Infant Baptism?

Catholics always wondering why does INC members not baptized when they are infants? They even show bible verses that they say, “PROOFS” that even Christ demonstrated that little children/ infants should be baptized.

The verses that consider by nonmembers as proofs:

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them." Luke 18:15

"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." Matt. 19:13

Notice what Christ did to the infants or young children who were being brought to him—He laid his hands on and prayed for them. This is not baptism and is different from what is done to one who is baptized (Matt. 3:13-16, Acts 8:36-38)

Baptism is not for infants, but for those who have been taught the gospel and believed in it as the Lord Jesus Christ himself taught:

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:15-16

Having no capacity to understand yet, infants and little children can not believe in the gospel. Faith or belief in the gospel is attained by listening to the message preached by the messenger of God (Rom. 10:17, 14-15). For the listener to have genuine faith, he should have the faculty to comprehend and believe, which infants do not have. Hence, infants should not be baptized.

Thus, in the Church of Christ today, infants are dedicated to God through prayer as set by the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the very verses that the nonmembers say as being “PROOF”:

"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." Matt. 19:13-15

But when they grow up and reach the age of 12, Iglesia ni Cristo children are given instructions in biblical doctrines and they baptized , in consonance with the Lord’s command that all those who are made disciples should be baptized
(Matt. 28:19).

Moreover, since baptism is to be administered for the forgiveness of one’s sins (and to commit a sin is to transgress God’s law of which little children are not capable of doing) infants, therefore, should not be baptized at the age of their lives (Acts. 2:38; I Jn. 3:4). AGAIN, Baptism is not for infants or children who have not reached the age of discretion.


History
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"Scholars disagree on the date when infant baptism was first practiced. Some believe that 1st-century Christians did not practice it, noting the lack of any explicit evidence of paedobaptism. Others, noting the lack of any explicit evidence of exclusion of paedobaptism, believe that they did, understanding biblical references to individuals "and [her] household" being baptized (Acts 16:15, Acts 16:31-33, 1 Corinthians 1:16) as well as "the promise to you and your children" (Acts 2:39)as including small children and infants.

While the earliest extra-biblical directions for baptism, which occurs in the Didache (c. 100), speaks to the baptism of adults, rather than young children, since it requires that the person to be baptised should fast, writings of the second and early third century indicate that Christians baptized infants too. Irenaeus (c. 130–202) speaks not only of children but even of infants being "born again to God" and three passages of Origen (185–c. 254) mention infant baptism as traditional and customary.

Tertullian (c. 155–230) too, while advising postponement of baptism until after marriage, mentions that it was customary to baptise infants, with sponsors speaking on their behalf.

The Apostolic Tradition, attributed to Hippolytus of Rome (died 235), describes how to perform the ceremony of baptism; it states that children were baptised first, and if any of them could not answer for themselves, their parents or someone else from their family was to answer for them.

While they acknowledge that in the third century the practice of infant baptism was believed to be of apostolic origin, some writers deny that it was in use in the first century. Some of them link infant baptism with the use of baptismal methods other than total immersion, and deny, in spite of the evidence of the Didache, that those methods were used in the first century.

From at least the third century onward Christians baptized infants as standard practice, although some preferred to postpone baptism until late in life, so as to ensure forgiveness for all their preceding sins." source: wikipedia

For the full content, click here.

Wow, Not even a practice in the first century. Meaning, another added doctrine! Tsk. Tsk.

Former members exposed MCGI and Eli Soriano

Let us hear the former members of the MCGI of Eli Soriano how there are so many anomalies in his founded organization...

ABOUT THE OFFERINGS





WORDS COMING FROM THE MOUTH OF AN EVANGELIST





BEGGING TO THE MEMBERS FOR THE DEBTS

FORBIDDING MEMBERS TO MARRY?

And many more! There are so many contradictions inside the church of Eliseo Soriano. But if you were blinded that it was the true religion, because of how "brave" Soriano answers questions from the nonmembers. That's why many of the members didnt see those contradictions... Especially in teachings and etc... Learn and examine those of Eli Soriano's teachings and his personality. So that in the end you will not be REGRET!

How not to answer a question?

How not to answer a question?

Our another instructor, Sir Abe, the author of one of the most visited blog entitled The Splendor of the church. He is a priest/apologist in the country, whom I asked the same as what ive asked to a columnist/apologist Sir Cenon Bibe Jr.

(see our conversation, so that you will not say that I am bias.)

