The Only True Church: The Biblical Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo]

ENTER IN CHRIST

By Tomas C. Catangay

[Seek first the kingdom of God.]

Published in the April 2003 issue of God's Message.

To choose a Church is truly crucial such that one must be very discreet in deciding which Church to join. If one fails to choose the right Church, he would end in eternal damnation.
The Church that will lead man to salvation is none other than that which the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, built [Mt. 16:18; Eph. 5:23]. As introduced by the apostles, the Church established by Christ is called Church of Christ:

"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 has purchased with his blood." [Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation]

However, some people refuse to join the Church of Christ because of some misconceptions which we will be addressing in this article. Some of these beliefs or misconceptions, are as follows:
1. All churches belong to God.
2. The true Church could not be the Iglesia Ni Cristo [Church of Christ] because its members are few.
3. We have only this life to live and there is no resurrection.

The Bible has a ready answer to these misconceptions.

Post 1...to be continued

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 2...to be continued

Not all churches are of God

The scriptures teach that there is no truth in the claim that all churches belong to God. In fact, not everyone who invokes the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved:

"'Not everyone who say to me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven '." [Mt. 7:21, New Revised Standard Version]

It is God's will that we heed the words of His beloved Son, Jesus [Mt. 17:5]. Christ said that He is the door and that whoever enters Him will be saved [Jn. 10:9]. To enter Christ is to be a member of His body [I Cor. 12:27], the Church [Col. 1:18] of which He is the Head and Savior [Eph. 5:23]. The name of His Church is Church of Christ [Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation]. Hence, it is only through joining the Church of Christ that we can attain salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

to be continued

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 3...to be continued

The falsity of "majority" criterion

It is commonly assumed that the religion of the majority could not be wrong. This assumption is without biblical basis. Preponderance in the number of adherents is not the criteria for the truthfulness of one's faith. In fact, during the time of Noah, the whole of mankind, except for eight persons, was annihilated by the great deluge [II Pt. 2:5]. Also, the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah reinforces the falsity of the "majority" criterion. These two cities were leveled to the ground by fire and brimstone and only Lot and his two daughters were saved [Gen. 19:16; II Pt. 2:6-7].

The universality of Satan's deception also proves that predominance in terms of membership does not make a particular religion true [Rev. 12:9]. According to the Holy Scriptures, those who will be condemned to eternal punishment are countless, "they are as numerous as the sands of the sea" [Rev. 20:8, NRSV].

to be continued...

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 4...to be continued

There is resurrection

The saying, "Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die," advocated by those who claim that nothing comes after death, implies disbelief in the resurrection of the dead. Regarding this position, Apostle Paul answers, thus:

"...If the dead are not raised ,'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die'." [I Cor. 15:32, Ibid.]

"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died." [I Cor. 15:12-14, 20, Ibid.]

Apostle Paul preached that the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is a fact. Thus, he firmly believed in the resurrection of the dead which is also to be experienced by members of the Church of Christ.

to be continued...

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 5...End.

Joining the true Church is necessary

The Lord Jesus Christ admonishes us to seek first the kingdom of God above all. This is necessary for man's salvation. Says the Lord Jesus:

"But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." [Mt. 6:33, Ibid.]

During this time of extreme hardship when a great number of people suffer from poverty, many spend most of their time working for a living, earning to provide for the needs of their families. This has been their top priority. But the Lord Jesus admonishes everyone to seek first the kingdom of God, and the rest of his needs--clothing, food, and shelter will be added to him. The kingdom referred to is the kingdom of God's beloved Son wherein redemption and the forgiveness of sins is found [Col. 1:13-14]--the Church of Christ which was redeemed by Christ's shed blood [Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation].

Therefore, we should not ignore the importance of entering the Church of Christ. Joining the Church of Christ is not a burden. It is the only way for us to be saved.

While the penalty for sin is death [Rom. 6:23], the second death in the lake of fire [Rev. 21:8], how can man attain salvation? The Holy Scriptures says:

"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

"Indeed, under the law almost verything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." {Heb. 9:14, 22, NRSV]

The Bible teaches that the Church of Christ is the one redeemed through the blood of Christ. Hence, membership in the Church of Christ cannot be avoided by anyone seeking salvation.

Since God is giving us the chance, we must strive to enter in the Lord Jesus Christ by becoming members of His body, the Church of Christ.

End.

