Few weeks after the Holy Rosary Catholic Church (chapel) in La Motte was successfully dedicated to God by the Iglesia Ni Cristo as its new house of worship in La Motte, a religious debate between the Roman Catholic Church (Iglesia) and the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Visalia, Visalia Fox Theatre on Friday night. The topic of the debate is “What is the True Church?”

The Iglesia Ni Cristo is represented by Brother Jose Ventilacion while the Roman Catholic Church was represented by Jesse Romero, a lay Catholic evangelist and retired Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy from Sylmar.

The debate is organized by the members of Lumen Christi, a men’s Bible study group that meets at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia and the Iglesia Ni Cristo local congregation in Visalia. Each of the two groups paid half of the cost of rent of the 1,200-seat Fox Theatre.

About the La Motte church dedication:

When Holy Rosary Catholic Church was established in 1893, church leaders sprinkled holy water around the sanctuary of the fine brick edifice. Now 119 years later, the church building was dedicated as the newest church for Iglesia Ni Cristo (Filipino for Church of Christ). During the two-hour-long ceremony, church leaders and the faithful shed copious tears of piety, ecstasy and religious fervor. (Read More at Post Crescent)

You can also watch previous debates between the Roman Catholic Church and the Iglesia Ni Cristo by following the links below:

1. Roman Catholic Church (Carl Keating) versus Iglesia Ni Cristo debate
2. Roman Catholic Church versus Iglesia Ni Cristo debate in the Manila, Philippines

You can also watch the debate between the Iglesia Ni Cristo and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Question

I have read your article which is using the Bible’s verse as title, John 3:16. I noticed that you quoted the Matthew 24:6-8 and explained that these signs given by Christ are the signs that the second coming of Christ is near. And for the fulfillment of those prophesies or signs, you said that the first sign which says “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars” is fulfilled when First World War broke out. Then another verse which says, “for nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom” refers to the second world war.

My question is: How did you know that the fulfillment of the prophesies I emphasized are the first world war and the second world war?

Answer

By Fred Gonzales

I understand that the question is directed to me since I am the author of the said article. So, my answer is this: I learned that the fulfillment of the said prophesies are the first world war and the second world from the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

And just like what you have read on the “About the Author” section of the said article, I, the author of the article posted on blog of Sustines Laplana, John 3:16, am only a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church of Christ and I don’t have the authority to represent the Church.

So, I think, I will just present here a Pasugo Editor’s reply on the question sent by Mr. Richard Craig to the Pasugo Editorial about the second coming of Christ, because it also explains the prophesies or signs given by Christ that will signal us that Christ’s return is near.

Pasugo or God’s Message is the official magazine of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

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Source: Pasugo/God’s Message, June 2009, Volume 61, Number 6, Page 4

Mailbox: ‘Know that it is near’

One of my close friends invited me to your worship service one Sunday morning. As what I also told my friend, I honestly admire the orderliness and solemnity of what you consider as your holy gathering.

During the sermon, the minister mentioned in passing that Christ’s Second Coming is near. That he did not elaborate on why he said that Judgment Day is near is completely understandable, for I know it’s not the topic of the homily. So, could you elaborate on its being near? Do you know the exact date of Christ’s return?

Richard Craig
Auckland, New Zealand

Editor’s reply:

The Church of Christ never claims to know the exact date and time of our Lord Jesus Christ’s return. This is something that has not been revealed even to the angels in heaven, neither to Christ Himself, and is known only to God. As Christ the Savior so says:

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matt. 24:36, Revised Standard Version)

What we do know, however, is that the Second Coming of Christ is near. This, we came to know through our Lord Jesus Christ who, during His ministry on earth, taught this to His disciples:

“… When you see all these things, know that it is near, at the very doors.” (Matt. 24:33, New King James Version)

Christ Himself clarified the “things” He was referring to which, when they would have taken place, indicate that the day of Judgment is near. He prophesied, thus:

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

“All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matt. 24:6-8, ibid.)

Biblical prophecies clarify that the wars, which signify that the coming of the Lord is near, would involve the armies of many nations, thus, wars of worldwide proportions (Isa. 34:1-2). These wars would also be “rumoured” or widely known, for they would take place in an age of increased human knowledge such that the transfer of people and information would be faster (Dan. 12:4). Moreover, a weaponry never before seen would be used in the warfare (Jer. 4:13, 19). As fulfillment, a war unprecedented for its global scope erupted in 1914 and came to be known in history as the First World War (World History, p. 478). News about World War I quickly spread partly because modern means of communication – such as electric telegraph, telephone, and radio – and sophisticated vehicles for transportation – such as gasoline automobiles – were already available during that time (Ibid., pp. 542-544). This war was also noted for the use of modern weaponry – for the first time, thanks and airplanes circled the battlefield (Ibid., pp. 478-479).

