Burt Stride
San Jose, California
"HOME AT LAST"
”IF CHRIST IS GOD on earth, who was Christ praying to? Was he praying to Himself? When Christ died on the cross, was it God who was dead for three days? Who raised Him then from the grave if He were already dead?”
MY NAME IS Burt Stride. In 1958, at the age of twenty I joined the Mormon Church. At that time, two doctrines of this group influenced me. The first was the teaching of the apostasy of the original Church founded by Jesus Christ, and its restoration in the latter days by a true prophet (messenger) of God. The second was the fact that it denounced the false teaching of the Trinity.
As time progressed, I became more involved in studying the Scriptures, but to my great disappointment, I began to see contradictions in Mormon doctrines. For one, it was clear to me that there could only be one God, and Mormonism teaches polytheism. Eventually, I left Mormonism and began my search for a Church which teaches the truth.
I commenced with an in-depth study of the Bible. To enhance my understanding of God’s words, I began to study the New Testament in Greek and Hebrew translations. Whatever spare time I had, I would dig into lexicons, concordances, and commentaries. I took detailed notes, attended lectures, and listened to Christian radio broadcasts. I read books and magazines, discussed with ministers, and even questioned and debated with them. But nothing completely satisfied me. All efforts seemed to be leading me down a blind alley. My quest took me through more than thirty years of laborious and wearisome study. Was the sacrifice worth it? After three decades, I was becoming very skeptical, cynical, and disillusioned with Christianity.
Then, approximately six years ago, I became acquainted with members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. However, because of my negative experiences with other groups, I showed very little interest in learning about this unfamiliar Church from the Far East, and did not bother to read copies of God’s Message which had been given to me.
How surprised I was when, one day, I opened a copy of the Church’s magazine and learned that the Iglesia Ni Cristo not only proclaims to be the re-established Church of Christ that had apostatized almost two millennia ago, but that she also repudiates the doctrine of the Trinity. In this respect, she resembles the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). The Church of Christ from the Philippines, however, does not believe in a multiplicity of gods! In fact, she teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ is not God (nor a god, as Jehovah’s Witnesses believe). This was something new to me! I never heard of such a teaching! And I was amazed to see the proof from the very pages of my own Bible! The arguments of the Iglesia Ni Cristo absolutely convinced me that there is only one true God―the Father!
What other Church teaches this truth? None that I know of! Who taught us this truth? Felix Y. Manalo! This naturally led me to an inquiry concerning the calling of him who claimed to be God’s chosen servant―the last messenger from the “rising of the sun.” I needed to know: Was Brother Manalo indeed the sealing angel of Revelation, chapter seven? Is the prophesied “seed” of Isaiah, chapter forty-three, the Church of Christ that was established in the Philippines in 1914? My mind was filled with doubts. After all, the past thirty five years had taught me to be a full-fledged skeptic.
I began my search. At first I contacted the Christian Research Institute for answers to my questions. Then I approached friends and ministers who are more knowledgeable than I. I was presented with information which appeared to be very damaging to the position of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. At that point I became convinced that the case against the Iglesia Ni Cristo was closed The “evidence” was incontrovertible! There was no way that the Scriptures used by the Church truly prophesied her re-establishment in the Philippines in 1914. I would now present these arguments to the ministry. How could they possibly refute them? And so I thought.
I first approached Brother Steven Kroll. He, in turn, referred me to Brother Ruben Garcia, whom I was to meet in the Church office in Fremont. I remember well that day when I met Brother Ruben. He was very cordial, although, as he later related to me, he was somewhat suspicious of my intentions. He informed me at our first meeting that he would gladly answer all my questions. I was impressed with his total confidence that he could show me evidence beyond any question that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is indeed the one true Church. He was sure that if I would give him the chance, he would present proof that would convince any skeptic who comes with an open mind that the year 1914 marked the re-establishment of the true Church of Christ. I was very curious and more than willing to give him that chance, but I must admit that I came to our meetings already persuaded that I was right and he was wrong. As it turned out, Brother Ruben and I met quite frequently and we had rather lengthy discussions. Our get-to-
gathers developed into a warm friendship, and although I stubbornly persisted in my opinions, Brother Ruben was very patient and never gave up hope. Actually, we learned together. I played the “devil’s advocate,” criticizing everything he would present to me. He, in turn, was forced to do further research and “retaliated” with even more evidence.
But despite all of these, we always treated each other with utmost respect, and I learned to appreciate the love and kindness of both the minister and the brethren. I felt sad I could not become part of this Church. I had to remain honest and steadfast in what I perceived to be the “truth.” Yet, the emptiness remained. Like “the man without a country,” I was a man without a Church.
But something continued to haunt me. The Iglesia Ni Cristo
is biblical and has the spirit. She acknowledges the apostasy yet she claims to be the “restored” Church. She also believes in the one true God and teaches that Jesus is a man-not God! To my knowledge, there is no other Church like the Iglesia Ni Cristo on the face of the earth! If this is not the one true Church, where is she? Where? As I was praying and asking God for an answer, I experienced something which I could not explain: tears mixed with inexpressible joy! As if a small, still voice spoke inside me, the words came: “This is the Church you must join.”
I am reminded of the conversion of Saul as he traveled on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to persecute the Church, when suddenly a light shone about him, and he fell to the ground. After he arose, he was never the same again. Of course, I cannot claim such an experience, nor can I compare myself to Paul the Apostle. But, in my own little way, I can identify with the miracle that took place in the heart of this great messenger of God.
As a man, by nature, there are things I do not understand. Hence, I must employ faith. For example, I cannot comprehend eternity―the beginning and the end of time. Yet I know that time exists! I cannot comprehend the boundaries of space. Yet I know that the three dimensions of space exist! I do not understand the concept of electricity, yet I know its power exists! I have never seen the Creator, yet I witness the majesty of His creation, and know, therefore, that God exists! Nonetheless, I deal with these by allowing faith to transcend “knowledge.” In understanding God’s word, I can only put my trust in the messengers of God who are the ones vested with the right to preach the same. Hence, I have submitted myself to the authority of the ministers of God in this Church―the Iglesia ni Cristo and have entered her fold by means of baptism. My search has finally ended! At last, I am “home!”
Reach Out
If you wish to acquire a deeper understanding of our Church Doctrines and have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be delighted to direct you to one of our local resident ministers in your vicinity. Kindly include any queries you may have so that we may forward your inquiry in advance. Thank you.
Please note, we only read and respond to messages that do not contain hate speech or insults...
“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].”
(Eph. 4:29, Amplified Bible)
“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.”
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Amplified Bible)