Iglesia ni Cristo, No Sense of History

Iglesia ni Cristo hates history. In fact, they deny the historicity of the Catholic Church which was founded by Christ and was promised NEVER to be overcome by the "gates of Hell" propagated by Felix Manalo's "Total Apostasy" doctrine.

However, understandably, there should be no two churches claiming to be original. One has to be the real and the other to be a hoax. And to make their church appear to be real, Felix Manalo invented the "Total Apostasy" doctrine (but Mormonism formulated this doctrine before Manalo making him a 'copycat') and preached that Christ's true Church HAD apostatized TOTALLY contrary to what Christ had promised.

Matthew 16 "...and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it (his Church)."

Christ said that the gates of all lies SHALL / WILL NOT prevail against his Church. The future tense SHALL covers before and in the future so how could Felix ever twisted these biblical truth. And if we believe Jesus is "The Way, The Truth, and The Life" why does INC believes in the "Total Apostasy?" Did Christ lied to Peter when he have promised those sacred words? Of course not! Felix was!

Amazing how he came up with those ideas to be believable!

There's no need to post several Biblical passages here that contradicts Felix Manalo's "Total Apostasy" teaching for it would surely expose their lies more and more however I would like to shift to history and see if there is any single historical fact that would back up their claims.

But first, let's ask them when did Christ's true Church came to be? Any dates?

As I have posted in my blog regarding this, hold your breath, here's the INC Ministers' sense of history:

PASUGO Nobyembre 1956, p. 18: (sinulat ni Emiliano Magtuto)

"Tiyak na walang bisa ang pagtuturo ng Relihiyong Katolika sa paaralang bayan. Nang libong taon nang nakatatag ang Relihiyong ito sa mundo? Kulang pa ang libu-libong taon na nakatatag ito s mundo..." (libu-libong taon -- 2000)

PASUGO Pebrero 1959, p. 1: (sinulat ni Ben Santiago)

"Mahigit nang isang libo at limangdaang taon ang Iglesia Katolika sa mundo. Maglilimangdaang taon naman ang mga Protestante. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay mag-aapatnapu't limang taon lamang mula noong 1914." (Ika-limang siglo ng Iglesia Katolika)

PASUGO Mayo 1952, p. 5: (sinulat ni Ben Santiago).

"Mula sa taong 527 hanggang 565 sa panahon ng Emperador Justinano naging ganap ang pagkatatag ng Iglesiang ito na sumipot sa Pulong ng Nicea." (Ika-anim na siglo)

PASUGO Agosto 1962, p. 3: (sinulat ni Ben Santiago)

"Sino ang nagtayo ng Iglesia Katolika Apostolika Romana? Ang Konsilyo Batikano! Kailan? Noong 1870." (Ika-labingsiyam na siglo)

PASUGO Marso 1956, p. 25: (sinulat ni Teofilo Ramos)

"Ang Iglesia Katolika'y pinabrika lamang ng mga Obispo noong 1870 sa Batikano."

PASUGO Pebrero 1952, p. 9: (sinulat ni Joaquin Balmores)

"Hindi mapapasinungalingan ninuman na talagang ang Iglesia Katolika ang lumitaw sa loob ng Emperyo Romano noong ika-apat na siglo."

So that's how they belittle historical facts. Heavily, all historical facts agreed by most historians would point to the Catholic Church to be the heir of sense of Christianity more than the newly built ones claiming to be the "true" church. Ridiculous but yes Felix was one of the many.

Since these "blinded" believers don't believe to any Catholic sources, I decided to consult Answers.com to see what this great site would say about the Catholic Church, Christianity as a whole and the Iglesia ni Cristo of Felix Manalo. Sad to say but Answers.com quoted heavily from CAtholic official sources for accuracy's purposes.

History of Christianity as a Whole:

A. D. 33-325

Early Christianity refers to the period when the religion spread in the Greek/Roman world and beyond, from its beginnings as a 1st century Jewish sect, to the end of imperial persecution of Christians after the ascension of Constantine the Great in AD 313, to the First Council of Nicaea in 325. It may be divided into two distinct phases: the apostolic period, when the first apostles were alive and organizing the Church, and the post-apostolic period, when an early episcopal structure developed, whereby bishoprics were
governed by bishops (overseers).”

Note: The CAtholic Church was there before and after the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.

Ecumenical movements within Protestantism have focused on determining a list
of doctrines and practices essential to being Christian and thus extending to
all groups which fulfill these basic criteria a (more or less) co-equal status,
with perhaps one's own group still retaining a "first among equal" standing.
This process involved a redefinition of the idea of "the Church" from
traditional theology. This ecclesiology, known as denominationalism, contends
that each group (which fulfills the essential criteria of "being Christian") is
a sub-group of a greater "Christian Church", itself a purely abstract concept
with no direct representation, i.e., no group, or "denomination", claims to be
"the Church." Obviously, this ecclesiology is at variance with other groups that
indeed consider themselves to be "the Church." The "essential criteria"
generally consist of belief in the Trinity, belief that Jesus Christ is the only
way to have forgiveness and eternal life, and that He died and rose again
bodily.

Source: History of Christianity

(Note: The Catholic Church existed before and after the Protestant Reformation.)

In other words, what Wikipedia is saying that between 33 A.D-325 A.D., there was:

1. a Church that propagated the belief in Jesus Christ
2. This Church went to convert Pagans, went to two dominant civilizations during that time, Greece and Rome and beyond
3. It is implied that there was no Bible yet while early Christians preached the Gospel
4. It is implied that the early Christians preached by word and deed (Tradition)
5. This Church is responsible in the formulation of Episcopacy
6. Peter was the unifying force in the Early Christianity
7. The meaning of Church is one, not many.

History of the (Roman) Catholic Church:

The History of the Catholic Church from apostolic times covers a period of nearly 2,000 years, making it the world's oldest and largest institution. It dates its beginning to the confession of Peter, and the establishment of the Church by Jesus Christ. Catholic doctrine states that Christ is the head of his Mystical Body, the Catholic Church.[ The history of the Roman Catholic Church is integral to the History of Christianity and the history of Western civilization”

Source: History of the Roman Catholic Church

What Wikipedia is saying:

1. That the Catholic Church from apostolic times covers nearly more than 2,000 years.
2. It is implied that since we're living in 2,009 A.D. the Catholic Church still exists from the time of the Apostles. Again Wikipedia never said it apostatized.
3. And that the Catholic Church is INTEGRAL to the History of Christianity. There's no twisting of historical facts here my dear INC friends.
4. Where is "Total Apostasy?"

Now let's see what Wikipedia is saying about the cult Iglesia ni Cristo:

“Felix Y. Manalo officially registered the church as a corporation sole with
him as executive minister on July 27, 1914 and because of this, most
publications refer to him as the founder of the church. However, the official
doctrines of the church profess that Jesus Christ is the founder of the INC and
that Felix Manalo was God's last messenger, whom he sent to reestablish the Christian Church to its true, pristine form[ because the original church was
apostatized. They believe that the apostatized church is the Roman Catholic
Church, and proclaim that Catholic dogmas, such as the Trinity, are proof of
this apostacy.

Source: Iglesia ni Cristo

What does Wikipedia says about Iglesia ni Cristo?:

1. Felix Manalo registered the 'church' (small letter 'c')
2. His church was registered as 'corporation sole'
3. His church was registered in July 27, 1914, one thousand nine hundred fourteen (1914) years behind the Catholic Church nearly more than"Two Thousand years (2000) in existence.
4. It is through historical chronological sequence that the genuine comes first then the hoax.
5. It is through the dictates of common sense that a sect built in 1914 was not the genuine but the hoax.
6. It is by common sense that if one is true, the other is lie.
7. If the Catholic Church never apostatized, then Felix Manalo's "Total Apostasy" was a lie
8. And if that is the case, Felix Manalo is not and was not a messenger but a liar and his Iglesia to be just a 'corporation sole' managed and owned by the Manalo clan.

They would lie so as to deceive many. So when did the Catholic Church apostatized according to history?

