FAQ: Iglesia ni Cristo (Iglesia ni Cristo Facts)
I Just saw this while surfing for good material:
(source: The Bereans)
by Justyn
[Updated 13.June.2004 by abugian to include population data.]
Cult Organization
Founder
Mr. Felix Manalo Ysagun a.k.a. “Felix Ysagun Manalo” or “Ka Felix” (May 10, 1886-April 12, 1963
President Executive Minister
Eraño G. Manalo (1925-present)
Main Headquarter
Philippine Membership
Baptized Converts - 6,224 (1997); 7,933 (1998); 13,247 (1999)
INC Population in the Philippines:
[Not an exact figure. Source: Adherents.com]
1974-79: 500,000 - 1,400,000
1984: 1,000,000
1996: 1,680,000
1998: 858,000
1999: 3,000,000
- Teachings and prophetic interpretations of Felix Y. Manalo.
- The Holy Bible (any text version except those that doesn’t support their theology)
- Pasugo (first published 1939) or God’s Message Magazine - contains doctrines and commentaries written by the INC ministers.
- INC executive minister, authorities and local ministers.
Countries Penetrated (66)
- Africa - 8
- Central America - 4
- North America - (a) Canada - 6 (b) U.S.A. - 39
- South America - 2
- Caribbean - 1
- Asia - 23
- Australia & Oceania - 11
- Europe - 15
Unbiblical Beliefs
- Vehemently oppose the Biblical revelation of the Triune God.
- Believes in the absolute oneness of God the Creator in the Person of the Father.
- Believes the Son as the literal Word (which has no pre-existence) who became man. He was given power by the Father to do supernatural miracles. He is not God.
- Believes in an impersonal Holy Spirit, a power sent by the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is not God but one of the spirits sent by God.
- Believes the Father (Creator) and Son (creature) must be worshipped. The Son must be worshipped because the Father says so.
- Believes a person must hear the “gospel” from authorized INC messengers and INC ministers. They are the only ones who have God’s Holy Spirit in order for them to understand the Bible.
- Believes the official name of the church is “Iglesia ni Cristo” while other names are not.
- Believes a person must be a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), be water baptized, follow the church rules (must avoid the eating of “dinuguan,” avoid joining labor unions, avoid court sessions, do block voting, be under compulsory church attendance, practice giving to the church) and perform his good deeds as an INC member in order for him to be saved.
- Believes Felix Y. Manalo is the fulfillment of Isaiah 43:5-7; 46:11, and Rev. 7:2-3 prophecies.
- They also believe in “soul sleep,” a belief that at death, the souls dies. There is no consciousness. (A belief of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church - Ellen G. White).
How to Start a Conversation with an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Member
First, you can place a Christian tract on top of his working table or hand it to him personally. If he/she is a zealous I.N.C., he/she will be the one to open up the door of conversation.
Methods of Witnessing to an INC Member
- Pray that the Lord will open a door for a spiritual conversation between the both of you.
- Suggest a topic for both of you to discuss preferably on essential teachings (e.g. deity of Jesus Christ, Salvation, Authority, etc.). Do not dwell on peripheral issues such as the eating of “dinuguan”, tithes, manner of clothing, etc. for these cannot contribute to a person’s salvation.
- Always bear in mind that when an INC says “God” what he has in mind is always the “Father.” Therefore do not ever say to him, “I will prove to you that Jesus is God” because you have just said, “I will prove that Jesus is the Father.” Rather say, “I believe the Scripture not only tell us that Jesus has the nature of ‘man’ but also has the nature of ‘God’ as well. Could we check that out?”
- Always say, “The INC authorities said…” rather than “You said…” to avoid offending the person you’re talking to. This will also prevent him from building more walls against the gospel.
- Whenever the INC member quote a passage supporting their set of beliefs do not just jump to another passage to prove your point. Rather, explain first the context of the passage he just quoted before proceeding onto another supporting verse–do this only when you feel that he has fully understood your explanation. Remember “the Scripture supports each other and does not contradict one another.”
- Always throw a set of question so that he could think it over. Like this example below:
Christian: Who are you expecting to come during the last day? Is it the Father or the Son?
INC: The Son (If he says “the Father” then you can point out Rev. 1:7 and ask him, “Who is the One coming with the clouds that was “pierced?” Surely it doesn’t mean the “Father” for according to the INC’s doctrine, He is “Spirit” in John 4:23)
Christian: Now Who is the One speaking in Rev. 1:8 about Him being “the Alpha and the Omega… who is who was and who is to come, the Almighty?”
INC: Well the One speaking is the Father, of course.
Christian: But wait, haven’t you told me awhile ago that in verse 7 the One coming with the clouds is the Son. Then why did you understood verse 8 as the Father talking since it says very clearly “who is to come, the Almighty?”
- You can also ask him, “Are you willing to go to hell just because of someone else’s false teachings? Surely you won’t get the INC ministers to be your advocate when you face God on the day of judgment. Can you?” And if he says “Of course not!” Then you can say, “That’s right! Even I do not depend on someone’s else’s preaching, rather I investigate and study it myself.”
- Before parting ways, ask permission if you can pray for him. If not, then lift him up in prayer during your private moments with God.
Things to Remember Before Witnessing to an INC Member
- Be sure to know his theology first before embarking on witnessing. Know why he believe what he believe.
- Study every Scripture passage that they misquote and twist in order to explaining that Jesus Christ was only human.
- Be very familiar with your Bible so that there will be no idle moments for him to interrupt what you’re saying.
