Infants should not be baptized

Mario Duerte Wrote:

I ATTENDED YOUR worship service with a friend and noticed that in one part of the service, the minister prayed for an infant brought in front of the congregation by its parents.

I asked my friend if what I saw was the counterpart of infant baptism. He answered me that it was not. Thus, it led me to write you to ask why there is no infant baptism inside the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Editor's reply:

The Lord Jesus Christ states that those who have been preached the gospel and believed in it will be baptized (cf. Mk. 16:15-16).  Infants cannot believe in the gospel because they do not yet have the capacity to understand. Faith or belief in the gospel is attained by listening to the message and believing in it. The message should be preached by messengers sent by God (cf. Rom. 10:17, 14-15). These elements (preaching of the gospel and listening to it) have to be present; thus, the listener should have the faculty to comprehend and believe in, which infants do not have. Hence, they should not be baptized. The Apostle Paul stated that, “Anyone who lives in milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness” (Heb. 5:13, New International Version).

Infants are offered to God through prayer and the laying on of hands as set by the example of our Lord Jesus Christ:

“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’.

 “When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” (Mt. 19:13-15, NIV)  

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

"As long as I follow God and Jesus Christ"

Letter from Carlo Ulack 

TO SAY  THE   LEAST,   the doctrine  that membership in the Church of Christ is necessary for salvation is highly problematic. For what about the people to whom it is extremely improbable to preach the doctrines you uphold—like those in very remote tribes or in places where Christianity is illegal? As for me, it's my conviction that as long as I follow God and Jesus Christ I will go to heaven. This is all that matters. I am saved even if I refuse to enter the Church of Christ.

Editor's reply:

Indeed, as long as we follow God and Jesus Christ,   we   can  hope   to go to heaven. However, to say this on one hand while refusing to be a part of the Church of Christ on the other, is an in- consistency, for Jesus Christ, whom God made Savior (Acts 5:31), clearly identified whom He will save:

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

Clearly,    anyone   who   wants     to be saved   must   enter  into  the   fold through our Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul   makes  it clear that the fold or flock referred to is the Church of Christ which Christ   purchased  with His blood: 

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 TransIation, emphasis ours)

Notice that  Jesus  Christ    invites those who want to be saved to enter not just any church  but His  Church, the  Church of Christ. It   is  therefore not surprising that it is the members of the Church of Christ—-those  who heeded Christ's invitation—whom the Bible guarantees of salvation:

"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.

''Husbands,  love your  wives  just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it." 
(Eph. 5:23, 25, Today's English Version, emphasis ours)

Lest anyone suppose that   people outside Christ's fold or Church will likewise  be    saved,   the   Bible   ascertains that  "God will   judge  them"    (I Cor.  5:12-13, Ibid.). Therefore, for  a person to go to heaven or be saved, he must not refuse to enter the Church of Christ,  because becoming a member of this Church is,  in  fact,  following the will of God and of Christ.

As to the people who live in places that can  hardly be  reached   by  the preaching of the true gospel, Apostle Paul explained their case in relation to salvation:

"All who sin  apart  from   the  law will also perish apart from the  law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law".

"(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law   are  written on their hearts,  their consciences  also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing,   now  even   defending them.)" (Rom.   2:12,   14-15,   New International Version)

Apostle Paul   taught  that  those who had   not   received   the   gospel   will    be judged through the law that is written in their hearts with their consciences bearing witness. Those who have not  been reached by the preaching of the words of God also know what is good and bad because there is a law written in their hearts.   For instance,  even  those  who have never heard the gospel   preached know that acts such as murder and theft are evil, for their conscience dictates so. Thus, the people who sin apart from the law will be judged through the law written in their hearts. God will judge those who are being judged by their hearts because He is greater than our hearts, and knows all things (John 3:20).

Nonetheless,   people   like   us   who have the opportunity and means to listen to the true gospel have the responsibility to fulfill what God requires of us in order to be saved. We must "seek the law" because on the day of Judgment, we will be judged according to the gospel (Mal. 2:7; Rom.  2:16). 

Ang kahuli-hulihang pagsusugo

DAHIL SA PAG-IBIG ng Diyos sa mga tao sa mga huling araw na ito, itinatag Niya ang kahuli-hulihang gawain sa pagliligtas. Ito na ang huling pagkakataon sa kaligtasan na ibinibigay Niya sa tao. Alamin natin kung alin ang gawaing ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo ng Biblia.

Binabanggit sa Isaias 41:4 ang mga sali’t saling lahi na tinawag ng Diyos. Ganito ang sinasabi sa hula:

“Sinong gumawa at yumari, na tumawag ng mga sali’t saling lahi mula ng una? Akong Panginoon, ang una, at kasama ng huli, ako nga.”