I have posted on his blog last holy week, I remember it and it was Thursday. He replied that he cannot for now, able to answer my question because he will be busy for a vacation, and he will not active blogging for the month of April. Guess what, on the month of April, he had been many posts in his blog. Then I asked him about my question and challenge to him, but because on that time my computer was not fixed yet, that I am not updated if he already answer my question or not. Then on the month of May, that its been several weeks that he is not RECALLING that I have asked him questions. I commented on his blog I said “do you have answered my question and challenge Sir Abe?”

Then he said, he knows nothing about that, that all of the questions from the nonmembers are answered by him. He demands to repost my question, but I said, it is impossible for him that he cannot remember my question especially we had a conversation about it.

I also say to him that he should post it as an article on his blog, and he did it.. BUT, he answered me by giving his opinion and not DIRECT TO THE POINT. He even said that I should go to their website or buy books of their Catechism and that he further say, his duty is not to post all of the doctrines of their Church. By the way, let me first show my first question with the challenge to him. (I will translate it on english)

hi Fr. abe,

I did not go here to have an argument. Just to know catholics/ your side about this. I just want to ask how can you prove that the Catholic church is still the original church or the same and identical church with the 1st century church? Regarding the beliefs?

What i want an answer from you sir is that post doctrines in the Catholic church with the date it began and the authors of it...

Then, let us judge if it is so..

If the beliefs of the catholics nowadays are the beliefs of the 1st century christians...

Godbless. Tnx.

i will wait for your answer^_^ ___________________________-

Firstly, I asked him “how can you prove that the Catholic church is still the original church or the same and identical church with the 1st century church? Regarding the beliefs?”

Then a challenge, “What i want an answer from you sir is that post doctrines in the Catholic church with the date it began and the authors of it...

Then, let us judge if it is so..

If the beliefs of the catholics nowadays are the beliefs of the 1st century christians...”

You can notice that I did not say ALL OF THE DOCTRINES, I already explained to him about it, that even just common doctrines of the Catholic Church like Christmas, Purgatory, All saints day/All Souls day and etc…

But, again, what he answer to me is that I should go to their official website of the CC, because he said “THE DOCTRINES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE ALREADY PUBLISHED IN OUR CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH CORRESPONDING EXPLANATIONS AND BIBLICAL AS WELL AS PATRISTIC SOURCES TO SUPPORT THEM.”

And he even gave me a counter challenge not thinking about my post, for I said “I did not go here to have an argument. Just to know catholics/ your side about this.” I then wondering if he understands my comment on his blog??^_^

(see our conversation, so that you will not say that I am bias.)

But then, the followed answers from him to my posts are all but his opinion, and all about accusing me and the Church of Christ. I thought he will answer my question and challenge to him DIRECT TO THE POINT especially he is a PRIEST/APOLOGIST, but I failed because what he did is that he addressed me on the CC website and Catechism and etc. He then began saying WORDS that I do not expect he will say because he is a PRIEST! I then again asked him, (still hoping that he will answer me DIRECT TO THE POINT). I asked him, “how about Christmas? Why not showing its history?”.

He then addressed me to that Catechism and website and alleged me and my faith that we are blind for we cannot see on the bible that it is said that Christ was born, and that’s why it is called Christmas because it was the day of the birth of Christ.

I think he is the one who is blind not thinking our FAITH is. It should be noted that the Church of Christ did not deny the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. What we did not agree is about the HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS, THE DATE OF CELEBRATING it. Especially what’s its history say that it came from pagans celebrating SUN-GOD Sol invictus and that called CHRISTMAS is not even shown in the bible, therefore not of GOD and not of the APOSTLES but of their CHURCH FATHERS. Clearly, he contradicts himself by saying:

“THE DOCTRINES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE ALREADY PUBLISHED IN OUR CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH CORRESPONDING EXPLANATIONS AND BIBLICAL AS WELL AS PATRISTIC SOURCES TO SUPPORT THEM.”

What can the Catholic Church give any BIBLICAL VERSES that support their doctrine/tradition about celebrating Christ’s birth every 25^th day of DECEMBER? They cant even deny its history formulating that doctrine, that many years ago it is not Dec. 25 Christ’s birth celebrated, but Jan 6.

I still post comments on his blog this week but after I realize that our conversation is only pointing to throwing of accusations and going to nonsense things, I now stopped it as I do this article. I even say this to him, but still, a funny answer of him was I always remembered.

My question is: “HOW CAN YOU PROVE”

And guess what his answer, and alleged me of being blind and closeminded that i am not ACCEPTING his answer?

His answer: “YES”

Again, my question.. HOW CAN YOU PROVE and his answer is YES??

