Iglesia ni Cristo - Primer

The Iglesia ni Cristo  today

THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO (Church of Christ) is a Christian religion whose primary purpose is to worship the Almighty God based on His teachings as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and as recorded in the Bible.

The Church of Christ is a church for everyone who will heed the call of God and embrace its faith—regardless of his or her nationality, cultural background, social standing, economic status, and educational attainment.

A GLOBAL CHURCH
Thus far, today, the membership of the  Iglesia ni Cristo comprises at least 106 nationalities. It maintains about 5,400 local congregations grouped into 104 ecclesiastical districts in the Philippines and in 92 more countries  and territories  in the six inhabited continents of the world. Its present Executive Minister is Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.

A 'RADIANT CHURCH'
In Ephesians 5:27, the Church of Christ is described as a "radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (New International Version").  Hence, the Iglesia ni Cristo molds its members toward perfect unity of faith and  practice, that each one will be devoted to a life of holiness and service founded on true Christian teaching.

A CHURCH THAT SHARES 
The Iglesia ni Cristo endeavors to share the gospel of salvation written in the Bible to as many people as possible, in fulfillment of Christ's vision  as stated in Mark 16:15-16: "... Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved ..."   (New King James Version). 

The   Church  continuously  preaches  the gospel not only to win over people into the Lord's flock but also to edify the faith of its members, "...admonishing and  teaching  everyone  with ail wisdom ...  [to] present everyone perfect  in Christ" (Colossians 1:28, NIV)

NATURE OF THE ORGANIZATION:

CHRISTIAN 
The Church of Christ adheres to the unadulterated teachings of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ written in the Bible. The faithful firmly believe that this Church is the fulfillment of biblical prophecies that the Church established by Christ would re-emerge in these last days for the salvation of humankind.

RELIGIOUS The Church's major activities include worship service, missionary works, and edification.

Worship service. This solemn gathering of the faithful is usually held on Thursdays and Sundays by every local congregation inside the house of worship. It consists of hymn singing, prayers, and study of God's words for proper applications in daily living.

Missionary Works.  The members gladly fulfill their duty to share the faith. They invite all people to attend Bible study sessions and worship services. The Church also uses mass media in spreading its message of hope to a broader audience.

The Pasugo: God's Message, the monthly official magazine of the Church, carries mainly religious articles and Church news and features.

DZEM (954 kHz) broadcasts programs that discuss Bible teachings. These programs are aired by about 60 other radio stations all over the Philippines and several more in the US and Australia.

GEM TV-49, as well as major cable stations in the Philippines and some channels in the US, telecast the Church's religious programs featuring biblical teachings.

Edification. For the spiritual welfare of the members, prayer meetings are held weekly by each group of neighboring households for further instructions in the faith and announcements about Church projects and activities.

Pastoral visitations to the brethren are conducted regularly by the Church officers for prayer and spiritual counseling.

Through its Christian family organizations (Buklod, KADIWA, and Binhi) the Church of Christ undertakes projects to strengthen the family, to guide the single members in right living and in proper conduct, and to assist the youth in their studies. The Buklod (bond) is the organization of married members. The KADIWA (acronym of a Filipino phrase meaning "Youth with a Noble Intent ) is for the single members 18 years and older, and the Binhi (seed) is composed of 13 to 17-year old members.

INDEPENDENT The Iglesia ni Cristo is not a denomination or sect. It is neither affiliated to any federation of religious bodies nor itself an assembly of smaller religious organizations. The Iglesia ni Cristo is Christ's one true Church today.