Notice that Christ prophesied that after this war, “the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” This was fulfilled in 1939 when the Second World War, which involved many nations of the world, broke out (“World War II.” Microsoft Encarta 2006 [CD]).

Remember that the fulfillment of the events mentioned by Christ in Matthew 24:6-8 signifies that the end is near. And since these signs have already taken place – such as the First World War and Second World War – and continue to happen – such as the case of famines, pestilences, earthquakes in various places, and sorrows – in fulfillment of the Savior’s prophecies, therefore, the day of Judgment is near.

As to what will take place on Judgment Day, the apostle Peter gave the following details:

“But the heavens and the earth, which not exist, are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (II Pet. 3:7, 10, NKJV)

Indeed, no one knows that exact date when Judgment Day will take place – no one, not even Christ , but only the Father (Matt. 24:36). Nevertheless, the Savior warned us to be ready, for He is coming at an hour when no one expects Him (Matt. 24:44).

Apostle Peter taught how we must be ready for Christ’s Second Coming. He pronounced:

“And so, my friends, as you wait for that Day, do your best to be pure and faultless in God’s sight and to be at peace with him.” (II Pet. 3:14, Today’s English Version)

This “peace” mentioned by Apostle Peter can be found in the “one body”, which Apostle Paul clarified to be the “Church” headed by Christ (Col. 3:15; 1:18, NKJV). This Church is the Church of Christ which was redeemed by the Savior’s own blood:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

The Bible ascertains the members of this Church, who are also referred to as parts of Christ’s body, that on Judgment Day they will not be condemned:

“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Rom. 12:4-5; 8:1, NKJV).

Therefore, to prepare oneself for the day of Judgment, a person cannot avoid joining the Church of Christ, remain in it (John 15:5-6), and endure to the end (Matt. 24:13).

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The verse John 3:16 in the Bible is considered the most famous verse for it is widely used by many Christians, and is actually the foundation of the faith of most of the Christian sects especially those part of the Protestant Churches and those who claim as born again Christians.

The verse says:

16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (New King James Version)

According to that verse, God sent His only Son because of His love to us. And what will happen if we will believe in Christ? The verse said, we will not perish but we will have everlasting life. In contrast, those who will not believe in Christ will of course be perished, right?

Judgment Day

But why is the Bible saying something about those who will be perished? Is there an event that will happen which will be the cause why there are those who will be perished? The Bible answers:

31 “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:31, New King James Version)

Yes! God appointed a Judgment Day. On that day God will judge the world through the Man He has ordained who is Christ. And we are assured by the Bible that judgment day will really happen and as proof, God raised Christ from the dead.

But, what will happen to the world on the Day of Judgment? The Bible again answers:

7 But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (II Peter 3:7, New King James Version)

It has been made clear by the Bible that on judgment day, ungodly men will be perished as the heavens and earth will be burned by fire.

Judgment Day is Near But Has No Exact Date When

Last year, a Harold Camping’s group claimed that the Judgment Day would happen on May 21, 2011. However, the date had passed, but there was no judgment day yet. Now, there are those who are speculating that Judgment Day will happen on December 21, 2012. They based this prediction on the Mayan Calendar.

Now, should you believe this new prediction? No! You should not believe what they are saying because Christ told us already that no one knows when will be the exact date of the day that Christ will return to judge the world. Even the angels in heaven and the Son or Christ Himself do not know when. Only one knows when will it happen, and it is God alone. This truth is actually recorded in Matthew 24:3:

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. (New King James Version)

The Signs that Judgment Day is Near

Now, if those speculations about the date of the doomsday are false, are there signs given by the Bible that will tell us that judgment day is near? Let us consider these verses:

6 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

8 “All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8, New King James Version)

Christ gave us signs, according to that verses, like:

1. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. This is the first war wherein the news is heard all over the world. It happens during the First World War.
2. The war mentioned in number 1 is not yet the end, as stated in the verse 6. Because in verse 7, there is another war that would happen. This war is nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The fulfilment of this prophesy is the Second World War.
3. After the two wars, there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes… But according to the verse 8, all these are the begging of sorrows. These things are actually happening till now.

