On putting other religions down

On putting other religions down

Letter to the Editor:PASUGO, November 1995, p.2

 

WE ARE SEVEN in the office adhering to different religions. During our break-time periods we often discuss religion and my attention was struck by what one of my co-workers said, that only the Iglesia ni Cristo members will be saved by Jesus Christ on Judgment Day.

To satisfy my curiosity, I attended the worship services held on Thursdays by the Iglesia ni Cristo with the help of Virginia Sangre, one of my officemates who is a member of your religion. I was impressed at the way discipline and commitment were shown when I attended worship services at the local Church of the Iglesia ni Cristo at Pondol, Balamban, Cebu through the courtesy of Ms. Sangre’s family.

I asked for a copy of the PASUGO to satisfy my growing curiosity. I read the “Letters” column and this encouraged me to write this letter.

My question is, “Why does the Iglesia ni Cristo claim that only its members will be saved on Judgment Day? Did not Christ say ‘not all people calling me Lord, Lord has the assurance to enter the kingdom of God’?”

Secondly, I appreciate the article of Mr. Pedrito B. Placio entitled, “Whom to believe and why” (May-June 1992) but what turned me off is his tendency to put his previous religion, which is Catholicism, down. This seems to be the standard procedure of the Iglesia ni Cristo—putting other religions down.

I would like to stress that if we understand and respect each other and teach our doctrines without putting others down, then we altogether celebrate the word of God. He will be happy if we do this. And if we as the church of God share love, then all of us will be saved.

Rio B. AmoradoCebu, Philippines

Editor's reply:

We are glad that you went through great lengths to satisfy your curiosity about the Iglesia ni Cristo and we hope you profited much from the experience.

You are right that Christ said:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Mt. 7:21, King James Version).

From this biblical passage we can properly deduce that only those who do the will of God will enter the heavenly kingdom. And what is the will of God? This we can read in Ephesians 1:9-10, thus:

⁹ having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, ¹⁰ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both^[a] which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10, NKJV)

And how can people be gathered in Christ? It is by entering (cf. Jn. 10:9) the Church which He established (cf. Mt. 16:18) and of which He is the Savior (cf. Eph. 5:23) (cf. Acts 20:28, Lamsa).

‘I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be saved.’ (John 10:9, Revised English Bible)

¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Mt. 16:18, NKJV)

²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Eph. 5:23, 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 Translation)

It is thus the will of the Father that all should enter or join the fold or flock or the Church of Christ and not just any other church or religion.

In apostolic times, it is stated that the Lord “added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47, KJV). Thus, it is to the Church of Christ and not to any other church that those to be saved are added or brought.

⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47, KJV)

Brother Pedrito B. Placio may sound to you as “having the tendency” of “putting other religious down” but that judgment is not accurate.

There is no such thing as a standard procedure of the Iglesia ni Cristo to put other religions down. This Church respects other the religious in as far as they are honest beliefs of men. But since the Iglesia ni Cristo also believes that there is only one true religion established by Christ at the command of God, it cannot avoid pointing out this truth which incidentally includes pointing out what is false.

In the process of pointing out one’s discovery of the truth and in sharing it with others one cannot but reject that which is false. The case of author Pedrito B. Placio is like the case of one who thought he had the correct answer but discovered the true one later.

We can only “celebrate the word of God,” as you put it, by following His words and not other’s. And if the word of God shows that the Lord Jesus Christ established only one Church, the Church of Christ, then we can give Him (the Father) glory by joining this Church and not any other’s.

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Note: Some cited verses are printed in full to facilitate study.

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. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com

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Visit:  www.studyiglesianicristo.com

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Exposing by Contrast

"Exposing by Contrast"

Letter to the Editor: GOD'S MESSAGE, April 2011, p.3

BEING ALWAYS ON THE ROAD, it has become my hobby to tune in to your radio station (DZEM 954 khz) I must admit that I learn a lot from your programs especially with regards to various religious beliefs. In your attempt to be fair and objective, I also noticed that you quote from books written by authorities of other religions. However my wife once quipped why your speakers at times deal with the beliefs of other religions instead of just confining yourselves to the doctrines you uphold. Is that approach not against the Bible? 

