Interfaith Marriage

Interfaith Marriage

Mailbox - GOD'S MESSAGE/November 2010 Issue

AS MUCH AS I must admit that I consider myself a potential convert to the Church of Christ, having carefully studied many of the biblical doctrines it upholds, I must also confess that I find its prohibition on interfaith marriage scary, especially that I personally know of cases of successful marriages even though the husbands and their respective wives are of different religions. Do you have solid biblical basis for forbidding interfaith marriage? 

Roderic Morelos email address withheld upon request

 

Editor's reply:

We are glad to know that you consider yourself a potential convert to the Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo. We also appreciate your openness in expressing your apprehension about the Church's prohibition on "interfaith marriage." Obviously, you are aware that Iglesia ni Cristo members are prohibited to marry nonmembers.

Where the Holy Scriptures is concerned, there is nothing "scary" about this proscription, for it is the Lord God who enjoined such a decree upon His people. As early as when the ancient Israelites, God's first nation, were about to inhabit the promised land of Canaan, God, through His prophet Moses, had already pronounced this law prohibiting His people to intermarry with the nations that occupied Canaan before them:

"The LORD your God will bring you into the land that you are going to occupy, and he will drive many nations out of it. As you advance, he will drive out seven nations larger and more powerful than you: the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites ... Do not marry any of them, and do not let your children marry any of them, because then they would lead your children away from the LORD to worship other gods ..." (Deut. 7:1, 3-4, Today's English Version)

    Notice how explicitly God forbade His people who had the true faith to intermarry with the nations who had false religions, worshiping and sacrificing to pagan gods (Exod. 34:16, 14-15). Several hundred years after the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, this commandment of God was re-emphasized through His prophets Ezra (Ezra 9:1-2; 10:10-12) and Nehemiah who led the rebuilding of the fallen wall of Jerusalem:

"At that time I also discovered that many of the Jewish men had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. ... I told them, 'It was foreign women that made King Solomon sin. Here was a man who was greater than any of the kings of other nations. God loved him and made him king over all of Israel, and yet he fell into this sin. Are we then to follow your example and disobey our God by marrying foreign women?'" (Neh. 13:23,26-27, TEV)

The sin being referred to by Nehemiah that King Solomon was led into by his marriage to foreign women is worshiping and building altars for pagan gods (I Kings 11:4-9). Therefore, God's decree to the ancient Israelites not to marry with people outside His nation firmly stood throughout history. God's people who came from the Babylonian captivity were also prohibited to marry those from pagan nations, for the same reason that He forbade their forefathers to intermarry with the original inhabitants of Canaan—that they would not fall into following false gods and hence remain as His own chosen people.

   In the Christian Era, the Bible teaches that the chosen people of God are the members of the true Church of Christ (I Pet. 2:9-10; Col. 1:12-14; Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). And the Holy Scriptures is as explicit in pronouncing that Church of Christ members, too, should not marry those who do not have their faith:

"Do not unite in marriage with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness with iniquity? Or what mingling has light with darkness? Or what accord has Christ with Satan? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?" (II Cor. 6:14-15, Ibid.)

Unbelievers are those who do not have the true faith and hence do not belong to the true Church of Christ, notwithstanding whether they are potentially good partners or not. It is God, through the apostles, who forbids the true Christians to marry someone from other faiths for the same reason that He issued such a law to His first nation—so that they will not be separated from God but re¬main as His chosen people:

"And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people'. Therefore 'Come out from among them And be separate,' says the Lord. 'Do not touch what is unclean And I will receive you'." (II Cor. 6:16-17, New King James Version)

As it is the Lord God Himself who founded and instituted marriage (Gen. 1:27-28 [So God created man in His [own] image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."]), above anyone, He knows what makes up a good marriage for His people. The Church of Christ thus firmly believes that God's prohibition on "interfaith marriage" is certainly for the welfare and benefit of His children.

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For questions, comments, and suggestions, send your letters to any of our editorial offices (see staff box, p.1). Or, e-mail us at pasugo@inc.org . ph We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity. Sender's name may be withheld upon request.

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Link to INC Pasugo

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Link to StudyIglesiaNiCristo.com 

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"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus … you will be saved"

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus … you will be saved"

Letter to the Editor:

 GOD'S MESSAGE, October 2008, p.4

MY OFFICEMATE who is a member of your Church handed me a copy of your magazine and courteously asked me to read the articles, especially the one which tackles about salvation. Frankly,  I find it strange, for what I expected to read, considering that the article promises to talk about salvation, was not given the proper emphasis.

