa kaniyang dating kalagayan na gaya noong pinangangasiwaan pa ito ni Cristo at ng Kaniyang mga Apostol?

Sa paniniwala ng Iglesia Katolika, ang Iglesiang iniwan ng mga Apostol ay namalagi at nagpatuloy nang walang lagot hanggang sa panahong ito. Ito raw ay walang iba kundi ang tinatawag at kinikilala ngayon na Iglesia Katolika. Inaangkin nilang gayon dahil ang Iglesia Katolika raw, kung susuysuyin ang kaniyang kasaysayan sa pamamagitan ng talaan ng mga papa at mga obispong nangasiwa sa kaniya, ay matutunton pabalik hanggang sa panahon na kasunod ng mga Apostol. Ang pagkakasunod nga kaya ng mga obispo ng Iglesia Katolika sa panahon ng mga Apostol ay katunayan na ito nga ang Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo at pinangasiwaan ng mga Apostol?

Wala nang pinakamabuting sanggunian ukol dito kundi ang mga katotohanang nakasulat sa Biblia at ang patotoo ng kasaysayan at hindi ang pala-palagay o pag-aangkin lamang ng sinuman.


Ibinabala Ng Mga Apostol

Bago pa namatay ang mga Apostol at bago pa umakyat sa langit ang ating Panginoong Jesucristo ay may mga paunang pahayag o mga hula na sila tungkol sa mangyayari sa Iglesia na itinayo ni Cristo. Sa sulat ni Apostol Pablo kay Timoteo ay binanggit niya ang tungkol ditto:

“Nguni’t hayag na sinasabi ng Espiritu, na sa mga huling panahon ang iba’y magsisitalikod sa pananampalataya, at mangakikinig sa mga espiritung mapanghikayat at sa mga aral ng mga demonio…” (I Tim. 4:1)

Ibinabala ni Pablo ang magaganap na pagtalikod sa pananampalataya. Ang babala o hulang ito ay kaniya ring inihayag sa pulong ng mga Obispo sa Mileto:

“Mula na rin sa inyo’y lilitaw ang mga taong magsasalita ng kasinungalingan upang mapasunod ang mga alagad, at sa gayo’y mailigaw sila.” (Gawa 20:30, Magandang Balita)

Ang ibig sabihing matatalikod sa pananampalatay ay maliligaw ang mga alagad dahil iba na ang kanilang susundin. Ang susundin na nila ay ang magtuturo ng kasinungalingan at hindi na ang dati nilang sinusunod – ang Panginoong Jesucristo:

“Nakikinig sa akin ang aking mga tupa; nakikilala ko sila, at sumusunod sila sa akin.” (Juan 10:27, Ibid.)

Si Cristo ang sinusunod ng mga tunay Niyang alagad. Kaya ang humiwalay sa pagsunod sa Kaniya ay naligaw o natalikod sa pananampalataya.

Subalit ang mga alagd na maliligaw o matatalikod ay hindi naman sinasabing aalis sa organisasyon. Alinsunod sa sinabi ni Pablo, maliligaw o matatalikod ang mga alagad dahil nakinig sila sa itinurong kasinungalingan (Gawa 20:30 Ibid.). Ang mga kasinungalingang ito ay mga aral o doktrina na kapag tinanggap ng mga alagad ay makasisira sa kanilang pananampalataya:

“…Sa inyo naman, may lilitaw na mga bulaang guro. Gagamitin nila ng katusuhan ang pagtuturo ng mga aral na makasisira sa inyong pananampalataya. Itatakwil nila ang Panginoong nagligtas sa kanila, kaya’t biglang darating sa kanila ang kapahamakan.” (II Ped. 2:1, Ibid.)

Ito rin ang binabanggit ni Pablo sa kaniyang sulat kay Timoteo (I Tim. 4:1) na aral ng demonio na susundin ng mga tatalikod sa pananampalataya. Ang nakalulungkot sa pangyayaring ito ay ang katotohanang sa loob din ng Iglesia, ayon kay Apostol Pablo, magmumula ang magtuturo ng kasinungalingan na kung tawagin ni Apostol Pedro ay mga bulaang guro (II Ped. 2:1).

Ang pagtalikod ba sa pananampalataya ay magaganap sa ilang kaanib lamang ng Iglesia na gaya ng sinasabi ng mga awtoridad Katoliko? Gaano karami ang maililigaw ng mga bulaang guro o mga bulaaang propeta? Sa Mateo 24:11 ay ganito ang hula ni Cristo:

“At magsisibangon ang maraming bulaang propeta, at kanilang ililigaw ang marami.”

Samakatuwid, marami sa mga kaanib sa unang Iglesia ang maliligaw o matatalikod dahil sa pagsunod sa maling aral na itinuturo ng mga bulaang propeta.

Subalit kapag sinabing natalikod ang Iglesia ni Cristo noong unang siglo ay hindi nangangahulugan na nawala ang mga kaanib nito o naglaho ang organisasyon. Nagpatuloy ang organisasyon subalit wala na sa kaniyang dating uri sapagkat humiwalay na ito sa mga aral ni Cristo at sumunod sa mga aral ng demonio na itinuro ng mga bulaang propeta. Samakatuwid, naganap na ang pagtalikod.

Ang pananatiling umiiral ng organisasyon ay hindi katunayan na hindi natalikod ang Iglesia. Katulad lamang ito ng naganap sa unang bayan ng Diyos, ang baying Israel, na bagaman noong una ay kinikilalang bayan ng Diyos at may kahalalan upang maglingkod sa Kaniya, ay tumalikod din sa pamamagitan ng pagsalangsang sa mga utos ng Diyos.

“Ang buong Israel ay nagkasala sa iyo, tumalikod sa iyong kautusan at hindi nakinig sa iyong tinig….” (Dan. 9:11, MB)

Ang Israel ay natalikod hindi dahil nawala ang organisasyon o nawala ang mga tao nito. Ito ay natalikod dahil sa paghiwalay sa mga utos ng Diyos. Buo ang organisasyon ngunit wala na sa kaniyang dating uri at katangian.