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

To: The Public

Posted below are statements from Roman Catholic and Proestant authoriies regarding the authenticity of the true Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo]!!! Please, carefully examine them:


A Roman Catholic priest says:

"5. Did Jesus Christ establish 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."

Reference:[Cassilly, Francis B., S.J. Religion: Doctrine and Practice. For Use in Catholic High Schools pp. 442-443. Twelfth and Revised Edition. USA: Loyola University Press, 1926

A Protestant authority says:

"...Christ predicted the founding of a new congregation or church, a Divine institution that should continue His work on earth. Matt. 16:18. This is the Church of Christ..."

Reference:[Pearlman, Myer. Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible, p.349. Springfield, Missouri, USA: Gospel Publishing House, 1937, 1981.]

A Mormon Church authority says:

"He conferred authority in the Church; explained the importance of designating the organization by its proper name --the Church of Christ..."

Reference:[Talmage, James E. The Great Apostasy, p.12. Salt Lake City, Utah:Deseret Book Company, 1968.]

John Hus who was being followed by the reformists had also affirmed fhat the Church of Christ is the Church established by Christ and he said, thus:

"'And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'The Gospel speaks here of the Church of Christ, its faith and its foundation and authority. The Church is referred to by the words' will build my Church...."

Reference:[Oberman, Heiko A. Forerunners of the Reformation: The Shape of Late Medieval Thought, p.231. Translation by Paul L. Nyhus. USA: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1966.]

An ex-Roman Catholic nun says:

"whoever he is and whatever he is, he who is not in the Church of Christ is not a Christian."

Reference:[Fremantle, Anne. The Papal Encyclicals: In Their Ministerial Context, p. 39. New York, USA: Mentor Book, 1956]

And a translation from the words of a famous Roman Catholic authority says:

"I will not rank you as a Christian unless I will see you in the Church of Christ."

Reference:[The Confession of St. Augustine, p.117. Translated by Edward B. Pusey, D.D. New York: Collier Books, 1961.]

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

To: The Public

Please, kindly discern that the false religions of Roman Catholicism and Protestantism admitted what are written below and which jibes with that of the Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words which is also posted below:

An ex-Roman Catholic nun says:

"whoever he is and whatever he is, he who is not in the Church of Christ is not a Christian."

Reference:[Fremantle, Anne. The Papal Encyclicals: In Their Ministerial Context, p. 39. New York, USA: Mentor Book, 1956]

And a translation from the words of a famous Roman Catholic authority says:

"I will not rank you as a Christian unless I will see you in the Church of Christ."

Reference:[The Confession of St. Augustine, p.117. Translated by Edward B. Pusey, D.D. New York: Collier Books, 1961.]

"Christian--From the Greek words Christos,'the annointed one': Christ and ian,'like','similar to'. The word refers to one who lives a life like Jesus, the Christ , are generally known." [Miethe, Terry L. The Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words, p.56. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: Bethany House Publishers, 1988.}

Based on biblical and historical evidences including that of a dictionary, the true Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo] is the true Church founded in the first century and Her members are the true Christians!!! Others are just false claimants!!!

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Is there an admission from the false religions that they are not Christians??? A BIG YES!!! And here it is:

"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."

Reference:(Karl Adam. The Spirit Of Catholicism, p.2)

Roman Catholic authorities themselves readily acknowledge that their cult is not similar to the Church of Christ or Christianity that was established by our Lord Jesus in the first century and that was preached by the Apostles!!!

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Are there some more admissions from the false religions that indeed they observe rites borrowed from pagans??? ANOTHER BIG, BIG YES:

"It is interesting to note how often our Church has availed herself of practices which were in common use among pagans...Thus it is true, in a certain sense, that certain Catholic rites and ceremonies are a reproduction of those of pagan creeds."

Reference:[Rt. Rev. Msgr. John F. Sullivan, D.D. The Externals of the Catholic Church, p.226]

Do pagan rites were preached and supported by the Apostles in the first-century Christianity or Church of Christ??? What did the Apostles taught about paganism??? The Bible speaks, thus:

"Here then is my word to you, and I urge it on you in the Lord's name: give up living as pagans do with their futile notions." [Eph. 4:17, Revised English Bible]

"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'. Then you will not take pride in one man over against another." [1 Cor. 4:6, New International Version]

The Catholic Church and the Protestant cults have often borrowed from pagan rites and ceremonies. This is a violation of the Apostolic teaching that forbids Christians from living as the pagans do and from going beyond what is written in the Holy Scriptures.