Ipinangako ng Diyos na kung paanong kasama Siya ng unang tinawag Niya ay gayundin ang huli. Sa mga sali’t saling lahing ito, si Abraham ang una (Gen. 12:1). At kaalinsabay ng pagtawag sa kaniya ay ang pagbibigay sa kaniya ng tipan at mga pangako:

“At hindi na tatawagin ang pangalan mong Abram, kundi Abraham ang magiging iyong pangalan; sapagka’t ikaw ay ginawa kong ama ang maraming bansa…At aking papagtitibayin ang aking tipan sa iyo at sa iyong binhi pagkamatay mo sa buong kalahian nila, na tipang walang hanggan, na ako’y magiging iyong Dios, at ng iyong binhi, pagkamatay mo.” (Gen. 17:5, 7)

Si Abraham at ang kaniyang binhi ay binigyan ng tipang dumiyos sa Diyos. Ang tipang ibinigay ng Diyos kay Abraham ay isang tipang walang hanggan.

Ang mga tagapagmana

Ang mga sali’t saling lahi na nagmana ng tipang ibinigay kay Abraham ay ipinakilala rin ng Biblia:

“Ang tipan na kaniyang ginawa kay Abraham, At ang kaniyang sumpa kay Jacob na pinakapalatuntunan, Sa Israel na pinakawalang hanggang tipan.” (Awit 105:9-10)

Ang tipan na ibinigay kay Abraham ay minana ni Isaac, pinagtibay kay Jacob, at pagkatapos ay sa bayang Israel. Kaya, noon, ang Israel lamang ang tanging bansa sa daigdig na tinubos ng Diyos dahil sa tipang minana nito kay Abraham (II Sam. 7:23-24, New Pilipino Version).

Subalit, ang Israel ay hindi namalagi sa pagiging bayan ng Diyos sapagkat ang mga Israelita ay tumalikod (Mal. 3:7, Ibid.). Lumayo sila sa kautusan ng Diyos sa halip na sumunod. Bunga nito, nawala sa kanila ang karapatan sa tipang kanilang minana kay Abraham.

Sapagkat ang tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham ay walang hanggan, bagaman tumalikod ang bayang Israel ay may nalabi naming isang binhi (Roma 9:27, 29). Ang binhng nalabi ay si Cristo:

“Ngayon kay Abraham nga sinabi ang mga pangako, at sa kaniyang binhi. Hindi sinasabi ng Dios, At sa mga binhi, na gaya baga sa marami; kundi gaya sa iisa lamang, At sa iyong binhi, na si Cristo.” (Gal. 3:16)

Itinuturing din na binhi ni Abraham ang mga kay Cristo:

“At kung kayo’y kay Cristo, kayo nga’y binhi ni Abraham, at mga tagapagmana ayon sa pangako.” (Gal. 3:29)

Subalit ang banggit ay isang binhi? Paano naging isang binhi si Cristo at ang mga sa Kaniya? Niliwanag ito ni Apostol Pablo:

“Na inalis ang pagkakaalit sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang laman, kahit kautusan na may mga batas at ang palatuntunan; upang sa dalawa ay lalangin sa isa ang isang taong bago, sa ganito’y ginagawa ang kapayapaan.” (Efe. 2:15)

Nilalang ni Cristo sa Kaniyang sarili ang isang taong bago mula sa dalawa. Ang dalawa na binabanggit Niya ay ang ulo at ang katawan (Col. 1:18). Ang ulo ay si Cristo at ang katawan na kinaroroonan ng mga taong sa Kaniya ay ang Iglesia. Sa harap ng Diyos ay iisa lamang sila – isang taong bago.

Ang pangalan ng Iglesia na pinangunguluhan at katawan ni Cristo ay Iglesia ni Cristo:

“Magbatian kayo ng banal na halik. Lahat ng iglesya ni Cristo ay bumabati sa inyo.” (Roma 16:16, NPV)

Kaya, ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay binhi ni Abraham. Ito ang nagmana ng tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham nang tumalikod ang Israel. Subalit, ang unang Iglesia ni Cristo ay hindi rin namalagi sa tipan. Tumalikod din ito.

Sa mga huling araw

Nagkagayunman, dahil ang tipan kay Abraham ay walang hanggan, muling tumawag ang Diyos ng binigyan Niya ng tipan. Sa hula ni Propeta Isaias ay sinabi ang ganito:

“Nguni’t ikaw, Israel, lingkod ko, Jacob na siyang aking pinili, na binhi ni Abraham na aking kaibigan; Ikaw na aking hinawakan mula sa mga wakas ng lupa, at tinawag kita mula sa mga sulok niyaon, at pinagsabihan kita, Ikaw ay aking lingkod, aking pinili ka at hindi kita itinakuwil.” (Isa. 41:8-9)

Ang hinuhulaan ay binhi rin ni Abraham. Tinawag siyang Israel at Jacob. Subalit, hindi ang Israel at Jacob sa laman ang tinutukoy dahil ang panahon ng pagtawag sa kaniya ay sa “mga wakas ng lupa.” Nilinaw ni Cristo kung kailan ang panahong “mga wakas ng lupa.”

“Gayon din naman kayo, pagka nangakita ninyo ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito, ay talastasin ninyo na siya’y malapit na, nasa mga pintuan nga.” (Mat. 24:33)

Ang “mga wakas ng lupa” ay katumbas ng binanggit ni Cristo na “nasa mga pintuan nga.” Ito ang panahong malapit na Siyang pumarito o malapit na ang wakas ng daigdig. May ibinigay napalatandaan si Cristo sa panahong “nasa mga pintuan” o nasa “mga wakas na ng lupa”. Ang sabi Niya, “pagka nangakita ninyo ang lahat ng mga bagay na ito.”

