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Members Church of God International

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For other uses, see Church of God.
For other organizations with the same name, see Church of God International

The Members Church of God International (MCGI), is an international Christian denomination with headquarters in the Philippines. The Church of God International is primarily known through its television program, Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path). It indicates that it does not keep a formal count of members, but claims to have millions of followers. It is not related to the many Church of God groups that descended from the Barney Creek Meeting House revival of the late 1800s. While calling itself a Christian denomination, it is considered to be a cult by nearly all mainstream Christian denominations[1], due to their insistence that salvation is available not only through their church alone, that only the leader of their church (Eliseo Soriano) can interpret and understand the Bible, that Jesus Christ, while "a" god is a lesser god than the Father, and that God is not Omniscient or Omnipresent[2]. The group claims to have thousands of church locales in the Philippines, and around 500 international church locales in North America, Europe, South Africa, Asia, and Australia.

History

In May of 1922, frustrated about not being ordained as a Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Teofilo Ora, Januario Ponce and Basilio Santiago gather some members of the Iglesia ni Cristo and led a rebellion against its administration. They left and established their own church called Iglesia Verdadero de Cristo(Spanish title meaning True Church of Christ) and was registered in the Bureau of trade and Commerce. Several months later, they changed their name to Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus(English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus). That same year, Nicholas Perez became a member and preacher of this group after he was expelled from the Iglesia ni Cristo for allegedly baptizing several people on Mabacao River, located at Maragondon, Cavite. He even sent pictures as a proof of the event but later turned out that the people on the picture were not baptized at all and was just there for a picnic.

In 1928, Nicholas Perez became its General Evangelist and soon sought the leadership of the group but was denied by Teofilo Ora.

In 1931, Nicholas Perez with Avelino Santiago then left and started their own group called Iglesia ng Diyos kay Cristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan(English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of The Truth). According to Eliseo Soriano however, Nicholas Perez was already preaching this Church way back in 1928 at Pulilan, Bulacan. This is still unclear since during this time, Nicholas Perez was still with the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus founded by Ora. Some other members of the Teofilo Ora led church also left and established their own churches. Ponciano Bungay established the Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Ibabaw ng Bato in 1932 while Basilio Santiago established the Church of God in Christ Jesus in 1949 and Salvador Payawal established the Kabanal-banalang Iglesia Ng Diyos.

It was not until December 10,1936 that the Church of Nicholas Perez, Iglesia ng Diyos kay Cristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan was officially registered in the Bureau of Commerce and Industry. In 1954, Avelino Santiago, Nicholas Perez’ co-founder of Iglesia ng Diyos kay Cristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan left the group and established his own church, Iglesia ng Diyos na Buhay kay Kristo Hesus.

In 1934, the parents of Eliseo Soriano, Triunfo Soriano and Catalina Fernando were baptized and became a member of the Nicholas Perez led church the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Cristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan.

Eliseo F. Soriano was born on 1947 and was baptized on April 7, 1964, three days after his 17th Bithday as member of the Nicolas Perez led Church. He studied the bible from Nicholas Perez and sometime in 1969, he received the title of Minister, making him the only minister in the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan at that time. Rumor says that he was to become the successor of Nicholas Perez. Nicholas Perez died in 1975. Coming from a poor family in Pasay City, Soriano claimed to be an “exceptional, consistently receiving the highest honors… and was awarded the highest possible grade in the entire history of his grade school.”[3] Unfortunately, he did not finish his secondary schooling due to an alleged “skirmish” with his acting school directress over a topic on religion. Soriano’s followers took this not as a “twist of fate but rather [an alleged] manifestation of God’s work of hand bringing him to his real destiny.”

After the death of Nicholas Perez, Eliseo Soriano signed on July 11, 1975 the appointment of a woman named Levita Gugulan to lead the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan as the Church Presiding Minister. A month after Levita Gugulan’s appointment, he again signed a memorandum stating that anyone who opposes their Church administration will be suspended and expelled.

On January 2, 1976, Eliseo Soriano was then appointed by Levita Gugulan as one of their church’s Board of Directors. There were fifteen members of the Board. On February 21, 1976 however, he was expelled together with sixteen other members for inciting rebellion inside the church and teaching doctrines contrary to their beliefs. Soriano however, maintains that he was not expelled but voluntarily left his church. Eliseo Soriano states that he firmly believes that a woman has no place to lead a church according to the bible[4] although he’s one of the signatories of the appointment of Gugulan months earlier.