Their answer is a defeaning silence!

The “Thin Sheet” of Controversy

Pope Benedict XVI’s rejection of the use of condom sparked outcry among condom advocates and Catholic dissidents around the world as if this was the first time they heard the Pope rejecting such promiscuity in using unnatural contraceptive methods. The Church position regarding that is mute and academic for now. The position of Pope Benedict XVI is not HIS personal teachings. Taken from the his predecessors, it is fitting in our times when we see sex as merely a pleasure that we have to enjoy. In the eyes of the Church, sex is something that is sacred that must be treated with respect and love. His predecessor’s stand on the importance and sacredness of human sexuality in the light of the Gospel values and the dignity of the human person (read Humanae Vitae) can’t change just because a handful powerful politicians and far right extremists cannot accept Church teachings which for them are “rigid” and “conservative.”

The soon to be “Blessed” John Paull II has revolutionized the world with its “Theology of the Body” which according to Online Resources of John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body, it “counteracts societal trends which urge us to view the body as an object of pleasure or as a machine for manipulation. John Paul II portrays a beautiful vision of sexuality in his Theology of the Body and other earlier works including Love and Responsibility. He encourages a true reverence for the gift of our sexuality and challenges us to live it in a way worthy of our great dignity as human persons. His theology is not only for young adults or married couples, but for all ages and vocations since it sums up the true meaning of the human person.” (Read More!)

(Read Lifesitenews.com and a Summary of the Theology of the Body here)

On AIDS

AIDS has killed millions of people around the world and that’s a fact. Today, there’s no immediate cure to AIDS but to prevent it from spreading, this is what all sector of society is gearing up with. Acquiring the disease needs a direct contact with someone who is infected with AIDS. One can have the disease through blood transfusions or during child birth of an infected mother. The belief that one can have AIDS by kissing has long been rejected by medical experts to be untrue. But above everything, AIDS is transmitted through SEX. The rapid increasing number of AIDS patients in the world and in particular, the African continent is due to “sexual practice” in that region. The exchange of human fluid such as semen during intercourse has spread the disease rapidly. If that’s the case, the immediate solution would be to keep the male semen (if it’s infected) from reaching the womb of the woman. Just like opium, sex is addictively pleasurable that can be abused. This mean a lucrative business with condom companies. Having multiple sex to different people in any place, as long as you have condom—one is safe. This is where the Catholic Church steps in—the morality of the issue.

Of course, the Pope and the Catholic Church’s position will not always be accepted in today’s sexual revolution. There would always be opposites. In its more than 2,000 years existence, the mounting “pressure” wont even make a bend. This makes us different from other progressive non-Catholic churches that allow abortion, mercy killing, contraception, divorce etc which are contrary to the moral principles of the Catholic Church and the Gospel values.

The message of the Pope might be hurting to some but it’s heals. Latex companies with its huge stake would complicate the issue. Some condom advocates uses AIDS victims in Africa to make their opposition be legitimately considered by the Church. With billions of dollars flowing for this cause (“safe-sex” anytime all the time) would only worsen the matter.

The underlying message of the Pope: Love your spouse with devotion; be faithful and be loyal. It might be too ideal but as masters of our selves, yes we can.

---------------------------------
Related Story: Moscow Patriarchate Backs Pope's Stance on Condoms or visit:
Zenit.Org for Church’s News and AsiaNews

for Church' News in Asia.

Pope Benedict XVI African Papal Visit

March 17-23 (today until Monday) is the planned visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the African Continent. As Vicar of Christ and the Successor of St. Peter the Apostle, he’s meeting Christ in that continent invigorating the hope the African people have in Christ and animating the Spirit that has kept their Christian faith through centuries. Through this visit, we Catholics should pray for the Pope’s visit and himself as well that God may protect him through the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let’s entrust this whole Papal visit embracing the whole continent of Africa to the Lord Jesus who willed all people to be saved.

Here’s the message of Pope Benedict XVI for this trip translated by Joseph G. Trabbic taken from Catholic.Org. Origin of the message came from Zenit.Org:

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

I will be making my first apostolic visit to Africa from Tuesday, March 17, to Monday, March 23. I will travel to Cameroon and to its capital, Yaoundé, to deliver the “instrumentum laboris” for the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in October here in the Vatican. From there I will travel to Luanda, the capital of Angola, a country that, after a long civil war, has found peace again and is now called to rebuild itself in justice.

With this visit I intend to embrace the whole African continent: its thousands of differences and profound religious soul; its ancient cultures and its toilsome road to development and reconciliation; its grave problems, its painful wounds and its enormous possibilities and hopes. I intend to confirm the African Catholics in faith, to encourage the Christians in their ecumenical commitment, and bring to all the announcement of peace that the Lord has entrusted to his Church.

As I prepare myself for this missionary journey, in my soul resounds the words of the Apostle Paul that the liturgy proposes for our meditation on this third Sunday of Lent: “We proclaim Christ crucified,” the Apostle writes to the Christians of Corinth, “a scandal to the Jews and foolishness to the pagans; but for those who are called, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).

Yes, dear brothers and sisters! I depart for African with the awareness of having nothing else to propose and give to those whom I will meet if not Christ and the Good News of his cross, mystery of supreme love, of divine love that defeats all human resistance and in the end makes forgiveness and love of enemies possible. This is the grace of the Gospel that is capable of transforming the world; this is the grace that can renew Africa, because it generates an irresistible power of peace and of deep and radical reconciliation. The Church does not pursue economic, social and political objectives; the Church proclaims Christ, certain that the Gospel can touch the hearts of all and transform them, renewing persons and society from within.

On March 19, during the pastoral visit to Africa, we will celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church, and my personal patron. St. Joseph, warned in a dream by an angel, had to flee with Mary to Egypt, in Africa, to take the newly born Jesus to a safe place, far from King Herod who wanted to kill him. The Scriptures were thus fulfilled: Jesus followed in the footsteps of the patriarchs of old and, like the people of Israel, reentered the Promised Land after having been in exile in Egypt. To the heavenly intercession of this great saint I entrust this upcoming pilgrimage and the peoples of all of Africa, with the challenges that face them and the hopes that animate them.

I think especially of the victims of hunger, disease, injustices, of the fratricidal conflicts and of every form of violence that, unfortunately, continues to strike adults and children, without sparing missionaries, priests, religious, and volunteers. Brothers and sisters, accompany me on this trip with your prayers, invoking Mary, Mother and Queen of Africa.

For the program of the Pope’s African Visit, here’s his itinerary from Zenit.Org:

The press office of the Holy See released the Pope's official program for his apostolic trip to Cameroon and Angola, which will take place March 17-23.

The Pontiff will depart from Rome's Fiumicino airport the morning of Tuesday, March 17, and arrive at 4 p.m. in Yaounde, Cameroon. Government officials will greet him.

On Wednesday, March 18, the Holy Father will make a courtesy visit to the President Paul Biya of Cameroon at Unity Palace in Yaounde.

That same day Benedict XVI will meet with the country's bishops at the Church of Christ the King in Tsinga, then celebrate vespers with local clergy and with representatives of ecclesial movements and of other Christian confessions in the Basilica of Mary Queen of the Apostles.

On Thursday, March 19, the Pope will meet with Muslim leaders of Cameroon at the apostolic nunciature.

At 10 a.m. he will celebrate Mass at Yaounde's Amadou Ahidjo stadium, which will mark the publication of the "instrumentum laboris" of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

At 4:30 p.m. the Pope will meet with sick people in the Cardinal Paul Emile Leger Centre. Later he will pronounce an address before members of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

Political leaders

On Friday, March 20, the Pontiff will travel from Yaounde to the Angolan capital Luanda where he is due to arrive at 12:45 p.m.

Following the welcome ceremony at the airport, Benedict XVI will visit Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos at the presidential palace in Luanda. At 5:45 p.m. he will deliver an address to political leaders and the diplomatic corps.

At 7 p.m. the Pope will meet with bishops of Angola and Santo Tome in the chapel of the apostolic nunciature in Luanda.

