Tag Archives: Church

Iglesia Ni Cristo

Leave a reply

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.

Incoming Visitors

  • u forn
  • iglesia ni cristo
  • www vebu sxs
  • u forn com
  • www u forn com
  • www u forn
  • www Pechay com hayden khoo
  • Powered by Article Dashboard free radio stations for southern gospel music
  • locales in thailand iglesia ni cristo church of god
  • iglesia ni cristo millenium
  • iglesia ni cristo marriage church rules
  • iglesia ni cristo church song
  • iglesia ni cristo arund the world
  • evil iglesia ni manalo crimes
  • EVIL IGLESIA NI CRISTO NI MANALO SCANDAL

Did you know the truth about Salvation?

Leave a reply

What is truth?

17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17, NIV)

If the words of God is the truth, then what is the word of God with regards to this world?

31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31, NIV)

What’s the proof that the dayof judgment will really happen?

27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27, NIV)

Is there anyone who knows about the day and hour of judgment?

36″No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36, NIV)

If now one knows about it, then we should be prepared for it. But how we prepare ourselves for the coming of the judgment day?

14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (2 Peter 3:14, NIV)

Where can we find the peace of God which is important in preparing ourselves for the coming of the judgment day?

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, NKJV)

If we can find the peace of God in one body where those who are preparing themselves for the judgment day found, what is this body?

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 the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18, NKJV)

What do you call the members of the body of Christ, the church?

Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. (Romans 16:16, NKJV)

What is the name of the church of which its members are called “churches of Christ”?

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)

The Start of the Existence of the False Prophets


Short Review about the False Prophets and their followers

From our recent studies, we learned that Christ gave us the description of the false prophets so that we can identify them. The false prophets according to Christ wear the clothing similar to his clothing when he was still here on earth, and they teach their followers the teachings of demons. These two descriptions of the false prophets are all found in the Catholic Priests. The Catholic Priests wear the clothing of Christ and they also upheld the teachings of demons which are (1) Forbidding to Marry; and (2) commanding to abstain from eating meat. (see the article, “The False Prophets”)

We also learned that members of the Catholic Church who are called Catholics are the people who are deceived by the false prophets because the description given by the Bible of the people deceived by the false prophets is found in the Catholics. According to the Bible, the people deceived by the false prophets received the mark on their forehead. This is true to Catholics because they received the mark of the cross on their forehead during the baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, and every year during the Ash Wednesday. (see the article, “The Followers of the False Prophets”)

And on the recent article, we learned that the description of the Second Beast mentioned in Revelation 13:11 are all found in the Catholic Pope. The Second Beast is said to have two horns which means power or authority, looks like the lamb, and speaks like the dragon. These descriptions are true to the Catholic Pope because he has two power or authority as head of the state and head of the church; he also looks like the lamb or Christ because he is wearing the clothing of Christ and the position of the Pope to the Catholic Church is similar to the position of Christ to the Church of Christ; and then he also speaks like the dragon or devil or demon because he teaches the teachings of demon that the Catholics and Priests upheld. (see the article, “The Second Beast, The False Prophet”)

The Time the False Prophets started to Exist

Now, that we already identified who are the false prophets that are said to be wearing the clothing of Christ but inwardly are ravenous wolves, and they are the Catholic Priests including the Pope, then we already know that they already existed not just these recent centuries but for a long time already. What is the particular time that these false prophets started to exist?

In book of Acts of the Apostles, this is what has been written:

29 “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:29, NKJV)

Apostle Paul said that after his departure savage wolves will come in to the flock. But what does Apostle Paul mean when he mentioned “his departure”? To understand this, let us consider these verses:

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of god, will see my face no more.

37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. (Acts 20:25, 37-38, NKJV)

When Apostle Paul bid farewell to his brethren in the Church of Christ, the brethren wept and became sorrow. The mentioned departure that Apostle Paul was talking about is a kind of departure that his brethren will see his face no more. In his letter to Timothy, Apostle Paul clarified it:

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (II Timothy 4:6-8, NKJV)

The said departure is Apostle Paul’s death, because he mentioned the race which had finished already and that he was expecting of the crown of righteousness that the Lord will give him on the day of Salvation.

Since, Apostle Paul revealed that the ravenous wolves will come in to the Church of Christ after his departure, and then the said departure is his own death, therefore, the ravenous wolves will come in to the Church of Christ after the death of Apostle Paul.