 From my readings of the Bible, especially the significant verses my church taught us, I’ve learned that what the Lord essentially requires of us is to have faith in Him. In fact, it is faith alone which  makes us worthy to merit the Lord’s grace of salvation.

 As Romans 10:9-11 teaches us: 

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For  with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth  confession is made unto salvation.

 For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame’.”

Charles Ostling

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

Editor's reply:

There is no question that Romans 10:9-11 underscores the importance of having faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and confessing Him with our mouth to receive His gift of salvation. In fact, the Church of Christ professes, among others, not only that God has raised Jesus from the dead’ but also that anyone who does not believe in Christ is “condemned already” (John 3:18). However, we wish to emphasize that true faith in Christ entails much more than just confessing Him with our mouths:

“So Jesus said to those who believed him, ‘If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples” (John  8:31,  Today’s   English Version)

True faith is not just a matter of believing but of obeying as well. It is no wonder therefore that the futility of merely professing to have faith was clarified by Christ’s apostles. This is what Apostle James emphasized when he wrote: 

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? … See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:14, 24, New American Bible)

One’s so-called faith without actions or deeds is dead (James 2:17). For, even demons    believe and even tremble with fear (James 2:19)—but surely, they will not be saved.

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:17, NKJV)

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble! (James 2:19, NKJV)

Regarding Romans 10:9-11, verse 17 of the same chapter explains how one obtains faith:

’So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”   (New King James Version)

Faith, which is certainly necessary for salvation, can be obtained through hearing or receiving the words of God or the gospel. But, do listening to the gospel and having faith suffice for one to be entitled of salvation? Notice what the Savior Himself expects of us, aside from receiving the gospel and possessing faith, in order to be saved:

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:13A 6, Ibid.)

Receiving the baptism taught by Christ is therefore also necessary for people to be saved. Those who have received this baptism, the Bible teaches, are found in “one body” (Cor. 12:13), which is “the church’’ headed by Christ (Col. 1:18). This Church  is none other the Church of Christ which the Savior- purchased with His precious blood:

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

  

Hence, confirming the indispensability of membership in the true church for people to be saved, which also disproves the widespread belief that faith alone guarantees us salvation, the Holy Scriptures further states:

  

And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47, King James Version)

* NOTE: All emphases ours.   

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Link to StudyIglesiaNiCristo.com

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Ang Dugo Ay Hindi Ibinigay Na Pagkain

Ang Dugo Ay Hindi Ibinigay Na Pagkain



Marami ang nagpapalagay na ang Iglesia Ni Cristo lamang ang 

nagbabawal ng pagkain ng dugo.  Nag-aakala rin ang marami

na ang pagbabawal ng pagkain ng dugo ay gawa-gawa

lamang ng mga ministro ng Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Dahil dito, ayaw nilang paniwalaan na ang dugo ay

masamang kainin.  Ngunit sino nga ba talaga ang nagbawal

ng pagkain ng dugo?

Pag-aralan natin ito.

Sino ang nagbawal ng pagkain ng dugo at kailan nagsimula ang pagbabawal?

Ang Diyos sa panahon ni Noe.

     "Si Noe at ang kanyang mga anak ay pinagpala ng Diyos:  Magkaroon kayo ng maraming anak at kalatan  ninyo ang buong daigdig.  Matatakot sa inyo ang lahat ng hayop, pati mga ibon, ang lahat ng gumagapang sa lupa at ang mga isda.  ang lahat ng ito ay inilalagay ko sa ilalim ng inyong kapangyarihan.  Ibinibigay ko sa inyo ang mga hayop at mga halamang luntian upang pagkain ninyo.  Isang bagay lamang ang hindi ninyo makakain, ang karneng hindi inalisan ng dugo na siyang sagisag ng buhay."  (Gen. 9:1-4)

Sa panahon ba ng mga magulang o nina Eba't Adan ay nagkaroon na ng bagbabawal ng pagkain ng dugo?

Wala pa, sapagkat mga pananim at bungangkahoy lamang ang ibinigay na pagkain sa kanila.

