“ANGKAN NG SUGO”
(“FAMILY OF
THE MESSENGER”)
By Brother Joel V. San Pedro
WHEN Lottie Hemedez is asked
who owns the residence on #36 Tandang Sora Ave., she says the house belongs to
her. When Lottie Hemedez is then asked who owns the electric bill, which has
exceeded a million pesos a month for several months, she says the bill belongs
to the Church Of Christ.
When Lottie Hemedez is asked
who is expected to support her lifestyle, since she has never gotten a job and
she has never served in any position or duty in the Church Of Christ, she says
the Executive Minister should be using the offerings of the Church to take care
of her, even though she was expelled for going against the teachings of the
Church Of Christ.
When Lottie Hemedez needs
money to pay for her daily Facebook activities and her legal fees for Trixie so
she can attack the Church Of Christ and spread lies to shame it, she wants it
to come from what the members of the Church Of Christ have offered, even though
the members gave their offerings to be used for the work supporting the
activities of the Church Of Christ to bring honor and not shame to Christ’s
Name.
Why does Lottie have such
lofty expectations to receive such generous benefits from a religious
organization she is no longer a part of and is even fighting against? Her
oft-given answer consists of three words in Filipino which translates to four
words in English: “Angkan ng Sugo” or “Family of the Messenger”.
If we would look at the
housing rules enacted by then Executive Minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, and
implemented by the succeeding Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo,
concerning living in Church housing and receiving “tulong” or financial
allowance, do these rules allow Lottie’s wild and fanciful expectations because
of family ties?
Here are some of the Church Of
Christ’s rules for all who reside in Church housing:
1. It is
strictly prohibited to allow anyone—even if they be parents, son or daughter
who is already married, grandchildren, or house helpers—to stay overnight and
all the more reside in Church housing without permission from Central.
4. Those
discovered to have allowed anyone to stay overnight or to reside without
permission from Central will be appropriately disciplined, resulting in
reduction in their allowance and/or withdrawal of the privilege to reside in
Church housing
5. Removal from
the Church registry or being expelled means the automatic removal of the
privilege to reside in Church housing.
8. If any member
of the household has a case involving a violation of the Church’s teachings or
regulations, this may result in the entire household losing the privilege to
reside in Church housing.
It is clear in the rules
promulgated by Brother Eraño Manalo himself that the rules were made to be
stronger than family ties. Since Lottie and Angel are in violation of all these
rules mentioned above, what does she hold on to as her basis to continue
receiving the privileges she is demanding? Justice, she claims, since her
family ties are not ordinary. She is still “Angkan ng Sugo” or “Family of the
Messenger”.
Since true justice is based on
God’s will in the Bible, does the “Angkan ng Sugo” or “Family of the Messenger”
or even the “EGM Family ” argument stand the biblical test? Let’s ask the
Bible.
_______________________________________________
Does the Bible teach that the
privilege of remaining a true and blessed servant of God comes with simply
being a family member of a faithful servant of God?
1. Matthew 12:47-50 (The
Message):
“While he was still talking to
the crowd, his mother and brothers showed up. They were outside trying to get a
message to him. Someone told Jesus, ‘Your mother and brothers are out here,
wanting to speak with you.’ Jesus didn’t respond directly, but said, ‘Who do
you think my mother and brothers are?’ He then stretched out his hand toward
his disciples. ‘Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is
thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my
brother and sister and mother.’”
For God’s Son, the Lord Jesus
Christ, obedience to God’s will far outweighs family ties. Are there examples
in the Bible of family members who were rejected by God because of their
disobedience and lost all the privileges that come with being God’s servants?
There are many. Below are a few examples of them:
2. What if Lottie, Angel, and
Marc say that Brother Felix Manalo was their grandfather? After Esau traded the
spiritual blessing that came with his birthright for a material reward, having
Abraham for a grandfather was not enough for Esau to be forgiven:
"... Keep a sharp eye out
for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a garden
in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift
in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later
regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing--but by then it was too
late, tears or no tears." (Hebrews 12:15(b)-17, The Message)
This is why Brother Eraño
Manalo, when he was Executive Minister, also expelled a nephew of his or, in
other words, a grandson of God's Messenger, when that member of the “Angkan ng
Sugo” was found to be in disobedience.
3. What if Lottie, Angel, and
Marc say a beloved spiritual leader, Brother Eraño Manalo, was their father?
King David, was a spiritual leader so loved by God that the Bible describes
David as a “man after God’s own heart” and the Lord Jesus as “Son of David.”
King David’s son Absalom, however, lost not just his privileges but even his
own life when he was found in disobedience and rebellion. Years later, another
son of King David, Adonijah, also rebelled and was also punished.
4. What if Lottie, Angel, and
Marc say that their brother is the current leader of God’s people? Cain could
have said the same thing. After Cain killed his brother, Abel, God chose the
descendants of Seth, a brother of Cain, to continue the line of people that God
elected to be His. On the other hand, Cain and his descendants were rejected
and not considered God's people.
If Lottie, Angel, and Marc,
along with Mrs. Cristina Manalo, would like to regain the greatest privilege of
being God’s children who can inherit salvation, they should follow what the
Bible says and return--in the proper Bible-based way that includes repentance
and obedience--to the Church Of Christ.
This exhortation is not
because the Church Of Christ needs them but because they need the Church Of
Christ, the Church that Christ the Savior will save.
Source:
Way back in August, after the news that shook the INC in July of 2015, I suggested then that it would be prudent to eject the tenants of 36 Tandang Sora St. out of the compound as I saw the ongoing problems and the consequences of their staying there might create. I also suggested, that if those people needed financial assistance, that INC support them until they get on their own feet. In my mind, they should at least be given some support, seeing that they were “angkan ng Sugo.” We, INC members, are compassionate people and the special treatment is because they are descendants of our beloved and esteemed Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the Last Messenger.
ReplyDeleteHowever, being descendants of our honourable and esteemed Brother Felix, doesn’t give them the automatic right and expectation to be supported, or rely on the INC financial support. What did they do to earn their living? Did they not have jobs, just like the rest of the members? Most of our brethren, I would say 99 percent, are poor, to very poor. It is really heartbreaking. And yet they toil, work hard, sweat pouring from their faces and tried hard to save every week out of their meagre earnings, a portion of their money to set aside for Thanksgiving at the end of the year, besides their weekly offerings. Not enough food on the table, old clothes, no money to pay for medicines, and yet they give gladly. Because they are following His commandment and they know that God is being pleased. Bless them, Oh Lord.
With so much respect and admiration, Brother Eduardo Manalo has shown to Church of Christ (INC) members his love for God and Church first. Blood is not thicker when it comes to God and Jesus Christ. Father, please continue to protect and bless our dear brother.
Gloria B.Wilhelm
We Are One With EVM
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