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Is there an admission from the Roman Catholic Church that the official name of their religion does not jibe with the official name of the true Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo], the first-century Christian Church??? ANOTHER BIG YES!!!

Where did the name Roman Catholic Apostolic Church originate? How did it come into existence? Who formulated it? Is it found in the Bible? These are but some questions which will aid any truth seeker in determining whether he should stay in or leave the Catholci Church.

From the book, Discourses on the Apostles' Creed, written by a Catholic priest, Clement H. Crock, we are told thus:

"The Origin Of The Name "Catholic"

"In 1870, at the Vatican Council, the name 'Roman Catholic Church' was proposed, but it was rejected. The bishops assembled unanimously decided upon this official name:'The Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church,' as descriptive of Christ's Church."

This short quotation from a Catholic book amply answers the questions as to the origin of the official name of the Roman Church. By contrast, Jesuit author Francis B. Cassily wrote in his book, Religion: Doctrine and Practice, on pages 442-443:

"5. Did Jesus Christ establish 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."

Here is a priest who openly taught in question-and-answer form that the Church established by Christ is called the Church of Christ . Understandably, Mr, Cassily could not have stated otherwise, because he used the Bible as his reference.

Does the Bible indeed teach about the Church bult by Christ and how it was called by the Apostles? In Matthew 16:18, our Lord Jesus Christ declared in no uncertain terms: "I will build my Church."

Anyway, the Apostles called the Church built by Christ as the Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo][Romans 16:16; Acts 20:28, Lamsa]. How then should there be people who should change it? How should people then discard the name of Christ from His Church and replace it with another? Could the name of Christ be ignored and changed with another? How significant is the name of Christ? The Bible authoritatively stated in Acts 4:10, 12 that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

On the basis of name alone, Catholics who are interested in the welfare of their souls should not hesitate to abandon the Catholic Church.

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

The name:'The Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church' was only promulgated or made official in the year 1870 at the Vatican Council, more or less 1,800 years after Christ established the first-century Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo] and almost the same number of years after Christ's ascension to heaven including the death of the Apostles afterwards!!!

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Who is the head of the bogus religion or church which got its official name in 1870 at the Vatican Council:

"The official title of the pope is:'His Holiness the Pope, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ on Earth...'"

Reference:[K.E. Skydsgaard,et al.The Church As The Body of Christ, vol. 1, p.7]

"Vicar of Christ:the Pope as visible head of the Church,acting in place of Christ..."

Reference:[Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Catechism for Filipino Catholics, p.676]

The Pope is the visible head of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church!!! It is not Christ as declared by the Scriptures, thus:

"And he is the head of the body, the church ..." [Col. 1:18, NIV]

Christ is the Head of the body or Church which He established in the first century, the Church of Christ [Iglesia Ni Cristo]!!!

But someone is stealing the office of Christ!!! He is the head of the church promulgated or officially titled by the Vatican Council in 1870, the Roman Catholic Church!!!

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Can the title or office of Christ be stolen from HIm??? A BIG NO!!! WHY?? The Bible speaks, thus:

"But He holds His priesthood unchangeably, because He lives on forever.Threfore He is able also to save to the uttermost ...those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them."[Heb.7:24-25,Amplif ied Bible]

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." [Heb.13:8, NIV]

No one can steal the title or office of Christ!!! No Pope of whatever pedigree can take it away from Him!!! No chihuahua can act in place of Jesus Christ. For the Bible declares that Christ "holds His priesthood unchangeably." He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore no one can ever act in His place or be another Christ.

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Who else among the pedigrees stole the title or office of Christ??? A Roman Catholic book says, thus:

"The priest is another Christ."

Reference:[Richard P. Hire,Our Christian Faith,p.154]

If the popes are Christ and the priests are too, then, what happens??? There will be drug lords and "Kristo sa Sabungan" or Christ of the cockpit!!! All will resort to a power struggle for the money!!!

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

WHY RELIGIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN NUMBERS

[With many religions existing, a believer runs the risk of jeopardizing his soul should he fail to recognize which among the many religions is the true one.]

By Feljun B. Fuentes

Published in the October-December 1991 issue of God's Message.