Who are the ravenous wolves that Apostle Paul was referring to in Acts 20:29? Apostle Paul was Christ’s Apostle. In other words, the teachings of Apostle Paul were the teachings of Christ. So according to Christ, who are the ravenous wolves? This is what Christ said about the ravenous wolves:

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:15-20, NKJV)

According to Christ, the ravenous wolves are the false prophets who are wearing the sheep’s clothing. And we already know from our previous studies that the false prophets referred to are the Catholic Priests; therefore, the Catholic Priests started to exist after the death of the Apostles.

So, no wonder why the Catholic Church, the church of the Catholic Priests is already old and it seems that it is the oldest church that exists. Now it is clear that the Catholic Church started to exist just after the death of the Apostles.

The Catholic Church’ existence

Lots of people are deceived by the Catholic Priests and they are made to believe that the Catholic Church is the church built by Christ. The Catholic Priests used the age of the Catholic Church as proof in deceiving the people to believe about the said doctrine. These people are lazy enough to examine the Bible if the Catholic Church is really the church built by Christ.

Why should we examine the Bible to verify the genuineness of the Catholic Church? It is because, the Bible contains the writings of the true members of the first century Church of Christ which talked about the true first century church built by Christ.

Since the Catholic Priests claim that the Catholic Church is the first century church built by Christ, then we should ask this: is the Bible testifying about it? No! If we will examine the Bible, Christ built his own church not the Roman Catholic Church. And we couldn’t read any verse of the Bible that would point us to the Catholic Church as the first century Church of Christ. And the Catholic Church couldn’t give us any proof that it is indeed the church built by Christ. The only thing that the Catholic Church can give us to back up his claim is its age.

But now that we already know why the Catholic Church seems the oldest church that exists today then we can’t be deceived by the Catholic Priests just like what happened to the Catholics.

And it is clear to us that the time when the Catholic Priests (the False Prophets) started to exist seems to be the time the Catholic Church started to exist. That time was just after the death of the Apostles.

Our next topic

On our next article, we will examine the Bible about the truth on who would become the first members of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Morales is not Part of the Body of Christ


On my previous article, I presented to you how Mr. Morales rejected the teaching of the Apostle Paul because for him Apostle Paul was not the witness when Christ had spoken the words in Matthew 16:18, and also for him Apostle Paul’s teaching is not reliable.

Mr. Morales failed to realize that the teachings of the Apostle Paul are the teachings of Christ, because it’s Christ himself who called Saul (Paul) to become one of the apostles.

1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5″Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6″Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:1-6, NIV)

Mr. Morales chooses to believe his own interpretation of Matthew 16:18 even if it contradicted the teaching of the Apostle Paul. For Mr. Morales, the rock foundation of the church of Christ mentioned in Matthew 16:18 is Peter, but Apostle Paul clearly taught that there is no other foundation other than Christ as stated in I Corinthians 3:11.

Head of the Church

Whom should we believe, Mr. Morales’ own interpretation of the Matthew 16:18, or the teachings of the Apostle Paul about the rock foundation?

Well, as member of the church of Christ, I should believe in the teachings of the Apostle Paul because Apostle Paul is part of the church of Christ.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. (I Corinthians 12:27-28, NIV)

The church where Apostle Paul had been appointed is the body of Christ and Christ is the head of it.

18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Colossians 1:18, NIV)

Now, since Christ is the head of the church, and then Apostle Paul is part of the church of which Christ is the head, therefore, Apostle Paul’s teachings are the teachings of Christ. There’s nothing to doubt in Apostle Paul’s teachings. That’s the reason why Apostle Peter defended the writings of the Apostle Paul and warned the members of the church of Christ about the ignorant and unstable people who distorted the writings of the Apostle Paul, even to the other scriptures.

16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (II Peter 3:16, NIV)

Now, why is it that Mr. Morales’ belief about the rock foundation of the church is different from the teachings of the Apostle Paul?

Well, if you’ll reflect on the position of Christ to his own church, wherein Christ is the head and the church is Christ’s body, you’ll realize that what the church of Christ upheld is actually the things taught by the head who is Christ. Remember that the body always follows the will of the head.

Apostle Paul upheld the teaching that there is no other foundation of the church other than Christ. Apostle Paul is part of the church of Christ or the body of Christ. In other words, the teaching that there is no other foundation of the church other than Christ is the teaching of Christ who is the head of the church.

Since Mr. Morales’ belief about the foundation of the church is too different from the teaching that there is no other foundation of the church other than Christ, then it is clear that Mr. Morales’ is not part of the body of Christ.

And we are sure about it because he is part of the body of which its head is not Christ but the Pope.

Teachings of Demons

Another proof that Mr. Morales is not really part of the body of Christ is the teachings that he is upholding. These teachings are: (1) forbidding to marry; (2) abstaining from eating meat.

