Can you understand the bible by yourself?

Many protestant sects/denominations and even individuals think that they can interpret the words by God from the bible by how it should be interpreted. That’s why there are thousands of sects/denominations, each having different beliefs depends on how its pastor/founder interpret thebible but they do have the basic doctrine, the sola fide and sola scriptura.

Many people also claim that they know the knowledge from the bible ONLY by reading it and by not by joining any religion, those people what im talking about can’t admit that they were confused and frustrated because of disappointment to religions they had been so they established their own faith/beliefs.

They always say these:

“Oh you, read the bible and get to know Jesus, all you need is the bible!
“Don’t believe to what your ministers say, read the bible so you will know the truth!”

The question is, IS IT TRUE?

That anyone, that has read the bible, can interpret words of God by himself? Is the bible an open book for easy to be understand?

Apostle Paul described the Bible as a book not like any other, not in any way similar to other religious books in the sense that its message is “the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages pasts.”

“Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,” Rom. 16:25

This is referring to the Bible, we are not surprised that, in spite of efforts and wisdom, people have misunderstood the teachings of the bible. People have confronted another in their zeal and eagerness to shed light to the “mystery hidden for long ages past.”

Today, the number of ways by which people interpret God’s words has become directly proportional to the number of varying religious sects and denominations. That proves the people’s efforts are in vain.

Apostle Peter strongly pointed out that the bible was not a book open to understanding of just any knowledgeable individual. This he made certain in a letter he sent to the Christians in his time:

“knowing this first: that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in olden times by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." II pet. 1:20-21

Even if you were like Einstein, Aristotle, and so on, even if you finished all the courses offered in your very famous university, even if you were the smartest man in the world, still, it is not a guarantee for you to understand fully the bible by yourself. It’s clear in the verse, it is but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

God himself has given us the key to understanding the message of the bible which has been hidden in mystery:

“For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” I Cor. 2:11-13

Man by himself does not have the capacity to understand the thoughts of the infinite God. It is the spirit of God that can understand his thoughts and therefore, only those people who have received the spirit from Him, will be able to understand exactly what he wants people to understand.

What are the evidence that there are people who misunderstood God’s words?

Is that we are not united in our religious beliefs, and there are thousands and thousands of religion in the world! If they really received the holy spirit, then there should have been only worldwide, universal and international religion, thus dismissing all religious debates and disputes as unnecessary and a useless exercise. But people differ very much in their understanding of the message of the bible.

This puts man in a position that requires constant search for absolute truth. However, man’s skills and intelligence does not give him understanding of the message of the bible because God has:

“... hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” Mat.11:25

\While instructing his apostles, our Lord Jesus Christ made it clear that:

“He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” Mk. 4:11-12

No wonder, people have been confounded that some have turned complacent with regard to the matter of choosing which religion is the true one and which one has the true message of God.

Apostle Peter warned the early Christians in this manner:

“as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. ” II pet.3:16

Not only will the preachers who distort the Scriptures be destroyed or condemned on the Day of judgment but even those who listen to them.

Philip and the Ethiopian

The bible records the story of Philip and Ethiopian to illustrate this truth. The Ethiopian eunuch, being the treasurer of the Queen of Ethiopia, was a learned man but he was honest enough to admit that he did not understand any of the words in the book of Isaiah that he was reading. There had to be a messenger of God, in this case, Philip, one of the deacons in the early church, to explain to him the words he was reading from Sacred Scriptures. Through Philip he learned God’s message, believed and was baptized into the church of Christ. Their story is written in Acts 8:26-39, I’ll just quote what the eunuch said to Philip:

“So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”

Why understand the bible?

"always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." II tim. 3:7

Again, even if youre the most intelligent human being on earth, but still it is not a guarantee for you to understand the message of God. Indeed, they may study diligently but they will become confused. They will never understand the truth and even lead others to confusion if they try to teach their own private interpretation. Christ calls them,

"... they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." mat. 15:13-14

We need a messenger

This makes it the personal responsibility of every individual to search diligently for the truth. The bible said:

“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, And people should seek the law from his mouth; For he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. ” Mal. 2:7

In ancient Israel, the levitical priests were entrusted the message of God. It was not from them, as God’s messengers, that people sought his instructions.