Panahon Ng Pagtalikod

Kailan magaganap ang pagtalikod sa Iglesia o ang pagpasok dito ng mga maling aral na nakasira sa pananampalataya ng mga alagad? Sa Gawa 20:29-30 ay mababasa ang ganito:

“Alam kong pagkaalis ko’y magsisipasok ang mababangis na asong-gubat at walang patawad na sisilain ang kawan. Mula na rin sa inyo’y lilitaw ang mga taong magsasalita ng kasinungalingan upang mapasunod ang mga alagad, at sa gayo’y mailigaw sila.” (Ibid.)

Tinitiyak ni Apostol Pablo na pag-alis niya ay saka papasukin ng mga “asong-gubat” ang Iglesia at mula na rin dito ay lilitaw ang mga magtuturo ng kasinungalingan upang iligaw o italikod ang mga alagad. Ang pag-alis na binabanggit ni Pablo ay isang pag-alis na hindi na siya muling makikita ng mga kapatid na noon ay kasama niya, alalaong baga’y ang kaniyang kamatayan (Gawa 20:25; II Tim. 4:6).

Kung gayon, magaganap ang pagtalikod sa Iglesia pagkamatay ng mga Apostol o pagkatapos ng panahon nila. Bakit pagkamatay pa ng mga Apostol maisasagawa ng mga bulaang propeta ang pagliligaw sa mga alagad? Bakit hindi nila ito nagawa noong nabubuhay pa ang mga Apostol? Sa Galacia 2:4-5 ay ganito ang mababasa:

“At yaon ay dahil sa mga hindi tunay na kapatid na ipinasok ng lihim, na nagsipasok ng lihim upang tiktikan ang aming kalayaan na taglay naming kay Cristo Jesus, upang kami’y ilagay nila sa pagkaalipin: Sa mga yaon ay hindi kami napahinuhod na supilin kami, kahit isang oras; upang ang katotohanan ng evangelio ay manatili sa inyo.”

Sa harap ng paninindigang ito ni Pablo, hindi kataka-taka na ang pagtalikod ay maganap sa panahong wala na sila. Kailanman at buhay ang mga Apostol, hindi nila papayagang pigilin sila ng mga kaaway ng pananampalataya upang manatili ang ebanghelyo sa Iglesia.

Nangangahulugan ba na pagkamatay ng mga Apostol ay wala manlamang nanindigan at namalagi sa tunay pananampalataya? Ang lahat kaya ng mga kaanib noon ay pawang tumalikod? Mahalagang masagot ang mga katanungang ito sapagkat kung may nanatili sa tunay na pananampalataya at hindi humiwalay sa mga dalisay na aral ni Cristo ay masasabing hindi lubusang natalikod ang Iglesia.

Ano ang ibinabala ni Cristo na daranasin ng Kaniyang mga alagad tangi sa ang marami sa kanila ay ililigaw ng mga bulaang propeta? Sa Mateo 24:11,9 ay ganito ang nakasulat:

“At magsisibangon ang maraming bulaang propeta, at kanilang ililigaw ang marami.
“Kung magkagayo’y ibibigay kayo sa kapighatian, at kayo’y papatayin:…”

Ayon sa hulang ito ng Panginoong Jesucristo, hindi lamang maililigaw ang marami Niyang mga alagad kundi ang iba ay papatayin. Hindi nakapagtataka kung pagkamatay ng mga Apostol ay ibang Iglesia na ang masumpungan natin sa mga tala ng kasaysayan sapagkat kung mayroon mang nanindigan sa tunay na pananampalataya ay pinatay naman ng bagsik ng pag-uusig. Sino ang mga naging kasangkapan sa pagpatay at pagsila sa mga tunay na kaanib sa Iglesia? Sa Gawa 20:29 ay tiniyak ni Pablo ang ganito:

“Alam kong pagkaalis ko’y magsisipasok ang mababangis na asong-gubat at walang patawad na sisilain ang kawan.” (MB)

Ang tinutukoy na mga asong gubat na magiging kasangkapan sa lubusang pagtalikod ng Iglesia ay mga pinuno:

“Ang mga pinuno nila’y parang hayok na asong-gubat kung lumapa ng kanilang biktima…” (Ezek. 22:27, Ibid.)

Ang isa sa tinutukoy ng Biblia na mga asong-gubat ay ang masasamang pinuno na gaya ng mga hari at emperador “ na lumalapa ng kanilang biktima.” Tangi sa mga pinuno ng bansa na umusig sa Iglesia, sino pa ang itinulad ng Biblia sa mga asong-gubat? Ganito ang pahayag ng Panginoong Jesucristo:

“ ‘Mag-ingat kayo sa mga bulaang propeta; nagsisilapit sila sa inyo na animo’y tupa, ngunit ang totoo’y mababangis na asong-gubat’.” (Mat. 7:15, Ibid.)