But how are we sure that these signs given by Christ are the signs that will tell us that the end is near? In the early verses of the Chapter 24 of the book of Matthew state:

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (New King James Version)

So, the signs given by Christ that I quoted above are actually the answer of Christ to the question raised by His disciples, as to when will be the coming of Christ or the end of the world. And then on verse 33 Christ said this:

33 “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the very doors. (New King James Version)

So, the signs given by Christ that I quoted above are the signs that will tell us that the end is near. So, there’s no doubt that we are already near to the prophesied end of the world.

True Believers of Christ will be saved on Judgment Day

Back to the verse John 3:16… The verse said that those who will believe in Christ will be saved. But the question is: Does it mean that all men who believe in Christ will be saved? To answer this question, let us consider these verses:

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (John 7:21, New King James Version)

Christ said that not all who will call him “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. It is equivalent to when we say that not all who believe in Christ or those that have faith in Him will be saved. Who are those believers of Christ that are assured of the salvation? That verse said, “but he who does the will of My Father in heaven”. In other words, the believers of Christ who do the will of God, are only those who will be saved on the day of damnation.

What is the will of God  that should be fulfilled? In Ephesians 1:9-10, Apostle Paul answers:

9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are in earth – in Him, (New King James Version)

So, the will of God is that all things will be gathered in Christ. How can the said will of God be fulfilled? How can all things be gathered in Christ? In the verse 22 of the same chapter, Apostle Paul said:

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, (Ephesians 1:22, New King James Version)

It is said that Christ is made the head of the Church.

Now, when Christ became the head of the Church, what happen then to men who are worthy of the salvation? Apostle Paul in his letter to Romans has this message:

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,

5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:4-5, New King James Version)

So, those believers who are worthy of the salvation became members of the Church while Christ is head of it.

But what kind of Church is this? Is this the Church that everybody knows where we pray, perform our worship service or mass? Of course not! The Church mentioned here is not a chapel, or house of worship. But it’s the body of Christ, just like what the Apostle Paul said:

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things He may have pre-eminence. (Colossians 1:18, New King James Version)

If it is the body of Christ, is it the physical body of Christ? No! The physical body of Christ consist of physical body parts like the hands, the feet, the mouth, the eyes, the ears and other parts of the physical body, just like what we have. The members or parts of this body of Christ, just like what we already learned above, are those believers of Christ worthy of salvation.

How To Become A Believer of Christ worthy of Salvation?

I guess, you are also believer of Christ. However, by merely believing or having faith in Christ is not just enough, because just like what we already learned that to be saved on Judgment Day, one should become a member of the body of Christ first. But what should you do so that you’ll become member of the body of Christ? Christ said:

9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9, New King James Version)

Christ invited those who want to be saved to enter by Him. So, you should not just call Christ “Lord, Lord” but you should also enter by Him. Because if you’re already contented of having faith in Christ, you’ll just be scolded by Christ saying:

46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46, New King James Version)

So, you should do what Christ told you to do, if you really believe in Christ. And since his command is for you to enter by Him for you to be saved, then you need to enter by Him. But how can you enter by Him? We already learned that earlier. Entering Christ is equivalent to joining or becoming member of His Church because His Church is His body.

How do we know that if we join or become member of Christ’s Church, we have the assurance of the salvation? Apostle Paul explains:

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23, New King James Version)

According to the Apostle Paul, Christ is the savior of the body which is His own Church. In other words, if you are already member of the Church of Christ, then you have the assurance that you’ll be saved on Judgment Day, because as Christ saves His Church, you will be of course included since you are part of the Church. But what if when Judgment Day comes, you are already expelled from the Church of Christ? Will you still have the promised salvation? Apostle Paul said this:

13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves that wicked person.” (I Corinthians 5:13, New King James Version)

From the command, “put away from yourselves that wicked person”, you’ll realize that outside of the Christ’s Church is where the wicked person should be, right? And there, at the outside of the Church of Christ, God judges.

In other words, while Christ saves all those people who are members of His Church, God also judges those people outside of His Church.

And did you know what will be the judgment of God to those outside of the Church of Christ? Consider this verse:

6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6, New King James Version)

According to Christ, those who will be cast out as His branches will be thrown into fire. What does it mean? It means that these people will not be saved on judgment day. They will be thrown into fire which is second death according to the Bible:

14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14, New King James Version)

About the Author

Fred Gonzales is a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church of Christ. This article is written through the inspiration of the teachings of God upheld by the Iglesia Ni Cristo. However, the author has no authority to represent the Church he is affiliated with. And this article should not be considered as the Church writing but just a personal one.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo is building  the “Ciudad de Victoria” (City of Victory or Victory City) in the province of Bulacan to mark its centennial on 2014. Part of this city is the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s Philippine Arena, EVM Convention Center, New Era University-Bocaue Campus, EGM Medical Center and Music Center (source: Manila Standard).

