Iglesia ni Cristo

Iglesia ni Cristo
Seal of the Iglesia ni Cristo
Classification	Independent
Orientation	Absolute oneness of God
Governance	Overseer/Episcopal polity
Leader	Eduardo V. Manalo (as a Executive Minister)
Geographical areas	100 nations/territories
Headquarters	No. 1 Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City, Philippines
Founder	Felix Y. Manalo (as the registrant for the Philippine Government)
Origin	July 27, 1914 (registration in Philippine Government) Punta, Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines
Congregations	5,600
Members	4 to 10 million as of 1996.
Ministers	7,205
Hospitals	199,098
Aid organization	Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Lingap sa Mamamayan (Aid for Humanity), INC Giving
Tertiary institutions	2
Other name(s)	INC, Iglesia, Ang Tamang Daan (Tagalog for "The Right Path"), English: Church of Christ, Spanish: Iglesia de Cristo, German: Kirche Christi, French: Eglise du Christ
Official website	www.incmedia.org

Iglesia ni Cristo (English: Church of Christ; Spanish: Iglesia de Cristo; German: Kirche Christi; Portuguese: Igreja de Cristo; French: Eglise du Christ; abbreviated as INC; colloquially Iglesia) describes itself as an independent Christian religion. The church stresses its independence, saying that it is not a denomination or sect of any of the major groupings and is neither affiliated to any federation of religious bodies, nor itself an assembly of smaller religious organizations. Other sources call it the largest entirely indigenous Christian denomination in the Philippines, the largest religious organization that originated in the Philippine Islands, and also the largest independent Christian church in Asia. INC is also one of the largest religious bodies of the world, with 27,000,000 adherents. It has also been cited as one of the largest and most powerful churches in the developing world. Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in outlook and theme. INC, however, does not consider itself to be part of the Restoration Movement, which it considers as the "children" of the apostate Roman Catholic Church.

Iglesia ni Cristo believes that it is the true church established by Jesus Christ in the first century, and that its registration in the Philippines is the fulfillment of bible prophesies that Jesus Christ's church would re-emerge in the Far East.

Felix Y. Manalo officially registered the church with the Philippine Government on July 27, 1914 and because of this, most publications refer to him as the "founder" of the church. However, the official doctrines of the church profess that Christ is the founder of the INC and that Felix Manalo was the last messenger, sent by God to re-establish the Christian Church to its true, pristine form because the original church was apostatized. INC teaches that the apostate church is the Roman Catholic Church, and proclaims that Catholic beliefs shared by most Christians, such as the Trinity are proof of this apostasy. The church teaches that the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit are not biblical. As of 2010, the Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo is Eduardo V. Manalo, the grandson of Felix Manalo.

Iglesia ni Cristo members are noted for bloc voting in Philippine elections which is unique to the church due to their doctrine on unity and a practice that cannot be found outside INC.

History

The historical context of the Iglesia ni Cristo lies in a period of the early 20th century characterised by a variety of rural anti-colonialism movements, often with religious undertones, in the Philippines. United States missionary work was exposing Filipino culture to many alternatives to the Roman Catholic Church, which had been installed under Spanish rule. Some observers see the INC as an aggressive, materially successful, indigenous movement which became a major religious movement in only a period of fifty years. Some believe the success of the INC is attributed primarily to its leadership. However, the members of the Igelsia ni Cristo have full belief that the success of the church is the work and guidance of God.

Pioneering years - 1913 to 1916

Felix Manalo, born on May 10, 1886 in Taguig, Philippines, was baptized a Roman Catholic. In his teenage years, Manalo became dissatisfied with Roman Catholic theology. According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the establishment of the Philippine Independent Church or the Aglipayan Church was his major turning point but Manalo remained uninterested since its doctrines were mainly Catholic. He started seeking through various denominations, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1904, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, entered the Methodist seminary, and became a pastor for a while. Manalo left the Methodist church in 1913, and associated himself with atheist and agnostic peers.

Iglesia ni Cristo's first chapel in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila.

On November 1913, Manalo secluded himself with religious literature and unused notebooks in a friend's house in Pasay, instructing everyone in the house not to disturb him. He emerged out of seclusion three days later with his new-found doctrines.

Manalo, together with his wife, went to Punta, Santa Ana, Manila on July 1914, and started preaching. He left the congregation in the care of his first ordained minister, and returned to Taguig to evangelize. In Taguig, he was ridiculed and stoned in his meetings with locals. He was later able to baptize a few converts, including some of his persecutors. He later registered his new-found religion as the Iglesia ni Cristo (English: Church of Christ; Spanish: Iglesia de Cristo) on July 27, 1914 at the Bureau of Commerce as a corporation sole with himself as the first executive minister. Expansion followed as INC started building congregations in the provinces in 1916. The first three ministers were ordained in 1919.

Continuing Growth - 1922 to 1950

In 1922, the INC's first schism, led by Teofilo Ora, one of INC's first ministers, resulted in the loss of several congregations, along with their church buildings, in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. Ora founded Iglesia Verdadero de Cristo which was later changed to Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus.

By 1924, the INC had about 3,000 to 5,000 adherents in 43 or 45 congregations in Manila and six nearby provinces. By 1936, the INC had 85,000 members. This figure grew to 200,000 by 1954. A Cebu congregation was built in 1937—the first to be established outside of Luzon, and the first in the Visayas. The first mission to Mindanao was commissioned in 1946. Meanwhile, its first concrete chapel was built in Sampaloc, Manila in 1948. Adherents fleeing for the provinces away from Manila, where the Japanese forces were concentrated during the World War II, were used for evangelization. As Manalo's health began to fail in the 1950s, Eraño Manalo started to take leadership of the church. Felix Manalo died on April 12, 1963.

