IGLESIA NI CRISTO DOCTRINES EXPOSED, PART 20 (1 OF 2)

This is a continuation of the series.

Q. What is Gospel of Manalo Doctrine Lesson No.20 and what are its fallacies?
A. The following is an excerpt of Gospel of Manalo Doctrine Lesson No.20:

"LESSON NO.20 - THE BROTHERHOOD
Theme: God commands that the brethren should love one another.
Summary: The Church of Christ believes that it is the will of God for us to love one another as true brothers and sisters. Hence, if anyone has sinned against us, we should forgive him and we should reconcile with those who are mad at us."
(Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), Erano G. Manalo, 1989,p.80)

The Fallacies of ths Gospel of Manalo Doctrine No.20 -

First of all, sin can only be forgiven by the Father, by Christ, and by the Holy Spirit. Man does not have the power to forgive sins. The love of the brotherhood in the Iglesia ni Cristo is a different kind of love from that which was taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Apostles. Artificial love is what we can describe the brotherhood love inside the cult. At the outset, Manalo does not love his cult members but only their monies. Also, if Manalo loves his cult members, he is not supposed to increase incrementally their duties and responsibilities month after month. This alone differentiates the love taught by Christ from that taught by Manalo because the Lord Jesus Christ's yoke is easy and His burden light ( Mt.11:30). Moreover, Manalo teaches a different kind of love, which is, a love that concerns mainly the Iglesia ni Cristo idol. In accordance with this Manalo model of love, each and every member must see to it that his brother/sister attend or must not be absent in the Thursday and Sunday idol worships. What kind of love is requiring you to become guards of your brethren? It is a love for the Iglesia ni Cristo idol! Manalo does not want that any Iglesia member escape the idol worship. What is the sure proof that Manalo never intended to love his Iglesia members but only their monies? The sure proof is that they are treated like a garbage when they die. After death, the member's name is delisted from the Iglesia ni Cristo books. While alive, you cannot escape from being listed in his registry books, but at death, your name becomes like a garbage delisted and expelled from the Iglesia records and forgotten.. In the Iglesia ni Cristo, they don't allow visitation of the dead. Because of this, burial plots, tombs, and crypts of dead Iglesia members are not being cleaned, nor overgrown grass cut and trimmed. In fact, their inscribed names are no longer visible or recognizable.

Is the kind of treatment accorded the deceased Iglesia members a violation of the love of brotherhood? Of course, it is a violation. Why, what is the status of the dead? Let us read the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ:

"While He spoke these things to them, behold a ruler came and worshipped Him, saying, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live'...When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." (Mt.9:18,23-24 NKJV)

According to the teaching, when someone ceases to breath, is the person dead or alive? The person is not dead but still alive. Only the person is just sleeping. Therefore, Iglesia members in the cemeteries are not dead but are just sleeping. But Manalo who only loved their monies had kicked them out already by delisting their names. What is the proof that dead Iglesia members are no longer in the Iglesia registry books? The quarterly report of members' names being submitted to Manalo are purged or cleaned of deceased or sleeping members. If any Iglesia member would like to investigate this, he or she should go to the INC Records Section and ask to see the quarterly census report and see if you can find the names of your deceased mother, father, siblings, and other relatives who were faithful Iglesia members when they died, if their names are still there. If you cannot find their names, it only means you will suffer the same fate. Remember the teaching of Manalo that what is listed on earth is also listed in heaven and what is delisted on earth is also delisted in heaven. Manalo has a convincing reason for doing such unbrotherly love. What is his reason? He says, "Anyway, he or she can no longer complain because he or she is already eight feet under the ground. And he will add with sarcasm, "Anyway, they won't know that I have delisted them."

Q. What are the other deceptions of Manalo incorporated in his Gospel of Manalo Doctrine Lesson 20?
A. The following are the other deceptions by Manalo in questions and answers format:

1. "Q.What is the Bible's teaching regarding the brotherhood in the Church?
A. Love the brotherhood....1 Pet.2:17
"Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King." -1 Pet.2:17 NKJV
2. Q. Why is it vital to fulfill the brotherhood? What is the relevance of our love for the brethren with our relationship to Christ?
A. The true disciple of Christ love his brothers...Jn.13:34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." -Jn.13:34-35 NKJV
3. Q.Why is the person who loves his brethren in the Church recognized as a true disciple of Christ?
A. He made us all brothers...Mt.23:9
"Do not call anyone on earth your Father, for One is your father, He who is in heaven." -Mt.23:9 NKJV
(Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo...,p.80-81)

Manalo's Deceptions in using 1 Peter 2:17 -

Loving the brotherhood is a command of God. But if you will ask Manalo, he will love his Iglesia members only conditionally. Why? What are the conditions set by Manalo in order that members will merit his brotherhood love?