What is the truth about these teachings? Apostle Paul clearly taught that these teachings are the teachings of demons:

1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. (I Timothy 4:1-3, NIV)

Now, if Mr. Morales is really part of the body of Christ then why is he upholding the teachings that are not of Christ but of the enemy of Christ, the demons?

Come Out from her and Enter Christ

Is there anything that Mr. Morales can do so that he can reject the teachings of demons?

Well, of course there is and this is what is written:

4Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
“Come out of her, my people,
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues; (Revelation 18, 4, NIV)

Mr. Morales should come out from the church of the Pope that upheld the teachings of demons. Then what should he do next? 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, NIV)

Christ told everyone who wants to be saved to enter himself. And those who enter Christ really became part of the body of Christ, and therefore, they are now following the teachings of Christ.

Incoming Visitors

  • holy week

Mr. Morales Hides on Twisted Translations of Ephesians 2:20

Leave a reply

Contents of this article:

  1. Apostle Peter and Paul’s Teaching
  2. The Ephesians 2:20
  3. In Bisaya, Efeso 2:20
  4. Hiding in the Twisted Translation of the Ephesians 2:20

Apostle Peter and Paul’s Teaching

Mr. Morales wants me to believe him that the Apostle Peter was laid as the foundation of the church of Christ. However, when I checked the teachings of Apostle Peter, I found out that Apostle Peter was not introducing himself as the foundation of the church of Christ. Apostle Peter’s teaching is clear that Christ is the foundation of the church of Christ.

5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.” 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone, 8and,
“A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. (I Peter 2:5-8, NIV)

And there’s one thing that I noticed: When Peter was teaching about the foundation of the church of Christ, Christ was already in heaven. Now, if Apostle Peter was really laid as the foundation of the church of Christ, then he should introduce himself to the members of the church of Christ that he was really the foundation of the church. But based on the truth recorded on the Bible, Apostle Peter constantly introduced Christ as the foundation of the church. We couldn’t find any verse that would tell us that Peter taught that he was the foundation of the church of Christ.

The same is true to Apostle Paul. When Apostle Paul started to teach the truth about the church of Christ, Christ was already in heaven. However, Apostle Paul did not mention that Apostle Peter was laid as the foundation of the church of Christ; instead, he (Apostle Paul) clearly taught that there is no other foundation of the church of Christ except Christ.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3:11, NIV)

Even in his letter to the Colossians, Apostle Paul introduced Christ as the foundation of the church by telling the Colossian members to be rooted and built up in Christ:

6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7, NIV)

If during the time when Christ was already in heaven, Peter was already made the foundation of the church of Christ, then Apostle Paul should tell the members of the church of Christ to be rooted and built up in Peter because Peter was supposed to be the foundation. But that’s not what Apostle Paul had taught. Apostle Paul told the Colossian members of the church of Christ to be rooted and built up in Christ. A building is normally rooted and built up on a foundation. Since Christ is the foundation, so the church of Christ should be rooted and built up in Christ.

But Mr. Morales doesn’t want to accept what Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul had taught. He tried to find ways how to oppose the teachings of the Apostles. So, he used the Ephesians 2:20 to tell me that his belief that Peter was the foundation of the church of Christ is true and that the teaching of Apostle Paul that Christ is the only foundation of the church is false.

The Ephesians 2:20

Almost all English translations of the Ephesians 2:20 are in parallel to the New International Version which says:

20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20, NIV)

The verse is talking about the foundation where the building (Ephesians 2:19) has been built up. This foundation is the foundation where the apostles and prophets stood. This foundation is Christ.

The following verses, verses 21-22, support the truth that the foundation where the building was being built is Christ not the apostle and prophets because according to Apostle Paul, the whole building is joined together and being built together in Christ:

21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:21-22, NIV)

Now, if the foundation referred to in Ephesians 2:20 are the apostles and prophets, so the verses 21 and 22 should support that too. But that’s not the case. Just like what I said above, the verses 21 and 22 support the teaching that Christ is the foundation where the building was being joined together and being built.

You might say that apostles and prophets might be parts of the foundation wherein Christ is the main foundation. Well, we can accept that argument if Apostle Paul will support that too. However, in Apostle Paul’s writings in I Corinthians 12:28, he clarifies that the apostles and prophets are parts not of the foundation but of the church which is referred to by Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:20 as building or a house that is built upon the foundation.

