Members Church of God International: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Undid revision 219615419 by 99.0.80.20 (talk) due to removing false facts
Line 26: Line 26:




The '''Members Church of God International''' (MCGI), is a group of members of 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). It is not related to the many Church of God groups that descended from the Barney Creek Meeting House revival of the late 1800s. While calling itself a Christian denomination, it is considered to be a cult <ref>[http://www.thebereans.net/prof-add.shtml Cult Profiles<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> by nearly all 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.<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/biblicaltopics/bib_issues_13.htm Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The group has thousands of church locales in the [[Philippines]], and around 500 international church locales in [[North America]], [[Europe]], [[South Africa]], [[Asia]], and [[Australia]].
The '''Members Church of God International''' (MCGI), is a group of members of 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). It is not related to the many Church of God groups that descended from the Barney Creek Meeting House revival of the late 1800s. While calling itself a Christian denomination, it is considered to be a cult <ref>[http://www.thebereans.net/prof-add.shtml Cult Profiles<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> by nearly all mainstream Christian denominations due to their belief that only the leader of their church (Eliseo Soriano) can interpret and understand the Bible although Soriano did not made this claim himself, that Jesus Christ, while "a" god is a lesser god than the Father, and that God is not Omniscient or Omnipresent.<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/biblicaltopics/bib_issues_13.htm Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The group has thousands of church locales in the [[Philippines]], and around 500 international church locales in [[North America]], [[Europe]], [[South Africa]], [[Asia]], and [[Australia]].




Line 65: Line 65:
* The [[Woman of the Apocalypse|Woman in Revelations 12]] is being fulfilled in the Members Church of God International because of the persecution being inflicted to [[Eliseo Soriano]] and his group by their religious opponents particularly the [[Iglesia ni Cristo]].<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/publications/pub_believer_4.htm Mystery of the Laboring Woman]</ref>
* The [[Woman of the Apocalypse|Woman in Revelations 12]] is being fulfilled in the Members Church of God International because of the persecution being inflicted to [[Eliseo Soriano]] and his group by their religious opponents particularly the [[Iglesia ni Cristo]].<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/publications/pub_believer_4.htm Mystery of the Laboring Woman]</ref>
* 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. Among the three groups, Soriano’s group became known for upholding the original teachings of Nicholas Perez. The other two groups diminished in number and veered away from the teachings of Perez.<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/about/about_chistory.htm Church History]</ref><ref>Ang Dating Daan Magazine Dec. 1996 Issue pp. 22-23</ref>
* 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. Among the three groups, Soriano’s group became known for upholding the original teachings of Nicholas Perez. The other two groups diminished in number and veered away from the teachings of Perez.<ref>[http://www.angdatingdaan.org/about/about_chistory.htm Church History]</ref><ref>Ang Dating Daan Magazine Dec. 1996 Issue pp. 22-23</ref>
* No one can interpret and understand the Bible unless he is the Sugo (sent one) who is none other than [[Eliseo Soriano]]. Soriano is the fulfillment of Daniel 12:4,9-10 and Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. He is the "wise" who shall understand the bible in the last days.
* No one can interpret and understand the Bible unless he is the Sugo (sent one) who is none other than [[Eliseo Soriano]] although he does not made this claim himself <ref>[http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2007/08/09/godly-inspired-prophecies-about-a-poor-country-and-a-nobody-like-brother-eli/ Disclaimer of Eliseo Soriano]</ref>. But his members, especially Nicolas Perez (see [[History of the Members Church of God International]])say that Soriano is the fulfillment of Daniel 12:4,9-10 and Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. He is the "wise" who shall understand the bible in the last days. Although in his disclaimer, he tells his member to test him if he the real "wise one".
* Women should not be allowed to lead the church. <ref name="woman">[http://angdatingdaan.org/biblicaltopics/bib_apostle_2.htm Does a Woman have the Right to Preach in the Church of God?]</ref>
* Women should not be allowed to lead the church. <ref name="woman">[http://angdatingdaan.org/biblicaltopics/bib_apostle_2.htm Does a Woman have the Right to Preach in the Church of God?]</ref>


