Extending the work of salvation to the Gentiles

DECADES AFTER ITS reemergence in the Far East, the Iglesia ni Cristo has traveled thousands of miles to Europe and set foot in the southernmost country of the Balkan Peninsula, in Greece – the land whose rich ancient civilization has been colorfully painted in the canvas of history, the nation whose invaluable heritage is treasured to this day.

On the 10th day of May 1997, the Iglesia ni Cristo was officially established in Athens – an event considered historic in the continuing epoch of the Church of Christ.

More than just a symbol and a springboard of the Church’s propagation and expansion efforts worldwide, the founding of the locale in Greece followed by the continuous preaching of the gospel in that part of the world is of great significance. It carries a profound meaning in the Almighty’s grand design of continuing His work of salvation for the benefit of mankind.

According to the divine plan, the gospel of salvation was not intended for the Jews alone but also for the Greeks. Apostle Paul said this in his epistle:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16, King James Version)

However, when Apostle Paul mentioned the term “Greek” in the passage just quoted, he was referring not only to the native citizens of Greece. He had a vision of the Church with members coming from various races. Other Bible translations render the same verse in this manner:

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Rom. 1:16, New International Version)

“Gentile” refers to people belonging to the nations at large as distinguished from the Jews. That means, all people, outside the Jewish race, are collectively called Gentiles.

It is, thus, of great significance that the gospel of salvation be brought not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles or to all nations – and God has willed that this work of salvation reach out to the end of the earth:

“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, bold ours)

In another version of the Bible, the same verse is rendered this way:

“He says, It is too light a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors [of the judgments]of Israel; I will also give you for a light to the nations, that My salvation may extend to the end of the earth.” (Is. 49:6, Amplified Bible, bold ours)

To fulfill this plan, God had appointed men who would preach to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Who then were the commissioned messengers tasked to execute His will?

Light for the Gentiles

The evangelizing of the Jews initially took place with the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and His 12 apostles. Christ was the servant of God who would set up the clans of Jacob or Israel and would be the light for the Gentiles. The gospel according to Luke records this, thus:

“And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

“Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

“A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Lk. 2:27-32, KJV)

The Savior of all mankind was the “light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” When Christ had ascended to heaven, His apostles continued His work of preaching the gospel to the Jews first, then later to the Gentiles. In Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christians in Galatia, this is recorded:

“On the contrary, they saw that I had been given the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been given the task of preaching the gospel to the Jews.

“For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.

“James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.” (Gal. 2:7-9, NIV)

The apostles of Christ, among them Peter, John, and James were sent by the Lord to preach the gospel to the Jews whereas Apostle Paul and Barnabas were appointed the task of preaching to the Gentiles. In proving his authority to evangelize to the Gentiles, Apostle Paul cited Isaiah’s prophecy, thus:

“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” (Acts 13:46-47, KJV)

Hence, the work of Apostle Paul and his companions in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles was part of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah regarding the light for the Gentiles.

Members of the Church of Christ

In apostolic times, the Jews and the Gentiles who received the gospel belonged to the Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul confirms, for instance, that the Jews whom he addressed in Thessalonica were members of the Church of Christ:
“Brothers and sisters, you followed the example of the churches of God in Judea, churches of Christ Jesus. For you suffered from your compatriots the same trials they suffered from the Jews.” (I Thess. 2:14, Christian Community Bible)

This shows that as early as the time of Apostle Paul’s ministry, the preaching of the gospel of salvation had already transcended the Jewish race. Counted among the early Christians then were the Gentile converts who received the very same teachings the Jewish Christians did.

However, the first-century Church of Christ was not able to continue the work of salvation. Zechariah, in a related prophecy, explains about the misfortune that would befall the early Church. He said of the Church of Christ:

“And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” (Zech. 13:8-9, KJV)

The first two parts – the Church of the Jews and the Church of the Gentiles – were led away from the faith or were apostatized while the others were martyred. As the prophecy states, “…two parts therein shall be cut off and die…” Even before Apostle Paul died, he had forewarned the Christians brethren about the coming apostasy:

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for that day cannot come without the coming of the apostasy first, and the appearing of the man of sin, the son of perdition, who sets himself against, and exalts himself above, every so-called ‘god’ or object of worship, and goes the length of taking his seat in the very temple of God, giving it out that he himself is God.

“Do you not remember that while I was still with you I used to tell you all this? And now you know what restrains him, in order that his true character may be revealed at his appointed time. For lawlessness is already at work in secret; but only until the man who is now exercising a restraining influence is removed.” (II Thess. 2:3-7, Weymouth Version)

Though the existence of the Church in Thessalonica to whom Apostle Paul ministered proves that the work of salvation had already reached Greece at that time, history attests that the church locales established then perished, as what happened to the Church in Philippi:

“The subsequent history of the church at Philippi is rather disappointing, like that of the other apostolic churches in the East. …The name of its bishop is mentioned here and there in the records of councils, but that is all. During the middle ages the city was turned into a wretched village, and the bishopric into a mere shadow. …’Born into the world with the brightest promise, the church of Philippi has lived without a history and perished without a memorial’.” (History of the Christian Church, vol. I:Apostolic Christianity, p. 792)

History records the fact that the Church of Christ in the first century did not continue. Hence, the prophecy that it would survive until the end of the earth wasn’t fulfilled through the preaching of the early messengers of God. Yet, the prophecy will have to be fulfilled for it is God’s will.

