"Ipaglaban mo nang puspusan ang pananampalataya. Panghawakan mong mabuti ang buhay na walang hanggan, dahil diyan ka tinawag ng Diyos nang ipahayag mo sa harap ng maraming saksi ang iyong pananalig kay Cristo." I Tim. 6:12
Catholics claimed that the Roman Catholic church is the ORIGINAL CHURCH, the CHURCH that were built by our Lord Jesus Christ. They say that the Catholic church is the church from the time of jesus christ and of apostles, or lets say from the FIRST CENTURY.
But the question is, Is the Catholic Church the same as the church in the first century? I mean, the teachings, doctrines and itself are all ORIGINAL?
Let us examine...
Some of the Catholic Traditions, practices, teachings, dogmas and whatever they called it, lets take a closer look...
Date created/Teachings/Creator/Source
A.D 325 >Easter >Council of Nicea >The story of the church p. 50
A.D 373 >Christmas >Artenon >The new Schaff-herzog encyclopedia p. 47
A.D 220 >term Trinity >Tertullian > Systematic Theology p. 304
A.D 593 >Purgatory >Gregory I >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
A.D 1090 >Rosary >Peter the Hermit >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
A.D 1215 >Transubstantiation >Pope Inocent III >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
A.D 1215 >The auricular Confession of sins to a priest >Lateran Council >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
A.D 1251 >The Scrapular >Simon stock, an english monk >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
A.D 1870 >Papal Infallability >Vatican Council >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
A.D 1854 >Immaculate Concepcion >Pope Pius IX >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
A.D 1950 >Assumption of Mary >Pope Pius XII >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
A.D 995 >Canonization of the dead >Pope John XV >Roman Catholicism pp. 8-9
And etc...
So, How can they claim that it was still the original church that was established by Christ IF its doctrines, and teachings are invented, added and so on?
Does the Roman Catholic Church violated commandments of God? (Simple answer. Yes.)
The bible says:
"Be sure to do everything I have commanded you. Do not add anything to it, and do not take anything away from it." Deut. 12:32
"For truly I tell you, until the sky and earth pass away and perish, not one smallest letter nor one little hookwill pass from the Law until all things are accomplished.Whoever then breaks or does away with or relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but he who practices them and teaches others to do so shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Mt. 5:18-19
"Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another." I Cor. 4:6
"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Rev. 22:18-19
But wait, can we say that the teachings of the Catholic Church were teachings of God that are WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE??? (Who can prove it?) Tsk.Tsk.
Doctrines of the CC are not of God, but of Man... Those are called MAN-MADE teachings!And also teachings that are UNBIBLICAL. So, if they follow those teachings in worshiping God, the question is, do they give GLORY to HIM?
Lets find it out by looking it in the bible...
"It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans." Mt. 15:9
Simple answer. NO!
It is but the truth! And detractors again may wonder... But Jesus Christ promised that the gates of hades WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST HIS CHURCH?
The environment of a Chapel/ Church/ House of worship must have peace and harmony, must have orderliness between the worshipers and the environment itself, must be quiet inside for the worshipers have a concentration in the worship services... In short, Chapels are sacred and holy and must be treated with great respect! In the part of the worshipers, they must value and give importance to the chapel, like what I've said they should give a great respect to it! They must also show that they are disciplined one especially entering the church and during the worship services. (RIGHT? who's here to disagree?!)
Let us examine one by one if we can say that the catholic churches can be called "houses of worship" or a place where worship services can be held... and if the worshipers of the catholic church or the "catholics" are discipline and gives value in their worship services...
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
Most of the catholic churches i saw were like this, especially when there's a holiday, especial occasion on the catholic faith, fiesta's and etc. Most churches like this are here in Manila, while people attending mass inside the chapel, the environment outside is not in proper order... Vendors are selling different kind of items, foods and so forth. Just a question, Is this a house of worship or a public market?
