WHY WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE IGLESIA
NI CRISTO (CHURCH OF CHRIST) IS THE ONE TRUE CHURCH
MANY CLAIM THAT they are the
true Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. In claiming as the one true
Church, they professed that the “identifying marks of the one true Church” can
be found in their own body. However, the “identifying marks of the one true
Church” they claim that can be found in their own body, are they themselves who
made it up. Regarding this, Apostle Paul said:
“I
can assure you that they are deeply devoted to God; but their devotion is not
based on true knowledge. They have not known the way in which God puts people
right with himself, and instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and
so they did not submit themselves to God's way of putting people right.” (Romans
10:2-3 TEV)
We should not be surprised that
these people made up their own “standards” or “identifying marks” because
Apostle Paul already warned us that “...They
have not known the way in which God puts people right with himself, and
instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and so they did not submit
themselves to God's way of putting people right.” This is how many people
are deceived by false churches. They made up their own “identifying marks” of
the one true Church and professed that these can be found in their own body.
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In order for men to find the one
true Church, they must use not the
“standards” or “identifying marks” set up or made only by men, but must submit
themselves “to God’s way of putting
people right.” The Bible is where God’s words are written. This is what
Apostle Paul taught us about the Holy Scriptures:
“And
you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful
for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving
instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully
qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.” (II Timothy 3:15-17 TEV)
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Thus, the only way to find the
one true Church is to use the Bible as our basis. Submit ourselves to the words
of God written in the Holy Scriptures. However, let us first find out if the
Bible truly teaches that there is only one true Church.
ONE TRUE CHURCH
The Bible explicitly teaches that
there is only one true Church. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ said in
Matthew 16:18:
“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.” (Matthew 16:18 NKJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ said, “I will build My church.” he did not said,
“I will build My churches.” The Lord
Jesus Christ established only one Church. Take note that the Lord Jesus Christ
is the founder and owner of the one true Church.
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The Bible also explicitly teaches
that the Church is the body of the Lord Jesus Christ:
“And
He is the head of the body, the church...” (Colossians 1:18 NKJV)
Apostle Paul testified that there
is only one body of Christ. This is what he says in Ephesians 4:4:
“There
is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.”
(Ephesians 4:4 NKJV)
Apostle Paul explicitly said, “There is one body,” The Church is the
body of Christ, thus there is only one true Church.
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IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THE ONE TRUE
CHURCH BUILT BY CHRIST?
The Roman Catholic Church claims
that they are the one true Church built by the Lord Jesus Christ. However, let
us compare the one true Church built by Christ with the Roman Catholic Church.
THE CHURCH
BUILT BY CHRIST
IS CALLED
AFTER HIS NAME
The one true Church is called
after the name of her founder, owner and head, thus it is called “Church of
Christ”:
“For
just as the human body is one and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many
as they are, constitute but one body, so it is with the Church of Christ.” (I
Cor. 12:12 NTME)
How important is the name “Church
of Christ”? How important that the Church is called after the name of her
founder, owner and head (the Lord Jesus Christ)? Let us read Acts 4:12:
“Nor
is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given
among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NKJV)
The Bible said, “there is no other name under heaven given
among men by which we must be saved.” The verse further testified, “Nor is there salvation in any other. Thus,
if a church is not called “Church of Christ” it means that there is no
salvation in this church.
Even Catholic authorities testify
that the one true Church founded by Christ is called “Church of Christ”:
“5.
Did Jesus Christ established a Church?
“Yes, from all history, both secular and
profane, as well as from the Bible considered as a human document, we learn
that Jesus Christ established a Church, which from the earliest times has been
called after Him the Christian Church or the Church of Christ.”
(Cassily, Francis B., S.J. Religion: Doctrine and Practice for use in
Catholic High Schools, p. 442-443.)
However, Catholic authorities
admitted that the name “catholic” cannot be found in the Bible, but instead, a name
coined only by Ignatius, bishop of Antioch in early second century AD:
“The
name Catholic as a name is not applied to the Catholic Church in the Bible…St.
