"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

May 28, 2012

Bro. Felix Manalo is the founder of the Church of Christ? Who said?


Catholicdefender2000 tirelessly spreads false info's or in short, making disinformation campaign about the Iglesia ni Cristo, in his anti-INC blog called In defense of the Church.

His favorite source is the MEDIA, that says Bro. Felix Manalo is the founder of the Church of Christ. Is he really?

FACT: NO. The INC doesnt have any doctrine that says Bro. Felix is the founder of the church, what we have is that it is Christ, the true founder of the Church of Christ.

Why? Because Christ did established a church:
“And I also say to you that you are peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16:18

And this church which was established by Christ is called Iglesia ni Cristo, Church of Christ:


"Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed your overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood." Acts 20:28 (Lamsa version)

Why Church of Christ?

“But there is something we must tell you and everyone else in Israel. This man is standing here completely well because of the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You put Jesus to death on a cross, but God raised him to life…Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.” Acts 4:10,12

It is our Lord Jesus Christ who established the church, and was called after his name because his name is the only one in ALL the world that can SAVE ANYONE.

If it is Bro. Felix Manalo who founded the church, he will name it Church of Manalo, and not Church of Christ. We never and will not recognize Bro. Felix Manalo as the FOUNDER of the church, we recognize him as an angel or Messenger of God, not an angel with wings.

Bro. Felix Manalo is an instrument of God on restoring the true Church of Christ here on earth, as the Church in the 1st century apostatized because of the next leaders after the apostles who invent many doctrines which are unbiblical and violates God's commandments. Bro. Felix, as an instrument of God, registered this church in the Philippine government in 1914 as a corporation sole, and it is stated there that Bro. Felix is the founder/executive minister because the law requires it:

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

Christ's second coming is unknown but believed to be in the end of the world or in the day of judgment. Nonmembers wanted the name "Jesus Christ" and not Felix Manalo to be in the papers of incorporation, as if Christ will go down from heaven and fill in his name in the papers of incorporation in the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Philippines.
If it is only ALLOWED to put the name of Christ in the papers of incorporation, WHY NOT?
But if that happens, we should expect that all CHURCHES REGISTERED IN THE SEC and around the world are entitled to Christ as their founder.
MEDIA and nonmembers says Bro. Felix Manalo is the founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo, Church of Christ. While we and the Holy Scriptures says that it is our Lord Jesus Christ is the TRUE founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo, Church of Christ.


Media vs. Bible, who tells the TRUTH?


Again, we never and will not recognize Bro. Felix Manalo as the founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo. It is not US, who says Bro. Felix is the founder but those who are not MEMBERS of the church.

Iglesia ni Cristo is not, will not and never lobbied senators for CJ Corona


Iglesia ni Cristo is AGAIN and always been drag in controversies in the government. Now, the latest issue is that the INC is lobbying for CJ Corona's acquittal. Wow, politics is really DIRTY, and the media is desperate on linking the Church, which will not have any benefits if it really does that, to the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Is this all TRUE?

Ofcourse the answer is NO.
But for nonmembers who dont want the TRUTH, they will say YES.

Lets find out.


Senators deny Iglesia ni Cristo lobbying for Corona acquittal

March 5, 2012

Several senators on Monday denied that the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) approached them to lobby for the acquittal of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
In separate interviews, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Gregorio Honasan belied former Senate President Ernesto Maceda's claim that the Iglesia ni Cristo is courting senators into voting against Corona's conviction.
Corona's lead defense counsel, former Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas, is a prominent member of the religious group.

In an article posted on the Manila Times website Monday, Maceda said some senators had admitted to him that the Iglesia ni Cristo was lobbying for Corona's acquittal. The article did not identify the senators who had supposedly made such an admission to Maceda.
“They [Iglesia ni Cristo] are quite influential and believe me, their influence in the minds of a senator is not only for a senator running for re-election in 2013 but in a senator aspiring for president or vice president in 2016,” the article quoted Maceda as saying.
To which, Lacson said: "Wala naman [akong alam]. Ako malapit sa INC pero wala pa as of now, wala pang sinasabi, wala pang nagpapahiwatig so I don't believe so."
Trillanes and Honasan likewise denied having any personal knowledge of any attempts.
"Sa akin personally wala pa. Lahat naman pinapakinggan natin pero it doesnt mean na magpapa-impluwensya tayo," Trillanes said.
For his part, Honasan said: "Walang attempt, walang lumalapit, wala akong personal knowledge."