Most of the time, this were also the place for people who begs or asks for charity especially when Christmas comes, those churches can be describe as "a meeting place" for the beggars (sorry for the word) but i think it is not right for the chapels have these because it is holy and sacred. Note: I have no problem or bad impression to the beggars but i think the catholic church should provide someone who will take the responsibility for the security of the church and for the orderliness of the surroundings OUTSIDE the church.
The MASS:Every Filipino Catholic aware that there were noise surrounding the chapel coming from the people attending the mass. And like Catholics say that they have the FREEDOM, yes they have! While in mass, others are texting, talking to others, and etc. And the fun part is, the mass is a "leave if you want to" event. If you are bored and want to go home even if the mass is not yet finished, you can do it, no one will hurdle you on your way to the doors. wonderful right?tsk tsk
The Shooting of Films, and etc.: The shooting of movies, soap operas, commercial and etc. using the house of worship for their sake is showing disrespectful and undisciplined act. Taking scenes in a chapel is excuse if it will be used for the church's activities and other forms related to the church. How then the church will be categorize as "holy" and intended for the worship of god if it is using to other activities unrelated to the church?
The Attire: Again, like what they say and have, Catholics have a FREEDOM. They have a freedom to wear whatever type of clothes they want! IN ENTERING THE CHURCH AND DURING THE MASS. We put so much effort thinking what we will wear for example in an especial occasion, celebration, and everything.. and spending too much what we will wear for that event, but in time of worship services, most worshipers are not wearing properly. (Filipino Catholics are aware of those) In boys, others are wearing shorts, sandos, t-shirt, step ins and many other... In girls, others are wearing strapless, spaghetti, mini skirt, tube and many other... Is it a good practice? a proper attire for the "worship of god" huh?? A sign of not giving value for the worship services!
A (catholic) writer of Phil. star Ngayon said:
PANAGINIP LANG Ni Nixon T. Kua Ang Pilipino STAR Ngayon 01/02/2007
...Kakaiba kasi ang disiplinang pinakikita nila lalo na sa kanilang pagsasamba na isang malaking halimbawa ng pag-rerespeto nila sa DIYOS. Nakailang sama na tayo sa paanyaya ng ilan nating kaibigang mga INC sa kanilang pagsasamba at hindi natin maiwasan ikumpara unang una ang kalinisan sa loob ng kanilang kapilya. Ilang local na ho ang napasyalan natin at pare-pareho ho ito.
Hindi ho kagaya ng ugali nating mga Katoliko na kanyang kanyang puwesto na kadalasan tuloy ay naiiwang bakante ang maraming silya sa gitna, sa mga kapatid ho natin sa INC ay pupunuin ang bawat silya mula sa harap hanggang makarating sa likod.
Wala rin hong social status ang sistema ng kanilang pag-okupa at first come first serve lahat. Kahit sino ka man, kahit sikat ka, walang reservation at kung mahuhuli ka ay sa likod ka uupo.
Bawal rin sa kanila ang mga damit na masyadong maiksi na suot minsan ng ilan nating mga kapatid na Katolikong kababaihan na siya namang aaminin nating nakakadistract ng attention. Hiwalay rin ho ang puwesto ng mga babae at lalaki at walang batang nagtatakbo sa loob na mistulang ginagawang playground.
Ang mga song book nila ay nakalagay sa kaliwang bahagi ng mahabang bangko at isa isang kinukuha at pagkatapos ng kanilang pagsasamba ay isa isa rin nilang binabalik. Kung ginagalang ho kasi natin ang PANGINOON bakit natin kinakalat na lamang ang mga misalette o anumang papel sa simbahan na napakarumi tingnan.
Wala rin hong nag-bubulungan sa kanila habang sumasamba at lalong walang kalabitan na madalas ring gawin ng ilan nating mga kasamahan sa simbahang Katoliko.
