BILLIONAIRE PREACHER?

There is a magazine that made a report about Bro. Erano Manalo, when he was still living. This malicious magazine said that Bro. Erano Manalo was a BILLIONAIRE PREACHER. And of course, without a doubt, it was used by detractors of the INC to attack the church.

So we will examine if what was written in the said report is TRUE.


Lets start!

Well, i noticed that the big problem with the author of the article is that the Church is described as a BUSINESS INSTITUTION, which is the cause of saying Bro. Erano Manalo was a billionaire preacher.

FYI: Iglesia ni Cristo is a CHURCH, its a religious organization and not a BUSINESS ORGANIZATION or COMPANY that purpose to make money.

If the INC is a business organization, then it is right for them to say Bro. Erano Manalo was a billionaire, like saying the president of ABS-CBN Gabby Lopez is a billionaire, the president of San miguel Corporation is a billionaire, the president of the Jollibee Foods Corporation is a billionaire and so on.

Why?

How can we say that a person is a millionaire or a billionaire?
Wikipedia has the answer:

"A millionaire (originally and sometimes still millionnaire) is an individual whose net worth or wealth is equal to or exceeds one million units of currency. It can also be a person who owns one million units of currency in a bank account or savings account."

"A billionaire, in countries that use the short scale number naming system, is a person who has a net worth of at least one billion (one thousand million) units of a given currency, usually the United States dollar, euro, or pound sterling."

We can see in the photo above that the reason why Bro. Erano Manalo was called "billionaire" is only because of the monies collected by the church from the CONTRIBUTION of the members. Ill quote it:

"Erano Manalo, known as Ka Erdie to his followers, head and controls the biggest money making institution in the country with an estimated gross annual income of 23 billion and approximate yearly net earnings of 1 billion."

If the Bro. Erano Manalo was called "Billionaire" only because of the offerings in the INC, then it should be also that leaders of Christian religions especially religions bigger than the INC be called millionaires, billionaires and trillionaires.

Apollo Quibolloy of Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a millionaire

Thomas Monson of LDS church is a billionaire

Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church is a trillionaire


Now its fair^^


Back to the topic...

I will quote some statements from the article:

"Inquiries made reveal that members are persuaded to contribute atleast a percentage of their income which average around 10% (more or less) depending on the economic conditions of each locality."

This is a malicious report. There is no doctrine in the INC that commands its members to give high offerings, or with a fix amount, or 10% tithing. We give our offerings without the dictates of someone.

"Though INK, through Ka erdie has gained substantial following, several religious organizations have accused him of taking advantage of INK's dedicated members' trust and confidence. Some of the allegations are: He has been using the organization as a political arm by throwing its support to the former President Ferdinand Marcos in elections and in return securing favors and contracts for his business friends. Living in a luxurious mansion with several mercedes benzes and Presidential guards courtesy of the former President. Allowing some of his children to engage in the importation of goods which are not really needed by the church.Awarding the construction of church buildings to close associates and so on.

Critics and detractors also charged that Ka Erdie has been closely associated with retired Colonel Cuevas of Amalgamated Motors Corporation which had won several government contracts from the previous administration."

I think i dont need to explain and answer these ACCUSATIONS because even if i will, still close minded people will not accept the truth. Let us just continue reading the last sentence on the quoted paragraph:

"Nevertheless these accusations remain unproven and has not been substantiated."

SEE? i dont need to explain and answer those accusations as all of it were not PROVEN, meaning, those are baseless accusations, and meaningless.

"Many believe that Ka Eride has attracted a lot of critics because of his fast-rising and following. Despite the unfounded charges, the over seven million strong faithful of INK has been multiplying by the day and are all ready to support and follow him."

The people that attacks Bro. Erano and the church are none other than the jealous ones, because as we all know, the church gained more achievements and the church expands around the world in the time of the leadership of Bro. Erano Manalo.

"One thing is for sure though, and that is for as long as Iglesia ni Kristo and Manalo family can keep its member's faith glowing, it will remain the biggest and most successful local institution in business terms."

On the last part of the article, as what ive said earlier, the author had a big problem as to describing the CHURCH as a business institution, which he/she clearly then made a false conclusion.

Finally, we can now tackle about the allegations about the "Manalo family"...


Are former executive ministers Bro. Felix, Bro. Erano Manalo and the present executive minister Bro. Eduardo Manalo should be called "BILLIONAIRES"?

A hard to accept truth for nonmembers, the answer is NO. Because all the offerings of the members around the world go to the bank account of the Iglesia ni Cristo and not to the bank accounts of the "Manalo family" because if that will be the case then there will be missing monies. Which is contrary to the truth, because the monies are well spent by the church, one of the many example is the building of the billion peso projects in Ciudad de Victoria, for the centennial celebration of the church.

It should not be "Bro. Eduardo or Bro. Erano Manalo are billionaires", it should be "Iglesia ni Cristo is a rich church" because the offerings are spent for the church and not for the "Manalos". As what written in a foreign newspaper:




Is the "Manalo family" having a luxurious life? living in mansions?

Bro. Felix did not had and lived in a mansion as well as Bro. Erano Manalo. People cannot prove that Bro. Eduardo Manalo does have and so living in a mansion. People cannot have evidences that the "Manalo family" or "children of Manalo's" or "relatives of Manalo's" are having a luxurious life. The church will be celebrating its 100th anniversary on July 27, 2014 still no one, even the Investigative journalism and whatsoever in the philippines will claim that Manalo's does have mansions, because if those are true then the pictures of "mansions" or "expensive things or cars" of "Manalo's" are now in the internet.

