Iglesia ni Cristo
 | This article's factual accuracy is disputed. |
The Iglesia ni Cristo (also known as INC or Iglesya ni Kristo; Filipino for Church of Christ) is a Christian denomination which originated in the Philippines. It was registered with the Filipino government by Felix Manalo on July 27, 1914. The registered Church had no immediate precursors and its members believe it to be the reestablishment of the original church founded by Jesus. It is a Christian church that does not accept the doctrine of the Trinity. The Church's architecture is notable for the narrow-pointed spires on its chapels.
Background information
The historical context of the Iglesia ni Cristo lies in a period of the early 20th century characterised by a variety of rural anti-colonialism movements, often with religious undertones, in the Philippines. At this time, U.S. missionary work was exposing Filipino culture to many alternatives to the Catholicism installed under earlier Spanish rule.
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.Template:Inote He proclaimed that God gave him a mission to preach the gospel and to reestablish the first Church founded by Jesus.Template:Inote
The INC started with a handful of followers on July 27 1914 in Punta, Santa Ana, Manila with Manalo as head minister.Template:Inote
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.
General beliefs and practices
There are 25 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 apostasy 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.
- Membership in the Iglesia ni Cristo is essential for man's salvation.
- Salvation cannot be obtained by faith alone. Faith should go together with good works.
- The Catholic Church turned away from the teachings of God by worshipping idols and graven images, by celebrating pagan's holidays and by teaching that Jesus is God.
- Before joining the INC one should lead a new life. No alcohol, gambling, lewd dancing or sexual immoralities (considered by the INC to be premarital sex and adultery) are allowed.
- Members should not be surprised to be persecuted like the early Christians were.
- One should value one's membership inside the INC above all but God.
- There should always be unity and brotherhood inside the church. Issues between brethren (other members) should be resolved first inside the church administration.
Members are required to take an oath to faithfully obey the teachings of the Church.
Worship services
The Iglesia ni Cristo holds two worship services weekly, on Sunday and on Thursday. Some locales, especially those with no resident minister, hold the Sunday service on Saturday and Thursday services on Tuesday or Wednesday — days on which some of the more populous congregations hold additional worship services. Attendees are asked to maintain proper attire as a mark of respect and to arrive early to allow time for personal prayers and meditation while seated.
Attendance is registered by a nametag board located at the entrance. Men and women are seated separately, men on the left of the aisle and women on the right. At the start of the service the doors of the chapel are closed to ensure that the solemnity of the occasion is not disturbed.
The worship service is started with the singing of hymns led by the church choir. After singing, the opening prayer will be conducted, usually by the Head Deacon. Once the prayer is concluded, the lesson proceeds in which the minister will ask rhetorical questions discussed with passages from the bible. The sermon is usually centered around the fundamental beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo and lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.
After the lesson, offerings are collected, followed with a prayer for the offerings. The worship service is concluded with the singing of the doxology, the benediction and the recessional hymn. The worshippers are led out in an orderly fashion, the same way that they were led in.
Missionary activities
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.
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. Live audio webcast of religious radio program "Ang Tamang Daan" (in Tagalog) and other programs are broadcast weekdays, 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight Philippine local time.
In North America, a television program called "The Message" is produced by the Iglesia ni Cristo in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is currently aired in the United States and Canada and some parts of Europe.Template:Inote
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, New Era, 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 Executive Minister's 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, vice president, and four committee chairpersons in charge of different activities, such as Missionary Works and Sports, Culture, and Arts, 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.
Structure of the Iglesia ni Cristo
| Hierarchy |
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PAMUNUANG PANGKALAHATAN (EXECUTIVE OFFICERS)
PAMUNUANG PANGDISTRITO EKLESIASTIKO (ECCLESIASTICAL DISTRICT OFFICERS)
PAMUNUANG PANLOKAL (LOCAL OFFICERS)
PAMUNUANG NG PUROK (Area/Neighbourhood Officers)
PAMUNUAN NG GRUPO/KOMITE (GROUP OR COMMITTEE MEMBERS)
SAMBAHAYAN (Household)
|
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. The INC believes that the election of their leaders is guided by the Holy Spirit. The INC believes that its administration has been given the task to carry out God's plans during these times.
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. The head deacon's job is to supervise other Deacons, and in case the minister is unable to perform his duties, the Head Deacon will oversee the locale. 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.
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.
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. [6]
In the past, the Iglesia ni Cristo would also endorse candidates in United States elections.
Education
The INC operates the New Era High School and New Era University in Quezon City.Template:Inote
Criticism
The Iglesia ni Cristo has come under criticism from other religions mainly due to disagreements over their doctrines and beliefs regarding the interpretation of the Bible.