Maging ang mga bulaang propeta na nagtuturo ng aral ng demonio ay itinutulad din ng Biblia sa asong-gubat. Sila ang mga naging kasangkapan hindi lamang upang iligaw ang mga alagad at pasunurin sa maling aral kundi upang ang mga ito ay patayin o silain. Madali nating malalaman kung sino ang kinatuparan ng ibinabala ni Cristo na magtatalikod sa Kaniyang Iglesia dahil sinabi rin Niya kung ano ang ating ikakikilala sa kanila, ”…mga bulaang propeta na nagsisilapit sa inyo na may damit tupa,…”

Kung gayon, makikilala ang mga bulaang propeta na nagpasok ng mga hidwang aral sa Iglesia. Sila ay nakadamit tupa. Sa Biblia, si Cristo ang ipinakikilalang cordero o tupa (Juan 1:29). Samakatuwid, ang mga bulaang propeta ay tumulad sa pananamit ni Cristo. May mga tagapagturo ng relihiyon na nagdaramit nang katulad ng damit ni Cristo. Sa aklat na pinamagatang Siya Ang Inyong Pakinggan: ‘Ang Aral Na Katoliko’ na sinulat ng paring si Enrique Demond ay ganito ang nakasulat sa pahina 195:

“Ang paring gayak sa pagmimisa ay nakatulad ni Jesucristo noong umakyat sa bundok ng Kalvario…”

Hindi kataka-taka, kung gayon, na ang mga sumunod sa panahon ng mga Apostol ay ang mga Obispo at mga papa ng Iglesia Katolika dahil sila mismo ang ibinabala ng mga Apostol na mga taong magsasagawa ng pagtalikod sa Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo. Sila ang mga nagpasok at nagturo ng mga maling aral na ikinaligaw o ikinatalikod ng Iglesia.


Patotoo ng Kasaysayan

Ang mga natalang pangyayari sa kasaysayan ang magbibigay sa atin ng mga kaalaman upang mabatid at matiyak natin ang naganap sa Iglesia pagkatapos ng panahon ng mga Apostol. Natupad ba ang ibinabala ng mga Apostol na ang Iglesia ay papasukin ng mga maling aral? Sa isang aklat na pangkasaysayan na pinamagatang World’s Great Events, Vol II. Pp. 163-164, ay ganito ang mababasa:

“Noong una, ang kasaysayan ng Iglesia Romana ay katulad ng kasaysayan ng katotohanan ng Cristianismo. Datapuwat nakalulungkot na dumating ang panahon nang magsimulang dumaloy ang mga batis ng lason mula doon sa nang una’y dalisay na bukal.” (salin sa Pilipino)

Pinatutunayan ng kasaysayan ang pagdaloy sa Iglesia ng mga lasong aral na ikinamatay ng pananampalataya ng mga kaanib nito. Ang pangyayaring ito ay naganap alinsunod sa panahong ibinabala ng mga Apostol – pagkamatay nila o pagkatapos ng panahon nila magaganap ang pagtalikod ng Iglesia. Kung ang larawan ng Iglesiang ipinakikita ng mga tala ng kasaysayan pagkatapos ng panahon ng mga Apostol ay katulad din ng larawan nito sa kanilang kapanahunan, masasabi nating hindi natupad ang pagtalikod na kanilang ibinabala. Subalit ayon na rin sa patotoo ng kasaysayan, ano kayang uring Iglesia ang masusumpungan pagkatapos ng mga Apostol? Sangguniin natin ang isa pang akat na tumatalakay sa kasaysayan ng Iglesia, Story of the Christian Church, p. 41:

“Sa loob ng limampung taon pagkamatay ni Apostol Pablo ay isang lambong ang nakatabing sa buong Iglesia, na sa loob nito ay sinisikap nating may kabiguan ang makaaninaw, at sa wakas pagkahawi ng tabing na ito, 120 A.D., sa pamamagitan ng sulat ng tinatawag na mga unang ‘Ama ng Iglesia’ ay matatagpuan natin ang isang Iglesia na sa lahat ng bahagi ay ibang iba na sa Iglesia sa kapanahunan nina Apostol Pedro at Pablo.” (salin sa Pilipino)

Hindi pa nalalaunan ang pagkawala ng mga Apostol, ang Iglesia ay wala na sa dati nitong uri. Pinatutunayan ng kasaysayan na may limampung taon pa lamang ang nakalipas pagkamatay ng mga Apostol, ay ibang iba na ang Iglesia sa lahat ng bahagi. Ano ang ilan sa mga aral na hindi naman itinuro ni Cristo at ng Kaniyang mga Apostol subalit ipinasok ng mga bulaang propeta sa Iglesia?

Makagagawa tayo ng isang mahabang talaan ng mga maling doktrina na nagsimulang lumitaw pagkatapos ng panahon ng mga Apostol, mga doktrinang unti-unting ipinasok sa Iglesia at naging sanhi kaya naligaw o natalikod ang tunay na Iglesia na kinalaunan ay naging Iglesia Katolika.
Bawat paghiwalay sa mga aral ng Diyos na itinuro ni Cristo ay pagtalikod sa pananampalatay at ang pagsunod sa mga maling doktrina na itinuro ng mga bulaang propeta ay pagtatayo naman ng Iglesia Katolika. Kaya ang organisasyong dati’y dinadaluyan ng mga dalisay na aral ng Diyos, sumusunod kay Cristo, at tinatawag na Iglesia ni Cristo ay bumaling sa mga aral ng demonio, sumunod sa mga bulaang propeta, at naging Iglesia Katolika.



Pagpatay Sa Mga Cristiano

Hindi malulubos ang pagtalikod kung nanatiling buhay ang mga nanindigan sa mga dalisay na aral ni Cristo. Kaya, gaya ng ibinabala ni Pablo, ang Iglesia ay sinalakay ng mga “asong-gubat” na sumila at hindi nagpatawad sa kawan. Dapat nating alalahanin na ang ipinakikilala ng Biblia na mga asong gubat o mga lobong maninila ay hindi lamang ang mga bulaang propeta o mga tagapagturong Katoliko kundi maging ang masasamang pinuno na umusig sa Iglesia. Ang mga ito ay naging kasangkapan din sa pagpatay sa mga alagad ni Cristo na nanindigan sa tunay na pananampalataya at nanghawak sa mga dalisay na aral ng Diyos. Ang katuparan nito ay hindi nawaglit sa mga tala ng kasaysayan gaya ng isinasaad sa Halley’s Bible Handbook, sinulat ni Henry H. Halley sa mga pahina 761-762, sa pagkakasalin sa Pilipino:

“Domitan (96 A.D.). Itinatag ni Domitian ang pag-uusig sa mga Cristiano. Maikli ngunit lubhang malupit.

