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Iglesia ni Cristo pronounced (English: Church of Christ; abbreviated as INC; colloquially Iglesia) describes itself as an independent Christian religion. The church stresses its independence, saying that it is not a denomination or sect of any of the major groupings and is neither affiliated to any federation of religious bodies, nor itself an assembly of smaller religious organizations. Other sources call it the largest entirely indigenous Christian denomination in the Philippines, the largest religious organization that originated in the Philippine Islands, and also the largest independent Christian church in Asia. It has also been cited as one of the largest and most powerful churches in the developing world.INC is also one of the largest religious bodies of the world with 27 million adherents. Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in outlook and theme. INC, however, does not consider itself to be part of the Restoration Movement, which it considers as the "children" of the apostate Roman Catholic Church.

Iglesia ni Cristo believes that it is the true church established by Jesus Christ in the first century, and that its registration in the Philippines is the fulfillment of bible prophesies that Jesus Christ's church would re-emerge in the Far East.

Felix Y. Manalo officially registered the church with the Philippine Government on July 27, 1914 and because of this, most publications refer to him as the "founder" of the church. However, the official doctrines of the church profess that Christ is the founder of the INC and that Felix Manalo was the last messenger, sent by God to re-establish the Christian Church to its true, pristine form because the original church was apostatized. INC teaches that the apostate church is the Roman Catholic Church, and proclaims that Catholic beliefs shared by most Christians, such as the Trinity are proof of this apostasy. The church teaches that the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit are not biblical. As of 2013, the Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo is Eduardo V. Manalo, the grandson of Felix Manalo.

Iglesia ni Cristo members are noted for bloc voting in Philippine elections which is unique to the church due to their doctrine on unity and a practice that cannot be found outside INC.

History

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. United States missionary work was exposing Filipino culture to many alternatives to the Roman Catholic Church, which had been installed under Spanish rule.

Pioneering years - 1913 to 1916

Felix Manalo, born on May 10, 1886 in Taguig, Philippines, was baptized a Roman Catholic. In his teenage years, Manalo became dissatisfied with Roman Catholic theology. According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the establishment of the Philippine Independent Church or the Aglipayan Church was his major turning point but Manalo remained uninterested since its doctrines were mainly Catholic. He started seeking through various denominations, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1904, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, entered the Methodist seminary, and became a pastor for a while. Manalo left the Methodist church in 1913, and associated himself with atheist and agnostic peers.

On November 1913, Manalo secluded himself with religious literature and unused notebooks in a friend's house in Pasay, instructing everyone in the house not to disturb him. He emerged out of seclusion three days later with his new-found doctrines.

Manalo, together with his wife, went to Punta, Santa Ana, Manila on November 1913, and started preaching. He left the congregation in the care of his first ordained minister, and returned to Taguig to evangelize. In Taguig, he was ridiculed and stoned in his meetings with locals. He was later able to baptize a few converts, including some of his persecutors. He later registered his new-found religion as the Iglesia ni Cristo (English: Church of Christ; Spanish: Iglesia de Cristo) on July 27, 1914 at the Bureau of Commerce as a corporation sole with himself as the first executive minister. Expansion followed as INC started building congregations in the provinces in 1916. The first three ministers were ordained in 1919.

Continuing growth - 1922 to 1950

In 1922, the INC's first schism, led by Teofilo Ora, one of INC's first ministers, resulted in the loss of several congregations, along with their church buildings, in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. Ora founded Iglesia Verdadero de Cristo which was later changed to Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus.

By 1924, the INC had about 3,000 to 5,000 adherents in 43 or 45 congregations in Manila and six nearby provinces. By 1936, the INC had 85,000 members. This figure grew to 200,000 by 1954. A Cebu congregation was built in 1937—the first to be established outside of Luzon, and the first in the Visayas. The first mission to Mindanao was commissioned in 1946. Meanwhile, its first concrete chapel was built in Sampaloc, Manila in 1948. Adherents fleeing for the provinces away from Manila, where the Japanese forces were concentrated during the World War II, were used for evangelization. As Manalo's health began to fail in the 1950s, Eraño Manalo started to take leadership of the church. Felix Manalo died on April 12, 1963.Felix Manalo started his preaching mission with only a handful of listeners in a small room at the workers quarters of a construction company. When he died, he left a well-established church with millions of members all over the Philippines. In only 49 years of existence, the Iglesia ni Cristo had 1,250 local chapels, and 35 large concrete cathedrals. Felix Y. Manalo was a recognized and highly respected religious leader of the Philippines.

International expansion - 1968 to 2010

The first overseas INC mission was sent in 1968 on its 54th anniversary. On July 27, 1968, Executive Minister Erano G. Manalo, officiated at the first worship service of the Church outside the Philippines. This gathering held in Ewa Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii marked the establishment of the Honolulu Congregation, the first overseas mission of the Church. The following month, the Executive Minister was in California to establish the San Francisco Congregation and lead its inaugural worship service. In 1971, the Church set foot in Canada. In June 1987, the US Main Office (USMO) was set up in Daly City, California to assist the Central Administration in supervising the then 11 districts of the Church in the West. The first local congregation in Latin America was established in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1990. The following year, the Church reached Mexico and Aruba. From 2000 and beyond, congregations rose in the Central and South American countries. The first local congregation in Europe was established in England in 1972. The Church came to Germany and Switzerland in the mid-70s. By the end of the 1980s, congregations and missions could be found in the Scandinavian countries and their neighbors. The Rome, Italy Congregation was established on July 27, 1994; the Jerusalem, Israel Congregation in March 1996; and the Athens, Greece Congregation in May 1997. The predecessors (prayer groups) of these full-fledged congregations began two decades earlier. Meanwhile, the mission first reached Spain in 1979. The first mission in northern Africa opened in Nigeria in October 1978. After a month, the King William’s Town Congregation, in South Africa was established. A congregation was organized in Guam in 1969. In Australia, congregations have been established since mid-1970s. The Church first reached China by way of Hong Kong, and Japan through Tokyo also in the 1970s. Missions have also opened in Kazakhstan and Sakhalin Island in Russia. In Southeast Asia, the first congregation in Thailand was established in 1976 and missions have already been conducted in Brunei since 1979. In addition, there are also congregations in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. The INC started operating a radio station in 1969. The Ministerial Institute of Development, currently the New Era University College of Evangelical Ministry, was founded in 1974 in Quiapo, Manila. It moved to its current location in Quezon City in 1978. As of 1995, it had 4,500 students and five extension schools in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga and Rizal. In 1971, the INC Central Office building was built in Quezon City. Fifteen years later, the Central Temple was added in the complex. The Tabernacle, a tent-like multipurpose building which can accommodate up to 4,000 persons, was finished in 1989. The complex also includes the New Era University, a higher-education institution run by the INC.