International expansion - 1968 to the present

The Iglesia ni Cristo congregation in Waipahu, Hawaii, United States

The first overseas INC mission was sent in 1968 on its 54th anniversary. The INC started operating a radio station in 1969. In 1973, the church established a congregation in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 27, and in San Francisco, California (both in the United States). The Ministerial Institute of Development, currently the New Era University College of Evangelical Ministry, was founded in 1974 in Quiapo, Manila. It moved to its current location in Quezon City in 1978. As of 1995, it had 4,500 students and five extension schools in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga and Rizal. In 1971, the INC Central Office building was built in Quezon City. Fifteen years later, the Central Temple was added in the complex. The Tabernacle, a tent-like multipurpose building which can accommodate up to 4,000 persons, was finished in 1989. The complex also includes the New Era University, a higher-education institution run by the INC.

Eraño Manalo died on August 31, 2009. His son, Eduardo V. Manalo, succeeded him as executive minister upon his death.

In September 2011 the INC bought 59 parcels of land in Scenic, South Dakota for approximately $700,000.00. Scenic is a ghost town in western South Dakota. No plans for the land have been revealed by the church.

In February 28, 2012 the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) holds simultaneous Grand Evangelical Missions (GEM) nationwide as part of its campaign for the year 2012 for the intensive propagation of God’s words. One of the 19 venues for the Grand Evangelical Mission is the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila with a total attendance of approximately 2 million. The INC’s five ecclesiastical districts in Metro Manila, along with the other districts in the provinces of Bulacan and the Calabarzon participated in this event. GEM held at the following venues: Isabela Sports Complex, Isabela; Jose V. Yap Sports and Recreational Complex, San Jose, Tarlac; Gloria Town Plaza, Oriental Mindoro; Pili Freedom Sports Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur; La Union National High School Sports Complex, San Fernando City, La Union; Paglaum Sports Complex, Bacolod City; Cebu City Fuente Osmena; Tacloban City Convention Center; Pagadian City Gym, Zamboanga del Sur; Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City; Davao Agro-Football Stadium, Davao City; Gen. Santos City Gym; La Paz Plaza, Iloilo; Butuan City Sports Complex; Odiongan Sports Complex, Odiongan, Romblon; Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Palawan; Coron Gym, Palawan; and Sta. Cruz Plaza, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.

Administration and Organization

The church is divided into numerous ecclesiastical districts, which in turn are divided into local congregations. These congregations are led by a minister. The administration of the church is centralized and managed from a central office. Thus, all lessons in worship services across the world will have the same topics.

Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Ministers
Name	Tenure of office
Felix Y. Manalo	July 27, 1914 – April 12, 1963
Eraño G. Manalo	April 23, 1963 – August 31, 2009
Eduardo V. Manalo	September 8, 2009 – Present

Iglesia ni Cristo has had three executive ministers (Tagalog: Tagapamahalang Pangkahalatan), that lead the church administration in overseeing the faith of the brethren. Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, as the current executive minister, serves as the church's leader, and, in this capacity, manages the administration of the church. Along with the deputy executive minister and other senior ministers, the executive minister forms the Central Administration of Iglesia ni Cristo. All church ministers are male, however, there are a large number of female church officials. Ministers are encouraged to marry for the purpose of obeying the command to marry and multiply.

Headquarters

The central office is one of several structures inside the central office complex. It houses the permanent offices of the central administration and most of the church's departments. It is here where about a thousand INC professionals and volunteers hold office. Contrary to claims, the central office is not the residence of the Manalos. Built in 1971 for US$473 thousand. It has a cinema and theater, canteen and social halls. The building is currently estimated to be worth US$215 million.

The Felix Y. Manalo National Historical Landmark

The central office was formerly located in Manila during its early years, then in San Juan, and later in Makati before moving to its present site. It houses the offices of INC's central administration. Administration and ministerial work are delegated into ecclesiastical districts (termed divisions prior to 1990) which are led by district ministers (formerly, division ministers). Ecclesiastical districts comprise 30 to 120 congregations (referred to as locales) on average. The ecclesiastical district's range is generally a single province of the Philippines; however, populous provinces often have more than one ecclesiastical district. There were about 5,000 Iglesia ni Cristo locales in 96 countries in 2008. 200 of these congregations, including 150 in 39 U.S. states, were outside the Philippines in 2001. All locales were directly managed by Felix Manalo until 1924 when the first ecclesiastical district was organized in Pampanga.

Architecture

Through the years, the Church of Christ has proven her devotion and determination in constructing magnificent houses of worship. Built for a sacred purpose, the INC temples and chapels have greatly shaped and beautified not only the Philippine landscape but also the surroundings of various places around the world. They have also been the objects of admiration and curiosity by scholars, researchers, architects, and observers regardless of their religious affiliation. A Japanese arichitect was driving in Tondo and saw the church temple there said."It's like a jewel sparkling in the sun. ...I have traveled to many places, but I have not seen anything like it." Iglesia ni Cristo church buildings serve as places of worship and other religious functions, are "vehicles for glorifying God." These are described by Culture and customs of the Philippines, a book published by Greenwood Publishing Group, as structures "which employ exterior neo-Gothic vertical support columns with tall narrow windows between, interlocking trapezoids, and rosette motifs, as well as tower and spires." There are multiple entrances leading to the main sanctuary, where males and females sit on either side of the aisle facing a dais where sermons are made. The choir loft is located behind the dais, and in larger churches, baptistry pools for immersion baptism are located at the back of the church. Meanwhile, Fernando Nakpil-Zialcita, an anthropologist from Ateneo de Manila University, said that INC churches can be uniquely identified for "its exuberant use of fanciful forms and ornaments [and a] brilliant white facade whose silhouette is a cusped Gothic arch or a flattened Saracenic arch." The distinctive spires represent "the reaching out of the faithful to God." Churches were started to be built in this style during the late 1940s and early 1950s with the first concrete chapel built in Sampaloc, Manila in 1948.