“Trajan (98-117 A.D.). Ang Cristianismo ay ipinalagay na isang ilegal na relihiyon, … Ang mga Cristiano ay hindi ipinaghahanap, ngunit kapag napagbintangan ay pinarurusahan.

“Marcus Aurelius ( 161-180). Pinasigla niya ang pag-uusig sa mga Cristiano. Ito ay malupit at mabangis ang pinakamabagsik simula kay Nero. Libu-libo ang pinugutan ng ulo o kaya’y itinapon sa mababangis na hayop…

“Septimus Severus (193-211). Ang pag-uusig na ito ay totoong napakalupit,…

“Decius (249-251). Buong tatag na pinasiyahang lipulin ang Cristianismo.

“Valerian (253-260). Mas mabangis kay Decius; tinangka niya ang lubos na pagwasak sa Cristianismo. Maraming lider ang pinatay…

“Diocletian (284-305). Ang huling pag-uusig ng Imperyo, at siyang pinakamalupit; …ang mga Cristiano ay pinaghahanap sa mga kuweba at gubat; sila ay sinunog, itinapon sa mga mababangis na hayop, pinagpapatay sa pamamagitan ng mga pagpapahirap bunga ng kalupitan.”

Mapapansin natin na halos kaalinsabay ng pagpasok ng mga maling doktrina sa Iglesia ay dinanas ng mga alagad ang bagsik ng pag-uusig na ginawa ng mga emperador Romano – pag-uusig na hindi lamang naging sanhi upang matakot ang mahina sa pananampalataya at tanggapin ang maling aral, kundi pumatay sa nanindigan sa dalisay na ebanghelyo. Sa madilim na bahaging ito ng kasaysayan ng Iglesia ay dapat nating mabatid na hindi lamang ang lumupig sa Iglesia ay ang masasamang pinuno ng pamahalaan kundi ang mismong kapapahan:

“Leo I (A.D 440-461)…, tinawag ng ilang mananalaysay na Unang Papa…Ipinahayag ang kanyang sarili na Panginoon ng Buong Iglesia; itinaguyod ang Natatanging Pangkalahatang Kapapahan; sinabi na ang pagtutol sa kaniyang kapangyarihan ay Tiyak na Pagtungo sa Impiyerno; itinaguyod ang Parusang Kamatayan ukol sa erehiya.” (Ibid., p. 770)

Hindi kataka-taka na tawagin din ng mga Apostol na mga “asong-gubat” ang mga bulaang propeta hindi lamang dahil sa naging daan sila ng pagpasok ng mga maling doktrina sa Iglesia kundi sila mismo ang sumalakay at hindi nagpatawad sa kawan.

Kaya, gaya ng paunang pahayag ni Cristo at ng mga Apostol, ang Iglesia ni Cristo na nagsimula noon unang siglo sa Jerusalem bilang isang organisasyon na nagtataguyod ng mga dalisay na aral ng Diyos, pagkamatay ng mga Apostol, ay unti-unting bumaling sa mga maling aral at tinalikuran ang kaniyang pananampalataya.

Are Christ and Jehovah one and the same God? (Genesis 17:1)

Belinda Alvarez Wrote:

I BELIEVE THAT  'there is only one true God; He is invisible and His name is Jehovah or Yahweh. Although I do not believe in the Trinity, I believe that Christ is God incarnate or else who would the Bible be referring to as Jehovah Who appeared Himself to Abraham in Genesis 17:1?

Editor's reply:

     To begin with, the word “Jehovah” is not the correct rendition of YHWH-the tetragrammaton or the Hebrew word for one of the names of God. The tetragrammaton is never spoken out loud by the Jews, and because it is composed of consonants only, the correct way of pronouncing it has long been forgotten. Whether it is rendered as “Jehovah” or “Yahweh,” we firmly believe that it does not refer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

     Your conclusion that Christ is God rests on the premise that Christ is Jehovah Who appeared before Abraham. Such premise relies on two basic assumptions that are biblically untenable.

     First, you are assuming that the mention of God appearing to Abraham in Genesis 17:1 means that Abraham saw God in the flesh as Jesus Christ. However, as you yourself have pointed out, the true God is invisible, which means, as clarified by Christ, that God cannot be seen in His form (Jn. 5:37; I Tim. 1:17). The way God manifest Himself to man is by means of His power through the things that He made (Rom. 1:19-20). And so, what Abraham saw were the manifestations of God’s power and not Christ appearing as God or “Jehovah.” The belief in Christ as God incarnate is not biblical.

     Second, you are assuming that Christ somehow has pre-existence, yet the Bible teaches otherwise. Christ did not exist during the time of the patriarchs and the prophets; He was not there before He was born (Is. 7:14; Mt. 1:20-24). Hence, Abraham, who lived during the dispensation of the patriarchs, could not have seen Christ in the flesh because the promise concerning Christ was not yet fulfilled (Rom. 1:2-3).

     If we were to take your premise that Christ is Jehovah as true, then we would end up with inconsistencies. For example, “Jehovah” is described as the Most High, yet Christ is called the Son of the Highest or the Most High (Ps. 83:18; Lk. 1:31-32). How could such be possible if Christ and “Jehovah” were one and the same God, as you claim? In addition, “Jehovah” is God Almighty, yet Christ is not Almighty because He will submit to the Almighty God (Exo. 6:3;  and    I Cor. 15:27-28).

     These biblical verses, and a host of others, prove conclusively that Christ is Himself not God. Christ, therefore, can never be the one true God.

     The teaching of the Bible is very clear; the one and only true God is the Almighty Father in Heaven who created all things (Jn. 17:1-3; I Cor. 8:6).

___________________

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. 

The gift of understanding the words of God

THE HOLY BIBLE indisputably contains the words of God, and its importance
to man's life is beyond measure. With the wide array of knowledge and wisdom
that the Bible contains, it is the most read book ever written for all
time.

