What is the Church Of Christ? An Introduction to the Church Of Christ

 

The Church Of Christ was established on July 27, 1914 in the Philippines. From her humble beginning in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila, the Church Of Christ is now a global Church with more than 6,000 congregations spread throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America, and Australia. Others describe the Church Of Christ as the largest independent Christian Church in Asia, and the largest, most powerful and influential indigenous Church in the Philippines.

However, still many people, especially from outside the Philippines, have a little knowledge or information about the Church Of Christ, and those little information they got from “outsiders” or non-members, and also from detractors and critics of the Church. Thus, their descriptions and information are incomplete and misinforming, if not biased, one-sided, subjective and full of prejudice. To straighten things up, let us find the truth about the Church Of Christ. The following describes what the Church Of Christ truly is:

 

A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION WHOSE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO WORSHIP GOD

 

The Church Of Christ is a religious organization whose primary purpose is to worship the Almighty God based on His teachings as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and as recorded in the Bible. As a religious organization, the Church's major activities include worship service, missionary works, and edification.

The solemn gathering of the faithful, the regular congregational worship service, is held by every local congregation inside the house of worship twice a week, usually on Thursdays and Sundays. It consists of hymn-signing, prayers, and study of God's words for proper applications in daily living (cf. I Cor. 14:15 and 26).

 

Also, as a religious organization whose primary purpose is to worship the Lord God, the Church Of Christ builds houses of worship as the main center for the religious activities of each local congregation. Moreover, as a fulfillment of God's commandment to His servants to build Him houses of worship for His own glory (cf. Hag. 1:8, KJV).

 

The main house of worship of the Church Of Christ is the Central Temple located at Quezon City, Philippines. It was dedicated to God on July 24, 1984, as part of the Church's 70th anniversary celebration of its establishment in the Philippines. Today, the Church Of Christ houses of worship can be found not only throughout the Philippines, but also in different countries where the Church gain foothold. These houses of worship stand as landmarks in every place where it were built.

 

Also, the Church Of Christ is an independent Church, not a denomination or sect. It is neither affiliated to any federation of religious bodies nor itself an assembly of smaller religious organizations.

 

 

A GENUINE CHRISTIAN RELIGION WHO BELIEVES THAT THE FATHER IS THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD AND JESUS CHRIST IS HIS SON

 

The Church Of Christ is a genuine Christian religion that adheres to the unadulterated teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ  written in the Bible. We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior. We also acknowledge Jesus Christ as the head of this Church, because the Church of Christ is His body. We also believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Founder of the Church Of Christ.

However, we want to emphasize that our belief regarding the Lord Jesus Christ is based solely on the teachings of the Bible. This is what the Bible explicitly says about the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Timothy 2:5 NIV)

Thus, The Church Of Christ adheres to the unadulterated Christian teachings written in the Bible that the Father alone is the only true God:

 

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” (I Corinthians 8:6 NIV)

 

Apostle Paul said, “For us there is but one God, the Father.” When Apostle Paul said “for us”, he is referring to the Christians. Thus, for real Christians, Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Lord and Savior, but for Christians, there is only one true God, the Father. It is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who taught this truth to the Christians:

 

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (John 17:3,1 NIV)

 

Thus, one should not immediately dismiss that the members of the Church Of Christ are not Christians because they reject the teaching about the Trinity (that there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). The Church Of Christ rejects the teaching that God is a Trinity because theyadhere to the biblical truth that the Father is the one and only true God and Jesus Christ is the Son of the one true God, our Lord and Savior, and the mediator between the one true God and men.

 

IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST A “FILIPINO CHURCH”?

 

Christianity was established by Christ in Jerusalem, and He Himself and the apostles were all Jews. However, we don not call Christianity as a “Jewish religion.” Many call the Church Of Christ “a Filipino Church.” However, the Church Of Christ is a Church for every one who will heed the call of God and embrace its faith — regardless of his or her nationality, cultural background, social standing, economic status, and educational attainment. The truth is, today, the membership of the Church Of Christ comprises at least 120 nationalities and can be found in 155 countries and territories.

