The Iglesia Ni Cristo:
An Introduction
ON JULY 27, 1914, concurrent with the outbreak of the First World War, a distinctive Christian Church emerged from the Philippines, an archipelago in the Far East. This Church which emphasizes the bible as the sole basis of faith, is the Iglesia ni Cristo or the Church of Christ.
The Iglesia ni Cristo firmly believes in the one true God, the Father who created all things. To serve and worship him is the primary obligation of man.it acknowledges Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as Lord and Savior, who established the Church in accordance with the will of God for salvation. Christ gave His life for the Church, His body.Being the head of the church, Christ was able to redeem the sins of itsmembers without breaking the law of God that each person should die for his own sins.
The Iglesia ni Cristo is replete with various biblical testimonies that prove that it is the true Church of Christ of Christ today.As the Apostles in the 1st century held on to 몋he sure word of the prophecy?as a proof of their divine calling (II Pt.1:10, 19-20),so does the Iglesia ni Cristo.It is testified to by biblical prophecies such as those written in Isaiah 43:5-7; 46:11,John 10:16, and revelation 7:2-3.These prove that it is indeed the true Church of Christ re-establihed in these last days. Within a short period of 87 years, the Iglesia ni Cristo has accomplished numerous achievements, which are truly remarkable for a church that originated from a developing country and that exist without the aid, financial or otherwise, of any government or religious agency anywhere in the world. From its early beginning at Punta, Stan Ana in Manila, where it was first preached by the late Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the Iglesia ni Cristo has indeed gone a long way as it now counts millions of members not only in the Philippines but also in different parts of the world.
In 1968, the Iglesia ni Cristo achieved a milestone when brother Eraņo G. Manalo, its present Executive Minister, spearheaded the establishment of the locales in Hawaii and California in the United States of America. Since then, the Iglesia ni Cristo has spanned the different parts of the world. As of this time, 600 locales and congregations have been established, composed of people from 182 races and from 75 countries and territories out side the Philippines.
As the growth in its membership steadily increases, so does the construction program of the Iglesia ni Cristo continue to intensify. Over the years, the Iglesia ni Cristo has constructed numerous houses of worship and other edifices, the biggest of which is the Central Temple in Quezon City, which stands in a total land area of 1.6 hectares and can seat about 7,000 worshipers. This magnificientstructure is an integral part of the over 40-hectare church complex where other remarkable edifices like the Central Office, Tabernacle, Pavilion, INC Museum and Gallery, New Era University, College of Evangelical Ministry, New Era General Hospital, among others are also built.
The Iglesia ni Cristo is also actively involved in socio-civic works. Thousands have benefited from the livelihood projects that it has initiated in different places. The Iglesia ni Cristo has also successfully embarked on housing and community development projects intended for church volunteers in different regions of the Philippines. Many victims of calamitiesand disasters, as well as the bereaved and the less fortunate, have likewise been aided and relieved through the outreached program called Lingap sa Mamamayan.In addition, the Church maintains its support t government campaigns on literacy, family planning, health, environment, and other related endeavors.
Above other concerns, however, it is the welfare of man뭩 soul or his salvation on the day of Judgment that the Iglesia ni Cristo primarily offers to all. By incessantly proclaiming God뭩 message of salvation to everyone, the Church continues to uphold a truly noble purpose뾣or all people to attain the wondrous love of god and the firm hope on his eternal promises.