What the??^_^

Bishops endorsement to a presidential candidate

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Video: Abs-Cbn News

Bishops break tradition, back JC de los Reyes candidacy
NIKKA CORSINO and AIE BALAGTAS SEE, GMANews.TV

03/06/2010 | 10:19 AM

Full story, click here.

(I will just quote some of the news)

"Breaking with tradition, six Catholic bishops have announced their support for Ang Kapatiran party standard bearer JC de los Reyes, calling his party "the conscience vote for 2010."

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"The news story posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Website on Saturday explained that the move of the six prelates was a break from "the tradition of offering commentary on election-related moral issues without endorsing candidates."

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"Last weekend, the CBCP Website posted an earlier article announcing that Archbishop Arguelles and Bishop Navarra had endorsed the candidacies of delos Reyes and his senatorial slate. On Friday, the AKP provided GMANews.TV with a statement stating that five more bishops had likewise expressed support for de los Reyes and his entire slate, in addition to the first two prelates. Among the five was Bishop Joel Zamudio Baylon of Legazpi, Albay."

"In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, retired archbishop and canon lawyer Oscar Cruz noted that while his colleagues did not violate any laws, they should not support any candidate to avoid “[dividing] not just the people but also the priests."

"The Philippines is a predominantly Roman Catholic nation, with at least 81 percent of 90 million Filipinos professing to be Catholic. However, even the bishops failed to agree whether there is a so-called Catholic vote.
There is no such thing," Cruz said, adding that 'the Catholics have been very democratic as far as politics is concerned. Tingnan mo na lang yung mga kandidato, eh halos lahat ‘yan Katoliko pero sila mismo nag-aaway-away (Just look at the candidates. Almost all of them are Catholic but they are fighting among themselves), ' Cruz said. But Palang thought otherwise, saying that given the Church’s vast influence, it could persuade the faithful to vote for their chosen candidates. "The Church is very influential. Don’t ever underestimate its power. Just look at [the influence of the late] Cardinal Sin."

Ohh, What's this?? After planning to have BLOCK VOTING, then endorsement of the candidates?? What the?? I dont care if their reason is about the said RH BILL or anything else, the thing here is about ENDORSING AND PLANNING ABOUT BLOCK VOTING. poor!

FYI: The Catholics were the ones who always say negative things about this matter especially to the one's who practice this because of having a doctrine about UNITY inside the true church. It was the CHURCH OF CHRIST, whom by these Catholics always criticize. But wait, WHAT ABOUT THIS??

Tsk. Tsk. Are they now contradicting their selves and their beliefs? Very poor! THIS IS VERY ASHAMING! Why this is happening in the "TRUE CHURCH"(as what Catholic Church claim?)

Alledged abandonment of Bro. Felix Manalo

(FYI: If you will notice on the photo, i think the letter dated 1942, and the source of this uninformed nonmember came from Pasugo 1965. See the red lines and boxes (mine), the letter was also quoted on that article i just hope it was whole taken so that we will evidently see that this issue was been answering in that content [photo].)

This was the alledged letter of Bro. Felix Manalo to the INC members PUBLISHED IN PASUGO MAGAZINE, that they say a proof about the abandonment of Bro. Manalo to the Church of Christ.

Let us read this DECADES AGO accusation of nonmembers and just given life again this issue. Like this bitter uninformed member of Eli Soriano. It is said:

Now, speaking of cowardice, there is a preacher, a leader, who in fear of the Japanese military relinquished his administrative duty and leadership and transferred it to someone else. It is written in their Pasugo, Iglesia ni Manalo’s official magazine, published on October 1965. On page 21, it says:

TRANSLATION:

“Beloved brethren:

“Presently, Brother Prudencio Vasquez is presiding over the Church. This is what the Japanese wants. Let us obey. Do not be anxious because they have the power in our country. My duty is given by God; the same is your faith. I remain in the Church and in what God gave me. This is also what I am asking of you that you should not forsake your faithful and wholehearted love of God, in Christ our Lord, in the Word of God written in the Bible, in the Iglesia ni Kristo in the Philippines and in the Pasugo of God in the Last Day. This short letter of mine should be clear to you and is sufficient to express that we have an understanding just like before.”

Click here for the full content.

This was just another attack of the ADD members of Soriano (came from his research team) from the Church of Christ, especially to God's last messenger. They give a conclusion first before understanding what is written. First of all, the LETTER WAS NOT ADDRESSED TO THEM. That's why they cant understand it because what they do is giving their OPINION about it...


Let us watch this video, about this matter, the answer from FORMER MEMBERS of the founded organization of ELi Soriano, but now enlightened in the true teachings...