Ignatius of Antioch,
writing to the Christians of Smyrna about the year 110, is the first to use the
name ‘The Catholic Church’…” (Conway, Bertrand L. The Question Box, p.
132)
Catholic authorities admitted
that only on the sixteenth century when the word “Roman” was made part of the name
“Catholic Church”:
“The
Council of Trent made ‘Roman’ part of the official title of the Church…”
(Taylor, Edward K. Roman Catholic, p.7)
Catholic authorities also
admitted that the name “Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church” was made only in
1870 at the First Vatican Council:
“In
1870, at the Vatican
Council, the name ‘Roman Catholic Church’ was proposed but it was rejected. The
bishops assembled unanimously decided upon this official name: ‘The Holy
Catholic Apostolic Roman Church’...” (Crock, Clement H. Discourses on the Apostles’
Creed, p. 191.)
The official name of the Catholic Church is “Roman Catholic Apostolic
Church” made only in 1870, while the name of the one true Church built by
Christ is “Church of Christ.”
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CHRIST IS THE
ROCK WHERE THE
ONE TRUE
CHURCH WAS BUILT
According to Apostle Peter
himself, who is the “rock” upon the Church was built? This is what Apostle
Peter said in Acts 4:10-11:
“Let
it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by
Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was
rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'” (Acts
4:10-11 NKJV)
According to Apostle Peter, the
Lord Jesus Christ is the “chief cornerstone.” He also said, “...Jesus Christ of Nazareth...This is the stone...”
Moreover, this also what Apostle Peter says in I Peter 2:4-8:
“Coming
to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and
precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a
holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through
Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay
in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will
by no means be put to shame.’ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious;
but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has
become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.’
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.”
(I Peter 2:4-8 NKJV)
Apostle Peter said, “to you who believe, He is precious; but to
those who are disobedient, ‘The stone
which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of
stumbling And a rock of offense.” Thus, it is very clear that Apostle Peter
himself testified that the Lord Jesus Christ is the rock where the Church was
built.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches
that they are built on Peter as the “rock”:
“Christ
used Peter for the rock foundation of His Church. The Catholic Church still
rests on that same foundation.” (Conway, J.D. What they Ask bout The Church,
p. 11)
Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ is the rock where the one true Church was
built, while for the Roman Catholic Church, Apostle Peter was the rock where
they were built.
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CHRIST IS THE
HEAD OF
THE CHURCH
The Bible also explicitly teaches
that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the Church:
“And
He is the head of the body, the church...” (Colossians 1:18 NKJV)
The Church is the body of Christ.
There are other verses of the Bible that clearly pronounced that Christ is the
head of the Church. Thus, it is a biblical fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is the
head of the Church which is His body.
However, the Catholic authorities
teach that Apostle Peter was the first head of the Catholic Church:
“...Peter,
the first head of Christ’s Church, is one which Catholic Church points to with
unique pride and confidence....” (Grace, William J. S.J. The Catholic Church and You,
p. 98.)
They teach that Apostle Peter was
the FIRST head of the Catholic Church because they also recognized their pope
as head of the Roman Catholic Church:
“The
bishop of Rome is the pope. That is, a man elected by the cardinals to be
bishop of Rome, and because he holds that office he is the pope, the head of
the Catholic Church.” (Malloy, Joseph I. C.S.P. A Catechism for Inquirers,
p. 55.)
Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the one true Church, while
for the Roman Catholic Church, Apostle Peter was their “first head” and they
also recognized their pope as head of their church.
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Indeed, the Catholic Church is
not the one true Church the Lord Jesus Christ established, but a different
institution.
(1) Having different name. The one true Church is called after the name
of her founder, owner and head, thus called “Church of Christ,” while the name “Holy
Catholic Apostolic Roman Church” was their official name made only in 1870;
(2) Having different foundation. The Bible explicitly teaches that the
Lord Jesus Christ is the rock where the one true Church was built, while for the
Roman Catholic Church is Apostle Peter;
(3) Having different “head.” We can also explicitly read from the Bible
that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the one true Church or the Church of
Christ, while for the Roman Catholic Church, Apostle Peter was their “first
head” and they also recognized their pope as head.