The Philippine Arena has the capacity of 50,000 and also allows another 50,000 people outside the arena. So far, it is the world’s largest indoor arena. According to the Hanwha Engineering and Construction official, it is three times bigger than the Korea’s largest indoor arena, the Seoul Olympic Gymnastics Stadium and twice the size of the America’s largest Arena.

The building construction is contracted by Korea’s Hawha Engineering and Construction. The dome is designed by  Populous, a US architectural company firm.

Watch the Iglesia Ni Cristo News report:

If God permits, I will be there at that Arena to attend the centennial celebration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. I already had visited the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s largest chapel, the Central Temple in Barangay New Era, Quezon City. I also want to visit the world’s larget arena.

Glory to God, our Father!

I already heard a lot of predictions made by pastors, religious group leaders, and self-proclaimed prophets regarding the time and date of the judgement day or the second coming of Christ which is also called as the damnation day or the end of the world.

If I were not wrong (correct me if I’m wrong), the first prophesy about the end of the world was made by Christ.

In Matthew 24:5-6, Christ spoke about the end of the world as recorded:

5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all[a]these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (New King James Version)

But Christ did not mention any date or time when will it happen. Christ even said as recorded in Matthew 24:36 that no one knows when will it happen, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son (Christ Himself).

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,[e] but My Father only. (New King James Version)

So, if anyone will say that the end of the world will be on a particular day or time, we are already sure that that man is lying.  How come that he knows the exact day and time of the judgment day when in fact,  Christ himself did not know when will it happen?

Family Radio Pastor Prediction

Harold Camping the leader or the pastor of the group called Family Radio, predicted that May 21, 2011 will be the judgment day. I read it from the billboard placed near the bridge in Malitbog, Southern Leyte on May 20, 2011 when my family and I were on our way to my aunt residence in Barangay Benit.

My wife even noticed the statement: “The Bible Assured it!” as if the end of the world will really happen on May 21.

But May 21 has passed and I am still here alive and kicking. You are still here reading my blogpost which clearly means that it is not yet the end of the world.

Different Predictions

After Christ talked about the end of the world, Christ Apostles talked about it too but their teachings were all in accordance to the teachings of Christ.

However, there are those who tried to predict the exact time and date of the end of the world. Based on my knowledge, they are:

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses. Through their Watchtower publication, they said that Judgment day happened in 1914.
2. Apollo Quiboloy. Apollo Quiboloy is the pastor and the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Davao, Philippines. He predicted that the second coming of Christ would be on January 2000.

False Prophets

Those who do not know the teachings of Christ regarding the end of the world, are the ones who are easily got fooled and made to believe about the predictions and prophesies of the false prophets.

The true followers of Christ are aware of the coming of the false prophets. That’s why they don’t easily accept such prediction which contradicts the teachings of Christ.

Christ already warned his followers that false prophets are coming to deceive people. He said:

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. (Matthew 24:4, New King James Version)

And if there are those who will predict the day and time of the end of the world just like what Harold Camping did, Christ said, do not believe them:

23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. (Matthew 24:23-26, New King James Version)

Signs When the End is Near

But Christ revealed already the signs when the end of the world is already near. When it is said that the end is already near, it means that it is not yet the end. These signs are the following as stated in Matthew 24:4-14:

1. Wars and Rumors of Wars.
2. Nation will rise against Nation. Kingdom will rise against Kingdom.
3. Famines
4. Pestilences
5. Earthquakes
6. Sorrows

How the end happens

The end of the world or the second coming Christ has not yet come but Christ described how it would happen:

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31, New King James Version)

My thought

If someone would say that that particular date or time would be the judgment day, just ignore them but don’t believe what they say. But it doesn’t mean that you would not do anything for your salvation.

Remember that there are two things that you don’t know when would they happen. First is the end of the world, and the second one is the end of your current life.

Judgment day might not happen on this year, but we are not sure about our death.

When I was still the Sacristan Mayor of the Parish of St. Augustine in San Agustin – Surigao del Sur, Holy Week is one of my busiest days in the year. I had a lot of things to prepare and a lot of things to fulfill considering that my responsibility was not just as the Sacristan Mayor but also the caretaker of the church and the over-head projector operator.

The Holy Week as everybody knows is the last week of Lent (Kwaresma) which begins in Palm Sunday to the Black Saturday.