Look deeper?
Still, Honasan said that if Maceda had given such information, then they must look into it.
"Pag si former SP Maceda ang nagsalita, I guess we have to look deeper. I’m not implying anything... but if Sen. Maceda has information, then I guess we have to listen," he said.
"Hindi sapat na magkaron ng ganitong allegation dahil seryoso 'yan. In the same manner na yung sinabi ng defense na ginagapang ng Malacañang yung ibang senator-judges, ganun din context nyan," Honasan added.
Corona's camp had also earlier accused Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. of urging senator-judges not to honor the Supreme Court order stopping them from examining Corona's dollar accounts.
Jose Roy, one of the defense lawyers, even claimed that Malacañang had allotted P100 million for the "soft" projects of each senator-judge from the government's savings.
Ochoa and several senators have since denied the accusation.
Honasan said he doubts the senators would be influenced by Iglesia ni Cristo's command votes if ever the news were true.
"Naniniwala ako na on the whole, we will all be very impartial, very objective," he said.
The terms of Senators Trillanes, Honasan, Lacson, Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, Francis Pangilinan, Koko Pimentel, and Manny Villar will expire in 2013.
But Angara, Joker, Lacson, Pangilinan, and Villar are already on their second terms so they can't seek re-election.
Only Escudero, Legarda, Pimentel, and Trillanes have declared that they will seek re-election in 2013. Cayetano and Honasan, meanwhile, have yet to make any announcement. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/KBK/HS, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com

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Iglesia ni Cristo member denounce lobby report