     "Bibigyan ko rin kayo ng lahat ng uri ng butil at mga bungangkahoy na inyong makakain."  (Gen. 1:29)

Nagpatuloy ba ang pagbabawal ng pagkain ng dugo sa panahon ng mga Propeta o ng Bayang Israel?

Nagpatuloy.

     "Wika pa ni Yahweh kay Moises,  "Sabihin mo sa bayang Israel na huwag silang kakain ng taba ng baka, tupa o kambing.  Hindi lamang iyon; kahit saan kayo naroon, huwag kayong kakain ng dugo ng anumang hayop o ibon."  (Lev. 7:22-23, 26)

Ano sa paningin ng Diyos ang kakain ng dugo at ano ang parusa?

Magiging kalaban ng Diyos at ihihiwalay sa Kaniyang bayan.

     "Ang sinumang kumain ng dugo ay magiging kalaban ko at ititiwalag sa kapulungan, maging Israelita o dayuhan man."  (Lev. 17:10)

Ano ang utos sa Bayang Israel na dapat gawin sa dugo kung sila'y  magpapatay ng hayop upang kanilang kainin?

Itatapon at tatabunan ng lupa.

     "At pag ang sinuman sa inyo, maging Israelita o dayuhan ay humuli ng hayop o ibong makakain, dapat niyang itapon ang dugo niyon at tabunan ng lupa."  (Lev. 17:13)

Ano sa paningin ng Diyos ang hindi pagkain ng dugo?

Ito ay kanyang kalooban at ikapapanuto o ikabubuti ng Kanyang mga lingkod.

     "Ngunit huwag ninyong kakanin pati dugo pagkat naroon ang buhay;  ang buhay ay di dapat kanin.  Huwag ninyong kakanin ang dugo,  sa halip ay patuluin sa lupa, huwag ninyong kakanin iyon;  mapapanuto kayo at ang inyong mga anak kung gagawin ninyo ang naaayon sa kalooban ni Yahweh."  (Deut. 12:23-25)

Ano ang dahilan at hindi ibinigay ng Diyos na pagkain ang dugo?

Pantubos ng buhay.

     "Sapagkat ang buhay ay nasa dugo at iniuutos ko na dapat ihandog iyon sa dambana bilang pantubos sa inyong buhay."  (Lev. 17:11)

Ito ay lumalarawan sa dugo ni Cristo na siyang tunay na pantubos sa kasalanan ng tao.

     "Ang kautusan ay malabong anino lamang at hindi ganap na larawan ng mabubuting bagay na darating.  Hindi ito nagpapabanal sa mga lumalapit sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng mga haing inihahandog taon-taon."  (Heb.10:1)

     "Ang dugo ng mga kambing at mga toro at ang abo ng dumalagang baka ay iwiwisik sa mga taong itinuturing na marumi. Sa gayon, sila'y magiging malinis ayon sa Kautusan.  Ngunit higit na  na di-hamak ang magagwa ng dugo ni Cristo.  Sa pamamagitan ng walang hanggang Espiritu ay inialay niya sa Diyos ang kanyang sarili na walang kapintasan.  Ang kanyang dugo ay lumilinis sa ating puso't isip upang talikdan na natin ang mga gawang walang kabuluhan at paglingkuran ang Diyos na buhay."  (Heb. 9:13-14)

Anong uring kasalanan sa Diyos ang pagkain ng dugo?

Mabigat na kasalanan.  Ito'y kataksilan sa Diyos.

     "Kaya, nagmamadali silang humuli ng mga hayop ng mga Filisteo.  Nagpatay sila ng mga tupa, baka at mga bisirong baka.  Dahil sa gutom, kinain  ang mga ito nang hindi na nakuhang alisan ng dugo.  May nagsumbong kay Saul na ang mga tao'y gumagawa ng malaking kasalanan kay Yahweh--kumakain ng karneng may dugo.  'Ito'y isang malaking kataksilan!' sigaw ni Saul 'Igulong ninyo rito ang isang malaking bato, ngayon din,' utos niya."  (I Sam. 14:32-33)

Ipinagbawal din ba ng mga Apostol ang pagkain ng dugo sa panahong Kristiyano?

Ipinagbawal.