Peter John IsidroManila, Philippines

Editor's reply:

     Thank you for writing us and for tuning in to our religious programs on local radio, DZEM 954kHz.

      In  discussing the truth about the teachings of other religions, our modest objective is to correct the erroneous doctrines which will cause man not to inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:20-21, New King James Version) To attain such a noble aim, there are some instances when we cannot avoid comparing the beliefs espoused by different religions with the tenets of the Bible, being the sole basis of the true faith. In doing so, we only use the Bible according to its intended function: 

".... you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus,  All scriptures is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God maybe complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Tim. 3:15-17, ibid.).

      Notice that aside from being profitable for doctrine and instruction, the Holy Scriptures is also useful for "reproof" and "correction". The Church of Christ therefore believes that examining other religious beliefs in the light of biblical precepts eventually leads to understanding and enlightenment on the part of the people concerned.

     Consequently, identifying what is false is effective and oftentimes necessary to show the truth. And since it is a duty of the Church of Christ to share what is true concerning God's wisdom (Eph. 3:10), exposing false teachings for the purpose of enlightening others , is therefore unavoidable and necessary. As a matter of fact, the Apostle Paul recommends this method of exposing the truth. He taught: "Try to discover what the Lord wants of you, having nothing to do with the futile works of darkness but exposing them by contrast" (Eph.5:10-11,Jerusalem Bible). 

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Note: Some words and phrases are in italics for emphasis.

Visit:  www.studyiglesianicristo.com

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Joining the Church for good reasons and right motives

Joining the Church for good reasons and right motives

Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, November 1995, p.3

I AM VERY much attracted to one of the members of your Church.  I have tried my best to win her heart but friendship was all she could reciprocate my love with.

She tells me that the members of your Church are not allowed to have romantic relationships, much less marry, with non-members.  I find this cruel. What if a member happens to fall in love with a non- member? Do your doctrines have power over one's heart? 

I am willing to be a member of your Church so she could accept my love.  To my surprise, she rejected the idea. She told me it was not the proper way of joining your Church. What, then, is the proper way?

David Dularza
Pangasinan, Philippines

Editor's reply:

     God commands us to love our fellowmen in the same way that we love ourselves (cf. Mt. 22:39). He also commands every man to love his wife, or, every woman to love her husband (cf. Eph. 5:25, 24). But God also commands everyone to love Him above all (cf. Dt. 6:5; Mt. 22:37).

     The Iglesia ni Cristo member maintains a balance in his or her sense of values. Love as a value has its ranking and where conflict arises – such as having to choose between love that leads to marriage but which at the same time entails violation of God’s commandment – he or she would rather sacrifice the lesser love for the greater love which is love of God.

     It is a commandment of God not to marry with unbelievers (cf. II Cor. 6:14-15) or with those whose beliefs go against biblical teachings. It is this commandment which prevented the lady you mentioned from accepting your love because you do not belong to the Church she believes.

     If you join the Church of Christ simply because of your love for the lady, then you are joining the Church for the wrong reason – for the wrong motive. One ought to join the Church out of a genuine conviction and complete understanding of what God truly teaches and commands.

     The first step you must take is to examine the teachings upheld by the Iglesia ni Cristo. Ask the lady to bring you to the minister assigned in her locale. Undergo all the basic lessons on doctrine, do all that should  be done,  and if you are convinced, then become a member by being baptized into the Church of Christ.

     Only then can your reason for joining the Iglesia ni Cristo be truly acceptable in the eyes of God.

___________________

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.  For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com.

Visit:  www.studyiglesianicristo.com
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Between God's will and parents wish

Between God's will and parents wish

Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, November 1996, p.2

I AM A17-year-old Catholic who been reading PASUGO and inquiring about the Iglesia ni Cristo for almost half a year now.  I have learned a lot of things by reading your articles but I know that I still have a lot more to learn.  And the only way I can learn is by studying your doctrines. 