CORE VALUES:

BIBLE AS BASIS OF FAITH The Iglesia ni Cristo regards  the Holy Scriptures as the sole  basis of its faith and practice. Some of its fundamental scriptural teachings are as follows:

• Absolute oneness of God the Father. The Church believes in the teaching of Christ and the apostles that the Father, the Creator, alone is the true God. (John 17:1, 3; I Cor. 8:6)
• Jesus Christ the Son of God. The Iglesia ni Cristo believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. God made Him Lord and Savior. He is the only Mediator of man to God. Jesus Christ is holy and a very special man but not God. (Matt. 3:17; Acts 2:36; 5:31; I Tim. 2:5; John 10:36; 8:40; Acts 2:22, Easy-to-Read Version)
• The Church of Christ. The faithful firmly believe that the Church of Christ is the one Christ established for the salvation of mankind. It is for the Church that Christ gave His life and thus, it is this Church that He will save on Judgment Day. (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation;  Eph. 5:23, 25)
• Judgment Day. The Church of Christ believes that God appointed a day when He will judge all people through Christ. This is the day of the Second Advent of Christ, which is also the end of the world. (.Acts 17:31; Jude 1:14-15; II Pet. 3:7, 10)
• Baptism. The Iglesia m Cristo observes the biblical way of baptism, which is immersion in water. Receiving baptism in the Church of Christ is necessary for one to become a disciple of Christ, to be forgiven of sin, and to have hope for salvation, (Acts 8:38; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16)
• Resurrection. The resurrection of Christ is the main proof that the dead will rise. Those in Christ will  rise first to be with Him forever in the Holy City. Those who are not of Christ will rise a thousand years after the first resurrection to be cast into the lake of fire. (I Cor. 15:12-13; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:5-10; 21:1-4)

UNITY
The Church of Christ is one in faith and practice. Its unity remains intact through a centralized form of administration that ensures the adherence of all members and congregations to the same Bible teachings and Church rules.

MORALITY AND HOLINESS
The Iglesia ni Cristo strives to maintain a high moral standard, It regards the teaching of the Bible as a way of life. It promotes purity of life among its members by means of instructions, reminders, and, when necessary, corrective or disciplinary measures.

PEACE AND ORDER
The Church of Christ helps maintain peace and order by teaching its members to respect and observe rules and regulations governing such. They are dissuaded from joining unions and organizations that resort to violence or extra-legal means to advance their causes.

LAWFULNESS AND DISCIPLINE
The Church puts a premium on lawfulness and discipline. It complies with the apostolic teaching to submit to human authority, that is, the duly constituted government, and abide by its laws (Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13). But over and above any law, its members obey the laws of God for Christians in our time as written in the Bible.

BROTHERHOOD AND EQUALITY OF MEMBERS
THE Iglesia ni Cristo promotes Christian brotherly love. All members are deemed equal in the sight of God (Gal. 3:26, 28). Gender, racial, social, educational, and economic discriminations are strongly discouraged.

SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE
Marriage in the Church of Christ is regarded as sacred and inviolable. It is God Himself who instituted marriage and He does not allow the separation of the husband and the wife whom He joined together (Matt. 19:4-6). Thus, the Church of Christ does not subscribe to divorce, annulment, or legal separation as a solution to marital problems in the same way that it opposes live-in relationships and same-sex marriage.

STABILITY OF THE FAMILY
The Church of Christ acknowledges the importance of family as the basic unit of its organization and of society as a whole. The stability of every family contributes to the stability of the entire Church- The home is where religious education begins so Christian parenting and proper love of children are taught and reinforced at every opportune time.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
The Church of Christ upholds the democratic ideal of separation of Church  and State. It advances through peaceful and legal means the right and freedom of its members and congregations to conduct worship and other religious activities as provided for and protected by the fundamental law of the land. 

GLOBAL EXPANSION

BEGINNINGS 
The Iglesia ni Cristo was first preached by brother Felix Y. Manalo in the Philippine capital city of Manila. Its first local congregation was established in Punta, Sta. Ana. On July 27,1914, the Church was registered with the Philippine government.

In  1915, Brother Felix Manalo, as the first Executive Minister of the Church, started training ministers to assist him in the propagation of the gospel. By 1918, ministers and volunteer preachers were being sent to provinces around Manila. In its tenth year, the first ecclesiastical district was organized in Pampanga province.

DOMESTIC GROWTH
By 1939, the Church had already expanded  to as  far  as  Ilocos Norte province in Northern Luzon to Cebu province in the Visayas with the addition of 14 districts. It reached farther south in Mindanao in 1946 with the establishment of a  district in Cotabato. When Brother Erano G.  Manalo    assumed   overall   administration   as the Executive Minister in April 1963, the Church had established districts in more than half of all Philippine provinces.