Notice that a third group is mentioned in the prophecy of Zechariah (cf. Zech 13:8-9). This third group, those in distant times and places (cf. Acts 2:39, Rieu Version), is the one to continue the work of salvation until the end of the earth. That’s why God said there would be left a third part – a remnant seed of the first Church of Christ – that would reach unto the farthest places and to the end of the world.

The extension of the work of salvation

The prophecies in the Bible affirm that there is indeed a work of salvation – the daughter of the first Church – the same Church of Christ which would reach out to the day of Judgment:

“Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

“And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.” (Is. 62:11-12, KJV)

Zion symbolizes the Church of Christ. Even Bible scholars attest to the fact that Zion refers to the Church of Christ:

“ZI’ON

“A name for Jerusalem (Matt. 21:5; John 12:15); or symbolically, for the church of Christ (Rom. 9:33).” (Master Study Bible: Authorized King James Version, p. 1840)

Undoubtedly, the Church of Christ would continue God’s work of salvation to reach out to all nations throughout the world. Thus, we could be certain that aside from the work of Apostle Paul and his companions during their time, God would send another messenger who would preach the Church of Christ or the Iglesia ni Cristo in these last days.

As planned, His last work of salvation would arise from the Far East. The Holy Scriptures testify, thus:

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

God designed that the establishment of His last work of salvation should begin from the Far East. This was fulfilled when Brother Felix Y. Manalo preached the Iglesia ni Cristo on July 27, 1914 in the Philippines, a country in the Far East.

Therefore, the Iglesia ni Cristo is the one tasked with the mission of carrying out the work of salvation in these last days. It is this Church which would bring further fulfillment to Isaiah’s prophecy – that God’s salvation “may extend to the end of the earth.”

It is for this reason that the official establishment of the Church of Christ in Athens on May 10, 1997, through the worship service officiated by Brother Eraño G. Manalo, is of great significance – for that historic event not only symbolizes the extension of God’s work of salvation but marks the continuation of a more vigorous campaign of spreading the Word to all nations until the end of the world.

The wonder of God’s words

INDISPUTABLY THE BEST seller of all time, the Bible is the most read and most studied book in all history. It is said to have been translated, in parts and in whole, into more than 2,000 languages (Guinness World Records2002, p. 154). With that awesome circulation, the Bible is one book that has undoubtedly affected and influenced so many lives, cultures, countries, and peoples throughout this habitable planet. And its readers, including the so-called Bible students have viewed and regarded it in so many different ways: as a history book, as a book of customs and morals, as a mere literature of the Hebrew people, and as an “open book.” The last of which should be seriously addressed. However, to those who believe and value the Bible, this is no ordinary book. The Bible is the repository of God’s words. As such, there is more to the Bible as a book than meets the eye, and on this regard our Lord Jesus Christ enlightens us:

“… ’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, So that “Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them”’.” (Mk. 4:11-12, New King James Version)

Concerning knowledge of God’s kingdom and all things pertaining to it, the Bible is the authority. However, according to Christ, there are those who are given understanding to know the mystery of this kingdom, and there are those who are not. To those who are outside, all things come in parables – they can see but do not perceive; they can hear but do not understand. This is so because God’s words are hidden in mystery as testified to by Apostle Paul:

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.” (Rom. 16:25, Ibid.)

He further adds:

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

Such is the wonder of the words of God. Although many have studied the Bible, not all have come to the knowledge or understanding of the truth, as proven by their conflicting interpretations regarding what is written therein. It goes to show that the Bible is not an “open book” as many want to believe. Not just anyone who knows how to read can understand it. And neither can such understanding be gained through diligent study alone. What would happen if those who have not been given understanding dare to preach the gospel? Apostle Paul provides us the answer:

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, Which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Gal. 1:6-7, Ibid.)

Inasmuch as the preaching of those who do not truly understand God’s words results in a different gospel or perverted gospel, Apostle Peter forewarns the danger awaiting those who listen and believe in such false preachers:

“This is what he says in all his letters when he writes on the subject. There are some difficult things in his letters which ignorant and unstable people explain falsely, as they do with other passages of the Scriptures. So they bring on their own destruction.” (II Pt. 3:16, Today’s English Version)

Thus, we should not believe a preacher simply because he uses the Bible. If he does not have the gift of understanding of God’s words, then he would only succeed in endangering the souls of his listeners.

The preaching of Christ

There is no doubt that Christ, being the greatest of God’s messengers, was given the understanding to know the mystery of God’s words. No wonder His preaching elicited awe from His listeners:

“The Jewish authorities were greatly surprised and said, ‘How does this man know so much when he has never been to school?’” (Jn. 7:15, Ibid.)

