TOTAL APOSTASY: Biblically Unfounded!

I overlooked one of README's comments at INC Converted to Catholicism article. I hastily replied without going into the details of his rantings. I was struck with the Bible verse he used to justify INC's TOTAL APOSTASY DOCTRINE and that he rejoiced in it saying "soWHAT'S THIS, haha".

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…” (II thess 2:3) “…for it will not come until after the great apostasy…” (II thess 2:3 twentieth century new testament) so, WHAT'S THIS? haha and sorry, because you cant have any OFFICIAL website of the INC because the INC will not built (i think) official website. why? because it can be hacked by anyone and for some other reasons

Readme (an Iglesia ni Cristo member) was claiming 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as his biblical evidence that there was such an occurrence like "Total Apostasy" or "Complete Disappearance" of the Church founded by Christ.  When it occured? That's what we are going to uncover.

The Total Apostasy Doctrine of the Iglesia ni Cristo is not something new.  But what this doctrine means is that there were NO Christian survivors after the death of the last Apostle (which was St. John).  How? Who knows! They are the owner of this weird teachings so they should be doing their homeworks.

According to their teaching the only way this "Church" can be RESTORED is to RE-ESTABLISH it through FELIX MANALO as the "Last Messenger" PERFECTING the FAILED mission of Christ saving his people. 

To begin with, here's 2 Thes. 2:1-5  from the New American Bible

We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed,  the one doomed to perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god and object of worship, so as to seat himself in the temple of God, claiming that he is a god--

Here is a verse from 2 Thes. 2:1-5 (King James Version)

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Here's 2 Thes. 2:1-5 from Lamsa Translation)

NOW we beseech you, my brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and concerning our gathering together with him. That you let not your minds be hastily excited or troubled, neither by word nor by prophecy of the spirit nor by an epistle supposedly from us, stating that the day of our Lord is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come unless it is preceded by a rebellion, and the man of sin by revealed as the son of perdition. Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is reverenced; so that even in the temple of God, he sits as a god, and shows himself, as though he were a god.

Other Bible translations have:

"[...]for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs [...]" NIV

"[...]there will be a time when many will turn away from God[...]" Simple English

"[...]unless there come a revolt firs [...]" New Advent Bible

"[...]for it will not be, except the falling away come first [...]" American Standard

"[...]for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first [...]" Revised Standard

"[...]For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes [...]" New English Bible

"[...]for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first [...]" New Revised Standard

(More translations can be found here!)

From all these numerous translations which different protestant churches have created NONE had mentioned about TOTAL APOSTASY. So WHAT is the BIBLICAL BASIS of the Iglesia ni Cristo in believing such weird doctrines if it wasn't found in the  Bible?  If there was no biblical passage supporting this doctrine then this doctrine would be a MAN-MADE created only to demonize the true Church of Christ (33 A.D.) which is the Catholic Church?

Since the Iglesia ni Cristo has HIDDEN its official doctrines from a suspecting public, I tried Googling the word "Total Apostasy" hoping that I could find an honest explanation from any of its ministers posing as students and foreign workers.  Instead I've got answers which are all linked to the MORMONS which was founded by Joseph Smith in 1840 (Salt Lake, Utah, USA) while the Iglesia ni Cristo was registered in 1914 (Sta. Ana, Manila, Philippines).

Another result I've got was from watchman.org which completely debunks the 'Total Apostasy' doctrine of the Mormons.  The site says it's UNBIBLICAL.

Another site is cuf.org which says that there is no biblical evidence that supports this doctrine!

Patrick Madrid one of the greatest apologetics of the Holy Mother Church in the USA and a Bible expert says that there was NOTHING in the Bible that supports this doctrine.

I found another site that Refutes Mormonism's Total Apostasy Doctrine which I answers perfectly that of the Iglesia ni Cristo's  copy-cat doctrine.

I didn't give up. I searched but I was frustrated.  I've got results that refutes only the MORMON CHURCH, not the IGLESIA ni CRISTO of Felix Manalo. 

And since the Iglesia ni Cristo shares the same doctrine from Mormonism, the belief that the former copied from the latter cannot escape many suspecting non-INC members and there is a strong belief among those who criticize the INC that  the Iglesia ni Cristo directly copied from the Mormons in almost everything.

A Mormon missionary in the Philippines noticed the same.

So what was written in those different versions of the Bible?  It's about apostasy, rebellion, revolt.  There was an apostasy but NOT the whole church. 

So who revolted? Who rebelled? Who apostatized? 

What is the Bible saying about apostasy?  Is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 talks about the WHOLE CHURCH or SOME members rebelled?

[Keep in mind that in Matthew 16:16-18, Jesus promised that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against (his Church)."]