Ultimo sa katapusan ng kanilang pagsasamba, row by row silang lumalabas at hindi nagkakagulo at naguunahan. Muli lang natin naalala ito lalo na nung panahon ng holidays kung saan dumalaw naman tayo sa ilang simbahan upang magpasalamat sa PANGINOON sa lahat ng biyayang nakukuha natin. Lahat ho tayo ay dapat mag-count ng blessings natin na bigay sa atin ng DIYOS.
Tunay na kahanga hanga at karapat dapat tularan hindi lamang sa paraan ng pagsasamba o pagsisimba kung hindi sa lahat ng antas ng lipunan dahil isa sa pinakamalaking suliraning kinakaharap natin ngayon ay ang kakulangan sa disiplina at palakasan system na laganap.
At komo unang column natin ito ngayong taong 2007, sana kahit sa maliit na paraan ay maantig natin ang ating mga kababayan at ma-adopt natin ang disiplinang pinaiiral ng mga INC upang kahit paano naman ay maibsan ang problema ng bayan...
We, as followers to the religion we belong, knows that every one of us should give respect in the gatherings especially related to god. How? We must be a disciplined one! But the great factor here is that the church itself have the power to give a command or an advise to its followers what would be the perfect attire for the activities related to the church... We must also remember that we are using chapels/ houses of worship for the worship of God. We also must take good care of it... We give so much importance in other building establishments like hotels, and etc. and put so much effort in cleaning and beautifying it. But it must also be done in our houses of worship, because it is a place where god dwells, and a place for we to worship him, so we must respect it!:-)
Nonmembers and detractors of the INC always say that INC is just a business or whatever of the Manalo family. They also say that it is evident because the Executive Ministers of the church are all of Manalos. One of these examples is this, the poorly informed owner of philippinepoliticsreligion.blogspot.com says:
"The INC administration is being inherited by a Manalo offspring from their ascendant. I am not going to discuss any biblical topic about the religious dynasty inside the INC (since I don't consider myself a religious debater) but I cannot fail to notice that the INC members truly behold very dearly the Manalo Family.
Any disrespectful comments to any member of the Manalo family may result pressure/harassment by the INC members. INC members even considers Felix Manalo as angel which is part of their main doctrine.
(1) A dynasty is a succession of people belonging to the same family, who, through various means and forms maintain power, influence or authority over the course of generations
(2) dynasty (Noun) A sequence of powerful leaders in the same family
Is religious dynasty wrong? - Ask the Catholic Church Is religious dynasty right? Ask Iglesia Ni Cristo
The advantage of religious dynasty (politically and financially) to a specific family is unimaginable. A president even declared a holiday on the day of internment of Eraño Manalo.
This is totally a political favor given to the politically powerful Manalo family, an obvious favor given to a specific religious group over the other religious denomination. Renaming streets after a family member of the Manalo family is another obvious result of the power of the religious dynasty of Manalo family.
I wonder if Eduardo Manalo dies,
Who will be the next lucky Manalo family member that will inherit the Iglesia Ni Cristo administration?
Who will be the next Manalo family member that will inherit their family jewels and legacy?"
But what is the TRUTH? Why is that the second and now, the current Executive Minister of the INC came from the family of Bro. Felix? Do they mean it or just accidentally? Well, we will find it out if there’s really a Dynasty or whatsoever myth and allegations of the nonmembers and detractors.
Bro. Erano G. Manalo:
“On the of January, 1953, Bro. Felix Manalo called a meeting of INC District Ministers (Then also called Division Ministers). Bro. Erano then the Church General treasurer, was elected Bro. Felix eventual successor to the office of Executive Minister…”
“ By Providential will he was elected by Church elders in 1953 to succeed Bro. Felix Y. Manalo as the Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) Executive Minister in the event of the demise of God’s messenger…”
Pasugo Sep 2009 Issue
"...As to CHOOSING OF THE CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR, succession was done THROUGH AN ELECTION attended by the Church ministers in the house of worship in Riverside, San Juan, Metro Manila (formerly Rizal) on 28th of January 1953. Three names were cast, to wit: Bro. Erano G. Manalo, Isaias Samson Sr. and Isaias Reyes. The congregation of ministers overwhelmingly supported Brp. Erano Manalo in carrying on the administration of the church after Bro. Felix Manalo..."