Eraño Manalo died on August 31, 2009. His son, Eduardo V. Manalo, succeeded him as executive minister upon his death.

Three years since Eduardo Manalo assumed the office as the church's executive minister, INC has added outside the Philippines 65 local congregations, 20 congregation-extensions, and 57 GWS or Group Worship Services units that are being groomed to one day becoming extensions and eventually local congregations. Seven new ecclesiastical districts or large administrative units were added. These districts can comprise anywhere from ten to a hundred local congregations. These new districts are Northeast Asia (August 31, 2010), Southeast Asia (July 28,2011), Eastern Canada (June 16, 2011), Western Canada (June 16, 2011), Qatar (July 9,2012), United Arab Emirates (July 9,2012), and United Kingdom (July 9,2012). These figures do not include those in the Philippines. It has always been the policy of its administration to see to it that every local congregation has its own house of worship. In the Philippines alone, where INC Engineering and Construction Department undertakes the church's construction projects, 316 houses of worship, each with offices and housing facilities, were dedicated while 28 more were dedicated outside the Philippines from September 11, 2009 to September 7,2012. The biggest house of worship outside the Philippines can be found in Barcelona, Spain which can accommodate more than 1,000 worshipers at a time. INC bought the property from Jehova's Witnesses and it was dedicated on July 2012.

Approaching 100 years of expansion 2011 to the present

On August 17, 2011, INC led the groundbreaking of the Philippine Arena- on a 75-hectare field straddling Bocaue and Sta. Maria Bulacan. The 55,000-seater multi-purpose structure, touted to become the world's biggest and the most expensive indoor domed arena, is expected to be completed in time for the INC's centennial celebration in July 2014. Other major projects of the church as part of its centennial celebration are the EVM Convention Center, Iglesia Ni Cristo Museum along Central Avenue, Quezon City, the Legal Department Building and the INC Media Center Building inside the INC Central Office Complex in Quezon City, the 20,000 seat Philippine Stadium, and the Philippine Sports Center. In that area now called Ciudad de Victoria (City of Victory) will also rise the 600-bed capacity EGM Medical Canter and the New Era University- Bocaue Campus. One of the most significant of these "centennial projects" is the new College of Evangelical Ministry being constructed along Central Avenue. Three levels higher and more than double the floor space of its four-story predecessor. Eduardo Manalo has ordained 1,620 new ministers within the span of his three-year administration.

In September 2011 the INC bought 59 parcels of land in Scenic, South Dakota for approximately $800,000,00. Scenic is a ghost town in western South Dakota. No plans for the land have been revealed by the church.

In February 28, 2012 the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) held simultaneous Grand Evangelical Missions (GEM) across the Philippines. One of the 19 venues for the Grand Evangelical Mission is the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila with a total attendance of approximately 2 million. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a prayer rally held in conjunction with the event was intended to be a rebuke to President Noynoy Aquino and they quote an insider of the INC as saying the rally was a “show of force to deliver a strong message” against perceived mistreatment against INC members from the Aquino administration.

On November 27, 2012, the grand press launch for Ang Sugo: The Last Messenger was held at the Quezon City Sports Club, a film documenting the life of Felix Ysagun Manalo, the first Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo to be released in 2014 in conjunction with the INC centennial. It is scheduled to be the largest and the most expensive movie in the history of the Philippine movie industry with more than a US$7.5 million budget appointed for the production.

Administration and Organization

Iglesia ni Cristo has had three executive ministers (Template:Lang-tl), that lead the church administration in overseeing the faith of the brethren. Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, as the current executive minister, serves as the church's leader, and, in this capacity, manages the administration of the church. Along with the deputy executive minister and other senior ministers, the executive minister forms the Central Administration of Iglesia ni Cristo. All church ministers are male, however, there are a large number of female church officials. Ministers are encouraged to marry for the purpose of obeying the command to marry and multiply.

The Central Office in Quezon City is Iglesia ni Cristo's headquarters. The central office is one of several structures inside the central office complex. It houses the permanent offices of the central administration and most of the church's departments. It is here where about a thousand INC professionals and volunteers hold office. Built in 1971 for US$473 thousand or ₱22 million. It has a cinema and theater, canteen and social halls. The building is currently estimated to be worth US$21 million or ₱1 billion. It was formerly located in Manila during its early years, then in San Juan, and later in Makati before moving to its present site. It houses the offices of INC's administration. Administration and ministerial work are delegated into ecclesiastical districts (termed divisions prior to 1990) which are led by district ministers (formerly, division ministers). Ecclesiastical districts comprise 30 to 120 congregations (referred to as locales) on average. The ecclesiastical district's range is generally a single province of the Philippines; however, populous provinces often have more than one ecclesiastical district. There were about 5,000 Iglesia ni Cristo locales in 96 countries in 2008. 200 of these congregations, including 150 in 39 U.S. states, were outside the Philippines in 2001. All locales were directly managed by Felix Manalo until 1924 when the first ecclesiastical district was organized in Pampanga.

Architecture

Iglesia ni Cristo church buildings primarily serve as places of worship and are used for other religious functions. These are described by Culture and customs of the Philippines, a book published by Greenwood Publishing Group, as structures "which employ exterior neo-Gothic vertical support columns with tall narrow windows between, interlocking trapezoids, and rosette motifs, as well as tower and spires." There are multiple entrances leading to the main sanctuary, where males and females sit on either side of the aisle facing a dais where sermons are made. The choir loft is located behind the dais, and in larger churches, baptistry pools for immersion baptism are located at the back of the church. Meanwhile, Fernando Nakpil-Zialcita, an anthropologist from Ateneo de Manila University, said that INC churches can be uniquely identified for "its exuberant use of fanciful forms and ornaments brilliant white facade whose silhouette is a cusped Gothic arch or a flattened Saracenic arch." The distinctive spires represent "the reaching out of the faithful to God." Churches were started to be built in this style during the late 1940s and early 1950s with the first concrete chapel built in Sampaloc, Manila in 1948.