Central Temple

The Central Temple which opened in July 27, 1984 can accommodate up to 7,000 persons, and cost about US$2 million. The temple consists of seven main areas and two other edifices, the temple also have a built-in baptistery pool that can hold roughly 600 converts. The Central Temple features octagonal spires, "fine latticework" and ribbed windows. Recent buildings are variations of Carlos A. Santos-Viola's designs on the Central Temple. Prominent architects, such as Juan Nakpil (a National Artist of the Philippines for architecture) and Carlos Raúl Villanueva, had been involved in designing INC churches while the Engineering and Construction Department of INC, established in 1971, oversees the uniformity in design of church buildings. The Central Temple have an average height of 286 feet (87 m) making it the tallest church in Metro Manila. Central Temple covers some 11,768 metres (38,609 ft) of the church's hundreds of hectares property. There are 6 major towers and 22 spires the crest the rooftop of the Central Temple. the most prominent of these is the middle tower, that has a round shaped terrace wherein you can see the panoramic view of the whole Metro Manila. An author wrote “viewed from above, the Central Temple takes the visual form of an eagle with the dominant resembling effect of the side chapels and the shape of its wings and head, respectively.” At night, the whole structure is illuminated by an exterior lighting system made up of high-powered sodium lamps that emit a well-distributed amber color. Since its completion and dedication to God, the Central Temple today remains as beautiful and magnificent as ever, well-preserved through the years. For almost 3 decades the temple has borne witness to various events in recent church’s history.

Uniforms

Ministers wear lounge suits during services, while Deacons and Deaconesses come in formal dress. The uniform for Deacons consists of either a Barong Tagalog (in the Philippines) or lounge suit (outside the Philippines), while for Deaconesses a white, cream, or beige terno and pañuelo ensemble (in the Philippines) or a white dress (outside the Philippines) is standard.

The choir uniform consists of plain, cream-coloured robes in the Philippines, and international locals use jade and cream robes abroad; the Central Temple Choir is the only group that uses robes of cream with pine green linings.

Beliefs and Core Values

The Iglesia ni Cristo holds beliefs that run contrary and at odds to many Christian professing religions. Some observers describe these beliefs as unique and distinct making it different from what is generally known as traditional Christianity. Doctrines such as the denial of the trinity and the necessity of membership in the Church for salvation are just a few examples of what sets the Iglesia ni Cristo apart from the major Christian religions of today.

Bible

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that the Bible is the sole basis of all their beliefs and practices. The following are some of their fundamental teachings which they believe are based on scriptures.

God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes in the absolute oneness of God the Father who is the Creator and is the only true God. They believe this is the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Thus, the INC rejects the trinity as a heresy. They believe that this position is attested by Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

Christ and the Apostles are united in teaching how many and who is the real God. Similar to other true Christians, according to Apostle Paul, there is only one God, the Father—not the Son and more so not the Holy Spirit. The Apostles also did not teach that there is one God who has three personas who are also Gods. ... It [Trinity] is not found in the Holy Scriptures or the Bible, and if [Catholic] priests ever use the Bible to prove this teaching of theirs, all are based only on suppositions and presumptions.

— trans. from Pasugo (November 1968)

The church believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the mediator between God the Father and humanity, and was created by God the Father. God sanctified him to be without sin, and bestowed him the titles "Lord" and "Son of God". The church sees Jesus as God's highest creation, and denies his divinity. Thus, INC theology is classified as Arian by Robin A. Brace, a British apologist, and Anne C. Harper, former director of publications of Gordon College in Massachusetts, United States. Adherents profess Jesus' substitutionary role in the redemption of humankind. He is believed to have been "foreordained before the foundation of the world", and sent by God "to deal with sin". Members "are saved by Christ's blood" who died because of his "self-sacrificing love".

The one true church

Iglesia ni Cristo congregations in Punta, Santa Ana, Manila

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that it is the one church founded by Jesus Christ. Adherents hold that Iglesia ni Cristo is the only true church of Jesus Christ as restored by Felix Manalo. The church recognizes Jesus Christ as the founder of the Church. Meanwhile, its reestablishment is seen as the signal for the end of days. For example, its founding in July 27, 1914 coincides with the beginning of World War I. They believe that the church was apostatized by the 1st or 4th century due to false teachings. The INC says that this apostate church is the Roman Catholic Church.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

— Isaiah 43:5 (New International Version)

They believe that the Iglesia ni Cristo is the fulfillment of the passage above while "east" refers to the Philippines where the Church of Christ would be founded. The INC teaches that its members constitute the "elect of God" and there is no salvation outside the Iglesia ni Cristo. Faith alone is insufficient for salvation. The Iglesia ni Cristo says that the official name of the true church is "Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo (in Tagalog)". The two passages often cited by INC to support this are Romans 16:16 "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you" and the George Lamsa translation of Acts 20:28: "Take heed therefore . . . to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood"