They are just ordinary persons like you who live and have an ordinary life. Any evidence? Yes. I Have. On what they are calling "children of Manalo's":

Their three children began studies at New Era University (NEU) before matriculating at UP.

Dorothy Kristine graduated at U.P with Bachelor's degrees in Philosophy and Law and has been teaching at NEU since 2005.

Gemma Minna, having graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and currently pursuing a second degree in Choral Conducting, teaches music at NEU and is a choir member.

Angelo Eraño is a senior majoring in European Languages and is also a fifth-year Bachelor of Evangelical Ministry (BEM) student at the College of Evangelical Ministry (CEM).

Pasugo october 2009 issue

So what's being special on studying at U.P and New Era University? Is teaching at New Era University and being a minister, is that having a luxurious life?

One last statement that i will quote from the article of the malicious report:

"Based on the studies conducted by the foundation, the Iglesia ni Kristo or INK for short has several thousands of churches all over, 25 radio stations, real state properties and other assets amounting of no less than 16 billion"

SEE? It is the Iglesia ni Kristo who has properties, and not Bro. Erano Manalo or Eduardo Manalo, meaning to say, it is a fact that what should we say is that the "Church is RICH" and not "Manalo family is rich"!

Acknowledgment:4:37 PM Permalink

Nasa Biblia ba ang Aral Na ang Diyos ay may Tatlong Persona?

Nasa Biblia ba ang Aral Na ang Diyos ay may Tatlong Persona?

 Ang doktrina o aral tungkol sa TRINIDAD ay isang malaganap na paniniwala ng maraming nagpapakilalang mga Cristiano sa kasalukuyan. Ang paniniwalang ito, ay kanilang ipinapalagay na mababasa sa Biblia o nakabatay sa Biblia, itinuturo ng aral na ito na ang Diyos ay binubuo ng TATLONG PERSONA: Diyos Ama, Diyos Anak, at Diyos Espiritu Santo, bagamat itinuturing nila na ang bawat persona ay isang Diyos, ang mga naniniwala sa Trinidad ay nagtuturo at nagsasabi na iisa lamang ang Diyos at hindi tatlo.

Kung ating sasangguniin ang Biblia, ang Panginoong Diyos ba, o ang kaniyang anak na si Jesu Cristo,  o maging ang mga Apostol, ay nagturo na mayroon pang ibang Diyos maliban sa AMA?  Ano ba ang pagpapakilala ng Diyos sa kaniyang sarili na siya namang itinuro ni Cristo at ng kaniyang mga alagad? Sabi ng Biblia:

Isaias 45:21  “Kayo'y mangagpahayag, at mangagpasapit; oo, magsanggunian silang magkakasama: sinong nagpakilala nito mula nang mga unang panahon? sinong nagpahayag niyaon nang una? hindi baga ang Panginoon? at walang Dios liban sa akin: isang ganap na Dios at Tagapagligtas; walang iba liban sa akin.”

Ang Diyos mismo ang nagsabi na siya lamang ang nagiisang Diyos, at ito’y kaniyang binigyan ng diin sa pagsasabing walang Dios liban sa kaniya at wala siyang nakikilalang iba:

Isaias 44:8  “Kayo'y huwag mangatakot, o magsipangilabot man: hindi ko baga ipinahayag sa iyo nang una, at ipinakilala? at kayo ang aking mga saksi. May Dios baga liban sa akin?oo, walang malaking Bato; ako'y walang nakikilalang iba.”

Ang nagiisang tunay na Diyos ay walang nakikilalang ibang Diyos maliban sa kaniyang sarili, iyan ang maliwanag na katotohanang pahayag ng ating Panginoong Diyos mismo. Maging ang kaniyang mga sinaunanag lingkod gaya halimbawa ni Haring David ay may pahayag ng ganito:

2 Samuel 7:22  “Kaya't ikaw ay dakila, Oh Panginoong Dios: sapagka't walang gaya mo, o may ibang Dios pa bukod sa iyo, ayon sa lahat na aming naririnig ng aming mga pakinig.”

Mapapansin na noong mga unang panahon ang mga lingkod ng Diyos ay hindi kailanman siya ipinakilala bilang isang Diyos na may tatlong persona, kundi ipinakilala nila na ang Diyos ay iisa lamang at wala siyang katulad o kagaya. Dagdag pa ni Haring David:

Awit 86:10  “Sapagka't ikaw ay dakila, at gumagawa ng kagilagilalas na mga bagay: ikaw na magisa ang Dios.”

Maliwanag kung gayon na IISA LAMANG ANG TUNAY NA DIYOS. Kung ang tao ay kumilala pa sa ibang Diyos maliban sa iisang tunay na Diyos na ipinakikilala ng Biblia, samakatuwid ay hindi sila nakaabot sa tunay na pagkakilala sa tunay na Diyos na itinuro ng mga banal na kasulatan.

Ang AMA lamang ang nag-iisang tunay na Diyos

Sino ang nagiisang tunay na Diyos na ipinakilala ni Cristo? Ating tunghayan at basahin ang patotoo ng Tagapagligtas:

Juan 17:1,3  “Ang mga bagay na ito ay sinalita ni Jesus; at sa pagtingala ng kaniyang mga mata sa langit, ay sinabi niya, Ama, dumating na ang oras; luwalhatiin mo ang iyong Anak, upang ikaw ay luwalhatiin ng Anak…At ito ang buhay na walang hanggan, na ikaw ay makilala nila na iisang Dios na tunay, at siyang iyong sinugo, sa makatuwid baga'y si Jesucristo.”

