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Members Church of God International

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For other uses, see Church of God.
For other organizations with the same name, see Church of God International
Members Church of God International
File:MCGI central.jpg
Central Convention Center of Members Church of God International
ClassificationRestorationism
OrientationNontrinitarianism
AssociationsKawan ng Cordero, KAPI (Kabalikat sa Pamamahayag Internasyonal)
RegionPrimarily the Philippines
FounderEliseo Soriano
OriginMarch 30, 1977
Apalit, Pampanga
Hospitals1 [1]
Nursing homes1 [2]

The Members Church of God International (MCGI) known colloquially by the television show it produces, Ang Dating Daan, is a Christian denomination with headquarters in the Philippines. The Church of God International is primarily known through its television program, Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path). The organization is formerly known by many names, such as Iglesia Ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH and Church of God in Christ, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth (Mga Kaanib sa Iglesia Ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, Inc) among others[3] (see Legal Problems). It is not related to the many Church of God groups that descended from the Barney Creek Meeting House revival of the late 1800s in the United States. It is currently lead by the Filipino controversial preacher, Eliseo Soriano.

History

Teofilo Ora's split with the Iglesia ni Cristo

In May 1922, frustrated about not being ordained as a Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Teofilo Ora, Januario Ponce and Basilio Santiago gather some members of the Iglesia ni Cristo and led a rebellion against its administration. [citation needed] They left and established their own church called Iglesia Verdadero de Cristo (Spanish title meaning True Church of Christ) and was registered in the Bureau of trade and Commerce. Several months later, they changed their name to Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus (English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus). That same year, Nicholas Perez became a member and preacher of this group after he was expelled from the Iglesia ni Cristo for allegedly baptizing several people on Mabacao River, located at Maragondon, Cavite. He even sent pictures as a proof of the event but later turned out that the people on the picture were not baptized at all and was just there for a picnic.

In 1928, Nicholas Perez became its General Evangelist and soon sought the leadership of the group but was denied by Teofilo Ora.

Some other members of the Teofilo Ora led church left and established their own churches. Ponciano Bungay established the Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Ibabaw ng Bato in 1932 while Basilio Santiago established the Church of God in Christ Jesus in 1949 and Salvador Payawal established the Kabanal-banalang Iglesia Ng Diyos.

Nicholas Perez's split with Ora

In 1931, Nicholas Perez with Avelino Santiago left and started their own group called Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of The Truth). According to Eliseo Soriano, Nicholas Perez was already preaching this Church way back in 1928 at Pulilan, Bulacan but according to INC sources, Nicholas Perez was still with the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus founded by Ora.

It was not until December 10, 1936 that the Church of Nicholas Perez, Iglesia ng Diyos kay Cristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan was officially registered in the Bureau of Commerce and Industry. In 1954, Avelino Santiago, Nicholas Perez’ co-founder of Iglesia ng Diyos kay Cristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan left the group and established his own church, Iglesia ng Diyos na Buhay kay Kristo Hesus.

Eliseo Soriano's split with the group

After the death of Nicholas Perez, a woman named Levita Gugulan was appointed to lead the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan as the Church Presiding Minister. Eliseo Soriano was a signatory on July 11, 1975 to the appointment of Gugulan. A month after, he again signed a memorandum stating that anyone who opposes their Church administration will be suspended and expelled. [citation needed]

On January 2, 1976, Eliseo Soriano was then appointed by Levita Gugulan as one of their church’s Board of Directors. There were fifteen members of the Board. On February 21, 1976, he was expelled together with sixteen other members for inciting rebellion inside the church and teaching doctrines contrary to their beliefs. Soriano maintains that he was not expelled but voluntarily left his church as he firmly believes that a woman should not lead the church according to the bible[4].