Unity

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that unity is an essential characteristic of "the one true church" and considers unity as a fundamental doctrine and upholds it faithfully. They say this doctrine traced its roots "in the history of God's people" as written in the Bible. Unity practiced by the Iglesia ni Cristo is not like that which is based on the mundane and ordinary, but based and founded on biblical teachings. It is upheld that the unity embraced by the Church is a distinctive mark of a true Christian Church and a unique and a striking characteristic of "the true Church". The Iglesia ni Cristo further states that this unity is distinct and exclusive and can only be found in the true Church and is nothing less that absolute. The Church describes this unity as one in doctrine, one in polity, one in faith, one in worship, and with one heart and one voice. In his argument to the lawsuit questioning religious organizations requiring their members to vote for a particular candidate, Executive Minister Eraño Manalo argued that voting as a bloc is a manifestation of religious unity. He said that the Iglesia voting as one "give flesh to their belief that only by acting in unity with their brethren will they be truly faithful to the Church".

Prophecy

The Iglesia ni Cristo holds prophecies that is included in the INC doctrine and this is how they prove their doctrine and to prove the Iglesia ni Cristo is the true church, they preach these prophecies to prove that the Iglesia ni Cristo is the true Church and it was founded by Christ. One of these prophecies is that the Iglesia ni Cristo was foretold to turn back from being the chosen people of God by going in the ways and acts of the demons after the death of the disciples of Christ. They use verses in the Bible such the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of John. But as it was foretold that the first Christians would worship a false God, the Iglesia ni Cristo also has the doctrine or the prophecy that the churches which were in the first century and in the time of the Apostles was prophesied to rise back to the end times of the earth, it would rise in the Far East, and would be brought to the west(Isaiah 43:5-6, Moffatt translation). The last messenger of God who is known as Felix Y. Manalo was also prophesied in the Bible and the Iglesia Doctrine. Another prophecy was the rise of false prophets, churches, preachers etc. They also hold prophecies about World War I and World War II, one of which is that these were signs about the coming of the end of the earth and that these are the signs of a second coming of the true church and the second advent of Christ. Church members preach that signs would include huge earthquakes, rampant spread of poverty, pain, sorrow, starvation, etc. They use the New Testament, especially Matthew and Revelation to justify their opinion. Also, the church has a prophecy about the advent of Christ. To fulfill this prophecy, according to the teachings of Iglesia ni Cristo, th Gospel of God must be preach all over the earth, whether other people would accept it or not, and within their doctrine it says that after the preaching of the Gospel every perosn should know that the end is near and Christ would advent soon. They use the Gospel of Matthew to justify this part of their doctrine. These are just some examples of the prophecies that the Iglesia ni Cristo holds and teaches. This was discussed in formal debates, nationally (Philippines) and even internationally with other major religious groups.

Prayer

In tagalog (panalangin), the Iglesia Ni Cristo pray as a unified group during their worship services and they do not allow or apply the repeatedly way of prayer. For it is in the Iglesia Ni Cristo doctrine/teachings that the Bible forbids the repeatedly way of prayer(Matthew 6:7-8). According to the Iglesia Ni Cristo, they also have an individual prayer in their house of worship before the worship service begins. In these prayers they thank God for the blessing they receive, ask for guidance, increases in faith, understanding the gospel, and ask for forgiveness. They also pray for the church administrators and INC brethren. In their prayers for themselves they ask of God to always be guided, have strength, and to be united as according to the Bible and their internal teachings and doctrines. All of their prayers are done in the name of Jesus Christ, which are done in accordance the churches doctrines and teachings. They believe that Christ is their mediator between us and God. The Iglesia Ni Cristo also have various doctrines about how they should apply group and self-prayer before eating, going to work/school, sleeping and so forth. In this way each member of the church and the family will always be in the presence of God and Christ. When prayer is conducted in the congregational setting or within family/friends gatherings, participants are required to answer "Yes, Father" "Yes, Lord" and "Amen" during the appropriate times within the prayer. This is done so that participants may fully involve themselves in the prayer, and show agreement with the various ideas being said.

Death

Members of Iglesia ni Cristo allows embalming for postmortem viewing of their loved ones. It forbids cremation because they believe the body of the deceased is sacred and should be cared for with respect. They dress and groom the deceased to resemble as close to possible how they looked in life. The preferred method is arterial embalming which injects formaldehyde into the body. The interment proceedings of Brother Eraño G. Manalo (January 2, 1925 - August 31, 2009), which a non-INC dignitary described as “solemn and elegant”, was simple and devoid of intricate rituals and prayers for the dead. This stems from the church’s belief concerning the dead. As a minister put it, “Once a true Christian dies, he is certain of salvation on Judgment Day.”

Judgement Day

The church believes that God set a day where He will judge all people. They believe that this day is also the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Baptism

The church believes that baptism is done by immersion in water, and that it is necessary that people be baptised in the Iglesia ni Cristo to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Resurrection

The church believes in resurrection. They believe that all people will be resurrected, some immediately while others after 1000 years.

Unity, Morality, Lawfulness

The Iglesia ni Cristo enforces all members to strict adherence to unity, maintain high moral standards and to respect and observe the rules and regulations of governments. Any form of discrimination is strongly discouraged. Divorce, annulments and legal separations, as well as extra-marital affairs and homosexuality are cause for separation.

God's last messenger

Felix Manalo on the cover of Pasugo

Felix Y. Manalo is said to be the restorer of the church of Christ, and "God's last messenger" (sugo in Tagalog).

