TODAY, July 27, 2024, marks another milestone for the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) as it celebrates its 110th anniversary.
Officially registered with the Philippine government on July 27, 1914 as a sole religious corporation by founder Felix Ysagun Manalo, INC or Church of Christ describes itself to be the one true church and the restoration of the original church, founded by Jesus Christ.
Upheld by members as "The last messenger of God in the last days," Manalo's calling is accepted as an act of divine providence and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy that a messenger will come from the Far East in the last days – in accordance with the opening of the seventh seal as related in the Book of Revelation.
Born on May 10, 1886 in Taguig, Manalo has been baptized into the Catholic Church like most Filipino infants that time. However, in his teenage years, he became dissatisfied with the teachings of the religion brought by the Spaniards into the archipelago.
In his search for spiritual enlightenment, he has sought knowledge in the Aglipayan Church with similar doctrines as the Catholic faith but mainly disagrees with the infallibility of the Pope; the Methodist Episcopal Church, becoming a seminarian then as pastor for a while; Presbyterian, Christian Mission and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Getting no clear understanding of what the religions taught about God and Jesus, he aligned himself with the agnostics and atheists in 1913.
In November that year, 3 days after seclusion in a friend's house in Pasay, he came out with fresh doctrines different from established religions. He then started preaching with his wife in Santa Ana, Manila.
When he returned to his birthplace to preach, he experienced resistance, getting ridiculed and stoned but successfully converted some townmates, including those who persecuted him at first.
Three years later in 1916, two locals were established in Pasig with the first three ministers ordained by him in 1919.
By 1924, there were around 5,000 members of the new church in 45 congregations in Manila and nearby provinces. Membership grew to 85,000 in 1936, with a congregation established in Cebu in 1937. The first issue of "Ang pasugo" came out in February 1939. By 1954, membership has been at 200,000.
In 1946, INC sent a mission to Mindanao, expanding membership further. In 1948, INC built its first concrete chapel in Sampaloc, Manila.
As the first executive minister's health started to deteriorate in the 1950s, his son Eraño has started to discharge leadership duties. Upon the elder Manalo's death on April 12, 1963, the mantle of leadership naturally fell on the son and with a unanimous vote from the council and general membership, Eraño has been ordained as the second executive minister of INC.
Overseas expansion
The new executive minister has officiated the first worship service outside the Philippines in Ewa Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America on July 27, 1968. INC has established the San Francisco, California congregation a month after.
In 1971, INC became global with the establishment of a congregation in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom. In 1973, the Philippine-founded church has established a congregation in Canada; South Africa in 1978; Rome, Italy on July 27, 1994; Jerusalem, Israel in 1996; and Athens, Greece in 1997. By 1998, there were 543 congregations and missions in 74 countries outside the Philippines.
Eraño died on Aug. 31, 2009 and his son Eduardo Manalo or EVM was elected and ordained as the third executive minister.
Reportedly, as of 2020, INC has 2.8 million members in the Philippines, coming in third in numbers after the Roman Catholic and Islam.
Local programs and development
INC looks after the well-being of its members spiritually, temporally and intellectually. In 1965, it has launched its first resettlement and land reform program in Laur, Nueva Ecija.
In 1969, INC began its broadcast on AM radio as INCRadio DZEM 954 kHz, owned and operated by Christian Era Broadcasting Service International. Its first television program has been aired in 1983.
In 1971, the Central Office building was built in Quezon City. In 1975, it built the New Era Education Institute, which became New Era College (NEC) in 1981. On June 30, 1995, NEC has been granted university status by the Commission on Higher Education to become New Era University.
On Nov. 19, 1981, INC has launched the "Lingap sa Mamamayan" (Aid To Humanity) program, aimed to provide relief goods, health care and other services to the needy, especially those who are afflicted by calamities and disasters.
It also provides seminars for disaster preparedness, first aid and family planning. Other humanitarian activities such as blood donation and community clean up drives have also been conducted in different parts of the world where the INC is established.
The Ministerial Institute of Development, renamed as Iglesia Ni Cristo School for Ministers, has been founded in Quiapo, Manila and moved to Quezon City in 1978.
"Ang pasugo" had its first international edition as "God's message" in 1978. In 2004, the two titles were merged as "Pasugo: God's Message" with its official website pasugo.com.ph.
In 1984, the 7,000-seat Central Temple has been added to the complex in Quezon City with the Tabernacle that can seat 4,000 people, finished in 1989.
