The True Church of Christ is Comprised of 3 Groups

The True Church of Christ is
Comprised of 3 Groups

THERE ARE MILLIONS of people today who belong to different religious bodies with different faiths, who are unaware of the “Great Apostasy” ― the “turning away” of the disciples and followers of Christ that took place within the first-century Church of Christ. (Mat. 24:9-11 New International Version; II Peter 2:1-2 Amplified Bible; I Tim. 4:1 New Living Translation; Acts 20:29-30 New International Version). Historical records prove millions were also put to death who resisted it during the dark era of the “Inquisition.”

Due to the lack of people’s knowledge of this biblical and historical event that took place after the departure of Christ and His apostles, many believe that the first-century church established by Christ continued through the preaching of the gospel until this present day and that the true church is not confined just to a single church body or organization but is found in the numerous religious organizations and denominations in existence today.

They are greatly mistaken!

After the departure of Christ and His apostles, the church faced heavy persecution, a complete apostasy that obliterated the first-century Church of Christ and its unadulterated teachings. Thus, before Christ’s ascension to heaven, He prophesied about His other sheep (the third group of people) or flock that were not part of His flock then. The flock being the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28 Lamsa). Christ said he will call his other sheep “in the future” they will be one flock or Church of Christ:

“I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. IN THE FUTURE there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16 Easy-to-Read Version, Emphasis Mine)

"THE THIRD GROUP OF CHRIST AND THE PROPHESIED TIME"

Notice that Christ mentions, “In the future, there will be one flock.” “In the future,” Christ promised when He was still here on earth, “there will be one flock” or Church of Christ. As prophesied by Christ, the third group comprises the re-establishment of the one true Church built by Christ. When Christ said “in the future,” how can this time frame be more accurately ascertained? In a supporting prophecy, the Apostle Peter reveals this:

“For it was to you that the gift was promised, to you and your children, and to all those in distant times and places and whom the Lord our God calls to him.”

(Reference: Acts 2:39 Rieu Translation, Emphasis Mine)

In this pronouncement of the Apostle Peter, he makes known the three groups of people that comprise the one true Church of Christ:

The Jews who believed in the preaching of Christ and the apostles made up the FIRST GROUP to whom Apostle Peter said, “for the promise
is to you.” (NKJV)

The Gentiles or non-Jews at that time who also entered the Church comprised the SECOND GROUP, “and your children” ― not children of the Jews in the flesh but rather children in the faith. Thus, the first two groups were called during the time of the apostles (Rom. 9:24).

On the other hand, the THIRD GROUP were yet to be called because their calling would happen at a “distant time and place” from that of the apostles. Hence “in the future” as pronounced by Christ.

Which is this “distant time” being referred to? In a related prophecy, the Lord God proclaims the following:

“I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ENDS OF THE EARTH – Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

(Reference: Isa. 43:6-7, NKJV, Emphasis Mine)

There are two very important things mentioned here in the prophecy we must closely take note of:

1

The “distant time” when God will call His sons and daughters will take place at the time “end(s) of the earth,” and;

2

“My name,” whom God created for His glory. Is no other than the name of “Jesus Christ” for the glory of God:

“…Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me, so that their unity may be like ours.”

(Reference: John 17:11 GOD’S WORD® Translation, Emphasis Mine)

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

(Reference: Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)

Thus, the third Group of Christ whom God called are recognized as His sons and daughters at the time “ends of the earth,” and they will be called after the name of Christ, whom God created for His glory as Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation).

The expression “end(s) of the earth” refers to a time entirely different from the “end of the earth.” Both are expressions of time, but the latter refers to the time when the world will meet its end, which is on the day of Judgment or the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mat. 24:3). However, the “end(s) of the earth” pertains to the time when the end of the world is near or at its doors (Matt. 24:33). Our Lord Jesus Christ gave signs that when seen happening, will signify that the end is near or that the time “ends of the earth” has already begun to unfold which are the beginning of sorrows or birth pangs:

“…when you see all these things, know that it is near ― at the doors. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

(Reference: Matt. 24:33; 24:6-8 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)

Among the signs that portend the unfolding of the period “ends of the earth” is the war that would be rumored or widely talked about. In fulfillment, this war is World War One of 1914:

“Jesus now tells His followers how they could discern when the world was actually entering into the beginning of the birth pangs that would bring about the rebirth of Israel and ultimately the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. The approach of the end of the age would see several phenomena on the earth occurring at the same time. Those phenomena, would be: 1. Many nations rising up against many other nations 2. Kingdoms rising against kingdoms 3. Famines 4. Disease epidemics 5. Earthquakes in various places. In Mark 13 the word troubles is used by our Lord instead of disease epidemics… Wars between nations, or even between kingdoms, is and has been a common occurrence. History has recorded famines at various times. There have been times of great disease epidemics. There have been earthquakes in the past, but increasingly so in the present day. Jesus tells His disciples, however, to be awaiting a specific time during which all of these phenomena would be in evidence at the same time. The first such time in world history occurred during the years of World War I (1914-1918) …”

(Reference: Matt. 24:6-8a., Footnote: Last Days Bible, Emphasis Mine)

"THE LOCATION"

It is during this period when the THIRD GROUP OF CHRIST would emerge as prophesied by the bible. The Church of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo was registered in the Philippine government on July 27, 1914 — concurrent with the outbreak of “World War One” on July 27,1914 fulfilling the biblical prophecy that marks the time “end(s) of the earth”:

“The first great campaign on the southeastern battle grounds of the Great War began on July 27, 1914, when the Austrian troops undertook their first invasion of Serbia.”

(Reference: The Story of the Great War, Vol. 2, p. 291, Emphasis Mine)

“On 27 July 1914 the Austrian foreign minister Berchtold requested Emperor Franz Joseph to sign the declaration of war, on the express grounds that the situation called for swift action, in order to achieve a fait accompli that would forestall any possible peace initiative on the part of the Triple Entente.

“At the same moment news arrived of an exchange of fire between Austrian and Serbian units on the Serbian border, which was immediately communicated to Franz Joseph at his summer residence in Bad Ischl. Under the impression that there had been a Serbian act of aggression, he signed the declaration of war that very same day, 27 July, …”

(Reference: News press, Special edition of the Arbeiterzeitung of 29 July 1914, Emphasis Mine)

Thus, the “distant time” referred in the prophecy by the apostles is the time “ends of the earth,” which we have undeniable established marks the commencement of World War One, the gathering of God’s sons and daughters (the third and final group) will come from a far country in the east or “Far East” mentioned in Isaiah 43:5:

“From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you.”

(Reference: Isa. 43:5 Moffat Translation, Emphasis Mine)

Is there any supporting scripture that provides the exact location in the “Far East” from which God’s sons and daughters will emerge from the time “ends of the earth?”

"THE GOD OF ISRAEL IN THE ISLAND OF THE SEA"

Some critics claim that the Far East is very vast and question, “How can the Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church Of Christ claim to be certain that the “Far East” mentioned in the prophecy of Isaiah 43:5-6 refers to the Church of Christ in the Philippines from the time ‘ends of the earth’?”

We can find an undeniable answer to this question from a supporting prophecy. Let us consult with the Holy Scriptures once again to pinpoint the exact location in the Far East, which will take place at the time “ends of the earth”:

“Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ENDS of the earth we hear singing: ‘Glory to the Righteous One’.”

(Reference: Isa. 24:15-16 NIV, Emphasis Mine)

Undoubtedly, the Philippines is located almost at the geographic center of the Far East and is recognized as the only Christian country in which Christianity has taken the deepest roots. A country that recognizes the God of Israel and is comprised of 7,641 islands:

“The Philippines were Spain’s share of the first colonizing movement in the Far East…”

(Reference: World History, Vol. 2 p. 445, Emphasis Mine)

“It cannot be without significance that the country which stands almost at the geographical center of the Far East, the Philippines, also be that in which Christianity has taken the deepest root.”

(Reference: Asia and the Philippines, p.169, Emphasis Mine)

“The Philippines … is the only Christian nation in the Far East.”

(Reference: International Security and the United States: An Encyclopedia, Vol. II, p. 614, Emphasis Mine)

“As an archipelago, the Philippines comprises about 7,641 islands…”

(Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ List_of_islands_of_the_Philippines, Emphasis Mine)

There is only one Church that passes all the criteria for being recognized as the third group of people that belongs to Christ – the Church of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo. As aforementioned, the Church of Christ was officially registered with the government of the Philippines (a country in the Far East) on July 27, 1914, concurrent with the outbreak of the “First World War,” on July 27, 1914, coinciding with the prophecy of Christ almost 2,000 years ago. Moreover, as aforementioned, the Church of Christ is located almost at the geographical center of the Far East in a country composed of over 7,146 islands and is the only Christian nation that recognizes the God of Israel, where “Christianity has taken the deepest roots.”