See? One of the works of "evil", trying hard on attacking the INC. But they will not win for it is GOD who guide and helps the Church of Christ in overcoming all the trials and obstacles...



May God have mercy on them,
And enlightened their hearts and minds.

The alleged few votes for the ALAGAD party-list

Let us read the poor informed member of the founded church of Eliseo Soriano, (as i know MCGI have its research team for issue's that will, as they think, will bring down the Church of Christ. But, its the vice versa that was happened, very obvious that all of that were just but a propaganda. Tsk. Tsk.)


In this anti-INC blog it is stated:

Alagad Party List of Iglesia ni Cristo has one seat on the House of Representatives of the Philippines on the 13th Congress. They won A SINGLE seat for they had 340,977 votes (2.6802% of the nationwide party-list vote) on the 2004 election.

What! only 340,977 thousand votes?
What happened to their millions of members reported on their pasugo? Did pasugo lied?Even their pasugo have conflicting statistics on their number of members.
But why in the hell the INC (glory) was limited to only 340,977 thousand votes?What happened to their ‘block voting’?
What happened to their ‘pagkakaisa’?
Did some of their members have no longer faith on the decisions handed down by their Church Administration led by Erano Manalo?
Or the number of INC members are really just roughly less than half a million these days?

Maybe that’s the reason why INC worship services causes less traffic on (INC temple) located along commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and on most of their locales/churches. hmmm. How pitiful. Sad but true.

For the full context, click here.

At the start, i will admit that i do not know something about it (especially im not yet a voter^_^) and i said, "maybe its true?" not until in my researches, i found an answer about this matter:

"INC Doesn't support one party-list...it varies in every ecclesiastical district"

Then i recall the circular read in the worship service about the list of the candidates that will support by us, members of the Church of Christ... Then when the 1st district in our city read whom partylist should be voted, it was letter A (for example, name of the partylist group). And when the 2nd district was then next to read, it was B (for example)... In another city, C was chosen. I then ask my self, "I think it is only one partylist whom the INC is supporting during election?"

Then i said after i realized this things...

"Ah ok, that's why as the bitter nonmembers say that only 300,000+ who voted (2004 election) from the partylist called ALAGAD" Not because the INC members didnt cooperate with the UNITY inside the church, but because the INC did not in any way SUPPORT ONLY ONE PARTYLIST!

It is a funny thing to note that the nonmembers think they are so INTELLIGENT and SMART, that their ideas about it, is PERFECT!

Because they say only 300,000+ voted for a partylist called ALAGAD, then they concluded that the INC members did not cooperate for (as other institutions) put the number of the adherents for about 2-3 million registered voters. The sad part, EVIDENTLY THEY SHOWED THAT ITS ALL BUT A BIG LIE!

AGAIN,

What the INC members support on party list groups depends on the district they belong, if you want an evidence, try to go in the worship service week before elections coz it is being read by means of a circular from the church administration, then you will just say to yourself, "WHY I BECAME A LIAR"?

My message again to eveyone:

If you know nothing and anything about the Church of Christ, especially this matter about voting as represents unity among members, that they obey and follow what God commissioned (the church administration) to guide the members in a better living and in God's will..

PLEASE, Dont judge and conclude something right away, ESPECIALLY YOU DONT HAVE THE RIGHT and YOU KNOW NOTHING!^_^

An unfair judgment to INC's block voting

As ive surf the internet, numerous comments and topics about the Iglesia ni Cristo's block voting are just around... I know that is just their OPINION. But an opinion, especially if wrong, should be CORRECTED!! Right?

They criticize how the UNITY in the church were being done. They were then blinded by their false thoughts, and ideas about this matter. These were the different institutions, faith, media, columnists, ordinary people and etc... Mostly, as what their church claimed to have the 83% of the population of the country, the CATHOLICS.

A funny thing to note..


The Iglesia ni Cristo were atleast a century old, but still, this matter.. the BLOCK VOTING of the members were still being criticize by NONMEMBERS. One thing i am sure is that when about/related in politics, things made a very BIG DEAL!


I know that their opinions are like that, is because they are focusing the blocking voting of the INC in how the leaders or the church administration chose whom to support!

AM I RIGHT??

Another thing is, they are having an idea that the INC gets exchange of something from the politicians because of being chosen.


I challenge those nonmembers... Give me any EVIDENCE or PROOFS that the INC DOES ACCEPT/REQUEST SOMETHING, especially what they alleged, MONEY from those politicians WHOM THE INC SUPPORTED. If NOT, I know the true attitudes and intentions of those NONMEMBERS.


3 reasons why they done those...