The Jews marveled how Christ came to know so much when they said He had never been to school. Such was again displayed in His encounter with the Sadducees:

“When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked him, Saying: Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. ‘Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her’. Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?” God is not the God of the dead, but of the living’.” (Mt. 22:22-32, NKJV)

The Sadducees thought that they could ensnare our Lord Jesus Christ through their questions but they were instead silenced by the wisdom of the Savior. The Pharisees also tried the same thing to test the Lord Jesus Christ, but only to no avail. This account was written by Matthew:

“But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, will all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’.” (Mt. 22:34-40, Ibid.)

Christ was able to answer clearly the question posed to Him by the Pharisees. And to show them how ignorant they were concerning God’s words, He in turn asked them a question which they could not answer. Matthew narrated further:

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The Son of David’. He said to them, ‘How then does David in the Spirit call Him “Lord,” saying: “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool?’” ‘If David then calls Him “Lord,” how is He his Son?’ And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.” (Mt. 22:41-46, Ibid.)

The preaching of the apostles

When our Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, His apostles took the cudgels of preaching the gospel to the people. Their preaching was also awe-inspiring in spite of the fact that they were perceived as unlettered. The book of Acts recorded this account:

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, Ibid.)

The reason God chose many who are uneducated and unlettered as His servants, especially as instruments in preaching His words, is clarified by Apostle Paul, thus:

“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly thing of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (I Cor. 1:26-29, New International Version)

Clearly, God had intended it to be so that no one might boast before Him. And although there were some who were educated like Apostle Paul, they didn’t use their own wisdom in convincing people to believe in their preaching:

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (I Cor. 2:4-5, Ibid.)

Sent and anointed by God

Christ and His apostles clearly understood God’s words and were able to preach them to the people because they were sent by God. They had the spirit of God in them. Says our Lord Jesus concerning His authority to preach:

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed’.” (Lk. 4:18, Ibid.)

The same can be said of His apostles, as Christ, before He ascended into heaven, promised to send them the Holy Spirit, who would teach and guide them in their preaching:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (Jn. 14:26, Ibid.)

And this is also true to the messenger in these last days whom God commissioned to preach to us His words. The Bible prophesied the sending of the messenger from the rising of the sun who has the seal of God:

“And I saw another messenger going up from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he did cry with a great voice to the four messengers, to whom it was given to injure the land and the sea, saying ‘Do not injure the land, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we may seal the servants of our God upon their foreheads’.” (Rev. 7:2-3, Young’s Literal Translation)

The work of the prophesied messenger was to seal the servants of God. In carrying out the mission of sealing God’s servants, he was not alone – he has co-workers. It says in the prophecy, “till we may seal the servants of our God” (emphasis ours). The Church of Christ believes that this prophecy was fulfilled in Brother Felix Y. Manalo and the ministers in the Church of Christ. The seal is the Holy Spirit, and sealing is done by means of preaching the gospel as explained by the Apostle Paul, thus:

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” (Eph. 1:13-14, NIV)

Inasmuch as the messenger in these last days was given the gift of the Holy Spirit, he as able to understand and to preach to the people the gospel of salvation. The members of the Church of Christ, being the fruits of his preaching, are certain that what has been taught to them are the words of God that will lead them to salvation. As it is, only God’s messengers can preach the pure gospel which is hidden in mystery. As the Apostle Paul asked rhetorically, “And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10:15, NKJV)

Hence, any church or religious group that does not believe in the commissioning of God’s messenger has certainly not come to the knowledge of truth. And if there are those who would claim to have been taught by a messenger of God, but fail to show biblical proof of God’s commissioning, they would only end up to perdition, for they have not understood the wonder of God’s words written in the Bible.

Drawing the Line Between TRUTH and FALSITY

Understanding the message of the Last Messenger
While the doctrines he upheld are very much unlike the existing ones, yet they are distinctively and undeniably biblical.

The teachings he preached are but a restoration of those taught by Jesus Christ and preserved and propagated by His apostles.

IN FULL APPRECIATION of the Lord’s purpose in commissioning His messenger in these last days and in remembrance of the man whom God sent forth to preach His words, it is truly necessary that we arrive at a full understanding of the message that the messenger exalted most. Indeed, failure to understand this message is to jeopardize the very purpose of God in sending His messengers to people in every dispensation of time.

The many biblical prophecies fulfilled in the late Brother Felix Y. Manalo whose evangelical ministry brought about the reemergence of the Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo) in 1914, is our compelling argument that he is truly the messenger of God in these last days. This work as geographically designed by God has the Far East, specifically the Philippines, as its country of origin. Now, the Iglesia ni Cristo has spanned the globe with a wide membership coming from 87 countries and territories, undoubtedly phenomenal by any human standard.

Despite bitter opposition from other religious groups, especially during the early decades of its historical beginnings, the Church’s membership has increased steadily and its expansion has gone unabated. People from all walks of life, even some from among its zealous detractors, have eventually found their way into this Church after having gained substantial knowledge and understanding of the biblical doctrines that Brother Manalo preached.

What is it really that this messenger from the Far East propagated? Was he sent to preach doctrines that are similar to those of the so-called Christian religions already existing during his time? Or, was he to introduce new doctrines that are truly unorthodox? What has drawn the attention of people in countries indisputably dominated by Catholicism and Protestantism to the Church he preached? What has attracted people of various races and cultures in the continents of Asia, Africa, Australia, the Americas, and Europe to embrace the Iglesia ni Cristo faith?

