The persecution to the Iglesia Ni Cristo

Every pioneer members/ministers and etc. in the Iglesia ni cristo, Church of Christ knows how the church suffered from the great persecution coming from nonmembers. Since then its very beginning and until now, the church and members not only having persecuted but also have been discriminate by other faiths in many aspect.

There were stories that in the time of Bro. Felix Manalo's and even ministers preaching in the worship service, that the roof of the house of worship were being thrown by stones. And in the side of the members, others were also being thrown not just by stones but also negative comments and they were being hated. And so many stories that you cant even imagine that was overcome by the INC and its members!

(Nowadays, the groups/people who still doing this most were the Cathholics, especially the Catholic faith defenders and Members of the church of Eli Soriano [MCGI] and other faiths.) How? By making articles using propaganda materials and specially through the use of the Internet or web... Many blogs and sites of these anti-INC people contains accusations, destructive opinions, lies and everything. Why? Very simple. They want others to have a bad impression to the INC as well as its members. Other reason? Because they get envy because of how far the Iglesia Ni Cristo accomplished as it is being a small group with few members but now, the INC spreads in 92 countries and 100+ nationalities! (That's how God guide and still guiding the church)

But we, as the members of the Church of Christ were not surprised in all of these, why? it is because the bible itself testifies:

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. " Matt 10: 22

We know that we will also suffer being hated by other. Because it is Lord Jesus Christ first who suffered all of these:

"If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first." John 15:18

And we, as the members of Christ's Church doing God's will wants to be saved.

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," II tim. 3:12

BUT, should we be ashamed because of these?

"But if you suffer because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed. Praise God because you wear that name." I pet. 4:16

Clearly, we should not be ashamed instead, we must be thankful coz' we are in the Church of Christ and that we are called Christian because we are member of Christ's body or Church. (Church of Christ --> ...rch of Christ --> CHRISTian)

Also because we will be blessed,

"People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do, you will be blessed." Matt. 5:11

"Rejoice and be glad, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did the same evil things to the prophets who lived before you." Matt. 5:12

"When people insult you because you follow Christ, you are blessed, because the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is with you." I Pet. 4:14

Another, we should not afraid of our enemies, because those will be destroyed and that we will be saved.

"and that you are not afraid of those who are against you. All of this is proof that your enemies will be destroyed but that you will be saved by God." Phil. 1:28

Lets go back on being ashamed, and it is answered, we should not be, because the one should be ASHAMED were:

"Those who worship idols should be ashamed; they brag about their gods.
All the gods should worship the Lord. " Psalms 97:7

Why idol worshipers should be ashamed? Because they changed the glory of god in CULT-IMAGES!

"Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles."
Rom 1:22-23

And what?

"They traded the truth of God for a lie. They worshiped and served what had been created instead of the God who created those things, who should be praised forever. Amen." Rom. 1:25

OKAY, Very clear, again, the one who SHOULD be ashamed is those who WORSHIP IMAGES because they traded the truth for a LIE! They made statues/images and worship it rather than the CREATOR OF LIFE(God, the father)!

Ask this to yourself, "Do i feel guilty for this?"