Revision as of 12:01, 16 June 2008

For other uses, see Church of God.
For other organizations with the same name, see Church of God International
Members Church of God International
ClassificationRestorationism
OrientationNontrinitarianism
AssociationsKawan ng Cordero
RegionWorldwide, especially the Philippines
Separated fromIglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan
MembersAprroximately 1,129,101+ (undocumented)


The Members Church of God International (MCGI), is a group of members of 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). It is not related to the many Church of God groups that descended from the Barney Creek Meeting House revival of the late 1800s. While calling itself a Christian denomination, it is considered to be a cult [1] by nearly all mainstream Christian denominations due to their belief that only the leader of their church (Eliseo Soriano) can interpret and understand the Bible although Soriano did not made this claim himself, that Jesus Christ, while "a" god is a lesser god than the Father, and that God is not Omniscient or Omnipresent.[2]. The group has thousands of church locales in the Philippines, and around 500 international church locales in North America, Europe, South Africa, Asia, and Australia.


History

Main article: History of the Members Church of God International
  • First Member: Teofilo D. Ora
  • First Presiding Minister: Nicolas Perez
  • Present Presiding Minister: Eliseo Soriano
  • Present Vice-Presiding Minister: Daniel S. Razón

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. Although they reject the Theory of Evolution and the Big Bang Theory , they hold that the universe and Earth are billions of years old and man is a part of the animal kingdom.

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. A member who commits a serious offense such as adultery or rape are expelled and banned from readmission to the organization.

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 first day of the week (Sunday) at church headquarters in Apalit, Pampanga or in selected loacles which have satelitte access to the thanksgiving (but only elders are excused in going to Apalit and will 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 one Almighty God, the Father who is the Creator of the universe. God is not Omnipotent (He cannot do certain things like lying).[3] [4] 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).[5]
  • Jesus Christ is the Father’s begotten son. He is the Mighty God but not the Almighty God. He is the co-creator of the universe, the only savior of mankind and the only way to the Kingdom of God in heaven.[6].Though equal to the Father as God, he is a distinct person but is lesser than the Father because He was sent by Him. He is greater than the Holy Spirit because He sent it.
  • The Holy Spirit though a distinct entity is part of the Father and the Son and also a Person but not a God. The Holy Spirit is lesser in status than the Father and Jesus.
  • There exist many gods because of 1 Cor. 8:5.
  • Since God made man according to his image, God also possesses organs like eyes, heart, nose, feet, mouth, buttocks, etc. except a knee because of Philippians 2:10-11 where the Father is excluded from bowing a knee to Jesus Christ.

Teachings about the Church

  • The Members Church of God International is the only true church of God in the Philippines and the world. It is the continuation of the Church of God founded by Jesus Christ and the apostles in Jerusalem. 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.[7].
  • 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.[8]
  • 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 and are therefore no longer applicable to the Members Church of God International. [9]
  • Salvation can only be attained by following all the laws of Christ in the New Testament including joining the Members Church of God International.
  • A person may be saved even though he has not heard of the Gospel. He will be judged by God according to his conscience.[10]
  • The establishment of the Members Church of God International in the Philippines is the fulfillment of Isaiah 24:15 among other prophecies in the bible.[11]
  • The Woman in Revelations 12 is being fulfilled in the Members Church of God International because of the persecution being inflicted to Eliseo Soriano and his group by their religious opponents particularly the Iglesia ni Cristo.[12]
  • 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. Among the three groups, Soriano’s group became known for upholding the original teachings of Nicholas Perez. The other two groups diminished in number and veered away from the teachings of Perez.[13][14]
  • No one can interpret and understand the Bible unless he is the Sugo (sent one) who is none other than Eliseo Soriano although he does not made this claim himself [15]. But his members, especially Nicolas Perez (see History of the Members Church of God International)say that Soriano is the fulfillment of Daniel 12:4,9-10 and Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. He is the "wise" who shall understand the bible in the last days. Although in his disclaimer, he tells his member to test him if he the real "wise one".
  • Women should not be allowed to lead the church. [16]