Establishment of the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan

On March 30, 1977, two years after the death of Perez, Eliseo Soriano and followers registered his own group and called it the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan (English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus, The Pillar and Ground of the Truth) claiming that the name reflects the exact translation in Tagalog of the word hedraioma [3] of 1 Timothy 3:15 [4] in the Greek Scriptures instead of the word Suhay used by Gugulan's group.[5]. According to Soriano, the most exact translation of hedraioma is Ground or Saligan in Tagalog and not Support or Suhay in Tagalog[6]. A year later, one of his members Filomeno Hizon left him and established his own church, the Mga Mananampalataya sa Iglesia ng Diyos Kay Kristo Hesus, Incorporated which was registered only on June 20, 1984.

Lawsuit from Gugulan

It seemed to Gugulan that Soriano had simply substituted the word “Suhay” to “Saligan”. Gugulan’s church then filed a lawsuit against Soriano on July 16, 1979 for using a similar church name. While the case was in progress he managed to register another church name, Ang mga Kaanib sa Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, Incorporated (English Translation: The Members of The Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Philippines, Incorporated) on January 20, 1980. Soriano's group lost in 1988 and was ordered by Securities and Exchange Commission to change its church name to one that is not similar to Gugulan's group.[7]

In 1993, Levita Gugulan’s successor Maximino Nieto found out that the name Soriano registered in 1980 is almost identical to his church. Soriano, aware of the possibility of being sued, registered the church name Bayan ng Katotohanan Incorporated (English Translation: City of Truth Incorporated) in December 1993 before Nieto’s group was able to file another complaint against him. Nieto subsequently filed a complaint against Soriano's group in 1994 but while the case was still in progress, Soriano registered another name, the Iglesia ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH, Inc. (English Translation: Church of YHWH and of YHWSA HMSYH, Inc.). In 1995, Soriano's group lost and was ordered to change its church name not similar or identical to a name already used by Nieto's Group. The Court of Appeals denied Soriano's appeal in 1997 and Soriano was forced to change his church name to “Bayan ng Katotohanan” and later to “Iglesia ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH”. The decision was finalized by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 2001.[7] Despite the name change, Soriano maintains that they are still the Iglesia ng Dios ng Kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan that Nicholas Perez preached.

Name changed to Members Church of God International

On January 13, 2004 Soriano registered and used the name, Members Church of God International because locals were founded in the United States. Soriano also reserved three more church names to ensure that this problem won’t happen again: Mga Kaanib ng Ama at Panginoong Jesus sa Bansang Pilipinas Inc. (English Translation: Members of the Father and Lord Jesus, Philippines Inc.), Members Church of the Living God, and Iglesia ng mga Bunso (English Translation: Church of the Youngest Children). [citation needed]

Ministers

Beliefs and Practices

The Members of the Church of God International believe that all teachings and interpretation of doctrines should be based upon the 66 books of the Bible alone, which can only be done through their leader Eliseo Soriano and to the founder of the real church, Jesus Christ and his disciples. They adhere to the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy including scientific and historical accuracy of the Bible.

They reject the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, as well as the doctrines of Oneness, Original Sin, eternal security, personal relationship with Christ, tithing, first-day Sabbatarianism, among others.

Indoctrination classes are required prior to joining the organization. The classes are composed of at least 30 lessons concerning church doctrines prepared by Eliseo Soriano. Indoctrinees must wholeheartedly accept the doctrines taught during the indoctrination, before they will be baptized.

Members are expected to be modest in dress and grooming. Women are prohibited from wearing short hair, jewelry, and pants, while men are prohibited from wearing long hair. They are prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs and gambling. Members are required to attend church service called Pasalamat, or Thanksgiving every Saturday at church headquarters in Apalit, Pampanga or in selected locales which have satellite access to the thanksgiving (elders and the disabled are excused in going to Apalit and go to the selected locales with satellite access). The service involves singing hymns, hearing sermons, offering prayers, and giving to the church. Kneeling is the posture of prayer observed throughout the service.