Pasugo March-April 1992 issue
OTHER PROOFS:
"In 1953, ten years before his father's death, Eraño Manalo was elected successor to his father as Executive Minister..."
"...He passed the leadership of the church to his son, Eraño de Guzman Manalo who was elected unanimously by the council of elders..."
wikipedia, nowpublic.com, malaya.comand most of sites/blogs
"...his son Erano G. Manalo was elected to the top post of the Iglesia ni. Cristo by its Council of Ministers only two weeks after the Sugo's death... "
R. Reed
Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo:
“The Church Of Christ is so blessed because even though God called Bro. Erano Manalo to his much-needed reast, he heas placed a successor upon whom he bestowed with an impressive capability to lead and administer it: Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, the present Executive Minister of the INC. Well respected, well known, and well loved by the whole church, he is now our overall Executive Administrator . Under the tutelage of his father, he had long been prepared for this task, having been unanimously elected in 1994 by the assembly of district ministers to be Deputy Executive Minister and hence successor in case of such an eventuality…”
Pasugo Sep 2009 issue
OTHER PROOF:
"...As of 1994[update] his son Eduardo is INC's Deputy Executive..."
nikkonacion.livejournal.com
Bro. Erano Manalo and Bro. Eduardo Manalo did not became Executive Ministers of the church just because of the interest of one another or because of what they say “Dynasty” and whatsoever. Succession is done THROUGH ELECTION by the church elders or district ministers. Another important thing is that Bro. Erano was trained by his father himself and Bro. Eduardo was blessed by his grandfather before his death.
Born on January 2, 1925 to Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the messenger of God in these last days, and Sister Honorata de Guzman-Manalo, Bro. Erano G. Manalo was their fifth child and their third son.
Each of Bro. Felix’s children had a special significance to their name. For Bro. Erano, who was born after New Year’s day, his name was a play on words “new era”. His name was a first to its kind and eventually became unique to children who were named after him by parents who are members of the Iglesia nI Cristo, especially if the child was also born on the 2nd of January. His older siblings were Sister Pilar and Avelina, and Bro. Dominador and Salvador. His youngest sibling is Bro. Bienvenido.
As a young boy, Bro. Erano loved to read with his father, and hence was introduced to the Holy Bible at an early age. This love of reading and of knowledge was something he would carry with him as he grew older. He received elementary education in San Juan, Metro Manila, starting school at six years of age. He also completed high school at the same institution.
Once, Bro. Erano aspired to become a lawyer, and entered a university in Manila to pursue his studies. However, he ultimately sacrificed that dream to join the ministry, and was ordained a minister of the gospel at the age of 22, by Bro. Felix himself, on the 10th of May, 1947. Bro. Felix Manalo had trained Bro. Erano as a public speaker and debater, once introducing him before a bible exposition saying, “Ang susunod na magsasalita ay mas mahusay pa sa akin (The one who will speak after me is more skilled than I am.)”.
Even after Bro. Felix Manalo passed away, Bro. Erano, his mother and his siblings remained very close. Not only did they dearly love Bro. Erano as family, but furthermore greatly honored calling passed on to him by Bro. Felix. They sought his advice and consulted him for guidance especially in matters concerning the church.
Bro. Erano G. Manalo married Sister Cristina A. Villanueva on the 17th of January, 1955. They had six children, Bro. Eduardo, Sister Lolita, Erlinda, and Liberty, and Bro. Felix Nathaniel II and Marco Erano. Bro. Erano’s nurturing and loving nature was clearly felt by each member of his family, down to his children-in-law and every single grandchild. He knew each one very well, imparting lessons and values to them both directly and indirectly. Bro. Erano’s surviving family are firmly convinced it is God’s blessing that they were among those able to witness first-hand how guided the Executive Minister was by our Almighty God in his actions and decisions.