The figures quoted below will give us succinctly an idea as to how many religions there are throughout the world today. It was recorded that, "In 1900 there was a global total of 1,900 denominations; but this has subsequently proliferated to 18,160 in 1970, 19,410 in 1975, 20,780 in 1980, with a projected 22,190 by 1985. The present net increase is 270 new denominations each year [5 new ones a week]. In many countries this produces serious overlapping, competition, rivalries, clashes, violence, and even lawsuits and protracted litigation." [World Christian Encyclopedia, p. 17]

The Moody Monthly magazine, in its September 1984 issue, said that, "With 20,800 denominations in the world, supplemented by 15,000 distinct parachurch agencies, we have 'something for everyone', the carnival midway of Christianity." [p. 28]

Both sources show how fast the number of religions or churches has been growing. These figures, however, do not include statistics of other so-called Chritian churches and the non-Christian religions.

Church history records that the Church founded by Jesus Christ in Jerusalem during the first century was apostatized and eventually became the Catholic Church. From the Catholic Church sprang the Greek Orthodox religion, and later, during the Reformation, Protestant churches were born as a reaction against Catholicism. These churches continue to multiply into a variety of sects and denominations espousing divergent doctrines and teachings. If one is to project further, there would be more so-called Christian churches in the future, fragmented in doctrine and in organization.

Post 1...to be continued

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 2...to be continued..

WHY RELIGIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN NUMBERS

[With many religions existing, a believer runs the risk of jeopardizing his soul should he fail to recognize which among the many religions is the true one.]

By Feljun B. Fuentes

Published in the October-December 1991 issue of God's Message.

This phenomeon invites varied reactions. There are some who readily welcome the continous increase of religions or churches. They do not find it offensive that Christianity has been divided in this manner. They rather see it as a good manifestation of man's attempt to return to God. The more religions or churches there are, the more religions to choose from to satisfy one's longing for religious liberty. Some believe that the more religions there are, the more people become closer to God.

Truth, however, runs contrary to these opinions. There is only one Christian Church or Christian religion. The more religions there are, the greater is the confusion faced by man. And since there is only one true religion, the more religions there are, the farther man becomes from the true God. There is, thus, an urgent need to find the true religion.

With a single religion existing, man's decision will be limited to whether to serve or not to serve God. But, with many religions existing, the greater the likelihood that a believer may jeopardize his soul should he fail to recognize which among the many religions is the true one. Hence, the more religions there are, the greater the problem man has to confront with. During the time of Jesus on earth, there was only one Christian religion. Its authenticity could not be doubted as it could easily be identified. It was the religion founded by Christ, the Church of Christ.

People today, particularly those who consider themselves Christians, know that Christ founded a church. The relevant question now is which among the thousands of existing religions or churches is the true one. There is, therefore, a necessity for man to conduct a search on this lest he imperils the future of his soul.

Before anyone could find the true Church of Christ or the true religion today, he must in the process eliminate the false religions by doing a thorough investigation into the fundamental doctrines of the religions in question.

to be continued...

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 3...to be continued...

WHY RELIGIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN NUMBERS

[With many religions existing, a believer runs the risk of jeopardizing his soul should he fail to recognize which among the many religions is the true one.]

By Feljun B. Fuentes

Published in the October-December 1991 issue of God's Message.

Religions As Classified

Churches and sects have been classified by religious scholars in various ways and with considerations of various categories. To illustrate, there are those who divide "Christianity" into three main branches, namely, Catholicism [referring to the Roman Catholic Church], Greek Orthodoxy, and Protestantism [consisting of Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, and Independents].

Others classify these churches according to polity or government, namely, episcopal, presbyterial, congregational, or a combination of these. However, any better classification that may be conventionally acceptable will not be as important as recognizing the authentic Christian Church.

In fact, the most significant classification was that made by Jesus Christ. He classified religions into two by distinguishing between the religion that is of God and that which is not. He said:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." [Mt. 7:13, New International Version]

The true religion is the way to God. Here, Christ mentions about the wide and the narrow gates in reference to religions. The wide gate or the broad road refers to religions that separate man from God and lead him to destruction. The small gate or narrow road refers to the true religion that leads man to God so that he would attain life.

Unfortunately, only a few, according to the Lord Himself, find the way to God. Even more lamentable is the fact that others refuse to search for the narrow gate or the true religion that will lead man to Him.

The religions that do not belong to God are those whose teachers teach false doctrines and do not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ [cf. I Tim. 6:3] and, therefore, pose danger to the life of man.

to be continued...

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 4...to be continued...

WHY RELIGIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN NUMBERS

[With many religions existing, a believer runs the risk of jeopardizing his soul should he fail to recognize which among the many religions is the true one.]

By Feljun B. Fuentes

Published in the October-December 1991 issue of God's Message.