The Church Of Christ is now spread throughout the six continents of the world. We have members and ministers who are Americans, Japanese, Chinese, Europeans, Africans, Canadians, Australians, Indians, Mexican, Brazilian, and from other parts of the world. 

 

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A "CULT"

 

In saying that the Church Of Christ is not a "cult," we are referring to the modern use of the word "cult" which has a negative connotation:

". . . a system of religious or spiritual beliefs, especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false . . . " (Microsoft Encarta Dictionary, c. 2009).

 

Today, the word "cult" means "false religion." However, Catholics and Protestants easily dismissed as a "cult" others having beliefs different from theirs. But the "standard" to determine if a religion is a indeed "cult" or a false religion is not the Catholic dogmas, nor the Protestant dogmas, but the teachings written in the Bible. The Bible says:

 

“You know how, when you were a small child, you were taught the holy Scriptures; and it is these that make you wise to accept God's salvation by trusting in Christ Jesus. The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.” (II Timothy 3:15-17 The Living Bible)

 

The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and ti make us realize what is wrong or what is false. Thus, the apostles admonished Christians not to go beyond what is written:

 

“Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written...” (I Corinthians 4:6 NIV)

Therefore, the real cults or false religions are those who adhere unbiblical or unscriptural doctrines, teachings made only by men. However, the Bible is the sole basis of the teachings of the Church Of Christ. All the teachings and practices of the Church Of Christ are nased on what is written in the Bible. Hence, base on biblical standard, the Church Of Christ is not a cult, but a true Christian religion upholding the unadulterated teachings written in the Bible because all her doctrines can be found in the Bible.

 

THE ONE TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST

 

The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one true Church established by Christ:

 

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, .and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18 NIV)

 

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself established the true Church and He established only one Church, He said, “I will build my church” and not “I will build my churches.” This Church has a name and it is important that she continuously be called in that name, because:

 

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)

 

The Bible said, “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” This “name” is the name God gave to the Lord Jesus:

 

“And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.” (John 17:11 TEV)

 

The Lord Jesus prayed to God to “Keep them safe by the power of your name.” The name He is referring to is the name given to Him by the Lord God. So the name given to Him by the Lord God is also the name “given to men by which we must be saved.” This is the name “Christ”:

 

 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

“Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead...” (Acts 4:12,10 NIV)

 

Thus, the true Church established by Christ is named after Christ. It is only right that the true Church is named after Him because:

 

(1)    Christ is the founder and owner of the Church:

 

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18, NKJV)

 

 (2)  The Church is the body of Christ and He is the head of the Church:

 

“There is a deep secret truth revealed in this scripture, which I understand as applying to Christ and the church.

 “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.

“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.” (Ephesians 5:32 & 23 & 25, TEV)

 

How is the Church called after the name of Christ? In Romans 16:16, this is what the Bible says:

 

“Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.” (Romans 16:16, NIV)

 

Also in Acts 20:28, this is what the Bible says:

 

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers to feed the church of Christ which He purchased with His blood.” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa)

 

Actually, even Catholic authorities attest that the Church is indeed called after Christ, the “Church of Christ”:

 

“5. Did Jesus Christ established a Church?

   “Yes, from all history, both secular and profane, as well as from the Bible considered as a human document, we learn that Jesus Christ established a Church, which from the earliest times has been called after Him the Christian Church or the Church of Christ.” (Cassily, Francis B., S.J. Religion: Doctrine and Practice for use in Catholic High Schools. 12th and revised edition. Imprimi Potest: Charles H. Cloud, S.J. Provincial of the Chicago Province. Imprimatur: George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago. Chicago: Loyola University Press, 1934, p. 442-443.)

 

Thus, the name of the true Church the Lord Jesus Christ established is “Church of Christ” (“Iglesia Ni Cristo” in Pilipino), and those not called in this name cannot claim that they  are the true Church and whom the Lord Jesus Christ will save come Judgment Day because:

 

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)

 

Thus, no one can claim to be the One True Church if their Church is not called in the name "Church of Christ. The Bible said, "...there is no other name under heaven given to men which we must be saved." The name “Iglesia Ni Cristo” is the Tagalog for “Church Of Christ” - the name of the One True Church.