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WHERE IS THE CHURCH FOUNDED BY CHRIST IN
THE FIRST CENTURY?
The Lord Jesus Christ established
His Church during His ministry or in the first century. However, where is the
Church the Lord Jesus Christ founded in the first century? Before the Lord
Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, He warned His disciples the following:
“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, emphasis mine)
The Lord Jesus warned His
disciples that they will be “handed over
to be persecuted and put to death...” However, He also warned His disciples
that “At the time many will turn away
from the faith...” Apostle Paul also warned us in I Timothy 4:1 the
following:
“But
the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall APOSTATISE from
the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons.”
(Darby Bible)
Thus, our question is already
answered. Where is the Church founded by Christ in the first century? It was
apostatized.
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THOSE WHO WILL
SUCCEED THE APOSTLES
WAS THE
APOSTATE CHURCH
According to Apostle Paul,
apostasy was already working during their time, but only restrained:
“For
the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is' one that
restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.” (II Thessalonians 2:7 ASV)
Apostle Paul said, “the mystery of lawlessness doth already work.”
It was only restrained until those who are restraining them will be “taken out of the way.” Who will lead the
disciples to apostasy and when was the time that those restraining them will be
“taken out of the way”? Apostle Paul
also answered this question:
“I
know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not
spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth
in order to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30 NIV)
Apostle Paul said, “After I leave...from your number men will
arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.”
Those that will lead the church to apostasy, according to Apostle Paul “will come among YOUR NUMBER.” Apostle
Paul addressing this to the bishops of the Church:
“Take
heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit HATH MADE
YOU BISHOPS, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own
blood.” (Acts 20:28 ASV)
Among the bishops of the Church
will rise those that will distort the truth, and according to Apostle Paul,
this will happen “After I leave.” Apostle Paul is referring to his death (cf. Acts 20:25, 37-38; I ITim. 4:6-8).
Thus, after the death of the
apostles, among the bishops of the Church will rise those that will distort the
truth. Apostle Paul explicitly warned us that those that will follow or succeed
them (after their death) will distort the truth. Who is claiming “apostolicity”
or that their origin can be traced back to the apostles? Who is claiming to be
the successors of the Apostles? We all know the answer to these questions.
What are some of the distorted
truth that will be entered to the Church? Let us again quote I Timothy 4:1 and
let us also read verse 3:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in
the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils;
“Forbidding
to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be
received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (I
Timothy 4:1, 3 KJV, emphasis mine)
Apostle Paul gave us “marks” to
identify the “apostate church”: (1) “Forbidding to marry”; and (2) “commanding
to abstain from meats.” The Catholic Church forbids their priest to marry (they
call this prohibition the “clerical celibacy”):
“Although
celibacy is not expressly enforced by our Savior, it is, however, commended so
strongly by Himself and His apostles, both by word and example, that the Church
felt it her duty to lay it down as a law.
“The
discipline of the Church has been exerted from the beginning in prohibiting Priests
to marry after their ordination.” (Gibbons, James Cardinal. The
Faith Of Our Fathers. New York: P.J. Kennedy and Sons, 1917, p. 328)
The Catholic Church also commands
her members to abstain from meat in certain days of the year:
“What
does the second commandment of the Church order us to do?
“It
orders us to fast and abstain from flesh meat on certain days of the year.” (A
Seminary Professor. Manual of Christian Doctrine: Comprising Dogma, Moral,
and Worship. New York: Lassale Bureau, 1949, p. 317)
When the Church of Christ of the
first century departed from the true faith and followed the erroneous teachings
(teachings not taught by the Lord Jesus and His apostles, and teachings not
written in the Bible) like clerical celibacy and abstaining from meat, she
became the Catholic Church. This is the reason why the Catholic Church is the
one that continued up to this day. Thus, the “apostolicity” (that they are the
successors of the apostles and who continued for 2,000 years) is not a mark of
the one true Church, but the mark of the apostate church. The apostles warned
us that those who will follow them after their death are those that will
distort the truth.