Ministry and Legacy
On the 18th of January, 1953, Bro. Felix Manalo called a meeting of INC District Ministers (Then also called Division Ministers). Bro. Erano then the Church General treasurer, was elected Bro. Felix eventual successor to the office of Executive Minister. He also was appointed District Minister of Manila a few years prior to the passing of Bro. Felix Manalo on the 12th of April, 1963. After the interment eleven days later, Bro. Erano G. Manalo assumed the duty of Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni cristo.
Throughout the 46 years of Bro. Erano G. Manalo’s leadership, the INC saw the membership continuously grow in number, the proliferation of its houses of worship, and its expansion in six continents of the globe. The Executive Minister built on the own legacy of Bro. Felix by formalizing the education of ministerial students and continuing to refine church procedures as the number of brethren flourished. Under the same divine guidance, he wrote not only lectures and worship services but also books. Among these were the compilation of lessons taught to bible students regarding fundamental beliefs of the church. He also wrote the official ceremony for marriage in the INC, first implemented on the wedding day of his eldest son, Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo. The executive Minister also wrote “And mabuting kawal ni Cristo”, a guide with biblical verses intended for ministers of the Gospel and “Ang Salita ng Diyos: Ang tanging Lunas”, for the edification of church members—these two books were made into audio CD’s with verse reading and original hymns, in 2003. He was the inspirational force behind the Church administration’s projects utilizing technology in reaching out to members and nonmembers alike.
But then on the 31st of August, 2009, National Heroes Day in the Philippines, Bro. Erano passed away at the age of 84. Despite the grief that we, brethren in the Church of Christ, it is indeed a fitting date to remember, since to all of us, he is more than a hero. Bro. Erano dedicated his long and blessed life to carrying on the divine mission of the messenger of God in these last days, caring for the entire Iglesia ni Cristo in serving our Almighty God.
Bro. Felix Y. Manalo was born in Barrio Calzada, Taguig, in Rizal province, southern Luzon, in the Philippines on May 10, 1886—at a time when the country was yet in the clutches of Spanish colonialism and when Roman Catholicism was still considered the state religion. He was raised in the catholic faith by his parents, Mariano Ysagun and Bonifacio Manalo. (It was sometime after his mother’s death that he decided on his mother’s name over his father’s name. He grieved over the death of his mother for whom he had a great affection. Thus for sentimental reasons and for expressing his reverence, he adopted her name, Manalo.)He began acquiring his education from barrio school under the tutelage of a “maestrong Cario” (a teacher called Cario).
He worked as herd boy, was later apprenticed to his uncle in the latter’s photography studio and sometime in 1904, opened a hat shop in Paranaque, Rizal. By then, the Spanish conquistadores had already yielded the Islands to the Americans and the Roman Catholic Church was then beginning to be challenged by different Protestant sects which the Americans brought with them.
Bro. Felix Manalo began to entertain his first doubt in the Catholic teachings when, sometime in 1904, he witnessed a public debate between a Catholic priest and a Protestant pastor in Paranaque, Rizal. The Protestant pastor evidently prevailed and gained Bro. Manalo’s profound interest.
Not knowing that his life had a singular pattern designed by God for him to follow, as were the lives of God’s messengers before him, namely Moses and Apostle Paul, he drifted another from one religion to another. That year, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and attended classes given by that sect in the Methodist Theological Seminary wherein he eventually became an evangelist.
Thus began a seemingly endless search for the true religion—a search that led Bro. Manalo to join one Protestant sect after another—scrutinizing every doctrine and comparing them with the biblical percepts. In 1907, he joined the Presbyterian Church wherein he became a pastor after attending the Union Theological Seminary.
The manner of baptizing by immersion by the Christian Mission attracted Bro. Manalo’s attention and, in 1910, he joined the missionaries and later became an evangelist. He married Tomasa Sereneo of Paco, Manila who died soon after giving birth to their son, Gerardo.