Members Church of God International Teachings

Teachings about God

  • There's God, YHWH or God the Father who is the Creator of the universe and YHWSA HMSYH, the Son of God, whom He made Lord and Christ . God is not omnipotent (he cannot do certain things like lying). [8] God is not omniscient (he doesn't foreknow all future human actions and choices). God is not omnipresent (he created hell but he is not there).
  • Jesus Christ (Yhwsa Hmsyh) is God the Father's only begotten son (in Romanized Greek: monogenestheos). He is that Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God and Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. He is the sent savior of mankind and the the way, the truth and the life.[9].
  • The Holy Spirit came from the Father and part of the Godhead.

Teachings about the Church

  • The Members Church of God International affiliates to the only true church of God first preached in Jerusalem during the first century A.D.and brings the message of salvation to the world. The church of God is the Kingdom of God on earth and is necessary for one's salvation. Those who have heard of the gospel and of the church must join this church in order to be saved..
  • A member of the Members Church of God International can lose his salvation if he doesn't persevere until the end.
  • The official name of the true church in the Bible is Church of God in Christ Jesus.[10]
  • The laws of Moses, the 10 Commandments including Shabbat and tithing have been abolished and replaced with the laws of Christ in the New Testament.
  • Salvation can only be attained by following all the laws of Christ in the New Testament * A person may be saved even though he has not heard of the Gospel. He will be judged by God according to his conscience.
  • The establishment of the Members Church of God International in the Philippines is the fulfilment of Zachariah 8:3, Isaias 24:15 and among other prophecies in the Bible because geographically, the Philippines is an archipelago located in the East.
  • Zechariah 13:7-9 was fulfilled in the Members Church of God International when the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan, founded by Nicholas Perez, split into three groups: Levita Gugulan's group, Filomeno Hizon's group and Eliseo Soriano's group.
  • Only the wise understands the Bible and none of the wicked can understand the Holy Scriptures The Sugo (sent one), who is none other than Eliseo Soriano, speaks the words of God. The church proves that Soriano is the fulfilment of Daniel 12:4,9-10 through debates and Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. He is the "wise" who shall understand the Bible in the last days. In his disclaimer, Soriano tells members to test him if he the real "wise one".
  • Women should not be allowed to lead the church. [4]

Other teachings

  • Noah's Flood occurred in the land only, because nature coudn't flood the seas. [citation needed]
  • The Whore of Babylon in Revelations represents the Papacy. The Beast of Revelation is its Anti-Christian Teachings because the church claims that the pope's title is Vicarius Christi. The mark of the beast in the hand or forehead represents all the works of men who wilfully follow the wrong teachings of the harlot. The Roman Catholic Church never declare that Vicarius Filii Dei is an official title of the pope.
  • The Last Supper is not to be commemorated literally. The bread symbolizes the teachings of Jesus and the cup of wine symbolizes the sufferings that Christians must endure.
  • The Bible does not condemn the hormonally imbalanced persons or the gays and the lesbians but the sodomites. Sodomites are heterosexuals who practice homosexual sex because of their perversion. However, they must remain celibate.
  • The soul is a combination of spirit (breath of life) and body including the emotions, memory, faculties. When a person dies, his soul is in the hands of God and will be restored in the resurrection to face judgement.

