Denies
Rejects papal supremacy; Christ alone is the foundation; church is universal, not hierarchical
Iglesia ni Cristo explicitly denies the Roman Catholic interpretation of Matthew 16:18. The INC teaches that Jesus Christ, not Peter or any pope, is the rock and foundation of the church. Jesus' statement refers to the faith of Peter (and by extension, all believers) as the foundation, not to Peter's person or office.
The INC rejects papal succession and papal infallibility as unscriptural innovations. The church is a spiritual, universal community of believers under the headship of Christ alone, not a hierarchical institution headed by a single human.
Scripture References
Sources
- Iglesia ni Cristo official doctrine
- Felix Manalo teachings