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THE REASON OF THE PROLIFERATION
OF CHURCHES
OF CHURCHES
Others wonder why there is such
proliferation of churches that are in conflict with one another. This is answered
by Apostle Paul:
“For
I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not
based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from
God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's
righteousness.” (Romans 10:2-3 NIV)
The Bible explicitly said, “Since they did not know the righteousness
that comes from God and sought to establish their own...” Thus, we should
not be surprised at the number of churches today not of Christ. Who is really
behind the proliferation of churches not of Christ? This is answered by the
Lord Jesus Christ:
“Another
parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who
sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed
tares among the wheat and went his way.
“The
enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the
reapers are the angels.” (Matthew 13:24-25, 39 NKJV)
The “kingdom of heaven” mentioned
in this parable of the Lord Jesus is the one true Church (cf. Luke 12:32; Acts 20:28) which is likened to “a man who sowed good seed in his field.”
The sower of the good is the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Matt. 13:37). However, those churches not of Christ are likened
to “tares” sowed by the “enemy” (the devil). Is there salvation in these
various churches which are not the Church of Christ?
“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)
The answer of the Bible is very
clear. The verse said, “Salvation is found in no one else.”
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THE ONE TRUE CHURCH
TODAY
What are the identifying marks of
the one true Church according to the Bible? How can we identify the one true
Church among the numerous churches today?
I. THE ONE TRUE
CHURCH TODAY IS CALLED IN
THE NAME “CHURCH OF CHRIST”
As we already discussed, the one
true Church is called after the name of the founder, the owner and head of this
Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, the one true Church is called “Church of
Christ”:
“For
just as the human body is one and yet has many parts, and all its parts, many
as they are, constitute but one body, so it is with the Church of Christ.” (I
Cor. 12:12 NTMEWeymouth)
The one true Church is founded by
Christ, owned by Christ, and He is the head of this Church, thus, it is only
right that the one true Church is called “Church of Christ.” Through the
process of elimination, thus, those churches not called “Church of Christ” must
automatically be dismissed as the one true Church. Why? How important that the
Church is called in this name? Let us again quote Acts 4:12:
“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)
It is like saying you are
“Obama,” but your name is not “Obama” but “Bush.” If your name is “Bush” and
you claim that you are “Obama,” thus you are a “fake Obama.” In claiming that
you are the “Church of Christ” but your name is “Roman Catholic Church,” it
only means you are only pretending to be the true “Church of Christ,” but in
truth you are a “fake Church of Christ.” This is also true in other churches
called in other name (e.g. Orthodox,
Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Holiness and Pentecostal). Thus, in
seeking the true Church of Christ, we must automatically dismiss those who are
not called in the name “Church of Christ.”
However, there are other organizations
also calling themselves “Church of Christ”? As we said, called by the name
“Church of Christ” is only one of the identifying marks of the one true Church.
If not called “Church of Christ” we must immediately dismiss them as the one
true Church, but not because they call themselves as “Church of Christ” they
are automatically the “one true Church.” The Bible gave us other identifying
marks of the one true Church or the true “Church of Christ.” The Church who says
that they are the one true Church must not only be called “Church of Christ”
but that the other identifying marks the Bible gave must also be found in them.
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II. THE ONE
TRUE CHURCH TODAY UPHOLDS THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
WRITTEN IN THE
BIBLE
The disciples of the Lord Jesus
Christ are taught to obey all the commandments or teachings of the Lord:
“Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I
HAVE COMMANDED YOU. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the
age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV, emphasis
mine)
The Lord Jesus Christ rebuked
those who call Him “Lord” but do not follow His words or teachings:
“Why
do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46 NIV)
In order to fulfill what the Lord
Jesus Christ said (“to obey everything” He commanded), we must not base our
worship and services on the teachings of men:
“They
worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” (Matthew 15:9
NIV)
Apostle Paul told us not to go
beyond what is written:
“Now,
brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit,
so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond
what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against
another.” (I Corinthians 4:6 NIV)
Thus, the true Church Of Christ based
all their doctrines in the teachings written in the Bible. The one true Church
today doesn’t go beyond what is written.