Ang isa sa mga ibinigay ni Cristo na palatandaan ay ang digmaang aalingawngaw:

“At mangakakarinig kayo ng mga digmaan at mga alingawngaw ng mga digmaan; ingatan ninyo na huwag kayong magulumihanan: sapagka’t kinakailangang ito’y mangyari datapuwa’t hindi pa ang wakas.” (Mat. 24:6)

Sinabi rin sa hula ang uri ng digmaang tinutukoy. Ganito ang nakasulat sa Isaias 34:1-2:

“Kayo’y magsilapit, kayong mga bansa, upang mangakinig; at dinggin ninyo, ninyong mga bayan: dinggin ng lupa at ng buong narito; ng sanlibutan, at ng lahat na bagay na nagsisilitaw rito. Sapagka’t ang Panginoon ay may galit laban sa lahat ng bansa, at pusok ng loob laban sa lahat nilang hukbo: kaniyang lubos na nilipol sila, kaniyang ibinigay sila sa patayan.”

Ang sinasabing digmaan ay sasaklaw sa “mga bansa” o sa buong “sang-libutan.” Kaya, ito ay digmaang pandaigdig.

Hinulaan din ang mga kasangkapang gagamitin sa digmaang ito. Sinabi ni Propeta Jeremias na kabilang sa mga kasangkapang gagamitin ang “mga kabayong matulin pa kaysa mga agila” at “mga karong parang ipo-ipo”:

“Narito, siya’y sasagupang parang mga ulap, at ang kaniyang mga karo aymagiging parang ipoipo ang kaniyang mga kabayo ay lalong matulin kay sa mga aguila. Sa aba natin! sapagka’t tayo’y nangapahamak. …Ang hirap ko, ang hirap ko! Ako’y nagdaramdam sa aking puso; ang dibdib ko ay kakabakaba, hindi ako matahimik; sapagka’t iyong narinig, Oh kaluluwa ko, ang tunog ng pakakak, ang hudyat ng pakikidigma.” (Jer. 4:13, 19)

Lahat ng mga hulang binabanggit sa itaas ay natupad. Ang katuparan ay ang digmaang sumiklab noong 1914 na karaniwang tinatawag na Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Ganito ang patotoo ng isang aklat-kasaysayan:

“The First World War was unlike any war in the past. …This was the first war ‘in three dimensions’, the first war in which cities were bombed from the air and winged warriors fought among the clouds. Of course the airplanes of 1914 were not so fast, so formidable, nor so numerous as those of today. They were really more important as scouts (a kind of aerial ‘cavalry’), photographing enemy movements from above. …the British had invented the tank, or land battleship – an armored automobile which could move on rough ground because it was built like a tractor.” [Ang Unang Digmaang Pansanlibutan ay hindi katulad ng alinmang digmaan sa nakaraan. …Ito ang unang digmaan sa tatlong larangan, ang unang digmaan na ang mga lungsod ay binomba mula sa himpapawid at ang mga mandirigmang may pakpak ay naglabanan sa alapaap. Mangyari pa na ang mga eroplano noong 1914 ay hindi gaanong mabibilis, di gaanong matitibay, ni di gaanong marami di tulad ngayon. Ang mga ito ay sadyang lalong mahalaga bilang tagamanman (isang uri ng kabayuhang panghimpapawid), na kumukuha ng larawan mula sa itaas. …ng mga kilos ng mga kaaway. Naimbento ng Britanya ang tanke, o panlupang pandigmang bapor – isang aseradong awtomobil na maaaring dumaan sa mabakong lupa sapagkat ito ay niyaring katulad ng traktora.] (World History, pp. 478-479)

Ang digmaang sumiklab noong 1914 ay hindi lamang kinasangkutan ng maraming bansa sa daigdig, kundi, unang digmaan din ito sa tatlong larangan. Ang binabanggit sa hula na “mga kabayong matulin pa kaysa mga agila” at “mga karong parang ipoipo” ay ang mga eroplano at mga tanke na unang ginamit sa digmaang ito. Ito ay naganap sa panahong maunlad na ang komunikasyon. Naimbento na noon an radyo, telepono, at telebisyon. Bunga nito, umalingawngaw o napabalita sa buong mundo ang digmaang sumiklab noong 1914.

Kaya noong 1914, ang panahon ay nasa mga wakas na ng lupa. Ito ang panahon ng pagtawag ng Diyos sa Kaniyang sugo na hinuhulaan sa Isaias 41:8-9.