MANILA — Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) votes as a herd in elections, but it never dips its fingers in politics, a member of the religious sect said yesterday.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, an INC follower, said he was “offended” and “outraged” by the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s report on Saturday that INC officials had been seeing senators to lobby for the acquittal of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“Except to vote as one during elections in accordance with our fundamental beliefs, we do not intervene in politics, and it is offensive to say otherwise,” said Topacio, a lawyer for Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Topacio said that while he was not authorized to speak for INC, “I believe I speak for most of the brethren who are outraged that the church was placed in a bad light on the basis of unsubstantiated rumors. We wished that the Inquirer would have left the church out of the disinformation and psychological warfare campaigns being waged in connection with the Corona impeachment trial.”
The Inquirer reported that INC officials Dan Orosa and Resty Lazaro had met discreetly with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada during the month-long Lenten break of Congress to plead the case of Corona, whom INC followers supported.
A legislative source told the Inquirer that two other associates—Manny Cuevas and Victor Cheng—had been requesting to meet with other senators in recent days to lobby them for Corona’s acquittal. /INQUIRER
source: inquirer.net
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Iglesia ni Cristo lobby doubted
It’s a suprise. It’s not surprising. A trick. Anyway, we are not bothered. So, ignore it. But whatever neither-here-nor-there reactions to the reported high-powered Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) lobby in the Senate to acquit Chief Justice Renato Corona, one thing is clear: The reactors do not want to be on the wrong side of the politically influential INC.
Malacañang wouldn’t be surprised if certain people affiliated with the INC would lobby for the acquittal of Corona.
But a senior adviser to President Benigno Aquino III doubts that the lobbying would have the approval of the religious group’s leadership.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, a political adviser to the President, said the administration expected Corona to use every political tool available—even collect on past political debts—to influence senators as his impeachment trial neared its end.
“The impeachment trial is essentially a political process that is being played out in a highly charged political context,” Abad, a member of the President’s Liberal Party, said in a text message to the Inquirer.
“We expect CJ Rene Corona to be using all available political levers, even calling upon political debts, to try to influence the senators,” Abad said.
Asked if the administration had information of INC leaders trying to influence senators into pushing for Corona’s acquittal, Abad said, “Because it is common knowledge that the INC in the past has wielded its political clout in the arena of politics, that development will not be surprising.”
He went on: “But it was only until the [Philippine Daily Inquirer] came out with the report that we came to know, particularly of the alleged attempts by certain INC personalities to influence the senators. And even if that were true we also are not sure if those moves are in fact sanctioned by the INC hierarchy.”
Just a trick
Presidential adviser on political affairs Ronald Llamas said the lobbying was just a trick to pressure the senators into acquitting Corona.
But Llamas said the senators would not allow themselves to be pressured. And the government does not believe the INC would “allow itself to be used for political purposes,” Llamas said in a text message.
A legislative source told the Inquirer that INC officials Dan Orosa and Resty Lazaro approached senators during the Lenten break of Congress.
Manny Cuevas and Victor Cheng have also been mentioned as continuing the lobby when the impeachment trial resumed in early May. Manny Cuevas was earlier erroneously identified as the brother of Corona’s lead defense counsel, Serafin Cuevas, who is an Iglesia member.
Not bothered
Abad said he was not bothered by the supposed Iglesia lobby. He said he was confident that the senators would see the overwhelming evidence against the Chief Justice and vote to convict him.
“Remember, the overwhelming message in the 2010 elections that catapulted the Aquino administration to power was stop corruption and hold those who committed graft and corruption with impunity accountable to the people,” Abad said.
“The evidence so far gathered by the prosecution under Article 2 are enough, in my view, to convict Corona,” Abad said. “But the startling revelations of Ombudsman [Conchita] Carpio Morales on Corona’s dollar transactions based on [Anti-Money Laundering Council] documents have sealed Corona’s fate,” he added.
Article 2 of the House’s impeachment complaint against Corona involves his failure to disclose his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.
Morales, summoned by the impeachment court as a hostile witness on the request of the defense, last week presented AMLC documents detailing movements in multimillion-dollar deposits in 82 bank accounts allegedly owned by Corona.
“With the intolerant attitude being displayed by our people against corruption and the overwhelming evidence now before the Senate, I don’t see how the senators can ignore these,” Abad said.
Clarify issues
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacañang expected the senators to shed light on the reported Iglesia lobbying.
In an interview over state-run radio station dzRB, Valte said senators usually use breaks during the impeachment trial to clarify certain issues.
“Let’s see when the trial resumes on Tuesday if the senators will take the time to answer this particular item,” Valte.
Some of the senators would not wait until then to speak. They began talking on Friday, saying no lobbying by any group could sway them to vote for or against Corona.
Senators Aquilino Pimentel III, Vicente Sotto III, Gregorio Honasan II, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto said they had not been approached by Iglesia ni Cristo. Some of them doubted the INC would “stoop so low.”
“Any lobbying is useless,” Pimentel told the Inquirer by phone. “I’m very vocal and publicly stated that I will decide on evidence. Lobbying can’t change evidence. They have to refute evidence by better evidence.”
Lacson agreed: “Even if true, I trust that a great majority of senator-judges will be guided by what the prosecution and the defense panels have presented and will present, and how we will appreciate those pieces of evidence.”
More than the lobbying by groups, Corona’s forthrightness on assets that he did not declare in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth would help his cause, Drilon said.
UNA targeted
The Iglesia lobby reportedly targeted members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.
The legislative source claimed that the INC’s Orosa and Lazaro met with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in Cagayan, and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada in Manila. Enrile declined to be interviewed. Senator Estrada said he had not been approached.
Sotto, the Senate majority leader said it wasn’t surprising for any group from both sides to approach senators, as the impeachment trial is political.
“Whether true or not, whether Malacañang is also talking to prosecutors or senators or not, it’s all part of the political character of the impeachment,” Sotto said by phone. “You can’t prevent groups or persons from lobbying,” he said.
“For all you know, their name (INC) is only being used,” Sotto added.
Honasan said the reports of lobbying were “unfair” to both the INC and the senators, and distract from the trial.
“I think it’s a form of disrespect to the Iglesia and the senator-judges,” Honasan said by phone. “We must presume good faith in everyone. There were insinuations like this before about the attempts by Malacañang to influence judges by offering development projects.”

Ignore it
Honasan said the reports should be ignored because they “destroy concentration and detract from what should be the focus: the continued search for truth and justice.”
All the senators sought for comment by the Inquirer said they had not been approached by the INC.
“I have not been approached,” Lacson said in a text message. “I don’t think the INC leadership will stoop down and hit the gutter in an impeachment trial where moral fitness in such an exalted position in government is on trial.”
Sotto admitted talking with an INC official a few months ago but on the reproductive health bill.
And neither were Honasan, Drilon, Pangilinan, Recto and Legarda approached about Corona’s case.
“I have not been approached by the INC or the Palace to influence my vote in the trial,” Honasan said. “I don’t think the senator-judges should give this too much attention. We’re looking forward to the appearance of the Chief Justice.”
Corona will testify in his own defense on Tuesday.
Pangilinan said this could be “all speculation” and declined further comment.
Recto said he was “surprised” by the reports.
Drilon said: “I can state for a fact I was not approached.”
Pangilinan, Recto and Drilon are members the Liberal Party.
Legarda said she would rather “assess” the evidence and wait for Corona’s testimony on Tuesday.
House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III, spokesperson of the prosecution panel, also doubted the INC would try to influence the verdict in Corona’s trial.
“I don’t think the INC will do that,” Tañada said by phone. “It will be unfair to the senator-judges. The senator-judges would want to base their decision on the evidence presented,” he said.
Tañada said he thought the INC was just an “observer like everyone else.” He said he believed the INC would look at the evidence presented and would base its stance on these. With reports from TJ Burgonio and Leila B. Salaverri
source: inquirer.net

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Bakit desperadong ikinakabit ang Iglesia ni Cristo kay Corona (Prelude ba ito?)

