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Iglesia ni Cristo

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Template:CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC - please read the talk page discussion before making substantial changes The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC, Filipino for Church of Christ) is a nontrinitarian Christian religion originating in the Philippines. Noted for its Gothic-style chapel architecture of narrow-pointed spires, it was registered with the Filipino government by Felix Manalo on July 27, 1914. It claims to be the reestablishment in the last days of the first church established by Jesus through fulfillment of biblical prophecies.

Background Information

Felix Manalo was deeply religious as a child and joined many religious organizations as a young adult, leaving each after finding teachings which he felt contradicted those in the Bible.

He was baptized a Roman Catholic, but at a young age went through a succession of faiths. He joined the local spiritist cult, and was an atheist at one point, but later joined the Methodist Episcopalian Church after witnessing a debate. He attended their seminary and became a pastor. He later joined the Christian and Missionary Alliance, to which he got attracted to the way their converts were being baptized, which was by immersion.

His ministry led him into a debate with Mr L.V. Finster of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He lost, and was convinced into joining the Adventists. He then left the Adventist church after a disagreement regarding scripture.

After he finished reading the Bible in-depth (for what sources say was three days with neither food nor rest from sunrise to sundown only), he proclaimed God gave him a mission to preach the gospel and reestablish the first Church founded by Jesus.

Manalo propagated his message within his local area, growing the Iglesia ni Cristo and converting members of other religions. As Church membership increased, he delegated others to spread the teachings of the INC and it eventually spread throughout the Philippines and to other countries.

Although estimates vary, the Iglesia ni Cristo has become possibly the second-largest single Christian religion in the Philippines. The official Philippine government website lists its membership as 2.3% (similar to that of the Philippine Independent Church) of the predominantly Catholic population.

It has grown to over 3,000 congregations in over 84 countries and territories throughout the world, with a notable presence in Hawaii and California, which have a sizable population of immigrants from the Philippines and of Filipino descent. Although the church does not disclose the exact number of members, the Catholic Answers apostolate estimates its worldwide membership as ranging from 3 to 10 million.

Structure of the Iglesia ni Cristo

All officers in the Iglesia ni Cristo make up its administration, referred to inside the INC as the "Church Administration." It is led by Erano G. Manalo, who serves as the Chief Executive Minister, and Eduardo V. Manalo, the Deputy Executive Minister.

On a more local level, a District Minister oversees a set of local congregations called locales within a particular geographic area. A Locale Minister oversees an individual locale, and conducts worship services and bible studies. Deacons and Deaconesses, maintain order during services and collect offerings. A Head Deacon is second to the Locale Minister. Not only does he look over the other Deacons, but he must take over the duties of the Locale Minister, in case he is unable to perform them. Some Deacons serve as Overseers, and watch over a group of members living in a certain area, or neighborhood. An Overseer conducts a Committee Prayer meeting for their area once a week, where news about the locale, and messages from the administration are relayed. In rural areas and countries where there is not a locale in the vicinity, services take place at Committee Prayer meetings at the residence of, or venue near an Overseer who lives in the area.

Inside of the Children's Worship Service, usually held in another part of the chapel or another building on the chapel compound during the adult worship service, there is a CWS Teacher, who is in charge of leading the congregation in responding to and understanding the lesson, Deacons, who collect offerings and assist the young members in keeping conduct during the Worship Service. The officers in the CWS are usually members in the Kadiwa and Binhi organizations.

There are also finance officers involved in counting offerings from the locale and recording the amounts, as well as secretariats in charge of recording attendance.

General Beliefs and Practices

There are 28 primary doctrines in Iglesia ni Cristo, some of which are:

  • There is only one God, the Father.
  • Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is a man and not God, and was sent by God to be the only mediator between men and God.
  • The Bible is the sole basis for spiritual guidance.
  • One needs to be commissioned by God in order to preach the Gospel.
  • Felix Manalo is the fulfillment of several Biblical prophecies both from the Old and New Testaments, and was sent to reestablish the original Church founded by Jesus, which had fallen into apostacy after the death of the apostles. (Thus INC members view as factually untrue the frequent description of Felix Manalo as the "founder" of INC).
  • Baptism must be performed at an age where one can understand the Gospel.


The Iglesia ni Cristo holds two worship services weekly, one during a weekday, and once on Sunday (in addition, some locales also hold one on Saturday). Weekday services are usually Thursday, with some locales also holding Wednesday and/or Tuesday services, depending on church capacity and the size of the congregation. Services are usually held at multiple times each day for convenience and attendees to the worship services are asked to maintain formal dress and punctuality.