OVERSEAS
On July 27,1968, the first worship service of the Church outside the Philippines was held in Ewa Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii. Brother Erano Manalo officiated at this historic event which marked the establishment of the Honolulu Congregation, the first overseas mission of the Church. The following month, he went to California to establish the San Francisco Congregation and lead its inaugural worship service.

The Americas.
In 1971, the Church set foot in Canada. In June 1987, the US Main Office (USMO) was set up in Daly City, California to assist the Central Administration in supervising the then 11 districts of the Church in the West.

The first local congregation in Latin America was established in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1990. The following year, the Church reached Mexico and Aruba. From  2000 and beyond, congregations rose in the Central and South American countries. The local congregation of Los Angeles is the second local congregation of the Church of Christ in the US Mainland.  A beautiful new chapel was dedicated to God on March 2011.

Europe.
The first local congregation in Europe was established in England in 1972. The Church came to Germany and Switzerland in the mid-70s. By the end of the 1980s, congregations and missions could be found in the Scandinavian countries and their neighbors.

Mediterranean  
The Rome, Italy Congregation was established on July 27,1994; the Jerusalem, Israel Congregation in March 1996; and the Athens, Greece Congregation in May 1997. The predecessors (prayer groups) of these full-fledged congregations began two decades earlier. Meanwhile, the mission first reached Spain in 1979.

Africa
The first mission in northern Africa. opened in Nigeria in October 1978. After a month, the King William's Town Congregation, in South Africa was established.

Asia, Australia and Oceania
A congregation was organized in Guam  in  1969. In Australia, congregations have been established since mid-1970s. The Church first reached China by way of Hong Kong, and Japan through Tokyo also in the 1970s. Missions have also opened in Kazakhstan and Sakhalin Island in Russia.

In Southeast Asia, the first congregation in Thailand was established in 1976. Congregations have since sprung in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and many other countries and territories throughout Pacific. 

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Source: Light of Salvation Christian Readings

The Iglesia ni Cristo upholds birth control and family planning through artificial methods. This is in consonance with the commandment of God for man to “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it"

A word on birth control

Renante Yu Wrote:

I HAVE BEEN watching your TV program every weekend. Please answer my question:  What is your stand about birth control?  Does the Bible prohibit the use of contraceptives? 

Editor's reply:

The Iglesia ni Cristo upholds birth control and family planning through artificial methods. This is in consonance with the commandment of God for man to “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it":

“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over every living that moves on the earth’.” (Gen. 1:28, NKJV, emphasis ours)

God commanded man to fill the earth through procreation. In due time, however, God commands man to subdue the population or to bring it under control. Thus, the use of contraceptives to bring the human population under control is not against the will of God.

Any kind of artificial contraception (unless proven to be abortifacient or inducing abortion) can be agreed upon and used by couples after consulting with a medical expert regarding its applicability to their health.

During these times of economic crisis, a large family with low income will find it hard to meet all its needs. Children may consequently be deprived of proper food, nutrition, and education. Such bad conditions would only contribute to the increase of social problems.

     Therefore, family planning with the use of artificial birth control methods is part of responsible parenthood. And those who do not provide for their households [by their own imprudence] are worse than unbelievers (cf. I Tim. 5:8).

⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (I Tim. 5:8, NKJV)

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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

Reaching the blissful Holy City

DO YOU WANT to have a vacation?

Probably, you are one of those who feel burned out and dream of going to a place where you can relieve yourself from the stresses of everyday life and enjoy even a few days or weeks of rest and relaxation.

There may be some place where you can try to relax for a while, but we know too well that no matter where we may go in this world, no matter where we may run, we could never fully escape from discomfort, hardships, and problems. Yet, true Christians know that this world is not all there is; they know and believe that there is a place so wonderful that the present world cannot compare with. That place is the kingdom of heaven or the Holy City.

A city of pure gold and of eternal life

The Bible gives a vivid description of the Holy City:

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

“The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald. The fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” (Rev. 21:1-2; 16-21, New King James Version)

Apostle John further describes the Holy City. He wrote:

“In the middle of the street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:2-5, Ibid.)