Strict adherence to the Bible
To differentiate the teachings preached by Brother Felix Manalo from those espoused by the other Christian-professing religions is to draw the line that separates truth from falsehood. The fact is the preaching of this messenger has often been perceived as unique and peculiar, in the sense that the teachings he introduced do not identify with the dogmas already spawned by the major religions and readily accepted by the majority.

Most notably, there are many points of disagreement between the doctrines upheld by the Iglesia ni Cristo and the teachings and practices of Catholicism and Protestantism. Why? Not because Brother Felix Manalo introduced new doctrines that are alien to the Holy Scriptures, but because the doctrines upheld by these major religions are those that have evolved into teachings that contradict the truths of the Bible.

Here, in the Iglesia ni Cristo, the Bible is the sole basis of the faith and is highly magnified. Whatever the Bible says, the Church upholds with utmost fidelity, very cautious not to allow the slightest deviation or departure. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe, for in it is revealed the righteousness of God (Rom. 1:16-17). It is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, so that the children of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works (II Tim. 3:15-17).

However, the authority to preach the gospel is given only to those sent by God (Rom. 10:15), and those who preach without such authority merely preach “another gospel” (Gal. 1:6-7). Such unauthorized practice is a form of deviation from the truth that ultimately leads to destruction (II Pet. 3:15-16).

Precursor to the last commissioning
As the bishops who took over the administration of the early Church after the death of the Twelve failed to preserve the pristine teachings of the Mater, the Church gradually departed from its original state (Acts 20:28-30), This apostasy slowly but surely gave birth to a religious hybrid, a church whose doctrines are quite different from the original. The Church of Christ, therefore, evolved to become the Catholic religion which many generations worldwide have gotten acquainted with and have embraced for centuries, as though it were still the Church founded by Christ in its pristine state.

Following the Renaissance period, the sparks of negative and vehement protest loomed in the horizon. Such protests waged by the more enlightened individuals and members of the clergy ignited great interest in religion, and stirred challenging doubts on the scriptural or biblical soundness of Catholic doctrines and practices.

This crisis on the issue of doctrinal validity eventually caused an inevitable rift or division in the universal church, which reached its peak during the period of the Reformation in northern Europe. This development led to the withdrawal of many Catholics from the faith of their birth, not excluding the ex-communication of those who were charged of heresy, and the rise of numerous Protestant denominations, with a common battle cry – sola scriptura (the Scriptures alone) and sola fide (Faith alone).

Indeed, no amount of religious persuasion or eloquence was able to dissuade the protestant separatists from abandoning the Catholic faith. Such events marked the beginning of Protestantism.

This brand of Protestantism that was brought to North America was planted on Philippine soil by the Americans after the seeds of Catholicism were already set in place by the earlier colonizers, the Spaniards. That was the historical backdrop for the providential emergence of the Church that will restore Christianity to its original characteristics.

The year 1914 came, not merely as a historical period but as the time for the fulfillment of God’s plan for man’s salvation in these last days. This was the year when the Church of Christ reemerged through the last messenger in the person of Brother Felix Manalo.

When Brother Manalo called for allegiance to the truth and fidelity to the written words of God, he sounded nothing short of being heretical to those who held on tightly to the so-called orthodox teachings of the apostate church. Thus, his preaching stood in constant opposition to Catholic and Protestant hermeneutics. While the doctrines he upheld may have been viewed as unusual and, in fact, are very much unlike the existing ones, yet they are distinctively and undeniably biblical.

The message he preached
The following is a brief presentation of some fundamental teachings upheld by the Church of Christ that reemerged through the instrumentality of Brother Felix Manalo. These teachings and others that will not be mentioned here because of space limitations have time and again invited a variety of reactions from other religious groups. To wit:

The true God. The one and only true God is the Father, the Creator. He alone is the Creator of heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things therein, and the seas and all that is in them (Neh. 9:6; Isa. 44:8; 45:21).

This teaching from the Old Testament is what our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles preached (John 17:1-3; I Cor. 8:6). That one God as introduced also in the New Testament is a spirit (John 4:24) and, therefore, has no flesh and bones (Luke 24:39).

The same teaching opposes the widespread belief in the Trinity. The Bible speaks of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but never did it refer to all of them as gods nor as three persons in one. Both the Old and the New Testament Scriptures point to the Father alone as the true God.

The Son Himself emphatically declared that the Father is the only true God (John 17:3, 1). The prophets also taught that we have only one Father who created us (Mal. 2:10; Isa. 64:8). He alone is God; there is no one like Him (Isa. 46:9), who is from everlasting to everlasting, eternal (Ps. 90:2), immortal (I Tim. 1:17), and tireless (Isa. 40:28).

The Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matt. 3:17), is the only Savior appointed by God (Acts 13:23). He is the sole mediator between God and man (I Tim. 2:5) and the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

He does not have two natures. He is not god-man (Hos. 11:9; Ezek. 28:2). He is a man in nature or state of being according to His own testimony (John 8:40) and according to the writings of His apostles (I Tim. 2:5; Acts 2:22; Matt. 1:18, 20).