According to Apostle Paul, the Holy Scriptures not only teaches the wisdom
of God for salvation but it also serves as a guide for reproof, for
correction, and instruction in righteousness (II Tim. 3:15-16).
Furthermore, Apostle John attested that all the things contained in the Scriptures are written for us to believe, and by doing so, we can have life in the name of Christ (Jn. 20:30-31).


The great difference
Unfortunately, many people have not come to the right
understanding of the words of God written in the Bible. The proof of this is the proliferation of various religions having different and often contrasting doctrines
notwithstanding the fact that they are using only one Bible. How has this
happened? Many preachers have misunderstood the knowledge and wisdom of
God, which according to Apostle Paul is so profound as to allow human intellect
to fathom it. He wrote:

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Rom. 11:33,New King James Version)

Man can learn and understand human knowledge with his
intelligence. However, understanding divine wisdom or the words of God is not by means of
human intelligence because God's wisdom is a mystery. Apostle Paul said:

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden
wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory." ( I Cor. 2:7,Ibid.)

The profound wisdom of God cannot be discerned or understood
by just any man according to his mental capacity. In fact, from ages and from
generations, such mystery has been hidden from man. Apostle Paul attests:

"Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship
from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to
His saints." (Col. 1:25-26, Ibid.)

If God has hidden His wisdom from all ages and generations,
then how could it be preached by anyone? Anyone who assumes the right to teach the words of God without receiving His revelation does not preach the truth but his
personal opinion. In effect, what he would be preaching is not God's
commandments but human commandments instead. It is not surprising then that
so many different churches with conflicting teachings have multiplied
nowadays.



Not anyone can understand

Although the Bible has been translated into many different
languages so that many people may be able to read it, its translation does not guarantee that it is being understood. In fact, even the very translations, at times,
fall into error. How much more if man interprets the words of God? There is
always a danger of misinterpretation, because those who attempt to explain
or teach the words of God on their own end up twisting them. Apostle Peter
says:

"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these
things, in which are some things hard to understand, which those who are untaught and
unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the
Scriptures." (II Pt. 3:15, Ibid.)

Twisting the Scriptures is a grave offense: Anyone who does
this brings destruction upon himself, and to anyone who listens to him.
Being learned does not guarantee a correct understanding of the words of
God. Illustrating this fact is the case of the eunuch described in the Book
of Acts:

"So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch
of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all
her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And
sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit
said to Philip, 'Go near and overtake this chariot'. So Philip ran to him,
and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, 'Do you understand what
you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?, And
he asked Philip to come and sit with him." (Acts 8:27-31, Ibid.)

The eunuch, despite his learning, failed to understand the
Scriptures. So when Philip approached and asked him whether he understood what he was
reading, the eunuch humbly admitted that he could not. Thus, even though
one is earnest in knowing the wisdom of God that is written in the Bible, and
even if he undergoes training at seminary or a Bible college, without
proper guidance from the preacher sent by God, he will not be able to
understand the truth. Apostle Paul wrote:

"Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of
truth." (II Tim. 3:7, Ibid.)

Furthermore, earning a degree or obtaining a certificate in
religious training from a seminary or Bible college does not make one an authority on
the Bible and in preaching the gospel. So, one who listens to a preacher
must be careful and must examine the teachings that such preacher presents.
Why? Because a preacher who teaches a twisted gospel will lead the
unsuspecting and indiscriminate listener into the wrong church, which
upholds false beliefs.

Unfolding the mystery of His words

Fortunately, there is away by which we can understand the
wisdom and knowledge of God, which He has hidden in mystery through ages and
generations. Our Lord Jesus Christ explains:

"And He said to them, 'To you it has been given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in
parables'." (Mk. 4:11, Ibid.)

A secret cannot be known, much less understood, unless it is
revealed and explained by the one who truly know it. Likewise, the wisdom that comes
from God cannot be learned from institutions or seminaries established by men
because only God holds the key that unlocks the mystery of His words. God
Himself confers the understanding to those whom He sends to preach, like
the apostles. As messengers of God, they bear His truth, the teachings
concerning the true Church, faith, doctrines, and salvation. Our Lord Jesus
Himself attest to this, "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God,
for God does not give the Spirit by measure" (Jn. 3:34, Ibid.). Therefore,
only those whom God has sent have been bestowed the knowledge, the gift of
understanding, and the authority to preach the wisdom of God.

On the other hand, those whom God has not sent but who dare to
teach His words will preach twisted teachings of false faith. Such preachers belong
to false religions, which uphold erroneous doctrines, and which will bring
eternal damnation to those who listen and accept them. We should neither
listen to the preaching nor accept the teaching of those who are not sent
by God. Why? Apostle Paul answers:

"And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is
written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!'" (Rom. 10:15, Ibid.)

Those who are not sent by God do not understand His wisdom.
So, how can they truthfully preach the words of God if they have not received true
understanding?

The messenger in these last days

Since the apostles already passed away and the Lord Jesus
Christ already ascended to heaven, who will give us today the right understanding of the words of God written in the Holy Scriptures? The Book of Revelation
prophesied another angel having the seal of the living God whose work is to
seal the servants of God:

"Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the
seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it
was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying 'Do not harm the earth, the
sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their
foreheads'." (Rev. 7:2-3, Ibid.)

The word "angel" in this verse literally means messenger.
Angels can be spiritual beings like angel Gabriel whom God sent to Zechariah, the
father of John the Baptist (Lk. 1:19) who are sent from heaven to deliver short
messages to specific individuals or groups of people at a particular time
and specific place (Heb. 1:13-14). Angels can also be human beings, like
John the Baptist (Mt. 11:7-10, Douay-Rheims Version), whom God sends to
preach the gospel to people.