     "Kaya't ang pasiya ko'y huwag nating ligaligin ang mga Hentil na lumalapit sa Diyos.  Sa halip, sulatan natin sila na huwag kakain ng anumang inihandog sa diyus-diyusan; huwag makikiapid; huwag kakain ng hayop na binigti, at ng dugo."  (Gawa 15:19-20)

Sino ang pinagbawalan?  Sino ba itong tinatawag na mga Hentil?

Hindi sila kabilang sa bayan ng Diyos, walang tipan, walang pangako at walang kautusan ng Diyos.  Kumakain sila ng dugo.  Ngunit ang mga Hentil na ito'y nangagbalikloob sa Diyos at nakabilang sa iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo o sa bayan ng Diyos sa panahong Kristiyano kaya sila man ay pinagbawalan ding kumain ng dugo.

     "Kaya't alalahanin ninyo ang ang inyong dating kalagayan:  kayo'y ipinanganak na mga Hentil at tinatawag na 'Di-tuli' ng mga Judio.  (Ang mga Judio ay tinatawag na 'Tuli' ayon sa ginagawa nila sa kanilang katawan.)  Alalahanin ninyo noong panahong iyon, hiwalay kayo kay Cristo, hindi kabilang sa bayang Israel, at di saklaw ng mga tipang nasasalig sa mga pangako ng Diyos.  Noo'y nabubuhay kayong walang pag-asa at walang Diyos."  (Efeso 2:11-12)

Kanino ba tinanaggap ng mga Apostol  ang utos na huwag kumain ng dugo at mga binigti?

Minagaling ng Espiritu Santo.

     "Sa udyok ng Espiritu Santo, ang naging pasya namin ay huwag kayong atangan ng iba pang pasanin maliban sa mga bagay na talagang kailangan:  huwag kayong kakain ng anumang inihandog sa mga diyus-diyusan ng dugo, at ng hayop na binigti." (Gawa 15:28-29)

Gaano ba kabigat na kasalanan kung salangsangin o labagin ang kautusan ng Espiritu Santo?

Hindi ipatatawad.

     "Kaya't sinasabi ko sa inyo,  Ang bawa't kasalanan at kapusungan ay ipatatawad sa mga tao; datapuwa't ang kapusungan laban sa Espiritu ay hindi ipatatawad.  At ang sinumang magsalita ng isang salitang laban sa Anak ng tao, ay ipatatawad sa kaniya; datapuwa't ang magsalita laban sa Espiritu Santo, ay hindi ipatatawad sa kaniya, kahit sa sanglibutang ito, o maging sa darating.  (Mat. 12:31-32)

Ano ang kaparusahan sa kapusungang ito?

Kamatayan sa dagat-dagatang apoy.

     "Sapagkat kamatayan ang kabayaran ng kasalanan, ..."  (Roma 6:23)

     

     "Pagkatapos ay itinapon sa lawang apoy ang Kamatayan at ang Hades.  Ang lawang apoy na ito ang pangalawang kamatayan."  (Pahayag 20:14)

Gaano ba kahirap ang daranasin sa parusang lawang apoy o dagat-dagatang apoy na siyang ikalawang kamatayan?

Sila'y parurusahan doon araw at gabi magpakailan-kailan man.

     "Ay iinom din naman siya ng alak ng kagalitan ng Dios, na nahahandang walang halo sa inuman ng kaniyang kagalitan; at siya'y pahihirapan  ng apoy at asupre sa harapan ng mga banal na anghel, at sa harapan ng kordero:"

     "At ang usok ng hirap nila ay napaiilanglang magpakailan man; at sila'y walang kapahingahan araw at gabi, silang nagsisisamba sa hayop at sa kaniyang larawan, at sinomang tumatanggap ng tanda ng kaniyang pangalan."  (Apoc. 14:10-11)

     Higit na mahigpit ang pagbabawal ng pagkain ng dugo sa panahong Kristiyano kaysa sa panahon ni Noe at ng bayang Israel.

     Hindi totoong maari nang kainin ang dugo sa panahong Kristiyano.  Mula sa panahon ni Noe pagkatapos ng bahang-gunaw hanggang sa panahon natin ngayon at hanggang sa paghuhukom ay nagpapatuloy ang pagbabawal ng Diyos ng pagkain ng dugo.  Sinumang magbabalikloob at pasasakop sa mga utos ng Diyos ay lumalayo at umiilag sa pagkain ng dugo at gayundin ng mga hayop na nabigti, mga namatay na hindi nakalabas ang dugo.