Human attributes were present in Christ. He experienced hunger (Matt. 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), weariness or tiredness (John 4:6). He slept (Matt. 8:24) and died (Matt. 27:50; I Cor. 15:3). But, distinct from all mortals, Christ did not commit any sin (I Pet. 2:21-22; Heb. 4:15).

He has been exalted by God and made as Lord (Acts 2:36). He was given a name above all other names, that in the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow, those in heaven and those on earth (Phil. 2:9-11).

He has been elevated by God far above all principality, power, might, and dominion, and every name that is named, and all things have been put under His power and authority (Eph. 1:21:22). But, Christ will eventually subject Himself to the true God (I Cor. 15:27-28).

He had in so many instances introduced Himself as the Son of God but never did He during his entire public ministry appropriate for Himself the title God or God the Son, because He is not God but a man.

The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power (Acts 1:8) sent by the Father in the name of Christ to teach and remind His messengers of all things that Jesus said (John 14:26). God reveals the meaning of His words to His messengers through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (II Pet. 1:20-21).

The Holy Spirit is also sent by Christ to help His servants overcome their weaknesses and infirmities (John 15:26; Rom. 8:26). The Holy Spirit strengthens, edifies, and comforts the Church (Eph. 3:16-17; John 14:26). It has never been referred to as God in the Scriptures. It is not God but one of the spirits being sent by God on earth (Rev. 5:6).

Church membership. Membership in the Church of Christ is indispensable for the attainment of salvation in the Christian era. All men need salvation inasmuch as all men have sinned and, consequently, all of mankind is sentenced to die in the lake of fire, the wages of sin (Rom. 5:12; 6:23; Rev. 20:14). To be saved from the liability of eternal punishment, man should by faith enter the fold or flock which is the Church of Christ, the only Church He redeemed through His crucifixion (John 10:9; Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:23).

Inside this Church, members are taught the right way of living in accordance with the commandments of God. Therefore, righteous living, not excluding sacrifices when necessary, is among the requirements of Church membership (II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22-24; Matt. 24-13).

Christ will not save those outside His Church because this will violate the law of God. The law requires that sinners should atone for their won sin (Deut. 24:16; Rev. 20:14) and only the sinless man Jesus Christ can pay the ransom for the sins of His Church (Rom. 5:8-10; 3:24-25; I Pet. 2:21-22). Faith alone, or faith without works, can not save man, but faith made perfect through works can (James 2:14, 17, 22-24).

Baptism. Baptism as commanded by Christ (Matt. 28:19) and practiced by His apostles is done through immersion in water (Rom. 6:4; John 3:23; Acts 8:36-38). To qualify for baptism, one must be thoroughly educated about the words of God, believe in them. Repent, and renew his life (Mark 16: 15-16; Acts 2:38).

Infants are not baptized in the Church of Christ because they are incapable of fulfilling the requirements for baptism. Rather than receiving baptism, infants or little children are dedicated to God in prayer, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (Matt. 19:13-15). Their baptism comes later on in life, that is, after they shall have qualified for it.

Worship. The Church uncompromisingly rejects all forms of idolatry. The members worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24) during the congregational worship service, through psalms and hymn-singing, prayers, study of the words of God, and the sacrifice of offerings and thanksgiving (I Cor. 14:26, 15; 16:2; Heb. 13:16; II Cor. 9:7).

Christ Himself considers as important the assembling together of the Church members in order to worship. The Bible says every time the Church members meet to worship, Christ stays in their midst through the Spirit, as He promised (Matt. 18:20; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 3:16-17).

Therefore, the worship service is not to be neglected or forsaken. Willfully forsaking it is regarded as a serious violation of God’s commandment (Heb. 10:25-27).

Brotherhood of believers. Members of the Church observe the brotherhood as established by Christ (Matt. 23:8). Brethren ought to love one another for this proves that they are the true disciples of Christ (John 13:34-35; I Pet. 2:17).

It is evil to hold a feeling of hatred against a fellow believer for whoever hates his brother is a murderer and shall not attain everlasting life (I John 3:15).

In observance of genuine brotherhood in the Church, members who have conflicts or disputes among themselves are commanded to reconcile through the guidance and mediation of the elders or officers in the Church (Matt. 5:23-25; Eph. 4:32; I Cor. 6:4).

Unity in the Church. The Church adheres to sacred unity. This unity is absolute as defined in Scripture, for in this, God, Christ, and the Church are joined together as one (John 17:23, 21). As the Father and the Son are completely united in everything, so should the members of the Church always be (John 17:9-11, 23).

This unity is to be observed in the name of Jesus Christ and for the glory of God (I Cor. 1:10; 10:31). Discord or dissension is strictly forbidden among Church members because the body of Christ, which is the Church, is not a divided entity. Divisions and strife are earthly, sensual, and devilish (I Cor. 1:10, 13; James 3:14-15).

Resurrection of the dead. The dead will be resurrected on the appointed time, which is on the Second Advent of the Lord. Christ would not have been resurrected if there were no resurrection at all (I Cor. 15:12-13).