I have decided to undergo Bible study on doctrines but my mother won't allow me to. She thinks I have other reasons for joining your Church. But the fact is, I no longer believe in Catholic teachings.  I can't possibly go to a Catholic Church and expect myself to understand their teachings; nor can I set aside religion or forget I've ever come across such problem and go on with my life. I don't want to be a pagan either. 

I really want to study the doctrines of your Church but I won't be able to do this without my parents permission, if I keep it from their knowledge, I won't be able attend the worship services. And If I decide to receive instructions on doctrines in spite of their objections, I will disobey them and sin against God for He ordered us to obey our parents, as written Ephesians 6:1-3. 

I know that the second coming of Christ is near. And I don't want myself and my family to be endangered.

How can I convince my parents to allow me to study your Church's doctrines? They keep on saying that becoming a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo won't change anything and that as long as one is doing no evil to his fellowmen, he will be saved. Should I disobey my parents and yet do what is right?

Jackie Lou Militante
Quezon City, Philippines

Editor's reply:

It is heartening to note that, at your young age, you have already developed a great interest to search for the truth.

As regards your dilemma, the Bible teaches that we must respect or honor our parents for this is the first commandment with a promise (cf. Eph. 6:2). We must listen to and obey their advice knowing that their intentions are good. But there is a limit as to how far children ought to obey their parents. The Lord Jesus Christ clarified this to His disciples:

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mt. 10:37, New International Version)

The Lord Jesus Christ emphasized that those who love their parents more than they do love Him will not be worthy of Him. This does not mean that we should not love or obey our parents, rather, our love for the Savior and for the Lord God must be greater than our love for anybody else.

If our parents would coerce us into following or believing doctrines and practices which are against the will and commandments of the Lord, we would have to sacrifice obedience to parents for obedience to Christ and to God. Obedience to God must precede obedience to parents. God Himself stated, thus:

“I said to their children in the desert, ‘Do not follow the statues of your fathers or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Ezek. 20:18-19, Ibid.)

The choice you have to make may not be an easy one. You have to carefully weigh everything, knowing that your decision will have far-reaching consequences.

We pray that God bless and help you decide properly.

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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. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com.

Visit:  www.studyiglesianicristo.com
___________________________

On live-in relationship and marriage

On live-in relationship and marriage

 

 

 Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, December 1995, p.2

MY LIVE-IN PARTNER has been invited a number of times to attend your Bible study on doctrines. In the process, she has come to understand your doctrines and is now inviting me to listen. Through her I learned that your Church does not approve of live-in relationships.

Personally I don't believe in marriage because it is just a piece of paper.  I know of many married couples who have ended up separated. Their marriage did not work.

My live-in partner and I have a beautiful relationship. We have been living together for more than 15 years, outliving even the other marriages I know of.  What could marriage do to our lives? Do we still need it?  We are happy and content the way things are.

Roger Castillo
Butuan City, Philippines

Editor's reply:

Unlike beasts, human beings have cultural institutions which serve as a civilizing influence. Civilized man has created sanctions that act as restraints on his behavior, thus further differentiating himself from the rest of God’s creation.

One of these institutions is marriage. This regulates society and limits procreation to those individuals who have exhibited emotional as well as physical maturity.

Thus, marriage brings about legitimacy not only in the relationship between the man and the woman but in its outcome, the offspring. It is society itself that places restrictions on sexual relations between individuals in the form of matrimony. Any violation of this restriction usually results in penalties.

     On the other hand, for those who accept the Bible as God’s word, there is even a stronger argument.

     Marriage was instituted by God as the only legitimate means by which a man may join with a woman in conjugal love and by which they may have children. (cf. Gen. 2:18-24; 1:28).