SA simula pa lamang ng impeachment trial kay SC Chief Justice Renato Corona, pumutok na ang ‘tsismis’ na nags0-SHOW OF FORCE raw ang kapatiran ng Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

Ikinabakabit pa nga ito kay dating Justice Secretary Serafin Cuevas, na ngayon ay defense team chief ni Corona.

Maging ang malalaking BIBLE EXPOSITION ng INC ay pinagdudahang pagpapakita raw ng suporta kay Corona.

Noong araw, may kasabihan (pasintabi po) … “ang duling daw walang gawang magaling …”

Pero ngayon mas paniwalaan natin kapag sinabing … “ang PRANING wala lalong gagawin magaling …”

Jokingkly aside dear readers, ngayon natin napagtatanto na ang mga kapraningan na ‘yan ay tila PRELUDE sa nalalapit na pagwawakas ng impeachment trial.

Bakit natin nasasabi ito?

Aba naman, lumabas dalawang araw magkasunod sa isang ‘mahabang’ d’yaryo ang istorya hinggil sa ‘LOBBYING’ o GAPANGAN umano ng INC sa ilang senator judges kaugnay ng magiging VERDICT kay Corona.

Ang ATRIBUSYON ng nasabing istorya ay isang ‘CONGRESSIONAL SOURCE’ kuno na ayaw ipabanggit ang pangalan dahil “lack of authority to speak on the matter.”

Pwede bang ang salin n’yan sa Filipino ay KULANG-KULANG sa kapangyarihan?! Hak hak hak!

Simple lang ang tanong natin, bakit ba laging ikinakabit ang INC d’yan sa impeach trial na ‘yan?!

Llamado na kayo, hindi na kailangan gumawa pa ng ganyan istorya!

Lahat na lang ng ginagawang pagtitipon ng INC ay ikinakabait sa impeachment ni Corona.

Buti na lang hindi nila ikinonek ang INC sports unity event d’yan sa Impeachment!?

‘E bakit ‘yung mga pagtitipon ng El Shaddai, Jesus is Lord at ng CBCP, hindi nila napagdidiskatahan?

Napaghahalata tuloy na ang administrasyon na ito ay mainit sa INC … dahil ba sa Corona issue?

Inuulit lang po natin, huwag magpakapraning sa Corona impeachment!

Ay sus!

source: hatawtabloid.com

May 25, 2012

Numbers of adherents, a big deal?



A jealous Catholic defender is again making posts on his blog quoting the MEDIA, yes the media again, about the total membership in the Iglesia ni Cristo.

It is a fact that the church did not ever published an exact numbers of members in history of the INC. Nonmembers make different estimations, from local to foreign media, different institutions, individuals, politicians and so on.

Some says its 10 million, so what?
8 million, so what?
6 million, so what?
4 million, so what?
2 million, SO WHAT?
1 million, SOO WHAAT??
500,000, SOOO WHAAAT???
100,000, SOOOO WHAAAAT????
1,000, SOOOOO WHAAAAAT?????

even it is just 10 people, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHHAAAAAATTTTTT??????


Who cares anyway?


Why is it that they are the ones(nonmembers) who are AFFECTED about the number of adherents in the Iglesia ni Cristo? Is it that WE are the ones that SHOULD BE affected if that will be the case???

Is it the INC who makes the estimation?

Who should be blamed by the jealous Catholic Defender, as he claimed, that the TRUE numbers of members are only 1,000,000 or 2 million plus and accuse that the INC makes bloated figures, is it really the INC who does that? Who should this Catholic defender blame?

Let us ask Catholic.com:

"The Iglesia keeps the exact number of members secret, but it is estimated to be between three million and ten million worldwide. It is larger than the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a better known sect (which also claims to be Christ’s true Church)."
______________________________


"Yes, if two or three people are together believing in me, I am there with them.” Matt. 18:20

The ancient Israel was the first nation of God, he did not choose them because they are many or the majority:


“The Lord did not set his love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples. Deut. 7:7

In time of Noah, only 8 people were saved by God, not the many:


“And did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;” II pet. 2:5
When Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed, only LOT and his 2 daughters were saved:


So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. Gen. 19:29

Now, i am saying this to this jealous Catholic defender and to others who still make estimations and accused the INC as if the estimates of numbers of adherents came from the INC, i say,


SO WHAT???