28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. (I Corinthians 12:28, NIV)

In other words, the apostles and prophets couldn’t be the foundations of the building because they are not placed as the foundation but as the components of the building. They are among the living stones that are built into a spiritual house as stated in I Peter 2:5:

5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5, NIV)

In Bisaya, Efeso 2:20

When I presented this truth to Mr. Morales, he criticized me and called me idiot and accused me that I couldn’t understand English.

Anyway, to be called idiot is just fine for me. But I wish, if he will call me idiot, he should show me that he really is more knowledgeable than me. He should avoid writing like these in English:

  • Anyway, I’m not wonder of Mr. Laplana to not accept the truth because …
  • … because he is twisted the Bible.

But I wonder why he who is bright and smart in English, grammar and reading comprehension, most of the time, write his emails in Bisaya or Tagalog.

He even told me that instead of writing my responses in English, I should have written them in Bisaya. Okay! For this part of this article, I will use the Bisaya (Visayan) language.

Si Apostol Pablo sa Efeso 2:20-21 nagaingon:

mga tinukod kamo sa ibabaw sa patukoranan sa mga apostoles ug sa mga manalagna, nga si Jesucristo gayud mao ang pangulo nga bato sa pamag-ang. (Efeso 2:20, Cebuano)

Dinhi niining sitas, klaro kayo ang pagtulun-an ni Apostol Pablo nga ang mga apostoles ug manalagna adunay patukuranan. Ang sitas wala magaingon nga ang mga apostoles ug mga manalagna mao ang tukuranan kundi sila adunay patukuranan. Ug dinha nga patukuranan, naa diha gitukod ang balay nga mao ang iglesia ni Cristo.

Karon, nganong sayop ang pagtuo ni Mr. Morales nga ang mga apostol kuno ug mga manalagna mao ang pundasyon o patukuranan sa iglesia ni Cristo? Kini tungod kay matud gihapon ni Apostol Pablo ang mga apostoles ug mga propeta gibutang diha sa iglesia ni Cristo ug dili diha sa pundasyon sa iglesia ni Cristo (I Corinto 12:28). Ang mga propeta ug mga manalagna mga bahin sa balay nga mao ang iglesia. Ug kauban sila sa mga bato nga gitukod aron mahimong balay (I Peter 2:5). Ug diha sa pundasyon, usa ra ang gibutang diha nga mao si Cristo ug wala nay lain pa ang mahimong ibutang diha gawas ni Cristo (I Corinto 3:11).

Hiding on the twisted translation of Ephesians 2:20

Apostle Paul is very much consistent on his teaching about the foundation of the church of Christ. He didn’t introduce another foundation or foundations of the church of Christ, because according to him Christ is the only foundation of the church of Christ (I Corinthians 3:11).

But Mr. Morales is trying to oppose this teaching of the Apostle Paul by using the twisted translations of Ephesians 2:20. Take note, that what has been used by Mr. Morales in opposing the teaching of Apostle Paul is the twisted version of the Apostle’s Paul’s own writing which goes:

19″ Now you are no longer strangers or guests, but fellow citizens of the holy people: you are of the household of God. You are the house 20 whose foundations are the apostles and prophets, and whose cornerstone is Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 19:20, Christian Community Bible)

The statement: “20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,…” is clearly twisted into: “You are the house 20whose foundations are the apostles and prophets…” On the righteous translation of the verse, the mentioned foundation is just one or singular while on this twisted translation, the foundation mentioned is plural. Secondly, on the righteous translation, the foundation mentioned is the foundation of the apostles and prophets, while on this twisted translation, the foundations are the apostles and prophets.

Anyway, I am not wondering if there are people who tried to twist the writings of the Apostle Paul, because Apostle Peter talked about it already:

15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (II Peter 3:15-16, NIV)

It is already expected that there are people like Mr. Morales who would try to twist the writings of the Apostle Paul so that they can use something to back-up their twisted belief.

And did you know what are the identifying marks of those who would not just mistakenly twist the scriptures but would also intentionally twist the scriptures just to deceive people? Apostle Paul mentioned it on his letter to Timothy:

1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. (I Timothy 4:1-3, NIV)

These identifying marks are: (1) The teaching that forbid people to marry; (2) The teaching to abstain from certain foods (meat). These are the teachings of demons. Of course, Mr. Morales knew that the church where he’s in now is the church that teaches these teachings.

Mr. Morales’ Twisted Truth on the Foundation of the Church, Revealed


The teaching of the Apostle Paul regarding the foundation of the church of Christ is clear that there is no other foundation that can be laid except the one that has been laid already who is Christ.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3:11, NIV)

Mr. Morales couldn’t accept this teaching. He doesn’t want to believe that only Christ can be the foundation of the church because for him, Peter is foundation too.