Easter Sunday is actually not included in the Holy Week considering that the week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday. Just look at your calendar and you’ll notice that the Sunday is listed on the first of the columns.

Besides, you’ll also notice that the 7th day based on the Bible, particularly in the creation of the world is Saturday. Do you still remember what God did on the 7th day during the creation? God rested on the 7th day. The Seventh Day Adventists Christians reminds us of that.

The Monday on this week is called Holy Monday; Tuesday is Holy Tuesday; then Holy Wednesday.

But the Thursday is called Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. At the evening of this day, the Catholic Church celebrate the Mass of the Last Supper where there are 12 men chosen to act as the 12 Apostles which stay with the priest in the altar of the church. The priest also acts as Christ. Washing of the feet of the 12 Apostles is being performed including the last supper of Christ with the apostles.

The Friday is called Good Friday. Parishioner commemorates the suffering and death of Christ in a way of drama where a man will act as Christ and there were those who will act as the soldiers, along with those important characters in the passion of Christ. They are doing this in station by station.

The next day which is the last day of the Holy Week is the Holy Saturday. On the night of this day, a mass will be celebrated including the consecration of the light. It is believed that when Christ was still dead, the world is in total darkness. And during this day when Christ resurrected, and so there would light again.

The following day is the Easter Sunday which is not part of the Holy Week. At dawn Catholic celebrate the so-called “Salubong” or “Sugat” in Visayan where the resurrected Christ and his mother Mary meet.

So the statues of Mary and Christ will be processioned in separate route and then the two processions will meet in a place near the church where there are kids who act as the singing angels.

Not Celebrating Anymore

However, as of writing this post, I no longer celebrate the Holy Week. I already quit being Catholic and had already joined the Iglesia Ni Cristo. As an Iglesia ni Cristo member, I will no longer participate this kind of celebration because we are prohibited to participate with it.

I am following the teachings of the Iglesia ni Cristo, especially regarding the Holy Week and other Catholic celebration, NOT  because I am afraid of being expelled from the organization, BUT because I understand that the teaching of my new religion is in accordance with the teachings of Christ as recorded in the Bible.

In other words, even if people tend to stay at their homes or stay and participate at their church for the holy week celebration, I tend to continue doing things that I am doing in ordinary week. I go to my office and work.

But on Friday or Good Friday, since almost all stores are closed on that day and only few public utility vehicles are running, so I rather stay with my family to get bond with them through beach picnic or any family related recreation.

You might tell me that I am disrespectful to God. That’s what my relatives and my friends were telling me everytime we went to the beach for a party on this day. But actually, I am not disrespecting God just because on Good Friday we do things that most of the Catholics are not doing because there is no teaching of Christ that prohibits anyone from not celebrating the holy week.

However, I found one teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that contributes my rejection of partaking of the Lent or Holy Week celebration. I found this said teaching of the church as not the teaching of Christ.

Please don’t think that I am attacking the Catholic Church. I just want to tell you what I observed and noticed.

Okay. During Lent especially on the holy week, isn’t it true that the Catholic  Church commanded its members not to eat meat?

I don’t know if you know this, but this is an old Catholic Church law that during the Lent, Catholics are prohibited to eat meat in every Fridays and all the days of the Holy Week.

I know about this since my elementary years because the Catechism teacher told us about this. And then when I was already the Sacristan Mayor, the priest announced it during Mass.

Avoiding to eat meat is part of the fasting during the Lent. And there was even a priest that said during the homily that by doing this, the sins of men will be washed away.

However, when I read the Bible,  I noticed that the law that prohibits man from eating meat is not the teaching of Christ but by the demon. And this teaching is actually the mark or the sign of the Apostasy.

This is what is written in I Timothy 4:1, 3:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who beliee and knows the truth. (New King James Version)

It was Apostle Paul who wrote this. According to him, the law or command to abstain from certain food (in which in other translations or version of the Bible it is written meat) is the a deceiving spirit or the teaching of demons.

I know that you will interpret that in other ways that tend to save this Catholic teaching on “avoiding to eat meat on Lent and Holy Week” from being considered the teaching of demons. But for me, it is clear that if a religion teaches its members to avoid in eating meat, then that religion upholds the teaching of demons.

When the doctor will tell you not to eat meat because it can ruin your health, he’s not telling you the teaching of demons. What he told you is his professional advice as a doctor.

The teaching of demon refers only to the religious teachings.

Actually, there are two teachings mentioned in that verse that are considered the teachings of demons. The other one is “prohibiting to marry“. And the prohibition to marry is also found in the Catholic Church, right? Look at the priests, bishops and even the pope. Are they married? No! Once they marry a woman, they’ll be expelled from being the priest.