May 24, 2012

INC is a protestant sect/denomination? Who said?


An anti-INC blog which is operated by the username Catholicdefender2000 called In defense of the church, make posts repeatedly about the Iglesia ni Cristo quoting the MEDIA, and not from any official INC sources that says the Church which is established by Christ or what we call Iglesia ni Cristo, Church of Christ is a protestant denomination or protestant sect.


Is this true?


Once and for all the fact is, NO. Why? Because it was a misconception of nonmembers to the INC which the anti-INC blogger continually spreads.

Why it is a false report?

Because the INC is never been a denomination and never been a sect.


Let us know what is a religious denomination:

"A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity.
The term describes various Christian denominations (for example, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicanism, and the many varieties of Protestantism). The term also describes the four branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist), and describes the two main branches of Islam (Sunni and Shia)."

Examples:
An example within Christianity is the Mennonite and the Church of the Brethren denominations. Both denominations are similar in their beliefs, yet they are unique because their traditions were influenced by different founders (Menno Simons and Alexander Mack respectively). Their division is administrative, and there is much communication and interaction between them. Since its founding, the Mennonite denomination has split into a number of smaller Mennonite denominations, due to geography, social and theological differences.
Another example is Lutheranism. When Martin Luther protested Catholic practices, he and his followers were persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church as heretics. This led to the formation of alternative communities of practice that became known as "Lutheran" or "Protestant". Over time, the various communities who considered themselves Lutheran identified with one another and through various definitions of "Lutheran" practices (five solas, priesthood of all believers) the conglomerations of churches formed concrete denominations based on a common school of thought related to these practices. Even today, there are major ideological differences between different denominations of Lutherans, although there may be significant overlap between their beliefs.
source: wikipedia

How about religious sect?
A sect is a group with distinctive religious, political or philosophical beliefs. Although in past it was mostly used to refer to religious groups, it has since expanded and in modern culture can refer to any organization that breaks away from a larger one to follow a different set of rules and principles. The term is occasionally used in a malicious way to suggest the broken-off group follows a more negative path than the original. The historical usage of the term "sect" in Christendom has had pejorative connotations, referring to a group or movement with heretical beliefs or practices that deviate from those of groups considered orthodox.

Example:
There are many groups outside the Roman Catholic Church which regard themselves as Catholic, such as the Community of the Lady of All Nations, the Palmarian Catholic Church, the Philippine Independent Church, the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church, the Free Catholic Church, the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, and others.

source: wikipedia

The Iglesia ni Cristo, Church of Christ that was preached by God's last messenger, Bro. Felix Manalo is neither a protestant denomination nor protestant sect. INC is not a subgroup within any religion and not a break away group, its doctrines and teachings are unique and is not similar with any other religion, what makes it unique is that it doesnt teaches unbiblical doctrines and practices which came from the Catholicism and Protestantism.

And now, for the sake of the truth, from an official pamphlet of the church:

"Independent. The Iglesia Ni Cristo is not a denomination or sect. It is not neither affiliated to any federation of religious bodies nor itself an assembly of smaller religious organizations. The Iglesia Ni Cristo is Christ’s one true church today..." Published and distributed in celebration of 95th year anniversary of the church

The Church that was established by Christ is ONLY ONE, he did not say "I will build churches", he said:

“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Mat. 16:18

Christ said that he will build his church, the bible further states:

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Eph. 4:4-6

The bible states that we are called in one hope of calling: ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL. Clearly, protestants are disqualified in being "Christ's true church" because they are composed of denominations and sects, each has different beliefs but the main belief is the same. The bible said:

ONE LORD and ONE GOD--> other protestants believe in trinity, others dont, others believe in Gods.

ONE BAPTISM--> other protestants believe in immersion, others dont, others believe in infant baptism and etc.

ONE FAITH--> very important of all, ONE FAITH, how can it be Christ's TRUE CHURCH if they are not united in their beliefs?

What about Catholicism? Is it qualified for being Christ's true Church? Let us consult the bible:

"that there should be no schism in the body, but [that] the members should have the same care for one another." 1 Corinthians 12:25

We all know the East-West schism or the split of Roman Catholic Church with the eastern churches, then it becomes a denomination (see above).