The Central Temple which opened in July 27, 1989 can accommodate up to 40,000 persons, and cost about US$2 million. The Central Temple features octagonal spires, "fine latticework" and ribbed windows. Recent buildings are variations of Carlos A. Santos-Viola's designs on the Central Temple. These are designed to accommodate 250 to 1,000 persons while larger churches in Metro Manila and provincial capitals can accommodate up to 3,000 persons. Prominent architects, such as Juan Nakpil (a National Artist of the Philippines for architecture) and Carlos Raúl Villanueva, had been involved in designing INC churches while the Engineering and Construction Department of INC, established in 1971, oversees the uniformity in design of church buildings.

• Main facade Main facade
• Left side facade Left side facade
• Towers Towers
• Interior Interior

Uniforms

Ministers wear lounge suits during services, while Deacons and Deaconesses come in formal dress. The uniform for Deacons consists of either a Barong Tagalog (in the Philippines) or lounge suit (outside the Philippines), while for Deaconesses a white, cream, or beige terno and pañuelo ensemble (in the Philippines) or a white dress (outside the Philippines) is standard.

The choir uniform consists of plain, cream-coloured robes in the Philippines, and international locals use jade and cream robes abroad; the Central Temple Choir is the only group that uses robes of cream with pine green linings.

Beliefs and Core Values

Iglesia ni Cristo believes that it is the true church established by Jesus Christ in the first century, and that its registration in the Philippines is the fulfillment of bible prophesies that Jesus Christ's church would re-emerge in the Far East.

Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in outlook and theme. INC, however, does not consider itself to be part of the Restoration Movement nor any external religious organization. The Iglesia ni Cristo deems Christian religious organizations outside the INC to be "children" of the "apostate" Roman Catholic Church.

The church stresses its independence, saying that it is not a denomination or sect of any of the major groupings and is neither affiliated to any federation of religious bodies, nor itself an assembly of smaller religious organizations.

Bible

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that the Bible is the sole basis of all their beliefs and practices. The following are some of their fundamental teachings which they believe are based on scriptures.

God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes in the absolute oneness of God the Father who is the Creator and is the only true God. They believe this is the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Thus, the INC rejects the trinity as a heresy. They believe that this position is attested by Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

Christ and the Apostles are united in teaching how many and who is the real God. Similar to other true Christians, according to Apostle Paul, there is only one God, the Father—not the Son and more so not the Holy Spirit. The Apostles also did not teach that there is one God who has three personas who are also Gods. ... It is not found in the Holy Scriptures or the Bible, and if priests ever use the Bible to prove this teaching of theirs, all are based only on suppositions and presumptions.

— trans. from Pasugo (November 1968)

The church believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the mediator between God the Father and humanity, and was created by God the Father. God sanctified him to be without sin, and bestowed him the titles "Lord" and "Son of God". The church sees Jesus as God's highest creation, and denies his divinity. Thus, INC theology is classified as Arian by Robin A. Brace, a British apologist, and Anne C. Harper, former director of publications of Gordon College in Massachusetts, United States. Adherents profess Jesus' substitutionary role in the redemption of humankind. He is believed to have been "foreordained before the foundation of the world", and sent by God "to deal with sin". Members "are saved by Christ's blood" who died because of his "self-sacrificing love".

Iglesia ni Cristo

The Iglesia ni Cristo believes that it is the one church founded by Jesus Christ. Adherents hold that Iglesia ni Cristo is the only true church of Jesus Christ as restored by Felix Manalo. The church recognizes Jesus Christ as the founder of the Church. Meanwhile, its reestablishment is seen as the signal for the end of days. For example, its founding in July 27, 1914 coincides with the beginning of World War I. They believe that the church was apostatized by the 1st or 4th century due to false teachings. The INC says that this apostate church is the Roman Catholic Church.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

— Isaiah 43:5 (New International Version)

They believe that the Iglesia ni Cristo is the fulfillment of the passage above while "east" refers to the Philippines where the Church of Christ would be founded. The INC teaches that its members constitute the "elect of God" and there is no salvation outside the Iglesia ni Cristo. Faith alone is insufficient for salvation. The Iglesia ni Cristo says that the official name of the true church is "Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo (in Tagalog)". The two passages often cited by INC to support this are Romans 16:16 "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you" and the George Lamsa translation of Acts 20:28: "Take heed therefore . . . to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood"

Judgement Day

The church believes that God set a day where He will judge all people. They believe that this day is also the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Baptism

The church believes that baptism is done by immersion in water, and that it is necessary that people be baptised in the Iglesia ni Cristo to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Resurrection

The church believes in resurrection. They believe that all people will be resurrected, some immediately while others after 1000 years.

Unity, Morality, Lawfulness

The Iglesia ni Cristo enforces all members to strict adherence to unity, maintain high moral standards and to respect and observe the rules and regulations of governments.

Felix Manalo

Felix Manalo is said to be the restorer of the church of Christ, and "God's last messenger" (sugo in Tagalog).

INC divides time into three periods: the era of the Patriarchs (from creation to the birth of Moses), the era of the Prophets (from the birth of Moses to the birth of Jesus), and the Christian era (from the birth of Jesus to the Last Judgment). Adherents believe him to be the last messenger of God in the Christian Era.

The INC says that Manalo is the "angel from the east", mentioned in Revelation 7:1–3 who started the INC at the same time that World War I broke out. This period of time according to INC is referred to as the ends of the earth (cf Is 41:9-10; 43:5-6) the time when the end of the world is near, even at the doors (cf. Mt. 24:3, 33), which began with the outbreak of a war of global proportions (cf. Mt. 24:6-7) Felix Manalo is from the Philippines, which they say is in the ‘center’ of the Far East. The ‘four winds’ in Revelation 7:1-3, they say refers to World War I and the four angels are the four leaders known as the big four(Woodrow Wilson, Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau, and Vittorio Orlando) who they say worked on the prevention of the war.