Think about this for a minute. A city of pure gold, clear as glass; the building of its wall jasper; the foundations of its wall garnished with precious stones, with its 12 gates 12 pearls; and its street pure gold. In the midst of the street is the tree of life. Is there any place like this in the whole world?

Regarding the life in the Holy City, Apostle John says:

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them, and be their God’. ’And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’.

“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from’? And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know’. So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’.” (Rev. 21:3-4; 7:13-17, Ibid.)

In the Holy City, there will be eternal life. Man will enjoy an existence devoid of sorrow, crying, pain, hunger, or thirst, which are all present in this world no matter where we live. In that wonderful place or splendor, God’s servants will be with Him, serving Him day and night. Who among us would not want to live in a place such as this? The fortunate ones will dwell in this place on the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:1-3).

The wrath of God in the lake of fire

But, the Holy City is not the only place that the Bible speaks of to which man may go. There is also that which is referred to as the lake of fire:

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Rev. 20:14, NKJV)

Take a look at how the Scriptures describes how frightening it is to end up in the lake of fire. The Book of Revelation records this grim description:

“He himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” (Rev. 14:10-11, Ibid.)

In the lake of fire, men will be tormented with fire and brimstone. They will have no rest day or night. Once cast in the lake of fire, there is absolutely nothing that a person could do to get out. He will remain there suffering forever. So, this is the other end – eternal condemnation in the lake that burns with an unquenchable fire. No one in his right mind will ever want to end up in that horrible place where together with him suffering are the devil and his angels (Rev. 20:10; Mt. 25:41).

Reaching the Holy City

The Bible does not only teach us that there is a Holy City and that there is going to be a lake of fire; it also teaches us how to avoid ending up in the latter and make it to the former. Apostle John says this:

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Rev. 22:14, NKJV)

The blessed men and women who will be granted entrance into the Holy City and will have the right to the tree of life are those who do or obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ. Obedience is necessary if we truly want to be saved and reach this beautiful and sacred place. Thus, it is not true that for man to be saved, he only needs to believe in Christ or accept Him as Lord and personal Savior. Faith is important, and so is obedience to or compliance with Christ’s commandments.

One of the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ that one should obey is recorded in John 10:9. This is written:

“I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe.” (Revised English Bible)

The Lord commands everyone to come into the fold to be saved. Jesus did not say that anyone who just believes or accepts Him as Lord and personal Savior will be saved. Which is the fold or flock everyone should enter?

“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)

So, for us to reach the glorious Holy City, we must become members of the Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo

Mere membership in the Church is not sufficient

But there is another thing everyone must understand. Although joining the Church is very important, it is not the only thing a person needs to do to attain salvation. As faith alone does not save, neither does mere membership in the Church.

There are certain things that a person ought to avoid in order to enter the kingdom of heaven or the Holy City. He should make sure that he is not defiled or filthy in the eyes of God and that he is not doing anything that is abominable in His sight:

“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes and abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Rev. 21:27, NKJV)

Those who are defiled or unclean and guilty of abominations are people who live in sin and practice the filthy works of the flesh, which were enumerated by Apostle Paul:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, Envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21, Ibid.)

We must not do these things in order for us to be saved. We must not embrace heresies or false beliefs even though they may be popular. We should stay away from adultery, fornication, drunkenness, and other things like these, for if we don’t, we would not inherit the heavenly kingdom of God. Those who do these evil things will find themselves consigned to condemnation in the horrible lake of fire. This is written:

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8, Ibid.)

There are only two places where a man will end up on Judgment Day: the Holy City or the dreadful lake of fire. The former provides eternal life and blissful existence with God and Christ; whereas, the latter offers painful torment and terrible agony and anguish with the devil and his angels. Not only did God describe the kind of life present in both places, but He also taught how man can reach either place. If one does not want to be punished but be saved and live in the Holy City, he must join the Church of Christ. It is by joining this Church and living a Christian way of life until the very end (Mt. 24:13) that we will be certain to reach the heavenly kingdom for all eternity.