Let's try to understand their doctrine by using our body as analogy.

The Church is like our own body.  It has different parts and each part functions differently but not independently from the whole.  One part cannot function without the whole body. In other words, a body part apart from the body is lifeless.

The eye is not above the body.  Just as the other parts are.  A problem found in one eye affects the whole body.  The body has its own natural way of restoring any part of the body should a problem arises. Not the eye restoring the body.  

In the same way, the Church is like our body.  All members and communities are parts of the whole.  They function individually but not independently.  Any member cannot function outside the Church.  Just like a sick eye, a rebellious member (part)  which cannot be restored could be either plucked out or amputated.  An infectious member should be excommunicated to keep the whole Church healthy and vibrating.

Using that analogy, the Church DID NOT apostatized but some members did.  So who rebelled? Who revolted? Who apostatized? Who deserted the Body-the Church? REBELLIOUS members apostatized!

History stood as a witness to that.  The Church was ever present in all human events.  The Church stood firm and survived countless heresies, rebellions, wars, schisms.  Say for example!

Arius apostatized in 323 A. D. and spread it's schismatic teachings in the Middle East
Nesterius apostatized in 431 A. D.
The Great Schism in 1054 A. D. when some Eastern Patriarchs separated from the Petrine Leadership.

Martin Luther apostatized in 1521 A. D. and preached Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura (Oly Faith! Only Scriptures)

Felix Y. Manalo apostatized even before 1914 A.D. and revived the apostate Arianism!

Source: SCBorromeo.org

Open wide your eyes and See Timeline of Catholicism by David MacDonald, Timeline of Catholicism by Wikipedia and TIMELINE of CHRISTIANITY says "Iglesia ni Cristo Incorporated in the Philippines".

In those dates mentioned, the Church DID NOT apostatize? 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is right. Members would rebel against the Church! So we SHOULD NOT deceive ourselves by believing these APOSTATES!

Since we cannot extract any support from the Holy Scripture and pages of history about this doctrine, let's ask its Ministers when did the TOTAL APOSTASY took place?

Here are official answers from their PASUGO Magazine:

PASUGO Mayo 1967, 9.14:

“Sa panahong ito ng mga wakas na Lupa na nagsimula sa unang Digmaang Pandaigdig ay tatawag ang Dios ng kanyang huling sugo upang itatag ang kanyang Organisasyon. Kung gayon ang INK na lumitaw sa Pilipinas noong 1914, ay siyang Organisasyong Pinangunahan o Pinamahalaan ni Felix Manalo."

PASUGO Mayo 1961, p. 21:

“Maliwanag sa pag-aaral nating ginagawa sa unahan nito na ang Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo noong unang siglo ay natalikod o ganap na nawala sa ibabaw ng lupa. Inagaw nila sa pagsunod sa hulihan ni Cristo."

PASUGO Hulyo 1954, p.4:

“Ang mga alagad ni Jesus na dating sumusunod sa hulihan niya ay inihiwalay ninyo sa pagsunod sa Kanya, at pinasunod ninyo sa inyong hulihan. Kaya nawalan ng tao ang Iglesia. Ang natira sa Iglesia'y si Jesus at ang mga salita ng Dios."

PASUGO Enero 1964, p. 2:

“Sa isang paksang mababasa sa nakaraang labas nitong Pasugo (Disyembre) ay ipinaliwanag kung saan naroon ang Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo noong unang siglo as Jerusalem. Ito ay natalikod. Nalipol na lahat."

IS IT TRUE?

INC Ministers quoted John 10:28 saying that God will not allow his Church to apostatize! (PASUGO Mayo 1968, p. 5)

"Ano ang katangian ng maging Tupa ni Cristo? Sa Juan 10:28 ay ganito ang sabi: 'At sila'y binigyan ko ng walang hanggang buhay, at kailanma'y hindi sila malilipol, at hindi aagawin ng sinuman sa aking kamay'. Isang dakilang kapalaran ang maging Tupa o Tauhan ni Cristo sapagkat sila'y binibigyan niya ng walang hanggang buhay at hindi sila malilipol kailan man."

INC Minister advised its members to take the example of the Early Church who remained faithful in their faith! (PASUGO Hunyo 1940, p. 27)

"Papaano ang pag-aalaga at pag-iingat sa pananampalataya? Wala tayong dapat gawin kundi manatili sa mga aral ng Dios na ating napag-aralan. Ito ang ginawa ng unang Iglesia. Sila'y nanatiling matibay sa aral ng mga Apostol. Ganito rin ang dapat nating gawin."