On March 14, 2014, EVM has led the groundbreaking ceremony of the EVM Self-Sustainable Community Rehabilitation Project in Sitio New Era, a 3,000-hectare property of the church in Alang-alang, Leyte. The project, which costs more than P1 billion, includes at least 1,000 housing units for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.
Garments and dried fish factories, and eco-farming projects are also included to provide livelihood to the community. More than 150,000 hunger relief packages have also been given, which contained 3 kilograms of rice, canned goods and instant noodles aside from the free medical and dental services, conducted by member volunteers.
On Nov. 9, 2015, the third INC executive minister has inaugurated a community project for the Kabihug tribe, an indigenous group in Camarines Norte. The project is situated on a 100-hectare land, which includes 300 housing units, a calamansi orchard, an ecological farm, a dried fish factory, a garments factory, a clinic, a learning center and an INC worship building.
After 6 months, another housing and eco-farming community project has been inaugurated by the church on May 27, 2016, for the B'laan tribe in Danlag, Tampakan South, South Cotabato.
Philippine Arena as landmark
Days before its centennial celebration in 2014, INC has inaugurated the 140-hectare Ciudad de Victoria that sprawls in Santa Maria and Bocaue in Bulacan, which houses the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena.
Then President Benigno Aquino 3rd and INC Executive Minister EVM has led the inauguration.
The Philippine Arena holds the Guinness World Records for the largest mixed-used indoor theater.
According to estimates, the centennial year celebration on July 27, 2014 gathered two million attendees with the Philippine Arena as the main venue, and 1,180 worship infrastructures worldwide via live streaming.
On Oct. 4, 2015, through Viva Films, has INC held the world premiere of "Felix Manalo," a film depicting the origin of the INC and the life of its first executive minister, starring Dennis Trillo, which was held at the Philippine Arena.
Now in 166 countries and territories
Latest report shows that INC now operates in 166 countries and territories, comprising 152 races and nationalities.
Currently, there are 129 Ecclesiastical Districts in the Philippines and 69 overseas.
From September 2009 to June 2024 (5,380 days) there were already 3,964 houses of worship completed and 4,850 ordained ministers. Getting the average for the houses of worship built in 14 years, it results in one chapel every 2 days completed/built/renovated – here and abroad.
Primary tenets and doctrines
INC believes that it is the true church established by Jesus Christ in the first century, and that its registration in the Philippines is the fulfillment of biblical prophecies that Christ's church would be reestablished in the Far East, specifically the Philippines, and Felix Manalo is God's messenger in the last days – the "angel from the east."
The Bible is the only book inspired by God, and thus it is the sole basis of all their beliefs and practices.
God the Father is the Creator of all things and the only true God; Jesus Christ is God's only begotten son and is a man, mediator between God the Father and humanity. The Holy Spirit is the power of God the Father and Jesus Christ to guide people. The "mysterious" Trinity doctrine is not found in INC teachings.
Members constitute the "elect of God" and there is no salvation outside INC.
Baptism is done by immersion – like how Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Newborn children are instead dedicated to God, led by an ordained minister in a congregational prayer.
Oneness is another peculiar practice of INC, which is justified as the church to be under the tenet of obedience and the advocacy of a united unit. This is the reason why political parties and candidates seek the endorsement of INC before elections.
The church conducts regular worship services: one during the week and one during the weekend, conducted in the local languages (providing sign language interpreters and translators in some congregations). It consists of singing of hymns, prayers, studies of the Bible, collection of voluntary offerings and benediction.
INC encourages members to make prayer a part of everyday life. Thus, prayer before various activities such as taking meals and going to sleep, are commonly practiced. Memorized prayer recitations are not part of the INC domain.
Church organization and administration
INC has had three executive ministers who lead the Church Administration in overseeing the faith of the members.
As the current executive minister, EVM serves as the church's leader, and, in this capacity, manages the administration of the church. Along with other senior ministers, which comprise the Church Economic Council, the executive minister forms the central administration of the church.
The Central Office within the INC Central Office Complex in Quezon City houses the permanent offices of the central administration and some of the church's departments.
INC also has three main offices outside the Philippines: in Burlingame, California; Washington DC and Heathrow, London.
Administration and ministerial work are delegated into ecclesiastical districts (termed divisions until 1990), which are led by district ministers (formerly, division ministers).
Ecclesiastical districts comprise 40 congregations (referred to as locales) on average. All locales were directly managed by Felix Manalo until 1924 when the first ecclesiastical district was organized in Pampanga.