Iglesia ni Cristo denies the traditional interpretation of John 1:1 that Jesus is God (ho theos). They interpret the verse as teaching that the Word (Logos) is divine in nature but subordinate to God the Father. The INC official teaching holds that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, a divine being sent by God, but not God himself.

The INC Doctrine clearly teaches that the phrase 'the Word was God' is misinterpreted by Trinitarian churches. Their reading emphasizes that 'the Word was with God' (showing distinction) and understands the divine nature of the Word in a subordinationist framework. This interpretation is foundational to INC Christology and their distinctive non-Trinitarian theology.