The messengers of God are his instruments in shedding light into the truth of the Sacred Scriptures, whoever God sends speaks of his words as he is guided by the Spirit:

“ For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. ” Jn. 3:34

It is not “by means of their own wisdom” that you can understand the message in the bible, but “through the Holy Spirit”:

“For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” I Cor. 1:21

He further says:

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” I Cor. 2:10

Apostle Paul asked:

“And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” Rome 10:15

Apostle Paul was educated and learned, having had formal education but he did not preach based on human wisdom. In Gal. 1:11-12 he said:

“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. ”

As promised by our lord Jesus Christ, the apostles undoubtedly received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). The people who heard and believed in the gospel as preached by them similarly received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:1-44). It doesn’t follow, however, that all who receive the holy spirit inside the true church are authorized to preach.

“Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a preacher? No...” I Cor. 12:29

Apostle Paul forewarned Galatian Christians about anyone who would preach a gospel that was different from the one he and the other messengers of God had already preached to them:

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ” Gal. 1:6-8

They who preach “another gospel” are false preacher, about whom Apostle Paul says,

“....May [they] be condemned to hell! ” Gal. 1:8

Again, it is not true that anyone can UNDERSTAND the bible, and can interpret the message from the bible, because if that so, we are united in beliefs for it can be understood easily. Like in the 1^st century Christian church, they have apostles or messengers of God for them to understand God’s gospel. We need someone who received the Holy spirit from God whom he entrusted to preach the truth for everyone will know the message of salvation.

How can we know?

Examine their doctrines, be open minded always because it is everyone’s duty to search for the true knowledge we should learn and will bring us to our salvation. We should work for our salvation, salvation would not come to us as if its just like that, we work hard for the exams and everything here on earth, the result of those is because of what we do, and not because of someone else.

So achieving salvation is not because of someone, but because of what you have done. If your life is like “always waiting for something”, well its time to change that!

Again, the bible is not for everyone to understand because:

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” I pet. 2:10

And, that's why we have ministers, if you will notice in our worship services, the minister preaches while were attentively listening to him. It is not true that the ministers are "brainwashing" our minds just because of that scene, and also it is not true that ministers doesnt allow members to read the bible, NO!

They even encourage us to do so but, the only thing they concerned is, if we read the bible and become confused, we can be mislead because of our misunderstanding about the message from the bible.

The body of Christ does have many parts and each has different functions, not all can PREACH, not all can understand the bible by reading it, but whom God trusted!

"What's the need for ministers or even pastors in your church if you can even read the bible by YOURSELF and interpret it as the way you understand it?"

A question, same as like:

"Why do we need a leader if the members has its own mind to decide?"

We, members of the Church of Christ submit our TRUST to the ministers as they were God's instrument in delivering the message from the bible to us, that's why it is not true that we let "ministers to brainwash our minds".

Another is that you can see the common reaction of the nonmembers, they say "INC members are just puppets because whatever the minister say, they do it." Its a dumb thinking about us, because while it is true that whatever the Church decided and say unto us, it is but for our own good especially in attaining salvation.

I think they just cant take the truth what the INC upholds...

Is there anything as "TRUE CHURCH"?

I found an interesting argument by Eli Soriano when ive watched an episode in his tv program "Itanong mo kay Soriano", he said that it is unbiblical when you say your church is the true church, because it is not mentioned in the bible about TRUE CHURCH, only church, not TRUE Church, meaning to say the ministers violate god's teachings about "adding and subtracting words in the bible".

Is it true?

In the first place, YES. you cannot find any phrase in the bible that says "true church", but why is it that INC still saying they are the true church of Christ?

A nonmember asks:

IM SORRY, but I beg to disagree with one of your ministers who, in the Bible exposition I attended, kept on mentioning the phrase “true Church.” “True Church” does not appear in the Holy Bible, so it is better not to add “true” to the word “church,” lest be punished by the Lord (Rev. 22:18-19).

Believing that Jesus is the Christ is sufficient for a person to be a member of His body or Church (Matt. 16:16-19; I John 5:1; John 20:31; I John 2:21-25). Many religions, especially the various Protestant and ‘born-again’ denominations, preach that Jesus is the Christ, so all of them are His “called out” (translated “church”).

In stressing an important point in our discourse, like the one you heard, we do make use of the phrase “true Church.” Usually, the qualifier “true” is used in the context that today, unlike during Christ’s ministry on earth, many false religions introduce themselves as Christ’s Church.