What does the bible mean that THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISM IN THE BODY? what is the body?
"He is also head of the body, the church..." Col. 1:8

That means there should be no schism or division on Christ's church, so Catholicism and Protestantism is DISQUALIFIED in being the TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST. The Iglesia ni Cristo in the other hand, is an independent church, which Christ's church should be. A website even described INC as a worldwide church of christ:

"Rylands Hall, Stretford has been bought by Iglesia ni Cristo the worldwide Church of Christ,..." source: placenorthwest.co.uk
______________________________

And now i ask, WHO SAID that the INC is a protestant denomination or sect? Who should be believed? The church or the false media reports?

If it is the media, so i should also believe whatever reports media says about the Catholic Church. Like believing Lucifer is enthroned in the Catholic Church:

"Satan worship is now rampant within the Catholic Church. High-ranking churchmen are accused of heinous crime against God. The smoke of Satan has entered the very sanctuary of St. Peter’s Cathedral in the Vatican. Mind-boggling though it may be, priests and bishops alike are known to have taken contract oaths to serve the devil, signed in their own blood!
These revelations about devil worship inside the Vatican and its subsidiaries have come not from hostile Protestant critics of Roman Catholicism, but from top-ranking Catholic prelates themselves..."
source: presscore.ca

Well, i dont say most reports of the media are FALSE, just some!^^

May 23, 2012

Prophecies in the Church of Christ fulfilled!


Nonmembers doubt the authenticity of prophecies concerning the Iglesia ni Cristo, and other things that interpreted by the INC as PROPHECIES.

By the way, let us look up the meaning of the word prophecy:

prophecy
noun
1. the foretelling or prediction of what is to come.
2. something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation.
3. a divinely inspired utterance or revelation: oracular prophecies.
4. the action, function, or faculty of a prophet.

source: dictionary.reference.com

For me, prophecy is not just a prediction, but something that will surely happen in the future, especially it came from the BIBLE. This church, which is also prophesied in the bible was fulfilled when God used Bro. Felix Manalo to preach the true gospel in the last days as the Church in the 1st century was apostatized when new and unbiblical doctrines, practices, dogmas and traditions came in.

You may question the prophecies concerning the INC, but let me show those first, and in the part2 of this post, i will answer your misunderstandings and questions that make you doubt about prophecies that CAME FROM THE BIBLE.


Prophecies and its fulfillment


prophecy: "I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16 ERV

Fulfillment:
Christ said, there will be one flock and one shepherd IN THE FUTURE, then this is fulfilled when Bro. Felix was used as an instrument to preach the true gospel and true Church of Christ, he being the one shepherd and the Church of Christ as the one flock.

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prophecy: “Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.Isa. 43:5-6

Fulfillment: God's sons and daughters will be bring from afar and from the ENDS OF THE EARTH. We believe that this phrase refers to a period of time when the END OF THE WORLD is near, or what we call "last days". In able to know when is this period of time, we should know the signs of Christ's second coming, in the book of Matthew it is said:

“And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?” Matt. 24:3

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” Matt. 24:6-7

The signs as stated "were wars and rumors of wars, nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom,..." We believe that this is fulfilled when World War I happened, which:

"World War I (WWI), which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939 (World War II), and the First World War or World War I thereafter, wasa major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. It involved all the world's great powers,..." source: wikipedia

Well, about famines, pestilences and earthquakes, i think i dont need to show evidences because we are all aware that this is happening in places around the world. Other signs and their fulfillment about the war:



sign: it would involve nations and armies of nations war, (Matt. 24:6, 33; Isa. 34:1-2)
fulfillment: Unlike any war in the past, the first world which broke out in 1914, was named as such for its global scope (Arthur Boak,Preston Slosson and Howard Anderson. World History, p. 478)


sign: it would break out at a time when “many shall run to and fro, Knowledge shall increase,” Would be rumored or widely known (Dan. 12:4; Matt. 24:6)
fulfillment: With the invention of the telephone, and telegram, and radio, as well as the airplane, thus the news about the war quickly spread to diff. parts of the world. (pp. 542-544)


sign: “horses swifter than eagles” and “whirlwind-like chariots” Used (jer. 4:13, 19)
fulfillment: WWI first made use of modern weaponry would be in warfare. Airplanes were likened to “a kind of aerial cavalry”, while tanks to modern Version of ancient chariots (pp. 478-479; David M. Howard Jr. Fascinating bible Facts, p. 216)


sign: Different kinds of people would Hide in caves to cover themselves (Rev. 6:15-16)
fulfillment: Millions of soldiers and civilians were responded to have taken cover in trenches and subterranean caves (H.W Wilson. The great war, p.225)


sign: Four messengers “standing upon The four corners of the earth” Stop the war “land” (Rev. 7:1, young’s literal translation; Jer. 4:11, 19)
fulfillment: Four leaders representing four powerful would nations met and agreed to make a treaty from blowing upon the officially ending WWI (world history,p.494)

Going back to the topic...