Ipinakilala ni Cristo na ang Ama sa langit ang nagiisang tunay na Diyos.  Sa kabilang dako, ipinakilala niya ang kaniyang sarili bilang sinugo o sugo ng Diyos at hindi bilang kapantay o isa sa mga persona ng Diyos at isa pang Diyos gaya ng paniniwala ng iba. Si Jesus ay sugo ng Diyos, at gayon natin siya dapat kilalanin:

 Juan 17:21  “Upang silang lahat ay maging isa; na gaya mo, Ama, sa akin, at ako'y sa iyo, na sila nama'y suma atin: upang ang sanglibutan ay sumampalataya na ako'y sinugo mo.”

Sa pagsasabi ni Cristo na ang Ama ang nagiisang tunay na Diyos, maliwanag kung gayon na hindi si Cristo ang Diyos.

Maging ang mga apostol ay kumikilala sa iisang Diyos lamang, ang AMA, at hindi kailanman binanggit sa alinmang kasulatang isinulat ng mga apostol na ang Diyos ay may tatlong persona:

1 Corinto 8:5  “Sapagka't bagama't mayroong mga tinatawag na mga dios, maging sa langit o maging sa lupa; gaya nang may maraming mga dios at maraming mga panginoon;”

1 Corinto 8:6  “Nguni't sa ganang atin ay may isang Dios lamang, ang Ama, na buhat sa kaniya ang lahat ng mga bagay, at tayo'y sa kaniya; at isa lamang Panginoon, si Jesucristo, na sa pamamagitan niya ang lahat ng mga bagay, at tayo'y sa pamamagitan niya.”

Ang Diyos, si Cristo, at ang mga apostol kailanman ay hindi nagturo na ang Diyos ay higit sa isa. Ang nagiisang Diyos na tunay na ipinangaral ni Cristo at ng mga alagad niya ay ang AMA lamang.  Hindi binanggit na siya’s binubuo ng tatlong persona. Hindi sinabi na ang Anak, at ang Espiritu Santo ay Diyos din.  Subalit hindi nakapagtataka na may mga tao na magturo na mayroon pang ibang Diyos maliban sa AMA. May sinasasabi ang Biblia na ganito sa kasunod na talata:

1 Corinto 8:7  “Gayon ma'y wala sa lahat ng mga tao ang kaalamang iyan”…

Maliwanag na pinatutunayan ng Biblia na may mga tao na hindi nakaabot sa pagkaalam ng katotohanan tungkol sa nagiisa at tunay na Diyos – ang tunay na kaalamang ito ay wala sa lahat ng mga tao, sa madaling salita, hindi lahat ng tao ay nakakaalam ng katotohanang ito.  Bilang katibayan, ating nasasaksihan na may mga relihiyon ngayon na nagtuturo ng doktrina o aral tungkol sa Diyos na kumokontra o lumalabag sa itinuturo ng Biblia.

Ang tunay na Diyos ay hindi namamatay o nagbabago

Ano ang paniniwala ng mga Katoliko at mga Protestante tungkol sa Diyos? Sa isang aklat na may pamagat na “The Faith of Our Fathers”, isinulat ng isang Cardinal ng Iglesia Katolika, ganito ang ating mababasa:

"In this one God there are three distinct Persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who are perfectly equal to each other." [The Faith of our Fathers, by James Cardinal Gibbons, Page 1]

Salin sa Filipino:

“Sa isang Diyos na ito ay may tatlong magkakaibang Persona – ang Ama, ang Anak, at ang Espiritu Santo, na perpektong magkakapantay sa isa’t-isa.”

Ang mga Katoliko at mga Protestante ay kapuwa naniniwala na mayroong isang Diyos na may tatlong magkakaibang persona.  Para sa kanila, ang Diyos ay binubuo ng Ama, Anak, at Espiritu Santo.

Ano ba ang nangyari sa Diyos batay sa paninwalang Katoliko?  Sa isang aklat na may pamagat na “The Story of the Church”, ganito naman ang sabi:

"... God had become Man to save the world and to bring back to mankind all the blessings that had been lost by Original Sin. The God-Man had established a Church in which He would remain on earth until the end of the world to teach men the Truth and to make them holy." [The Story of the Church, p. 86]

Salin sa Filipino:

“…Ang Diyos ay naging tao upang iligtas ang sanglibutan at upang maibalik ang sangkatauhan sa lahat ng mga biyayang kanilang sinayang dahil sa kasalanang original.  Ang Diyos-na-Taoay nagtayo ng isang Iglesia kung saan siya ay mananatili sa daigidig hanggang sa wakas ng sanglibutan upang magturo sa mga tao ng katotohanan at upang sila’y mapaging banal.”

Sinasangayunan ba ng Diyos ang aral na siya ay naging tao o sa ibang salita “nagkatawang tao”? Ipinahayag ng Diyos ang ganito:

Oseas 11:9  “Hindi ko isasagawa ang kabangisan ng aking galit, hindi ako babalik upang ipahamak ang Ephraim: sapagka't ako'y Dios, at hindi tao; ang Banal sa gitna mo; at hindi ako paroroon na may galit.”

Samakatuwid ang aral na ang Diyos ay naging tao o nagkatawang tao ay labag o kakontra ng itinuro ng Diyos sa Biblia.

Kung ating tatanggapin na katotohanan na ang Diyos ay naging tao at ito’y si Cristo, lilitaw kung gayon na dahil sa si Cristo ay namatay, ay may Diyos na namamatay. Ang tunay bang Diyos ay maaaring makaranas ng kamatayan?