Why Religions Multiply

Man is a natural worshipper who always tries to find meaning into his existence. That meaning is found in his relationship with his Creator. His existence is valued in as much as he is able to serve God who created him. The problem, however, is that, in his attempts at searching for life's meaning and purpose, he stumbles into his private opinions and creates his personal way of worshipping God. The Bible says:

"The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace." [Is. 59:8, NIV]

This is the main reason for the increase in the number of religions or churches. With his religious zeal and interest in worshipping the Creator behind his actions, add to this his longing for God, man has established his own religions. There is no objection regarding the intentions and motives of people for this is written:

"For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness." [Rom. 10:2-3, Ibid.]

Apostle Paul attests to the devotion to God exhibited by these people. But, though they are deeply devoted to God, their devotions are not based on true knowledge. Unaware of the way in which God puts people right with Himself, they have tried to set up their own way and have not submitted to His righteousness. They have created their religions.

to be continued...

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 5...to be continued...

WHY RELIGIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN NUMBERS

[With many religions existing, a believer runs the risk of jeopardizing his soul should he fail to recognize which among the many religions is the true one.]

By Feljun B. Fuentes

Published in the October-December 1991 issue of God's Message.

However, it is not man himself who is solely responsible for the proliferation of many religions on earth. Someone is behind the increase in the number of religions, the purpose of whom contradicts the purpose of God. This, Jesus Christ explained in a parable:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
"The owner's servants came to him and said, "Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
"'An enemy did this', he replied. The servants asked him,'Do you want us to go and pull them up?''No', he answered,'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned, then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn'.
"The he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said,'Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field'.
"He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear'." [Mt. 13:24-31, 36-43, Ibid.]
The parable explains why false religions continue to multiply in the world. The evil one is responsible for this, in his attempt to win people on his side and rally them against the true God. Even the Apostles warned the early Christians about the coming of the evil one with the intention to deceive people into believing that their religions are true. Apostle Paul said that the evil one would come "and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved. And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false. The result is that all who have not believed in the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned." [II Thess. 2:10-12, Today's English Version]
This deception by the evil one will hardly be noticed by people. It will be very subtle. Unaware of the devil's scheme, people will hold on to the outward form of Christian religion, but respect its real power [cf. II Tim. 3:5]. Unaware of the dangers that such deception might bring they would even believe that they are on the right track. They will be duped into believing that their religions are of God. God, however, warns that, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" [Prov. 14:12, NIV].

to be continued

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam

Post 6...to be continued

WHY RELIGIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN NUMBERS

[With many religions existing, a believer runs the risk of jeopardizing his soul should he fail to recognize which among the many religions is the true one.]

By Feljun B. Fuentes

Published in the October-December 1991 issue of God's Message.

The Only Way To God

While others may stubbornly cling to the belief that all religions are good in that all of them do not teach anything wrong and that they are all of God, some find it fascinating to have a good number of churches to choose from. In as much as the true religion will bring man to God, let us try to inquire from Jesus Christ, how many true religions there are and which would lead man to God:

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." [Jn. 14:6, Ibid.]

It is clear that there is only one way to God--Jesus Christ. This only means that there is only one true religion whose services are accpetable to God. This one true religion is the Church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. It is the Church of Christ as introduced in the verses of the Bible [cf. Rom. 16:16; Acts 20:28, Lamsa]. This Church described by the Apostles as the body of Christ [cf. Col. 1:18], is an organized unit and is headed by Jesus Christ who is its head. And as to the number of true churches there are, the Bible testifies:

"There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." [Eph. 4:4-6, NIV]

There is only one true Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is analogous to the human body so that it is a united whole--one organization. It is not fragmented but one unit.

It is God's expressed will that Jesus be the head of the Church whose service and worship are acceptable to Him. Regarding this, the Apostles wrote:

"And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way." [Eph. 1:22-23, Ibid.]

Another reason why one should find the true Church has something to do with the Lord's promise to His Church. Jesus Christ said the following to Apostle Peter:

"And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation, I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it." {Mt. 16:18, TEV]

Here, Christ did not promise the founding of a fragmented Church. He mentioned of building only one Church which not even death [the eternal punishment in the lake of fire on the day of Judgment] shall overcome. This Church, as it is an organized unit, is likened to a physical human body with many members but headed by Jesus Christ:

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." [Rom. 12:4-5, NIV]

to be continued...

Real Elias Ibarra
Guam