Three Conditions of Manalo before he can love any Iglesia ni Cristo member:

Condition #1 - You must obey 100% all the Iglesia doctrines included in the Gospel of Manalo, or the indoctrination lessons taught to you;

Condition #2 - You must not sleep in the worship service or sleep in your grave;

Condition #3 - You must not draw back in everything you do in the Church nor to forget to abound in your twice a year money thanksgivings.

Based on these conditions, we can see that Manalo practices discriminatory brotherhood love. Are these the only discriminatory practices of Manalo? No! He has other discriminations.

Other Discriminatory Practices of Manalo:

Manalo also discriminates against males, officially. According to the Official Gazette, Felix Y. Manalo prefers females rather than males as to who should share their bodies to him. How about in the seating arrangement? He prefers again the females because they occupy the right hand side of the worship hall. What is the significance of being on the right side? The females are the sheeps. What about the males who are being discriminated against by requiring them to sit on the left side of the worship hall? They are considered the goats. Based on these facts, we can see that Manalo does not enforce fully the love of brotherhood. He practices discrimination. What else is the discrimination practiced by Manalo? He discriminates those members who have no jobs or not earning monies. This is common sense why he discriminates those who do not have monies. He will not be called Money Manalo if not for his greed for monies. The freak wants them to produce monies for him. But to be fair to Manalo, let's give him also a credit where credit is due. There are areas where Manalo is very strict in enforcing his so-called anti discrimination policy. Which are these areas?

Area #1 - Giving of offerings, contributions, and thanksgivings. Each one, whether rich or poor, have job or jobless, black or white, yellow or brown, sick or strong, infant or toddlet, is required to give their offerings, contributions, and money thanksgivings. No one is exempted by Manalo when money is the topic.

Area #2 - Fruit bearing or new convert seeking. There is no discrimination also in this area as everyone is required by Manalo to bear fruit or produce new converts. Every member has the same function of inviting people to the weekly INC Bible indoctrination studies or the monthly grand evangelical missions, or the new duty of video presentations in the member's homes. Every part or member of the Iglesia ni Cristo body is a mouth doing the same function of mouthing and inviting non members so that non members become cult members, too.

Manalo's Deceptions in using John 13:34-35 -

According to these verses, those who love their brothers or sisters are disciples of Christ. What about those brothers who love their brethren because of their brethren's monies? Can these people, be disciples of Christ? No! The reason is because it is not the money that must be loved but the brother or sister. Therefore, the use of the verse is a deception. If you tell the indoctrinees to love their brothers but such brothers should be loved because of their monies, is that not deception? Love of monies of the brother is not loving that brother. It is only a fake love to that brother.

Deceptions by Manalo in using Matthew 23:9 -

The use of the principle that because we are created by God, we are all brothers and sisters and must love each other, is a deception by Manalo. Why is this a deception? Because this principle is not adhered to by the Iglesia cult. According to Manalo, only members of the INC are the bonafide brothers and sisters. Therefore, Manalo cannot use this verse because he does not practice it. As a matter of fact, INC members are prohibited from loving and marrying non members. He threatens those who will love and marry non members with expulsion. Not only that. He will punish also their parents for not watching over their children which resulted in their marrying non members. In the Iglesia ni Cristo, being a cult that thrives on man's doctrines, it punishes the innocent.