However, there are two kinds of resurrection. Those who have done good will rise first (on the Second Advent of Jesus) and receive eternal life. On the other hand, those who have done evil will rise after a thousand years (from the time of the first resurrection) and will be condemned in the lake of fire (John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:14).

Those who died as faithful members of the Church will join the first resurrection on Christ’s Second Coming (I Cor. 15:23). The disciples who will be found alive upon His return shall no longer experience the pangs of death but will be included among those to be resurrected first, to meet the Lord in the air and dwell with Him in the Holy City forever and ever (I Thess. 4:16:17).

The Holy City, New Jerusalem. The Lord has prepared a place, the Holy City, where He promised to take His disciples on His Second Advent (John 14:2-3). The splendor of this city is described as having the glory of God (Rev. 21:10:21). It is the future and permanent home of those whom Christ will save. Life there is perfect – no more hunger, thirst, sorrow, pain, evil, and death (Rev. 7:15-17; 21:1-4, 23-25; 22:1-5).

But, only those handed over by the Father to Christ may enter the New Jerusalem (John 17:12). These people are those who were called by God into the fellowship of His Son (I Cor. 1:9) by means of the pure gospel as received from God’s messengers (II Thess. 2:14; II Cor. 5:19-20). Those who are called by God are gathered in one body (Col. 3:15), which is the Church (Col. 1:18) named (after its founder) Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo (Rom. 16:16; Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

Upholding the messageThe aforementioned beliefs are but some of the fundamental teachings expounded upon in the ministry of Brother Felix Manalo. It was not his purpose to divert from the mainstream beliefs, but to present the unadultered words of God which are found in the holy Scriptures. This is the very purpose of his commissioning in these last days.

The doctrines he propagated may be perceived as new and unique because many people in this era have been deceived into believing unscriptural doctrines and adhering to traditional religious practices. But those who will embark on a serious and objective study of the teachings preached by Brother Felix Manalo will no doubt conclude that these teachings are but a restoration of those taught by Jesus Christ and preserved and propagated by His apostles. This is Christianity in its true form and shape.

So, these teachings handed down by the man whom Iglesia ni Cristo members believe to be God’s messenger in these last days are faithfully upheld by this Church to this very day, without fear of contradicting beliefs that were branded per accidens as orthodox teachings of Christianity.

Si Cristo ba’y Diyos na Manlalalang?

“Na siya ang larawan ng Dios na di nakikita, ang panganay ng lahat ng mga nilalang.” (Colosas 1:15)
MALINAW NA ITINUTURO ng Biblia na ang tunay na Diyos na lumikha ng lahat ng bagay ay ang Ama na nasa langit. Gayunpaman ay may mga naniniwala na si Cristo raw ang tunay na Diyos at Siya ring Manlalalang. Sinisikap nilang patunayan ito sa pamamagitan ng paggamit din ng mga talata sa Biblia. Dahil dito, mahalagang suriin natin ang ilan sa mga talatang ito at alamin kung tama ang pagkaunawa nila sa mga ito.

1. Juan 1:3: “Ang lahat ng mga bagay ay ginawa sa pamamagitan niya; at alin man sa lahat ng ginawa ay hindi ginawa kung wala siya.”

Si Cristo raw ang Diyos na Lumalang ng lahat ng bagay dahil sinasabi sa talata na ang lahat ay ginawa sa pamamagitan Niya.

2. Genesis 1:26: “At sinabi ng Dios, Lalangin natin ang tao sa ating larawan, ayon sa ating wangis: at magkaroon sila ng kapangyarihan sa mga isda sa dagat, at sa mga ibon sa himpapawid, at sa mga hayop, at sa buong lupa, at sa bawa’t umuusad, na nagsisiusad sa ibabaw ng lupa.”

Ang talatang ito ay isa pa raw sa mga katibayan na si Cristo ay Siya ring Diyos na Lumalang sapagkat dito raw ay kausap ng Diyos ang dalawa pang persona ng tinatawag nilang Trinidad. Kaya ang ka-“natin” daw dito ng Diyos ay si Cristo at ang Espiritu Santo.

3. Kawikaan 8:22-30: “Inari ako ng Panginoon sa pasimula ng kaniyang lakad, Bago pinasimulan ang kaniyang mga gawa ng una. Ako’y nalagay mula noong araw mula ng walang pasimula, Bago nalikha ang lupa. Ako’y nailabas ng wala pang mga kalaliman; Nang wala pang mga bukal na sagan ng tubig. Bago ang mga bundok ay nalagay, Bago ang mga burol ay ako’y nailabas: Samantalang hindi pa niya nililikha ang lupa, ni ang mga parang man, Ni ang pasimula man ng alabok ng sanglibutan. Nang kaniyang itatag ang langit nandoon ako: Nang siya’y maglagay ng balantok sa balat ng kalaliman: Nang kaniyang pagtibayin ang langit sa itaas: Nang maging matibay ang mga bukal ng kalaliman: Nang bigyan niya ang dagat ng kaniyang hangganan, Upang huwag salangsangin ng tubig ang kaniyang utos: Nang kaniyang iayos ang mga patibayan ng lupa: Nasa siping nga niya ako na gaya ng matalinong manggagawa: At ako ang kaniyang ligaya sa araw-araw, Na nagagalak na lagi sa harap niya.”