Apostle Paul was very consistent in his teaching. When he wrote his letter to the Colossians (members of the church of Christ at Colosse), he advised them to continue to live in Christ, rooted and built up in Christ:

6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7, NIV)

That’s another statement of Apostle Paul that clearly referred Christ as the foundation of the church. He didn’t say “rooted and built up in Peter.” He didn’t even say “rooted and built up in us the apostles and prophets.” His statement is clear that the church of Christ should be rooted and built up in Christ. It’s because Christ is the only foundation of the church of Christ (I Corinthians 3:11).

Apostle Paul versus Mr. Morales

Apostle Paul’s authority to teach the truth has no question because he’s an apostle of Christ. I wonder what kind of spirit that Mr. Morales has because he who doesn’t have authority over the truth tried to oppose the teaching of Apostle Paul about the foundation of the church of Christ. While Apostle Paul taught that Christ is the only foundation of the church of Christ, Mr. Morales on the other hand, laid Peter as the foundation of the church of Christ even if he already know through the I Corinthians 3:11 that no other foundation that can be laid except Christ.

Mr. Morales even uses and twists the writings of Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:20 just to back up his claim that the apostles and prophets are foundations of the church of Christ.

This is what has been written by the Apostle Paul:

19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.. (Ephesians 2:19-21, NIV)

The righteous readers of this verse can easily notice that this pronouncement of the Apostle Paul is similar to what he wrote in Colossians 2:6-7 and telling us one foundation who is Christ. The snippet above clarifies that Christ who is the foundation of the apostles and prophets is also the foundation of the church of Christ.

However, Mr. Morales twisted it, so that the verse will sound as if Apostle Paul taught that the apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church of Christ. And to make his twisted truth sound like true, he used the twisted translations of the verse which said:

19″ Now you are no longer strangers or guests, but fellow citizens of the holy people: you are of the household of God. You are the house 20 whose foundations are the apostles and prophets, and whose cornerstone is Christ Jesus” (Christian Community Bible, copied from Mr. Morales letter)

19″ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God
20 And are built upon the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chieft corner stone.” Ephesians 2:19-20 ( THE GIDEONS, copied from Mr. Morales letter)

He also used the translations “The New Revised Standard Version” and “The New American Bible” in backing up his claim without thinking that these translations are different from the translations mentioned above, the “Christian Community Bible” and “The Gideons“. And one thing that Mr. Morales failed to notice is that these translations do not support his twisted belief that the apostles and prophets are the foundations of the church of Christ.

19″So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,
20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.” Ehpesians 2:19-20 (THE NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION. I copied this snippet from Mr. Morales letter.)

19″ This means that you are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God..
20 You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone”. Ephesians 2:19-20 (THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE. I copied this snippet from Mr. Morales letter.)

If you’ll examine the snippets from the “New Revised Standard Version” and the “New American Bible“, they simply told us that a building, a house, or the church of Christ is built on a foundation. This foundation is the foundation of the apostles and prophets. This foundation is not the apostles and prophets but Christ Himself.

On the other hand, the “Christian Community Bible” and “The Gideons” told us another story. The foundations referred by these two translations are the apostles and prophets.

Mr. Morales is Smart and I am idiot

Mr. Morales accused me again of being idiot in grammar and praising himself as best in grammar.

Well. Mr. Morales is smart, brilliant and intelligent. But, I wonder why he didn’t notice the singular form of the term “foundation” on the “New Revised Standard Version” and “New American Bible” when in fact he used these translations in backing up his claim that apostles and prophets are foundations, thus totally neglecting the fact that apostles and prophets are more than one (plural).

Mr. Morales, I think, forgot his English course while studying in Elementary, High School and College that if the term “foundation” refers to the apostles and prophets, the term “foundation” should be written in plural form “foundations”:

” built upon the foundations”

Then to further refer the apostles and prophets as the foundations, Mr. Morales should not use the preposition “OF” before the words “the apostles and prophets“, instead, he should change the “of” to “who are“, thus changing the phrase “of the apostles and prophets” into a clause “who are the apostles and prophets“.

In other words, using the “New Revised Standard Version” and the “New American Bible” to back up his claim that the apostles and prophets are foundations, exposes his ignorance not only in the truth and the pure teaching of the Apostle Paul but also his carelessness in analyzing the verse by considering the grammatical construction of the verse.

But there’s nothing to be surprised of because Apostle Peter talked about it already:

15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (II Peter 3:15-16, NIV)

I suggest to Mr. Morales, to be careful in picking up translations in backing up his twisted truth to avoid exposing his ignorance.