Ang huling pasugo

Hindi maipagkakamali ang sugong hinuhulaan sa ibang mga sugo na tinawag ng Diyos. Bukod sa panahon ng pagtawag sa kaniya ay hinulaan din ang dakong kaniyang pagmumulan:

“Kaya’t luwalhatiin ninyo ang Panginoon sa silanganan, sa makatuwid baga’y ang pangalan ng Panginoon, ng Diyos ng Israel, sa mga pulo ng dagat. Mula sa kaduluduluhang bahagi ng lupa ay nakarining kami ng mga awit, kaluwalhatian sa matuwid…” (Isa. 24:15-16)

Ang sugo ay magmumula sa bansang binubuo ng mga pulo sa Malayong Silangan. Ang katuparan ng dako na pagmumulan ng hinuhulaang sugo ay ang Pilipinas. Ayon sa kasaysayan:

The Philippines were Spain’s share of the first colonizing movement in the Far East; the name means the ‘islands of Philip’ and refers to that grim ruler, King Philip II.” [Ang Pilipinas ay naging bahagi ng Espanya sa unang kilusang pananakop sa malayong Silangan; ang pangalan ay nangangahulugang ‘mga pulo ni Felipe’ at tumutukoy sa malupit na pinunong iyon na si Haring Felipe II.] (World History, p. 445)

Ang Pilipinas ay nasa malayong Silangan. Binubuo ito ng mahigit sa 7, 100 mga pulo. Kaya, ang sugo ng Diyos at ang bunga ng Kaniyang gawain na hinulaan ni Propeta Isaias ay magmumula sa Pilipinas sa panahon ng mga wakas ng lupa.

Si Kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo ang kinatuparan ng hinulaang tinawag ng Diyos. Ang bunga ng gawain niya ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo na narehistro sa pamahalang Pilipinas noong Hulyo 27, 1914, kaalinsabay ng pagsiklab ng Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Taglay nito ang tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham na tipang walang hanggan. Ito ang gawaing pagliligtas ng Diyos sa mga huling araw.

Ang susunod sa pasugong ito ay ang araw na ng paggapas. Nakasaad ang ganito sa aklat ng Apocalipsis na isinulat ni Apostol Juan:

“At nakita ko, at narito, ang isang alapaap na maputi; at nakita ko nanakaupo sa alapaap ang isang katulad ng isang anak ng tao, na sa kaniyang ulo’y may isang putong na ginto, at sa kaniyang kamay ay may isang panggapas na matalas. At lumabas ang ibang anghel sa templo, na sumisigaw ng malakas na tinig doon sa nakaupo sa alapaap, Ihulog mo ang iyong panggapas, at gumapas ka; sapagka’t dumating na ang oras ng paggapas, sapagka’t ang aanihin sa lupa ay hinog na.” (Apoc. 14:14-15)

Ang araw ng paggapas o pag-aani ay ang katapusan ng mundo ayon na rin kay Cristo:

“At ang kaaway na naghasik ng mga ito ay ang Diablo: at ang pag-aani ay ang katapusan ng sanglibutan; at ang mga mangaani ay ang mga anghel.” (Mat. 13:39)

Kaya, ang “huli” sa sali’t saling lahi na tinawag ng Diyos ay si Kapatid na Felix Manalo. Ang gawaing iniatang sa kaniya ay siya ring huling pasugo ng Diyos sapagkat ito ay aabot na hanggang sa katapusan ng mundo. Ito ang huling pagkakataon na ibinibigay ng Diyos upang ang tao ay maligtas.

The greatness of love

WHEN THE PHARISEES asked our Lord Jesus Christ which the great commandment in the law is, He answered that the first and great commandment is that man shall love the Lord God and the second is that he shall love his neighbor as himself (Matt. 22:36-39).

This is clear proof of the greatness of love. In fact, in the absence of love, anything that man does for his neighbor, and especially for the Lord God and Lord Jesus Christ is in vain – however great the deed may be. The Apostle Paul says, “… And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (I Cor. 13:13, New King James Version)

The emphasis placed on the superiority of love over faith and hope is not meant to diminish the importance of faith or of great works. According to the Apostle Paul, faith is important and valuable to our Lord Jesus Christ – if it is “faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6, Ibid.).

Thus a person who does not have love is nothing even if by all his faith he is able to remove mountains. The Bible explicitly states: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (I Cor. 13:1-3, Ibid.).

Therefore, the person who is worthy in the sight of God is he who genuinely loves Him. If anyone wishes his service and worship to be valued and accepted by God, he must make sure that he does it out of love, and not on account of selfish motive.

The Bible teaches that we, human beings, have been the ones chosen by God since the beginning to accord Him everlasting love. Even before the foundation of the world God had already chosen man to be holy and without blame before Him in love (Eph. 1:4).

The Bible also teaches how man will be able to accomplish this or how he should love God who created him. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (I John 5:3, NKJV). Hence, man need not invent ways to express and manifest his love for God, for He has already made known through His words written in the Bible what He wants: We should prove our love for Him by keeping His commandments. Whoever refuses to obey God’s commands does not truly love Him.

“Let love be without hypocrisy,” says the Apostle Paul (Rom. 12:9, Ibid.) The love that is without hypocrisy is “love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (I Tim. 1:5, Ibid.). A person whose love is hypocritical, pretentious or insincere may be able to cheat his fellowman but he will never be able to deceive God, for He knows everything, even what is in man’s heart and mind. He thus knows well whether our love for Him comes from a pure heart or is hypocritical.

