7 Problems with the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Church

Summary

This video critically examines seven teachings and practices of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) church, highlighting concerns from a biblical perspective. It addresses INC's claims of being the only true church, forbidding personal Bible interpretation, denying the Trinity, emphasizing works over faith for salvation, asserting apostasy before Felix Manalo, enforcing strict church rules, and imposing man-made behavioral restrictions. The video encourages members to read and interpret Scripture themselves, trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, and consider joining a Bible-believing church. It emphasizes discernment, prayer, and reliance on Christ’s sacrifice rather than institutional mandates or works for eternal life.

Takeaways

• 😀 INC teaches that it is the only true church and salvation can only be attained by becoming a member of their church, which is unbiblical according to mainstream Christian teachings.
• 😀 The INC discourages personal interpretation of the Bible, promoting only the church administration as the authority on scriptural understanding.
• 😀 INC rejects the doctrine of the Trinity, claiming only God the Father is the true God, contrary to biblical teachings that include Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as part of the one true God.
• 😀 INC allows worship of Jesus Christ, despite rejecting His divinity, which is inconsistent with Christian theology.
• 😀 INC teaches salvation through works, such as baptism, membership, and attendance, in contrast to the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone.
• 😀 INC claims the entire church went into apostasy and was restored in the 20th century by Felix Manalo, who is seen as the last messenger of God.
• 😀 The church imposes strict rules on members, including mandatory attendance, attire, and offerings, and tracks members through attendance cards, with penalties for non-compliance.
• 😀 INC imposes man-made rules such as prohibitions on alcohol, dancing, pork, Christmas celebrations, and even voting for certain political candidates.
• 😀 The church practices shunning and isolation for those who deviate from church teachings, leading to potential persecution for members who leave the church.
• 😀 The script encourages INC members to read the Bible for themselves, test the teachings of their church, and put their trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, not in church rituals or membership.

Q & A

What does INC teach about salvation?

INC teaches that salvation can only be attained by becoming a registered member of their church. If your name is not in their church registry, you will not be saved.

How does the speaker respond to the claim that INC is the only true church?

The speaker argues that this teaching is unbiblical. They reference John 14:6, where Jesus says He is the way to salvation, not a particular church, and emphasize that Jesus' message was not about forming an exclusive group.

What does the speaker say about personal Bible interpretation in INC?

The speaker criticizes INC for forbidding personal Bible interpretation. They encourage individuals to read and interpret the Bible themselves, citing Acts 17, where the Bereans were praised for checking Scripture independently.

What is INC's stance on the Trinity, and how does the speaker counter it?

INC denies the doctrine of the Trinity, asserting that only the Father is the true God. The speaker counters this with references to John 1:3 and 1 John 5:20, affirming that Jesus is also divine and worship-worthy.

How does the speaker address the concept of faith versus works in INC's teachings?

INC teaches that works such as baptism, membership, and obedience are required for salvation. The speaker counters this with Ephesians 2:8-9, which states that salvation is a gift from God, not based on works.

What does the speaker say about the INC claim that the first-century church went into apostasy?

The speaker rejects the INC claim that the true church was lost until Felix Manalo restored it. They point out that passages like Isaiah 43:5-6 refer to the gathering of the Israelites, not the restoration of the church in the 20th century.

What are the church rules enforced by INC, and why does the speaker find them problematic?

INC imposes strict rules such as mandatory church attendance, formal attire, gender-segregated seating, and compulsory giving. The speaker criticizes these practices, as they link obedience to these rules with the attainment of eternal life, contrary to biblical teachings of grace.

What man-made rules does INC impose on its members, and how does the speaker view them?

INC forbids things like drinking alcohol, eating pork blood dishes, celebrating Christmas, and even saying 'Merry Christmas.' The speaker finds these rules overly restrictive and unbiblical, especially since violating them can result in expulsion and jeopardize one's salvation.

How does the speaker recommend INC members approach their faith?

The speaker encourages INC members to read the Bible for themselves, test everything against God's word, and place their trust in Christ alone for salvation, not in church attendance or works.

What is the final message the speaker gives to those in INC or similar churches?

The speaker urges individuals to consider leaving churches like INC if they are following man-made rules rather than Scripture. They stress the importance of finding a Bible-believing church that teaches salvation by grace through faith and focusing on Christ's sacrifice alone for salvation.