Hence, to distinguish the Church that belongs to Christ from those which only claim as such, we use the phrase “true Church.” This is not adding to the Scriptures but only serves to magnify the biblical truth as we relate it to the present situation. Christ Himself made mention of “true worshipers” (John 4:23) as opposed to those who are not (Matt. 15:9).

What actually is a gross twisting of the Scriptures is the statement that “believing that Jesus is the Christ is sufficient to be a member of His body or Church.” While the verses you enumerated (Matt. 16:16-19; I John 5:1; John 20:31; I John 2:21-25) do teach the importance of “believing that Jesus is the Christ,” neither one of them states that it is “sufficient” to become part of Christ’s body.

In John 8:31, Jesus Himself

“said to those Jews who believed in Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed”.

Jesus here was talking not to people who have no faith in Him but to those “who believed in Him.” Hence, He taught them the condition they should meet for them to be His disciples: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” Therefore, one cannot be Christ’s disciple or a member of His Church by simply believing in or professing faith in Him – he should also obey Christ’s words or commands. One of Christ’s commands is to enter His fold.

In John 10:9, the Savior pronounced,

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

The fold or flock that is referred to, according to Apostle Paul, is the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). Therefore, only those who have joined Christ fold by listening to the Gospel as preached by God’s messengers (Mark 16:15; Rom. 10:15), believing in them (Mark 16:16), and receiving baptism into one body (Mark 16:16; I Cor. 12:13) are the true members of the Church of Christ (Col. 1:18; Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

The Church is called the body of Christ (Col. 1:18). There are not many bodies or churches of Christ but only one. This truth emanates from the fact that Christ founded only one Church (Matt. 16:18). Therefore, the true believers in Christ are not found in many different religious organizations for they are baptized into just one body (I Cor. 12:13) or Church which, as described by the Holy Scriptures, is professing “one faith” (Eph. 4:4-6). As various Christian-professing religious groups nowadays espouse opposing sets of doctrines and practices, it would be unbiblical and illogical to believe that they all compose the true Church of Christ.

Conclusively, one should listen to the words of God from His messengers (Rom. 10:15), believe in them, and be baptized in order to be saved. In being baptized, he joins the Church where those called by God are gathered together (I Cor. 12:13; Col. 3:15). But, as he enters the Church, he can only be assured of salvation if he would remain in the Church, faithful to the commandments of God, that is, leading a righteous life based on the teachings of the Bible (II Cor. 5:17; II Tim. 3:15-17) and endure until the end (Matt. 24:13).

These biblical teachings prove, among others, that merely believing in Christ does not make a person a member of Christ’s body or Church, much less become worthy of salvation. The Savior Himself declared:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21, NKJV)

Another, about the phrase "true church", why INC is calling itself true church? it is because there are so many churches numbering thousands and thousands because of the Protestant system, and also false prophets saying they are Christ's Church, so how can people determine Christ's true church if example, a total of 5000 different churches claiming that they are Christ's church?

Of course, among those, one will stand out by saying the truth, how? you can see it on the doctrines and teachings. Not because one said, we are in the true church, means it is true. Examine those and you can see what church really is the TRUE CHURCH! the word TRUE CHURCH is only to distinguish and others to let them know what really is it.

Especially the Iglesia ni Cristo have doctrines that really prove that this church is the real church of Christ, it is in our faith and so we fully believe that this is the true church that doesnt have a teachings that is CONTRARY and against the will of God.

So, we are inviting you to EXAMINE THE DOCTRINES AND TEACHINGS OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO, after hearing lessons about it, then judge if what were saying is true! You need a call from God, how can you hear words of God if you are close minded? you cannot receive the Holy Spirit if that's the case, so be OPEN MINDED!

Iglesia ni Cristo is indeed registered as a Corporation Sole!

After researching, though its really hard to find answer specially i did not ask it to a minister or authorities in the church but only here in the internet, i came to know the answer about this allegation of those jealous and mind-corrupted by devils that Iglesia ni Cristo is a "business" only because it is registered as a CORPORATION SOLE in the SEC (securities and exchange commission). 

I was just very happy that it is like answer is finding me, not that i am finding for the answer^^ I came across to an informative article about Baptist churches registering in the SEC as CORPORATION SOLE.

Then, i realized it like a puzzle one by one.