The morning of Saturday, March 21, the Pontiff will celebrate Mass at St. Paul's in Luanda. At 4:30 p.m. he will meet with young people at Coquieros Stadium.

On Sunday, March 22, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass with bishops of IMBISA (Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa) at Cimangola. That afternoon in the parish of St. Anthony in Luanda he will meet with Catholic movements that work for the promotion of women.

Benedict XVI will depart from Luanda for Rome on Monday, March 23.

May God bless the Pope and the Catholic Church in Africa, through the intercession of all the angels and saints in heaven; to Jesus Christ be praise!

WATCH HIM LIVE FROM EWTN!

For LIVE UPDATE, visit EWTN Papal Visit Live Coverage!

Here's the LIVE EWTN schedule:

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Arrival [60:00] LIVE
The Holy Father will arrive in Yaounde, Cameroon, where he will be greeted by the authorities.
Tue Mar 17 20:30 IST
Tue Mar 17 15:00 GMT
Tue Mar 17 11:00 ET

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Meeting with the Bishops of Cameroon [90:00] LIVE
Meeting with the Bishops of Cameroon in the church of Christ-Roi in Tsinga
Wed Mar 18 15:45 IST
Wed Mar 18 10:15 GMT
Wed Mar 18 6:15 ET

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Celebration of Vespers [90:00] LIVE
Celebration of Vespers with local clergy and representatives of ecclesial movements and of other Christian confessions in the basilica of Marie Reine des Apotres.
Wed Mar 18 21:15 IST
Wed Mar 18 15:45 GMT
Wed Mar 18 11:45 ET

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Holy Mass [2 Hours] LIVE
Celebration of Mass at Yaounde's Amadou Ahidjo stadium, to mark the publication of the "Instrumentum Laboris" of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.
Thu Mar 19 14:30 IST
Thu Mar 19 9:00 GMT
Thu Mar 19 5:00 ET

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Meeting with the Sick [2 Hours] LIVE
The Holy Father will meet with sick people in the Cardinal Paul Emile Leger Centre.
Thu Mar 19 21:00 IST
Thu Mar 19 15:30 GMT
Thu Mar 19 11:30 ET

Papal Visit to Cameroon: Farewell Ceremony [30:00] LIVE
Farewell ceremony at Nsimalen International Airport of Yaoundé.
Fri Mar 20 14:30 IST
Fri Mar 20 9:00 GMT
Fri Mar 20 5:00 ET

Papal Visit to Angola: Arrival [60:00] LIVE
The Pope will travel from Yaounde to the Angolan capital Luanda where there will be a welcoming ceremony at the airport.
Fri Mar 20 17:15 IST
Fri Mar 20 11:45 GMT
Fri Mar 20 7:45 ET

Papal Visit to Angola: Meeting with the President of Angola and members of the Diplomatic Corps [90:00] LIVE
Visit to the president of the Republic of Angola in the presidential palace in Luanda where he will also deliver an address to political leaders and the diplomatic corps.
Fri Mar 20 21:30 IST
Fri Mar 20 16:00 GMT
Fri Mar 20 12:00 ET

Papal Visit to Angola: Holy Mass [2 Hours] LIVE
Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass in Luanda's church of Sao Paulo.
Sat Mar 21 14:30 IST
Sat Mar 21 9:00 GMT
Sat Mar 21 5:00 ET

Papal Visit to Angola: Meeting with young people [90:00] LIVE
Meeting with young people in the stadium of Coquieros.
Sat Mar 21 21:00 IST
Sat Mar 21 15:30 GMT
Sat Mar 21 11:30 ET

Papal Visit to Angola: Holy Mass with the Bishops of IMBISA [2 ½ Hours] LIVE
Celebration of Mass with bishops of IMBISA (Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa) at Cimangola Square, followed by the Angelus.
Sun Mar 22 14:30 IST
Sun Mar 22 9:00 GMT
Sun Mar 22 5:00 ET

Papal Visit to Angola: Meeting with Catholic movements [60:00] LIVE
From the parish of Santo Antonio in Luanda the Holy Father will meet with Catholic movements for the promotion of women.
Sun Mar 22 21:15 IST
Sun Mar 22 15:45 GMT
Sun Mar 22 11:45 ET

Papal Visit to Angola: Farewell Ceremony [30:00] LIVE
Farewell ceremony at 4 de Fevereiro International Airport of Luanda.
Mon Mar 23 14:30 IST
Mon Mar 23 9:00 GMT
Mon Mar 23 5:00 ET

Anniversary of the Martyr, Archbishop Rahho of Mosul, Iraq

Over a year ago, Paulo Faraj Rahho, then the holy Archbishop of Mosul in Iraq was kidnapped by lawless citizens and who later died a martyr’s death. That fateful day was March 13, 2008 and the whole of Catholic World is remembering him in our prayers from Vatican to the simplest unknown parish in the world. May his martyrdom sow the seed of the Christian faith witnessing his selfless love to all Iraqi Catholics and Muslims alike. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Κύριε ἐλέησον, Χριστὲ ἐλέησον, Κύριε ἐλέησον. Amen!


Asia News (www.asianews.it)
Kirkuk (AsiaNews) – “Today Iraq marks the first anniversary of the death of Paulo Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul. Mass was also held in Kirkuk this morning celebrated by Archbishop Louis Sako, who recalled the “martyrdom of the bishop of Mosul” in his homily as well as the “long list of Iraqi Christian martyrs”. Muslim representatives also participated in the ceremony in a sign of solidarity with “the Christian community”.

Msgr. Rahho was abducted on February 29th at the end of celebrating the Way of the Cross in Holy Spirit parish. The prelate was gravely ill; he had suffered a severe heart attack in preceding years and since then had been in need of daily medication. The difficulty of negotiations that went on for over 14 days gave little hope for a successful outcome, given a complete lack of communication with the hostage. During the abduction three other people were killed: Faris Gorgis Khoder, the bishop’s driver and body guards Ramy and Samir...”
(Read more here)

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Photo Credit- Thanks to:
Iraqi Christians.org and Catholic News. God bless!

IGLESIA NI CRISTO: Why A Multi-Million Sect is Without a Website?

You might be wondering why the Iglesia ni Cristo with its million dollar assets, founded by Felix Manalo in the Philippines in 1914 is without an official website where people could merge and refer rather than quoting from various unofficial ones? You might be wondering how much is the worth of this “Corporation Sole” that they can’t even have a website or official publications available in our bookstores?

This is just the tip of an iceburg.

According to INC in a Nutshell, and average yearly amount that a single INC member submits to Erano Manalo to the Philippines is $3,681.

Not much, right?

But translating that figure to peso (multiplied with the current exchange rate of 48.4 per US dollar), it would sore up to 178,160.40 pesos—a huge amount for an ordinary wage earner.

But this is just the estimated amount from a single member.

The breakdown?

Worship service offerings ($5.00x52x2)....$ 520.00

Local offerings ($10.00x40)............... 400.00

District offerings ($10.00x12)............ 120.00

Thanksgiving deposits ($25.00x49)........ 1,225.00

Supplemental Thanksgivings............... 500.00

Anniversary offerings.................... 700.00

God's Message offerings ($2.50x2x12)..... 60.00

EGM offerings ($3.00x52)................. 156.00

TOTAL $3,681.00

In an attempt to disclose the secrecy of Manalo’s wealth, here’s how this Sole Corporation makes money from its members:

The supplemental thanksgivings is the amount necessary to cover up whatever deficits of the member's deposits to make the thanksgiving comply with the abounding doctrine (amounts given this year must have increase over the increase of last year). For example, if what was given last year was $1,500, this year’s thanksgiving of $1,995 has increase of $495.00. This $495.00 must be greater than the increase last year. If last year's increase was $600.00, the member has drawn back from his obligation. Manalo teaches that God will not have pleasure with those who draw back from their obligations. Each of the above offerings can be increased at will by Manalo by issuing worship lessons to whip members into conformance if he sees the offerings graphs are falling.