For this reason, those who purport to serve God but actually only pursue their own gain, those whose service does not stem from sincere love but merely seeks to satisfy themselves, do not please God but commit a terrible sin. And they will not be able to hide this from Him. God says through the prophet Ezekiel: “So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain” (Ezek. 33:31, Ibid.)

Here God reproves people who come to Him, but whose purported love for Him does not come form their heart, because they are obviously only after their own gain. Such people in our time are those whose only and real motive in joining a religion is so that God will help them succeed in their business, make progress in their profession, recover from illness, and other similar gains. And although apparently they desire to serve God, they nevertheless refuse to do His bidding, reasoning out that man will not be justified by works for, allegedly, faith alone is what really matters.

The proof that man who merely professes faith but does not demonstrate it by works will not become acceptable to God is Christ’s warning on what will happen on Judgment Day to those who do not do the will of God in heaven: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt. 7:21:23, Ibid.)

Obedience to God’s command is an essential characteristics of a man who truly loves Him. But man whom God created is weak (Matt. 26:41) such that even though he aspires to do good, which is God’s command, yet he finds that by himself he is incapable of doing it, and instead what he does is the contrary – the evil that he does not wish to do (Rom. 7:12, 18-20).

Thus, before God created man, He predestined him to adoption as a son by the Lord Jesus Christ to Himself (Eph. 1:5) so that through man’s relationship with Christ His purpose can be achieved: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10, NKJV). Therefore, on his own, man will not be able to live up to God’s purpose that he be holy and without blame before Him in love because he sins. Man needs to be created in Christ and this is by means of being part of the one new man, which Christ created in Himself, as recorded in the Scripture: “having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandmentscontained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace” (Eph. 2:15, Ibid.). The one new man is composed of one head and one body. Christ is the head and the Church is His body (Col. 1:18).

Therefore, in order for man to fulfill God’s purpose in creating him he needs to join the true Church whom Christ recognizes as His own body. It is in this Church where man can prove his genuine love for God, which is manifested by his obedience to His commands.

Moreover, inside the true Church man will receive God’s perfect love, as taught in the Bible: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:10,NKJV). Because of God’s great love for us, “ even when we were dead in trespasses, [He] made us alive together with Christ …” (Eph. 2:4-5, Ibid.). How was it that we were considered dead and because of that we need to be made alive? When we sinned we were placed under God’s judgment, the second death in the lake of fire, and hence we were then counted as dead. But on account of God’s great love, we were made alive, The Bible says: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom. 5:8-9, Ibid.).

God sent His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. It is by this that God’s great love for man was made manifest because through this we have been justified and as a consequence we shall be saved from His wrath on Christ’s Second Advent.

We are certain that it is the Church of Christ which received God’s perfect love since it is the one justified by the blood of our Lord Jesus 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).

What was also proven to us when the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself up to us? He says, “Greater love has no one than this, that to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13, NKJV). Did not Christ do the greatest deed for the Church by making the supreme sacrifice for it? Thus, it is only just that we love the Lord God above all and the Lord Jesus Christ by being faithfully obedient to them for they accorded us the greatest love of all.

Many other gods? (Psalms 82:1, 6)

Juancho Corpuz Wrote:

IF THE FATHER is the only God as you claim, then why is it written in Psalms 82:l, 6 that "He - judges among the gods'' and "you are gods'?  And besides, what difference does it make if there are many true gods? Wouldn't it be better if there would be many gods? As the old adage goes, "the more the merrier?

Editor's reply:

     In response to your question, let us begin by quoting Psalms 82:1 and 6 in their entirety:

     “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.  
     “I said, ‘you are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High’.” (New King James   Version)

     The word “gods” in these verses refers to those whom God had placed as judges and leaders in the ancient nation of Israel. During the time of ancient Israel, the judges were called “gods’ although they were men. They were called “gods” not because they were truly gods by nature, but because they were appointed to execute God’s judgment in His nation. An example of this is mentioned in Exodus 21:6:

     “Then his master shall bring him to GOD, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for life.” (Revised Standard Version, emphasis ours)

     The same verses rendered in the New International Version of the Bible says:

     “Then his master must take him before the JUDGES. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.” (emphasis ours)

     Notice that the word “god” in the verse was used in reference to the judges. In the same manner, the “congregation of the mighty” mentioned in psalms 82:1 and 6 refers to the judges in ancient Israel-and not to many gods as if there were more than one God. Another proof that the word “gods” in Psalms 82:1 and 6 refers to the judges is the fact that they were condemned by the true God to die like mere men:

     “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
     “But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” (Ps. 82:2, 7, NIV)

     “Gods” in Psalms 82:1 and 6 must not be used to support the claim of plurality of gods. The belief in many other gods contradicts the teaching of the Bible that there is only one God, the Father in heaven (I Cor. 8:6), who Himself said, “…there is no God besides Me” (Is. 45:5, NKJV).

     It is very important for one to have the right knowledge about God. According to Jesus Christ, to know and believe that the Father is the only true God is to gain eternal life (Jn. 17:1, 3). On the other hand, those who do not know the true God will be condemned (II Thess. 1:8-9). Regarding the belief in the true God, the adage “the more the merrier” does not apply at all.  