1 Timoteo 1:17  “Ngayon sa Haring walang hanggan, walang kamatayan, di nakikita, saiisang Dios, ay ang kapurihan at kaluwalhatian magpakailan kailan man. Siya nawa.”

Ayon sa Biblia, ang tunay na Diyos ay walang kamatayan.  Samantalang si Cristo ay namatay sa krus.  Kaya maliwanag na hindi maaaring maging Diyos si Cristo dahil ang tunay na Diyos ay hindi maaaring makaranas kailanman man ng kamatayan, dahil hindi siya namamatay.

Ano pang aral ang malalabag ng paniniwalang ang Diyos ay nagkatawang tao o naging tao? Sabi ng Diyos ay ganito:

 Malakias 3:6  “Sapagka't ako, ang Panginoon, ay hindi nababago, kaya't kayo, Oh mga anak na lalake ni Jacob ay hindi nangauubos.”

Maliwanag nating nakikita ngayon na ang paniniwalang ang Diyos ay nagkatawang-tao o naging tao, ay labag sa mga katotohanang itinuturo ng Diyos sa Biblia. Sapagkat kailanman ang Diyos ay hindi nababago, hindi siya magbabagong anyo o kalikasan mula sa pagiging Diyos ay magbabago siya upang maging tao… Siya’y mananatiling Diyos magpakailanman.

Bakit natin natitiyak na ang doktrina o aral tungkol sa pagkakatawang-tao ng Diyos ay isang napakalaking kamalian?  Basahin pa natin ito:

Santiago 1:17  “Ang bawa't mabuting kaloob at ang bawa't sakdal na kaloob ay pawang buhat sa itaas, na bumababa mula sa Ama ng mga ilaw, na walang pagbabago, ni kahit anino man ng pagiiba.”

Dahil sa ang tunay na Diyos ay mananatiling Diyos magpakailankailanman…Hindi siya nagkatawang tao dahil sa wala siyang pagbabago ni magkakaroon man siya ng kahit anino man ng pagiiba. Hindi mangyayari kailanman na ang Diyos ay maging tao, hindi totoo ang paniniwalang ito.

Ang Aral na ginawa lamang ng tao

Ang termino o salitang “Trinidad” ay inimbento lamang at hindi mababasa kailanman sa Biblia. SiAugustus Hopkins Strong isang awtoridad Katoliko ang nagpapatunay:

"The term 'Trinity' is not found in Scripture [Bible], ... The invention of the term is ascribed to Tertullian." [Systematic Theology, by Augustus Hopkins Strong, page. 304]

Salin sa Filipino:

“Ang terminong ‘Trinidad’ ay hindi matatagpuan sa kasulatan (Biblia), …ang pagkakaimbento ng termino ay ipinapalagay na gawa ni Tertulliano.”

Ang aral tungkol sa Trinidad ay isang katuruan na gawa lamang tao at ito’y tahasang inamin ng isang Awtoridad Katoliko.  Kailanman ay hindi makikita o mababasa sa Biblia ang terminong ito. Ang mismong prinsipyo ng aral na ito ay tahasang kumokontra o lumalabag sa aral ng Diyos, ni Cristo, at ng mga apostol.  Ayon sa Biblia hindi tayo dapat magsalig ng paniniwala sa mga kautusan o aral na inimbento o kinatha lamang ng mga tao na di sang-ayon sa mga katotohanan ng Diyos na mababasa sa Biblia:

 Tito 1:14  “Na huwag mangakinig sa mga katha ng mga Judio, at sa mga utos ng mga tao na nangagsisisinsay sa katotohanan.”

Hindi lamang ang terminong “Trinidad” ang wala sa Biblia, patutunayan sa atin iyan ng isangCatholic Bible Scholar:

"Though the exact terms in which the [Catholic] Church has formally defined the dogma of the Blessed Trinity ... are not in the Bible, and may, therefore, in a sense be called unscriptural. . ." [The Divine Trinity: A Dogmatic Treatise, by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Pohle, p. 22]

Salin sa Filipino:

“Bagamat ang eksaktong mga termino, kung saan pormal na ipinaliwanag sa atin ng Iglesia [Katolika] ang dogma tungkol sa Banal na Trinidad…ang mga ito ay wala sa Biblia, at maaari, kung gayon, na ito’y tawagin na hindi maka-kasulatan…”

Ang mga tagapagtaguyod ng paniniwalang ito mismo ang umaamin at nagpapatunay na ang “dogma” [o nilikhang aral ng Iglesia Katolika] na ang Diyos ay may tatlong persona ay wala sa Biblia o hindi maka-kasulatan.

Kailan lamang ba pinasimulang ituro ang tungkol sa aral na ito?

"It is a simple fact and an undeniable historical fact that several major doctrines that now seem central to the Christian Faith – such as the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of the nature of Christ – were not present in a full and self-defined generally accepted form until the fourth and fifth centuries. If they are essential today – as all of the orthodox creeds and confessions assert – it must be because they are true. If they are true, then they must always have been true; they cannot have become true in the fourth and fifth century. But if they are both true and essential, how can it be that the early [Catholic] church took centuries to formulate them?"  [The Doctrine of the Trinity Christianity’s Self-Inflicted Wound 1994 Anthony F. Buzzard Charles F. Hunting]

Salin sa Filipino:

“Ito ay isang simpleng katotohanan at hindi maitatangging katotohanang pangkasaysayan na ilan sa mga pangunahing doktrina na ngayon ay maituturing na mahalaga sa pananampalatayang Cristiano – gaya ng doktrina tungkol sa Trinidad at ang doktrina sa kalagayan ni Cristo – ay hindi umiral bilang isang ganap at mayroon nang maliwanag at katanggap-tanggap na anyo para sa lahat hanggang sa ika-apat at ika-limang siglo. Kung ang mga ito man ay mahalaga ngayon – gaya ng pinatutunayan ng mga Kredong ortodoksiya at mga kumpisal- ay marahil sapagkat ang mga ito ay totoo.  Kung ang mga ito ay totoo, samakatuwid ito ay isang namamalaging katotohanan;  at hindi naging totoo lamang noong ika-apat at ika-limang siglo. Ngunit kung ang mga ito ay kapuwa totoo at mahalaga, Bakit ang Iglesia [Katolika] noon ay gumugol ng napakaraming siglo para mabuo ang mga ito?” 