FACT: Iglesia ni Cristo is registered AS A CORPORATION SOLE in the SEC and that it is written there that Bro. Felix Manalo is the founder/Executive minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Seems that anti-INC are now rejoicing and over smiling because A MEMBER is admitting that INC is indeed registered as CORPORATION SOLE.

WAIT, dont rejoice!

Let's start this! So that this long time allegation and favorite topic of these instruments of the devil will END!


What is CORPORATION SOLE?

"A corporation sole is a legal entity consisting of a single ('sole') incorporated office, occupied by a single ('sole') man or woman. This allows a corporation (usually a religious corporation) to pass vertically in time from one office holder to the next successor-in-office, giving the position legal continuity with each subsequent office holder having identical powers to his predecessor.

Most corporations sole are church-related..." wikipedia



"The corporation sole, or corporate sole, is legally defined:

Corporations sole are those which by law consist of but one member at any one time, as a bishop in England... It is said in England to include the Crown, all bishops, rectors, vicars and the like.

A corporation sole is one consisting of one person only, and his successors in some particular station, who are incorporated by law in order to give them some legal capacities and advantages, particularly that of perpetuity, which in their natural persons they could not have had..." Corporation Sole Facts


What's in this? or the main point about it?

"The concept of corporation sole originated as a means to the orderly transfer of church or religious society property, serving to keep title within the church or religious society. In order to keep the religious property from being treated as the estate of the vicar of the church, the property was titled to the office of the corporation sole..."

"The corporation sole form can also serve the needs of a very small church or religious society, just as well as a large diocese. By reducing the complexity of the organization to one office and one office holder, the need for by-laws is eliminated. Also, the pastor of the church or overseer of the society does not have to deal with the complexity of a board of directors..." wikipedia


When I was searching about it, i came to a very interesting article about Baptist churches registering into Corporation Sole, here is my post about it:


About the CORPORATION SOLE


Please read it and the answer about INCORPORATION OF CHURCHES is already in there!
And because i want you to be educated, and not living in a BIG LIE, i will summarize it JUST FOR YOU!

Is it okay if a church is not registered in the law/as being CORPORATION SOLE in the SEC?

YES, Church can exist and function even if its not registered. But, there are things and reasons why it is a privilege to register a church in the SEC.


What kind of privilege is that?

That the church's properties can be titled in the name of the church itself, not in the name of the pastors or some members! (More? See above. What's in this? or the main point about here?)


PROOF about why Bro. Felix registered it in the SEC as CORPORATION SOLE

"To avoid problems in the future, the Iglesia ni Cristo was officially registered as a corporation sole with Felix Manalo as executive minister on July 27, 1914..." National Historical Commission

"To avoid accusations of preaching an unrecognized church, Felix Manalo decided to register the Iglesia ni Cristo with the Philippine government. He asked a lawyer friend, Juan Natividad, to assist him. On July 27, 1914, the Iglesia ni Cristo was officially registered, the date of its registration coinciding with the outbreak of World War I. It was registered as a "corporation sole" with Felix Manalo as Executive Minister." student631.tripod.com

INC is registered only as Corporation Sole, while others are registered as corporation aggregate like the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista En Las Islas Filipinas, Inc. (IEMELIF), what's the difference?


The Corporation Sole VS. Corporation Aggregate

"The Court explained that a corporation sole is “one formed by the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or other presiding elder of a religious denomination, sect or church, for the purpose of administering or managing, as trustee, the affairs, properties and temporalities of such religious denomination, sect of or church,” while a corporation aggregate is one formed by two or more persons for the same purpose..." Supreme Court of the Philippines


Law about the Corporation Sole:

Corporate Code of the Philippines [Sec. 109-116]

TITLE XIII : SPECIAL CORPORATIONS
Chapter II – RELIGIOUS CORPORATIONS

Sec. 109. Classes of religious corporations. – Religious corporations may be incorporated by one or more persons. Such corporations may be classified into corporations sole and religious societies.