Manalo is also portrayed as the fulfillment of several passages in Isaiah and other books of the Bible. Manalo's titles are "ravenous bird from the east" (Isa. 46:11), "worm Jacob" (Ps. 22:6-7), "one shepherd" (John 10:6) and "the last Elijah" (Mt.17:10-11; Mal.4:5)

As the one who established the INC, Manalo was the chief administrator, chief theologian and spiritual leader of the church. As such, he was the ultimate authority in all aspects of the church, and effectively "the foremost Biblical authority for all humanity and the divinely designated leader of a reestablished church of Christ in the modern world." His influence within the church caused people from other religions to call INC and its members "Iglesia ni Manalo" (Tagalog for Church of Manalo) and "Manalistas", respectively, labels INC members consider as both pejoratives and blasphemous.

Eschatology

Members believe that when a person dies, his/her body and soul both die and go into the grave where both would remain until the Second Coming of Christ. Upon his return, all dead members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, including Manalo, would be resurrected to join living INC members. They would be rewarded by living in the Holy City together with God the Father, Christ, and Manalo. After 1,000 years, a second resurrection would occur, and non-INC members will experience second death which is the Lake of Fire (Dagát-dagatang Apóy).

Practices

Worship and prayer

The church conducts regular worship services, one during the week, and one during the weekend. It is conducted in the local languages (for example, English, Tagalog, Spanish, and German). It involves singing of hymns, prayers, studies of the bible, collection of voluntary offerings, and benediction Both God the Father and Jesus are worshiped. The ministers of every congregation in a given worship service use the same sermon outline prepared by the executive minister. Deacons and Deaconesses guide worshipers to their seats and collect offerings. The Singing of hymns is led by the locale's choir. The first hymnbook, termed as Himnario, which contained about 300 songs, was published in 1937. Children's worship services are held every weekend. They use similar lessons as the standard worship services taught using the Socratic method (question and answer). The church teaches that willfully forsaking the worship service is a grievous sin, thus members are expected to attend the congregational worship services twice a week without fail.

The church encourages its members to make prayer a part of everyday life. Thus prayer before various activities, such as taking meals and going to sleep, are commonly practiced. Prayers recited in rote repetition are not observed.

Evangelism

Since February 1939, the church has been publishing Pasugo (Template:Lang-en) in both Tagalog and English. As of 2010, the God's Message Magazine also features a Spanish Section and in 2012 it has a German and Japanese Section. Bro. Felix Manalo wrote its first editorial where he stated the publication's purpose, including the propagation of the faith. Issues contain articles which detail INC doctrines and refute doctrines which it considers as heresy, such as the Trinity. It also features information on church history, educational programs and missionary achievements, including lists and photographs of newly dedicated chapels. In 2001, it had a monthly circulation of 235,000 copies. For the year 2009, there more than 4,152,546 copies of Pasugo distributed worldwide.

Brethren are encouraged to help in missionary works, such as Bible studies and to distribute copies of the God's Message Magazine (Pasugo).

In the Philippines, radio and television programs are produced, and they are broadcast on 1062 kHz DZEC-AM radio, DZEM 954 kHz, the Net 25 television station operated by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, the broadcast division of the Iglesia ni Cristo and GEM TV, the sister station to NET 25 and Iglesia Ni Cristo channel, also owned by the INC and Iglesia ni Cristo TV broadcast on cable.

In North America, a television program called The Message is produced in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is currently aired in the United States and Canada and some parts of Europe. Each 30-minute program is hosted by one of a panel of INC ministers, who share the main beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo with a television audience. The INC use to maintain an hour long time slot on The Filipino Channel and airs two among many of its programs including the INC Chronicles and Ang Tamang Daan. It has since stopped and instead GEM-TV began broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on DirecTV channel 2068. Live streaming of INC Programming is now available at www.incmedia.org

Outreach

From the beginning, the INC has continuously extended help not only to the well-being of local townspeople but also to protect the environment through its various humanitarian services.

The INC has outreach programs, such as its "Lingap sa Mamamayan (Filipino: Care for the People)", offering free medical and dental services, community cleanups and tree planting projects. In California, Daly City twice declared a week in July as "Iglesia ni Cristo Week" in recognition of the efforts of the INC members in community service events such as community beautification projects, blood drives, and food distribution sessions.

Coinciding with the 67th anniversary of the local congregation in the Barangay of Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga, the INC launched a program called "Vigorous Environmental Concern for Mankind" which included programs to support the "clean and green" programs of the local government. The INC conducted Linis Bayan (Filipino: Clean Town) and Lingap sa Mamamayan within the local area.

On July 7, 2012 the INC Lingap sa Mamamayan gained three Guinness world record seal in beating the three current records in The most people involved in a dental health check, The most blood pressure readings taken in 8 hours and The most blood glucose level tests in 8 hours. Tarika Vara, the official adjudicator for Guinness World Records was so impressed with the whole organization as she observed how dedicated the volunteers were in helping other people in one whole day even without fee.

Political involvement

INC members are noted for bloc voting in Philippine elections, although INC has the biggest conversion turn-out, between 68 and 84 percent of its members voted for candidates endorsed by its leadership, according to comprehensive surveys conducted by ABS-CBN. This is in part due to their doctrine on unity. Some reports say that the INC can deliver a minimum of 5 to 8 million members of voting age, although peoples believe the actual figure is closer to 3 million. Others argue that the INC vote is only significant in close-run elections, noting that some INC-supported candidates lost in the election. Businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. lost to Fidel Ramos in the 1992 Philippine presidential election. Michael Defensor, Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto III in 2007 and Ruffy Biazon in 2010 were endorsed by INC but lost in the senate election. INC endorsed Rafael Nantes and Jamie Eloise Agbayani but lost in the 2010 Quezon and 2007 Pangasinan gubernatorial elections respectively.

