Iglesia ni Cristo explicitly denies the pre-existence of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and did not exist before his conception in the womb of Mary. This position rejects Johannine and Pauline passages that suggest Christ's pre-existence (such as John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-17, and Hebrews 1:1-3). INC theology interprets these passages differently, reading them as affirming Christ's preeminence and role in creation under God's direction, rather than his literal pre-existence as a divine person.

The denial of pre-existence is essential to INC's unitarian Christology. If Jesus pre-existed as a divine being, he would be divine, contradicting the core INC doctrine that God alone is the Father and Jesus is the highest creature, not God. Thus, the affirmation that Jesus was born in time and history is presented as consistent with his creaturely status and the uniqueness of God the Father.