On March 30, 1977, Eliseo Soriano registered his own group and called it the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan(English Translation: Church of God in Christ Jesus, The Pillar and Ground of the Truth) claiming that the name reflects the exact translation in Tagalog of the word hedraioma[3] of 1 Timothy 3:15[4] in the Greek Scriptures instead of the word Suhay used by Gugulan's group.[5]. According to Soriano, the most exact translation of hedraioma is Ground or Saligan in Tagalog and not Support or Suhay in Tagalog[6]. A year later, one of his members Filomeno Hizon left him and established his own church, the Mga Mananampalataya sa Iglesia ng Diyos Kay Kristo Hesus, Incorporated which was registered only on June 20, 1984.

It seemed to Gugulan that Soriano had simply substituted the word “Suhay” to “Saligan”. Gugulan’s church then filed a lawsuit against Soriano on July 16, 1979 for using a similar church name. While the case was in progress he managed to register another church name, Ang mga Kaanib sa Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, Incorporated(English Translation: The Members of The Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Philippines, Incorporated) on January 20, 1980. Soriano's group lost in 1988 and was ordered by Securities and Exchange Commission to change its church name to one that is not similar or identical to a name already used by Gugulan's group.[7]

In 1993, Levita Gugulan’s successor Maximino Nieto found out that the name Soriano registered in 1980 has almost the same name with his church. Soriano, aware of the possibility of being sued, registered the church name Bayan ng Katotohanan Incorporated (English Translation: City of Truth Incorporated) in December 1993 before Nieto’s group was able to file another complaint against him. Nieto subsequently filed a complaint against Soriano's group in 1994 but while the case was still in progress, Soriano registered another name, the Iglesia ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH, Inc. (English Translation: Church of YHWH and of YHWSA HMSYH, Inc.). In 1995, Soriano's group lost and was ordered to change its church name not similar or identical to a name already used by Nieto's Group. The Court of Appeals denied Soriano's appeal in 1997 and Soriano was forced to change his church name and use the “Bayan ng Katotohanan” and the “Iglesia ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH” as their church name during that period. The decision was finalized by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 2001.[7] Despite the name change, Soriano maintains that they are still the Iglesia ng Dios ng Kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan that Nicholas Perez preached.

On January 13, 2004 Soriano decided to register the name, Members Church of God International, which is the current name of his church. Soriano also reserved three more church names to ensure that this problem won’t happen again: Mga Kaanib ng Ama at Panginoong Jesus sa Bansang Pilipinas Inc. (English Translation: Members of the Father and Lord Jesus, Philippines Inc.), Members Church of the Living God, and Iglesia ng mga Bunso (English Translation: Church of the Youngest Children).

Beliefs and Practices

The Members of the Church of God International believe that all teachings and interpretation of doctrines should be based upon the 66 books of the bible alone, which can only be done through their leader. They adhere to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy including scientific and historical accuracy of the bible. Although they reject the Theory of Evolution and Bigbang Theory, they hold that the universe and earth are billions of years old and man is a part of the animal kingdom.

They reject the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, as well as the doctrines of Oneness, Original Sin, eternal security, personal relationship with Christ, tithing, sabattarianism among others.

Indoctrination classes are required prior to joining the organization. The classes are composed of at least 17 lessons concerning church doctrines prepared by Eliseo Soriano. Indoctrinees must wholeheartedly accept the doctrines taught during the indoctrination, before they will be baptized. A member who commits a serious offense such as adultery or rape are expelled and banned from readmission to the organization.

Members are expected to be modest in dress and grooming. Women are prohibited from wearing short hair, jewelry, and pants, while men are prohibited from wearing long hair. Members are prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs and gambling. Members are required to attend church service called Pasalamat or Thanksgiving every first day of the week (Sunday) at church headquarters in Apalit, Pampanga. The service involves singing hymns, hearing sermons, offering prayers, and giving to the church. Kneeling is the posture of prayer observed throughout the service.