OTHER SEGMENTS OF MANALO DECEPTIONS:

4. "Q. How should we practice our love for the brethren?
A. Do not withhold help from those in need...1 Jn.3:17 NIV
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him." -1 Jn.3:17 NIV
Instruction: We should bear with one another. Let us help the less fortunate brethren and let us not withhold from them whatever good things that we are able to do for them.
5. Q. Who among the brethren do not deserve our help?
A. Those who lead disorderly lives..II Thess.3:6 NIV
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received fro us." -II Thess.3:6 NIV
6. Q. Who are those who live disorderly lives?
A. Those who do not work or those who refuse to earn a living...II Thess.3:11-12 -
"For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. " -II Thess.3:11-12 NIV
7. Q. Why should we not help those who refuse to work or earn a living?
A. Such people deserve not to eat...II Thess.3:10
"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." II Thess.3:10 NKJV
(Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo...., p.81)

EXPLANATION OF DECEPTIONS BY MANALO

On 1 John 3:17 NIV

According to the verse, love of God can not be given to those who do not have pity on his brother needing material help. Take note that according to the verse, those required to help are those with material possessions. Therefore, poor brethren who do not have material possessions are exempted. But Manalo would not exempt anyone. What do you say to a teacher who teaches, "Obey this verse, but he himself will not obey? He is not a true teacher, right? A true teacher must be the example.

On 2 Thess.3:6 -

The command is never not helping but to keep away from those who are idle and do not live according to the teachings of the Apostles. Keeping away does not mean totally abandoning that brother or sister. What is to be kept away is the unchristian way of his conduct. Manalo is teaching a wrong commandment here. Imagine, those who need help most are being denied of help by Manalo? He is practicing discrimination.How can we help those who are idle? Help them get a job! How can we help those who do not live according to the teachings of the Apostles? We help them with gentleness to depart from their wicked ways. This is called helping the brother carry his own load of self examination. We had discussed this in the previous part of the expose.

On 2 Thess. 3:11-12 -

Those who are jobless are commanded to get a job in order to stop their busybodies from bothering others. To get a job is necessary in order to have money to buy their own bread. There are lots of jobless who are busybodies in the Iglesia ni Cristo and always bothering their members. Who are these? They are the ministers of Manalo including Erano himself. Since they don't have regular jobs, they concentrate on pushing their members to get visitors. Because Manalo does not have a regular job, he devotes his time in thinking and planning how to increase the members' duties and responsibilities. According to the verse, all are commanded including ministers to have a livelihood. All are commanded by Apostle Paul to have a job in order to stop their like-a-bee busy bodies. Why is it necessary that Iglesia ministers have regular jobs? Because they are not being paid by Erano. What they receive is not salary but help in touching monies. They touch the money and thereafter the money bounced back to Erano's hand. If ministers will have real jobs, they will not be criticized as living in a disorderly manner because they will have a decent job, which is, an improvement from a job as a deceiver. And they will also have real monies and resources to become independent, stand on their own feet, and can walk away with erect foreheads, walking out from Manalo's slavery.

On II Thess. 3:10 -

Anyone who will not work or does not have a job would not have money to buy bread in order to eat. When Apostle Paul said, "anyone who will not work will not eat," does this mean we will allow that person to die? No. It is rare that those who can work will not work. If he is able to work and will not work, he has some kind of problem. That problem, we need to know for appropriate remedial action. For example, Erano is able to work but refuses to work for a regular job, what might be his problem? It is a theory in science that nothing can happen without a cause. What is the cause for Erano? Well, the cause might be spiritual. He is possessed by the devil. The remedy might be exorcism. He wil need the services of an expert Catholic priest to exorcise and expel his demons inhabiting his body. As was said already, those who have not problems will work if they are able. Only that, with gentleness and kindness we have to help them solve their problem. If one of them is with us, we are required to feed them, otherwise, they will die. Is he not a brother? Yes he is. Is it not a command to help a needy brother? Yes, it is a command. Do we feed dogs and cats? Yes. Are dogs and cats required to work? No! If we can feed our dogs and cats, why can't we feed our brother in need?

CONTINUING SEGMENTS OF MANALO DECEPTIONS -

8. "Q. How do we safeguard the brotherhood in the Church?
A. Grudge not one against another..Jas.5:9 -
"Do not grunble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the judge is standing at the door!" -Jas.5:9 NKJV
Instruction: This grudging against each other is the work of the people of the world and not of the true disciples of Christ. We should not do it.
9. Q. Suppose a brother or a sister has done us wrong? What is forbidden of us to safeguard the brotherhood in the Church?
A. Do not return evil for evil...1 Pet.3:8-9 RSV
"Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1 Pet.3:8-9 RSV
10. Q. What else is forbidden of us so that the brotherhood in the Church is always upheld?
A. Stop evil tongue and speak no guile...1 Pet.3:10 RSV
"For "He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile;" -1 Pet.3:10 RSV
Instruction: We should not speak evil things against the brethren in the Church. We should not destroy teir reputation."
(Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo...., p.81-82)