Does it mean that Catholic traditions are not necessary because they are not recorded in the Bible? And If such traditions are really unnecessary, then, why did Apostle Paul admonish them to hold to these traditions?

"Traditions as essential as the Bible?"

Letter from Narciso Teodoro:

AS A CATHOLIC, I believe that it is not only the Bible but also the Apostolic traditions that must be upheld. We Catholic adhere to traditions as much as to the bible because they are also Christ's words and deeds which do not contradict but only supplement the Scriptures. Just because Catholic traditions are not recorded in the bible doesn't mean that they are not necessary. As far as Christ's salvific mission is concerned, we are bound to believe. And if traditions were really unnecessary Apostle Paul would not have admonished to hold on to these, as he exhorted in II Thessalonians 2:15: "Therefore. brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." (New King James Version)

Pampanga, Philippines

Editor's reply:

That Catholics adhere to traditions, aside from believing in the bible, is an indisputable fact that needs no further elaboration. But what do Catholics exactly mean by tradition? A Catholic bishop defines it, thus:

"By divine tradition is meant the revealed truths taught by Christ and His Apostles, which were given to the Church only by word of mouth and not through the Bible, though they were put in writing principally by the Fathers of the Church." (My Catholic  Faith, Louis LaRavoire Morrow, p.18)

Traditions, then, are the teachings that "were given to the [Catholic] Church only by word of mouth and not through the Bible." Why do Catholics believe in traditions? The same author maintains that the Bible cannot be the sole guide to salvation because

"The Bible does not contain all the truths necessary for eternal salvation." (Ibid, p.21)

Thus, Catholics uphold traditions because they believe the Bible is incomplete and hence, it needs to be supplemented. To supplement means to add something to, especially so as to make up for a lack or deficiency.

Does the Bible need to be supplemented? No. Apostle John was very clear on this matter, thus:

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (Jn. 20:30-31, New International Version)

The Bible, by itself, is sufficient to guide man towards salvation. Hence, it does not need any supplement or addition. Those who add to God's word as well as those who subtract from His truths written in the bible will not be saved (cf. Dt. 12:32;Rev.22:18-19).

What about the supposed admonition of Apostle Paul to hold fast to traditions?  Did Apostle Paul really exhort the Christians to uphold traditions? Notice what he said:

".....stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word OR OUR EPISTLE" (New King James Version, emphasis ours).

The traditions mentioned by Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians 2:15, do not refer to Catholic traditions which have been handled down by WORD OF MOUTH only ---NOT through epistles or letters. Then, what is the real meaning of Apostle Paul's pronouncement in the said verse? In the New International Version, this is what is written:

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."

What are these teachings which every Christian ought to uphold? The same verse as rendered in the Today's English Version says:

"So then, our brothers, stand firm and hold on to those truths which we taught you, both in our preaching and in our letter."

Apostle Paul advises us to hold to the truth and stand firm in it.

What is the truth? The truth is God's words which are written in the Bible and which will sanctify and guide man toward salvation (cf. John 17:17; II Timothy 3:15-17). Apostle Paul warned against people who insist that human traditions are necessary in serving the Lord, thus:

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Col. 2:8, NKJV)

Why did the apostles warn the observers of traditions? Because followers of traditions are all too ready to transgress God's laws in order to comply with their handed-down beliefs as the Scriptures attest:

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men---the washing of the pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do. And He said to them, 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition'." (Mark 7:8-9, Ibid)

For man to be able to keep God's words faithfully, he must always bear in mind Apostle Paul's  admonition not to go beyond what is written (cf. I Cor. 4:6). Thus, although our Lord Jesus Christ did many works which were not recorded in the Scriptures, it is the written or recorded ones that will be the basis of our salvation. □

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Where Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo will reemerge does not depend on the economic conditions prevalent in its country of origin. That is, in spite of man's prejudices, it is always God's purpose in election that stands (Romans 9:11-12).

The true religion from a third world country?
(The big brother argument: non sequitur)

Tim Johnson Wrote;

I AM AN American and my upbringing tells me that most of the good things in life flow from a progressive country to those in the Third World. Underdeveloped and developing nations are highly dependent on a progressive country in terms of economy and finances.