In 1911, he joined the Seventh day Adventists wherein he also became a pastor. Then Bro. Manalo remarried. His second wife was Honorata de Guzman of Sta. Cruz, Manila. The couple were both active in the Church’s activities, Bro. Felix Manalo as a minister and Sister Honorata, a deaconess. But then, after pondering on the Adventist’s persistent observance of Sabbath, Bro. Manalo found it unscriptural. He abandoned the AdventistChurch and returned to his hat shop.
Dissatisfied with the doctrines and practices of the then existing religions, Bro. Manalo severed himself from all of them. Then he transferred his business and domicile to PasayCity and also opened a barber shop. Although he was frequently visited by his former colleagues in the AdventistChurch who tried to bring him back to the fold, Bro. Manalo did not waver.
He totally lost faith in the established religions. He began to associate himself with atheist and free-thinkers obviously to examine their conviction which he found false and irrational, too. He found out that wrong interpretations of the bible caused both the atheist’s disbelief and the diversity of the doctrines of different religions.
In search for the truth, Bro. Manalo resolved to undertake a thorough examination of the doctrines of the different religions. That was in 1913. He closeted himself in his room, and, to the utter apprehension of his wife, did not emerge until two days and three nights later, within which period he painstakingly assayed the different tenets of the teachings of the bible. And that which was vague and obscure to him became crystal clear.
He gained the insight that religion or man’s ways back to God must be fully in accordance with the will of God contained in the bible, and that he was being sent to preach and the true religion so that God may bring near his righteousness to men in these last days.
Stimulated by Apostle James’ admonition in his epistle (James 4:17) that “… to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin,” Bro. Manalo decided to preach Gospel. This was the mission which he carried out through thick and thin until he died on April 12, 1963, full of years and fruitful achievements.
In an early month of 1914, Bro. Felix Manalo left his wife, Honorata, for Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila to begin preaching about the Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo). There he started with four or five listeners in a small room at the workers’ quarters of Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company of Manila, Incorporated. As the listeners began to grow in number the nightly religious meetings moved out in the open. Soon, the first converts were baptized in the nearby Pasig River. They formed the first locale congregation of the Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines.
A few months later, the church in Punta gained more converts and Bro. Manalo decided to propagate the church in other places. He left the small congregation in the care of Bro. Federico Inocencio, one of the converts, and Bro. Atanacio Morte, the head deacon. He headed for Tipas with his wife and infant daughter, Pilar, to bring the mission of salvation to his town mates.
In his hometown, he met stiff persecutions. His town mates could hardly believe that so familiar a figure as he could bring no less than the message of salvation to them. They derided him. Yet some of the more determined detractors were later converted. Among these were Justino Cassanova, pastor of the Christian and Missionary alliance and Norbeto Asuncion who became ministers of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
On July 27, 1914 the Iglesia ni Cristo was officially registerd with the Philippine government. Thus the prophetic revelation contained in the bible was fulfilled.
After the rainy month, the Church’s work of propagation was launched in the town of Pateros and then in the town of Pasig. It was an exacting task and soon Bro. Manalo began to lose weight but with sheer determination he nursed himself back to health.
The propagation of the Church began in Tondo, Manila in the closing months of 1915. It began in the house of Bro. Quintin Rivera as a modest start and blossomed into full-scale religious rallies from one vacant lot to another, attracting both sympathizers and critics alike.
Bro. Manalo met various oppositions and persecutions from entrenched religious establishments such as the Catholic and Protestant forces. But he remained undaunted. The church’s followers multiplied. And so rose the need for ministers.
Bro. Manalo conducted Bible classes for the ministry. Soon some student members were ordained on whose assistance Bro. Manalo could now depend in looking after the spiritual needs of the growing church.