The money outlays that are not included are the personal expenses for gasoline and tolls in going back and forth to their chapels for the worships, meetings, nightly devotional prayers, and out of pocket expenses for the food and snacks for the weekly bible expositions. If the local congregation's census is average of 300 members, Manalo has yearly income of $1,104,300.00 just for that one congregation or one chapel building. Since, the Iglesia ni Cristo has 134 congregations in the United States, the income of Manalo from the U.S. alone is a whooping $15,460,200.00. If we include the takes of Manalo from the rest of the world from Canada to Europe and Asia, an estimate of $50 million to $75 million is a low estimate.

With that huge amount flowing to Manalo’s Bank Vault, his full time ministers in the Philipipnes and elsewhere in the world receive an approximately US$1,000 which means an average 12,000 US Dollars annually.

That’s a very little amount compensation for all the lying techniques one has to speak in order to win ignorant and uninformed Catholics to their fold. Lying is a serious job and it must have a huge compensation.

Take this [12,000] out from the annual receipts of
$75,000,000 will leave net Manalo receipts of $63,000,000.

And what happens to other expenses such as utilities,
telephones, supplies and other important things needed for the Iglesia?

"… all paid from the local offerings. Strictly speaking, the local offerings pay for all expenses other than the minister's allowance and travel expenses.
Therefore, if we take out the local offerings of $3,000,000 the net takes of the Iglesia ni Cristo owner is $60,000,000 tax free.

How do they do that? They use “Classical Conditioning” by Pavlov

Psychology Book Example of Classical Conditioning:Mind conditioner................Pavlov
Animal to be conditioned........A dog
What Pavloc wants the dog to do? To salivate (detected by use of inserted instrument) Two things needed to condition the dog: 1) Bell 2) Meat powder as bait.

Application:Every time Pavlov rings the bell, the bell is accompanied by giving the dog the meat powder. Pavlov does this repeatedly to train or condition the dog. After several ringing and dispensing of the meat powder, the dog is now trained (or conditioned). Pavlov rings the bell but without the accessory meat powder.

Result:
The dog salivates upon hearing the bell even without the meat powder.
Conclusion: The dog is already conditioned to accept that the bell means meat
powder.

The INC Application of ClassicalConditioning:
Mind Conditioner............Felix Manalo (or INC minister);
Animal to be trained........Visitor or Prospect;
What FYM or INC minister wants the visitor to do: To enroll in the INC free bible study; Two things needed to condition the visitor....1) Gospel of Manalo, and 2) The Bible (as bait).Application:In the bible exposition, every time the INC minister teaches the gospel of Manalo, it is accompanied by reading the Bible. In the entire session, the two things (Manalo
gospel plus Bible bait) are being repeated again and again. At the end of the
session, the visitor is impressed that the Iglesia ni Cristo is a Bible based
church.

Conclusion: The visitor is already conditioned to become a Bible student or indoctrinee.

In one of the 27 “Manalo’s Gospels” numbers 18 and 19 respectively under the guise of “Worship Services” and “Voluntary Contributions”. Actually they’re for business purposes.

1. Lesson 1 - The Bible
2. Lesson 2 - The true God
3. Lesson 3 - The true religion
4. Lesson 4 - The Church of Christ
5. Lesson 5 - History of the church built by Christ in the first century
6. Lesson 6 - Proofs that the apostasy of the first century Church of Christ took place
7. Lesson 7 - The origin of other churches
8. Lesson 8 - Not by faith only
9. Lesson 9 - One organized church
10. Lesson 10- The Church of Christ in the Philippines
11. Lesson 11- Brother Felix Y. Manalo: God's Messenger in the last days
12. Lesson 12- The promise for those who endure persecution
13. Lesson 13- Membership in the Church of Christ
14. Lesson 14- The Lord Jesus Christ, Part 1
15. Lesson 15- The Lord Jesus Christ, Part 2
16. Lesson 16- The Lord Jesus Christ, Part 3
17. Lesson 17- Leading a new life
18. Lesson 18- Worship services
19. Lesson 19- Our voluntary contribution
20. Lesson 20- The brotherhood
21. Lesson 21- Other prohibitions
22. Lesson 22- On baptism
23. Lesson 23- Missionary work and praying
24. Lesson 24- The church administration
25. Lesson 25- Unity
26. Lesson 26- Judgment Day
27. Lesson 27- Overall instructions

In fact members are strictly monitored by their deacons and deanonness with the strict commandment from Erano Manalo that those who are “Drawing Back” are prone to danger, either by expulsion or by fear-tactic—thrown into the “Lake of Fire”.

It’s voluntary contribution is not true. Here are the 6 “INC Purgatories” according to “INC in a Nutshell.”

1) Not to miss the Thursday and Sunday worship services, and other compulsory gatherings;

2) To give monies to all the many kinds of offerings and contributions;

3) To give increasing amounts of thanksgivings offerings every July and December to the two saviors;

4) To work for the Iglesia ni Cristo savior night and day without any compensation whatsoever;

5) To seek prospective converts weekly and persevere in devoting time and efforts and money throughout the indoctrination process of the future soul fruit until baptism;

6) To obey Erano G. Manalo on whatever he orders.

Aha! So what are those “many kinds of contributions” which are supposed to be “voluntary”?

Annual December Thanksgiving - This is one of the delicate worship services. As such, it requires the seven day devotional prayers by members. In this worship service, each one, adult, youth, and babies, must have his/her envelope stuffed with monies. Members are required to have one year preparation accomplished by making weekly Sunday deposits starting from the first Sunday of January through the second Sunday of December. A token check for the total amount deposited is given to the member depositor in exchange for the surrendering of the deposit booklet. The token check will be placed in the thanksgiving envelope. Since the Thanksgiving Day is the third Sunday of December, the deficiency of the deposits will be covered up by adding cash, money orders, or bank checks. Personal checks are discouraged unless the brother/sister is sure of sufficiency of funds in the bank. The members must thankGod for calling them to become members of the Church of Christ. According to Manalo, the members must thank God for many things such as: Most important of all is for remaining as members inside the Iglesia ni Cristo, for being alive, for being freed from mishaps, sickness, and other calamities, for receiving many blessings such as the jobs, the possessions, and properties they own..

July Anniversary Thanksgiving- This is another delicate worship service to commemorate the founding of the Iglesia ni Cristo by Felix Y. Manalo. It is also the commemoration and praise of Felix Y. Manalo, whose commissioning by God lead to the rebirth of the first century church established by Jesus Christ. The members must have the envelope stuffed with monies to thank God for the progress of the Church.

Here are the punishments for missing such worship services:

1. Not to miss the Thursday and Sunday worship services, and other compulsory gatherings
2. To give monies to all the many kinds of offerings and contributions;
3. To give increasing amounts of thanksgivings offerings every July and December to the two saviors;
4. To work for the Iglesia ni Cristo savior night and day without any compensation whatsoever;
5. To seek prospective converts weekly and persevere in devoting time and efforts and money throughout the indoctrination process of the future soul fruit until baptism;
6. To obey Erano G. Manalo on whatever he orders.

So why such a huge and rich sect could not even have an official website where they can post their official doctrines and their official position to many social and moral issues our country is facing. With the rapid moral decline of our own citizens, we need to see what alternative they could offer for our country to move uprightly as a “Christian” nation.

I am not the only one who’s questioning their deafening silence. In fact, in one of the forums at PinoyExchange particularly addressed to Iglesia ni Cristo members, all they have to say is a very frustrating answer “Visit one of our chapels” or “attend the Pamamahayag.”

Normally, in human character, everything that’s not good, we keep it secret and anyone who would dare to expose us to shameful truth, we either tend to ignore, be passive, pretend as if nothing is happening or worst there are those who commit crime by just keeping their secrets hidden. In the case of the Iglesia ni Cristo, they use all of the above. (See articles in Answers.com. And the surest way to keep their secrets, they maintain it buried away from intelligent minds.

Understandably, their PANDOKTRINA in its entirety is FULL OF HATRED against the Catholic Church.