Spiritually, the West sends religious  missions with accompanying material benefits to those in need in different parts of the world—the Philippines included.

How, then, could you say that the Iglesia ni Cristo is man's vehicle for salvation when the country itself from which it emerged is still a developing nation? Wouldn't it be logical for God to choose a country far more equipped to help others to be the place from which the true religion would originate?

Editor's reply:

There is no significant connection between the affluence of a country and its being the place of origin of the true religion. Your view that most of the good things in life flow from progressive countries to poor ones may be true in terms of economy or finances.

However this observation may prove to be wrong in  other cases, For instance, it does not apply to the direction that the true religion must take in its missionary expansion.

That the true religion or the true Church  must necessarily originate from affluent  nations is belied by biblical proof.   Christ Himself said:

Jesus looked at his disciples and said, "Happy are you poor; the Kingdom of God is yours!" (Lk. 6:20, TEV)

Moreover, the Holy Scriptures testify:

Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing. God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. This means that no one can boast in God's presence. (1 Cor. 1:26-29, TEV).

In the same way, it was God's divine will and purpose to choose Bethlehem to be the place of origin of God's Son, Jesus Christ, as it is written:

The Lord says,
         Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times. (Micah 5:2, ibid)

Should we question God for choosing Bethlehem, a small town, to be the birthplace of Jesus? Should we not believe Jesus because he did not come from an affluent town?

Though common human views may agree with your contentions, the Bible does not. In fact, when God first chose a nation to be His own, He elected Israel, the smallest nation on earth (cf.Dt. 7:7).

The Lord did not love you and choose you because you outnumbered other peoples; you were the smallest nation on earth. (Dt, 7:7, ibid)

In the same manner it is also up to God to decide where He wants the true Church or true religion to originate. It so happened that in these last days God chose the Far East or the Philippines.

Whether the Iglesia ni Cristo reemerged in a progressive and developed country or otherwise is not the bone of contention. That it is man's vehicle for salvation does not depend on the economic conditions prevalent in its country of origin.

This illustrates the point that in spite of man's prejudices, it is God's purpose in election that stands (cf. Rom. 9:11-12).

Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger. (Romans 9:11-12, 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

Why would God choose the Philippines (a small and poor country) out of all the nations in the world to be the place from where the true Church would emerge? .

Why from the Philippines?

Robert Lewis Wrote;

I READ IN your magazine, God's Message, that you claim to be the true Church in these last days. As I continued reading your articles, I was surprised to learn that your Church started in the Philippines. How can your Church be the true Church if it started in a small and poor country like the Philippines? Why would God choose the Philippines out of all the nations in the world to be the place from where the true Church would emerge?

Editor's reply:

We should not be surprised if the true Church in these last days would emerge in what you call a "small and poor country like the Philippines." God does not take a country's size or economic status as His basis in choosing the place from, where His chosen people would emerge. In fact, God chose the nation of Israel not because of its size or its power:

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; (Dt. 7:6-7, NKJV)

Even the Savior Himself, the Lord Jesus  Christ, was born in the small town of Bethlehem. Prophet Micah recorded:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.” (Mic. 5:2, Ibid.)

Christ was "born in Bethlehem (Mt. 2:1) in fulfillment of biblical prophecies:

The scripture says that the Messiah will be a descendant of King David and will be born in Bethlehem, the town where David lived. (Jn 7:42, Today's English Version)

Likewise, the emergence of God's chosen people in these last days from a small and poor country in the Far East (Is.  43:5-6, Moffatt), "in the islands of the sea" (Is. 24:15, NIV) is the  fulfillment of biblical prophecies.  As was prophesied, the Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ emerged in the Philippines composed of islands which almost at the geographical center of the Far East (Asia and the Philippines, p. 169)

When God chooses things considered  insignificant by men, it is because He would want to put to shame those considered wise and mighty.:

²⁶ For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence. (I Cor. 1:26-29, NKJV) (emphasis ours)

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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

Iglesia ni Cristo believes in the absolute oneness of God, that the only true God is the Father in heaven; The Father is the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of all things; God is Spirit, eternal, immortal and invisible.

