Why Lamsa for Acts 20:28

Letter From James Jeraldy M. Balingit:

I AM AN avid reader of Pasugo and  among  the articles  I admire is "Toward Responsible      parenting"' (September-October 1992 issue).

However, I have noticed that whenever you refer to Acts 20:28, you always cite George Lamsa's  version   which    used    the  expression "Church of Christ" instead of "Church of God"  which most Bible versions carry. The reason you give is that God is a spirit.  He doesn't have bones and flesh, and blood to be shed for and in behalf of the people who live in His Church to gain salvation.

These are the questions that arose in my mind. Please answer them:
     1. Who is this George Lamsa to change some words of the Bible? 
     2 What are his own views, concepts, and  reasons   for  changing them?
     3. The Bible takes a neutral stand-for all which were written therein are parables. Why does   your church interpret them literally?
     4. Why is it that your Church is bringing Christ's name into the Church's name if you do not believe that Christ is God?
     5. Which are God's priorities in saving us:  the Church where we belong, or the way we perform our role in this world of God's creation?

Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines

Editor's reply:

Mr. George M. Lamsa is a native Assyrian who was born and reared in that part of the ancient biblical land from which Abraham migrated to Palestine. His people, because they were isolated for many centuries, preserved the Aramaic language and the ancient biblical customs which have disappeared everywhere else. The language and the manners and the customs of his people are almost identical with that in which Jesus and his contemporaries were reared. His family, from the days of the patriarch to 1918, lived a simple pastoral life. Even today, they speak in idioms and parables, some of which would be difficult for a Westerner to understand.

Mr. Lamsa began his study of the Scriptures in Aramaic under the teachers of his tribe. Then he was educated in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s College in Persia and Turkey and after the First World War, in the Virginia Theological Seminary of Alexandria, Virginia. In addition to being translator, Mr. Lamsa is a world traveler and lecturer. His translations from the Aramaic and comments on the Scriptures have aroused tremendous interest both in Americaand in Europe. They have helped many to a better understanding of the greatest of all books.

Mr. George Lamsa’s scholarship led him to knowledge that the Hebrew word for “God” and “Lord” is one and the same. This is probably the reason why many Bible versions render Acts 20:28 in reference to the Church as either “Church of the Lord” or Church of God.” The Hebrew word for Lord may refer to the Lord God or to the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who believe that Christ is God are prone to be led by their mind – set to ignore scholarship and to put their belief in their research and thus the translation of Acts 20:28 has been either “Church of God” or “Church of the Lord.”

Mr. Lamsa’s research revealed to him that the Hebrew word for “Lord” in Acts 20:28refers not to God who cannot shed blood for He, being spirit, has no blood. Rather, the word refers to Christ who actually was crucified for the Church.

Acts 20:28 is not a parable. Christ literally shed His blood for the Church when He was crucified (cf. Jn. 19:17-30, 34). He gave His life for the Church because He loved her (cf. Eph. 5:25). And to save her it was necessary for Him to shed His blood (cf. Heb. 9:22, Revised Standard Version).

Note: You may read from verse 17. 
²⁸ Later, Jesus knew that everything had been done. To make the Scriptures come true he said, “I am thirsty.”^[a] 29 There was a jar full of sour wine there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it. They put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant and lifted it to Jesus’ mouth. ³⁰ When he tasted the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.
³⁴ But one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side. Immediately blood and water came out. ^{(Jn. 19:17-30, 34, ERV)}

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives the same as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.  (Eph. 5:25, ERV)

²² Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Heb. 9:22, Revised Standard Version)

The Iglesia ni Cristo carries Christ’s name. This connotes possession. Christ owns the Church which is why the apostles used to call it the Church of Christ or, in Filipino, Iglesia ni Cristo (cf. Rom. 16:16; Acts 20:28, Lamsa). It was Christ who founded the Church which He called “my church” (cf. Mt. 16:18).

¹⁶ Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

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)

¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. NKJV

For a person to be saved, he should be a member of the true Church of Christ because it is to the Church where God brings those to be saved (cf. Acts 2:47).

⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church^[h] daily those who were being saved. NKJV

This Church has been purchased by Christ with His blood and therefore redeemed and given the right to deify God (cf. Heb. 9:14).