Apostle Paul is Reliable

Just like what I said already, Apostle Paul is consistent on his teaching that Christ is the only foundation of the church of Christ. Christ is also the foundation of the apostles and prophets. And besides him, there is no other foundation.

Mr. Morales’ Contradiction not Mine, The Foundation of the Church

Leave a reply

Mr. Morales accused me on his other letter, that I contradicted my own declaration in my article, “Mr. Morales’ Authority to Interpret the Scriptures.” He quoted a part of that said article:

From this, it is already clear that the church of Christ is really built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets who is Christ the chief cornerstone.

According to him, this statement contradicts on what I always say that Christ is the only foundation of the church of Christ and no other foundation could be laid except the one that has been laid already who is Christ.

Now, I was wondering here, where is the contradiction. Saying that the church of Christ is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets who is Christ is similar to when I say, the foundation of the church of Christ is Christ himself.

I don’t think that Mr. Morales is poor in English because his education is better than mine. Maybe he only missed to read the term “ON THE” and its position in that statement, as stated on that snippet: “..built ON THE foundation of the apostles…”

Mr. Morales’ interpretation on: “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” is that the foundations of the church are the apostles and prophets. But it is clear on that statement that the foundation referred to is not the apostles and prophets but Christ who is the foundation of the apostles and prophets.

Now, since you, the readers of this blog, is much better than me in English, then you can review the said contradiction according to Mr. Morales:

1st Statement: Apostle Paul was talking here about those who became members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and it was also mentioned that Christ as the chief cornerstone.. From this, it is already clear that the church of Christ is really built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets who is Christ the chief cornerstone

2nd Statement: in fact the foundation talked by Apostle Paul on this verse is not the apostles and prophets but Christ.

Because of this, he suggested me not to use the English version of the Bible. However, it is clear that this suggestion should be done by him because he’s not just accusing me of the things that I didn’t do, but he also twisted what I was saying.

But did he really mistakenly twisted what I was saying or he really intentionally twisted it?

No Place for Peter to Become the Foundation


In my previous post entitled, Christ is the only Foundation, I told you that among the two interpretations of the words of Christ that says, You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church (NIV) Mr. Rico Morales chooses to use and believe on the first interpretation. This interpretation says: Simon’s name was called by Christ Peter. Peter means rock or stone. And the rock that Christ referred to when He said, and on this rock, I will build my church is Simon Peter.

In his response to the said article, he accused me of failing to understand his points. Well, of course I understand what he’s trying to point out. That’s why I know what interpretation he is using. If I didn’t get what he’s thinking of, then I shouldn’t know what interpretation he is using.

So, he tried to explain it to me like this:

Matud pa ni Mr. Selboy sa Mat. 16:18 si Kristo maoy cornerstone, matud ko nga wala ko magsalikway nga si Kristo ang batong pasukaranan o cornerstone sa iyang simbahan nga gitukod, apan sa maong sitas naghisgot si Kristo nga iyang tukoron ang iglesiya sa bato. Tinood si Kristo mao ang magtutukod pero adunay gitukoran. Ang pangutana unsaon man pagtukod kong walay tukoranan? (Rough translation: According to Mr. Selboy, in Matthew 16:18, the cornerstone is Christ but according to me, I am not denying that Christ is the cornerstone of his church that he built. However, in that verse, Christ was talking that he would build his church on the stone or rock. It’s true that Christ is the builder but there was also a foundation. The question is, how could he build if there’s no foundation?)

From this explanation, it is clear that Mr. Rico Morales is really using only his own wisdom and totally forgetting the truth that the real Apostle Peter revealed:

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. (II Peter 1:20, NIV)

And the result is that his belief is a direct contradiction to the truth. He tried to show me that his belief is in parallel to the teaching of the real Apostle Peter that Christ is the cornerstone:

6For in Scripture it says:
1See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.
7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone, (I Peter 2:6-7, NIV)

But by saying that Peter is the foundation of the church is like he’s saying that cornerstone is different to foundation. Even if we will consider his belief that the cornerstone is different to the foundation, he still contradicted the truth because the only foundation is Christ not Peter according to the teaching of the Apostle Paul:

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3:11, NIV)

I accused him at my previous post that he’s using the commentaries of the Catholic scholars in explaining his belief. My accusation was based on his claims that:

Today, the overwhelming consensus of the great majority of all biblical scholars and commentators is in favor of the traditional Catholic understanding.

And these words is actually a plagiarism to the original article as shown on the screenshot below:

This is the proof that Mr. Rico Morales is just depending on the explanation of someones who are not witnesses of the incident recorded in Matthew 16:18. And just like what I said on my previous post, these people are not the real witnesses of the incident recorded on Matthew 16:18 because these people started to exist long after the death of the real Apostles.