 

WHY ONLY 1914?

 

Why the Church Of Christ claims that she is the true Church established by Christ if she emerged only in 1914? The Church Of Christ emerged only in 1914 because the first century Church Of Christ was apostatized. It was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who attested that apostasy will take place in the first century Church Of Christ:

 

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.  At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,  and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” (Matthew 24:9-11, NIV)

 

The falling away or the apostasy that will take place in the first century Church of Christ is is also prophesied by Apostle Paul:

 

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” (I Tim. 4:1, New Living Translation)

“But the Spirit speaks expressly, that in latter times some shall APOSTATISE from the faith, giving their mind to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons.” (Darby Bible, emphasis mine)

 

 

Thus, both the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles warned us that many of the disciples will “TURN AWAY from the faith” or apostasy will take place. The great apostasy did not consist in the destruction of the first century Church Of Christ and the establishment of another one. It consisted in the deterioration of the Church established by Christ. Immediately after the death of the Apostles, during this period the bishops took over the administration of the Church and the Church became very different from what Christ founded (or the first century Church):

 

“For fifty years after St. Paul’s life a curtain hangs over the church, through which we strive vainly to look; and when at last it rises about 120 A.D. with the writings of the earliest church-fathers, we find a church in many aspects very different from that in the days of St. Peter and St. Paul.” (The Story of the Christian Church, p. 41)

 

The differences between what used to be the Church of Christ in the first century and the Church that was revealed in the second to the fourth centuries are profound:

 

“It is necessary to note that we should recall the reader’s attention to the profound differences between this fully developed Christianity of Nicaea and the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth….What is clearly apparent is that the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth was a prophetic teaching of the new type that began with the Hebrew prophets. It was not priestly, it had no consecrated temple, and no altar. It had no rites and ceremonies. Its sacrifice was ‘a broken and contrite heart’. Its only organization was an organization of preachers, and its chief function was the sermon. But the fully fledge Christianity of the fourth century, though it preserved as its nucleus the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, was mainly a priestly religion, of a type already familiar to the world for thousands of years. The center of its elaborate ritual was an altar, and the essential act or worship the sacrifice, by a consecrated priest, of the Mass.” (The Outline of History, pp. 552-553)

 

These profound changes, made on the original teachings of Christ, dealt great violence on the teachings of the Bible for the purpose of enhancing the interests of the Catholic Church:

 

“Jesus too, being a Galilean, was of Aryan stock, a remarkable man whose teachings had, in the course of centuries, been deformed out of all recognition in the interests of the Catholic Church.” (The Vatican in the Age of Dictators, p. 168)

 

Adding insult to injury, Catholic authorities acknowledge such changes without shame and even with pride:

 

“We Catholics acknowledge readily, without any shame, nay with pride, that Catholicism cannot be identified simply and wholly with primitive Christianity, nor even with the Gospel of Christ, in the same way that the great oak cannot be identified with the tiny acorn.” (The Spirit of Catholicism, p. 2)

 

Catholic authorities even boast that they did not derive their faith in Jesus from the Scriptures:

 

“ ‘Without the Scriptures’, says Mohler, ‘the true form of the sayings of Jesus would have been withheld from us….Yet the Catholic does not derive his faith in Jesus from Scripture’.” (Ibid. p. 50)

 

Hence, those responsible for this apostasy of the first century Church Of Christ were the bishops under whose administration these profound changes took place. The first bishop identified as having introduced changes into the Church was Ignatius, bishop of Antioch who was martyred in Rome about 110 A.D. He was the first to use the term Catholic Church in reference to the Church Of Christ:

 

“The name Catholic as a name is not applied to the Catholic Church in the Bible. ..St. Ignatius of Antioch, writing to the Christians of Smyrna about the year 110, is the first to use the name ‘The Catholic Church…” (The Question Box, p. 132)

 

This same Ignatius introduced the doctrine that Christ is both God and man:

 

“He asserted unequivocally both the divinity and humanity of Christ, the Savior.” (New Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 7, p. 353)

 

Ignatius belongs to the so-called “Church fathers.” These Church Fathers were the source of the teachings that the Catholic Church taught and implemented beginning the second century. As a result of the teachings of these early Church Fathers, the Church Of Christ or Christianity became Roman Catholicism, the last and the greatest of the mystery religions:

 

“On that dies Domini, or Lord’s Day, the Christians assembled for their weekly ritual. Their clergy read from the Scriptures, led them in prayer, and preached sermons of doctrinal instruction, moral exhortation, and sectarian controversy…

“By the close of the second century, these weekly ceremonies had taken the form of the Christian Mass. Based partly on the Judaic Temple service, partly on Greek mystery rituals of purification, vicarious sacrifice, and participation through communion, in the death-overcoming powers, of the deity, the Mass grew slowly into a rich congeries of prayers, psalms, readings, sermon, antiphonal recitations, and, above all, that symbolic atoning sacrifice of the ‘Lamb of God’ which replaced, in Christianity, the bloody offerings of older faiths. The bread and wine which these cults had considered as gifts placed upon the altar before the god were now conceived as changed by the priestly act of consecration into the body and blood of Christ, and were presented to God as a repetition of the self-immolation of Jesus on the cross. Then, in an intense and moving ceremony, the worshippers partook of the very life and substance of their Saviour. It was a conception long sanctified by time; the pagan mind needed no schooling to receive it; by embodying it in the ‘mystery of the Mass’, Christianity became the last and the greatest of the mystery religions.” (Ceasar and Christ, pp. 599-600)

 

Thus, the claim of the Catholic Church that they succeeded the apostles is not a proof of being the true Christ founded by Christ, but instead, a strong proof that the Catholic Church is indeed the apostate Church, the fulfillment of what the Bible prophesied that there will be apostasy that will take place in the first century Church Of Christ. However, even though the first century Church of Christ will be apostatized, this is what the Lord Jesus promised:

 

“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16 NKJV)

 

The Lord Jesus Christ said that “other sheep I have.” He called them His “other sheep” because they “are not of  this fold.” He will bring them also and they will hear His voice and they will be “one flock.” The “fold” or “flock” mentioned by the Lord Jesus Christ refers to the “Church Of Christ” (Acts 20:28 Lamsa). Thus, when the Lord said that He has other sheep “not of this fold,” He meant, He has other sheep “not of THIS Church Of Christ” referring to the first century Church Of Christ.

Hence, even though apostasy tok place in the first century Church Of Christ, Christ said He has “other sheep.” He said that he will bring them also and will be “one flock.” Therefore, Christ prophecy regarding His “other sheep” is His promise regarding of the reestablishment of the Church Of Christ. The “other sheep” mentioned by Christ are those mentioned by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:39 as “all who are afar off”:

 

“For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:39 NKJV)

 

This verse shows that the Church established by Christ or the Church Of Christ is consists of three components. The first and second components were already been called in the first century, while the third will still be called. The first and second components referred to are the Jews and the Gentiles comprising the first century Church of Christ (Romans 9:24). The third component is the one mentioned in the prophecy of Prophet Isaiah as the “sons and daughters of God” from the Far East (Isaiah 43:5-6 Moffatt). The biblical prophecy also mentioned that the sons and daughters of God from the Far East will emerge in the time the Bible called the “ends of the earth.” The time “ends of the earth” is the time when the end is near (Matt. 24:3 and 33). According to the Lord Jesus Christ, the beginning of the time “ends of the earth” coincide with the war that will be followed by another war with the same extent, “nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (matt. 24:6-7). The Lord Jesus Christ is referring to the First World War that began on July 27, 1914.

Therefore, the gap between the first century Church Of Christ and the Church of Christ that emerged in the Philippines was because the first century Church was apostatized. However, Christ promised that He will reestablish the Church of Christ. Hence, the emergence of the Church of Christ in the Philippines in 1914 is the fulfillment of Christ’s promise of reestablishing His Church.