ENVY, JEALOUS and last... BITTERNESS!

Clearly can be called, WORKS OF "EVIL". right?^_^

Got it?^_^

I will not anymore explain why do i said those, just seeing about what they are showing!


The thing is:

The "UNITY" is one of the doctrine in the Church of Christ, and the so-called block voting are just part of it. This block voting does not effect on hurting/affecting any person or any kind of organism and everything. DOES IT??? no! We do it for the will of God, not for the will of your called "MANALO FAMILY." When we do block voting, there are no bad effects to the society, community, economy and the entire nation!!!

So, if it is not the "block voting" of the Church of Christ who affects the nation and the world, so what organization/church does have the doctrine that have bad effects to the entire people??

Hmmmm....

What about....

BLOCKING AND EVEN MEDDLING IN POLITICS JUST NOT TO PASS THE RH BILL???

That the RH BILL is the no. 1 solution to the worlds one of the biggest problems. POVERTY... Because of what? BECAUSE OF HAVING OVERPOPULATION in most countries!!

For we all know, overpopulation results to poverty... I will not explain this anymore, i know we are AWARE on this!

How about Blocking the use of CONTRACEPTIONS??? tsk. Tsk.
and etc.

IF THEY DO NOT WANT TO PASS THE RH BILL, or they do not want to have every people to have a brighter future and have a development in their status in life, THEY SHOULD BE THE ONE TO SUPPORT THE POOR PEOPLE. How? They should give the needs of them and everything. THEY SHOULD ALSO THE ONE TO BLAME WHY OVERPOPULATION/POVERTY IN MOST OF THE COUNTRIES STILL PRESENT!

For OVERPOPULATION = POVERTY.


Another...

For the others who also CRITICIZE the "block voting" of the INC. The ADD members of Eli Soriano.

First thing they should do is for their "WISE MAN/TRUTHCASTER" should be here in his home country and FACE THE CASES BEING THROWN TO HIM so that he will not be an international fugitive anymore! RIGHT?^_^

This matter is more embarrassing than criticizing INC's block voting.^_^

MY MESSAGE TO EVERYONE:
To all who criticize the INC and still being close minded and in the mind of crab mentality, please widen your minds... Ask to yourself, why does the INC practice UNITY in the way of block voting??

so that many will have bad impression to the church? huh???

(we all know what church DOES ACCEPT MONEY from POLITICIANS, GAMBLINGS, CASINOS and ETC for their church activities. it is even admitted by the authorities inside their beloved "HOLY" church..)

It should be noted:
Every thing has its own purpose why it exists. right?

Another, dont base your opinion to your belief, other's opinion and etc. Base it in FACTS!^_^

More questions? Lets discuss here!

The Iglesia ni Cristo VOTE

Remembering Bro. Felix Manalo

Biography of Bro. Felix Manalo part 1

Biography of Bro. Felix Manalo part 2

Recognition:

The church’s growth and expansion met many criticisms and persecutions. Its leaders and members alike were often ridiculed and maligned. However, Felix Manalo 's mastery of the Bible and his dynamic leadership cannot be denied. He was an eloquent speaker, could deliver a skillful argument, had a facility in the use of Scriptures and a mastery in organization.

The ministers of the Christian Mission honored him on December 12, 1918, as an outstanding evangelist.

The Genius Divinical College of Manila on Avenida, Rizal, a non-sectarian institution headed by Eugenio Guerero, conferred on Felix Manalo the degree of Master of Biblo-Science honoris causa on March 28, 1931.

On July 27, 2007, coinciding with the 93rd Anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo, the National Historical Institute (NHI) of the Philippines unveiled a marker on the birth place of Felix Manalo, declaring the site as a National Historical Landmark. The marker is located at Barangay Calzada, Tipas, Taguig City, Metro Manila where the ancestral home of Manalo once stood. The marker sits on a 744 square meter plaza. In his dedication speech, Ludovico Badoy, NHI executive director said "Brother Felix Manalo's significant contribution to Philippine Society is worth recognizing and emulating.". He further said "...the church he preached have changed the lives and faith of many Filipinos. He deserves the pride and recognition of the people of Taguig.". The responsibility, maintenance and operation of the landmark was turned over to the INC.

On the same year, President Arroyo declared July 27 of every year as "Iglesia ni Cristo Day" to enable millions of INC followers in the Philippines and in 75 countries around the world to observe the occasion with fitting solemnity.

Source: Wikipedia

(May 10) Tomorrow will be the 124th birth anniversary of God's last messenger, Bro. Felix Manalo and also the Philippines' 1st automated election.