As a help, we all have to pray for those who have misled by this cult. It is only by the grace of God acting in our prayers that a long time INC member can able to break out the chains of the Iglesia ni Cristo. INC in a Nutshell hope…

“With the power of God, all of those who are willing may be able to recognize
the truth of God. However it requires the individual to test what they are being
told to believe by the Word of God. This is something that Iglesia ni Cristo members are discouraged to do."

IGLESIA NI CRISTO: Christ's Original Church Apostatized?

[From Catholic-Answers, permission was granted me to post this article in series. Thanks to the whole staff of Catholic Answers. Thanks to Mr. Karl Keating and his Production Manager Mr. Jon Sorensen. You can contact them at (619) 387-7200 (USA)].

Did Christ's Church Apostatized?

All the Iglesia ni Cristo's teachings hinged on this truth. To make his church legitimate, he has to declare the Catholic Church to have been apostatized. Because if it didn't apostatized, then there's no need for a "Last Messenger" to re-establish it. But if it didn't apostatized then the Iglesia ni Cristo is in real problem!

Did the Church really apostatized? Catholic Answers uses the Bible to prove there's no such thing in the Bible.

"The doctrines upon which all Iglesia’s other doctrines depend is its teaching that Christ’s Church apostatized in the early centuries. Like Mormonism, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other fringe groups, Iglesia asserts that the early Christian Church suffered a total apostasy. It believes in "the complete disappearance of the first-century Church of Christ and the emergence of the Catholic Church" (Pasugo, July-Aug. 1979, 8).

But Jesus promised that his Church would never apostatize. He told Peter, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). If his Church had apostatized, then the gates of hell would have prevailed against it, making Christ a liar.

In other passages, Christ teaches the same truth. In Matthew 28:20 he said, "I am with you always even until the end of the world." And in John 14:16, 18 he said, "And I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever ... I will not leave you desolate."

If Iglesia members accept the apostasy doctrine, they make Christ a liar. Since they believe Jesus Christ is not a liar, they are ignoring what Christ promised, and their doctrine contradicts Scripture.

They are, however, fulfilling Scripture. While Jesus taught that his Church would never apostatize, the Bible does teach that there will be a great apostasy, or falling away from the Church. Paul prophesies: "[Do not] be quickly shaken in mind or excited . . . to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion [Greek: apostasia] comes first" (2 Thess. 2:2–3); "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Tim. 4:1); and, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own liking, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths" (2 Tim. 4:3–4). By falling away from the Church, members of Iglesia are committing precisely the kind of apostasy of which they accuse the Catholic Church.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:1: "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world." Was Felix Manalo a true prophet? Is his church the "true Church?" If we test the claims of Iglesia ni Cristo, the answer is apparent. His total apostasy doctrine is in flat contradiction to Christ’s teaching. There is no way that Iglesia ni Cristo can be the true Church of Christ."

(Read the whole article Iglesia ni Cristo. Or visit http://www.catholic.com/ or join Catholic Answers ForumsRead article from This Rock Magazine.)

So they're not adding nor subtracting from the Bible-- a hard proof of Felix God's messenger status? Judge them yourself!

------------------------

Mr. Karl Keating is the founder of Catholic Answers, a lay apostolate of Catholic apologetics in spreading the "Splendor of Truth" of the Catholic Church and evangelizing non-Catholics and Catholics at the same level.

Other Links: Iglesia ni Cristo from Answers.com.

Jailed Priest in Saudi Arabia asks to Pray for King Abdullah

Another Christian was thrown into prison just becuase he's assisting Catholic Christians to be good to their host country. Fr. George Joshua from India was thrown into prison after celebrating the Holy Mass with Catholics in a private house. Thats' pretty much scary. One needs a strong faith like Father George to handle such unfortunate incidents. With this kind of stories, I remember my own experience in Saudi Arabia. During our prayer meetings, we always pray for our own safety from abusive Muttawas. We never fail to remember in our prayers King Abdullah's health. We also prayed those Muslims who were then in Saudi Arabia for their annual Hajj. We call on God to keep safe of all Christians and non-Christians while they are away from their families. Instead of harm, We pray for everyone's good health regardless of his/her personal beliefs for only God knows our heart. Our God is a God who blesses and forgives those who transgressed. Our God is a God of love and compassion.

Good thing is that imams in Christian Democratic countries don't jail imams just because they're Muslims.

Anyway, here's Fr. George story:

Trivandrum (AsiaNews) "It was a call to share in the suffering of Christ," said Fr George Joshua, 41 as he described the days he spent in a Riyadh prison and his expulsion from Saudi Arabia, guilty only of celebrating mass in a country that bans all religious practices, except for those of Islam.

In an exclusive interview with AsiaNews, Father George, a Catholic Malankar priest, tells the story of his brief odyssey. It all began last week when he travelled to Saudi Arabia with the blessing of his bishop to prepare Easter celebrations for the thousands of Indian Catholics living in the desert kingdom without the benefit of priestly assistance, the Eucharist or catechesis.

On April 5, he was in Riyadh in a private hall with a group of Catholics to celebrate mass. "I started the Eucharist at 8:30 pm for the ill and the suffering," he said. "The Malankar rite is very elaborate and the ceremony lasted till 10:30 pm. I had just removed my vestments when a group of Muttawa (religious police) agents and two regular policemen arrived. The Muttawa agents are dressed in a special way and I first thought they were priests who had come to join us.

"They came after me right away, asking me where I had been, describing my activities, the prayer meetings I held in private homes, etc.," he said.

"They wanted to know what kind of visa I had and I told them a business visa. The Muttawa agents then told me that it was illegal to engage in Christian activities without a special visa for clergymen. And I told them that I was a priest and that Jesus Christ was my business and so a visa business was appropriate."

Please read Fr. George's story here and continue pray for all Christians celebrating Christ's Passover underground.

In other related stories:
After Imprisoned, Indian Missionary prays for King Abdullah
After jail, Christians pray for Saudi king Abdallah

IGLESIA NI CRISTO or iglesia ni Cristo?

[From Catholic-Answers, permission was granted me to post this article in series. Thanks to the whole staff of Catholic Answers. Thanks to Mr. Karl Keating and his Production Manager Mr. Jon Sorensen. You can contact them at (619) 387-7200 (USA)].

No doubt, the INC Ministers are experts and professional LIARS. And they're willing to stand by their deception!

In one of its response to a letter (see below photo), they said, they even have the guts to defend their angle: "The doctrines that Brother Felix Y. Manalo taught are the words of God written in the Bible--no additions nor substractions--which is a characteristic of a true messenger of God."

simple! From small letter "c" (churches of Christ--Rom. 16:16), they changed it to capital letter "C" and removed "es" (Church of Christ).

So they never add nor subtract the Words of God in the Bible? huh!

In Catholic Answers argument about its name, NO intelligent INC Minister can even refute its straight-forward facts! They're silenced by its truth!

The Name Game

"Iglesia points to its name as proof it is the true church. They argue, "Iglesia points to its name as proof it is the true Church. They argue, "What is the name of Christ’s Church, as given in the Bible? It is the ‘Church of Christ.’ Our church is called the ‘Church of Christ.’ Therefore, ours is the Church Christ founded."

Whether or not the exact words "Church of Christ" appear in the Bible is irrelevant, but since Iglesia makes it an issue, it is important to note that the phrase "Church of Christ" never once appears in the Bible. The verse Iglesia most often quotes on this issue is Romans 16:16: "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you " (Pasugo, November 1973, 6). But the phrase in this verse is "churches of Christ." And it’s not a technical name. Paul is referring to a collection of local churches, not living an organizational name.

To get further "proof" of its name, Iglesia cites Acts 20:28: "Take heed therefore . . . to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood" (Lamsa translation; cited in Pasugo, April 1978). But the Lamsa translation is not based on the original Greek, the language in which the book of Acts was written. In Greek, the phrase is "the church of God" (tan ekklasian tou Theou) not "the church of Christ" (tan ekklasian tou Christou). Iglesia knows this, yet it continues to mislead its members.