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For the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church
Of Christ), the Bible is the sole basis of our teachings and practices. All the
doctrines and practices of the Church Of Christ are based on the teachings
written in the Bible.
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III. THE ONE
TRUE CHURCH TODAY UPHOLDS THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE THAT THE
FATHER ALONE
IS THE TRUE GOD
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself
said that we must recognize the Father as the only true God in order to attain
eternal life. These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 17:1 and 3:
“After
Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the time has
come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you...
“Now
this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:1 and 3 NIV)
Apostle Paul, addressing to the
members of the one true Church, also said the following:
“Yet
for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom
we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came
and through whom we live.” (I Corinthians 8:6 NIV)
Apostle Paul said, “Yet for US
(he is referring to the members of the one true Church or the true Christians)
there is but ONE GOD, THE FATHER...” Is there “other God” aside from the
Father? This is what the Father, the one true God says:
“Declare
what is to be, present it-- let them take counsel together. Who foretold this
long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And
there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but
me.” (Isaiah 45:21 NIV)
Thus, the one true Church or the
true Church Of Christ upholds the doctrine that there is one true God, the
Father. The Lord God proclaimed that He has witnesses from the ends of the
earth witnessing that He alone is the true God:
“Ye
are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye
may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no
God formed, neither shall there be after me.
“Fear
not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee
from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not
back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah
43:10, 5-6 KJV)
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We believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ as our Lord (cf. Acts 2:36),
Savior (cf. Acts 5:31), the mediator
between God and men (cf. I Timothy
2:5), and the Son of God (cf. Matthew
16:16). Although the Lord Jesus Christ has attributes and qualities that cannot
be found in an ordinary being, but still, there are attributes of God that
cannot be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what we can read in I
Corinthians 1527-28:
“For
he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that
"everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not
include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this,
then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him,
so that God may be all in all.” (I Corinthians 15:27-28 NIV)
When in comes to the true nature
of the Lord Jesus Christ, He Himself admitted that He is a man:
“But
now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from
God. Abraham did not do this.” (John 8:40 NKJV)
In saying that He is a man, it is
like admitting He is not John because “Man is not God” (cf. Ezek. 28:2), and “God is not man” (Hos. 11:9). When the Lord
Jesus Christ taught that the Father alone is the one true God, He also taught
that He is the one sent by the one true God:
“After
Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the time has
come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you...
“Now
this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, AND JESUS
CHRIST, WHOM YOU HAVE SENT.” (John 17:1 and 3 NIV, emphasis mine)
The Lord Jesus Christ also tells
us that we must know (accept, recognize) Him as the one SENT by the one true
God. Thus, the truth the Bible teaches and the one true Church upholds is that
the Father alone is the one true God, and Jesus Christ is the Son of God whom
He has sent, the mediator between one true God and men.
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IV. THE ONE
TRUE CHURCH TODAY IS
“ELECTED” OR
“CHOSEN” BY GOD
Another distinguishing mark of
the one true Church or the true Church Of Christ is her “election.” Regarding
His disciples (the members of the one true Church), the Lord Jesus Christ said:
“You
did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit
that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John
15:16 NIV)
The Lord Jesus Christ said, “I choose you and appointed you.” Thus,
the one true Church is the chosen people of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Regarding
the one true Church, this is what Apostle Peter says in II Peter 2:9-10:
“But
you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging
to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness
into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the
people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received
mercy.” (I Peter 2:9-10 NIV)
Thus, the one true Church or the
true Church Of Christ is appointed by God, the chosen people of the Lord God
and the Lord Jesus Christ. What the Bible tells us as clear proof of being
elected or chosen by God? Apostle Peter also answered this question:
“And
we have the word of prophecy `made' more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye
take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the
day-star arise in your hearts.” (II Peter 1:19 ASV)
The “word of the prophecy” is the
strong proof of being elected or being chosen people of God. Indeed, even the
Book of Revelation tells us that the “testimony of Jesus” is the “spirit of
prophecy”:
“At
this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it!