The fulfillment of the "other angel" described in Revelation
7:2-3 pertains to a man whom God had sent to preach the gospel, because his work is to seal the servants of God. He and his companions would carry out the task to seal
the servants of God, as stated in the third verse," till we have sealed the
servants of our God." As to how the sealing would be carried out, Apostle
Paul explains:

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the
Holy Spirit of promise, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Eph.
1:13-14, NKJV)

Sealing is the preaching of the true gospel to receive the
Holy Spirit. The angel or messenger described in Revelation 7:2-3 preaches the gospel of truth, which is the word of God for salvation. He is a man whose work is to
preach to words of God. Those who listened and believed in his preaching
were sealed and received the promised Holy Spirit. The place where this
prophecy would be fulfilled is in the East or the rising of the sun,
fulfilled in the Philippines, which is in the Far East (Asia and the
Philippines, p. 169).

The Church of Christ firmly believes, based on biblical
prophecies and their fulfillment, that the messenger of God in these last days is Brother Felix Y. Manalo. He was given the right to understand the knowledge of God,
which is hidden in mystery. Through him, together with the ministers and
evangelical workers in the Church of Christ, the wisdom and knowledge of
God is made known to us in these last days, that we may be guided toward the
path that leads to Christ and to our salvation.

Mga personalidad na nagugustuhan ng Babae sa Lalake.

Bawat babae ay may kanya kanyang trip. At ang bawat lalake eh meron namang kanya kanyang ugali.

Sa tingin ko lang ha. Papangalan natin silang MR.

1. Mr. Mindman -

Ito yung mga taong matatalino talaga. Simulat sapul. Simula elementary hanggang college. Hanggang gumraduate dala nila ang utak nila at napaka intelehentong tao naman talaga. Marami siyang ambisyon sa buhay. Masikap siya sa trabaho. Ito yung mga taong mahihilig magbasa ng libro. Mga dyaryo at kung ano ano pa basta may lamang impormasyon at kaalaman.

2. Mr. Player -

May mga babaeng gusto ang adventure. Mas gusto nilang kumuha ng boyfriend na babaero. Siguro aasa silang sila ang makakapagpatino nito? Kung baga ito yung mga babaeng gusto ay yung “chick boy” na lalake. Yung isang ngiti lang eh nakakalaglag panty na. Ang mga babaeng mahilig sa Mr.Player personality ay yung mga taong hindi handa sa long term relationship. Kundi sa mga fling fling lamang.

3.Mr.Buddy-

ito ang personalidad ng lalake na madaling makakahanap ng kaibigang babae. Dahil ang babae eh karamihan ay madrama sa buhay o kaya naman ay puno ng problema. Kaya kailangan nila ng lalakeng masasandigan at malalambing. Ang lalake ang tatayong sandalan ng babae. Lalakeng maiiyakan. In short, Lalakeng masasabihan ng problema.

4. Mr.Action Man-

ang mga lalakeng hilig ay adventure. Nagugustuhan ito ng babae dahil alam nilang hindi ordinaryo ang kaibigan o magiging boyfriend nila sa hinaharap. Laging makaasa ang babaeng may kakaibigang gagawin si lalake. Dahil hindi takot si Mr.Action Man na magkamali hanggat hindi niya napapasaya itong babaeng ito.

5. Mr.Blogger -

AHEM AHEM AHEM. Ito naman ang ibang gusto ng ibang babae. Dahil sa may humor na ito. Minsan nagiging malalim pa ito. Malakas daw ang appeal ng mga taong ito. Dahil maraming nalalaman. Hindi man sa kanila nanggaling yung iba. Iba naman daw yung maraming nababasa. Gusto nila yung personalidad nilang ito dahil alam nilang iba ang mararating nila kapag kasama ang taong ito.

6. Mr.Loverboy-

Rare na daw ito. Ito ang mga taong sino nga ba naman hihindi kung ikaw ay makakahanap ng isang lalakeng alam ang bawat kiliti ng babae? Ang bawat kilig? Ang bawat effort na gusto ng babae? Mala john lloyd effort nga ika ng karamihan.

7. Mr.Humor-

Nagugustuhan ito ng babae dahil sa gusto nilang laging tumawa. Kapag kasama nila ang taong ito nakakalimutan nila ang problema. Para bang laging may ngiti sa kanilang labi. Nakangisi ka lagi. Mga lalakeng mahilig sa cheesy lines at jokes. Kung baga hindi nauubusan ng bala sa utak at bibig.

8. Mr. Thinker -

 Ito yung mga ugali ng kalalakihan na katulad ng Mr.Blogger malalim mag isip. Mahilig mangarap kahit umaga. Mahilig mag isip ng mga bagay na imposible. Minsan misteryoso. Minsan hindi mo alam kung ano ang iniisip. Minsan nasa isang sulok at sobrang tahimik. Pero hindi mo alam puro ikaw lang pala ang nasa isip. Nag iisip siya ng mga bagay na maaring magpasaya sayo araw araw. Hindi lang niya mahal ang sarili mo. Kundi ang mga taong nakapaligid sayo.

9. Mr.Big Daddy -

Ito yung mga long term relationship na tao. Ito yung mga taong gusto ng stable na relasyon. Ito ang mga gusto ng babae na ayaw pang masaktan. Kaso paano nilang malalaman na tama na pala yung lalakeng napili nila? Ito ay yung pag sasakripisyo ng babae at nang lalake para sa relasyon mapaganda lang ang takbo. Kaya tinawag na Big Daddy. Dahil malaki ang iyong puso. Mataba ang iyong puso.

10. Mr. Computer -

Ito naman ay nagugustuhan ng babaeng kapwa gamer. Gusto nila ng partner na makakaintindi sa ginagawa nila. Mga sabay kayong mag papalevel. Sabay kayong maglalaro. Dito iikot mundo niyo. Dito kayo magiging masaya. Dito kayo mag bobonding. At kapag patay na oras. May mapagkwekwentuhan kayo. Habang kumakain pwede niyong pag usapan ang mga susunod niyong lalaruin at pag papalevelan.