Catholic Answers, an apologetics group, has rejected the INC's doctrines of apostasy within the Catholic Church and does not consider the verses used to support the doctrine of the Iglesia ni Cristo being prophesied nor the apostacy of the Catholic Church are used in the right context. It contends that other verses are difficult to reconcile with the views of the Iglesia ni Cristo.Template:Inote The Iglesia ni Cristo claims through biblical prophesies, that it was elected to be "the first nation of God," as the Israelites were, and that God chose them to serve him.Template:Inote Let Us Reason ministries criticised the INC for holding the belief that it has the sole authority from God to interpret and preach the Bible, while other religions do not. They also reject the INC's doctrine that one can only be saved if one is a member of that church.Template:Inote
The INC hierarchy reflects traditional Philippine culture, which stresses family and vertical relationships. This may be perceived as nepotism and an unmeritocratic hierarchy to those who have different cultural assumptions.
Secular critics also criticize the INC for bloc-voting (see above). Unlike other countries though, political endorsements by religions are practiced by most religions in the Philippines.
The main accusation of restraint of press freedom arises from the church's seeking of prior restraint on Ross Tipon's forthcoming critical book, The Power and the Glory: The Cult of Manalo) for alleged gross inaccuracies,Template:InoteTemplate:Inote which the Iglesia ni Cristo claims is "gross blasphemy" against them and Felix Manalo. Reacting to these claims, the INC has taken legal action against those who they claim to have published libelous articles.
Within the Iglesia ni Cristo itself an anonymous group called the Insiders are opposing the changes of doctrines that happened over the past decades. They criticize the administration for not listening to the "common brethren". They would like more religious and personal freedom within their church.Template:Inote
External links
The Iglesia ni Cristo does not currently have an official public 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. The e-mail address for INC's God's Message magazine is pasugo@inc.org.ph.
None of these links are officially affiliated with or endorsed by the Iglesia ni Cristo. Most information and opinion about INC on the Internet is hostile due to controversy over practices and doctrines.
Pro
- The Message USA and Canada Telecast Schedule Blog listing The Message TV program Schedule. The program presents the doctrines of the INC.
- Truthfinder's INC Page Site by INC member: INC profile, basic teachings, history etc.
- Pasugo Articles Online Selection of scanned articles, editorials, news, etc (English and Tagalog)
- Food for the Soul Poetry and reprints of God's Message articles
- Bible Student's Page Unofficial site for articles defending the INC {warning - breaks 'Back' button on some Web browsers)
Con
- Examine Iglesia Ni Cristo - Evangelical critique of INC based on Pasugo texts
- The Unofficial Site of the Iglesia ni Cristo - Site featuring articles critiquing the INC
- The Iglesia ni Cristo and evangelical Christianity - article by Ann C. Harper of the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary. Her description:"The purpose of this paper is to explore the INC's view of Evangelicals and to consider whether [evangelicals] need to reassess [their] apologetic and evangelistic approach to this group". (PDF reader required, HTML version via Google)
- Iglesia ni Cristo in a nutshell - Doctrines exposed - Postings by Cultic Research, made in 2002/2003 on an unmoderated forum about all aspects of INC.
Other related links
- DZEC live audio webcast - religious programs in Tagalog are broadcast weekdays, 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight Philippines local time. The programs respond to question regarding doctrines of the INC.
- Worship Schedules and Locations - Unofficial, possibly outdated.
- Sample INC Chapels gallery
References
- an article in Pasugo (Manila: Iglesia ni Kristo, 1986) cited by "Pepe" 'Iglesia ni Kristo - religion and politics in Philippine society' Pepeslog (Berkeley: University of California, 21 February 2001). Retrieved July 3 2005
- 'Indigenous Christian Churches' Philippines: A Country Study, (Washington, DC: US Library of Congress, 1993 4th ed.) A representative of the INC Administration states that this site contains gross inaccuracies.
- 'Iglesia Ni Cristo Insiders', Insiders, Inc. (2000)
- 'How the Church teaches', Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved July 27, 2005.
- 'Salvation', Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved July 28, 2005.
- 'Iglesia ni Cristo', Catholic Answers (August 2004). Retrieved July 5 2005.
- 'Mosaic Christian Programs', Vision TV (2005). Retrieved August 13 2005.
- Aromin, Rubin D. 'God's Own Special People', God's Message (Manila: Iglesia ni Kristo, July 2001) cited by Student621. Bible Students Page at tripod.com. Retrieved July 6 2005.
- Crisostomo, Isabelo T. 'Felix Y. Manalo and the Iglesia ni Cristo', Pasugo (May-June 1986)
- Echeminada, Perseus. 'Iglesia seeks TRO vs publication of 'blasphemous' book', The Philippine Star (Manila: May 24 2005)
- Partridge, Christopher (Ed.) (2004). Encyclopedia of new religions, new religious movements, sects and alternative spiritualities. (Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2004) ISBN 0745950736.
- Robles, JoJo. 'INC against free press?', Manila Standard Today Online (May 25 2005). Retrieved July 3 2005.
- Suarez, E. T. 'Iglesia ni Cristo turns 91 today' Manila Bulletin (July 27 2005)
- Tipon, Emmanuel 'Iglesia Ni Cristo celebrates 90th anniversary' PhilippineNews.com ([Jul 28, 2004) Retrieved August 19, 2005