     Kaya kung ang mga kaanib ng Iglesia Ni Cristo ay nangingilabot, nandidiri at tumatangging kumain ng dugo ay sapagkat natitiyak nilang ito ay mabigat na kasalanan laban sa Diyos at sa Espiritu Santo.  Nalalaman nilang kung sadyain nilang kumain ng dugo ay ikahihiwalay nila ito sa Iglesia Ni Cristo na siyang bayan ng Diyos sa mga huling araw na ito.  Ang matiwalag sa Iglesia Ni Cristo ay siyang pinakamabigat na parusa sa sumasampalataya sapagkat hindi sila magtatamo ng kaligtasan.  Hahatulan sila ng Diyos sa araw ng paghuhukom at pahihirapan sa apoy at asupre magpakailan-kailan man.

     Dahil dito, hindi na maaaring magkaroon ng maling palagay ang marami na ang Iglesia Ni Cristo at kanyang mga ministro lamang ang nagbabawal ng pagkain ng dugo.  Masamang kumain ng dugo ng anumang hayop, sapagkat ang Diyos ang NAGBAWAL nito.

Ang Argumento Ng Iba

     Sinasabi ng ibang mga tagapangaral na okey lang daw na kainin pati na ang dugo sapagkat ito raw naman ay mabibili sa palengke.  Ginagamit nilang batayan ang I Corinto 10:25 na diumano'y kumain ng anumang  mabibili sa tindahan ng mga karne.  At yamang ang dugo ay mabibili na ngayon sa palengke, okey lang daw na kainin ito.  Totoo kaya ito?  Sipiin natin ang nilalaman ng nasabing talata.  Ganito ang sinasabi:

     "Kumain kayo ng anumang mabibili sa tindahan ng karne at huwag na kayong magtanong pa upang di mabalisa ang inyong budhi."

     Totoong nakasulat na kumain ng anumang mabibili sa tindahan ng karne, hindi sinabing sa tindahan ng karne at dugo.  Walang gayong nakasulat at mababasa.  Kung totoo man na mabibili ngayon ang dugo sa palengke o sa tindahan ng karne, dapat ba nating bilhin ito at kainin?  Hindi!  Sapagkat mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ito ng Diyos at hindi ito ibinigay na pagkain kaya makatwiran lamang na hindi ito dapat ipagbili at kainin.  Ang maaari lamang na kainin na mabibili sa palengke o tindahan ng karne ay nauukol lamang sa karne at hindi sa dugo.

     Nakakatulad lamang ito ng pagbabawal na iniutos kina Adan at Eba.  Ganito ang sabi:

     "Inilagay ni Yahweh ang tao sa halamanan ng Eden upang ito'y alagaan at pagyamanin.  Sinabi niya sa tao, 'Makakain ang alinmang bungangkahoy sa halamanan, ..."  (Gen. 2:15-16)

     Kung ating mapapansin, sinabi sa talata na alinman sa bungangkahoy ay makakain.  Kung sinabi man na alinman, ito kaya ay nangahuhulugan na lahat-lahat na ng uri ng bungangkahoy ay maaari nang kainin nina Eba at Adan?  Hindi!  Bakit?  Sapagkat sinasabi sa kasunod na talat ang ganito:

     "... maliban sa bunga ng punongkahoy na nagbibigay ng kaalaman tungkol sa mabuti at masama."  (Gen. 2:17)

     Gayundin ang nauukol o maging pag-unawa sa anumang mabibili sa tindahan ng karne.  Maaaring kainin ang anumang mabibili sa tindahan ng karne maliban sa dugo sapagkat hindi ito ibinigay na pagkain, ipinag-utos na ilagan o layuan, mabigat na kasalanan kung ito'y kainin at walang kapatawaran.

     Anuman ang ibigay na pangangatwiran ng mga taong maibigin sa pagkain ng dugo, ito'y maaaring pangangatwiran na lamang nila bunga ng hindi nila pagkaunawa o kaya naman ay upang mabigyang laya ang kanilang hangarin na kainin pati na ang dugo.  Subalit sa lahat ng ito'y nasusuklam ang Diyos at nangangahulugan ito ng pagkapahamak na kanilang kaluluwa.

     PAG-IBIG sa kapuwa at hindi anupaman o makasakit ng damdamin ang layunin ng paglalantad ng katotohanang ito.