Salvation, justice, and the Church

God's justice is evidently expressed in His laws. 

MANY PROFESSING CHRISTIANS criticize the teaching that God's salvation through Christ is granted to only one specific group of people or Church. To them, such teaching suggests that God is unjust. Furthermore, they argue that God will not reward salvation to only one Christian group because others also serve Him and believe in His Son, and that He is not lacking in mercy or grace as to forget their faith and good deeds.

The Bible teaches, however, that God's granting salvation to only one religious organization or Church is in perfect harmony with His nature as a just and righteous God.

The righteousness of God
God is righteous and just (Ps. 119:137; Gen. 18:25). His justice is evidently expressed in His laws, one of which is on the passing of judgment to the one guilty. In Deuteronomy 24:16, this is written:

"Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin." (New King James Version)

This law demonstrates divine justice and righteousness. It forbids the act of punishing an innnocent person on account of another's guilt. On the basis of this law, all men are condemned to die the second death in the lake of fire because all have sinned (Rev. 21:8; Rom. 6:23; 5:12).

But, the salvation for sinners, through His Son, does not violate His own righteousness. Jesus Christ, the Savior, acted according to that law: The Lord Jesus said:

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." (Mt. 5:17, NKJV)

Jesus came to save men in such a way that He fulfilled what the law of God concerning sinners requires - that each man shall die for his own sins. The apostles testify that the salvation Christ carried out is based on the righteousness of God:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
"For in the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith'." (Rom. 1:16-17, Ibid.)

The gospel is the power of God to salvation through His Son. In it is revealed His righteousness, which Christ took into full account in affecting salvation for sinners.

Salvation for sinners
Christ is sinless; He is the only man who has not committed any sin (I Pt. 2:21-22) and, therefore, does not deserve death having not even a single sin to account for. Why did he die then? His death is in behalf of the sinners. Indeed it was, according to Apostle Peter:

"For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but made alive spiritually." (I Pt. 3:18, Today's English Version)

Christ did not violate God's righteousness when He died for other men's sins because He came to fulfill not only the Law but also the prophecies about His having to endure being despised, rejected, afflicted, stricken, and bruised for the sake of those whom He will save, that they may have peace with God(Is. 53:3-5, NKJV).

Christ's act of taking upon Himself the guilt of men by dying in their behalf is the very act of salvation. It is the act of setting them free from condemnation.


One new manWhy is it that Christ's suffering and death did not at all violate the rigtheousness of God? Apostle Paul explains:

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (II Cor. 5:21, Ibid.)

It is the Father's will that the sinless Christ had to die in behalf of sinners. Although Christ is without sin, His act of taking the burden of their sins through His death is in accordance with, divine justice.

Since Christ fully met the demands of God's justice in carrying out salvation, the people whose sins He died for could not be distinct or be separated from Him. They and Christ are one in the eyes of God.

The group of people Apostle Paul referred to as "us" in II Corinthians 5:21 is a new creation in Christ. In verse 17, the apostle says:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (Ibid.)

In Ephesians 2:15, he explains how those who are in Christ became a new creation:

"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace." (Ibid.)

According to Apostle Paul, Christ created in Himself one new man from the two, namely, Himself as head and the Church as His body:

"And He is the head of the body, the church." (Col. 1:18, Ibid.)

By means of His Church, the salvation for sinners that Christ carried out meets the conditions of God's righteousness. According to God's law, Christ is not allowed to pay or die for the sins of another. So, He had to make Himself and those He will save as one man. He did this by gathering them together as parts of His body, the Church, He being its head.

In the sight of God, Christ and the members of His Church are not distinct or separate from one another, but are joined together as one new man. In taking the blame for the guilt of those included in His body or His Church, He did not defy God's justice because He did not die for the sins of another. As the head of the Church, He died for the sins of His own body.

The salvation Christ provided in accordance with divine justice benefited only one body or group of people - the Church of Christ:

"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, Lamsa Translation)

Granting salvation to a single, unified group of people - the Church of Christ - by no means makes God unjust or unfair. What would be unjust and unrighteous is for Him to allow His Son to save churches, which are not Christ's bodies or to save individuals who are not part of that one body or Church, because that would mean that Christ died for the sins of other men.


Enter the Church, says ChristWhat further proves that Christ commands anyone who wants to be saved to enter or join the Church of Christ? Christ said:

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

Entering in Christ means entering in the fold or flock, which is the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

Having faith in Christ is absolutely necessary, but it is not enough for one to attain salvation. Faith must go with membership in the Church of Christ, which the Savior requires anyone who wishes to be saved to join. The Church of Christ, therefore, is indispensable to man's salvation because it is the one the Lord Jesus Christ will save.

While salvation is God's mercy or grace, it must be based on His justice and righteousness. The Church of Christ is the way in which salvation through Christ can be attained. This is in accordance with God's justice and righteousness.

The Loving-kindness of God to sinners

SOCIETY GENERALLY LOOKS at offenders, especially the callous ones, with abhorrence and repulsion. Which is why, when one commits an offense or an act that is considered to constitute a crime against a person or the society-at-large, the perpetrator is condemned, ostracized, and sometimes immediately punished or meted out with a punitive measure by his fellowmen. Sad to say, more often than not, many offenders are not given by society the chance to reform and redeem themselves from their wrongdoing. Because of this, there are those who have lost hope of changing their life an of being absorbed back in the mainstream society. They think that there is no way out of their predicament but to revert to committing evil, which eventually causes them to ruin their lives completely. However, ever the righteous judge that He is, God has a different way of dealing with offenders or sinners. He continues to extend His loving-kindness to all men, though all have fallen into sin (Rom. 5:12), either through commission – by transgressing His laws or commands (I John 3:4), or through omission – by not doing them (James 4:17; Rom. 7:12). The Bible describes God’s loving-kindness to a person who sinned against Him this way:

“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.” (Ps. 145:8, New King James Version)

The testimony of those who have experienced God’s compassion and mercy is this:

“Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.” (Lam. 3:22, Ibid.)