Members are encouraged to invite guests, and all Iglesia ni Cristo locales hold Bible Studies weekly, where guests are invited to hear the doctrines of the INC, compare them to their current religious beliefs as well as ask questions related to the church or its beliefs.

Periodically, each district in the INC holds a Grand Evangelical Mission, or GEM for short, which is much like a Bible Study, but on a larger scale, with members from an entire district (usually a county-wide or region-wide area) encouraged to bring guests, and a minister speaks about the doctrines of the INC. There is usually a socializing afterwards, for guests to become familiar with the church and meet other guests and members.

Missionary Publications and Media

In the Philippines, radio and television programs are produced, and they are broadcast on 1062 kHz DZEC-AM radio and the NET-25 television station both owned by the INC's Eagle Broadcasting Corporation.

In North America, a television program called "The Message" is produced by the Iglesia ni Cristo and directed by Bro. Edward Maranan, an INC minister who also serves as the main host of the program. It is currently aired in the United States and Canada.

There is also a magazine available to INC congregations worldwide entitled God's Message (formerly known as Pasugo). Printed in both Tagalog and English, the magazine consists of letters to the editor, news from locales worldwide, religious poetry, articles relating to INC beliefs, a directory of locales outside the Philippines and would also feature a schedule of worship services until recently. Pamphlets are also printed for members to give to prospective guests, usually featuring information on a core INC doctrine.

Central Office

The INC's center of operations is the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Office, a large, guarded complex located on Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

The editorial of Philippine Panorama Magazine July 25, 2004, described the complex as including: the six-story Central Office Building; the 7,000-seat Central Temple, a Tabernacle, a multi-purpose convention hall; the 30,000 seating-capacity Central Pavilion; the College of Evangelical Ministry; the New Era General Hospital; and the New Era University. There is also a residence for the Manalo family on the premises, but in an undisclosed location for security reasons.

Organizations

There are four organizations in the Church, with all members belonging to one:

  • Children's Worship Service or CWS, designed to help children understand INC teachings and prepare them for baptism.
  • Binhi, meaning "seed" for baptized members up to the age of seventeen.
  • KADIWA (Kabataang May Diwang Wagas), meaning "youth with pure intent" for unmarried members 18 and over.
  • Buklod, meaning "united in marriage" for all married members.

Each organization's goal is to increase fellowship and unity between members of the same age group. On average, each group has one meeting per month wherein messages from the administration are read, and activities such as sports, missionary activities and community programs are sponsored by each group in keeping with the same goal.

In each organization, there is usually an appointed president, four vice-presidents in charge of different activities, such as missionary works and event planning, as well as a secretary.

The Binhi and Kadiwa groups are designed to create activities for young members in accordance with church doctrine, and also support activities designed to assist in and encourage education. Buklod meetings usually feature discussion topics regarding family relations, and occasional job fairs, where members who own or work for a business can share job openings with other members.

Politics

Ever since former Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon created a lasting friendship after asking Felix Manalo for advice, the INC has been known for its strong political influence. It was well-known for its support of Ferdinand Marcos until his ousting during the EDSA Revolution of 1986.

INC members are noted for their bloc voting in Philippine elections, a practice also shared by other Philippine religions . Some Philippine media credit the INC bloc vote for the presidential campaign victory of Joseph Estrada in 1998 , and the re-election of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004 . Others, however, argue that the INC vote is only significant in close-run elections, noting that the INC supported candidates, Senator ] lost in 1969 to Marcos and businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. lost to Fidel Ramos in 1992.

Macapagal-Arroyo's father, Diosdado Macapagal, due to his religious and political views, refused INC's preferred support during his runs for Vice President in 1957, and re-election for President in 1965 – in which he incidentally lost to Marcos.

Until 2000, the INC also distributed lists of supported candidates for elections in the United States.

External links

The Iglesia ni Cristo does not currently have an official website. Instead of posting INC-related material online, members are encouraged to refer anyone with questions about the Iglesia ni Cristo to a minister or other church officer.

None of these links, except for pasugo@inc.org.ph are officially affiliated with or endorsed by the Iglesia ni Cristo. It should be noted that due to its theologically controversial doctrines, the majority of Web accounts are from a hostile religious viewpoint.

Pro

Con

Discussion forums

Other INC-related links

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