"Who is the Creator?"

Name withheld Wrote:

I HAVE BEEN bothered by a major problem which started when I read a book advocating atheism. This book influenced my beliefs to the point that I questioned the existence of God.

Atheism really shook me and hurt me inside, for it made me think that all the years of my life were worthless. Now, I am thankful that after a long time of research and rationalization, I am now able to prove to myself and to anyone that a Creator absolutely exists.

But my personal crisis is not yet over. My major problem now concerns discovering who the Creator really is. This is the same problem discussed in the book, "Friend, You Are Not God" written by Jagad Guru, which I was able to read. Isn't it possible that:

1. You are, in reality, the Creator and you just created the universe to be able to play in it? You deliberately forgot your true identity to convince yourself that you are not God because you want to play as a creature and not as a Creator;

2. Some intelligent beings from other galaxies created or manipulated you and put you in this world to play with you or to experiment on you?

The Bible says that God created the universe and everything in it.  I prefer this Bible theory (at least at present) to the two other theories mentioned above because I know it is nearer to the truth. At least this declaration by the Bible is, say 90% possible compared to the two other theories which are, say, only 10% possible. But I don't want to find myself choosing the Bible's declaration just because it is the best among the possible theories but because it is the undeniable truth.

This is my problem. Although the Bible's statement is nearer to the truth, the matter is I can't absolutely prove it.

Also, How can I serve my God with my whole heart, mind, body, and soul if in the first place I have doubts on who He really is?

I said that the Bible's statement is, say, 90% possible. Hence, at least, I have a little faith in the biblical passage. If you would call that faith, would a little faith like mine be enough for me to be saved come Judgment Day? 

Editor's reply:

We are glad that you believe God exists. Indeed, all the living and the vast universe were created by the powerful hands of God.

The Bible teaches who the Creator is. The prophets introduced Him, thus:

"Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?" (Mal.  2:10, New International Version)

"No one has ever seen or heard of a God like you, who does such deeds for those who put their hope in him. But you are our father, Lord. We are like clay, and you are like the potter. You created us." (Is. 64:4,8, Today's English Version)

The prophets stated that the Father is the only true God or Creator. The Lord Jesus Christ attested to this:

''And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God....     "Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: 'Father, the hour has come'." (Jn. 17:3, 1, New King James Version)

Even the apostles confirmed that-

"Yet for us there is for us but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live." (I Cor. 8:6, NIV)

With regard to nature, God is spirit, that is, He does not have flesh and bones (cf. Jn. 4:24; Lk. 24:38-39) and thus, He cannot be seen. Yet, why must we believe that God  exists even though He cannot be perceived by our senses?

"Ever sine God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen;  They are perceived in the things that God has made.  So those people have no excuse at all!" (Rom. 1:20, TEV)

Whatever doubts, then, that you still have in your mind should be replaced  by a solid faith that the Father is the One who created us. God rewards those who have full faith in Him,.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Heb. 11:6, NIV)

On the other hand, what is God's judgment on those do not have faith?

"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake  of burning sulfur. This is the second death."  (Rev. 21:8, NIV)

Faith, then, is a very important requirement for salvation. But the faith that will save us is that which is coupled with works (cf. Js, 2:22), for without work, faith, is dead (cf. ]s. 2:17).

Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? (James 2:22, NKJV)

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:17, NKJV)

Which work is this? This is the will of God that all men be gathered in Christ (cf. Mt. 7:21, Eph. 1:9-10).

“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. (Matthew 7:21, NKJV)

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10, NKJV)

How can men be gathered in Christ?  This is by becoming members of the one body which is the Church headed by Christ (cf. Rom. 12:4-5;  Col. 1:18)—the Church of Christ  (cf. Acts 20:28, Lamsa).

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we,being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:4-5, NKJV)

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18, NKJV)

"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)

Indeed, faith in God is very important. But, having faith in Him is proven by our submission and obedience to His will.

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Note: Verses in smaller font were added for clarity.

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.