Legal Problems

  • After being excommunicated from his church, the Iglesia ng Dios Kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan, Eli Soriano formed his own in 1997 and called it Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan. Soriano claimed that Suhay was a wrong name for the church. He was sued for having a name too closely resembling his former church, necessitating a name change to Mga Kaanib sa Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, Inc.. By 1993, his church was again renamed to Bayan ng Katotohanan. In 2003, he lost his court battle which forced him again to change the church's name to Iglesia Ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH (Church of YHWH and YHWSA HMSYH). By 2004, they again changed their name to Members Church of God International[3].
  • The Department of Justice of the Philippines recommended the filing of libel cases against Eliseo Soriano and 15 of this associates for allegedly defaming the Iglesia ni Cristo and its ministers. [11]
  • In 2003, the Iglesia ni Cristo sued Soriano for libel after Soriano accused them of publishing explicit comic books depicting Soriano having homosexual sex. In 2007, Soriano filed multiple petitions to stop the lawsuit to no avail[12].
  • Muslim leaders from Metro Manila filed a one billion peso libel suit against Eliseo Soriano before the Manila Prosecutor's Office for allegedly, in a video, uttering unsavory remarks and criticism against Islam and Muslims.[13]
  • In November 2005 Eliseo Soriano was placed on the Philippines Bureau of Immigration watchlist for charges of rape [14] filed by Daniel Veridiano, a former Communications and IT department head of Ang Dating Daan. Macabebe Regional Trial Court Judge Manuel Siyangco issued the warrant of arrest. On May 3, 2006, in a 5-page resolution, Pampanga acting provincial prosecutor Jaime Umpa recommended the filing of rape case against Ang Dating Daan leader Eliseo Soriano and allowed him to post a P400,000 bail bond (P200,000 for each count).[15]
  • In November 2006, an arrest warrant against Eliseo Soriano was issued by Judge Lucina Dayaon, Macabebe, RTC Branch 54. Eliseo Soriano on June 21, 2008, posted P 240,000 bail for an additional 2 counts of rape, before Judge Silvino Pampilo, Jr., Manila Regional Trial, after surrendering to Police Station 10 jailer Jun Gumaruin, Pandacan, Manila to avoid being apprehended. The indictment or criminal "information" states that: "Soriano took advantage of his moral ascendancy and/or influence to direct his subordinate to come into his room, massage him and have anal intercourse, around 1:30 p.m. of May 17, 2000. The sexual acts were done against the will and consent, and to the damage and prejudice of the complainant, who was also religious."
  • On February 22, 2008, Apalit Municipal officials led by Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. led the closure of at least four buildings inside the MCGI compound in Barangay Sampaloc, Apalit, Pampanga. The buildings include a chapel, museum and two residential houses, which were constructed without building permits, municipal officials said. Previously, the Apalit Municipal council passed Resolution No. 15 requesting the Apalit mayor to enforce pertinent national and local status. The resolution further stated that, through reports, that the MCGI was violating these statutes.[16] Tetangco said in the preceeding year, municipal government officials spoke to ADD management concerning the code violations. The ADD management promised to correct the violations and immediately comply with municipal ordinances by December 30, 2007. They failed to fulfill their promises, prompting the government officials to act. Tetangco is considering filing charges against the violations.[17]
Aside from the buildings constructed without permits, the MCGI also failed to pay real property taxes for the years 2006 and 2007. A letter was sent to Eliseo Soriano stating that under the current law, the municipality had the power to sell the properties to pay the taxes. MCGI representatives asked for the time to settle the issues but were refused.[18]
These recent issues were criticized by Daniel Razon, the Vice-Presiding Minister of MCGI, on his daily morning TV show "Good Morning Kuya" aired over UNTV 37. He charged that the decisions of the Municipal Government were influenced by outside influences and that they were against the ADD(MCGI). This prompted the Apalit Municipal Government to declare Razon a "persona non grata". The Municipal Council approved recently Resolution 28 series of 2008 declaring Razon as undesirable person in the town. The resolution further state that "Razon's pronouncement in the said TV program has misinformed and misled the public and is meant to malign the wisdom of its officials and put them in a bad light".[19]
This followed a series of lawsuits directed at the church from former members, as well as the church's television programs being taken off the air in 2005.
  • In June 2008, Eliseo Soriano and two others where charged with falsification of a public document at the Manila City Prosecutor's Office for allegedly faking a certificate of detention in order to post bail for his rape charges. The presiding minister, Eliseo Soriano, having been indicted for raping a male subordinate, was sued for violation of Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. Soriano is still a fugitive at large and his whereabouts are unknown[20].

