Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) was founded by Félix Manalo in the Philippines on July 27, 1914, with the conviction that he was the angel of Revelation 7:2—the last messenger sent by God to restore the true church. The church teaches strict biblical unitarian theology: God alone is the Father Almighty, Jesus Christ is God's highest creature and Savior but is not God himself, and the Holy Spirit is God's power rather than a distinct person. Salvation requires baptism by immersion into the INC. The church is governed theocratically through the Executive Minister (currently Eduardo Manalo) and is known for its disciplined bloc voting in Philippine politics and its massive Arena of Reconciliation gatherings.
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Nuanced
Salvation through faith in Christ's ransom plus baptism by immersion into INC
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Christ's death is ransom for human sin; I Timothy 2:5-6 affirmed
Predestination
Nuanced
Félix Manalo predestined as God's last messenger for the Far East
Original Sin
Nuanced
Humanity inherits sinfulness from Adam; need for redemption through Christ
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Nuanced
Soul is mortal; soul sleeps in death; resurrection on judgment day
Hell
Nuanced
Eternal destruction for wicked; annihilationism (second death); not eternal torment
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal life in God's Kingdom for INC members who remain faithful
Second Coming
Affirms
Christ returns for final judgment; INC members will be saved; non-members lost
Millennium
Nuanced
Thousand years understood symbolically; focus on final judgment day
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Affirms
Theocratic governance; Executive Minister is God's appointed head of true Church
Clergy & Priesthood
Nuanced
Trained ministers lead congregations; strict hierarchy; no lay interpretation
Sacraments & Ordinances
Nuanced
Baptism by immersion required for salvation; Lord's Supper with leavened bread
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Affirms
66-book Protestant canon; INC interpretation is sole authoritative reading
Biblical Inerrancy
Affirms
Bible is inspired Word of God; inerrancy affirmed; INC interpretation definitive
Extra-biblical Revelation
Nuanced
Manalo's teachings as divinely guided; Executive Minister's guidance continuing
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Denies
Rejects traditional Trinitarian reading; Word is divine messenger but not God himself
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Nuanced
Acknowledges historical context; virgin birth accepted but not uniquely prophesied in Isaiah
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Denies
Rejects papal supremacy; Christ alone is the foundation; church is universal, not hierarchical
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Affirms
God's sovereign choice affirmed; based on divine foreknowledge of response
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Faith demonstrated by works; genuine faith produces obedience and action
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Nuanced
Baptism in Jesus' name emphasized; Trinitarian formula reinterpreted
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Denies
Hebrews 1:8 does not affirm Christ's divinity; Father alone is God
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Varies
Interpretation of Revelation 20 varies among members; not dogmatically fixed
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
God created all things; Genesis 1 accepted as revealed truth
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Nuanced
Longer ending of Mark not in earliest texts; message is biblical
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
John 7:53–8:11 not in earliest manuscripts; mercy theme is scriptural
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Denies
Comma Johanneum not authentic; Trinity doctrine rejected on other grounds
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; Protestant 66-book canon affirmed
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd of Hermas not canonical; early Christian text but not Scripture
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Denies
Sunday worship; Old Testament Sabbath not binding on Christians
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
No restriction on blood transfusions; modern medical care accepted
Military Service
Denies
Members prohibited from military service; pacifist stance; bloc voting instead
Holidays
Denies
Christmas, Easter rejected as pagan; birthdays discouraged; no pagan observances