Trusted ministers were assigned to pioneer in the work of propagating the faith in the areas surrounding Manila. The church branched out to the provinces in Central Luzon. As early as 1924, the Iglesia ni Cristo had as many as 45 locale congregations. In 1937, the church began propagating in the Visayas when Bro. Manalo sent Bro. Apilio Apolonio to pioneer in preaching the church in Cebu, whence it hopped from one Visayan Island to another. Before the Second World war broke out, the church had gone as far north as Ilocos Norte and as far south as Cotabato in the Island of Mindanao.
In Feb. 1939, the first issue of Pasugo came out. The tagalong magazine aimed to disseminate the doctrines of the Church. Publication of this monthly periodical temporarily stopped during the war years and reappeared in Jan. 1951.
During the wartime period, when the Japanese Imperial Army occupied the Philippines, the mission of salvation continued in spite of the reign bombs and threats. While other religious groups compromised, out of fear, with the Japanese and succumbed to the machinations of the enemy, the Iglesia ni Cristo continued to hold worship services, continued to hold missionary campaigns and continued to minister to the spiritual needs of the brethren. Under stress and pressure, the ministerial force led by Bro. Felix Manalo persisted in propagating the truth and overseeing the need of the brethren. The Iglesia ni Cristo was not hindered from flourishing even during the perilous times of the second world war.
While the other religions failed miserably in their task of propagation, the Iglesia ni Cristo gained thousands of converts. And so after the war makeshift houses of worship in almost all locales could not hold the congregation anymore.
In 1948 the church began constructing a concrete house of worship in Washington street, Sampaloc, Manila. It was the beginning of pious undertaking; the resurgence of big houses of worship that became landmarks through the breadth and length of the archipelago. It was far from the expectation of many people because of the majority of the church members are numbered among poor. Because of its force, this church has gained the respect even of those who disagree with it in many things. They could not help but recognize the right and authority of this church because of its complete unity not only in doctrine but also in all its endeavors.
When God willed that Bro. Felix Manalo should rest after almost fifty years as leader of the church of Christ, Bro. Erano Manalo (the fifth of Bro. Felix’s six children) took over. The church remained strong and united. There has been a steady increase in membership as well as in the number of chapels built. Locale congregations of the Church have been established abroad, as in the mainland of the United States of America, in Canada, England, Germany, Hawaii, Guam, and Hongkong.
God promised that when the Church of Christ shall have been glorified in the east, there would arise people in the west who shall be made members of this church: “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west and his glory from the rising sun…” (Is. 59:19) If the mission of salvation transcended the international dateline, this is in fulfillment of God’s will.
Indeed, the Church of Christ will continue to march towards a certain degree of progress which God has designed for her, and if her posture and stature has caught the attention of the world, God wants this to be known by all: “That men may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy one of Israel has created it.” (Is. 41:20) (Pasugo july-august 1979 issue)
Here are the videos of the debate between the 2 sides, the INC represented by a minister Bro. Jose Ventilation and the Catholic Church represented by a Catholic defender Karl Keating in San Jose, California USA with guests who are catholics, INC members and other faiths.
The topic were: "Resolve that the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church is the only true church according to the bible" and "Resolve that the Church of Christ which appeared in the Philippines in 1914 is the only true church according to the bible."
Unfortunately, the time is so short for them to explain their sides better, that's the real big problem. Because as i read Pasugo Magazines, debates in the past happened like 2-4 days not just in 1 day so that every topic will be resolved. The debate lasts only in 3-4 hours.
As the summary, the topic goes on to subjects: trinity, true god, Bro. Felix Manalo as God's messenger, Far East-Philippines, Pasugo, Apostle Peter as a foundation stone, name of the church, and Thomas' "my lord and my God".
Mr. Karl Keating's follow up story article that is being exaggerated, more on opinion and accusation, bias, and some are just a myths about INC with his experiences that entitled Into the maw of the cult.
To show that he was not lose in the debate, he quickly wrote up an article and he write his exaggerated ideas and "experiences" in the said debate. If you just read that article, it was so bias and his intention was showed of, to debunk the INC!