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. Not all candidates in Philippine politics however embraced support from INC. Diosdado Macapagal has refused INC's support during his runs for Vice President in 1957, and re-election for President in 1965 – in which he lost to Ferdinand Marcos. In the 1969 presidential election, INC supported Senator Sergio Osmeña Jr. earlier in the campaign but has swung behind Marcos who won the election. The INC supported Ferdinand E. Marcos until he was ousted in 1986.

In 2002, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism reported that INC leader, Bro. Eraño Manalo himself wanted to support Panfilo Lacson. Eraño saw that Lacson will likely succeed Estrada. This worried Arroyo during her 2001-2004 term as President. But that did not prevent President Arroyo from courting the church. The church eventually offered their support for Arroyo’s presidential campaign in the 2004 elections. Arroyo dismissed rumors that she paid off the INC to support her candidacy. In an open letter to the INC which was read in all INC chapels across the country, Mrs. Arroyo said "I would never taint their (INC) sincerity by offering money for it". Newspaper reports say that the Philippine Congress decision to uphold the decision on September 2005 rejecting the Arroyo impeachment complaint over alleged election fraud and corruption was swayed largely by INC influence. Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr. says otherwise and wrote an op-ed piece for The Sun·Star Pangasinan stating that Representative Joey Salceda "had wanted to pit the INC against the Catholic church by so timing the congressman's 'news' with another expose on the bishops' receiving Pagcor "sin money" for their projects."

The support of the INC was reportedly sought out for passage of the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008. In 2008, the INC and the Catholic Church were again pitted against each other when health advocate RH Advocacy Network (RHAN) sought the support of the INC to counter the firm opposition of the Catholic Church and President Arroyo to the bill. Representative Janette Garin of the first district of Iloilo said the INC's stand could determine if the bill gets passed in the House of Representatives. She said the opinion of the Iglesia ni Cristo is “important” in determining the fate of House Bill 5043.

On July 27, 2008 on the occasion of its 94th Anniversary lawmakers, governors, mayors, councilors and other government officials cited the meaningful role of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Filipino society. Rep. Annie Susano of Quezon City's second district where the INC's executive offices are located, along other government officials said that the INC continues to contribute not only to the spiritual development of the Filipino but also in shaping the country's destiny. Susano said INC also plays a crucial role in improving the socio-economic condition of its followers and other Filipinos, at home and abroad. A year before, on the same date, President Arroyo declared July 27 of every year as "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" to enable millions of INC followers in the Philippines to observe the occasion with fitting solemnity. President Arroyo’s proclamation was based on a resolution of the House of Representatives authored by Rep. Annie Rosa L. Susano. On July 8, 2009, Arroyo declared that July 27 of every year as "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" making it an official national working holiday.

In 2010, Iglesia ni Cristo has declared support for Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas for president and vice president respectively. Aquino won the election but Roxas lost to Jejomar Binay. In 2010, Iglesia ni Cristo withdrew their support from President Noynoy Aquino.

In 2011, the organization purchased Scenic, South Dakota, an abandoned "ghost town" with a saloon, a roadside jail, and 46 acres (19 ha) of surrounding land. The church has not announced its plans for the property.

Geographic distribution and membership

According to the March 2012 issue of PASUGO Magazine (p. 24), the Demographics of the Iglesia ni Cristo then was composed of 112 countries and 7 territories comprising 120 races. As of 1996 the membership of the church puts it between 4 to 10 million. In 2000 Philippine census by the National Statistics Office, 2.3 percent of the population in the Philippines are affiliated with the Iglesia ni Cristo, making it the third largest religious denomination in the Philippines after the Roman Catholic Church and Islam, respectively. The majority of INC members are Filipino ex-Catholics, while most non-Filipino members converted prior to marrying Iglesia ni Cristo people. The earliest non-Filipino converts were American soldiers stationed in the Philippines.

Membership is conferred through immersion baptism of adults. The church rejects infant baptism. Newborn children of members are instead dedicated to God through a Congregational Prayer, led by an ordained minister of the INC. Members who are not living in accordance with the church's teachings may be excommunicated or expelled from the Church, and thus lose salvation (as opposed to the perseverance of the saints). Grounds include adultery, alcohol intoxication, consumption of blood and marriage to members of other faiths.

People who wish to be baptized in the INC must first submit to a formal process taking at least six months. Once someone officially registers with their local congregation, the person is given the status of Doctrinal Instructee, as they are called within the Iglesia ni Cristo, and taught the twenty-eight lessons concerning fundameninnings in the Philippines. These lessons are contained in the doctrine manual written by Eraño G. Manalo entitled Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ). This book is given to ministers, evangelical workers, and ministerial students of the INC. Each lesson is usually thirty minutes to one hour in length. After hearing all of the lessons, the students enter their probationary period during which they are obliged to attend fifteen once a week group prayer meetings, wherein they are taught to pray and are guided in their adjustment to the INC lifestyle. When the sixth month comes, the students who have been active in attending the twice a week worship services and whose lifestyles are in accordance with INC doctrines are screened before being baptized. During the screening they are asked questiolve and at least the age of 12. Newborn children of members are instead "offered" or dedicated to Christian service during the worship service. The child offering in the INC is done through a prayer led by an ordained minister of the INC.

Members who are not living in accordance with the doctrines taught in the INC are admonished. Those who continue in violation of INC doctrines after being admonished are expelled from the INC. Certain violations, such as eating blood or marrying non-members may result in mandatory expulsion.

Criticisms

This article's "criticism" or "controversy" section may compromise the article's neutrality. Please help rewrite or integrate negative information to other sections through discussion on the talk page. (September 2009)

The Iglesia ni Cristo has come under fierce criticism from apologetics groups and other mainstream religions mainly due to disagreements over their doctrines and beliefs regarding the interpretation of the Bible. They have also been criticized by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) for their political influence. According to PCIJ, the INC's use of its clout mirrors the way in which the Catholic Church has tried to influence the Philippine government.