Some said that priests are not told to celibate. The reasoned out that its just the call to the priest to become celibate. However, if we will dig deeper, we will find out that celibacy is really the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that should be followed by the priests and nuns. Priest or Nuns and Marrying someone do not go together. If you want to become priest, and stay priest then you need to stay celibate. But you want to marry someone, then quit of practicing as priest.

These two teachings of the demons that I discovered being practiced by the Catholic Church are the ones that lead me to quit being Catholic. I rather stay with no religious affiliation than to be affiliated with a religion that teaches the teaching of satan.

However, I didn’t remain not affiliated with no religious organization because time came that I found the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) and I found out that its teachings are the nearest becoming parallel to the teaching of God, Christ and the Apostles as written in the Bible.

Commemorating the Death of Christ

Now that you already know that I am not taking part of the Lent and the Holy Week, you might say that I am not commemorating the death of Christ.

Well, the death of Christ is important to us. Because of Christ’s death our sins were forgiven by God. Christ purchased His Church (not the house of worship but the organization built by Christ as stated in Matthew 16:18) with his blood. And with His blood we were cleansed made us worthy to receive the promised salvation.

That’s the reason why we should commemorate Christ’s death. But the way how to commemorate His death was already been told by Him.

Christ said that this when he took the bread, “take it, this is my body,” and then when he took the cup, he said, “drink from it all of you, this my blood.” (Matthew 26:26-29). And he added “Do this in remembrance of me.” (I Corinthians 11:23-26)

So, the way that Christ taught on how to commemorate his death is by eating the bread and drinking from the cup as been told. And it is called the “Holy Supper”.

And that is how I commemorate the death of Christ.

The Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas is headed by its pastor, Rev. Fred Phelps. The Church is known for its anti-gay demonstrations and picketing on funerals of celebrities to draw media’s attention.

Westboro Baptist Church versus Snyder

The Westboro Baptist Church members rallied on March 2006 declaring that God is doing against the US Military for allowing homosexuality. They showed signs like “Thank God for dead soldiers”, “God Hates the USA/Thank God for 9/11”, “You’re Going to Hell”, and a one message attacking gay community. The demonstration was held near the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder who was killed in Iraq. However, local authorities were notified by themselves and they followed the 1,000 feet distance from the funerals as advised.

By looking at the situation, people who noticed the protest would have a first impression that the dead Matthew Snyder is a homosexual, although it is not the truth in the sense that Matthew Snyder is not a gay.

What the Phelps’ Church members had done added grief to the father of Matthew Snyder, Albert Snyder who after the funeral found the poem written by the Church and posted on its website attacking how he brought up his son. Because of this, he sued the Westboro Baptist Church accusing them of intentionally inflecting distress. Mr. Snyder won and the Westboro Baptist Church would pay him $11 million which later reduced to $5 million.

But the federal court of appeal in Richmond, Va rejected the decision stating that the constitution protected the Church members. And on March 2, 2011 the Supreme Court released its decision with an 8-1 vote in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church sighting the First Amendments which protects free speech of the Westboro members.

Since the father Snyder was lost in the legal battle, the Westboro Baptist Church sued him seeking for legal fees. And it is possible that he would be paying more or less $100,000.

The Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) is an independent Christian religion whose primary purpose is to worship the Almighty god based on His teachings as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and as recorded in the Bible. It is not a denomination or sect. It is neither affiliated to any federation of religious bodies nor itself an assembly of smaller religious organizations.

To date, the Iglesia ni Cristo membership comprises 108 nationalities. It maintains about 5,400 congregations and missions grouped into 107 ecclesiastical districts in the Philippines and in 92 other countries and territories in the six inhabited continents of the world.

Everyone who will heed the call of God and embrace its faith is welcome to the join the Iglesia ni Cristo regardless of his or her nationality, cultural background, social standing, economic status, and educational attainment.

Iglesia ni Cristo Vision

A “radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27, New International Version) and whose members are bound by perfect unity of faith and practice, devoted to a life of holiness and service founded on true Christian teaching.

Iglesia ni Cristo Mission

1.) To share the gospel of salvation to all people, by heeding Christ’s call to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:15-16 New King James Version).

To carry this out, the members gladly share their faith to everyone at all opportune time. They invite people to attend Bible study sessions and worship services. The Church (Iglesia Ni Cristo) also uses mass media in spreading its message of hope to a brader audience.