Ito ay iniuugnay nila sa mga talatang nasa unahan upang patunayan na si
Cristo ay eksistido na raw bago pa lalangin ang lahat ng bagay. Ang binabanggit daw dito ay si Cristo. Malinaw raw na sinasabi rito na nasa siping na Siya ng Diyos bago pa pinasimulan ang Kaniyang mga gawa at bago nilikha ang lupa. Mula sa mga talatang nabanggit ay nagkonklusyon sila na si Cristo ay Diyos na Manlalalang.

Ang tinutukoy sa Kawikaan 8:22-30
Hindi ang Panginoong Jesucristo ang tinutukoy na naroon na sa pasimula ng paglalang ng Diyos kundi ang karunungan:

“Hindi ba umiiyak ang karunungan, At inilalabas ng unawa ang kaniyang tinig? … Akong karunungan ay tumatahan sa kabaitan, At aking nasusumpungan ang kaalaman at gunita.” (Kaw. 8:1, 12)

Ang karunungang naroon na nang wala pa ang lahat ay ang karunungan o kaunawaan ng Diyos na Kaniyang ginamit sa paglikha sa langit at lupa:

“Nilikha ng Panginoon ang lupa sa pamamagitan ng karunungan; Itinatag niya ang langit sa pamamagitan ng kaunawaan.” (Kaw. 3:19)

Natitiyak natin na ang karunungang ginamit ng Diyos sa paglikha ng langit at lupa ay hindi isa pang Diyos sapagkat kung magkagayon ay darami ang Diyos. Lalabag ito sa doktrina ng Biblia na iisa lamang ang Diyos (Mal. 2:10). Siya ang may-ari ng karunungang ginamit sa paglalang.

Ang ka-“natin” sa Genesis 1:26
Ang ka-“natin” at mga kausap ng Diyos nang sabihin Niyang “lalangin natin ang tao” ay hindi ang inaakala ng iba na dalawa pang persona ng Trinidad, kundi ang mga kerubin at mga serapin na naroon na bago pa nilalang ang tao:

“Ano pa’t itinaboy ang lalake; at inilagay sa silanganan ng halaman ng Eden ang mga Querubin at ang isang nagniningas na tabak na umiikot, upang ingatan ang daang patungo sa kahoy ng buhay.” (Gen. 3:24)

“Sa itaas niya ay nangatayo ang mga serapin: bawa’t isa’y may anim na pakpak: na may dalawa na nagsisitakip ng kaniyang mukha, at may dalawa na nagsisitakip ng kaniyang mga paa, at may dalawa na naglilipad sa kaniya.” (Isa. 6:2)

Subalit nang isagawa na ng Diyos ang aktuwal na paglalang ay Siya lamang mag-isa ang gumawa nito:

“At nilalang ng Dios ang tao ayon sa kaniyang sariling larawan, ayon sa larawan ng Dios siya nilalang; nilalang niya sila na lalake at babae.” (Gen. 1:27)

Walang “ka-manlalalang” o kinatulong ang Diyos nang lalangin Niya ang lahat ng bagay:

“Ganito ang sabi ng Panginoon, ng iyong Manunubos, at niyang naganyo sa iyo mula sa bahay-bata, Ako ang Panginoon na gumagawa ng lahat na bagay; na naglaladlad, na magisa ng langit; na naglalatag ng lupa.” (Isa. 44:24_

“Ikaw ang Panginoon, ikaw lamang; ikaw ang lumikha ng langit, ng langit ng mga langit, pati ng lahat na natatanaw roon, ng lupa at ng lahat na bagay na nangaroon, ng mga dagat at ng lahat na nangaroon, at iyong pinamalaging lahat; at ang hukbo ng langit ay sumasamba sa iyo.” (Neh. 9:6)

Samakatuwid, maling ipakahulugan na sa Genesis 1:26 ay nag-uusap ang mga diumano’y persona ng Trinidad. Ang pinatutunayan ng Biblia na kausap dito ng Diyos ay ang mga kerubin at mga serapin. Ang tunay na Diyos ay hindi Trinidad at hindi rin maaari na si Cristo ay maging Diyos na Manlalalang.