INC divides time into three periods: the era of the Patriarchs (from creation to the birth of Moses), the era of the Prophets (from the birth of Moses to the birth of Jesus), and the Christian era (from the birth of Jesus to the Last Judgement). Adherents believe him to be the last messenger of God in the Christian Era.

The INC says that Manalo is the "angel from the east", mentioned in Revelation 7:1–3 who started the INC at the same time that World War I broke out. This period of time according to INC is referred to as the ends of the earth (cf Is 41:9-10; 43:5-6) the time when the end of the world is near, even at the doors (cf. Mt. 24:3, 33), which began with the outbreak of a war of global proportions (cf. Mt. 24:6-7) Felix Y. Manalo is from the Philippines, which they say is in the ‘center’ of the Far East. The ‘four winds’ in Revelation 7:1-3, they say refers to World War I and the four angels are the four leaders known as the big four(Woodrow Wilson, Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Vittorio Orlando) who they say worked on the prevention of the war.

Manalo is also portrayed as the fulfillment of several passages in Isaiah and other books of the Bible. Manalo's titles are "ravenous bird from the east" (Isa. 46:11), "worm Jacob" (Ps. 22:6-7), "one shepherd" (John 10:6) and "the last Elijah" (Mt.17:10-11; Mal.4:5)

As the one who established the INC, Manalo was the chief administrator, chief theologian and spiritual leader of the church. As such, he was the ultimate authority in all aspects of the church, and effectively "the foremost Biblical authority for all humanity and the divinely designated leader of a reestablished church of Christ in the modern world." His influence within the church caused people from other religions to call INC and its members "Iglesia ni Manalo" (Tagalog for Church of Manalo) and "Manalistas", respectively, labels INC members consider as both pejoratives and blasphemous.^{[citation needed]}

Eschatology

See also: Christian eschatology

Members believe that when a person dies, his/her body and soul both die and go into the grave where both would remain until the Second Coming of Christ. Upon his return, all dead members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, including Manalo, would be resurrected to join living INC members. They would be rewarded by living in the Holy City together with God the Father, Christ, and Manalo. After 1,000 years, a second resurrection would occur, and non-INC members will experience second death which is the Lake of Fire (Dagát-dagatang Apóy).

Practices

Worship and prayer

The church conducts regular worship services, one during the week, and one during the weekend. It is conducted in the local languages (for example, English, Tagalog and French). It involves singing of hymns, prayers and studies of the bible which some observers, including Robert R. Reed, label as tithing. Both God the Father and Jesus are worshiped. The ministers of every congregation in a given worship service use the same sermon outline prepared by the executive minister. Deacons and Deaconesses guide worshipers to their seats and collect offerings. The Singing of hymns is led by the locale's choir. The first hymnbook, termed as Himnario, which contained about 300 songs, was published in 1937. Children's worship services are held every weekend. They use similar lessons as the standard worship services taught using the Socratic method (question and answer). The church teaches that willfully forsaking the worship service is a grievous sin, thus members are expected to attend the congregational worship services twice a week without fail.

The church encourages its members to make prayer a part of everyday life. Thus prayer before various activities, such as taking meals and going to sleep, are commonly practiced. Prayers recited in rote repetition are not observed.

The August 1939 issue of Pasugo

Evangelism

Publishing

Since February 1939, the church has been publishing Pasugo (English: God's Message) in both Tagalog and English. As of 2010, the God's Message Magazine also features a Spanish Section and in 2012 it has a German and Japanese Section. Bro. Felix Manalo wrote its first editorial where he stated the publication's purpose, including the propagation of the faith. Issues contain articles which detail INC doctrines and refute doctrines which it considers as heresy, such as the Trinity. It also features information on church history, educational programs and missionary achievements, including lists and photographs of newly dedicated chapels. In 2001, it had a monthly circulation of 235,000 copies. For the year 2009, there were more than 4,152,546 copies of Pasugo distributed worldwide.

Brethren are encouraged to help in missionary works, such as Bible studies and to distribute copies of the God's Message Magazine (Pasugo).

Net 25 logo

Broadcasting

In the Philippines, radio and television programs are produced, and they are broadcast on 1062 kHz DZEC-AM radio, DZEM 954 kHz, the Net 25 television station operated by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, the broadcast division of the Iglesia ni Cristo and GEM TV, the sister station to NET 25 and Iglesia Ni Cristo channel, also owned by the INC and Iglesia ni Cristo TV broadcast on cable.

In North America, a television program called The Message is produced in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is currently aired in the United States and Canada and some parts of Europe. Each 30-minute program is hosted by one of a panel of INC ministers, who share the main beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo with a television audience. The INC use to maintain an hour long time slot on The Filipino Channel and airs two among many of its programs including the INC Chronicles and Ang Tamang Daan. It has since stopped and instead GEM-TV began broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on DirecTV channel 2068. Live streaming of INC Programming is now available at www.incmedia.org

In october 5, 2012 the Christian Era Broadcasting Service Incorporated (CEBSI) launched the INCTV Channel 49 on the Philippine free TV. INCTV 49 replaces GEMTV, the church's former cable-TV channel. The move was made for people without cable-TV subscriptions to be reached by the religious programs of the church. the name change was also made for more specific identification as the official TV station of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Socio-civic programs

The Iglesia Ni Cristo have socio-civic activities for the benefit of the community, members and non-members alike.

Through the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation Inc. (the social arm of the church), with the assistance of the three Christian family organizations (the Buklod, KADIWA, and Binhi), volunteers from the Society of Communications and Networkers International (SCAN), as well as the church's Social Services Office, all socio-civic activities are properly coordinated with the office of the Executive Minister.

Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, the present Executive Minister of the church, gives the directives for the implementation of the program and sees to it that all aspects are taken care of, and are effectively and efficiently carried out. He is ably assisted by ministers, evangelical workers, and other church officers. In times of disasters, Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo quickly mobilizes the entire social services force, as well as groups of volunteer mediacel and allied professionals consisting of brethren from different church congregations.

In addition, the church establishes linkages government organizations (GO) and other non-government (NGO) that undertake similar objects in the spirit of mutual cooperation and understanding. But in its dealing with non-members.

The Church of Christ renders among others the following social services:

For livelihood assistance

• Job or vocational training programs
• Job referrals/coordination
• Food production campaign
• Calamity relief aids (when a natural disaster strikes)
• INC Giving (a global initiative undertaken by brethren abroad to share their faith through acts of kindness by meeting people's everyday needs.

For Health and Nutrition

• Lingap sa Mamamayan (a joint medical-dental-relief mission extended to brethren and nonmembers alike in depressed [rural and urban] and/or calamity-stricken areas in the world.
• Safety education training through the New Era University
• Environmental sanitation/beautification
• Reforestation/Tree planting activities
• Basic health care/home health care
• Referrals through the Felix Y. Manalo Puericulture, Maternity and Family Planning Center, the New Era General Hospital, anrivate clinics of brethren.

For Social assistance

• Guidance and counseling
• Family enrichment programs such as: Responsible parenting/Family planning, Youth forums, Drug abuse prevention
• Housing and resettlement projects

For Rescue operations utilizing the church's SCAN International For Intellectual/Cultural developments

• Literacy programs: Basic reading/writing skills, Summer kindergarten program, Alternative learning system
• Courses in Good Human Relations/Management: Personality development seminars, Effective communications, Leadership training and enhancement, Budgetting
• Neighborhood Appreciation Day
• Teachers Appreciation Day

Outreach

From the beginning, the INC has continuously extended help not only to the well-being of local townspeople but also to protect the environment through its various humanitarian services.

The INC has outreach programs, such as its "Lingap sa Mamamayan (Filipino: Care for the People)" which is today's largest international aid for humanity, offering free different kinds medical services, dental services, community cleanups and tree planting projects.

In California, Daly City twice declared a week in July as "Iglesia ni Cristo Week" in recognition of the efforts of the INC members in community service events such as community beautification projects, blood drives, and food distribution sessions.

Coinciding with the 67th anniversary of the local congregation in the Barangay of Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga, the INC launched a program called "Vigorous Environmental Concern for Mankind" which included programs to support the "clean and green" programs of the local government. The INC conducted Linis Bayan (Filipino: Clean Town) and Lingap sa Mamamayan within the local area.

On July 7, 2012 the INC Lingap sa Mamamayan gained three world records for International Humanitarian Mission in the Guinness world records. These new world records in "The most people involved in a dental health check", "The most blood pressure readings taken in 8 hours" and "The most blood glucose level tests in 8 hours". Tarika Vara, the official adjudicator for Guinness World Records was so impressed with the whole organization as she observed how dedicated the volunteers were in helping other people in one whole day even without fee. The aid have a total beneficiaries of 200,000

They also host a website for Iglesia Ni Cristo members to have an update of the past and present activities of the Church. The website is also used by members to listen and watch Christian Music Videos (CMVs). The CMVs are composed of original music and hymns of Iglesia Ni Cristo composed by the INC members themselves.^{[citation needed]}

The website has pictures of past activities of the Church, blogs, and every member can share the happenings of their designated locales, and inspirational messages and compositions which is also sometimes published in the magazine of the Iglesia Ni Cristo which is the PASUGO or God's Message. There is also an Online Live feed of the channel GEM-TV (Global Expansion Media) on the website.^{[citation needed]}

Political involvement

INC members are noted for bloc voting in Philippine elections, although INC has the biggest conversion turn-out, between 68 and 84 percent of its members voted for candidates endorsed by its leadership, according to comprehensive surveys conducted by ABS-CBN. This is in part due to their doctrine on unity. Some reports say that the INC can deliver 2 million members of voting age, although pollsters believe the actual figure is closer to between 1 million and 1.5 million. Others argue that the INC vote is only significant in close-run elections, noting that some INC-supported candidates lost in the election. Businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. lost to Fidel Ramos in the 1992 Philippine presidential election. Michael Defensor, Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto III in 2007 and Ruffy Biazon in 2010 were endorsed by INC but lost in the senate election. INC endorsed Rafael Nantes and Jamie Eloise Agbayani but lost in the 2010 Quezon and 2007 Pangasinan gubernatorial elections respectively.

Ever since former Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon created a lasting friendship after asking Felix Manalo for advice, the INC has been known for its strong political influence. Not all candidates in Philippine politics however embraced support from INC. Diosdado Macapagal has refused INC's support during his runs for Vice President in 1957, and re-election for President in 1965 – in which he lost to Ferdinand Marcos. In the 1969 presidential election, INC supported Senator Sergio Osmeña Jr. earlier in the campaign but has swung behind Marcos who won the election. The INC supported Ferdinand E. Marcos until he was ousted in 1986.

