Letters of Interest – Exposing False Doctrines

Questions and Our Answers

The sole basis of our answers is strictly from the Holy Scriptures…

Iglesia Ni Cristo ― Answers

Letters with the sender’s complete name and address may be sent to:

Letters, GOD’S MESSAGE
Iglesia Ni Cristo Central Office, No. 1 Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City 1107 Philippines.
Fax No. (632) 922-5749
E-mail to: pasugo@inc.org.ph

(The sender’s name may be withheld upon request).
We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of space and clarity.

GOD’S MESSAGE Editorial Offices:

United States of America:
1617 Southgate Avenue, Daly City, California 94015 USA

Australia:
#3 Ross Street, Parramatta, NSW 2151 Australia
Fax No. (02) 9890-9633

Europe:
Via Ceresole Reale #9, Rome, Italy 00166
Fax No. (3906) 624-1914

Letter 1

Why REB Translation of John 10:9?

Letter to the Editor:
GOD’S MESSAGE, July 2000, p.2

IS THE RENDITION of the Revised English Bible of John 10:9, which states that man must enter into the fold in order to be saved, the precise translation of this verse? Is this 100% correct?

Tricia Adle
South Cotabato

Letter 2

God is spirit

Letter to the Editor:
GOD’S MESSAGE, September 2002, p.2

IF GOD IS spirit, that is, He has no flesh and bones, then why does the Bible mention of God having body parts? For example, in Exodus 31:18, “… the tables of stone, written with the FINGER of God” and in Genesis 32:30, “…For I have seen God FACE TO FACE…”

Hannah Kaufman
Bethesda Maryland

Letter 3

Judgment through the scriptural law

Letter to the Editor:
God’s Message, January – March 1995, p.2

I ENJOY READING THE articles that you publish in your magazine. However, there is one thing I would like to clarify with regard to your belief concerning salvation and the last messenger. I read that the last messenger started his divine mission around 1914. This means the people whom he was able to convert to the Iglesia Ni Cristo will be fortunate enough to inherit God’s promises.

My question is, will the people who lived before Felix Manalo’s time be saved? We know that there was no Iglesia Ni Cristo prior to his preaching. What about well known people, like Jose Rizal whom we know had done good deeds? Will he be saved, too?

Alfonso C. Santos
Pangasinan, Philippines

Letter 4

Baseless claim?

Letter to the Editor:
God’s Message, January – March 1995, p.2-3

IN N YOUR TEACHINGS, you propagate that you are the selected people in these last days. You proclaim that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is the only true Church and those who are not members will not have eternal life. However, the Bible clearly states that salvation is for all men who believe in both God and Christ (see the following verses: Romans 3:21-31,10:9- 13; John 3:15-21, 12:46-50; II Thessalonians 1:10).

Another question I have concerns the way you pray: Why don’t you pray exactly as is written in Matthew 6:9- 13? Instead of kneeling during the worship service, you pray standing up as if you were like the hypocrites described in Matthew 6:1-8. The same chapter of Matthew also tells us not to perform religious duties in public. By using the radio and television, you are already violating this biblical precept. You also forbid your members to eat blood. Yet, Mark 7:15-23 states that there is nothing that goes into a person from the outside which can make him ritually unclean. Also, Jesus declared that all foods are fit to be eaten. Why do you continue to forbid your members to eat blood despite Christ’s pronouncement? And why do you allow blood transfusions?

Felipe Gatus
Manila, Philippines

Letter 5

Peter himself says it is Jesus Christ

Letter to the Editor:
GOD’S MESSAGE, October – December 1994, p.2

A FRIEND OF MINE gave me a copy PASUGO of (God’s Message) and I came across the article, written by Johnny J. Martin, entitled “Apostle Peter Is Not the Foundation Stone” (January-February, 1990).

1. In John 1:35-42, Jesus changed the name of Apostle Peter to Cephas, which is translated, a stone. Both Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) mean the same.

2. Peter’s name was changed to Cephas, because he was later to be given a special role. This was done in the same way when God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, and Saul to Paul. The name change indicated that the person was chosen for a divine mission.

3. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said to Peter (rock) that, “Thou art Peter (rock) and upon this rock I will build My Church…” Who is the rock being referred to? Don’t distort the truth, otherwise you will be branded as a false preacher.

4. In his conclusion, Mr. Martin stated, thus: “Therefore, our Lord Jesus Christ, Apostle Peter, and Apostle Paul are completely united in their teaching that Jesus Christ is the foundation stone of the true Church, not Apostle Peter.” But in Ephesians 2:20, it is stated that God’s household is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” If Mr. Martin is still ignorant about these two simple yet different terms — cornerstone and foundation — how can he ever hope to understand the mystery of salvation?

Ramon Reyes
Baguio City, Philippines

Letter 6

Is the Bible the only gospel of salvation?

Letter to the Editor:
GOD’S MESSAGE, October – December 1994, p.2-3

I NOTICE THAT you always base all your teachings on the Bible. Since my childhood years, the Bible has been always a puzzle to me. Why is the Bible so popular?

According to you, it is the word of God. But what about the other sacred books where other religions are based, such as the Koran for Islam, the Tripitaka for Buddhism, the Vedas for the Brahmans, the King for Confucians? These books also teach man all he needs to know how to lead a life of peace and prosperity, to endure extreme hardship, and attain salvation. How can you prove that the gospel of salvation is only in the Bible?

Ritz Rhei Maliwanag
Cebu City, Philippines

Letter 7

Is the Bible incomplete?

Letter to the Editor:
GOD’S MESSAGE, October – December 1994, p.2-3

MY AUNT IS AN ACTIVE member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She wrote me a letter saying that I should join her religion. One reason she gave me was that the Bible is incomplete, especially on the written account of Christ’s life. She even added in her letter that the Mormons use the Book of Mormon. They consider it to be the most accurate book on earth. By strictly following its precepts, people would get nearer to God. I am quite confused. If the Bible is incomplete, why is it the basis of faith for other religions? Is my aunt, and the Mormons right in their assertion that the Bible is an incomplete book?

Jerry Bilaoen
La Union, Philippines

Letter 8

Did he combine doctrines?

Letter to the Editor:
GOD’S MESSAGE, October – December 1994, p.3

I READ THE HISTORY of your Church and I learned that Mr. Felix Y. Manalo had been a member of many different churches like the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian Mission, and Seventh-day Adventist. Doesn’t this prove that he is not a true messenger since he took all of his teachings from these different churches and combined them to form the teachings of the Church of Christ?

Christopher Dawson
Los Angeles, California

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.

“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)