Maliwanag na inaamin ng mga manunulat ng kasaysayan na ang aral na ito ay nabuo lamang noong ika-apat at ika-limang siglo, kaya malinaw na malinaw ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ito mababasa kailanman sa Biblia. Dahil matagal nang tapos ang Biblia noong Unang Siglo pa lamang, matagal nang patay ang mga Apostol, at matagal nang nasa langit ang Panginoong Jesus. Kaya walang kinalaman kailanman si Cristo, ang mga Apostol, at ang Biblia sa pagkakaroon ng aral tungkol sa Diyos na mayroong tatlong persona.

Ang paniniwala na maghahatid sa atin sa buhay na walang hanggan

Napakalaking kasawian ang naghihintay sa kanila na tumanggap at patuloy na naniniwala sa mga doktrina o aral na gawa lamang ng tao at hindi nakabatay o mababasa sa Bibia. Basahin natin ang babala ng kasulatan:

Galacia 5:19-21  “At hayag ang mga gawa ng laman, sa makatuwid ay ang mga ito: pakikiapid, karumihan, kahalayan, Pagsamba sa diosdiosan, pangkukulam, mga pagtataniman, mga pagtatalo, mga paninibugho, mga pagkakaalitan, mga pagkakampikampi, mga pagkakabahabahagi, mga hidwang pananampalataya, Mga kapanaghilian, mga paglalasing, mga kalayawan, at ang mga katulad nito; tungkol sa mga bagay na ito ay aking ipinagpapaunang ipaalaala sa inyo, tulad sa aking pagpapaalaala nang una sa inyo, na ang mga nagsisigawa ng gayong mga bagay ay hindi magsisipagmana ng kaharian ng Dios.”

Kasama sa hindi magmamana ng kaharian ng Diyos ang mga taong nahirati sa mali o “hidwang pananampalataya, mga aral at paniniwalang hindi nakabatay sa mga katotohanang nakasulat sa  Biblia, kundi inimbento lamang ng mga tao – gaya ng Trinidad. Ang ganitong paniniwala ay ikapapahamak.

Aling paniniwala naman ang dapat taglayin ng tao upang magtamo ng buhay na walang hanggan? Ating balikan ang pahayag ni Cristo:

Juan 17:1-3  “Ang mga bagay na ito ay sinalita ni Jesus; at sa pagtingala ng kaniyang mga mata sa langit, ay sinabi niya, Ama, dumating na ang oras; luwalhatiin mo ang iyong Anak, upang ikaw ay luwalhatiin ng Anak: Gaya ng ibinigay mo sa kaniya ang kapamahalaan sa lahat ng laman, upang bigyan niya ng buhay na walang hanggan ang lahat ng ibinigay mo sa kaniya. At ito ang buhay na walang hanggan, na ikaw ay makilala nila na iisang Dios na tunay, at siyang iyong sinugo, sa makatuwid baga'y si Jesucristo.”

  

Ang paniniwalang ang AMA lamang ang nagiisa at tunay na Diyos ang dapat taglayin ng tao upang siya’y magtamo ng buhay na walang hanggan, sabi nga ni Cristo “ITO ANG BUHAY NA WALANG HANGGAN” na ito ay ang pagkakilala sa AMA bilang IISANG DIYOS NA TUNAY…

Acknowledgement/source: Aerial's Cavalry/Aerial's Torch of Salvation

DO YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR FRIEND?

WHAT MAKES A TRUE FRIEND? What distinguishes such from a mere acquaintance? Why is having true friends somethings worthwhile? Is it very important to have a friend? Turning to the pages of the Holy Scriptures, we learn the value of friendship thus: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up” (Eccles. 4:9-10, New International Version).

Indeed, as God’s word shows us, friendship is truly a good thing. At various times in our life, when crisis or personal tragedy comes, having a friend beside us can lift our spirits up. A true friend can be counted on to join with us in works for the good of the friendly relationship. A friend will come to our aid when we are in a bind and provide helpful advice and assistance in whatever way he can. The Bible even mentions that in times of danger, having a friend by our side is beneficial. Let’s take a look at what the Holy Scriptures shows us about friends in times of trouble: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Eccles. 4:12, Ibid.).

TRUE FRIENDSHIP

Clearly then, in the eyes of our Creator, friendship is a good thing. In fact, as you can see from the verse we have just quoted, a friend is a good thing to have and it is even better to have friends! Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ also talked about a characteristic of true friendship to his people: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, Ibid.).

Here, Jesus speaks how a true friend can express what he feels. According to Jesus, one way someone can express his friendship is through his willingness to give up something valuable to him for the one he regards as a true friend. However, it is also so important for us to understand that it is possible that a friend can put us in danger. Some may see this as a contradiction. But it is not. Why? Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Corinthians: “In my many travels I have been in danger from floods and from robbers, in danger from fellow Jews and from Gentiles; there have been dangers in the cities, dangers in the wilds, dangers on the high seas, and dangers from false friends” (II Cor. 11:26, Today’s English Version).