Even if the phrase "church of Christ" did appear in the Bible, it would not help Iglesia’s case. Before Manalo started his church, there were already groups calling themselves "the Church of Christ." There are several Protestant denominations that call themselves Church of Christ and use exactly the same argument. Of course, they aren’t the true Church for the same reason Iglesia isn’t—because they were not founded by Christ."

(Read the whole article Iglesia ni Cristo. Or visit http://www.catholic.com/ or join Catholic Answers Forums . Read article from This Rock Magazine.)

So they're not adding nor subtracting from the Bible as a hard proof of Felix
God's messenger status? Judge them yourself!

------------------------

Mr. Karl Keating is the founder of Catholic Answers, a lay apostolate of Catholic apologetics in spreading the "Splendor of Truth" of the Catholic Church and evangelizing non-Catholics and Catholics at the same level.

Other Links: Iglesia ni Cristo from Answers.com.

IGLESIA NI CRISTO: It was Prophesied?

[From Catholic-Answers, permission was granted me to post this article in series. Thanks to the whole staff of Catholic Answers. Thanks to Mr. Karl Keating and his Production Manager Mr. Jon Sorensen. You can contact them at (619) 387-7200 (USA)].

The Bible is full of prophesies and most of them were directed to Jesus as the Promised Messiah for the Jews. In the NT, prophesies were directed to the Church and the coming of the Apostae (anti-Christ). This is what's being prophesied.

How about a "Total Apostasy" teachings? The Bible is SILENT!

Desperate, Felix Manalo, his son Erano and his followers can't support this claim so they resorted to to stealing some prophesies not perttaining to Felix Manalo.

Iglesia Prophesied? from Catholic Answers:

"A pillar of Iglesia belief is that its emergence in the Philippines was prophesied in the Bible. This idea is supposedly found in Isaiah 43:5–6, which states, "Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, ‘Give up,’ and the south, ‘Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth.’"

Iglesia argues that in this verse, Isaiah is referring to the "far east" and that this is the place where the "Church of Christ" will emerge in the last days. This point is constantly repeated in Iglesia literature: "The prophecy stated that God’s children shall come from the far east" (Pasugo, March 1975, 6).

But the phrase "far east" is not in the text. In fact, in the Tagalog (Filipino) translation, as well as in the original Hebrew, the words "far" and "east" are not even found in the same verse, yet the Iglesia recklessly combine the two verses to translate "far east." Using this fallacious technique, Iglesia claims that the far east refers to the Philippines.

Iglesia is so determined to convince its followers of this "fact" that it quotes Isaiah 43:5 from an inexact paraphrase by Protestant Bible scholar James Moffatt that reads, "From the far east will I bring your offspring." Citing this mistranslation, one Iglesia work states, "Is it not clear that you can read the words ‘far east’? Clear! Why does not the Tagalog Bible show them? That is not our fault, but that of those who translated the Tagalog Bible from English—the Catholics and Protestants" (Isang Pagbubunyag Sa Iglesia ni Cristo, 1964:131). The Iglesia accuses everyone else of mistranslating the Bible, when it is Iglesia that is taking liberties with the original language. "

Read the whole article Iglesia ni Cristo.
Or visit http://www.catholic.com/ or join Catholic Answers Forums
Read article from This Rock Magazine.

------------------------

Mr. Karl Keating is the founder of Catholic Answers, a lay apostolate of Catholic apologetics in spreading the "Splendor of Truth" of the Catholic Church and evangelizing non-Catholics and Catholics at the same level.

Other Links: Iglesia ni Cristo from Answers.com.

IGLESIA NI CRISTO: Felix Manalo, God's Messenger?

[From Catholic-Answers, permission was granted me to post this article in series. Thanks to the whole staff of Catholic Answers. Thanks to Mr. Karl Keating and his Production Manager Mr. Jon Sorensen. You can contact them at (619) 387-7200 (USA)].

Felix Manalo, God's "Messenger"?

Are they serious? They must be kidding!

However in the mind of every Iglesia ni Cristo member, this is unquestionably true. Felix Manalo was the "angel"--prophesied in the Bible?

Come on, be real!

Well, others believe Joseph Smith was the "Last Prophet" to establish Christ's "church" after it apostatized. So now there are two claimnants: one a prophet and another an angel. TWO churches of Christ? One is called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" and the other "Iglesia ni Cristo".

Wait! Still some believe that our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal was Christ himself?

Ok, before you chuckle, Catholic Answers has an answer to Felix Manalo, God’s Messenger?

"A litmus test for any religious group is the credibility of its founder in making his claims. Felix Manalo’s credibility and, consequently, his claims, are impossible to take seriously. He claimed to be "God’s messenger," divinely chosen to re-establish the true Church which, according to Manalo, disappeared in the first century due to apostasy. It was his role to restore numerous doctrines that the Church had abandoned. A quick look at Manalo’s background shows where these doctrines came from: Manalo stole them from other quasi-Christian religious sects.

Manalo was baptized a Catholic, but he left the Church as a teen. He became a Protestant, going through five different denominations, including the Seventh-Day Adventists. Finally, Manalo started his own church in 1914. In 1919, he left the Philippines because he wanted to learn more about religion. He came to America, to study with Protestants, whom Iglesia would later declare to be apostates, just like Catholics. Why, five years after being called by God to be his "last messenger," did Manalo go to the U.S. to learn from apostates? What could God’s messenger learn from a group that, according to Iglesia, had departed from the true faith?

The explanation is that, contrary to his later claims, Manalo did not believe himself to be God’s final messenger in 1914. He didn’t use the last messenger doctrine until 1922. He appears to have adopted the messenger doctrine in response to a schism in the Iglesia movement. The schism was led by Teogilo Ora, one of its early ministers. Manalo appears to have developed the messenger doctrine to accumulate power and re-assert his leadership in the church.

This poses a problem for Iglesia, because if Manalo had been the new messenger called by God in 1914, why didn’t he tell anybody prior to 1922? Because he didn’t think of it until 1922. His situation in this respect parallels that of Mormonism’s founder Joseph Smith, who claimed that when he was a boy, God appeared to him in a vision and told him all existing churches were corrupt and he was not to join them, that he would lead a movement to restore God’s true Church. But historical records show that Smith did join an inquirer’s class at an established Protestant church after his supposed vision from God. It was only in later years that Smith came up with his version of the "true messenger" doctrine, proving as much of an embarrassment for the Mormon church as Manalo’s similar doctrine does for Iglesia."

Read the whole article Iglesia ni Cristo.
Or visit http://www.catholic.com/ or join Catholic Answers Forums
Read article from This Rock Magazine.

------------------------

Mr. Karl Keating is the founder of Catholic Answers, a lay apostolate of Catholic apologetics in spreading the "Splendor of Truth" of the Catholic Church and evangelizing non-Catholics and Catholics at the same level.

Other Links: Iglesia ni Cristo from Answers.com.

IGLESIA NI CRISTO: Who is Christ?

[From Catholic-Answers, permission was granted me to post this article in series. Thanks to the whole staff of Catholic Answers. Thanks to Mr. Karl Keating and his Production Manager Mr. Jon Sorensen. You can contact them at (619) 387-7200 (USA)].

One of the most disturbing Christian beliefs for Felix Manalo was the Trinity. He cannot understand the complexities of God so he satisfies himself with the simple yet erroneous biblically unfounded teachings-- the new Gospel of Manalo. From this doctrine, he departed away from the Catholic Church, declared it as an "Apostate" Church and the Iglesia ni Cristo which was founded in 1914 as the genuine. And from this miscomprehension of such, he denied the Divinity of Jesus however declared himself an "angel" making him superior than the Biblical Christ.

What's troubling Felix Manalo about Christ? Who are the Iglesia ni Cristo? Catholic Answers has the answer:

"The Catholic teaching that most draws Iglesia’s fire is Christ’s divinity. Like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Iglesia claims that Jesus Christ is not God but a created being.

Yet the Bible is clear: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). We know Jesus is the Word because John 1:14 tells us, "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." God the Father was not made flesh; it was Jesus, as even Iglesia admits. Jesus is the Word, the Word is God, therefore Jesus is God. Simple, yet Iglesia won’t accept it.