In 2002, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism reported that INC leader, Bro. Eraño Manalo himself wanted to support Panfilo Lacson. Eraño saw that Lacson will likely succeed Estrada. This worried Arroyo during her 2001-2004 term as President. But that did not prevent President Arroyo from courting the church. The church eventually offered their support for Arroyo’s presidential campaign in the 2004 elections. Arroyo dismissed rumors that she paid off the INC to support her candidacy. In an open letter to the INC which was read in all INC chapels across the country, Mrs. Arroyo said "I would never taint their (INC) sincerity by offering money for it". Newspaper reports say that the Philippine Congress decision to uphold the decision on September 2005 rejecting the Arroyo impeachment complaint over alleged election fraud and corruption was swayed largely by INC influence.^{[citation needed]} Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr. says otherwise and wrote an op-ed piece for The Sun·Star Pangasinan stating that Representative Joey Salceda "had wanted to pit the INC against the Catholic church by so timing the congressman's 'news' with another expose on the bishops' receiving Pagcor "sin money" for their projects."

The support of the INC was reportedly sought out for passage of the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008. In 2008, the INC and the Catholic Church were again pitted against each other when health advocate RH Advocacy Network (RHAN) sought the support of the INC to counter the firm opposition of the Catholic Church and President Arroyo to the bill. Representative Janette Garin of the first district of Iloilo said the INC's stand could determine if the bill gets passed in the House of Representatives. She said the opinion of the Iglesia ni Cristo is “important” in determining the fate of House Bill 5043.

On July 27, 2008 on the occasion of its 94th Anniversary lawmakers, governors, mayors, councilors and other government officials cited the meaningful role of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Filipino society. Rep. Annie Susano of Quezon City's second district where the INC's executive offices are located, along other government officials said that the INC continues to contribute not only to the spiritual development of the Filipino but also in shaping the country's destiny. Susano said INC also plays a crucial role in improving the socio-economic condition of its followers and other Filipinos, at home and abroad. A year before, on the same date, President Arroyo declared July 27 of every year as "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" to enable millions of INC followers in the Philippines to observe the occasion with fitting solemnity. President Arroyo’s proclamation was based on a resolution of the House of Representatives authored by Rep. Annie Rosa L. Susano. On July 8, 2009, Arroyo declared that July 27 of every year as "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" making it an official national working holiday.

In 2010, Iglesia ni Cristo has declared support for Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas for president and vice president respectively. Aquino won the election but Roxas lost to Jejomar Binay. In 2010, Iglesia ni Cristo withdrew their support from President Noynoy Aquino.

In 2011, the organization purchased Scenic, South Dakota, an abandoned "ghost town" with a saloon, a roadside jail, and 46 acres (19 ha) of surrounding land. The church has not announced its plans for the property.

Geographic distribution and membership

According to the March 2012 issue of PASUGO Magazine (p. 24), the Demographics of the Iglesia ni Cristo then was composed of 100 countries and 7 territories comprising 120 races. As of 1996 the membership of the church puts it between 4 to 10 million. In 2000 Philippine census by the National Statistics Office, 2.3 percent of the population in the Philippines are affiliated with the Iglesia ni Cristo, making it the third largest religious denomination in the Philippines after the Roman Catholic Church and Islam, respectively. In 2007 a report by Arlyn dela Cruz a professional anchor and commentator, said that the INC have 8 million voters throughout the Philippines.

The majority of INC members are Filipino ex-Catholics, while most non-Filipino members converted prior to marrying Iglesia ni Cristo people. The earliest non-Filipino converts were American soldiers stationed in the Philippines.

Membership is conferred through immersion baptism of adults. The church rejects infant baptism. Newborn children of members are instead dedicated to God through a Congregational Prayer, led by an ordained minister of the INC. Members who are not living in accordance with the church's teachings may be excommunicated or expelled from the Church, and thus lose salvation (as opposed to the perseverance of the saints). Grounds include adultery, alcohol intoxication, consumption of blood and marriage to members of other faiths.

Criticisms

See also: Felix Manalo controversies

The Iglesia ni Cristo has come under fierce criticism from apologetics groups and other mainstream religions mainly due to disagreements over their doctrines and beliefs regarding the interpretation of the Bible. They have also been criticized by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) for their political influence. According to PCIJ, the INC's use of its clout mirrors the way in which the Catholic Church has tried to influence the Philippine government.

Religious

Karl Keating

Karl Keating, the founder of Catholic Answers accused Jose Ventilacion, an INC minister, of breaking an agreement in 1990 for a one-on-one debate made by the two organizations in National City, California (part 1, part 2). Instead of a one-on-one debate, Keating says that Ventilacion had three helpers assisting him, and that "they" allegedly were shouting at him during the debate. The head projector at the side of Mr. Ventilacion was not also in the agreement. Keating views the church as being built on a set of "anti-catholic" doctrines, and that their lessons, as well as their God's Message magazine are dedicated more to debunking Catholic and Protestant beliefs and doctrines, although he did reveal the extent of his studies concerning the church save for his own account of the debate he had with Ventilacion. Catholicism and Protestantism remain among the predominant religions in the Philippines especially in Luzon and Visayas islands. Keating also states that the INC began as a Protestant sect, comparing its doctrines with those of the American Campbellites saying it "heavily borrowed" from the latter. Keating criticized the Iglesia ni Cristo for teaching that the Whore of Babylon is the Roman Catholic Church and that the Beast of Revelation is the Pope, a belief shared with some other Christian religious organizations, and an assertion which the Catholic Church denies. Keating says the this INC position is based on a Latin-language version of gematria, in which numerical values of the letters in a name or phrase are added to find a number with symbolic significance. When applied to an alleged title of the Pope, Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of the Son of God), the resulting number is 666, which is one of several alternative numbers known as the "Number of the Beast." Keating says the Iglesia ni Cristo also claims that "Vicarius Filii Dei" is engraved on the Pope's tiara. The INC's source for this claim is a Seventh-day Adventist Church book. "Vicar of the Son of God" is not among the many official titles traditionally used for popes, neither past nor present, although Vicar of Jesus Christ one of the most prominent papal titles.