To be honest Mr. Karl Keating is good, even though he had no companions in the debate. The debate was done peacefully but i think it ended the two sides not a good mood.
For you, who is the winner, Bro. Ventilation or Karl Keating?
Official name:Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) Founder:Jesus Christ Date of Establishment:1st century A.D Place of Establishment: Jerusalem Date of reemergence after its apostasy:July 27, 1914 Place of reemergence:Philippines God's messenger in these last days: Bro. Felix Y. Manalo Past Executive Minister: Bro. Erano G. Manalo Current Executive Minister:Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo
Historical Firsts
First Locale: Punta, sta. ana, Manila (1914) First Ecclesiastical District: Pamapnga (1924) First concrete house of worship:Washington Locale (1946) A. Maceda St., Sampaloc, Manila First Locale outside the Philippines:Honolulu, Hawaii (1968) Maiden issue of Pasugo Magazine:Feb. 1939
Numbers
Countries & territories with congregations: 90 Locale Congregations in the Philippines: 4,353 Local congregation extensions in the Philippines: 391 Ecclesiastical districts in the Philippines:90 Local congregations and extensions outside the philippines:1,000 Group worship services outside the philippines: 302 Ecclesiastical districts outside the Philippines:15
* Bro. Felix Manalo is not the founder of the INC but the mesenger commissioned to preach Christ's Church in these last days. We do not call him Bishop; we prefer to call him Brother. He is also the First executive Minister of the INC in the Philippines. He served the church from 1914 to 1963. * A locale is roughly the equivalent of a Catholic Parish and is overseen by a resident minister. * An ecclesiastical district is roughly the equivalent of a Catholic Diocese and is overseen by a supervising minister.
(Pasugo: God's Message April 2003 & Sep 2009 issue)
What i am saying here is about the self interest...
Many of the nonmembers, and critics of the INC always says that "Manalo's hiding their self interest in the INC to become rich" and whatsoever... One of the example is this,
"I’m grappling with is the problem of unity, it seems that the church wants a total control of its members, not allowing them to exercise their constitutional rights over issues that impact the members. It seeks to secure its interest over godly teachings?"
--> http://blog.hellokitty.com/el_critique) But still, their judgment is wrong, because they are just doing propagandas to the INC for others have bad impression to the church! tsk. tsk. And now, why not looking at others? and lets see if it is the INC, the members, ministers and etc. are the one's whose having self interests..
and placed last in a field of five candidates, with 6.2% of the vote.
On August 21, 2009, he announced that he will berunning in the 2010 election.
Wikipedia
Catholic Church
Eddie "Among Ed" Tongol Panlilio is a FilipinoRoman Catholicpriest and Governor of the province of Pampanga. He was suspended from his priestly ministry upon announcing his intention to run as governor.
He is the second priest to be elected to public office in the Philippines, the first being Fr. Margarito Gonzaga,
But for all that, Velarde is driven by his “real dream.”“Aside from this, my dream really is to become the president of the Philippines. What drives me is the hope to lift [the lives] of the poor masses and to get rid of the wide gap between the masses and the rich,” he said.
Velarde said he was now in the process of consulting with leaders and members of El Shaddai core groups about his political plans for 2010.“I have personal plans, but I can’t do it by myself because there are millions of people to be considered,” he told the Inquirer.
In his statement, he said: “I am in the process of consulting our members nationwide and worldwide what to do in the 2010 elections. If they don’t want me to run, then let’s agree to make a choice whom we can vote for. I still have my plan.”
"Soriano was declared a nuisance candidate and disqualified by the En Banc Comelec (Commission On Elections) on January 17, 2004 when he stood for a position of senator. Soriano was running as an independent candidate." wikipedia
So now, Youre the one to judge! I am not giving other comments to this to be fair... But i just want to say that religious officials and leaders should focus spreading their faith and doing their duties, instead of entering in politics! So that his/her duties to the church and maybe the church itself will not be involve in any controversies and etc...
Well, Whose are more of interest over people? Is it the INC again?