The Pasugo: God’s Message, the monthly official magazine of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, carries mainly religious articles and church news and features.

DZEM (954 kHz) broadcasts programs that discuss Bible teachignsl. These programs are aired by about 60 other radio stations all over the Philippines and several more in the US and Australia.

It produces television programs featuring biblical teachings that are aired over GEM TV-49, as well as major cable stations in the Philippines and some channels in the US. Video clips of these are also accessible in the Internet through GEMTV’s website, www.gemnet.tv.

2.) To edify the faith of its members through constant and effective religious instructions, “admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom … [to] present everyone perfect in Christ” (Colossians 1:28, NIV)

For the spiritual welfare of the members, worship services are held in Wednesdays and/or Thursdays and Saturdays and/or Sundays by every local congregation inside the house of worship. This solemn gathering of the faithful consists of hymn singing, prayers, and study of God’s words for proper applications in daily living.

Prayer meetings are also held weekly by each group of neighboring households for further instructions in the faith and announcements about the Iglesia Ni Cristo undertakings.

Pastoral visitations to the brethren are conducted regularly by the Church officers for prayer and spiritual counseling.

Through its Christian family organizations (Buklod, KADIWA, and Binhi) the Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) undertakes programs to strengthen the family, to guide the single members in right living and in proper conduct, and to assist the youth in their studies. The Buklod (bond) is the organization of married members. The KADIWA (acronum of a Filipino phrase meaning “Youth with a Noble Intent”) is for the single members 18 years and older, and the Binhi (seed) is composed of 13 to 17-year old members.

What the Iglesia ni Cristo believe in?

Bible as the Basis of Faith.

The Iglesia ni Cristo regards the Holy Scriptures as the sole basis of its faith and practice. Some of its fundamental scriptural teachings are as follows:

1. Absolute oneness of God the Father. The Church believes in the teaching of Christ and the apostles that the Father, the Creator, alone is the true God. (John 17:1,3; I Cor. 8:6)
2. Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Iglesia ni Cristo believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. God made Him Lord and Savior. He is the only Mediator of man to God. Jesus Christ is holy and a very special man but not God. (Matt 3:17; Acts 2:36; 5:31; I Tim. 2:5; John 10:36; 8:40; Acts 2:22, Easy-to-Read Version)
3. The Church of Christ. The faithful firmly believe that the Church of Christ is the one Christ established for the salvation of mankind. It is for the Church that Christ gave His life and thus, it is this Church that He will save on Judgment Day. (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation; Eph. 5:23, 25)
4. Judgment Day. The Church of Christ believes that God appointed a day when He will judge all people through Christ. This is the day of the Second Advent of Christ, which is also the end of the world. (Acts 17:31; Jude: 1:14-15; II Pet. 3:7, 10)
5. Baptism. The Iglesia ni Cristo observes the biblical way of baptism, which is immersion in water. Receiving baptism in the Church of Christ is necessary for one to become a disciple of Christ, to be forgiven of sin, and to have hope for salvation. (Acts 8:38; John 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16)
6. Resurrection. The resurrection of Christ is the main proof that the dead will rise. Those in Christ will rise first to be with Him forever in the Holy City. Those who are not of Christ will rise a thousand years after the first resurrection to be cast into the lake of fire. (I Cor. 15:12-13; I Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:5-10; 21:1-4)

Unity

The Church of Christ is one in faith and practice. Its unity remains intact through a centralized form of administration that ensures the adherence of all members and congregations to the same Bible teachings and Church rules.

Morality and Holiness

The Iglesia ni Cristo strives to maintain a high moral standard. It regards the teaching of the bible as a way of life. It promotes purity of life among its members by means of instructions, reminders, and, when necessary, corrective or disciplinary measures.

Peace and Order

The Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) helps maintain peace and order by teaching its members to respect and observe rules and regulations governing such. They are dissuaded from joining unions and organizations that resort to violence or extra-legal means to advance their causes.

Lawfulness and Discipline

The Church puts a premium on lawfulness and discipline. It complies with the apostolic teaching to submit to human authority, that is, the duly constituted government, and abide by its laws (Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13). But over and above any law, its members obey the laws of God for christens in our time as written in the Bible.

Brotherhood and Equality of Members

The Iglesia ni Cristo promotes Christian brotherly love. All members are deemed equal in the sight of God (Gal. 3:26, 28). Gender, racial, social, educational, and economic discriminations are strongly discouraged.