 ¹⁸ And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” ¹⁹ Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 
 

²¹ And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. ²² Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

²³ And Adam said:

“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.  (Gen. 2:18-24, NKJV)

²⁸ 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.” (Gen. 1:28, NKJV)

Marriage involves a holy contract or covenant between a man and a woman, whereby they give themselves to each other for life:

“So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mt. 19:6, New International Version)

The act of cohabiting without the benefit of matrimony is called fornication, a form of sexual immorality according to the teachings of the Bible. What is the problem with sexual immorality? The Bible says:

“Avoid immorality. Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body; but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins against his own body. Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God…” (I Cor. 6:18-19, Today’s English Version)

The person who engages in sexual immorality injures his own body. No matter how much pleasure is derived through engaging in this kind of practice and no matter how happy the individuals involved may be, the end will still be tragic:

“But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars—the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Rev. 20:8, Ibid.) [emphasis ours]

The failure of some couples to maintain their marriage does not prove that the institution is itself a failure—a worthless piece of paper. Nor does it make the practice of cohabiting a valid alternative. The marriage contract’s validity remains; however, ignorance of God’s principles and rules for a successful relationship can only lead to disappointment, even for those who get married.

How then should individuals who seek to marry carry out this decision? Taking into account that the good spouse is a gift from God (cf. Prov. 19:14), one should, through prayer and mature deliberation, make sure that the person one wishes to marry is of such faith and character as to make a good companion and helper for life. It also pays to understand that to marry someone is a serious and sacred responsibility and that one should not get into it hastily under the influence of passion.

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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. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com.

Visit:  www.studyiglesianicristo.com
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On homosexual relationships and same-sex marriage

On homosexual relationships 

and same-sex marriage

 

 

 Letter to the Editor:
GOD'S MESSAGE, December 2011, p.2

RAMPANT AS lT is nowadays, homosexuality can be palpably observed in almost all cultures. Consequentially, we once in a while meet and become acquainted with men and women who are called gays and lesbians. I, for one, personally know of people who are romantically involved with members of the same sex and are even planning to get married. When questions of morals and religion are brought out in discussions, they just.‘ brush aside the issues by saying that the Bible has no clear prohibition against homosexual unions. l am not well-versed in biblical teachings, so may I ask you, doesn't the Bible prohibit homosexuality? Biblically speaking, can people get into homosexual relationships and same-sex marriage without committing sin? "

Roger Frost
Ontario, Canada

Editor's reply:

The first book of the Holy Scriptures, Genesis, definitely teaches that in the beginning, God instituted marriage for the union of a man and a woman—and not for two individuals who belong to the same sex. Adam and Eve-—the first man and woman—were the first couple united by God through marriage (Gen. 1:26-
28; 2:21-24).

²⁶ Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all^[b] the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ²⁸ 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.” (Gen. 1:26-
28, NKJV)

²¹ And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. ²² Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. ²³ And Adam said:  “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” ²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Gen.  2:21-24, NKJV).

That a man and a woman need each other according to God's design is reiterated in the New Testament (l Cor. 11:11).

¹¹ But in the Lord the woman needs the man, and the man needs the woman.  ERV

Apostle Paul said that every man should have his own wife and every woman should have her own husband:

"But because there is so much immorality, every man should have his own wife, and every woman should have her own husband.” (l Cor. 7:2, Today’s English Version)

God is against homosexual unions. The Bible clearly teaches that it is unnatural and sinful for women to have lustful affection and passion and worse, sexual relationship, with one another. Males having passion with other males are also denounced:

²⁶ For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affections and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one,
²⁷ And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another—men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own ^[d]bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution.
²⁸ And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome, (Rom. 1:26-28, Amplified Bible)

Homosexuality is such an abomination before God that no less than death was the penalty imposed upon offenders during Moses’ time (Lev. 2O:13).

¹³ If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. (Lev. 2O:13, NKJV)

In the Christian Era, God has decreed that those who engage in such abominable sexual relations will not inherit His kingdom:

”Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and
immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.” (l Cor. 6:9-10, AB)

lf these were not clear prohibitions against homosexual unions, what are?

___________________

Note: Some cited verses are printed in full to facilitate study.

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. For the latest Worship Service Directory of Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines, please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com.

Visit:  www.studyiglesianicristo.com

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