- Be alert on every explanation he presents so that you will have something use these against the INC’s false doctrines.
- Do not forget to share him the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
October 24th, 2007 at 4:21 am
I was in grade five when I first realized that a lot of people were persecuting the Iglesia Ni Cristo for I had several classmates then who were members of the said group. They were subjected to jeers and mockery in the presence of teachers and parents without them lifting a finger to stop the abuse. My classmates then were being shouted at even in public. All of my I.N.C. classmates were my best of friends because they behaved quite different if compared to others of the same age and grade.
My father, who was a public school teacher, and grandfather then would
always coax me not to mingle with troublemakers in school. This was the
reason why I chose my I.N.C. classmates as my playmates and lunchmates. They were so nice to me especially during lunch for I end up eating several delicacies for we shared our food together. In return, I gave them protection from the bullies who did the abuses for it was apparent to me that these people were not doing anything wrong. They
were just behaving within the standards of society. I did not become their
classmates in high school for they stopped schooling because of poverty.
Yet, the friendship was still there because on my way to school and back, I would sometimes see them giving pasture to their farm animals. Whenever such occasion arises, I always depart from my conversations with them with a happy smile for my bonding never ceased with the passage of time. Sometimes, I would be bringing home lots of fruit for they never stopped doing their hospiatality to me.
A few years later, I went to the United States to join the Navy and without knowing it, my bonding with the I.N.C. members continued. As an expatriate longing for friendship, it became clear to me that my best option
was to befriend the I.N.C. community. For it’s them who will offer their unsolicited help like rides to work for free without asking something in return. It’s them who acted like your father, mother, brothers, and sisters in the absence of your real ones. What more can I say?
I went to Japan for a permanent change of duty station. This is where I
became an Iglesia Ni Cristo. For why should I resent them? Why should I
reject their teachings? From the solemnity and discipline of their worship services, true teachings, spirit of brotherhood, unity in faith, etc., etc., I never found one that is offensive to my sound judgment. It deals purely
within the confines of a true christian church and with the gospel preached
by the prophets, apostles, and Jesus Christ.
Perhaps, because of my longing to see my province, Cebu, I would oftentimes reminisce of my past and I always think of my Iglesia Ni Cristo classmates even in my dreams. They seemed to be the same. They appeared to me as if we were still in our elementary years. The elements of innocence, hospitality, playfullness, and brotherhood are still so
prevalent in their actions. And one day, I had to go home for my father died, a victim of the same people who abused my classmates. I had to go
home after thirty two long years of being away.
The abuses to my classmates were also done to my father. The skeleton
of a soon-to-be chapel then of the Iglesia Ni Cisto in my town was destroyed by bullies headed by a town policeman. The same policeman raped two women while in jail for trump-up charges and I know that my
father was in pain when he died. Someday, justice will come for not everyone is sleeping. Woe unto those who thought that they had escaped punishment. Poetic justice had come for the policeman was allegedly killed
by a sparrow unit of the New Peoples Army. I call that as the irony of justice.
During the wake, my Iglesia Ni Cristo classmates were present and we hugged one another as bothers-in-christ. The emotions were mixed and though sadness was in the air because of the demise of my father, still the
atmosphere of happiness was not lacking. For why would you not laugh in the presence of your dear classmates and loved ones? Why not laugh when
your past glory is being replayed through the recollections of your classmates? Why would you not laugh in the presence of your brothers-in-
christ? I just felt that I am a son who lost his father but found everything
worthwhile in my classmates, my brothers-in- christ.
My classmates are now well-off in life. I did not rent any vehicle during my stay in Cebu. A car was provided to me free of charge. Even when we visit the famous resorts of my hometown, Daanbantayan, Cebu. I am still their classmate, friend, and brother. I will always treasure them for without them, I am nothing but a lost soul. Give love then to the Iglesia Ni
Cristo. Just listen and go with them. You have nothing to worry but the
ignorance and fanaticism of the centuries imposed by invaders in search of gold and silver.
October 24th, 2007 at 9:50 am
[…] L. Arrabis Says: October 24th, 2007 at 4:21 am […]
November 14th, 2007 at 6:14 am
hi! ka erdie god bless po ………………..
November 14th, 2007 at 6:43 am
hi! ka erdie kapatid din po ako. naka rehistro sa lokal ng taguig. kamusta na po kayo sana po ay bumuhos po ang biyaya sa inyo at sa pamilya ninyo. kung hindi pa po ninyo ako kilala ako po si lady bernadette p. fiel. ang totoo po nyan ay 12 years old lang po ako. 5′5 ang taas ko. baka po magulat kayo! dinuduktrinahan po palang ako ni ka malvin datuin. isa po syang manggagawa. pero malapit na po akong matapos ng doktrina ko po.sana po bago ako ma bautismuhan ay makita ko po kayo ng personalan. sumasamba rin po ako ng huwebes at linggo. ang dami po palang gwapo sa mga kapatid! tungkol naman po sa iba narinig ko ang ginawa ninyong liham para sa amin na kapatid. binasa po ito ng ministro na ka armando bibay jr. sinasabi po sa liham na ito na malapit na nga raw po ang pag huhukom. at ipinaghahanda na nga raw po ninyo ang amin sarili. maraming salamat po sa mga tagubilin ninyo napaka husay nyo pong taga pamahalang pangkahalatan. sige po thank you very much po…. god bless po………………………………..
November 22nd, 2007 at 6:01 am
lady bernadette:
Chill kiddo, you are in teh wrongie bloggie…
and by joining the INC, I bade you “good luck”…