Apostle Paul was one who experienced many moments of danger when he truly needed a friend. As we could see, he found out that there were those with him that he could not count on. He talked to members of the Church in Corinth about dangers, and included so-called friends who turned out to be what he described as “false friends.” They may have presented themselves as true friends, but, in reality they were not. Is there a way for us also to determine whether or not some of the acquaintances we may have in our own lives are actually false friends? Apostle Paul went on to say the following: “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character’” (I Cor. 15:33, New Living Translation).

BEWARE OF FALSE FRIENDS

False friends or acquaintances can fool some people. They can be very deceptive. That is why the apostle gave such warning that we should not be fooled by them. He also mentioned the result if we would not be careful, saying that even our good character could be corrupted. It is easy then to see that not all friends are good. Disaster can strike us if we are not very careful in choosing our friends and those whom we spend time with. What are some of the destructive habits that false friends may try to lead us according to the Bible? “Listen, my son, be wise and give serious thought to the way you live. Don’t associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food. Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags” (Prov. 23:19-21, TEV).

No one wants to be reduced to poverty. But, that is what will happen if we choose as friends people who drink, overeat, and are lazy. These so-called friends will lead us to self-destruction. These kinds of friends will not encourage us to do what is good for us. What they are, in fact, will be the kind of influence they will try to wield. King Solomon described their actions like this: “Son, don’t go with people like that. Stay away from them. They can’t wait to do something bad. They’re always ready to kill” (Prov 1:15-16, Ibid.).

After giving advice about staying away from such false friends, he also described them. They are the type of people that are always eager to lead us toward something bad, even violence. But who are such kind of people hurting the most? “But men like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die” (Prov. 1:18, Ibid.)

CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS

It is normal for young people to have a desire to fit in, and be accepted by their peer group. And as we have learned in the initial verses we quoted, the normal youthful tendency toward the pursuit of companionship, independence, and the building of a circle of friends wherein one spends much of his time is not something that God is againts, or that He prohibits. However, as we have also seen, He clearly warns about being careful in the choices one makes concerning friendship. In one’s passion for companionship and friendship, what guidance does God give to His people when choosing the type of person to spend time with and include in the circle of our acquaintances? “Avoid the passions of youth, and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help” (II Tim 2:22, Ibid.).

The Bible teaches us to strive for righteousness and to be in the company of people who call out to the Lord for help, that we may have a life filled with faith, love, and peace. Such companions, who strive to live a holy life will surely never lead us toward danger but will be around to help us in time of great need. There is an example recorded in the Bible of a true servant of God who spoke of the criteria he used when choosing one who he would consider in his circle of friends. The writings of King David recorded: “I am a friend of all who serve you, of all who obey you laws” (Ps. 119:63, Ibid.).

He was eager to be a friend of those who serve God and of those who wanted to obey God’s laws. Is that also how we choose our friends? If we want to know the best way to be a friend to others, the Bible also teaches us that here: “I have not kept the news of salvation to myself; I have always spoken of your faithfulness and help. In the assembly of all you people I have not been silent about you loyalty and consistent love” (Ps. 40:10, Ibid.).

Members of the Church of Christ therefore extend their invitation to everyone they meet at school, at work, and in all their journeys in this life to become a true servant of God, here inside the true “Church of Christ,” which is great act of friendship one can extend to another.


Source: IGLESIA NI CRISTO, Pasugo, God’s Message, June 2010 Edition, Volume 62, Number 6, ISSN 0116-1636, p. 12-13, by ROBERT F. PELLIEN

ANG MAY BAHAGI SA KALIGTASAN

MARAMING TAO ANGumaasa na sa Ikalawang Pagparito ng Panginoong Jesus ay makakasama sila sa mga magmamana ng kaligtasan dahil may kinaaaniban silang relihiyon at nagsasagawa ng paglilingkod sa Diyos at kay Cristo. Ang iba ay nagsasabing sila ay sumasampalataya at ang iba nama’y nagsasabing sila’y hindi nang-aapi ng kapuwa, mapagkawanggawa at matulungin sa nangangailangan, o kaya’y nanghahawak sa mga “himala” na diumano’y kanilang nagagawa dahil sa pangalan ni Cristo.


Subalit, sinu-sino ba ang tiyak na may bahagi sa manang kaligtasan? Sinu-sino naman ang walang bahagi sa manang kaligtasan? At ano ang saligan para sa mga maliligtas at sa mga mapapahamak? Alamin natin ang mga ito sa liwanag ng mga katotohanan o salita ng Diyos na nakasulat sa mga Banal na Kasulatan.