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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. 

Ang Itinuturo ng Biblia na Paraan sa Ikaliligtas

“Ito ang sinasabi ng PANGINOON: ‘Tumindig kayo sa mga sangandaan at magmasid. Magtanong kayo tungkol sa mga dating landas. Itanong ninyo kung saan ang mabuting daan, at siya ninyong lakaran’…”
Jeremias 6:16, New Pilipino Version

Kung pare-parehong sa Diyos ang lahat ng relihiyon, hindi na ipahahanap pa ng Diyos ang mabuting daan. Ngunit hindi lamang Niya ipinahahanap ito kundi pinalalakaran pa ito sa tao.

SA PANANAW NG MARAMI, ang pangangailangan ng tao sa kaligtasan ay isang paksang hindi na dapat pagtalunan. Ang kontrobersya ay nasa pagkakaiba-iba ng mga paraan na itinuturo ng iba’t ibang tagapangaral ng relihiyon sa ikapagtatamo ng kaligtasan. Upang hindi magkamali ang tao sa susunding kaparaanan ay dapat niyang piliin ang pamamaraang itinuturo ng Diyos at ito’y mababasa sa Biblia. Kapag ang sinunod ng tao ay ang sarili niyang pamamaraan, hindi siya makararating sa pagpapawalang-sala na kaloob ng Diyos, anupa’t hindi siya maliligtas kahit taos-puso ang pagsisikap niyang maging kalugod-lugod sa Diyos, kung mali ang kaniyang batayan. Ganito ang sabi ni Apostol Pablo:

“Mapatutunayan kong sila’y nagsisikap na maging kalugod-lugod sa Diyos, subalit mali ang kanilang batayan. Sapagkat hindi nila nakilala ang pagpapawalang-sala na kaloob ng Diyos, at nagsikap silang magtayo ng sarili nilang pamamaraan sa halip na sundin ang pamamaraan ng Diyos.” (Roma 10:2-3, Magandang Balita Biblia)

Ang paraan ng kaligtasan sa panahon ni Noe
Sa mula’t mula pa, ang Diyos ay nagturo na ng paraan sa ikaliligtas ng tao sa hatol. Ang tao na sumunod sa paraang yaon ang nagligtas. Narito ang isang katibayan:

“Dahil sa pananalig sa Diyos, pinakinggan ni Noe ang babala ng Diyos tungkol sa mga bagay na mangyayari na hindi pa niya nakikita. Gumawa siya ng isang daong upang siya at ang kanyang sambahayan ay maligtas. Sa pamamagitan nito’y hinatulan niya ang sanlibutan, a siya’y ibinilang na matuwid ng Diyos dahil sa kanyang pananalig.” (Heb. 11:7, Ibid.)

Sa panahon ni Noe ay ipinasiya ng Diyos na lipulin sa pamamagitan ng malaking baha ang sanlibutan dahil sa kasamaan ng mga tao. Apatnapung araw at apatnapung gabi na bumuhos ang ulan at pagkatapos ay matagal na hindi humupa ang tubig. Ngunit bago nilipol ng Diyos ang sanlibutan noon, itinuro muna Niya kay Noe ang paraan ng kaligtasan. Inutusan Niya si Noe na gumawa ng isang daong.

Ano ang iniutos ng Diyos kay Noe at sa kaniyang sambahayan noong magawa na ang daong? Inutusan Niya sila na lumulan o pumasok doon:

“Datapuwa’t pagtitibayin ko ang aking tipan sa iyo; at ikaw ay lululan sa sasakyan, ikaw, at ang iyong mga anak na lalake, at ang iyong asawa, at ang mga asawa ng iyong mga anak na kasama mo.” (Gen. 6:18)

“At sinasabi ng Panginoon kay Noe, Lumulan ka at ang iyong buong sangbahayan sa sasakyan; sapagka’t ikaw ay aking nakitang matuwid sa harap ko sa panahong ito.” (Gen. 7:1)

Ang pagsunod ng wawalong tao sa paraang itinuro ng Diyos noon ay nagbunga sa kanila ng kaligtasan:

“At ang dating sanglibutan ay hindi pinatawad, datapuwa’t iningatan ni Noe na tagapangaral ng katuwiran na kasama ng ibang pito pa, noong dalhin ang pagkagunaw sa sanglibutan ng masasama.” (II Ped. 2:5)

Sa kabilang dako, ang mga hindi sumunod ay pawing nangapahamak:

“Sila ang hindi sumunod nang sila’y matiyagang hinintay ng Dios noong panahon ni Noe, samantalang ginagawa nito ang daong. Ilan lamang tao, walo lamang ang naligtas sa pamamagitan ng tubig.” (I Ped. 3:20, New Pilipino Version)

Ang may kaligtasan sa panahon ng mga propeta
Ngunit ang lahi ni Noe ay hindi nakapagpatuloy sa pagsunod sa Diyos. Subalit may sumunod na lahi na pinangakuan ng kaligtasan:

“Nguni’t ang Israel ay ililigtas ng Panginoon ng walang hanggang kaligtasan. …” (Isa. 45:17)

Pinatutunayan din ng Biblia na noon ay “walang Diyos sa buong lupa, kundi sa Israel” (II Hari 5:15). “Sila’y mga Israelita at itinuturing ng Diyos na mga anak niya. … Sa kanila nakipagtipan ang Diyos; sa kanila rin ibinigay ang Kautusan, ang tunay na pagsamba, at ang mga pangako” (Roma 9:4, MB). Kaya noon ay walang karapatang dumiyos sa Diyos ang “hindi kabilang sa Israel.” Ang sabi ni Apostol Pablo tungkol sa kanila: “… Wala kayong bahagi sa tipan at pangako ng Dios sa kanila. Wala kayong Dios o pag-asa sa kaligtasan” (Efe. 2:12, Salita ng Buhay).

Ang matandang Israel ay nagkaroon ng karapatan sa kaligtasan dahil sa tipan ng Diyos kay Abraham, na isinalin sa anak niyang si Isaac, na isinalin naman kay Jacob at sa kaniyang angkan (Awit 105:6, 8-10). Kaya, ang bayang Israel noon ang “pinili” ng Diyos upang maging Kaniya “na higit sa lahat ng mga bayan na nasa ibabaw ng balat ng lupa” (Deut. 7:6). Subalit, dumating ang panahon na ang Israel ay hindi nanatili sa pagsunod sa Diyos – sila ay tumalikod sa Kaniya at dahil dito ay nasumpa sila (Dan. 9:11).

Nagpatuloy ang Diyos sa pagtuturo ng paraan sa kaligtasan
Ang Diyos, palibhasa’y pag-ibig, ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng pagkakataon, at nagtuturo ng paraan sa ikaliligtas ng tao:

“Ito ang sinasabi ng PANGINOON: ‘Tumindig kayo sa mga sangandaan at magmasid. Magtanong kayo tungkol sa mga dating landas. Itanong ninyo kung saan ang mabuting daan, at siya ninyong lakaran, at doon ninyo masusumpungan ang kapahingahan ng inyong mga kaluluwa. Ngunit sinasabi ninyo, ‘Hindi kami lalakad doon’.

“Makinig ka, O daigdig: Ang baying ito ay padadalhan ko ng kapahamakan, ang bunga ng kanilang mga pakana, pagkat hindi sila nakinig sa aking mga salita at tinanggihan nila ang aking kautusan.” (Jer. 6:16, 19, NPV)

Kung pare-parehong sa Diyos ang lahat ng relihiyon, hindi na ipahahanap pa ng Diyos ang mabuting daan. Ngunit hindi lamang Niya ipinahahanap ito kundi pinalalakaran pa ito sa tao. Nangako ang Diyos sa mga nasa mabuting daan na sila ang makasusumpong ng kapahingahan ng kaluluwa. Ito ang kaligtasan at ang ipinangakong buhay na walang hanggan sa Bayang Banal sa piling ng Diyos (Apoc. 21:1-4). Subalit ang sabi ng iba, “hindi kami lalakad doon.” Kaya ang pasiya ng Diyos sa mga ayaw sa paraang itinuturo at ipinag-uutos Niya ay: “Padadalhan Ko [sila] ng kapahamakan, … pagkat hindi sila nakinig sa Aking mga salita at tinanggihan nila ang Aking kautusan.”

Sa panahong Cristiano, ang mabuting daan na dapat lakaran ng tao ay ang Panginoong Jesucristo:

“Sinabi sa kaniya ni Jesus, Ako ang daan, at ang katotohanan, at ang buhay: sinoman ay di makaparoroon sa Ama, kundi sa pamamagitan ko.

“Kaya’t muling sinabi ni Jesus, ‘Tandaan ninyo: ako ang pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa.

“Ako ang pintuan. Ang sinumang pumasok sa pamamagitan ko’y maliligtas. …” (Juan 14:6; 10:7, 9 MB)

Ang Panginoong Jesucristo ang pintuang dinaraanan – hindi sinasampalatayanan lamang – ng mga tupa. Ang sinumang daraan at papasok sa pamamagitan Niya ay maliligtas. Ang nasusulat na “sinuman,” kaya hindi nagtatangi ng tao ang Panginoong Jesucristo; ang itinatangi ay ang paraan: dapat dumaan o pumasok sa pamamagitan Niya. Tandaan natin na Siya ay nagturo ng mga aral at utos ng Diyos. Ang sabi Niya, “ang turo ko ay hindi akin, kundi doon sa nagsugo sa akin” (Juan 7:16). Kaya, ang itinuro ng Panginoong Jesucristo ay paraan ng Diyos:

“Magsipasok kayo sa kaniyang mga pintuang-daan na may pagpapasalamat, At sa kaniyang looban na may pagpupuri: Mangagpasalamat kayo sa kaniya, at purihin ninyo ang kaniyang pangalan.” (Awit 100:4)