¹⁴ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

All those outside the Church – whether they lived good lives in the eyes of men or not – will be subject to God’s judgment (cf. I Cor. 5:13, RSV).

¹³ God judges those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”

But, once inside the Church, one must obey all of God’s commandments because it is in this Church where man must be made worthy of salvation (cf. Eph. 4:11-16).

¹¹ And that same Christ gave these gifts to people: He made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to care for and teach God’s people.^[a] 12 Christ gave these gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger. 
¹³ This work must continue until we are all joined together in what we believe and in what we know about the Son of God. Our goal is to become like a full-grown man—to look just like Christ and have all his perfection. 
¹⁴ Then we will no longer be like babies. We will not be people who are always changing like a ship that the waves carry one way and then another. We will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to deceive us—those who make clever plans and use every kind of trick to fool others into following the wrong way. 
¹⁵ No, we will speak the truth with love. We will grow to be like Christ in every way. He is the head, ¹⁶ and the whole body depends on him. All the parts of the body are joined and held together, with each part doing its own work. This causes the whole body to grow and to be stronger in love. (Eph. 4:11-16, ERV).

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Note: Some cited verses are printed in full to facilitate study.

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 

To gain eternal life

PROPONENTS OF THE CHRIST-is-God doctrine strongly asserts that the biblical verses stating that Christ is man and has human characteristics do not disprove the alleged deity of Christ. Any verse that states that Christ is a man, they explain refers to Christ’s nature when He supposedly took on the form of a human being. Allegedly, these verses cannot be used to disprove that He is God. Citing John 1:1 and 14 which mention “the Word was God” and that “the Word was made flesh,” they conclude that it was God Himself who took on human form. Is this scriptural?

If we carefully examine John 1:1, we would understand that the “Word” is not the Almighty God who is the creator of all things because it had a beginning unlike the true God who is “from everlasting to everlasting” or is without beginning or end (Ps. 90:2).

The portion that states, “And the Word was with God” also denies that the “Word” is God Almighty because the only true God cannot be with another true God. There is only one God and there can never be another. The true God alone is Almighty as He had revealed Himself to Abraham (Gen. 17:1). To recognize another God is tantamount to saying that there are two Almighty Gods, which is obviously wrong because no being can be mightier than He who is Almighty or even be equal to Him.

It is written that, “In the beginning was the Word.” The “Word” mentioned here is the promise of God about the coming of Christ (Rom. 1:2-3, King James Version). The coming of Christ into existence was promised by God through His prophets (Dt. 18:18; Is. 7:14). Hence, the Word was “In the beginning.”

Regarding the portion that says, “the Word was with God,” the Bible states:

“God foreknew this even before the foundation of the world, but it is now, in these last days, that for your sakes He has been revealed.” (I Pt. 1:20,Norlie’s Simplified New Testament)

The idea or plan concerning Christ was already conceived by God even before the creation of the world. The Word conceived or thought of by God is not an independent being nor did it have a separate existence from God. The plan was only in the mind of God.

The Official Catholic Edition of the Bible in its footnote on John 1:1 says:

“… St. John employs the term Word. It is so used only by St. John … and designates the Son as a kind of intellectual emanation from the Father.” (The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, emphasis ours)

The Word is defined here as a kind of intellectual emanation or thought from the Father. Indeed, the knowledge about Christ was already there even before the foundation of the world. This explains why “the Word was with God.”

It is written in the verse that the “Word was God” because the words of God possess the power of God (Lk. 1:37, 31 American Standard Version). In the statement, “the Word was God,” “God” was used not as a noun but as an adjective to describe the quality of the Word. So, James Moffatt, in his translation of John 1:1, rendered ‘the Word was God” as “the word was divine.”

The part of the verse that says, “the Word was made flesh” refers to the fact that the Word or promise of God about Christ’s coming into existence was fulfilled: “when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Gal. 4:4, Revised Standard Version). The plan of God materialized or “the Word was made flesh” when Mary gave birth to Jesus who Himself is human in state of being.

When the Word was made flesh, the Almighty God did not incarnate or become man in the person of Jesus, as others claim. Christ Himself confirmed that He is not God when He prayed to the Father:

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.

“An this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (Jn. 17:1, 3, New King James Version)

Christ, while looking up to heaven, said to the Father, “that they may know You, the only true God.” If God Himself were made flesh or if He became Christ, whom then must Christ be addressing in His prayer? Otherwise, He should have said, “that they may know me, the only true God.” He didn’t. The only true God whom all men should know to attain eternal life said that there is no God besides Him (Dt. 32:39).