Religious corporations shall be governed by this Chapter and by the general provisions on non-stock corporations insofar as they may be applicable. (n)
Sec. 110. Corporation sole. – For the purpose of administering and managing, as trustee, the affairs, property and temporalities of any religious denomination, sect or church, a corporation sole may be formed by the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or other presiding elder of such religious denomination, sect or church. (154a)

Sec. 111. Articles of incorporation. – In order to become a corporation sole, the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder of any religious denomination, sect or church must file with the Securities and Exchange Commission articles of incorporation setting forth the following:

1. That he is the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder of his religious denomination, sect or church and that he desires to become a corporation sole;
2. That the rules, regulations and discipline of his religious denomination, sect or church are not inconsistent with his becoming a corporation sole and do not forbid it;
3. That as such chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder, he is charged with the administration of the temporalities and the management of the affairs, estate and properties of his religious denomination, sect or church within his territorial jurisdiction, describing such territorial jurisdiction;
4. The manner in which any vacancy occurring in the office of chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi of presiding elder is required to be filled, according to the rules, regulations or discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church to which he belongs; and
5. The place where the principal office of the corporation sole is to be established and located, which place must be within the Philippines.
The articles of incorporation may include any other provision not contrary to law for the regulation of the affairs of the corporation. (n)

Sec. 112. Submission of the articles of incorporation. – The articles of incorporation must be verified, before filing, by affidavit or affirmation of the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder, as the case may be, and accompanied by a copy of the commission, certificate of election or letter of appointment of such chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder, duly certified to be correct by any notary public.
From and after the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the said articles of incorporation, verified by affidavit or affirmation, and accompanied by the documents mentioned in the preceding paragraph, such chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder shall become a corporation sole and all temporalities, estate and properties of the religious denomination, sect or church theretofore administered or managed by him as such chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder shall be held in trust by him as a corporation sole, for the use, purpose, behalf and sole benefit of his religious denomination, sect or church, including hospitals, schools, colleges, orphan asylums, parsonages and cemeteries thereof. (n)

Sec. 113. Acquisition and alienation of property. – Any corporation sole may purchase and hold real estate and personal property for its church, charitable, benevolent or educational purposes, and may receive bequests or gifts for such purposes. Such corporation may sell or mortgage real property held by it by obtaining an order for that purpose from the Court of First Instance of the province where the property is situated upon proof made to the satisfaction of the court that notice of the application for leave to sell or mortgage has been given by publication or otherwise in such manner and for such time as said court may have directed, and that it is to the interest of the corporation that leave to sell or mortgage should be granted. The application for leave to sell or mortgage must be made by petition, duly verified, by the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder acting as corporation sole, and may be opposed by any member of the religious denomination, sect or church represented by the corporation sole: Provided, That in cases where the rules, regulations and discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church, religious society or order concerned represented by such corporation sole regulate the method of acquiring, holding, selling and mortgaging real estate and personal property, such rules, regulations and discipline shall control, and the intervention of the courts shall not be necessary. (159a)

Sec. 114. Filling of vacancies. – The successors in office of any chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder in a corporation sole shall become the corporation sole on their accession to office and shall be permitted to transact business as such on the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a copy of their commission, certificate of election, or letters of appointment, duly certified by any notary public.

During any vacancy in the office of chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder of any religious denomination, sect or church incorporated as a corporation sole, the person or persons authorized and empowered by the rules, regulations or discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church represented by the corporation sole to administer the temporalities and manage the affairs, estate and properties of the corporation sole during the vacancy shall exercise all the powers and authority of the corporation sole during such vacancy. (158a)

Sec. 115. Dissolution. – A corporation sole may be dissolved and its affairs settled voluntarily by submitting to the Securities and Exchange Commission a verified declaration of dissolution.

The declaration of dissolution shall set forth:
1. The name of the corporation;
2. The reason for dissolution and winding up;
3. The authorization for the dissolution of the corporation by the particular religious denomination, sect or church;
4. The names and addresses of the persons who are to supervise the winding up of the affairs of the corporation.

Upon approval of such declaration of dissolution by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the corporation shall cease to carry on its operations except for the purpose of winding up its affairs. (n)

Sec. 116. Religious societies. – Any religious society or religious order, or any diocese, synod, or district organization of any religious denomination, sect or church, unless forbidden by the constitution, rules, regulations, or discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church of which it is a part, or by competent authority, may, upon written consent and/or by an affirmative vote at a meeting called for the purpose of at least two-thirds (2/3) of its membership, incorporate for the administration of its temporalities or for the management of its affairs, properties and estate by filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, articles of incorporation verified by the affidavit of the presiding elder, secretary, or clerk or other member of such religious society or religious order, or diocese, synod, or district organization of the religious denomination, sect or church, setting forth the following:

1. That the religious society or religious order, or diocese, synod, or district organization is a religious organization of a religious denomination, sect or church;
2. That at least two-thirds (2/3) of its membership have given their written consent or have voted to incorporate, at a duly convened meeting of the body;
3. That the incorporation of the religious society or religious order, or diocese, synod, or district organization desiring to incorporate is not forbidden by competent authority or by the constitution, rules, regulations or discipline of the religious denomination, sect, or church of which it forms a part;
4. That the religious society or religious order, or diocese, synod, or district organization desires to incorporate for the administration of its affairs, properties and estate;
5. The place where the principal office of the corporation is to be established and located, which place must be within the Philippines; and
6. The names, nationalities, and residences of the trustees elected by the religious society or religious order, or the diocese, synod, or district organization to serve for the first year or such other period as may be prescribed by the laws of the religious society or religious order, or of the diocese, synod, or district organization, the board of trustees to be not less than five (5) nor more than fifteen (15). (160a)

Is the Iglesia ni Cristo the only church in the world that is registered as CORPORATION SOLE?

NO!

Most protestants denominations/sects i know is registered as that, i always saw names of  churches for example, Church of Christ in heaven inc. , If there is INC. or incorporated, it means it is registered under the LAW.

Roman Catholic Church's properties registered as CORPORATION SOLE

"In the case of the Roman Catholic Church, the property is usually titled to the diocesan bishop, who serves in the office of the corporation sole. The Roman Catholic Church continues to use the corporation sole for holding title for property, and as recently as 2002, split a Californian diocese into many, smaller corporations sole, with each parish priest becoming his own corporation sole, thus limiting the liability of the diocese..." wikipedia

"Mormon Church" uses a form of CORPORATION SOLE

"Similarly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon church) uses the corporation sole form for its president (the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)." wikipedia

Church of Soriano is an INCORPORATED church

1977- Ang mga Kaanib sa Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, Incorporated
1993- Bayan ng Katotohanan Incorporated
1994- Iglesia ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH, Inc.
2005- Members Church of God International, Inc.


and many other...

SHOCKING TRUTH: CORPORATION SOLE ORIGINATED FROM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH!

History of CORPORATION SOLE:

"The corporation is a product of ancient Roman civil law. By 250 B.C. Rome had perfected the corporation to include all of the legal attributes we are familiar with in corporations today. By 6 A.D. the corporation was codified into the first great body of Roman civil law, known as Corpus Juris Civilus. 

Several centuries later, and particularly after the time that Emperor Constantine declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire (323 A.D.), the Roman Church appropriated and used the corporation for ecclesiastical purposes and, in particular, holding church property..." See full content: Corporation sole facts


Catholics and Catholic defenders mockingly and made stories that INC is a business because it is registered as CORPORATION SOLE and saying its not of GOD only because of that issue, being uneducated about it, they came to conclude it and its very funny because its a long time attack to the INC. What is funnier here is that the use of CORPORATION SOLE ORIGINATED FROM THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, the CATHOLIC CHURCH!


"Iglesia ni Cristo evidently not of Christ because it is written that Bro. Felix is the founder/executive minister and not Christ!?"

Another funny accusation, why?

 We believe that Bro. Felix Manalo is a messenger of GOD or GOD'S instrument in restoring the true Church of Christ in the far east. We did not and never recognize him as the founder of the church because it is Jesus Christ who founded the church.

Even though authors/publishers on newspapers and etc. say that Iglesia ni Cristo's founder is Felix Manalo, is because it is what is written in the law in the time of Incorporation of the church. And you, what would you like to put on the registry about who's the founder? Jesus Christ? 

As of what is written in the law:

"Sec. 111. Articles of incorporation. – In order to become a corporation sole, the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder of any religious denomination, sect or church must file with the Securities and Exchange Commission articles of incorporation setting forth the following:
1. That he is the chief archbishop, bishop, priest, minister, rabbi or presiding elder of his religious denomination, sect or church and that he desires to become a corporation sole;"

Many claims that their church is Christ's church, and how can you determine a particular group without mentioning who's the person behind it, especially for example there are many churches that named Church of Christ? 

How can Christ be the founder if he is already dead hundred years ago?

One word that answer that. PROPHECY. Even Christ and other messengers of God are prophesied first, but why Bro. Felix not in the bible? It is because the bible was already published before Bro. Felix and his work came, even Christ before, his name was only mentioned when the prophecy fulfilled.