In Deuteronomy 10:17 and 1 Timothy 6:15, God the Father is called the "Lord of lords," yet in other New Testament passages this divine title is applied directly to Jesus. In Revelation 17:14 we read, "They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings." And in Revelation 19:13–16, John sees Jesus "clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. . . . On his thigh he has a name inscribed, King of kings and Lord of lords."

The fact that Jesus is God is indicated in numerous places in the New Testament. John 5:18 states that Jewish leaders sought to kill Jesus "because he not only broke the Sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God." Paul also states that Jesus was equal with God (Phil. 2:6). But if Jesus is equal with the Father, and the Father is a God, then Jesus is a God. Since there is only one God, Jesus and the Father must both be one God—one God in at least two persons (the Holy Spirit, of course, is the third person of the Trinity).

The same is shown in John 8:56–59, where Jesus directly claims to be Yahweh ("I AM"). "‘Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad.’ The Jews then said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’ So they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple." Jesus’ audience understood exactly what he was claiming; that is why they picked up rocks to stone him. They considered him to be b.aspheming God by claiming to be Yahweh.

The same truth is emphasized elsewhere. Paul stated that we are to live "awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). And Peter addressed his second epistle to "those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:1).

Jesus is shown to be God most dramatically when Thomas, finally convinced that Jesus has risen, falls down and exclaims, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)—an event many in Iglesia have difficulty dealing with. When confronted with this passage in a debate with Catholic Answers founder Karl Keating, Iglesia apologist Jose Ventilacion replied with a straight face, "Thomas was wrong."


Read the whole article Iglesia ni Cristo.
Or visit http://www.catholic.com/ or join Catholic Answers Forums
Read article from This Rock Magazine.

------------------------

Mr. Karl Keating is the founder of Catholic Answers, a lay apostolate of Catholic apologetics in spreading the "Splendor of Truth" of the Catholic Church and evangelizing non-Catholics and Catholics at the same level.

Other Links: Iglesia ni Cristo from Answers.com.

IGLESIA NI CRISTO: Who are they?

[From Catholic-Answers permission was granted me to post Iglesia ni Cristo article in series. Thanks to the whole staff of Catholic Answers. Thanks to Mr. Karl Keating and his Production Manager Mr. Jon Sorensen. You can contact them at (619) 387-7200 (USA)].

Admitedly, one of the most powerful religious cult in the Philippines today is the Iglesia ni Cristo. During elections political candidates line up for an audience with it's Executive Minister Erano Manalo, the son of its founder and have his political blessings. Once candidates were chosen by Mr. Manalo, their names "are written in a sample ballot paper to be distributed in the Committee prayer meetings of Iglesia ni Cristo groups. The sample ballot is secretly brought by the member to be copied into the official ballot inside the voting booth. Members who don't unify with the chosen candidates are warned of expulsion from the church" according to INC in a Nutshell.

Who are the Iglesia ni Cristo? Catholic Answers has the answer:

"The Iglesia ni Cristo (Tagalog, "Church of Christ") claims to be the true Church established by Christ. Felix Manalo, its founder, proclaimed himself God’s prophet. Many tiny sects today claim to be the true Church, and many individuals claim to be God’s prophet. What makes Iglesia ni Cristo different is that it is not as tiny as others.

Since it was founded in the Philippines in 1914, it has grown to more than two hundred congregations in sixty-seven countries outside the Philippines, including an expanding United States contingent. The Iglesia keeps the exact number of members secret, but it is estimated to be between three million and ten million worldwide. It is larger than the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a better known sect (which also claims to be Christ’s true Church). Iglesia is not better known, despite its numbers, because the majority of Iglesia’s members are Filipino. Virtually the only exceptions are a few non-Filipinos who have married into Iglesia families.

The organization publishes two magazines, Pasugo and God’s Message, which devote most of their energies toward condemning other Christian churches, especially the Catholic Church. The majority of the Iglesia’s members are ex-Catholics. The Philippines is the only dominantly Catholic nation in the Far East, with eighty-four percent of its population belonging to the Church. Since this is its largest potential source of converts, Iglesia relies on anti-Catholic scare tactics as support for its own doctrines, which cannot withstand biblical scrutiny. The Iglesia tries to convince people of its doctrines not by proving they are right, but by attempting to prove the Catholic Church’s teachings are wrong.

Read the whole article Iglesia ni Cristo.
Or visit www.catholic.com or join Catholic Answers Forums
Alo read an article from This Rock Magazine.

------------------------

Mr. Karl Keating is the founder of Catholic Answers, a lay apostolate of Catholic apologetics in spreading the "Splendor of Truth" of the Catholic Church and evangelizing non-Catholics and Catholics at the same level.

Other Links: Iglesia ni Cristo from Answers.com.

Sign a Petition to use the Arabic "Allah" for Christians!

The legal battle goes on in Malaysia's Catholic Publication using the Arabic word for God "Allah" through a petition. Anyone who cares, Jews, other Christians and Muslims, please read the article and sign the petition below:

"Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) - A group of Christians in Sabah has launched a petition drive to force the government to lift its ban on the use of the word "Allah," which according to the interior ministry should be used only by Muslims.

The campaign was launched last March 4, and will continue until March 29. In a few days, the website has gathered thousands of signatures, including from local Muslims and Hindus. In April, the signatures that have been collected via the internet and on paper will be presented to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The author of the campaign is Jeffrey Kitingan, brother of the deputy prime minister of Sabah, Joseph Pairin Kitingan. Sabah and Sarawak, the Malaysian provinces on the island of Borneo, are the area with the largest concentration of Catholics. Out of 900,000 faithful in all of Malaysia, at least 600,000 live in Sabah and Sarawak.

Ronnie Klassen, a businessman and one of the other organizers of the campaign, says that he hopes the online version will bring support from the international community and from the Vatican. This, he says, is "an issue that is very dear to all Christians as it is to members of the two other Abrahamic faiths, Judaism and Islam."

(Read more of this article here)

Sign the Petition NOW by going to this address: PetitionOnline.

God bless!

Islamic World in Crisis According to Fr. Samir

Fr. Samir Khalil Samir observation:

An Islamic world in crisis, anti-Americanism and the fight against Israel

by Samir Khalil Samir

"Arab and Muslim countries are trying to find ways to reassert their dignity and uphold human rights but are increasingly turning inward, inching closer to Islamism and its calls for Sharia and caliphate. US support for Israel and corrupt Arab states fuel fundamentalism. The Islamic world is thus still waiting to reconcile its religion with modernity. "

Beirut (AsiaNews) – Fundamentalism is growing in the Arab and Islamic worlds. Increasingly it is seen as a solution to their problems, this according to a world survey that was reported by AsiaNews (cf Islamic countries reject al Qaeda, but also American policy, AsiaNews, 4 March 2009). The results show that a majority of people in eight predominantly Muslim countries reject al-Qaeda and attacks on civilians but also oppose US policies in the Middle East and the world. "

1. No to bombs or murderers

2. No to US military bases

3. Sharia and the caliphate

4. Searching for a lost dignity

5. Feeling bad about the West, feeling good about Bin Laden

6. What about Bin Laden then?

7. US and Israeli policies

(Read complete details HERE!)

On the other side of the news, UN now is becoming a "Totalitarian" Organization (U.N. to make ban on criticizing Islam mandatory?). Reactions could be found at JihadWatch.

How about news such as these: Muslims attack Christian Community in Punjab and Christian Middle East Exodus Worries churches, would it be the concern of the United Nations?

Not Baptized in the INC, Was Felix Manalo Saved?

If circumcision is a Jewish rite as a sign of permanent Covenant between God and Abraham (See Gen. 17:10-14), Christians are not required to follow this ritual according to Acts 15 (See Circumcision Controversy). Instead, it requires baptism as it's initial rite before one can become a "Christian".