Bakit ang dapat maging pagkaunawa sa nilalaman ng I Corinto 10:25 ay nauukol lamang sa karne at hindi sa dugo?

Sapagkat noong una, nagbigay ang Diyos ng tuntunin sa bayang Israel ukol sa mga hayop na dapat at di dapat kainin, mga hayop na malinis at mga hayop na itinuturing na marumi (buong kabanata ng Levitico 11).  Subalit sa panahong Kristiyano, ang mga hayop na itinuturing na marumi noong una ay nilinis na ng Diyos at maari nang kainin.

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Bible Study Suggestion: Malugod po namin kayong inaanyayahan sa mga pagsamba ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa ating Lumikha.
Kung mayroon po kayong mga katanungan ukol sa mga aral na sinasampalatayanan ng Iglesia ni Cristo, maaari po kayong magtungo sa kapilya o bahay-sambahan na malapit sa inyo at makipag-ugnayan po kayo sa ministrong nakadestino rito.  Nagagalak po silang kayo'y paglingkuran.  Sa Diyos po ang lahat ng kapurihan!____________________________________________________________________

Link to  StudyIglesiaNiCristo.com

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Katarungan ng Dios sa Ikaliligtas

Katarungan ng Dios sa Ikaliligtas

Ang mga tanong na sasagutin ng paksang ito:


1. KUNG ANG INC LANG ANG MALILIGTAS SA ARAW NG PAGHUHUKOM PAANO MALILIGTAS ANG MGA BANSA AT MGA BAYAN NA HINDI PA NAAABOT O NARARATING NG PANGANGARAL NG INC LALO NA ANG NABUHAY AT NAMATAY NOONG DI PA ITO MULING IBINABANGON SA "SIKATAN NG ARAW" AT "MGA WAKAS NG LUPA"?

"Sapagkat ang lahat ng nangagkasala ng WALANG KAUTUSAN ay mangapapahamak din naman ng walang kautusan: at ang lahat na nangagkasala sa ILALIM NG KAUTUSAN ay sa kautusan din sila hahatulan." (Roma 2:12)

PANSININ: Dito pa lang ay makikita na HINDI TOTOO na nasakop ng dugo ni Cristo ang sanlibutan... dahil kung gayon, ay wala na sanang hahatulan pa. Subalit kahit ano pang isipin ng tao... ang KATARUNGAN NG DIYOS ay siyang mananaig sa takdang araw.

2. PAANO ANG MABABAIT AT MATULUNGING HINDI INC?

"Sapagkat nasusulat, iwawalat ko ang karunungan ng marurunong, at isasawala ko ang kabaitan ng mababait." (I Cor. 1:19)

PANSININ: Mabuting katangian ang maging "mabait" at "matulungin" sa kapwa ngunit hindi ito ang saligan sa kaligtasan sa araw ng paghuhukom.

 3. HINDI BA NANGANGAHULUGANG MAY PAGTATANGI ANG DIYOS KUNG ANG MGA KAANIB LANG SA INC ANG MALILIGTAS?

"At binuka ni Pedro ang kaniyang bibig, at sinabi, Tunay ngang natatalastas ko na hindi nagtatangi ang Dios ng mga tao." (Gawa 10:34)

Hindi kailanman nagtatangi ang Dios. Kung gayon, bakit may maliligtas at may mapapahamak? TAMA. Pero huwag kalimutang ang Dios ay makatarungan. Ang Dios ay nagtakda ng wastong paraan ng pagliligtas. Ang paraang ito ang siyang dapat sundin ng sinumang ibig maligtas.

"At sa ganito'y nalalaman natin na siya'y ating nakikilala, kung tinutupad natin ang kaniyang mga utos." (I Juan 2:3)

Napakahalaga ng pagsunod sa utos ng Dios. Ang taong ayaw pasakop sa tuntuning ito, kahit nagsasabing siya'y kumikilala sa Diyos, ay sinungaling at ang katotohanan ay wala sa kaniya:

"Ang nagsasabing, Nakikilala ko siya, at hindi tumutupad ng kaniyang mga utos, ay sinungaling, at ang katotohanan ay wala sa kaniya." (I Juan 2:4)