Foundation and Cornerstone of the Church of Christ

Mr. Morales claimed that his belief was based on Christ’s teachings. However, it is clear that he contradicted the teachings of the Apostles which are also the teachings of Christ. If he really based his belief on the teachings of Christ then his belief should not go against the teachings of the Apostles because what the Apostles had taught were all based on the teachings of Christ.

16″He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16, NIV)

8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. (John 17:8,NIV)

There’s no wonder why Mr. Rico Morales and the likes contradicted the truth by interpreting the verse they read using their own wisdom. They are just doing what those people referred to by Apostle Peter in II Peter 3:16 were doing before:

16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (II Peter 3:16, NIV)

Mr. Rico Morales accused me of being poor in reading comprehension. And just like what I told you on my previous post, it’s just fine for me to be considered idiot in earthly wisdom as long as my belief is in parallel to the wisdom from God or from the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

I stand firm on my belief that the rock foundation of the church is Christ and no other foundation that can be laid other than the one that has been laid already, who is Christ.

In Matthew 16:18, Simon’s name was changed to Peter but Christ is referring to Himself when he mentioned a rock where the church should be built. And even if Simon’s name was changed to Peter, Simon couldn’t be the rock foundation. He’s just one of the stones that are built into spiritual house:

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:5, NIV)

But the foundation of this house or building is Christ:

19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-21, NIV)

My only advice to Mr. Rico Morales, learn to follow the teachings of the Apostles and don’t ever contradict their teachings. And remember always that the belief of the true followers of Christ are in parallel to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.

Christ is the only Foundation


“…You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church (NIV)…” This is the words of Christ that was written in Matthew 16:18 that I mentioned in my previous post that has two different interpretations. Actually, there are three different interpretations but in my previous post, I mentioned only two interpretations.

The first interpretation is: Simon’s name was called by Christ Peter. Peter means rock or stone. And the rock that mentioned by Christ when He said, “…and on this rock, I will build my church…” is Simon Peter.

The second interpretation is: Simon’s name was called by Christ Peter. Peter means rock or stone. However, the rock that mentioned by Christ when He said, “…and on this rock, I will build my church…” is not Simon Peter but Christ Himself.

From these two different interpretations, Mr. Rico Morales chooses the first interpretation because of his reasons. Few of these reasons are:

1. The English Grammar
2. The Commentaries written by Catholic Scholars

The Commentaries of the Catholic Scholars

On the recent email of Mr. Rico Morales, he showed me some commentaries written by Catholic Scholars regarding the verse. Of course the commentaries are all in favor of the first interpretation because the Roman Catholic Church is upholding the first interpretation.

It only means that Mr. Rico Morales’ interpretation is based on the commentaries of the Catholic Scholars not based on the teachings of the real Apostle Peter and the real Apostle Paul.

But wait! Are these Catholic Scholars the witnesses of the incident when Christ talked Simon Peter? Of course not! These scholars started to exist long after the real apostles (witnesses) died.

It is, therefore, clear that Rico Morales chooses to believe those who are not witnesses of the incident.

The English Grammar

Mr. Rico Morales called me idiot in English Grammar. And I admit that. I was even called by fellow Filipino bloggers as idiot blogger because of the way I write articles in my blogs. But, although I am poor on earthly wisdom, but then I know how to understand English sentence like the one that was spoken by Christ, “…You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church…”

While reading the context of the verse, I understand that Christ was talking to Simon. I didn’t witness the incident but the writer of the book of Matthew described that scenario.

Mr. Rico Morales told me that the second interpretation is wrong based on the construction of the sentence.

So, I reviewed the sentence several times, and I didn’t find any impossibility to interpret it as stated on the second interpretation. Both the first and the second interpretations are possible and correct based on the construction of the sentence, but only one is possible and correct regarding the truth about the real foundation of the church.

Well, because Mr. Rico Morales didn’t know how to consider the second interpretation based on the construction of the sentence, so I will show you here. Here’s how the second interpretation works:

On that verse, there are two rocks that were being mentioned. First is Simon because he was called by Christ Peter and Peter means rock. The second rock is the rock that would be the foundation of the church of Christ (remember this church is not the Roman Church but the church of Christ).

Now, according to the Bible, is Simon Peter a rock? Well, all the members of the church of Christ are considered rocks, including Simon Peter just like what Peter wrote on his first book in the Bible.

“you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:5, NIV)”

And according to the Bible, is Christ rock? Yes! We already had talked about it on my old posts.

