What they say about the INC... (1982) part 1

The Church and its growth

“Today, religious sects are flourishing in the Philippines. Some of these have been brought in by missionaries, but others are indigenous having sprouted and grown in the Philippine soil without being introduced or supported from other countries. One of the best known of the latter type is the Iglesia ni Cristo, which came into being in 1914 through the preaching of Felix Manalo. Its more or less distinctive chapels have become familiar landmarks in many cities and towns of the Philippines. Its membership appears to be increasing yearly; and it exercise a measure of influences in the political life of the nation.”

Albert J. Sanders,

A protestant view of the Iglesia ni Cristo 1962 p. 3

“Independent churches have sprung into vigorous life in many, if not all, countries in the Third world. One of the largest, wealthiest, and more powerful of these is the rapidly growing Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines.”

Arthur Leonard Tuggy,

IGLESIA NI CRISTO: A study in Independent Church Dynamics 1976 p. vii

“On the worldwide scene, its significance is great primarily, because of its size and wealth. The Iglesia ni Cristo is the largest (non mission related) independent church in Asia. It is about fifty percent larger than the Kimbaguist Church in Zaire, the largest independent church in Africa, and about the same size as the Congregacao Crista in Brazil. …,its existence as an independent church must be taken very seriously.”

Arthur Leonard Tuggy,

IGLESIA NI CRISTO pp. 244-245

“No one however would doubt that the Iglesia ni Cristo is a dynamic religious body which has shown intense vitality, endowed, as it is, with a sturdy organization that many other religious groups in the country patently lack.”

Pedro S. Archutegui, S.J

Director Cardinal Bea

Institute for Ecumenical

Studies from the Foreword of the Iglesia ni Cristo: Its Christology and Ecclesiology

“The Iglesia ni Cristo has increased in its expansion under Erano Manalo. By 1974 it had become the largest non Catholic church in the Philippines.”

Alex Wilson & Christine Tetly,

1978, p.85

“Yet it cannot be denied that the Iglesia is a large, powerful and expanding organization. It may well constitute the most vital and aggressive threat which the Catholic Church faces in the Islands at the present time. It is certainly a force to be reckoned with now and in the years to come by any one interested in the religious welfare of the Filipino people.”

Joseph J. Kavanagh, S.J

Philippine Studies (a quarterly)

“Whatever people say about the Iglesia ni Cristo, it seems to grow in geometrical progression; The show numbers—or some members may be wont call it the infalliability of numbers—at the Araneta Coliseum indicated that behind its growth as an organization and a leadership that is remarkable.”

Faliz M. Caliwag

Sunday times

“The largest and fastest-growing of all these groups—indeed, of any organization outside the army—is the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ)…”

Max L. Stackman, “The Phil. Tinderbox (Part I); The Christian Century”

May 15, 1982, p.54

“…the fastest growing religious movements in the Philippines.”

Gerald H. Anderson, editor

Studies in Philippines Church History

“…the Iglesia ni Cristo, which is not a century old yet more powerful than the four-century old Catholic faith in the Philippines.”

Jose C. Balein, Columnist

“Another one”, The Manila Chronicle, Feb. 3, 1965

“It may be significant that the Iglesia has been able to achieve its great growth without the extensive splintering which has occurred among Pentecostals in the Philippines.”

Arthur L. Tuggy,

Iglesia ni Cristo, pp.258-259

“…the decline of Aglipayanism is closely connected with the rise of the Iglesia ni Cristo.”

Frederic H. Chaffee et. Al.,

Area Handbook for the Philippines, Feb. 1969, p.163

“…the Church of Christ in the Philippines has converted millions of people of various nationalities. The phenomenal growth and unchecked progress of evangelization have caught the imagination of many. Her achievements, both spiritual and temporal, are too marvelous to be considered as the work of man.”

Zoilo Galang, editor

Encyclopedia of the Philippines Vol. XX Manila, Phil.

C1958, p. 466

“With its serious and larger following, the Iglesia ni Cristo was organized in 1914 by Felix Manalo. It has since become one of the richest and most powerful religious groups in the country.”

Alfredo Roces, editor

Filipino Heritage: The making of the nation, c1978, p.1624

“The Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ in the Philippines is the fulfillment of the prophecy written in chapter 7, verses 2 and 3 of the revelation and in accord with various prophecies in the books of Prophecies of God recorded in the Bible, such as in Isaiah 41:9, 43:5-7, 46:11”

Zoilo Galang, editor

Encyclopedia of the Philippines

“The Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo) has developed from proverbial mustard seed to a full frown oak since its emergence in 1914 in Punta, Sta. Manila, under the leadership of Felix Manalo.”

Philippine Daily Express

“Iglesia ni Cristo: From mustard seed to full-grown oak”

The doctrines

“Actually, Iglesia doctrine is a much firmer structure than many of its opponents are ready to admit.”

Arthur L. Tuggy,

Iglesia ni Cristo, p.255

“… the Iglesia’s liturgy is unique… The liturgy celebrated every Thursday and Sunday, is essentially a liturgy of the Word, consisting of choral and congregational singing, Biblical preaching and communal prayers. … For the Iglesia the most important of all is the Word of God that weekly nourishes the spirit.”

Alfredo Roces, editor

Filipino Heritage: The making of the Nation, p. 2728

“Adherents of the Iglesia, it must be assumed, are earnestly seeking for the fullness of God’s truth. The Bible for them is the only rule of faith and practice. God’s oneness and creatorship are recognized, and Jesus Christ is accepted and trusted as Lord and Savior.”

Gerald H. Anderson, editor

Studies in the Philippine Church history, p. 364

“The Iglesia claims to be neither Catholic, for it worships no graven idols, nor Protestant, for it form a single body, firmly ruled by a bishop and is not a multiplicity of sects. The Iglesia is the true long dead Church of Christ, quickened to life by the Lord’s own Messenger—Bishop Felix Manalo.”

Alfredo Roces, editor

Filipino Heritage: The making of the Nation, p. 2728

The last Messenger

“Today religious sects are flourishing in the Philippines. One of the most formidable of these is that founded by Felix Manalo in 1914 and officially designated as Iglesia ni Cristo … Many of its members come from Protestant churches. Manalo is a dynamic leader who has demonstrated unusual ability in influencing people in building up a strong organization. His churches are found not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao.”

Albert Sanders

A protestant view of the Iglesia ni Cristo

“… the Iglesia ni Cristo has shown a phenomenal growth. Starting from Manalo who, in 1914, constituted a religious hierarchy of one, the church has grown into a nation-wide organization noted for its ornate cathedrals, centrally located chapels and well knit ministers and members. A kind of organization like it had never before been known in the Philippines. That Manalo made such an organization possible in the country is remarkable; that he was able to make it a great social force is a tribute to his indigenous aspiration and spiritual leadership.”

Mac A. Fabian

“Felix Manalo (A great Spiritual leader)”, 1969, p.9

“Iglesia leaders are loyal, aggressive hardworking.”

G.M. Roperos

Sunday times magazine, Jan. 11, 1959

“…Bishop Felix Manalo, consistently upheld in his sermons, in the Church Congregations, in his utterances in public rallies and in writings, that he is a mere brother and, in keeping with his commission, and teaches nothing in his own but merely converts people in the Church of Christ, these people should follow and obey only that which God commands. This he does, for he seeks only the glory of him that has sent him.”

Zoilo Galang, editor

Encyclopedia of the Philippines

“Factors Contributing to the growth of the movement.”

“First has been the dynamic leadership of Felix Manalo who dominated the movement for a period of forty-nine years.”

Gerald H. Anderson, editor

Studies in Philippines Church History