Religious

Karl Keating

Karl Keating, the founder of Catholic Answers accused Jose Ventilacion, an INC minister, of breaking an agreement in 1990 for a one-on-one debate made by the two organizations in National City, California (part 1, part 2). Instead of a one-on-one debate, Keating says that Ventilacion had three helpers assisting him, and that "they" allegedly were shouting at him during the debate. The head projector at the side of Mr. Ventilacion was not also in the agreement. Keating views the church as being built on a set of "anti-catholic" doctrines, and that their lessons, as well as their God's Message magazine are dedicated more to debunking Catholic and Protestant beliefs and doctrines, although he did reveal the extent of his studies concerning the church save for his own account of the debate he had with Ventilacion. Catholicism and Protestantism remain among the predominant religions in the Philippines especially in Luzon and Visayas islands. Keating also states that the INC began as a Protestant sect, comparing its doctrines with those of the American Campbellites saying it "heavily borrowed" from the latter. Keating criticized the Iglesia ni Cristo for teaching that the Whore of Babylon is the Roman Catholic Church and that the Beast of Revelation is the Pope, a belief shared with some other Christian religious organizations, and an assertion which the Catholic Church denies. Keating says the this INC position is based on a Latin-language version of gematria, in which numerical values of the letters in a name or phrase are added to find a number with symbolic significance. When applied to an alleged title of the Pope, Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of the Son of God), the resulting number is 666, which is one of several alternative numbers known as the "Number of the Beast." Keating says the Iglesia ni Cristo also claims that "Vicarius Filii Dei" is engraved on the Pope's tiara. The INC's source for this claim is a Seventh-day Adventist Church book. "Vicar of the Son of God" is not among the many official titles traditionally used for popes, neither past nor present, although Vicar of Jesus Christ one of the most prominent papal titles.

Catholic Answers rejects the Iglesia ni Cristo's interpretation of certain Bible verses and use of some translations to support its doctrines. They also criticized INC's use of the George Lamsa translation of Acts 20:28 as proof that the true church is called "Church of Christ". They argue that it is not based on the original Greek. In Greek, the phrase is "the church of God" (tan ekklasian tou Theou) not "the church of Christ" (tan ekklasian tou Christou), in which the Church of Christ contends that the following phrase "which he has purchased with his blood" greatly proves that the said original Greek is exposed to confusing interpretation, that if the "Church of God" is the correct interpretation, the following phrase directly contradict the teaching that God is immortal(1 Timothy 1:17) and that God is a spirit (John 4:24), has no flesh and bones (Lk. 24:36-39).

Charles Caldwell Ryrie

Charles Caldwell Ryrie has criticized the INC for misquoting his Ryrie Study Bible regarding John 1:1 in the May/June 1984 issue of the Pasugo.

"In the annotations of his Ryrie Study Bible he had this to say about the phrase in John 1:1 and the Word was with God. In this verse the Word (Christ) is said to be with God (that is, in communion with and yet distinct from God). Therefore, when Dr. Ryrie says, that the Word is distinct from God he is saying the Word is not the same, but rather separate or different from God." (Pasugo 1984, pp. 14-15)

Ryrie has been quoted as saying, in a letter to Robert Elliff, the author of the book, Iglesia Ni Cristo: The Only True Church? "Anyone can look in my Study Bible and see how conveniently this author omitted the last phrase in the note of John 1:1. The full note reads: “In this verse the Word (Christ) is said to be with God (i.e., in communion with and yet distinct from God) and to be God (i.e., identical in essence with God).” If that is not clear enough to say that I believe in the full deity and equality of Christ, let anyone read the notes at John 10:30 and 20:28. The doctrinal summary in the back of the Bible under Trinity is also quite clear. "

Evangelical apologetics response

Let Us Reason Ministries, an online apologetics research group, criticized 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 say that the INC intentionally misinterprets and misappropriates verses to agree with their doctrines and that they use fallacious arguments against other religions, stating: "Unfortunately they ignore the whole history of the Church in the zealous rebuttals against Catholicism. Nothing is out of reach of their researchers to demean and belittle. Some of the greatest scholars in languages and history are ignored or misrepresented as they present what they believe is correct. I suspect that many know better in what they teach." They also reject the INC's doctrine that one can only be saved if they are a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

According to The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry, some of the beliefs of INC are contrary to mainstream Christianity. The Bereans also refute the INC belief that Felix Manalo is the "angel from the east" in Revelation 7:1-3, since the "angel from the east cried with a loud voice to the four angels"(Rev 7:2) but according to them Manalo was never consulted by the Big Four(Wilson, Lloyd George, Clemenceau, and Orlando) and Manalo was never involved in ending World War I.

Members Church of God International response

On April 18, 2005, MCGI members headed by former INC member Marcos Mataro scuffled after a scheduled religious debate with members of INC in a Jollibee outlet in Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines. Apalit Mayor Tirso Lacanilao said "scores were injured", but that there were no serious injuries. The MCGI radio program Ang Dating Daan (ADD) and Iglesia Ni Cristo had been trading accusations in their respective television programs. This had even led to an exchange of lawsuits. It was reported that the clash began when an ADD follower identified only as "Mataro" provoked INC followers.

Local police, on orders of the town mayor had gone to the restaurant and tried to stop the debate for lack of a mayor's permit. The police had been instructed to transfer the venue of the debate either at the ADD convention center or at the INC chapel in an effort to prevent any trouble. Mataro insisted on pushing through with the debate, however, assuring no trouble. Leaders of the MCGI group said they do not trust the local policemen. Mataro shouted, which reportedly provoked some INC members to a confrontation, and led to a free-for-all.

On April 27, 2008, Mataro was shot dead by two unknown assailants in San Simon, Pampanga. Murder charges were filed against Nickson Icao and Felizardo Lumagham, both of Macabebe, Pampanga and alleged members of INC, before the San Fernando prosecutor's office. Mataro's killing could also be linked to his pending attempted homicide case before the Apalit Municipal Trial Court and Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

Secular

Ross Tipon

The main accusation of restraining press freedom arises from the church's legal action against the publication of writer Ross Tipon's book, The Power and the Glory: The Cult of Manalo. The INC says the book contains "outright blasphemy" against Manalo by likening the INC to a criminal syndicate. Tipon, represented by lawyer Fervyn Pinzon, said stopping publication of the book infringes on his right to free speech. An attorney representing the INC, Abraham Espejo states "direct assault on freedom of religion and seeks to destroy the image of the INC" and "The publication of the criminal manuscript will trigger social unrest, Millions of people may come out in the streets and this may lead to violence." The INC seeks PHP1,000,000 in damages from Tipon and the unknown publisher.