Ang mga magpupuri o sasamba at magpapasalamat sa Diyos sa tamang paraan ay pinapapasok sa pintuang-daan at sila ay makararating sa looban. Ang katumbas ng “pintuang daan” sa Juan 10:1 ay “pintuan ng kulungan ng mga tupa” o “pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa” (Juan 10:7, MB). Ang katumbas naman ng “looban” sa Awit 100:4 ay “kulungan ng mga tupa.” Doon pumaloob ang mga tao na pumasok sa Panginoong Jesucristo. Kaya saRevised English Bible ay ganito ang pagkakasalin:

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

Ang “kawan” ay sheep pen sa John 10:9 ng saling God’s Word. Ito ang katumbas ng “kulungan ng mga tupa.” Kaya ang paraan tungo sa kaligtasan na itinuturo ng Diyos at ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo sa panahong Cristiano ay ang pagpasok sa pintuan na ang tinutukoy ay ang Panginoong Jesucristo o pagdaan sa Kaniya upang makarating sa loob ng kawan. Ang tutupad sa paraang ito ang pinangakuan ng kaligtasan sa ating panahon.

Ang kawan na tinutukoy ng ating Panginoong Jesucristo, na doon makakabilang ang mga taong tunay na pumasok sa Kaniya, ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo:

“… All the flock … the church of Chirst which he has purchased with his blood.” [… Ang buong kawan … ang iglesia ni Cristo na binili niya ng kaniyang dugo.] (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Ang katibayan pa na ang aral tungkol sa kaligtasan na itinuro ng Panginoong Jesucristo ay hindi Niya sariling pamamaraan kundi pamamaraan ng Diyos ay ito:

“Now glory be to God … because of his master plan of salvation for the church through Jesus Christ.” [Ngayon ay luwalhatiin nawa ang Diyos … dahil sa kaniyang pangunahing panukala ng kaligtasan para sa iglesia sa pamamagitan ni Jesucristo.] (Eph. 3:20-21, Living Bible)

Kaya kung tayo’y nasa tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo, ang kaligtasan ay para sa atin. Ito ay sapagkat pangunahing panukala ng Diyos na ang kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ni Cristo ay para sa Iglesia. Ito rin ang “bayan ng Dios” (I Ped. 2:10) ngayon. Tandaan din natin na nasa Iglesiang binili o tinubos ng dugo ng Panginoong Jesucristo ang pagpapawalang-sala at tiyak na kaligtasan (Roma 5:8-9, MB)

Kaya, ang tao na susunod sa paraang itinuturo ng Diyos ay tiyak na maliligtas at magmamana ng kaharian ng langit.

. The teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ emphasizing that those who love their parents more than they love Him will not be worthy of Him, does not mean that they should not love or obey our parents, rather, their love for the Lord Jesus and for the Lord God must be greater than their love for anybody else.

Between God's will and parents wish

Jackie Lou Militante Wrote:

I AM A17-year-old Catholic who been reading PASUGO and inquiring about the Iglesia ni Cristo for almost half a year now.  I have learned a lot of things by reading your articles but I know that I still have a lot more to learn.  And the only way I can learn is by studying your doctrines.

I have decided to undergo Bible study on doctrines but my mother won't allow me to. She thinks I have other reasons for joining your Church. But the fact is, I no longer believe in Catholic teachings.  I can't possibly go to a Catholic Church and expect myself to understand their teachings; nor can I set aside religion or forget I've ever come across such problem and go on with my life. I don't want to be a pagan either.

I really want to study the doctrines of your Church but I won't be able to do this without my parents permission, if I keep it from their knowledge, I won't be able attend the worship services. And If I decide to receive instructions on doctrines in spite of their objections, I will disobey them and sin against God for He ordered us to obey our parents, as written Ephesians 6:1-3.

I know that the second coming of Christ is near. And I don't want myself and my family to be endangered.

How can I convince my parents to allow me to study your Church's doctrines? They keep on saying that becoming a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo won't change anything and that as long as one is doing no evil to his fellowmen, he will be saved. Should I disobey my parents and yet do what is right?

Editor's reply:

It is heartening to note that, at your young age, you have already developed a great interest to search for the truth.

As regards your dilemma, the Bible teaches that we must respect or honor our parents for this is the first commandment with a promise (cf. Eph. 6:2). We must listen to and obey their advice knowing that their intentions are good. But there is a limit as to how far children ought to obey their parents. The Lord Jesus Christ clarified this to His disciples:

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mt. 10:37, New International Version)

The Lord Jesus Christ emphasized that those who love their parents more than they do love Him will not be worthy of Him. This does not mean that we should not love or obey our parents, rather, our love for the Savior and for the Lord God must be greater than our love for anybody else.

If our parents would coerce us into following or believing doctrines and practices which are against the will and commandments of the Lord, we would have to sacrifice obedience to parents for obedience to Christ and to God. Obedience to God must precede obedience to parents. God Himself stated, thus:

“I said to their children in the desert, ‘Do not follow the statues of your fathers or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Ezek. 20:18-19, Ibid.)

The choice you have to make may not be an easy one. You have to carefully weigh everything, knowing that your decision will have far-reaching consequences.

We pray that God bless and help you decide properly.

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