"Sapagkat ito ang pag-ibig sa Dios, na ating tuparin ang kaniyang mga utos: at ang kaniyang mga utos ay hindi mabibigat." (I Juan 5:3)

Ang isa sa utos ng Diyos para sa paraan ng kaligtasan ay yaong ipinahayag ng Panginoong Jesus:

"AKO ang PINTUAN; sinumang PUMASOK sa KAWAN sa pamamagitan ko ay MAGIGING LIGTAS." (Juan 10:9, REV)

Ang KAWAN ayon sa KASULATAN:

"Ingatan ninyo kung gayon ang inyong mga sarili at ang BUONG KAWAN na rito'y HINIRANG KAYO, upang pakanin ang IGLESIA NI CRISTO na binili niya ng KANIYANG DUGO." (Gawa 20:28, Lamsa)

Bakit sa ibang bible eh iglesia ng Diyos ang nakalagay? Ito ay maling pagsasalin dulot ng kanilang paniniwala, dahil sa ang Tunay na Diyos ay ESPIRITU sa kalagayan - WALANG MATERYAL. DI NAKIKITA - LALONG WALANG DUGO. SA IISANG DIYOS NA TUNAY. Kung hindi susundin ng tao ang ipinagagawa sa kaniya ng Tagapagligtas ay wala na siyang dapat sisihin kundi ang kaniyang sarili kung hindi siya maligtas:

"Kung HINDI sana ako NAPARITO at NAGSALITA sa kanila, ay HINDI SILA MAGKAKAROON NG KASALANAN: datapuwa't NGAYO'Y WALA NA SILANG MAIDADAHILAN SA KANILANG KASALANAN." (Juan 15:22)

BUOD: Ang Panginoong Diyos ay HINDI NAGTATANGI ngunit SIYA'Y MAKATARUNGAN. Hindi Niya ililigtas ang ayaw pasakop sa Kaniyang KAUTUSAN. TUNAY. Ang iglesia ay hindi magliligtas... subalit ITO ANG ILILIGTAS ng TAGAPAGLIGTAS na si CRISTO JESUS. Si Cristo ang ULO at ang IGLESIA ang KATAWAN. Ang isang BAGONG TAO. Kaya nga "KATAWAN NI CRISTO" o "IGLESIA NI CRISTO" (Col. 1:18).
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"No condemnation for those who are in Christ"

Letter to the Editor: 

GOD'S MESSAGE, November 2008, p.4

THE BIBLE IS CRYSTAL  CLEAR about salvation  as a free gift from God. In Genesis 1:27-31, the Bible says that it was God Himself who created man in His own image. But because man had sinned   (Gen. 3:8),   his fellowship or relationship with God was destroyed (Isa.   59:1,  2).  The apostle Paul  says that the "wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23) and that "all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23), in other words, because of sin we were   separated   from   God   and deserve to die or be punished eternally in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14).

But there is hope. God loved us so much that "he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall   not perish but have everlasting life"  (John 3:16). Thus, Jesus bore our curse   (Gal.    3:13)    and    experienced death for us (Heb. 2:8-9)—He was the one who took the penalty of our sins (II Cor. 5:21). When we receive Jesus as a personal savior we are no longer condemned as written in Romans 8:1 which says  "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus . . . . . " Therefore, because of the grace of God we are saved and not by being member of any church (Eph. 2:8), let alone your church.

Willy Austria

Maryland, USA

Editor's reply:

We couldn't   agree more with what you pointed  out from the Bible that if it were not for God's love that was manifested   through   His   sending of His Son Jesus Christ, we would all be doomed to suffer eternal punishment in the lake of fire for the sins each of us committed.  Salvation   is certainly an act of God's grace, but this doesn't mean   that  we   should  just    dismiss membership in the Church of Christ or regard it as irrelevant or unnecessary.

While we do need to believe Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as Savior to receive God's grace of salvation (Eph. 2:8; John 3:16), we should also make sure that we are among those whom Christ considers   as  His sheep. Christ said: 

"But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear   My voice,   and I know   them,  and they follow Me." (John  10:26-27,  New King James Version)

There is a big difference between the true believers of Christ and those who merely  profess belief or faith  in Him. Christ's true believers are those counted by Him as His sheep who hear His voice. Thus, to become a true believer of Christ, one ought to heed His call to enter Him, inasmuch   as He is the "door of the sheepfold" and He invites anyone who wants to be saved to come into the fold through Him (John 10:9, Revised English Bible). This fold or flock, which is what He redeemed with His blood, is the Church of Christ (Acts 20-.2S, Lamsa TransIation).