Members Church of God International Teachings

Teachings about God

  • There's one Almighty God, the Father who is the Creator of the universe. God is not Omnipotent (He cannot do certain things like lying).[8] [9] God is not Omniscient (He doesn't foreknow all future human actions and choices). God is not Omnipresent (He created Hell but he is not there).[10]
  • Jesus Christ is the Father’s begotten son. He is the Mighty God but not the Almighty God. He is the co-creator of the universe, the only savior of mankind and the only way to the Kingdom of God in heaven.[11].Though equal to the Father as God, he is a distinct person but is lesser than the Father because He was sent by Him. He is greater than the Holy Spirit because He sent it.
  • The Holy Spirit though a distinct entity is part of the Father and the Son and also a Person but not a God. The Holy Spirit is lesser in status than the Father and Jesus.
  • There exist many gods because of 1 Cor. 8:5.
  • Since God made man according to his image, God also possesses organs like eyes, heart, nose, feet, mouth, anus, etc. except a knee because of Philippians 2:10-11 where the Father is excluded from bowing a knee to Jesus Christ.

Teachings about the Church

  • The Members Church of God International is the only true church of God in the Philippines and the world. It is the continuation of the Church of God founded by Jesus Christ and the apostles in Jerusalem and not created by Eliseo Soriano. The Church of God is the Kingdom of God on earth and is necessary for one's salvation. Those who have heard of the gospel must join this church in order to be saved.[12].
  • Salvation can only be attained by following all the laws of Christ in the New Testament including joining the Members Church of God International.
  • A member of the Members Church of God International can lose his salvation if he doesn't persevere until the end.
  • The Official name of the true church in the Bible is Church of God in Christ Jesus.[13]
  • The laws of Moses, The 10 Commandments including Sabbath and tithing have been abolished and replaced with the Laws of Christ in the New Testament and are therefore no longer applicable to the Members Church of God International. [14]
  • A person may be saved even though he has not heard of the Gospel. He will be judged by God according to his conscience.[15]
  • The establishment of the Members Church of God International in the Philippines is the fulfillment of Isaiah 24:15 among other prophecies in the bible.[16]
  • The Woman in Revelations 12 is being fulfilled in the Members Church of God International because of the persecution being inflicted to Eliseo Soriano and his group by their religious opponents particularly the Iglesia ni Cristo.[17]
  • Zechariah 13:7-9 was fulfilled in the Members Church of God International when the Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan founded by Nicholas Perez split into three groups: Levita Gugulan's group, Filomeno Hizon's group and Eliseo Soriano's group. Among the three groups, Soriano’s group became known for upholding the original teachings of Nicholas Perez. The other two groups diminished in number and veered away from the teachings of Perez.[18][19]
  • No one can interpret and understand the Bible unless he is the Sugo (sent one) who is none other than Eliseo Soriano himself. Soriano is the fulfillment of Daniel 12:4,9-10 and Ecclesiastes 9:13-16. He is the "wise" who shall understand the bible in the last days.
  • Women should not be allowed to lead the church. [4]

Other Teachings

Propagation and Missionary Works

MCGI uses radio, television and the World Wide Web in its missionary and propagation labors. Flagship program Ang Dating Daan is now considered longest running Philippine radio-television program centering on religion and spirituality hosted by Eliseo Soriano, the Church Presiding Minister. Second in command is Vice-Presiding Minister Daniel S. Razón.

Aside from free channels in the Philippines, MCGI airs English-format programs such as Biblically Speaking, Truth in Focus and Bible Guide through the TOP (The Old Path) Channel, carried by satellite and direct-to-home (DTH) service provider, GlobeCast. TOP Channel is available in the United States and Canada. MCGI sealed an agreement with GlobeCast last October 7, 2004.

Charities and Outreach Missions

  • MCGI manages and operates orphanages that houses poor widows, homeless and abandoned children. To date, there are more than 20 orphanages maintained by the Church of God from different parts of the Philippines such as in the National Capital Region, Pampanga and in some provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
  • On July 22, 2007, MCGI launched a free bus transport project for commuters in EDSA, Philippines. This outreach project aims to show the goodwill of the Church and its members through the giving of free ride, coffee, Bible and magazine publications..[24]

Criticism

Rivalry with Iglesia Ni Cristo

In the modern era of the mass media, they have utilized the channels (UNTV Channel 37) that they possess to spread their works. Unfortunately, this has created conflicts among their beliefs.This has intensified to a level that there were shows made to mock each other's religions.They send converts from the other religion to testify against it and vice-versa. This caused for members to hate the other religion. Soriano's manner of preaching is a target of criticism. He uses words that are considered swear words in Tagalog although he denies that he is cursing. He is fond of criticizing his religious opponents that he calls false prophets and insults them in his programs.