ANG MAGMAMANA NG KAHARIAN

Ipinakilala ng Panginoong Jesus, ang Tagapagligtas, kung sinu-sino ang mga taong magmamana ng kaharian sa Kaniyang pagparito:


“Datapuwa’t pagparito ng Anak ng tao na nasa kaniyang kaluwalhatian, na kasama niya ang lahat ng mga anghel, kung magkagayo’y luluklok siya sa luklukan ng kaniyang kaluwalhatian: At titipunin sa harap niya ang lahat ng mga bansa: at sila’y pagbubukdinbukdin niya na gaya ng pagbubukodbukod ng pastor sa mga tupa at sa mga kambing; At ilalagay niya ang mga tupa sa kaniyang kanan, datapuwa’t sa kaliwa ang mga kambing. Kung magkagayo’y sasabihin ng Hari sa nangasa kaniyang kanan, Magsiparito kayo, mga pinagpala ng aking Ama, manahin ninyo ang kahariang nakahanda sa inyo buhat nang itatag ang sanglibutan: … Kung magkagayo’y sasabihin naman niya sa mga nasa kaliwa, Magsilayo kayo sa akin, kayong mga sinumpa, at pasa apoy na walang hanggan na inihanda sa Diablo at sa kaniyang mga anghel.” (Mat. 25:31-34, 41)

Ito‎’y paglalarawan ni Cristo tungkol sa magaganap sa araw ng Kaniyang pagparito – ang pagbubukod-bukod sa mga tao sa dalawang uri at ang kanilang huling hantungan. Ang isang uri ay itinulad Niya sa mga tupa at sila ang mga taong magmamana ng kaharian o maliligtas. Ang isa naman ay ang itinulad sa mga kambing na pasasa apoy na walang hanggan o parurusahan.


Ang mga tupa na magmamana ng kaligtasan ay ang mga kay Cristo:


“At kung kayo’y kay Cristo, kayo nga’y binhi ni Abraham, at mga tagapagmana ayon sa pangako.” (Gal. 3:29)

Sa kabilang dako, pinatutunayan ng Biblia na ang mga hiwalay kay Cristo, hindi Niya tupa kaya’t tinawag na kambing, ay walang pag-asa sa manang kaligtasan:


“Hiwalay kayo noon kay Cristo at hindi kabilang sa Israel. Wala kayong bahagi sa tipang at pangako ng Dios sa kanila. Wala kayong Dios o pag-asa sa kaligtasan.” (Efe. 2:12, Salita ng Buhay)

ANG MGA KAY CRISTO NA TAGAPAGMANA

Mahalaga, kung gayon, na makilala natin kung sino ang mga kay Cristo na siyang magiging tagapagmana, at dito dapat sikapin ng lahat ng tao na mapabilang. Tiniyak ng Biblia:


“Na ang mga Gentil ay mga tagapagmana, at mga kasangkap ng katawan, at mga may bahagi sa pangako na kay Cristo Jesus sa pamamagitan ng evangelio.” (Efe. 3:6)

Ayon sa mga apostol, ang mga tagapagmana ng pangako ay ang mga naging kasangkap ng katawan o ng Iglesia (Col. 1:18). Ang Iglesia na katawan at pinangunguluhan ni Cristo ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo:


“Mangagbatian kayo ng banal na halik. Lahat ng iglesya ni Cristo ay bumabati sa inyo.” (Roma 16:16, New Pilipino Version)

Kaya, kapag ang tao ay wala sa loob ng Iglesia ni Cristo, nangangahulugan lamang na siya ay hiwalay kay Cristo at hindi siya makaaasa sa manang kaligtasan.


UPANG MAKABAHAGI SA MANA

May mga taong ang ipinipilit at iminamatuwid ay may bahagi pa rin sila sa manang ipinangako ng Diyos kahit pa hindi sila umanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo at mamalagi sila sa kanilang relihiyon. Ang paniniwalang ito ay salungat sa mga katotohanang nakasulat sa Biblia sapagkat ganito ang ginagawa sa mga naghahangad na makabahagi sa mana:


“Na nagpapasalamat sa Ama, na nagpaging dapat sa atin upang makabahagi sa mana ng mga banal sa kaliwanagan; Na siyang nagligtas sa atin sa kapangyarihan ng kadiliman, at naglipat sa atin sa kaharian ng Anak ng kaniyang pagibig; Na siyang kinaroroonan ng ating katubusan, na siyang kapatawaran ng ating mga kasalanan.” (Col. 1;12-14)

Kailangang ang tao’y mailigtas sa kapangyarihan ng kadiliman at ilipat sa kaharian ng Anak upang magtamo ng katubusan at kapatawaran sa kasalanan.


Ang kaharian ng Anak na siyang kinaroroonan ng katubusan ay ang Iglesia ni Cristosapagkat ito ang binili o tinubos sa pamamagitan ng dugo ni Cristo:


“Ingatan ninyo kung gayon ang inyong sarili at ang buong kawan na rito’y hinirang kayo ng Espiritu Santo na mga katiwala, upang pakanin ang iglesia ni Cristo na binili niya ng kaniyang dugo.” (Gawa 20:28, Lamsa Translation, isinalin mula sa Ingles)


Bilang mga tinubos ng dugo ni Cristo, ang mga kaanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo ang tiyak na magmamana ng pangakong kaligtasa. Dahil dito, marapat laman na magtaglay sila ng mga katangiang hinahanap ng Diyos – hindi mga tamad sa paglilingkod sa Kaniya, manapa sila’y dapat maging mananampalataya at matiisin:


“Na huwag kayong mga tamad, kundi mga taga tulad kayo sa mga na sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya at ng pagtitiis ay nagsisipagmana ng mga pangako.” (Heb. 6:12)


Source:  IGLESIA NI CRISTO, Pasugo, God’s Message, October 2008 Edtion, Volume 60, Number 10, ISSN 0116-1636, p.23-24, by ALBERTO P. GONZALES

THE GREEDY BUNCH: A WATCH LIST OF THE KIND OF PEOPLE WE SHOULDN’T BE

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“WATCH OUT and guard yourselves from every kind of greed,” thus said our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples as He warned them about the dangers of being governed by greed. He further pointed out “…true life is not made up of the things you own, no matter how rich you may be” (Luke 12:15, Today’s English Version).