To claim that God became Christ or changed His nature is to claim that He contradicted His own pronouncement: “I am the Lord, I do not change” (Mal. 3:6, NKJV). God is always God and not man (Hos. 11:9). He even declared that man is not God (Ezek. 28:2). There is only one God Almighty whose nature or state of being is unchangeable. He is Spirit (Jn. 4:24). He does not and will never recognize another.

Christ, on the other hand, says, “I am ascending to My Father, and your Father, and to My God and your God” (Jn. 20:17, NKJV). Christ did not say, “I am ascending as your Father and as your God.” Had it been the case, then who would be the God referred to by Christ when He said, “I am ascending to … My God and your God”?

To gain eternal life, based on Christ’s teaching, we must believe that the Father alone is the true God and Jesus Christ is the One sent by the Almighty Father.

Whoever shall worship Jehovah, call on the name of Jehovah, and be called by the name Jehovah, as in Jehovah's. Witnesses, will be saved?

"On the name of the Almighty God"

Margarita Villanueva Wrote;

AS I UNDERSTAND, the Bible does not have conflicting teachings. Accepting that Jehovah is the real name of God, please clarify the following:

1)   Whoever shall   worship Jehovah, call on the name of Jehovah, and be called by the name Jehovah, as in Jehovah's Witnesses, will be saved .

2) Whoever shall believe in one God, the Father, and in Jesus Christ, the Mediator and Savior, as the Iglesia ni Cristo does, will be saved. :

Editor's reply:

The Holy Scriptures introduce various names of the one true God. God addressed Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM" (cf, Ex. 3:14). He also called Himself the "Lord   (cf. Is. 42:5,8), and likewise used the name "Jealous"  (cf. Ex. 34:14)  He was also named "God of host"(cf. Amos 5:27; 4:13) and "Holy"  (cf. Is. 57:15).

The Jehovah's Witnesses,. as a religious group, strictly uses the name "Jehovah" in reference to God. However, Bible scholars have traced an error with regard to the use of this name in reference to God:

''What are the facts? And   first as to age. 'The pronunciation Jehovah was UNKNOWN UNTIL 1520, when it was introduced by Galatinus; but was contested by Le Mercier, J, Drusius, and L.  Capellus, as against grammatical and historical propriety.' Next, as to formation. 'ERRONEOUSLY  WRITTEN AND  PRONOUNCED  Jehovah, which is merely a combination of the sacred Tetragrammaton and the vowels in the Hebrew word for Lord, substituted by the Jews for JHVH, because they shrank from pronouncing The Name'." (Rotherham Emphasized Bible, pp. 24-25) [emphasis ours]

It is clear then that the name " Jehovah" came to exist only in 1520 or in the 16th century AD, and its use is even erroneous. Scholars who scrutinized the name "Jehovah" expounded on the cause of this error:

"JEHOVAH, je-ho'va: An ERRONEOUS FORM of the divine name of the covenant God of Israel which appears first about 1520 A.D. The error arose from, the fact that the utterance of the divine name in original quadrilateral form (the tetragrammaton) YHWH, became unlawful in Jewish usage as EARLY AS THE THIRD CHRISTIAN CENTURY and probably much earlier, at least outside the sacred precincts..." (The New Schaff-Herzog" Encyclopedia of Religions Knowledge, Vol. Vl) [emphasis ours]

Further explanation on the occurrence of the erroneous form of God's name the Bible is stated in The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Vol. II:

"The form Jehovah arose out of a misunderstanding which in turn arose out of the reluctance of pious }ews to pronounce the divine name (c. 300 B.C.). Instead they uttered the word adonay, my Lord. In the MT [Masoretic Text] the divine name was written with the consonants of YHWH and vowels of adonay as a reminder to say the latter whenever the word was read. The divine name appears as yehowah in the MT. The LXX [Septuagint] reflects the Jewish reluctance to pronounce the divine name and puts the word kyrios, Lord, in its place. The RSV and other Eng. versions also reflect  the practice by giving the  Lord in capital letters whenever the name YHWH stands in the text. The Lat. likewise gave the word Dominus, Lord, for YHWH. The form Jehovah is thus a malformation giving what is virtually a transliteration of the word which is found in the text of the Heb. OT, but which was never actually used as a word." (pp.- 69-70)

Another cause of this error is explained by researchers:

"The hybrid word 'Jehovah' is a combination of the vowels of "Adonai" with the consonants of the tetragrammaton; its appearance in the KJV was the result of of the translators' ignorance of the Hebrew language and customs."  (Harper Bible Dictionary, p.1036)

Hence, "Jehovah," as the supposed name, of God and which some believe as His only true name, is an erroneous form of the divine name of the Creator. To insist on using this term in reference to God is to propagate an error.

