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)

The Bible said, “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” This “name” is the name given to the Lord Jesus:

“And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.” (John 17:11 TEV)

The ord Jesus prayed to God to “Keep them safe by the power of your name.” The name He is referring to is the name given to Him by the Lord God. So the name given to Him by the Lord God is also the name “given to men by which we must be saved.” This is the name “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.

“Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead...”( Acts 4:12,10 NIV)

The true Church established by Christ is named after Christ. It is only right that the true Church is named after Him because:

(1)    Christ is the founder and owner of the 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.” (Matthew 16:18, NKJV)

 (2)  The Church is the body of Christ and He is the head of the Church:

“There is a deep secret truth revealed in this scripture, which I understand as applying to Christ and the church.

 “For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.

“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.” (Ephesians 5:32 & 23 & 25, TEV)

How is the Church called after the name of Christ? In Romans 16:16, this is what the Bible says:

“Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.” (Romans 16:16, NIV)

Also in Acts 20:28, this is what the Bible says:

“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 purchased with His blood.” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa)

Actually, even Catholic authorities attest that the Church is indeed called after Christ, the “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 Hesus 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. 12th and revised edition. Imprimi Potest: Charles H. Cloud, S.J. Provincial of the Chicago Province. Imprimatur: George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago. Chicago: Loyola university Press, 1934, p. 442-443.)

Thus, the name of the true Church the Lord Jesus Christ established is “Church of Christ” (“Iglsia Ni Cristo” in Pilipino), and those not called in this name cannot claim that they  are the true Church and whom the Lord Jesus Christ will save come Judgment Day 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)