Notes

1. The Church does not publish its membership statistics. Estimates from other sources vary. In 1996, Catholic Answers stated that membership was then estimated to be between 3 and 10 million world-wide. In 2007, Adherents.com asserted that the number of adherents was ten million, citing the 1996 Catholic Answers source with the 3–10 million estimate in support. In 2012, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the membership amounted to 1.8 million, attributing that number to the Philippine Census in the year 2000.

References

1. ^ "IGLESIA NI CRISTO - Church of Christ - Official Website". Core Values. Iglesia ni Cristo. Retrieved 26 March 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
2. ^ Dennis C. Lovendino (March 2012). "United in the mission to propagate the gospel". PASUGO God's Message (in Filipino and English and Spanish). 64 (3). Quezon City, Philippines: Iglesia ni Cristo: 24. ISSN 0116-1636. Multitudes of Iglesia ni Cristo members at 19 different sites throughout the archipelago join in intensified campaign to share the message of salvation. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
3. ^ Anne C. Harper. "Iglesia ni Cristo" (PDF). StJ's Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Sacred Tribes Press: 1–3.
4. "Ang Iglesia ni Cristo Ngayon". Ilaw Ng Kaligstasan Christian Readings (in Filipino). Quezon City, Philippines: Iglesia ni Cristo. 2009. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
5. ^ "Iglesia Ni Cristo". May 25, 1996. Archived from the original on 2001-11-17.
6. ^ "Iglesia ni Cristo, continued..." April 23, 2007.
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8. "The official name of the church with upper case I in Iglesia and C in Cristo and lower case n in ni, as it appears on the copyright notice of the magazine Pasugo - Felix' Message". Pasugo - Message. 59 (5). Quezon City, Philippines: Iglesia ni Cristo. 2007. ISSN 0116-1636. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
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12. ^ Sanders, Albert J., "An Appraisal of the Iglesia ni Cristo," in Studies in Philippine Church History, ed. Anderson, Gerald H. (Cornell University Press, 1969)
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14. Sects and Cults Iglesia ni Cristo - Johan D.Tangelder
15. "Religious Bodies of the World with at Least 1 Million Adherents" (in Engish). World. 18 May 2007. Researchers referring to this list may be reminded that divisions into separate religious bodies do not always indicate theological distinctions, but may be primarily geographical and administrative in purpose. Conversely, individuals and congregations within a single religious body exhibit varying degrees of variation with regards to belief, practice, etc. Although religious bodies are not always the primary vehicle of doctrinal distinctiveness, they are usually the primary focus of other resources of a religious group, such as finances, legal status, property, educational facilities, leadership, and membership. This list includes all truly international religious bodies with at least 1 million adherents. All known regional and national independent religious bodies (those which are organized in only one or two countries, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland or Church of South India) are also included if they have at least 1 million adherents. Possibly a few independent national bodies have been omitted if we are not aware of them. This list is only an attempt to list religious bodies, that is, organizations which have a recognized, central leadership or convention, and a body of individual members or adherents. With a few possible exceptions explained below, this list does not include communions or associations which are themselves comprised of clearly independent, distinct religious bodies, such as the Baptist World Alliance, World Methodist Council, Council for World Mission, Lutheran World Federation, or the World Council of Churches. (Of course, constituent member bodies of these associations are included on this list of religious bodies, if they have over 1 million members, which many do.) Religious bodies are often called "denominations," but sometimes the term "denomination" is also applied to denominational families, which is why we do not use it. Some people may wish to think of this as a list of the world's largest "churches." But the term "church" has so many different meanings that we have avoided its use here. Clearly many people use the term "church" to indicate a broader, more doctrinally-oriented grouping than is meant by the organizationally-oriented term "religious body." Also, this is not a list of world religions or branches of religions. (Those lists are available elsewhere on this web site.) A religious body is a subset of a denominational family, which is a subset of a branch, which is a subset of a religion, as explained in the Taxonomic Levels of Classification of Faith Groups document. At the bottom of this page there are some Interesting Facts based on this list. Many of the figures here are estimates. Different methods have been used to collect these figures. Where possible, the figures shown here are for adherents, a larger and more inclusive figure than members. Details may be found in the detailed source notes for each group found in the main Adherents.com listing, although currently a few of the religious bodies on this list are not yet incorporated into the main, online Adherents.com database. (At the end of this document is a list of the world's largest international religious bodies, shown in bold in the main list.) {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
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25. Aromin, Rubin D. "God's Own Special People", God's Message (Iglesia ni Kristo, July 2001, Manila) as cited by Student621. Bible Students Page at tripod.com. Retrieved July 6, 2005.
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29. ^ Robin A. Brace (February 2009). "Who are the 'Iglesia ni Cristo'?". UK Apologetics. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
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32. ^ Adriel Obar Meimban (1994). "A Historical Analysis of the Iglesia ni Cristo: Christianity in the Far East, Philippine Islands Since 1914" (PDF). The Journal of Sophia Asian Studies (12). Tokyo: Sophia University: 98–134.
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63. INC quotes Isaiah 43:5 from a inexact paraphrase by Protestant Bible scholar James Moffatt that reads, "From the far east will I bring your offspring." Citing this translation, one Iglesia work states, "Is it not clear that you can read the words ‘far east’? Clear! Why does not the Tagalog Bible show them? That is not our fault, but that of those who translated the Tagalog Bible from English—the Catholics and Protestants" (Isang Pagbubunyag Sa Iglesia ni Cristo, 1964:131)