Because of God’s mercy and compassion, sinners are not consumed immediately. But this does not mean that God is slack toward or is condoning the wrongdoings of sinners. There is something in God’s compassion that keeps Him from allowing the sinners to be destroyed or consumed immediately. Apostle Peter explains:

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (II Pet. 3:9, Ibid.)

God is giving sinners the chance to repent. He does not want anyone to perish on account of sin. Had he not been full of compassion, all of us sinners would not have been given the chance to repent and we would have certainly been destroyed.

God’s judgment on sinners
God does not want the sinners to be judged and end up in destruction, which is why He wants everyone to come to repentance. As the righteous judge, God will, at an appointed time, mete out judgment to every one according to what he has done. He emphatically declared this to His early people, the Israelites:

“Now I, the Sovereign LORD, am telling you Israelites that I will judge each of you by what he has done. Turn away from all the evil you are doing, and don’t let your sin destroy you.” (Ezek. 18:30, Today’s English Version)

Destruction shall surely come on the sinners who do not take heed and ignore the chance God is giving them to turn away from their evil acts and repent. Concerning the stubborn-hearted, Apostle Paul points this out, thus:

“Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent. But you have a hard and stubborn heart, and so you are making your own punishment even greater on the Day when God’s anger and righteous judgments will be revealed.” (Rom. 2:4-5, Ibid.)

The sinners who hate God’s great kindness, tolerance, and patience by hardening their hearts and refusing to repent will surely suffer punishment on Judgment Day. They will perish and will be consumed by fire on that day as testified to by Apostle Peter:

“But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (II Pet. 3:7, NKJV)

The sinners’ conflagration will be followed by the lake of fire, in which they will suffer eternal punishment (Rev. 20:14). Inasmuch as the Bible testifies that all men have sinned (Rom. 5:12) and, because of this, they have been separated from God and have become His enemies (Isa. 59:2, Col. 1:21), it behooves us therefore to rethink our condition to avoid His punishment. We should not ignore the chance God is giving us so that we may avoid the dire consequence of our sins. God calls our attention to this:

“ ‘Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you’, says the LORD of hosts. ‘But you said, “In what way shall we return?”’” (Mal. 3:7, NKJV)

Since the fall of man from God’s grace because of sin, he has been separated from God. Hence, he has to return to Him so that God will again be with him. Without returning to God, man on account of his sins will remain in his precarious condition of being under God’s judgment, which is the eternal punishment in the lake of fire.

The path leading back to God
God, ever loving and forbearing, teaches us what to do in order to avoid punishment and find rest for our souls. The Bible records:

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls’. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it’.” (Jer. 6:16, Ibid.)

God instructs man who has turned away from His ordinances to look for the good way. Once he has found the good way, he should walk in it to find rest for his soul. Our Lord Jesus Christ testified that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” that would lead man back to the Father (John 14:6). For man to benefit from Christ as the way to God, it is not enough that he profess faith in Him as His Lord and Savior. He must prove His faith by coming into the fold through Christ as the doorway. As the Lord declares:

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

Those who have come into the fold through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are His sheep in His flock (John 10:16), which is the Church of Christ as testified to by Apostle Paul, thus:

“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, Lamsa Translation)

Therefore, in order to return to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, one should join the sheepfold of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Church of Christ, which He redeemed with His precious blood.

The need to be redeemed
The importance of being redeemed by joining the Church of Christ can never be overemphasized. Apostle Paul eloquently essayed that this is God’s loving-kindness to sinners – His mercy in order for us not to perish in God’s anger”

“But God has shown us how much he loves us – it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By his sacrificial death we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God’s anger!” (Rom. 5:8-9, TEV)

Those redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ through His precious blood are forgiven of their sins. Through Christ’s sacrificial death, they have been put right with God – back I His grace and loving care – and thus they are assured of their salvation from God’s anger or from perdition on Judgment Day. Although any Christian-professing person would readily claim that he has been redeemed by Christ by virtue of his faith in Him, only those who are in Christ’s Church have benefited from His sacrificial death. This, Apostle Paul clarifies:

“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.” (Eph. 5:23, Ibid.)

Christ the Savior will save the Church which is His body. So if one is not in the true Church of Christ, he will not benefit from the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand, if a person joins the Church of Christ, this means that he does not discount God’s loving-kindness and compassion for the sinners.

Not a license to sin
That members of the Church of Christ have been freed from the bondage of sin through the redemptive act of our Lord Jesus Christ does not mean they are already free to commit sin. On the contrary, Apostle Paul emphasized that this is the very reason they should no longer live in sin:

“What shall we say, then? Should we continue to live in sin so that God’s grace will increase? Certainly not! We have died to sin – how then can we go on living in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2, Ibid.)

Thus, the true members of the Church of Christ strive to renew their lives completely in order to enjoy God’s loving-kindness and not to waste their opportunity to be saved. Never do they take their membership in the Church as a license to commit sin for they know that if they sin willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Heb. 10:26-27, NKJV).

And if sometimes they still fall into sin, despite their striving to fulfill God’s commandments an to live a life that is worthy before Him, Apostle John writes them this reassuring lines:

“I am writing this to you, my children, so that you will not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have someone who pleads with the Father on our behalf – Jesus Christ, the righteous one.” (I John 2:1, TEV)

Indeed, the members of the Church of Christ are truly fortunate, for even if they also sinned, they have received God’s loving-kindness and found redemption and forgiveness of their sins in the Church. And should they fall into the sin of either commission or omission, God will cleanse them if they sincerely repent, and earnestly return to Him, and turn away from their evil and wicked ways, for Apostle John says assuredly that “if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing” (I John 1;9, Ibid.)