Catholic Answers rejects the Iglesia ni Cristo's interpretation of certain Bible verses and use of some translations to support its doctrines. They also criticized INC's use of the George Lamsa translation of Acts 20:28 as proof that the true church is called "Church of Christ". They argue that it is not based on the original Greek. In Greek, the phrase is "the church of God" (tan ekklasian tou Theou) not "the church of Christ" (tan ekklasian tou Christou), in which the Church of Christ contends that the following phrase "which he has purchased with his blood" greatly proves that the said original Greek is exposed to confusing interpretation, that if the "Church of God" is the correct interpretation, the following phrase directly contradict the teaching that God is immortal(1 Timothy 1:17) and that God is a spirit (John 4:24), has no flesh and bones (Lk. 24:36-39).

Charles Caldwell Ryrie

Charles Caldwell Ryrie has criticized the INC for misquoting his Ryrie Study Bible regarding John 1:1 in the May/June 1984 issue of the Pasugo.

“

"In the annotations of his Ryrie Study Bible he had this to say about the phrase in John 1:1 and the Word was with God. In this verse the Word (Christ) is said to be with God (that is, in communion with and yet distinct from God). Therefore, when Dr. Ryrie says, that the Word is distinct from God he is saying the Word is not the same, but rather separate or different from God." (Pasugo 1984, pp. 14-15)

”

Ryrie has been quoted as saying, in a letter to Robert Elliff, the author of the book, Iglesia Ni Cristo: The Only True Church? "Anyone can look in my Study Bible and see how conveniently this author [the INC] omitted the last phrase in the note of John 1:1. The full note reads: “In this verse the Word (Christ) is said to be with God (i.e., in communion with and yet distinct from God) and to be God (i.e., identical in essence with God).” If that is not clear enough to say that I believe in the full deity and equality of Christ, let anyone read the notes at John 10:30 and 20:28. The doctrinal summary in the back of the Bible under Trinity is also quite clear. "

Evangelical apologetics response

Let Us Reason Ministries, an online apologetics research group, criticized the INC for holding the belief that it has the sole authority from God to interpret and preach the Bible, while other religions do not. They also say that the INC intentionally misinterprets and misappropriates verses to agree with their doctrines and that they use fallacious arguments against other religions, stating: "Unfortunately they ignore the whole history of the Church in the zealous rebuttals against Catholicism. Nothing is out of reach of their researchers to demean and belittle. Some of the greatest scholars in languages and history are ignored or misrepresented as they present what they believe is correct. I suspect that many know better in what they teach." They also reject the INC's doctrine that one can only be saved if they are a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

According to The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry, some of the beliefs of INC are contrary to mainstream Christianity. The Bereans also refute the INC belief that Felix Manalo is the "angel from the east" in Revelation 7:1-3, since the "angel from the east cried with a loud voice to the four angels"(Rev 7:2) but according to them Manalo was never consulted by the Big Four(Wilson, Lloyd George, Clemenceau, and Orlando) and Manalo was never involved in ending World War I.

Members Church of God International response

Main article: Conflicts between Iglesia ni Cristo and Members Church of God International

On April 18, 2005, MCGI members headed by former INC member Marcos Mataro scuffled after a scheduled religious debate with members of INC in a Jollibee outlet in Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines. Apalit Mayor Tirso Lacanilao said "scores were injured", but that there were no serious injuries. The MCGI radio program Ang Dating Daan (ADD) and Iglesia Ni Cristo had been trading accusations in their respective television programs. This had even led to an exchange of lawsuits. It was reported that the clash began when an ADD follower identified only as "Mataro" provoked INC followers.

Local police, on orders of the town mayor had gone to the restaurant and tried to stop the debate for lack of a mayor's permit. The police had been instructed to transfer the venue of the debate either at the ADD convention center or at the INC chapel in an effort to prevent any trouble. Mataro insisted on pushing through with the debate, however, assuring no trouble. Leaders of the MCGI group said they do not trust the local policemen. Mataro shouted, which reportedly provoked some INC members to a confrontation, and led to a free-for-all.

On April 27, 2008, Mataro was shot dead by two unknown assailants in San Simon, Pampanga. Murder charges were filed against Nickson Icao and Felizardo Lumagham, both of Macabebe, Pampanga and alleged members of INC, before the San Fernando prosecutor's office. Mataro's killing could also be linked to his pending attempted homicide case before the Apalit Municipal Trial Court and Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

Secular

Ross Tipon

The main accusation of restraining press freedom arises from the church's legal action against the publication of writer Ross Tipon's book, The Power and the Glory: The Cult of Manalo. The INC says the book contains "outright blasphemy" against Manalo by likening the INC to a criminal syndicate. Tipon, represented by lawyer Fervyn Pinzon, said stopping publication of the book infringes on his right to free speech. An attorney representing the INC, Abraham Espejo states "direct assault on freedom of religion and seeks to destroy the image of the INC" and "The publication of the criminal manuscript will trigger social unrest, Millions of people may come out in the streets and this may lead to violence." The INC seeks PHP1,000,000 in damages from Tipon and the unknown publisher.

External links

• www.incmedia.org
• The Iglesia Ni Cristo and the Bible