Baptism among the Seven Sacraments, (read Wikipedia here) is the first and foremost Sacrament to be performed before one considers himself / herself a Christian. Sometimes, it's called the "Initiation" by the very fact that it's the first ritual to be performed.

Baptism can be applied to children preferably after 8 days (just as Jewish children are to be circumcised after 8 days). This is mostly practiced among Catholics and Orthodox Churches (and Anglicans) without any problem according to the deposit of Faith in the Sacred Tradition of the Church (read Wikipedia here and read Catholic Encyclopedia here). Or it can be applied to adult catechumen, either by sprinkling, pouring, or complete immersion (like Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River) depending on the accessibility of water as prescribed in the Canon Law (read here or the Catechism of the Catholic Church here).

In general, baptism is "the rite which admits a candidate into the Christian Church, and is considered a sacrament by most denominations" (emphasis mine) including the cultic sect Iglesia ni Cristo founded by Felix Manalo in the Philippines. Althouth strongly denied, the Trinitarian formula in Matthew 28 used by all Christians who believed in the Trinity is being used also by the Iglesia ni Cristo. Hence the constituent elements of the baptismal rite are water and a Trinitarian formula: candidates are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. According to Matthew's gospel, Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize thus in his post-resurrection appearance to them in Galilee."

"Baptism was quickly seen as necessary for salvation and as the initial Moment of redemption; many passages in Acts teach that baptism must be preceded by faith and the confession and renunciation of sins. Paul developed a theology of baptism in which believers, being baptized, come to union with Christ, share in His death and resurrection, are cleansed of their sins, and incorporated into the body of Christ. The believer's sins are metaphorically washed away in the rite. The water is the visible sign of God's grace. "(Read more in Wikipedia about baptism)

Since the Iglesia ni Cristo of Felix Manalo has no available official website or any official book, teachings, guidelines etc, available in leading bookstores, we have to rely on Wikipedia as our main source to study their doctrinal position regarding baptism.

According to the Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo, No. 22, drafted and promulgated through its Executive Minister, the son of the owner and founder of that Corporation Sole:


"The Church of Christ (they mean Iglesia ni Cristo) believes that baptism is necessary for one to become a disciple of Christ and for the attainment of eternal salvation. But this should be done in accordance with the teachings of the Bible."

Since Felix Manalo was NEVER BEEN BAPTIZED in his founded Church that preaches the importance of baptism in order to be saved, I have some questions addressed to their Ministers and apologists that would be helpful for those who are undergoing "indoctrination" (or I call it "brainwashing"). Before you blindly accept their teachings, you need to throw them intelligent questions and demand from them Biblical passages that supports their stand. Here are some:

1. Jesus, who is "a man without sin" submitted himself to the Baptist's baptism,
   what made Felix Manalo exempted? What is the biblical verse that makes him
   exempted?


2. If Jesus was baptized while Felix was NOT, does it mean Felix is superior to
   Jesus?


3. If baptism is "necessary.. for eternal salvation" does it mean, Felix Manalo was
   eternally damned?


4. If Felix Manalo was not baptized in his church, does it mean INC approves his
   Catholic Baptism (or his protestant Baptism) as binding and legitimate so as to
   make him illegible for salvation (according to the commandments of Christ)?


5. Was Felix exulted himself more than Jesus that he's not subject to baptism as
   one of the pillars in the INC teachings?
   

(You can read some other questions addressed to their Ministers from another denominational sect here)

I am sure, any thinking Catholic and non-Catholic has more intelligent questions than what I have just posted. I hope through these initial questions, our ignorant Catholics and separated brethren in the Protestant churches think, pray and study before being led astray by the false teachings of a false angel.

May God bless all who seek justice and truth.

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Photo Credit: Thanks and God Bless twoheartsdesign.com

Is Arabic Script Exclusively "Islamic"?

Funny but it’s true. The Malaysian Government has dug up again old rotting issues legitimizing the use of Arabic “Allah” exclusively for Muslims which would deliberately prosecute any non-Muslims who would use the word to indicate the ‘Christian’ God. Those “backward-minded” Muslim clerics wanted to make sure that Muslims could distinguish “their” God (Allah) to “our” God (Yahweh) as if there are two distinct Gods that Abraham had preached.

The truth is, according to Raja Mattar in his article "Arab Christians are Arabs”, Christian Arabs “have always existed in the Middle East, and long before the advent of Islam.”

I see this as part of the misunderstanding of their Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) regarding the Christian theology on Trinity. Christians never preach that there are several Gods just because we believed in the Trinity. Their Prophet (pbuh) believed that the Trinity is composed of God, Jesus and his mother Mary which is not even reflected in all existing and historical development of the doctrine. According to our Catechism, there IS ONLY ONE GOD, who revealed himself in 3 Personhood, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Understandably, their charges of “polytheism” of Christians stemmed from the Qu’ranic verse 5:73-75, 116 (read here) that says, “They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no Allah save the One Allah. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.”
As I have posted in my blog (here), Abraham preached One God and that whether his name is translated to other languages it never diminish HIS true essence as Lord, Almighty, Benevolent, Most Merciful, Forgiving, All-Knowing etc., The Bible says, God is the same “yesterday, today and forever” which means we can never make HIM lesser with our definition nor we can limit him through our limited language.

Allah is a word now accepted in the English dictionary which was derived from the Arabic n. Allāh : al-, the + ’ilāh, god. From its definition, it’s an Arabic word (not Islamic- read here) and not all Arabs are Muslims. History would prove that before the advent of Islam through its prophet (pbuh), most of Arabian inhabitants were either Jews or Christians or pagans (read here) who have spoken the very same Arabic that is now used in its Qu’ran.

Sickening topic though but with this fresh issue being circulated around the world through the media ‘islamophobes’ (as they love to call those who opposes Islam) would add something to their long list of Islamic religious intolerance around the world.

Will someone from any of the the Islamic States beg to disagree with the Malaysian Government?

From JihadWatch:

Malaysia Restores 'Allah' Ban for Christians
Monday, March 02, 2009

Print ShareThisKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Malaysian government will issue a new decree restoring a ban on Christian publications using the word "Allah" to refer to God, officials said Sunday.

Home Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar said a previous Feb. 16 decree that allowed Christian publications to use the word as long as they specified the material was not for Muslims was a mistake, the national Bernama news agency reported.

The about-turn came after Islamic groups slammed the government and warned that even conditional use of the word by Christians would anger Muslims, who make up the country's majority.

A senior ministry official confirmed Syed Hamid's comments, saying there were "interpretation mistakes" in the Feb. 16 decree that led to the confusion.

"'Allah' cannot be used for other religions except Islam because it might confuse Muslims. This is the ministry's stand and it hasn't changed," the official, who declined to be named citing protocol, told The Associated Press.

The official said the ministry was likely to issue a new decree to annul the old one and effectively re-impose the ban.

The dispute has become symbolic of increasing religious tensions in Malaysia, where 60 percent of the 27 million people are Muslim Malays. A third of the population is ethnic Chinese and Indian, and many of them practice Christianity.

Malaysia's minorities have often complained that their constitutional right to practice their religions freely has come under threat from the Malay Muslim-dominated government. They cite destruction of Hindu temples and conversion disputes as examples. The government denies any discrimination.

The Herald, the Roman Catholic Church's main newspaper in the country, had filed a legal suit to challenge the government ban on non-Muslims using the word. (Read more here ).

As a reminder to the Malaysian Government who wants to exclude Christians from using the Arabic word "Allah", here's Mr. Raja Mattar has to say:

"What used to be known as Bilad Al Sham (Greater Syria, if you will) was Arabized long before Islam. To quote Salibi again (ch. 5): "Since pre-Islamic times, Mount Lebanon appears to have been densely populated by Arab tribes.." In ch. 7: "To maintain that the Syrians came to be arabized after the conquest of their country by the Muslim Arabs was simply not correct, because Syria was already largely inhabited by Arabs - in fact, Christian Arabs - long before Islam."

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Note: pbuh is an abreviation of "Peace be upon him" connected immediately after mentioning any of the "prophets" in Islamic religion. It's a form of respecting their Islamic belief.