Propagation and Missionary Works

File:McGi website.jpg
Different logos of the Members Church of God International's programs and services.

MCGI uses radio, television and the World Wide Web in its missionary and propagation labors. Flagship program Ang Dating Daan is hosted by Eliseo Soriano, the Church Presiding Minister. Aside from free channels in the Philippines, MCGI airs English-format programs such as Biblically Speaking, Truth in Focus and Bible Guide through the TOP (The Old Path) Channel, carried by satellite and direct-to-home (DTH) service provider, GlobeCast. TOP Channel is available in the United States and Canada.

Criticism

  • While calling itself a Christian denomination, it is considered to be a cult[3] by many mainstream Christian denominations due to their belief that only the leader of their church (Eliseo Soriano) can interpret and understand the Bible, that Jesus Christ, while "a" god is a lesser god than the Father, and that God is not Omniscient or Omnipresent. [21]
  • The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry claims that Soriano stages debates to ensure he wins. They further claim that unknown to the opposing party, that majority of the live audiences are from the Ang Dating Daan group, who are encouraged to yell at his opponent while the opposing speaker is debating. They further claim that Soriano, being a skilled heckler, annoys and harasses the opposing party to the point where he either abandons his position, or leaves the debate. Soriano and his followers can then claim victory.[3]
  • In 2007, Soriano insulted Muslims by calling them killers. Soriano claimed that that the video was deliberately edited by Iglesia ni Cristo deacons yet the Muslims prompted a march and protest by Muslim Filipinos who called for his extradition and beheading[22].

See also

References

  1. ^ Imbestigador - Eliseo Soriano's Various Projects, Anomaly or Not? 1 (in Tagalog Language)
  2. ^ Imbestigador - Eliseo Soriano's Various Projects, Anomaly or Not? 1 (in Tagalog Language)
  3. ^ a b c d The Bereans Cult Profile
  4. ^ a b Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics
  5. ^ Eli Soriano Biography
  6. ^ Soriano said The Greek word Hedraioma does not mean "support". Strong's Concordance however defines hedraioma(from a derivative of edraioV - hedraios 1476) as stay, prop, support. Eliseo Soriano still claims that Perez was the the first leader of this group. [1][2]
  7. ^ a b G.R. No. 137592
  8. ^ Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics
  9. ^ Ang Dating Daan - About Us
  10. ^ Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics
  11. ^ Tubeza, Philip C DOJ backs libel raps vs Bro. Eli Philippine Daily Inquirer(pub Aug 15, 2004, byline)
  12. ^ Canlas, Jomar CA junks evangelist’s plea to stop libel case The Manila Times CA junks evangelist’s plea to stop libel case
  13. ^ Jannaral, Julmunir I (April 4, 2005) P1bn libel charges against a religious leader [Gulf Times http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=32176&version=1&template_id=45&parent_id=25]
  14. ^ ABS-CBN Interactive, Soriano placed on Watchlist
  15. ^ manilastandardtoday.com, ‘Dating Daan’ leader charged with sodomy
  16. ^ Garcia, Raymond C (February 24, 2008). "Mayor closes 4 ADD buildings". Sun.Star Pampanga. Sun.Star Publishing, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-12. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ Anon (February 24, 2008). "ADD convention center in Pampanga closed". Around The Nation. The Manila Bulletin Online. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  18. ^ Garcia, Raymond C (February 26, 2008). "Ang Dating Daan failed to pay taxes". Sun.Star Pampanga. Sun.Star Publishing, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-12. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ Garcia, Raymond C (May 8, 2008). "ADD leader declared 'persona non grata'". Sun.Star Pampanga. Sun.Star Publishing, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-12. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ Lopez, Allison, Ely Soriano charged with falsification of public document Philippine Daily Inquirer(08/29/2008)
  21. ^ Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics
  22. ^ Jihad WatchMuslims call for beheading of Christian preacher who called them killers

External links

Official links

Critical

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