"FROM THE FAR WEST I WILL GATHER YOU"

The gathering of those to be called God’s sons and daughters would eventually reach the Far West (“from the far west I will gather you”) through the instrumentality of the late Executive Minister, Brother Erano G. Manalo, fulfilling this prophecy who established the first congregations of the Church in Ewa, Hawaii, on July 27, 1968. This was followed by another gathering of brethren in San Francisco, California. These are the official beginnings of the Church Of Christ in the Far West. According to the 1976 World Almanac, Hawaii and California are part of the region of the United States called Far West:

“FAR WEST: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii.”

(Reference: The World Almanac Handbook of Facts 1976, Bicentennial Edition, p.88, Emphasis Mine)

Today the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) has an international membership comprising 151 racial and ethnic backgrounds and maintains nearly 7,000 congregations and missions grouped into more than 178 ecclesiastical districts in 166 countries and territories on six of the world’s inhabited continents.

"THE ONE BODY"

The Church of Christ that emerged in the Philippines by biblical prophecy is the one and only true church built and founded by Christ and is indispensable for the salvation of all those who desire to be saved. This is the very reason Christ gave His life for the church by purchasing the church with His blood (Acts:2028 Lamsa), and through Christ’s blood, there is the redemption of sin (Col. 1:14 NKJV). And “He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church” (Col. 1:18), and as the Head, Christ will answer for the sins of His body. Thus, those who desire to be saved must be a part or a member of the “one body” or “church” because it is the church that Christ will save on Judgment day ― His body. This is why the church is analogous to a human body, in which a human body has many members or organs, but yet it is one body, just as the body of Christ has many members (the true Christians) but yet, are one body in Christ:

“For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].”

(Reference: Rom. 12:4-5 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, Emphasis Mine)

Therefore, the true church built by Christ is but ONE BODY or church (singular), NOT CHURCHES. And “…by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (I Cor. 1:13). Therefore, the true Christians are baptized into the one body or church and Christ is the savior of it. It is the Church Of Christ that God chose and appointed where we can receive not only the right to serve and worship Him but also the hope of salvation through Christ because it is the church Christ will save:

“For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.”

(Reference: Eph. 5:23 GNB, Emphasis Mine)

Hence, the right and only place where people should perform the true service or worship of God is definitely in the Church Of Christ; otherwise, as sincere as one may be in his worship of God, all his efforts will be made merely in vain (Mat 15:9).

"DONT BE LEFT OUTSIDE"

Being in the wrong place can spell grave danger when disaster strikes; what more, on Judgment Day? The wrong place to be is outside the Church Of Christ. Concerning this, Christ gives a warning by way of a parable:

“When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ …

“But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.”

(Reference: Luke 13:25, 27-28 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)

Should we wait for this to happen to us — to be driven away and denied entry to God’s kingdom or the Holy City (Rev. 21:1-4)? Must we let it happen that there will be no place else to go but be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8)?

Hence, it is best that we are not merely in the right place but that we are in the right place at the right time. The right time to be in the place of salvation — the Church Of Christ — is now:

“Hear what God says: ‘When the time came for me to show you favor, I heard you; when the day arrived for me to save you, I helped you.’ Listen! This is the hour to receive God’s favor; today is the day to be saved!“

(Reference: II Cor. 6:2 GNB, Emphasis Mine)

IN CONCLUSION

1

WE KINDLY EXTEND our visitors an invitation to explore the biblical prophecies of the apostasy of the first-century Church Of Christ and the historical evidence and fulfillment. This will help you in your investigation of the truth and give you a further understanding of the need for the re-emergence of Christ’s church in the Far East, which was prophesied by Christ and His Apostles before His ascension to heaven.

Roadmap Article 4

Is My Name in the Book of Life?

WE ALL WONDER, “Am I going to heaven?” But maybe we should be asking “How do I get my name in the Book of Life?” What does this book have to do with our salvation? …

The Truth About Salvation

CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION with over 2.4 billion followers worldwide. It is composed of diverse faiths with thousands of denominations, such as Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Adventist—the list goes on. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that there are over 45,000 denominations globally, with more than 200 in the United States alone. Each denomination has its own unique set of beliefs and doctrines, especially when it comes to how one can achieve salvation. Do any of these religions truly teach the proper way of salvation?

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)