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88. RAPPLER.COM (05/06/2013). "DZMM bares Iglesia ni Cristo vote for senators" (Web news). Philippines. p. 1. Retrieved 05/07/2013. MANILA, Philippines - The bloc-voting Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has chosen the 12 senatorial candidates it will support on May 13, according to a report by DZMM.com.ph. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
89. Danao, Efren L.; Cruz, Maricel V., 'INC vote may be overrated factor' The Manila Times (Manila: May 4, 2004)
90. The Southeast Missourian - Google News Archive Search
91. Philippine Daily Inquirer - Google News Archive Search
92. "Iglesia endorsement seals win for Noynoy? - POSTSCRIPT By Federico D. Pascual Jr". The Philippine Star. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
93. "Nantes suffers loss in Quezon race for governor - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. 2010-05-15. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
94. INQUIRER.net | Latest Philippine News for Filipinos
95. The Age - Google News Archive Search
96. Mangahas, Malou; "Church at the Crossroads",Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, April 29, 2002
97. ^ Alecks Pabico. "Iglesia ni Cristo: Church at the Crossroads". Pcij.org. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
98. 'INC throws support behind Macapagal, De Castro' Inquirer News Service, (Manila: May 6, 2004)
99. Villanueva, Marichu (May 30, 2004). "GMA: Opposition behind Iglesia 'pay-off' rumors". Headlines. the STAR Group of Publications. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
100. Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr, 'Hortaleza: Salceda's gambit on Iglesia role' SunStar Pangasinan (Sunday, November 20, 2005) (requoted at http://www.wattpad.com/2372387-lglesia-ni-cristo?p=14#.Udy5Fjs_vz4)
101. Ramos, Marlon Population bill advocates turn to Iglesia for support Inquirer.net (09/24/2008)
102. Kwok, Abigail Solon: "Iglesia stand on population bill 'important'" Inquirer.net (09/18/2008)
103. ^ Suarez, E.T. (July 27, 2008). "Officials celebrate with Iglesia ni Cristo on its 94th anniversary". The Manila Bulletin Online. The Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2008-11-10. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
104. "PGMA declares July 27 as "Iglesia ni Cristo Day"" (PDF). Philippine Government Website. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
105. "Now it's final: Aquino, Binay win in May 10 polls - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
106. "Iglesia ni Cristo displeased with P-Noy?". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
107. "Mystery Deepens in Ghost Town Bought for $800,000 | AOL Real Estate". Realestate.aol.com. 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
108. "Iglesia ni Cristo show of force 'a strong message' to Aquino". Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 29, 2012.
109. "Demography". Philippines in Figures (PDF). Manila: National Statistics Office. 2011. pp. 32–33. ISSN 1655-2539. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
110. Eraño G. Manalo (1989). "Lesson 22: Baptism, Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo". Quezon City: Iglesia ni Cristo. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
111. Manalo, Eraño G., 'Baptism' (1989). "Leksyon #22". Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) (in Filipini). 'Ang Bautismo'{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
112. "Shepherd, Harvey". July 30, 1994. Retrieved 2009-04-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
113. "Leksyon #10, Doktrina 3b". ‘Ang Pinakamabigat Na Parusa Na Maaaring Igawad Sa Isang Iglesia ni Cristo’ (in Filipino). Iglesia ni Cristo. 1998. (Doctrinal lessons for third year ministerial students){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
114. ^ Malou, Mangahas (2002). "Iglesia ni Cristo: A Most Powerful Union". Mala. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Retrieved 2008-11-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
115. ^ Keating, Karl 'Into the Maw of the Cult' This Rock (San Diego: Catholic Answers, February 1990) - Retrieved May 17, 2006
116. ^ The debate between INC's Ventilacion and Catholic apologist Karl Keating can be watched here part 1 and part 2
117. "CIA-The World Factbook-Field Listing". CIA World Factbook. 2008-11-06. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
118. Bilhartz, Terry D. (1986). Urban Religion and the Second Great Awakening. Madison, New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p. 115. ISBN 0-8386-3227-0.
119. Dimond, Brother Peter, OSB. "Is the Vatican II Church of Antipope John Paul II the Whore of Babylon?". Retrieved 2008-11-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
120. Karl Keating writes, "The argument goes like this: 'The number 666 is the sum of the letters of the beast's title. The Pope's title is Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of the Son of God). We know this is the papal title because it appears prominently on the tiara of the popes; the letters are formed out of hundreds of jewels. Vicarius Filii Dei tallies to 666, which means the papacy is the beast.' End of proof."
121. 'Quick Questions' This Rock (San Diego: Catholic Answers, 1992), as cited by NewAdvent.org's Catholic Library
122. see also Vicarius_Filii_Dei#Origins_of_the_controversy
123. "Benedict XVI drops a papal title". Catholic Culture.org. Trinity Communications. 2006-03-02. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
124. Original Catholic Encyclopedia Vicar of Christ
125. Church of Christ in Acts 20:28 | Mister At Misis
126. Elliff, Robert 'Iglesia Ni Cristo: The Only True Church?' (1989) - Retrieved September 10, 2005
127. Oppenheimer, Mike "How the Church teaches", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved July 27, 2005.
128. Oppenheimer, Mike "Who Are They?", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved September 22, 2006.
129. Oppenheimer, Mike "Salvation", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved July 28, 2005.
130. 'Iglesia ni Cristo' The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry. Retrieved July 9, 2006
131. "Apologetics Research Ministry". The Bereans. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
132. Religious confrontation gets physical in Apalit Manila Standard, April 23, 2005 (archived from the original on 2009-01-08)
133. Followers of Dating Daan and INC clash in Pampanga; cops accused of partiality Manila Bulletin, April 22, 2005 (archived from the original)
134. Sect hit for 'not cooperating' in probe of brawl Sun Star Pampanga, April 23, 2005
135. P1M reward offered for information on TV host's killers GMA News, April 29, 2008
136. Murder charges filed against suspects in ADD member's slay Malaya, May 29, 2008
137. NUJP condemns murder of TV host ABS-CBN News, April 28, 2008
138. ^ Iglesia seeks TRO vs publication of ‘blasphemous’ book |The Philippine Star
139. Robles, JoJo. 'INC against free press?'{dead link|date=October 2011}, Manila Standard Today Online (May 25, 2005). Retrieved July 3, 2005.

External links

• Iglesia Ni Cristo Media Services
• INC Radio- DZEM 954 Official Site and Livestream

v t e Iglesia ni Cristo
Church of Christ
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