Other Teachings

Legal Problems

  • Eliseo Soriano was placed on the Philippines Bureau of Immigration watchlist on November 11, 2005 on charges of rape [21] filed by Daniel Veridiano, a former Communications and IT department head of Ang Dating Daan who later joined Iglesia ni Cristo. Macabebe Regional Trial Court Judge Manuel Siyangco issued the warrant of arrest. The charge was dismissed because of lacked of evidence, but was later refiled in a higher court by the country’s Department of Justice Secretary, Raul Gonzales.[22] Soriano has denied the rape allegation, saying Veridiano was retaliating after he was expelled from Ang Dating Daan in August 2005 after complaints of misappropriation of church funds and that Veridiano sexually molested more than 14 staff members. 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).[23]
  • In 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. The resolution stated that the Municipality of Apalit received numerous reports from insiders, former members and workers of MCGI, that a portion of the property was being utilized for burial purposes without any approved documents from the local government. The church claimed that there were only 2 graves and that they were the bodies of Mr. Soriano's parents. The Apalit municipal treasurer also stated that MCGI failed to pay its real property taxes for the years 2006 until 2007.[24] 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 2005, Soriano was forced to flee the Philippines due to threats on his life.[25]

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 now considered the longest running Philippine radio-television program centering on religion and spirituality. This program 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. MCGI sealed an agreement with GlobeCast last October 7, 2004.

Charities and Outreach Missions

  • MCGI manages and operates orphanages that houses poor widows, the homeless, and abandoned children. To date, there are more than 20 orphanages maintained by the MGCI from different parts of the Philippines such as in the National Capital Region, Pampanga and in some provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
  • On July 22, 2007, MCGI launched a bus transport project for commuters in EDSA, Philippines. This outreach project aims to promote the Church through the giving of rides, coffee, Bible and magazine publications.[26]
  • Broadcasts also air in other countries, in some parts of Europe. Several Bible Expositions are being conducted in and outside the Philippines.

See also

References

  1. ^ Cult Profiles
  2. ^ Ang Dating Daan - Biblical Topics
  3. ^ Not Everything is Possible to God
  4. ^ There is something that God cannot do
  5. ^ God is Not Everywhere
  6. ^ Church General Declaration and Doctrines
  7. ^ The Church of God Is Needed For Salvation
  8. ^ The Official Name of the Church in the Bible
  9. ^ The Covenant on the Fleshy Tables of the Heart
  10. ^ The Truth is the Truth — if it is the Whole Truth
  11. ^ God-Inspired Prophecies about a Poor Nation and a Nobody Like Brother Eli
  12. ^ Mystery of the Laboring Woman
  13. ^ Church History
  14. ^ Ang Dating Daan Magazine Dec. 1996 Issue pp. 22-23
  15. ^ Disclaimer of Eliseo Soriano
  16. ^ Does a Woman have the Right to Preach in the Church of God?
  17. ^ The Truth About Noah and the ‘Worldwide Flood’
  18. ^ The Biblical Difference Between a Homosexual and a Sodomite
  19. ^ Can a Homosexual Make it to Heaven?
  20. ^ Limbo: A Catholic Invented Doctrine
  21. ^ ABS-CBN Interactive, Soriano placed on Watchlist
  22. ^ Robert Clarita's blog comment
  23. ^ manilastandardtoday.com, ‘Dating Daan’ leader charged with sodomy
  24. ^ Sun.Star Pampanga - Ang Dating Daan failed to pay taxes
  25. ^ Newsvine - Church group gangs up on Supreme Court Justice Contender
  26. ^ Ang Dating Daan gives free bus ride for public commuters

External links

Official links

Critical

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Members_Church_of_God_International&oldid=219683655"