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30 June 2013

IGLESIA NI CRISTO ROAD TO CENTENNIAL Introduction


Iglesia ni Cristo
ROAD TO CENTENNIAL

INTRODUCTION





THE Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) emerged in the Far East on July 27, 1914.Hence, one year from now, the Church is celebrating her centennial anniversary. Since it’s humble beginning in 1914, the Church is now a global Church having congregations in 90 countries and territories, and it’s members consist of not only Filipinos, but of 110 different nationalities.

The emergence of the Church of Christ in the Philippines fulfills the prophecies of God written in the Bible concerning His sons and daughters whom He will call from the Far East in these last days:

“From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you
“I will bid the north lands give them up, and bid the south let go, bringing my son from afar, and my daughters from the end of the earth.” (Is. 43:5-6, Moffatt)

Everything that happened in the Church of Christ are in accordance with God’s plan. From her emergence from the Far East, until she reached the Far West, and her spread throughout the whole world.

“Who was it that made this happen? Who has determined the course of history? I, the LORD, was there at the beginning, and I, the LORD, will be there at the end.” (Is. 41:4, TEV)

Today, the Iglesia Ni Cristo is recognize as powerful and influential Church in the Philippines, the largest independent Church in Asia, and her houses of worship stand as landmarks in places where they are built. Also, we are certain that the Iglesia Ni Cristo shall continue to reap more success through God’s guidance and help.

“You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And 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 right hand.'”
“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'” (Is. 41:9-10,13, NKJV)

Despite the persecutions, challenges and troubles she encountered, the Church of Christ reached greater heights of glory. It came from a small and poor country in Asia (a third world country as other put it), having no any government support, and having no wealthy and influential members, the Church attained success after success. This Church from a poor country is now indeed a global Church, a proof that this is indeed God’s work:

“That they may see and know, And consider and understand together, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it.” (Is. 41:20, NKJV)

However, let us not ignore what God said to His nation:

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Dt. 4:9 NIV)

The Lord God said, “do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” God also commanded His servants to “Teach them to uour children and to their children after them.”

Thus, let us always reminisce the humble beginning of the Church. Let us recollect the early years of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, how she was able to surmount the obstacles that barred almost every step of her way which she had overcome through God’s unfailing help, the difficulties, challenges and even the oppressions. The Church indeed emerged triumphantly.

The “IGLESIA NI CRISTO: ROAD TO CENTENNIAL” is a series of articles discussing the brief history of the Church of Christ in these last days from 1914 to 2014 to reminisce and recollect how God help Brother Felix Y. Manalo and the Iglesia Ni Cristo as fulfillment of His promised. This is our way of proclaiming the news of salvation, and God’s constant love that He showered to us, as mandated in Psalms 40:9-10:

“In the assembly of all your people, LORD, I told the good news that you save us. You know that I will never stop telling it. I have not kept the news of salvation to myself; I have always spoken of your faithfulness and help. In the assembly of all your people I have not been silent about your loyalty and constant love.” (Psalms 40:9-10 TEV)


HAPPY CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY TO ALL OF US!
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORIES!

IGLESIA NI CRITO ROAD TO CENTENNIAL Why "Iglesia Ni Cristo" (Church of Christ)?



WHY “IGLESIA NI CRISTO”
(CHURCH OF CHRIST)?



THE name “Iglesia ni Cristo” is the Tagalog for “Church of Christ.” The Church was established by Christ in the first century. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 16:18:

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, .and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18 NIV)

The Church of Christ was established in the first century, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who established His Church. He established only one Church, He said, “I will build my church” and not “I will build my churches.” This Church has a name and it is important that she continuously be called in that name, because:

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)

IGLESIA NI CRISTO ROAD TO CENTENNIAL Why the Iglesia Ni Cristo Emerged Only in 1914


I


WHY THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO
EMERGED ONLY IN 1914



IF the true Church of Christ was established in the first century, how can the Iglesia Ni Cristo claims that she is the true Church established by Christ if she emerged only in 1914? The Iglesia Ni Cristo emerged emerged only in 1914 because the first century Church of Christ was apostatized. It was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who attested that apostasy will take place in the first century Church of Christ:

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.  At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,  and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” (Matthew 24:9-11, NIV)

22 June 2013

Are All Religions of God and of Christ?


ARE ALL RELIGIONS OF GOD AND OF CHRIST?


MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE that it doesn’t matter what religion you belong to as long as you believe in Christ and render services to God, because they believe that all religions are of God and of Christ. For them all religions are of God because all rendered their worships and services to God, and God accepts all services rendered to Him.

Does the Bible agree with this belief? Does God accept all services rendered to him? Are all religions of God and of Christ?

15 June 2013

The Relevance of God's Messenger to Man's Salvation


The Relevance Of God’s Messenger To Man’s Salvation


05 June 2013

The Canon of the New Testament



THE CANON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT






ThE books of the New testament were compiled at the end of the first century and the New Testament canon is consists of only 27 books. How the New Testement books were compiled? Who gathered them? and when? Why are we sure that the canon of the New Testament is consists of only 27 books?

04 June 2013

The God of the True Christians



THE GOD 
OF THE TRUE CHRISTIANS:
THE FATHER ALONE

 
THE CATHOLIC AND the Protestants believe in the Triune God (that the one true God is consists of three persons). For them, the Triune God is the God of the true Christians, thus those that reject the doctrine of the Trinity they immediately dismiss as Christians.

Is the doctrine of the Trinity a true Christian doctrine? Is the Triune God the God of the true Christians? Are the Christians are those that believe in the Trinity?