Sanctity of Marriage

Marriage in the Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) is regarded as sacred and inviolable. It is God Himself who instituted marriage and He does not allow the separation of the husband and the wife whom He joined together (Matt. 19:4-6). Thus, the Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) does not subscribe to divorce, annulment, or legal separation as a solution to marital problems in the same way that it opposes live-in relationships and same-sex marriage.

Stability of the Family

The Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) acknowledges the importance of family as the basic unit of its organization and of society as a whole. The stability of every family contributes to the stability of the entire Church. The home is where religious education begins so Christian parenting and proper love of children are taught and reinforced at every opportune time.

Separation of Church and State

The Church of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo) upholds the democratic ideal of separation of Church and State. It advances through peaceful and legal means the right and freedom of its members and congregations to conduct worship and other religious activities as provided for and protected by the fundamental law of the land.

The Beginnings

Established in the Philippines on July 27, 1914, the Iglesia ni Cristo started with the late Brother Felix Y. Manalo who first preached its biblical message of salvation in the corners of Manila. The Church easily gained a following that, in the next couple of years, spread from within the nation’s capital to its neighboring provinces and regions.

By 1939, the Church had already expanded to as far as Ilocos Norte province in Northern Luzon and to the Cebu province in the Visayas with the addition of 14 districts. It reached farther south in Mindanao in 1946 with the establishment of a district in Cotabato. When its first Executive Minister, Brother Felix Manalo, passed away in April 1963, the Church had established districts in more than half of all the provinces in this Far Eastern archipelago.

The Expansion

On its 54th anniversary, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, then led by its second Executive minister, the late Brother Eraño G. Manalo, successively established the first two congregations outside the Philippines – Honolulu, Hawaii and San Francisco, California in the USA. Thus began the Church’s expansion in the West and around the world.

From the late 1960’s through out the ‘70s, the Iglesia ni Cristo had begun to permeate the continents of North America (establishing congregations and missions in other American states and territories, such as New York and Guam in 1969, and Canada in 1971); Europe (first in England in 1972 and followed by Germany, Switzerland, and later, Spain); Australia, mid-‘70s; Asia (China by way of Hong Kong, Japan through Tokyo, Thailand); and Africa (Nigeria and South Africa in 1978).

As more congregations arose across the globe, the US Main Office was set up in Daly City, California in June 1987, to assist the Central Administration in supervising the growing presence of the Church in the West. By the end of the ‘80s, congregations and missions have been formed in the Scandinavian countries and their neighbors.

The first congregation in Latin America was established in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1990. The following year, the Iglesia Ni Cristo reached Mexico and Aruba.

A milestone in the Iglesia ni Cristo’s global expansion was the establishment of its congregations in world cities that are of great relevance to the history of Christianity – Rome, Italy on July 27, 1994; Jerusalem, Israel in March 1996; and Athens, Greece in May 1997. The predecessors (prayer groups) of these full-fledged congregations began two decades earlier.

From 2000 to Present

At the dawn of the new millennium, the Church’s mission penetrated South America, with the establishment of group worship services in Brazil and Peru. Even in minor island nations and territories throughout the Pacific and in the Middle East, Iglesia ni Cristo members abound at present. Ditto in South Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and many others.

Now moving on to its centennial year in 2014, the Iglesia ni Cristo is blessed with sustained growth and progress. As membership keeps on growing, more ministers, evangelical workers, and Church officers are put in place. Through its district offices scattered around the world and its main offices in the US and in Europe, the brethren’s spiritual concerns are properly coordinated and attended to by its central administration led by its present Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.

The unity of faith is kept. The mission of salvation lives on.

Note: This is copied from the pamphlet published by the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

November 21, 2010 – Twenty Four new cardinals are elevated by the Pope Benedict on Saturday which includes 20 cardinals whose age are under 80. They will became part of the cardinals who will elect a new pope once Pope Benedict dies.

Cardinal electors, under 80 years old

Cardinals over 80 years old:

Question

How to convert to the Iglesia ni Cristo? What are the requirements? And what should I do so that I will be accepted into the Iglesia ni Cristo?

Answer

Joining the Iglesia ni Cristo is actually easy if you are ready to follow the teachings of Christ taught in the church. But before you can follow them, you need to know the doctrines of the church. Basically, the process is this: You need to know and learn the teachings of Christ, believe and follow these teachings and be baptized.

Do this:

1. Visit the nearest locale or house of worship of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
2. Talk to any of the brethren you meet at the locale of the Iglesia ni Cristo and tell them that you are not yet a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo. Tell them also that you want to know how to join the Iglesia ni Cristo. The brethren will guide you and will help you as you undergo the process of joining into the Iglesia ni Cristo.