How then must God be addressed by those who worship Him? The Lord Jesus Christ teaches, thus:

" In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name" (Mt. 6:9, New King James Version)

"So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and  said: 'Lord, Yon are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them .  (Acts 4:24, Ibid)

Worshipping the only true God, the Father, is by hallowing or honoring His name, as taught by Christ:

""This is how you should' pray: 'Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name'." (Mt. 6:9, New International Version)

One's failure to call God by His own name is itself a failure of recognition, i.e., invoking the wrong name of the "Father in heaven proves that one has not really recognized Him.

It is true that those who recognize the Father as the only true God and Jesus Christ as the One whom God' has sent, are assured of eternal life:

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: 'Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Sort may glorify yon. 

" Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (Jn. 17: 1 & 3, Ibid.)   

Of Life’s Vicissitudes and God’s Promise

“These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. ….” I Peter 1:7, New Living Translation

“Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.” –Psalm 32:10, New Living Translation

“Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me.” –Psalm 50:15, Today’s English Version
TALKING ABOUT VICISSITUDES, not only does the sea’s ever changing surface but life’s unpredictable nature come to mind as well. As defined, they are the unpredictable changes or variations that keep occurring in life, fortune, etc. – hence, shifting circumstances. They are life’s ups and downs, so to speak.

No one living in this world is spared from experiencing both light and trying times. The poor and the affluent have their own alternating share of contentment and worries. Observably, though, the worries come in droves for both. And when they start coming one after another, there is no telling how fear grips the heart. But ought we to sit on a chilling problem and let fear take its toll on us?

From whom inward peace emanates
Come to think of it, when we always think about the things that cause us to worry, the more that we shall have no peace or quietness within us, thus:

“For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” (Job 3:24-26, New International Version)

Mulling over one’s miseries won’t drive them away. Sighing and groaning won’t stop water-laden clouds from bursting and pouring out in torrents. Worrying would only aggravate the situation – robbing us of peace, quietness, and the much-needed rest.

God does not want His people to continually suffer inner turmoil. Rather, He wants us to have inward peace as what the Psalmist declares: “Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on Him” (Ps. 62:5, Contemporary English Version). Indeed, we ought to look toward God for the peace that we so desire, for He knows what’s best for us. He knows what the future has in store for us.

There is hope for the futureWhen the Israelites, God’s people of old, were taken into captivity at the height of the Babylonian supremacy, they had a truly dark existence. They could only mourn and weep. But God, in all His mercy, comforted them through the prophet Jeremiah, thus:

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded’, declares the LORD. ‘They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your future’, declares the LORD. ‘Your children will return to their own land’.” (Jer. 31:16-17, NIV)

From this message of God to the Israelites comes a lesson in perspective. The horizon may be dim and prospects truly bleak, but even in the tightest of situations, God is able to squeeze His people out. Indeed, there is always hope for the future, through God’s help.

Will bring much praise, glory, and honor
For true Christians trials are not to be feared. Tests are a welcome treat. Apostle Peter said:

“These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (I Pet. 1:7, New Living Translation)

By analogy, Apostle Peter showed how one’s faith is tested to be strong and pure. Gold, a prized metal, is rid of its impurities by subjecting it first to the fire. And one’s faith is far more precious to God than mere gold! Members of the true Church of Christ are truly blessed for remaining strong in the faith. The fiery trials that they triumphantly hurdle will bring them much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

An opportunity for joy“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” (James 1:2-4, Ibid.)

Apostle James, the overall administrator of the first-century Church of Christ, couldn’t have said it better. A positive look at trouble couldn’t have been more enunciated. The fledgling Church was struggling for survival through fierce persecution and the faith of the brethren was being put to a test. Apostle James admonished the Christians to let troubles be an opportunity for joy. The test to one’s faith provides endurance and opportunity to grow and develop, molding the brethren to be strong in character and ready for anything.