INC Minister said that in truth, until TO THIS DAY Satan is still injecting heretical teachings to the Catholic Church which is the Church of Christ from the beginning. Therefore the Church haven't apostatized yet for it is STILL here with us! (PASUGO, Abril 1966, p. 46)

“Ang totoo hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay patuloy na ginagawa ni Satanas ang pagpapasok ng mga maling aral sa Iglesia Katolika na sa pasimula'y siyang Iglesia ni Cristo. Sadyang matalino at tuso ang diablo. Hindi niya ginawang biglaan ang pagtalikod sa Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo noong unang siglo."

THEREFORE there is no need for a "restorer" or a "messenger"!:

INC Minister boldly proclaimed ONLY JESUS CHRIST has the sole authority to build his Church and that no man can! (PASUGO Nobyembre 1940, p. 23)

“Iisa lamang ang tanging makapagtatayo ng Iglesiang magiging dapat sa Dios. Kung sino? -- Ang ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo lamang! Sinumang tao-- maging marunong o mangmang-- ay walang karapatang magtayo..."

INC Minister boldly proclaimed that there is ONLY ONE CHURCH rightfully for Christ. The rest are FAKES! (PASUGO Mayo 1968, p. 7)

“Ang tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo ay iisa lamang, ito ang Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo. Kung mayroon mang nagsisibangon ngayong mga Iglesia at sasabihing sila man ay INK rin ang mga ito ay hindi tunay kundi huwad lamang!"

INC Minister boldly proclaimed that the Iglesia ni Kristo was founded by Felix Manalo according to its Registration! (PASUGO Agosto-Setyembre 1964, p. 5)

“Kailan napatala sa Pamahalaan o narehistro ang INK sa Pilipinas? Noong Hulyo 27, 1914. Tunay nga na sinasabi sa rehistro na si Kapatid na F. Manalo ang nagtatag ng INK."

INC Minister boldly confirms that the Catholic Church was IN FACT the true Church of Christ from the beginning! (PASUGO Abril 1966, p. 46)

“Ang Iglesia Katolika na sa pasimula ay siyang Iglesia ni Cristo."

2 Thes. 2:5 says "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is reverenced; so that even in the temple of God, he sits as a god, and shows himself, as though he were a god."

This PASSAGE is FULFILLED to FELIX MANALO! Who is exulting himself "as though he were a god"? Behold!

INC Minister said that Jesus and Felix are EXACTLY (parehong-pareho) the same! (PASUGO Hulyo 1965, p. 12):

“Parehong-pareho ang espiritu ni Cristo sa diwa ni Kapatid na Felix Manalo sa pamamaraan ng pagdadala ng tungkuling tinanggap sa Dios."

INC Minister said God offered himself to Manalo so that he (Felix) may be deified! (PASUGO Mayo 1964, p. 1):

“Inihandog ng Dios ang kanyang sarili sa kanyang huling sugo upang dumiyos sa kanya. Samakatuwid, ang tanging may Dios na huling araw na ito'y ang huling sugo -- si Kapatid na Felix Manalo."

INC Minister said that  God uniquely elected Manalo. He is an angel with the marks of the Living God according to Revelations! (PASUGO Enero 1941, p. 12):

“Hindi inaangkin ng Iglesia ni Cristo ang karapatan ni Cristo at ng mga Apostol o ng ninuman. Siya'y may sariling karapatang galing sa Dios at kaloob ng Dios. Siya'y inihalal ng Dios at hindi siya ang naghalal sa kanyang sarili. Sa Apoc. 7:2 ay sinasabing isang anghel ang may taglay na tatak ng Dios na Buhay."

INC Minister claimed John 10:16 is Felix Manalo and NOT Jesus Christ! (PASUGO Mayo 1961, p. 22):

“Papaano magiging kawan o Iglesia ni Cristo itong mga tupa ni Jesus na nagmumula sa Pilipinas, hindi naman naparito si Cristo noong 1914? Ang sabi ni Jesus, Juan 10:16, 'magkakaroon sila ng isang Pastor'. Sino itong isang Pastor ng Iglesia na lilitaw sa Pilipinas? Ang pinagsabihan ng Dios: 'Huwag kang matakot, sapagkat ako'y sumasaiyo: (Isaias 43:5).

“Sino itong pastor ng Iglesiang lilitaw sa Pilipinas? Ito ang huling tinatawag o sugo na kasama ng Dios. Ito ang Kapatid na Felix Manalo. Noong sabihin ni Cristo na siya'y mayroon pang ibang mga tupa na wala sa kulungan at sila'y gagawing isang kawan at magkakaroon ng isang pastor, noon pa'y mayroon na siyang karapatan."

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Note: All PASUGO exerpts were taken from a booklet Ang Katotohanan Tungkol sa INK-1914.