Is Iglesia ni Cristo the Church of Christ
A true church of Christ church of Christ
Ouside the church there is no salvation.
Fr. Daniel J. McNamara, S.J., during one of our walks years ago, told us: “The Iglesia ni Cristo is neither a church nor of Christ.” It is worthwhile to ponder on his words as Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) celebrates its 95th Anniversary last July 27, 2009–95 years after Felix Y. Manalo made the INC into a corporation with him as the executive minister last July 27, 1914.
1. Is the Iglesia ni Cristo one? The INC is united in doctrine and even in voting. No wonder many politicians who wished to be reelected this coming 2010 elections are all congratulating INC in its 95th anniversary. The INC passed the first test.
2. Is the Iglesia ni Cristo holy? The Catholic Church has produced numerous saints: beggars and kings, scholars and soldiers, old and young. Can the INC name at least one–only one–person in all its history whom they consider as a saint, a man or woman worthy of emulation, whose life reflected the radical message of the gospel–a Mother Teresa, an Ignatius of Loyola, a Francis of Assisi? The INC can give none.
3. Is the Iglesia ni Cristo catholic? Catholicity simply means universal. The INC is universal in space: the INC is now found in many countries and its mission is to convert the whole world. But the INC is not universal in time: where was INC in the first centuries of Christianity, when the truths of the Faith were debated and clarified? The INC was not there. It is true that INC proclaims an affinity with the teachings of Bishop Arius (AD 250-336), the founder of Arianism, a heresy which denies the divinity of Christ. But between Arius and Manalo is 1,600 years of absence.
Catholic also means “according to totality” or “in keeping with the whole” (Catechism of the Catholic Church Art. 830):
The Catholic Church is catholic because Christ is present in her. “Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church.” In her subsists the fullness of Christ’s body united with its head; this implies that she receives from him “the fullness of the means of salvation” which he has willed: correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry of apostolic succession. The Church was, in this fundamental sense, catholic on the day of Pentecost and will always be so until the day of Parousia.
The INC also claims this catholicity, for they also adopt the following catholic doctrine:
Ouside the church there is no salvation.
I remembered one of INC’s television show called Tamang Daan, the Right Way in contrast to Eli Soriano’s Datin Daan or the Old Way. In their show, one of INC’s argument to support their doctrine is a quotation from a catholic author: “Outside the Church of Christ
4. Is the Iglesia ni Cristo apostolic? To be apostolic, the INC must be founded by an apostle, in the same way as the Roman Catholic Church was founded by Apostles Peter and Paul. But the fact that INC only celebrated its 95th founding anniversary means that INC could never be founded by an apostle. An apostle was a person sent by Christ with the authority to preach the Kingdom of God
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate. (1 Tim 4:14)
And these bishops in turn ordain new bishops to take their place. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, is apostolic because it traces its apostolic lineage from St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome
5. Thus, the Iglesia ni Cristo possesses only one mark of the true Church of Christ Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo is the true Church of Christ Church of Iglesia
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Dr. Quirino M. Sugon Jr. is a Theoretical Physicist in Manila Observatory.
This article is reposted with permission from the Author.
Is Iglesia ni Cristo the church of Christ
The true Church established by Christ cannot be a keeper of satanic teachings e,g. Prohibition of eating meat and marrying of priests. Similarly the church established by Christ will, in no way being lead by an Illuminati, Vatican should never be dwelled by satanic NWO proponents.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, the true CHURCH founded by Christ never ever prohibited the eating of meat, abstaining or fasting from meat is different than prohibiting it, study first before babbling.
DeleteMarriage was elevated by our Lord to a Sacrament, therefore, it is important to all Catholics. Priestly celibacy is a choice, it is a sacrifice, our Lord Himself asked those who want to follow Him to take up their own Cross, He furthered state that he who saves his life will loose it but he who loose his life for Christ sake will gain it.
Vatican nor the Church is being lead by illuminati, that is purely imagination, there's no proof whatsoever to support that.
Satanic teachings? I bet the Catholic Church is not guilty of it:
ReplyDeleteMarriage is included in our seven Sacraments. In fact, the Catholic Church has the highest number of marriages celebrated compare to other religion.
Priestly celibacy is not a doctrine but only a discipline.
Celibacy is not the rule for all Catholic priests. In fact, for Eastern Rite Catholics, they are married Priest. No one is required to take a vow of celibacy; those who do, do so voluntarily.
Priestly Celibacy is biblical:
"Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom it is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of God. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it" (Matt. 19:11–12).
Celibacy "for the sake of the kingdom" is a gift, a call that is not granted to all, or even most people, but is granted to some.
Apostle Paul also testify that he is celibate for the sake of the kingdom of God not a Kingdom of Man ruled, manage and govern by one family:
1 Corinthians 7: "To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I am.
Paul’s conclusion: He who marries "does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better" (7:38).
Prohibition of eating meat? Fish Meat is Meat right? We do penance:
Luke 13:3 No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
Job 42:6 Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes.
Ecclesiasticus 2:22 If we do not penance, we shall fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men.
Jeremiah 31:19 For after thou didst convert me, I did penance: and after thou didst shew unto me, I struck my thigh: I am confounded and ashamed, because I have borne the reproach of my youth.
Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.
Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done penance
.
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and patience, and longsuffering? Knowest thou not, that the benignity of God leadeth thee to penance?
Apocalypse 2:5 Be mindful therefore from whence thou art fallen: and do penance, and do the first works. Or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou do penance.
Does Iglesia ni Manalo prohibit Marriage? Yes. Especially if one partner is not member of business club.
Does Iglesia ni Manalo prohibit eating Meat? Yes. Too much tithes are impose to all members, so that no one can afford to buy meat.
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who were led astray by this business club. That God our Father help them return to the One,Holy,Catnolic and Apostolic Church.
ReplyDeleteINC indeed prohibit marriage to non members and they also prohibit eating meat by prohibiting blood in their diet. It is impossible to separate meat from blood even if you dehydrate it. Therefore, because meat cannot be rid of blood completely, they are in effect prohibited from eating meat.
ReplyDelete