I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony
of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy." Revelation 19:10 NIV
Thus, the one true Church or the
true Church of Christ today is not only called “Church of Christ” but also has
the testimony of the Bible which is the “word of prophecy.” It must also have a
prophecy proving its truthfulness, her being elected or chosen by God. The
Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) that emerged in the Philippines in 1914
has such prophecies. Please take note of the following prophecies:
“The
LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: ‘Say to the Daughter of
Zion, 'See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense
accompanies him.’ They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the
LORD; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.” (Isaiah
62:11-12 NIV)
This passage of the Bible is a
prophecy about God’s “Holy People” from the “ends of the earth” who were also
called “the Redeemed of the Lord.” The Church of Christ is the one “redeemed”
by the Lord Jesus Christ:
“Take heed therefore to
yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you
overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with His blood
(Acts 20:28 Lamsa).”
Thus, the prophesied “Holy People”
from the ends of the earth is not the ancient nation of Israel, nor the first-century
Church of Christ, but the Church of Christ from the “ends of the earth.”
We firmly believe that the
establishment of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) that emerged on July
27, 1914 in the Philippines is the fulfillment of the biblical prophecies
regarding God’s “Holy People” from the ends of the earth. Hence, the Iglesia Ni
Cristo (Church of Christ) as God’s chosen people in these last days is
confirmed by biblical prophecy.
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V. THE ONE
TRUE CHURCH TODAY IS
FOUNDED BY
CHRIST THROUGH PROPHECY
(THE FULFILLMENT
OF CHRIST’S PROPHECY
REGARDING HIS “OTHER
SHEEP”)
The Lord Jesus Christ knew that
apostasy will take place at the first century Church Of Christ. He Himself made
pronouncement about this (cf. Matt.
24:9-11). Because of this, the Lord Jesus Christ also prophesied the
re-emergence of His Church. He promised to re-establish the Church Of Christ.
In John 10:16, the Lord Jesus
Christ prophesied that He has “other sheep” which would be made into “one
flock”:
“And
other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they
will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (John
10:16 NKJV)
Christ said, “Other sheep I
have.” Why He called them His “other sheep”? Christ also said, “which are not
of this fold.” What did the Lord Jesus Christ promise to do with His other
sheep? He also said, “them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and
there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
What did Christ meant when He
said that His other sheep “are not of this fold” but He will bring them also
and He would form them as one flock? There are instances in the Bible that the
word “flock” are used to refer to the Church Of Christ:
“Take
heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit
has appointed you as overseers to feed the church of Christ which He purchased
with His blood.” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa)
Thus, when the Lord Jesus said
“And other sheep I have not of this fold” (the word “fold” also means “flock,” cf. John 10:16 NCV), He meant He has
other sheep “NOT OF THIS CHURCH” or “not of the first century Church Of
Christ”. And when He said that He will bring them also and they will be one
flock, Christ meant that His other sheep will also be made “Church Of Christ.”
Because apostasy will take place
at the first century Church Of Christ, the Lord Jesus promised that He has
“other sheep” not of the fold already established in the first century (the
first century Church Of Christ). He will bring them also and form them as one
flock (Church Of Christ). Hence, when the Lord Jesus Christ said that “…other sheep I have which are not of this
fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be
one flock and one shepherd” He is referring to His re-establishment of the
Church Of Christ.
CHRIST’S “OTHER SHEEP”
ARE PROPHETICALLY LINK
TO THE FIRST-CENTURY CHURCH
OF CHRIST
The other sheep the Lord Jesus
Christ mentioned in John 10:16 is the third group of people of the three groups
that composed the Church which Christ established. In Acts 2:39 this is what
Apostle Peter mentioned:
“For
the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the LORD our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39 KJV)
According to Apostle Peter, the
promise is: (1) “unto you”; (2) to your children”; and (3) “to all that are
afar off.” These are the three groups of people that compose the Church the
Lord Jesus Christ established.