Upon knowing the signs, we already know that the time of the re-emergence of the Church of Christ in the phrase "ends of the earth" is the time when World War I broke out, which is fulfilled when Iglesia ni Cristo, Church of Christ through Bro. Felix Manalo was registered in the Philippine government in July 27, 1914. Some says World War I broke out in July 28, 1914, some says its July 27, but its not a big deal, it doesnt matter, as prophecies in the bible does not predict an EXACT TIME or location, in fact, the bible doesnt contain exact dates. What matter is that the prophecy concerning the re-emergence of Christ's church in the time of the "ENDS OF THE EARTH" FULFILLED!

Do you also know that besides the prophecy about World War I, also known as "the great war", there is also a prophecy concerning the period of time between World War I and World War II?

prophecy: "When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." Rev. 8:1

The prophecy states that, "there was silence in heaven for about half an hour", to know how long it is, let us read II Peter 3:8 for clarification:

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

To God, 1 day is equivalent to 1 thousand years to us.
The prophecy said that there will be silence for about half an hour.
If we will compute this, 1hr to God is equivalent to 41 years and 8 months to us, but the verse said it happened only half an hour, so if we will calculate this, the result will be: 1/2 hr to God is equivalent to 20 years and 10 months to us.

Let us check:
1/2 hr to God= 20 years and 10 months to us

20 years x 2= 40 years
10 months x 2= 20 months-12months(1 year)= 8 months so,
40 years + (1 year) + 8 months= 41 years and 8 months is 1hr to God

World War I ended in Nov. 11, 1918 and the second world war started in Sep. 1, 1939, so theres no war for about 20 years, 9 months and 20 days to be exact. Thinking that if we add 10 days more, there will be exactly silence for about 20 years and 10 months which is prophesied from the bible! Wow!

prophecy #1: There will be one flock and shepherd in the future or one church and one pastor.

prophecy #2: The re-emergence of the church will be in the "ends of the earth" or in the time the great war broke out.

Let us now know WHERE Christ's church will re-emerge...

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Going back to the book of Isaiah:

prophecy: “Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” Isa. 43:5-6

“From the Far East will I bring your offspring and from the far west I will gather you.” Isa. 43:5 (Moffat translation)

Far East
Fulfillment: This is fulfilled when the Church of Christ, Iglesia ni Cristo was registered in the Philippine government (which is a country in the Far East) and not to other countries in the Far East.


Proof:




"The Far East is an English term (with equivalents in various other languages of Europe and Asia, Chinese 遠東 yuǎn dōng literally translating to "far east") mostly describing East Asia (including the Russian Far East) and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons. The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century, denoting East Asia as the "farthest" of the three "easts", beyond the Near East and the Middle East..."

Countries and territories included in the term Far East

China
Hongkong
Macau
Japan
Mongolia
North Korea
South Korea
Taiwan
Brunei
Cambodia
East Timor
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam
Russian Far East

source: wikipedia

One of the countries in the Far East is the Philippines, what other proof i can give that it is really the Philippines the re-emergence of Christ's Church will take place? I should say that not all countries are candidates, because the bible further stressed:

"Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord;
exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea." Isaiah 24:15

The bible give us more clue, the country which re-emergence will take place is an island country, in the list of island countries in wikipedia, only japan, indonesia, and philippines are candidates for the country which is composed of many islands.

Religion in Japan

"Upper estimates suggest that 84–96 percent of the Japanese population subscribe to Buddhism or Shinto, including a large number of followers of a syncretism of both religions. However, these estimates are based on people affiliated with a temple, rather than the number of true believers. Other studies have suggested that only 30 percent of the population identify themselves as belonging to a religion.

Nevertheless the level of participation remains high, especially during festivals and occasions such as the first shrine visit of the New Year. Taoism and Confucianism from China have also influenced Japanese beliefs and customs. Fewer than one percent of Japanese are Christian. In addition, since the mid-19th century numerous new religious movements have emerged in Japan."


Religion in Indonesia

"The majority of Muslims in Indonesia are Sunni. 9% of the population was Christian, 3% Hindu, and 2% Buddhist or other."