 
Is the Iglesia ni Cristo owned by "Manalo family"?

This is another most often attack by those unschooled detractors of the INC, WHY? Corporation Sole again, "is a legal entity consisting of a single ('sole') incorporated office, occupied by a single ('sole') man or woman..." ONLY ONE, why do they say it is owned by the "Manalo family"?

Church properties are TITLED to the CHURCH ITSELF and not to its Executive Minister.

Converts: At last, he is called after how many years

photo soon.

There is so many nonmember who's like this, attending worship services in the INC, and participating in activities whenever they are invited, for a long time, but really doesnt still understand teachings and called by God. But before they regret in the end, it becomes a happy moment because God love them, and God able to call them here in the true church...

I could not deny the truth
By Edwin Wilson

I am now a member of the local congregation of Orange Park in Florida, USA, currently serving as a deacon and the president of the Buklod organization. But without the mercy of God and the patience and the perseverance of a minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo, I would still be wandering and searching for the true Church.
I had been attending the Iglesia ni Cristo in the local congregation of Jacksonville, Florida off and on since 1979. I had many friends there and usually went to see them or at their invitation. I attended Bible studies, grand evangelical missions, and worship services but only when I was invited by a friend. But it seemed that every time I went, I heard something that turned me off. Obviously, I did not want to hear the message that the minister was trying to relate to me, so I would go home and not return for weeks or months. That went on for about 23 years.
Then, I was invited to a birthday party of a friend's son. I was happy to attend since I liked this friend of mine very much. It was there where I first met Brother Wilfredo Santos, a minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo. He asked me why I did not attend worship service. I told him that I was raised a Methodist and that I did not really believe that his Church was the only way to achieve salvation. And besides, I had a job where I traveled five days a week leaving home Monday mornings and returning Friday afternoons, and occasionally traveling to Europe for two or four weeks at a time. So, there was no way that I could attend worship service in his Church, because on the weekends I had to catch up on my chores at home and spend time with my family.

Brother Santos looked me straight in the eye and said, "Brother, what you need is one good reason to come to the worship service, you have so many reasons not to attend. Please come tomorrow and give me a chance to tell you who we are, what we believe and why we believe as we do. Let me explain these things to you and then if you decide that our Church is not for you, you can go your way."

I was taken aback by his complete sincerity. I could tell that he believed with all his heart in his message and in the Church he belonged to. I thought to myself, I have to give this man a chance to express his beliefs. Any person that is sincere in his beliefs surely deserves a chance.
I attended that Sunday and listened to the lesson. Brother Santos approached me after the worship service and asked if I had any questions. I did and he promptly answered them with verses from the Bible. I attended for three months without missing, a worship service and then I signed up for instruction in biblical doctrines. Brother Santos started with Lesson one and after four or five lessons, he could see my eagerness to hear more. He told me to call him anytime I wanted to hear a Bible lesson and he would come and administer the next lesson to me.

I would write down the verses in the lesson and go home and read them over and over. For the first time in my life, I actually enjoyed reading the bible. Reading the bible became a pleasure instead of obligation. Once i had heard all the lessons, there was no way that i could deny the Iglesia Ni Cristo. I could hardly wait to be baptized and become a member. I was baptized on the 8th of December 2002 by Bro. Santos in the local congregation of Jacksonville.

I will always indebted to God who called me through a Church of Christ minister who showed me his genuine concern for my soul. I will look forward to the day of salvation and will continue to serve God until death.

Pasugo issue April 2007

Jesus is God because he is savior?

Many nonmembers asks that if God the Father is savior and so Jesus Christ, why do we need him (Christ) if we already have the Father as savior? so how can a ‘man’ give salvation? If he is a savior therefore Christ is God!

It is true that God the Father is savior (Isaiah 45:21-22) and that Jesus Christ is also savior (John 4:42; Eph. 5:23). However, to assume that Christ is also God because he is savior is to ignore the teachings of the holy scriptures on how he became savior:

“It was Jesus, a descendant of David, whom God made the savior of the people of Israel, as he had promised” Acts 13:23

“Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31

Clearly therefore that Christ is savior because he was exalted and made such by God. Now, if christ’s being made savior made him god, then comes the absurd conclusion that Christ became God because he was made such by another God.