In fact,   those   referred   to  in Romans  8:1—the  people  "who   are  in Christ", and   as such,  are   no longer condemned—are  also   the   members of the Church of Christ.  Apostle Paul|       for explicates that to be "in Christ" is to be "members in one body" (Rom. 12:4-5), that "one body" being Christ body or "the Church" headed by Him (Col. 1:18) which is called by the apostles as the Church of Christ (Acts 20:.28, Lamsa Translation). 

It is therefore the curse of the Church of  Christ   members   which   Jesus    bore (Gal. 3:13), and it  is for them that He experienced death (Heb. 2:8-9).  It is for them that He was made sin (II Cor. 5:21), which means that He took the penalty for their sins, not for the sins of those who just claim to have faith in Christ without entering His flock or Church.

So,  there are things that need  to be done for one to partake of God's grace of salvation through Christ; and, becoming a member of the true Church  of Christ (not   just any church)  is   one of  them.  We can   never discount  the significance of membership in the Church of Christ to man's salvation  because it   is for the Church that God's "master plan" of salvation through Jesus Christ is intended (Eph. 3:21, Living Bible)

There is a lot more to having faith in Christ than  just proclaiming to accept Him as Savior. To publicly confess acceptance of Him, while at the same time discounting the relevance  of being part of His body or member of His Church, is not only a gross oversimplification of the truth concerning God's grace of salvation but also an affront to Christ who "loved the church and gave his life for it"  (Eph, 5:25, Today's English Version)

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"On being baptized to be saved"

"On being baptized to be saved"

Letter to the Editor: 

PASUGO, January 1997, p.3

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE in attending your worship service was due to the promise I made to my roommate.

During the worship service, I did not expect to see members solemnly praying. This scene touched my heart, more so when the minister expounded on the true Church which Christ built and which He will save.   I learned that one must enter the fold to be saved from God's punishment come Judgment Day.

My confusion set in when I heard Jesus Christ's promise to His chosen people. 

In John 14:2-3, He stated:

"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so,  I would  have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself;   that where I am, there you maybe also." (New King  James Version)

I do not doubt Christ's promise because every promise He spoke will come true.   But how about those who believe in Him but have not  been baptized?  Will they receive salvation or eternal life on Judgment Day?

Peterson Bagasbas

Metro-Manila, Philippines

Editor's reply:

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior is, indeed, very important.  Apostle John wrote that "whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (cf. Jn. 3:16, New International Version).

   

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jn. 3:16, NIV)

On the other hand, those who do not believe in God's only begotten Son  have already been condemned (cf. Jn. 3:18).  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (Jn. 3:18, NIV)

Thus, we firmly embrace and uphold the teaching of the Scriptures to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.     However, believing in Christ is not all one has to do in order to be saved. The Bible records this, thus:

"So Jesus said to those believed  in him, 'If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples'." (Jn. 8:31, Today's English Version) 

Believing in Christ is not enough. For one to be considered His true disciple, he must obey the teaching of the Savior.   What is Christ's teaching for a man  to become His disciple? One must be baptized to be considered as Christ's disciple (cf. Mt. 28:19).

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Mt. 28:19, NIV)

Those who believe in Christ and have been baptized are the ones assured of salvation as affirmed by the Savior Himself: 

"Go into  all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,  but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mk. 16:15-16, NIV) 

Indeed, it is necessary for a man to receive baptism—and not only to simply believe and accept Christ as personal Savor—in order to be saved.

However, not everyone who claims they have been baptized are assured of salvation. Those who have been baptized according to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ are found in one body: 

"For we were all baptized by one spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greek, slave or free—and we are all given the one Spirit to drink." (I Cor.. 12:13, Ibid.) 

The one body Apostle Paul referred  to is the Church of which Christ is the head (cf. Col. 1:18). This is the Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo (cf. Acts 20:28, Lamsa). 

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col. 1:18, NKJV)

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)

Thus, those who have complied with the Savior's command to be baptized and thus be saved are not scattered in different religions but are gathered in one body, in one Church—the Church of Christ. 

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Note: Verses in smaller font were added for clarity. Emphasis ours.

Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind. 

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