Indeed, if we yearn for the true life with God in His heavenly kingdom, one of the things we must rid ourselves of is greed. To be filled with greed is not just “improper for God’s holy people” (Eph. 5:3, New International Version); it also chips away one’s trust in God until he is reduced to a blasphemer, whose destiny is utter destruction:

“… The greedy curse and reject the LORD … in their pride they think that God doesn’t matter.” (Ps. 10:3-4, TEV)

Identified here are the bunch of people we should not allow ourselves to be and the kind of people we could become if we let greed consume our hearts and minds. May this serve as a “watch list” for all Christians, especially the young who are exposed to so many bad influences glamorized in today’s pop culture.


Presenting, the “Greedy Bunch”:


THE HOOLIGAN 

“… ‘Come with use, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; … We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil’ … So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.” (Prov. 1:11, 13, 19, New King James Version)

The fiercest in the bunch, the Hooligan is also the most easily identified as there is no mistaking the wickedness in his actions. He exacts his greed for unjust gain in the most explicit terms – from petty shoplifting and snatching to upscale theft and armed robbery. The hooligan is what every parent will want to keep their children away from, for he can be very physically – and unreasonably – violent, having no qualms of even killing the innocent just to take his unfair share of the loot. Thus, this ever-timely parent-to-child warning:


“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. … Do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths.” (Prov. 1:10, 15, NIV)


THE ABUSIVE EMPLOYER

Whereas the hooligan fails to conceal his greediness, the Abusive Employer can do so with such convincing ploy to the detriment of the unwary job hunter. He hires workers, promises them a hefty sum in exchange for their hard work, but only to delay or keep back the wages jue their labor. Where lies the greediness of this employer? In his audacity to take most if not all the profit to himself, without accounting for the very people who have helped him achieve it. Needless to say, the abusive employer is very much hated in the workplace, and the Bible has unkind words for him either:

“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness And his chambers by injustice, Who uses his neighbor’s service without wages And gives him nothing for his work, … Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, For shedding innocent blood, And practicing oppression and violence.” (Jer. 22:13, 17, NKJV)



THE CORRUPT OFFICIAL

Also oozing with greediness is the Corrupt Official who takes bribes from crooks of all kind and covers up their crimes. He doesn’t care about the people who will suffer or get hurt along the way. He conveniently wields whatever power or influence he has to carry out dirty work for his evil comrades. He turns a blind eye to injustice and has no regard for the common good, for what matters most to him is making himself rich even if it means accepting money and gifts from filthy hands. What a pity, indeed, for a society to be run by people like this!


“Your leaders are rebels and friends of thieves; they are always accepting gifts and bribes. They never defend orphans in court or listen when widows present their case.” (Isa. 1:23, TEV)



THE PROFITEER

Often hiding in the guise of a professional or legitimate businessman, the profiteer show his true color in his unfair dealings with his clientele. He makes profits by cheating and mistreating his fellowmen with his mind-boggling schemes. He can be the lender who charges excessive interest or the scheming lendee who borrows, then goes in hiding the surgeon with a bogus license, or the con artist who makes a living by suing and blackmailing just about anybody. He is known by many other aliases – Extortionist, Money-launderer, Swindler, etc. But, whatever mask he chooses to wear, the one charge he is surely guilty of is the sin of forgetting or rejecting the Lord:


“… You take usury and excessive interest and make unjust gain from your neighbors by extortion. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign LORD.” (Ezek. 22:12, NIV)

THE FALSE BELIEVER

Even within the religious circle, there are people whose primary motivation is greed. Among them is the False Believer who, on the outside, may seem sincere in his intention to serve God – what with his expressive singing of Alleluias with matching throw of hands in the air! Behind his charismatic facade, however, lies his screaming desire for material gain:



“So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.” (Ezek. 33:31, NKJV)


Such are the people today who join religion in pursuit of a better job, suitable spouse, cure for illness, and other material profits. This makes them the easy preys of their fellow opportunists – the false prophets – whose aim is to make profit by capitalizing on people’s materialistic inclinations (II Tim. 4:3-4; II Pet. 3:16).


THE SELF-JUSTIFYING SERVANT

Greed is also evident in the various excuses given by the Self-Justifying Servant who runs away from his spiritual duties, such as those mentioned in the following parable:


“At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me…” (Luke 14:17-19, NIV)


Notice the common denominator of the excuses given by all those who refused the Lord’s invitation to the banquet – it’s all about one’s livelihood and self-interest. That’s what the self-justifying servant does. He prides himself in being hardworking and success-driven but leaves very little or no more time for worshiping and serving God because, if truth be told, his eyes are fixed on material riches, not on God’s eternal blessings.




THE OFFENDED GIVER

Another greedy character in the religious scene is the Offended Giver who walks in the footsteps of Ananias and Sapphira. Like the ill-fated couple of the apostolic era (Acts 5:1-10), the offended giver has many doubts and reservations when it comes to giving or offering. His selfish love for money and material pleasure overtakes him, blinding him from the truth of God’s commandment to give and the promise that goes with it:


“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (II Cor. 9:7-8, NIV)

WARNING: DON’T DO THIS AT HOME…

Or, anywhere else, for that matter. At all times, let us be watchful and not allow ourselves to be transformed into any of these greedy people who are bound to suffer a terrible fate:


“They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world.” (Phil. 3:19, TEV)

Source: IGLESIA NI CRISTO Pasugo, God’s Message, March 2010 Edition, Volume 62, Number 3, ISSN 0116-1636, p. 24-26, by MARLEX C. CANTOR