The holy scriptures also teaches that Christ himself indeed needed salvation from God (Heb. 5:7). Could this have meant that one God “offered up prayers and supplications” to another God “who was able to save him from death?” Surely not, as this directly contradicts the doctrine of the bible that “there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things” (I Cor. 8:6).

To further ask, “Why do we need Jesus if we already have the Father for Salvation?” and “How can a man (jesus) give salvation?” is to overlook, to say the least, biblical pronouncements on the manner through which the Father will grant salvation. The Father, who alone is God (John 17:1,3), will give salvation through “the man” He has ordained, Jesus Christ. The bible explains, thus:

“And now—all glory to him who alone is God, who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Jude 1:24)

“because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”” Acts 17:31

As Jesus was ordained or appointed to be “the man” through whom God will judge the world, it is him (Christ) who will come on the “end of the age” (Matt. 24:3) to bring judgment on all (Jude 1:14-15). Jesus will grant salvation or the right to “inherit the kingdom” to his sheep (Matt. 25:31-34) or the members of his church (John 10:16, Acts 20:28 Lamsa translation, Eph. 5:23) because God gave him the authority to give eternal life(John 17:2). Indeed, Christ become savior by virtue of the authority given to him by the Father.

And as regards the nature of Christ’s being, the bible explicitly declares of Him through whom salvation is to be found:

“...Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all miracles and wonders which God performed through him...”

“Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us” Acts 2:22, 4:12

Converts: Former Anglican Priest

Why I joined Iglesia Ni Cristo

by Innocente E. Okekeh, Ph.D., Th.D.

It was in the course of my studies in the Philippines from 1974-1984—during which I earned Bachelor of divinity from Union theological Seminary (1978); Master of Arts in education at the Philippine Christian University (1980); Doctor of philosophy in educational management in Centro Escolar Universiy (1983)—when I began attending worship services of the Iglesia ni Cristo in places like Sampaloc, Manila and Cavite. I did it on my own volition. Nobody in or outside the Philippines coerced, compelled or even introduced me to the Iglesia ni Cristo.

So why did I leave my former church and join Iglesia ni Cristo? First, I was spiritually convinced that the Iglesia ni Cristo is the only one true church. It does not hide the truth. It does not add or subtract teachings from the bible. It is not a church wherein doctrines and practices are a mixture of beliefs where thing can go in. The Iglesia ni Cristo is unique, the only church I have seen in my life that is truly biblical. However, one thing that I have noticed in the Iglesia ni Cristo is that there is no discrimination among themselves, even among ministers, and among the foreigners, that is why they have houses of worship and congregations even in many African countries including Nigeria.

I also noticed that the worship service of this church is free from showmanship. The method of worship and thanksgiving is very orderly. Each member is well taken care and if any would fail to attend the worship service, he is visited by his overseer. Pastoral visits are widely practiced, starting from the district minister down to local officers.

The Iglesia ni Cristo does not worship idols or graven images. There is nothing like human tradition imposed in worship. During worship services, members participate actively in singing holy hymns,respond in prayers, listen attentively to the sermon, and voluntary give offerings. The whole worship service up to the time of dismissal is short but sufficient unlike in other churches where people stay from 8 am to 2pm , which is very noticeable in some so-called evangelical churches causing complaints from their members.

Another reason why I left Anglican Church, is because of its tolerance of unbiblical practices like divorce, consecration of women as priests, and same sex marriage. Moreover, the political problems, and unity I observe in my former church are very discouraging.

One major component of my conversion to the Iglesia ni Cristo is its clear and precise doctrines regarding the true nature of God and Jesus Christ. Unlike other churches that have confusing doctrines such as trinity, the Iglesia ni Cristo upholds these biblical truths. God is Spirit in his state of being, which means that he has no flesh and bones; Christ is man in his state being, meaning he has flesh and bones; God is immortal, while Christ experienced death, the cessation of breath; God has no beginning, while Christ came from God; God does not recognize any other God besides himself, while Christ recognizes the only true god as his god; God does not get tired or weary, while Christ got tired; and finally, God is not born of any woman but Christ was born of a woman and he cannot perform anything without the Almighty God empowering or enabling him.

I hope I have shared enough of my testimony so that the readers who are not yet members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, would also join this Church like what I did.

Editors Note:

Born in Nigeria in July 25,1945, Brother Innocente E. Okekeh is a former Anglican Priest from Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. He first came to the Philippines in 1974 to pursue his studies and learned more than he expected.

source: Pasugo Issue November 2009