LinkReligion in the Philippines


"The Philippines is a secular nation having a constitution separating the state and church. However, a large percentage of the Filipino people identify themselves as religious. More than 90% of the population are Christians: about 80% belong to the Roman Catholic Church while 10% belong to other Christian denominations, such as the Iglesia ni Cristo, the Philippine Independent Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, and Jehovah's Witnesses.

The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia,
the other being East Timor. Between five and ten percent of the population are Muslim, most of whom live in parts of Mindanao, Palawan, and the Sulu Archipelago—an area known as Bangsamoro or the Moro region..."

Do you think Christ's church will re-emerge in Japan, where Christianity is less than one percent in their population? Do you think it is in Indonesia, where only 9% of the population were Christians?

Or do you believe, it is in the Philippines, which composed of 7,107 islands, geographically in the center of Far East, composed of 90% Christians, and a predominantly Catholic country(which we believe the Church of Christ in the 1st century became the Catholic Church as it was apostatized)?

The very proof that it is in the Philippines where Christ's church will be re-established is because of the fact that Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo is registered in the Philippines, not in Japan, and not in Indonesia. Another thing is that there is no Church of Christ that established and its origin is Japan or Indonesia. There is none.


Far West

Fulfillment: The verse said "in the far west i will gather you" in moffat translation, this is fulfilled when the Iglesia ni Cristo, which came from the far east, traveled in Hawaii, which is a country in the west, established the first ever local congregation there.

How? The story goes like this:

There are brethren who immigrated to Hawaii wanting of a locale there (they want to continue maintain being a member of the church), they requested it to the Central Office, and it was permitted.

"Brethren from Hawaii cried "What now brother? Are we not going to be saved? We have not been able to worship" When the Executive Minister this, he told them to set devotional prayers and God would make a way if it is his will that a congregation of the church be established in Hawaii." "...Thus, on July 27, 1968, the Executive Minister, Brother Erano Manalo, along with his small entourage, went to Hawaii. They looked for the brethren and gathered them in a small house at Ewa, Honolulu and there Bro. Erano officiated at the very first worship service of the Church of Christ in the Far West." source: pasugo issue July 2008, Editorial

I just found out, surprised and shocked to my amazement that the first gathering of the brethren outside the Philippines took place in Honolulu, Hawaii in Oahu island which is known as "The gathering place" (source: wikipedia) remembering the prophecy about the Church “From the Far East will I bring your offspring and from the far west I will gather you. Isa. 43:5 (Moffat translation)

I think i dont need to give proofs that Hawaii is a country not just in the west but in the Far West, just by looking in the map:


From Hawaii, Bro. Erano Manalo went to San Francisco, California then New York (countries in the West) to gather brethren. It was the start of the expansion of Iglesia ni Cristo World Wide.


Prophecies concerning God's Last Messenger


prophecy: “Calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes my counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.” Isa. 46:11

Fulfillment: With the establishment of the Church of Christ in the Philippines, God used an instrument to do it, it is Bro. Felix Manalo who is from the east, from a far country. God said "I have spoken it... I have purposed it; I will also do it".

Another proof:

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Isaiah 41:9

The start of his work is in "ends of the earth" or the time World War I broke out, "from its farthest corners i called you" it is said, like what is being prophesied in the re-emergence of the Church of Christ, it is also the same with God's instrument, that both will came from the east, from afar country, and can be mean far east.

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prophecy: Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:14

Fulfillment:
God promised that he will help Bro. Felix Manalo the "worm Jacob".

Why worm Jacob?

because he was mocked, belittled, and despised by the people just like Christ, who is alluded to as “a worm” and would be “scorned by men and despised by the people” (Ps. 22:6-7). Indeed, harsh were the insults and severe were the persecutions hurdled against Brother Felix Manalo and the Iglesia Ni Critso especially during its early years.

“Felix Manalo formally started the INC in a makeshift bamboo chapel… he and the church were ridiculed and looked upon with scorn by the predominantly Catholic populace. …But gallant as he was, Manalo preserved though all the mockery.”

“Slowly, the Iglesia ni Cristo gained recognition and following that unbelievably spread afar and wide, around the country and all the way to the west.” (p.33) “Iglesia ni Cristo: from ridicule to reverence” 1983, Manila Magazine


But as what he had promised, he will help him:

“You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, And is said to you, ‘you are my servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand’.” Isa. 41:9-10

“… 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



to be continued...



I will make a part2 of this post for the questions and so on of nonmembers concerning the prophecies in the Iglesia ni Cristo. What we can see is that it is indeed the church has a God, and God is working, doing his promises unto this Church.