The first and second groups were
already been called to the Church in the first century, and the third group
will still be called by God. The first group mentioned by Apostle Peter is the
Jews:
“Therefore
let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus,
whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
“For
the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the LORD our God shall call.” (Acts 2:36 and 39 KJV)
The second group of people
mentioned in Apostle Peter’s prophecy is the Gentiles:
“For
though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have
many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” (I
Corinthians 4:15 NKJV)
Although Apostle Peter mentioned
“to your children,” he is not referring to the literal “children” of the Jews,
because in verse 36 and 38 of Acts chapter 2 he said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly…For the promise is
unto you…” Apostle Peter is referring to the Gentile members of the Church
who were “children” of the Jews “through the gospel.” Apostle Paul said
that “I have begotten you”
(referring to the Gentile members of the Church) through the gospel. Apostle
Peter was the “apostle to the Jews” and Apostle Paul was the “apostle to the
Gentile”:
“For
God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was
also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.” (Galatians 2:8 NIV)
Indeed, the first century Church
Of Christ was composed of Jews and Gentiles:
“Even
us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?”
(Roma 9:24 NIV)
Thus, those were called and who
composed the first century Church Of Christ referred to by Apostle Peter in
Acts 2:39 are the Jews and the Gentles. However, according to Peter’s prophecy,
there are those from “afar off” that will still be called by God. They are those
mentioned by the Lord Jesus Christ in John 10:16 as His other sheep that “are
not of this fold.”
THE PLACE WHERE THE
CHURCH OF CHRIST
WILL BE
RE-ESTABLISHED
According to Apostle Peter, the
“other sheep” of the Lord Jesus Christ will come from a “far away” place:
“This
promise is for you. It is also for your children and for the peple that are far
away. It is for every person that the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Acts
2:39 Easy To Read Bible)
Where is this “far away” place
mentioned in the prophecy of Apostle Peter which will be the origin of Christ’s
“other sheep”? In a related prophecy, this is what we could read:
“From
the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather
you.” (Isaiah 43:5 Moffatt)
The “far away” place” that
Christ’s “other sheep” will came from is the “far east” mentioned in Isaiah’s
prophecy. The fulfillment of this biblical prophecy was the emergence of the
Church Of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) in the Philippines. The region where the
Philippines is located is called “Far East”:
“The
Philippines were Spain’s share of the first colonizing movement in the Far
East.” (Boak, Arthur E. R., Slosson, Preston, and Anderson, Howard R.
World History. Madison United States Armed Forces Institute, 1942, p. 445)
Thus, Christ’s “other sheep” was
prophesied by the Bible to emerge in the Far East. The fulfillment of the
biblical prophecy is the emergence of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ)
in the Philippines.
THE TIME OF THE
RE-MERGENCE
OF THE CHURCH OF
CHRIST
The time of the emergence of
Christ’s “other sheep” in the Far East was also mentioned in the prophecy of
Prophet Isaiah:
“Fear
not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee
from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not
back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.”
(Isaiah 43:5-6 KJV)
Christ’s “other sheep” were
recognized by the Lord God as His “sons and daughters” from the Far East. The
prophecy also mentioned the time of the emergence of Christ’s “other sheep” in
the Far East – in the time called “ends of the earth.”
Let us not confused the time
called “end of the earth” with “ends of the earth.” The time called “end of the
earth” is the end of the world or the Day of Judgment:
“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?” (Matthew 24:3 KJV)
The “end of the earth” is at the
“second coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the “ends of the earth” is
the time when the “second coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ is near:
“As
Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately.
‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your
coming and of the end of the age?’”
“Even
so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the
door.” (Matthew 24:33 NIV)
There will be signs that when we
see these things, the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ or the “end of the
earth” is very near, “right at the door.” The “signs” are the following:
“You
will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.
Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in
various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew
24:6-8 NIV)
According to the Lord Jesus
Christ Himself, there will be “wars and rumors of wars,” and “nations will rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,” and there will also be famines
and earthquakes in various places. Take note that according to Jesus, “when you
see all these things, you know that it is near.” Thus, these are the signs that
indicate when the time is at the “ends of the earth.”
The “war” mentioned here by the
Lord Jesus Christ is the First World War, also called the Great War, because:
(1) this “war” is one of the signs when the second coming of the Lord Jesus is
near (thus it could not be the wars happened in the first century, second
century, third century, and so on); and (2) this “war” was followed by another
“war” that described by Jesus as “nation against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom.” The First World War started in July 27, 1914:
“The
first great campaign on the southeastern battle grounds of the Great War began
on July 27, 1914, when the Austrian troops undertook their first invasion of
Serbia.” (Miller, Francis, Ed. The Story of the Great War, History of the
European War from Official Sources, Volume II, p. 923.)
The Iglesia Ni Cristo was
registered in the Philippine government on July 27, 1914. This was the official
date of the establishment of the Church Of Christ in the Philippines.
Thus, the emergence of the
Iglesia Ni Cristo in the Philippines in July 27, 1914 was the fulfillment of
the biblical prophecies regarding the emergence of Christ’s “other sheep,” or
the re-emergence of the Church Of Christ.
This is the reason why the Iglesia
Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) emerged only in 1914. The Church the Lord Jesus
Christ built in the first century was apostatized. However, the Lord Jesus
Christ made a promised of re-establishing His Church that He called His “other
sheep.” The “Other Sheep” are also the “children of God” from the ends of the
earth, from the Far East.
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CONCLUSION
WE didn’t invent these
“identifying marks” we presented here, but these are the marks given by the
Holy Scriptures (or the Bible).
We firmly believe that the
Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) that emerged from the Philippines in 1914
is the ONE TRUE CHURCH TODAY because:
(1) It bears the name “Church of Christ.” The Bible clearly stated:
“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)
(2) All her doctrines and practices are all based on the teachings written
in the Holy Scriptures. It is not only called in the name “Church of
Christ,” but upholds the teachings written in the Bible. The Bible is the sole
basis of the faith and teachings of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The Bible admonished
the true Christians not go beyond what is written:
“Now,
brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit,
so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what
is written.’ Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.” (I
Corinthians 4:6 NIV)
The Lord God strictly prohibited
His servants not to subtract or add to His commandments, but to observe carefully
all He commanded:
“Whatever
I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away
from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32 NKJV)
(3) The Church of Christ in these last days also upholds the biblical truth
that the Father alone is the one true God. According to the Lord Jesus
Christ, this is the eternal life to recognize that the Father alone as the one
true God:
“And
this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus
Christ whom You have sent.
1Jesus
spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the
hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, John 17:3,
1 NKJV
Thus, the Iglesia Ni Cristo in
these last days is the fulfillment of what the Bible prophesied as God’s
witnesses from the east, from the ends of the earth, witnessing that there is
no other God aside from the one true God, the Father:
“You
are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there
was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.
“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.” (Isaiah 43:10, 5-6 NKJV)
(4) Elected by God and recognized as God’s Chosen People in these Last Days.”
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) is the fulfillment of the prophecy
regarding God’s “Holy People” from the “ends of the earth.” Thus, her being elected
or chosen as God’s nation or people is not just a mere claim, but confirmed by
biblical prophecies.
(5) Founded by Christ through prophecy. The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of
Christ) is the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Christ’s other sheep (cf. John 10:16), of Apostle Peter’s
prophecy regarding those from “afar off” (cf.
Acts 2:39), and of Prophet Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the sons and
daughters of God that will emerge from the Far East, from the ends of the earth
(cf. Isaiah 43:5-6 and Moffatt).
Therefore, the Iglesia Ni Cristo
(Church Of Christ) as the one true Church in these last days is confirmed by
biblical prophecies. The prophecies written in the Bible that were fulfilled in
the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) are our testimonies that this is indeed
the one true Church today.
Please learn more about the
Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ)
All are welcome to attend our
congregational worship services, Evangelical Missions, and Bible Studies.
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