EXPLANATION OF DECEPTIONS BY MANALO -

On James 5:9 -

Manalo says "Grudge not against another." Did Manalo used the correct word? No! He had changed grumble with grudge. In black and white, we caught the Bible perverter. To grumble or to complain is not a grudge. Mamalo is erasing the word "grumble" from the Iglesia ni Cristo vocabulary. Why is this so? He wants all Iglesia members not to complain about his insane and dictatorial commands. Complaining is allowed if there is a reason for complaint, otherwise, the dictator will continue to repress his members and impose his will on the silent majority. But why did Apostle James says "Do not grumble? It seems he is siding with Manalo in not allowing members to complain. If we will read what he was talking about prior to the verse, he was talking about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Apparently, there were some Christians who were complaining or grumbling why the Lord Jesus has not yet come. They are becoming impatient. Because of this, Apostle James calmed them not to grumble against one another because the Judge or the lord Jesus Christ is by the door. We have to be patient and persevering in waiting for the Lord. If Christ is by the door, He will just open the door and boom, He is in.

On 1 Peter 3:8-9 -

"Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil ore reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1 Pet.3:8-9 RSV

Manalo when he teaches, he always gives importance to the Iglesia ni Cristo idol. He says, we must safeguard the brotherhood in the Church of Christ. Therefore, the Church of Christ idol is always given preeminence. Who should we give preeminence? It is the Lord Jesus Christ (Col.1:18).

According to Verse 9, we should bless those who do the evil and reviling on us. Why? This is the way Christians are called so that they will be blessed if they exchanged blessing for the reviling.Therefore, if Manalo reviles the Catholics and Protestants, and in return these Christians bless Manalo for what he is doing, it is because into such deeds are they called.But why are some Christians such as the Cultic Research, exposing the doctrines of the Iglesia ni Cristo? It is because it is the commandment of God to expose the works of darkness. Let us read this:

"And have no fellowhip with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them." -Eph.5:11 NKJV

Therefore, it is a command to expose the works of darkness. This is the reason why the Cultic Research is exposing the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ of Manalo) for its works of darkness. Why do we know that the Iglesia ni Cristo is working the works of darkness?Because it is doing deceptions! Imagine, deceiving people that Christ will save the Church of Christ that Manalo has founded when it is not true? Do you have to argue with Christ that you need to use the Lamsa Translation as proof that He will save Manalo's cult? This trickery of Manalo is being done to those he has deceived. If you are a true church, you don't need to use a particular Bible translation.

Whom will Christ save? He will save only those given to Him by His Father. (Jn.6:44). Therefore, who works so that people will be saved? It is God who works (Jn.6:29). It is never a Manalo work, or any Iglesia minister work, or any works done by any Iglesia members that save people. God saves those whom He will have mercy (Rom 9:15 ). Also, those whom God will not save, God will harden their hearts (Rom.9:18). It is not a surprise why many Iglesia members, despite that they were apprised of the deceptions by Manalo, continue to believe in their cult and their Manalo leader.

The Bible is out there for everyone to read (not to be read to you by somebody). And you don't need a Manalo guide because the Holy Spirit will be your guide and teacher (Jn.14:26). Who is the author of deceptions? It is the devil (Rev.12:9). Is the devil in the light or in the darkness? He is in darkness (Eph.6:12). There are so many deceptions by Manalo already exposed by the Cultic Research in Parts 1 through 19. Therefore, the Iglesia ni Cristo is working the works of darkness which must be exposed by Christians.

On 1 Peter 3:10 RSV -

"For "He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it." -1 Pet.3:10 RSV

Manalo has shown only verse 10. The verse continues in Verse 11. Accordingly, those who keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking guile are those who love life and see good days. We must turn away from evil and do right. We must seek peace by action of pursuing it. Here again, Manalo is using the verse as a way of giving importance to the Church of Christ that he had founded. If we present out body in doing righteousness, goodness, and other fruit of the Spirit, whom do we glorify or worship? It is God (Rom.12:1)

TO BE CONTINUED