Just like what I said, there is no impossibility that Christ was referring two rocks on that verse. But of course, it’s not me who will decide which of the interpretations is correct based on the truth, because I didn’t witness the incident. And the same is true to Mr. Rico Morales because he is not one of the witnesses of the incident. However, the real Apostle Peter (not the Peter of the Roman Church but the Peter of the church of Christ) and the real Apostle Paul (not the Paul of the Roman Church but the Paul of the church of Christ) can guide us, which of these two interpretations is correct based on the truth.

The Only Foundation

The real Apostle Peter was teaching that Christ is the rock foundation or the cornerstone as written in his first book in the Bible:

“6For in Scripture it says:
1See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.’ 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,’” (I Peter 2:6-7, NIV)

Mr. Rico Morales’ belief that Peter is the foundation of the church is impossible because according to the real Apostle Paul there is no other foundation that could be laid, except the one that has been laid already who is Christ.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3:11, NIV)

Now, if I will to choose whom should I believe, then I will tell you that I will always believe the claims and teachings of the real Apostles than those of the scholars who didn’t witness the incident. Wise men will never believe those who are not witnesses of the incident, otherwise they are fool.

Incoming Visitors

  • chirst is the only foundation

Christ is the Cornerstone, Peter is the Foundation?


In my previous post, The Foundation Rock on Matthew 16:18, I told you that Mr. Rico Morales and the likes interpreted the verse, Matthew 16:18, as if they witnessed how Christ spoke the words, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.

Mr. Rico Morales read that article and he responded through email.

On his response, he showed me a lot of explanation on how he understand the verse and criticized me that I am idiot on English grammar. He even gave me his own meaning on every sentence of the verse he quoted as if he is the writer of the book of Matthew.

Well, it’s fine for me even if Mr. Morales and the likes will call me idiot on grammar or whatever earthly wisdom. Earthly wisdom is important but it’s not the most important thing for me, but the heavenly wisdom the wisdom from God. That’s the reason why I don’t depend on my intelligence when reading the Holy Bible. I always consider every verse on the Bible if there’s something that I wanted to be clarified.

Mr. Rico Morales, I think, forgot what the real Apostle Peter said in his second book in the Bible (II Peter 1:20):

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. (NIV)

I know he read this verse several times, yet he’s interpreting the verses he read using his own wisdom. That is the reason why he’s lead to distort the truth without hesitating to contradict the truth revealed by the real Apostle Peter.

And just like what I told you on my previous post, I am not surprised if Mr. Rico Morales and the likes had been led to distort the truth written on the Bible because the real Apostle Peter wrote this:

16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (II Peter 3:16, NIV)

Back to the verse, Matthew 16:18, we’ll notice that Christ called Simon Peter, and He also mentioned a rock where His own church should be built. Read the quoted verse below:

18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (NIV)

And just like what I told you on my old post, The Rock foundation of the Church on Matthew 16:18, there are two different interpretations on the words that Christ spoke, And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church (1)The first interpretation is: The rock where the church of Christ should be built is Simon because his name was called Peter. (2)The second interpretation is: Although Simon’s name was called Peter, but the rock which Christ referred to where His own church should be build is Christ himself because He is the rock.

Now, the problem is which of these two different interpretations is correct? This time, the righteous reader of the Bible should not use his own wisdom in deciding what interpretation should be used. He should verify it by considering other verses of the Bible.

Since, the person whom Christ spoke these words was the real Apostle Peter, then let us verify it from Apostle Peter himself. And I already talked about it on my previous posts, but I will tell you again here, that the foundation of the church of Christ, according to Apostle Peter, is Christ Himself, in contrast to what Mr. Rico Morales believed:

6For in Scripture it says:
1See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.
7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone, (I Peter 2:6-7, NIV)

But on this verse, Christ was referred to be the cornerstone. Is cornerstone different to the foundation? I will not answer it by my own wisdom because I don’t want to distort the truth. So, I will let Apostle Paul to answer, whether Christ as cornerstone is different to when saying that Christ is the foundation. This is what Apostle Paul had written:

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3:11, NIV)

Apostle Peter on his book referred Christ as the cornerstone, while Apostle Paul referred Christ as the foundation. These simply mean that, cornerstone and foundation are just synonymous.

So, whom should I believe, Mr. Rico Morales and the likes or the real Apostle Peter and the real Apostle Paul?

Well, I have no reason to believe Mr. Rico Morales and the likes because they don’t witnessed Christ and the building of the church of Christ. But the true Christians should believe the real Apostle Peter and the other Apostles because they’re the apostles of Christ and the real witnesses when Christ built His own church.