In 2005, MTRCB banned Soriano's programs because of alleged statements made by Soriano against the Iglesia ni Cristo, the Arroyo government, and the MTRCB. He was prohibited from uttering libelous and defamatory statements against INC. Soriano had used terms like iglesia ni Manalo to allegedly malign the INC in his programs.[10] Soriano protested the ban claiming the MTRCB had violated his freedom of religion and speech. The Commission on Human Rights ruled that MTRCB overstepped its authority by banning Soriano's TV programs in 2005.

As a result of Soriano's frequent attacks on the Iglesia ni Cristo, INC launched a TV program, Ang Tamang Daan, devoted to personally discredit, insult and malign Soriano. The INC hosts would often refer to him as manloloko(deceiver), dayukdok(ravenous), mandarambong(plunderer), mangongotong(extortioner), manghohostage(hostage taker) and the like, which the MTRCB refuses to acknowledge as libelous and defamatory.

In 2005, Soriano sought the court to issue an injunction against the Iglesia ni Cristo for showing video and audio clips of him allegedly disparaging Muslims, Muhammad and Islam on their program to incite the Muslims to attack Soriano's church headquarter. Soriano maintained that the clips had been fabricated. Soriano is said to have called Muhammad crazy and the Muslims antichrists, demonic, beheaders and killers in the said clips. According to Soriano, a grenade was thrown on November 21, 2003, at their Church coordinating center which, luckily, did not detonate. The Court of Appeals however, dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.

As a consequence, Two Muslim groups sued Soriano for libel seeking an amount of P1.25 billion in damages. Soriano explained that his discussion about Islam was honest and didn't intend to insult their faith. In September 2006, a rally against Soriano by a group of Muslims scheduled to be held outside his headquarters in Apalit, Pampanga was circumvented after Muslim leaders said Soriano was innocent and that Muslims were being used by the INC.

In an attempt to end the conflict between the two groups, Soriano challenged the INC executive minister to a one-on-one debate on TV on March 27, 2005 to once and for all end the dispute between the two groups and prove who is telling the truth. The Iglesia ni Cristo hosts responded to Soriano's challenge on their program by asking him to debate first with Pope John Paul II who was bedridden at that time and died a few days later.

In 2003, Soriano was targeted in a smear campaign in a series of comics which depicted him negatively. The author and publisher were never identified but the Ang Dating Daan program accused the INC of making the comics and presented documents allegedly of a INC officers-signed memorandum circulated among top aides and chapter officers of this church[citation needed] to "discreetly distribute the said defamatory comics." As a result, the INC hosts sued Soriano for libel in 2003. In October 2007, The Court of Appeals dismissed Soriano's appeal to stop the trial of libel suit filed by INC ministers.


References

  1. ^ http://www.thebereans.net/prof-add.shtml
  2. ^ http://www.angdatingdaan.org/biblicaltopics/bib_issues_13.htm
  3. ^ http://www.angdatingdaan.org
  4. ^ a b Does a Woman have the Right to Preach in the Church of God?
  5. ^ Eli Soriano Biography
  6. ^ Soriano said The Greek word Hedraioma does not mean "support". Strong's Concordance however defines hedraioma(from a derivative of edraioV - hedraios 1476) as stay, prop, support. [1][2]
  7. ^ a b http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2001/dec2001/gr_137592_2001.html
  8. ^ Not Everything is Possible to God
  9. ^ There is something that God cannot do
  10. ^ God is Not Everywhere
  11. ^ Church General Declaration and Doctrines
  12. ^ The Church of God Is Needed For Salvation
  13. ^ The Official Name of the Church in the Bible
  14. ^ The Covenant on the Fleshy Tables of the Heart
  15. ^ The Truth is the Truth — if it is the Whole Truth
  16. ^ God-Inspired Prophecies about a Poor Nation and a Nobody Like Brother Eli
  17. ^ Mystery of the Laboring Woman
  18. ^ Church History
  19. ^ Ang Dating Daan Magazine Dec. 1996 Issue pp. 22-23
  20. ^ The Truth About Noah and the ‘Worldwide Flood’
  21. ^ The Biblical Difference Between a Homosexual and a Sodomite
  22. ^ Can a Homosexual Make it to Heaven?
  23. ^ Limbo: A Catholic Invented Doctrine
  24. ^ Ang Dating Daan gives free bus ride for public commuters

Commentary (critical)

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