Pitting one’s self against the harsh realities of life early on and emerging unscathed is reflective of strength of character, the strength to maintain one’s faith.

A time to rejoiceEasier said than done, but for God’s faithful, running into problems and trials is a time for rejoicing, thus:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Rom. 5:3-5, Ibid.)

Like Apostle James, Apostle Paul talked about running into problems and trials as good for the brethren as they help them to learn to endure. He averred that endurance develops strength of character, thus affording the Christians, the members of the Church of Christ, confident expectation of salvation.

‘Cheer up … I have overcome the world’Apostle Peter, James and Paul merely learned what they shared with the brethren from our Lord Jesus Christ. During His ministry on earth, Christ cheered up His servants, thus:

“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, Living Bible)

Our Lord Jesus Christ knew too well what his disciples would go through as He Himself was not spared. He was very much aware of life’s trials and sorrows that were to be encountered on earth. But, He steadied the disciples’ resolve with the inspiring words, “I have overcome the world.” Moreover, before leaving, Christ bade His disciples, thus:

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, Ibid.)

Our Lord Jesus Christ lived at a time when the Roman empire was at its peak and the world (the whole span or extent of the empire) was enjoying some amount of relative peace – pax romana. It was a fragile kind of peace, for ensuing centuries saw turbulent times.

The worst trial brings great rewardThen as now, life’s vicissitudes abound. A condition of constant flux or alteration, leaning heavily on the negative or the worst, does happen. Nonetheless, the admonition of the author of the letter to the Hebrew Christians rang clear:

“Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you!” (Heb. 10:35, NLT)

No matter what, God’s people are exhorted to have confidence in Him. They ought to remember always the great reward awaiting those who trust in what He can do and survive the worst of trials.

So much is at stake. Members of the Church of Christ cannot risk throwing away the great fortune and blessing – the demonstration of God’s love for them, thus:

“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, New King James Version)

The Church of Christ is set to receive the great reward as it was redeemed by Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Being purchased by the blood of Christ is equivalent to being redeemed, saved, and hence, receiving the reward. The prophet Isaiah had long announced this, thus:

“Indeed the LORD has proclaimed To the end of the world: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, “Surely your salvation is coming; 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 you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” (Isa. 62:11-12, NKJV)

God’s offer
Benevolent and kind, God wants to see His children being able to hurdle all of life’s difficulties. Through the psalmist, God desires them to experience His loving care, thus:

“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. …Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD’.” (Ps. 32:8, 10, NLT)

Parents are expected to walk with their children through life. Conscientious parents truly want their children to succeed. They give them sound advice, solicitously watch over them and guide or lead them through turns and bends. Paradoxically, there is a limit to what parents, even those with the noblest of intentions, can do. None among them can say with finality: I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. But, the Father Almighty can, and will. His unfailing love surrounds those who trust Him.

The condition setThat the Almighty Father is kind, tolerant, and patient is beyond doubt. He has proven this since time immemorial. However, man, the recipient of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience has laid them to waste by his transgression of God’s commandments. However, God does not at once mete out punishment for the sinners. Instead, He gives them time to reflect and to turn from their sins, thus:

“Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?” (Rom. 2:4, Ibid.)

If this is not the epitome of kindness, what is? The sad truth is, many people just don’t care to realize how God is long-suffering toward us that we may be put right with Him. There is no question about it: He could easily snuff out our life. But, generous as He is, He affords everyone a chance.

‘I would not forget you’
Bible history attests to man’s ingratitude. God’s centuries of cuddling Israel went unappreciated or even unrecognized, thus:

“Yet Jerusalem says, ‘The LORD has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us’. Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” (Isa. 49:14-15, Ibid.)

The ought to quell any rising accusation against God – that He deserts or forgets His children. “Never!” is God’s resounding answer. Even if it were possible for a mother to forget her nursing child or to feel no love for a child she has borne [nowadays there are indeed mothers who abandon their biological children], God stands pat: “I would not forget you!”

‘Call to me when trouble comes’
The world is too much to bear. There are times when even God’s people are too perplexed to even think of a solution to their problems. God says: “Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me” (Ps. 50:15, Today’s English Version).

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.