Ang kahulugan ng nasa Juan 1:3Ang sinasabing “ang lahat ay ginawa sa pamamagitan Niya” ay hindi nangangahulugang si Cristo ay ang lumalang, kundi, ang kahulugan nito ay ipamamagitan ni Cristo ang lahat ng bagay:

“Sapagka’t marapat sa kaniya na pinagukulan ng lahat ng mga bagay, at sa pamamagitan niya ang lahat ng mga bagay, …” (Heb. 2:10)

Pinatunayan pa ni Apostol Pablo sa ibang pagkakataon na talagang ang lahat ng bagay na nilalang ay iniukol kay Cristo at sa pamamagitan Niya:

“Sapagka’t sa kaniya nilalang ang lahat na mga bagay, sa sangkalangitan at sa sangkalupaan, na mga bagay na nakikita at ang mga bagay na di nakikita, maging mga luklukan o mga pagsakop o mga pamunuan o mga kapangyarihan; lahat ng mga bagay ay nilalang sa pamamagitan niya at ukol sa kaniya.” (Col. 1:16)

Kailangan ng lahat ng taong nilalang ng Diyos na sila’y ipamagitan ni Cristo sapagkat sa pamamagitan Niya ay papagkakasunduin ang tao sa Diyos:

“At sa pamamagitan niya ay pakipagkasunduin sa kaniya ang lahat ng mga bagay, na pinapayapa niya sa pamamagitan ng dugo ng kaniyang krus; sa pamamagitan niya, sinasabi ko, maging mga bagay sa kalupaan, o mga bagay sa sangkalangitan. At kayo, nang nakaraang panahon ay nangahihiwalay at mga kaaway sa inyong pagiisip sa inyong mga gawang masasama. Gayon ma’y pinakipagkasundo niya ngayon sa katawan ng kaniyang laman, sa pamamagitan ng kamatayan, upang kayo’y iharap na mga banal at walang dungis at walang kapintasan sa harapan niya.” (Col. 1:20-22)

Kaya, kung sinabi man sa Juan 1:3 na “ang lahat ng bagay ay ginawa (o nilalang) sa pamamagitan Niya” (o ni Cristo), hindi ito nangangahulugang si Cristo ay Diyos na Manlalalang. Ipinakikilala lamang nito na si Jesus ay Tagapamagitan ng tao sa Diyos (I Tim. 2:5).

Si Cristo’y hindi Diyos na ManlalalangAng isa pang katibayan na si Cristo’y hindi Diyos na Manlalalang ay ang katotohanang Siya man ay nilalang din ng Diyos:

“Na siya ang larawan ng Dios na di nakikita, ang panganay ng lahat ng mga nilalang.” (Col. 1:15)

Isa pa ito sa lalong nagpapatunay na mali ang pagkaunawa ng mga naniniwalang si Cristo’y Diyos sa mga talatang ginamit sa Juan 1:3; Genesis 1:26, at Kawikaan 8:22-30. Si Cristo ay hindi manlalalang, kundi isa Siyang nilalang. Siya ang panganay sa lahat ng nilalang.

Bakit sinabing si Cristo ang panganay sa lahat ng nilalang gayong hindi naman Siya ang unang taong nilalang? Sapagkat nakilala na Siya nang una bago pa itinatag ang sanlibutan. Siya ang una sa pagkapanukala. Nasa isip na Siya ng Diyos bago pa lalangin ang sanlibutan. Ngunit wala pang Cristo sa kalagayan noong pasimula ng paglalang. Inihayag lamang Siya nitong mga huling panahon:

“Na nakilala nga nang una bago itinatag ang sanglibutan, nguni’t inihayag sa mga huling panahon dahil sa inyo.” (I Ped. 1:20)

Nahayag o nagkaroon ng katuparan ang nasa isip ng Diyos noong una ukol sa pagkakaroon ng Cristo nang Siya ay ipanganak ng isang babae, si Maria na Kaniyang ina:

“Datapuwa’t nang dumating ang kapanahunan, ay sinugo ng Dios ang kaniyang Anak, na ipinanganak ng isang babae, na ipinanganak sa ilalim ng kautusan.” (Gal. 4:4)

Paano ngayon sasabihing si Cristo ang Siyang Diyos na Manlalalang? Si Cristo mismo ay hindi papayag sa gayong aral. Manapa, ipinakilala ni Cristo kung sino lamang ang Diyos na dapat sampalatayanan upang makamit ng tao ang buhay na walang hanggan – ang Ama at hindi ang Anak ang iisang tunay na Diyos:

“Ang mga bagay na ito ay sinalita ni Jesus; at sa pagtingala ng kaniyang mga mata sa langit, ay sinabi niya, Ama, dumating na ang oras; luwalhatiin mo ang iyong Anak, upang ikaw ay luwalhatiin ng Anak: … At ito ang buhay na walang hanggan, na ikaw ay makilala nila na iisang Dios na tunay, at siyang iyong sinugo, sa makatuwid baga’y si Jesucristo.” (Juan 17:1, 3)

Hindi ipinakilala ni Cristo ang Kaniyang sarili na Diyos, kundi “Anak” at “sinugo” ng Ama na Siyang iisang Diyos na tunay.

Samakatuwid, nagkakamali sa pagkaunawa at paggamit ng mga talata ng Banal na Kasulatan ang mga nagtuturo at naniniwalang si Cristo ay Diyos. Ang iisang tunay na Diyos ay ang Ama na lumalang ng lahat ng bagay. Hindi si Cristo ang Diyos na lumalang. Si Cristo ay nilalang. At bagama’t Siya ay pinagkalooban ng Ama ng maraming katangian at karangalang wala sa ibang tao, Siya ay tao sa likas na kalagayan. Ito ay isa sa mga aral na dapat panindiganan at sampalatayanan sapagkat ito ay ikapagkakaroon ng buhay na walang haggan.